His Bible I don’t want - March 30, 2024

His bible I don’t want. 

I don’t need my bible draped in images of a tri-colored flag

Bound with a popular song of nationalistic meaning

Announced with a directive that I need to pray more

By someone who likely prays very little 

Or attends worship sparingly or only for show. 

His bible I don’t want

When it comes with an implicit claim

that only one version of the Bible in translation is authentic. 

The best way, I believe, to understand the text

Is by studying it in the original 

And/or

with many translations in front of you

Discussed among people seeking understanding

From many backgrounds and levels of knowledge. 

His bible I don’t want

When its dissemination seems to say 

That only one faith is legitimate 

And others might not be.  

I believe in separation 

And I oppose a move by someone running for high office

Seemingly establishing one religion above others 

(or above other choices for personal spirituality). 

Ask the first president what he felt about people of all faiths

Or no faith

Living in a country together. 

He declared that 

All that was asked of its inhabitants

Was to be good and decent citizens. (That was 234 years ago). 

His bible I don’t want.  

Others who do…that’s on you. 

But if you get his bible,

Read Leviticus 19, verses 18, 33 and 34. 

Before you read anything else.  

And let their message stay with you and guide you

Whenever you are told that you should hate or avenge 

or seek the demise of 

A neighbor or a stranger, 

Because those verses say QUITE the OPPOSITE. 

And, by the way,

Those verses

Are in my bible, too.

To Survive and Thrive - on the 4th anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdowns - March 20, 2024

Four years ago tonight, Rhonda and I were supposed to be in New York City for the baby naming of our granddaughter, Eva.  That, of course, was put on hold.  

  Instead, we stayed in Las Cruces, on lockdown with everyone else, as the COVID-19 pandemic had begun.   Instead of leading a service at Temple Beth-El in person on March 20, 2020, I was leading the service on Facebook Live, a skill I had already learned.   I had just acquired Zoom software three days earlier, served as Zoommaster at the Temple Board meeting the night before, and led Temple Torah study the next morning on Zoom.   

   Life drastically changed.   I retired as planned on June 30, five days after the congregation hosted, on Zoom, a wonderful virtual retirement gathering which brought people together from all around the country.  

   We decided not to move to Overland Park until the late spring of 2021, if possible.   Rhonda had planned to teach in the 2020-2021 school year at pre-school, but the prospect of online teaching led her to decide to join me in retirement in 2020. 

   We did both have COVID-19 twice over the last four years, with Paxlovid and vaccinations offering us extra protection.  Too, too many people were not so fortunate, and we mourn them, and we wish those who have long COVID continued strength and healing. 

   So, the question comes…are we, in our home and family, better off than we were four years ago?   

   Resoundingly, yes.  

   And the national leader of that time, four years ago, is still calling people like me, with my views, a bad Jew.  Okay, some things don’t change.   And others might define me in a negative light due to some aspect of my Jewishness or my connection with friends and family in Israel.   Actually, that, also, is NOT a change.   It just bubbled up to the surface due to new realities and tragedies.  Still, compassion needs to go in all directions, as does listening, if we are to live together in this world. 

    I know from personal experience how hard leadership can be, but it has to be practiced with a mind of serving others while taking care of yourself, but not serving only or primarily yourself.  

    Life’s lessons.   They are hard.   Let’s keep living, and helping each other survive and thrive.

Towards Greater Light and Clarity - Daily Minyan Reading - March 25, 2024

Facebook Live Daily Minyan Original Reading 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

March 25, 2024

Creator and Sustainer of us all, 

Companion of our people throughout the ages, 

Guide us through the darkness we may encounter

Towards greater light and clarity. 

As the hours of daylight begin to increase 

With the coming of spring, 

Enable us to identify sources of hatred

That challenge the well-being of the human family

So that we can join with compassionate and loving partners

Among our neighbors

To develop mutual understanding and respect

That will spread a message of hope

And make peace possible. 

Teach us that, even in times of difficulty and despair,

We can find the strength we need

To move through each new day

With resolve and determination

To foster connections that will make us one

As we continue to declare

That we live within the blessing and shelter

of Your Oneness. 

Turn our eyes towards the sky - Daily Minyan reading - March 18, 2024

Facebook Live Daily Minyan Original Reading 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

March 18, 2024

Eternal Source of Creation,

Who fashioned this vast universe,

When we lose our sense of amazement, 

Turn our eyes towards the sky

So that we will experience a sense of wonder

At the phases of the moon 

that mark our times of celebration, 

At the placement of the sun 

that reveals to us the seasons, 

And at the stars and galaxies 

That travel with our own world

 in an ongoing cosmic dance. 

When we despair of the challenge and pain 

In the human family, 

Inspire us to act with generosity

To offer assistance

To provide support 

To bring love 

To people in need of help 

So that we will recognize that our love 

Is Your love flowing through us

As the connections we establish 

One to another

Reaffirm the Oneness 

that you have instilled in our hearts.  

Abiding Hope - Daily Minyan Reading - March 11, 2024

Facebook Live Daily Minyan Original Reading 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

March 11, 2024

Source of wisdom, 

Inspiration for goodness, 

Help us to acknowledge and nurture

Kindness and acceptance

Inside of ourselves

And with others. 

We bring light to the world

In our acts of support and compassion. 

We bring insight to the world 

When we share teachings

About partnership and equality 

That emerge from our tradition. 

We bring love to the world 

When we recognize the intrinsic connections

Within all of creation 

That should lead us to embrace 

Our fellow human beings 

As brothers and sisters. 

Even in times of conflict, 

May we reach out to one another 

Knowing that You, Eternal One, 

Would guide our hands 

As we strive for unity 

And seek to engender abiding hope.    

Sustain the brightness - Daily Minyan reading - March 4, 2024

Facebook Live Daily Minyan Original Reading 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

March 4, 2024

Eternal Spirit of the Universe,

Merciful Creator, 

As we see the light of day dim, 

Sustain the brightness within us 

That inspires us to act with compassion

To extend our hands with generosity

And our hearts with empathy. 

May our intentions and our actions 

Speak well for who we are 

And who we want to be 

As we walk in this challenging world. 

May we all see beyond

the conflicts and misunderstandings

That divide us

So that our shared hopes and prayers for 

Security and peace 

Will unite us 

In common cause. 

Lead us, Source of Wisdom,

To greater love 

To Open hearts 

And to a sense of oneness among us 

That will endure in the days to come.