By Steve Peckman: Chairman, Social Action Committee

D’var Torah – 13 January 2012

Social Action Service – “Shemot”

The Hebrew word for both the book of Exodus, and tonight’s Torah portion is “Shemot”, which translates to “Names”, which in context refers to the names of the sons of Jacob, it begins in slavery and ends in deliverance for the Jewish people. 

Powerful deeds are delivered every day, by ordinary people like you and me.
The Temple Beth Miriam Community collectively aims to stretch out its arms as far as possible in various ways to help people who are asking in their own way, for their own reasons, and not just on Rosh Hashanah, “I look to the mountains, from where comes my help?”  I am happy to tell you that via Midnight Runs, Blood Drives, Food Collections and many other methods and events; that we have answered many calls when our own community, and the community at-large has needed it.  Most times, we never hear the actual cry for help; we just sense that there is someone out there that we may never meet, that is in need of a square meal, a warm coat or a pint of blood.

Through our vibrant Kishre Halev program, we pass that sensitivity forward to our children that are becoming young adults as B’nai Mitzvah, to leverage our already existing efforts, to let them experience the amazing feeling of performing true mitzvot, and to more fully realize the becoming of a son or daughter of the Commandments.

Getting back to the Torah portion, in the context of tonight’s Social Action service, I would like to dial ahead 180 or so generations from the time of Jacob, to right now, concerning the tribes of Jacob that currently inhabit the earth, specifically in our region of New Jersey.  I would also like to further focus in on just one of the names of this tribe, “yours”.

As we have just recently celebrated another “trip around the sun” on New Year’s eve, when I am sure that we all made some additional resolutions…I am curious to know how many of us  had on our “to-do lists for 2012” to become more “socially active” in our community this year; please, don’t all raise your hands at once.  Don’t worry; it is not too late to figuratively raise your hand, as we still have 353 days left in this solar year.

I am not suggesting to you that I need you all to join the Social Action Committee tonight, although you are most certainly welcome to give me your e-mail address after services tonight, and I will add you to our mailing list, and we’ll hope to see you at a meeting in the near future.

When we hosted our last blood drive here, I learned a very interesting statistic about our blood supply.   I learned that if everyone who regularly donates blood, gave blood just once more per year, there would be no blood shortage.  We don’t need everybody over the age of 16 to give blood 6 times a year, the “promised land” at the blood bank is much nearer than that.  If you gave twice last year, and you give three times this year, that works.  If you give as often as they will let you, and you encourage a friend that has never donated before to come with you one time, that also works. 

Since my Facebook page has a peak level of activity on my birthday, for the past 2 years, I have responded to every virtual well wisher that the best gift they could give me is to donate a pint of blood at their local blood bank.  Last year, 6 people did it, and this year you better believe that I will repeat that gift request.

Here is how, and how not, to get more involved:
Please do not send me an e-mail message that says, “Social Action should do this”.  As Paula is fond of saying, “bring us a solution”; and take part of creating and delivering that solution.  “How?” you ask?

What I am suggesting to you tonight, is to “raise your hand” just once more than you did last year for a start. You can do that by joining us for a Social Action activity that you read about in E-lijah this year, or maybe sign on to be a Kishre Halev mentor for just one B’nai Mitzvah candidate this year.  I invite you to come to just one, or as many monthly Social Action Committee meetings as you can to join us in creating a plan for one of the many issues that is currently on the table, or to share your passion for a cause that means something to you with the group, and to “help us help you” find extra sets of hands to address it together.  By the way, the next meeting is Sunday, February 5^th at 10:30am.

TBM’s Social Action Committee has a new Facebook group page, and we will be posting more news items on the Temple’s main website too.

When we speak of having not just a name for ourselves, but a “Shem Tov”, a good name, there are many ways to satisfy your thirst for repairing the world very close by, and the Committee and I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you soon.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.

By Milt Ziment

Social Action Service

January 13, 2012

 I am so proud to be a member of the Social Action Committee of Temple Beth Miriam that it is hard to be brief (as I was requested to be) but I’ll try.

