A vision of change, light and hope - reflections on PICO NationalLeadership Training - August 3, 2013

      On Tuesday, July 30, we concluded the PICO (People Improving Communities Through Organizing) Network National Leadership Training held at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, California.  The final "official" ending of 6 days together for 130 leaders from around the country was the singing of "This Little Light of Mine."  I had just written in my Temple newsletter article about the braided Havdalah candle (for the ritual to end our observance of Shabbat) representing the intertwining of the collective wisdom and spirit of a community.  Little did I know how much that image would characterize my experience at PICO "NLT."

Leading the Saturday morning
Faith Reflection

    During our time together, we looked deep into ourselves to find our stories that inspire us to work for change in our communities.   I rediscovered some of my own narratives which I had nearly forgotten. On July 14, Rhonda and I had stopped by Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, established to honor the service of American soldiers in World War I.  That was the site of a memorial service for Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, April 7, 1968, a gathering of 1000 people (at least) at which my rabbi, William B. Silverman, spoke along with other community leaders.   I shared that experience as I delivered my "Leader stand" on the last morning of the training, which articulated my own plan to engage more community members in the work of our local affiliate, CAFe (Communities in Action and Faith) of Southern New Mexico.   As I led the Jewish faith reflection on the morning of July 27, I spoke about a certain group of picketers who targeted many people and  institutions in Topeka (including me and Temple Beth Sholom) and I explained how their theology places all people outside their church in exile from God.  That related to the Haftarah/Prophets portion for the week from the book of Jeremiah, in which Zion lamented its separation from the people who had lived there until they were exiled in Babylonia.   That passage opened up an opportunity for sharing among participants about the times in their work when they feel as they are in exile, and when they believe they have glimpsed the "promised land" of incremental progress or a feeling that their work has made a difference. 

      Over the course of these several days, we listened to each other's stories of pain, prejudice, discrimination, challenge, hope and triumph.   Gang violence, heart-rending testimony of difficulties caused by our current immigration laws, homes lost to foreclosure, poverty, profiling, incarceration without rehabilitation, and unresponsive political leadership were at the heart of these discussions among us.  We were building bridges with one another at every turn.  Our conversations transcended any differences in culture, race, faith, orientation and background to the point where the strength of our diversity enriched us and led us to empathy.   Biblical teachings such as "love your neighbor as yourself" and "we are all created in the divine image" came alive every day, every hour, every minute.    We identified where society might have us "reside" in a hierarchy of socioeconomic status, but we broke that down to the point of realizing that we need to listen to our hearts and minds - and the best of our religious teachings - telling us of our intrinsic equality.

Ryan Coogler, director of "Fruitvale Station,"
speaks about his poignant film

      On Friday, July 26, we went as a group to view the new film "Fruitvale Station," in which director Ryan Coogler (who spoke to us on Monday evening ) attempted to put a human face on Oscar Grant III, the victim of a shooting by police at a San Francisco transit station on January 1, 2009.   My initial reaction to the film was that it was real...too real, but it was a story that had to be told.   Coogler's retelling of this tragedy confirmed that we need to change our lens, the way we look at each other, and alter the workings of a society that seems to be more comfortable keeping people "in their place" rather than truly encouraging them to reach the highest potential of their personal growth.    We had a discussion on the film that night, and it was the next morning when I led my faith reflection.  I could have described and taught about aspects of Judaism, but I chose to have my fellow Jewish participants join me in sharing poignant readings from our Reform prayerbook, MISHKAN T'FILAH, while I sang songs that presented a vision of holding on to our dreams, working for peace, and turning to God - and to each other - when we need comfort and uplift.   I know that we, as leaders in our communities, will work not only to bring change but also to offer support and a sense of hope that can still inspire our political leaders to truly hear and respond to people in need with policies that will enable them to create a better life for themselves. 

A spontaneous "partial" group photo on Tuesday, July 30

        On our flight home, I was reading the new book SAYING NO AND LETTING GO, by Rabbi Edwin Goldberg (a fellow rabbi originally from Kansas CIty).   He cited a rabbinic explanation of why God chose Abraham as a covenantal partner.   The rabbis said that Abraham was like a traveler who came to a town and saw a building on fire.  The traveler asked, "Does anyone a care that this building is in flames?"  The owner looked down from an upper floor of the building and said that he needed help extinguishing the fire.  The rabbis suggested that Abraham was like the traveler, wondering  if anyone cared that the world is always burning in injustice.   They said that God (the owner) did care, but that it was human help that would ultimately put out the flames.   It was the traveler, from the street, who was able to be the firefighter that the owner needed to save the building.  

       What I haven't said are the words "faith-based community organizing," which is the foundation of the work of PICO leaders.   Like the traveler in the story, we try to extinguish the fires of injustice that we see in our communities. We join together to help people tell their stories of a need for change, and then work with those officials and legislators who can develop and implement new policies that will improve the lives of people in our communities.  Even more than that, we try to infuse the values of our spiritual heritage into our communities in a way that can extend a helping hand to everyone,  At a recent local meeting in Las Cruces, I referred to our leaders as a "community of prophets."  I would apply that to my fellow participants in PICO National Leadership Training, and to many others who would apply their particular faith teachings for the benefit of an entire community or the family of humanity.   

