A View of Urban History from Jewish Philadelphia

This introduction to Philadelphia Jewish history comes from Temple University’s Murray Friedman Chair of American Jewish History and director of the Feinstein Center for American Jewish History, Dr. Lila Corwin Berman.  Dr. Berman will speak on this topic at Synaplex Shabbat this Friday night.

On Leaving, Staying, and Returning: A View of Urban History from Jewish Philadelphia, by Lila Corwin Berman
 
One of the perennial themes of Jewish history and lore is movement.  God commands Abraham lech lecha, “Go away from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.”  Driven by trade, by decree, by economic instability, by violence, by the desire for a better life, Jews have moved.  Some historians and thinkers have argued that the constancy of migration in Jewish life has bred a sense of Jewish detachment from land, territory, and place.  Continue reading

Tu B’shvat and a World Tour of Sustainability

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

Tonight and tomorrow, we celebrate Tu B’shvat.  This Jewish new year for the trees functions as Jewish Earth Day. As you taste the fruits of the holiday (dates, almonds…) and contemplate what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, check out what our members Amy and Keith Sutter are up to!  Amy and Keith are spending the year traveling around the world and documenting sustainability; keep up with their discovery of sustainability worldwide, on their blog: Green Around the Globe.

The Women of the Wall’s Struggle for Religious Liberty in Israel

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

When I prayed with Women of the Wall (WOW) in 1996, I never imagined that in 2010, women would still be prohibited from raising their voices in prayer at the Kotel—the Western Wall, the remaining wall from the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Yet, as much as ever before, the religious extremism of ultra-orthodoxy continues to hold authority and power over all Jews in the State of Israel–from school funding to liberal rabbinic recognition– and over all activity at the Kotel.  In November, WOW member Nofrat Frankel was arrested for wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) and for holding a Torah scroll. Two weeks ago, WOW leader Anat Hoffman (who spoke at RS a few years ago at our Joseph W. Rosenbluth Shabbat), executive director of the Reform Movement’s Israel Religious Action Center, was interrogated and fingerprinted by police. Her crime? Wearing a tallit, not at the Wall, but at a previously designated alternative overlooking the wall, where WOW has been holding services for years.Continue reading

“Wimpel! Wrapped Wishes”– Discuss the Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art

A wimpel is a traditional German-Jewish textile inscribed with prayers and wishes.  The wimpel was created in the first weeks of a child’s life and was used to celebrate the milestone of marriage.  For “Wimpel! Wrapped Wishes,” 12 artists, inspired by examples in the Obermayer Collection at RS, investigate, interpret and celebrate the wimpel.  One of the artists is our RS member, Leslie Sudock!  Join us on Thursday, December 17 for the opening discussion and reception at 6pm and then for the benefit supper at 7pm!  Thank you to currator, Matt Singer, and to PMJA Director Wendi Furman!

Carrie Rickey Discusses: Parallels between the Movie, “A Serious Man” and The Book of Job

Film has the power to awaken Jewish identity and to raise questions of fate and faith.  We are blessed to have Carrie Rickey, the Philadelphia Inquirer Film Critic, as a member of RS and as a film-discussion leader for Synaplex Shabbat this Friday, Dec. 4.  Join us at 5:30 pm for a nosh and a choice of 2 Shabbat services.  Then engage in a discussion with Carrie Rickey as she explores the provacative new Coen Brothers film, A Serious Man.  Head out to see A Serious Man now, and check out Carrie Rickey’s review.

Connecting in Our Open Tent

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

When it comes to city living today, many of us are living on top of one another while we don’t even know each other. The neighborhood is so transient; one of the greatest challenges of our day is to make meaningful, lasting connections. Such ties are the inspiration for our new RS Empty Nesters group that draws members who want to share their experience in their new chapter of life. And such ties are the promise for our plans for the RS Buerger Early Learning Center, where we hope families will begin life-long shared journeys together. In so many different forms, RS members’ lives are enriched by sharing their experiences in community.

Personal stories are such a powerful way to invite others into our open tent. How do YOU connect at RS? Why did you join and how does congregational life bring you meaning?

The Torah of Blogging

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

Do you feel comfortable commenting on a blog article publically?  What would Moses do?

One internet scholar explains that when social networking was first introduced, teen-agers were the most comfortable with it.  Children of the internet, teens commented on any blog post that so moved them and often exposed their private feelings.  Their parents, and adults over the age of 45 were more likely to expose nothing on the internet.  Adults were accustomed to communicating with one person and not with the public. Continue reading