45 years and what have we learned?

You know how as you grow *older* you acquire certain tastes that you couldn't have imagined even a few years back? For some, it might be scotch (the first thing I ever heard called "an acquired taste," as suggested by dear ol' dad when I was maybe 12 or 13 and thought it smelled like jet propellant; thankfully, I learned better). Others it might be a particular food, or sport or activity.

For me of course, my acquired tastes have also included an exponential broadening of musical likes. One such example strikes me today. When U2 first exploded onto the pop scene, I wasn't such a huge fan. Sure, I had friends who adored this band from the beginning, even stylized their look around Bono's hair (JP) and the Edge's hat, if not his playing...

As I've grown, I've come to enjoy the poetry of their lyrics, which eluded me earlier (as well as a better understanding of their emotional musicality). And then there's today, a significant date that often goes unnoticed, which U2 has actually preserved, immortalized:

Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

On this 45th anniversary of the assassination of MLK, look around at our society, our world. If we are honest with ourselves, we note that even as the years have progressed beyond that moment in time, we face the same problems, issues and challenges that plagued the world "way back in the 60s", as in every era. It's been 45 years, and I ask, what have we learned? More significantly - what are we going to do about it?

chametz is more than leaven

It's the day following the conclusion of Passover, yet another "new beginning" in the Jewish year.

Just as we *search for leaven* to cleanse the house of not-for-Passover items prior to the festival, the week of the holiday itself reminds us (encourages? demands?) that we are to look for the unclean, old, stale schmutz that is within us, to rid it from ourselves as well - a personal spring cleaning.

Breadcrumbs, half-used cereal boxes and old pasta certainly seem to find their way into every unexpected nook and hiding spot in our homes. Yet often these are much easier to sweep up, set aside or toss out. It's the internal stuff that really clings and needs our continued scrubbing.

We return to bread and beer, to enjoy. May the inner chametz not build up again so fast...

The Bergamot

Just had the chance (literally, chance meeting at the supermarket) to meet Jillian and Nathan of The Bergamot - a very fun indie-pop band - outta South Bend no less, making the rounds....check 'em out...very cool new stuff.

www.thebergamot.com

Supporting new and creative artistic talent is something we should all be doing.

Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5773

It is now the Hebrew month of Nissan, during which we celebrate Passover - known as z'man cheruteynu, the "time of our freedom." At this season, we recall the Exodus from Egypt and our liberation from bondage, as well as renew our commitment to working to overcome any oppression faced by our brothers and sisters, wherever they may be around the world. In Hebrew, this month is also know as chodesh ha-aviv, the "month of spring." We welcome the change of seasons, and the promise of renewal and rejuvenation it brings. As buds appear on the trees, as flowers begin to emerge, as the birds begin to sing anew - we rejoice that we can continue to work as God's partners in maintaining and perfecting our world. This year, may challenges disappear; this year may all be free.

Wishing you a chag pesach sameyach - a very joyous Passover encouter!

We were strangers too

Here are the remarks I shared as part of "A Dream for All", a public press conference in support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Sponsored by TAP, a local community organizing group, the event was held at the South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center on Wednesday, February 6. As rabbi of Temple Beth-El, current president of the United Religious Community of St. Joseph County, and especially as a life-long progressive Jew, it was an honor to participate.

“When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. The strangers who dwell with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19: 33-34).

With these words of Biblical encouragement, Jewish tradition demands that we reach out to the “stranger”, “newcomer”, “outsider”, or “other” and include them in the embrace of our society. Though times and situations have certainly changed since these words were first written, and even since the time my family came here just a few generations ago - it remains our sacred obligation to provide and ensure the same opportunities to those who, like each of our families, hoped to create a better and more meaningful life in the United States.

I stand here as the proud offspring of immigrants to America, as do most among us. And I know it is my obligation to support the effort to accomplish meaningful reform to our immigration policy. As shared by Barbara Weinstein of our Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, in response to the Senate Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

We welcome Congress’ and the Obama Administration’s renewed commitment to immigration reform…which represents important steps toward resolving the issues that have plagued our immigration system for far too long. Our tradition commands us to welcome the stranger. This responsibility inspires us to work to fix our broken immigration system in a manner befitting our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants. Our immigration policies must be rooted in principles of human dignity, and we appreciate this past week’s proposals that advance that goal.

I know that in days to come, we can yet work to bring this goal to life.

Roe v. Wade - 40 yrs. is a long time, yet not enough

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court protecting a woman's right to choose when it comes to abortion. (For those still caught up in the politics of the debate over the issue, you should actually read the case, its background, and the decision published by the Court, for clarification. On Constitutional grounds, there is really no arguing against the position offered, 7-2 by the justices, based on their understanding of right to privacy, etc.).

