Parshat Ha'azinu from G-dcast.com
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Friday, October 2, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On the High Holidays
With the Day of Awe almost here, it behooves me to take some time and put up my feet, take a breath, and breathe a blog before the big days are upon us.
When I was a youunger student rabbi, one of the congregants commented to me after the holidays that he did not 'get as much' out of the services as he had in years past. I am not sure if it was because he found the music dull, the sermons uninspiring or because he had other things on his mind. But for some reason, that comment stuck in my mind.
Over the course of the next 20 plus years, and whenever I begin to approach the High Holidays, I remember what he said. But I have formulated a different answer. I suppose that I would say, "I understand that you did not get as much out of these days as you would have liked, but how much did you bring to these days?" It changes the question from one of being entertained to one reflecting the seriousness of these challenging days.
Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur are not plays. Although there is a certain amount of staging and choreography, the music has to be right and the air conditioner has to work, these days are about ultimate issues of making life matter, reconnecting with God, getting right with those we have wronged, turning and returning to our original and most noble selves. This is not the kind of stuff you do when you go to see "Phantom of the Opera" or "Evita" - my favorite plays.
These days are about struggle. They are about discomfort. They are about questions revolving around some of the most important issues of life.
It is not wonder that we should all take a breath before we enter these days. For, as these days remind us, they may be the last breaths we ever take and every breath we take should be worthwhile, worthy of blessing, and noble.
When I was a youunger student rabbi, one of the congregants commented to me after the holidays that he did not 'get as much' out of the services as he had in years past. I am not sure if it was because he found the music dull, the sermons uninspiring or because he had other things on his mind. But for some reason, that comment stuck in my mind.
Over the course of the next 20 plus years, and whenever I begin to approach the High Holidays, I remember what he said. But I have formulated a different answer. I suppose that I would say, "I understand that you did not get as much out of these days as you would have liked, but how much did you bring to these days?" It changes the question from one of being entertained to one reflecting the seriousness of these challenging days.
Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur are not plays. Although there is a certain amount of staging and choreography, the music has to be right and the air conditioner has to work, these days are about ultimate issues of making life matter, reconnecting with God, getting right with those we have wronged, turning and returning to our original and most noble selves. This is not the kind of stuff you do when you go to see "Phantom of the Opera" or "Evita" - my favorite plays.
These days are about struggle. They are about discomfort. They are about questions revolving around some of the most important issues of life.
It is not wonder that we should all take a breath before we enter these days. For, as these days remind us, they may be the last breaths we ever take and every breath we take should be worthwhile, worthy of blessing, and noble.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sent to the Congregation 7/24/09
A word from Rabbi Stanway...
Clearly the events in New Jersey in the past couple of days are on everyone's mind and lips. Corruption, bribery, harvesting in organs, rabbis and politicians getting arrested is head-spinning. Even CNN said that "even in a State which is no stranger to corruption, this case seems to take the cake." I agree.
Whenever Jews are in the news when they have allegedly done something illegal (Madoff, et al.) it brings shame upon us all. With the events happening, literally, in our own backyard and the Syrian Jewish community under scrutiny again, parts of the Hassidic community under the magnifying glass and the press taking every opportunity to use the word 'rabbi' to discuss some of those charged, it is embarrassing to us all, to say the least.
All over town, at the JCC, the Federation, temples, yeshivot and anywhere else Jews gather, this is subject of the day. And it ought to be. What these men and women did was betray their communities' trust and was a Hillul Hashem - a true desecration of God's name.Still, however tempted we are to deride these people, let us not. There are plenty of others who will have a field day smearing all Jews because of the actions of these ones. We ought not to be among them.
As Jews we ought to speak and act as Jews are supposed to. Whether we like it or not, people judge all Jews by what some Jews do. We could - and should - live our lives within the law, with high ethical standards, with tzedakah and righteousness and goodness. If we have something bad to say about someone, let us keep it to ourselves. We must be sure not to give 'pitachon peh' - literally 'a mouth opening' - an excuse - to others to find a reason to justify their negative image of Jews. Instead of having people judge what these Jews and fellow New Jerseyans have done, let all of us be the bearers of what Jews are and do. Let us be the examples of righteousness and goodness and ethical behaviour. Let us earn our livings honestly and let our speech reflect only the best that is in us all.
I don't know if any or all of these people did what they are alleged to have done and I can't control the way people look at Jews based on these allegations. What I can control, though, is what I say and how I live my own life. Perhaps that will be the example of how a Jew really ought to live. I hope you join me in this effort.
Clearly the events in New Jersey in the past couple of days are on everyone's mind and lips. Corruption, bribery, harvesting in organs, rabbis and politicians getting arrested is head-spinning. Even CNN said that "even in a State which is no stranger to corruption, this case seems to take the cake." I agree.
