Chanukah 2010

This Chanukah has been an extremely busy time of year, especially as I am slowly taking on more responsibilities and beginning to resume a full schedule. On the first night of Chanukah I was with Ambassador Michael Oren and his wife, Sally, at a private reception at the 6th & I Synagogue downtown. From there I went to a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Morocco for members of the Jewish community. In addition to family celebrations and those here at B’nai Tzedek, I was honored to be invited by Governor Martin O’Malley to officiate at the reception at the Governor’s Mansion, as well as at a reception hosted by the DCM of the Israel Embassy, Dan Arbell and his wife, Sarit for members of the Diplomatic Corps in the Washington, DC area.

I wanted to share with you’re my remarks at the Governor’s Mansion.

Chanukah 2010 - Annapolis, Maryland

This will be a Chanukah unlike any other. This festival of lights, is one we will remember, not because it comes “so early this year,” or because of the beautiful chanukiyot that shine so brightly in our homes, but on account of the darkness it has brought to our beloved land of Israel.

As we gather today, and Governor O’Malley and his wife, Katie are kind enough to open their home to us to light the candles of the menorah our festive mood is diminished somewhat because our precious holy land is engulfed in flames. The traditional images associated with the menorah, symbol of light, of Chanukah, of candles burning bright to remind us of the Macabees and the joy of their victory eludes us as instead the flickering flames evokes the image of the fire raging in the north of Israel.

The loss of life is tragic, the pain compounded only by the amount of trees and wild life destroyed. It is all especially painful and hurts because we know how much pride Israel takes in the forests that have been planted this past century to help nourish the soil in accordance with the Jewish injunction to care for the earth.

We Jews are much more familiar and better adapted to the role of planting trees than of putting out fires.

In part that may be because one of the most prominent commandments found in the torah, familiar to every Jew was when Moses told the people to plant trees upon their entry into the land of Israel. And so we have done so ever since, and with special zeal and fervor since the 19th century, when the Zionist pioneers started to build settlements and make aliyah in massive numbers.

The effort has been a true partnership, between the Jews of Israel and around the world. Most of us here today have contributed to plant trees, and many of us have actually planted trees with our own hands when in Israel. You chop up the land, take a little sapling protected by black plastic, place it in the ground, cover it with dirt, water it, and hope it will take root and grow.

The midrash reminds and teaches us that fire, like life itself has a dual capability. It can destroy and it can build. It can be used to mold, to meld, and to mend or to maim and end life. The rabbis go on to teach us that how fire is used, whether it be constructive or destructive, for good or to harm is up to us. We decide how to employ and use it, and thereby determine if it will bring blessing and prosperity or death and devastation.

Similarly, the story of the Macabees and Chanukah reminds us as well that life is a series of choices and that we hold the key to our destiny and fate. When the Macabees chose to fight for freedom, and to keep the flame of Judaism alive, they bequeathed to us a precious gift. When they entered into a darkened Temple, desecrated by the Selucids, they searched and found a small cruse of oil. Rather than curse the darkness, they lit a candle and sought to rebuild and rededicate the Temple.

We look forward to the time when the fires that rage in Israel will be brought under control, and are grateful to see that the people of Israel do not stand alone. The good will of those around the world who have sent aid will help quench the fire, and give emotional support and comfort as well. We hope and pray that rain will come to the parched land and that once again the light of freedom will shine bright.

B’nai Tzedek has joined with the Jewish National Fund to raise funds to help purchase another fire truck and additional firefighting equipment. If you would like to make a donation, send your check to B’nai Tzedek (10621 South Glen Road, Potomac, MD 20854) and indicate that it is for the Greater DC Fire Relief Fund.

Response to Time Magazine article entitled, “Why Israelis Don’t Care about Peace”

A number of years ago Steve Martin had a wonderful line, “Well excuuuse me.” It eventually evolved into, “Well excuse me for living.” In many respects, the response to the Time Magazine article entitled, “Why Israelis Don’t Care about Peace,” could be summed up as, “Well excuse us for living.” The premise seems to be: The chutzpah of the Israelis to dare to go on living in the face of terror. The fact that Israelis have chosen, consistent with Jewish tradition to choose life and not to succumb to the constant attacks launched against them, is deemed inappropriate. The truth is the world can learn a great deal from Israeli tenacity, persistence and perseverance in response to unrelenting attempts at isolation, delegitimization and annihilation.

After a particularly disastrous terrorist attack at a night club along the beach of Tel Aviv in June 2001 resulting in the murder of over 20 young kids who were just going out to have a good time at a discotheque, a makeshift memorial was erected in front of the Dolfinarium, the site of the attack. It bore the simple words, “Lo nafseek lirkod: We will not stop dancing.”

