Opening Prayer for the Colorado House of Representatives on "Leap Day."

Our God who dwells on High.

Our God who walks in the street.

Our God whose voice rolls down like thunder.

Our God who we find in the doubts that plague us in the middle of the night.

Today is the 29^th of February. This day that only occurs every 4 years reminds us that, in our desire to find order in the chaos of the cosmos, we need to adjust our calendars so that we might continue to number our days in accordance with the seasons of the year. Time, as we understand it, is arbitrary. The years, months, days, minutes, and seconds that we use to track the passage of time are our own creation, not Yours. While we strive for consistency and absolute perfection in all that we do – we know that there are things that truly are out of our control. And so, we invent ways to adjust our lives to deal with inconsistencies and irregularities. If we did not add this one day every 4 years, we would be off kilter and our sense of normalcy would be disrupted.

On this day of deliberation – help these legislators to remember that the process of governing  - like our calendar -is imperfect. Let them find You – not in the absolute or categorical imperatives that draw lines in the ideological sands of partisanship; but rather in their doubts, in their questions, in their struggles to fulfill the needs of our community.  Help them to move one another and to be moved.  Open their hearts to the possible and the improbable.  Help them to find the human and the divine in their colleagues, their constituents and in themselves.

Help us all to stay balanced, O God.

Help us to find humor and banish hubris.

Give us – all of us – on this day of calendar correction – a moment of tranquility and transcendence so that we might rise above our ordinariness and glimpse the glory of Your greatness.

 Let us see it in ourselves.  Let us see it in these deliberations.  Let us see it in the imbalance that reminds us of our mortality – and the beauty that comes from imperfection.

Then, and only then, will we merit the gifts You have bestowed upon us.

May this day bring change.

May this day bring hope.

May this day bring love.

 AMEN

 

Opening Prayer for the CO House of Representatives around Presidents' Day 2/22/24

 

Our God and God of all people:

God of the rich

God of the poor

God of the refugee

God of the soldier

God of the homeless

God of the comfortable

God of those who have no God…

 

Today would have been my mother’s 98^th Birthday.  It also happens to be the birthday of our nation’s 1^st president, George Washington. Last Monday, our country celebrated President’s Day where we commemorated the leadership, dignity and Vision inspired by both Presidents Washington and Lincoln.

Our First President understood the necessity of coming together in unity against a common enemy.  He led the fight for our Independence and blazed a trail of Democracy that has continued to be an inspiration around the world for 248 years.

 

Lincoln came to power during a terrible period of national divisiveness.  He stood up to injustice and bigotry and forced our nation to come to a bloody self-reckoning that almost destroyed our Union. He paid the Ultimate Price for his steadfast belief in Humanity’s embodiment of Divine aspiration. 

My mother was born in Leipzig, Germany – just before Hitler came to power.  She and her parents narrowly escaped the horrors of the Holocaust and came to our country as refugees – I stand here today as a testament to God’s grace and the high ideals for which Washington, Lincoln and so many others fought and died.

 

Today, we as a nation are as divided as we have ever been. The fractured nature of national and regional discourse should be a cause for great concern. As we prepare to remember our greatest Presidents, we pray that we also might continue to strive to emulate them and all that they stood for.

This morning, we pray for our leaders of the Great State of Colorado that they might work together to legislate and forge new bonds of connectivity with our highest national values.

 

Guide them as they work, O God – not as partisans, but as partners – transcending pettiness and finding holiness in this august chamber. Let all debate be for the sake of a greater good.

 

Bless all who come to this place:  elected officials, advisors, administrators, those who keep order and those who come simply to observe the magic and the messiness of creating laws.

 

We thank you for the opportunity to make a difference.

We thank you for extraordinary leadership.

We give thanks for the privilege to live freely in our nation.

 

AMEN

 

 

 

Breaking the Chains of Captivity in Gaza - Israel Blog

I spent this past weekend in St. Louis, MO where I attended Songleader Bootcamp (SLBC) – a yearly celebration of Jewish music, spirituality, and leadership. This is the 5^th year that I have been honored to serve as a Core Educator at SLBC. In that role, I taught classes, helped to lead services, shared my music, and helped to create a sacred community.

