A Letter To My Grandson: "Dear Ezzy". Rosh HaShanah Morning, 5764 - 2023

Dear Friends,

Two years ago, on Yom Kippur, I gave a sermon in anticipation of the wedding of our daughter, Elana - to her (and our) beloved Greg. In that sermon, I shared a letter to Elana, and I concluded that sermon with the words:

“[Elana,] …I promise that I won’t make you the centerpiece of another public letter on the High Holidays…for a while at least. I’ll save the next one for our Grandchildren.   

No pressure….

Love – Dad”

I am nothing, if not a man of my word. So here is a letter to our first grandson.

My Dear Ezra Ray,

During the 9 months prior to your birth, your Grandma Sue and I were so excited! All our friends who were grandparents told us how amazing it was going to be. “You can’t understand it until you experience it...”- they would say. “It’s the best club in the world.”

And you know, they were right.

Ezzy - the love that we feel for you is overwhelming.  We felt the same way when your mother and uncle Ethan were born. And yet it’s not the same – because WE are not the same.

You see, there’s a difference between imagining something and experiencing it firsthand. It reminds me of the story of the man who commissioned a brand-new sidewalk in front of his house.  As it was curing, he put up a large sign that said: “NO kids or dogs on the sidewalk!”  He sat on his front porch to keep guard. Sure enough, a group of children approached the sidewalk and were about to draw in the wet cement when the man saw them and started to scream: “get away from there you little monsters!” One of the mothers of the children ran to comfort her upset child and said to the man: “Sir – you don’t have to scare them like that!  Don’t you like children?”  He replied, “Madam, I like children very much – but in the abstract, not the concrete!”

 

Ezzy - not everyone wants to be or can be a parent – even fewer are given the opportunity to become a grandparent – I understand this. When I was writing these words, I struggled with how deep I should go. I knew that there might be some here this morning for whom my words could be painful– especially those who are unable to have, or are estranged from children or grandchildren. It’s also important for you to know that there are multiple ways to raise the next generation. There are many loving and caring adoptive, step and “honorary” moms, dads, and grandparents. Teachers, mentors, coaches, and counselors all play a huge role in supporting and nurturing our kids. The love that they bring is just as beautiful, life-affirming, and monumental as what we feel for you. So, for those who may see yourselves in this category – know that I see you. I feel you. I understand your pain.

 

Ezzy - I need you to know that becoming a grandfather – a Saba – as I hope you’ll call me – has impacted me profoundly. I am a different person today because of you. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Truth be told Ezzy, we all have key moments in our lives that help to put everything into perspective.

• When we stand under the chuppah with our beloved life-partner
• When we graduate from college, or change careers
• When we lose a loved one
• When we receive exciting news
• When our doctor gives us the diagnosis that confirms our worst fears…
• When world events shake our souls with joy, wonder, or concern….

All these – and many other - moments change us and cause us to see ourselves and our world in a new light. They also have the potential to teach important lessons. YOU, Ezzy have taught your family so much in the 9 weeks since you have been born. So today, on this first day of a new year, I want to share three of the lessons that I have learned from you.

The first lesson is:  WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL

When you were born, Ezzy, many people reached out to us with love, joy, presents, and advice. One gift we received from dear friends was the book, Nanaville by Anna Quinlan. This short memoir teaches many important lessons.  The number one lesson it imparts is that grandparents must allow their children to take the lead in raising their offspring. The only time to offer advice is when we are asked – even when we think we may know that we could do things better. We need to keep our opinions to ourselves..

I know this firsthand Ezzy – I have been told quite clearly by your mom and dad that I must limit the number of pictures of you that I post on social media AND that I am not allowed to share them without their permission.  This is a hard pill for me to swallow….and …..your parents are absolutely correct.

But sometimes it’s more complicated…

As clergy, my colleagues and I often meet with congregants who are dealing with painful situations. Some of the most gut-wrenching conversations I have had over the years have been with grandparents who are prevented from seeing their children and grandchildren. Sometimes it is clear why they are kept away. Other times – it is harder to understand. Families are complicated. Grudges and feuds can be destructive. The pain and frustration that all sides feel can be overwhelming.

But it isn’t always that extreme. I recently was asked to join a Facebook group for Jewish grandparents. I initially thought it would be fun. It would be an opportunity to share photos, joys, and shep naches (share joy…).  But I soon realized that, along with cute pictures and advice on the best place to take the little ones for ice cream, there were also posts from people who were frustrated, angry and hurt that their children would not listen to them or allow them to see their precious grandchildren as much as they wanted. There was a lot of “Why won’t my children listen to me?  They have no idea what they are doing!  I did a good job of raising them! What did I do to deserve this?”

Now, while I’m sure that the pain and frustration that these grandparents are sharing is real – the truth is, what most of them are experiencing is the vital process of their children setting boundaries with and for them.

There’s a saying that every grandparent knows:  Becoming a grandparent is the reward for being a parent because we get to spoil our grandchildren – and then give them back to our kids. I’m sure that this is true. The flip side of this, however, is that it is also our job to love and support their parents – on their terms – not ours. As fun as it is to see our children dealing with the same frustrations that we dealt with when we were young, we aren’t calling the shots anymore.

