tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78895782219324084062024-02-22T02:54:46.501-05:00Adas Emuno<br><br>The Official Blog of Congregation Adas Emuno, a Reform Jewish Temple located in Bergen County, New Jersey. <br>✡<br>
We are one of the oldest synagogues in New Jersey, founded on October 22, 1871 in Hoboken, and presently located in the Borough of Leonia. <br>✡<br>
As a congregation, we are committed to an inclusive and participatory form of religious observance, education, and spirituality.<br>✡<br>
Congregation Adas Emuno is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. <br>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.comBlogger706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-3395462098796188532019-04-05T17:16:00.000-04:002019-04-05T17:19:28.658-04:00Where Have We Been?<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Have you missed us here on our congregational blog? Rest assured our synagogue is still going strong, nothing has changed in that regard!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We just have been busy constructing our new website, which has it's own built-in blog, which you can now find at our same old URL: <a href="http://adasemuno.org/">adasemuno.org</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's still under construction, as they say, but officially public now, and we hope you like it! And we'll continue to build and improve it as time goes on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for this blog, we will leave it up as an archive. In fact, our new website has links to various posts here. We may even use it on occasion. Only time will tell. But for now, come join us over at <a href="http://adasemuno.org/">adasemuno.org</a>. Tell'em <a href="http://adasemuno.blogspot.com/">adasemuno.blogspot.com</a> sent you!</span>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-51908049170872585922018-09-24T10:00:00.000-04:002018-09-24T10:00:10.081-04:00Rabbi Schwartz's Sermon for Yom Kippur 5779<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here Come Moses’ Children</span> </span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">YOM KIPPUR 5779</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">RABBI BARRY L. SCHWARTZ</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />
On a hot day in June of 1964 Rabbi Richard Levy relates that, </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was at a convention of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis when Martin Luther King sent a telegram asking for
rabbis to join him in a demonstration in St. Augustine, FL…. So I went with fifteen other rabbis.
We were ushered into a [room] where King was speaking and as we came in he said, ‘Here
come Moses’ children’.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
<i>Here come Moses’s children</i>. How about that? How striking…<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>Which led me to ponder: What
does it mean to be Moses’s children today? Thus this sermon… which is Part Two of my exploration
of the legacy of the Sixties that I began last night.<br /><br />
Some of you know that one of those Augustine sixteen was my own rabbi, from Temple
Israel in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Rabbi Michael Robinson, of blessed memory. Another was my
late professor at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Eugene Borowitz. These brave souls spent all
night in a sweltering jail. At 3:00 AM, by the light of a single naked light bulb in the corridor
outside their overcrowded cell they wrote a letter, <i>Why We Went</i>.<br /><br />
The Augustine Sixteen declared, </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We came because we could not stand quietly by our
brother’s blood. Here in St. Augustine we have seen… the deep implacable hatred. What
disturbs us more deeply is the large number of decent citizens who have stood aside, unable to
bring themselves to act, yet knowing in their hearts that this cause is right and that it must
inevitably triumph.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
The Augustine Sixteen were telling us that when we stand idly by we are not innocent; we
are part of the problem.<br /><br />
King himself said in his famous Letter from Birmingham City Jail that<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Injustice anywhere is a
threat to justice everywhere.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
King said,</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in
Birmingham.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
King said,</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and
nonviolent pressure. Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up
their privileges voluntarily. I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely
disappointed with the white moderate…<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>who is more devoted to “order” than to justice… and
who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a more convenient season. Shallow
understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding
from people of ill will.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
The man who spoke at the famous March on Washington just before King’s iconic “I Have a
Dream” was a rabbi. His name was Joachim Prinz. A refugee from Nazi Germany, he led a
congregation in Newark, and he helped lead the Jewish involvement in the civil rights
movement. Rabbi Prinz said that day,</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most
shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
Yet another great rabbi from the civil rights movement, Abraham Joshua Heschel, perhaps
said it best,</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a free society; some are guilty, all are responsible.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
Fast forward fifty years: She was not a rabbi or a minister, but I am still haunted by the words
of Heather Heyer. Do you recognize that name? She was the young woman killed in
Charlottesville, when she was rammed by a car driven into the crowd by an avowed racist.<br /><br />
Heather Heyer wrote that day in what would be her final Facebook post:</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you’re not
outraged, you’re not paying attention.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
Are we outraged? Are we paying attention? Are we standing up or are we standing by?<br /><br />
In the spirit of King and the Rabbis and Heather Heyer: What does it mean to be Moses’
children today?<br /><br />
What does it mean to be Moses’ children in the wake of the racist violence of Charlottesville
and Charleston?<br /><br />
The police violence of East St. Louis, Staten Island, Baltimore, Baton Rouge?<br /><br />
The mass shooting violence of Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Sutherland Springs,
Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland?<br /><br />
What does it mean to be Moses’ children in a time of #black lives matter and #me too and
#march for our lives?<br /><br />
What does it mean to be Moses’s children in a time of zero tolerance of migrants and the
separation of children from parents?<br /><br />
In the spirit of our revolutionary ancestor, allow me to respond that to be Moses’s children
means, if nothing else: Opening our Eyes and Voting with Our Feet.<br /><br />
<u>Opening our Eyes</u>:<br /><br />
When he was a young man the Torah says that Moses “went out to his people and witnessed
their toil.” (Ex.2) Then he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsmen, and he acted.<br /><br />
Later on Moses opens his eyes again. “He gazed and there was a bush all aflame, yet the bush
was not consumed. Moses said, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">‘</span></span></span></span>I must turn aside to look at this marvelous sight.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">’</span></span></span></span>” (Ex.3) God
too opens His eyes, as it were, as the Torah says, “God looked upon the Israelites, and God took
notice of them.” </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
Deep into the civil rights struggle, during his Poor People’s Campaign near the end of his life,
King said,</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We must see that the struggle today is much more difficult. It’s more difficult today
because we are struggling now for genuine equality. Negroes generally live in worse slums
today than 20 or 25 years ago. In the North schools are more segregated than they were in
1954…. The unemployment rate among Negroes is [worse]; twice that of whites. And the
average income of the Negro is today 50% less than whites.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
If we open our eyes today, what do we see 50 years after the Civil Rights movement?<br /><br />
Black kids are three times as likely to be poor as white kids. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Black unemployment is twice
that of white unemployment. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Homeownership is 40% for African Americans; 70% for whites.<br /><br />
Four in ten black and Latino students attends schools that are 90% minority. In NYC it’s five in
ten.<br /><br />
Latinos actually are now the largest minority in the country. Poverty rates have declined for
all Americans except Latinos. One out of four Hispanic adults lives below the poverty line; one
out of three children. Millions more, who cut our lawns; clean our pools, wash our dishes, and
pick our fruit live just above it.<br /><br />
And did you see this last week: In 2016 net worth among white middle-income families in
America was 19% below 2007 levels (adjusted for inflation). But among blacks, it was 40%
below, and for Hispanics 46% below.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
Do you call that an economic recovery?<br /><br />
<u>Praying with our Feet</u>:<br /><br />
God said to Moses to get up and start marching back to Egypt to speak truth to power. Later
God told Moses to get up and start marching out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land.<br /><br />
Professor Michael Walzer of Princeton writes in a powerful verse that we often read from our
prayerbook,</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Standing on the parted shores of history we still believe what we were taught
before we ever stood at Sinai’s foot; </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt; </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that there is a
better place, a promised land; </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that the winding way to that promise passes through the
wilderness; </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that there is no way to get from here to there except by joining hands, marching
together.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
When Rabbi Heschel marched with King at Selma he remarked afterwards, “I felt as if my legs
were praying.”<br /><br />
Praying with our feet means marching and lobbying. I was so proud when young people
across America led the way last spring in the March for our Lives and the national school walk-outs. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was so proud when I found out that our own Leonia high schoolers Maddie Raciatti and
Isabel Raskin were among the student leaders here in Leonia. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was so proud last year when I
went to a Leonia Town Council meeting to advocate for the Leonia sanctuary city resolution
that our own Sandy Pecht had made a special trip back from college to do the same. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The year before last I had the privilege of meeting civil rights icon John Lewis, still feisty after
all these years. I shook his hand and told him that I was the head of The Jewish Publication
Society that had published the work of Rabbi Heschel. He recalled marching with Heschel and
how much that meant. He said to us rabbis: </span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep marching. Raise your voices. Make some
noise!</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
I know that if Dr. King was here, if Rabbi Heschel was here, if Rabbi Prinz was here, if Rabbi
Borowitz was here, if Rabbi Robinson was here… they would all say the same thing as Jon Lewis.<br /><br />
They would remind us that the Torah commands (Lev. 18):“You shall not stand idly by.”<br /><br />
They would remind us that the Torah commands (Ex. 23): “You shall not oppress the
stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”<br /><br />
They would remind us that the Torah commands (Deut. 16): “Justice, justice shall you
pursue.”<br /><br />
They would remind us, “Open your eyes and vote with your feet.”<br /><br />
They would remind us that so much is at stake in American today.<br /><br />
We are fighting for freedom of the press right now.<br /><br />
We are fighting for oppressed refugees right now.<br /><br />
We are fighting for traumatized children right now.<br /><br />
We are fighting for victimized women right now.<br /><br />
We are fighting for the future of our very democracy right now.<br /><br />
We are fighting for the future of our gasping planet right now.<br /><br />
They would say at this New Year: Remember who you are!<br /><br />
They would say, as we enter the room:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here come Moses’ children. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here come Moses’
children. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make way for the children of Moses.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-38655352071225077722018-09-23T09:00:00.000-04:002018-09-23T09:00:07.168-04:00Rabbi Schwartz's Sermon for Kol Nidre 5779<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">FIFTY YEARS LATER</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">EREV YOM KIPPUR 5779</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">RABBI BARRY L. SCHWARTZ</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
On New Year’s Eve, 1968, snow fell on the revelers in Times Square. The <i>New York Times</i>
headline ran “World Bids Adieu to a Violent Year.” Americans were hopeful that the Vietnam
War would wind down; that the protests would diminish, and that America’s angry ghettos
would pacify.<br /><br />
In the Big Apple a threatened subway strike was averted, and the 20 cent fare maintained.
Two hit movies, <i>The Sound of Music</i> and <i>Thoroughly Modern Millie</i> both starred Julie
Andrews. <i>Hello Dolly</i> and <i>Fiddler on the Roof</i> were tops on Broadway. 1967 had been
difficult, but there was cause for optimism. Little did anyone know that the whirlwind of 1968
was about to be unleashed.<br /><br />
When the Viet Cong launched the Tet offensive in late January, Walter Cronkite was caught
saying: “What the ---- (expletive deleted) is going on? I thought we were winning this war?”<br /><br />
Then came the month of March. On the 12th , Eugene McCarthy came out of nowhere to finish a
close second to Lyndon Johnson in the New Hampshire primary. Days later Bobby Kennedy
shocked the political landscape by entering the race. The shock only grew when Sunday evening,
March 31st, President Johnson concluded a speech about the war with the words: “I shall not
seek, and will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”<br /><br />
Earlier that very same day, just a few miles away, Martin Luther King, Jr. had given the
Sunday morning sermon to a packed house at the National Cathedral. “One day we will have to
stand before the God of history, and we will talk of things we’ve done,” he said. “It seems to me
I can hear the God of history saying… But I was hungry and ye fed me not. I was naked and ye
clothed me not.”<br /><br />
Four days later, Martin Luther King Jr. lay dead in Memphis. Riots erupted in 110 cities
throughout the land. 39 people died. 2500 were injured.<br /><br />
Exactly two months later, Robert Kennedy was shot.<br /><br />
By year’s end, 6332 American soldiers had been killed in action.<br /><br />
On this 50th anniversary of the year that was 1968, I ask us to pause. Not simply because you
know me to be a student of history who likes to commemorate milestone anniversaries. Not
simply because fifty years is a half century, and gives us meaningful perspective.<br /><br />
I ask us to pause at the beginning of this Jewish New Year, as Jewish Americans, because the
tumultuous year of 1968 raises questions about tumultuous America today for all her citizens.<br /><br />
Questions that continue to challenge and haunt us ethically and spiritually. Indeed, the legacy of
America a half century ago, the legacy of the 60’s in general and 1968 in particular, is so
provocative and complex that I realized in composing my thoughts that I would need to do so in
two parts. I share Part One this evening and Part Two tomorrow morning.<br /><br />
The year 1968 became a potent symbol for the decade as a whole. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jonathan Darman wrote
an article about it, under the title of, "The Year That Made Us Who We Are". </span></span></span></span>He argues that three critical
questions emerge from that period that remain front and center in our national consciousness (or
should be):<br /></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
1. If Vietnam taught us to be a humble superpower, why are we still bogged down in wars?</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
2. If the civil rights movement truly transformed America, why is racism still so potent and
why are our cities still so segregated?</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
3. If the feminist movement liberated women, why do women still struggle, especially in the
workplace?</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
These questions are vital to a truly meaningful debate about America. Darman contends that,
whatever the excesses of the decade may have been, the 60’s were “an era when a generation
held sustained arguments over the things that have always mattered most.” How we need to
elevate our national discourse to talk about the things that matter most. How we need, in 2018,
to be having “a sustained argument” over the questions that have not gone away:<br /></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
1. How should America project its power to the world?</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
2. How should America overcome its racial and ethnic divisions?</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
3. How should America address its economic and gender inequality?</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
In the space of this first sermon I can do little more than raise these most basic questions and
begin a response by defining a direction, an orientation of the national soul, as it were, to what I
believe matters most. This direction is suggested to me as an American, by our history, and as a
Jew, by our heritage. An interweaving, if you will, of the best impulses of our national
experience, with the highest teachings of our religious tradition.<br /><br />
After the Second World War our country sensed that only by lending a hand to rebuild a
damaged world could the seeds of peace be sown. The Marshall Plan, the United Nations, the
Peace Corps were these seeds. Then, and now, threats to peace were real. The Cold War
tragically bequeathed us Vietnam. The War on Terrorism tragically bequeathed us Afghanistan
and Iraq. The true cost of these wars is still being reckoned.<br /><br />
After the Second World War our country also sensed that by giving equal educational,
political and economic opportunity to all its citizens could the seeds of social harmony be sown.
The GI Bill (which gave my father his education), the expansion of the public university system,
the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act, Head Start, and Title Nine were these seeds.
These seeds promised us a glimpse of a Great Society. The torch had been passed to a new
generation willing to dream a great dream.<br /><br />
Can we, as one nation, dream those dreams again? Can we nurture the seeds whose tender
shoots seem stunted and withered? Can we recover from the shattering events of a generation
ago, and an election ago, to pursue the Great Society?<br /><br />
I imagine that if King, who would be turning 90 this year like my father, could be with us, he
would be saying:<br /></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
In my time there was a war going on, and in your time there are wars going on. Stand up for
justice!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
In my time there was poverty amid plenty, and in your time there is rising sea of economic
inequality. Stand up for justice!</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
In my time there was <i>de jure</i> segregation throughout the land, and in your time there is <i>de facto</i>
segregation throughout the land. Stand up for justice!</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
Can we dream of an America where #black lives matter is self-evident?<br /><br />
Where #me too is a relic?<br /><br />
Where #march for our lives is behind us?<br /><br />
Can we dream of an America not of high walls, but open doors?<br /><br />
Not of zero tolerance but maximum compassion?<br /><br />
Not of perks for the rich but prosperity for the poor?<br /><br />
Not of corporate deregulation but environmental protection?<br /><br />
Can we dream of an America where we can have an extended, civil discourse on the issues
that matter most?<br /><br />
Can we dream of an America that we are proud to bequeath to our children?<br /><br />
More, as promised, tomorrow... I’m just getting started! For now, I conclude with a final
image from 1968. It should come as no surprise to those of you who know me as a space buff. As
the tumultuous and nation-searing year of 1968 drew to a close… in the predawn darkness of
December 21, three men boarded a spacecraft atop a giant Saturn V rocket at Cape Canaveral. At
10:41 Eastern Standard Time, Apollo 8 broke free from Earth’s orbit. Humanity had slipped the
bonds of Earth for the first time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAHe9NBi2eJcjQ4su-DxCNDmM5j3vp0EbBupwKD_hKvVS1YQvr86HrRZF1eqx4kv5Lcy-sBQCUz5zukOWk6HYusuk205i1hHPShmeWF7WpYEzM0IXU8QQYu5Xl_0_sleU3-wzUdbG8rlU/s1600/nasa-apollo8-dec24-earthrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAHe9NBi2eJcjQ4su-DxCNDmM5j3vp0EbBupwKD_hKvVS1YQvr86HrRZF1eqx4kv5Lcy-sBQCUz5zukOWk6HYusuk205i1hHPShmeWF7WpYEzM0IXU8QQYu5Xl_0_sleU3-wzUdbG8rlU/s640/nasa-apollo8-dec24-earthrise.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
Early on the morning of the 24th Apollo 8 entered the moon’s gravitational field. Soon after,
Jim Lovell maneuvered the spacecraft into lunar orbit, and a first look at the cratered lunar
surface 70 miles below. Lovell remembers, “As we kept going, suddenly on the lunar horizon,
coming up, was Earth. The moon is nothing but shades of gray and darkness. But the earth-you
could see the deep blue of the seas, the whites of the clouds, the salmon pink and brown of the
land masses.”<br /><br />
On Christmas Eve, Jim Lovell, Frank Borman and Bill Anders radioed a message to Earth,
with a billion people listening in. This was their message:<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form,
and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face
of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw the light, that
it was good.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Borman ended with verse 10:
</span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering of the
waters he called seas; and God saw that it was good.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When Apollo 8 returned safely to Earth, thousands of people sent the three astronauts the
same message. “Thank you for saving 1968.” Jim Lovell still looks up at the moon and
remembers the moment. “When you see Earth from the moon,” he says, “you realize how fragile
it is and just how limited the resources are. We’re all astronauts on this spaceship Earth… we
have to work together.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
My friends; it is Yom Kippur. A new year is upon us. A new day is dawning. God sees the
light. And so do we. And it is good.<br /><br /></span></span><br />
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-80755144119579443832018-09-22T18:29:00.000-04:002018-09-22T18:29:14.834-04:00Rabbi Schwartz's Sermon for Rosh Hashanah Morning 5779<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>SO I WILL PLANT FOR MY CHILDREN</b></span></h1>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></h1>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ROSH HASHANAH 5779</span></h1>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h1>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">RABBI BARRY L. SCHWARTZ</span></h1>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The year was 1871. Ulysses S. Grant was president. The Civil War had ended just 5 years
before. The great Chicago Fire killed 300 and left 100,000 homeless. The first major league
baseball game was played on May 4th and the first home run was hit on May 8th. Across the pond,
Queen Victoria ruled England. Lord Stanley located a missing explorer in Africa and greeted him
with the words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume."<br /><br />
In Hoboken, a group of German Jews founded a congregation that they called Adas Emuno—<i>the assembly of the faithful</i>. Twelve years later, in 1883, they built a synagogue; a Gothic
Revival building that still stands today and which the <i>Hoboken Evening News</i> called "a credit to
the city". We have a <i>yad</i>, a Torah pointer, from that dedication that is kept right behind me in
our Ark; and we still read from the Torah with the help of this 135-year-old <i>yad</i>. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While most of our congregational records have been lost over the decades, the original
minutes from our first years survive. They were hand written in German, in an old style few
people can read today. But one person who can is our very own Kurt Roberg, whom many of
you know. Kurt, a refugee from Nazi Germany, with a remarkable story that he has written a
book about—and possibly our most senior member at age 94</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">—</span></span></span>has been reading and transcribing
those minutes.<br /><br />
At the first Annual Meeting of the congregation on Sunday, Oct. 20, 1872, the president
praised the generosity of the members in acquiring a Torah and other sacred objects, of raising
some $1385 against total expenses of $1088 for a cash-on-hand balance of $297. Two weddings
were held that year, and two b’nai mitzvah. Two funerals were also held that year, the latter
writes the president "for my little son." The president concludes his address to the
congregation at the first annual meeting by saying, "I have now given you an overview of
everything that concerns our congregation, and even though there are some things that we still
wish to accomplish, we may be proud of the advances we made in one year. Don’t hesitate to
sacrifice whether time or money to complete the task we have begun."<br /><br />
By the 1890s the congregation had tripled to a hundred families. The flourishing community
included a religious school, a choir, and a benevolent association to aid the poor called the
Hebrew Ladies’ Aid Society. At the turn of the century a Hanukkah menorah was dedicated to
the congregation on December 13, 1900. Our 118 year old menorah is right here and we still
light it every year.