Anyhoo - over most of my lifetime, the conflict between Pro-choice and Anti-choice (which I prefer to the term "Pro-life", as most "pro-lifers" regarding abortion are also ignorant fascists very much in support of capital punishment) has been raging as one of the most significant political items of our generation.

Unfortunately, the massive amount of attention, funding and time given to the abortion debate has been allowed to derail the broader set of ideas related to women's health care, health care access, and the fundamental right of all American's to be afforded the best in medical services no matter what (hey, I'm just a loud-mouthed progressive)....

Don't get me wrong - I understand that the decision to have an abortion is powerful, difficult and pushes a woman (or couple ) to question many things about their understanding of life and family. I also know that this choice is (and MUST remain) very personal - sacred and unique to the individual and situation involved. 

Though there can be no perfect, singular response regarding abortion - we must continue to promote, protect and safeguard the right to choose - no matter what that choice might be.

In memory of Kurt Simon

Here are the remarks I shared at the funeral service of Kurt Simon on Friday, January 11, 2013

It seems that many times when we memorialize a loved one, we say “wow, this person lived such a fulfilling, varied and interesting life – we could have written a book, or made a film.” Well, with Kurt Simon, we did just that. Kurt lived such a full, wide-ranging and fascinating life that there is a book (published by IUSB) and a documentary (produced by WNIT) among a whole host of other articles, tributes and acknowledgments that have been published about him. In many ways, Kurt Simon lived the proverbial American dream. He came here as a refugee from Europe; attained a very good education that allowed him to build a great career; he was a successful businessman and community leader; he was a generous donor who provided so much that has benefited so many of us in this very room, and well beyond.Kurt has been a major benefactor of a great number of worthy endeavors in our community. He has lent his name, spirit and generosity to so many different institutions and agencies. His name adorns a variety of foundations, funds and educational programs, and facilities as well. You are surely familiar with them, and, these are but a few of the pieces about Kurt that we can easily read about in the record of his life.Kurt Simon was much more. He was a person of passion who cared deeply about the various things that mattered to him. He was frank and forthright, never allowing you to wonder about his opinion. And mostly, he was a caring human being who desired, it seemed to me, to live long enough to take care of everyone in his life.He was fortunate to enjoy love and friendship along life’s path, first of course with Tessye and Bobby, and more recently through companionship with Mary Lou. Kurt’s life has been filled with loving relatives and dedicated friends, truly almost too many to mention. After 99+ years, perhaps this is the greatest accomplishment of all. It is an honor to be among today’s assembly of family, friends and community to honor Kurt’s life.

Paying tribute to him today, we must also acknowledge Kurt’s special dedication to the Jewish community and to this congregation, Temple Beth-El, of which he was immensely proud. I do not mean to refer to the name on the wall down the hall “The Kurt and Tessye Simon Education Building”, nor to his endowment of the various funds and programs we enjoy that bear his name. Rather, Kurt was proud of – no LOVED – you! The members of this congregation, the people of this community, became a beloved extension of Kurt’s family. He greatly enjoyed knowing us all, appreciating the roles we played in his life; and of course, he LOVED our knowing him as well, and thrived on the relationships he made among us.

Most especially, as his life continued, Kurt became enamored with children and young people. He relished the opportunity to be among our kids. Watching them learn, play and simply be around, Kurt would often whisper, with almost a tear in his eye, “how beautiful!” Enabling and ensuring the future for the children of this community was a joy for Kurt, yet another fruit of his labor that he cherished the chance to witness.

Just a few weeks ago, on a lovely Saturday morning, Kurt came to Temple for our Shabbat service, as he usually did. Asking to get a glass of water, he and I walked together into the kitchen. I grabbed a cup, filled it for him as we continued to chat. Then he turned to me: “Rabbi, you can begin writing the final words now.” At first I didn’t follow him, as I was thinking of beginning our service. He continued, “You know, the final words about me.” I responded that any such beautiful day where he and I could stand together was a great one, and let’s just take it a day at a time.

And now today, as we say farewell to Kurt Simon, we think of the ways he enriched our lives, as a friend or family member, as a business associate or board member, as a patron or adviser. Kurt led a life of service, teaching us by example how to turn ones luck, hard work and good fortune into something bigger that benefited us all. So, appropriately, I’ll leave the last words to him: may we too, in our own time, learn to “do our giving while we are living.”

ZICHRONO LIVRACHA – may Kurt Simon’s memory be for blessing.