The concept that we are not in control is also one of the central themes of these Yamim Noraim¬ – High Holy Days. Each year, we stand before God, confess our sins and shortcomings  and greet each other with the words: L’Shanah Tovah Tikateyvu – May you have a good New Year and be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life. If you think about it, that’s an intense greeting! It means: “May you live another year!” As much as we want to control our fate – and that of those whom we love – we cannot. The words of the Unetaneh tokef - “Who shall live and who shall die…?”- are both problematic and powerful. We don’t know what the future will bring. But we work, hope, and pray for the best. In light of all this uncertainty, our task is to strive to be a blessing to ourselves and our loved ones.

 

And this brings me to my second lesson that I have learned from you: 

SAVOR EVERY MOMENT.

Ezzy – you and your parents live so far away! We wish we could see more of you!

The truth is – we’re not moving to New York – where you live, and your parents probably aren’t moving here to Denver anytime soon.

As such, your grandma Sue and I relish every moment we get to share with you and your parents. We’ve been fortunate over the past two months to spend time together –

• when you were first born,
• last month at a family wedding in Minneapolis
• and now you are all with us for Rosh Hashanah.

But it’s not enough – it’s never enough. We will always want more. During your first week of life, Sue and I took turns every other night rocking you in your nursery so your parents could get some rest. We didn’t sleep much – but we didn’t care. I never tired of gazing at your beautiful face. I loved every second – even the non-stop crying and the dirty diapers….  Every moment was and is a gift.

In the torah portion we heard chanted so beautifully this morning, the Akeydah – the Binding of Isaac – We read the following text from Genesis 22:1-4

Some time afterward, God put Abraham to the test, saying to him, “Abraham.” He answered, “Hineyni - Here I am.”

“Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I will point out to you.”

So early next morning, Abraham saddled his ass and took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and he set out for the place that God had told him.

On the THIRD day Abraham looked up and saw the place from afar.

There’s a lot going on in this text. This morning, however, I only want to focus on how the passage of time shifts during the narrative. The wording is sparse, emotionless. Three days go by in a flash.

Later, however, everything changes, and time shifts. In verses 9 -11, the description of Abraham’s thwarted attempt to carry out God’s horrific command seems to take place in slow motion.

They arrived at the place of which God had told him. Abraham built an altar there; he laid out the wood; he bound his son Isaac; he laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

And Abraham picked up the knife to slay his son.

Then, (at the last moment possible,) a messenger of יהוה called to him from heaven: “Abraham! Abraham!” And he answered, Hineyni “Here I am.”

There will be moments in your life, Ezzy, when everything seems to be happening too quickly. At other times, each second will seem like an eternity. I’m beginning to realize that the older I get, the faster time passes. This is going to sound cliché – but it doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were holding your mom , and then your uncle, Ethan - sleep deprived- and rocking them to sleep.

One of the key words in our Torah portion, Ezzy, is Abraham’s response to God’s call: “Hineyni – Here I am.”

Ezzy, as you grow, I pray that you will allow yourself to be fully present – to appreciate the beauty, the love, the successes and even the mistakes you make – and you will have plenty of both. Time is precious, my beloved grandson. Savor every moment. Answer the call with Hineyni¬ -Here I Am!!!

And finally, the third, and perhaps most important lesson that I want to leave you with is:

Leave a Legacy.

It may sound strange to talk to a 9 -week-old baby about leaving a legacy, but you see, Ezzy, you are already part of multiple legacies. As your parents shared so beautifully at your Brit Milah ceremony, your middle name – Ray (Raviv in Hebrew) - is in honor of two powerful women of blessed memory:  Reva Rosenbloom and Rachel (or Ray) Gleitman. Reva was your mother’s grandmother. She was a community leader in Minneapolis and a past president of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. She had a passion for tzedakah, beauty, and the Jewish people. Your other namesake, Bubbi Ray - your father’s grandmother – was a survivor of the Holocaust who, despite the horrors she experienced, looked at the world with joy and passion – and she shared it with everyone she met. You have inherited a powerful legacy of caring, perseverance, service and love that will remain with you throughout your life.

Returning to our Torah portion, Commentators throughout the ages have struggled with multiple aspects of our narrative. Abraham is faced with a quandary. The same God who – just a few chapters earlier – had told him that his ancestors would be as numerous as the sand in the sea or the stars in the sky has just told him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham experiences an existential crisis: If he wants to preserve his legacy, he must disobey God. If he carries out God’s brutal command, then God was lying about his legacy.  Either outcome was unacceptable.

As we know, Ezzy, Abraham, in the end, was stopped from carrying out this horrible deed. And yet, his dilemma represents – in the most basic and primal form – the eternal fear that our legacy will not live beyond our current generation. We have so many hopes for you! We want you to live a long, joyous, and healthy life.  We want you to become a good Jew - a good person: kind, caring and creative. We want you to study Torah, rejoice in Shabbat, and give back to our people. We want you to love music and the arts, to explore the mountains and learn to ski. We want you to have a good sense of humor. We want you to go to summer camp, travel to Israel and around the world, and most of all: be a mentsch- and, knowing your parents, I have no doubt that you will be.

