MAY/JUNE 2021 IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5781

FROM ZEMEL Nothing – and Everything — FINDING OUR OWN Prepared David Skorton for the PATH TO KNOWING WHAT BEING JEWISH Challenge of Covid-19 MEANS IN OUR By Fran Dauth DAILY LIVES You may recognize David Skorton, president and CEO of the Association DEAR FRIENDS, of American Medical Colleges, from I have been using these col- the Temple Micah YouTube videos on umns to try to work out my Covid-19 in the past year. Jewish theology. The isolation You may also know he was the of the pandemic has for rea- 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian, is a sons that I cannot fully under- board-certified cardiologist, a president stand pushed me to dig more emeritus of Cornell University, a past deeply into my innermost president of the University of Iowa and thoughts. But my ruminations never feel fully adequate. a member of the National Academy of The more I engage in this quest, Medicine. the more I realize, as I suggested in my What may surprise you is that noth- last column, that we really do lack the ing in his impressive career fully pre- language to say what we believe. Our pared him for the pandemic. inherited way of thinking about Judaism, “Nothing in my experience prepared that is, our inherited language, does us me completely for the enormous dis- little good. Let us begin by abandon- ruptions wrought by Covid-19: not only ing the phrase “good Jew,” as in, “Who the terror of the virus and its lethal- is a good Jew?” What can it possibly ity, but the economic dislocation, the response to questions from The Vine. mean that someone is a better Jew personal fears and the isolation neces- In particular he was asked whether than someone else? Is being a Jew akin to being a trombone player or a third sitated by social distancing and other two events that occurred while he was baseman, pursuits in which certain skills measures. president of Cornell University were make one person demonstrably better “This resulted for many of us in tre- in any way helpful in thinking about than another? mendous anxieties, sorrow at the inabil- the pandemic. Those events were the We all know what people mean ity to be with our loved ones – including suicides of three students who jumped when using terms such as “good Jew.” those critically ill – and, underlying it to their deaths within four weeks, and They are referring to traditional and all, feelings of helplessness,” he said in CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ; strict measures of observance: keep- ing kosher, saying daily prayers, forgo- ing electricity on . Do I want these to be my measures? Do I want HONORING TEDDY KLAUS Judaism to be measured in such a way at all? Ridiculous, say I. We will chart a • An Appreciation p.4 new path. Our Jewish heritage is a vast culture • June 11 Service p.4 encompassing ethics, ethnic behav- iors and rules, myriad arts (literature, music, visual), philosophy and theol- • Teddy’s Brussels Sprouts Recipe p.5

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 ; 2 IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5781

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN “ Every person shall sit under his grapevine or fig tree with no one to make him afraid.” LET’S HELP, LET’S ACT – THAT’S WHO WE ARE MICAH, CHAPTER 4, VERSE 4 By Joshua Berman In the day-to-day rhythms of my home life, I I heard it. The message couldn’t be clearer: We often do the last dog walk of the evening for need to help ourselves and each other to repair Vine our small Labradoodle while my wife tries to the world. Our world. Vol. 57 No.5 convince our teenagers to turn off the screens Sure, as we slowly emerge from Covid, we and get some sleep. will begin to dip our toes into some of our TEMPLE MICAH— Some of you have seen the dog wander in missed pleasures. Some of us will go to restau- A REFORM JEWISH CONGREGATION the background during various Zoom . rants. Others may cheer for the Nationals in 2829 Wisconsin Ave, NW I think, like many of us, he loves hearing Debra person. We may choose to travel, shop or even Washington, D.C. 20007 Voice: 202-342-9175 play guitar so he saunters just a bit closer when pray in person like we used to do. But as impor- Fax: 202-342-9179 services begin. tant as each of those missed joys is, equally Email: [email protected] By the end of the important are the ways we go about helping [email protected] night, his general attitude those around us. Web: templemicah.org is: “Leave me alone and Indeed, now is the moment for us to be as Daniel G. Zemel let me sleep. I do not unselfish as possible. We as a Micah community RABBI need another walk.” and as individuals have always reached out- Josh Beraha He doesn’t win that ward to help others. If there is something that ASSOCIATE RABBI battle. defines us, it’s our generosity and care for the Stephanie Crawley During Covid, I have broader global community, regardless of religion ASSISTANT RABBI taken the evening walk as or geography. But now is a moment for us to Rachel Gross a time to call my parents try to go even further. Can we each dig just a EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR in Los Angeles. We catch bit deeper and do just a little bit more in these Teddy Klaus up on the world news (usually grim), on recently precarious times? Can we each lean into causes MUSIC DIRECTOR binge-watched TV, family drama, any exercise that motivate us to act? Debra Winter we’ve managed to sneak in, of course, Covid I know the answers to those questions are WORSHIP MUSIC ARTIST and our work. It’s become such a perfect end of a resounding “YES!” Some of our community Sharon Tash my day, always gives me a smile, and, I hope, is members will rally around the women in need EDUCATION DIRECTOR one of the so-called “Covid silver linings “ that at the Micah House. The Sukkat Shalom team, don’t go away. which heroically created a new world and home BOARD OF DIRECTORS In one of these recent talks, my mom passed for the Rasoolis, already has turned its efforts Joshua Berman along a story shared by her senior rabbi, David to finding ways to help on our southern border. PRESIDENT Wolpe, in Los Angeles. Apologies to Rabbi Wolpe Our 6th graders no doubt will work even harder Rielle Miller Gabriel if I don’t get the story quite right (knowing my (with their ebullient smiles of course) to collect VICE PRESIDENT mom, I know she got it spot-on and any error is undergarments for the needy. Many of us will Harriet Tritell fully mine). march and march and march again to express SECRETARY But the gist went something like this: An our outrage at the cycle of repeating racial David Wentworth older man, feeling the weight of the world on injustice, bias towards Asian Americans and vio- TREASURER his shoulders, had a conversation with God. lence and discrimination towards women. Martha Adler In it, he ran through the litany of the prob- But let’s take this moment to stretch and to Mark Blumenthal lems facing our existence, one after another. build on those efforts. When you get to the end Marina Fanning He held his head in his hands and bemoaned of this column, before turning the page, take a Brent Goldfarb our ever-warming climate and encroach- moment and begin your internal dialogue about Jim Hamos Jennifer Kaplan ing seas. He lamented the state of affairs for what you are going to do to help. Or partner up Leesa Klepper refugees on the U.S. border, in Myanmar and with a Micah pal and tackle a project together. Heather Moran elsewhere. He raised his voice about the ter- Perhaps we can challenge ourselves to find ways Sonia Pearson White rible state of affairs regarding racial injustice. to combat climate change, not only on the per- Robin Rudowitz He pounded his fists about how Covid has rav- sonal level (shrinking our carbon footprints?) Josh Seidman aged human life and the inequitable impact on but also with a broader reach by putting sweat VINE STAFF certain populations. He muttered about the equity into organizations and global initiatives. ever-growing wealth gap and seemingly unsolv- Or maybe volunteer with an organization work- Fran Dauth CO-EDITOR able challenges to our education system. The ing to improve educational opportunities in Kate Kiggins man pleaded with God, begged in anguish and underserved communities, exacerbated even CO-EDITOR finally cried out, “Why, oh, why don’t you send more so by the pandemic. AURAS Design someone to help us?” As you have heard me say before, this Micah PRODUCTION After a moment of silence, God replied, “I community is filled with leaders. We find ways did. I sent you.” to rally our friends and help others. That’s who I’ve thought about that story every day since we are. Let’s help. Let’s act. MAY/JUNE 2021 3

