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Tzedek = Justice Rabbi Akiva (second century CE) taught: “‘Love your neighbor as your self.’ (Leviticus, 19) This is the most important rule in the Torah.” Ben Azzai says: “‘This is the book of chronolo- gies … Human was created in the image of God.’ (Genesis, 5) That is an even greater princi- ple so that one should not say, ‘Because I I¦TON T¦ZIYON have been humiliated, let my friend be humiliated with me, because I have been iuhm¦ iuTg¦ cursed, let my friend be cursed with me’.” The Newsletter of Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 30b Mount Zion Temple October 2012 Tishrei/Cheshvan 5773 Vol. 157, No. 2 We will make a difference. L’DOR VADOR FROM THE RABBI FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION The Rebbe of Mezritch had a room adjoining the bedchamber of his disci- MAZEL TOV TO... ples. Sometimes he would enter with a light in his hand, and look into Our members who will celebrate a milestone their sleeping faces. Once he bent down to the low bench on which a young anniversary in October: Jonathan and Irina Bren- man lay under a threadbare, three-cornered cover. He looked a long time, ner, Howard Simon and Kim Austrian, Aaron and and then thought: Miracle of Miracles, that so great a God lives in so frail Carol Mack, Steve and Gail Brand, Orrin and a dwelling. Janie Kirschbaum. Rabbi Akiva Taught: God showed a great love by creating us in the divine image, and Shelli and Michael Smith on the marriage of their an even greater love by letting us know it. On Yom Kippur we read from the Torah: “Be son Aaron Smith to Anna Claire Bennewitz on holy, for I, Adonai your God am holy.” September 2. Knowing that we are created in the Divine image means letting our individual sparks of holiness shine. And striving to be holy means seeing the sparks shining in others. ZICHRONAM LIVRACHA Of all God’s acts of creation, only humanity was created in the Divine image, and we alone are charged to be holy. Striving to be holy, then, means striving to be human. May their memories be a blessing Kindling sparks of holiness in others means respecting their humanity and enabling it We note with sorrow the passing of our members to shine. Abbey Kuller Recognizing the humanity of humans sounds obvious enough, but robbing others of Our condolences to her family. their humanity is surprisingly easy. It happens when we turn strangers into objects like WE EXTEND CONDOLENCES TO... vending machines or information systems by taking the cup of coffee from the server without a glance or a smile, or venting our anger at “the system” by yelling at the clerk Glenn Hardin (Allyson Perling) on the death of his father, Sam Hardin, on August 22. who hands us the bill. Paul (Lisa) Dorn on the death of his father, Charles It happens when we ignore the needs of our families because we’re just too busy, or tread Anthony "Bud" Dorn on September 17. on a colleague while climbing the ladder of success. It happens when we betray a trust, May God grant peace to all who mourn and steal an idea, or don’t really listen, when we turn others onto objects of our jealousy, or comfort to all who are bereaved. resentment, prejudices or stereotypes. Recognizing the humanity of others becomes even more difficult – and a matter of Tzedek – when the others are truly “other,” folks who in one way or another threaten our own sense of wellbeing: the street person begging on Snelling, the person dying of Mount Zion goes Wireless! cancer, or of Aids; the physically or mentally disabled; even the elderly, who really will be us one day (God willing). We certainly don’t intend to steal away anyone’s humanity — it just happens. But the simple act of paying attention, of remembering that EVERY human being shares a por- tion of divinity, can bring us back to that Holiness for which we are commanded to strive. In the coming year may we all live up to the divinity in us by appreciating the human- ity in us. Wi-fi is available throughout our beautiful facility. Esther Now you can use your electronic devices anywhere in Rabbi Esther Adler the building. Stop by the office or library to get the password! Iton Tziyon Cover: A Year of Tzedek Value of the Month: B’tzelem Elohim – We are all created in the image of God October Calendar Each month this year will feature a different value that is fundamental for creating an authentically Jewish worldview about justice. The first three months will be the most central. These values may be used to complement the