Ezzy – as I look at you and marvel at how much love you inspire in me – and everyone who meets you – I am also reminded that you also represent your grandparent’s personal legacies. Long after we are gone, you will be carrying forth our genes, values, and history.

But there are many other kinds of legacies. You don’t need to be a parent or grandparent to make a difference. There are teachers, mentors, artists, philanthropists, scientists, healers, and thinkers who change the world through their love, caring, generosity, and brilliance.

As our president, Wendy Nekritz shared in her remarks earlier this morning, this year marks Temple Emanuel’s 150th anniversary.  For the next 12 months, our holy community will be lifting up the Heritage and Harmony that has defined our spiritual Home. We will not only be celebrating, we also will be learning, sharing our history, envisioning the future, traveling together, performing acts of service, and embarking on an aspirational and life-changing fund-raising campaign that will help to ensure our congregation’s legacy as we begin the next exciting chapter of Temple Emanuel’s history. This historic milestone is also a watershed moment - a challenge - if you will. Can our community step up, raise these essential funds, and commit to ensuring that the generations to come will be able to share in what we are building today? I believe that we can, and we will because we must. We owe it to the generations to come.

Ezzy – we can’t wait to watch you grow and see your already strong personality continue to develop. The love we feel for you is immeasurable. Although you’re only 9 weeks old, you have already taught us so much. You have shown me that, even though I am not in control, I will savor every moment that I can, and work to create a legacy for you and all who will come after you. I promise that your grandma and I, your uncles, aunts, cousins and parents will always be there for you.

Oh…. And I also promise that the next letter I share publicly won't be until your bar mitzvah.

L’shanah Tovah -   Love, Saba

 

Reflection On the Decision to Punish the Tree of Life Murderer with the Death Penalty.

(The following essay was published on August 3, 2023 as an Op-Ed in the Denver Post.  Here is a direct link to the article:  https://www.denverpost.com/2023/08/03/tree-of-life-synagogue-death-penalty-opinion/)

On the morning of Oct. 27, 2018, I was in synagogue when my Apple watch started incessantly vibrating with multiple text messages. Normally, during services, I turn off all my electronics, but for some reason, my watch was still connected to the internet.

Given the volume of messages that kept repeating, I had a feeling that something important was happening. I glanced down at my watch and saw the first reports of a mass shooting taking place. I remember slipping out of the chapel, turning on my phone and discovering, to my horror, that a man had broken into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh with an automatic weapon, opened fire and killed 11 innocent congregants.

I returned to the service and, with tears in my eyes, shared the awful news with my stunned congregation. Wednesday we learned that a jury had decided that the guilty party would receive the death penalty for his horrific crime.

When the perpetrator of this act of racist and antisemitic violence (whose name I will not mention) was found guilty on all counts this past June, I felt a palpable sense of relief. Justice had been done and this evil human would be punished for his horrific crime. Upon hearing the news that he would be given the death penalty, however, I felt a sense of unease and trauma – similar to what I felt when I learned about his murderous act in the first place.

The Torah teaches that there are multiple crimes for which the death penalty can be imposed – from violating the Sabbath, to disobeying one’s parents, to idolatry, murder, and bestiality. And yet, while the texts instructing us on how to impose capital punishment are abundant, Jewish tradition does not condone the death penalty. As Judaism has evolved over the centuries, the ancient Rabbis made its application practically impossible. In the 75-year history of the State of Israel only one person has ever been executed by a court of law: Adolph Eichman – the architect of Hitler’s Final Solution — and even that sentence was hotly debated within the courts and around the kitchen tables of every citizen in the Jewish State.For me, the central issue is truly none of the above. The issue of capital punishment revolves not around how we see the most evil elements of society — but how we perceive ourselves. Are we going to allow our fear of crime, our desire for vengeance, our BOTTOM-LINE mentality govern how we conduct ourselves? Capital punishment is a quick fix. It may be popular with the voters. It may make some of us feel good or politicians look good as they get tough on crime. But I believe that ultimately it lessens our own humanity when we take the life of another person – no matter how depraved their action may have been.

Those who have committed atrocities need to be punished. They cannot be a part of a civilized society. But I firmly believe that one of the prices of being “civilized” is taking on the responsibility to act in a way that is consistent with our own internal holiness.

All religious traditions teach that one day humanity will be judged. I believe that our judgment will not merely revolve around how we treated the best in our society but how we treated the worst as well. There is evil in the world. There are predators and murderers among us who deserve to be separated and cut off from civilization. For some there can be no rehabilitation.

The price we pay for living in a civilized, moral world is living with the fact that we cannot totally eliminate this evil.  But we can assert that we – as a sacred community – will not allow ourselves to stoop to their level.  We should not become murderers as well.

Israel In Crisis - Sermon Delivered on July 28th, 2023

 

My Dear Friends

Today is the 10^th day of the Hebrew month of Av. Yesterday was Tish’ah B’av – the 9^th of Av – the saddest day in the Jewish Calendar.  For many Jews, Tisha B’av is a day of fasting and mourning.  It is the day upon which both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed.

