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The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media a Reconstructionist Jewish Community November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media A Reconstructionist Jewish Community SAVE THE DATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 7:00 - 8:30 RABBI DEBORAH WAXMAN, PH.D President, Reconstructing Judaism Notes from the Field: Reconstructing Judaism During Pandemic. Rabbi Deborah Waxman will speak about the current political and social environment from a Reconstructionist perspective. The first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and seminary, Rabbi Waxman, Ph.D., became president of Reconstructing Judaism in 2014. Rabbi Waxman projects a vision of Judaism that embraces all people and inspires Jews to be strong allies to the most vulnerable among us. Rabbi Waxman leads the Reconstructionist congregational union through close collaboration with the Board of Governors, the leaders and congregants of the nearly 100 affiliated Reconstructionist communities, and her extraordinary colleagues in the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. She also serves as the sixth president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, the movement’s sole seminary and a key part of the Reconstructing Judaism organization. Rabbi Waxman is the creator and host of the podcast, Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience. Under Rabbi Waxman's guidance, Reconstructing Judaism has worked to strengthen relationships with congregational leadership, seed new initiatives for the 21st century (including ritualwell.org), building the movement's ties to Israel, supporting Havaya summer camps, and promoting and developing new and groundbreaking conver- sations through Evolve. In 2016, Rabbi Waxman was named to the annual “Forward 50” list of most influential Jews by the Forward, a pre-eminent American Jewish publication. From both Rabbis 3 Spiritual support Donations 7 Religious Practice Committe 5 Thank you Table Guest Rabbi, ISO Leaders, Chanukah of Adult Education 8,9 Yahrzeits 6 Contents Many guests teaching; Global Day of Learning We remember them Congregation Business 10, 11 Landscaping 6 How we became a 501 (c) 3 organization Beautiful Mezuzot added to garden 2 Volume 44 No. 2 November 2020 Rabbi’s Message Rabbi Nathan Martin Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 When Mordecai Kaplan, the founding should respect the true election results, whatever the outcome. This thinker of the Reconstructing Judaism seemed like a good beginning for me to guide my thinking and ac‐ movement, wrote his book, The Future of tions. the American Jew, at the end of World War II, he reflected in one section of his book While I know that this month ahead is one of uncertainty, I do also on the Jew's task on living in "Two Civiliza‐ know that we are stronger together as we face the vicissitudes of this tions," Jewish life and what he called charged moment. May we remember as we move into this moment American democratic nationalism. He to stay connected, to pray for each other and our country, and to noted how a genuine democracy "recog‐ draw from the best of our values as we bring our voices into the pub‐ lic square. nizes the right of individuals and of groups [like the Jews] to be different and I close these thoughts with a prayer for voting written by Rabbi David distinctive (p.97), and that our fulfillment as a people en‐ Seidenburg. Feel free to use this as a resource. Wishing all strength, hances and enriches broader society. and may we be stronger together. I find myself during this election season returning to this two Behold, I am intending civilizational framework. What are my core Jewish values that through my vote | through my prayer I want to guide me in my voting and my interaction with oth‐ to seek peace for this country, ers who may not share my political opinions? What are my as it is written (Jer. 29:7): core American values that I want my public officials to best "Seek the peace of the city embody? And how should I respond if I feel that the fabric our where I cause you to roam democratic system is being challenged, if red lines are being and pray for her to YHVH (Hashem/Adonai/God), crossed? for in her peace you all will have peace." As I write this I don't have an answer to these questions. In a May it be Your will, YHVH, that votes recent call with other Philadelphia rabbis we heard Ben Poor, be counted faithfully a new employee at T'ruah, the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and may You count my vote share his key areas of concern around the election which as if I had fulfilled this verse were: that all votes must be counted, that there should be im‐ with all my power. partial investigation of any election irregularities, and