Taking Down the Fence

This week, we have witnessed the chain-link fence around the congregation come down!  We are not simply taking it down because it’s old or ugly.  We are taking the fence down as we build up our relationships and partnerships within the community and throughout Philadelphia!

Jewish law teaches the one stipulation for a sanctuary design is the inclusion of windows.  Our prayers ought to be informed by what happens in the streets, and how we behave in the street ought to be inspired by our words of prayer.  Our parking lot, our entire property, too, ought to be open to the sidewalks and streets of our neighborhood.  May the fences of our property and the fences in our lives continue to come down.

Mourning a Suicide and Seeking Resources

Our hearts go out to our neighbors in the Shipley School community who mourn the tragic death of Cayman Naib.  Jewish wisdom teaches us that we are all created in God’s image, that every life has inherent value and the highest mitzvah–obligation–is to save a life. We are taught compassion for all of those of suffer and struggle with depression and for their families.  And we are taught that if ever we can save a life, it is as if we save the entire world.

For some, the loss of this young man may become a time to deepen understanding and seek support around suicide.   Here are some general resources as well as an article below from a Jewish author:Continue reading

How’s Your Consciousness?: Explore Jewish Meditation at RS

Check out this video of Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg who will speak at RS this Wed. at 7 pm.
     I recently heard an NPR reporter speak about the fact that most New Year’s resolutions don’t stick.  Why not?  My guess is that our priorities get buried under other expectations we have for ourselves, or others have for us.  Then, without being entirely conscious of it, we lose sight of what, on January 1, seemed to be so important.  So many of us fail to be our best selves because we simply lose track of where the day, or week or year is taking us.  I popped that baked good into my mouth without even thinking of it.  I cut off the intersecting grocery cart in the produce section, barely even realizing it.  I made a dismissive and insensitive remark without noticing.  I don’t help out with the house and children as much as I think I do, because I’m not really paying attention.
     Jewish tradition offers us a transformative way to rediscover our consciousness: mindfulness.  Through spiritual practice such as meditation, tradition teaches us to take notice of the world, even of our breath, and pay attention.  Other traditions offer powerful mindfulness wisdom and many of you have benefitted from them.  But I would never want us to miss out on what is right under our noses, right here in our tradition.

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Can Jewish Texts Expand Our Thinking?

“Can Jewish Texts Expand Our Thinking,” the latest article from “Rabbis Uncensored,” the Philadelphia Board of Rabbis’ blog, includes a response by Rabbi Jill Maderer.  Do you find yourself in conversation with others who already share your opinion?  In what kinds of interactions do you find your thinking expands?  Comments welcome!

A Sober Thanksgiving Story

Thank you to the leader of our Parents’ Support Group (2nd and 4th Tues’s), Richard Roisman, for offering wisdom to all who are seeking a sober Thanksgiving…
It was late November, 2006.  Sarah, then 15, had been at Caron since September 15, 2006.  She was, therefore, in adolescent extended care, and we had been through the Family Education Program. While we had been able to take her from Caron for a few hours at a time a couple of times over the couple of months she had been there, she had not yet earned a homestay from treatment.  Thanksgiving was to be her first day out of rehab.

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“Vayeira” Coming Out

By Rabbi Kuhn

Last Sunday, Cantor Frankel and I were honored to co-officiate at the wedding of our dear friends Michael Carr and Henry Seigel. Now, I have been to a lot of weddings in my day, but I’ve gotta tell you, this one was off the charts in terms of being exciting, thrilling, emotional and special.

This was the first same-gender wedding Cantor Frankel and I have done since Pennsylvania made it “LEGAL.” Rabbi Freedman officiated at Rich & Rick’s wedding Saturday night and Rabbi Maderer officiated at Steve Mirman and Kenneth Galipeau’s wedding a couple of weeks ago, so we are trying to make up for lost time!

Standing under the chuppah with Michael & Henry was an experience that I will never forget. This was not like the usual couple we marry. Henry & Michael have been together 32 years! They have been living in a monogamous, committed, loving relationship for 32 years! So, why would they feel that they needed to sign a marriage license and have a Jewish ceremony anyway? What possible difference would that little piece of paper make?

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Learn with Rhonda Fink-Whitman about Her Advocacy of New Holocaust Education in PA

What is your response to the anti-Semitism in our history and in today’s world? Perhaps the most important Jewish response is to begin with learning.  On Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3:00 pm at Rodeph Shalom, in observance of Krystallnacht, Night of the Broken Glass, the series of coordinated attacks against the Jews throughout Germany and Austria on Nov. 9, 1938, we will join together and learn with Rhonda Fink-Whitman author of 94 Maidens and successful advocate for Holocaust education in PA was passed in Pennsylvania recommending that Holocaust education be taught in all public, charter and cyber schools. A trip to Germany uncovered the horrible truth about what happened to her mother during WW II and she felt that it was her responsibility to tell the story as she does in 94 Maidens.  Together, we will deepen our understanding and glean inspiration from her advocacy.

There is no charge so please bring a sweet to be served with tea.  Please rsvp to Julia Erlichman: juliadiane501@gmail.com.  Thank you to the RS Women for bringing us together for this important discussion!

Understanding Israel and Engaging Together

Learn with us in our new course: Israel Engagement: Past, Culture, and How We Got to Today, starting this Sunday at 10:15 am at RS. We will meet Sundays, October 26-March 15 at Rodeph Shalom; Attend one, many or all; 10:15 am-11:15 am , except where noted as second session or double session until 12:15pm.  Syllabus below.

“For two thousand years, Jews worldwide yearned for a return to Zion, ending every Sedar with “Next year in Jerusalem.” Continue reading

Character Virtues in Everyday Life: Mussar Scholar Alan Morinis Speaks Wed., Oct 22 at 7:00 pm at RS

Periodic Table Character

Our actions become our habits; our habits become our character; our character becomes our soul.  Check out this short film The Science of Character to ignite your own process of character development.  To begin to understand what Judaism teaches us about how to treat ourselves and others, and how to elevate our characters–our souls– in the process, (as discussed in my Yom Kippur morning sermon) join us when Mussar scholar Alan Morinis speaks Wed., Oct. 22 at 7:00 pm at RS.  All are welcome.  Thank you to the Dr. Bernard and Rose Susan Hirschhorn Behrend Fund for sponsoring!

Periodic Table of Character Strengths from Tiffany Shlain’s film The Science of Character and letitripple.org

RS is Going to Israel

Our Reform Movement brought more students to Israel this summer than any other denomination. It’s OUR turn! Discover Israel through a progressive Jewish lens with our Reform Movement’s outstanding travel arm, ARZA World. Travel with Rabbis Kuhn and Maderer and RS to Israel April 18-29 and register before Nov 15!  Info here: http://www.arzaworld.com/cong-rodeph-shalom-israel-trip-2015.aspx