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Matisyahu Rabbi Michael Ragozin

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Matisyahu Rabbi Michael Ragozin April/May 2016 Nisan/ Iyar 5776 Volume 10 TenthWe practice Anniversary radical hospitality! The Wave Table of Contents Celebrate the Installation of Alternative Services ............. 11 Annual Meeting................... 13 Becky’s Book Club .............. 24 Brotherhood ........................ 14 Rabbi Michael Ragozin Calendar ............................. 31 Candle Lighting ................... 11 Cemetery ............................. 12 May 13 and 14 (see page 3) Center for Early Education ..... 6 Chesed ................................ 27 CJE ....................................... 7 Eleventh Annual Meeting Clothing Bins ....................... 18 Installation of Officers & Board of Directors Condolences ....................... 19 Tuesday, May 17 Congregational Life ............... 8 Executive Director ................. 5 Family Announcements ......... 9 Installation ............................ 3 Israel Bonds Event ............... 30 JF&CS .................................. 28 Nosh & Drash Weekday! Limud Learning ................... 24 Wednesdays, May 18 & 25 and June 15 & 22 Matisyahu ......................16-17 Memorial Alcove................. 29 New Members....................... 8 Nosh & Drash Weekday ...... 25 The Bible’s Buried Secrets Passover Service Schedule .. 34 President’s Message............... 4 Rabbi’s Writings .................... 2 Scotch & Shmooze .............. 34 Service Participants ............. 13 Shabbat Café Sponsors ........ 13 An Acoustic Performance by Shabbat Olam ....................... 3 Shabbat Synaplex ................ 10 Share-a-Shabbat .................. 15 Staff Listing .......................... 30 Well Wishes & Donations19-22 Yom Hashoa ....................... 26 Matisyahu June 2 at CSH The Wave CSH ~ 55 Atlantic Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907 ~ 781.599.8005 ~ Fax: 781.599.1860 ~ www.ShiratHayam.org Page 1 Rabbi Michael Ragozin The Future of Shirat Hayam Coming As we prepare for this by Phillip Larkin foundational holiday, On longer evenings, our question is: Who or what is our Pharaoh? Light, chill and yellow, Who or what oppresses us and inflicts us with Bathes the serene hardships, holds us back and keeps us constricted? Foreheads of houses. Spring reminds us that yesterday is over, today is the only reality, and potential exists only in the future. A thrush sings, But, to name our Pharaoh is no easy task. We see Laurel-surrounded the challenges inherent in this self-reflection personal growth in Moses’ despair. After Moses’ initial visit to In the deep bare garden, Pharaoh, life is made harsher for the Israelites with the Its fresh-peeled voice collective punishment of no straw being issued, but the same quote of bricks. Moses is overcome with a Astonishing the brickwork. sense of despair: Moses appealed to the Lord, saying, It will be spring soon, "The Israelites would not listen to me; how then should Pharaoh heed me, a man of impeded speech?" It will be spring soon — (Exodus 6:12) And I, whose childhood Aware of the challenges, we ritualize this rite of Is a forgotten boredom, rebirth, because though we may not succeed, not Feel like a child trying is even worse. And, we are emboldened by the confluence of nature and history. Not only is nature Who comes on a scene renewing herself at this moment, but also on this very Of adult reconciling, day thousands of years ago, we, our people, were created anew, a free people with all the blessings and And can understand nothing newfound responsibilities associated with our new But the unusual laughter, status. And starts to be happy. We will begin our Passover seders by affirming: At this moment we are slaves. Let us seize this opportunity to reflect on our personal Pharaoh, so that we can Spring is approaching. Crocuses are flowering, follow with conviction: Next year we shall be free. new buds are appearing on trees, birds are chirping, and squirrels are frolicking. The earth is awakening from her dormant winter. And we are Hag kasher v’sameach – wishing you a joyous and called to begin anew, seeking our own new burst kosher Pesach, of color and renewal of vigor. Rabbi Michael Our calendar enshrines this source of spiritual energy in Passover, also known as Hag Ha-Aviv, the Festival of Spring. To the rebirth of the natural world, we add the layer of memory, recalling our slavery in Egypt and the miraculous birth of our people, as Pharaoh let us go and we emerged from the sea. Page 2 CSH ~ 55 Atlantic Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907 ~ 781.599.8005 ~ Fax: 781.599.1860 ~ www.ShiratHayam.org The Wave The Future of Shirat Hayam? Celebrate the Installation of Rabbi Michael Ragozin at Congregation Shirat Hayam 55 Atlantic Avenue, Swampscott Friday, May 13 at 6:00 pm The Community is invited to CSH’s musical Shabbat Olam Service followed by an Israeli dinner and speaker: Shabbat Synaplex™ Schedule: Rabbi Leonard Gordon 9:00 am “Points of Light and Hope in the •Renewal service Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” •Traditional morning service Cost for Dinner, $25.00 a person ($10 for children under 12). 