A Psalm of Now: For the New Musicians - January 26, 2025 - For the Jewish Songwriting Cooperative Winter Retreat, January 2025

For the Jewish Songwriting Cooperative Winter Retreat, January 2025

A PSALM OF NOW - FOR THE NEW MUSICIANS

By Larry Karol 

January 26, 2025

Source of inspiration, 

Sweet singer of the Universe, 

Composer of ongoing creation, 

Be with us as we craft words and melody

Turning them into songs

Intended to engender

Comfort

Healing 

Connection

Respect 

Empathy and

Decency. 

Accompany our minds and hearts

As we lead and teach,

Discovering sparks of holiness,

Seeds of blessing,

And threads of hope and love.

Hold us together as a community

That brings to life the wisdom of our ancestors, 

The insights of our peers

And the precious gleam in the eyes of 

Students, Children and grandchildren.

May our mutual devotion, Eternal One,

Never depart from us.

Lights within us - Daily Minyan Reading - January 27, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

January 27, 2025

Soul of the Universe, 

Holy Creator, 

As night descends, 

Turn our eyes, minds and hearts 

To the lights within us

Which reveal within us

Our potential to act

From a foundation of

Kindness

Empathy 

Gratitude

Inclusion

Hospitality

Compassion

Self-confidence

Generosity of spirit

Cooperation

Wisdom

Insight 

And
Love. 

Connect us, one to another, 

So that peace and well-being will be within our reach

As we are blessed by your Eternal Oneness. 

Reflections from a stormy week - January 20-24, 2025

January 20, 2025

The crisis and decline is not ending. 

It is only beginning. 

Don’t listen to the leader speaking from a text. 

That mode is intended as “polish,” but some of that went out of the arena of facts. 

Listen to the rambling and ranting. 

That is his truth.

Sadly.

There is a group marching in DC today. 

They stood back and stood by, as directed a certain leader in 2020. 

Now comes their renewal under this leader, who seems to love them. 

I have seen this movie before. 

I didn’t like it then. 

I don’t like it now. 

Strap in, folks.  

But I will say this. 

YOU have NO POWER over ME

Because I am still FREE.

Day 1 lesson- in his mind, this is how the law should work: “It was okay to break the law if you did it to support me, so, of course, I will pardon you.” Because it is a way of pardoning himself.

January 21, 2025

Why are Republicans in Congress who worked so hard to portray January 6 as a “tourist visit” and to blame Pelosi or say it was “antifa” so surprised at these pardons? , They laid the foundation to rehabilitation of the perpetrators, from those who were attacking law enforcement at the Capitol to the one calling the main shots from the White House who keeps calling people to “fight,” and who sees the folks who carry Confederate flags, spout neo-Nazi propaganda and show a willingness to commit violence on his behalf as his allies.   Republicans cannot gave the actual history of January 6, 2021 except by rewriting it.  Remember, Republican Attorney General Bill Barr said that the 2020 election was among the most fair and accurate.  So, you who are so surprised, look at yourselves for the answer.

January 21, 2025 - the day MAGA laughed at the suggestion to show mercy and tried to call for compassion’s deportation from our country.   This is not just an insurrection against the United States.  It is an insurrection against human decency.

January 22, 2025

I just read the booklet for the service at the Washington National Cathedral yesterday.   Looks to me like the WHOLE SERVICE, with litanies and biblical readings, must have made the President and Vice-President VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.  

Mercy makes them uncomfortable. 

Compassion makes them uncomfortable.

Kindness to people in need makes them uncomfortable. 

Calls to help the poor make them uncomfortable. 

Biblical exhortations to befriend the stranger make them uncomfortable. 

Orders and actions of the last 48 hours emanating from this administration were xenophobic, cruel, unjust, encouraging and supportive of insurrection and violence, and inhospitable.   

Yes, they did belong there, but no, the messages of the service readings did not and will not seep into their hearts and minds, nor into the hearts and minds of their supporters. 

Prayers for all of us to endure these uncomfortable leaders.  

