Shira Klein, a New Jersey mother of three young children, has been battling Hodgkins Lymphoma since 2010. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy, but will need a stem cell transplant from a donor to prolong her life. Screening is on April 14th. If interested in helping out by getting screened – check out the press release and flyer below:
Jewish Women – Past and Future, delivered by Debi Nelson
March 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This week we read the last two portions of Exodus: Vayak’heil and Pekudai. The Israelites have received the second set of the Ten Commandments and Adonai now believes they are ready to build the Tabernacle, the portal sanctuary for worship.
In Vayak’heil, Moses commanded the Israelites—“everyone whose heart is so moved (Exodus 35:5)”—to bring a multitude of precious gems and metals, elegant fabrics, animal skins, oils and spices to Adonai so that the Tabernacle, the ark, altar and all its contents can be built to His specifications. Skilled artisans were assigned to construct the Tabernacle as explicitly described.
Pekudei concludes the book of Exodus with the completion of the Tabernacle, with the making of the priestly garments and the consecration of the finished Tent of Meeting. Lastly, God promises to dwell among the Israelites throughout their journeys.
In both these portions the Israelites count not only men, but women, who are specifically mentioned and included several times. All were asked to donate precious objects and to use their unique skills for the building of the Tabernacle, as it said, “Thus the Israelites, all the men and women whose hearts moved them for the work … brought it as a freewill offering to Adonai (Exodus 35:29).” Women were specifically asked to produce the many fabrics for the Tabernacle as well as for the priestly vestments. They also provided their mirrors for the stand at the entrance and their fragrances for the incense. Lastly, women stood with the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle when “the presence of Adonai filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:35).”
It is only in these two Torah portions that women been considered as equal partners with men. Throughout the ages, our roles as fundraisers, builders and caregivers have always been integral aspects of the continuity and vibrancy of Judaism and our houses of worship. Yet Jewish women just began to charter organizations, known as sisterhoods, to fulfill these purposes in the last 100 years. In sisterhoods, we have formally continued the work for which our foremothers were first acknowledged in the Torah.
As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of the founding of WRJ, previously NFTS, we are also remembering the vital role of those women from centuries past who inspired all of us to make sisterhood and synagogue a major part of our lives.
May we, as Jewish women, build on the wonderful legacy of our foremothers as we begin the next century of WRJ. May we ensure the continuation of the important roles of sisterhoods and WRJ for the future of our synagogues and Reform Judaism for generations to come.
May the light of Shabbat candles brighten all our lives.
Helene H. Waranch
WRJ Past President
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore, MD
God and His Children
March 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This week’s Torah is a double portion Vayakhel/P’kudei. In Vayakhel the Israelites continue to build the Tabernacle. God gives detailed instructions on how to build, what materials to use and the personnel needed for the Tabernacle. What is very interesting is that this portion follows the incident of the Golden Calf. In that portion the Israelites and God came to an understanding. The Israelites disobey God’s laws yet God forgives them and still says that the Israelites are God’s people and that they will bring Torah to the world. This is of great comfort to the Israelites because now God is viewed as a parent. As we know in life a parent, is always your parent no matter what transpires. Parents may not be happy with the choices a child makes but that does not change their love for their child. That is exactly what happens with God. The Israelites continue to build the Tabernacle, God’s dwelling place because they are confident in the relationship with God. They know even if they falter God will be with them just like a loving parent.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
March 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The more things change, the more they stay the same. An observation made by the congregation while discussing the weekly Torah portion at Shabbat Services last Friday night. If there is one thing we can count on is that human nature, given similar circumstances, will react the same even though separated by thousands of years.
So what are we to take away from these allegoric stories of long ago? Two words. Teachable moments. After each Torah portion, ask yourself this question . . . “what is the teachable moment in that story?” Exploring the answer to that question through discussion and study may bring you to the true virtue of the Torah … an instrument by which to show us a path to a higher plane. It may not be clear to us, and may take some thought, but the search for the right answer is, in fact, an invaluable lesson in itself.
Instead of repeating the behavior that got our ancestors into such trouble with the Lord, we learn to find an alternate behavior that brings us to a more enlightened state of being. Could that be the real purpose put before us?
In any case, the Torah continues to provide us with many teachable moments. How we face our difficulties, some of which were the same difficulties facing our ancestors, and act upon them? What have we learned from our ancestors and the mistakes they made? How can we do it better?
It’s a lot to ponder. The miracle is that we have the capacity and ability to embrace the task.