This week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa from Exodus, presents the scenario of the Golden Calf, Moses arguing with God for the life of the Jewish nation, and a scenario where Moses' plea seems to change God's mind. The classical theological construct representing God within Jewish thought is a triangle, with God simultaneously being represented as absolutely good, omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing). Like a straw man, this theological construct seems to exist so that we can explore potential inconsistencies against it. How does evil happen in a world where an absolute good God knows all and is all powerful? Where is there room for the 'free will' that mankind claims to have? Or, my favorite is, can God (who is presented in the triangle) learn from experience, and from interactions with us? It's a conundrum of sorts, for a being who can learn presents as one who does not (yet) know all. However, a being who can not learn seems to be imperfectly stagnant and rigid- which … [Read more...]

Temple Emanu-El is kick-starting a new Israel initiative. With AIPAC's support, we are launching a campaign to mobilize our community for pro-Israel advocacy.  Last May, during the most recent conflict with Gaza, the narratives about Israel were unlike any I had heard in previous conflicts. In the news, political arena, and social-media platforms, Israel took a hard hit. Of course, Israel isn't without her wrongs, but the rewriting of history and the ignorance surrounding an understanding of values held by HAMAS (the terrorist organization inside Gaza), was cause for great concern.  Though Temple Emanu-El's Reform Zionist beliefs have not wavered in word, we could have been taking greater action - we've gotten a little sleepy on the subject.   A positive relationship between the State of Israel and the United States is critical to the continued safety and security of Israel.  When large numbers of constituents reach out to their elected officials, policies happen. The response … [Read more...]

Some folks can't make up their mind when it comes time what or where they want to eat for dinner, what they want to watch on Netflix, where they want to go on vacation, or how they want to spend their weekend. For me, these are relatively easy questions, but what will paralyze me with indecision is determining the best gift to buy for someone. Gift buying is just not my love language. When I learned that economist Tim Harford had measured which gift achieves the greatest amount of happiness, I was relieved. Finally, with mathematical precision, my problem was solved; unfortunately, the perfect gift is cold, hard cash. Economically, cash is the perfect gift, but I don't know of many people who have rosy-eyed memories about the time they received an $36 check for their birthday. In 1992, Gary Chapman came out with a book called "The Five Love Languages." It's been out for 30 years, so I'm not spoiling the punchline when I tell you that the five languages are: acts of service, … [Read more...]

From my Yom Kippur sermon this year about the state of Anti Semitism emerged an initiative at Temple Emanu-El meant to address one very direct question: "What can I do about Anti Semitism?" You were invited to partake in conversations, and some of you come to share your ideas. In order to understand 'the lay of the land,' we dialogued with the ADL, the AJC, the URJ, other synagogues, local politicians and law enforcement. We read white papers. We attended conferences. And now, our Steering Committee (led by Lori Bohrer & Art Katz) is ready to present the five ideas that we have determined we (Temple Emanu-El) can do, that others are not (at least locally), where we are confident that we can see success. Please note, we are looking to put efforts into areas where we can move the proverbial needle, a needle that profoundly effects you, your family, and this community. There is a certain degree of hubris on the part of our congregation to think that we could trail-blaze, but … [Read more...]

An atmosphere of beauty, drama, meaning, and music. Voices coming together in song and prayer, lifting our souls to the heavens. Texture and instruments supporting our communal prayer in welcome of Shabbat. This is what a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat entails. We move through six psalms, one for each day of the week leading up to Shabbat, each one bringing us higher and spiritually closer to welcoming the Shabbat Bride. L'cha Dodi, the apex of the Kabbalat Shabbat service is a crowning glory of poetry, Torah, story, and song. Each verse weaves our heritage and peoplehood together that we might truly unite with Shechina- the divine, as her presence settles over us with each verse. Tradition weaves different musical settings of L'cha Dodi into one through composed body of song. With Shabbat in our midst, we turn to the psalms for Shabbat, psalms of righteousness and goodness, that we may be sustained with extra blessings for the next 25 hours. Sound intriguing? You are in for a special … [Read more...]