She Studied Business Administration But Her Family’s Mix of Traditions Led Her to Rabbinical School

By Fran Dauth Healy Slakman, the rabbinic intern customs and traditions they practiced Slakman, who lives in Brooklyn at Temple Micah this summer, says she each summer to all of their different Heights, and has worked for three years was “born to a couple of restless wan- homes in the U.S. at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, also has dering Jews” without a bit of exaggera- “Melodies, practices, dishes, celebra- a strong desire to create art, and even tion. Her early childhood was in San tions and superstitions” learned in Israel maintains a website of her art although Francisco, her youth in St. Louis, her “became infused with flavors of my she’s reluctant to talk about it because teenage years in Atlanta. mom’s midwestern Ashkenazi upbring- there’s no new work on it. What she will But there was one anchor. “Amidst ing and grounded us,” she said of the talk about is the role of art in Judaism, the moving and readjusting, a constant mixture of Sephardic and Ashkenazi and particularly in her Judaism. in my life was spending each summer traditions woven into the fabric of her “I am interested in using art to in Ramla, Israel,” she said. That’s where family’s life. explore, uncover, study and transmit her father’s family, Tunisian Jews, live. The “two realities” of her Ashkenazi the many layers of our Jewish story. For Her description of life there is and Sephardic heritage “ultimately example, my rabbinical school thesis spellbinding. pushed me to seek out different Jewish involves engaging in visual midrash — experiences and communities, “ she said, relying on symbols, stories and arche- adding, “I stumbled upon Jewish youth types found in the book of Samuel to group and eventually summer camp. render portraits of the women depicted Singing the same words I knew from throughout King David’s life. Art, like summers in Israel, but with different midrash, has the power to connect dots melodies and accents drew me in. between previously disjointed or over- “I learned to play guitar because I looked concepts and uncover meaning wanted to hang out with the cool and far beyond the central message, she said. magnetic song leaders. Long story, kind She says that what she knows of of short, this is how I started getting Temple Micah suggests she will find jobs in the Jewish world.” an emphasis on connections here as Those jobs began while Slakman was well. “I understand that Temple Micah a business major at Eckerd College in St. is exceptionally successful in connect- Petersburg, Fla., where she was involved ing being Jewish and doing Jewish to “We moved through life accord- in Hillel and took on a number of roles the multifaced layers of people’s lives, ing to Jewish time. Every day passed in at a local synagogue, including teaching realities, desires and capacities. . . relation to Shabbat—a climactic, inten- Hebrew school and serving several years I can’t wait to share stories, songs, tional, and organized existence. Jewish as a cantorial soloist. After graduation, questions, realizations and moments practice forced us to come together, cel- she worked at a wealth management of study as well as visions and steps ebrate, think and commemorate. firm and a synagogue. toward a better future.” ø “I loved spending Friday nights “Both the rabbi and the financial in my grandparents’ apartment, the advisor I worked for were strong, ambi- hot air fragrant with spices and heavy tious and visionary leaders. But the with song. We kept Shabbat — cous- rabbi also operated and made decisions ins, aunts, uncles and grandparents from a place of deep compassion and sleeping in every corner of the tiny consideration for others and the world. apartment. I looked forward to going “His behavior and commitments with my grandfather and the other were informed and connected to a men to the Tunisian synagogue with profound greater picture and tender chickens out-front. I anticipated the human story. He was a skillful teacher moment when I would stand beneath and eager learner. The synagogue cre- his tallit—arms and blessings wrapped ated a space for people to stick together tightly around me.” through grief and celebration, learning, Slakman, 26, a student at the Hebrew growing, supporting, and building.” Union College – Jewish Institute of That led her, as she puts it, to try Religion, says her family carried the putting “both feet on the rabbi path.” 4 IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5781