Historically, many other tragic events took place on or around this date: 

• The First Crusade officially commenced on 15 August 1096 (Av 24, AM 4856), killing 10,000 Jews in its first month and destroying Jewish communities in France and the Rhineland.
• The Jews were expelled from England on 18 July 1290 (Av 9, AM 5050).
• The Jews were expelled from France on 22 July 1306 (Av 10, AM 5066).
• The Jews were expelled from Spain on 31 July 1492 (Av 7, AM 5252).
• Germany entered World War I on 1–2 August 1914 (Av 9–10, AM 5674),
• On 2 August 1941 (Av 9, AM 5701), SS commander Heinrich Himmler formally received approval from the Nazi Party for "The Final Solution."
• On 23 July 1942 (Av 9, AM 5702), began the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.
• The AMIA bombing, of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killed 85 and injured 300 on 18 July 1994 (10 Av, AM 5754).

And there are many today who fear that yet another calamity is taking place in front of our eyes: The threat of the dissolution of Democracy due to the recent vote by the Netanyahu Government to take away the ability of the Israeli Supreme Court to serve as a check and balance against autocratic rule.

Some of you may hear these words and think that I am being overly dramatic. After all, wasn’t the current Government elected in a free and fair election?  Didn’t the Right Wing in Israel receive a mandate for change?

The answer is not so simple.  While Benyamin Netanyahu and the Likud party did receive the slimmest majority of votes in the last election (after four failed elections in as many years), the realities of a parliamentary system of Governance meant that Netanyahu, in order to gain a ruling coalition, had to join forces with far-right and fundamentalist firebrands like Itamar Ben G’vir, and Betzalel Smotrich – both of whom have well documented histories of racist, Kahanist, misogynistic anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Reform Jewish statements and actions. Many of those who voted for Netanyahu did not count on his inclusion of overt racists in his cabinet.

Unlike America’s democracy, Israel does not have a formal constitution.  Until recently, the only governing body that served as a check and balance to curb abuses of power has been the Israeli Supreme Court. This new law effectively gives the ruling coalition a veto over the Judicial process – creating a de-facto dictatorship. Never in the history of the State of Israel has there been such an extremist government bent on reshaping the very fabric and character of the Jewish State. While there is no doubt that some Israeli citizens support this government’s radical agenda, many others who may have voted for Likud did so out of a sense of weariness and a desire for stability after so many unsuccessful attempts at forming a ruling coalition. In addition, a recent poll shows that only 38% of Israelis support the current government’s plan to neuter the Supreme Court[i].

This latest action has also paved the way for Netanyahu to pay a debt to some of his supporters by re-appointing Aryeh Deri – Chair of the Ultra-Orthodox Shas Party - who was removed from consideration as Deputy Prime minister seven months ago by the Israeli Supreme Court because of his past criminal convictions.  Netanyahu himself is also under criminal investigation for bribery, breach of trust and fraud – adding to fears that he will use his newly increased power to manipulate the judiciary, solidify his base, disrupt his own trial, and remove other democratic safeguards in the Jewish State.

This vote is only the first step towards what many Israelis feel is a march towards an authoritarian state reminiscent of Turkey, Hungary, or Venezuela. There are very real concerns that the next steps will be an increase in funding for ultra-orthodox institutions, a cutting of funding to liberal religious institutions and organizations in Israel, removal of the rights of the LGBT population, further limitations to the rights of Palestinians, and an end for any hopes for a two-State resolution of the conflict – as the government has also pledged to expand settlements in the West Bank – indeed, many pundits and analysts feel that the coalition now plans to begin a complete annexation of the West Bank. [cf: https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-far-right-ally-said-to-agree-government-will-advance-w-bank-annexation/, and https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-12-28/ty-article/.premium/natural-right-to-the-land-of-israel-netanyahu-lays-out-west-bank-annexation-plans/00000185-5955-dbd5-abe7-59f5c5d60000]

 

I have spoken several times over the past few months about the protests that have been taking place on Saturday nights in almost every city in Israel for the past 30 weeks. Sue and I joined the protests in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv during our congregational trip last month, and I also attended the Tel Aviv protest when I was there for the World Zionist Congress this past April. It was truly a life-changing experience. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis – Jews and Arabs alike – have been demonstrating and demanding that the principles of Democracy and human rights be strengthened in the face of increasing authoritarianism and division within the body politic.  As the inevitability of the Supreme Court vote approached, the intensity and fervor of the weekly protests increased.  There were marches from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem that shut down major highways. Leaders of  Israeli industry and high tech publicly decried the policies of the government - threatening to leave Israel altogether.  Some members of the Israeli Defense Force Reserves have pledged not to serve under an authoritarian regime. On Tuesday, the front pages of multiple Israeli newspapers were covered in black ink – a sign of mourning and protest. The Histadrut – Israel’s largest labor Union, as well as Doctors and Lawyers have threatened massive strikes that would effectively shut down Israeli society. And perhaps more frightening, there has been a small, but significant increase in violent responses to the demonstrators – from police and counter demonstrators from the Right. Unfortunately, it appears that the Netanyahu government is determined to exercise its power and ignore the massive voices of protests throughout the country.

