Reform Judaism: August 2008 Archives

An Ageless Rite of Passage
August 27, 2008 (2 Comments)

By JanetheWriter
From the matriarchs to Judith, Esther and Ruth, right up to some of the more recent pioneers in our own Movement--including Rabbis Sally Priesand, Elyse Frishman, Stacy Offner, Laura Geller and Janet Marder, among others--our tradition is filled with great Jewish women.

To this list I'd add the names Henrietta Blend, Dolores Wyde, Diana Wuntch, and Harriet Newport. Recently, these four seventy- eighty- and ninety-somethings culminated nearly a year of Jewish study and learning with a joyous b'not mitzvah celebration in an assisted living community in greater Houston.

Mazel tov and yasher koach to each of them. May they continue to go and grow from strength to strength, and, as they already have done for me, teach and inspire the rest of us along the way.

Filed Under: Community | Lifecycle

Doing Pushups with Judaism on Your Back
August 26, 2008

By dcc
A group of friends were sitting around a lunch table at a Hava Nashira a few years back, wondering how their teacher Dan Nichols got so strong; this group was admiring his very shapely biceps. Jay Rapoport, a Jewish professional and musician working in New York City and the DC Metro area, said simply that "he does pushups, with his Judaism on his back."

Thus was born "Pushups." According to Jay, the group just started singing the chorus of the song. "We had been studying Kosher Gospel with Joshua Nelson, and this song was just a burst of inspiration." But in the end this cute, funny tribute to a mentor turned into a song for kids about Jewish empowerment.

Filed Under: Community

Musical Education
August 25, 2008

I spoke with Cathy Rolland, director of Early Childhood Education, late last week about an exciting new book, Songs for a Jewish Head Start. This book incorporates the music of Rita Gold adapted by Peter and Ellen Allard. Along with a team of other Jewish singer/songwriters, the Allards took these universal educational songs and made them perfect for a Jewish audience. Click play to listen into our conversation.

Filed Under: Podcasts

Sunday School is a Bummer
August 25, 2008 (1 Comment)

By Mary Hofmann
I went to a workshop this week aimed at giving Sunday School teachers insight into and assistance in instituting and utilizing Union's Chai Curriculum. As the only teacher from a tiny congregation (we have six to eight kids in our whole "school") I listened sadly to the tales of woe from the urban teachers. As the facilitator said, Jewish education has always been considered supplemental education--not supplemental to public school, but supplemental to what kids get at home. Sadly, it is no longer a supplement. In many, if not most, temples, Sunday School is the whole ball of wax.

What a bummer.

Filed Under: Community | Lifecycle

A Coney Island Shabbat
August 25, 2008 (3 Comments)

By JanetheWriter
If Shabbat is all about taking a divinely commanded breather from the work-a-day routine to celebrate God's rest following creation, then surely this past Shabbat was nearly as good as it gets for me and a few of my friends.

We had longstanding plans for a visit to Coney Island (a first for all of us) and so, at the appointed hour, we assembled on a specific corner in midtown's Herald Square, descended into the subway and boarded a train bound for the southernmost tip of Brooklyn. At the end of the line, we emerged from the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station to late summer sunshine, perfect boardwalk-strolling temperatures, a gentle breeze and the salty sea air--a magnificent day that only God could create.

Filed Under: Shabbat

Keva, Kavanah, and Back to Keva
August 25, 2008

By Larry Kaufman
As part of introducing Mishkan T'filah at Beth Emet several months ago, Rabbi Peter Knobel gave us "permission" to wander away from whatever the congregation was reading or singing, and to go anywhere else on the two-page spread that felt more comfortable, or for that matter, wherever our individual thoughts and prayers might lead us. In doing so, he reminded us that in a world where multi-tasking has become commonplace, we might very well be able to join our voices with the community, while our minds were somewhere else.

I thought about this at Shabbat services, less than a year into our use of the new, yet by now taken-for-granted, siddur. We know when and how to follow the liturgy on the printed page; and we know (since we are a worship group of regulars) when we will deviate from the text and follow from memory the lashon (language) and minhag (custom) of our former home-made prayer book.

