I am like a young Israelite - July 21, 2020

I am like a young Israelite

standing with my family and community

Waiting to cross the sea

As Pharaoh and his soldiers

Continue their fast approach 

To steal our freedom

Or to take our lives 

For what they would see as

A brazen escape from slavery. 

And there are voices among us

Telling us to surrender

To bargain and barter

To go back to that place

Where generations had been worked so hard

That they could not even enjoy

Quiet moments with family at the end of the day. 

Those voices believe 

That our normal should be

The work

The oppression

The deference we had to show

The submission to a people 

Who believed their objects of worship

Were more powerful than ours.

But we know that we can’t go back. 

The voices among us 

Disparaging our liberty

Declaring loyalty to past comfort

Cannot see that we might find security and safety

By creating a new context for our lives

By shifting our paradigm 

From obeisance to a human authority

To trust in a higher authority 

That inspires us to gain new wisdom and knowledge

And develop our own ingenuity 

On how to live

On how to survive

On how to thrive.

And now, that higher authority 

Calls on us to use our knowledge and skills

To lead us to a new place 

Where a silent predator 

Will not be able to touch us 

But we must listen to the voices 

That will take us forward

And not backward, 

where we might still face

Threats to ourselves and our lives.  

So may we step into the sea

So that the waters will part

When we are ready

When the wise among us know

That we will be able to stand safely 

with one another 

Unmasked, unfettered

And we will walk across the dry land

Together.

244 - A Prayer for United States of America

Eternal One, 

Protector of the persecuted

Creator of our intrinsic equality, 

Heal our wounds. 

Bridge our divisions. 

Implant insight in our minds.  

Uncover the brutal truths of our histories, 

The actual motivations concealed 

With the intention to revise the stories of the past, 

Turning victims into perpetrators

And perpetrators into individuals who could claim

Grievance without real cause. 

O Shield, who guards and enables 

our continued existence

As a nation, 

Guide us to begin with foundational realizations

Of the need for fairness and equity

Within a nation in its youth, 

But foster in us added enlightenment 

Beyond the vision of those early leaders

That will, finally, lead us forward, now

To the equality, in Your eyes, O God, 

Of every human being, 

One to another, 

No matter where he or she was born, 

No matter what occupation or career in which he or she engages, 

No matter the outward color of his or her skin

No matter how he or she expresses his or her faith and beliefs,

As we acknowledge the richness and significance

of the various cultures 

That comprise our collective tapestry.  

Eternal God,

Protector of our very souls, 

Creator of the essence of our spirits 

Which connects us in ways we cannot begin to imagine, 

Heal our wounds. 

Bridge our divisions

As we celebrate another year around the sun. 

Thoughts on Retirement, Leadership and Service - Column for Las Cruces Bulletin on July 3, 2020

At this writing, I am approaching my final week as rabbi of Temple Beth-El of Las Cruces, moving into the title of Rabbi Emeritus on July 1, 2020. 

     June 6, 2020 marked the 39th anniversary of my ordination as a rabbi by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

     I served as a student rabbi at a congregation in Illinois every other weekend for three years, as well as working at the congregation where I grew up (in Kanas City) as a rabbinic intern for three summers.   All of that training, plus my classes at rabbinic school, offered opportunities to accumulate the knowledge and to develop the skills I would need as a congregational rabbi. 

     The operative words on my ordination certificate indicated that I would teach, “YOREH,” and decide or judge, “YADIN.” 

     After 39 years, I can say that I have done both in ways that I did not expect or imagine. 

     Most any clergy person has the responsibility to guide his or her congregants in the teachings of the particular faith group and denomination/branch which he or she represents.   

      That can involve modeling practices that enliven holiday and life celebrations and developing supportive acts that assist people in need in the greater community.  

       Spiritual leaders may feel compelled to interpret the values of his or her tradition regarding how to approach issues of the day.  Current questions might include:  how do we best apply the principles of our tradition to combat racism, to end discrimination, and to promote acceptance of all individuals as children of God who were created in the divine image?   And, how can we safely re-open our houses of worship? 

     In religious congregations, leadership includes striking a balance between the spoken word and music during worship.  It requires sustained efforts to nurture a productive partnership between clergy and lay leaders.   It is about being warm and welcoming to newcomers and long-time members alike.  

     When conflicts arise, leadership involves both “teaching” and “deciding.” First, it is important to outline a range of faith perspectives on the issue at hand.   In some cases, a final decision might come from the clergy person.  In others, it is a board vote, after hearing the views of lay leaders and clergy together, that provides a final determination.  

     A few years ago, I was waiting to make a turn onto a major street in Las Cruces.  Before the light changed, I noticed a bumper sticker on the car in front of me that taught an important lessons about leadership: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”     

     I later learned that the quote was attributed to guitarist/singer/songwriter Jimi Hendrix.  

      That statement teaches that leadership is not just about the power and authority that comes with holding a certain position.  It directs leaders to take responsibility for their actions and to make decisions based on love, concern and respect for the people whom they serve.  

      And, of course, it is possible to lead without holding an official position or title. 

     So may we find ways, in our daily lives, to set an example, to teach, and to choose the right course of action, always based on the timeless values of goodness, consideration, compassion and love.