President Obama and Same Sex Marriage

It was not only a courageous interview, the one in which President Obama acknowledged his support for same sex marriage. It was a moment of leadership. It was an instance when dubious thought and feigned tolerance indeed became acceptance and progress. It was a week when spirits of LGBT citizens were elevated, and they could almost taste complete equality.

Such is the potential of the power of the Presidency.

Much of the criticism that I have heard regarding his statement was political. It involved whether people would agree or disagree with his stand and what that would mean in the presidential election year in which we find ourselves. Would his stand square with the positions of people in the nation, or would they be in opposition?

The naysayers fail to acknowledge the power of the "pulpit" of the President. Perhaps the words of a leader will not simply agree or disagree with the listener.  Perhaps the power of a leader will actually persuade people that ways need to change, that attitudes need to reflect new thinking, and that there can always be innovation in our lives.

In the book of Isaiah (43:19), the prophet notes God's power and potential for renewal. "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."  This is a promise: for liberation of feelings of love, and a well-watered orchard for a harvest of countless bounty.

The "way" that President Obama calls us to perceive is not only new (for some), but threatening for them as well. I understand this.

But when we consider the people who will benefit from this kind of progress -- the children who will know whole families again, the partner who will now be able to visit their lover in a hospital bed, the people who can freely express the gender orientation given by God without fear of social disability -- then those people, and all of us, may indeed be free.

A Passover Celebration During Difficult Times

I hope that the holiday of Passover will be a happy one for us all.  I express this hope because this is not a particularly easy or happy time for Jews around the world.

From the shootings of a rabbi and his children in Toulouse, to the harassment of a day school student in Paris; from the newly found graffiti on a Chicago area synagogue, to the threat of divestment from Israel by Presbyterians in the United States; and from the anti-Israel threats of the regime in Iran, to the anti-American rhetoric (in my opinion) of those in certain Christian pulpits – and in thoughts and actions of certain candidates for President – who wish ours to be a “Christian nation”: This is a hard time to be a Jew.

It is our duty, at this time of year, to be attuned to the needs of the less fortunate among us.  Yet it’s becoming more of a challenge to empathize with those in need when we, ourselves, are facing the threat of attack and actual violence because of our being Jewish.  We cannot and must not retreat from Jewish life, and we cannot back away from reaching out to those who need our help.

So at this time of Passover, please look for ways to help in our community.  By ourselves we will not be able to stop the attacks, verbal and physical, on Jews, and we must always be on our guard.  But we still can help others who face violence on account of their skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or national differences.

Our Haggadah says that “In each generation, each of us must view ourselves as though we, personally, came forth out of Egypt.”  Each of us has the obligation to empathize – and then help – with the job of repairing and perfecting our world.  Let us not give up this struggle.  Let us bring life to all.

May your Passover be a good and happy one!

Racism in Good Old Boy Land: This is Not the Pursuit of Justice

The Torah tells us "Justice, justice must you pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20).  From this statement, our Sages infer that we are intended not merely to observe this sacred obligation when it's convenient, or when the opportunity presents itself.  We are to pursue justice without being asked, and with great enthusiasm.  It's terribly sad that in  2012, those sworn to uphold the law cannot seem to find the same level of fervor.

I am writing, of course, about the situation in Sanford, Florida, and the abhorrence that I feel while observing the apparent cover up of the Sanford Police Department in their handling of the Trayvon Martin case.  Insufficient investigation.  Disregarded witnesses and evidence.  Release of information obviously intended to discredit the dead young man.  Is this any way to run a police department?

I did not know whether I should have expected a "Law and Order" kind of process.  But that would have been refreshing.  Lenny Briscoe - a Jewish character played by a Jewish actor Jerry Orbach, of blessed memory - we miss you.

We are approaching the holiday of Passover, and we are reminded of the lot of the slave.  We know what intimidation and persecution are about.  We understand servitude to masters who profess different philosophies and beliefs.  And because we understand these things, we must empathize with those in our day who are persecuted and harassed, and seek to alleviate their sufferings.  I hope that the tragic death of Trayvon Martin will cuff us on the side of the head, and make us - as a society - realize that there still is a lot of work to be done to eliminate prejudice, racism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism.

As we sit around our Seder tables this year, wonder with your friends and relatives about ways to reduce prejudice and hatred; make a commitment to join one more discussion at work or at Temple on ways to build bridges with others; vow to not remain silent when one of your colleagues or friends makes a racist joke; be there for those who are persecuted and oppressed.

Be Happy - It's Adar: GoToMyMinyan.org – A New Way to Pray

I am usually not one to support cutting-edge technology at its product launch, but this month I must let you know about a new Internet-based web service that may make worship more convenient in this busy era of ours.

GoToMyMinyan.org is a new web service that takes the place of getting in the car, driving through possibly difficult weather, finding a far-off parking place, and going into the synagogue.

From the comfort of your home or office computer – or from a 4G mobile device using the GoToMyMobileMinyan app – you can avoid the hassle, save time, and still pray with worshipers who really care about close-knit community.

Just log on, adjust your screen for a minimum of nine fellow worshipers, and begin to pray:

The Synchro-Sound feature provides real-time participation.  Any participant can virtually “lead” the minyan by clicking or tapping on the Rabbi-Cantor tab; only one leader per session, please.  Alternative Video Outsourcing provides secondary video sources, such a Torah scroll for reading on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; or a song sheet for supplemental music lyrics.

You can extend your worship experience with the optional OnegOrganizer App.  With this feature, you can order individual oneg Shabbat or other holiday food packages to be delivered to your fellow worshipers while you pray, then be ready to conclude worship with a cup of grape juice, wine or schnapps, challah, gefilte fish, cake, cookies, or any other oneg Shabbat food from GoToMyMinyan.org’s extensive Oneg menu.

So for a peaceful and hassle-free worship experience, sign on and subscribe to GoToMyMinyan.org.  When you get to their home page, look in the upper right corner and click on the image of the menorah for a special discount.

Please note: GoToMyMinyan.org should not be confused with GoToMyMignon.org, the online discount steak-purchasing cooperative.

A Wish for a New Year

Happy New Year, and Shabbat Shalom!

We Jews live in a multifaceted realm. When the new Jewish year begins, we wish one another a happy New Year. When the new secular year starts out, we also wish one another a good year ahead, even after late nights of partying and days of disappointing football results.

Be that as it may, the transition from one year to the next allows us – again – to re-examine our lives and to seek out new patterns of existence if we believe they are in order.

Along with many who observe life in all its complexity, such as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, I too believe that "we are not locked in a realm where causality, struggle for existence, the will to exert power, personal urges, and the craving for prestige" are the only motivations that drive us.

We crave relationship, connection, and enrichment with one another in this world.

We desire the human touch, the kind word, the understanding glance, and the optimistic outlook for the future.

The Shabbat allows us to imagine what truly human life can be like, so that we can change our lives for the better.

I wish everyone a Shabbat of peace.