Shema: Free Speech & The Citizen’s Freedom to Hear

LDB-100Our portion of the week, parashat New Hampshire, has gotten me thinking about democracy and free speech. When the campaign results were in on Tues. evening, I watched all of the primary speeches, victory and defeat. Maybe I’m just shmaltzy, but I’m a patriot, and I was moved by most of the candidates’ devotion to serving our country.  Whether I agreed with their policies, I paid particular attention to the candidates who spoke about the way they listened to their constituents, heard the stories and experiences of every day Americans.

I’m not naïve; the New Hampshire primary also brings out the cynic in me. I am disillusioned by a society that claims to be a democracy, but continues to give a disproportionate voice to campaign funders, and to early season primary states.  That the first two are also overwhelmingly white states, only compounds the problem.  How is this nation to bring democracy to its citizens if it cannot hear their voices?

A midrash from Jewish tradition offers us an image, teaching: we were born with 2 ears and 1 mouth, in order to strive to do twice as much listening as we do talking.  It’s a strange lesson for such an extroverted tradition.  Yet the message is clear: listen.  Shma.  Listen.

And there are some in our American tradition who urge the same.

This semester, my alma mater Brandeis University, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the appointment of Louis D. Brandeis to the United States Supreme Court.  Continue reading

Rabbi Maderer’s Benediction at Mayoral Inauguration

mayor blessing looking downDelivered by Rabbi Jill Maderer, Inauguration of Mayor and City Council, The Academy of Music, 1/4/16.  

Today, we who call God many different names, and we who choose not to call to God at all, we Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist, Philadelphians of diverse neighborhoods, races, sexual orientations and languages – today, we do not take for granted this peaceful transfer of power we call democracy.  Grateful for the past leaders who have renewed our city, and for the incoming leaders who are dedicated to the promise of our city’s future, we rejoice in a Philadelphia whose murals open our hearts, whose culture stimulates our minds, whose food delights our palate, whose diversity inspires our souls and whose history deepens our roots.

This week, the Jewish community read in our sacred text the story of Moses’ call to leadership. Tending the flock in the wilderness, Moses notices the bush that burns, but is not consumed.  When Moses sees that he is standing on holy ground, God charges him to lead the Israelites, saying: “Now go, I am sending you.”  Humble yet courageous, strong yet compassionate, sensitive yet visionary, Moses heeds the call.  He cares for and empowers the poor, uplifts the degraded, and sees dignity in the eyes of every human being.

Holy One of Blessing, as we go forth from this investiture, we ask your blessing on Mayor Kenny, Council President Clarke, our Councilpersons, city commissioners, sheriff, register of wills and members of the judiciary.  As they dedicate themselves to lead our city, to solve our common problems and to lift up all Philadelphians, God we ask you to:

Fortify and inspire our leaders with humility and courage, strength and compassion, sensitivity and vision, that they may care for and empower the poor, uplift the degraded, and see dignity in the eyes of every human being.

Ignite within our leaders fires – fires for justice and for mercy – ignite within them fires that burn, but are not consumed, that their actions may bear witness to the holy ground on which we all stand.

Amen.

Refugee Resettlement: What You Can Do Today

At the foot of RS’ new Klehr Stairway we now have a bin where you can donate personal items and household goods to help the HIAS PA refugee resettlement.

Please bring gently used household items, such as pots and pans, silverware, sheets, blankets, etc.  NO CLOTHING, except winter coats, hats and scarves for children or adults (small or medium).  Currently, there is also particular need for alarm clocks, manual (non-electric) can openers, and laundry detergent.  Here is a link to the complete list of items needed: http://hiaspa.org/sites/hiaspa.org/files/attachments/hias_pa_donation_full_wish_list_-_2013-24-7.pdf

Thank you to Carole Wilder for bringing this mitzvah to us and thank you to HIAS for doing such important work!

Showing Support to Muslims Neighbors

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

In the face of the current atmosphere of fear and Islamophobia, many of us seek ways to demonstrate to Muslim neighbors that we are their allies and know the faith that they practice is not the extremism we see in the terrorists.