<br /><br />
On May 27, 1917, a teen named Esther Cohn was confirmed at the Temple. She must have
misplaced her Confirmation Certificate because I found it behind some books in our vestry
room a few years ago. It was signed by the rabbi, Moses Eckstein. and by the president, Samuel
Neuberger. Evidently, each student picked a "motto" for their certificate. Esther chose a verse
from the 23rd Psalm, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." A hundred years later we still
have a Confirmation Class, and each year I ask my students to pick a verse for their Confirmation
essay.
<br /><br />
Records grow scant as the 20th century progressed. We do know that in 1919 dues were set
at $30 a year. They rose to $45 by 1924. But High Holy Day seats were extra, and the ones
closest to the bimah cost another $15. We no longer sell seats.
On October 4th, 1951, Milton Neuman, who was chair of the Eightieth Anniversary Committee
of the congregation, received a congratulatory letter from President Harry Truman. I have a
copy of that letter here. It reads, "Dear Mr. Neuman…." Milton Neuman’s nephew, Michael
Levy, is an active third generation member of the congregation. His
parents and grandparents were members, and two of his grandchildren became b’nai mitzvah
here.
<br /><br />
Every time we enter this synagogue, which became our home only after a century in
Hoboken, we are reminded of our origins. We pass the dedication plaque at our entrance to the
left most often without noticing it. Then we enter the sanctuary and see the memorial plaques
from our original building. The names of our predecessors and their loved ones are not
forgotten.<br /><br />
We are now just three years away from what our past president, Lance Strate, reminds us is
our sesquicentennial. We will soon need to think about what kind of birthday party we will
throw for our 150th . But I am not a party planner; I’ll leave that to others. However, I do want to
weigh in with a suggestion, a big one, for our coming milestone.<br /><br />
Let me introduce this suggestion with a treasured story from our tradition. The Talmud
records the life of an unusual and remarkable sage in ancient Israel named Honi the
Circle Maker. Nobody knows why he received that name, but he is said to have gone around the
land of Israel planting carob trees, a Jewish Johnny Appleseed, if you will. When asked why he
took upon himself such an adventure, Honi responded that one day when he was still a young
man he saw an old man planting a carob tree. Honi said, "Old man, why are you planting that
tree. Don’t you know that it takes a carob tree seventy years to bear fruit?" The man paused,
looked up at him, and said, "Just as my ancestors planted for me, so I will plant for my
children."<br /><br />
That piece of wisdom changed Honi’s life. And it just might change ours. If we embrace the
realization that we are not here solely for ourselves; if we stand in gratitude for what those
before us have done for us and decide to pay it forward to the next generation.<br /><br />
When the founders first established this congregation in Hoboken, they were thinking about
the next generation of Jewish life beyond New York. They were thinking about their children
who would grow up in the new world, and speak English. They were thinking about the next
generation when they established a religious school and and a youth group.<br /><br />
When the leaders of Adas Emuno made the difficult decision to move to Leonia, they were
thinking about the next generation as well. They were thinking about how Jewish life was now
growing beyond the first tier suburbs to the promising frontier of Bergen County. They knew
that Congregation Adas Emuno was never big or rich and might not survive the move. But they
also knew that Adas Emuno was a dedicated and down-to-earth assembly of the faithful. I call
us "the little engine that could." We keep chugging along, even as larger congregations have
come and gone.<br /><br />
So what does it mean for us to now think about our next generation? Let’s be honest. Our
numbers are diminishing. The demographic tide in our little corner of the world is turning
against us. Leonia is a community in transition. The largest group of students in our school
district is Asian American. Jewish Americans are now statistically negligible. In this regard we
are following in the footsteps of our neighbor Palisades Park and other nearby communities. It
has been almost a decade since the only other synagogue in our community, Congregation Sons
of Israel, closed its doors. To keep our doors open we will need help.<br /><br />
We are certainly grateful for young families that have recently joined our ranks, primarily
from Fort Lee and Weehawken. They have sought out a progressive, inclusive Reform Jewish
community. They have sought out a congregation that welcomes interfaith households and
blended families. They have sought out a congregation that is haimish and humble. That is who
we are. We still have a place; we still serve a need; we still fulfill our mission. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But with diminished numbers, beyond a vigorous outreach effort, we will need another kind
of help as well. Declines in membership means we will be even more dependent on non-dues
income to stay afloat. Our congregation has always done a relatively good job of living within
our means; compared to other places our expenses are very low. Up until now we have largely
avoided ruinous deficits without the benefit of appreciable reserves. Up </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">until</span></span></span> now.<br /><br />
Congregation Adas Emuno needs and deserves a Heritage Fund. Living on the frontier of
sweeping changes to Jewish life, it is now time to think about how we will secure the next
generation of Jewish life given the realities of our future.<br /><br />
With the approval and support of our Board of Trustees, I am calling upon our congregation
to formally establish a $150,000 Campaign for our 150th anniversary. By synagogue standards
that is a modest goal that befits a small congregation. We hope it is more than attainable. Over
the coming year we will speak to you about two ways you can make a pledge to our 150th
Anniversary Fund. The first is an outright contribution, over a maximum of three years. For
some of our older individuals, required minimum distributions from IRA accounts might be the
ideal way to do this. For others it might be a charitable trust, appreciated securities, or an old-fashioned check. The other way of pledging is through a bequest. How fitting to remember our
synagogue in our estate planning.<br /><br />
Mark Rosenberg and I are co-chairing this campaign. As Harry Truman said, "the buck stops
with us." Or you might say, "the buck starts with us." Mark and Michelle have pledged $10,000
to this campaign. Debby and I are doing the same. We hope that above and beyond your
support of this synagogue through dues, above and beyond your support of this synagogue
through our annual appeal and other fundraisers, you will consider a generous contribution or
bequest to Adas Emuno’s 150th Anniversary Fund. It will not be used for our operating budget
at all, but as I mentioned, for the building of our reserves to be tapped only by decision of the
full board.<br /><br />
And we will not be launching another heritage campaign like this for at least fifty years, until
our bicentennial, in 2071.<br /><br />
Permit me to conclude with an understandable question. It is natural to ask: Why should I
contribute to this synagogue campaign if I myself may not be here? Why plant this tree if I may
not eat of its fruits? Long ago a sage in ancient Israel heard an answer that changed his life.
Long ago a group of German Jewish immigrants thought about the next generation in America,
their new promised land.<br /><br />
“Just as my ancestors planted for me, so I will plant for my children.”<br /><br />
So may it be.<br /><br />
<br /></span></span></span>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-45908924501714185932018-08-08T17:03:00.000-04:002018-09-08T17:04:49.559-04:00Gathering in the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaeXXDbj3y0ZilmYUDIWW-A0BNcE_PSsmGdGAcak-9RIsbdTUFTfgHyqucon4cabD-LLh7CP5-T9vTTJqTHb4ZCsWmvqKn_CU2LeDz_9GXPPd-nFbvYv7zIVu4PtaCmGV1JVczot3seE/s1600/Gathering+Garden+2018+nt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaeXXDbj3y0ZilmYUDIWW-A0BNcE_PSsmGdGAcak-9RIsbdTUFTfgHyqucon4cabD-LLh7CP5-T9vTTJqTHb4ZCsWmvqKn_CU2LeDz_9GXPPd-nFbvYv7zIVu4PtaCmGV1JVczot3seE/s640/Gathering+Garden+2018+nt.png" width="494" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Lance Stratehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033954765699126246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-59315775352299047892018-08-05T20:58:00.000-04:002018-08-05T20:58:27.447-04:00Eikev<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This past Friday both Rabbi Schwartz and Cantor Horowitz were out of town, so for the first time in four years we had lay led services. And in response to requests, I promised I would share my D'var Torah here on our congregational blog:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Parsha Eikev</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
This week's Torah reading is the third from the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah. The name <i>Deuteronomy</i> come from the Greek, meaning <i>Second Law</i>, because it follows the first set of laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, repeating and expanding upon them, including a slightly altered version of the Ten Commandments. But the Hebrew name for the fifth book of Moses is <i>Devarim</i>, which means <i>Words</i>. So if we want to use this book's real name, not the ancient equivalent of its Ellis Island name, we would refer to it as the Book of Words. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In ancient times, books did not have titles, but were known by the first few key terms of the text, and Devarim begins with, "These are the words that Moses spoke to all of Israel on the other side of the Jordan." Taken together, the literal translation of the Hebrew names of the five books of the Torah are </span></span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Beginning (Genesis) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Names (Exodus) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And He Called (Leviticus) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Dessert (Numbers) and </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Words (Deuteronomy).
</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to point out that the names of three out of the five books refer to forms of communication: <i>Names</i>, <i>And He Called</i>, and <i>Words</i>. And I think it only fitting that the final summation of the Torah is the Book of Words. After all, <i>In the Beginning</i>, God begins the labor of Creation with words, with the speech act, <i>Yehi Or</i>, <i>Let there be light</i>. And it is through God's command, in the form of words, that light is first created.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing we learn about God is that God uses words. And what else could it mean when it says that God creates the first human being in God's own likeness? Not that we look like God, because God cannot be seen. But God can be heard, human beings can hear God's voice calling to them, and we are like God in being given the gift of words. It follows that the first thing that Adam does after he is created by God, the first assignment given to him by God, is to name all the animals.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God speaks to Adam and Eve, to Cain and Noah, to Abraham and Moses. The first set of stone tablets containing God's commandments, the stone tablets that Moses shattered when he came down from Mount Sinai and saw his people worshiping the golden calf, were written by God, inscribed by the <i>finger of God</i> according to the Torah. The second set of tablets were not written directly by God. They were only dictated by God to Moses. Moses was then acting in the likeness of God in writing down God's Law.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first prohibition in the Ten Commandments is against worshiping other gods, and the second is against making graven images, making any likeness of anything that exists on earth, in the waters, or in the heavens. This commandment is linked to the prohibition against the worship of false gods, and idolatry, and throughout the Torah and Tanach we find a polemic against idol worship.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the prohibition against images goes beyond their worship; it extends to their creation. Why else would this be, except for the fact that images compete with words for our attention. Images compete with words as ways of representing our world. Images help us to visualize, and visualizing is a mental activity that we have in common with animals. Words, on the other hand, give us uniquely human tools for thought.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is worth recalling the story of Helen Keller, who lost both her sight and her hearing when she was only 19 months old, and was unable to communicate as a young child. She only learned language through the dedication of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who used a method of spelling words through the sense of touch. Keller learned the method, but for a long time didn't understand the meaning of the words, didn't understand that they represented the names of things in her environment. The breakthrough came on April 5th, 1887, when Sullivan took the then seven-year-old to a water pump. As Helen Keller described the event in her autobiography:
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten—a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then that ‘w-a-t-e-r’ meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free! There were barriers still, it is true, but barriers that could in time be swept away.
</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Words unleash our human potential, and beyond learning the name for that wonderful cool something she experienced in that moment, she would learn that that same word represents the liquid we drink from a glass, and bathe in, that falls from the sky, that fills ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans, and that turns to snow and ice when the temperature drops. The concept of water in general, as a category that includes a wide variety of experiences and phenomena, is impossible to convey in an image, a likeness.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The same is true for rules, for laws, for commandments, because they are generalizations. An image can depict a specific incident in which a theft occurs, but it cannot portray the abstract idea that it is wrong to steal the property of others. And consider the fact that so many of our laws and commandments are prohibitions, rules that say, you shall <i>not</i> do something, shall <i>not</i> engage in a particular activity. There is no way to produce a likeness of the concept of <i>not</i>, or <i>no</i>, or <i>negation</i>. There is no likeness of the number <i>zero</i>, no image that resembles the <i>absence</i> of something. These are all abstract concepts, as is the idea of one God who cannot be seen, who is not tied to a particular location, who is everywhere, all-powerful, all-knowing.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The prohibition against image-thinking is an effort to get us to use our words, and thereby to engage our higher mental functions, to expand our intellectual capacities, to open the door to more abstract thought, and thereby to accept a new form of religion based on monotheism, and the pursuit of justice through the rule of law.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we destroyed our idols and replaced them with Torah scrolls, rejected the image and embraced the word. And we were among the Semitic peoples who developed the first form of alphabetic writing in the ancient world, and used the aleph-bet to construct the first fully formed legal code, to develop a higher form of ethics than had ever been known, to revolutionize the conception of the sacred and the divine, and to compose the first form of historical narrative. We became the first people of the book, but we remained people of the ear, not the eye.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the ancient Greeks adopted the alphabet and adapted it to their culture, they placed an emphasis on the visual. And that emphasis became one of the primary characteristics of western civilization. Most of our figures of speech that employ visual metaphors come from ancient Greece, so when we talk or write about our thought processes and ways of knowing, we say things like, <i>the way that I look at things</i>, <i>the way that I see it</i>, <i>from my perspective</i>, <i>from my point of view</i>, this peculiar way of talking about our mental processes comes from the ancient Greeks. And so, we talk about a process of <i>reflection</i>, <i>observation</i>, about <i>self-image</i>, about having <i>vision</i>, <i>foresight</i>, <i>hindsight</i>, and <i>insight</i>, or about being <i>blind</i> . From image we get the word <i>imagination</i>, and the etymological root of the word <i>idea</i> come from the Greek verb for <i>to see</i>, the same root as <i>video</i>. We speak of in the <i>first place</i>, the <i>second place</i>, and <i>third place</i>, and I don't know about you, but I've never been able to visit these places, or find them on the map. Even the word <i>topic</i> comes from the Greek word for <i>place</i>, the same root as <i>topography</i>, <i>topology</i>, and <i>topiary</i>.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his <a href="https://mailchi.mp/rabbisacks/eikev-5778-243801?e=e56160d63f" target="_blank">discussion of this week's parsha</a>, makes note of this disparity, and writes:
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Judaism, by contrast, is a culture of the ear more than the eye. As Rabbi David Cohen, the disciple of Rav Kook known as 'the Nazirite', pointed out in his book, <i>Kol ha-Nevuah</i>, the Babylonian Talmud consistently uses the metaphor of hearing. So when a proof is brought, it says <i>Ta shma</i>, 'Come and hear.' When it speaks of inference it says, <i>Shema mina</i>, 'Hear from this.' When someone disagrees with an argument, it says <i>Lo shemiyah leih</i>, 'he could not hear it.' When it draws a conclusion it says, <i>Mashma</i>, 'from this it can be heard.' Maimonides calls the oral tradition, <i>Mipi hashemua</i>, 'from the mouth of that which was heard.' In Western culture understanding is a form of seeing. In Judaism it is a form of listening.
</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hebrew word <i>shema</i>, so familiar to us as the beginning of the watchword of our faith, is root of all these terms, and as Rabbi Sacks relates,
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shema is one of the key words of the book of Devarim, where it appears no less than 92 times. It is, in fact, one of the key words of Judaism as a whole. It is central to the two passages that form the first two paragraphs of the prayer we call the Shema, one in last week’s parsha, the other in this week’s.
