Looking for fun with your little one? Come to the Tot Shabbat at Temple Emanuel! Friday, April 13 at 5:30 pm Tot Shabbat, followed by traditional Shabbat dinner.
Author: Rabbi Michael Farbman
Fragile Dialogues in the 21st Century
As I write this column, our nation continues to reel from the pain of another devastating school shooting, this time in Parkland, Florida, that claimed 17 lives. As always happens after such tragic events, we engage in fierce debates and discussions, in person and increasingly online, on how best to prevent such tragedies. As always, there is not much listening going on in these debates – but quite a lot of shouting. The issues are real, the pain is real, and the frustration is real. It is hard to talk about difficult issues, amidst communal and national pain, when we are so divided in our opinions. It is obvious that people are finding it increasingly hard to even acknowledge the humanity of anyone holding an opinion that differs from his own. And yet also we must acknowledge that unless we find a way to listen to each other, and to really hear each other, the solutions to this and many other of our problems, will continue to elude us.
Over the last five months some 40 plus TE members have engaged in learning about the 100 years of modern Jewish history, 1917 through 2017, through the study of pivotal events in the history of the State of Israel with the help of the materials prepared by the faculty of Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. As we deepened our knowledge and understanding of the historical events of 1917, 1947, and 1967, we also considered some of the fundamental ideas of Zionism, as well as the challenges. We were most inspired by the way multiple (and diverse) opinions were presented and debated by the Hartman faculty in the Round Table discussion of each lecture. Having dramatically different ideas, and disagreeing, perhaps vehemently, does not have to stand in a way of listening and engaging in a conversation, however challenging it may be.
As you will see elsewhere in the Shofar, our Scholar in Residence this year is Rabbi Larry Englander, a wonderful teacher and a colleague, who co-edited the recently published ‘The Fragile Dialogue: New Voices of Liberal Zionism,’ a collection of essays presenting a wide variety of modern liberal Zionist ideas and challenges. While we will have an opportunity to learn so much from Rabbi Englander during his time here (see the full list of events in the Shofar and online), I am particularly looking forward to continuing our conversation on how to have these ‘fragile dialogues,’ addressing some of the most difficult, most challenging questions of our generation. I look forward to this continued journey of learning and listening with all of you and with Rabbi Englander on April 12-14, as well as during a special session on April 8th where we begin to look at the ideas presented in the book. In the meantime, I wish you a Chag Pesach Kasher v’Sameach – Happy Passover, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the TE Seder (first night, March 30) and the Passover Morning Service on March 31st.
‘The Fragile Dialogue’ is available for purchase at a discounted price of $15 through TE website and at the office.
World of Polarization
Are you a conservative or a liberal? Fox News or CNN? Whom do you follow on Twitter? Are our leaders giants or goats? For better or worse, most of us have passionate feelings about who is right and who is wrong, and we look for affirmation of our opinion.
In the Jewish world, perhaps no issue invites such polarization more than the future of the State of Israel: One state? Two states? What of our ancient stake in Judea and Sumaria? What rights and future do Arabs, Palestinians, or others have? What do we feel about multiple claims on the land? On Jerusalem? Where do you stand, and what role do American Jews have in this discussion? Even asking such questions invites finger pointing and invective. We are accustomed to taking a position, defending it, and often dismissing opponents as ignorant, morally bankrupt, and even self-hating.
This year a group at TE has been learning together, taking a course from the Shalom Hartman Institute centered in Israel, entitled iEngage. Led by Rabbi Farbman, this series includes scholarly lectures and roundtable discussions from Israelis of different political backgrounds. We have examined Israel’s milestones and their meaning, from the Balfour Declaration describing a homeland for the Jewish people, the United Nations partition plan, the Six Day war, the Jubilee Year, and beyond. We have examined texts from biblical sources, historical documents, charters, and modern speeches such as one delivered months ago by Senator John McCain.
When we considered the question of Israel’s future, entitled “One State, Two States: Moral Red Lines,” we examined the proposition that we might come to the discussion from a different position: leave behind what you “know” to be right, suspend identifying with which pole of the debate you stand on. Instead, consider seeking agreement on the moral principles that should undergird any solution. We considered five moral values: the value of human life, the right to property, the obligation of reciprocity, the “right” to collective rights, and the obligation to pursue peace. We were urged to discuss and consider each of these principles, through the writings from biblical times to the present, which might guide a best solution – be it a one state, two state, or other best solution to Israel’s future.
This has been a wonderful challenge: we have much to learn from our Jewish texts and heritage that inform our moral foundation. What principles can we agree to, whatever our political orientation? What can we imagine or create together when we can establish a common moral base? And beyond Israel: imagine the power of possibility if conservatives and liberals and proponents of all stripes could first listen to one another, agree to a set of moral principles, and then discuss how this informs the future.
