We’ve studied the rape of Dinah in Exodus 34. We’ve studied the rape of Tamar in 2 Sam 13. We’ve studied the rape of an unnamed woman in Judges 19. These were the first three sessions of our April life-long learning series (there’s still one more session, join us Tuesday at 12:00 or 7:30). When our core text treats women as objects of man’s wrath, and these texts are a part of one of the most read book in the world, this has significant implications for our culture. The images, the responses, the voicelessness, all of this is internalized by the reader. As readers in modernity, we must accept that these images exist, AND we must push back on images that reinforce violence against women. We could just ignore them, but they’d still be there. We can certainly contextualize them in history as a recognition of life in Ancient Near Eastern culture, and yet these horrific acts still occur today. We grapple with the difficult imagery, we acknowledge it, and we give voices back … [Read more...]
MEMORIAL DAY SALE! JULY 4TH SPECIAL FINANCING!
These are exactly the headlines that we do not see in Israel for the two holiest days of the secular year. Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Yom HaAtzmeut, Israel’s Independence Day, are not shopping holidays. In a country in which nearly all its citizens know the feeling of losing a loved one to terror or defense of the State, Israelis observe their Memorial Day with reverence and honor for the dead. In a young democracy, many of Israel’s inhabitants can still recall a time when Israel was a dream, only to wake up one morning to experience the dream fulfilled. These sacred civil holidays are treated as days when we break from the mundane and honor the unique place in time in which we exist—a time in which Jews are able to call their ancient land home once more. As Jews, we know all too well what it means to mix sorrow with joy. We experience it at the Pesach seder, when we celebrate Purim, and when we gather for Yom Kippur. In Israel, the whiplash change from memorial to … [Read more...]
Friday With Family
I can recall many beautiful moments from the prayer experiences of my early years. As a child, my family and I would head to synagogue, about once a month, and join with the congregation in prayer and song. These sacred memories are still dear to my heart today. I recall the rabbi inviting my friends and me to open the ark for Aleinu L’Shabeiach: we would race forward to try to be the first one to grab a door and be helpful! I recall my parents sitting on my left and right, pointing to the words in the prayer book: as an eager reader, I practiced sounding out words and trying to keep up with the pace of the congregation. I recall the community clapping in unison during everyone’s favorite Mi Chamocha (and the rabbi never getting the rhythm quite right). Finally, I recall feeling a great sense of joy, purpose, and pride: Joy in singing with my family and friends; purpose in knowing that my voice added to the sound of the community; pride in my Jewish identity and feeling … [Read more...]
Rabbi, where are we on the Hate Crimes bill?
During Pesach we are reminded that even in our greatest joy, our liberation from Egypt, we are to lessen our joy because of the death of the Egyptians. Hatred is not a part of what it means to be Jewish. Throughout the story of Pesach and today, we are taught to do what is necessary for freedom and equality, but never to let hatred overtake us. Over the course of the past several weeks, we as a congregation have joined an inspired effort to protect our fellow citizens against hate crimes. As one of five states in the country without hate crimes legislation, the Temple Emanu-El Board of Directors believed it was time for Temple Emanu-El to take a stand for progress and equality in Georgia. We joined the efforts of the Anti-Defamation League and the Religious Action Center’s Georgia affiliate, Tzedek Georgia, to make a change. We had high hopes for this legislative session. Though we did not have a legislative victory, we made progress. The bills proposed against hate crimes made … [Read more...]
Rabbi, Why is this night different from all other nights?
On a very personal note, Erev Pesach, the night that the Jewish world sits down for seder, will always be a night that is different from all other nights. For my family, this is more than the traditions of dipping twice and reclining, because during seder four years ago, Rabbi Max proposed. That’s right, he asked a “fifth question.” Each of us have reasons that this night is different from all other nights, reasons that are totally outside the traditions of our haggadah. We may use special dishes or family china, we certainly prepare recipes that we don’t eat year round, and we often configure our dining rooms, living rooms, and furniture in new formations to accommodate our guests. For many, it’s a time to see family from near and far, all under the same roof. For others, it’s a time to bring Jewish and non-Jewish friends together for an interactive and exciting Jewish experience. Still, for others, it’s a time to discuss current cultural and world issues and uncover why this … [Read more...]
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