 

Israel is in crisis.  The country is divided along political, religious, and ethnic lines. And we - who have an historic, spiritual, and emotional connection to the Jewish State - feel a multitude of emotions as we stand and watch our beloved homeland weathering one of the most serious crises it has faced in its 75 years of existence.

 

I am a Zionist.  I have always been a Zionist and I will continue to champion Israel, it’s right to exist, it’s right to defend itself and forge its own path.  I am not an Israeli citizen and, as such I cannot vote in elections, serve in the IDF or claim any allegiance other than my love for and connection with the Zionist ideals upon which it was founded. And yet, I cannot remain silent either.

In thinking about what to say tonight, I, and many other American Rabbis reached out to our Israeli colleagues to ask them what they need from us -as American Jews and supporters of Israel.  Here are a few of many responses we received on a private Facebook page (all responses are given with the permission of the authors…)[ii]

Rabbi Haim Shalom –writes:

I want you to talk about hope.

I want you to talk about love.

I want you to talk about how hard it is to see a country one loves choose a dangerous path of self-harm.

I want you to make clear that democracy is not just the tiny thin majority enforcing its will on the minority and that is true wherever we are. There are universal moral truths which we cannot turn our backs on. This is the message of this week's parasha [Va’etchanan, which contains both the Ten Commandments and the Sh’ma]. The coming together of Aseret HaDibrot [The Ten Commandments] as a symbol of the most fundamental moral truths, and our credo of Shma Yisrael - a statement spoken to the particular (ישראל) but focused ON the universal (אחד). We turn to each other as fellow members of the people of Israel to remind each other of the oneness of creation - we are all in this together. Whenever one part of the human family falls, it affects us all.

Rabbi Rinat Safania writes:

As you know our country is burning ... It is a sad and difficult afternoon here…. Yet - the protest brought many indifferent people out of the house to show how important this country is to them, and how unwilling they are to give up democracy, civil rights and matters of religion and state. We really hope that this protest will also lead people to choose by their feet and join the liberal movements like the Reform movement. We have a lot of work to do in all fields, and the road is long – (Quoting from Hatikvah – Israel’s national anthem) Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim "the hope is two thousand years old" - and it does not end with one decision or another. There is a large movement of protest here, and alongside it a large movement of people who want to continue holding hands despite all the differences. We as the Reform movement and communities are here to hold on to hope even when darkness seems to be falling.

Rabbi Leora Ezrachi-Vered writes:

As hard as this is to see and watch from afar, and the reality is certainly very, very, concerning, there are also huge waves of people working for a better Israel. And that this is not the end, but a pit that we can climb out of, like Joseph. Like all those who are struggling, we need friendship and solidarity more than ever. The rabbis and members of the Reform movement in Israel are front line activists.

 ---------------------

The rabbis of the old ascribed the destruction of the second Temple on Tisha B’Av to Sinat Chinam – baseless hatred. Rav Abraham Isaac Kook – the first Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel taught that we need to replace Sinat Chinam with Ahavat Chinam- boundless love. As we confront the very real crisis that is affecting the State of Israel – as we watch with concern as the divisions within Israeli society are growing in both intensity and consequence - our task is to support those elements within Israeli society that are working to bridge gaps, bolster Democracy, and provide an alternative to fundamentalist, racist, misogynist and oppressive policies and attitudes.

I want to encourage everyone who makes donations to Israel to support the organizations that are on the front lines of combatting the encroaching anti-Democratic initiatives. In particular, I would ask that you donate directly to the Israel Movement For Progressive Judaism. (Click on the underlined link.) I also plan to join with other colleagues to request that Jewish Colorado designate the contributions of our community to institutions and organizations in Israel that promote Ahavat Chinam and Democratic and pluralistic values -while avoiding those that do not.

 

My friends, despite the very real and significant concern that I - and many others – share about the current Israeli Government, it is vitally important to remember that now is not the time to abandon Israel. We have both the ability and the responsibility to raise our voices when we see our beloved homeland in crisis. Just as we should not remain silent when a member of our family is endangering themselves, so to with the State of Israel.

May the voices of protest and the hope for peace prevail in Israel and throughout the world and may we see renewed hope for growth and healing.

 

Shabbat Shalom

---

[i] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-netanyahu-down-polls-over-judicial-reform-2023-07-26/

 

[ii] Thank you to Rabbi Joseph Metzler for asking the question of our Israeli colleagues and compiling their responses in a document that he shared with us.

Reflection on SCOTUS' Discriminatory Ruling in 303 Creative V. Elenis.

 

 

Dear Friends,

This morning, I participated in a press conference with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, interfaith religious leaders, and representatives of the LGBTQ+ community in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in 303 Creative V. Elenis. This case, which was brought by a Colorado Web Designer, revolved around the issue of whether the owner of a private business could refuse to provide services to a same-sex couple based on her religious beliefs. The Court voted 6-3 in favor of the plaintiff.