January 23, 2025

Okay, occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,

So…you asked for an apology from a bishop and a church after you attended a dazzling and wide-ranging interfaith service at the Washington National Cathedral, like many in which I have participated, a service which you called not too exciting?

Do you want an apology when I don’t accept many things you say as truth, when they stand as debunked, exaggerated claims, and statements conjured up for the moment with no supporting evidence?

Do you want an apology for when I state that refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers are coming here for a better life, not to undermine our country, and that we should welcome them?

Do you want an apology when I, as the son of a long time federal employee, say that your refusal to retain career government employees whose work has transcended the party of the administration, is unnecessary?

Do you want an apology when I say that I accept my upstairs neighbor who flies a Trump flag instead of an American flag? 

Do you want an apology for my acceptance of persons in the LGBTQ+ community? 

Do you want an apology for my belief that diversity is a strength and that it enriches our country and our world? 

I could go on and on.  And I will in the days to come. 

Without 

Apology.

January 24, 2025

With the suspension of reports from health organizations and conferences on medical research due to executive orders, I am wondering if the man who thinks he is chosen by God believes he can decree that bird flu won’t get worse.

Light rises in darkness - Daily Minyan reading - January 21, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

January 21, 2025

Creator of the Universe,

Our Guide along our uncertain paths, 

Keep our vision focused

Maintain our steps forward to be sure and steady. 

There are days when the words of the prophet Isaiah from Chapter 59

Echo in our minds: 

“We hope for light, and lo! there is darkness; 

For a gleam, and we must walk in gloom.”

And there are other times when the words of 

Psalm 112 strongly resonate: 

“Light rises in the darkness for the upright; 

gracious, merciful and just.” 

May the wisdom of our ancestors 

that has come down to us

Lead us to to be upright: 

To act with a generosity of spirit

To extend compassion towards all people

And to promote fairness and justice

In ways that reflect the Oneness 

That emanates from You

And encompasses us all 

If only we open our minds and hearts. 

Be with us now

And in the days to come

as a beacon of brilliance and hope.

Where do we want to go? - Daily Minyan Reading - January 14, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

January 14, 2025

Eternal One, 

Who shines Your enduring brilliance upon us

And within us, 

As we end these daylight hours 

With a sense of accomplishment, 

May evening and nighttime provide us

With time for contemplation. 

We ask, “Where have we been?”
“Where do we want to go?” 

“Have we done enough for our community?”

“Have we given ourselves a chance for personal growth?” 

“Have we embraced the wisdom of our heritage?” 

“Have we allowed treasured teachings to find expression

In our words and our actions?” 

Be our companion when a new day begins,

Inspiring us to be sources of insight 

And beacons of hope 

As we strive to preserve the world around us. 

Strengthen us to combat the hatreds 

That cause darkness to descend upon us, 

And to spread the love that will bring light 

To every soul. 

May our ongoing pursuit to live within Your Oneness 

Lead us all to become one.  

Inspire us to serve - Daily Minyan Reading - January 7, 2025

In tribute to the memories/legacies of President Jimmy Carter and Peter Yarrow.  

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

January 7, 2025

Creator of the Universe,

Constant companion along our life’s journey,

Inspire us to serve others 

Based on teachings passed down to us

That were treasured by our ancestors 

So that we will 

Love our neighbors as ourselves

Recognize Your light and Your image in every human being

Understand that we can be bearers of holiness 

Model humility and respect for our .children, students, and peers

Extend our hands to help the stranger and people in need

Pursue truth and justice

Make peace where there is no peace

Offer insight to those who require guidance and direction 

And engender a feeling of hope, even at times

When confidence and optimism elude us. 

May our actions build a legacy 

That will shine down through the generations 

And further the sense of Your Oneness 

Which envelops all people and our world 

In a loving embrace. 

Eight Nights - Facebook Posts for Chanukah 5785 - December 25, 2024 through January 1, 2025

And so the light to dispel the darkness begins to emerge.  Happy First Night of Chanukah!

Second night 5785 - the light of insight can guide us to recognize true tyranny and to hold leaders accountable when they believe they are beyond reproach, and to bravely stand up to them.

