Consultation on Conscience 2013: paying it forward

Consultation on Conscience is the premier program on social justice issues and advocacy of the Reform Movement. Because of its standing, the Religious Action Center is able to corral the leading names in politics and public policy to address the assembly and conduct meaningful workshops with the participants. Names like Clinton and Pelosi, Kennedy and Richards have graced the program through the years. Among the highlights of this year’s conference were great opportunities with UN Ambassador Susan Rice, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (watch this dynamic first-term congresswoman!). We enjoyed powerful presentations from Sister Simone Campbell & Rabbi Sharon Brous, as well as Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. And there were so many others.
Yet for me, my experience this time was underscored by the special chance to spend time with a group of people whose names you probably don’t know (yet). Some ten days prior to Consultation, I was contacted by my friend and colleague Rabbi Michael Namath, the RAC’s program director. He informed me that a contingent of rabbinical students would be attending the event, with some programming uniquely geared to them. Would I be willing to serve as “dean” for this group? What a nice offer, and how uplifting to spend some time with these engaging colleagues-to-be.
We had the opportunity to welcome one another at the meet and greet prior to the opening dinner; to share time with other young professionals at a late-night reception following the opening keynote (okay, I’m fine with the idea that I’m no longer any sort of “young” professional, and was included out of courtesy :). The key element of being with the rabbinical students (and for complete disclosure, our complement included one education student as well) was the conversation shared at lunch on Monday with Rabbi Steve Fox, the CEO of the CCAR and at dinner with Rabbi David Saperstein, the incomparable director of the RAC. Each session focused on asking the students to share some reflections on what turned them onto Reform Jewish social action involvement. Steve asked each to share a seminal moment in their “social justice awakening” for which the responses were as varied as the group. David asked about stumbling blocks to young people’s involvement with such programs and opportunities provided by the RAC and the greater movement. Again, it was instructive and inspiring to hear the students’ perspectives – from issues of financial cost of participation to relevance of the style of delivery of information. These replies too were heartfelt, as was the reception by the listening leaders.
To conclude, I had the honor of asking the students to reflect on what struck them from the Consultation, so we had a chance to process – even briefly – the packed agenda of these few precious days. As we reviewed the speakers, workshops and overall atmosphere of the event, one repeated theme became clear: the strength of the Consultation, like so many conferences and seminars, is much more than the bits of learning gained in the planned sessions. It is about the networking, camaraderie, and renewal afforded by being with like-minded dedicated professionals and laity from across the generations of our community. I am thankful for the time spent with these young colleagues, and look forward to many years toiling together toward justice. And to each of them I wish: B’HATZLACHAH – may you be sustained and successful in pursuing tikkun olam, the sacred task of repairing the world.

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.