Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: Peace

  • Shabbat Haftarah for Martin Luther King Weekend

     

    This stirring mash-up of speeches by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. set to the Haftarah trope (the chanting used for the Prophetic books) reminds us how we are connected.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Lighting the Shabbat Candles with the Sabbath Song from Fiddler on the Roof

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Welcome Shabbat with Lecha Dodi performed by Maayan Tzafrir and Twelve Tribes Music. As we celebrate the last Shabbat of 2022, may it usher in a year of peace for all.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Fess up– Hanukkah is the Jewish Christmas!

    Fess up– Hanukkah is the Jewish Christmas!

    Before I continue, I will let those of you gasping for air catch your breath.

    Yes, indeed, the rabbi went there! But it is hard to refute the statement. And you know what else? It is okay.

    Here in the United States, we have thought longingly of the Christmas portrayed ironically by Irving Berlin- replete with a white (from the snow, that is) Christmas with cards, sleigh bells, and glistening trees. The Coca-Cola Santa Claus brings presents to everyone traveling on a flying sleigh powered by eight reindeer (nine including Rudolph), Christmas Trees, gifts, love, and good cheer. Of course, once the marketers got hold of this, they commercialized the holiday even further. Everyone who ever sang anything now records an album of Christmas songs or has a television Christmas special.

    Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this party?

    So we have amped up Hanukkah, a minor yet complicated holiday, not even part of the Jewish Bible. Our Acceptance in this country is the great miracle of our time. And if we could place the menorah in the window without fear of retribution, what else might we enjoy? The secularized Christmas is at the center of the American holiday season, bounded by Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

    So we are in full bloom- we have Hanukkah bushes, lights of blue and white to decorate the house, and latkes and sufganiyot are now things in the American public space! Giant menorahs are lit alongside the Christmas trees, eclipsing the simple manger scenes of the holiday’s religious roots. It is a mash-up of the best our traditions have to offer, and we all join together in the kind of unity we could only pray might somehow extend to all the other days of the year (either 364 if you are Christian or 357 if you are Jewish).

    They say competition is a good thing.  And arguably, Hanukkah is a bigger, better celebration because of Christmas.

    Let us wish everyone Happy Holidays and a year of bounty and joy. Let us thank God for bringing us to a time when our lights can burn brightly, and we can be with our brothers and sisters; whatever their faith traditions, we are together here in the United States.

  • Hanukkah on the Schuylkill

     

    I am honored to preside over the lighting of the Chanukah menorah in Philadelphia on December 18, 2022.

    Join us via zoom as we rededicate ourselves by the Boat Houses on the Schuykill River.

    Check the Federation website for details and to register. www.JewishPhilly.org

    Chag Urim Sameach!

     

    !חג אורים סמח! 

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Hashkiveinu is the second prayer we utter after the Shema, asking the Divine for protection through the darkness of the night and our vulnerability as we sleep.

    This rendition is sung by Cantor Magda Fishman.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    This Shabbat coincides with Veteran’s Day.

    Shalom Aleichem seems a particularly appropriate prayer. The Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra combines several influences from their home in Spain and Ashkenaz.  May the music lift our hearts to welcome Shabbat.

    Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The prayer, performed by Andrea Bocelli and Ilaria Della Bidia, is a wonderful way to bring in this Shabbat.  With all of the turmoil and challenges to peace here, Israel, and around the world, the Prayer is our hope for this Shabbat.

    I pray you’ll be our eyes
    And watch us where we go
    And help us to be wise
    In times when we don’t know

    Let this be our prayer
    When we lose our way
    Lead us to a place
    Guide us with your grace
    To a place where we’ll be safe.

    I pray we’ll find your light
    I pray we’ll find your light

    And hold it in our hearts
    And hold it in our hearts

    When stars go out each night
    When the stars go out each night

    Remind us where you are.

    Let this be our prayer
    Let this be our prayer

    When shadows fill our day
    When shadows fill our day

    Lead us to a place

    Guide us with your grace

    To a place where we’ll be safe.

    A world where pain and
    sorrow will be ended
    And every heart that’s
    broken will be mended
    And we’ll remember we
    are all God’s children
    Reaching out to touch you
    Reaching to the sky.

    We ask that life be kind

    We ask that life be kind

    And watch us from above
    And watch us from above

    We hope each soul will find
    We hope each soul will find

    Another soul to love
    Another soul to love.

    Let this be our prayer
    Let this be our prayer

    Just like every child.
    Just like every child.

    Needs to find a place
    Guide us with your grace.
    With your grace
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

    Needs to find a place

    Guide us with your grace.
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

  • Shabbat Shalom 5783

    This coming year, may each of us strive to be just a little better- loving and kinder- to each other and to ourselves.

    This beautiful message from Central Synagogue in New York is a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    This special Shabbat, between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur, is Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of Repentance & Return.

    Shabbat Shalom