Happy Third Night of Chanukah!   When we gather together as a community (pictured here at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah), three plus the helper on many Chanukiot demonstrates that our coordinated celebration increases our light as we take our stand for the continuation of our heritage, for bravery and for holiness.

What was it like for Jews over the centuries to light Chanukiot in their homes?  When they put the lights in a place visible to passersby, did people gaze as did those who did the kindling?   What did they see in the lights?  Was it freedom from fear of oppression by their rulers or neighbors?  Was it hope for continued freedom when they lived in hospitable societies?   Or was it, simply, joy for being able to observe this annual ritual for yet another year?  My ancestors in shtetls in Lithuania and Poland, and their ancestors, would have an answer.  Or maybe, we are their answer, as well as our next generations, because we are here, living, at this moment, in a land of liberty, resolved to preserve the opportunities we have to practice Judaism.   I know that we would make them proud.   Happy Fourth Night of Chanukah 5785!.

“Counting up” is one of the most important lessons of Chanukah.  The School of Shammai suggested kindling 8 lights on the first night, seven on the second night, until there is only one on the eighth night.  The School of Hillel taught that we should begin with one light on the first night and add a light each night, until we reach eight on the last night, because we increase in matters of holiness.  And we follow the school of Hillel. 

   And so we continue our luminary optimism until this day, hoping to spread our hope to others.

     Happy Fifth night of Chanukah 5785!

Happy Sixth Night of Chanukah! 

In homes and communal spaces, the light burns brightly and illuminates the darkness.  The decency, respect and responsibility that we learn and teach at home can find its way into the world through our ongoing commitment and action.  (Photos from our home and from the Nemitoff Small Prayer Space at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah)

Happy Seventh Night of Chanukah 5785!

What if the Maccabean brothers had decided not to follow the lead of their father, Matthathias the priest? 

What if the people had not joined them in the fight? 

What if they had decided that Greek culture was ultimately better than what Judaism of their time had to offer?

What if the Maccabean/Hasmonean rulers had taken a different approach to their reign, applying principles that led to greater benevolence? 

What if the the Hasmonean dynasty had lasted longer than its end in 63 BCE, when the Romans took over?

What if the rabbis had not reinterpreted the story of Chanukah, the rededication of the Temple, as a story of a miracle of light?

What if the ongoing observance of Chanukah in 2000 years-worth of generations is actually the miracle of light?

We never know how one decision, one action, might affect the future.  May we be wise as we step into a new secular year and continue our Jewish year with a sense of confidence and hope.

Happy Eighth Night of Chanukah 5785!  And happy secular New Year 2025!  

  I waited until tonight to take reflection photos in our living room window and patio door.  What did I see in the reflection of the lights and in the lights themselves? 

Brilliance

Beauty

Diversity 

Unity 

Joy

Persistence

Dedication 

Renewal. 

This year, the shamash, the helper candle, needs to represent, in my mind, generosity of spirit.   The rabbis taught that the lights of the Chanukiot should be visible in the courtyards outside the homes of those who kindle the flames each night.   This year, may we be like “shamashim” who bring our values into the world, even when our society may have other principles in mind on which to base policies and decisions.    When these lights go out, the desire to make a difference in the world will linger until next Chanukah.   May the Eternal One continue to bless the good work of our hands.

These holy lights - Daily Minyan Reading-December 30, 2024

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

December 30, 2024

Sixth Night of Chanukah 

Creator of the Universe, 

Author of Freedom, 

These holy lights 

Inspire us to sustain 

The spirit of our ancestors 

And the love of our heritage. 

What miracles remain 

For us to fashion for ourselves

With Your hand guiding us? 

Preserving equality

Welcoming strangers

Providing shelter for people in need

Feeding the hungry among us, near and far

Generating healing of body and soul through care and expertise

Making peace possible through changing hearts and minds

Fostering unity of purpose when division seems inevitable 

And maintaining our sense of wonder and amazement

When we witness a sunrise or gaze at a sunset, 

When we turn our eyes to the sky to marvel at the moon and stars, 

And when we see new possibilities within the flames 

On our Chanukiah.

Blessed are You, Eternal One, who is present with us

As we kindle these lights.