This year’s SLBC was filled with many memorable experiences that I look forward to sharing with you in the near future.  As always, the many sessions of prayer, singing, and learning were inspiring and fulfilling.  We were joined by a cadre of national thought leaders, musicians, artists, and clergy. For the past several years, much of our learning was facilitated by Rabbi David Ingber – the founder and visionary of a synagogue named Romemu in New York.  Rabbi Ingber is a remarkable scholar and someone who has become a dear friend.

At one of his sessions, Rabbi Ingber asked us to think about one particular section of the service  Birchot HaShachar – the morning prayers. These daily blessings thank God for things that we all too often take for granted. Here at Temple, at our weekly Shabbat morning service, it has become our tradition to recite them and then ask people to share their own “blessings”. 

This is always a powerful moment in the service. The members of our sacred community share how the past week brought them joy and fulfillment:    

• A wedding
• The birth of a child or grandchild
• Recovery from illness
• A new job
• And so on…

Sometimes in our rush to share our own blessings, we don’t take the time to probe the deep wisdom of our traditional prayers. Rabbi Ingber taught that we really can’t understand the power of these prayers until we experience them directly. For example, when we say:  “Praised are You, Adonai our God, who opens the eyes of the blind,” unless we have lost and regained our eyesight, we cannot possibly comprehend the deep meaning of the miracle of sight. Similarly, when we pray “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, who heals the sick,” the words gain great power when we – or someone we love – has risen from the sickbed.

We then focused on the blessing: “Praised are You, Adonai our God, who frees the captives.”

Until recently, these words did not have all that much impact. The concept of captivity was merely a metaphor – or a historical reminder of the suffering of our people in the past. After the horror of October 7^th, however, this prayer has taken on a whole new meaning and become a hauntingly powerful reminder of the fact that there are still men, women, and children – babies – who are languishing in horrific conditions in Gaza – imprisoned by terrorists who have shown their brutality by murdering, raping, and plundering the homes of innocents whose only crime was the fact that they lived in the State of Israel.

Those who languish in the terror of captivity in Gaza remind us daily that that their fear, helplessness and terror continue to fester like wounds that have anguished the entire State of Israel – along with all of us who grieve with them.

As we watch the horrors of war play out in the streets of Gaza, we must never lose sight of the fact that the IDF is fighting against an enemy whose modus operandi is the sacrifice of innocent lives - Palestinian and Jewish alike – in order to accomplish their goal of eradicating the Jewish State. The devastation of innocents caught up in Hamas’ evil could easily have been prevented had Hamas not set the stage for its own destruction by creating the conditions and provoking Israel to perform the mitzvah of Matir Asurim, freeing the captives.

Let us pray for an end to this horrific war, for the captives to be returned to their families who wait in anguish, for the eradication of Hamas and the beginning of hopes for peace.

Amen

Can We Have Nuanced Conversations About Israel?

 

I recently heard from a colleague serving a medium-sized congregation on the West Coast that he is very afraid to talk about Israel from the pulpit. He fears the reactions he might receive from his community. If he is supportive of Israel’s war in Gaza, there are many who will condemn him for supporting the “genocide” of the Palestinian people.  On the other hand, if he is critical, there are those who will accuse him of being a traitor and a supporter of Hamas.