When I heard the news of this decision, I was chilled to the bone. What SCOTUS has done, in essence, is to provide individuals and businesses with the right to legally discriminate against anyone who does not fit their preconceived notion of normalcy or morality. This ruling goes far beyond the LGBTQ+ community, however. It is quite possible that this case could be used to justify refusing to serve a mixed-race couple, or an immigrant, or anyone whose presence is deemed offensive.

As Jews, we remember all too well how our ancestors were victimized by anti-Semitic laws that allowed discrimination.  It was not all that long ago that here in the United States - Jews, people of color and religious minorities were legally denied access to housing, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments because of prejudicial beliefs that were loosely based on “religious” values. In several states, interracial marriage was illegal. My mother, Sophie Koven Black (z”l)  was born in Leipzig, Germany and, by a stroke of luck, was able to flee with her parents to  America one month after Krystallnacht – the “Night of Broken Glass” – November 9, 1938. She vividly remembered the “Juden” signs placed on Jewish-owned business by the Nazi government, and the public shunning and shaming of Jews. She attended a school for Jewish children – not because her parents wanted her to receive a religious education, but because all Jews were excluded from the public schools. This was all legal and expected under the laws of the land.

Now, I am not saying that this case is equivalent to the laws of Nazi Germany - not yet. I am, saying, however, that this unfortunate decision has essentially given a green light to those who would use religion to serve as a vehicle for perpetuating hatred – not only against our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, but also against anyone who challenges their perception of morality. It is a powerful and dangerous step on the road to increasing racism and prejudice in our society. If we do not raise our voices in protest against this regrettable decision now, we will be responsible for the measures that those on the Far Right will certainly be taking in the future.

I am proud of the fact that Temple Emanuel is a congregation that strives to be open to all who wish to be connected to our sacred community - regardless of race, ethnic background, sexual identity or religious background. If you want to be part of our congregation and you and/or your spouse/partner are Jewish-or are interested in learning more about Judaism, we welcome you! But it is not enough to be simply welcoming. We must actively show our love for and openness to our LGBT+ family and friends. Today is the last day of Pride month. It is ironic and painful that SCOTUS decided to announce this tragic ruling at this time of radical acceptance and welcome. In just a few days we will be observing Independence Day. Our nation was founded on the belief of equality and justice. This ruling jeopardizes this vital foundation of our democracy.

In this week’s Torah Portion, Balak, we find:  “Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov, Mishkenotecha Yisrael – How Goodly are your Tents O Jacob; your dwelling places O Israel.” (Numbers 24:5) These words were spoken by the pagan prophet, Bilaam who was hired by Balak – the Moabite King – to curse the Israelite nation. But instead of cursing, Bilaam could only utter words of blessing. Our “tents” and “dwelling places” are beautiful because they show a diverse picture of humanity. All are welcome in our midst. We have a large task in front of us to combat ignorance, prejudice and apathy. We cannot remain silent as we watch bigoted beliefs define who is welcome and who is not.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Reflections on an “Extraordinary” Trip to Israel- Sermon Delivered on April 28, 2023

 

Dear Friends,

The first time I travelled to Israel was in 1975. I spent 6 months as an exchange student when I was in 11^th grade – learning Hebrew, attending the Leo Baeck High School in Haifa, and travelling the length and breadth of the land.

I spent my first year of Rabbinical School in Jerusalem. Since I was relatively fluent in Hebrew by then, and since all students in my class had to pass the same Hebrew proficiency exam to be able to move on to our 2^nd year, I had a wonderful time playing music with other Israeli musicians, exploring Jerusalem, and traveling around the country without having to worry to much about academics. 

I worked for the Reform Movement’s youth programs in Israel for three summers during Rabbinical School – those experiences taught me how wonderful it is to share Israel with others.  Sue and I have led over 14 congregational trips and I have been part of several rabbinic and leadership missions.  All in all, I have travelled to Israel over 30 times over the past 42 years.

Each time I travel to Israel is unique. Whether I am leading a trip, participating in a mission, studying, or visiting family and friends, I never cease to be amazed at how this country – still young as it celebrates its 75^th anniversary – always finds a way to leave a mark on my soul.

This last trip was no different.  Even though it was very short – I was in Israel for a total of 5 days – with two days travelling back and forth (I don’t recommend this unless you are a fan of Jet lag…), I still was profoundly impacted by the experience and learned a tremendous amount.

Last week, I was honored to serve as a delegate to the “extraordinary” World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem. So, I’m sure your asking yourselves:  “So what is the World Zionist Congress?”

 

The First Zionist Congress was held in  1897 in Basel Switzerland.  It came about because Theodor Herzl called for Representatives from Zionist organizations from around the Jewish world to come to Basel to debate and decide on the future of the Zionist Movement. 

At the end of the Congress, the delegates achieved four concrete outcomes:

·       They adopted the Basel Platform which stated:   "Zionism seeks to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine secured under public law." 

·       They agreed upon the design form the Israeli Flag that we know today

·       They affired that Naftali Ingber’s stirring anthem – “Hatikvah – The Hope” would be the national anthem of the Jewish people, the Zionist Movement and the Jewish State.

