YEMEI HA-CHANUKAH, pt. II: *Season* of Lights

Last night, for the first eve of Hanukkah, I dutifully made a big batch of latkes (which, by the way, for a guy who doesn't really like them, I make really well). After dinner, I left my big, trusty cast iron pan on the stove, with the last remnants of the oil in which we fried the potatoes.

And of course, I forgot about the pan overnight. Following a busy Sunday, I finally got back to the kitchen after 4 p.m. today. "OOPS! Gotta clean the pan!" With a little hot water and a quick wiping out, my beloved cast iron monster is in better condition than ever. Yes, these items are actually quite easy to maintain for a life-time of use. Yet (nes gadol hayah po) perhaps another miracle of Hanukkah oil occurred right here.

So - you ever need to season (or re-season) a good ol' cooking implement? Easy - just make some latkes.

CHAG SAMEYACH!

YEMEI HA-CHANUKAH, pt. I: Little Jazz about to turn 14

YEMEI HA-CHANUKAH CHANUKAT MIKDASHEINU

Thoughts for these days of Hanukkah 5773

Of all things I remember quite clearly a meeting of the CCAR I attended 14 years ago today. It was the monthly gathering for the New York area region of Reform rabbis - usually a handful to a dozen of us showed up at a given session, yet a few hundred joined together at HUC-JIR for a presentation on the current draft of "Principles of Reform Judaism" to be ratified at the coming spring Conference convention. And this is of course not why I recall that day.

After a lengthy morning discussion, Deb and I accompanied a senior colleague, Rabbi Norman Kahan, to lunch, walking together the many blocks from the College to a favorite middle eastern restaurant, Rectangles. A funny sight we must have made while making our way across the city: Norman, who's bad hip necessitated using a cane to assist his affected gait, and Deb who looked like she was 10 months pregnant.

Needless to say, Ben arrived the next day. There are those (like Deb) who believe that such extensive walking induces labor. And really, who's to argue?

Now with the onset of Hanukkah 5773/2012, so too do we look at celebrating Little Jazz turning 14. Hanukkah 1998 included our family gathering for his B'rit Milah; this time around should be less traumatic for all involved. May it yet be a time of being with loving family and friends.

CHAG URIM SAMEYACH - wishing you a Festival of Lights filled with peace, tasty goodies, and much love.

Bigotry, in all its forms, is intolerable

I'm proud that my kids have been exposed to anti-bigotry and anti-bullying programs in their school, at camp, and of course in our conversations at home. Part of the work of eradicating hatred is cultivating love, inclusiveness, and acceptance. This is a major part of our religious tradition, and of course a better element of the American heritage as well. And yet - beginning with what I heard from a friend at a birthday party over the weekend, and then amplified by a story on tonight's evening news:

 

Reports of hate-oriented graffiti/vandalism in Granger, IN.

As a rabbi in the local community, as president of our United Religious Community (the URC is our local interreligious organization, dedicated for more than 40 yrs. to building bridges of understanding and cooperation across religious and cultural lines), and more so as a concerned citizen, I call upon ALL good people everywhere to share that such intolerance and bigotry will never be condoned, and that any perpetrators of this kind of behavior will be held responsible for their actions. 

Please share this message, and stand up and speak out for justice, wherever you live.

Attitude of Gratitude - Thanksgiving 2012

It's Thanksgiving - when we overeat, hang out with family/friends, and generally gorge ourselves on the abundance we usually take for granted. Many of us enjoy living in a life of plenty, of excess, and even as we *try* to be mindful of those (even within our own midst) who are in need - it is so far outside our comfort zone/off our radar screen - it is truly difficult to understand the plight of our brothers and sisters who really don't have enough. 

It's not just in "Third World" nations that people suffer from lack of food, clothing, shelter, necessities...unfortunately such impoverished conditions have emerged throughout our blessed American society.

Let us commit ourselves anew to working toward a just society that cares for those in need - whatever those needs might be. As we give voice on this day for our "thanks" for all that we know in our lives - let us express our *ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE* by truly making a difference in the world - not merely be claiming to love humanity, more so by loving our fellow human beings.

Happy Thanksgiving - may this be a time of greater peace, compassion and love for us all!

Celebrating TBE's "Teen J.A.M." on National Philanthropy Day

Over this past year, DJS and I have been privileged to work with the high school students of TBE as on of the pilot sites for the URJ-sponsored "Teen Philanthrophy" project. Through it, our young people have been studying, exploring and implementing a variety of philanthropy-related topics from social justice and tikkun olam to fundraising and grant writing to request evaluation and donor recognition. It has been a wonderful exposure to the intricate system of philanthropy, which is much more, of course, than simply "charitable giving." And for us, as teachers, it has opened the opportunity to help cultivate a coming generation who will be more philanthropic in their endeavors that ours (my direct peers, that is) has proven to be.

After a general overview of these various items - the students chose four areas of concern that they felt are critical in our community. After putting out a call for RFPs (request for proposals), the teens vetted the applications and ended up making grants of a total of $2500 to two local worthy organizations - what a great way to culminate the initial season of the project.

Today, we attended the annual "Salute to Philanthropy" luncheon hosted by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - at which our program, known as Teen J.A.M. (Jewish Agency of Michiana) was recognized for its efforts by receiving this year's Youth Philanthropist award. I am very proud of the work our high schoolers are doing to elevate awareness about important issues, and to be involved in supporting such ideas in real terms.

Just a thought for this difficult Monday of Tday week

This is a time of great concern, anxiety and worry for our brothers and sisters - Jew and non-Jew alike - in the land of Israel. As we hope for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis coming out of Gaza, so too do we voice our support for Israel's sovereign right to defend itself, protect all its citizens, and eliminate any such terror threat it faces.

As Americans, we are enjoying this season of Thanksgiving, acknowledging the many blessings we know in our lives. One of these blessings is of course our obligation to be among those good, caring, compassionate people who work together to make the world a better place. Now approaching our Festival of Light - may we dedicate ourselves anew to the causes of justice, peace and love.

"about whatever inspires me"

Obviously, very little has been inspiring me.
Since the flurry of blog-tivity during Sukkot, not a single post in more than a month.
Halloween, voting, elections, Movember....a big fat NADA.

Guess I need to find some renewed inspiration. Maybe you can help.