</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And he goes on to explain, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the most basic level, Shema represents that aspect of Judaism that was most radical in its day: that God cannot be seen. He can only be heard. Time and again Moses warns against making or worshipping any physical representation of the Divine. As he tells the people: It is a theme that runs through the Bible. Moses insistently reminds the people that at Mount Sinai: “The Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice” (Deut. 4:12).</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our embrace of the ear over the eye is fundamental to our tradition and identity as Jews. When we recite the Shema and our other prayers, we do so as a community, a congregation, together as one. This is true whenever we sing together, or chant, or recite, or even when we listen. But when we read in silence, even if we all are reading the same passage at the same time, we become individuals, separated and isolated from one another.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we read from the Torah, we read it out loud. It is meant to be heard. And most of our prayers are said out loud, and are composed in the first person plural, not singular. We mostly pray as a collective, as <i>we</i>, as <i>us</i>, not as <i>I</i> and <i>me</i>. On Yom Kippur, we atone for our sins together, not just individually, taking responsibility for our families, communities, nations, for our people and for humanity as a whole. It is no accident that the word <i>audience</i> is a singular noun, while the word <i>readers</i> we all know to be plural.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We do acknowledge the importance of the individual and the role of individuality, the uniqueness of every single person. The idea of law introduced to the world the idea of equality before the law, equality as individuals. But our tradition does not go overboard in emphasizing individualism, not the way that western culture as a whole has, and American culture in particular, to the detriment of our sense of community. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fact that Jewish culture remained a culture of the ear is reflected in the sometimes half-serious way that we refer to ourselves as <i>the tribe</i>, as <i>members of the tribe</i>. We did not, in fact, sever all connection to the tribal way of life, as literate and urbane as we have become. In this sense, we remain connected to one another, we remain in touch with one another.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Helen Keller was asked, if she had a choice, would she rather be blind or deaf, she answered blind, because people are kinder to individuals who have lost their sight. Without vision, we still remain connected to other people, through conversation, through speech and hearing. When we lose our ability to listen, we become isolated not only from an entire dimension of our environment, but more painfully, from one another.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vision distances us from our world, leads us to treat the objects in our environment as things, and to objectify other people as well. It places us in what Martin Buber referred to as <i>I-It</i> relationships, in contrast to the <i>I-You</i> relationships that are associated with being in dialogue with others, with responding to others as persons just like ourselves, others </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">who experience the same kind of subjectivity as our own, with empathy.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This distinction also informs our tradition of written law, of what is expected of us in response to God's commandments. Rabbi Sacks explains that the word <i>shema</i> is actually untranslatable. Yes, we translate the prayer as <i>Hear O Israel</i>, but that is only one possible way to render it in English. As he explains,
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It means many things: to hear, to listen, to pay attention, to understand, to internalise and to respond. It is the closest biblical Hebrew comes to a verb that means “to obey.”
</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rabbi Sacks later goes on to explain,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What Moses is telling us throughout Devarim is that God does not seek blind obedience. The fact that there is no word for ‘obedience’ in biblical Hebrew, in a religion of 613 commands, is stunning in itself (modern Hebrew had to borrow a verb, <i>letzayet</i>, from Aramaic). He wants us to listen, not just with our ears but with the deepest resources of our minds. </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to Rabbi Sacks, when Moses says in this week's parsha, "If you indeed heed my commandments which I charge you today, to love Adonai your God and worship him with all your heart and all your soul" (Deut. 11:13), what he is essentially saying is, "If you listen—and I mean really listen." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Listening for that still, small voice that in our tradition comes from God, and listening to each other, has become increasingly more challenging when we are surrounded by so much noise. There is the noise pollution from traffic, and trains, and airplanes and helicopters, and the sounds of construction and machinery. There is the noise that comes from radio and television, from our smart phones and tablets, and all of our devices and gadgets. And there is the noise we generate ourselves, when we talk at each other, shout at each other, and refuse to listen to each other.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this last great speech that Moses delivers to the children of Israel in the Book of Words, he asks us to <i>listen</i>, and to <i>remember</i> what we have heard. It is not enough to write things down, to record them in a book. Written records are not memory. Memory is not a thing, not an object, it is an action, an act of remembering. And the most powerful way to perform this act, to remember, is to remember not alone but with others, to remember together. The most powerful form of memory is <i>commemoration</i>. We remember together when we speak, when say it out loud, when we tell our stories.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stories help us to remember. They take a bunch of isolated events and bring them together, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">connect</span></span> them to give them form, organize them and put them in some kind of order, and help us make sense by providing a coherent framework for what may otherwise seem like the random chaos of life. And so Moses tells the Israelites the story of what they have <i>already</i> experienced, what they already know, the events of their lives. He takes their experiences, and turns them into a story. He does so, so that they can continue to remember those events, to retell them, and keep them alive. The story he tells them is the story we continue to tell to ourselves, and our children. It is the story of God's signs and wonders, God's mighty hand and outstretched arm, and above all God's words, bestowed upon a humble people, nomads and slaves, a people often ungrateful, disobedient, and sinful. A people whose only redeeming quality is the capacity, sometimes, to use our words, to speak, to read and write, to tell stories, and to listen.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
Lance Stratehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13033954765699126246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-7755017050150528062018-07-02T21:35:00.000-04:002018-07-02T21:35:18.317-04:00Visiting Our Peace Garden<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the hottest day of the year, a visitor sought refuge in our peace garden. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-dRPNciNdoqzOsTONpQwo_pv53hJmz5MTzfcHbtT8ohto_HOYjnc5PqeRcSz5wtQh9l4B7yH0mogUKwdMbOdkAJQL4zzIrGyuZYUPDKhrpRuTv5DSmw9BlcMZT_HKnUd0iwaCSE3ZDzl/s1600/IMG_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-dRPNciNdoqzOsTONpQwo_pv53hJmz5MTzfcHbtT8ohto_HOYjnc5PqeRcSz5wtQh9l4B7yH0mogUKwdMbOdkAJQL4zzIrGyuZYUPDKhrpRuTv5DSmw9BlcMZT_HKnUd0iwaCSE3ZDzl/s640/IMG_0081.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Photo courtesy of Rabbi Schwartz.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-16381300845219307442018-06-30T23:59:00.000-04:002018-09-08T17:25:48.168-04:00The State of the Congregation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></h3>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s1600/LanceStratePhoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s200/LanceStratePhoto.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Message From Our President</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Dr. Lance Strate</span></h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
The State of the Congregation</h1>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the past five years, I have been able to begin my report by saying that the state of our congregation is strong, and I see no reason for departing from that tradition this time. It is true that we will have to face many challenges in the years to come, and that there will be difficulties and problems that we have not anticipated and cannot anticipate. That is the way of the world, the future is always uncertain, to some degree. But we can prepare for whatever is to come by doing all that is in our power to be the best version of ourselves, the best Adas Emuno that we can be. And to acknowledge and address those challenges that we do recognize. With this in mind, I will say to you this one last time, the state of our congregation is strong.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In politics, it is of course customary for office holders to take credit of all the good that occurs, and pass the blame for the bad off to others. But our congregational leadership has never been very political, and I want to state, for the record, that when I took on the role of president six years ago, I was very lucky. I was lucky because a period of deep financial distress had just ended, through a series of significant donations. I was also lucky to be able to work together with a group of trustees and officers who were willing to roll their sleeves up and put in the effort needed to keep our congregation running smoothly. And who were willing to put on their thinking caps, or I should say their thinking <i>kippahs</i>, and work out effective and creative solutions to the problems we faced, and come up with new ways to improve our shul and our school. And I was very lucky as well because the previous year Rabbi Schwartz became our spiritual leader; it has been a great gift to our congregation to have him join us, and it has been a great gift to me personally to have the privilege of working with him.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rabbi Schwartz is a true inheritor and embodiment of the prophetic tradition that is central to Reform Judaism, as a voice for social justice and a champion of ethical conduct, as a teacher and educator of great intellectual acumen, as an individual of deep and abiding spirituality, and as an advisor, counselor, and caretaker in every sense of the word. Thank you, Barry, for all that you have given to us over the years. And let me add a word of thanks for the added bonus of our <i>rebbetzin</i>, Debbie Schwartz, who has also contributed to our congregation in many significant ways.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During my first two-year term as president, in contrast to the situation with our rabbi, things were a bit more problematic when it came to the roles of cantor, and religious school director. All that changed when we hired Cantor Horowitz. Those of us who attend Friday night services enjoy singing along with Sandy, to melodies we know so well, and to all of the new ones that she has taught us. And all of us who come for the High Holy Days know that she is truly a sweet singer of Israel. When Cantor Horowitz joined us, it was to fill the duel role of clergy and religious school director, otherwise known as Cantor-Educator. Four years ago, it was an experiment, and we were unsure as to how it would work out. It didn't take long to learn that this experiment was indeed a success, and Cantor Horowitz has done an outstanding job with our Adas Emuno School. Thank you, Sandy, it has been a great pleasure and a privilege to work with you these past four years.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have dubbed Rabbi Schwartz and Cantor Horowitz our dream team, and these past four years our congregation has known a stability that we have not enjoyed for much of our recent history. And I am pleased to report that we can expect that stability to continue for this coming year, and hopefully, for many more years to come.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want to take this opportunity to thank my fellow officers for all of their hard work over the past two years, thank you to Vice-President Elka Oliver, Financial Secretary Mark Rosenberg, Treasurer Marilyn Katz, and Recording Secretary Susan Gray. I also want to express my gratitude to Michael Fishbein for his work as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, and also for his willingness to step up and take over the leadership of our congregation for at least a year, and work together with Elka Oliver as we move forward. Virginia Gitter also deserves special recognition for all of the many roles that she plays for our congregation, as a past president and current trustee, as chair of the ritual committee, publicity committee, editor of our newsletter, <i>Kadima</i>, and so much more; it is hard to imagine what Adas Emuno will be like without her, after she leaves for the west coast in the fall, but she has set an example and provided us with a model of service and commitment that we all need to emulate. Thank you, Virginia.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Six years ago, Adas Emuno was not very much engaged in social action, but that soon changed when we formed our Social Action Committee, and Annette DeMarco took over as chair; under her leadership, social action has become a significant component of our congregation's activities. I want to also acknowledge our other committee chairs, Susan Grey, chair of our Fundraising Committee; Elka Oliver, chair of the Music Committee; Jody Pugach, co-chair of the Cemetery and Religious School Committees; Michael Raskin, co-chair of the By-Laws and Religious School Committees; Norm Rosen, co-chair of the Cemetery and By-Laws Committee; Mark Rosenberg, chair of the Financial Committee and co-chair of the Membership and Internet Committees; Lauren Rowland, co-chair of the Membership Committee; and Ron Waxman, chair of the Adult Education Committee and co-chair of the Internet Committee. And I want to thank everyone else who has chaired our committees during my three terms, and everyone who has volunteered as members of our committees over the past six years.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who has served as a trustee during my time as president. It was especially during those first few years that our meeting lasted many hours as we worked diligently on behalf of our congregation, and I am grateful to all concerned for your patience, and for all that we have accomplished together during this time.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the first tasks we took on six years ago was to review and revise our by-laws, an effort then led by Fred Friedman and Norm Rosen. When you think about the importance of the Constitution to our nation, the same is true for the by-laws for any organization, including out congregation. A healthy organization will undertake such reviews every few years to determine whether they are being followed, and if not, whether to change the practices or to change the by-laws themselves. For this reason, we conducted a second review this past year, with the aim of clearing up some ambiguities regarding membership. The result is the proposed changes, approved by the board, that reduces our membership categories down to two, full members who have voting privileges, and affiliate members who do not. In part, this was to clarify the change made previously regarding voting rights of spouses. In part as well, it removes the financial category of membership unit from our by-laws, reinforcing the board's ability to set the structure for dues and fees. This was a result of the realization that the assumptions underlying membership units were outdated, for example the assumption that single parent families always are subject to financial hardship in comparison to two-parent families. These changes to the by-laws, if approved, will have no bearing on the dues structure as it exists at present, but it will be a topic that the board can review and revise in the coming year.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Over the past six years, Adas Emuno has been able to organize many interesting and entertaining events as part of our adult education efforts, musical programming, and more. For this past year, I would personally like to thank my friend Moshe Botwanick, aka Marc Salem, for providing us with a mind-blowing exhibition of mentalism, a performance that once graced Broadway and other major venues. And I want to thank all of the performers and musicians who helped to bring my fourth Purim spiel to life this past March, and it is with great pride that I want to acknowledge the inspired directing on the part of my son, Benjamin Strate, for the second year in a row.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Six years ago, one thing that kept coming up over and over again was the fact that many people in the area simply were not aware that there was a Congregation Adas Emuno. Over the past six years, that has changed dramatically, through efforts great and small, such as creating our logo and improving our outdoor signage, as well as obtaining significantly more publicity in the local press, especially the <i>Jewish Standard</i>. I can't remember the last time I heard someone say, <i>I never knew you were here!</i> Awareness does not always lead to action, but it is a step in the right direction.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During my time as president, we changed our database provider and website host, and our website was revised. We are presently considering further changes, and we especially need to create a more dynamic website than the one we have now. This is a task that should be completed in the coming year. As for our congregational blog, I have been working on it for a decade, and it has enhanced our online presence. I have in the past asked for others to contribute, and I think it is time for us to consider the future of the blog, and for others to take over our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the like. Moreover, over the past six years I have noted that organizations much larger than our congregation have long switched over to digital newsletters delivered by email and archived online. This would save a significant amount of money spent on photocopying and postage, and electronic documents allow for color images, better overall quality, and even the inclusion of video and links. Indeed, many other mailings could be accomplished electronically as well. Not all, of course, but most. It is my opinion that such a move is long past due, and that this is something that needs to be considered in the coming months.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fundraising efforts are absolutely necessary for us, as membership dues, fees, and tuition does not cover our expenses, and it has often been said that we simply do not ask often enough. I want to applaud Susan Grey and the members of the Fundraising Committee for their efforts this year, including the marvelous Modiani Kitchen fundraiser this past October. We have added innovations like the Passover Appeal to supplement our Yom Kippur Appeal, and experiments like the envelope board, and I am gratified to witness the resurrection of an idea I introduced back when I started out as president, the sesquicentennial fundraiser, looking to raise $150,000 for our 150th anniversary.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And yes, it is now just three years to go until we reach our sesquicentennial year, 2021. I regret that all of the more immediate matters that we had to deal with kept us from starting to plan for our 150th anniversary, but now it is time to do so, to celebrate ourselves, the long term survival of our shul, and in doing so generate more recognition, publicity, and good will for our congregation.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In looking to the future, we have to consider the challenges that lie ahead. Some of them are financial. As I mentioned, we have been lucky, but depending on luck alone is a gamble, one that sooner or later you will lose. We are secure for the short term, but we are not always making ends meet, and that is not sustainable in the long run. We will have to confront this issue in the coming months and years.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memberships and religious school enrollments have been declining over the years, a trend that is in no way unique to our congregation. We have been in a better position to weather the decline than other temples, due to our significantly lower overhead, and I hope as well due to the efforts we have made to raise our profile. But the fact remains that our numbers are going down. As I have said before, Congregation Adas Emuno does not <i>have</i> members. Congregation Adas Emuno <i>is</i> its members. Efforts at publicity help, but there is no substitute for social networks and word of mouth. I have called upon each and every one of us to be Adas Emuno ambassadors, and for all of us to do what we can. But we also cannot ignore the demographic realities.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we continue to deal with these realities in the future, I think it is essential to avoid any form of parochialism in our outlook. Our members come from all over this part of Bergen County, and we have to keep that in mind. Our congregation is our community; it is not a matter of geography, but of a much more ancient and powerful form of affiliation. And we have to continue to keep an open mind and an eye out for opportunities for collaboration with other synagogues, including the possibility of sharing facilities with a conservative congregation. We also have to consider the possibility of either a merger or a move at some point in the future; after all, this is a congregation that started out in Hoboken. However the possibilities present themselves and the plans evolve, we have to proceed based on facts and objective assessments of our situation, but also with optimism, confidence in ourselves, and a sense of mission. This also means that practical concerns must be balanced with a clear and comprehensive adherence to Jewish ethics. As Hillel said, <i>if I am not for myself, who am I? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our congregation is strong, but it is not invulnerable. The strength of our congregation lies with its people, its clergy, its leadership, and its members. We live in challenging times in so many ways, locally, nationally, and globally, and we need to work together to meet those challenges, so that our congregation can continue to survive, and thrive.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Serving as the president of our <i>adas emuno</i>, our <i>assembly of the faithful</i> has been an honor and privilege, and I thank you for allowing me to do so. My time as president comes to an end as of July 1st, but not my service to the congregation. In accordance with our by-laws, having served at least one full term as president, I will automatically continue to serve another two-year term on the board as an officer, as Immediate Past President. I promise to try to help as much as I am able, and to be available for advice and consultation, but not to nudge or kibbutz (or not too much). I want to wish my fellow officers and trustees all of the best for the coming year. And may Congregation Adas Emuno continue to go from strength to strength to strength, as we look beyond our sesquicentennial, to our bicentennial celebration in the year 2071.
