RDS at DNC
August 18, 2008
Community | Religious Life
(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.
While the Republicans have yet to release their list of names, I hope that the diversity of people who offer words of inspiration and conviction at their convention will again mirror the fabric of the United States.
In many ways the Reform Movement, too, reflects America's diversity. (Yes, I know that's a bit self-serving but work with me.) We take pride in our history but learn from our mistakes in order to grow. We are culturally, socially and ethnically diverse. We also know that not everyone will always agree with us but we are proud of our openness, our values and our undying dream to make our world a bit better for the next generation.
Rabbi Steve Foster of Temple Emanuel in Denver and Rabbi Amy Schwartzman of Temple Rodef Shalom of Falls Church, Virginia will play major roles at an interfaith gathering on the first night of the convention. This event will bring together faith leaders from far and wide, men and women, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and more to speak truth to power, project a voice of empathy and peace and perhaps most importantly show that religion is not a political party but a way to bring people together to make the world a better place.
Finally, as someone who has worked with Rabbi Saperstein for the past three years, I must say I'm particularly proud that his zealous voice will be heard in Denver. Be prepared to hear passionate but sometimes brutal truth about the injustices that need to be addressed. Get set to be inspired and ready to take action to save the world.
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The 1st commandment is to be fruitful and multiple. The US had 6 million Jews in 1960 and less than 4 million today.
I am not sure this constitutes an effective leadership.
I propose the following ideas for each of the 1,000 reform congregations.
1. Bring more men and women into the Jewish fold:
Starting at age THREE, every Jew must be
able to, at least, state an advantage of
being Jewish i.e. 8 days of presents;
a 'club' with a 3,000 year history;
2. Re-introduce Judaism into the home:
A monthly newsletter to home care givers to add Judaism in the home: i.e. Light candles.
3. Close the loop with feedback. Presently, all pronouncements come from the Bima. There is no need to check up because no one would DARE ignore or mis-interpret the Rabbi.
Once a month a member of the GOD SQUAD makes contact with a member. This would involve personal presence.
"Is everything working out with Judaism?" "Is there anything you want to talk about?" Wouldyou like to use me for a non-judgemental sounding board for a few minutes?"
The unintended consequences would take 5 years to show results and result in a larger Juwish congregation.
Rick Wolf
rw124c41@aol.com