What gifts can we offer? - Daily minyan reading - June 26, 2023

Original reading 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Facebook Live Daily Minyan

June 26, 2023

Eternal Presence 

Who makes the days pass, one by one, 

Source of light in our lives, 

How do we balance the dark times we may face 

With the brightness of our souls? 

What gifts can we offer 

That will lead to positivity and optimism? 

There is kindness that will spread warmth

From one person to another. 

There is understanding that will enable us

To discern the needs of our fellow human beings.

There is wisdom that will serve as the foundation

For our choices and actions. 

There is persistence that will direct us 

To remain committed to deeply-held values. 

There is dedication to principles of justice and mercy

That will maintain morality in our world. 

There is love that connects us to all existence 

That will sustain our potential for unity,

So that we may 

Become one 

within the Oneness 

That pervades the vast universe 

In which we live.   

To My Ancestors - June 24, 2023

Praise to the One and the ones

Who guided Your steps 

Who helped you to forge your path

That led you to this place. 

As I sit just miles from where you settled 

In this new world, 

I marvel at how you made such a drastic change

In your lives and lifestyle. 

I had no chance to ask you

Why you left the land of your birthplace

Your ancestral home 

To put down roots in the American midwest. 

I now know that the bonds that had held siblings together

Were broken by time and by distance,

Leaving it to us in the present, 

To search, 

To inquire, 

And to intensely study 

Photos, records, documents, and even letters

To try to piece together 

Your story.   

We don’t always get it exactly right. 

What I have learned is that

Immigration 

Naturalization 

And even “Alien Registration” 

All figure into the sweep of your tale

And my heritage. 

I will continue to hope for more information

Knowledge

And facts

To come to light

Because it is through learning about

Where you began

How you reestablished a home 

So far from your point of origin 

And why you undertook such a journey

That, I believe, 

I and the generations to come 

will find greater meaning 

In our past, present and future. 

 

Glimmers of Hope - Daily Minyan Reading - June 20, 2023

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

Original Reading

June 20, 2023

Creator of the universe,

Loving companion every day and night,

Open our eyes to find light amid darkness, 

To discover, in the clouded corners of our lives, 

Glimmers of hope,

Inspiration for action, 

Reservoirs of strength, 

Refuge from despair, 

Renewal of perspective, 

Rededication to our chosen mission, 

And reaffirmation for our own sense of purpose. 

May Your brightness shine into our hearts,

And may we feel Your presence

Encompassing us throughout the world 

To bring wholeness,

To reveal new levels of insight,

And to engender peace 

Within the oneness that begins with You.

To fashion a circle of unity - Daily Minyan reading - June 15, 2023

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

Original Reading 

June 15, 2023

Eternal One, 

Creator of the Universe, 

With planets, stars, and galaxies 

Moving in their appropriate paths, 

Open our eyes to see the light 

That shines upon this world. 

Open our hearts to feel the glow

Of connection with our fellow travelers 

On the earth. 

Open our minds to fathom 

The brilliance of the many forms 

of wisdom and insight

That have emanated from our ancestors

And that continue to grow 

Inside of us and alongside of us

 in our communities and nations. 

Be with us at sunset

So that we can contemplate the gifts 

of the new day to come. 

Be with us at sunrise

So that we will act in ways 

that will bring promise

To our future. 

Open our hands to give to others 

And to join with our brothers and sisters 

To fashion a circle of unity 

Which will bear the mark of Your Oneness

That will continue to pervade our very existence.

On 42 years as a rabbi - Daily Minyan Reading for June 5, 2023

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

Original Reading 

June 5, 2023

On 42 years in the rabbinate

Author of our beginnings, 

Fellow Traveler along our path of discovery, 

We are enlightened in our lives by

Caring parents, 

Loving partners,

Wise children,

Trusted friends,

Inspiring teachers, 

Insightful mentors,

Supportive colleagues,

Inquisitive students, 

Enthusiastic congregations, 

Welcoming communities, 

And visionary leaders. 

May we emulate all of them 

As we bring the light of Torah 

And the gift of peace 

To this world 

Each day

As the sun sets

And as the new day begins.

May our companionship within humanity

Always reflect the warmth of Your Oneness 

And Your constant and unfailing presence

Within us 

And by our side.