Our committee was responsible for collecting bags of food on the High Holidays and realizing that people get hungry all the time, we installed the first collection unit in the lobby which was built by Aaron Schectman. Having outgrown that small unit, we are grateful for the beautiful and more spacious unit designed, built and installed by Dan Spector.

Members of the group have also participated on Mitzvah Day by collecting donated food outside of supermarkets and sorting and delivering truckloads to the proper centers.

We continue to remember and try to help the hungry people in our community.

Representing our committee and Temple Beth Miriam, I have, for many years, conducted a bi-weekly Shabbat Service at the Atria, an assisted-living complex inTintonFalls, using theTemple’s old thin gray  prayer books.

In cooperation with the Purim Basket Committee we have provided Purim baskets to the Atria’s Jewish residents. 

At Passover, on the day of the Seder, before our own celebrations, with the assistance of the Knotts family Beth, Tim, and their children, we have organized and conducted a traditional Seder including musical accompaniment for the songs.

We have also all been there at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Chanukah with appropriate worship services, music, games, etc.  On Chanukah, these have included the lighting of the menorah, providing and serving the traditional Latkes, sour cream, applesauce and apple cider, as well as,  accompaniment for singing all the appropriate songs for the Holiday. This year, the Knotts family, with Sierra and Kiralee, and the Topper family with Steven, Michael and Elliot, brought the delighted audience the combination of 2 violins, a guitar, and a saxaphone,  The residents have come to love these 2 lovely families and the sentiment is returned by the families.

I am grateful to be involved and find it very satisfying to be able to make even a small difference in the lives of people less fortunate than I.

 Every member of Temple Beth Miriam could get this same good feeling by supporting  the Social Action Committee with ongoing contributions of non-perishable food, or time, or, even (if I dare say it) money.

How do you make Jewish decisions?

Every serious Reform Jew confronts this question quite often.

Rabbi Stanway is delighted to offer the course: Living Ethics – An Investigation of Reform Halacha through Case Studies.  This is a six session course, with each session lasting about an hour to an hour and a half.  It is free for members of Beth Miriam and non-members are asked to make a $36 donation to the temple. These six lessons written take learners through the process of how Reform Jewish halachah evolves. Learners study particular cases of responsa (modern questions to and answers from the CCAR Responsa Committee), addressing issues from nuclear war to abortion to plastic surgery.

This unit will prepare adult learners to continue their study of Reform responsa in an ongoing study groupParticipants should bring a binder for materials and paper for notes and writing utensils

Class Dates are all on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM

UPDATED DATES AS OF JANUARY 20, 2012

December 11

December 18

January 22

February 12

March 11

March 25

It was a beautiful Shabbat service on the chapel on the hill last night.  The youngest campers, Carmel, led the service and they did a fabulous job.  It got me thinking about something, too.

Being a 9 year old and standing in front of the camp with the support of a staff or faculty member is scary stuff.  There are 700 people you are speaking in front of and, if you are not used to it, it can be pretty intimidating.  Still, every member of Carmel that had a reading part (most of the them) got up there and with big voices led the congregation.  There was even a remarkable 9 year old who led the chanting of Amidah and the Vahavta!  (Where did SHE come from?!)  It was quite amazing.

But in the question lies one of the real benefits of the Jewish camping experience.

Reform Judaism is not about the ‘Sage on the Stage’ giving divine pronouncements of what is right and wrong, how to pray or what even constitutes prayer.  Prayer and spirituality come in many forms.  When a young child speaks about their bunk, they are speaking about the importance of community.  When they share the scary stuff about growing up, they are telling us that there is a community of trust.  And when they sing with their beautiful little voices, they are telling us that, for them, Judaism is joyful.  This is a far cry from so many Jews whose experiences with Jewish education were either meaningless or, worse, frightening.

