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Kesher Spring 2018.Cdr Wise Temple KWORSHIP | esher STUDY | SOCIAL JUSTICE | COMMUNITY Meet the Next Generation page 4 ADAR/NISSAN/IYAR/SIVAN 5778 MARCH/APRIL/MAY 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 From Rabbi Kamrass From the President D’varim Min HaLev – Making Sure Our Culture Words from the Heart and Faith Remains Strong —By Rabbi Lewis Kamrass —By Elissa Habib, Temple President It has never been more true that “the For me, being Jewish comes easy. I 6 7 times, they are a-changing.” In fact, that was raised in a home where our pace of change occurs even more rapidly history, culture, and everyday living than ever before – in every corner of our lives, and in the were a reflection of our faith and ancestry. I am a product 27 landscape of Jewish life, as well. We could long for certain of New York-born Jewish parents, who were first- aspects of how things used to be, or lament what no longer is, generation Americans born to immigrant parents who knew Shabbat but that will not bring about a new day, nor will it respond to no other way to live. In today’s more secular world, it has deeply felt needs today. become harder to ensure that our children and To long for the past is to recall nice memories, but not to grandchildren will know both the religious and cultural in Song respond to new realities and speak to new demands. The meaning of being Jewish; therefore, we must work together genius of Reform Judaism was to view the past with to make sure that our culture and our faith remains strong. 26 reverence, but to look with bold confidence to an unknown To do this, the next generation of Jewish leaders will future and a changing landscape. One of the great insights of 11 need new and different tools to inspire our children and 8 Reform Judaism reminds us to cherish what was, but to invest grandchildren. In this age of small screens and social our hearts and our hopes in the future. Today’s generation of youth, teens, college students, young adults, and young media, parents will have to demonstrate through their actions and not their words the importance of connecting page Features page Study families are very different than those a generation ago. Their to our congregation and to our faith. I always reflect upon 3 From Rabbi Lewis Kamrass 17 When Is the Last Time You Learned Jewish needs for meaning, relevance, purpose, and joy must and enjoy our Rabbis’ description of worship versus prayer, 3 From Elissa Habib, Temple President Something New? be met and embraced in entirely different ways than their and I believe that this is an important distinction that must 4 Meet the Next Generation 28 Distance-Wise parents’ were in an earlier time. But the fact that they have be passed on. The idea of families worshiping together and 9 A Touch of Torah with Rabbi Elana Perry Jewish yearning for meaning, relevance, purpose, and joy is finding comfort, joy, and hope through our faith and culture 11 Katie Dreyer’s “Plum” Life the consistent and promising thread to our story. And it is real. page Worship and Holidays Recently, a retired member of our congregation came with is one that inspires me to do what I can to make Wise 27 Jocelyn Engel Works Her Magic 7 If You Want to See the Next Generation In his grandchild to religious school on a Sunday morning. He Temple a place that families can rely upon to create that Action, This Is Your Chance marveled at the variety of activities, the family programs he shared experience. 8 Passover Prep page Calendar/Listing of saw, the adult learning going on, the different ways that our In this issue of Kesher, you will read about some 10 What Rhymes with Shabbat? Wine students were engaged with their Jewish experience, and with amazing young leaders who have taken it upon themselves Events 10 Celebrate Shavuot the kind of energy that characterizes Wise Center on any given to illuminate a path that leads to a fulfilling Jewish life: 13 4-Page Pull-out Cover Photo: 12 B’nai Mitzvah Sunday morning. He remarked to me that the times were sure balancing our culture, our faith, and our future. I invite all MJS Photography Limited 13 Worship Services different than when he was in religious school, and that of you to join in and help to make sure that tomorrow www.mjsphotography.photoshelter.com 26 In a Worship Rut? indeed, things seemed much more alive and vibrant now than page Community holds the same blessings that we enjoyed growing up. And what he recalled from his experiences years earlier. Pictured, from left to right: 7 Ralph & Julia Cohen Library for those of you already leaning in, I say thank