     "How good and how pleasant it is when people dwell together in unity" - so we read in Psalm 133.  I have faith that lessons I learned in Los Altos will enable me and my colleagues to engender a unity of purpose even across disagreements or differences.   

      One of the readings from MISHKAN T'FILAH that we shared on Sabbath morning epitomizes our human condition and the work of community organizing.

   "We oughtn't pray for what we've never known, and humanity has never known:

   unbroken peace, unmixed blessing.   

    No. 

   Better to pray for pity, for indignation, discontent,

    The will to see and touch,

    The power to do good and make new."   

  I ask others to learn from this, and to realize that, even if we don't reach human perfection, we can still seek common cause to create a better world.   That is the task that lies before us, one that we may not complete, but one we cannot neglect.  

   

Wisdom, Discernment, Consolation, Community - D'var Torah for Va-etchanan 5773 - July 19, 2013

   The Torah portion for this week includes the Shema/V’ahavta paragraph from Deuternomy Chapter 6 and the Ten Commandments in Chapter 5.  It is no wonder that those passages command the greatest attention from this parashah.

   As I read through this portion again this week, I found a section that I have often glossed over.

    Deuteronomy Chapter 4, verses 5 and 6 make a statement about the Israelites that I believe still applies to the Jewish community today.

    Moses said to the people, “See, I have imparted to you laws and rules, as the Eternal my God has commanded me, for you to abide by in the land that you are about to enter and occupy.  Observe them faithfully, for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples, who on hearing of all these laws will say, “Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people.”

   Members of every movement of Judaism have the potential to be wise and discerning.  When we sit with each other and discuss the meaning of a particular text, we strive to be wise and discerning.  When we decide what Jewish practices are meaningful for each of us to follow, we bring to life those words that Moses spoke so long ago. 

   And when it comes to developing positions on the burning issues of the day, Judaism always has wisdom to impart.   We don’t expect American law to codify Jewish teachings. Yet, I have always found that Judaism enriches public discussions about abortion, the death penalty, immigration reform, marriage and divorce, the role of women, and extending a hand to people in need.   Judaism doesn’t teach in sound bites, but in thoughtful consideration of the matter at hand, and in reasoned conversation based on the principle that every person is created in the image of God.  And whatever we discuss and conclude must necessarily lead us to positive action.

   This Shabbat features a Haftarah reading from the book of Isaiah that offers words of comfort following the observance of Tish’ah B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.   Our wise and discerning heritage has always been able to find a message of consolation even in the face of darkness and tragedy.    We gain comfort from healing words of prayer and from the concern of our fellow community members.   We feel consoled knowing that faith and hope can lead us to make tomorrow a better day.   Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav said, “All the world is a narrow bridge. What is most important is not to be afraid.”   It is through mutual support and by walking across that bridge together that we overcome fear and allow our wisdom to guide us to light and goodness, 

    So may we be wise, discerning and caring within ourselves and towards each other so that the trust we develop will move us forward to whatever promised land we seek.  

Beyond hatred - July 14, 2013

In this time before Tish'ah B'Av, the anniversary of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, the teaching that "the Second Temple was destroyed due to Sinat Chinam/baseless hatred" reverberates through history until now. Polarization will not bring progress in the political process or engender positive relationships through which productive compromise can emerge from disagreement. Engaging in dialogue - and listening - is a choice. And it is a choice that will prevent us from drifting so far apart that we will never be able to come back together. We need not give up our values to be able to speak with one another. Let's do our best to converse with respect and without hatred.

A home once ours - July 13, 2013

 A home once new

Husband, wife and son

welcoming another son

Creating memories

First steps

A lively meal table

Family gatherings

Table Tennis

Maintenance and enhancment projects outside and inside

Baseball in the back yard

Football in the front yard

Tag

"No ghost at midnight" 

Frisbee 

Shabbat every Friday night - candles, wine and challah

Mowing the lawn 

Tricycles to Bicycles

Beginning a growing album/CD collection

A downstairs darkroom and workbench

The fans in the hallway, later replaced by central air

Black and white TV and on to color

Watching coverage of political conventions, space missions (even past Apollo 11),

national tragedies (assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK)

Taking in our favorite shows: The Fugitive, The FBI, Batman, a little Star Trek, Twilight Zone, Lost in Space, Howdy Doody, Captain Kangaroo, many cartoons, Mod Squad, Dark Shadows....to name a few...

