The last seven months in Israel have been the most consequential time period in the history of the modern state since the Six-Day War and its aftermath. After five elections in five years, the governing coalition in Israel has successfully passed the first of a slate of legislation that will radically reshape the balance of power and the system of checks and balances in Israel. Fortunately, during that time, Rabbi Spike had the honor of shepherding 27 Confirmation students for the inaugural Schiffer Family Teen Israel Trip. These teens were privileged to witness the beauty and complexity of Israel. Simultaneously, Rabbi Rachael is one member of an exclusive list of representatives for the entire Reform movement to the World Zionist Congress, an international organization that predates even the State of Israel itself. Shortly, I will lead the next group of congregants to Israel in June 2024 for a deeply spiritual, fun, and eye-opening experience in Israel. I note these three things to … [Read more...]
Israel today…in Jewish history
Today is the 9th day of the Hebrew month called Av (Tisha B'Av) and has been deemed a day of mourning since the 2nd Temple fell in 70 C.E. The 'fall of The Temple' is an idiom, and emblematic, of the fall of the Jewish country (in the war with Rome). It's like saying 'the fall of the White House' to express the total collapse of America. Since that time, our rabbis have claimed that this inauspicious day (today) is the date when all the great tragedies of our people have occurred, ranging from the Golden Calf to the Spanish Inquisition. I don't think that they actually thought that these all occurred on the same day of the year in history, but rather, that this one day of mourning was meant to symbolically capture all the tragedy of the Jewish people. When 'The Temple' fell, it was after an extended siege by the Roman army. Picture all the Jews inside the Jerusalem city walls, surrounded by the Romans. Each trying to wait the other out. Inside the walls, our sages report that … [Read more...]
Mazal Tov! Mazal Tots!
When a family raising Jewish children welcomes a new child into their home we often greet the news with a hearty: "Mazal Tov!" Hence, the inspiration for the name of a program we soft-launched this past Spring called Mazal Tots - Temple Emanu-El's very own Baby and Me class. In the 2023-2024 school year, we are ready for a full launch with THREE cohorts to choose from. Mazal Tots is unique. It is a program designed to foster connections, provide resources, and celebrate the beautiful journey of parenthood. With dedicated age-specific sections, we cater to the needs of families with: Infants (0-5 months) Movers and groovers (6-17 months) Toddlers (18-35 months) Sessions are guided by Jackie Perilman, a professional with over 15 years of experience with early intervention and preschool-aged children specializing in language and communication skills. Our program runs on Sunday mornings right out of our MJCCA Schiff classrooms on the lower level of the building. Okay, so we … [Read more...]
The One That Got Away
Marita and I spent our honeymoon (20 short, wonderful years ago) in Belize. At the time, we were both avid scuba divers, and our time was mostly spent diving in wrecks and reefs along the Caribbean Sea. It was incredible, with colors and sea life and movement that one can only experience underwater. However, two decades later, there was only one dive that I specifically remember. And I think about this dive often, mostly in the context of prayer. One morning, we were convinced by the dive shop that it would be worth our while to take a relatively long boat ride to a particular spot that (they claimed) was frequented by Whale Sharks. Now, there are stories that we (and maybe you) had heard about Whale Sharks. They are docile and curious creatures, and we had seen videos of people holding onto their dorsal fins to catch a ride underwater. We wanted to do THAT. Neither of us had ever seen a Whale Shark (they are rare), and the prospect of doing so was extremely inviting. So, off … [Read more...]
Being in Israel is a Transformative Experience
While it's summer plenty of folks are traveling to the mountains, beaches, and bucket list destinations, but traveling to Israel is unlike any journey you will take. You can find beaches, mountains, and good food around the world, but traveling to Israel is a transformative experience. When the Confirmation class returned from their trip, I heard only how much the ten days spent together were the most memorable of their lives. They're not alone. When we travel to Israel together as a TE family, we create bonds and memories that strengthen our Jewish identities when we return. That is why we believe that travel to Israel is a pillar of Temple Emanu-El's success. In June 2024, I'll lead the next group of adults and families to Israel for a transformative ten-day journey. This itinerary is very different for folks who have traveled with TE to Israel in the past. We will experience different cultures within Israel and do activities that have only recently opened-like snorkeling in the … [Read more...]
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