From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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May 6, 2010
A Focus on Services
This will be a relatively quiet weekend at CTI as we prepare for next week’s events.
An update on ceremonies and services will be sent by our Executive Director, Kim Schweitzer, under separate cover.
I’m looking at this upcoming weekend as a quiet time to count our blessings, and perhaps dare to dream about the future.
We have grown together during the past three years, and our focus should clearly be on maintaining that momentum. We will do so by following the Torah’s main principles of care, compassion, and lovingkindness.
This weekend we will focus on Shabbat with our regular Kabbalat Shabbat service which begins Friday at 8:00pm, followed by our Saturday morning service as we complete the reading of the third book of the Torah, Leviticus (Vayikra).
Sunday Musical Service
Something very unique is beginning to blossom Sunday mornings at CTI.
Prior to the start of our Limud (Hebrew School) classes, parents and children join together at 9:30am for a musical Shacharit (morning service).
As is the case with our Friday night service, guitar, drumming, story telling, and explanation have been added to help enhance our prayers.
It’s a good feeling to see two parallel Sunday morning services going on; our traditional Shacharit led in the chapel by Phil Essex, who has joined our team of prayer leaders, and our second service with children and parents in the Kiddush room or lobby.
As prayer echoes in the hallways of CTI, I can’t help but think that perhaps this may not be the synagogue of our grandparents, but indeed it is the synagogue that our grandparents would have wanted.
All CTI members are invited to join either of these two services.
Reality Check
CTI’s ongoing Public Affairs series on Judaism and Israel continues Monday, May 24, as guest Avi Posnik of “Stand with Us” discusses “Anti-Semitism versus Anti-Zionism on Campus and in the World”.
This program will be an “eye opener” as Posnik will talk about anti-Israel and anti-semitic activities on American campuses.
The program will begin at 6:30pm with a light dinner.
Personal Requests
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A single woman known to one of our congregants desperately needs to rent a one bedroom apartment in the Glen Cove/Glen Head area as soon as possible.
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A child car seat and playpen/crib are needed between Tuesday of next week and the following Monday.
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A single woman known to our congregation is looking for some storage space to place some household items temporarily.
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A very learned and respected rabbi, and one of my teachers, is looking for some storage space to place a number of boxes of sacred books. He can afford to pay a nominal sum per month.
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Please contact the synagogue office if you can help on any of these items.
"I am a Jew"
This is an amazing new
Israeli video
which I believe captures the modern Israeli experience with a spirit of love and respect. Please enjoy
The Torah and Tough Economic Times
One of the most symbolic foods within the Jewish tradition is of course the egg.
On Passover near the beginning of the Seder, and upon the returning from a cemetery, we eat a hard boiled egg to remind us of the cyclical nature of life.
During difficult times, we are reminded that a brighter and better day is on the horizon.
The Torah specifically carries this message, while throughout the Torah and the prophetic readings we are reminded that we are on a constant climb towards freedom and light, we are also provided with directives and commandments regarding difficult times.
Many in our community and beyond are currently facing economic and personal hardship.
Loss of jobs, income, and an overall economic malaise have affected everyone. Yet the Torah has a message for those who have not been affected by difficult times.
It tells us clearly, “do not take advantage of the pain of your fellow.”
In this week’s double Torah portion, Bhar-B’Chukotai, we are reminded that when someone is in pain, or suffering economic hardship, we are forbidden from taking advantage of the situation.
“If your kinsmen, being in straits, comes under your authority...let them live by your side...Do not lend money or give food at advanced interest.” The commandment ends with an assertive statement that God “means business” on this issue, as it affirms. “I am the Lord your God who took you out of Egypt...”
It is probably worthy of note during these tough economic times that there exist two types of human beings: one who is currently experiencing financial stress, and the other who has experienced that same difficulty at one time.
Understanding what it is like to experience pain is central to the Jewish experience.
In Egypt, we were slaves. So in our lives, let us show compassion to those who are enslaved.
In the desert, we walked in the wilderness. So in our lives, let us comfort those who are wandering.
And in 2010, with many around us impacted by the current economic downturn, let us support those who are hurting, not just by helping when asked, but rather anticipating their need.
At minimum it means not taking advantage of anyone who is vulnerable.
At maximum it means approaching our friends and family, and helping maintain one of their most important possessions: their pride.
The Torah reminds us this week, to look after those in need and never to profit from their misfortune.
The Torah also tells us to pay our daily workers on time, to forgive debts after a certain period, and to maintain a sense of charity and compassion towards others.
In so many cases, the Torah gives us reason to celebrate victory and freedom. But it never forgets that misfortune and economic stress can rear their heads in our lives.
But like the egg, we are protected by a shell. The shell is our friends, family, and community. And so when the world returns to its regular rotation, we rest in the knowledge that, in some way, the cracks of hardship did not become as significant as they otherwise might have been.
It is a major principle of the Torah.
As we recently read, “And you will love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
But these days, it is important to us all, that our definition of neighbor is as wide and generous as possible.
Let us keep our eyes open to need and extend out hand before hands of need reaches out to us.
And in so doing, as our Torah reminds us at the end of each of its five books, “let us continue to grow from strength.”
Chazzak Chazzak V’nitchazek.
Shabbat shalom v’kol tuv (with all goodness).
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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