The simple truth is that Camp is life-changing.  I have seen it hundreds of times.  When a child seeks to learn more because s/he remembered a lesson someone taught or when they are given the chance to think for themselves, they flower.  I had this experience the other day when my partner and I were teaching the oldest campers, Chavurah.

In the lesson we wanted to ‘build Jewish law.’  (Yes, we walked in with our construction helmets from the TBM renovation!)  Using biblical and rabbinic texts, they started to journey to an understanding of the meaning of kashruth, the laws of kosher food.  They moved to find meaning in a new definition of kashruth that made real sense to them.  I don’t think any of them will look at a hamburger the same way.  One particular student positively glowed when she made a connection to the text and to her own observances (and new observances) of kashruth.  You should have seen her face.  It is for the moments like that that a teacher teaches.

Anyway, it is about time for breakfast so I better be on my way.  Another truth of camp is that, since there is so much walking around, if you don’t eat, you don’t walk!  I will blog later.

I am up here at our URJ Camp Harlam for my usual two weeks in the summer and I have to tell you that this has been the busiest summer ever. All in a good way, too!

First, a word of thank you to the congregation. I could not be up here serving as your rabbi – even though I am not physically in NJ – if you did not see the value of the Jewish camping experience. Your support of our youth and the many facets of Jewish education, including camping, is manifest on the playing field, in the dining hall, and in our study sessions. Your moral and financial support of our camping and youth programs (through the Berg Fund, Spector Fund and Pess Fund) translates those dollars into children burning with Jewish pride and knowledge.

I have seen all of our camp children but, I have to tell you honestly, they are always running and moving that it is hard (even for me!) to keep up. They are all healthy and their smiles go on forever. They have all integrated well into their bunks and they are part of the unit in every way. In other words, they are having the times of their lives.

As for me, I am doing formal teaching and informal teaching. Formal teaching includes prepared shiurim for my unit or an organized activity where I (or my faculty partner) is leading it. For example, this week my partner and I prepared a 2 part session about how a Reform Jew can use Jewish law to make decisions based on a new and relevant understand of an ancient text. And informal teaching can happen anywhere and anytime. Let me tell you what happened yesterday.

I am in the unit of 12 year olds and yesterday some kids on that unit were climbing the tower. This is a terrific activity and one, by the way, that I will never do since I am not really a big fan of heights. Anyway I wanted to be with the kids and there was a young girl sitting there writing in her journal. I asked her if everything was okay and she said ‘yes’ and I asked if I could sit down. I did and then found out that she is writing a short story for part of the unit worship service tonight. She said she was stuck about one particular part and she and I talked about it. (FYI, it was about the idea of the Shma and how we need to listen carefully.) Our talk evolved into discussion about prayer, God, community and sharing. And somewhere in all that, the magic of camp happened: Another camper saw us talking and joined us (he had already conquered the tower!) and he joined the discussion. A few minutes later, another one and another one and another one until I looked up and there were 10 engaged children talking and being listened to, struggling with issues of prayer and community. It was a beautiful hour which was completely unplanned and which, I am told, profoundly affected the campers’ insight into worship and faith. It was, for me, one of those moments for which I live as a teacher when I know that I have touched lives in a meaningful Jewish way.

What about the food? The food this year is the best camp food I have ever had. Who ever heard of good food at camp? Until recently, probably no one. But this year it is terrific! Just in case you were wondering whether or not I am getting enough to eat and not withering away! I hope to offer another blog entry from Harlam in a couple of days. Until then, shalom!

This summer, we have four teens participating in Urban Mitzvah Corps, a 6-week summer volunteer program run through the URJ.  Every night, a participant posts a blog entry and click HERE to check out an entry from a current SALTY leader, Jenna Wyatt.

Last fall at the post High Holiday review one of our members suggested that the prayer book for our well-attended Community service was not the best Beth Miriam could offer. Since our synagogue is vibrant, welcoming and innovative we felt that the prayer book should reflect that. After some discussion Rabbi Stanway decided it was time to replace the old prayer book with a new one created especially for the Community service. A committee member was asked to assist him in finding creative readings and graphics and proofreading copy. It took 6 months of effort but it was worth it. The new machzor containing both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will debut in September.  Please join us for the Community Service so you can see what’s new.