Filed Under: Jewish Living | Shabbat

An Unusual Family Bar Mitzvah
August 20, 2008 (8 Comments)

By Marge Eiseman
The preparations for my youngest son's bar mitzvah celebration are getting underway. I am not feeling stressed about it, nor will we spend a fortune (that we don't have). Here's a peek at some of the process.

We are admittedly an unusual family -- we began our preparations over a year ago, and never hired a party planner, a caterer or a disc jockey. I think the first thing Zach and I did was read through the Torah portion together, Shofetim, to see which section Zach wanted to read. He saw the most famous verse, "Tzedek, tzedek tirdof" (Justice, justice shall you pursue), and owned it!

Filed Under: Lifecycle

Strengthen Reform: 11. Making Judaism Meaningful to Teens
August 20, 2008 (10 Comments)

By William Berkson
As I explained in previous posts, Reform Judaism can become much stronger by serving families. And it can do this by showing how the personal ethics of the Talmud, updated, can powerfully assist sacred relationships, strong marriages and families.

However, before this we first have to convince teens that Judaism can make a difference to their lives. As is well known, there is a huge drop off of students attending religious school after Bar and Bat Mitzvah. What can we teach teens that will be compelling evidence that it will help them to have Judaism as part of their lives?

Filed Under: The Future

Theological Summer Camp
August 19, 2008 (7 Comments)

By dcc
David A.M. Wilensky, RJ.org blogger, Kutz Campus regular and liturgy-wonk, was a bit offended by yesterday's post from the Society for Classical Reform Judaism's Executive Director Rabbi Howard A. Berman. His post on the Reform Shuckle outlines and deconstructs the argument that the SCRJ is a vital and important aspect of present day Reform Judaism.

My perusal of the rest of Rabbi Berman's post and of the Principles page of the SCRJ website leads me to believe that beyond [supporting] an increasingly outmoded aesthetic, there are no differences between SCRJ and the mainstream of the movement. Certainly the ideology the SCRJ labels Classical is no more than standard Reform ideology.

While I am not sure which theological camp is right (or more to the point if any camp can be "right"), it does seem a bit out of place to go to the extremes that have often been supported in posts and comments this blog. My hope for the future of Reform Judaism is that we move past these broad stroke definitions and focus on our mandate to be the light onto the nations, have our youth see those vision and do justice while we walk humbly with our God.

read MORE

Filed Under: Jewish Living | The Future

Kiev Revisited
August 18, 2008 (3 Comments)

By Larry Kaufman
As regular readers of this blog may have noticed through my comments on other people's posts, I've recently returned from a river cruise through Ukraine -- fortunately arriving home before the Georgian crisis erupted -- and want to share some thoughts in three general areas:

Differences between Jewish and secular travel

The changes that appear to have taken place in Ukraine since my prior trip in 2001

Ukrainian roots for American Jews

Filed Under: Community | Jewish Living | The Future

Strengthening Clasical Reform
August 18, 2008 (20 Comments)

By Rabbi Howard A. Berman
A number of comments in the current discussion on "Strengthening Reform" have referred to various dimensions of Classical Reform Judaism as an "early historic chapter" of our Movement's development, rather than a vital and viable position within the diverse religious community that the Union embraces today.

As the Executive Director of the newly organized Society for Classical Reform Judaism, I trust that many readers of this blog saw our first full-page advertisement in the current issue of Reform Judaism Magazine, introducing this new alternative voice in the national Reform family. The SCRJ has been founded as a voice of advocacy for the preservation and creative nurturing of the historic progressive principles, rich intellectual foundations, and beloved worship traditions of American Reform Judaism.

Filed Under: Jewish Living

RDS at DNC
August 18, 2008 (2 Comments)

By dcc
This weekend Rabbi David Saperstein was asked by the Democratic National Committee to offer the Invocation on the night that Sen. Barak Obama accepts the nomination in Denver. Rabbi Saperstein joins a group of men and women come from across the country and from churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and organizations that are as diverse as the population of the United States. Frank Lockwood, an Evangelical blogger, writes that the "prayer line up that looks, demographically, a lot like America."