personal life stories in an- swering the question: “What drives you to work for a better world?” : 1) Yitziat Mitzraim - We were redeemed from Egypt; we know what it is like to be the stranger. (September) 2) B’tzelem Elohim - We are all created in the image of God. (October) 3) Tikkun Olam - The world was created imperfectly; we partner with God to repair it. (November) All Worship Service times see page 3. Friday, October 26 Full Mount Zion calendar is available at During services we will study the value of the month and after services, we will have www.mzion.org. an opportunity to talk informally during the oneg. 2 MAKE SHABBAT YOUR SANCTUARY Tzedek Testimonial OCTOBER B’tzelem Elohim - We are all created in the image of God FRIDAY SHABBAT SATURDAY SHABBAT By Charlie Nauen EVENING SERVICES MORNING SERVICES Charlie Nauen, a member of Mount Zion’s Board of Directors, has led the Board’s efforts on the “Vote No” campaign on the mar- October 5, 6:30 p.m. October 6, 10:00 a.m. riage amendment. He is active in the wider Jewish com- Shir Tzion Participates Chol HaMoed Sukkot - Ex. 33:12-34:26* munity serving last year as Campaign Chair for the St. Paul Soul Food Friday, 7:30 p.m. (see p.8) Lee Froelich, Bar Mitzvah Federation of Greater St. Paul. Nauen is a well-respected environmental law attorney with Lockridge Grindal Nauen October 13, 10:00 a.m. P.L.L.P. in Minneapolis. He and his wife PJ Pofahl (who October 12, 7:30 p.m. Bereshit - Gen. 5:1-6:8* leads Mount Zion’s tzedek efforts with Neighborhood House) have two Professional Quartet Lukas Levin, Bar Mitzvah daughters in their 20s, Rachel and Hannah. Food for Thought (see p.6) This is a tale of two amendments. Both are on the Minnesota ballot October 19, 7:30 p.m. October 20, 10:00 a.m. in November. One attempts to limit marriage to one between a man Noah - Gen 11:1-11:32* and a woman. The other attempts to require a photo ID to have the Birthday Blessings Bess Swiler, Bat Mitzvah right to vote. Sacred Hebrew Chanting (see p. 5) October 27, 10:00 a.m. But the story for me goes back to growing up in Sioux Falls, South October 26, 7:30 p.m. Lech Lecha – Gen 16:1-17:27* Dakota. You see, my three sisters and I are first generation Ameri- cans— our father left Nazi Germany in 1939 and our mother left Torah Tones Participates Anthony Bogolub, Bar Mitzvah England in 1944. They married in 1949, and we were blessed with a Study of Value of Month: wonderful family life. B’tzelem Elohim My family was welcomed into the community. And our parents paid Schedule Every Shabbat Day it back—they were active in every organization-Jewish and non-Jew- 9:00 a.m. Open Torah Study - Drop in any time to ish—that helped people in need, minorities without resources, and study the week’s Torah portion (listed above). strangers to Sioux Falls. The High Holidays were filled with new- *Using a triennial [3 year] cycle, we are reading the comers to town, friends and family. third third of each parashah this year. Thus, my parents led by example. These “strangers in a strange land” 10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service became the welcoming committee for Temple activities and commu- Daily Service Schedule nity organizations. Everyone was included; no one was turned away. Daily services are held in the Harris Chapel, Monday through Thursday at How does this relate to the two amendments? For the “anti-marriage” 5:45 p.m., Sundays at 9:30 a.m. amendment, I will tell you that the idea of inequality, exclusion, and lack of social justice contradicts the immigrant experience of my October parents. continued on p. 13. Mondays: Rita Grossman, Batya Spector, Shirley Kulevsky Tuesdays: John Mast, Sue Leonard, Stan Leonard Wednesdays: Betsy Rest, Phil Goldman, Berneen Rudolph Thursdays: Patrick Zimmerman, Maria Rubinstein, Steve Leikind, Jane Trosdahl Sundays: Sally Glick, Lindsay Nauen, Rita Grossman, Ray Sevett, Kurt If you have joined Mount Zion during 2011/12, please join us for the New Member Shabbat Dinner and Anne Schaeffer If you would like to participate in Leading or Greeting at our daily services, We’re glad you have become part of the Mount Zion family. Please join call Janet Kampf at (651) 482-9951 or Charles Fodor at (651) 646-6543. our clergy and congregational leaders for Shabbat dinner. We’ll get to know each other, share some great food, and build our community! Friday, October 26 Tot Shabbat 6:00 p.m. Dinner ($10 for adults, $5 for children. Please register on- Tot Shabbat is the second Saturday of every month.