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The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media a Reconstructionist Jewish Community

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The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media a Reconstructionist Jewish Community 1 Volume 39 No. 4 December 2015 Kislev/Tevet 5776 The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media A Reconstructionist Jewish Community RRC's Historic Decision to be discussed at services December 18th On September 21, 2015, RRC’s faculty voted to no riculum in major ways, focusing intensely on how to train longer bar qualified applicants with non-Jewish partners rabbis (and other leaders) on practices and teachings of from admission to RRC, and to no longer ban RRC stu - Jewish distinctiveness, even as we are preparing them for dents in good standing from graduating as rabbis, be - leadership in a multicultural world... No one in the cause they have non-Jewish partners. This policy change process takes this historic decision lightly. We do feel that is the result of many years of discussion within the Re - it reflects some of the realities in Jewish communities constructionist movement. today. Our congregations have members with non-Jewish partners, and we need rabbis who can provide them with Rabbi Linda Holtzman will join our role models for vibrant Jewish living. Reconstructionism Rabbi Linda to discuss this historic has always been predicated upon changing as Jews and Ju - decision. daism change, even when these changes are emotionally Rabbi Deborah Waxman, president of challenging." RRC writes: "We no longer want to Join us as we explore the process behind the decision, reac - prevent very wonderful and engaged tions to the decision and the possible consequences - in all di - Jewish leaders from becoming rabbis. rections - of the decision. After years of study, research, and discussion with many members of the Reconstructionist About our guest: Rabbi Linda Holtzman is the organizer of community, we have concluded that the status of a rab - Tikkun Olam Chavurah, a group that pursues social justice binical student’s partner is not a reliable measure of the work together as a community. She has served on the fac - student’s commitment to Judaism—or lack thereof. Nor ulty of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College since the does it undermine their passion for creating meaningful 1980's. She has also served as rabbi of Congregation Judaism and bringing us closer to a just world. The issue of Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia, of Beth Israel Congrega - Jews intermarrying is no longer something we want to tion in Coatesville, PA, and Beth Ahava in Philadelphia. She fight or police; we want to welcome Jews and the people is the founder of the Reconstructionist Hevra Kadisha, also who love us to join us in the very difficult project of bring - in Philadelphia. ing meaning, justice, and hope into our world." She is the author of a chapter in Twice Blessed (Beacon Waxman continues: "... we have strengthened our admis - Press, 1989) as well as the article “Struggle, Change and sions standards on reviewing an applicant’s commitment Celebration: My Life as a Lesbian Rabbi” in Lesbian Rabbis: to Jewish continuity in their personal, familial and commu - The First Generation , edited by Rebecca T. Alpert, Sue Levi nal life. We make this change while also revising our cur - Elwell and Shirley Idelson (Rutgers University Press, 2000). Protecting Creation: 3 Table Religious Practice Committee 7 A Jewish Response to Climate Change of Oneg/Kiddush Opportunities Religious Practice Committee 4,5 Contents The Gala 8, 9 Gratitude, Winter Holidays, Chanukah Gratitude and Pictures Adult Ed 6 Mishloach Manot 10, 11 Hanukah, Torah Treks, In the Rabbi’s Study Order form for Purim bags Yahrzeits 7 News from the Hebrew School 12, 13 We remember them Green Faith Activities, kvelling Donations 7 CONGREGATION MEETING 12 Thank you Social Action Committee 13 2 Volume 39 No. 4 September 2015 Rabbi’s Message President’s Message:T ishri 5776/Cheshvan 5776 Chanukah & The Climate Crisis This is Not Really a Test The word Chanukah means dedica - Do you remember the last time you tion. The festival of Chanukah begins thought about analogies, that form of on the 25th day of the Hebrew month reasoning, according to dictionary.com of Kislev which falls on the evening of “in which one thing is inferred to be Sunday December 6th in 2015. We will similar to another thing in a certain re- celebrate with joyful gatherings of spect, on the basis of the known simi- family and friends, menorahs, lights larity between the things in other and blessings, latkes, dreidels and respects?” Please don’t worry if analo- songs. Some of us will exchange gifts gies aren’t foremost in your mind, be- and donate to organizations doing meaningful work as a cause I’m about to give you a chance to review