·       They agreed to give Herzl the power to negotiate with the Turks, Germans and other powers to help create a Jewish State

They also agreed that approximately Every 5 -6 years, another congress would be held.

 

Today – The main purpose of the Congress to set forward an agenda for education and allocation of resources from the World Zionist Organization – and it’s affiliates – including, ARZA, Haddasah, B’nai Brith, WIZO, WUJS and all political movements in Israel

Elections are held before each congress.  The number of votes gathered by each affiliated organization determine the number of representatives at the congress.

AS such – the number of votes allocated to each movement determines how the budget of the WZO is allocated.

In recent years, progressive Jewish organizations have done very well in the voting – thereby allocating funds for educational programs and institutions both in Israel and in the Diaspora

Since this is Israel’s 75^th birthday – and since the last congress was virtual, the WZO executive decided to have an “extraordinary” congress that was supposed to have been mostly symbolic in nature

In the past, when asked to attend the Congress, I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. This year, when I was asked to represent our movement, I readily agreed – due to its historic nature.

In addition, given the extremist far-right Netanyahu ruling coalition, and the plethora of proposed legislation that could, if passed, radically reshape the democratic, pluralistic and Jewish nature of the State of Israel, Center and Left Zionist groups felt that it was essential we introduced resolutions that reflect our values and concerns.

 

My friends, as we all know, Israel is in the midst of a crisis as we speak. It truly is a liminal moment in history.  This government is attempting to reshape the face of Israeli Democracy by stripping the Supreme Court of any meaningful role as a bulwark against abuse.

 

If the Reforms suggested by this coalition were to be set in place, the stage would be set for the creation of an autocracy – similar to what we are seeing in Hungary, Turkey, and other hotspots of dictatorship throughout Europe.

I do not say these words lightly – for I truly believe that Israel is facing a critical watershed unlike anything that has ever taken place over the past 75 years.

By weakening the power of the court – there would be no checks and balances on the ability of the Government to enact legislation that would be undemocratic, theocratic and abusive.

In order to gain a ruling coalition after the last election, Netanyahu has joined forces with far-right and fundamentalist firebrands like Itamar Ben G’vir, and Betzalel Smotrich – both of whom have well documented histories of racist, Kahanist, misogynistic anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Reform Jewish statements and actions.  In addition to plotting to weaken the Supreme court, members of this coalition have pledged to expand settlement in the West Bank, cut funding to non-orthodox institutions and organizations in Israel, remove the rights of the LGBT population, limit the rights of Palestinians and end any hopes for a two-State resolution of the conflict.

As such – the center and left Zionist groups – led by our Reform movement – both in Israel and the Diaspora, made the strategic decision to submit multiple resolutions opposing the Judicial reforms, protecting the rights of women and minorities, honor and celebrate the LGBTQ communities and censure the racism that has been both implicitly and explicitly stated by members of the Netanyahu Government.

It’s hard to encapsulate the many experiences I had at the Conference.  Here a few examples:

·       Watching with pride as the leaders of the Reform Movement in Israel and the US challenged the status quo and refused  to be bullied by the far right

·       Marching to the Supreme Court and holding a demonstration against the Judicial Reforms

·       Watching in anger and dismay as the Likud coalition, after realizing that they would lose the votes on our resolutions hijacked the Congress by calling for a voice vote – thereby stopping any possible action due to limitations of time

·       The screaming and shouting on the floor of the congress – with members of the Far Right calling us names and insulting us

·       (Show Videos of Pride flags and Rothstein confrontation here.)

During the course of the Conference, I kept hearing three key concepts upon which the foundation of the State of Israel was established 75 years ago:

·       Judaism

·       Zionism

·       Democracy

We use these words all the time – and yet, depending on who says them, they have radically different meanings.

 

 JUDAISM:       

The modern state of Israel is a Jewish State. It was founded to create both a place of refuge and a center of holiness, education and innovation for our people – and it has succeeded in ways that attendees at that first Zionist Congress in Basel - 126 years ago could  never, in their wildest dreams have imagined.

Israel has produced poets, artists, scientists, political scientists and, of course, technological innovation that literally has changed the world. All of these incredible successes have been part and parcel of our Jewish identity since Israel’s inception.

And yet, despite Israel’s many successes, the question of the role of Judaism  - culturally, spiritually, and theologically has become one of the greatest threats to Israel’s stability – and, some even posit, its survival.

In 1948, David Ben Gurion – the first Prime Minister, deliberately avoided the question of how to define the Jewish character of the nascent State of Israel – other than to establish the Law or Return which immediately granted citizenship to anyone who has Jewish ancestry; Questions of “Who is a Jew?”, and “How should Jewish life be recognized, celebrated and defined,” were put off.  The Chief Rabbinate of Israel was granted limited, but significant authority over life-cycle events and Jewish identity, and the ultra-orthodox community was allowed to segregate themselves from many aspects of daily life. – including serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Over the past few decades, tensions have risen between the secular and religious communities. Ben Gurion’s refusal to take up the question of Jewish identity is coming back to haunt us all.   