New TE Tikkun Olam program: serving monthly dinners at Beth El soup kitchen in Milford
As part of TE’s social action program, Nancy Weber and Max Case have organized a group of TE members to serve dinner at the Beth El Center soup kitchen in Milford on the first Tuesday of each month.
Here’s how it works: We purchase a main course meal sufficient to provide for approximately 40 individual meals. The cost of the main course is not more than $100 and we are working out a system where we can all share this expense equitably over the year. Salad, bread, dessert, coffee and drinks are available from the Beth El Center’s food pantry at no charge to us.
Preparing for dinner generally takes 30 to 45 minutes and includes setting tables, making coffee and drinks, preparing salad and plating desserts. The dining area is open from 5 to 6 and our members serve dinner, clean tables and bring dirty dishes and glasses to the dishwasher.
After the dining room closes at 6, we clean up the kitchen and the dining area, put away dishes and silverware and wipe down the tables. As you might expect with any TE function there is plenty of time to socialize and catch up with each other. Depending upon the socializing and talk, we are generally finished by 6:30.
Want to join us-contact Nancy Weber or Max Case for more information or to sign up for this rewarding experience.
TE Scholar in Residence April 12-14, 2018
RABBI LAWRENCE ENGLANDER, D.H.L. co-editor and author of the recently published “The Fragile Dialogue: New Voices of Liberal Zionism” will be our Scholar-in-Residence this year.
Thursday, April 12 7 pm – 8:30 pm: Mishnah class (Open to all!)
How did we get from a centralized Jerusalem Temple to world-wide
synagogues? In our Mishnah study, we shall discover that the
synagogue was already becoming popular while the Temple still
stood — and we’ll discuss the reasons why.
Friday, April 13
- 5:30 pmTot Shabbat Welcome Shabbat with joy and songs (for under 5s & their families)
- 6:00 pm Shabbat dinner – Please RSVP for dinner/lunch online
- 7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service. Rabbi Englander will discuss
The Fragile Dialogue: New Voices of Liberal Zionism. Are there common
elements on which all liberal Zionists can agree? What are the major
areas of contention? What can we do to advance our ideals?
Saturday, April 14
- 10:00 am Shabbat Minyan with Rabbi Englander. We will briefly examine Israel’s Declaration of Independence as we would a biblical or Talmudic text, to discuss the inherent values in Zionism and the challenges we face today.
- 12:15 pm Dairy lunch. RSVP here.
- 1:00 – 2:30 pm New Religious Trends in Israeli Popular Music
Secular Israeli rock stars are turning to Jewish tradition to find material for their songs – and in the process they are teaching Judaism to their fans! We shall listen to a few of these songs and discuss their meaning for Israeli listeners and for us.
- 6:30 pm Israeli Songs of Protest
Just as protest songs influenced political life in North America in the 1960’s, so has there been a similar tradition in Israel. In this session, we shall listen to and discuss protest songs going back to the aftermath of the 1967 Six Day War and continuing on to the present. The themes will include the Occupation, African asylum seekers, social inequality and more.
- 8:00 pm Havdalah
This weekend is generously supported by Anonymous TE Leave a Legacy Donor.
About our speaker
Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander received his Honours B.A. degree from York University in 1970. He then attended Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (one year in Jerusalem and four years in Cincinnati), receiving ordination as Rabbi in 1975. He is the founding Rabbi of Solel Congregation, Mississauga, serving there since its inception in 1973 until his retirement in June 2014; he now serves Solel as Rabbi Emeritus. He is also Adjunct Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Toronto.
Rabbi Englander received his Doctorate of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 1984, in the field of Jewish Mysticism and Rabbinics. He has taught in the Religious Studies Department at York University and spent a semester teaching rabbinical students at Leo Baeck College in London, England. He has written several articles on Jewish Mysticism, as well as a book, The Mystical Study of Ruth, published by Scholars Press. He is former Editor of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Journal.
Another passion of Rabbi Englander’s is Reform Zionism, a subject on which he has written and edited articles. He served as Chair of ARZENU, a world-wide progressive Zionist organization, from 2014 to 2017. He is co-editor (with Rabbi Stanley Davids) of the book Fragile Dialogue: New Voices of Liberal Zionism, published by CCAR Press. He also serves on the Board of JSpace, a Canadian liberal Zionist organization.
Rabbi Englander has also played an active role in establishing two Mississauga interfaith organizations: Foodpath, a community food bank; and Pathway, a non-profit housing corporation, of which Rabbi Englander was the founding President. In 2005 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for his work in the community.
Both Rabbi Englander and his wife Cheryl are natives of Toronto.