To me this is the most interesting aspect of this "prayer line up." Regardless that these men and women of the cloth are leaders, and in some cases pioneers, they look like America. I suppose it is only fitting that when the Democratic Party nominates a man of African and American heritage, hailing from Hawaii via Kansas through New York, Boston and Chicago, rising from poverty into wealth, the people who offer prayers and words of faith during this nomination would also reflect America's growing diversity.

Filed Under: Community | Jewish Living

I am a poem
August 15, 2008

By David A.M. Wilensky
Thursday's 10 Minutes of Torah are all about prayer and this week's by Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg, was about the left-hand-side-of-the-page (not the mention the left of the ritual spectrum) reading on page 41 of Mishkan T'filah. The reading serves as an alternatative option for what our Reform liturgists have aptly termed Nisim B'chol Yom (daily miracles).

In last week's edition, Rabbi Richard Sarason explained that the purpose of this collection of blessings is to bring a little kodesh (holy) into the chol (mundane) of our morning routines. Each one, with the exception of the three identity prayers, addresses a particular part of our morning, from waking up to putting on clothes all the way to the set of shorter blessings into Asher Yatzar, a prayer for going to the bathroom.

Filed Under: Jewish Living

Forum on Decorum
August 15, 2008 (3 Comments)

By Larry Kaufman
There is no question that the introduction of decorum in religious services was an important motivator in the early stages of Reform Judaism in Europe. (The other key liturgical changes were worship in the vernacular, elimination of repetitions, addition of a sermon, and excision of "unacceptable" content - Messiah, resurrection of the dead, restoration of the Temple.)

But what did the Reformers mean by decorum?

Filed Under: Community | Jewish Living

An iTunes Shabbat
August 14, 2008 (5 Comments)

By JanetheWriter
This past Shabbat, I spent more than four hours aboard an Adirondack Trailways bus from New York City's Port Authority to Albany and then, after a quick change, on to Saratoga Springs to surprise a friend for her birthday.

Much to my own surprise and delight, the bus, together with my iPod, provided me with a most unique and enjoyable Shabbat. For starters, it was a glorious day, and from the minute we pulled out of the bus garage, brilliant sunshine flooded the coach from a bright cornflower blue sky filled with fluffy cotton candy clouds. As the city grew faint in the rearview mirror, we entered God's country--first the Ramapo and then the Adirondack Mountains, each covered with an abundance of lush, green foliage; summer at its peak.

Filed Under: Shabbat

Strengthening Reform 10: Synagogues and Families
August 14, 2008 (6 Comments)

By William Berkson
In the last post in this series, I argued that Classical Reform took a wrong turn in rejecting the Talmud, and that this mistake led to the neglect of a key strength of Jewish tradition: rabbinic ethics.

Fellow blogger Larry Kaufman argued, "I for one do not believe the health of our movement depends on our attitude towards the Talmud, but rather on our attitude towards our congregants."

There is no doubt that good management both by clergy and lay boards are keys to the health of congregations. But there is more: what does the congregation do with and for its members? How does the congregation meet the needs of its members, and potential members?

Filed Under: Community | Defining Reform | Jewish Living

IMPJ Says Thank You
August 13, 2008 (1 Comment)

By dcc
Last week Iri Kassel, executive director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, sent the North American Reform Movement a thank you note for starting the Movement wide IMPJ Emergency Campaign. On behalf of the entire IMPJ he thanked us for coming through in the clutch to help save the Reform Movement in Israel.

In just the first few weeks of this project, we have raised $225,000 to support our growing Israeli Movement. The economic hardships of the IMPJ could not have come at a worse time, explains Kassel. As he mentions in his letter, we have a closing window of opportunity to increase the presence and strength of the Israeli Reform Movement, both socially and politically.