AN APPRECIATION On Teddy’s Retirement: A Musician and a Mensch By Bill Page I have known Teddy Klaus, Micah’s of “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer cannot enumerate your virtues, but Music Director, for as long as he has wiener.” (You can ask Teddy for details). instead stand there in silent admiration, worked at Temple Micah. I came here Not that everything has been that is when you have really impressed in 1981 and Teddy arrived in 1985. smooth sailing for Teddy. I remem- them.. We have a Jewish word for that In that time I have known him as ber that when he fell on a bike ride situation — Teddy is a real mensch. We an accomplished accompanist, pianist, and broke his wrist, he was concerned Jews purposely don’t have an exact trans- singer, conductor of singers and instru- lation for mensch, because there is none. mentalists, arranger, composer, music Many, many times, I have come to educator, b’nai mitzah tutor, etc., etc. Temple Micah choir rehearsals and His Temple Micah biography notes services just to be around Teddy. His he not only composes liturgical music, musicality and his infectious enthusiasm but has had several of his compositions have made all of us who have worked published by Transcontinental Music with him rise again and again to the Publications. Additionally, he has served occasion — perhaps even sometimes to as president of the Guild of Temple rise beyond the occasion — when he Musicians, and has sat on the boards of and the Spirit move us. the American Conference of Cantors, You can tell that I am grasping for the Joint Commission of Synagogue words, and therefore, it is time for me Music of the URJ, and Transcontinental to stop writing. Teddy, I and those who Music Publications. have been in your presence these past Basically, Teddy has done so many decades, have been ineffably blessed things, for so many years, and so well, by you and your work. We pray that as that it is hard to imagine what life at about being able to discharge his musi- God has blessed your work with us to Temple Micah will be without him. cal duties. Thus, instead of the usual this time, he will also bless you as you As required for Temple Micah staff, straight-line forearm cast, Teddy asked leave us for new ventures. ø Teddy has a great sense of humor and is that his cast be applied with his wrist especially known for his puns and Dad bent so that he could still play the gui- Bill Page is a long-time member of the jokes. He even shares college reminis- tar. True grit. Temple Micah choir. More recently, he has cences such as the one about his college My friend Ralph Emerson has said played the bass clarinet in the Temple Micah conducting instructor, sung to the tune words to the effect that when people orchestra.

JUNE 11 SERVICE TO HONOR MUSIC DIRECTOR TEDDY KLAUS In late December, Temple Micah Music Director rooted in our American experience. Teddy has been Teddy Klaus for the past 36 years said he “could able to translate this idea into music. This has been a not have asked for a more meaningful career,” in profound and valuable collaboration for which I am announcing that he will retire June 30. deeply grateful.” “I am humbled to say that the years at Micah have Since then, the Micah staff has been collecting been way beyond a job,” he said in an online message photos, stories and memories of Klaus from con- to the congregation. gregants to use in a tribute that will be part of the The next day, Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel responded Friday evening service on June 11. with his own online message to the congregation. As While the June 11 send-off will be virtual, an in- he and Klaus worked together, Rabbi Zemel said, “I person, live celebration is also planned for a post- came to understand that our Judaism needs to be pandemic time. MAY/JUNE 2021 5

The Feast THE AIR-FRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS (à la TEDDY) EDITION By Alexandra Wisotsky “Temple Micah gave me we are about participatory ability to enable prayer and They shared the recipe they the best years of my life. I music; we have the power of bring out the bests in all of are most enjoying making in remember like yesterday, people singing together out our worshippers, whether by their new kitchen toy—bal- in 1985, I knew that two of loud,” he responded. singing, playing an instru- samic glazed Brussels sprouts. the loves of my life—music When Teddy first started ment or chanting. Bar mitz- This recipe comes from their and Judaism—could exist at Temple Micah, a profes- vah tutoring, youth choir, favorite local pizza place— together.” sional quartet of singers pick up bands, Shabbat Stella Barra Pizzeria and This is how Music provided beautiful music Shira are all part of a bigger Wine Bar in Bethesda. There Director Teddy Klaus performed for an audience picture. That is what I am they can get a similar dish, started our conversation of listeners. Now, while the most proud of.” which they recreated at home. when I called to speak to choir will occasionally per- I could have talked to Debby admitted it is the him about his time at Micah form a piece of music for Teddy all day about music and only way she will eat Brussels and to obtain one of his listening enjoyment, it is his time at Micah, but onto sprouts, so for those of you recipes. I have had the privi- more “to model for the rest the recipe. Teddy and his wife who are not sprouts fans, per- lege of knowing Teddy in of the congregation what Debby Kanter are the proud haps this is a good way to give both contexts. singing together can be like; new owners of an air fryer. them another try. ø First, as one of those who at their best the choir will loved the music at every raise community voices and Micah service—the pick- enhance the beauty of the up band, the adult or youth service,” he told me. CRISPY AIR-FRYER ROASTED choirs, Shabbat Shira, the During our conversa- BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BALSAMIC High Holy Day services. tion I mentioned that the And second, while my music at Micah was one of Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes. kids were in the youth choir, the things that drew my Special equipment: An air fryer. Teddy would treat all the husband and me into the Ingredients families to his homemade temple, and even today my • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, ends removed and cut at the dinner follow- husband, Richard Townend, into bite-size pieces ing the service. I admit that comments on the beauty of • 2 tablespoons olive oil or more as needed I was kind of hoping that the music after a service. • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar challah was the recipe he was Teddy’s response was to • Kosher salt to taste going to share. say “music has the ability to • Black pepper to taste When Teddy joined reach deep inside of peo- Temple Micah as the music ple. Words can as well, but Steps: director, the synagogue the music enters a person’s 1. In bowl, evenly drizzle Brussels sprouts with was still sharing space with psyche in a different way.” oil and balsamic vinegar. Make sure to coat all a church in Southwest. So what is Teddy’s favorite the Brussels sprouts. Organs were prevalent in thing that he has done dur- 2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the Brussels both churches and syna- ing his 35 years at Temple sprouts and then stir to combine until all the gogues at the time, but this Micah? “Temple Micah had marinade is absorbed. No marinade should be being a modern church, it a president years ago who left in the bowl. had a piano. always said ‘what we are “I would have played the doing at Temple Micah is 3. Add Brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket. organ if they had had one, building Jews.’ So above all, Air fry at 360°F for about 15-20 minutes. Shake but I would not have been the lasting legacy and deepest and gently stir half way through, about 8 min- happy about it,” Teddy said. thing I believe I have done utes into cooking. What is different in music is inspire people to explore 4. Continue to air fry the Brussels sprouts for the now than back then? I asked. Judaism, and their own faith. remainder of the time or until they are golden “I came in at the end of an “I’m proud to have brown and thoroughly cooked. era when much was to be used music to have done listened to—it was not par- that. I believe that one of ticipatory. If anything, now my strengths has been the 6 IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5781