The current government is attempting to rewrite the Law of Return so that only Jews who fit a narrow definition of being Jewish would be allowed access to citizenship.  This would exclude any non-orthodox converts to Judaism and anyone who was not born of a Jewish mother.  This has severe implications for diaspora Jewry.

Those of us who live active and committed secular, Reform, Conservative or Modern Orthodox Jewish lives could quite possibly find ourselves without a connection to Israel if some of these Reforms are passed.

 

ZIONISM

One of the key takeaways from my participation in the Extraordinary Congress was the realization that, while all of the delegates and factions present passionately believe in and support the Zionist ideal of a Jewish State, the lived experiences, expectations, and relationship to both the land and people of Israel today varies widely.

Many of us grew up with the image of a State founded upon socialist principles – embodied by the Labor Party and the kibbutz movement.  Leaders such as Chaim Weitzman, David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir and others represented the triumph of the pioneering spirit that rose out of the ashes of the Shoah and built a nation born out of suffering that would shine as a light to the Nations – an example of strength and resistance to the Anti-Semitism that plagued our people throughout our history.

But, while the founders of Israel were mostly White, Ashkenazi Jews, today’s reality is different. Sephardic and Mizrachi – North African – Jews, who – for generations were relegated to 2^nd class status in Israel, today have a powerful political, spiritual, and social voice. Although the pain of the Shoah resonates throughout the land and is a central canon in Israel’s history, it is not a universally shared experience. Those Jews who came to Israel from Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and other places throughout the Levant had their own generational trauma.  Jews from Ethiopia and, to a large extent, the Former Soviet Union also are raising their voices and political clout. The image of the White, Ashkenazi kibbutznik politician is part of history – and, until recently, the Left has been in decline.

This plays out in multiple arenas. The left wing of Israeli politics is largely Ashkenazi and, until recently has been overshadowed by populist, anti-Arab and Anti-Palestinian sentiment. Those who came from countries led by authoritarian leaders often can find comfort in electing what they know.

 

DEMOCRACY

Israel is a democratic country. Full Stop.  And yet, the process of governing in Israel looks very different than what we imagine takes place in America.

·       It’s messy

·       It’s loud

·       It’s passionate – there’s a lot of yelling

But Israeli Democracy is under attack. 75 years ago, after the State was established, war immediately broke out. Ben Gurion wanted to avoid the messiness of dealing with the Orthodox and Israel did not have the luxury of setting up a constitutional convention. To this day, there is no Constitution. The Declaration of Independence and the basic laws that govern Israel have served as a sort of Interim foundation for governance.  The only checks and balances that currently exist to prevent authoritarianism from taking hold has been the Supreme Court – which is now threatened by the far-Right wing that is in power. 

 

It is for this reason that, for the past 16 weeks, hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens have been marching and demonstrating in the streets of every major city in Israel – demanding accountability and fighting back against what can only be called an attempted coup – an assault on the Democratic freedoms upon which the Jewish State was founded.

While I was in Israel, I attended the pro-Democracy demonstrations in Tel Aviv with 200,000 other protestors – it’s remarkable that after 16 weeks, the protests have gained strength – with the only hints of violence coming from the far-right wing

 

It is clear that, along with the shouts of the Demonstrations, the voice of Diaspora Jewry is also being heard. The current Israeli Government has been put on notice that the Jews of the Diaspora will not remain silent and that we care about what happens in Israel

 

Tonight, I am asking that our community join with people of conscience around the world who love and support the State of Israel and let our voices be heard to uphold Democratic and Moral principles.

 

The best way to do this is to Support the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism  - our voice in Israel – that is on the front lines of fighting for Democracy, Jewish Values and a vision of the Zionistic ideal that sees a strong Israel – at peace with her neighbors and upholding the human rights of all citizens – and those under occupation as well.

 

AS you leave services tonight, I’m asking you to pick up a postcard (Show slide) with a QR code that links to the website of the IMPJ.  They need our voices and they need our financial support as well.

While the situation on the ground is filled with uncertainty and tension, you need to know that I left Israel feeling hopeful. The passions that have inflamed the country show the divisions that are intense and worrying. At the same time, however, the ongoing demonstrations also show that people care, deeply, about the future of Zionism, Judaism and Democracy.

I want to conclude by sharing one more short video clip.  This was taken on Ibn Gavirol Street in Tel Aviv – shortly after the huge Demonstration had ended.,  We were walking home and suddenly stumbled upon a large crowd standing, waving Israeli Flags and singing. I looked up and saw, in the balcony of a 4^th floor apartment, a young musician and his friends had set up a PA system and were playing Israeli folk songs.  There were about 1,000 people in the street – and they were all singing along. Here is a the last song we sung…. [SHOW VIDEO OF HATIKVAH]

 

Hatikvah means “The hope”. I left Israel feeling hopeful – but people are so passionate – not only about confronting the tensions in Israeli society, but building on the 75 year legacy that brought us to this place. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done, but I am convinced that the current upheaval will pave the way to a new era of healthy governance, leadership and, with the help of God, peace.