Today and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh Adar

Today and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh Adar. Our sages teach us that “when the month of Adar arrives, our joy increases.” We can all use more joy, Simcha, in our lives. The month of Adar encourages us to go in that direction. In two weeks, we celebrate Purim, when we are also called to find joy in providing for those in need, Matanot L’Evyonim, and to bring gifts of goodies, Shaloch Manos, to our neighbors and friends. Astrologically, we’re in Pisces, and fish are a sign of blessing and fruitfulness. During this month we begin planting bulbs and early spring vegetables and we, increasingly, witness the rebirth of life all around us. Simcha, joy!

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There’s a lot of organizing to do.

There’s a lot of organizing to do. “Let’s get the job done” repeated Joe Biden numerous times to Congress and the country last night.

In Parshat Yitro this week we hear, once again, another State of the Union address. Moses is rallying the nation behind God and the promise of the Covenant at Sinai. His advisors, lead by Yitro, his father-in-law and Midianite monotheist priest, advise him on how to organize to “get the job done.” Read the Parsha!

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Finally, the Israelites are freed from slavery.

Finally, the Israelites are freed from slavery. However, their freedom does not come without great anxiety and challenges. As the people, including non Israelites, make their way into the Sinai toward Canaan, they are pursued by Pharoah's army. The people are stuck at the Sea of Reeds, in a place called Pi HaChirot, the Mouth of Freedom. They cry out to Moses, to God. They are told stop complaining and to move forward into the sea. Lead by Nachshon, they take the steps that lead to the parting of the sea. They show their resolve, their courage and their faith. After a Song of Rejoicing with Miriam and the women leading the people in celebration, they continue on their way. But the yearning to be free is once again met with difficult challenges. Why? Didn’t they deserve a better break? But in order to be truly liberated they need water. They find water but the water is bitter. Moses instructs them to throw a certain tree into the water. They do so and the waters become sweet. Our sages teach us the “tree” was the Tree of Life, the Torah. But still, there are more challenges. They need to eat! So, we learn about Manna. But the people get tired of the Manna - rather than express gratitude they complain bitterly. This people has a lot of growing to do.

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Locusts, darkness and death of the first born.  

Locusts, darkness and death of the first born.  The plagues, Makot, literally meaning “strikes”, strike against Pharoah’s enslavement of the Hebrews having intensified from the waters to the land to the sky, the realm of Higher Being. The intensity of the liberation movement is reaching a climax.  We experience the last three Makot in Parshat Bo. The Makah of the Locusts further devastates the economy. The Makah of Darkness is a metaphor for confusion and a blindness of mind, heart and purpose plaguing the Pharoah and the Egyptian oppressors. It is during these Makot that the Israelites more fully buy into the struggle for their liberation. They now see the light and begin to emerge from their own darkness to transcend their physical suffering and weak hearts.

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The opening verses of Parshat Vaera are worth checking out.

The opening verses of Parshat Vaera are worth checking out. God, once again, the first time having been at the Burning Bush, addresses Moses.  Moses is reminded of the Promise YHVH gave to the ancestors, the blessings and hopes for the future. God’s passion and core drive is directed to the freedom of the enslaved Israelites.  God is the ultimate freedom fighter. The Ineffable’s passion to free the people from bondage is at the core of Moses’ identify as well.   Moses is the instrument for making it happen.

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It’s good to be back. It’s hard to say being in Israel was relaxing.

It’s good to be back. It’s hard to say being in Israel was relaxing. I want to the thank Melissa, our administrative assistant, for watching over the business of Am Kolel while I was away. I also wish to thank Susan Zemsky, friend and recently retired executive director of Temple Shalom, for her help getting us ready for our next phase. As you know we will be reestablishing our primary center back in the lower part of the County.

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Diane and I are anticipating our return to the US.

Diane and I are anticipating our return to the US. I can’t say it’s been a relaxing trip. It’s certainly been a pleasure visiting with friends and family, especially our son Dani and his wife Chana. Traveling around the country and spending time in Jerusalem again has been an awesome experience, to reconnect with the sacredness of the land, the accomplishments of Israelis and Palestinians, their blood, sweat and tears in building this modern country. Of course, there are many conflicting realities here. One reality is that everyone loves this Land. The majority of the people here want to live in peace with each other.

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First, it was great to hear the announcement yesterday about the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House.

First, it was great to hear the announcement yesterday about the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House.