ESTATE PLANNING IS ONE WAY TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AT MICAH Judy Hurvitz’s explanation of why she decided to partic- Giving comes naturally to me, and it has never been ipate in Temple Micah’s Planned Giving program begins stronger than in this past year when Micah put its with her memory of Rabbi Zemel’s now adult daughter heart and soul into creating a virtual space to guide in a stroller years ago when the congregation still shared us and support us in this time of upheaval, confusion space in a Southwest DC church. and uncertainty.” “I had never heard of Temple Micah when a friend Hurvitz attended Micah’s Planned Giving Workshop insisted that I go with her to a Friday night service that last fall, which she credits with helping her better would be held in St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church.” understand the process of including Temple Micah in That first night, 43 years ago, Hurvitz now recalls, “I her estate planning. “I hope others are thinking about quickly felt that this congregation was a good fit for me. supporting Micah’s future needs, and viewing the webi- So I signed up and never left. nar on the temple website is a good place to begin,” “I distinctly remember seeing Shira Zemel coming she said. to services in a stroller, and now I see the next gen- For more information on the Planned Giving pro- eration attending services on Zoom. So the desire gram, view the webinar at www.youtube.com/user/ to help ensure the future of Micah through Planned TempleMicah, or email [email protected].

Skorton FROM PAGE 1 ; “Through the arts and humanities – the suicides of the Cornell students again, inflected at every turn by Judaism were by far the hardest, Skorton said, the financial crisis of 2008-2009 that – I’ve learned much about myself and but added: led to a huge drop in the university’s the world around all of us,” Skorton said. “The inequities throughout our endowment. Why, he was asked, did he move society – in education, housing, food “The Great Recession, beginning back and forth from medicine to aca- access, health care access, treatment by in 2008, suicides of Cornell students demia to administration? the criminal justice system and so many during my term as president of the “Great question!” he responded. other circumstances – are always on my university, and many experiences in “The path is not quite as erratic as it mind. Some of these societal inequities decades of medical practice all pre- may appear. The constants were aca- – longstanding – have been brought into pared me in three ways: First, under- demia: All of the opportunities I’ve bold relief by the pandemic.” standing the limits of our control over had have been in academic institutions, He said that many dangers per- external events and people; second, the the most fascinating of which was sist as the nation appears to be on the realization that only through collective the Smithsonian Institution, where I edge of overcoming the worst of the action and, therefore, compassion and learned so much and gained enormous pandemic. Skorton cited “vaccine hesi- understanding of each other, would we respect for the talented and dedicated tancy, denial of the ongoing nature get through the storm; and third, more researchers, curators, museum profes- of the pandemic, and therefore mov- clear understanding of the enormous sionals, educators and all the other ing too fast to ignore guidance of the inequities in our society – in this case, professionals who comprise that won- CDC and other authorities, and failure health inequities – that produced the derful institution.” to focus on inequities. We absolutely imperative to look inward at my own (As the Smithsonian Secretary can soundly defeat this virus if we pay biases and the imperative to speak Skorton oversaw 19 museums, 21 attention to these issues.” out,” Skorton said. libraries, the National Zoo numerous Asked about those who remain fear- Skorton noted his career “has been research centers and several education ful of how to proceed even if they are a series of blessings and wonderful units and centers.) fully vaccinated, Skorton countered, opportunities, for which I take very He said he had his first opportu- “Don’t we all have that concern and little credit. At each juncture, I’ve nity in administration in the mid-1980s uncertainty? Let’s stay in touch and let’s been hugely fortunate to learn from when he led a division of general inter- learn from the CDC and other authori- mentors of a broad variety of types and nal medicine. “I found medical train- ties and each other.” to have the chance to serve. Judaism ing to be a terrific basis for leadership He noted Temple Micah is blessed has been a constant guide in ethical because of having to frequently make with the expertise of epidemiologist and spiritual dimensions.” decisions under conditions of uncer- Manya Magnus and physician Richard As a teenager and young adult, he tainty and to listen before speaking or Katz, who appeared with him on the said, he yearned for a musical career. He acting,” he said. Micah videos, adding, “and who can say remains an avid amateur musician who Asked about the greatest challenges ‘no’ to Rabbi Zemel?” ø plays the flute and the saxophone. and achievements he had experienced, MAY/JUNE 2021 7