Whenever Jews are in the news when they have allegedly done something illegal (Madoff, et al.) it brings shame upon us all. With the events happening, literally, in our own backyard and the Syrian Jewish community under scrutiny again, parts of the Hassidic community under the magnifying glass and the press taking every opportunity to use the word 'rabbi' to discuss some of those charged, it is embarrassing to us all, to say the least.
All over town, at the JCC, the Federation, temples, yeshivot and anywhere else Jews gather, this is subject of the day. And it ought to be. What these men and women did was betray their communities' trust and was a Hillul Hashem - a true desecration of God's name.Still, however tempted we are to deride these people, let us not. There are plenty of others who will have a field day smearing all Jews because of the actions of these ones. We ought not to be among them.
As Jews we ought to speak and act as Jews are supposed to. Whether we like it or not, people judge all Jews by what some Jews do. We could - and should - live our lives within the law, with high ethical standards, with tzedakah and righteousness and goodness. If we have something bad to say about someone, let us keep it to ourselves. We must be sure not to give 'pitachon peh' - literally 'a mouth opening' - an excuse - to others to find a reason to justify their negative image of Jews. Instead of having people judge what these Jews and fellow New Jerseyans have done, let all of us be the bearers of what Jews are and do. Let us be the examples of righteousness and goodness and ethical behaviour. Let us earn our livings honestly and let our speech reflect only the best that is in us all.
I don't know if any or all of these people did what they are alleged to have done and I can't control the way people look at Jews based on these allegations. What I can control, though, is what I say and how I live my own life. Perhaps that will be the example of how a Jew really ought to live. I hope you join me in this effort.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The tenth anniversary celebration begins tonight and we will be having a wonderful time looking back over what we have accomplished together in the past decade.
When I was speaking with Stella about how to frame my remarks, she said something that was very, very important. She reiterated what all of us have been saying for the past years, namely that where the temple is now, what we are doing, how we are reaching out to make Torah and Judaism relevant is not the doing of one person or one committee. Where we are is truly a team effort and every person in the congregation, regardless of how active, is an important part of the Beth Miriam family.
We use the word 'family' so loosely today. Corporations speak of their 'corporate family' and social groups of all kinds speak in the language of 'family.' But the truth is that, too often, these 'families' care nothing for each other and the word becomes hackneyed and meaningless. But, since Beth Miriam was founded more than a century ago, we have sought to truly become a family.
A family cares for one another and is there when the need arises. We share joys and sorrows as one, celebrate our accomplishments in times of happiness and console one another in times of sadness. Of course, not everyone can know everyone else or be involved in everyone else's lives. Still, when something happens, for good or bad, in the temple, it ripples through and affects us all.
I have been truly blessed to have been chosen to serve as the rabbi of this congregation. In the past ten years you have embraced me and my family - nuclear and extended. You have brought me into your homes and your lives. I have been privileged to comfort you in your hospital beds, to dance with you at your weddings, to create deep and abiding friendships and even to accompany your loved ones to the grave. And all of you have been there for my family and me when we had our own sorrow and joys.
These past ten years have been extraordinary in every way. I never would have imagined a decade ago that we would be in the place we are now. You brought me here as much as I led you. And, like all people in love, you have responded to me as I have to you. Maybe that is what makes Beth Miriam so special.
I don't know what the next decade will bring. Come to think of it, I don't know what tomorrow will bring. But one thing I can be sure of: I will come to 'work' tomorrow morning not simply as an employee of Beth Miriam. I will come as one who runs toward the one he loves. Indeed, I come to work with untapped energy ready to lead and learn this magnificent congregation.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for an incredible weekend of celebration of Beth Miriam. It is an honor beyond to words to serve you all.
When I was speaking with Stella about how to frame my remarks, she said something that was very, very important. She reiterated what all of us have been saying for the past years, namely that where the temple is now, what we are doing, how we are reaching out to make Torah and Judaism relevant is not the doing of one person or one committee. Where we are is truly a team effort and every person in the congregation, regardless of how active, is an important part of the Beth Miriam family.
We use the word 'family' so loosely today. Corporations speak of their 'corporate family' and social groups of all kinds speak in the language of 'family.' But the truth is that, too often, these 'families' care nothing for each other and the word becomes hackneyed and meaningless. But, since Beth Miriam was founded more than a century ago, we have sought to truly become a family.
A family cares for one another and is there when the need arises. We share joys and sorrows as one, celebrate our accomplishments in times of happiness and console one another in times of sadness. Of course, not everyone can know everyone else or be involved in everyone else's lives. Still, when something happens, for good or bad, in the temple, it ripples through and affects us all.
I have been truly blessed to have been chosen to serve as the rabbi of this congregation. In the past ten years you have embraced me and my family - nuclear and extended. You have brought me into your homes and your lives. I have been privileged to comfort you in your hospital beds, to dance with you at your weddings, to create deep and abiding friendships and even to accompany your loved ones to the grave. And all of you have been there for my family and me when we had our own sorrow and joys.
These past ten years have been extraordinary in every way. I never would have imagined a decade ago that we would be in the place we are now. You brought me here as much as I led you. And, like all people in love, you have responded to me as I have to you. Maybe that is what makes Beth Miriam so special.