As a start, I have been touched by the writings of Sophia Ali-Kahn. She provides guidance in this short article; I am interested to know how you think Rodeph Shalom can play a positive role.

A Simple Act of Love May Tip the Balance: Dedication of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Center

Today, our congregants Stephen and Sandra Sheller were honored for their generosity and vision in making the expansion of the 11th Street family Health Center at Drexel University a reality.  Here is the moving speech Sandy delivered:

My heart swells with gratitude and pride for this most beautiful place that is a beacon of healing and hope in this much deserved but often overlooked neighborhood and community. As I stand before this vision that has come to fruition after many years of dreaming and planning, I realize it is so much larger than we ever could have imagined. More than the bricks, mortar, and 17,000 additional square feet of expanded space, is what is, and can now, take place, inside this innovative, patient-centered, and trauma-informed comprehensive health care center. At 11th Street, all of the deeper needs impacting health and well-being in this underserved community are addressed. Continue reading

Confinement Vs. Authenticity on Coming Out Day

For parents of grade school children, it is Back to School Night season.  This week, as my husband and I squeezed into the little 4th-grader chairs, we learned from our child’s teacher about a class-bonding activity they experienced.  The children created pictures to represent themselves as they are known to others.  Then they created pictures to represent themselves in a way that is unknown to others.  With great bravery, students presented their hidden selves to the class.  One shared her cerebral palsy, another, his parents’ divorce.  Students felt the support of teachers and classmates as they shared what might be hidden.

Even in the most supportive environment, authentic expression to others — and even just to ourselves —  can be a challenge.  It is natural for human beings to create labels to understand one another.  Yet, all too often these categories limit possibility, even humanity.  This is not new.Continue reading

What Are We Doing About the Refugee Crisis?

As we watch the horrifying photos and learn of the terrifying plight of the Syrian refugees, we know that we cannot turn away.  As Jews, remembering our people who sought refuge and were turned away before and after the Holocaust, we are moved to act on behalf of others struggling to find refuge.  Our tradition teaches us to “welcome the stranger,” and especially now, as we take an accounting of our souls during the High Holidays, we must ask ourselves, “What can we do to help?”
Not surprisingly, RS is partnering with and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) Pennsylvania and already stepping up. Here are several opportunities for us to get involved:
•    Sign a Petition to Admit More Refugees. Since the beginning of this year, the U.S. has taken in only a little over 1,200 of the millions of Syrian refugees displaced by war.  President Obama has just announced that the U.S. will take in an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next year.  We can and should do more.  You can help by signing the HIAS petition asking the President to resettle 100,000 Syrian refugees in the United States. http://support.hias.org/site/PageNavigator/AskthePresidenttoTakeBoldLeadershipforSyrianRefugees.html
•    Donate Goods for a Refugee Family. HIAS Pennsylvania is one of a limited number of agencies authorized to work with the U.S. State Department to provide  services, including housing, essential furnishings, food, clothing, orientation, and assistance with access to other social, medical, and employment services for the refugees’ first 90 days in the United States.   HIAS has just been notified that it has been assigned a Syrian refugee family who will be arriving in Philadelphia shortly.  Congregants can help in the resettlement process by donating gently used furniture and household items.  Here is a link to the wish list of items needed: http://hiaspa.org/sites/hiaspa.org/files/attachments/hias_pa_donation_full_wish_list_-_2013-24-7.pdf  More information will be posted soon about where to bring items for donation
Continue reading

Our Common Home: The Pope’s Encyclical in the Jewish Community

by Rabbi Jill Maderer

So… Who is in the box?  Who’s home falls in the Center City travel box when our special guest, the Pope, visits Philadelphia this fall? Me, too.  Although still not complete, this week’s transportation and security update began to feed my hunger for a better understanding about how my family will function, how emergencies will be addressed, and of course, how we are going to get the Jewish community to synagogue.  As complicated as the Pope’s visit will be from a logistical perspective, I am intrigued about how we in the Jewish community, might find meaning in this historical moment.Continue reading