Bridge-builders (for Sarah Milgrim) - May 27, 2025

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

May 27, 2025

(Composed following the funeral for Sarah Milgrim) 

Creator and Sustainer of us all:

Sometimes we are inconsiderate. 

Help us to be generous in our spirit towards others. 

Sometimes we destroy what should be preserved. 

Lead us to pursue and promote restoration. 

Sometimes we sabotage once-strong and positive relationships.

Teach us to be bridge-builders, even across our divisions. 

Sometimes we miss all that we have in common. 

Shine a light on what unites us. 

Sometimes we fail to appreciate 

the past and present kindnesses that we have received. 

When we remember to be thankful, 

Guide us to show our gratitude. 

Sometimes our opinions become so narrow

That there is no possibility for us to be cooperative. 

Renew our openness towards new ideas

And return us to the ways of compromise

As a demonstration of our perseverance and strength. 

As You have given us wisdom in Your love,

May we show our love for You, Eternal One, 

With all of our heart and soul.

Guide us through Difficult Days - Daily Minyan Reading - May 19, 2025

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

May 19, 2025

Creator of the Universe,

Sustainer of the cycles of nature, 

Companion along the path of our lives, 

Guide us through difficult days. 

Celebrate with us in moments of personal achievement. 

Stand by us when the narrow vision of the few 

undermines the well-being of the many. 

Inspire us to rise up when we recognize

An increasing lack of respect for 

The accumulation of knowledge

And the application of wisdom. 

Remind us that revelation can include 

Our ever-growing insight into the workings of creation

And deeper understanding of 

the mysteries and wonders of our very existence.

Open our hearts to discover the meanings

Embodied within our experiences 

As we seek to infuse every moment

With hope, with love, and with peace. 

Bless us all within Your Oneness

As we strive to be one. 

Choosing - May 13, 2025

I believe I am a member of a choosing people, not a chosen people.  My choice is to provide for  all people what my ancestors often did not experience:  acceptance, dignity, equality, and a possible place in whatever circle of salvation might exist.  This is not supremacy, by any means, at least, in my view and my practice.

Invocation - Clay County MO commission meeting - May 15, 2025

Invocation

Clay County, MO Commission meeting 

May 15, 2025

Eternal One, 

Creator and Sustainer of us all, 

Source of wisdom,

Guide us as we consider our role

In fostering positive connections within our community.

Enable us to present our views with clarity

So that understanding will come with ease. 

Guide us to engage in productive discussion

And in effective decision-making 

That will lead to greater cooperation and progress. 

Enlarge our vision 

In a way that will enhance our ability 

to recognize and address the multi-faceted needs of citizens 

Beginning here in this county. 

Keep us mindful 

that we are part of a nation and a world

That beckons us to step forward

To offer help and hope

In times of uncertainty

And celebration 

In moments of shared success and achievement

And we say Amen.

Reflected in our eyes - Daily Minyan Reading - May 12, 2025

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

May 12, 2025

Eternal Presence,

Reflected in our eyes,

Suffusing our souls,

Flowing through all of creation,

Train us to be godly in the way we look at the world,

In our consideration of every creature and creation, 

And in the way we view our fellow human beings. 

Enable us to see that what is on the outside

Of citizens of this planet

conceals the essential equality 

That unites us as one family.

Restore our vision so that we will understand

That the deep connections that bind us together

Are the part of You that resides within us.

Remind us that our lives are a tribute to You,

And a testimony to Your Oneness 

That we must never deny or forget.  

And so, we declare You One, once again, .

In hope and in love.

To my senator - May 2, 2025

My note sent this morning (5/2/2025) - hopefully not words cast to the wind:   

Dear Senator Marshall, 

     I served as Rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom in Topeka in 1984-2006, and served as Kansas Holocaust Commission chair in 1995-2006.  My wife and I moved back to Kansas in 2021 after I served other congregations and retired.

     I am concerned about an apparent stance on your part regarding the Antisemitism Awareness bill, in that you support an exception that refrains from identifying as antisemitism the charge that Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.  

     Perhaps you are not aware of the centuries-long history of attacks on Jewish communities, often during Holy Week, because people were stirred up by sermons by clergy on the passion narrative in the New Testament that highlighted the deicide accusation.   

     Perhaps you are not aware that it is possible to read the New Testament passages differently than literally presented, such as:

1) the “crowd” that was gathered may not have been several hundred, but as few as 15, making it hardly representative of the contemporary population. 

2) Pontius Pilate was known in historical memory as a ruthless ruler, not benevolent, but language portraying him in a negative light may have disappeared before the canonization of the New Testament. 

3) The words “his blood be upon us and upon our children” in Matthew 27 likely do not reflect how Jews of the First Century under Roman rule  would talk about a fellow Jew.   I might add that those words were dropped in the subtitles for the film, “The Passion of the Christ,” but that phrase remained in the Aramaic dialogue. 

    All of this means that a conversation with you is not only warranted, but necessary, as your Jewish constituents are concerned that you would enable Kansans and citizens of other states to, once again, engage in unwarranted name-calling of Jews based on an accusation that has caused much grief.   Rather than combating antisemitism, your position might enable it in ways you do not expect.  

Rabbi Lawrence Karol 

Overland Park, KS

Fashioner of Worlds - Daily Minyan Reading - May 5, 2025

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

May 5, 2025

Soul of the Universe, 

Fashioner of worlds,

Designer of building blocks of our very lives, 

Sustainer of our well-being, 

As we observe the wonders around us, 

Inspire us to act in ways
That will preserve the earth 

Maintain lakes, seas, rivers and oceans 

in a pristine state

Protect the cleanliness of the air we breathe

Safeguard habitats for animals

And improve the human condition 

For people throughout the world 

So that everyone will have food, shelter

And security. 

Teach us that there is an inherent equality 

That runs through all that You have made

So that we will see You wherever we look 

And know that it is our responsibility 

To act as if we are Your assistants, Your stewards

Making our planet a place that offers us all

Abundance, hope and peace.