the concept! way to honor one another. Many of us will gather at Beth Israel on Friday night of Chanukah for services, singing, The standardized test format for analogies goes like this: dinner and a festive, party atmosphere. Some of us will A : B :: C : D participate in Chanukah Chavurah ( see flyer on page 5 ) and That’s shorthand for “A is like B as C is like D.” Of course, in visit with one another for one or more of the nights of a test, one of the terms is omitted and you get to guess Chanukah. what fits. Got it? Let’s try an easy one. tomato : vine :: apple : ??? This year, on the afternoon leading into Chanukah, the Did you guess “tree?” Good! Jewish community will have the opportunity to gather to Now let’s try a harder one. address the pressing climate crisis, which has been named College : Beth Israel :: tailgating : ???? the greatest danger to the human species and to the entire web of life on the planet. As Jewish Americans we have Notice this isn’t multiple choice, so stop for a moment, bring a particular perspective and obligation to engage please, and think about how you might complete this partic- with this crisis. As Americans we know that our country is ular analogy. (In teacher-speak, this is called “wait time.”) per capita, one of the most intensive methane/CO2 emit - What was your answer? I’m eager to know! Here are a few ting in the world. If we make changes here they will rever - of my thoughts: 5k race… Beer tasting… Gala-type party… berate well beyond our borders. As Jews we are steeped Dining out with friends… Playing games… in texts and practices that guide us to cherish and care for the earth. Chanukah is one of those times that our festival However you completed the analogy, you socialized in col- helps us to hear the call and invites us to dedicate our - lege and now you can socialize at BI. Socializing a la BI can selves to address the needs of our Earth. take many forms, from attending services to hanging out in the lobby while kids finish Hebrew School or playing Mah The Talmud’s legend that as the Maccabees rededicated Jong or making Empty Bowls. Whatever it looks like, con- the desecrated Temple they had only one day’s supply of necting with BI friends is good. oil that lasted eight days may serve to inspire us to choose to conserve energy in order to sustain ourselves and our But what about the social events that you WISH would hap- world. The teaching that a community of the powerless pen at BI? What about a group doing dinner together or overcame a great empire may inspire courage when facing sharing a movie or concert or theater? What about a fun modern powers when they defile our most sacred house of family day trip or a tikkun olam project? God – the Earth itself. continued on page 3 While we don’t have our own football team to cheer for, we do have a wonderful community and making a single social event happen is easy. If you have an idea, just put it out via the congregational listserv and see who wants to join you. Recently Rick Lowe publicized the screening of Soft Vengeance at the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival; I can hardly wait to join the BI contingent. It will be fun to attend this together and Rick showed us that inviting folks via the listserv couldn’t be easier. Might you try putting something together? 3 Volume 39 No. 4 December 2015 continued from page 2 Kislev/Tevet 5776 Rabbi’s Message This climate conference is an event for the whole family. There will be programs by the Please Touch Museum for our younger kids while our older kids learn with us from speakers who will address the topics of Judaism and the environment, the science behind the climate crisis and the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations – the poor and minority communities. Workshops will follow where we can consider further action steps. Our congregation is a proud co-sponsor of this event. But whether or not you are able to attend please take the opportu - nity, this Chanukah, to dedicate yourself and your household to taking large and small steps to address the climate crisis. Chag Orim Sameach. Happy Chanukah. May the festival of lights brighten your life and help heal our world! 4 Volume 39 No. 3 RELIGIOUS PRACTICE DSeecepmtebmebr e2r0 2105 15 see page 8 for Service and Oneg/Kiddush Schedule TisKhrisi l e5v7/7T6e/Cvehte 5sh77v6an 5776 We Want You! Yamim Nora’im Todah Rabah ="+>%5"?*"%*".*6-71@A%%B"?*"%2))C-1@%9)*%#%9"5%D)*%0#18%!E% High Holy Day Big Thank You @))$%5)0"1>%0"1>%#1$%&""1+%5')%5)62$%2-C"%&)%$)%4%)*%&*8%&)% $)%4%#18%)9%&'"%9)22)5-1@F% I am so grateful to Rabbi Linda, Cantor Juliet and everyone who participated and helped in so many different ways •! !"#$%&'"%()*#'%+"*,-."%)*%/0-$#'% •! !"#*1%&)%2"#$%&'"%()*#'%+"*,-."%)*% (chanting and /0-$#'%3%.)42"#$%5-&'%+)0")1"%6172% sharing, reading 8)6%9""2%*"#$8%&)%$)%-&%)1%8)6*%)51% •! :'#1&%()*#'%)*%;#<)*#'% .
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