Preparing for Religious School teaching 

Stuffing envelopes for Hadassah, Sisterhood, and other organizations

Practicing cornet and guitar

One Chevrolet after another

A short walk to the Elementary School behind our house

Discussions about future careers that led to the ordination of two rabbis

A decision to move after 23 years

Love

PS - 

A list from the "first son" mentioned above, (Rabbi) Steve Karol: 

*Getting dressed up for Halloween and taking pictures

*Lighting the Chanukiah and taking pictures

*Climbing the tree in the back yard
*Catching lightning bugs in a jar

*Building snow forts
*Jumping off the swings
*Getting 16 ounce soda pop bottles at the gas station at 89th and Wornall for 10 cents each when gas was 19.9.
*Hitting baseballs on the playground facing Wornall until the covers came off
*Bowling in the basement
*The desks dad made in the basement
*The "playroom"
*Watching Ed Sullivan

*Allan Sherman records
*Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass records
* Wadding up napkins and shooting hoops from the dining room to the waste basket in the kitchen
*Plastic on the living room and dining room carpet marking a path to follow
*Watching TV during dinner--with the TV on the cart--except on Friday night
*Sampling Mom's cake batter
*The meat slicer
*The Recreation Program during the summer at Boone School

Our very own "bistro" - July 12, 2013

Earlier this week, I took our car to a Toyota dealer near where we are staying because the maintenance light (the reminder to take the car in for its periodic service) came on. After I checked in, I was led into the "Bistro" complete with comfortable chairs, large screen televisions, or high chairs/tables (where I sat off to the side), and a family room. The concierge at the food bar directed me to the coffee machine and toasted a bagel for me, all complimentary. I sat at my table where I could go online via wifi to catch up on emails. When my car was done (all was well), the service agent who checked me in came to tell me my car was ready. It was an experience in "complete welcoming." I witnessed the fulfillment of the mitzvah/commandment of "Hachnasat orchim," hospitality, at a Toyota dealer!

       This is experience is one that we do offer guests in our homes.  As the rabbi of a small congregation, it would be great to have a concierge, a coffee/pastry/bagel bar, wifi, and a variety of comfortable seating options.  Yet, we all do our best with whatever we have, creating opportunities for people to be comfortable in the physical space which we provide for them.   When I became Bar Mitzvah, I read the section from the Torah about Abraham, Sarah and their servants welcoming three mysterious guests who had come their way (bringing a special message: that Sarah and Abraham were going to have a child).    So, it is important to create our own "bistro" atmosphere when offering our hospitalty, because we never know who may walk through our door!  

The Power of Ruach - July 7, 2013

We passed by extensive arrays of wind turbines in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma in our travels.  It was impressive to see these human creations working in concert with nature to provide some measure of power to nearby communities.  

     What was also amazing was how the turbines worked together, almost giving the appearance of achoreographed dance.  

     Wind in Hebrew is Ruach, which means spirit.   In every community,  there is always a possibility of drawing power from the Ruach, the spirit, of every person. The resulting communal character is enhanced when all members act in concert with each other, as if in a dance.  That is how we can generate, among and between ourselves, the greatest power of the spirit.  

Thoughts on the Torah portion/parashah Pinchas that emerged during our worship this weekend in light of this week’s Supreme Court Decisions and other legislative developments around the country – June 29, 2013

·     The daughters of Tzelophchad came forward to assert their rights of inheritance after their father died. Given that they had no brothers, they were, at first, denied that right to be their father’s heirs.  They realized that, if they didn’t speak up, no one else was going to advocate for them.  Their plea was called just and they were granted their rights.   Their confident approach serves as a powerful reminder to stand up for what we believe, and to continue taking that stand openly and bravely.  Rights are not gained and/or preserved without vigilance, even when societal sea changes may make it seem that the tide has turned too far to realize one’s goal.  This effort is not only about rights.  It is about being a responsible citizen, which may entail reminding fellow citizens that what you want will not take anything away from them.

·     Moses asked God to appoint a new leader for the Israelites so that the people would not be as “sheep without a shepherd.”  In our Shabbat morning discussion, we suggested that “sheep” might signify those who blindly follow the positions of others, or, it might also refer to people who take their own positions only after weighing various perspectives and viewpoints.  We agreed that the most important aspect of being a “sheep” or a “shepherd” is having the ability to question, to contemplate, to consider, and to gradually develop a personal stance on an issue.   We should express ourselves using our own words, not simply repeating what we heard on the radio or television or read in social media.   

·     Our translation from the Jewish Publication Society (in The Torah: A Modern Commentary Revised Edition from the URJ Press) translated the word TZIVITA, which usually means “command,” as “commission.”   We wondered if this might be related to the role that Joshua, Moses’ successor, would fulfill as a military commander.  We noted that the word also refers to a particular mission of a nation, people or faith group.   What I would hope, after this week, is that we find ways to come together in developing a mission in which many people can share, even when there is disagreement.   Perhaps that mission could include considering all human beings as created in the divine image and allowing laws to bend enough to treat others with dignity and respect.   I would not expect this only of the nine justices serving on the Supreme Court, or state or national senators and representatives.   It is up to each of us.   May we follow such a path with a generosity of spirit and an acknowledgement of the Oneness that ultimately unites us all.