Similarly, in a rabbinic Facebook group of which I am a part, a colleague shared an Email from a potential congregant that said something along the lines of: 

Hi! I am a deeply committed Jew and I am looking for a synagogue to call home. I also believe that the State of Israel is guilty of racism, hatred, and violence against a defenseless Palestinian population. After much thought and personal prayer - and considering the injustice I see playing out in Gaza and the West Bank, I have concluded that I cannot support Israel or Zionism. Given that I hold these views, would I be welcome in your congregation? (Note:  This is not the exact text - I am paraphrasing in order to respect confidentiality)

The responses from my colleagues were quite diverse. Some said that they would never allow someone who held those beliefs to be a part of their community. There is no room for an anti-Zionist within their congregation.  Others said that the email was an opening for a conversation, and that once they met with the rabbi, they would learn the errors of their ways and change their position. Others said that this letter was indicative of many conversations that they have had with college and High School students on a daily basis. Many said that we should not have litmus tests for membership. We don’t require congregants to believe in God, keep a kosher home, marry only Jews, or attend services. While they may disagree with this potential member, condemnation of Israel is not – and never should be – a prerequisite for becoming part of a holy community. After all, what if there are currently members of the community who share the views of this potential new member?  Should they be expelled?

These two examples highlight the complexity and explosive nature of the current level of discourse the Jewish community is facing as we deal with the trauma of October 7^th and its aftermath. The problem is amplified by the toxicity of anti-Israel protests that are taking place online, on college campuses, and in the streets and halls of government. Many of those who defend Israel are increasingly strident in their absolute rejection of any criticism.  

Here in Denver, we have witnessed the recent chaos that erupted in the City Council as a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was hotly debated and ultimately defeated. We also saw how the Colorado Speaker of the House succumbed to pressure from extreme members of her caucus and disinvited family members of the hostages in Gaza from entering the House Chambers- a position she later on regretted and apologized for taking. These and similar scenes around the country only serve to increase the polarization and disinformation that is currently gaining traction.

While it is essential that the hostages in Gaza be released and that Hamas be defeated, there are legitimate questions that need to be asked regarding the way that this war is being waged.

• Is there a limit to the number of Palestinian casualties that the IDF can inflict before it is too much?
•   Can we negotiate with a terrorist group (Hamas) whose stated goals are the destruction of the State of Israel and the Jewish people?
• What will happen once the war is over and the dust settles in Gaza? Who will rebuild it? Is there any path towards peace?
• Should the main focus of this military campaign be the release of the hostages or the destruction of Hamas?
• When will elections be held and, hopefully, a new government be put in place that does not contain extremists, racists and religious fanatics?

In the chaos of war, it is very difficult to focus on anything other than the battles at hand, I pray that those who have the ability and responsibility to affect change and make policy do not wait to address these vitally important issues. If they do not, then the lives that have been lost and the pain and suffering that has been inflicted on all sides will be in vain. I also pray that we learn to engage in real conversations with those with whom we disagree. Diatribes must be replaced by dialogue.

 

 

Differing Perspectives on the Gaza War

Each week, as we read the news, it becomes increasingly difficult to come to terms with the reality that is unfolding in Israel and Gaza. The situation of the Palestinian population becomes more dire every day.  We hear reports of the destruction and devastation of huge amounts of territory controlled by Hamas. The casualty reports continue to grow. The IDF has unequivocally shown that hospitals, schools, mosques and even UN relief agencies have been used as terrorist headquarters, weapons depots and staging grounds for attacks on Israel. The fact that United Nations personnel have not only been colluding with Hamas, but were participants in the October 7th attacks is horrific. Against international law and conventions, the practice of endangering civilians and using them as human shields has always been Hamas’ modus operandi. Most of these locations have been neutralized, and many non-combatants were placed in harms way. As a result, some medical procedures are taking place in unsterile environments without anesthesia.  Mothers are giving birth in makeshift tent encampments. People are dying, not only as the direct casualties of war, but also because of Hamas’ careless disregard for human life, as well as disease, hunger, and lack of basic supplies. Truly, the situation in Gaza is horrific. 

What the media is NOT reporting, however, are the methods that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is taking to minimize casualties – often at the risk of putting their own soldiers in greater danger. Much of the relief supplies that have been allowed into Gaza from both Israel and Egypt for civilians has been stolen by Hamas operatives for their own use. In addition, many locations in Gaza have been booby trapped – increasing the risk for IDF fighters. Israel has done everything from dropping leaflets that show areas of safe passage before attacking military targets, to calling individual cell phones with information about safe areas. These actions are unprecedented in military history. Nonetheless, the number of civilian casualties has been high. There are also reports of Hamas terrorists preventing civilians from fleeing in order to increase casualties. We also hear very little about the fate of the hostages in Gaza, the continued rocket attacks from the North and the South, and the massive international propaganda campaign that is being waged – with the financial and technical backing from Iran. 