I have been asked to respond to a question by “Jewish Values Online” – an interdenominational assembly of rabbis who respond to submitted questions through Jewish lenses.  I recently received this question: What is the Jewish response – besides of course helping those in need – to environmental tragedy, like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? For starters – How do we understand a God who wreaks this kind of havoc on His creations? It is an inevitable question in times like this and I wanted to share my answer with you because many of you are asking it, as well.

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The tragedy now facing Japan is of a scope that we rarely see.  The natural disasters were bad enough but the impending nuclear meltdown exacerbates the problem exponentially.  People can clean up after a flood, a tsunami, even an earthquake.  It is a lot harder to clean up from nuclear contamination.  What is our Jewish response to such a tragedy?

Of course we offer our support – moral and financial – where we can.  As Jews we encourage our national leaders to not stand idle while our neighbor bleeds.  And, of course, we engage ourselves in the debate about nuclear power – a debate which has subsided in recent years because it was not seen as a major problem.

But the theological question you ask is one that needs to be asked and answered forthrightly and clearly.

God had nothing to do with the tsunami.  God had nothing to do with the earthquake.  God had nothing to do with the nuclear meltdown.  God has nothing to do with the weather, plate tectonics or the laws of physics.  The simple truth is that whatever has happened in the world over the past 4 billion years will continue for the next 4 billion years.  The difference is that there are now people in the way and, as people, we wonder why God would do such a thing to His creatures.

That way of looking at the world is one of self-importance.  It is, in effect, saying, “How dare God do such a thing?!”  We feel cheated and undeserving of such terrible things.

Of course, our Sages and biblical authors – quite often but not always – saw weather and natural disasters, war and disease and any misfortune were sent by God as punishments, inducements to repent or warnings.  It is natural to think that and I doubt there is one culture that doesn’t think that way.  But that does not mean it is accurate or fair.

In fact, it is unfair, especially to God.  Why should God get blamed for everything that happens?  Why do we depend on the laws of nature and the laws of physics for everything but are upset at God when we are caught in the middle of a natural event?  Do we teach our children to blame God for gravity, a natural phenomenon, when they fall off their bikes?  And yet, we blame God and wonder why He punishes us when those self-same laws of gravity drop a building crane on a busy metropolitan street.

Elie Weisel was right when he said that the most pathetic figure in the bible is God.  He is always disappointed at people and everyone is always blaming Him for what happened!

It is time to stop blaming God.

It is time to recognize that what we do has consequences in God’s world.  When we build nuclear power plants on seismic faults we are asking for trouble.  Maybe not in the next ten years but certainly within the next hundred.  And the truth is, no matter how well prepared we are for natural disasters, the awesome might of nature is something we have barely any control over.

Our response to the disasters befalling Japan should be God’s response.  There is no blame for what happens in nature but there is a humane and sensitive response to those who are suffering.  The reality is that God is not going to ‘lift up the fallen’ – it is we who are doing God’s work will be the ones lifting up the fallen.  And it is also we who will have to look at our decisions about what we build and where be build and understand that the consequences of our actions can be dire.

When the midrash teaches us that God said to Noah after the Flood, “Take care of this earth because after you there is no one to fix it and sustain it,’ the rabbis were telling us two things: first, that the earth is ours to care for and what we do today affects generations to come.  Second, and I think more importantly, don’t expect God to perform miracles every time we think we deserve them.

We all want God present in times of trouble.  Many Psalms are written to reflect that in the most beautiful Hebrew poetry.  And God is present, but only if we act as we would want anyone to act towards us in our suffering: with compassion, kindness, sensitivity and love.  That is the place to find God in disasters such as these.

Beth Miriam has some beautiful stained glass windows.  Use this link to see both color pictures of the stained glass as well as a description of each window as presented through the book that was created upon their dedication.