that we May You give a listening heart to whomever we elect and may it be good in Your eyes to raise for us a good government Rabbi’s Note Rabbi Linda Potemken to bring healing, justice and peace to all living in this land While discussing the Torah story of Noah, the and to all the world, and upon Jerusalem, flood and the ark, a colleague casually mentioned a government that will honor the image of God a connection between the flood and the pan‐ in all humanity and in Creation, demic. In the story of the flood, the ark was the for rulership is Yours. place of safety and security, the place that literally Just as I have participated in the election allowed life to float upon rather than drowning in so may I merit to do good works the waters. He suggested that in this time of pan‐ and to repair the world through all my efforts, demic, our congregations are metaphorical arks, and through the act of... [fill in your pledge] allowing people to float rather than sink into de‐ which I pledge to do today spair as we pass the seven month mark of con‐ on behalf of all living creatures, tending with Covid. I found his observation quite in remembrance of the covenant of Noah's waters, touching and I wondered if you might agree with his analogy. How to protect and to not destroy has Beth Israel been an ark, a safe place to hold you and help you to the earth and her plenitude. rise above the despair of the pandemic? What other places and prac‐ Give to all the peoples of this country tices have you found that have nourished you and kept you whole and the strength and will to pursue righteousness healthy through these times? As I begin this period of sabbatical I and to seek peace as unified force am exploring the texts and practices that nourish me emotionally, to uproot racism and violence spiritually and intellectually. I am already excited by some discoveries and to make healing, good life and peace flourish that I will share with you when I return in December. For now, as we here and throughout the world enter a new Hebrew month (Cheshvan), I encourage you to find ways and fulfill for us the verse (Ps. 90:17): to hold yourself through these stormy times ‐ made stormier by the "May the pleasure of Adonai our God political situation. Let's cultivate faith and together take action to be upon us, and establish bring love and goodness to the world. As we celebrate the new the work of our hands for us, moon, the new month, let these actions begin with nourishing our‐ and make the work of our hands endure." selves so that we have what to give to this hungry world. 3 Volume 44 No. 2 November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 From both rabbis: Friends, BI continues to offer support groups as we navigate life in this pandemic. The following groups will meet in September. Other groups may be added. Please let the rabbis know if you would like a different type of group. Many thanks to BI therapists for giving of their time and talent. Thank you to Michelle Atkins, Sharon Boyd, Linda Cohen, Marilyn Drukin, Amy Fantalis, Barry Jacobs and Julie Mayer. SUPPORT GROUPS IN NOVEMBER In the study of the Senior Rabbi COUPLES SUPPORT FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON Mussar and Lunchtime learning will resume at the end with Dr. Julie Mayer Sunday, November 15th 4pm of December when R. Linda returns from Sabbatical Please check the weekly/daily announcements as other group meetings may be added. Our community is encouraged to join the Kehillah of Delaware County Facebook group. The Kehillah is a place where the Delco synagogues and the Jewish feder‐ ation share Jewish programming opportunities. Recently it included a Rosh Hashannah message from our rabbis :) Here is the link: www.facebook.com/groups/149345945119570 Expanded Service Schedule Continues FINANCIAL HARDSHIP? For those of you who may need some assistance for your small business or other financial is‐ BI will continue to offer an expanded service schedule sues that have arisen from the pandemic, consider consulting through the month (and beyond) the following resources: The Hebrew Free Loan Society of Philadelphia: https://hflphilly.org/ Grants, loans, other re‐ Please tune in for Friday night (7:30pm) and Shabbat sources: jewishtogether.org run by the Jewish Federations of morning (9:45 am) services and for spiritual practice, North America. Mondays and Thursdays at 9am. How to Reach our Rabbis By phone: (610) 566‐4645, choose option 1 if Diane does not answer. A voice message left for either Rabbi will reach them quickly. By e‐mail: Rabbi Linda: [email protected] Rabbi Nathan: [email protected] Not sure who’s ‘on’ this weekend? Check the calendar, easily available at bethisraelmedia.org and on the penultimate page of this Israe‐ light.
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