Category: Social Justice

Avinu Malkeinu: The Greatness to Lead Small (P. Shoftim)

9/1/2024

In a few short weeks, Jews worldwide will gather to proclaim Avinu Malkeinu – Our Parent, Our Sovereign. The Jewish notion of a "sovereign," whether divine (God) or mortal (king or queen), hails from this week's Torah portion that is laser-focused on the interplay of justice and humility.

Because too often the two don't go together.

How "Women's Lib" Began (P. Pinhas)

7/21/2024

Judaism is all about collective transformation. The Jewish narrative continually has "transformed" its "collective" from a first human eventually to all humans. At the same time, the Jewish narrative continually has "transformed" roles and rights within the "collective," in fits and starts striving for dignity and equality for all.

At its best, Judaism's social justice ethic does both at the same time – which is how "women's lib" began.

Rabbi's Corner – July 2024: Spirituality on the Slow

7/1/2024

When I began with Shir Ami one year ago, the "early" High Holy Days were fast approaching. Our first months together sometimes felt like launching off an aircraft carrier.

This year, we get a real summer. Rosh Hashanah won't be until October. This summer, we get to take it slow. What's spirituality on the slow?

The So-Called Blemished Among Us (P. Emor)

5/12/2024

We're all blemished – no exceptions. Yet in one of Biblical tradition's most vexing admonitions, only the physically perfect could serve as spiritual priests, as representatives of the people.

Society hasn't evolved far past this spiritual no-fly list, its prejudices or its offenses to equal dignity. We miss out on the great gifts that differently abled persons offer. So why would Torah have a no-fly list at all? Maybe to hold a mirror to us, provoke our moral outrage, and force us to leap beyond ourselves.

Words To Live By (P. Aharei Mot)

4/28/2024

The Jewish people are Western civilizations first "People of the Book." Beginning with Torah, the accumulated wisdom of 3,500 years of Jewish civilization offer plenty of words to live by.

That very phrase – "words to live by" – traces its roots to this week's Torah portion. The phrase is so common that we rarely stop to consider what it means to "live by" words.

That question is very much on my mind and heart this week – during this pivotal time for our people, our planet, democracy and our justice system – when so very much hangs in the balance.

Rabbi's Corner – April 2024: Free, Together

4/1/2024

"Why is this night different from all other nights?" This Passover question echoes across history; it's especially poignant this year amidst war, antisemitism and so much more tugging at the Jewish spirit. It's easy to forget that we are one people sharing a single human garment. This year reminds that there is no true Jewish freedom in mere individualism however comfortable, or in an echo chamber however reassuring, or in silencing, or in mere blame and finger pointing. This year demands that we all make space at our seder tables – and in our hearts – for the missing and diverse, what most comforts and what most challenges. After all, the only way we ever can be truly free is together.

On Guilt and Taxes – Proudly Ahead of Our Time (P. Vayikra)

3/19/2024

How are guilt and taxes related, and why should we care? Judaism's ancient bedrock offers answers that might seem outdated, but they were far ahead of their time.

The Book of Leviticus opens with language that we moderns might find distant, but it offers us profound lessons about the proper roles of materialism and money in spiritual life – and what the point of spiritual life is supposed to be.

Hearts of Generosity (P. Vayakhel)

3/3/2024

"Stop giving to the fund drive!" – said no community professional ever. Yet the hearts of our spiritual ancestors were so moved to support their central community institution, the building of the Mishkan, that everyone gave until their gifts overloaded the effort.

Amidst so much spiritual, emotional and ethical wisdom, Torah shines a bright light on the kinds of generosity necessary to build vibrant community. There really is a Torah of generosity, and it aims at the heart.

Our Single Garment of Destiny

1/14/2024

No liberation comes easy. In whatever form bondage may come, and whether we mean individual or collective shackles, freedom's path always entails effort, drama, uncertainty and suffering along the way.

This poignant week coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2024, and the Torah portion of Israelite freedom from Egyptian bondage, proves the point utterly – and urges us to keep walking that path as never before.

A Dream, Partly Fulfilled (P. Vaera)

1/8/2024

Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech invoked the prophetic call for people of all colors and creeds, "Jews and gentiles," to walk together "free at last." Now 60 years later, the dream is yet only partly fulfilled – and not only for African-Americans.

This troubled era – and this week's pivotal Torah portion at the precipice of ancient Israelite liberation from Egyptian bondage – reminds us that our own prophetic dream of a world truly free and redeemed from bondage remains only partly fulfilled. And, now more than ever, it's up to us.

<<Previous

Avinu Malkeinu: The Greatness to Lead Small (P. Shoftim)

How "Women's Lib" Began (P. Pinhas)

Rabbi's Corner – July 2024: Spirituality on the Slow

The So-Called Blemished Among Us (P. Emor)

Words To Live By (P. Aharei Mot)

Rabbi's Corner – April 2024: Free, Together

On Guilt and Taxes – Proudly Ahead of Our Time (P. Vayikra)

Hearts of Generosity (P. Vayakhel)

Our Single Garment of Destiny

A Dream, Partly Fulfilled (P. Vaera)

Categories

Archives

Mailing Address

Worship

Contact Us