For the lucky few who grew up in Borough Park, Brooklyn during the Golden Age of the Cantorate,[1] the voices of their famous “neighborhood” cantors would become an inspiration. For the future generations of cantors, bringing a sense of “hazonishe moyl”[2] (an authentic Jewish sound) became a true mission and aspiration. A “hazonishe moyl” is more than just a beautiful singing voice. Rav Nachman writes that “the cantor is called a hazzan (sacred musician) from the language of vision (hazon; hazzan and hazon share the same root: h.z.n) that is the language of prophecy, because [the hazzan] snatches the song from the place from where the prophets suckle.[3] In other words, a true hazzan is as inspirational as a prophet; using his or her voice in song to help their congregation connect with the larger questions of existence. This is no easy feat. My teacher, Chazzan Jack Mendelson grew up with the teachings, inspiration and voices of Cantors Moshe and David Koussevitzky, and … [Read more...]
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Rabbi Max, what will we do to make a change and end gun violence?
This past Sunday we gathered as a synagogue family with children as young as 12 years old to raise our voices, share our feelings, and learn what meaningful action we can take to reduce gun violence in our community. This was a hard, heart-wrenching conversation. The feelings of fear, anger, and sadness expressed by our middle school and high school students cut to the very core our being. We reinforced the need to voice these feelings, and that as their rabbis and cantor, we will always be “safe adults” to whom they can turn. We know our Temple Emanu-El family does not stand alone in the need to give voice to these feelings or take action. The Atlanta Rabbinical Association (ARA) has organized around the cause of gun violence prevention, and Temple Emanu-El is working collaboratively with each synagogue in the Atlanta area on this issue. Just over four weeks since the shooting in Parkland, Florida and a movement of citizens fed up with unmitigated gun violence is beginning to … [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...]
The Practice of Being Enough
Have you ever heard a person say, “I am a bad Jew”? I hear it all the time, usually in response to something having to do with Jewish life or spirituality. Upon further inquiry, I usually find out what that statement means. Sometimes it means, “I don’t know as much as I feel I ought to know.” Or, “I don’t go to synagogue, for various reasons having to do with finances, habits, or lack of time.” Or, “Last time I thought about religion or spirituality, I was thirteen years old and I have not picked up a book about Judaism or had a teacher since because life is crazy busy.” Often times, it is also “one of my parents, or my spouse, is not Jewish and I have been made to feel less than.” I recognize this issue, as it comes up for me in a multitude of ways. When am I enough? What does it mean to be enough? These questions are ubiquitous and come up for people in all concepts of their identity: parenthood, attractiveness, education, job success, and social status. Usually, underneath … [Read more...]
Scheduling Kindness into Your Day: Lessons of the Chaffetz Chayim
Are you so busy that sometimes you forget to do something important in your day? We’ve forgotten to feed the cat, take out the trash, run that errand, pick up the dry cleaning, or call back a friend. We’ve worked long hours that week, we’ve been so consumed with our job, or we’ve been so immersed in a task that we just never stepped away. Traditionally, there have been (and continue to be) Jews throughout the world who seek to fulfill the commandment to study words from Torah, even to the exclusion of many other activities. Both lifestyles have their flaws, which is why the Chaffetz Chayim, a 19th century rabbi and teacher of Mussar, said: You occasionally see Jewish people learning as much Torah as they can. They value their time and do not waste any for fear they will not study as much as they should. But if they do not set aside part of their day to do acts of kindness, they are fools.* Whether we are absorbed in the study of Torah or furthering our professional life, … [Read more...]