Seventh Graders Bake Together on Zoom By Felicia Kolodner One of the ways this year’s of “Two Truths and a Lie... hamentashen corners to keep The moms had their own b’nai mitzvah families found Pandemic Style.” In other the filling from spilling out. opportunity to discuss the to stay connected was to words, what description of The hamentashen filling same when the taste testing bake. Together. In early their lockdown experience was the source of a lot of talk started. Everyone was having March, several 7th grade didn’t actually happen. of family lore, including the such a good time, that a sec- Machon students and their Holden Kolodner, 13, a Kleppers’ discussion of their ond Zoom meeting was set up. moms got together virtually seasoned baker, began his family poppy seed recipe. Baker Daniel Kaye, 12, to bake hamentashen. hamentashen career when he While the first batch said the bake-off “was fun To kick off the Zoom was a mere 3 years old. Holden baked, the kids who already to get everyone together and gathering, Leesa Klepper, a shared his favorite recipe and had their b’nai mitzvah shared see so many Micah friends.” Micah board member and offered tips to the group on tips and words of encourage- Deborah Raviv, “This is the one of the 7th-grade par- how to get the dough per- ment to those who were yet most fun I have had in a ents, led the kids in a game fect and on how to pinch the to experience this milestone. really long time!” ø

Top row: Leesa Klepper and her daughter Emma Mancuso, Felicia Kolodner and her son Holden Kolodner, Deborah Raviv and her son Daniel Bottom row: Joanna London and her daughter Lauren London, Dara Goldberg and her son Daniel Kaye, Yolanda Savage-Narva and her son Miles Narva

Rabbi’s Message FROM PAGE 1 ; its breadth and depth. In writing these I strenuously reject this halacha-as-manual words, I want to pay special attention to approach to my Jewish life. ogy. A Jewish book can be about anything what we call halacha, which is most often The great anthropologist Clifford from cooking to ancient ritual laws of translated as “law.” Halacha comprises Geertz regarded anthropology as a “rhe- purity. The attempt to contain this sprawl- the majority of rabbinic literature. It is a torical style” of writing. To him, anthro- ing heritage as a religion is a 200-year- legal literature of discourse and debate, pology was more than the social scientist old project inherited from the European story and speculation. It is not a legal going into the field to observe. It was the Enlightenment. My teacher Jacob Neusner code. To be sure, there are Jewish legal written form that came out of the field taught me to not use the term “Judaism” codes, but they constitute only a small observations. Anthropology, to Geertz, at all but, rather, “Judaisms” because at fraction of the literature that is desig- was a style of writing, a literary form. any given time there are many forms of nated as halachic. What Geertz says about anthropol- Judaism being embraced. When we think In my own interpretation of Judaism, I ogy, I say about rabbinic texts. They are of Jewish life, we have to think in broad disagree strongly with those who call hala- a literary form. Rabbinic writing is a liter- categories and contradictory approaches. chic literature binding or obligatory. In this ary genre that recounts in its own unique There is simply no other way. framework, halacha can result in a kind of style the impressions, customs, thoughts, When we measure Judaism by a list of how-to-be-Jewish manual. Following the arguments and ideas of an ancient observances we are giving short shrift to manual results in the “proper” kind of Jew. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 ; 8 IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5781

TZEDAKAH

IN MEMORY OF YEAR-END APPEAL Gloria Waldman Appel, by David RABBI CRAWLEY’S DISCRETIONARY Jane and Charles Kerschner Wentworth and Betsy Broder FUND Ronna and Stan Foster Isaac Green, by Barbara Green IN MEMORY OF Jennifer Kaplan and Tom Trendl Kate Mayblum, by Harriett Stonehill Simon Josen, by Rita and Gary Carleton Semih Ustun, by David and Barbara Diskin BUILDING FUND RABBI ZEMEL’S DISCRETIONARY FUND IN MEMORY OF LEARNING FUND David Gregory and Beth Wilkinson Elaine Brown, Dennis Davis, and Dorothy Kirby, IN HONOR OF Toby G. Port by Judith Capen and Robert Weinstein Orli Ruth Goldstein, by Hannah Gould Suzanne Geshekter, by Eric Geshekter IN MEMORY OF With gratitude for Holden’s becoming bar Simon Josen, by Rita and Gary Carleton mitzvah, by Felicia and Holden Kolodner Deena L. Kaplan, by Jessica Kaplan ENDOWMENT FUND Rabbi Marc Lee Raphael, by Dorothy Kirby, by Patricia Kent IN HONOR OF Beverly and Harlan Sherwat Wishing Don Elisburg a speedy recovery, Lynne Landsberg and Dorothy Ward, by Beverly and Harlan Sherwat IN MEMORY OF by Dennis and Jesse Ward Frank Anderson, Harvey Salkovitz, Bess and Jack Millstein, by David IN MEMORY OF by Hannah Gould Skorton and Robin Davisson Frank Anderson, husband of Ruth Simon, Max Bender, by Carole and John Hirschmann Arnold Soloway, by the Soloway family by Carol and Arthur Freeman Jack Chernak, by Beverly and Harlan Sherwat Irene Chait, Rose C. Heller, Julian Stehlik Barnett and Joyce Coplan, by Michael Coplan Paul Mezey, Nettie Rogers, Officer SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND Annabelle Gilberg, Leonard Schwall, Fred Robert Victor Springer Brian Sicknick, by Marilyn Paul Seasonwein, Nathaniel Seasonwein, Simon Siegel Rose Herschkovitz, by Brenda Levenson Seasonwein, by Diana and Robert Seasonwein IN HONOR OF Samuel Henry Weiner, by Lora and Frank Ferguson Ruth Goldberg, Ed Posner, by Nancy Raskin Herman Schwartz, by Harriette Kinberg