</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-78885003499159758722018-06-17T11:00:00.000-04:002018-06-17T11:00:01.401-04:007 Reasons Why Einstein Should be Considered One of the Prophets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are pleased to share the following op-ed by Adas Emuno president, Lance Strate, which was published on March 9th in the <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/">Jewish Standard</a>. The title it was published under was,
<a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/seven-reasons-why-albert-einstein-is-a-prophet/">Seven Reasons Why Albert Einstein is a Prophet</a>, and here it is:</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The number 139 is not one we are likely to pay attention to, so this anniversary may not get a great deal of attention. We tend to sit up and take notice when the anniversary is a </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">multiple of 100, or 50, or 10, or even 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKenVIl5KIIYwgVxIl3oWQOxapOu9E7RfmaVb69tf13iIShEDcvLP1TSfYP-naRB-P9xHuCeWmez89wI8Q5Wm3NNf-GRW5B9iXfXEStcumMp97bDAjOicr5Z4TNPXyZsSkb1QLaE-2KA/s1600/Einstein_1921_by_F_Schmutzer_-_restoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1219" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKenVIl5KIIYwgVxIl3oWQOxapOu9E7RfmaVb69tf13iIShEDcvLP1TSfYP-naRB-P9xHuCeWmez89wI8Q5Wm3NNf-GRW5B9iXfXEStcumMp97bDAjOicr5Z4TNPXyZsSkb1QLaE-2KA/s320/Einstein_1921_by_F_Schmutzer_-_restoration.jpg" width="243" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the very least, we have a psychological bent toward even numbers, and 139 is decidedly odd. But if Einstein were still with us, he might point out that 139 is more than odd; that it is, in fact, a prime number, which makes it quite significant in its own right. He also no doubt would point to the arbitrary nature of anniversaries, and of calendars for that matter. Einstein’s date of birth on the Hebrew calendar was the 19th of Adar in the year 5639. This year, Adar 19 corresponded to March 6, last year it was March 17, next year is a leap year so it will be February 24 for Adar 1, and March 26 for Adar 2.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I suspect that the differences between the solar calendar of secular society and the lunar calendar of Jewish tradition had some influence on Einstein’s thinking. After all, when we say, for example, that Chanukah is coming late in a given year, it is just as true to say that Christmas and New Year’s are early. The experience of living with two so very different calendars could not help but point to the relativity of time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI6WDjdir6p5w5LDK8S4mRDbZfivd46YzkrYPQDjXKhNBvRfylJjWbHEQRDYWQXOs7qBBMsUdDfz78dkXN4DN-Y_qOyE96p5F-A8p_g7awPZ7PNIkvdk1zJFN13mmPufEBszr2x_mVBE/s1600/1101991231_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI6WDjdir6p5w5LDK8S4mRDbZfivd46YzkrYPQDjXKhNBvRfylJjWbHEQRDYWQXOs7qBBMsUdDfz78dkXN4DN-Y_qOyE96p5F-A8p_g7awPZ7PNIkvdk1zJFN13mmPufEBszr2x_mVBE/s320/1101991231_400.jpg" width="242" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as we remember Einstein, we do so, along with the rest of the world, for his contributions to science, as the recipient of the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics, and the person named in 1999 as <i>Time</i> magazine’s Person of the Century. More than anyone else, Einstein was the person responsible for the paradigm shift in science that replaced Newton’s mechanistic view of the universe with a relativistic understanding of space and time.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And we also remember him as an especially noteworthy member of the Jewish people, one of our many gifts to the world, a prime example of what we sometimes refer to as <i>yiddishe kop</i>, intelligence born out of a tradition of literacy and learning, one in which teachers and sages are seen as heroic. And we may also recall that as a Jew, Einstein was forced to flee Nazi Germany as a refugee, and that he was a supporter of the Zionist movement and the State of Israel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gw0CjDHmvGgSb5zSTkLS6wZoBrpZ8hDAMog6Uj-ufocAeEncE4Qc1wlntP4VYcDCY8LDdfkDaxobGgjvscMCRNQgHt1tVGiEV93aHLgg5IHKmMggeDNZRyiraliq4721V-Oe6zyh0Bw/s1600/albert_einstein.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gw0CjDHmvGgSb5zSTkLS6wZoBrpZ8hDAMog6Uj-ufocAeEncE4Qc1wlntP4VYcDCY8LDdfkDaxobGgjvscMCRNQgHt1tVGiEV93aHLgg5IHKmMggeDNZRyiraliq4721V-Oe6zyh0Bw/s400/albert_einstein.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We do not remember Einstein in a religious context, however; he was not a rabbi or talmudic scholar or theologian. I want to suggest, however, that we should remember him as a prophet. Admittedly, in our tradition we consider the age of the prophets to have ended long ago, but we cannot rule out the possibility of modern prophets altogether. And while we would tend to be suspicious of anyone claiming to be a prophet today, Einstein never made any such claim, so he cannot be rejected as a false prophet.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I do think a case can be made, and I hope you will consider the possibility as I put forth seven reasons for naming Albert Einstein as a modern-day prophet.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5rKN557179Ae_hIvy2OshCL6aoUs0udlFJahCS_Bwn80TsIF0Zij4LBUZboCfzntQESu_j7xDNvG_Aj3_kmqQqmpY8KoZYxcSvLvcjzw095tFtldWuZBA3IgysaYQ_saOFdtuP7mQSM/s1600/Albert-580x297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="580" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5rKN557179Ae_hIvy2OshCL6aoUs0udlFJahCS_Bwn80TsIF0Zij4LBUZboCfzntQESu_j7xDNvG_Aj3_kmqQqmpY8KoZYxcSvLvcjzw095tFtldWuZBA3IgysaYQ_saOFdtuP7mQSM/s640/Albert-580x297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Einstein’s name has become synonymous with genius. We typically say that a given individual “is” a genius, but everyone who truly fits the description will more accurately refer to “a stroke of genius” in the sense
of something coming from outside of themselves. The word “genius” originates from ancient Rome, and refers to a guiding spirit or deity, a supernatural source, like a guardian angel. (Prophets are the recipients of divine revelation, some form of communication, or we may call it inspiration, which literally means, “to breathe into,” which is how God brings Adam to life in the Book of Genesis.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTLidIvljQ4knjFguU84o8dRw1CnspE2ruYc80-9yVDOgdFWeezZ6XO5C4ZnbX_pqKxXtpSc_vXcmDt0wdWZ0KJyAPzIfp3MhMs51TU8ZbLjN1joVSfYo7gp7X9xcWv-1AZAEQc2QdCc/s1600/zc919u3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1418" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTLidIvljQ4knjFguU84o8dRw1CnspE2ruYc80-9yVDOgdFWeezZ6XO5C4ZnbX_pqKxXtpSc_vXcmDt0wdWZ0KJyAPzIfp3MhMs51TU8ZbLjN1joVSfYo7gp7X9xcWv-1AZAEQc2QdCc/s400/zc919u3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. As a teenager, Einstein imagined himself chasing after a beam of light, which led to his understanding that light cannot be slowed or stopped, that the speed of light is constant, and that it is time, instead, that must vary. This thought experiment was the foundation that led to his special theory of relativity. Other thought experiments followed,
</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">notably </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">the difference in what we </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">would
observe when standing on a train vs. standing on a platform as bolts of
lightning strike the train. (Prophets are known to receive revelation
via visions, as in Jacob’s ladder, Joseph’s dreams, the chariot of fire
that appeared to Elijah, and Ezekiel’s wheel within a wheel.)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeqQnrBATc4LVYziPMPreVrAoyoNumtYexXxlRfkNOl17G7wVx2Mrakn7yaavsNSxrxst3fCBLoNHi7PwHE1UkKRQSODpJtW0lFjIodskUW9-iH74P6Ybiy_FiYqetWV058xJLt82JhM/s1600/einstein-mysterious-quote-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="640" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeqQnrBATc4LVYziPMPreVrAoyoNumtYexXxlRfkNOl17G7wVx2Mrakn7yaavsNSxrxst3fCBLoNHi7PwHE1UkKRQSODpJtW0lFjIodskUW9-iH74P6Ybiy_FiYqetWV058xJLt82JhM/s640/einstein-mysterious-quote-w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. One of Einstein’s most significant achievements was</span> determining the nature of light as consisting of quanta, aka photons, and that light has a dual nature, as both waves and particles. Clearly, he had a unique relationship to the phenomenon of light. (Prophets are closely associated with light and enlightenment, Genesis famously says that light was the first of God’s creations, Moses has a halo when he descends from Mount Sinai after speaking to God face-to- face, a direct encounter with the divine countenance that we pray may shine upon us.)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbe2THcA3W4zti5vZTiEJnTUB6jASx9RLBdlWLvtlk_ifk5qs4CMioZcawWMEQJZAFg0O_5gvZUJUB4S3K8dWYMKjAFJ1vREVMyF329IlgWY9IhJozhzlgR7QynR0g3yrs1BYfF-Ao5Q/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbe2THcA3W4zti5vZTiEJnTUB6jASx9RLBdlWLvtlk_ifk5qs4CMioZcawWMEQJZAFg0O_5gvZUJUB4S3K8dWYMKjAFJ1vREVMyF329IlgWY9IhJozhzlgR7QynR0g3yrs1BYfF-Ao5Q/s640/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Einstein gave us a new way of understanding the universe, of space and time as a single phenomenon, spacetime. (Prophets teach us about the nature of Creation to better understand the Creator, and our place in the world.)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmhd5MKUAyiBI5OqdBZWMwd68yIYH8yWbNcW4eHRhD8eoFTAFeNa97WmMHD-GCkH3HiFLODhsbBXK9QvBzKXtivkHQPGJSRarv3RlyVcVhQ2OUGoE0jGOfqU-Y_RrFtkQ9tdq0YSgXwo/s1600/quote-i-believe-in-spinoza-s-god-who-reveals-himself-in-the-lawful-harmony-of-the-world-not-albert-einstein-35-36-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmhd5MKUAyiBI5OqdBZWMwd68yIYH8yWbNcW4eHRhD8eoFTAFeNa97WmMHD-GCkH3HiFLODhsbBXK9QvBzKXtivkHQPGJSRarv3RlyVcVhQ2OUGoE0jGOfqU-Y_RrFtkQ9tdq0YSgXwo/s400/quote-i-believe-in-spinoza-s-god-who-reveals-himself-in-the-lawful-harmony-of-the-world-not-albert-einstein-35-36-05.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHMXzliV_d3uwZVHvo9s9B7Gzw19nEfca2Ygzq0kXT5eiwS1TLmbjlM589z-XL5tcIMBHlk98f1wIefvtRf8ZDx6c8unkJQ2aoPm56BrtxTlwuqS2GOYTcXmHAefaBe5adFiATNeJ6vQ/s1600/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHMXzliV_d3uwZVHvo9s9B7Gzw19nEfca2Ygzq0kXT5eiwS1TLmbjlM589z-XL5tcIMBHlk98f1wIefvtRf8ZDx6c8unkJQ2aoPm56BrtxTlwuqS2GOYTcXmHAefaBe5adFiATNeJ6vQ/s1600/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHMXzliV_d3uwZVHvo9s9B7Gzw19nEfca2Ygzq0kXT5eiwS1TLmbjlM589z-XL5tcIMBHlk98f1wIefvtRf8ZDx6c8unkJQ2aoPm56BrtxTlwuqS2GOYTcXmHAefaBe5adFiATNeJ6vQ/s1600/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHMXzliV_d3uwZVHvo9s9B7Gzw19nEfca2Ygzq0kXT5eiwS1TLmbjlM589z-XL5tcIMBHlk98f1wIefvtRf8ZDx6c8unkJQ2aoPm56BrtxTlwuqS2GOYTcXmHAefaBe5adFiATNeJ6vQ/s1600/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Einstein invoked the philosophy of the Enlightenment founder Baruch Spinoza in explaining his own view of a pantheistic God. That is a view that traditionally has been seen as heretical, but is consistent with some
approaches to Kabbalah, God as the <i>Ein Sof</i>, and certainly is acceptable within Reform Judaism. Above all, it is a view consistent with science; as Einstein famously remarked, “science without religion is lame, religion
without science is blind.” His resistance to the uncertainty principle of quantum theory was famously expressed in the quote, “God does not play dice with the universe,” asserts that Creation is governed by laws<span style="font-size: large;"> that are rational and ultimately discernible, as well as based on an underlying monotheism, as God would have no one to play dice with. (Prophets often have been critics of established religious authority, in favor of a direct encounter with God via nature.)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY1acigPkMK_b7OjJBJUaj1mJndSHwH1iTTB65jtLqzX7YT_MyAWU17skI5CiT9OWCIYnZ9hrQLG32Tek-T4ABF365FOdxGD96KupcWG_Ls0_Rqvi_vX8QRlWvvihLAVO-YCxj8XFHlQ/s1600/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY1acigPkMK_b7OjJBJUaj1mJndSHwH1iTTB65jtLqzX7YT_MyAWU17skI5CiT9OWCIYnZ9hrQLG32Tek-T4ABF365FOdxGD96KupcWG_Ls0_Rqvi_vX8QRlWvvihLAVO-YCxj8XFHlQ/s400/quote-at-any-rate-i-am-convinced-that-he-god-does-not-play-dice-albert-einstein-282678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. Einstein spoke out for social justice. He did so on behalf of his own people, in opposition to Nazi Germany, and in favor of Zionism and the State of Israel, but also as a strong critic of racism and supporter of the civil rights movement in the United States. He also was quite critical of capitalism, arguing on behalf of socialism and advocating for a</span> democratic world government and pacifism after the conclusion of World War II. (Social justice is one of the primary themes of the Prophets section of the <i>Tanach</i>.)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13o0YQaxju2OJ0fpaG8UeRzTHBFV-dG4VJj69xkgXJnenmXoobgtCGIKb3bRoUeIOp5n6Iy54eLv_ObpyzjLXmLXRX4Ho4MkiXNS0Od989tcOqD1QyV0S4eh6LN_mC9mInfVNAJcunxQ/s1600/quote-striving-for-social-justice-is-the-most-valuable-thing-to-do-in-life-albert-einstein-37-33-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13o0YQaxju2OJ0fpaG8UeRzTHBFV-dG4VJj69xkgXJnenmXoobgtCGIKb3bRoUeIOp5n6Iy54eLv_ObpyzjLXmLXRX4Ho4MkiXNS0Od989tcOqD1QyV0S4eh6LN_mC9mInfVNAJcunxQ/s400/quote-striving-for-social-justice-is-the-most-valuable-thing-to-do-in-life-albert-einstein-37-33-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. Einstein warned President Roosevelt of the danger of Nazi research into the development of the atomic bomb, leading to the Manhattan Project. He later became an outspoken critic of nuclear weapons. His warnings largely have fallen on deaf ears, at least as far as governments are concerned. In 1947, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists introduced the image of the Doomsday Clock, setting it to seven minutes before midnight. On January 25 of this year, the minute hand was moved up to two minutes before midnight, the closest it has ever been, mainly because of North Korea and our president’s</span> threatening remarks, and not taking into account Putin’s recent statements about Russian nuclear missile capability, and his animated image of the bombardment of
Florida. (The biblical prophets issued warnings about the destruction of Israel and Judea, and the name Jeremiah has become synonymous with pronouncements of doom.)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIlnA9EF0t2l-nQ7foCTuyKzuBimeRq9UOFNRa4zcvPzfSK1q9me0vSCycEEV8uG5SIH8NZ1Z85HSVMJ0v6p2x5chbbC8raZdHCJwWxSjYH16WwiUcnmlLQAD-ZpL2UqwS_0SqkMsq5w/s1600/duJnm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1023" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIlnA9EF0t2l-nQ7foCTuyKzuBimeRq9UOFNRa4zcvPzfSK1q9me0vSCycEEV8uG5SIH8NZ1Z85HSVMJ0v6p2x5chbbC8raZdHCJwWxSjYH16WwiUcnmlLQAD-ZpL2UqwS_0SqkMsq5w/s400/duJnm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Einstein’s predictions in the realm of physics continue to be supported by astronomical observation and experimental evidence. Perhaps his predictions about society and politics ought to be taken seriously as well?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why bother arguing for Einstein as a prophet?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">•</span></span> Because American culture always has had a strain of anti-intellectualism, one that includes resistance to many aspects of science, notably Darwinian evolution.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">•</span></span> Because climate change is at least as great a threat as nuclear war, and is being met with denial, dismissal, or disinterest from significant portions of the population, and all too many in leadership positions.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">• </span></span>Because facts and logic are under assault by religious fundamentalists, cynical political opportunists, and corporate executives with eyes only for short term profits.</span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz makes clear in his recently published book, <i>Paths of the Prophets: The Ethics-Driven Life</i>, our prophetic tradition is of vital importance, one that always has and always will be relevant for us.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0827613091&asins=0827613091&linkId=8c7f2bb03737c047274f6aa3aff75cd3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Naming Albert Einstein a prophet should not detract from this tradition, but rather enhance it, by adding a dimension that we need now more than ever: the truth that ethics cannot be divorced from an understanding of the world, of reality, in all its complexity, and glory.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-82257961415262346982018-06-15T10:00:00.000-04:002018-06-15T10:00:15.342-04:00A TRIBUTE TO OUR PRESIDENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN2HUb4EEW7P7QUSARUMx0bAZl27crNiHoRXmVuWWm6KWDxvo8nCQlyKDeEYeCTFWsWRvDKYilojKQWf3exQXQeQqHg1fvvOSshTnLI01xPW3cEyBn4jQBjzMxdxz5UvtboJ2gbh7gt53/s1600/Rabbi+Schwartz-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN2HUb4EEW7P7QUSARUMx0bAZl27crNiHoRXmVuWWm6KWDxvo8nCQlyKDeEYeCTFWsWRvDKYilojKQWf3exQXQeQqHg1fvvOSshTnLI01xPW3cEyBn4jQBjzMxdxz5UvtboJ2gbh7gt53/s200/Rabbi+Schwartz-new.jpg" width="160" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>From the desk of</i> …</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Rabbi Barry Schwartz</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
A TRIBUTE TO OUR PRESIDENT<br /> </h1>
<h1>
…to the president of our Congregation, that is
</h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
As Lance Strate steps down from the helm, our thanks
are due.<br /><br />
I will leave it to future historians to assess his legacy,
but allow me to point out that Lance:</span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Served three terms (six years) as our
president</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He did so while maintaining a demanding
academic career</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He did so while meeting demanding family
responsibilities</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He gave witty weekly greetings and
announcements</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He wrote wise and wonderful bimonthly
bulletin columns</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He enhanced our community profile with
articles in the <i>Jewish Standard</i></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He ran our blog spot</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He coordinated our poetry garden meetings</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He wrote four Purim spiels</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He brought many an intriguing speaker (and a
musical ensemble) to our Congregation</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He read Torah each Rosh Hashanah</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
He offered a passionate High Holy day appeal</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With all due deference to Sir (and later Saint) Thomas
More, Lance was our “man for all seasons”. One did
not have to agree with all of his views or methods to
respect his dedication and learning. How many other
congregations have a president who rolled up his
sleeves to do all the committee and board work that is
required, while writing blogs, columns, poems, spiels
and appeals (not to mention several books in his own
field of media ecology)?<br /><br />
I am very fortunate to have worked with Lance for the
entirety of his term, and look forward to benefiting from
his continued involvement as an “elder statesman” as
we near (as Lance was fond of reminding us) our
“sesquicentennial” (otherwise referred to as 150th
anniversary) just three years from now.<br /><br />
Our heartfelt thanks must also go out to Barbara, Ben
and Sarah for allowing Lance to dedicate such time
and effort to our congregation.<br /><br />And to Lance we say, <i>hazak v’amatz</i>—be strong, and
may you go from strength to strength.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7889578221932408406" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7889578221932408406" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnRrOz06AjXRGISnusJaq_Dz7ryZ4bDAYzKGZhU6dC3f4jglBewu40ZI1xmtAJvicp1cnawnLPK04H9BtlgkqkhkatztQpAircSyqihpcFy3AkZ6LY51ifafTv_eICqZ7QGpRfSqTT6pQ/s1600/me+pic.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnRrOz06AjXRGISnusJaq_Dz7ryZ4bDAYzKGZhU6dC3f4jglBewu40ZI1xmtAJvicp1cnawnLPK04H9BtlgkqkhkatztQpAircSyqihpcFy3AkZ6LY51ifafTv_eICqZ7QGpRfSqTT6pQ/s1600/me+pic.tiff" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-16662372274403429402018-06-14T17:38:00.001-04:002018-06-14T17:39:04.317-04:00Let's Meet Up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></h3>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s1600/LanceStratePhoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s200/LanceStratePhoto.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Message From Our President</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Dr. Lance Strate</span></h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Let's Meet Up!</h1>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
It's an annual event, a ritual, a tradition. It only comes once a year, just once, so why miss it? It's important too, that is, if you think that Congregation Adas Emuno is important, if you think that Reform Judaism is important, if you think that being Jewish is important. It's easy too. Just come. Show up. Listen. And if you want, share your thoughts and feelings, and express your opinions.
