S Emanu-El F CHRONICLE VOLUME CLXXXIV, NO. 36 | MARCH 2021 17 ADAR – 18 NISAN 5781 LARGE SUNBURST VERSION nu-El Tau a be Em r SPARK Resiliency Series Tauber SPARK Racial Justice PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 7 SHALOM RAV FROM OUR RABBI By Richard and Rhoda Goldman Senior Rabbi Jonathan Singer Ma nishtanah halaila hazeh they couldn’t just break out and return to life as it existed mikol haleilot? “Why is this before slavery, but rather they had to dwell b’midbar — night different from all other “in the wilderness” — for a period in order to adjust to nights?” is the first of the their new life situation. While doing so, they subsisted four questions we will ask as on lechem oni — “bread of affliction,” what we now call we sit at our Passover seders matzah — as they gradually made their way toward the this month. Well, after having Promised Land. lived through a pandemic While I pray that our post-vaccination “wilderness” won’t over the past year, we might last for years, I think we’re going to be in an in-between reply that “while everything place for a while; we’ll have to learn how to re-enter and is different, nothing has re-experience the larger world in a safe and sane way, one changed.” step at a time, continuing to wear masks, still distancing Richard and Rhoda Goldman Nothing has changed as Senior Rabbi Jonathan Singer from each other, starting to gather in small groups. we prepare for a second Perhaps this year, the matzah we eat during Passover Passover under quarantine. Yes, our Zoom skills may have can represent that process of transition. We will taste improved, but the need to remain isolated until more the simple joys in life, that which can sustain us, as we people are vaccinated means that we’re in the same place continue to move toward the beautiful complexity of life as we were last year. Like our ancestors near the border that we previously took for granted. of the Nile, we are stuck in our homes awaiting a future redemption. Remember that the seder celebrates the beginning of our ancestors’ redemption from Egypt; it does not celebrate At the same time, everything is different because we their having reached the Promised Land. On Passover, we understand that redemption is nigh as the vaccine is celebrate our people’s willingness to hold onto our sense being distributed. With the onset of spring this year, we of self during difficult times and make our way forward, can realistically begin to make plans for going forward inspired by faith in the holiness we call God. The end of the — as soon as we are released from the “Egypt” of this Haggadah imagines an even greater redemption with the pandemic. Some of you have already received your first exclamation: “Next year in Jerusalem!” vaccination or even both shots. Others are still waiting. But don’t get carried away, as we learn at Passover that Perhaps next year, we will be in that place of renewed freedom unfolds over time, not all at once. Our ancestors freedom, having crossed over the wilderness of our current journeyed forth in stages, just as we must do now. reality. For now, let us celebrate our fortitude, our ongoing sense of hope, and our determination to reach a better Like many of you, I had hoped that once we were all place by living our values and patiently moving forward to vaccinated, we’d be free to go out into the world again, to true freedom, not in a rush, but methodically and smartly, simply return to life as it was. But we must remember that one step at a time, helping each other along the way. it took our ancestors awhile after leaving Egypt to be able to taste the true joy of freedom. The Torah teaches us that Hag Pesach Sameach — Happy Passover! COVID and Clergy Support If you or your loved ones have tested positive for COVID-19 — whether asymptomatic and in quarantine, experiencing symptoms, or in the recovery process — we want you to know that we are here for you. Some of our congregants have already shared their own COVID stories with us and it’s important to not feel any stigma if you have been affected by this terrible virus. If you would like a member of our clergy to reach out to you in support, please do not hesitate to email Ariana Estoque at [email protected]. We pray for healing for all who are struggling and we want you to know you are not alone. 