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Parashat Vayakhel - Pekudei: Exodus 35:1-40:38 12:-20

I have a hard time putting down a book once I’ve started reading it, met the characters, become involved in the plot-line.  Even when I hit tedious passages, I feel compelled to read every word.  I admire, but cannot imitate, people who can skim through whole chapters or flip all the way to the back pages.  I’m always sure I’ll miss that key paragraph and the secret that unlocks the mystery and message of the book. 

But I admit it’s hard not to want to skip through this week’s parasha, because it is, in essence, an almost word-for-word repetition of the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle given earlier in Exodus.  Those instructions were detailed in the extreme and filled many pages.  Why write it all down twice?  Why read it all twice?  Is this a tragic scribal error or is there a secret to unlock … Read More >

Parashat Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11-34:35, Numbers 19:1-22

Last month at “got shabbat?” one of the preschoolers came hoping to see God.  He knew that if there were a place to find God it would be at Temple Isaiah. He looked for God during the pizza dinner and at services; and not even during the chocolate oneg could he see God. When he finally asked me, “where is God?” he was frustrated to learn that God is invisible.

As I read about the building of the Golden Calf in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tissa, I am reminded of this child’s quest and frustration. While Moses climbed Mount Sinai to speak to God, all the Israelites waited at the base for his return. Getting impatient and rather concerned, the people rebelled and said to Aaron, “Come, make us a god who shall go before us, for that man Moses, who brought us from the land of Egypt-we do … Read More >

Parashat Tetzaveh: Exodus 27:20-30:10 Shabbat Zachor: Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Fashion week just ended in New York City.  Having watched (mostly) one season of Project Runway, I looked with greater interest, curiosity and admiration at the styles paraded by designers this year.  We saw (say the analysts in the know):  longer hemlines, more military influence and recession-influenced modesty.  I saw a lot of clothes I cannot imagine wearing!

Clothes - high fashion or low—serve at least two purposes:  to cover us up and to bring us attention.  Like our animal brethren, we can choose to blend in with our surroundings or stand out.  In this week’s Torah portion we learn that Aaron, the High Priest, is meant to fulfill the important responsibilities of his office while robed in majestic splendor.  Commentators have noted the detailed descriptions as evidence of the holy purpose of these garments.  In the Priest’s case, the “clothes do make the man,” in the sense that only … Read More >

Parashat Terumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19

The Torah on this Shabbat Teruma begins with the call to bring gifts for the building of the Tabernacle.  When we gather as a community to celebrate 25 Hours of Shabbat, we will be offered the opportunity to bring our gifts of spirit, mind and food, and apply them towards the building of our holy community.

The Torah reading begins a long cycle dealing with the building of the Tabernacle in the desert.  It represents one of the early efforts in Jewish tradition to build sacred space.  And yet, it is clear that the building itself is never vested -in and of itself -with any kind of holiness.  The Torah is clear, “Build me a sanctuary” says the Holy One of Israel, “that I may dwell among them.” No created object can have an absolute claim to holiness. It is what we bring to it that may bring us … Read More >

When are we “too academic”?

This year several parents have made similar comments - that their kids are overloaded with stress and homework from their secular schools, and they are worried about Temple Isaiah’s education program being “too academic.”  Each time I hear a comment like this, I have multiple feelings simultaneously. 

First, I feel compassion.  Kids today are truly overloaded with academic pressures and commitments.  Teachers give more homework than ever before, pressure to get good grades is at an all time high, and extracurricular activities require far more hours than they used to.  Kids as young as 7 or 8 buckle under the pressure - especially the “academic” pressure they face at school.  Some kids (again, even very young children) meet with tutors on a regular basis in order to improve their success in school.  So I understand where parents are coming from - “my kids are overloaded,” they are saying, “they … Read More >

Update #13—For Homeless Families, Christmas at the Temple

For those of you who keep up with these things and sent me e-mails or phoned to inquire why there was no Update last night, I thank you.  That means that the updates have a loyal following.  (My family arrived from Chicago and we shared a wonderful evening together. ) Many of you may have read the article in the Bay Area section of The New York Times.  The article itself can be viewed on the first link below, and then if you are interested, the journalist who wrote the article has a blog running on Homelessness.  Hope that everyone finds them both of value.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27sfshelter.html?emc=eta1

http://bayarea.blogs.nytimes.com/

There was a definite sense of sadness at Winter Nights tonight among the client-guests and those of us who have been there nearly everyday for two weeks.  As stated in an earlier update, Winter Nights has a life of its own, … Read More >

Update #12—The Spirit of the Season Reigned

A cold morning outside was warm inside at Temple Isaiah.  A delicious hot breakfast was served by Donna, Seth, David, Philip, and Joshua Moldoff, Shell, Adam, Hannah & Mia Portner and Gabe Gill & Karen Chandler.  Our client-guests are early risers, so the breakfast of eggs, quiche, and various assorted pastries was over by 8:30 a.m.  We waited until 9:00 a.m. to distribute family bags of gifts.

For those who don’t know the gift giving process, we will share it with you:

1. Santa’s Letters delivered to Winter Night site right before Temple Isaiah
2. Cindy picks up letters
3. Debby Weinstein compiles lists and works with Rabbi Forrest & Rabbi Greninger for candles for Religious School and on got shabbat?
4. Congregants bring gifts to Bride’s Room
5. Noar Nights volunteers, sort gifts by age, gender, and type of gift.
6. Client-guests “shop” for their families.
• All clients get socks, underwear, and books … Read More >

Update #11—Here Came Santa Claus, Right Down Risa Lane

There has hardly been a wedding or Bar Mitzvah at Temple Isaiah that have had as much energy and joy as our Winter Nights Shelter tonight. 

We had Santa Claus (our own Bill Broussard), Santa’s elves in red & white stripes (April Hirsch and Georgia Gerard), and Carolers galore (Rob Dunbar, Mark & Mimi Rossi, Joel Siegel, Pierre Hirsch, Jamie Gracer, Jan Trzniewski, Kim Drucker, Jeannie, Mike & David Conneran, Kim Drucker, David De Stephen, Cheryl & Eric Kohleriter, Susan Mautner, Joyce Stenson, Blessing Kobey and Dave Anderson).  Joyce took it upon herself to invite the carolers and to outfit them with song sheets and red & white Santa hats.  This is the kind of leadership and ideas that Winter Nights generates.  Special thanks to Joyce & all of the beautiful voices and talented musicians who performed tonight.  There was even an “after hours”  jam session with two of … Read More >