<br /><br />
I know it's a hard sell. Not just for us, but for congregations everywhere. As the song goes, "I know it's late, I know you're weary, I know your plans don't include me." But how about giving it a try, because regarding our shul, "still here we are." And if you haven't guessed by now, what I'm referring to is our annual congregational meeting, which will take place on Thursday, June 28th, at 7:00 PM.
<br /><br />
I'm making a special effort to ask you to come this year, because this year's meeting will be an especially important one. This is my last meeting as president, after six years, and that means that this year we will be electing a new president at the annual meeting. I think that is going to be pretty exciting. And we will also be electing our other officers, our Vice-President, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Recording Secretary.
<br /><br />
This year we will also be voting on amendments to our by-laws, which include a major change to our classifications of membership, and their concomitant privileges. A more detailed explanation of the proposed changes will be provided in a mailing, along with the slate of candidates for our Board of Trustees. And yes, forms for voting by proxy. If you must. We do need you to vote, our by-laws require it, so voting by proxy is better than not voting at all. But we’d much rather have you come and vote in person.
<br /><br />
Our annual congregational meeting is also an opportunity to hear reports from our officers and committee chairs, as well as Rabbi Schwartz and Cantor Horowitz. And it's an opportunity to review our finances, and vote on our budget for the coming fiscal year. If you have any questions or concerns about our religious school tuition and membership dues, this is the time to raise them. And this is the way to be informed. This too will be especially important this year because the proposed changes to the by-laws will open up new possibilities for membership categories and (forgive me for using this terminology) "dues paying units". Let's discuss!
<br /><br />
And we'll have something to nosh on too. Come for the refreshments, if for nothing else. And come and learn about the business and organization of our congregation. And most of all, come to be something more than a congregant. Come to be a <i>citizen</i> of Adas Emuno. Participate in our democratic and egalitarian community.
<br /><br />
Let's meet up! I hope to see you there!<br /><br />
</span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-63233204243745837952018-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:002018-06-14T17:18:52.234-04:00Youth Group News May 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></b></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
<b>Youth Group News from <br />Youth Group
Advisor<br />Samantha Rosenbloom: </b></h2>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our April event was a great success at the Escape Room. Our team escaped the room with over 22 minutes left, breaking the record by 2 minutes! <br />
<br />Our last event for the school year will be on May 6, when we will be doing a favorite activity from last year… a backwards scavenger hunt in the
social hall with lunch and snacks. </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:samantharosenbloom@gmail.com">samantharosenbloom at gmail.com</a>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-64964874654126465442018-05-03T17:09:00.000-04:002018-06-14T17:14:37.136-04:00End of School Year Religious School News<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></b></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxgrR2IdlptP7hOYSb__DhBDwuY_HGndgJ2lSVgQ2ESevGfsnYzH39t5FjL1auzfPpRNjLQU6JWg33nxHyPfPa5kA0QnteXHLbKJoW-C7NavpQI2nUJa3iB6LER1A5PdZRdb-V9KTZHS3/s1600/Benamy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUFTvQfuFjpFCeMK9tbPABSI6pq-F4qtHqbAXX2-oEJD4PPTEC97kSJCV1VVVlYr81rP85R4Gf4G6Pq5NGiytzSRmcB5VdVWhYrB4g4a2_pId0lKGrD0Cf8KEmqkrtkvmzBSuHNZEOIGs/s1600/SHorowitz-photo2.jpg" width="209" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Religious School News </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> from</span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="font: 10.0px 'Arial Narrow'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Cantor Sandy Horowitz</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Religious School Director</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
In this often-worrisome world, the light of our small school shines ever brightly. Our children get to “be Jewish” and “do Jewish” together in an environment of acceptance and belonging; and as another year comes to a close, I am so proud of our religious school community.
<br /><br />
For families and teachers alike, religious school is only one of many commitments that make demands on our time and energy. I’ve watched students arrive in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings looking tired, perhaps not yet fully awake. Fast-forward three hours and they’re energized, talking and laughing as they head out to resume the rest of their lives. They have been learning with their minds and their voices and their creativity. They have been singing and praying. They have donated tzedakah for the benefit of others. They have helped each other when help was needed. They have come up with ideas the rest of us hadn’t thought of. They have been striving to understand and to learn. They have been continually interacting, and wondering, and questioning. All of this is part of developing a Jewish identity, of becoming a mensch, of ensuring a future for our Jewish tradition.
<br /><br />
Here’s the thing: the ongoing existence of our religious school depends on continuing as well as new enrollment. We need all of you to help us spread the word! If you know of families with children who might be curious about joining our “being Jewish/doing Jewish” Sundays, please reach out, and encourage them to contact me at <a href="mailto:adasschool@gmail.com">adasschool at gmail.com</a>. We are especially looking to re-kindle our K-1 class, as we welcome students of all ages through seventh grade to our religious school.<br /><br />
<i>Thank you’s</i>:<br /><br />
To the parents for all the ways you have volunteered this year–as “parent in charge”–helping with school-wide holiday celebrations, class pot-luck dinners and more. Gratitude abounds especially to the school committee for your leadership and support and incredible hard work.
<br /><br />
To each of our amazing teachers for your commitment and creativity. And to the <i>madrichim</i>, our teenage teacher assistants, for your willingness to help with anything that’s needed, and doing it well.
<br /><br />
Special thanks to Rabbi Schwartz for his inspired Confirmation class teaching, as they wrap up a year of justice-based learning. To Sabina Albirt and Samantha Rosenbloom who directed this year of socializing and social action with our Youth Group. To Kerri Klein and Jody Pugach who envisioned and implemented the new Mommy/Daddy‘n Me program, led by Reina Stern.
<br /><br />
And may I simply add–gratitude to the One, to the very nature of Possibility, and Hope.
<br /><br />
Our hearts are full and our spirit is strong! Have a great
summer. <i>Cantor Horowitz</i>
<br /><br />
<b>Please make a note of these upcoming dates in May and June for our students & families!</b>
<br /><br />
<u>Confirmation Class</u>: May 6, 13, 17 (rehearsal)
<br /><br />
<b>Friday, May 18</b>: 7:30 PM–Confirmation Service<br />
<b>Sunday, May 20</b>: Last day of school<br />
<b>Saturday, May 26</b>: Bar/Bat Mitzvah of Aaron and Hannah Jacobowitz<br />
<b>Saturday, June 16</b>: Bat Mitzvah of Abigail Boyd<br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-91455004664780754352018-04-18T10:00:00.000-04:002018-04-18T10:00:04.331-04:00Rabbi Schwartz on Israel at 70 and the Path to Peace<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we prepare to celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day, and this year, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, we are please to share with you this op-ed from the <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/" target="_blank">Jewish Standard</a> by our Rabbi Schwartz, published on Friday, April 13th, and entitled, <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/israel-at-70-the-path-to-peace-according-to-isaiah/">Israel at 70: The Path to Peace, According to Isaiah</a>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The prophet Isaiah famously offered the world a compelling vision of peace: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And they shall beat their swords into plowshares</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And their spears into pruning hooks:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nation shall not take up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sword against nation;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They shall never again know war….</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The wolf and the lamb shall graze together,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 7)</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah continually sought to remind his beleaguered people not to lose faith. The mission statement of the Jewish people to be a “light to the nations” (Isa. 42:6) had not expired. Nor has it today, and the message of hope of this ancient prophet remains the path forward in our fearful and violent world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Admittedly, Isaiah’s vision might seem overly optimistic, perhaps even naïve. After all, are we any closer now to having “the wolf and the lamb … graze together” than we were thousands of years ago? The path to peace is as troubled in modern Israel as it was in ancient Israel. Since the state’s founding, the nation has fought five major wars, numerous battles, and countless uprisings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yet peace may not be as illusive or elusive as we might think. Sometimes it comes from the most unlikely places.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In November 1977, Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat shocked the world by announcing “I am ready to go to the end of the world to get a settlement. I am even ready to go to Israel, to the Knesset, and to speak to all the members of the Israeli parliament there and negotiate with them over a peace settlement.” Sadat predicted that the Israelis would be stunned by his offer, and they were.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But to his and all of Israel’s credit, the newly elected Prime Minister Menachem Begin, known for his right-wing, hardline political views, welcomed the man who only four years earlier had launched the bloodiest war in Israel’s history.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv115iEOceMW3bJ2npZky2OMxJIX4ZZx6tmcVagqi6zFOUAGa7QQr_wAU4W_YO4YlKi1BzoVqbORATfIm5AFZOTqbYY0ohDzbEM0KwRe6-5_a5q695jTRiAtK-7ZUbSUWDMcmXcNna9H0/s1600/02-F-begin-sadat-0413-635x357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="635" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv115iEOceMW3bJ2npZky2OMxJIX4ZZx6tmcVagqi6zFOUAGa7QQr_wAU4W_YO4YlKi1BzoVqbORATfIm5AFZOTqbYY0ohDzbEM0KwRe6-5_a5q695jTRiAtK-7ZUbSUWDMcmXcNna9H0/s320/02-F-begin-sadat-0413-635x357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was living in Jerusalem that year, and I will never forget the euphoria of the moment. When the peace negotiations floundered, President Jimmy Carter brought Begin and Sadat to Camp David, and on March 26, 1979 a peace agreement was forged that has lasted for the past 40 years. Begin, who, along with Carter and Sadat, later was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, shared his own vision of peace in his address at the signing of the accords on the White House lawn:</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ancient Jewish people gave the world the vision of eternal peace, of universal disarmament, of abolishing the teaching and learning of war. Despite the tragedies and disappointments of the past, we must never forsake that vision, that human dream, that unshakable faith. Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smallest of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. Peace is all of these and more, and more. Now is the time for all of us to show civil courage in order to proclaim to our peoples, and to others: no more war, no more bloodshed, no more bereavement—peace unto you. Shalom, Salaam—forever.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordan’s King Hussein signed a similar treaty in 1994. It, too, has survived the test of time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, along with Yasir Arafat of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, signed a peace agreement the same year, for which they also were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. That agreement, however, has not fared as well; Israelis and the Palestinians have yet to find the path to peace.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, let us be thankful for what peace we have achieved against unimaginable odds, and let us rededicate ourselves to realizing Isaiah’s grand vision. I imagine Isaiah saying:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All my long life, my people and my country have known only violence and bloodshed. I tremble knowing there is more…. Yet woe is the one who thinks the children of the covenant are forsaken. A time of peace will come, a time of harmony among men. Even the beasts of the field shall know the tranquility of the Lord. After the flood … the sun … and the rainbow.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah refused to be a pessimist about peace. Enemies can become allies. Out of darkness can come light. The path forward is somewhere to be found, and it is up to us to find it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-53657581854657610112018-04-14T16:45:00.000-04:002018-04-14T16:45:03.290-04:00Faith Leaders on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Religious Legacy<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past April 4th marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the religious legacy of the civil rights leader was the subject of an article published on April 2nd in the <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/" target="_blank">Deseret News</a>, which identifies itself as, "first news organization and the longest continuously-operating business in the state of Utah," and is owned by the Mormon Church. What does this have to do with Congregation Adas Emuno of Bergen County, New Jersey, you may ask? The answer is clear enough: Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz, our spiritual leader.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The article, entitled, <a href="https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900014673/faith-leaders-reflect-on-martin-luther-king-jrs-religious-legacy.html">Faith leaders Reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Religious Legacy</a>, and written by Kelsey Dallas, begins with the pastor of a Baptist Church in Salt Lake City:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is a silent participant in every meeting held in Calvary Baptist Church's conference room. He stares down at those gathered from three of the room's four walls.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. France Davis, Calvary's longtime pastor, chose this repetitive decor, in part, to honor the Rev. King's role in his life. His ministry career, which spans more than four decades, grew out of his experiences fighting for a better world alongside the Rev. King.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"That's what I've been doing all my life: trying to change laws, to make sure all people are treated equally," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But the portraits and pictures of the pastor and civil rights leader in the conference room don't just acknowledge the past. They remind church members to dream big dreams for the future, presenting the Rev. King as a symbol of what's possible when faith is put into action.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"He's an example of how to bring about positive change," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not just religious Americans who see the Rev. King this way. Fifty years after his assassination on April 4, 1968, he's hailed as an American hero, held up as someone whom all political activists should emulate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King's broad appeal sometimes troubles the faith leaders who knew him and continue to draw inspiration from him. They see his quotes used to support secular political goals or hear his voice during a truck commercial and worry Americans are forgetting the deep faith that anchored his activism.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is where Rabbi Schwartz is first mentioned:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">"It's legitimate to quote him in the most general of ways, but I don't think we should forget that he was an example of religious faith at its best," said Rabbi Barry Schwartz, author of <i>Path of Prophets: The Ethics-Driven Life</i>, which was published on March 1.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A nice plug for our rabbi's new book!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0827613091&asins=0827613091&linkId=a01cf2ee8bff707632ceac4b9046a67e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The article now returns to Reverend Davis:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King brought the Bible alive for participants in the civil rights movement, never ceasing to be a pastor even as he took on other roles, the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"He was trying to get people to put feet to their beliefs, to make their beliefs practical in terms of the way they went about their daily lives," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. Davis first heard about the Rev. King's work when he was 15 or 16. He knew Christians were called to serve their neighbors, but his energy was lacking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I understood that to be the need, but I didn't feel empowered to do it," said the Rev. Davis, who grew up in rural Georgia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King's impassioned speeches brought about a change of heart. The Rev. Davis began to see his belief in God as a reason to take action, not just to pray and sit in church on Sunday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"They were inspirational in every way. They caused those who heard them, me included, to want to act," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point, the article moves into a new topic, the <i>social gospel</i>, which parallels our own emphasis on social justice and <i>tikkun olam</i>:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King wasn't preaching something new. He was continuing the work of others who'd emphasized the social gospel, or the belief that people of faith should try to build a more just society, not just save people's souls, said Clayborne Carson, founding director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The social gospel really had its roots in the United States … in the late 19th and early 20th century," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Members of the early social gospel movement sought to protect workers during the rapid industrialization of the U.S. They fought for better working conditions and fair pay, turning to the Bible for spiritual nourishment and the motivation to act.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King carried the spirit of this activism into the civil rights movement, presenting the fight for racial equality as a deeply spiritual pursuit. He faced pushback for this approach, including from within the National Baptist Convention, which his grandfather helped found, Carson said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The elected leader of the National Baptist Convention opposed King and felt that the role of the pastor is to try to achieve salvation for members of the congregation and that the church shouldn't really be focused on social issues," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, the article brings Rabbi Schwartz back into the conversation, and Congregation Adas Emuno with him:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, many others, including Jews and other non-Christians, were receptive to his message. The Rev. King energized old teachings, inspiring believers like the Rev. Davis to live out their faith in new ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For some Jewish leaders, this meant proclaiming God's calls for justice all the way to jail, said Rabbi Schwartz, who leads Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia, New Jersey. His own rabbi was one of 16 arrested in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1964 after joining the Rev. King there to rally for racial equality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"There was a history of activism" in many religious traditions, he said. "But King was the singular figure who could galvanize their social-justice work."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And speaking of the relationship of rabbis to Dr. King, it is not surprising to see the name of Heschel come up:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King drew on the Old and New Testaments in his sermons and public addresses, which helped him unite Jews and Christians, said Susannah Heschel, a professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"If you look at his major speeches, he quotes (the prophet) Amos more often than Jesus," she said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He learned this approach in the black churches of his childhood, she added. African-Americans took comfort in and felt empowered by the Old Testament stories of prophets seeking justice and the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Heschel's father, Rabbi Abraham Heschel, also influenced the Rev. King's biblical engagement. The Rev. King carried a copy of Rabbi Heschel's book, <i>The Prophets</i>, in his pocket during marches, and it gave him strength to bring a prophetic voice to racial conflict.