So on behalf of all of us here in North America you are welcome and thank you for your work to further the cause of Reform Judaism in the Jewish State. (Letter after the jump)

Filed Under: Israel

A Special Rabbi
August 12, 2008 (1 Comment)

The Special Rabbi By Elise May
My family and I recently came together for a weekend of celebration in Memphis, TN. Cousins and close family friends that I hadn't seen in years flew in from around the country. What was the occasion? My parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! Such a joyous event that is almost unheard of today.

The Rabbi who married my parents has passed away, and, since their small congregation disbanded a few years ago, my parents don't really have a Rabbi they can call their own. However, my father began corresponding with a Rabbi in Memphis some time ago.

Filed Under: Community | Lifecycle

I bet he passed the swim test
August 11, 2008 (2 Comments)

By dcc USA Men's 4X100 Gold Winners
For anyone who missed the 4X100 Men's Freestyle Olympic event last night, I am sorry. It was a masterful feat of athletic achievement. The men of the USA relay team did their country proud, producing many jump-off-the-couch victory dances throughout the land! The combination of Phelps, Weber-Gale, Jones and finally the 33-year-old Lezak brought home the gold in fantastic fashion. Oh, yeah, did I mention that Weber-Gale and Lezak are both Jewish and that Weber-Gale is an OSRUI alum?

Regardless of your feelings about China, its abysmal human rights record, support of the genocidal Sudanese government, violent occupation of Tibet, the country's environmental degradation, religious persecution or any of the other issues that make China a bad place for the Olympics, I am sure we can all find a bit of pride that the URJ Camps have produced a gold medalist in possibly the best swim race of all time. So a hearty mazel tov to the US team and please know that we won't shut up 'till you skip around the medal podium.

Filed Under: Community

Roles and Goals
August 11, 2008 (2 Comments)

By Larry Kaufman
My teacher, Rabbi Fred Schwartz, used to remind us that synagogue leaders, both lay and professional, have to remember and cater to the congregation's two constituencies - the Prayers and the Payers.

Just as Torah can stand for the full body of Jewish learning as well as only for the five books of the Pentateuch, the Prayers as the rabbi used the term are not just those who attend services, but include all those who participate on a regular basis in the life of the congregation. The Payers, on the other hand, may be those who show up only for the High Holy Days and perhaps for yahrtzeit, but who unfailingly send in their dues (and maybe even more) to assure the financial stability and continuity of the institution.

Filed Under: Community | The Future

My Mom's Friend Ruth
August 10, 2008

By JanetheWriter
In one of my early posts, I wrote about Jewish geography and making connections. Indeed, our world is all about connecting the dots and with this post, I'm at it again.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's swearing in as an associate justice on the United States Supreme Court. She is the second woman and the first Jewish one to serve in this position. And, although I don't know Justice Ginsburg personally, our worlds share several tangential points that seemingly connect us.

Filed Under: Community

Jewish Teaching Begins at Home
August 7, 2008 (5 Comments)

By JanetheWriter
Recently, my college roommate called me for some advice. Her 12-year-old son had been invited to the bat mitzvah of a classmate and she didn't have a clue about what he should wear or what type of gift would be appropriate.

As one of only a handful of Jews he knows, I was excited for Matthew. B'nei mitzvah are meaningful and fun and, as a young man who is well-versed in the rites and rituals of the Catholic Church, this would be a great learning experience for him.

Filed Under: Community | Lifecycle

A Journey of A Thousand Miles
August 6, 2008 (3 Comments)

By Rabbi Scott Sperling
There are moments when we can sense that history is in the making. Last month, I stood in a receiving line at Spain's famous Prado Palace so that I might shake hands with the kings of Saudi Arabia and Spain. In that experience and all that happened over the ensuing three days, I felt a part of such a historic moment. I was fortunate enough to represent the Union for Reform Judaism and our Commission on Interreligious Affairs at the Muslim World League's World Conference on Dialogue in Madrid, Spain.

This conference brought together approximately 300 delegates from every corner of the globe and who represented the broad spectrum of the world's religions. While the plenary sessions were interesting and occasionally heated and controversial, the real work of the conference took place in hallways and at our communal meals. I had conversation with an astonishing variety of people.

