While I was waiting for the light to change at the intersection of Abernathy and Roswell Rd., I looked up and saw a pink billboard above the Publix shopping center-maybe you've seen it too. The billboard reads: "We're just 75 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out Jew hate isn't an overreaction." I was equal parts grateful and distressed by the presence of these billboards. Grateful because these bold billboards are drawing attention to an existential problem we face as Jews; distressed because of their necessity. Unfortunately, you don't have to look far or wait long to learn about new antisemitic attacks in New York, Atlanta, Paris, or London. The most important and effective action we can take to combat antisemitism is to educate our neighbors, friends, and coworkers who are not Jewish. For months now, Temple Emanu-El's Antisemitism Task Force has taken this charge to the next level. In August, you may have participated in Brendan Murphy's presentation, "Why … [Read more...]
This Is Important
The immediate context is that since last Yom Kippur, in response to the AntiSemitism at Pope High School, Temple Emanu-El started a widespread initiative (in conjunction with the ADL and other professional organizations) to combat Jew-hated, and defamation of any kind. We have close to 60 TE congregants who have been actively working on five different initiatives, one of which is: How do we educate ourselves (and our non-Jewish neighbors) about AntiSemitism? 'Why the Jews' is part of this initiative. There were close to 300 people in our social hall on Sunday afternoon/Monday evening, about 80% were Jewish, the other 20% were non-Jewish friends who were invited by our congregants. Without exception, everyone who was there said it was one of the best programs that they have ever been to, and it was extremely enlightening. Think of it as the high school teacher that most of us wished we had had, teaching about Catholic-Jewish relations (with many dark centuries) through art history and … [Read more...]
We Begin Again
The kids are back to school, vacations have come to a close, and we begin again. We're back. We're back in person. We need community. We need YOU! Let this be a new year of services, social justice opportunities, Israel advocacy, social events, education classes, and a time to build sacred connections. This Sunday, our religious school kids will flood every crevasse of the synagogue with smiling faces, inquisitive minds, and prayerful voices. Lifelong Learning extends to our adults who will gather Sunday and Monday for our 'Why the Jews?' series. Choir rehearsals are in full swing gathering Thursday nights. Next Friday evening our Prospective Member Shabbat series begins and it's also big evening for our Davis families to come together for dinner and services too. Register HERE This Saturday, it wouldn't be Shabbat without a Temple Emanu-El Torah study, a bat mitzvah service, our first Kid-ish Service for K-5th graders, or our first youth events of the season. Brotherhood had … [Read more...]
Thank You For Asking
As our Temple Emanu-El kids are in the final stages of preparing for their bat/bar mitzvah, we ask that they do a 'mitzvah project' as part of their intentional preparation. In part, this is our evolved Jewish civilization's training of our soon-to-be adults in how to organize, gather community, and give back to the world in a meaningful way. It is our way of helping them develop the mindset, and the confidence, to lead themselves (and us) by doing real good. If nothing else, these 'mitzvah projects' allow them the pride of doing a great good (as a teen), but often, their initiatives set patterns for them as Jews that last a lifetime. We try to cater the projects to their own interests, and strengths, and skills. My oldest son, Mac, did a swim-a-thon to raise money for Save A Child's Heart; and in doing so ensured that kids from all over the world would have life saving heart surgeries in Israel. My younger son, Moses, had a foul-shot-a-thon, raising money for underprivileged kids … [Read more...]
Shalhevet Shabbat is Coming Soon
Something this important deserves some extra attention. So, I'm using this week's KQ to talk about Shabbat services that will occur at next Friday night (08.05). Back in April, 2022 I led a rockin' Shabbat with Rabbi Micah Lapidus and his ensemble, "Hello, Goodbye & Peace." That Shabbat was a fiery, southern, Jewish, and soulful night. Well, we're bringing them back again, seven more times throughout the year! We're calling these Friday nights, Shalhevet Shabbat. Shalhevet is the Hebrew word for that blue color at the base of a flame-the hottest part. That is the deep energy we plan to bring for each of these special Shabbat services. Shalhevet Shabbat started with a shared dream and an idea between Rabbis Spike, Rachael, Micah, and me. The dream was to transfer some of the infectious Shabbat energy that we experience in Israel to the United States. The present challenge is in translation. The melodies that we love when we're in Israel don't translate to America so well. The … [Read more...]
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