In this month when we read about Jacob’s and Joseph’s dreams in the Parshiot we can feel the joy when long sought for dreams are fulfilled in our own time. Of course, it took much hard work.

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This past weekend I attended the J Street Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. 

This past weekend I attended the J Street Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.   I understand there were some 2000 attendees, 400 college students!   While everyone was asked to show their vaccination cards and wear masks, the greater majority did not wear masks.   The vast majority were also exuberant about this opportunity, for the first time in almost three years, to engage with each other and the issues.   “Each other” included many Palestinian activists who were also present to express their concerns and to share their commitment to a two state solution and the right of the Palestinian people to equal rights and self-determination.

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Jacob, with his parents’ blessings and encouragement, leaves Be’er Sheva to travel...

Jacob, with his parents’ blessings and encouragement, leaves Be’er Sheva to travel, alone, to reside with his uncle, Laban, and his family. Welcome to Parshat VaYetze.

Try to imagine his state of mind and spirit, alone, on the mountainous trails to Haran (south western Turkey today). It is in his aloneness or loneliness that he realizes who he is, experiences his relationship with the All-Oneness of the universe and contemplates the meaning of his past, present and future. He has a profound dream where he sees angels ascending and descending on a ladder. The ladder is planted in the ground. He hears the voice of the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. God is mentioned twice because each of Jacob's ancestors had their own understanding of God, Now he hears the call, the promise of his future and the future of his descendants.

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Many of you have heard or read about the horrible display of antisemitic graffiti in Bethesda this past Monday. 

Many of you have heard or read about the horrible display of antisemitic graffiti in Bethesda this past Monday. Using swastikas, hangmen and the words “no mercy to Jews” on a large wall by the new Trolley Trail in red paint was another shocking reminder of the rise in hatred toward Jews and of a general rise in hate crimes and acts of violence throughout America.

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This week’s Parsha, VaYera, can make you dizzy with the tests and challenges presented to Avraham and Sarah. 

This week’s Parsha, VaYera, can make you dizzy with the tests and challenges presented to Avraham and Sarah. The Parsha opens up with Avraham sitting in front of his tent recovering from his brit milah at the age of 99. While sitting there, he is approached by three strangers. Forgetting his pain he jumps up and welcomes them with open arms, providing them with food and drink. Did they know he was convalescing? Were they performing the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick? We do learn later that they were the angels, according to rabbinic tradition, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (the angel of healing). We see how these visitors lifted Avraham from his pain and, forgetting his pain, he performs the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests. How many of us know that when we visit someone who is ill, they can indeed be relieved of their pain?

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The Parsha this week is well worth a read. 

The Parsha this week is well worth a read. It is Lech L’cha, Genesis 12-17. The narration is about Avram’s life from the age of 75 to the age of 99. How years were determined in those times makes for an interesting discussion. What’s really significant about the narrative is the journey that Avram, and Sarai, embark on, establishing themselves in the land of Canaan, the vision they shared and the challenges they faced.

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Last week’s Parsha was pretty uplifting at first.  We see the emergence of Light from Darkness and the magnificent unfolding of Creation. 

Last week’s Parsha was pretty uplifting at first. We see the emergence of Light from Darkness and the magnificent unfolding of Creation. We are also learn about the harmoniousness of the Garden of Eden and the radical and disturbing evolution of human awareness. We hear the warnings associated with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The author gives humans both the taste of harmoniousness and a taste of responsibility and challenges. We are reminded of the struggles between the eco-agrarian competitors, the farmer, Cain and the shepherd, Abel. That struggle lead to violence. That struggle continues today.

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Welcome to Fall! I hope the Yom Tovim have been renewing for you.

Welcome to Fall! I hope the Yom Tovim have been renewing for you. Many of us felt energized just being able to reconnect with community, either in person or on zoom.

We shared Simchat Torah this year with Shirat HaNefesh, another independent community that is also wrestling with its future. Some members of the Fabrangen Havurah also joined us when their Simhat Torah was cancelled because one of their leaders came down with covid. They are also another independent community in search of renewal.

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Shanah Tovah! For those who attended our High Holiday service at WJ High School and on Zoom I hope you found the services meaningful.

Shanah Tovah! For those who attended our High Holiday service at WJ High School and on Zoom I hope you found the services meaningful. I’m most appreciative of the amazing and hardworking Kehila HiHo Team. There are so many details of planning, security, technological challenges, etc. Thankfully, we didn’t need to endure bad weather.

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