In 1938, Jewish songwriter Irving Berlin published the unofficial national anthem, God Bless America. The original, drafted in 1918, was cut from the show he was working on. The song's early lyrics included a line that divided Americans. The text read:        God Bless America, land that I love       Stand beside her       And guide her       To the right with the light from above.  By 1938, he needed a song that would bring Americans together as the war in Europe loomed.    The words that came to be in 1938, still taught to children today, read:         God bless America, land that I love 
       Stand beside her       And guide her        Through the night with the light from above.   May God bless America, a land that I love. With light from above I pray that we will be able to come together so that from the mountains to the prairies, to the ocean white with foam, that American can remain a home, sweet home, that brings us great pride.   On this 4th of July, the 248th year of … [Read more...]

Two months ago, Rabbi Max and I moved to a new neighborhood. On Saturday evening, we attended our first ever HOA party. We quickly learned that these gatherings follow a script. After an exchange of pleasantries, every conversation continued like this: Household 1: How long have you been in the neighborhood? Where's the house? Household 2: [Responds and reflects the questions back.] Household 1: [Explains where their house is located in the neighborhood and then says] Oh how nice, you're going to love it here. Have any kids? Household 2: [Responds and reflects the question back, including an inquiry about grandkids depending on the perceived ages of Household #1] Household 1: So what do ya'll do for a living? This question is always leads to one of three responses: People respond with "mmmm," they nod and then change subjects. Others say, "Oh wow, I didn't know women could be rabbis." Then there are those who say, "Interesting, how does one become a rabbi?" This question never makes me … [Read more...]

On May 26th, the IDF used precision munitions to kill two senior Hamas militants. Unfortunately, Gazan civilians also died as a result of a secondary explosion in a Hamas munitions depot.  Yet again, as always, the world news immediately reported a number of 25+, 35+, or 45+ deaths as data given by the Hamas-run Health Ministry.  And soon, the news agencies will walk back the source of the fire that caused the deaths.    War is awful, and no Jew celebrates death--even of their enemies.  The death of innocent civilians--children, women, and men--is all the more terrible.   The IDF made a precision strike 1.7 kilometers--one mile--from the encampment. This means that the IDF is investigating if there were other types of fuels or weapons stored next to a civilian encampment. These investigations take time.   And yet, according to Vox.com, over 40 million people have shared a now-viral AI-generated image that spells out All Eyes on Rafah. The implication is that the world is watching what … [Read more...]

In the last week, I can’t count how many times I’ve said the phrase, “use your words.” Spoiler alert, it’s a lot. I hear it’s a byproduct of raising kids. However, I also know that I must model what that phrase means.  Rather than cry about everything that doesn’t go their way, we ask kids to use their words to express what they feel.  As adults, we know words matter. We use our words to speak out for change, to voice our concerns, and express our hopes for the future. We don’t always have the right words.  When I don’t know what to say, I turn to poetry and song. I feel relief when I hear the words that speak to my soul. As I listen or sing along I realize these were the words I needed.  On Saturday night, you will find the words that you need.  Together, we will conclude the two-weeks of programming that have guided us through Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut. Congregant and folk guitarist, Dr. Artie Gumer, has arranged a fabulous … [Read more...]

This morning, I woke up and did something I don't normally do. I watched the news.  I'm more of a morning news "reader" than I am a news "watcher."  The images of various college campuses moved me to want to watch and to listen to what was happening. The environment was loud. The noises sounded like a war zone.  The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right in America, but on many campuses, these protests are no longer peaceful. Repeated calls of "Intifada now" and "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free" endanger the lives of the Jewish people. These chants are uneducated and call for the end of Israel and Jews.  How quickly the world forgets.    Today is day 209 of the war, a blip in time for some and an eternity for others. We are 210 days from the last ceasefire with Hamas. On October 7th, Hamas broke the ceasefire. Hamas, the terrorist organization and governing body of Gaza, entered the homes of sleeping Israelis and peaceful gatherings of young adults and … [Read more...]