Morris Povar, by Gail Povar and Larry Bachorik IN MEMORY OF GENERAL FUND Sidney Trager, Meryl Weiner’s Anita Bernard, by Stacy and Richard Davis Victor Springer father, by Marilyn Hausfield Hilda Berner, by Diana Berner Seasonwein IN HONOR OF Samuel Henry Weiner, by Sidney and Elka Booth Dennis Davis, by the Shampaine-Soltes family Leo Rosand becoming bar mitzvah, Dorothy Kirby, by Janet Gordon by Hans Wertheimer MICAH HOUSE FUND David and Rhoda Landa, by Rachael Fleurence Michelle Sender IN MEMORY OF Gerald and Vivian Liebenau, by Frank Anderson, by Claire B. Rubin IN MEMORY OF Arlene and Pete Reiniger Malcolm Bernhardt, by National Frank Anderson, by Ed and Bobbie Wendel Shigemitsu Nakashima, by Ellen Nakashima Archives Volunteer Association Gerald and Vivian Liebenau, by Janet Liebenau Pearl Obrand, by Lorri Manasse and Russ Misheloff Rose Closter, Sidney Closter, Gerald Liebenau, John W. Sewell, by Maryann Sewell Minnie Steinberg, by Elaine Zuppe and Vivian Liebenau, by Betsi and Harold Closter Etta Sugarman Weisman, by Steven Weisman Semih Ustun, by Beverly and Harlan Sherwat Marielani Coloretti, by Nani Coloretti Samuel Henry Weiner, by David and Barbara Diskin Gilbert Cranberg, by Marcia Wolff MUSIC AND WORSHIP FUND Reubin From, by Ginger and Al From IN HONOR OF SUKKAT SHALOM Alfred Goldeen, by David and Livia Bardin Teddy Klaus, by Roberta and Morton Goren, Andrea and James Hamos Rae Goldsmith, by Alice Weinstein Susan Morgenstein, Michelle Sender IN MEMORY OF Barbara Klausner, by Cal Klausner Richard Lahne, Marcia Silcox, Geri Nielsen, Carley Broder, by David Wentworth Dorothy Kirby, by Ted Bornstein, Scott and Lynn by Roberta and Morton Goren and Betsy Broder Garner, Helene and Gene Granof, Gale Kabat IN MEMORY OF Edythe F. Levine, by Philip and Barbara Levine Frank Anderson, David Melendy, by THE RABBI DANIEL GOLDMAN ZEMEL Robert Salzberg, by Ellen and Stan Brand Roberta and Morton Goren FUND FOR ISRAEL George Scott, by Judy and Jack Hadley Susan Blumenfeld, by Norman Blumenfeld IN HONOR OF Semih Ustun, by Lora Ferguson, Robin Stein Chip Broder, by Betsy Broder Orli Ruth Goldstein, by Jeff and Margaret Grotte and David Wentworth Jonie Voich, by Cindy Koch Emma Mancuso’s becoming bat mitzvah, Miriam Weberman, by David and Johanna Forman Simon Josen, by Rita and Gary Carleton by Marty and Arlene Klepper Samuel Henry Weiner, by Nancy Raskin Lillie Page, by William Page Natalie Westreich, by Jonathan Westreich Semih Ustun, by Ed and Bobbie Wendel IN MEMORY OF Robert Friedman, by Michelle Sender Samuel Henry Weiner, by Kathy Spiegel INNOVATION FUND Ruti bat Zvi v’Rachel, by David and Livia Bardin Nicky Goren RABBI BERAHA’S DISCRETIONARY Jane and Charles Kerschner FUND This list reflects donations received Amy Schussheim With gratitude for Holden’s becoming bar Feb. 6–Apr. 19, 2021. Every effort has mitzvah, by Felicia and Holden Kolodner IN HONOR OF been made to ensure its accuracy, but if Rabbi Samantha Frank and Avi Edelman, IN MEMORY OF there are any errors or omissions please by Ed and Bobbie Wendel Daniel Gordon (my father) and Rose Siegel accept our apologies. For corrections or (my grandmother), by Lisa Gordon Leo Rosand becoming bar mitzvah, clarifications, please contact Rhiannon by Hans Wertheimer Walsh in the temple office. Thank you. MAY/JUNE 2021 9

