Author: Rabbi Michael Farbman

A Yearlong Exploration of Pirke Avot: Reflections on How We Live Our Lives

Pirke Avot, The Chapters of Our Ancestors, is a section of the Mishnah (the first part of the Talmud) which offers ethical insights from the key teachers and rabbinic authorities between 200 BCE and 100 CE. These powerful aphorisms transcend time in offering to us a moral compass for our present day experiences. Throughout the New Year ahead, six congregations will serve as host sites for three week sessions of each of the six Avot chapters.

The sessions will be facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, Director of Jewish Family Service’s Wellness and Healing Center. The first session of each three session study module will be co-taught by a different congregation rabbi from the Greater New Haven area. Texts will be provided and no prior knowledge of the Mishnah is necessary in order to participate.

The sessions are open to everyone and participants are welcome to attend all sessions or just a few. These classes are offered without charge in a partnership between JFS, the Greater New Haven Jewish Federation and the sponsoring congregations.

For more information and to register, please contact Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599 ext.117; hsommer@jfsnh.org

The schedule of classes includes:

I. Pirke Avot, Chapter One: October 10, 17 and 24 (7:00-8:30pm)

“The world is sustained by three things: by Torah, by worship/work, and by deeds of loving kindness.”

Temple Emanuel, 150 Derby Avenue, Orange

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Dana Bogatz, Congregation Sinai, Milford

II. Chapter Two: December 5, 12 and 19 (7:00-8:30pm)

“Do not separate yourself from your community…”

Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Fred Hyman, The Westville Synagogue, New Haven

Chapter Three: January 9, 18 and 23 (7:00-8:30 pm)

“When two people sit and words of Torah pass between them, the Divine Presence rests between them.”

B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Herbert Brockman, Mishkan Israel, Hamden

*Chapter Four: February 6, 13 and 20 (8:00-9:30 pm)*

“Who is wise? The person who learns from all people…”

The Westville Synagogue, 74 West Prospect Street, New Haven

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Joel Levenson, Congregation B’nai Jacob, Woodbridge

Chapter Five: April 10, 17 and 24 (7:00-8:30 pm)

“Every controversy conducted for the sake of Heaven will in the end prove fruitful…”

Beth Israel Synagogue, 22 North Orchard Street, Wallingford

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Michael Farbman, Temple Emanuel, Orange

Chapter Six: May 22, 29 and June 5 (7:00-8:30 pm)

“If we learn from others one chapter, one halacha, one verse, one saying, or even one letter, we are obligated to show honor to them.”

Congregation Sinai, 1000 New Haven Ave., Milford

Co-facilitator, first session: Rabbi Bruce Alpert, Beth Israel Synagogue, Wallingford

*please note the later time for these sessions*

Living Jewishly – Reform Judaism and Halachah.

This year’s lay-led Adult Education class will be based on a module from the URJ’s Adult Jewish Living and Learning Journeys project, Living Ethics: An Investigation of Reform Halachah through Case Studies. 

Traditionally, halachah seeks to provide guidelines for the community and for the individual with regard to virtually every aspect of life, including ritual practice and personal behavior. For Reform Jews whose primary understanding of the movement’s philosophy is informed choice and the autonomy of the individual, the idea of a central body of Jewish law can seem irrelevant.  In this class we will examine and discuss Reform Judaism’s role within the context of the ongoing evolution of Jewish thought and tradition and how we understand that as it pertains to our own lives. This will be a highly participatory class; everyone’s input is valuable.

Class will begin on Saturday, October 6 from 3 – 4:30 PM.  We expect to meet once a month for six sessions through the year- on November 10, December 1, January 5, February 2, and March 2.  The meeting place and discussion leader will change from time to time through the course.  If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive notices about the class, or if you want to volunteer to host or conduct a sessions, please contact the TE office.

