With Daylight Savings Comes a Prayer for More Daylight in Gaza, Plus Rays of Sunshine Here
Happy Spring everyone, and Shalom to all of you,
Before I sat down to write this monthly message to all of you, I went back and read what I shared last month and the previous one. No surprise, my lead-in was about the state of affairs – some would say chaos -- in Israel and Gaza.
Like me, I suspect many of you share a significant degree of ambivalence about these matters, wanting to be unequivocally supportive of our brothers and sisters who call Israel home, while being increasingly alarmed by the death and devastation visited upon Palestinians caught in the brutal crossfire with the avowed terrorist organization Hamas.
Looking for guidance, I turned to a New York Times article by Nir Avishai Cohen, a Major in the Israel Defense Force Reserves, with a story headline that expressed exactly what I felt: “I’m Going to War for Israel. Palestinians Are Not My Enemy:”
In the time since Major Cohen’s story appeared, I’ve returned to The Times to further explore what is a very complex and conflicted series of events, finding three additional articles I want to share with all of you:
These do not make for easy reading, but all three writers are thoughtful and measured in their responses, speaking to troubling issues far better than I ever could, so if you have the urge to read these, I would encourage you to do so.
After speaking about the dire, no-end-in-sight situation in the Middle East, it’s a challenge to turn to more mundane matters here at home, but I’m glad to do so, because nearly all the news is positive. Let’s start with our fundraising initiative, L’dor V’dor.
A few weeks ago I mailed a letter to many of you, pointing out we are facing a serious financial deficit, one that the congregation’s leadership has been able to reduce but not fully address. In the time since, I’m pleased to report the “are facing situation” has now become “were facing,” given we have achieved two-thirds of our goal.
Speaking on behalf of all of us – this was a problem that required everyone to step up – I am not just grateful but proud (and a little relieved) of what we achieved.
For those of you who heard Rabbi Niles conduct a thoughtful conversation with Reverend Jay Lang – or as he likes to refer to himself, Rev. Jay – leader of the Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living, as part of the rabbi’s Faces of Faith series, you witnessed frank, informative engagement on matters of faith, spirituality and belief, one that emphasized our similarities much more than our differences.
In a time of discord and uncertainty it is a good to hear from a friend, so much so, I am reminded of the Randy Newman song, “You’ve got a Friend in Me.” It is good to have a friend in Rev. Jay.
More good news: It’s Purim time!
Activities already are underway, but here’s the line-up:
Last Sunday, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, we did a round-robin for Religious School students; at 11:30 am, thanks to our immensely talented and creative Music Director Gordon, who wrote and led what we’re calling the “Swift Purim Schpiel.” “What was this?” you ask. It’s the story of Esther, with songs and new lyrics – wait for it – by the one and only Taylor Swift! I hope you were able to join us. Gordon was his usual, terrific self, and hopefully can be persuaded to repeat his performance at this Friday’s service. A picture is worth a proverbial thousand words, and here’s one of Gordon that easily is worth that and more:
Nice kippah, Gordon! Did you find it in our kippah drawer?
The Religious School children made Hamantaschen that they then sold it at the Purim café, raising roughly $150, future entrepreneurs that they are. Here are a couple of other photos from today’s events:
This Friday, March 22nd, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, we will hold a Family Purim Costume Shabbat and Service followed by a light dinner, so come in your costumes and be ready to schmooze!
Lastly, this Saturday, March 23rd from 5:30 to 7:00 pm there will be a Havdalah Megillah, meaning an adult Purim Tish and potluck dinner, so join us to raise a glass, share a nosh, and dive into the Megillah.
I saved this last piece of now-old news for last, given it is bittersweet: from the letter all you received last week, you know that Friday, April 5 will be synagogue Director Lauren Snyder’s last day, as she is leaving to join her childhood synagogue in Southern California. Needless to say, we wish her and husband Zack well in their future endeavors, and will welcome them whenever they make a visit here.
There’s a saying, “When one door closes, another opens.” We are taking Lauren’s departure as an opportunity to revisit how we conduct the congregation’s operations; I will share news of this in next month’s message. In the meantime, rest assured we are proactively addressing the situation, and there should be nary a beat missed when it comes to synagogue business.
That’s pretty much it. I hope to see many of you at CBS; until then, Am Israel Chai. Roberta