Those who support Israel’s right to defend itself against a terrorist organization bent on its destruction continue to become targets of activists who hurl accusations of genocide, colonialism and terror. Simultaneously, calls for a unilateral ceasefire are increasing.  The horrors of October 7th and the fate of the hostages are quickly becoming lost in the barrage of misinformation and ignorance that are fueling the attacks. Calls of “From the River to the Sea, Palestine must be free,” are heard on college campuses, social media, and cities across the globe. The fact that most people have no idea which river or sea this refers to, or that this is a rallying cry for the destruction of the Jewish State is inconsequential. It is becoming increasingly clear that this campaign is not designed to put a stop to this conflict, but, more ominously, to challenge Israel’s right to exist as a Sovereign State.

I know that I’m not sharing anything new to most of us, but context and perspective are essential tools for those who crave truth. While we all want to see a cease to the carnage in Gaza, the fact still remains that there WAS a ceasefire in place on October 6th which was horrifically breached by the HAMAS terrorists who massacred over 1400 innocents, took over 22490 hostages, and raped and brutalized many victims on October 7th.  While Israel’s stated goal is to both free the hostages and eliminate Hamas as threat, it is also clear that the immediate release of all the hostages would be enough for military action to cease. The fate of the hostages weighs heavily on our hearts and news that over 30% of them have probably died as of this writing gives added urgency to the IDF’s mission.

Increasingly, we are seeing more and more calls on Israel to implement a ceasefire from WITHIN the pro-Israel camp – both inside and outside of Israel. The carnage in Gaza is very hard to witness. The question of how much blood can be shed in order to fulfill military objectives is real and pressing. Many people and organizations that I respect have determined that a ceasefire is necessary – in order to preserve human life and cap the damage to Israel’s international reputation. The Biden Administration has been clear that, while it supports Israel’s right to defend itself, there are limits. The political pressure that they are facing is also very difficult to withstand.

I wish that I had easy answers to the quandaries that Israel is facing - and that we here in the diaspora are confronting as well - but I don’t. There is a lot that we do not know.  What we DO know, however, is that Hamas is a terrorist organization that will stop at nothing to accomplish its goal of eradicating the Jewish State through any means possible.  We also know that Israel has both a right and a responsibility to defend itself and its citizens. 

We pray for the safe return of the hostages, for an end to the fighting, and security for all sides in this conflict. Let us remember that the real enemy of peace is not Israel, but Hamas and its backers - primarily Iran. 

 

Reflections on the Prayer for The State of Israel

 

Like many synagogues around the world, praying for the safety and health of the State of Israel has taken on new importance in the aftermath of October 7^th. While I know that many of us have questions about the theological and philosophical efficacy of petitionary prayer in general, the act of coming together as a community in worship and publicly affirming our fears about and connection to the State of Israel feels essential - especially at this troubling time. Here at Temple Emanuel we have now added the Tfillah  L'Medinat Yisrael (Prayer for the State of Israel) into every service.

In making the decision to add this prayer to our weekly services, the question arose about which version we should utilize – as there are many variations Recently, I have been looking into the origins of this prayer, and how they have evolved over time.

When the Modern State of Israel was established in 1948, the newly appointed Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion tasked the Chief Rabbis of Israel – Yitzhak HaLevi Hertzog and Ben Tzion Meir Hai Uziel - to compose a suitable prayer commemorating the occasion – a prayer that could be used in Synagogues around the world asking God’s blessing on and protection of for the nascent Jewish state.

