March 20, 2009
Unity Amongst Diversity: Friendship and Solidarity Despite the Economic Crisis
Dear Friends,
Shabbat Shalom! Again we had a busy and exciting week at Or Hadash. We are so lucky to have such good friends overseas, and certainly we don’t take anything for granted. In the spirit of our Torah portion this week, I want to thank you all for your friendship and support during these past years. We hope that this friendship will endure in the future.
Tomorrow we will read Parashot Vayakheland Pekudei, which teaches us the importance of Shabbat for the congregation of Bnei-Israel (The children of Israel). I believe that this Shabbat process of making the Kahal (Crowd), into a Kehillah (Community), if it is only the first stage. Furthermore, we must learn how to be made not just from a Kahal into a Kehillah, but into a Kehillah K’dosha (A sacred community). It is a lot of work, and it is not easy, but together with time, patience, and dedication, it can and must be achieved.
In Haifa this week we sensed that the global economic crisis very unfortunately caught up with our good friends in the Reform Jewish community in the U.S., regrettably possible causing many of our friends and colleagues at the Union of Reform Judaism to lose their important and sacred positions as teachers in our great and holy community. We certainly hope that this will not happen, and it is in our prayers that the URJ will find the way to continue to spread good and joy in doing their sacred work. This weekend, while we read from the Torah Parashat Vayakhel, we will reflect on this difficult fiancial situation, and pray that even in a crisis such as this, we as Reform Jews can remain a Kehilla K’dosha filled with mitzvot and good deeds.
1. Daniel Lyons 90th Birthday!
The members of Or Hadash would like to congratulate Daniel Lyons, our good friend and benefactor, on his 90th birthday. We all wish Daniel a very happy and healthy year. Until 120!
Daniel and Bente Lyons have had such an impact on The Reform Jewish community in the States, as well as in Haifa at Or Hadash, and in the rest of Israel. Just this month, they were both honored at a prestigious dinner held by the Anti-Defamation League in South Florida. We always have our dear friends in our hearts and minds, and wish them the very best!
2. WUPJ 34th International Convention-Connections Conference
On Wednesday the 18th, a delegation of Or Hadash members and staff participated in the World Union of Progressive Judaism’s 34th International Convention (Connections 2009). Or Hadash representatives in attendance were: Anat Perelman, president of the Or Hadash Sisterhood, and Ami Perelman Temple Administrator; Vice President-Mirjam Jurmann; Board members Shlomit Beker; Dr. Yishai Lachter; President- Yuri Kilgerman, and wife Tania; Treasurer- Shlomit Berger and husband Rudi; Nehemia Aharon; Hava Meir; Gershom Lichtenberg, and myself. Or Hadash blessed all of the people who came to attend the WUPJ convention, as well as those who wanted to come but were unable because of the economic situation.
Firstly, it was great to see 300 Reform/Progressive Jews from 42 different countries and backgrounds coming together to create a real sense of partnership and connection, and secondly, the classes and events were very nicely done. Overall the conference was wonderful! Kol HaKavod to Shai Pinto, Vice President Chief Operating Officer of WUPJ and Rabbi Joel Oserman, Vice President of International Development of WUPJ, along with Convention chairs Lori Stark and Joan Garson.
I had the pleasure of meeting with so many friends while there, especially: Lois Horn Zeidler and Reuven Zeidler; My beloved teacher, Rabbi Uri Regev, past president of the WUPJ; Austin and Nani Beutel; Dennis and Cindi Gilbert; Hans Benjamin and friends from Congregation Or Chadasch in Zurich, along with their Rabbi Reuven Bar Ephraim; and Harald Juttner, from the Jewish community in Gottingen, Germany. I also had the chance to see Rabbi Gary Bretton- Granatoor’s outstanding presentation in a session chaired by Alex Dembitz about fundraising and “friend-raising”.
I also met with Argentinian rabbis: Guido Cohen; Marcelo Polakof; amd Fabian Zaidenberg from the AIP, in addition to Rabbi David Ariel-Yoel, and Rabbi Menno Ten Brink from Amsterdam, and so many other friends.
While in Jerusalem, Dr. Jesse Lachter and me also visited two tents outside of the prime minister’s office. One was in support of helping Gilad Shalit return from Gaza, and was set up by his family and volunteers who are working to free him from Hamas captivity. The other tent was for victims of terror, which was occupied by many families who are related to, or are themselves members Or Hadash. I am opposed the release of convicted terrorists who killed innocent Israeli children (Including those of some of our members) in exchange for Gilad Shalit’s freedom.
However, it was difficult for me to witness up close the aftermath of such a painful dilemma, to which both sides are right, while Gilad Shalit is still being held captive. Altogether the conference and my trip to Jerusalem made up a very powerful experience for me, and I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate.
3. Helping Abused Children
On Monday, March 16th, Or Hadash had another prepatory meeting with a group of volunteers to aid in our new project, done in cooperation with the Eli association, to council children who have been sexually abused by parents or family members. I sincerely hope that the smiling and comforting faces of our members and volunteers helped these children of misfortune to start the process of trusting once again. We are committed to help these children throughout the course of this important project to have a healthy and happy life of recovery.
4. Weekend Bar Mitzvah Ceremonies
This Shabbat we will call Alon Cohen to the Torah for his Bar Mitzvah ceremony. Just 7 years ago, Alon’s twin brothers who are now soldiers, were accepting the same honor and carrying out the same tradition. Alon’s brothers received special permission from the IDF to be present at the HaNachat Tefillin ceremony, to help Alon learn the tradition of laying tefillin before his big day with their respective girlfriends (Although they are too young still to marry!)
Yesterday, Thursday, the 19th, a very different family also celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, a boy-whose name we can not publish, who has Angelaman syndrome. For a ceremony like this I have the entire family participate together through song and prayer. For the Torah service the boy sat with me below the bima and held onto the Torah scroll, so that he could feel proud of his accomplishments. After the service the boy’s friends and family all gathered to congratulate him, and enjoyed a lovely Kiddush. This ceremony was not an easy one for us, but it warmed the hearts of the community, since we knew that we are doing G-d’s work and what our sages taught us. Overall, it was very moving and rewarding. –The picture does not show the boy’s face for reasons of privacy.
On Shabbat afternoon, we will also have a Bar Mitzvah ceremony for a student at the Open School in Haifa. Thus, this week we have three different Bar Mitzvah ceremonies of children from varied backgrounds and abilities. However, they will all be reading from the same Torah, which binds us together as one sacred community (Kehillah Kedosha), in a very Jewish and pluralistic way.
Wishing everyone a good weekend,
Edgar