President’s Column (This One’s Load-Bearing!) by Bruce Spiewak

Bruce SpiewakWe’ve made it successfully through the wonderful events of August, culminating in the TE Tag Sale. Whew!!!! We even continued to function well despite the various vacation schedules of our Rabbi, Office Administrator and many of us congregants, who have asked others to “cover” while we are away. I have become increasingly aware of the amazing talent and generosity of all involved in TE when it comes to sharing the load. Yes, it does “take a village….” It reminds me of the song by the Hollies: (If you can remember it, you will now hum it for the next few days!) The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows when But I’m strong Strong enough to carry him He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother So, on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We’ll get there For I know He would not encumber me He ain’t heavy, He’s my brother If I’m laden at all I’m laden with sadness That everyone’s heart Isn’t filled with the gladness Of love for one another It’s a long, long road From which there is no return While we’re on the way to there Why not share And the load Doesn’t weigh me down at all He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother He’s my brother He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother…
So if you are feeling overwhelmed with your responsibilities, remember that the TE Community is here. If you are feeling that you want to jump in and help support TE, speak up, and your support will be welcomed! Our foundations are firm, our structural support system is redundant and robust, and includes you! Thank you all for being there.

5773 on our doorstep.

The summer feel is still in the air, yet we are busy with a brand new academic year and that can only mean one thing: fall is not far behind. The schools welcome the students back, older kids head back to college, and coaches are putting together schedules for fall/winter sports activities, games and meets. Our own TE Hebrew school is gearing up for another wonderful and exciting year of Jewish learning, as we welcome the returning as well as the new students into our classes. The new year of learning is here!

This summer I had an incredible opportunity to visit my friend and colleague Rabbi Robert Ash who serves Temple Emanuel in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was a wonderful and eye-opening trip in many ways, I am still trying to process all that we saw and experienced there. One of the remarkable experiences was coming to terms with Jewish life in southern hemisphere, where Jewish Festival cycle and seasons are not quite in sync- at least not the way WE are used to them! For us, the fall brings the new academic year and the new Jewish year, whereas Passover is the Festival of Spring. In South Africa (and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere) Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are celebrated in the spring (so is Sukkot!), while Pesach occurs in the fall. It was hard enough to wrap our heads around the fact that August is winter, but Rosh Hashanah in the spring is even more confusing! J

Now, I know what you must be thinking – surely our rabbi is educated enough to know that seasons are reversed ‘down under’! Let me assure you – I certainly knew about all of this IN THEORY. But visiting South African synagogues and praying with them using the special World Union edition of Mishkan Tefilah prayerbook drove that message home in a very different way. (For a moment I wondered – what reading would I choose in Amida – the winter one for rain or the summer one for dew? The answer was simple – their siddur includes a passage from a British Liberal prayerbook, acknowledging BOTH seasons at the same time, an excellent compromise!). On this trip I was reminded once again that theoretical knowledge is extremely important, but practical experience helps us truly understand and appreciate many things in life.

Our tradition sets aside the month of Elul, the one immediately preceding Rosh Hashanah, as a time for contemplation. For looking back at the year that is about to end, for evaluating our actions – and our thoughts. For putting them on ‘scales’ and trying to see if we have lived up to our own standards, our own expectations of what we think is a right and proper way to live our lives. In Judaism we often refer to this process as cheshbon hanefesh, the accounting of the soul. The idea is that we will begin this wonderful process of self-examination early, so that by the time we arrive at Rosh Hashanah we will have had a chance to truly prepare ourselves to this very special and joyous time of transition, ready to enter the new year. At least that’s the THEORY. Did you ever try this at home? What is YOUR practical experience of cheshbon hanefesh? Did you ever spend the month of Elul getting ready for High Holy Days? I know that for many of you the answer is yes – I know because you have shared those stories with me in the past. But I also know that far too many of us are way too busy this time of year to sit down and really process our actions and our thoughts. We know the theory of Jewish practice, and we also know that it would be a wonderful idea to really do it – but then life gets in the way and we arrive at Rosh Hashanah barely catching our breath…

Let’s try and do things differently this year. Let’s try and put theoretical knowledge to the test of practice. Let’s all find at least a few hours here and there to read a Jewish book (Agnon’s ‘Days of Awe’ is an excellent collection of stories, as are many others) to help get ourselves ready for the wonderful experience of High Holy Days WELL in advance. I know I’m going to try harder this year. Will you join me?

Shanah Tovah, a sweet a happy new year 5773!

PRESIDENT’s COLUMN August 2012 (This one’sTuscan!)

