The February Prophet 2017
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The Prophet Shevat/Adar 5777 Shalom! February 2017 On the High Holy Days this year, one of the themes I explored was At Temple Isaiah a specific interpretation of a phrase in the Torah, “Lo Tuchal This Month L’Hitalem.” The translation that I gave (consistent, I think with the intent of the Torah) is “You are INCAPABLE of indifference.” Friday, February 3 Shabbat Service 8pm Among the issues that I addressed where I felt this applied to me Scout Shabbat was the plight of refugees all over the world, and specifically in war-torn Syria. So many of you responded to me – either with your own anguish Saturday, February 4 and need to do something concrete to assist refugees, or with your own responses Torah Study 9am as to what issues call to you with an urgency that simply cannot be ignored. It was B’nai Mitzvah Joshua 10am hard to imagine just a few short months ago that the question and issue of refugees Hirschfeld/Zachary Shord would take on the prominence that it has today – but I feel compelled to speak on this. Friday, February 10 Shabbat Service 8pm Those of you who know me recognize that I do not tend to characterize myself as a Saturday, February 11 “political rabbi” or a partisan member of the clergy. I have friends on many sides of Bat Mitzvah Bryn Schwartz 10:15am different issues that see their calling in far more activist and strident political terms Tot Shabbat 10:30am – and I respect their work. That has never been where I find myself. It has also always been important to me that the synagogue be a home to ALL of our members Friday, February 17 – and that the shrill and partisan politics of the outside culture not rule the day Shabbat Service 8pm inside the walls of this sacred place. However, the issue of the treatment of refugees is an issue of such urgency, such Jewish and human importance that it is Saturday, February 18 Torah Study 9am impossible for me to hold back – Lo Tuchal L’Hitalem. Friday, February 24 It is hard to know what reality will look like by the time you read this article (and I Family Shabbat Service 7pm pray, of course, that things change for the better). But the events of recent days compel me to raise a moral and Jewish voice of opposition to the Executive Orders Saturday, February 25 and policy directions initiated by the new administration in Washington, DC with B’nai Mitzvah Jacob 10am Rudolph/Matthew Rudoph regard to aiding, assisting and resettling refugees. The actions of the President include banning nationals of seven majority-Muslim nations from entering the US Friday, March 3 for at least 90 days; indefinite bans on the entry of Syrian refugees to the US; and Munchkin Minyan 6pm halting admission of all refugees for a minimum of four months, regardless of where Shabbat Service 8pm they are in their official refugee status. In practical terms, this has led to individuals Saturday, March 4 who were cleared for resettlement as refugees leaving their home in order to Torah Study 9am reunite with family, even spouses here already as refugees, flying to a transit point B’not Mitzvah Hannah 10am and being turned around – even escorted by guards – and returned to their country Lees/Hannah Blumenthal of origin (unquestionably to face significant negative repercussions). It is unimaginably cruel, un-American and violates the very fabric of our Jewish values to Friday, March 10 treat those most vulnerable – individuals who have undergone the closest scrutiny Purim Family Shabbat 7pm Service that is possible as professionals in refugee resettlement policy will verify – in a way that criminalizes them at their time of most desperate human need. Saturday, March 11 B’nai Mitzvah Adam 10am Hendrick/Sam Hendrick Tot Shabbat 10:30am Purim Service 8pm Additionally, the Executive Order was completed on January 27th, the day that is designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This commemoration corresponds to the date when the death camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau were liberated at the end of the Shoah in 1945. Gathering together for Shabbat services over that weekend, it was impossible not to see this Executive Order through the lens of Jewish history and the darkest hours of human civilization, when 6 million Jews were murdered simply because they were Jews. When this ideology of hate and destruction was extended by the Nazis to other vulnerable minorities who were singled out for persecution and destruction– homosexuals, Romani peoples, the disabled, Jehovah’s witnesses and other groups. In his statement recognizing the day, President Trump proclaimed: “In the name of the perished, I pledge to do everything in my power throughout my Presidency, and