Progressive Jewish Values on Israel Independence Day

In celebration of Yom Ha-atzme-ut, Israel’s Independence Day, on Monday (4/15/13) Reform Congregation Kehillat Yozma, in Modi’in, Israel will provide a live broadcast of their Havdalah ceremony to conclude Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) and begin Yom HaAtzmaut, led by Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon of Kehillat Yozma in Hebrew and English, prayers and songs with the Yozma choir, and remarks (with English translation) by Shlomo Dror of the IDF National Military Museum.  Click here to tune in.

Also take this opportunity to experience MK Dr. Ruth Calderon’s first address to Kenesset.  In the language of the kind of “courageous and inclusive Judaism” she attributes to Rabbi David Hartman, of blessed memory, she boldly brings Torah–both Jewish values and progressive values–to her vision of Israeli leadership for peace.

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Profound Moments: Dena Herrin

By Dena Herrin, RS President

Before I tell you about a profound moment that I had, let me give you some context.  As some of you know, my connections to Judaism for most of my life were weak at best.  I left Hebrew school, which I hated, at 10 years old and barely stepped in a synagogue for the next 25 years.  I occasionally went with my parents for the High Holy Days, but really didn’t understand or engage in the service.  The word and concept of God made me very uncomfortable, still does.  Our Rosh Hashanah dinners, Yom Kippur breakfasts and Passover Seders were occasions I enjoyed as family gatherings, and to a much lesser extent, cultural events.  For me, there really was no spirituality or deep religious context to these holidays.  I joined Rodeph Shalom in an effort to find some Jewish connection for my children.  We are an interfaith family and my Jewish foundations were simply too shallow to provide relevant content and meaning for my family.  I share this background because the moment that I want to tell you about occurred in the sanctuary here, at Rodeph Shalom, at a time when my connections to Judaism and to the synagogue were very superficial.

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God in Our Profound Moments

by Rabbi Bill Kuhn

All too often, we Reform Jews have a difficult time discussing God. Sophisticated, cosmopolitan Jews of the 21st Century cannot relate easily to the ancient biblical understanding of the God concept. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there are many ways to understand God in Judaism. In fact, there is no single, unified Jewish theology, or philosophy of God. As a result, most of us are seekers, and some of us become convinced that there is no God. Continue reading

Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art: A Journey to Your Soul

To read Ahron Weiner’s own words about his photographs, click here.

Have you walked into RS’ Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art in the last few weeks? The new PMJA show, “Next Year in Uman: A Journey to the Ukraine,” by Ahron Weiner, exhibits photographs of Jewish men who have made Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage to Uman in the Ukraine, to the site of Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav’s grave. As these photographs make clear, the spiritual pilgrimage happens within an Orthodox context. The beauty of these photographs lies in their subjects, who have traveled far and wide in search of spiritual community and closeness with God. The danger of the photographs is that one could misinterpret the message to be saying: This is what spiritual quest looks like; a spiritual journey is for men who look very different from you.  Continue reading

Lift Every Voice and Sing

By Fred Strober, RS President

I’m the first to admit it: I have a horrible singing voice. It’s easier for me to carry a 100 pound sack of flour than it is to carry a tune. You may not want to be near me when I sing. Your first instinct may be to move a few feet away once I’ve started. Continue reading

Visioning Initiative Weekend: Continue the Conversation

Our Visioning Initiative Weekend with Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman (click here for Friday’s sermon) provided a meaningful and scholarly foundation for our community to immerse in profound conversations that will transform and deepen the relationships we share.  

To engage in the Visioning Initiative, comment on what you experienced this weekend (thoughts to jog your memory, below), or contact Catherine Fischer (cfischer@rodephshalom.org) to participate in a “Face to Face” conversation, or to sign up to be trained to initiate a Face to Face.  Choose 1 of 2 training sessions:  Wed., March 23, 12:30-2:00 pm (bring your own lunch) OR Thurs., March 24, 5:30-7:00 pm (snacks served).

Our experience with Rabbi Hoffman revealed that Judaism is about conversations.  Reflect and comment on these moments (or others) from this weekend:Continue reading

Misheberach Blessing for Healing at Rodeph Shalom

Debbie Friedman’s (of blessed memory) pursuit of relevance and meaning, written about in the last post, “Debbie Friedman: A Spiritual Legacy,” is not only an inspiration, but also a challenge. As Pirke Avot, the Wisdom of Our Sages, instructs us to do, she “turned the text over and over again,” to rediscover meaning. When we turn the text in our quest into the ultimate questions of life and meaning, we are a part of Debbie Friedman’s legacy. Continue reading

Debbie Friedman: A Spiritual Legacy

I remember a family car ride to the end of Long Island.  I was 15 years old and my father decided it was his mission for me to become involved in the Jewish youth group.  So he played a cassette tape over and over until I agreed.  My family sat for hours in the boxy red Volvo, listening to the tape of Debbie Friedman, zichrona livracha (of blessed memory) leading a song-session at the 50th anniversary celebration of the North American Federation of Temple Youth.  Indeed, I went on to become involved in the Reform Jewish youth movement.  And, like Jews across the country and even the world, I was spiritually touched and changed by the music of Debbie Friedman and that of so many leaders whom she influenced.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Why Haven’t We Heard of the First Female Rabbi, Regina Jonas?

Can you name the first female rabbi? It’s a trick question, because almost 20 years ago, the answer changed. Most people familiar with the history of the rabbinate or Jewish feminism would proudly answer that the first female rabbi was Sally Preisand, who was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in 1972. Recently retired, Rabbi Preisand served as a congregational rabbi in New Jersey for many years, and has been the pioneer who laid the groundwork for the rest of us. As it turns out, Rabbi Preisand has the distinction of being the first female rabbi ordained in the United States. Continue reading

Dangerous Conversion Bill and Attack on Religious Pluralism in Israel

Separation of Church and State in Israel has never been achieved, and more than ever before, religious pluralism is under attack.   

CONVERSION BILL: Leaders of the Reform Movement have been rigorously lobbying in Israel, to stop proposed legislation to turn all Jewish conversion authority over to the Chief Rabbinate (orthodox) in Israel.  This week, Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed the bill and the Kenesset delayed the vote.  The Reform Mvmt urges us to email Netanyahu and to acknowledge and push for more of his support.  Conversion bill update and link to Netanyahu’s email.  

WOMEN OF THE WALL: The arrest of Anat Hoffman, for the crime of carrying a Torah scroll at the Western Wall, was another in a series of attacks on progressive Judaism, feminism and democracy. 

For a reflection on the state of pluralism, read Rabbi David Ellenson’s (president of the Reform Movement’s seminary, Hebrew Union College; Ellenson will speak at RS this fall) Jerusalem Post column, “A Call for State-Sanctioned Tolerance.”