10:00 am RSVP for dinner required. •Yoga Minyan •Nosh & Drash led by Saturday, May 14 beginning at 9:00 am Noam Sender The Community is invited to experience Shabbat Synaplex™ 11:10 am Installation during the Shabbat morning service officiated by: •Healing Service 11:20 Rabbi Steven Glazer •Installation followed by Ruach Rally & Shabbat Cafe Luncheon 11:45 RSVP requested. •Ruach Rally Noon RSVP to: [email protected] •Shabbat Café or 781.599.8005 The Wave CSH ~ 55 Atlantic Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907 ~ 781.599.8005 ~ Fax: 781.599.1860 ~ www.ShiratHayam.org Page 3 Dr. Howard Abrams, President The Week That Was We all have reasons that keep us connected to Congregation Shirat Hayam, and for me there have been a number of memorable, moving, spiritual and/or uplifting moments that have touched me and make me realize what a special place we have collectively built and how important it is to ensure that we all do everything we can to continue growing. In a seven day stretch last month, we witnessed four separate, yet connected, events that brought all of this home to me in a way that continues to make me shake my head in amazement and appreciation. It started with what seemed to be a routine part of Katie Tassinari’s Bat Mitzvah when her great aunt presented her with a tallit (always nice), in fact one that they had purchased on a recent family trip to Israel (even nicer). It’s not usually a speaking moment, but Aunt Charlotte took the opportunity to pass on some incredibly moving and inspiring words that set the tone for the rest of the service. It was impossible not to be swept up in the love and connection of that moment. The next day, we hosted a funeral service for Ralph Kaplan, attended by over 700 friends and family. From the ceremony led by our Rabbi and Cantor with an additional Masonic moment, through one eloquent speaker after another, we heard details of this remarkable man’s life and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. How fortunate we have been to have had him as part of our congregation, our Jewish community and yes, our world. Even with all that, I was unprepared to see his 10-year-old great- granddaughter stand up with her cousins and read a wonderful and touching tribute she composed herself, based on her survey of what each of them liked the best about Papa Ralph. There could not have been a better way to honor his memory. My day wasn’t done. After another quick turnaround (kudos to Barri, Gus and crew), we hosted Rabbi Dan Gordis at an AIPAC event. I’m still trying to figure out how he managed to combine scholarship with humor and chutzpah to present one intriguing idea after another about Israel and Zionism in ways that I had never quite considered before. It is not an accident that he is such a sought after speaker—and here he was, in our very own sanctuary. Lastly, the week ended with Shabbat Olam Poland, showcasing once again our special Cantor Elana and her talented musicians, followed by a wonderful meal and a moving presentation by Polish scholar Katka Reszke. In my mind’s eye, these events constitute a highlight reel of who we are and want to continue to be. For those of you who shared any of these, you know what I mean. In case you missed them, don’t worry, I know that there’s more to come, so don’t miss out. L’shalom, Howie Page 4 CSH ~ 55 Atlantic Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907 ~ 781.599.8005 ~ Fax: 781.599.1860 ~ www.ShiratHayam.org The Wave Diane J. Levin, Executive Director What’s Your Shirat Hayam Story? In a recent feat of daring worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the Jewish Agency of Israel airlifted to safety 19 of the last remaining Jews in Yemen. These Yemenite Jews carried with them a Torah scroll estimated to be over a half-millennium old. This tale of escape to freedom from an inhospitable land is one compelling story among many in the history of the Jewish people. That these refugees bore away with them this centuries-old scroll resonates deeply for anyone who loves Judaism. The Torah is of course the text of our sacred traditions, the source of Jewish law, and an enduring symbol of the Jewish people’s relationship with G-d. Yet, in the simplest terms, Torah is our story – in fact, The Story. The collection of the greatest stories under heaven, Torah is our souls’ compass, speaking to us in a language that we understand from our youngest years. We all respond to stories; they move us, touch our hearts, fire our imaginations, and tap the wellspring of memory. Transmitting knowledge and important ideas, stories are the medium through which one generation passes its cultural wisdom to the next. It is because of Torah that we are a nation of storytellers, as scholars have written and Jewish grandchildren can attest. Stories are bound up in our cultural DNA; it is our stories that make us uniquely Jewish.
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