Filed Under: Community | Social Action

Strengthening Reform: 9. Reform's Wrong Turn
August 6, 2008 (18 Comments)

By William Berkson
Several on this forum have looked back to "Classical Reform" somewhat wistfully, admiring the clear sense of direction and the passion and confidence that Reform Judaism had in that period. And by implication, some feel that that clear direction is lacking now. And I agree. Yet the current muddle I believe has its roots in a fundamental mistake that was made during the Classical Reform period.

The mistake was to throw the Talmud overboard.

Filed Under: Community | Defining Reform | Jewish Living | Torah

Your bloggers will be my bloggers
August 5, 2008

By David A.M. Wilensky
I just got off the phone with my newest blogosphere friend, Avi Montigny, Project Coordinator of JewsByChoice.org.

JBC, for those who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the site, is a group blog written by a group of Jews of a variety of denominations, all of whom happen to be converts. The JBC blog has quickly become one of my favorites in a crowded field of Jewish blogs competing for my attention in my RSS reader every day.

Filed Under: Community | Jewish Living

Want an Egg Cream, Bubbe?
August 5, 2008

By JanetheWriter
The Parts to the Egg Cream An article in today's online edition of the New York Times reminds me of a Yiddish word I haven't heard or used in quite some time: bubba meinse, which loosely translates as a "grandmother's story" or, more figuratively, an old wives' tale.

The article details various explanations regarding the invention of the egg cream, a uniquely New York concoction of chocolate syrup, milk and seltzer (best when squirted directly into the mix from pressurized turquoise blue or emerald green bottles that typically came to thirsty customers' doors in wooden crates courtesy of the "seltzer man"). According to the article, though, "No matter which story you hear, it seems to have a strong Jewish connection."

And to be sure, there are plenty of different stories...some from the Lower East Side, some from Brooklyn, some from the 1880s, others from the 1920s, and plenty from the years in between, too. So what's the "real deal" on the egg cream? Who knows. All we can say for sure is that one story is the truth and the others are, yes, you've got it, bubba meinses.

Filed Under: Community

And the World Goes Round and Round...
August 4, 2008

By JanetheWriter
The third entry in today's Metropolitan Diary section of the New York Times featuring two people's "nanosecond of bonding" over High Holy Day Torah text study in the subway reminds me that as we approach Tishah B'Av in less than a week, Elul and the High Holy Days can't be far behind.

Indeed, as Rabbis Ken Chasen and Josh Zweiback, the singing duo known as Mah Tovu, tell us in the chorus of their song "Round and Round:"

Filed Under: Holidays

On wrestling
August 4, 2008 (1 Comment)

By Jennifer Gubitz
As a child, I was never much of a hugger. I preferred to neither give nor receive much affection from my immediate family, except for from my mom's mother - Bubbe Schwartz. I'd like to say that I remember vividly that we were inseparable, although nearly 20 years later I cannot be sure if my memories are accurately my own or if they are simply reconstructions of snippets of information I was told.

My Bubbe died when I was in second grade and in her absence, I eventually learned to hug other people. Ironically, a strong and warm hug is something I have begun to crave throughout my adulthood. When parting ways with my parents before a long flight or leaving my siblings after a short visit - I sometimes return three even four times for one last hug. It has to be just right and until it is, I feel unable to walk away without looking back.

Filed Under: Community | Israel

A Newer, Slower Kosher
August 1, 2008 (1 Comment)

By dcc
Recently I have been reading Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, which while partly polemical in its approach to local food consumption as opposed to what Pollan calls "the industrialized food chain," did a lot to reinforce my love of good, tasty, carefully created food.

But it seems that I am not alone in this re-discovery. In the last week or so my local paper has dedicated significant front page real estate and bandwidth (complete with a new "Times Topic Page") to local and natural food movements. Many people are concerned by the number of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics fed to what becomes our food. We are beginning to ask why everything has the same five ingredients and most of the time we can't pronounce them. The inherent ignorance necessary to continue Pollan's industrialized food chain is coming to an end; people have decided they want to know what they are eating.

Filed Under: Ethics | Jewish Living