There is a Jewish theology that may make us uncomfortable encompassed in a maxim coined by the Lubuvitzer Rebbe, Menachim Mendel Schneerson. The typical prompt given by Jewish teachers to children is "where is God"?  And of course, the child is taught to answer: "God is everywhere."   What the Rebbe did was put an ellipsis on the end of that statement, and with it, a statement that informs our relationship with the Divine. "God is everywhere…that you let God in." What is off-putting (controversial and may make us uncomfortable) about Rabbi Schneerson's re-framing of Jewish wisdom is that it calls into question the omnipotent nature of God.  For clearly, his theology implies that just as much as we need God…that God needs us. That God's presence, and effect, on the world is contingent on our decision to invite in God's proverbial light.  As troubling as this might be (to some), it is equally empowering.  For Judaism is an empowering religion.  Ours is not a faith that allows … [Read more...]

Passover Seder is right around the corner (read: less than a month away!). There are many, many ways to conduct a Pesach seder, but I want to make sure you have three ways to elevate your seder this year.  First, bring new people to the seder; it's a mitzvah!  If you're hosting, invite a member of the Temple Emanu-El community through our Seder Shidduch service HERE. If you're a guest at someone's home this year, ask if you can bring a friend; or, spend one of the two seder nights with a new family. Temple Emanu-El's Seder Shidduch service HERE is also matching folks who want to be guests at a home.  Second, share your bread with the poor.     Every year, before we begin the seder meal, we hold up the matzah and say, "this is the bread of affliction all who are hungry come and eat." While it's a little late in that point of the seder to invite new guests, you can fulfill this command for hospitality by making donations of food or money to the Community Assistance Center, Garden Isaiah, … [Read more...]

The social hall was packed this past Sunday for our antisemitism program. While it's important to stand up against antisemitism, we would LOVE to see equal (if not more!) folks join us to celebrate being Jewish! Our Jewish identity shouldn't only shine bright when under threat.  Now it is OUR time to CELEBRATE.   We are in the Jewish month of Adar and our joy is supposed to INCREASE!  We came out in big numbers after being attacked, but let's also come out in big numbers to just celebrate - to celebrate PURIM!…which, by the way, is a holiday all about the Jewish people overcoming hate.  There's something for everyone this weekend:  Friday night, 5:30pm Shabbat Dinner and Purim Celebration followed by a special, early, 6:30pm service!  Sunday morning, 9:00am V.I.P.urim for grandparents and special people!  Sunday morning, 10:30am Purim Carnival With A Cause for a Purim celebration for all ages!  Sunday afternoon, 12:30pm TEFTY Purim, Pesach, and Packing Party for those going on … [Read more...]

When I was in seminary (rabbi school), our homiletics teacher, Rabbi Bernard Melman, encouraged us to begin our sermons with humor.   "For once people laugh," he said, "they are more open to hear, and to receive, the message that you hope to convey." This is not a new practice, but one that our tradition brings down through The Rebbe Nachman, who taught that "humor is built into creation.  God wants us to be happy, and for us to laugh!"[i] My problem is, as much as a I wish otherwise, I am not great on being (intentionally) funny on command.  I wish that I were. But this Friday night, instead of me giving a sermon, you will get to hear from (speaker, advocate, and comedian) Pam Schuller.  Pam is wonderful, and inspiring, and very, very funny.  She also happens to have a disability…which she talks about in order to make the subject more approachable, and to raise awareness about disabilities. Learn more about our event HERE. Learn more about Pam Schuller HERE. This evening is … [Read more...]

While this isn't even the first time in recent months that we have seen horrific flyers distributed in neighborhoods where our congregants reside, we need to name that it has happened again.  As many of you are aware, on Sunday morning, many in our community (Jewish and those of other faiths/backgrounds) awoke to little baggies filled with corn and an antisemitic flyer at the bottom of their driveway.  Your rabbis and Stephen were immediately in touch with one another, reaching out to those directly affected and communicating with the ADL to make a report and walk through the next steps.  All this was happening as 250 Jewish students flooded our building with skips and smiles to see their friends, teachers, and rabbis.   Each and every Sunday, these kids of all ages enter the sanctuary at different points throughout the morning for t'fillah, prayer. And each and every Sunday, Rabbi Max and I invite the students to rise for Shema. We ask them to wiggle their toes and to feel their feet … [Read more...]