From the Rabbi's Desk
July & August 2024
Friends, Recently, I had a far-reaching conversation with a friend. The topics ranged from the war in Gaza, hostages, the Israeli political scene, and the American political scene. We covered all the current third-rail issues. Because we are friends and respect each other, we can express our opinions openly and offer each other our perspectives. Toward the end of the conversation, we both pledged to think about what the other had said. Not every passionate discussion ends this way. Often, we are too invested in being ‘right’ to listen or risk even having conversations. I was tempted to walk away from the opportunity to have this discussion with my friend. It seemed too risky. Two things drew me into the conversation. First is that I care about and respect my friend. I simply couldn’t walk away when he said something that conflicted with my views. I had an obligation to hear him out and be in conversation. Second, the challenges we are faced with today are just too important. The war in Gaza and the political situation in Israel is truly existential. The decisions made by our leaders will have lasting and possibly grave effects on the future of the State of Israel and Jewish life in the diaspora. The political situation in this country is also fraught with existential challenges. Our elected and appointed leaders’ decisions will impact our communities and determine what American democracy will become. But how do we resist the temptation to take the easy path and walk away? It is much easier to sit in our echo chambers. Jewish tradition informs us that it is necessary to argue when faced with decisions or challenging circumstances. Our most sacred rabbinic texts record hundreds of years of collected arguments guiding present-day Jewish thought, religious practice, and communal life. Even in Reform Judaism, we lean heavily on our rabbinic ancestor’s tradition of argumentation to guide our decision-making. However, it is essential to remember that this kind of argumentation is not ‘passionate discussion’. Rather, it is discourse that requires one to bring facts and evidence, listen and seek clarification, dig deeply into our texts and traditions, and respond to others’ facts and evidence. Accepting that not all arguments will end in a clear-cut decision is also important. The critical part of the argument is the argument, not the decision. When we look at arguments in the Talmud, we see both sides recorded because we understand that, over time, circumstances change. The sides of arguments that seem valid today may not be valid in the future. Nothing is as rigid as it might seem. It is hard to believe that our rabbinic ancestors were not passionate or emotional in their argumentation. That is just human nature. But the message they sent through the texts they left for us is to curb our passions and emotions for the sake of the essential arguments we need to have and for the sake of the relationships that are important to us. If we value our Judaism and Israel, we need to respect each other enough to be in conversation and argue. If we value our American democracy, we need to respect each other enough to be in conversation and argue. Our rabbinic ancestors taught us that argumentative discourse is how we come to decisions that respect the community’s needs. So let’s argue – respectfully and thoughtfully. I’m not sure I convinced my friend of anything, but we understand each other better and are still friends. May it be that this leads us to even more conversation and arguments. May we seek the truths in each other’s arguments, and may this lead us to make better decisions for the sake of the community. L’shalom, |
Cantorial Notes
July & August 2024
Summer….so beautiful with its bright blue sky and wisps of white clouds. A pleasant breeze on a warm day ending with a spectacularly colored sunset, and an inky black night sky filled with twinkling stars. As much as I say autumn is my favorite season, there is something that makes you feel alive in the summer. Maybe it’s the brightness of the sun or the length of a day. I’m looking forward to enjoying the outdoors. Summer reminds me of going out on my dad’s boat and feeling free…just you and the sea. The outboard motor on the boat made it too loud to have a conversation, so you could just sit and enjoy the beauty of the sun dancing on the water, making it look like diamonds sparkling on the surface and admire the sailboats gliding by with ease, as we moved away from land and headed out on Long Island Sound. Every year I still have this yearning to get out on the Sound at least once. You can’t go out on the Sound without thanking G*d for all the beauty surrounding you. It’s always breathtaking. If I can’t get out on the Sound, Avery Point, and Harkness Park are a close second. I love leading outdoor Shabbat Services in the summer at Harkness Park. What better place to celebrate Shabbat than surrounded by the beauty that G*d created. We are so blessed to live in this area. Well, as I said, summer is here and so are Lay Led Summer Shabbat Services! Our Lay-leaders carefully choose what to put into the framework of the service liturgy, in order to create a meaningful Shabbat experience for you. They choose readings, Shabbat poetry, music, how the d’var Torah will reflect the Torah portion, and who will help with the honors. I hope that you will come and join us for Shabbat Services over the summer.
Here is the lineup of Summer Service Lay-Leaders this year. Just a reminder that all Summer Shabbat Services begin at 7:00 p.m. July 5: Scott Wolfe, Rabbi Emeritus Aaron and Karen Rosenberg, and friends July 12: Jonathan and Armi Rowe July 19: Hazzan Sherry @ Harkness Park, Weather Permitting July 26: Emma Zelkin, Jo Michaelson, Susan Rosen, Michele Snitkin, Debra Wool, Ann Cohn Aug. 2: Barbara Senges, Norma Hollandersky, Stan Bloustine Aug. 9: Hazzan Sherry @ Harkness Park, Weather permitting Aug.16: Sam and Roberta Winograd Aug.23: Tom Smith I am so appreciative to have so many people interested in leading a Shabbat Service over the Summer. Many thanks to all of you that signed up. Thank you to Jeff Elkin for chanting Torah and to the Temple Emanu-El Band for bringing such ruach to our Shabbat Service on June 14. Relax and enjoy whatever you do this summer!
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Presidential Message
July & August 2024
Our Temple’s Annual Meeting was indeed long and drawn out – I was a guilty party as my remarks should have been much more succinct – but the good news is that we are moving in the right direction, we shared productive discussions, and we are becoming more aligned as a congregation. Our Board will continue to keep everyone in the loop of our leadership’s progress against new goals we set for ourselves in the coming year. Now, we will all get to enjoy a little breather and time to recharge as the summer vacation season approaches. Yesterday, I enjoyed eating dinner on my deck and afterward, I watched the sky transform from pastel blue with white poofs into a cobalt blue with sunset streaks. The mourning dove coos, and other avian chatter eventually faded as the frogs began their loud and piercing calls as shadows of bats began fluttering about. Beginning July 5 and throughout the summer until August 23, Rabbi Marc will take a break from leading Shabbat services so that our volunteer lay leaders will have the opportunity to create a Shabbat experience for us that reflects their inspiration. You may still reach Rabbi Marc should you need to meet or speak with him for any urgent matters. Summer Shabbat services may or may not include a Zoom option as A/V assistance may be more of a challenge during summer vacation. There definitely will not be Zoom when the service is led by Hazzan Sherry and held outdoors at Harkness Memorial State Park on July 19 and August 9. As the Baking Club and Shabbat Dinner Committee both take a break this summer, we will rely on our Shabbat Service lay leaders to plan a modest oneg for attendees. As these and other committees take a break this summer, put on your thinking caps for more activities, events, and circles we might jumpstart this Fall. Until then, may you all enjoy safe travels and relaxing activities as well as embark on new adventures this summer! See you at Summer Services and maybe at the town parks and beaches! Armi
Congregation Highlights Because of the Jewish holiday Shavuot, the June Board of Trustees meeting took place after the submission of this message to the Bulletin. So this month, these were the Congregation Highlights:
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