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The prophets remind us of the moral state of a people: Few are guilty, but all are responsible," Rabbi Heschel wrote. "To a person endowed with prophetic sight, everyone else appears blind."</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0060936991&asins=0060936991&linkId=1fa6dad2f61d6dd7e5d245d0731c1a26&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The article now returns to Reverend Davis and a Christian emphasis:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King wed the prophets' radical acts of service with Jesus Christ's teachings in the New Testament, the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"His message was clearly one about love based on New Testament theology and teachings, but his examples of showing love were from the Old Testament," he said. "He was masterful in weaving the two."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But this mastery often goes unnoticed in contemporary celebrations of the Rev. King, the Rev. Davis added. People are content to applaud his charisma, rather than understand the theological and historical claims anchoring his speeches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"We gravitate toward the rhythm and the sound as opposed to the message being communicated," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, most Americans are familiar with the Rev. King's dreams in his "I have a dream" speech from the March on Washington. He dreams that his children will be judged for their characters, not the color of their skin. He dreams that white children and black children will one day be able to join hands in Alabama.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fewer people can recall earlier parts of the speech, when the Rev. King recounted unfulfilled promises made to black Americans when the country was founded and assured his followers that "unearned suffering is redemptive."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"With 'I have a dream,' everybody knows the last part of that speech, but earlier is where the meat is," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now back to Rabbi Schwartz one more time:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">To truly understand the Rev. King's revolutionary work, you have to grasp how central the Bible was to his activism, Rabbi Schwartz said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"He was motivated by general ideas of justice, but, at the same time, he was coming from a Judeo-Christian perspective," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rabbi Schwartz is followed by a testimony from Susannah Heschel:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Heschel was active in the Jewish community throughout her childhood, attending Hebrew school classes and learning to interpret the Bible. Like the Rev. Davis, she knew what she was supposed to be doing, but she wasn't particularly excited to be doing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I didn’t like Hebrew school. I found the way the Bible was taught to us to be very dull," she said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King's friendship with her father changed everything. He brought the words of the biblical prophets alive, showing Heschel the value of learning them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“King changed my life and gave me a love of the Hebrew Bible and a love of the prophets," she said, crediting the Rev. King with inspiring her to become a professor of religion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the article gives Reverend Davis the last word:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. Davis offered similar praise, explaining that he's modeled his ministry after the Rev. King's work. Each week in his sermon at Calvary Baptist, he urges his congregation to go out into the world and improve it. He preaches on the importance of serving others and tries to lead by example, promoting policies like fair housing and Medicaid expansion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I'm one of his disciples in that sense," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When the Rev. Davis learned of the Rev. King's assassination, he knew there were plenty of people like himself to continue proclaiming the Rev. King's prophetic message. However, he worried about the loss of a man who encapsulated the entire struggle for civil rights. The movement would persist in pieces, rather than a unified whole.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I was concerned that it was piecemeal—one person talking about this and one person talking about that," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reflecting on the state of faith-based activism today, the Rev. Davis said he's come to appreciate this piecemeal approach. He likes that some houses of worship specialize in feeding the hungry while others expertly lobby legislators for fairer policies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. King's legacy is alive in many places at once, he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"When (this activism) was done by one person, it was localized to a particular area. … With a number of different people, it can be in several places," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rev. Davis wants visitors to know that Calvary Baptist is one of those places, so he put a small model of the Rev. King's Washington, D.C., memorial on the church's reception desk. Arms crossed, the miniature Rev. King stares sternly out at new arrivals from under a large green plant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"With Dr. King, you knew you were in the presence of greatness," the Rev. Davis said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is certainly an honor to have our rabbi, and our congregation, included in an interfaith article on so important a topic, published all the way out in Salt Lake City, Utah!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-36335284101771072902018-04-11T10:00:00.000-04:002018-04-11T10:00:17.210-04:00Jew Vs. Jedi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On January 12th, Adas Emuno president Lance Strate's op ed for the <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/" target="_blank">Jewish Standard</a>, <a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jew-vs-jedi-may-the-schwartz-be-with-you/">Jew vs. Jedi: “May the Schwartz Be With You”</a>, made its way into print, and here it is now on our congregational blog:</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Last Jedi</i> is one of the best, if not the best, of the Star Wars cinematic series that first exploded onto theater screens in 1977. The film franchise, originated by George Lucas, was sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2012, and revitalized in 2015 by the first installment in the new trilogy, <i>The Force Awakens</i>, directed by J.J. Abrams. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVg8Dy4bmEd4goWWVN76BvRnycq2eeadyIwc0_MknJa6aW1hdSxt1X3ik40hgXg7Wu2D-IPzDPyjfyOFmxsIt00oEhGQdybQ7kZf2o-oWmvwjRTZ_upBxMegCYpAFP0D2oVv-TBVyXtAw/s1600/star-wars-the-force-awakens-quad-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVg8Dy4bmEd4goWWVN76BvRnycq2eeadyIwc0_MknJa6aW1hdSxt1X3ik40hgXg7Wu2D-IPzDPyjfyOFmxsIt00oEhGQdybQ7kZf2o-oWmvwjRTZ_upBxMegCYpAFP0D2oVv-TBVyXtAw/s640/star-wars-the-force-awakens-quad-poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although it was a huge commercial success and generally well received, many fans were unhappy with the shift to a more progressive outlook in <i>The Force Awakens</i>, and expressed dissatisfaction with the casting, which deviated from the previous films, which were all but monopolized by white males. In this new trilogy, the lead heroic role of Rey is given to a young woman, while another main character is played by a young African-American man. Even when the sentiments expressed were not overtly racist and sexist, those undercurrents were apparent, especially given that the plot of <i>The Force Awakens</i> was quite consistent with the original <i>Star Wars</i> film. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLcXRHc9magzVMm9EJNFCRVnKOVfxTfQttgLd61AwrMgo3hWuRHdudqGdq-Otl0rp-qRYGRdjkGcJkyaNWAzF-6SoczTU0OOTRxzN75-yAj0BDtJppkqVUZl6_1x0Icwia1rDUT0URtM/s1600/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-D23-cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLcXRHc9magzVMm9EJNFCRVnKOVfxTfQttgLd61AwrMgo3hWuRHdudqGdq-Otl0rp-qRYGRdjkGcJkyaNWAzF-6SoczTU0OOTRxzN75-yAj0BDtJppkqVUZl6_1x0Icwia1rDUT0URtM/s640/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-D23-cast.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars The Force Awakens cast Harrison Ford; Daisy Ridley; Bob Iger; J.J. Abrams; John Boyega; Lupita Nyong'o; Oscar Isaac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Last Jedi</i>, directed by Rian Johnson, extended the new sensibility by highlighting female leadership, including the late Carrie Fisher as the leader of the resistance and Laura Dern as a self-sacrificing admiral of their decimated fleet, while introducing a significant new character played by Kelly Marie Tran, the child of Vietnamese immigrants. Consistent with this move toward greater diversity in casting, the film also emphasized the progressive theme of breaking with the past.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2OTNZprzQDlwAKeYLoX2XGTV8VS8sXPDNck7bCL0cBn3HfBjj253hXjfBnOoKmkEtYFmZq8wU0PW-2yt1h0621pE0GlZYKztJd7PzR8J0PLk9KzeRQ-KeuGaCc95VileCibY83YuLco/s1600/star-wars-the-last-jedi-poster-700x1037-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2OTNZprzQDlwAKeYLoX2XGTV8VS8sXPDNck7bCL0cBn3HfBjj253hXjfBnOoKmkEtYFmZq8wU0PW-2yt1h0621pE0GlZYKztJd7PzR8J0PLk9KzeRQ-KeuGaCc95VileCibY83YuLco/s640/star-wars-the-last-jedi-poster-700x1037-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UwtldcqmGZ-UBL6435LrEQ7s4fn5f1uJSG40FZuAabqxTpDEkD4goxwloQn8Yi4orABJS0ZTc2Xzd7MORFIAyOegN3_7BWUB4Sh9fj6i2lE44oPS3MjTKz-pJ_F0OcKrn58FvM5GzJc/s1600/ufvaq4jd5v9z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UwtldcqmGZ-UBL6435LrEQ7s4fn5f1uJSG40FZuAabqxTpDEkD4goxwloQn8Yi4orABJS0ZTc2Xzd7MORFIAyOegN3_7BWUB4Sh9fj6i2lE44oPS3MjTKz-pJ_F0OcKrn58FvM5GzJc/s640/ufvaq4jd5v9z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Given the reactionary mentality of most disgruntled Star Wars fanatics, I was disturbed to read Liel Liebovitz’s December 18 piece in <a href="http://www.tabletmag.com/" target="_blank">Tablet</a> magazine, called “<a href="http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/251727/reform-jediism" target="_blank">Reform Jediism</a>.” Liebovitz explains his reaction to the film:</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt a torrent of anger I haven’t known since gazing at the calamity that was Jar-Jar Binks. That’s because the movie, while otherwise engaging and enjoyable, introduced a radical new take on the Jedi religion. Call it Reform Jediism.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anger is consistent with right-wing screeds against any form of liberal politics, but in this instance the target was Reform Judaism. As he puts it,</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">for American Jewish audiences… <i>The Last Jedi</i> can feel almost like a documentary, a sordid story about a small community eager to trade in the old and onerous traditions for the glittery and airy creed of universalist kumbaya that, like so much sound and fury, signifies nothing.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a Reform Jew, I am deeply offended by Liebovitz’s disdain for those of us who practice a form of Judaism different from his own. And I have to wonder what it is about us that makes him so afraid. In the words of the Jedi master Yoda, who presumably represents Liebovitz’s idea of Orthodox Jediism, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Don’t we know this to be true? Isn’t our world big enough for different forms of Jewish worship, different modes of Jewish identity? Does he really want to open up an irrevocable schism in the Jewish population?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1h1xfexPBg5Kojmctn1pF3AsANRFCCYbO4JK6VYwYNEbWwIPJh8ZUMmX1sJ7QKCbCul59-9y1A8oQt5gYs0kp9ObjHtUa3Tvg-YwsISB0Lj5P5AH-uiEdrwtaNs6BK27QFknPY5M4aA/s1600/DRW9m_-VwAAShyg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="750" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1h1xfexPBg5Kojmctn1pF3AsANRFCCYbO4JK6VYwYNEbWwIPJh8ZUMmX1sJ7QKCbCul59-9y1A8oQt5gYs0kp9ObjHtUa3Tvg-YwsISB0Lj5P5AH-uiEdrwtaNs6BK27QFknPY5M4aA/s320/DRW9m_-VwAAShyg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Responses from readers both sympathetic to his general outlook and supportive of the Reform movement have taken Liebovitz to task for misinterpreting the meaning of <i>The Last Jedi</i>, ignoring important details in the film or just getting them wrong, forcing facts to fit his views instead of vice versa. For my part, I find the entire conversation absurd. Its original sin is Liebovitz’s equating Jew and Jedi.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <i>Star Wars</i> universe was created by George Lucas, who was raised a Methodist. The film’s underlying Christian sensibility is apparent in its emphasis on a savior figure. In the original trilogy, the messianic character is Luke (evoking the Gospels) Skywalker (paralleling walking on water). In the prequels, Anakin Skywalker is born via immaculate conception on the part of the Force and identified as the “chosen one” of prophecy, before falling from grace and becoming the equivalent of the Christian Satan, Darth Vader.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U2LokmYHsXZxM473F-xL2fs6djB_gP3GUK-q1DEKTXU1L7oP0xS4nIvN4ZFIlnowdVlU3Wfj-SVdxAKBjCRm7VHvc0lyF7wIC6egSYV2PWShxruiC41qA79sU99eoH_2NlvBa7pMQ1k/s1600/3653334524001_5381043941001_5379748916001-vs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U2LokmYHsXZxM473F-xL2fs6djB_gP3GUK-q1DEKTXU1L7oP0xS4nIvN4ZFIlnowdVlU3Wfj-SVdxAKBjCRm7VHvc0lyF7wIC6egSYV2PWShxruiC41qA79sU99eoH_2NlvBa7pMQ1k/s320/3653334524001_5381043941001_5379748916001-vs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Jedi are referred to as an “order” rather than a religion. Judaism does not have any orders, but there are many within the Catholic tradition (e.g., Jesuits, Dominicans), as well in as other forms of Christianity including the Methodists, and also within Buddhism, a major influence as well on Lucas and his creation. The Jedi Order is monastic. Worldly attachments—notably marriage—are forbidden; that’s a rule also associated with Christianity and Buddhism.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A fully trained Jedi is referred to as a knight, and Jedi knights are all but invincible warriors, in some ways modeled after Japanese samurai, but also after holy paladins, not unlike the Arthurian knights of the roundtable in search of the Holy Grail of Christian legend. Jedi also are much like priests, Christian or Shaolin, with a direct connection to the godlike Force, one that ordinary people lack. They are nothing like the great rabbis of Jewish tradition, learned sages who study and interpret our sacred texts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf8MjBb6e7dmHK2_0NaU1l8CbfM3YnE_-OBZ0rz1VA18NS9miQhd9BcN83aGq8fwSj44OC4cZTpkk9YVGTM7Ph9LmJvxLI_Kc7jWKgOkMzbq62XIYRL0YVJ9cLEIlvbTFh5dPJVoiwR0/s1600/Jedi-Order_c0dfa281.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf8MjBb6e7dmHK2_0NaU1l8CbfM3YnE_-OBZ0rz1VA18NS9miQhd9BcN83aGq8fwSj44OC4cZTpkk9YVGTM7Ph9LmJvxLI_Kc7jWKgOkMzbq62XIYRL0YVJ9cLEIlvbTFh5dPJVoiwR0/s320/Jedi-Order_c0dfa281.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Christian sensibility of <i>Star Wars</i> is especially apparent in its valuation of redemption and forgiveness. At the end of the original trilogy, Luke is able to convince his father, Darth Vader, to turn on his master, the evil emperor. Luke insists that there still is good in Vader, and this final act allows Vader to die in a state of grace, and to appear in ghostly form alongside the good Jedi who have also left the earthly plane. But the fact remains that Vader was guilty of untold atrocities, including destroying an entire planet in the first <i>Star Wars</i> film.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdii0VJgezMjC2-kfpb14UDx-V3h9ZA1h9oSNWihRlHabSaWI9q7-72xQ_457ZK2W0jkcl_WNKANk-Zrg5k_tNhu-ZlN0gd-zIFWSaaqNt8QTaneE0uxvFs9do4jhWPamZPXqa3SRZ5lQ/s1600/Force-Ghosts-Featured-01118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="970" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdii0VJgezMjC2-kfpb14UDx-V3h9ZA1h9oSNWihRlHabSaWI9q7-72xQ_457ZK2W0jkcl_WNKANk-Zrg5k_tNhu-ZlN0gd-zIFWSaaqNt8QTaneE0uxvFs9do4jhWPamZPXqa3SRZ5lQ/s320/Force-Ghosts-Featured-01118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In <i>The Force Awakens</i>, Kylo Ren is introduced as essentially worshipping Darth Vader as well as following the evil Supreme Leader of the First Order, and engages in acts of patricide and mass murder. In <i>The Last Jedi</i>, Rey tries to turn Ren away from the dark side, just as Luke did with Vader, saying that it’s not to late for him. The idea that you can be forgiven for all of your sins as long as you repent in the end has its origins in Christian theology, whereas in our tradition, as expounded by Maimonides, some sins are so heinous that no forgiveness or redemption is possible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don’t mean to imply that <i>Star Wars</i> is based only on Christian elements. Lucas weaved together a variety of influences, including Buddhism, Japanese samurai films, westerns, World War Two movies, old movie serials such as Flash Gordon, and Joseph Campbell’s notion of the hero’s journey (itself more consistent with Christianity than Judaism). What I want to emphasize is that <i>Star Wars</i> does not reflect Jewish sensibilities, and does not make for a good analogy with contemporary Jewish life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We still can appreciate and enjoy the movies, which above all are entertaining. But we also ought to be aware of Lucas’s failings as a storyteller. His movies have been criticized for portraying democratic institutions as weak and ineffectual, supported only by the elitist Jedi. Only a few people exhibit the force sensitivity needed to become a Jedi, and that trait is inherited rather than acquired through hard work or ethical conduct.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rB7kxCJwVAc" width="560"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaIhkugMuREcc14yOkRoIYxiRMi7QHOpRJ23GlkNY9i5u3XPTRddV3ZFSKWG0fGTC4qcJ1w9rd6_108fut4q0-nVYQxD03_z4WX7UTAHSNnsIR6NsR2FBC98YQz_JZrhQDOZg9nr31II/s1600/nute-gunray-neimoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="400" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaIhkugMuREcc14yOkRoIYxiRMi7QHOpRJ23GlkNY9i5u3XPTRddV3ZFSKWG0fGTC4qcJ1w9rd6_108fut4q0-nVYQxD03_z4WX7UTAHSNnsIR6NsR2FBC98YQz_JZrhQDOZg9nr31II/s200/nute-gunray-neimoi.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7RDsiXUVSQH0jUfxXXNnLoyorWGswqp_k0GUX_5CfeNO_ob8690KhNzUMAd3ANmuAc15khoEqmIdjLOrVX-lukLaTRCCOrUOOjdVjZOO7Tz1pHlsFKzvh0nP00wDhOK6lQueL4CyqLA/s1600/Star-Wars-Jar-Jar-Binks-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="650" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7RDsiXUVSQH0jUfxXXNnLoyorWGswqp_k0GUX_5CfeNO_ob8690KhNzUMAd3ANmuAc15khoEqmIdjLOrVX-lukLaTRCCOrUOOjdVjZOO7Tz1pHlsFKzvh0nP00wDhOK6lQueL4CyqLA/s200/Star-Wars-Jar-Jar-Binks-banner.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lucas drew on many stylistic elements from the World War II era, some in disturbing fashion. For example, the final scene of the first <i>Star Wars</i> movie is based on a scene from the Nazi propaganda film <i>Triumph of the Will</i>. Worse, in the prequel trilogy, Lucas drew on offensive ethnic stereotypes, trying to displace them onto alien beings. The character of Jar Jar Binks, whom Liebovitz and many other fans criticized for being too silly, was based on African-American Stepin Fetchit stereotypes, with a Jamaican/Rastafarian speech pattern. The leaders of the evil Trade Federation were based on East Asian “yellow peril” stereotypes. And the greedy slave owner Watto is hook-nosed and speaks with a Yiddish accent.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGmmp-AUsl7qUHw5ytJjsTRnlbMli1dGoCb80sNNplv1-TeQkC0gimyP0lwWDA203MgY8G1RNz9j6_PX6vmlqPMDDL3gAPvmegVHHhKPsH42bYRgbkRlT4OoJfd3RhfAZHa75sINFN5o/s1600/toydarians-watto02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="450" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGmmp-AUsl7qUHw5ytJjsTRnlbMli1dGoCb80sNNplv1-TeQkC0gimyP0lwWDA203MgY8G1RNz9j6_PX6vmlqPMDDL3gAPvmegVHHhKPsH42bYRgbkRlT4OoJfd3RhfAZHa75sINFN5o/s400/toydarians-watto02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Liebovitz is wrong in thinking that the earlier <i>Star Wars</i> movies emphasized tradition. No, they were exercises in nostalgia, romanticized images of the past. And they are profoundly ahistorical, set “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.” The fairytale-like formula stands in stark contrast to the Jewish invention of historical narrative. The events that occur in the <i>Star Wars</i> universe have no connection to our world. How long ago did they happen? What is the connection between their time and ours? Are we the descendants of the human characters in these stories? Are they even human? For this reason, as well as the fact that there is no rationale given for the “futuristic” science and technology, purists argue that these stories are fantasy rather than science fiction.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BLI0RmJ2ehQv0SaIHlvtyqSTIjzHLpSBBA2htSzmAC9uTtsIbKdjv8wb7-P5IylNZF1oOT6b08pkb_ANv28ZZe7FTBhSGgY40LThizaswo5GBNzusiZwEmG7dXT7-UPpUSFRv4gwwM0/s1600/MPW-19404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BLI0RmJ2ehQv0SaIHlvtyqSTIjzHLpSBBA2htSzmAC9uTtsIbKdjv8wb7-P5IylNZF1oOT6b08pkb_ANv28ZZe7FTBhSGgY40LThizaswo5GBNzusiZwEmG7dXT7-UPpUSFRv4gwwM0/s640/MPW-19404.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As Jews, we believe in progress toward a better future as well as continuity with the past. The <i>Star Wars</i> universe is as disconnected from our tradition as it is from human history. We can enjoy the films as entertainment, certainly, and I would suggest that also we ought to applaud the more progressive approach associated with Abrams, Johnson, and Disney. As for a Jewish take on the franchise, I can think of none better than the 1987 Mel Brooks movie <i>Spaceballs</i>, which teaches us to live and let live and not take ourselves so seriously.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsE0693tnXOCui0oCtvDrhtNUtmbyuvLAod7c6aMYq00YFwH3KNYez80MMOnGj0iB7Bo9Bt6y3d79QuW5y2LgJ4e-qby2-towbBJDQyU9nJa1vNk95tr4iGsoSQBN7Gspdx25TbgMBtM/s1600/Schwartz.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1013" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsE0693tnXOCui0oCtvDrhtNUtmbyuvLAod7c6aMYq00YFwH3KNYez80MMOnGj0iB7Bo9Bt6y3d79QuW5y2LgJ4e-qby2-towbBJDQyU9nJa1vNk95tr4iGsoSQBN7Gspdx25TbgMBtM/s640/Schwartz.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And so I say to Liebovitz and others like him, “May the Schwartz be with you!”</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-21271629113986652952018-04-01T10:30:00.000-04:002018-04-01T10:30:16.857-04:00ISRAEL AT 70!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN2HUb4EEW7P7QUSARUMx0bAZl27crNiHoRXmVuWWm6KWDxvo8nCQlyKDeEYeCTFWsWRvDKYilojKQWf3exQXQeQqHg1fvvOSshTnLI01xPW3cEyBn4jQBjzMxdxz5UvtboJ2gbh7gt53/s1600/Rabbi+Schwartz-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN2HUb4EEW7P7QUSARUMx0bAZl27crNiHoRXmVuWWm6KWDxvo8nCQlyKDeEYeCTFWsWRvDKYilojKQWf3exQXQeQqHg1fvvOSshTnLI01xPW3cEyBn4jQBjzMxdxz5UvtboJ2gbh7gt53/s200/Rabbi+Schwartz-new.jpg" width="160" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>From the desk of</i> …</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Rabbi Barry Schwartz</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