I don't know what the next decade will bring. Come to think of it, I don't know what tomorrow will bring. But one thing I can be sure of: I will come to 'work' tomorrow morning not simply as an employee of Beth Miriam. I will come as one who runs toward the one he loves. Indeed, I come to work with untapped energy ready to lead and learn this magnificent congregation.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for an incredible weekend of celebration of Beth Miriam. It is an honor beyond to words to serve you all.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Iranian Scorpions
Being the techno-geek that I am, I have joined the Twitter revolution. In case you don't know what that is, Twitter is what is a component of the Internet "social media." It is basically a site where users 'tweet' - that is, send each other 140 letter messages - very short bursts of information. I have found it to be utterly useless as I have not figured out why anyone (other than my family and maybe Marjie!) would want to know where I was and what I was doing at any given moment.
However, since the 'uprising' in Iran began protesting the alleged re-election of Ahmadinejad, I have been following, first hand, the tweets of a certain #persiankiwi who has been at all Mousavi rallies and gives what appears to be more up-to-date and accurate information than CNN. I have no idea who s/he is but have been addicted to Twitter for the past couple of days because of his/her updates.
Mouavi (which, by the way, comes from the word 'Musa' meaning 'Moses' - in other words his last name means 'Jewish' - don't get excited, he isn't!) seems to be the darling of the ones demonstrating for freedom. But, again, please don't get excited. He was the President of Iran during the war with Iraq in which a million soliders died, had thousands of his opponents murdered before he 'ran' for re-election, promised to 'eradicate Israel as a cancerous tumor,' started the Iranian nuclear program, and is a devout follower of the Iranian revolution. He may not be as 'bad' as Ahmadinejad but we must not fool ourselves or delude ourselves by thinking that he is any kind of democratic, peaceful, or non-radical leader. He is just not as loud.
I don't know what the Iranians want. I don't even know if they know. Do they want to continue to finance terror? Do they want to drop bombs on London and Tel Aviv as they have promised? Do they want to oppress anyone who disagrees with them as they have in the past? The indications seem to suggest that the answer is 'no.' I don't believe it - at least no yet. As much as I am wrapped up in the up-to-the minute reporting, these are all the same people who danced in the street on 9/11 and who celebrate when Jews and Americans die from terrorism.
But, let's give them the benefit of the doubt just this once. Maybe this is something new. Maybe they have changed and have seen that this behavior is abhorrent to most of the rest of the world. I will wait and see.
All of us, especially as Jews, support their quest for freedom and democracy. But it may happen that, just as Solomon made the mistake of using Jewish forced labor (really!!) was out of the picture, his son, Rehoboam, said to the people, "My father imposed a heavy yoke on you, and I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I will flog you with scorpions.'" Let's hope our Twitter friends in Tehran who are so excited now don't wake up soon with scorpions in their beds.
However, since the 'uprising' in Iran began protesting the alleged re-election of Ahmadinejad, I have been following, first hand, the tweets of a certain #persiankiwi who has been at all Mousavi rallies and gives what appears to be more up-to-date and accurate information than CNN. I have no idea who s/he is but have been addicted to Twitter for the past couple of days because of his/her updates.
Mouavi (which, by the way, comes from the word 'Musa' meaning 'Moses' - in other words his last name means 'Jewish' - don't get excited, he isn't!) seems to be the darling of the ones demonstrating for freedom. But, again, please don't get excited. He was the President of Iran during the war with Iraq in which a million soliders died, had thousands of his opponents murdered before he 'ran' for re-election, promised to 'eradicate Israel as a cancerous tumor,' started the Iranian nuclear program, and is a devout follower of the Iranian revolution. He may not be as 'bad' as Ahmadinejad but we must not fool ourselves or delude ourselves by thinking that he is any kind of democratic, peaceful, or non-radical leader. He is just not as loud.
I don't know what the Iranians want. I don't even know if they know. Do they want to continue to finance terror? Do they want to drop bombs on London and Tel Aviv as they have promised? Do they want to oppress anyone who disagrees with them as they have in the past? The indications seem to suggest that the answer is 'no.' I don't believe it - at least no yet. As much as I am wrapped up in the up-to-the minute reporting, these are all the same people who danced in the street on 9/11 and who celebrate when Jews and Americans die from terrorism.
But, let's give them the benefit of the doubt just this once. Maybe this is something new. Maybe they have changed and have seen that this behavior is abhorrent to most of the rest of the world. I will wait and see.
All of us, especially as Jews, support their quest for freedom and democracy. But it may happen that, just as Solomon made the mistake of using Jewish forced labor (really!!) was out of the picture, his son, Rehoboam, said to the people, "My father imposed a heavy yoke on you, and I will add to your yoke; my father flogged you with whips, but I will flog you with scorpions.'" Let's hope our Twitter friends in Tehran who are so excited now don't wake up soon with scorpions in their beds.
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