Bruce SpiewakNow that the excitement of the past months’ events has settled down a little bit, it’s time to evaluate once more how we can simplify and clarify our lives and their meaning, and how we can best incorporate our relationship with the Temple Emanuel Community into our lives.  To paraphrase a much wiser and more experienced President, “Ask not what the Temple Emanuel Community can do for you – ask what you can do for the Temple Emanuel Community.”  As you ponder this suggestion, think about three levels of response:  1)  The short term   2)  The medium term 3)  The long term.

For example:

A short term response might be to volunteer to assist with an individual TE project or event.  This can serve as an opportunity to interact with other congregants that you may not have known before on a social level, while you cooperate to achieve a successful outcome.  It involves a small contribution of time and effort, and is finite in scope.  As a side benefit, you can learn more about others and share more about yourself.

A medium term response might be to volunteer to serve on, or co-chair a committee.  Think about your special interests and talents and what might be a good match for you.  Our committees include (but are not limited to):
Finance:          Budgetary and financial affairs of the Congregation
Education:      Religious School, Adult Education, Library (Yes, we have books!)
Fund Raising:  Annual and special fund raising events, special memorials and funds
Membership:  Recruitment and Orientation of New Members, retention of existing (not necessarily “old”) members
Liaison:           “Troubleshoots” issues that members may not want to bring to the officers or Board of Directors
Ritual Advisory: Works with the Rabbi in reviewing, renewing and revising as needed our congregation’s rituals, practices and observances
Youth Advisory: Youth activities and program participation for “junior” and “senior” youth members as well as college youth
Buildings and Grounds:  Maintenance of buildings and property, and use of the physical plant by members and non-members of the Congregation.
Cemetery:       Advises members on purchase of cemetery plots, works with funeral directors, oversees perpetual core of the TE Cemetery
Social Action and Community Service:  Engages TE Congregants in activities and programs for local, national and world communities.
Sisterhood:     Builds a community that provides the atmosphere and opportunity for women to meet and socialize with other women in the community.  Sponsors diverse programs to learn, share ideas, benefit the Temple and HAVE FUN!

Contact any Board Member or the Office if you have a thought about what is a good match for you, or if you have an idea for a committee that is not listed or doesn’t yet exist.

A long term response could be a commitment to the longevity of our Congregation and community by:

  • Helping to form a long range planning effort to examine the past, present and future of Temple Emanuel
  • Maintaining your membership and participation long after your children have grown and “flown”
  • Committing to becoming a Board Member and aspiring to the role of an Executive Committee member
  • Including Temple Emanuel in your estate planning

Contact me at president@templeemanuel-gnh.org with your ideas.  Be constructive.  Remember, “If you kvetch, you fetch!”  (Anonymous)

My First Column (Is it Doric, Ionic or Corinthian?) By Bruce Spiewak, Temple Emanuel President

Bruce SpiewakFor the micro and the macro families of the Temple Emanuel Community, this certainly has been a season filled with festive events and new beginnings.  We have collectively celebrated our first 50 years as a congregation, and at the same time, we welcome the beginning of the next half century, with all of the excitement, enthusiasm and spirit that was characteristic of the special events we have recently shared.  Many of us have celebrated B’nai Mitzvot, the demarcation of the transformation of our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends into young Jewish adults, who inherit the mitzvah of continuing our Jewish faith and traditions.  Who among us has not attended or related to a 2012 Graduation, be it from nursery school, lower school, middle school, high school, college, graduate school, or something else special?   Graduation…… otherwise known as “Commencement.”

 As we begin the new fiscal year, the second half century, life as a Jewish adult, experiencing the world of a higher level of education, a new job, the birth of a child or grandchild, marriage, retirement, or whatever respective new beginning each of us is facing, we each have an opportunity to ask ourselves, “what will I do now that I have not done before to help myself, my family, my community, the world, in a meaningful positive way?”  A major part of response to that question is a process which involves an evaluation of where we have been, and how we have arrived at this time and place in the present, as well as whether or not we like this condition.  This process then helps provide the perspective to guide the decision making process of creatively moving forward.  We must balance the time and effort expended on evaluation with the need to encourage progress.  This is not always an easy task, and sometimes blurs the difference between planning and procrastination.  As Davy Crockett said, “Be always sure you are right, then go ahead.”  However, that must be tempered by the statement, as sometimes attributed to Voltaire, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.”

