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Shefa's Rabbi Blog List
Thursday, September 12, 2013
from the Rabbinical Assembly: Holiday Resources, Anniversary of 9/11
Monday, September 9, 2013
A Prayer on the 40th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War
© Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Dear God,
Forty years ago, on this Day of Awe,
2,569 of our children raced in every direction
to protect their families, our family, our home.
We and these children, alike in form and size,
had mistakenly believed we had emerged, finally,
from the shadow of collective pain,
finally strong enough to refill our cisterns,
forgiven by You for all the sins of all people for all time.
We, ancient and young, were as dreamers,
alike in dreams and frailty,
thinking we had finally emerged
pure from the fire.
We were wrong, Adonai.
And our children died.
2,569 of our precious children died.
It is these fallen children, Dear God,
we remember today,
bitter tears flowing down our faces.
It is their ineffable names we today prolong,
stretching their sacrifice
to reach Your Heart and our own.
Years turn history into story:
We misremember children in toy tanks
on the Suez and in the Golan, facing hordes.
Grasshoppers against ferocious giants.
But our dead children's blood,
sprinkled on an earthly altar,
demand more than this.
Their blood screams questions from that earth,
amplified through years of ongoing
from without and from within.
What do our fallen children teach us?
When will we ever learn?
History and pain filled our souls
and so we were caught off-guard,
ignoring timid offers of peace.
Recent victory and arrogance filled our hearts
and so we were caught off-guard,
ignoring signs of war.
Forty year later,
our family is still unsure.
Our home is still vulnerable.
We are Your children,
and you are our Parent,
and we need You.
Please.
History has made us afraid,
even as we now struggle with the burden of power.
We are still too full of mistrust
for each other and for every Other.
Help us remember that true strength is restraint.
Help us learn, Adonai.
Help us to not miss offers of peace
as we remain ever-vigilant for signs of war.
Help us channel our People's all-too evident mortality
into life-affirming decisions
May the One who brings Peace in the Heavens help us make Peace on Earth.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Shana Tova! All your latest news from MasortiUK
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Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Craig Taubman Takes on Wilshire Blvd. Temple Critics
A front page New York Times story on the campaign led by Rabbi Steve Leder to restore the grand synagogue in L.A.'s Koreatown neighborhood and turn its adjacent property into a community social service center promped Rabbi Charlie Savenor, director of congregational enrichment at the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, to post a criticism on his Facebook page.
"Intriguing article about a synagogue facelift," Savenor wrote. "While I respect their leadership's conviction and sense of purpose, $150 million can buy a lot of Shabbat dinners and hire an army of engagement/outreach professionals. What do you think?"
Dozens of Rabbi Savenor's Facebook friends weighed in, most of them equally critical of the project.
That prompted Craig Taubman, the Los Angeles activist and musician, to send an e-mail to rabbis and other Jewish professionals taking issue with the critics. Taubman, who requested his message be quoted in full, wrote:
From where I sit in sunny California - reading the critiques of Rabbi Steve Leder’s $150 million project…I read "envy".Taubman's wasn't the first defense of the grand vision behind the rennovation (see this Jewish Journal column here), but it is definitely, judging by the numbers on Facebook, in the minority.
From where I sit, I see a visionary man leading his flock, raising millions and inspiring a community to create a center of healing, hope and promise in the heart of Los Angeles.
From where I sit, I question how people can question whether the money can be used more wisely?
Some other thoughts:
1. It's his vision and charisma that has motivated his people to pony up. He’s banking on the future and I say Kol Hakavod - all honor to him and his generous trusting flock!
2. The USCJ by it's own admission “according to a financial audit obtained by JTA, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism reported back-to-back losses of $3 million in 2012 and $2.7 million the previous year” Assuming this information is accurate, the USCJ just might be bankrupt possibly before Wilshire Blvd completes it’s historic build out.
3. If I were an investor in the futures market, I’d bank on Rabbi Leder before the USCJ. He has a vision of the future and based on his portfolio it seems likely he will be in business for at least another 100 years (Since its founding in 1862 when Abraham Lincoln was President)
4. From where I still sit in sunny California, while I know the convention planner are working like dogs with nothing but the best intentions, I question the value of the USCJ hosting yet another “conversation of the century" Franky I think it's time we (us, you, me) take action and make gutsy "movement" that informs the future rather then yet another talk about the future.
Why? Because long after the newspaper articles and Facebook critiques have been written and read. Weeks, months and years after the "conversation of the century" has taken place, Rabbi Leder will have created a model and a foundation that will speak far more loudly than our words. He will have laid the foundation for his truth based in the conviction of his actions. A truth that reflects his spirit of hope, and his faith in the potential that we all have reverberate today, tomorrow and perhaps even into yet another glorious century.
Talk is cheap. Ought we not walk the walk?
Craig Taubman
(In sunny California)
To quote Rabbi Savenor: What do you think?
The Jewish Journal believes that great community depends on great conversation. So, jewishjournal.com provides a forum for insightful voices across the political and religious spectrum. Most bloggers are not employees of The Jewish Journal, and their opinions are their own. Our entire blog policy is here. Please alert us to any violations of our policy by clicking here. (editor@jewishjournal.com). If you'd like to join our blogging community, email us. (webmaster@jewishjournal.com).
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Multi-Generational Families on Staff at Ramah Camps 2013
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Tal Becker of the Shalom Hartman Institute: "Israel and the Constancy of Change"
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Tal Becker says that Judaism tells us that change is coming, the only question is whether we will be a part of it. 
Monday, August 5, 2013
It's that time of the year when Craig n' Company offers you free Inspiration for the hoy days without the Guilt!