2 AUGUSTMARCH 2021 2020 Resiliency Series Join us for the final four classes in this series! MARCH 10: “Caring for Sick or Aging Relatives” Led by Wednesdays, March 3, 10, 17 and 24, 7:00 – 8:30 pm Julie Mayer, Emanu-El Pastoral Care Provider; co-facilitated Cost: Free for members; $10 per class for non-members by Dr. Patrick Arbore (Institute on Aging), Gwen Harris Our Resiliency Series wraps up in March (JFCS) and Stella Lazo (Family Caregiver Alliance for the final four virtual sessions. Led This program will address a range of topics specific to by clergy and expert facilitators, we caregiving during the pandemic, including long-distance are exploring Jewish texts and history care, up-to-date local resources, and how to best support that illuminate the topic of resilience seniors who remain in their homes at this time. There will be as we deepen sacred and communal opportunities for questions, and participants will leave the connections and spark our own light program with resources to help bolster their own unique during this dark season of the COVID situations. pandemic. MARCH 17: “Confronting Uncertainty” You can create your own path; join for one session or for Led by Rabbi Jason Rodich. many. You’re welcome to enjoy your dinner or a snack Rabbi Rodich will reflect on the ever-shifting emotional while participating in the class. Register for the series at terrain of our pandemic reality. He will provide resources emanuelsf.org/resiliency. for coming to terms with uncertainty in these times. Program Dates & Information MARCH 24: “Creating a Roadmap and Developing Tools” MARCH 3: “Navigating Bereavement and Loss” With Cantor Marsha Attie and Nina Kaufman (coach). Led by Rabbi Sarah Joselow Parris; co-facilitated by Draw on the lessons of the past twelve months (and Rabbi Eric Weiss (CEO, Bay Area Jewish Healing Center) the previous eight Resiliency courses), and learn how to and Susan Moldaw (author and Emanu-El congregant). create meaningful change in your life. Cantor Attie will Grief often leaves us speechless, grasping for words kick us off with some Jewish wisdom, and Nina Kaufman to express our deepest reflections. Poetry and other will present a social-emotional tool and lead participants creative writing can help us find words at a time of great through thought exercises intended to support sustainable tenderness. Join us for an evening of reflecting on grief new action through the remainder of the pandemic, and and Jewish wisdom that can be found in poems and story. beyond. Youth and Family Education he holiday of Passover celebrates the exodus from smiling faces to their classes. Families Egypt. The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim, juggle schedules and prioritize our Twhich contains the root letters tzaddi and resh, classes, sometimes helping their kids join “tzar,” meaning narrow. In retelling the story of the exodus, classes from the back seat of their cars. we experience the transition from living in the narrow Our high school students teach classes, confines of slavery, through the parted waters of the sea, participate in their own TEF classes, into the open expanse of the unknown freedom of the and provide each other with support and Flora Kupferman wilderness. As we approach this second year of seders in friendship. Jonathan Bayer leads us in YFE Acting Director the “narrow spaces,” we look forward to the “sea parting” song and prayer every week, keeping T’fillah more fun for us once again. Midrash teaches us that, while Moses and engaging than ever. Ava’s art videos, demonstrations and the people were praying, Nachshon ben Aminadav and in-person outdoor programs make the projects dared to take the first steps into the sea, having faith that real and easily accessible to all. The YFE full-time team he would not drown. When he was in the water up to his creatively navigates and manages program development, nose, the miracle happened: the waters parted and the communication, tech support, individual contact and Israelites soon crossed safely to the other shore, leaving countless details for our 475+ students and their families, Egypt and the Egyptian army behind. Then they danced not to mention the B’nei Mitzvah process, which is a whole with relief as Miriam and the women played their timbrels. new adventure now. Throughout this challenging year, both our YFE staff We appreciate your continued support and trust as we and families have bravely jumped into uncharted waters. slowly make our way out of the narrowness, through the Teachers who were reluctant users of technology now sea and back into whatever our renewed freedom will confidently host Zoom classes, share learning materials, bring. We are grateful to be with you on this journey and create games and showcase student work in many ways. look to the future with hope and faith. May your seders be Students make their own games for their classmates; run filled with tradition, learning, laughter and delicious foods! through their homes to find objects for scavenger hunts; Flora Kupferman create and post their art projects; and bring jokes, joy and YFE Acting Director EMANU-EL SF 3 COMMUNITY LARGE SUNBURST VERSION Tauber SPARK 2021 Ignite Your Jewish Learning Allow yourself to dive into our tradition El anu- Taub m e and SPARK your imagination! E r Tuesdays, March 9, 16 and 23, 7:00 pm Cost: $18 for members; $36 for non-members SPARK Take a deep dive into Torah, Talmud or Kabbalah with this innovative communitywide Jewish learning opportunity — a mini university experience! Let your heart be moved; be prepared for a transformative, mind-opening journey.