Passover Seder 5778 at Temple Emanuel, Friday March 30 at 6:30 pm
You and your family are invited to celebrate the Passover Seder with Rabbi Farbman and your extended Temple Emanuel Family!
Friday, MARCH 30 @ 6:30 PM
Members & Non-Members Welcome!
Please register by March 23 – we will not be able to accept any reservations after that date!
Family Shabbat Potluck Dinner, January 19, 2018 at 6pm
Share a potluck Shabbat meal with family and friends! Unwind at the end of the week, and welcome Shabbat with your extended Temple Emanuel Family.
A Tot Shabbat service for families with kids under 5 is at 5:30pm, and a main Shabbat service will begin at 7:30pm – you are welcome to either, or just come and share the meal! Please sign up for potluck – follow the link!
Sacred Communities Matter
At the recent URJ Biennial in Boston over 6000 Reform Jews from all over United States, Israel, UK, and a number of other countries spent five days together learning, singing, discussing and debating, praying and engaging, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, and celebrating Shabbat together. The Boston Biennial was doubly special for me, as it was a chance to revisit the location of the very first biennial I got to attend as a newly ordained rabbi from London back in 2001. A lot has changed in my life and in our movement in the last 16 years, but I was especially excited to come to the biennial surrounded by the biggest TE delegation yet – we had our own minyan!
In her speech, Daryl Messinger, the Chair of the URJ, described her passion for our movement and posited, “Sacred space, sacred ritual, and sacred relationships matter today more than ever. No virtual reality could create the caring and connection that our Movement’s clergy, professionals, and lay leaders do every day in congregations and communities throughout North America.” I spend my life building and sustaining the sacred community, a task that requires true partnership with our leadership and all our members. However, we do not live in a vacuum, and so we look for every opportunity to enhance our work, extending the boundaries of our sacred community to include our movement, our local Jewish community and Federation, and the wider Jewish world. We seek every partnership and build relationships that allow us to foster the sacred community we need to be better Jews and better human beings.
Our religious school helps engage children and their parents, from the very young age all the way through high school – and we hope that the parents will also have an opportunity to find their own place in the TE community, engage in learning, be inspired, and enjoy a more fulfilling Jewish life. Our kids love Hebrew school! But we couldn’t do this alone, and so we seek the sacred partnerships to deepen the experiences our kids can have in Hebrew school. URJ summer camps are very much our partner in that endeavor, creating a ‘bubble’ of a sacred community of kids and teens, offering an opportunity of summer experience of communal Jewish living, something that is quite impossible to create during the year… URJ Eisner, Crane Lake, and SixPoints Sci-Tech Camps are very much our partners in the daily work, and I am so grateful for their presence in our region! Camp Laurelwood and JCC Day Camp offer additional local summer opportunities for Jewish life beyond Hebrew school.
Camp, especially sleep-away camp, is expensive. Over the years, TE has proudly offered small scholarships to our campers to help defray slightly the cost of URJ camps. This year I am delighted to report that after many years of discussions and encouragement, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven now supports the ‘One Happy Camper’ grant, offering up to $1000 per child going to camp for the first time (this is NOT need-based), as well as offers the need-based Jewish camp scholarships that now extend to URJ Camps Eisner, Crane Lake, and Sci-Tech! This is indeed great news, and I very much hope that many more TE families will consider sending their children to a Jewish camp this summer. I will once again be returning to serve on faculty of URJ Camp Eisner this summer, and I look forward to seeing many happy faces of TE campers and CITs!
From “Rags” to… Integrity
I just returned from Goodspeed after seeing “Rags,” a musical about the Jewish immigrant experience in 1910. The story describes the experience of “greenhorns” arriving at Ellis Island in New York, fleeing a European past of pogroms, and seeking new lives, hope and aspiration in the New World. As described in the revised book, author David Thompson in a screenplay written by Joseph Stein “explores what might have happened to the families who had come to America from Anatevka (Fiddler on the Roof).” We see the tension between holding onto old values and entering a new reality, – “What do you keep? What do you leave behind?” In this musical, we are reminded that Americans already in the country view immigrants both as “fodder” to fuel the economy and also as potential threats to take their jobs and change their culture. The resonance with our current-day xenophobia and fear of immigrants is striking.
I cried at times during this play. In my real life, as I heard the chants of “build the wall” this past year, I saw in my mind an image of all four of my grandparents, who immigrated to New York from Poland, Lithuania and Russia in the same time frame depicted in “Rags.” Like the characters in the play, my grandparents left their families and fled from oppression, fear and little opportunity to create new lives and hope for the future in America. My grandparents struggled much as the characters in the play did with a hope and vision of the future for their children and grandchildren – – my future. I have a secure and happy life, a loving family, and I was able to craft my own future without fear of hunger, oppression or religious discrimination.