The full text of the original prayer is rarely used in most synagogues today. It was written in the aftermath of the Shoah and reflects both the pain of our people’s experience and the desire for Jews to gain power over our enemies so that there never could be another Holocaust.  In particular, the phrase, “…send us quickly the Messiah son of David, agent of Your vindication, to redeem those who await Your deliverance,” shows the pain of a people who directly experienced the terror of the Nazi regime, as well as the fear of our enemies and concern for those who remain in peril.

One phrase that has remained constant though, is the description of the State of Israel as “Reishit tzmichat  g’ulateynu” – “The beginnings of the flowering of our redemption.”  This phrase was reportedly added by Chaim Nachman Bialik, who is widely recognized as the most famous of all modern Hebrew poets. There are multiple ways to interpret this phrase. The meaning of ‘redemption’ can take on Messianic overtones, historical longings, and/or a statement about Jewish self-determination. The implication of the prayer is that redemption is not only in God’s hands, but that we can bring it about by our actions and intention. Bialik’s words reflect a belief in the fact that, for too long, Jews were subject to foreign rule. Now that we have a State of our own, we have the ability and responsibility to raise ourselves up out of the morass of subjugation and take matters into our own hands.

Another component of the original text calls for God’s protection and guidance over the government, armed forces, and all religious, judicial, and secular leaders of the State. These words have remained intact in most versions of the prayer, but sections of the prayer that ask God to destroy our enemies so that we might prosper are problematic and have been edited out of most versions.

Many feel that it is also important to stress the hopes of peace – even in times of war – and, in the spirit of Israel’s Declaration of Independence, to remind ourselves that all of humanity is created in the image of God. Given that certain Far-Right elements in the current government are vocally calling for “resettlement” of Palestinians in Gaza, it is vitally important that the language of prayer rejects this draconian and racist agenda.

Here at Temple, we use the following text:

God who watches over the world, bless the State of Israel- first fruit of the fulfillment of Your promise of hope and peace. Protect it with Your care – that it may serve as a light to the world. Spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Extend the light of Your wisdom to all who govern and advise that they may work to create a society based on safety, equality, and love. Establish peace in the land and grant fullness of joy to all who live there.

Eternal God, we ask you to spread your shield of protection over all who are in harm’s way

And let us say, Amen.

It is incumbent upon us to  pray for peace in Israel for all – Israelis and Palestinians alike – so that we can work towards the day when conflict will cease and cooperation and coexistence will take root – flowering like the hopes for redemption that is the central theme of our prayer.

 

Opening Prayer for the CO State House on Tu B’Shvat

Today is the Jewish holiday of Tu B’shvat – the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat – also known as the New Year of the trees.  On this day, Jews around the world give thanks for the gift of trees.  Today is the “Jewish Arbor Day,” a day when we realize the importance of these magnificent plants that sustain us all.

Trees grow with their leaves spreading to the heavens – giving us oxygen to breath, wood with which to build, fruit to sustain our bodies and beauty to sustain our souls.

We live in and among them and there are many lessons we can learn from their magnificent beauty.

We can measure their growth against the sky, but it is what we do NOT see that truly should inspire us:  the miraculous anchors that sustain them – the roots that are planted firmly in soil – that keep them strong as they battle against the stormy winds of change and the seasonal upheaval that threatens their survival.

Trees are home to a variety of God’s creatures: all have a place among their branches; all are welcome to find their home in the cocoon of their canopies.  It is only when the balance of nature is upended and one organism becomes dominant that they become weakened by parasitic pests that strip them of their bark and feed on their foliage.

God – help us to learn from their majestic beauty – as well as from their fragility. As these legislators work to better our society may they come to value the deep roots implanted within our society:  roots of tolerance and trust; of mutual respect and an awareness of the call to both compassion and compromise.

May they continue to hold sacred the diversity of our state and our nation and hold fast against the rising tide of isolationism, divisiveness and brinksmanship that threatens to weaken the core values that keep us united and strong.

Help us to find you in the branches of government born out of a desire for dialogue and debate and the belief our national motto: E Pluribus Unum – from diversity comes unity.

And may we take time from our day – every day – to gaze up at the beauty of your creation- and in doing so – recognize just how fortunate we are to be here together.

AMEN