After a terrorist attack in Israel the area is cleaned up as quickly as possible in order to allow life to go on. This contrasts with what happens in Palestinian areas, where destruction is left for weeks, months and sometimes even years. It is not coincidental that the two societies handle these matters differently. The two contrasting approaches reflect different attitudes. On the Israeli side, there is a desire to attempt to continue to live – precisely because of the hope for normalcy and to keep hope alive by not having reminders of despair ever-present. On the Arab side, however, the preference is to emphasize the role of being a martyr or a victim. It also explains why Israel absorbed 600,000 refugees evicted from Arab lands who arrived penniless since their property was confiscated from them, while 62 years later Arab refugees are still kept in squalid refuge camps.

Israel is a nation in which the entire people feel that Gilad Shalit, the captive kidnapped by Hamas, is their son. It mourns the loss of innocent lives, while Samir Kuntar, a terrorist who smashed the head of a four year old year child in the presence of a parent and then killed that parent is welcomed as a hero when he is released by Israel and returned to Lebanon.

So Time Magazine comes along and tells us that Israelis enjoy going to the beach and are trying to make the best of their situation by having a prosperous and flourishing economy. Can they be blamed for that? Why the resentment? What they are saying to their enemies is: First you try to destroy us by sending armies to attack the State of Israel as soon as it was established in 1948, and you tried again in 1967 and 1973. When you saw that armies could not defeat us, you launched a wave of terror attacks throughout the world against Israeli targets. When you saw that did not defeat us, you sent a wave of suicide bombers to our schools, buses and public places. When you saw that did not defeat us, you launched rockets into civilian areas. And all the while that you promoted an ongoing coordinated effort to boycott and ostracize us, we consistently held out our hand in peace, hoping it would be accepted. Our leaders and all of our Prime Ministers have prepared us for peace by telling us we will need to make painful concessions. But even those nations who have signed peace treaties with us, Egypt and Jordan, don’t really want us to come and visit and do not allow us to participate in academic or cultural exchanges or cooperative projects. Despite the unprecedented act of giving up to Egypt the entire Sinai Peninsula (two thirds of our territory), including turning over oil fields Egyptians did not even know they had; despite our withdrawal of troops from Lebanon and uprooting of residents of Gaza, the response was one of continued hostility and attacks. So can anyone really blame the Israelis for being skeptical about whether or not the Arabs are interested in peace?

As one who visits Israel several times a year, I often marvel at the lack of animosity displayed by Israelis towards those who are out to destroy them. The songs that Israelis play on the radio and children learn and sing are songs that express a longing for peace. The Israeli government is quick to respond to anti-Arab sentiment and has a low tolerance for it. This is in stark contrast to the hateful propaganda found on Arab and Palestinian children’s TV shows, as well as in their textbooks and the sermons preached in their mosques.

The way I would explain the Israeli attitude differs significantly from Time Magazine’s description. I would say they are telling their enemies, “Tell you what. We are not going anywhere. We will continue to build a flourishing open democratic society. We will continue to develop our economy. We will also continue to extend a hand to you in the hope that it will be accepted. And when you are ready and serious about living peacefully side by side with us and are willing to accept us, you know where to find us.”

“Seeing is Believing”

As part of our ongoing outreach to younger children of members and members in their 20’s, “20 Somethings” (Generation Xers), organized a Shabbat meal for their contemporaries. I went downtown and met almost 30 young people for a beautiful Shabbat dinner, cooked primarily by Jason Symonds, who prepared two different types of chicken no less, as well as all of the supplements and desserts. We welcomed Shabbat by singing Shalom Aleichem, chanting the Kiddush and having a wonderful discussion.

The meal was hosted in the Party Room in the apartment building of Micha Weinblatt, who along with Lily Goldstein, Morgan Greenhouse, Andrew Haberman and Jason, pulled it all together. Already the young people are talking about exploring other opportunities for more sessions and programs.

We all should derive much nachas and be proud of our young people, as they are carrying on the B’nai Tzedek tradition into the next generation.

“Live from Potomac: It’s Saturday Night!”

An Evening with Al Franken

On Sunday night, June 6th, we presented the David Ifshin Annual Memorial Award to Minnesota Senator Al Franken. The turnout of between 300 – 350 people was the largest we have ever had for this annual event. The award is given in honor of David Ifshin who had a distinguished career as an attorney and who sought to build bridges between individuals of different political persuasions and thought, who lived life with zest and passion, who had a keen interest in contemporary affairs and whose life tragically ended way too soon at the young age of 47.

