An extraordinary week. Welcome Shabbat with this lovely medley of Hatikvah and Avinu Shebashamayim performed by Rabbotai on the occasion of Israel’s 70th anniversary.
Hatikvah Lyrics in English:
As long as within our hearts
The Jewish soul sings,
As long as forward to the East
To Zion, looks the eye –
Our hope is not yet lost,
It is two thousand years old,
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
A beautiful message from The Interfaith Music Project of Philadelphia
Shabbat Shalom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qZsh4mVkfY
In reaction to Ms. Portman’s decision to reject the Genesis Prize the Jewish world has been a blaze. She has been vilified and pilloried. It seems just a matter of time before someone calls for her head. Ms. Portman was initially vague in her reasons for her action except to say that she did not want to appear to support Netanyahu or policies with which she has serious objections. As a citizen of Israel, a democratic country, she has the right to express her opinions regardless of who may agree.
Israel is ostensibly a Democracy and Ms. Portman is an Israeli citizen. So she is arguably demonstrating a loyalty to her country by exercising her right to an opinion and speaking out. Whether you agree or disagree with her position, her rights as a citizen should be respected and so should she. Ms. Portman is an accomplished, intelligent person.
As such, her opinions are likely thoughtful and deliberate, all the more so given the ramifications of this public stand.
The personal attacks on her and calls for charges of treason and revocation of her Israeli Citizenship are at best extreme and unwarranted. Whether you agree with her position, one can respectfully and even vehemently disagree without resorting to the calumny bandied about. The fact that she is an Israeli citizen and an active supporter of her homeland gives her voice a particular gravitas, something she undoubtedly considered in her decision and public statements. It is inappropriate and shameful that so many rush to judgement, seeking her head.
Our community needs to do better. We argue and disagree all the time. That is part of Jewish and Israeli cultural DNA. But if we forget that we are Am Yisrael we do so at our own peril. Anti-Semitism is alive and well. Those seeking a world without Jews or Israel are plentiful. It would be tragic if we did their work for them through the baseless hatred or Sinat Chinam, our tradition warns us against.
Natalie Portman was awarded the Genesis Prize, the highest achievement of her country Israel. She has decided to take a stand and reject this award. To spurn this national recognition is not done cavalierly, but with forethought. This was not some grade-school essay competition. The Prize signals a deep respect for her and her extraordinary achievements. We might do well to remember that before labeling her with disdain and contempt. Perhaps we might learn from the stand that she has taken and learn something about her, our people, and ourselves.
This week we welcome Shabbat with Nava Tehila’s soulful Zamru L’Adonai, taken from Psalm 98 that is part of our Kabbalat Shabbat service. “Sing to God with a Lyre, sing with the harp and the voice of song.”
Shabbat Shalom
Avraham Fried sings Shabbat Kodesh
Shabbat Shalom
A beautiful tribute to Leonard Cohen on the first Yahrzeit sung by the incomparable Chazan Azi Schwartz. The Hebrew is Psalm 150.
Shabbat Shalom
As we share Passover at the Seder table this year, notice that it is in the process of change. We are instructed to remember the Exodus experience and to consider as though we experience it ourselves as we participate in the reenactment. But this tradition evolves; with each generation, we fashion the Seder into something that is uniquely ours.
I recall the Seders of two generations ago, the seemingly endless table that ran from room to room of the small apartment in the Bronx or the small home in Queens. These are wonderful memories from long ago and much of those traditions continue on. But our current Seder will be different from those of my past. For example, an Orange and Olives will find themselves on our current Seder Plate and Miriam’s cup will be prominently placed alongside Elijah’s. Instead of asking the four questions, I will lead (to the extent my boisterous family will permit). We will read from a Hagaddah fashioned by my niece with interpretations and questions that resonate with her generation. For they are the future.
The Seder will continue to progress as the next generation of our family steps into the role of leadership and we slowly cede our positions leadership and authority, hopefully becoming Elders with positions of respect and wisdom. This is the natural progression of things. For each of us must embrace our understanding of the Jewish experience not only as a communal experience but as something uniquely our own. This was the tradition will be a meaningful part of our identity combining ritual with relevance.
At the Seder table, we can each look to either side (figuratively or literally), seeing our parents and what they have bequeathed to us and seeing our children as they fashion and shape Judaism as their own. This is the blessing of our legacy; family and historic community forming an unbroken chain linking us all together.
Wishing everyone a Joyful Pesach. Chag Pesach Sameach! and Shabbat Shalom
We celebrate the Great Shabbat, which immediately precedes Pesach. On this day, our children will march, leading us toward a vision of a better safer America. Let us join them to make this dream a reality.
I offer Debbie Friedman’s A Traveler’s Prayer as the song to usher in Shabbat HaGadol.
Shabbat Shalom
Yonina shares Lecha Dodi to the tune of All of Me.
Shabbat Shalom!