you. Madrichim Ben David, Leah Hartmann, Indeed, the times, they are a-changing. And that can be a 16 Brotherhood Bonfire Charlie Ringel, Abby Rosenberg, good thing, when we meet those changing needs with 18 Wise Temple to Host the Next Generation Ethan Cohen, Brooke Fogel, confidence, purpose, planning, innovation, and courage. I and Maya Goldenberg. of Jewish Leaders believe that Wise Temple is shaping a future that is responsive 19 Mazel Tov and resilient. And when we believe in tomorrow, we are 19 Condolences demonstrating faith in our purpose, our mission, and the 20 Contributions paths we choose. We meet changing times with renewed faith 25 We Just Want to Thank You and hope. 25 March Is for Matzo Rabbi Lewis H. Kamrass 2 | WWW.WISETEMPLE.ORG MARCH/APRIL/MAY 2018 | 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 From Rabbi Kamrass From the President D’varim Min HaLev – Making Sure Our Culture Words from the Heart and Faith Remains Strong —By Rabbi Lewis Kamrass —By Elissa Habib, Temple President It has never been more true that “the For me, being Jewish comes easy. I 6 7 times, they are a-changing.” In fact, that was raised in a home where our pace of change occurs even more rapidly history, culture, and everyday living than ever before – in every corner of our lives, and in the were a reflection of our faith and ancestry. I am a product 27 landscape of Jewish life, as well. We could long for certain of New York-born Jewish parents, who were first- aspects of how things used to be, or lament what no longer is, generation Americans born to immigrant parents who knew Shabbat but that will not bring about a new day, nor will it respond to no other way to live. In today’s more secular world, it has deeply felt needs today. become harder to ensure that our children and To long for the past is to recall nice memories, but not to grandchildren will know both the religious and cultural in Song respond to new realities and speak to new demands. The meaning of being Jewish; therefore, we must work together genius of Reform Judaism was to view the past with to make sure that our culture and our faith remains strong. 26 reverence, but to look with bold confidence to an unknown To do this, the next generation of Jewish leaders will future and a changing landscape. One of the great insights of 11 need new and different tools to inspire our children and 8 Reform Judaism reminds us to cherish what was, but to invest grandchildren. In this age of small screens and social our hearts and our hopes in the future. Today’s generation of youth, teens, college students, young adults, and young media, parents will have to demonstrate through their actions and not their words the importance of connecting page Features page Study families are very different than those a generation ago. Their to our congregation and to our faith. I always reflect upon 3 From Rabbi Lewis Kamrass 17 When Is the Last Time You Learned Jewish needs for meaning, relevance, purpose, and joy must and enjoy our Rabbis’ description of worship versus prayer, 3 From Elissa Habib, Temple President Something New? be met and embraced in entirely different ways than their and I believe that this is an important distinction that must 4 Meet the Next Generation 28 Distance-Wise parents’ were in an earlier time. But the fact that they have be passed on. The idea of families worshiping together and 9 A Touch of Torah with Rabbi Elana Perry Jewish yearning for meaning, relevance, purpose, and joy is finding comfort, joy, and hope through our faith and culture 11 Katie Dreyer’s “Plum” Life the consistent and promising thread to our story. And it is real. page Worship and Holidays Recently, a retired member of our congregation came with is one that inspires me to do what I can to make Wise 27 Jocelyn Engel Works Her Magic 7 If You Want to See the Next Generation In his grandchild to religious school on a Sunday morning. He Temple a place that families can rely upon to create that Action, This Is Your Chance marveled at the variety of activities, the family programs he shared experience. 8 Passover Prep page Calendar/Listing of saw, the adult learning going on, the different ways that our In this issue of Kesher, you will read about some 10 What Rhymes with Shabbat? Wine students were engaged with their Jewish experience, and with amazing young leaders who have taken it upon themselves Events 10 Celebrate Shavuot the kind of energy that characterizes Wise Center on any given to illuminate a path that leads to a fulfilling Jewish life: 13 4-Page Pull-out Cover Photo: 12 B’nai Mitzvah Sunday morning.
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