my life, to ensure that the forces of evil never again defeat the powers of good. ogether, we will make love and tolerance prevalent throughout the world.” It is unfathomable to me that this tatement was issued by the same man, on the same day that he imposed these restrictions and bans on desperate refugees. As a Jew, I cannot be silent. It has been pointed out that Otto Frank, Anne’s father tried frantically over a multi-year period to secure visas to the US for his family to flee the Nazis. Despite significant wealth and connection as well as American sponsors, it was impossible to secure these visas. We all know how this story ends. We ought to have etched into our brains the image of the ship the St. Louis which was turned away by the United States in 1939. Over 900 passengers, mostly Jews fleeing the rise of Nazism were turned away from our shores despite every pressure brought to allow them entry. 532 of those passengers were returned to German-occupied areas in Europe. Over 50% perished in the Shoah. Our nation carries that guilt – and we cannot allow a similar approach to the most needy who today look to our great nation for protection. As a Jew, I will not be silent. With prayers for strength, from the President For me, February is a time for reflection. Not only because the weather keeps us cooped up inside, but also because it is my birthday month - during which I will receive a TI birthday pencil - which reminds me how quickly the years go by. With time flying by, I realize that I cannot wait to act upon things that are important to me. If you feel as I do, then Temple Isaiah can help you check things off your bucket list. Temple Isaiah has many opportunities to help the local and Jewish community. It appears to me that an overwhelming amount of Temple Isaiah constituents are passionate about social action initiatives. I want you to know that I hear you, and I pledge to expand on our social action initiatives at Temple Isaiah to offer more opportunities. Speaking of social action, for the fourth year in a row, Temple Isaiah has helped change the lives of the homeless. Our Cold Weather Shelter team leaders, Susan Gordon, Cheryl Kaufman, Diane Freedman, Roy Appletree, Amy Levitt, Gary Perolman and Jill and Michael Nord, paved the way for others in our TI family to make a difference. All of you who volunteered not only provided a fabulous spread of food and comfortable shelter for our guests, but also offered free legal advice, professional counseling, entertainment, transportation, laundry services and hot showers. Volunteering is a selfless and selfish act. When we volunteer we do for others to help change their lives while, at the same time, we are doing for ourselves, making us feel good, helping ourselves grow, and changing our own lives. Thank you for your selfless acts of kindness in helping with Cold Weather Shelter and I hope you felt selfish for doing it! You may recall that I am a proponent of having name tags at Temple Isaiah. Thanks to Barbara Lisle, TI’s Membership VP, you will now find name tags in the lobby before Friday night services. Feel free to take a name tag when you arrive, and please return it when you leave. I hope it helps you make a new friend. L’Shalom, Donna Kasoff President Board Summary Reusable nametags are being provided for people attending Friday night Shabbat services 2017 is the 13th year ("Bar Mitzvah") of The Matzah Ball. Corporate sponsors are needed We are increasing our custodial hours at Temple Isaiah Synagogue Life … to our February B’nai Mitzvah Joshua Hirschfeld, Zachary Shord, Bryn Schwartz, Jacob Rudolph & Matthew Rudolph ...Mel & Janis Schwartz on the birth of their grandson Emory Grayson Thank you to all of our congregants who so graciously volunteered at the Cold Weather Shelter last week. Thanks to you our guests were brought to and from Temple Isaiah and some to their jobs. They ate delicious meals, showered, had their clothes cleaned, and rested well. They got help on resumes, legal advice, enjoyed lovely live music and many Bingo games. We were only able to offer all of this with the help of each and every one of you. Thank you for helping in this mitzvah. Volunteer Corner Debbie Wofsey grew up in a duplex in Jacksonville, Florida with her grandparents living in the upstairs apartment. Her Jewish upbringing came from her grandparents who moved to America from Poland before the Holocaust. Debbie’s family had membership to temple solely for her brother to be bar-mitzvahed. Afterwards, she and her sister no longer attended Sunday School. Her fondest memories were; the holiday dinners, finding the afikomen, which was always in the same place, and her grandfather taking her and her sister to the deli after Sunday school.