From the Reb's Desk...
 
Reb Irwin Huberman
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April 8, 2009
Passover Schedule:
We begin this week's update with a list of important Passover times and services.
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The eating of "chomets" (bread or yeast related items) ended today during the lunch hour. This tradition makes it possible for us to focus on the sanctity of this evening's Seder.
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CTI's annual community Seder will begin Thursday at 6:00pm. Please e-mail me if you would like to join us. We are now at 110 attendees. There is a bit more room.
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Passover services will be held tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday morning beginning at 9:15am.
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On Friday we will observe our regular Kabbalat Shabbat service. We will begin with a teaching relating to Passover so that we maintain our focus on this important time of the year. We will begin at our regular 8:00pm time.
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Shabbat morning we will ask an important question. Is there a place within Judaism for a writing devoted to love and erotica? This Saturday, we will read excerpts from Song of Songs (Shir Hashirim), one of the most controversial writings in our tradition. In fact, this long poem attributed to Solomon almost didn't make it into the final copy of our scriptures. It is omitted from some Orthodox services, including Chabad. Is this a love song from humankind and God, or between man and woman? We'll let you be the judge on Saturday morning.
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The following Wednesday and Thursday, we will close out Pesach with services at 9:15am. On Thursday, we will recite Yizkor after Torah reading.
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Blessing Over The Sun/Firstborn Service
This morning (Wednesday) more than sixty were on hand to recite the once in twenty-eight years blessing over the sun, and to break the First Born Fast (Ta'anit Bichorim) by enjoying a bagel and lox breakfast sponsored by the Udell Family.
We gave thanks for the fact God "passed over" the Jewish people during the plague of the first born.
However, with regard to the sun blessing, perhaps we need a bit more practice in our technique.
Hours after we recited this ancient blessing, it began to snow.
This will be a memory passed on to current and future members of our congregation in twenty-eight years when they open a time capsule we are currently preparing.
CTI Cleanup
CTI will again mark Earth Day by cleaning up and beautifying our corner of the world.
Earth Day this year is April 22, and in advance, we will spend the previous Sunday morning collecting trash that has been deposited on our property, raking leaves, and planting flowers.
Our communal cleanup will begin at 10:30am after completion of morning services.
Please bring rakes and garden gloves.
Fresh Air Fund
Congregant Risa Procton has asked that I call to your attention an important program that brings children from the inner city out into areas like ours that have open space and clean air.
The Fresh Air Fund Friendly Town Program currently needs volunteer families to host New York City children from disadvantaged neighborhoods for one or two weeks this summer.
The children range in age from 6 to 12 years, and host families may specify the age and gender of their guest. For more information please call Risa at 675- 2023, the Fresh Air Fund at 1-800-367-0002, or visit www.freshair.org.
This And That:
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The next session of adult Hebrew classes will begin Thursday, April 23 at 6:00pm. We are building this new program from scratch, so please e-mail me if you wish to attend. Cost is $60 for five weeks.
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The value of supermarket gift cards contributed to CTI has now surpassed the $1,000 mark. Many of these cards have already been sent to those individuals and families undergoing financial challenges. It is indeed expensive to stock a kitchen for Passover. This amount has made a significant difference to both Jews and non-Jews during this important time of year. Please let me know if there is anyone else who would benefit from this ongoing effort.
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Three Passover Messages
Tonight and tomorrow, we will join with family and friends to celebrate the important festival of Passover.
Passover and its message of freedom are central to who we are, no matter what our level of observance.
There are so many things to consider at this time of year. There is the strain, particularly on women, of cleaning and cooking.
There are also often considerations of where to seat whom, and what parts of the Haggadah to read or to bypass.
But for a moment, let us consider three important messages.
First of all, the Torah specifically instructs us to pass this story of freedom and liberation to our children and grandchildren. This is a Mitzvah (a commandment.)
But that is not all. We should also make time at the table to consider those who do not enjoy the freedoms we do. There are people who are enslaved.
Nations enslave others. Men, women, and children in some areas of the world are paid miniscule wages so that we can enjoy consumer items at low prices. There are also individuals near and around us who suffer through personal hardship, addictions, and disease.
It is our duty at this time to consider those who are not free, and take some action to help balance the scales. That may come by giving charity or a supermarket gift card, or by volunteering time.
It may also mean picking up the phone or sending an e-mail to someone we know in need. It may come by discussing these issues and heightening awareness.
Finally, we are encouraged to look inside and examine the "chomets" within. As the Conservative Haggadah reminds us, "we must guard against the self righteousness that "puffs us up" with false pride."
Indeed, humility and patience are so important as we gather with family, and provide memories for the future.
Our children will not only remember the foods around the table, but they will recall the songs, stories, and discussions.
May this Pesach be one of peace and introspection as we celebrate our freedom and are mindful of the often broken world around us. This attention to Tikkun Olam, the healing of the world, begins person to person, family member to family member and friend, around our Passover tables.
The Passover Seder is indeed a home celebration. And from home to home, person to person, we continue our 3,500 year old mission: to make a difference, to add holiness to creation, and to do our part to repair a broken world.
"May God who ordains harmony and the peace in the universe grant peace to us, to Israel, to all humanity, and all living things."
Best wishes to all for a happy and meaningful Pesach.
Chag Sameach.
Reb Irwin Huberman
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