ISRAEL AT 70!<br />
</h1>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Some of us were alive to celebrate the birth of the
modern state of Israel on May 14, 1948.<br /><br />
All of us are alive to celebrate the 70th birthday of the
modern state of Israel this spring (the actual date this
year corresponding to the 5th of Iyar is April 19).<br /><br />
I am sorry that I was not yet born to witness the
miracle of Israel’s founding. The ingathering of the
exiles, the revival of a Jewish state, the rebirth of
Hebrew: Is there a more astounding event in all of
Jewish history? What a marvel, after twenty centuries,
to be able to board an airplane and eleven hours later
touch down in the holy land of a sovereign Jewish
state. What a privilege to be able to support Israel
wherever we may live.<br /><br />
I call Israel “my other country” or “my second home”.
It’s not simply because I happen to have dual
citizenship, and the fact that my family of five have ten
passports. It’s not simply because I studied there, got
married there, worked there, served in the army
there… in fact all of that was decades ago.<br /><br />
It’s because I believe if you are Jewish, Israel is your
spiritual homeland, if not your physical one.<br /><br />
It’s because you are a citizen of the United States and
you are a citizen of the Jewish people.<br /><br />
It’s because I believe that if America is your mother
and Israel is your father, you should love both your
parents.<br /><br />
Israel is family. You love your family… and you criticize
your family. As I have said before: unconditional love
does not mean uncritical love. You love your spouse
and children unconditionally; that does not mean that
you look away when you think they are wrong. You
speak up for their sake; precisely because you care.
Yes, we need to work for a more just Israel, inside and
out. There is a time for criticism… but not at the
expense of celebration.<br /><br />
At this time, let’s reiterate our love and praise of Israel—that’s what families do at birthdays. <b>And so I am
asking every member of the congregation to send
me a one sentence line, “What Israel Means to
Me….”</b> (<a href="mailto:rabbiblschwartz@gmail.com">rabbiblschwartz at gmail.com</a>)<br /><br />
<b>We will read every response at our special Yom
Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) Shabbat
service on April 27. Our goal is 70 statements for
Israel’s 70 th birthday! We’re throwing a party… Join
the Celebration!</b><br /><br /><br /><br />
</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-86688602447140628002018-03-30T18:28:00.001-04:002018-03-30T18:28:40.451-04:00Rabbi Schwartz's Reading for Pesach 5778<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From the March 30th issue of the <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/in-every-generation-2/" target="_blank">Jewish Standard</a>, we are pleased to share Rabbi Schwartz's special reading for Pesach 5778, entitled "In Every Generation":</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We come out of Egypt.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We stand up to Pharaoh.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We part the waters.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We march toward the Promised Land.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We teach our children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/Our children teach us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In every generation/We march for our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this generation/Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech/We march for our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this generation/Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We march for our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this generation/Two hundred sixty five million guns fill our country.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We march for our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this generation/Ninety seven souls die from gun violence each and every day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We march for our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this generation/Young and old, black and white, Jew and gentile… said enough; enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let freedom ring.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Participants at the Seder are invited to echo the repeating lines.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-76443549255598229852018-03-28T16:36:00.001-04:002018-03-28T16:36:23.323-04:00We Were Nomads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></h3>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s1600/LanceStratePhoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Vr6tMf6q4a8kqEUjATD6OKuXQKC18c2GKiJGUE-hu8olV6Bv-qjfF02i3v5-yDBEfpRMsE5RwcBujD48GTj511FPnFQqCZHoOBrW0eLZg3jWMvgyXMIF50XnqadmH8hwcwbbBq1S4sSM/s200/LanceStratePhoto.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Message From Our President</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Dr. Lance Strate</span></h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
We Were Nomads</h1>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
Passover is coming, and with it comes our annual celebration of the exodus from Egypt. We tend to think of it as a liberation from slavery, the first step on a journey to the promised land, with a very significant stopover at Mount Sinai. But we also tend to discount the journey itself, the forty years of wandering in the desert. We may think of it as a punishment for losing faith. Or we may even joke about it, saying that we got lost in the desert because the men refused to ask for directions.
<br /><br />
We tend to think of wandering in negative terms, often as "wandering aimlessly," losing our way, being rootless or fickle. Maybe that's because, in the modern world, we tend to be so very goal driven, so fixated on getting from point A to point B, on making progress, proceeding towards a predetermined end.
<br /><br />
We lose sight of the fact that wandering can also mean meandering, taking our time for the pure pleasure of it. It can also mean exploring, delighting in the joy of discovery. And it can also mean roaming, traveling from place to place in a deliberate fashion. This last form of wandering is characteristic of the nomadic way of life, the way of life that we associate with the origins of our people, and our faith.
<br /><br />
The story of the Jewish people begins with Abraham in the city of Ur, who is commanded by God to leave the city and journey to the land of Canaan to become a nomad. He becomes a shepherd, roaming the land in search of green pastures and the water that sustains them. In other words, Abraham cannot become holy by remaining in the city. He is sanctified through an exodus of his own, and later witnesses how two other cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, have become the sites of sin and corruption, and are destroyed by God.
<br /><br />
When periodic drought strikes the land, Jacob and his sons travel down to Egypt, and as we tell the story, they went down to Egypt to <i>sojourn</i> and not to <i>settle</i>. In other words, as nomads, that move was meant to be temporary. But their descendants are enslaved and forced to build cities for Pharaoh, specifically the cities of Pithom and Rameses, according to the Torah.
<br /><br />
The exodus then was an escape from Egyptian cities and slave settlements, and a return to nomadic life. And as nomads, the Israelites would not have been wandering aimlessly in the desert, but rather following a circuit in conjunction with the changing seasons. Not a straight line from departure to destination, but making the rounds repeatedly, in harmony with their environment. It is during this period that the words of the Ma Tovu are uttered, classically rendered as, "How goodly are thy tents."
<br /><br />
And the story of the return to the promised land begins with Joshua bringing down the walls of the city of Jericho. Jerusalem itself was not built by the Israelites, but rather conquered by King David to serve as the capital of his kingdom, and the site of the Temple built by Solomon. And without discounting the singular importance of Jerusalem, I want to suggest that we recall the lessons we learned from our experience as nomads:
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned that God, or if you prefer, the holy, the divine, or the spiritual dimension of existence, is not confined to any one place. There are no geographical limits to the encounter with the sacred. Transcendence can happen anywhere.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned that the shortest distance between two points is not necessarily a straight line. That travelling in circles is not a bad thing. That the real world has curves, just as we later discovered that the planet is round, just as Albert Einstein later discovered that all of space is curved.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned that lines and boundaries are creations of frail and fallible human minds, not commandments from God. That walls are meant to be torn down, to be shattered by the rippling resonances of sound waves. That houses and buildings, settlements and cities, and even nations, are not as permanent as they may seem. That what really matters are people, family, community, and beyond, to teach our children diligently, to honor our parents, to love our neighbors, and to love the stranger, for we too once were strangers.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned that any given place is not all that important, that it is temporary, transitory. That our religion is not so much about space, but rather about time. We can pray anywhere, we can observe Shabbat, the festivals, and the High Holy Days anywhere, what matters is that we observe them according to the calendar, not the map. We learned that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned that flexibility is better than fixity and rigidity. That being a seeker and a searcher is better than becoming too settled in our opinions.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned to live in harmony with our world, and not be overly proud of our own inventions and constructions.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned to be cautious about our circumstances, not to take things for granted, to know that situations can change suddenly, precipitously, catastrophically. To always keep one bag packed.
<br /><br />
As nomads, we learned what it means to be free, what it means to be a people, and what it means to have faith.
<br /><br />
This is the legacy we share, together, as a congregation. Wishing you a very <i>wanderful</i> Passover holiday!<br /><br />
</span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-13288059591627415002018-03-10T10:00:00.000-05:002018-03-10T10:00:01.228-05:00The Language of Truth<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fresh from yesterday's <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/" target="_blank">Jewish Standard</a>, here is an article featuring Marc Salem, who will be performing tomorrow at Congregation Adas Emuno—see our previous post, <a href="http://adasemuno.blogspot.com/2018/03/marc-salems-mind-games-this-sunday.html" target="_blank">Marc Salem's Mind Games This Sunday</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The article, entitled <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/the-language-of-truth/" target="_blank">The Language of Truth</a>, and written by Jewish Standard editor Joanne Palmer, is subtitled, "Mentalist Marc Salem of New Milford talks about nonverbal speech," and concludes with the following information:
</span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Who</b>: The mentalist Marc Salem</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>What</b>: Will present “Mind Game”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>When</b>: On Sunday, March 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Where</b>: At Congregation Adas Emuno, 254 Broad Ave. in Leonia</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>For more information</b>: Call (201) 592-1712</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>How much</b>: $10</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And here is what the article had to say:
</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mentalism.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That’s a scam, right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That’s when somebody’s on stage pretending to read your mind, tell your secrets, maybe embarrass you, all while he’s busy diverting your attention or his assistants are rummaging through your bag, next to you on the floor, or the person whose mind he’s reading is a plant, right? Right?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, I don’t know. And I’m not here to tell you one way or another. But I do want to present the case for Marc Salem, mentalist by night, for about 20 years a professor of psychology at such schools as NYU and Mount Saint Vincent (and the holder of a doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of Pennsylvania) by day. (Oh, and also, on other days, for nine years, the director of research at Sesame Street, and directly responsible for Rechov Sumsum, Sesame Street’s Israeli version.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We’re focusing on Mr. Salem, who lives in New Milford and is the son of a rabbi (and whose given name, Moshe Botwanick, would fit less easily on a theater marquee than his taken name), because he will perform at a benefit for Adas Emuno on Sunday.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">According to Mr. Salem (who could be called Dr. but prefers not to be, he said), he has always been interested in nonverbal communication, “because people have a much more difficult time lying nonverbally than verbally. We are not really trained to read nonverbal language, but it is much harder to hide emotion because it literally is written on people’s faces.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">He chose developmental psychology because, he said, “I was always sensitive to other people’s nonverbal cues.” From the time he was a small child, Mr. Salem added, he was able to know things about other people that he thought were entirely obvious, until he realized that no one else could see them. “I wanted to go into psychology because the mind fascinated me,” he said. “It was my playground. I thought that everyone could read it, that it was part of everybody’s makeup.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What began as intuition he later honed and trained, so now he works with a combination of instinct and decades of experience, he said. It’s not magic; it’s observation and knowledge. It’s also fast talking and fancy but obfuscatory theory, of course, but that’s all part of the show.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so is the idea of leaving audiences feeling puzzled, but happy, never uncomfortable, never pried into.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mr. Salem’s shows included a stint off Broadway—to rave if disconcerted reviews—and a still-viewable (Google for it) and honestly jaw-dropping segment with Mike Wallace onstage for <i>60 Minutes</i>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s all a balance.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is no real conflict between his work as a teacher and as an entertainer, Mr. Salem continued. “Marshall McLuhan,” the mid-20th-century North American philosopher who pioneered media studies, said “Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn’t know the first thing about either,” Mr. Salem said.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Although he’s a writer, as well as a teacher and performer, one thing that he never has done and never will do is counseling, although his credentials would allow him to. Because he can see so deeply into people “I would be too close to people’s pain, and it would hurt me to try to deal with it,” he said. He uses his father as an example; as a pulpit rabbi, at Tel Or in Havertown, suburban Philadelphia, his father, Rabbi Israel Botwinick, counseled congregants, and he worried and grieved with them. As a result, his son said, “My father died too young, because he didn’t know how to build calluses against other people’s pain.” So, he said, he steers clear of avoidable pain. Instead, “I bring joy.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His shows include tricks like guessing which numbers people are thinking about, or what words; they’re based on an understanding of the sorts of words or numbers people are most likely to guess. Although much of his work is based on visual cues, some of it is purely verbal. For example, on the phone, he said, “Pick a number from one to four.” Almost everyone picks three, he explained, because the sentence that offers the range of numbers — from 1 to (2) 4—omits three. He offers other, similar tricks, which steer the listener clearly but unconsciously in specific directions. It’s not foolproof, but it’s smart.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His work, Mr. Salem said, “is a matter of being sensitive to other people. If everybody learned to be better at nonverbal communication, they’d be better parents, better siblings, better lovers. It’s the one language that we don’t learn, and it’s the one language that carries the most truth.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And yes, there is a great deal that is Jewish in his work, Mr. Salem added. “A great deal of what I do involves thinking things through. I think I use a talmudic logic.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The rabbis of old had incredible memories—and so do I. They could memorize page after page of Talmud. It is the written word versus the oral tradition. I focus on both of them very strongly, and I see how they differ from each other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I think—and McLuhan taught—that the written word is very different from the oral word. I think that our oral tradition allows laws to be changed in certain ways, and it also creates powerful memories.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I worry about things like iPads and other electronics, because of the way we rely on them instead of our memories,” he continued. “The Talmud says that each generation will get weaker and weaker,” and he fears that the devices’ external memories make us dependent on them, and let our own internal facilities degenerate. “I am no Luddite, but I do think we must not let that happen,” he said. “The more technology memorizes stuff for us, the less we use our own muscles for memory.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“We are the people of the book, and I think that the written word is the most powerful. I do think that the power of the linear written work goes into your cerebral cortex. What you hear to some extent goes in one ear and out the other. To retain things, you must be skilled in reading.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I talk about the difference—not to my secular audiences, of course—between the Torah she’be’ketav—the written Torah—and the Torah she’baal peh—the oral Torah. They are both important, but the 10 Commandments are written in stone—they are unchanging—and the Talmud is an oral tradition.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I am of the belief that the future hasn’t happened yet,” he said. “Therefore we make our own future. The smarter you are, the easier it is to create your own future—but there is also the random element.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“There is a tribe that used to let its cattle wander based on the cracks that developed in the bones they would throw in the fire. The cracks were random—so they never went back to a place they’d already been. So what they thought was predicting the future really was randomness, giving them a map to travel where they’d never been before. Following randomness has certain advantages. It prevents the bias of thought in doing things.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“It’s like a stream. If a rock goes into a stream, it will be diverted. We have to realize that the rocks will be there.”