THE LIFE OF TEMPLE MICAH A PLACE WHERE ALL OF US CAN BE WHO WE ARE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED By Rabbi Stephanie Crawley Dear Micah Family, don’t really belong here. As many of you know, it is a long- A second common experience in standing Temple Micah tradition for our Jewish spaces. “Crawley? That’s not b’nai mitzvah students to pose a question a Jewish last name.” A question that to be answered by a rabbi on the day of emerged from curiosity, but read to me their bar or bat mitzvah. like this: “Your last name indicates to me One question I was asked has particu- that you might not really belong here.” lar relevance as we think about the future But the thing is the name that I carry of the Jewish community, and the type from my father’s family is a Jewish name. of place we believe Temple Micah is. The It is because it is my name, and I am of us, but not all of us. student, Jordan Dorsey, asked me: “How Jewish. What does connect us is our story, do we make sure that Judaism has a place In my youth these were painful expe- our virtues and our values. We are for everyone?” riences. These were moments when, as connected by our moments singing Here is an adaptation of my answer to the daughter of interfaith parents, my together, and celebrating together. Jordan. I share these words as a window beloved community communicated to Embracing this understanding of people- into my own story, and in my hope that me that I belonged a little less than the hood can help us ensure that everyone Micah can be a model for inclusivity and others. That I was somehow less Jewish has a place in the Jewish community. For openness across the Jewish community. than those who carried names like all of us to belong, peoplehood must Berkowitz and Goldberg. not be about blood. It must not be Dear Jordan, But I still looked “really Jewish.” I have about how brown your hair is. Two experiences — particularly fre- brown curly hair and dark eyes. I can walk Peoplehood must be more expan- quent in my youth — have happened to into any Jewish space, and no one will bat sive. It includes people who don’t want me more times than I can count. an eye. But I know this is not always true children. It includes non-Jewish partners The first. Someone says to me: “You for people of color who walk through who study and stand and pray and prac- look really Jewish!” I ask, “What does that the doors of a synagogue. They are often tice alongside their families. It includes mean?” They reply, “Oh you know, brown asked much more pointed questions than everyone you might not picture when you curly hair, brown eyes, short…” the “that’s not a Jewish name” sorts of close your eyes and are asked to imagine I think they mean it as a compliment, questions I was asked. They are asked what a Jew looks like. but let me tell you what my experience questions like: “Are you Jewish?” “Did you At our best at Temple Micah, people- was. If you look at my family photos, convert?” Or worse, “are you here with hood looks like this. It looks like a kippah you’ll see that I don’t physically resem- the catering staff?” on top of thick natural hair, or a tallit ble my Jewish family members. They are I pray, Jordan, that you are never asked worn atop a sari. It looks like folks who tall. They have deep, dark, almost black these questions. Because Jordan, you — use walkers and wheelchairs, and people hair, and bright green eyes. We don’t all of you, all your identities — make you of all genders. It looks like a place where look much alike. Jewish, and all of your identities belong at the love between all couples is celebrated The genetic traits that manifest most Temple Micah. with equal fervor. It looks like a place in me are that of my Irish-Scottish family. There should be no part of you that where all our identities can exist freely— I look like my Grandma Cleo, and not my you have to leave at the door. no intrusive questions needed. Bubbe Martha. As a child, hearing that You asked me: “How do we make sure And—when we fail to reach this I “looked Jewish” did not make me feel that Judaism has a place for everyone?” vision—it looks like honest and hard con- included as part of the Jewish people. In The first way is by getting rid of those versations about how we can do better fact, it had the opposite effect on me. It questions, and getting rid of assumptions and be better. made me feel like an intruder: If they see that there is a singular way to sound, look, Your friend, the photos; if they find out, they’ll think I or to be Jewish. DNA might connect some Rabbi Crawley

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B’NAI MITZVAH CONDOLENCES BRYN SOVEN The Temple Micah community extends its MAY 1 / 19 IYYAR deepest condolences to: PARENTS: Joshua Soven and Renata Hesse Photo TORAH PORTION: Emor Scott Barash, on the passing of his father, Unavailable Barry M. Barash

Lisa Davis, on the passing of her father, Dennis Davis LAUREN KAYLA LONDON MAY 15 / 4 SIVAN Pamela Flattau, on the passing of her husband, PARENTS: David and Joanna London Edward S. Flattau TORAH PORTION: Bamidbar Jocelyn Guyer, on the passing of her stepfather, George Scott

James Hamos, on the passing of his mother, MILES NARVA Agnes Hamos MAY 29 / 18 SIVAN PARENTS: Andrew Narva and Yolanda Savage-Narva Jillian Levine-Sisson, on the passing of her TORAH PORTION: Beha’alotcha grandmother, Jane R. Abrams

Stephanie Mintz, on the passing of her father, Herbert Howard Mintz

Jack Schwarz, on the passing of his wife, longtime MAZAL TOV Temple Micah member Joan Schwarz Harriett Stonehill, on the passing of her Alice, Jacob, Lila, and Alfred Freedman, sister-in-law, Mechal Sobel

on the birth of their son and brother, The Temple Micah Community, on the passing Joshua Freedman of member Dorothy Kirby Doug Mishkin and Wendy Jennis, Alexandra Wisotsky, on the passing of her on the birth of their grandson, mother, Myrna G. Wisotsky Micah Perry Hoffman May their memories be for a blessing.

Rabbi’s Message FROM PAGE 7 ; stories and ethical norms. The calendar I tried to show her that she needed to gives us holy days and a guiding light see her religious life through her own group of . Halacha is a Jewish art through which we can seek the sacred. framework rather than one determined form. It is not a manual by which we Together, the Torah and the calendar give by others. I encouraged her not to cede are meant to measure or even guide our us ways to reflect on who we are. We Jewish language to those whose Judaism Jewish lives today. In my Jewish concep- form social communities around them is different than her own. tion, to live a so-called halachic life is to that help and support us as we pursue the Judaism challenges us to be Jewish choose to move the art form into a lived sacred and the ethical. In these communi- artists forming our own pictures of life practice. This is a totally legitimate and ties, we come to celebrate the joys of life through the words, rituals and commit- honorable Jewish choice to make. It is and to hold each other tight through life’s ments that we select from the Jewish not the only Jewish choice to make. Its inevitable blows. archive that belongs to each of us. The language of “observance” need not be I recently had an encounter with a question is not whether we are “good our own. young woman who was contemplating Jews” or “better Jews.” The question is I am never sure what it means to live a Jewish career path. She told me that about the picture we draw with our lives a fully Jewish life. We each are hopefully she was not observant, traditional or and how we reflect the Jewish shadings, both challenged and inspired to find that religious. I asked her how she could see colors and forms. path for ourselves. Torah gives us a nar- herself as a prayer leader if she didn’t Shalom, rative through which we can find heroes, consider herself to be a religious person. Daniel G. Zemel MAY/JUNE 2021 11

