From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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January 8, 2010
Shabbat Afternoon and Evening…
This Saturday evening Congregation Tifereth Israel welcomes back Rabbi Molly Karp, feminist lecturer and educator, who will be leading a discussion titled "Women of Exodus."
It has often been said that the Torah relegates women to secondary positions but, as Rabbi Karp will teach, there exist many women of strength and independence in the book of Exodus who can serve as universal role models.
Who were the women who rescued Moses? Who was Miriam and why is she regarded as a prophet? What were the contributions of everyday women who made sure that, in spite of Pharaoh's edicts, children were conceived and born in Egypt?
We will begin with a brief Minchah service at 5:00pm, following by a Seudah Schlichit (third Shabbat meal) while includes Israeli fare such as falafel, hummus, and Israeli salad.
Come join Rabbi Karp as we engage in the traditional practice of Shabbat afternoon study.
Melaveh Malkah Coffee House
Beginning at 7:30pm Saturday evening, the CTI ballroom stage will light up for another Melaveh Malkah coffee house.
Our stage will be open for singers, dancers, poets, and story tellers for all ages.
We'll be including some of our young rockers as well as some more senior folksingers and performers from our congregation. Come listen, perform, or schmooze.
Highlights of previous Melaveh Malkah
are posted on YouTube.
Come join us for coffee, tea, snacks, and great entertainment.
Saturday Morning Simchah
Psalm 90 reminds us how important it is to choose and value life, especially every day over 70.
That's why 70th birthdays are so important in our tradition. They mark the beginning of a second life as we focus on new opportunities.
Michael Swirnoff will embrace that tradition this Saturday morning as he celebrates his special birthday by reciting the Haftorah and leading part of the service. We'll also enjoy a hearty L'chaim together at the Kiddush that will follow.
Michael will be called to the Torah at about 10:30am.
Feeding the Hungry
On Sunday morning, CTI will be part of an inter-synagogue effort to cook and distribute food to the needy of Glen Cove and Hempstead. Approximately ten synagogues are involved in this project. Please contact Chris Swirnoff if you would like to be part of this initiative.
Back to Normal
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CTI's Limud (Hebrew School) resumes this Sunday at 9:00am. Our school currently has about thirty students led by teachers and a very energetic team of teen assistants. It's never too late for a child to join our school.
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The rabbi's weekly Maimonides class will resume the first week in February once my thesis is tweaked, finalized, and sent off. Thank you for your patience.
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Purim Spiel read-through for non-singing parts will be on Tuesday evening, January 12 at 7:30pm. For information contact Rochelle Bordwin.
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May Interfaith Weekend
Plans have begun to hold a one day conference on May 16 which will involve Jewish, Christian and Muslim speakers in a session titled, "What I want the other to teach about me."
There will be more details in the weeks to come.
There Arose a New King...
In 2004, Jewish author Philip Roth published an intriguing book titled Plot Against America in which he demonstrated how fragile life is for Jews in the Untied States within a fictional context .
His novel turned back the clock to 1940 and created an alternative scenario where Charles Lindbergh became president and, over time, put various policies into place which sought to retrain and resettle Jews away from jobs of intellect on the eastern seaboard, to farms and other more "productive" places across America.
It's a very disturbing book with a very unsatisfying ending, but it does cause the reader to consider how fragile life is for Jews in the United States.
We live in a very "Jewish friendly" area the world, and the idea of Jewish people being targeted appears very remote. Yet this has been the story of the Jewish people in other countries and other points in time.
We'd like to think this will never happen here as we increasingly assimilate into the America's cultural melting pot but it is my belief that, through education, faith, and ritual, we must continue to maintain who we are as a Jewish people. As history has often proven, if we do not maintain our links to the Jewish faith, others will do it for us.
It is why this week's Torah portion is so fascinating. As we begin the second book of the Torah, Exodus (Shmot), the Jewish people are happily entrenched in southeastern Egypt, in a territory granted to them by a previous Pharaoh in appreciation of the work Joseph had performed for the country and the king.
But as this week's portion begins, we are told "a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph." The Jews are then targeted as being too numerous and successful, and are eventually condemned to slavery.
It is the first example of a scenario which will repeat itself countless times in our history. Can it happen again? What does our tradition tell us about why we ultimately survive Egypt, and why we are still here.
I will discussing these points on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
As usual, on Friday evening, we welcome all musicians, dancers, bangers, and clappers as we bring in the Shabbat with love and joy.
Please join us this weekend for our many events: Musical Shabbat, Michael Swirnoff's special birthday, Rabbi Karp's teaching, and our Saturday night coffee house.
Come learn, come pray, come discuss, come enjoy.
Best wishes to all for a happy and restful Shabbat.
Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv,
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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