Franken’s appearance at the synagogue generated some controversy – I received an anonymous letter from someone who objected, as well as an email from someone concerned that Franken was too polarizing an individual. For all the concern about his being here, he actually was very non-controversial. He spoke personally and touched upon issues of faith and how it helps when dealing with loss.

I believe, as did David and his family who established the award in his memory, that the synagogue should be a place where a free exchange of ideas can occur. It should be a place where we are intellectually challenged and stimulated and where significant ideas and contemporary issues that affect us and our society are discussed and debated in a respectful manner. In this way, a synagogue fulfills its mission as a beit knesset, a place of assembly and of meeting. Although I do not have a copy of his talk, here is an excerpt from my introduction of him.

As many of you know, prior to beginning his current career as a public servant, tonight’s speaker began his career as a performer who did stand-up comedy and impersonations in a number of clubs and comedy venues. Oh, this must be a mistake …. I’m sorry, I am reading from my bio, rather than our speaker’s ….

Al grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and graduated from Harvard in 1973. He was elected to represent the State of Minnesota two years ago in the United States Senate, in a major landslide, and was sworn in July of 2009 following a statewide hand recount, just to be sure.

….In his short time since becoming a member of the United States Senate, he has focused on economic and environmental issues. In choosing Mr. Franken as this year’s honoree, he was chosen for a number of reasons, but primarily because he is good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like him.

Blessing a Governor

The early 1970’s when I was a student at the University of Maryland were contentious times. Confrontation between authority figures and the student body was the standard mode of interaction.

I served as the Director of State Affairs, which meant that I was liaison to the various branches of the Maryland state government on behalf of the 35,000 undergraduate students at the University of Maryland. In that capacity I spoke before committees of the state legislature and lobbied on bills that had an impact on students and student life. I worked closely with officials of the Maryland state government, including Marvin Mandel, Maryland’s first Jewish governor.

As a result, when I was invited by a close friend of his, Bruce Bereano, to offer a blessing at a roast/toast being held in honor of Governor Mandel’s 90th birthday at the University of Maryland, I was happy to be able to do so.

The speakers on the program included Congressman Steny Hoyer, who had served in the Maryland state legislature when Mandel was governor, John Hanson Briscoe, who was the Speaker of the House of Delegates at the time, Comptroller Peter Franchot, former Governor, Robert Ehrlich, and several other public figures. Senate President, Mike Miller, was the emcee of the event. After the series of speeches, Governor Mandel came up to the podium and said how pleased he was with how things went. He mentioned, being the astute politician that he is, he merely reminded all the speakers who came before him that he would be having the last word so they should be kind to him.

I was then called up to offer the benediction. Upon reaching the podium I said,” Governor, with all due respect, I would like to correct you. As you can see, it is not you who has the last word – but the rabbi.” I then proceeded to offer the prayer listed below and concluded with the Priestly Blessing. It was a great honor to be able to say this blessing over a former governor who had such an impressive array of accomplishments during his career of public service. It was especially meaningful because of my connection to him from over 35 years ago and because he was so deeply moved and touched by it.

Benediction

Marvin Mandel
May 4, 2010

We gather together tonight to honor a man whose career spans over four decades, a man who came from humble beginnings and who ascended to a position of prominence and leadership;

Whose career of distinction and public service was recognized with one of the greatest honors a public servant could ever have ever bestowed upon him – a sandwich named after him at Ruth & Chick’s deli.

As Governor, he sought to help the little guy – and not just because he too was a little guy.

Rather because he understood that the purpose of government is to help, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “to uphold the fallen, to heal the sick and to loosen the bonds of oppression.”

We have heard about his distinguished career and all he did for our state and his impressive accomplishments for the principle of tikun olam, making our society a better place.

So we give thanks to you O God for his leadership and for his years of service.

We ask, May God almighty grant you continued blessing to go m’hayil l’hayil, from strength to strength.

And I invite him to come forward so that I may ask God’s continued blessing for you, Governor Mandel, with the words that would have been recited at your Bar Mitzvah… (Birkat HaKohanim – The Priestly Benediction).

AIPAC Luncheon Invocation - March 22, 2010

We come together this year, on the eve of the holiday of Passover, with a sense of concern and anxiety -- which heightens our appreciation for the urgency of our mission, the nobility of our calling and the importance of our work.

We share our concern about the fate of the State of Israel and on behalf of the people of Israel.

Knowing that she is strong, nevertheless, we are concerned that the voices of those who seek to weaken her, of those who wish to limit her ability to do what she must to protect her citizens are growing louder and must be countered.

