Oct 2019/5780 Vol. 53 No. 1
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The Shalom Vol. 53 No. 1 Oct 2019/5780 Oseh Shalom’s Newsletter Vol. 53 No. 1 Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde Synagogue Administrator Mark Cook Cantor Charlie Bernhardt Religious School Dir. Rabbi Rebecca Gould President Michael Cornell WORDS FROM RABBIS DARIA & JOSH Another year has begun, and with this new year we have opportunities to explore the routines in our lives. Which support the life we want to be living? Which don’t? At Oseh Shalom we have many opportunities for coming together in both formal and informal life affirming gatherings, and even making some of them routine! Following from my Rosh haShana sermon (which is on the website, or will be soon), I wanted to make sure that you know how you might do so through our Oseh community: 1. The Shalom- Read it! It generally comes out every 2 months, AND is on our website under the “About” tab. 2. Weekly email- Even if the subject doesn’t attract you, open it & take a peek. There is a new layout that makes it very easy to see the highlights of what is coming up. Look for it on Thursday afternoons. If you do not get it any particular week, check your spam/junk folders and contact the Oseh office for help. 3. Oseh Shalom FB page- Did you know that we have a general Oseh FB page & a closed members FB page? Go to “Oseh Members” and ask for permission to join! You can use the members FB page to let folks know about fun and interesting things that you are going to so that others can join you. 4. New website w/mobile friendly calendar & “members only” page. (Keep an eye on your email for the password!) Check the “members” area for a) the most recent Oseh directory, and b) a document created from last year’s Shma Koleynu initiative that lists groups of people who share similar interests. Add your name to the groups you want to connect with, or remove it as your interests change. 5. Slack- It’s a mobile and desktop friendly way to easily start conversations about projects (like the various tikkun olam initiatives, havurot, etc), as well as to also let folks know when you’re going to something so others can join you. a. Look for an email inviting you to join our Oseh Shalom Slack page. b. Attend the Oct 27 training on how to use Slack! Bring whatever device you will want to access Slack from, and stay tuned for a weeknight option for the orientation as well. (Check the weekly email!). c. Sign up for all the groups in which you want to participate. d. First Friday Shabbat Supper- Join a delicious potluck meal, or come just to socialize if “potlucks” aren’t your thing, and leave right afterwards if you need. 6. New Chavurot Launch! Join us Nov 16 @ 6:30 pm. Details on our website. At Oseh Shalom we know that gathering together to play, pray, discuss, take action or make space to hear what’s going on for one another can actually help us be healthier. May 5780 be a year of further solidifying positive routines and establishing healthy new ones that bring us together! Shannah tovah u’m’tukah/ Have a good, sweet year! Rabbi Daria & Rabbi Josh The Shalom Vol. 53 No. 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “I Feel A Change Comin’ On” – Bob Dylan As the new Year rapidly approaches, the world is in a strange and unsettled state. Israeli elections have left Netanyahu without a working majority and may be forced out as Prime Minister. His appeal to his base, fundamentalists and more radical right-wing elements has been rejected by the majority of Israeli voters, including a repudiation of the Orthodox Party whose influence over policy may become a thing of the past. Israel, already predominantly secular, may be headed towards a reversal on many of its policies many find untenable. Change is coming for us all. “Don’t Cross the Picket Line” (as sung by Charles Bernhardt) At home in America, we find our country watching the first major union strike against GM in decades. Workers are demanding a fairer share, fed up with corporate greed and worker exploitation. In the US today, the disparity in wages is now at a historical high. (GM struck back by cancelling health coverage for its workers.) “First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out.” - Martin Niemöller Our administration’s hostile policies against refugees, asylum seekers, and people of color are effectively a continuation of our country’s de-facto war on “the other”. The legacy of slavery, religious fundamentalism and intolerance are finally being recognized in the media, by politicians, and the electorate as issues to address. We are collectively becoming “woke”, engaging in difficult conversations, recognizing we do not live in a post-racist or color-blind society. “And a little child shall lead them.” - Isaiah 11:6 On September 20th, led by a 14-year-old girl from Europe, students across the country, in recognition of the existential crisis we face by the results of accelerating climate change, staged a mass walkout and protest, demanding our leaders take action. Greta Thornburg is the spark that lit the fire. Our youth are picking up the torch. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke As Jews, we know all too well the price to be paid when a blind eye is turned from injustice. I submit that while inaction is a choice, action is the imperative. Consider: How are our Jewish values expressed within the Oseh Community, whether through social action, care and support of a bereaved family, sponsorship of a refugee family, teaching our children in religious school, caring for the homeless, not crossing a picket line, attending protests or vigils, and exercising our right and privilege to vote. How do we show up? How do we live Tikkun Olam? “Never ever depend on governments or institutions to solve any major problems. All social change comes from the passion of individuals.” – Margaret Meade The High Holidays is our period of reflection and self-examination. My call to you, is to reflect on where you may have been knowingly or unknowingly complicit through silence or inaction and commit to action in the coming year – big or small – to do the right thing, to act on your values, and make it a good year filled with deed and intention. May it be a year of action, repair, and change! Michael Cornell 2 2 The Shalom Vol. 53 No. 1 Todah Rabah!! Thank you to everyone who did so much to make the Year of Charlie events so successful. As I said at the Double Chai concert, The Psalmist said, “Sing out to God, all the earth.” I’ve spent the last 36 years trying to do my part. Thank you ALL for being part of my joyful noise. I cherish all of you. Let’s keep the song going. B’Shalom, Cantor Charlie OSEH RUACH BAND IS RECRUITING... IN THIS ISSUE Words from the Rabbis ……………...... 1 President’s Message ………….……….. 2 Ruach Band……………………..……. 3 Synagogue Administrator……..………...4 The Oseh Ruach Band is recruiting members who Religious School Notes …….……….… 5 would like to be part of the special instrumental Life Long Learning …………………….6 music we have to accompany some of our Erev Welcome New Members ……………... .7 Shabbat services. The Band has enhanced our appreciation for welcoming Shabbat, as we add Volunteers Needed ………….…..…….. 7 another layer of spirit through expanded New & Prospective Members Brunch..… 8 instrumentation. Torah Repair Project Update ……….…. 8 We are open to any and all instruments, from Chavurah Information …………….….. 9 Accordions to Zithers. Brass, winds, strings, Camp Havaya Appeal ………………….10 percussion -- all are welcome. Some of our music is scored, other times we just use chord/lyric United Jews for Justice ……………...…11 sheets. Sababa High Holy Days Service………..11 Thanks to our resident copyist Diane Wacks, we can Year of Charlie - What a Year! …….….. 12 score for both C and Bb instruments. The Band will Men’s Club Thank You .…………….…13 play for a Friday night about every other month, Contributions to Oseh Shalom ………...14 and we try to have monthly rehearsals at the synagogue. Shabbat Candlelighting Times………….15 Yahrzeits……………………………….16 If you are interested, please contact Cantor Charlie at [email protected]. Happy Birthdays!.. ……………………..17 3 Oseh Shalom Calendar. ………………..18 3 The Shalom Vol. 53 No. 1 FROM MARK COOK SYNAGOGUE ADMINISTRATOR Our Revitalized Atria The Atria, the two triangular gardens flanking the Although best known for installing and entrance to our Sanctuary, have had a complete maintaining food gardens and edible makeover. From a less than attractive space, they landscaping, Josh has over 20 years have been transformed into the vision originally experience in landscaping and was the former proposed thirteen years ago by building architect farm director at the Pearlstone Retreat Center. Travis Price. He accompanied his atria drawing Edible Eden also renovated our Biblical with an explanation of his landscape concept. “… Garden. Rows of varied plants --- each row a different species, a different view, each making their way to This is one of the completed atrium. When you the promised land --- river rock with plants come for the High Holiday services, remember spreading left to right, the sense of endless to stop and enjoy the beauty of this gift expanse….” celebrating the beginning of 5780. Anticipated funding for the project didn’t materialize at that time. However, in July 2019, Oseh Shalom received a generous donation to revive and transform the atria gardens.