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Shine Light into the Darkness of This Week

We write with heavy hearts, as we face the shock and sadness of terror and tragedy in Boston. In a week filled with tragic events, we also grieve for the loss of life in West, Texas, the insecurity in Israel after more rockets were fired, and the insecurity here in the U.S. as we share frustration over legislative inaction in response to gun violence. Even as our physical and emotional safety are vulnerable, we look to each other for community, support, and hope.

And, as we will pray together tomorrow evening at Shabbat services:
Misheberach avotenu v’imotenu, may the One who blessed our ancestors bless those who were injured with healing, bless their loved ones with strength and bless the healers with wisdom and compassion in the care they deliver. May all who are broken move toward wholeness. Amen.

You can learn more here about the Senate’s political and moral failure regarding gun violence legislation.

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.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/S8nNpTf7tNo]

Struggling With the Tragedy in Newton, Ct.

By Rabbi Eli Freedman

The Torah mentions the terms ‘widow’ and ‘orphan’ over fifty times. It seems strange to me that both in Hebrew and English the terms for someone who has lost a spouse or parent are so prevalent, yet there is no word for someone who has lost a child. Perhaps this is because there are no words to describe a loss so tragic.
In this week’s Torah portion, we see a glimpse of the pain that all of the families in Newtown, CT are surely facing when we look at our patriarch, Jacob. Jacob believes his favorite son Joseph is already dead and at the prospect of hearing that he may also lose his son Benjamin says, “If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.” (Genesis 44:29)
There is truly something about the death of children that brings us to despair more than anything else. How, then, do we continue on, continue to have faith even in the face of such evil in this world?
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The Tragedy in Newton, Ct: In Memoriam

Introduction to the Kaddish (December 21, 2012)
Rabbi Alan D. Fuchs
As we are about to read the names of those of our loved ones and members of this congregational family, we also will remember those who were murdered in Newtown, Ct. this is very personal for carol and me and our son Dan who is with us this evening. our son and Dan’s brother Douglas, his wife Diane and their two children, Rachael, age 15, and Zachary, age 13, live in Newtown. Rachael and Zachary attended sandy hook elementary school. Diane taught at least one of those ill-fated first graders when that child was in the pre-school where she works. the sibling of a present student escaped the carnage by running out of the classroom and out of the school.
Douglas has worked in law enforcement since his graduation from Brandeis in 1988. He is now the chief of police of Redding, CT, a town adjacent to Newtown. He heard the Newtown dispatcher call for help while he was in his police car and raced to the school. he arrived moments later. The Newtown police had just burst into the school. Tragically, the assault was over. Douglas then was asked to be in charge of organizing the reuniting of the children with their parents, an event which took place in a nearby firehouse. He separated the children by grade in one room and then connected them with their frantic parents in another. he had to separate out the parents of twenty children who never returned.
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memoriam newton sandy hook tragedy

Tragedy in Newtown, CT

We have all been deeply touched by the tragic events of last Friday’s mass killings in Newtown, CT. While it is so difficult to know how to respond, our hearts go out to all of the families and friends of the victims of this senseless crime, as we hold each of them in our thoughts and prayers. We also express our admiration and respect to all of the first responders and the many people who have been such a help and comfort to all those touched by this event. We say a prayer for our nation, as we feel that Newtown has changed us forever.
A tragedy such as this can move us to seek the sheltering peace and comfort of our own Rodeph Shalom Community. Please join us for Shabbat services on any Friday night at 6:00 pm, as we come together to console each other and to offer our prayers to ask God to grant peace to our country.
There are many people in our congregation who want to know what we can do as a community. Please contact any of our clergy or Catherine Fischer (215) 627-6747, x 46. cfischer@rodephshalom.org if you are interested in connecting with others in our congregation who would like to respond through action in any of the following areas:
•   Gun violence
•   Improvements in mental health services
•   Safety in schools
•   Discuss our national culture – violence in TV shows, movies, video games and the impact it has on people.
•   Role of values, ethics and prayer in our lives.
•   Other ideas.
The purpose of our congregation is to help everyone connect with each other, with Judaism and with God. At times such as these, we need to come together more than ever in kindness, compassion, caring, goodness, warmth and support. Let this benevolence spread out to everyone whose lives we touch, so that no one feels alone, isolated or lost. Let every person know that we can all make such a difference in this world if we will act as God’s partner in making this world a better place.
Let Newtown be the place and the time which caused us to finally heed God’s call to heal the pain in our world for good.
L’shalom,
Dena R Herrin, President, Rabbis William I. Kuhn, Jill L. Maderer, Eli C. Freedman and Cantor Erin R. Frankel

Healing Prayers

By Rabbi William Kuhn

One of the great mysteries of life is why we become ill. People can be living a perfectly normal happy life, when all of a sudden they fall sick, seemingly out of the blue. We often wonder if there is anything Judaism can do to make us well, to bring us healing. Perhaps there is no magic cure Judaism can offer, but our tradition teaches us that there are a number of ways to find comfort in our sacred texts.

I would like to recommend the Book of Psalms in our Bible to anyone who is ill and in search of comfort, insight or healing. Anyone who is down or grieving or sick at heart could find the writer of the Psalms understands you and offers solace. It has been said that the Psalms are a travelling companion for those in pain.Continue reading

Reform Movement’s New President

Rabbi Rick Jacobs’ remarks at URJ’s Biennial Convention (12/18/11): Click for Rabbi Jacobs video.

by Rabbi Bill Kuhn

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Biennial Convention took place in Washington, DC December 14-18, 2011 with a record attendance of over 5,000 Reform Jews from around North America. Founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, (originally named the Union of American Hebrew Congregations), the URJ is the umbrella organization of all of the congregations in the Reform Movement. Rodeph Shalom has been a member of the URJ since the very early days, and has been a proud leader of the Reform Movement ever since.Continue reading

Rabbi Rick Jacobs Reform MOvement URJ

Cantorial Search Update

Our cantorial search committee has been hard at work! In our initial meeting we began by thinking about the characteristics that our congregation is looking for in an ideal candidate:

We need a wonderful cantor who can provide visionary leadership in all aspects of the life of our congregation. We are looking for someone to be involved in the planning, intentionality and spiritual leadership of our prayer services, as well as the visioning and strategic planning of the entire congregation.

We seek a cantor who will be a musical and spiritual leader who is deeply and holistically connected with the life of our community in every area of congregational life, including teaching adults and children and B’nai Mitzvah, conducting life-cycle events, pastoral counseling and participating in social action efforts.

We hope to find someone who is visionary, personable, caring and compassionate in working with congregants and in teamwork with fellow clergy.

Finally, our ideal cantor is someone who is highly skilled, with a voice strong enough to fill our Sanctuary yet humble enough to help facilitate participatory song and worship, so that congregants will feel a part of their own prayer experience.

Phillies vs. Yom Kippur

Tonight’s Phillies’ playoffs game-Kol Nidre conflict has inspired a lot of commentary, a few jokes, and I am guessing a few dvr’s ready to record. I hope the schedule conflict dilemma has deepened Jewish identity! Our member Glenn Kutler just shared this beautiful story:

As a junior at Central High School, I tried out for the offensive line on the varsity football team. I was cautiously optimistic about making the team until I realized that the final practices were scheduled for Rosh Hashannah and that the final team roster would be established based on those practices.