I encourage each and every one of us to begin the process on multiple levels.  With respect to the Temple Emanuel Community, there is an opportunity to share your skills, knowledge, capability and experience with the rest of us, by increasing your participation on some plane.  One example is the opportunity to volunteer to participate as a member (or leader) of one of our various committees.  Whether you are a “new” TE member or a “long term” member, think about your own resources and view them in the perspective of our TE Family.  You need not become a full-time volunteer – your time is valuable, and whatever amount of it is available to share is welcomed!  Take a look at the inside cover of the Temple Emanuel Directory – many of the standing committees are listed there.  If you identify a need for which there is not yet a committee, perhaps we can form a new one!  It has recently occurred to me that we should formalize a resource that has been around informally for years, and which I have witnessed as it provides historical wisdom and direction to our Temple.  Let’s form a Past Presidents’ Council, (with Lew Shaffer as the Chair?) to meet occasionally and discuss issues that become important to Temple Emanuel as time goes by.  What’s your idea?  Everyone’s ideas are welcome, so feel free to share them with me at president@TempleEmanuel-gnh.org, and don’t be surprised if I ask you to help with the follow through!

Building the Future…

Back in December I attended the biennial conference of the Union for Reform Judaism in Washington, DC. Six thousand people, amazing atmosphere, learning, camaraderie… When I bumped into Eisner Camp’s director, he handed me a large button which had the Camp logo and the following phrase: ‘Because of Camp I…’ and invited me to come up with my own answer and to wear it with pride. I paused for a moment, and then I wrote ‘because of camp I know the future leaders of our movement’.

Throughout the conference, people stopped to look at my button and nodded approvingly; someone even remarked, ‘I wish I said that on mine!’ Much as I enjoyed the compliment, I felt a little embarrassed. My comment was, in fact, quite literal – I was ordained at the Leo Baeck College in London and am a relatively recent ‘import’ into this country. I do not have the kind of connections with the young leaders of our youth movement I had in England and in the former Soviet Union as a result of my many years of involvement. So for me, the two weeks I get to spend at camp are not just about summer, informal education, and excited Jewish children – it is also about getting to know the song leaders and camp counselors, and the rabbinic and cantorial students who spend their summer at camp. It is about learning what matters to them, what motivates them and what the future holds for our people and our movement.

My comment was very personal, but it resonated with everyone who also happens to think that camp, one of the strongest Jewish identity builders, is a place to get to know the future leaders. This is why, along with many of my colleagues, I go to camp for two weeks every summer!

The future is very much on my mind as I write this column – especially the future of Temple Emanuel. The celebrations of our 50th anniversary continue to reverberate in my mind, especially as I continue to enjoy the wonderful collages currently displayed in our swing space. Looking back at the pioneering spirit of TE fills me up with pride, but also reminds me of the incredible responsibility I feel for helping TE continue to reach its true potential every year, every month, every week.

The last few years of transition have given us the opportunity to take a closer look at who we are, what we can achieve, and what we should aspire to be able to do. We are a small congregation with limited resources and incredible spirit – what at camp and youth movement gatherings is referred to as ‘ruach’. TE’s got it! We have a disproportionately large number of highly committed volunteers who make TE what it is – a truly inspiring community. What we need is to find a way to support all of our wonderful volunteers, to have our office serve as much more than just an office, but as a true hub of TE community.

I am delighted to welcome Nancy Weber to her newly-created position of Temple Administrator. She brings with her wonderful organizational skills and creativity, as well as a life-long love and commitment to Temple Emanuel. As we begin our second half century, as we begin to build our future, we have a wonderful team to carry us forward.

That’s the future we can all rejoice in!

High Holy Days 2012 at Temple Emanuel

High Holidays? Already??

It’s never too early to begin planning! The High Holidays this year begin on the evening of Sunday, September 16th. There are numerous ways to be involved: from doing a reading in English or Hebrew to dressing a scroll to parking a car or helping with food preparation. Temple Emanuel prides itself on its “can-do” self-run nature and now is the time to come forward and volunteer. The High Holidays will feel all that more special when you are actively involved in our wonderful community. I will be reaching out to the entire community over the next few months for “volunteers” but you can sign up now by using this easy to use online form.

You can forward your questions about High Holy Days to  TE’s Vice President, Dr. Melissa Perkal hh@templeemanuel-gnh.org