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Confused yet? Marc Salem says many things; some of them are entirely clear, and others are not so clear. But he can read a great deal about you from the way you express your confusion.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, if you are in mind for a little confusion, and a lot of entertainment, join us tomorrow at 4 PM for a mindblowing performance!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-16097253212310858802018-03-09T15:22:00.001-05:002018-03-09T15:32:54.509-05:00Marc Salem's Mind Games This Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWO8BNkekGqaFUQvXrrqrX3yywT2Pgwfd2PkWZA3qRDNzWe5AVYAXmqa2-QpDroaLh57aJHXqERWUnFiyXp5zUfS9tP9Pl0cKMOv9uYO1qOItgaSllNX5BdDQ8r3Zcpd6cUG5Z0zEXxP60/s1600/marc+salem+flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWO8BNkekGqaFUQvXrrqrX3yywT2Pgwfd2PkWZA3qRDNzWe5AVYAXmqa2-QpDroaLh57aJHXqERWUnFiyXp5zUfS9tP9Pl0cKMOv9uYO1qOItgaSllNX5BdDQ8r3Zcpd6cUG5Z0zEXxP60/s640/marc+salem+flyer.png" width="494" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/22261325" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/22261325">Marc Salem - 60 Minutes</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user1264998">JLI</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ZebRXr8gE8" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0qUpVameP-4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-74350798042692833082018-03-07T16:28:00.000-05:002018-03-28T16:29:31.957-04:00Social Action Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7waeCP7Qi2Tti-W8dzODLSd5Wh5fhVsSR4NJLq962z9BCxC52C_qQng8HGDMjpQAn9p0tPP9jzw6vzCsCroSYWcecI7WX17zOdKzqPtxc9XOScJOwmeiNCPg-UiN8MuqayTYHBENrclik/s1600/IMG_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7waeCP7Qi2Tti-W8dzODLSd5Wh5fhVsSR4NJLq962z9BCxC52C_qQng8HGDMjpQAn9p0tPP9jzw6vzCsCroSYWcecI7WX17zOdKzqPtxc9XOScJOwmeiNCPg-UiN8MuqayTYHBENrclik/s200/IMG_0462.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A Report from Annette DeMarco </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Social Action Committee Chairperson</b></span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Hello All!<br />
<br />
The number of the moment is 183! That is how many items of soup we collected and donated to the Center for Food Action… and during one very, very cold winter!
Thank you to all who took part in our "Souper Bowl"!
<br />
<br />
We are now working with the <a href="https://www.jfnnj.org/">Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey</a> as this organization sponsors its <b>March Mega Food Drive</b>. Please bring non-perishable foods to the vestry room between now and March 19, and place in our Community Purim Baskets. Donations will be brought to the JFNNJ office and from there distributed to local food pantries.
<br />
<br />
Another chance to help: On <b>Sunday, March 25th</b>, families are being asked to help sort the food
collected as well as pack week-end snack packs for children in need.
Please go to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.jfnnj.org/fooddrive">www.jfnnj.org/fooddrive</a> to register and to find a list of most needed food items. There are no age limitations to participate!
<br />
<br />
<b>Save the Date: Sunday, May 6</b><br />
<br />
For the third year, our congregation will be part of <a href="http://www.bergenfamilypromise.org/bfp/hike-or-bike-2018/">Family Promise Hike or Bike in Ridgewood</a>.
This event raises money for homeless, working families with children. Participants can choose to hike (walk through town) or bike for three miles, or bike for 15 miles. There are lots of family activities plus refreshments. Stay tuned for more information! <br />
<br />
<b>Social Action Committee Meeting</b>: Thursday March 15 from 6:30-7:30 PM. New Members Welcome!
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who answered our call to support <b>March for Our Lives</b> by making a donation or purchasing merchandise. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Marchforourlives.com">Marchforourlives.com</a>
<br />
<br />
L’Shalom, <br />
Annette</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:acheryl21@gmail.com" target="_blank">acheryl21 at gmail.com</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-5382536130450220702018-03-06T16:18:00.000-05:002018-03-28T16:18:30.107-04:00Youth Group News Spring 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></b></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
<b>Youth Group News from <br />Youth Group
Advisor<br />Samantha Rosenbloom: </b></h2>
</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our next
Youth Group event will take place on
Sunday March 11 with pottery painting!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">April's event will be an “escape room”
excursion. As a group, we will be locked
into a room, where we will need to solve
clues to escape before the time runs out.</span><br /><br />
<a href="mailto:samantharosenbloom@gmail.com">samantharosenbloom at gmail.com</a></span>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-34467137410055280492018-03-04T16:11:00.000-05:002018-03-28T16:12:28.572-04:00Spring 2018 Religious School News<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the pages of <i>Kadima</i>, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:</span></b></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxgrR2IdlptP7hOYSb__DhBDwuY_HGndgJ2lSVgQ2ESevGfsnYzH39t5FjL1auzfPpRNjLQU6JWg33nxHyPfPa5kA0QnteXHLbKJoW-C7NavpQI2nUJa3iB6LER1A5PdZRdb-V9KTZHS3/s1600/Benamy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUFTvQfuFjpFCeMK9tbPABSI6pq-F4qtHqbAXX2-oEJD4PPTEC97kSJCV1VVVlYr81rP85R4Gf4G6Pq5NGiytzSRmcB5VdVWhYrB4g4a2_pId0lKGrD0Cf8KEmqkrtkvmzBSuHNZEOIGs/s1600/SHorowitz-photo2.jpg" width="209" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Religious School News </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> from</span></b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="font: 10.0px 'Arial Narrow'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Cantor Sandy Horowitz</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Religious School Director</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
The joy and silliness of Purim having just ended, we now
look ahead to Passover at the end of this month. As in
previous years we will be putting together a school
Passover Seder program with student contributions of
music, skits and presentations. We need help from
parents with food, setup and cleanup</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>—</i></span></span></span></span>please check out
the Parent Volunteer link and sign up if you can help:<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0845a9%20aa2caafe3-class">http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0845a9
aa2caafe3-class</a><br /><br />
The next <b>Family Service on March 23</b> will be led by our
youngest students from Grade 1-2- 3. Come on out and
support them as they lead us in songs and prayers, and
provide us with their take on the 10 Plagues!<br /><br />
The <b>April 27 Family Service</b> in celebration of Israel’s
70th birthday will include contributions from each class, as
they share sets of 7 facts (one for each decade!) on
different aspects of Israel’s life and history. This
promises to be an inspiring <b>and enjoyable celebration.<br /><br />
But wait, there’s more! Jordana</b> Marcus is celebrating
becoming Bat Mitzvah on <b>Saturday, March 10th</b>. B’nei
mitzvah services at Adas Emuno are open to everyone.
Our students work hard and we are so proud of them</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>—</i></span></span></span></span>go Jordana!<br /><br />
Please make a note of these upcoming dates in March and April for our students & families!<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday, March 10</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10:00 AM–Bat Mitzvah of Jordana Marcus
<br /><br />
<b>Sunday, March 11</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Confirmation Class followed by Youth Group activity</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<br /><br />
<b>Friday, March 23</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7:30 PM</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>—</i></span></span>Shabbat Family Service featuring
Grades 1-2-3<br /><br />
<b>Sunday, March 25</b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>—</i></span></span>
Religious School Passover Seder<br /><br />
<b>Sunday, April 1</b>
<b>No School</b>
<br /><br />
<b>Friday, April 27</b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7:30 PM</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>—</i></span></span>Shabbat Family Service in celebration of Israel’s 70th Birthday<br /><br />
<b>Sunday, April 8</b>
<br />
10:30-12 Confirmation Class with <b>Guest Author Joan
Arnay Halperin</b> who will discuss her book, <i>My Sister’s
Eyes: A Family Chronicle of Rescue and Loss During
World War II</i>. Open to the Congregation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <b>School Sundays at 9:15 AM
Mommy/Daddy ‘n Me!</b><br /><br /></span></span></div>
Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7889578221932408406.post-45281863810737824552018-01-24T19:41:00.000-05:002018-01-24T19:41:18.261-05:00Character Matters, The Prophets Say<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our friend Joanne Palmer, editor of the <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/" target="_blank">Jewish Standard</a>, published an article on this year's <a href="http://sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Tastes of Torah</a> that is worth noting here on the congregational blog of Adas Emuno. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The title of the article is <a href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/character-matters-the-prophets-say/" target="_blank">Character Matters, The Prophets Say</a>. The subtitle of the article, which was published in the January 19th issue, is "This year’s Sweet Tastes of Torah includes a talk on prophetic literature; also havdalah, dessert, and dancing," and here's how it begins:</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In some ways, everything is different this year.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In other ways, things are the same; we build on successes and learn from missteps. <a href="http://sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com/">The Sweet Tastes of Torah</a>, the annual program that offers the community workshops with local rabbis, all of them members of the North Jersey Board of Rabbis, has been going strong for almost a decade now. About 18 Conservative and Reform rabbis will teach two sessions of classes on February 3 at the <a href="http://fljc.com/">Fair Lawn Jewish Center</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But this year, in response to the increased urgency that many people feel to do something, to understand more about what they can do and to know more about the Jewish context that can nourish their instincts and actions, Sweet Tastes of Torah is reshaping the evening.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It will begin with the usual spirited Havdalah, and it will end with the usual and much-anticipated dessert, as well as Israeli folk dancing (to even out the dessert), but it will include a keynote address, which will provide the focus for all of the first session’s workshops and some of the second.</span></span><br />
<br /></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So far, so good, you may say, but what really makes this year's event different from all other years, you may ask. Well, then, read on!</span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The keynote speaker is Rabbi Barry Schwartz, who heads Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia and is the CEO and editor-in-chief of the <a href="https://jps.org/">Jewish Publication Society</a>. In what must have been his abundant spare time (assuming that either he never sleeps and has figured out a 36-hour day), he has written <i>Path of the Prophets</i>. The latest of his books—he wrote a children’s book, <i>Adam’s Animals</i>, that came out in October—looks at some of the prophets—both the obvious ones, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel—and biblical figures who were not called prophets but who functioned in that way, characters including Judah, the midwife Shifrah, and Ruth.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1681155303&asins=1681155303&linkId=5fbd2ac39e07737aa426a3308f51042f&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0827613091&asins=0827613091&linkId=a01cf2ee8bff707632ceac4b9046a67e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Although Rabbi Schwartz worked on his book for five years, he said, and therefore he began the work well before today’s political situation evolved, “it just so happens that it’s coming out at a time when we are so conscious of the ethical issues that are swirling around the presidency and also the #MeToo movement. This invitation to deliver the keynote came smack at the time when the Harvey Weinstein story was just breaking, and it seemed that every day there was a new story.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because his book is about prophecy—and about ethical living, which prophecy demands—it seemed absolutely timely, he said, and that is a great sadness. “I thought that I was writing it in order to make my contribution to the conversation about the prophets,” he said. “They inspired me when I was younger, and I wanted to do that for the new generation.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“So many people try to read the prophets, and their eyes glaze over. So much of it is written in high rhetorical style, in a poetical prose that is very hard to digest. I wanted to write a book that makes the prophet’s works, and even their lives, accessible and relevant and compelling.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He talked about his book’s structure, and how the workshops at Sweet Tastes will mirror that structure.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“The book is divided into three sections—justice, compassion, and faith—reflecting Micah’s admonition to ‘do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,’” Rabbi Schwartz said.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Certainly we are seeing ethical crises of leadership, particularly political and sexual in nature; these crises are happening so fast that we can hardly keep up with them. My thesis is that the prophets of ancient Israel brought forth an ethical revolution, and we need to retrieve their often overlooked or forgotten messages today. It will help inform us, perhaps it will help steady the ship.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Part of what I will raise in the keynote is that it is not enough for us to lament what is going on. It is not enough for us to raise our concerns and then move on. In some ways, that is putting our heads in the sand, and the prophets would say no, that is not enough.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“We very much need to hear the prophetic message that every person has a responsibility to do their part. The prophets didn’t turn their ire just on the leaders, but on the people as well, and in some ways that is even more daring. If the leaders are making a mistake, we need to speak truth to power, but we also need to speak truth to the people, and to understand, as Rabbi Heschel put it, that especially in a democratic society, not all are guilty, but all are responsible.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rabbi Heschel, of course, is Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, the 20th century Jewish theologian and political advocate whom Rabbi Schwartz counts as among his inspirations. So, he said, was the rabbi of the shul to which his family belonged when he was growing up, in Croton-on-Hudson in New York. “Rabbi Michael Robinson, of blessed memory, was a disciple of Heschel’s, and one of the dozen Reform rabbis who were arrested with Martin Luther King in St. Augustine,” he said. “He was a true advocate for social justice, and I grew up with him, listening to him quote King and Heschel and the Hebrew prophets.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It was <a href="https://jps.org/">JPS</a> that published Heschel’s book <i>The Prophets</i> in 1963, and I feel a great kinship as the head of the JPS with Heschel’s work.”</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=adaemu-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0060936991&asins=0060936991&linkId=1fa6dad2f61d6dd7e5d245d0731c1a26&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=d5eeff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe> ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡ ✡
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rabbi Schwartz begins each of his chapters—each dedicated to one official or unofficial prophet—with a biographical sketch based on the information available in the Bible and fleshed out by his imagination. “I combine biography and theology by taking an episode from their lives that illustrates what their lives were about,” he said. “Sometimes the biographical bits in the text are sparse, but I elaborate on it by what I call creative first-person midrash. I have the prophets themselves speaking in the first person, and I take some poetic license to do it.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Among the prophets Rabbi Schwartz writes about are Judah, who walks the “path of repentance,” he said. “Judah is the first character in the Bible who undergoes what we think of as repentance, and he changes.” And then there is Caleb the spy, “who had the audacity and the courage to stand up to his fellow spies, and he countered their terribly pessimistic report about the land they were about to enter with a more optimistic report. He was an example of someone whose spirit gave him the ability to stand forward.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“And the prophets are not all doom and gloom,” Rabbi Schwartz continued. “Some of it is about compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and hope. All of this is very much part of the prophetic message. That’s the second group, compassion. And then there’s the third one, walking humbly with your God. That’s the path of joy and faith and humility and wisdom; it’s more about internal characteristics.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, will his keynote address at Sweet Tastes of Torah be overtly political? It probably depends on how you define political, and for that matter how you define overt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I definitely will reference what is going on today,” Rabbi Schwartz said. “I am going to recall the names of so many people caught up in scandal today, without dwelling on any of the particular individuals or the details of their stories. But I do want to begin by painting a picture of the sordid state of affairs. I certainly will mention political figures and the figures in the worlds of entertainment and the like who have been caught up in political and sexual scandals, without going into detail.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“And then I will move directly to the message of the prophets, which is about not making ethics peripheral. They should be central to our lives.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Character truly counts. To all those who say that our leaders’ character does not matter, the prophets would say that you can never separate character from the office. It’s reaffirming an old-fashioned message, that leadership is not just about a person’s ability, but about that person’s character. It’s not just about their ability but also their integrity.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then, of course, after all the discussion and soul-searching, there always is dessert.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The article also includes a nice picture of Rabbi Schwartz:</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPsnnCpxdDnaPRiTG4P8sU9hN-s0Xzdn5j1_wG298xvtqV8UU3_Ko2VEMfIdmsu1AinR6p57X7Hx-OgonLXBU1DK5lziNDvQUrCIPU1E7OYeUmTZ6CIIVlzYnAhnP-vKh5lFSrubFTczW/s1600/06-1-F-rabbi-barry-schwartz-0119-635x357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="635" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPsnnCpxdDnaPRiTG4P8sU9hN-s0Xzdn5j1_wG298xvtqV8UU3_Ko2VEMfIdmsu1AinR6p57X7Hx-OgonLXBU1DK5lziNDvQUrCIPU1E7OYeUmTZ6CIIVlzYnAhnP-vKh5lFSrubFTczW/s400/06-1-F-rabbi-barry-schwartz-0119-635x357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it concludes with the following information: </span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: The North Jersey Board of Rabbis sponsors</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: Sweet Tastes of Torah</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: At the Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 10-10 Norma Avenue</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: On Saturday evening, February 3; doors open at 6:30 and Havdalah is at 7.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How much</b>: $15 per person until January 31; $20 at the door</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>For more information, including a list of breakout sessions and teachers, and to register</b>: Go to <a href="http://sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com/">sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com</a> or Google “sweet tastes of torah 2018”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hope to see you there!
</span></span>Congregation Adas Emunohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01105636435783180276noreply@blogger.com0