THE PANDEMIC HAS HELPED JUDAISM PUSH SYNAGOGUE WALLS OUTWARD By Rabbi Josh Beraha Jaroslav Pelikan, the late scholar of religious vices online, and sometimes for free? history, wrote that we have a choice to be Though questions abound, it is precisely “conscious participants” in tradition or to these new questions, and the conversa- be its “unconscious victims.” The pandemic tions they encourage, that should bring us has demonstrated that American Jews are hope for the American Jewish future. For without a doubt the former. too long, we’ve been stuck trying to answer To look at what synagogues across the the same questions, while making little country have done in the past year is to progress at finding answers: Whether inter- see the verve and vivacity of American marriage should be curbed, what to do Judaism. Not only have we seen success- about young Jews and their lack of connec- ful efforts at maintaining our communities, tion to Israel, what can stop the decline in find rich sources of fulfillment and signifi- but in many cases they are stronger. More synagogue membership. These communal cance? But most of all, Storefront asserts people are tuning in for worship and learn- dilemmas remain as important as ever, but that synagogues and Jewish life in general ing, and a newfound love and appreciation they were formerly addressed as conversa- must be rooted in the lived experience of for Jewish belonging seems to have awoken tions for insiders, and were conducted with the liberal, modern, American Jew. in people during these turbulent times. scant attention to the experiences of the What the pandemic did — quicker More than one year into this mess, that average American Jew. than any single programmatic interven- love has yet to abate. But will it? As the Meanwhile, nearly half of all Americans tion ever could — was to accelerate the worst of the current health emergency today are part of what Tara Isabella work of turning outward. Yes, it was con- seems to be behind us, will this enthusi- Burton, a writer who has a doctorate in venient for people to tune in from home. asm for Jewish life continue? theology from Oxford, calls “remixed cul- But this time, with so much public anxiety Above all, 2020 was a year of uncer- ture.” When spiritual needs are unmet by in the air, the relevance of our ancient tainty. Only rarely in recent history have inflexible institutions, the “Remixed,” she past was seized upon by clergy and Jewish our communities lived through a time says, “make use of the geographical irrel- professionals, and most importantly, was where so much was unknown. The circum- evancy of the Internet to foster digital, embraced by our people. stances forced us to contend with our rather than physical, communal spaces.” This moment in time is a once-in-a- mortality, with how we care for others, They find like-minded people online and generation opportunity if — and only if and with the consequences of living in build communities that suit them, she says. — our community can wisely answer this an interconnected, globalized world. We Now that the pandemic has cast us question: Will we use this disruption in wondered how to create engaging online into the wilderness, we should seize upon Jewish life to bring about a new syna- worship experiences, and how to keep the opportunity to continue, and even gogue model, whose ease of access and our communities safe but connected; how to push for, more radical innovation in relevance can bring our people roaring to care for those in isolation, and how to Jewish life. Philanthropic foundations have into the next decades, fueled by a reener- mark the death of loved ones properly. already realized this; recently the Aligned gized, forward-looking theology? Or will We also asked questions of more limited Grant Program solicited proposals for we let the opportunity slip through our scope, such as: Could Jewish learning be grants of up to $10 million aimed at seiz- fingers, and condemn our children to a transformed into a vibrant online experi- ing “this unique moment to reimagine, world with diminished Jewish options, and ence? And if so, how? Prior to last year, the renew, and reset Jewish communities for among those, a liberal Judaism whose rel- national Jewish conversation at times felt the future.” Though neighborhood syna- evance will continue to recede? stale, repetitive and slow, but the pandemic gogues are usually not the recipients of A year after the shuttering of our syna- gave it a much-needed jump start, and so such funds, one could certainly imagine gogues’ doors, we can’t help but wonder if it is alive again, with new questions, and a these moneys going directly to congrega- American Jews will look back with nostalgia newly inspired and ready-to-listen audience. tions in the future if their rabbis push the upon pre-pandemic Judaism, the way they Some of those key questions to come boundaries of what a synagogue is. A year look at the Judaism of the shtetl. I hope of this time include: How can we resist the ago, synagogues closed their doors. It’s instead they will recognize that the well- trends that put religion in the same cat- time we expand beyond our walls. worn path to a life of value, long trod by egory as entertainment? Will our consum- In our own congregation, we’ve already our ancestors and passed down through the erist mentality encroach on our religious begun the process of turning outward. generations, needs to be re-charted if it is institutions, and how can we guard against The Temple Micah Storefront project was to be passed on to yet another generation. such encroachment? Will the established founded on exactly the principle that Just as in every other calamity that mega-synagogues that have turned their Judaism should not be a guarded secret, Jews have faced, from the destruction of sanctuaries into television studios uninten- only for Jews. Storefront holds that syna- the Temple to their expulsion from long- tionally cause the closing of small-town gogues must address questions that are inhabited lands, out of the destruction synagogues because the latter’s erstwhile universal in scope. What does it mean to of the coronavirus can come hope. Life is members can now stream the former’s ser- live with dignity and honor? How can I lived moving forward. 12 IYAR/SIVAR/TAMMUZ 5781

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