We are united in the conviction that the efforts of those who dare to question the very existence of the Jewish state, and of those who want to diminish the bonds that unite us must not and will not prevail.

And so we gather in our nation’s capitol to express our support and solidarity with Israel, for we recognize that the relationship between Jews around the world and the people of Israel strengthens and nourishes both communities.

We share the notion that we dare not let differences divide us, nor shall we allow imperfection be an impediment to love.

And so, let our message from this gathering go forth -

To the people of Israel, we say:
Anu etchem: We are with you.
Atem lo bodedim: You are not alone.

To the government of Israel, we say:
We stand with you in your quest for peace and security.

To the leaders of our government, we say:
It is incitement and indoctrination and promulgation of hate that is an insult and affront to the American people.

Make no mistake about it. We are loyal citizens of this great democracy.

We come to Washington like other advocates for various causes to exercise the rights granted to us by this great nation and to express our steadfast love and support for it and the state of Israel in the belief that America stands tallest when it shows the world that it is loyal to its friends.

Let us remind our elected officials that we are most proud of our nation when it is on the side of the right and the just which is why we believe that it exemplifies the best in all of us when it stands with Israel.

And finally, and most important of all, to the Almighty God:
We ask and we pray:
Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe,
Adonai oz le’amo yetan – May the Lord give Strength unto His people.
Adonai yeverach et amo beshalom, May the Lord bless His people with peace.

An Interesting Couple of Weeks

One of our former music teachers, Ann Laurie Josephs, used to teach her younger children a popular catchy song the kids would sing enthusiastically called, “What Does a Rabbi Do?”

Over the last couple of weeks I have been in the thick of things with the Obama administration’s denunciation of the Israeli government’s decision to issue housing permits for construction on vacant land in North Jerusalem. I wrote a letter to Congressman Steny Hoyer which, in internet parlance, “went viral.” It was picked up on several national blogs including Commentary and The National Journal. I heard from people around the country, and even in Canada, some telling me they had received it from several different sources. I think one of the reasons it was so widely circulated and well received is because all too often rabbis equivocate and do not take clear positions on behalf of Israel.

In addition to making calls and sending letters to members of Congress on this important issue, I also participated in a meeting with members of the Presbyterian clergy to talk about an upcoming proposal to be introduced to their General Assembly, which would be hostile towards Israel. A few rabbis and representatives of the American Jewish Committee were invited by local clergy sympathetic to Israel and are concerned about the hostile impact of the resolution on Jewish-Presbyterian relations. I also attended a meeting of our local Federation, of which I am a Board member, to discuss the process of choosing a new Executive Director. Other responsibilities in the community over the last few weeks included teaching a class at the “Routes” program of the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning, entitled, “How to Read the Bible.” Later that same day I spoke at a conference at the University of Maryland on the issue of religious pluralism and religion and democracy in Israel.

In addition to these responsibilities outside of the synagogue, and my regular ongoing classes that I teach in the congregation, I also met with the children in the nursery school to speak with them about the upcoming holiday of Passover. I taught a couple of workshops for parents about how to bring Judaism into their lives on a daily basis. I met with our 11th and 12th graders to speak with them about how to respond to anti-Israel propaganda on college campuses. One night I went downtown to speak with children of members to discuss some programs we can offer for the “Next-Gen.”

The rabbi of the first synagogue where I worked taught me that as important as our work in the community is, we must always be there for our congregants and make that a priority. It is a message I have never forgotten. Meetings with congregants range from private conversations about personal issues to offering support or comfort during difficult times, as well as providing counseling and advice when they are facing various personal challenges. I enjoy sharing and preparing for the life cycle events that transpire in people’s lives, be they happy or sad.

I led a meeting of Washington area rabbis at our synagogue about the impact Israel has on our lives as individuals and as rabbis. The discussion was a most interesting one in which I asked colleagues to talk about the role which Israel played in their decision to become a rabbi, as well as how to treat concerns when speaking from the pulpit. The greater part of a day was spent a few weeks ago at the mikveh as part of a beit din, a rabbinic court, which welcomes and certifies individuals who choose to convert to Judaism. One night I reviewed a book and led a discussion for our Sisterhood about the book entitled, “The Inner Soul,” by Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein.

I am often amazed by the diversity of my job as a rabbi. One of the things I so much enjoy and cherish about it is the multi-faceted dimension of it. The child of a member met with me the other day to discuss the possibility of becoming a rabbi. I gave an enthusiastic endorsement of how meaningful and fulfilling it can be!