I believe that my responsibility as a Jew and as an American is to do what I can to assure that others have the same opportunities and protections that my grandparents received when they sailed into New York harbor three generations ago allowing my parents, sister and our whole happy family to thrive. Temple Emanuel supports JCARR, the Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement. This was one of the agencies that received our High Holiday Appeal support. JCARR welcomed three families to our community this past year, two from Syria and one from the Democratic Republic of Congo. My wife Joan and I will support JCARR this Hanukkah. I hope you might take a few moments to think about your own family’s history and our collective Jewish community history, and support JCARR and other organizations that welcome and support immigrants to our wonderful country.
Temple Emanuel goes to Spain 2017
How do you see something that hasn’t existed in 500 years? That was the challenge for eighteen travelers from Temple Emanuel when we visited Spain from 7/31 to 8/13/17. Led by Israeli guide, Julian Resnick, the search for Jewish Spain was on.
Rabbi Michael Farbman and family (Olga, Samuel and Robert), Lee and Peter Stolzman with grandson Gabriel Duffy, Dennis, Susan and Maximus Liebel, Laurie and Hilary Fried, Naomi and Jessica Klotz, Rochelle Kanell, Bobbie Miller and Nanette Stahl spent a whirlwind two weeks touring Spain and visiting sites and cities that were important locations for Jewish history.
The search began in Madrid with visits to the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, Puerta de la Indepencia, Jardines del Buena Retiro and El Prado. For many the highlight of our time in the city was our visit with a new reform Jewish congregation. Seeing their enthusiasm and pride, hearing their stories of successes and obstacles and just getting to know them, made us appreciate our own circumstances.
From Madrid we spent a day going to Toledo. Approaching the city was magical. Located in the mountains bordering the Taso River, this small city appeared like a fairy tale. We were able to wander through the old city, visiting the Cathedral, the location of the once thriving Jewish quarter and synagogues dating back hundreds of years (one to the 3rd century). Standing in the Plaza while being taught about the Inquisition’s auto de fe was a very powerful experience. Seeing evidence of a Jewish presence and knowing that there was no Jewish population there today gave us pause.
On to Cordova and visits to the Jewish quarter, the old synagogue, the Casa de Sefarad (community center) and the old mosque, re-purposed to the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, raised questions about the overlapping of cultures and beliefs. 
The Casa de Sefarad has been opened in the midst of the old Jewish quarter as a museum and cultural center of Jewish Spain. Rabbi Farbman led our Shabbat service at the Casa. Hebrew prayers and songs spilled out into the Jewish quarter, silent to services for hundreds of years. It was interesting to find out that the very dedicated staff of Casa de Sefarad were not Jewish but passionate about teaching and exploring the experience of Jewish Spain.
In Seville we visited the Cathedral, the most visited in Spain, and Real Alcazar. In Grenada we toured the Alhambra. After a week of non-stop activity, in unrelenting heat, we headed to the beach. Stopping along the way to relax and swim we reached Alicante. Time was spent exploring on our own, visiting the Castile Santa Barbara and people watching. A day followed in Tarragona doing more of the same.
While heading for Barcelona we stopped in Monserrat. The monastery high in the mountains had spectacular views, a funicular and was generally fascinating. Some events are serendipitous and leave their strong impression. For me it was the experience of attending a portion of a mass in Monserrat. The mass was dedicated to Edith Stein, born a Jew, converted to Roman Catholicism, became a Carmelite nun and was murdered in Auschwitz. Why were we there on that particular day to hear that particular mass?
Our trip concluded in Barcelona. We visited Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia to experience Gaudi and the Picasso Museum in the old city. We visited an ancient synagogue tucked away on an ancient narrow street. We went to the city of Girona and spent considerable time in the old Jewish quarter. What delighted some of us was being shown sites that were used in filming “Game of Thrones”.
Our final night in Spain was sharing a worship service at Comunitat Jueva Bet Shalom de Catalunya, the reform Jewish congregation. Once again we were welcomed as brethren and made to feel totally comfortable. We were also very concerned for our new friends a week later when a terrorist attack struck in Barcelona.
Throughout our trip we were fortunate to have knowledgeable and interesting local guides who were able to give us an overview of their cities, usually with obvious pride and always with a feel for their city. Leading them all was our friend, Julian Resnick. He kept us focused and on track, he provided insights that were specifically for us. He made us think, see and feel so that we could try to bridge the gap of 500 years. Julian posed questions and made us examine today, i.e. pork is a part of virtually every meal in Spain. Why? During the inquisition the eating of pork was used as evidence that you were not a secret Jew.
Our two weeks gave us a unique view of Spain and introduced us to the beauty and wonders of the country.