‘It was seeing people wearing shorts and sneakers that drew me to FPS’. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this. In describing the informality (in a good way) of our synagogue, dress is always mentioned. How often visitors might ask ‘What should I wear to your synagogue?’ Clothes matter. Many still wear suits, ties and the equivalent. But many celebrate being able to wear jeans and to ‘come as you are!’
Do Liberal synagogues mark themselves by having a more ‘relaxed’ dress code? I have certainly seen that at play.
Similarly our attitude to ‘sacred garments’; who wears a tallit or a kippah? Last year someone commented to me that he was surprised to see women wearing trousers with a tallit. I was, I must admit, a bit at a loss for words, I wasn’t sure how to respond to this particular concern. I know how many comments I receive if I am wearing a new dress or an unusual colour (or indeed any colour!). We do look at our prayer leaders, so maybe what they wear does matter. A colleague (male) was asked to dress a little smarter. Another colleague prefers no shoes, not a common look in synagogue prayer.
As with most things, Judaism does speak to attire. This week’s portion holds the sartorial instructions for the priests:
“These are the vestments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fringed tunic, a headdress, and a sash. They shall make those sacral vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons, for priestly service to Me; they, therefore shall receive the gold, the blue, purple, and crimson yarns and the fine linen.” (Ex. 28:4-5)
Without the formality of Temple sacrifice and priestly leadership, what is the correct garb for us rabbis and lay folk? Is it possible our elaborate Torah mantles and rimonim (silver crowns) have replaced the priestly garments? And does that affect how we behave with our sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls).
This week we will study Tetzaveh and, I hope, have these conversations at Cafe Ivriah starting at 9.45 am. Do join us and wear whatever you like!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom
Rebecca
Humanity has been well used to expressing suspicion and even hatred for those other than us.
We naturally cleave to and feel comfortable with those who feel like us. The eugenics conversation entering Downing Street this week echoes such ideas.
Humanity’s greatest crimes have been committed against the outsider, the stranger. We have seen the casualties of this for centuries. So it is all the more arresting to read:
“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger: You were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Ex. 23:9).
It cuts through all the other verses in this week’s portion as it should; a clear-eyed focus on what matters. 36 times this verses is repeated in various forms in the Torah. It seems to remind there is always a choice how to think, believe, speak and behave. I appreciate its simplicity even when other messages and texts around it are not.
Empathy was and is a Jewish commandment.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom
Rebecca
Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. So wrote Parker Palmer.
The constant search for a good life; one where we give as much as we receive is a reasonable goal and where we live easily and thoughtfully. Where life is both bearable and even joyful.
This week’s portion is Yitro. Moses’ father-in-law (clearly a highly functioning and astute priest of Midian) told him, “What you are doing is not good.” He was referring to the state of exhaustion Moses was in daily; the burden and centrality he gave himself to serve the people. Basically Yitro told Moses to delegate.
We serve no-one well when we we wear ourselves out. It’s rather nice to be reminded that self care is good stewardship. Consider what changes you could make in your lives to enable this.
Wishing you a peaceful and restorative Shabbat.
Rebecca
“But isn’t that how evolution works? you ask. The survival of the fittest? Trees would just shake their heads—or rather their crowns. Their well-being depends on their community, and when the supposedly feeble trees disappear, the others lose as well.” from The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
This week we mark Tu B’Shevat. At times I do recognise that these obscure days in our calendar feel irrelevant, even dispensible. This is a day devoted to agriculturists marking the age of trees which, of course, were so vital to everyone. But actually this is now a day to focus on the enduring power of trees; not just eating fruit, talking ecology or the symbolism of these plants But rather just the beauty and glory of trees: how they look, behave and produce.
That’s what Tu B’Shevat will be for us. 16th Shevat will be marked this coming Shabbat after the service with a seder that celebrates trees. Megan Greene and I with copious community members will (we hope) mark this together. We have a tree surgeon, Joe, plates of local tree produce (apples, pears, nuts etc) and will be bringing some blessings and memories of the power of trees.
It feels an appropriate response to good mental health, after last week’s Mental Heath Awareness Shabbat. As Nachman of Bratslav memorably wrote: “May it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass – among all growing things – and there may I be alone, and enter into prayer, to talk with the One to whom I belong.”
Wishing you zesty and refreshing Shabbat
Rebecca
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat
Vayeit Moshe et yado al hashamayim. Vay’hi choshekh-afeilah b’khol erets mitzrayim shloshet yamim. Lo ra’uish et achiv, v’lo kamu ish mitachtav shloshet yamim.
“And Moses held his hand toward the sky and thick darkness descended upon all the land of Egypt for three days. People could not see one another, and for three days no one could get up from where he was….” (Exod 10:22-23)
The last three plagues were said to be the worst; Locusts, Darkness and Death of the First Born. Actually the current locust plague across Africa, the most devastating for 70 years, is described biblically in its immensity. The skies are dark, and the farmers are desperate. It’s surely no coincidence that Darkness followed Locusts in the Exodus narrative. The penultimate plague is the most intriguing for us now.
The description of the plague of darkness has particular resonance with mental illness – the darkness was so heavy, so intense that people couldn’t move from their position. So debilitated by the darkness were they, they couldn’t rise from their beds. Usually other senses kick in when sight is denied; but not here, not now. The darkness is described as afeilah – thick darkness, gloomy. The Torah text suggests it is a psychological darkness as well as physical.
This, surely, we can relate to. Darkness, depression, can descend like a plague. Mental illness has many parallels with this. We are better versed now in understanding the unwelcome periods of darkness many of us experience. JAMI, the Jewish Association for Mental Illness, has done much to raise the profile of the ubiquitous struggle so many go through. They have in my mind single-handedly changed the profile and perception of mental illness. Everyone is on a spectrum of mental health. Philippa Carr, an FPSnik, works for JAMI. Indeed several of our members have benefited from their Mental Health First Aid training. One might think, when would mental heath first aid be needed, but you’d be surprised. Synagogues and prayer services can unleash all sorts of emotions and many of us have been ready to catch and meet those as they struggle.
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat was a phenomenal initiative. Communities all round the country will be paying attention to this, and raising its profile. We will be marking it at Shabbat b’Yachad this week. We hope our young people will benefit from it too. It wasn’t just the Biblical Hebrews who experienced the paralysing effects of darkness.
Wishing you an easy Shabbat.
Rebecca
I have thrice applied for Rabbinic positions in London. All three times I was exceedingly aware of my colleagues and even friends also going the same post. It was uncomfortable. But we navigated it. The blessing and challenge of our intimate progressive Jewish community is that we know each other so well. Sometimes that is a huge benefit to the way we work together, sometimes it can blind us to a professionalism that we should be managing. We are so concerned with a sense of mutual support, of protecting ourselves from external scrutiny and washing ‘our linen in public’ that we may have resisted hearing the benefits of this.
My colleague across the road Rabbi Miriam Berger referred last week to an Ofsted report for a Jewish Primary school in Hertfordshire, the cosy-ness of staff and students and the interconnected relationships they held made for Ofsted, a blurring of boundaries.
Sometimes the cosy-ness and supportive intimacy of our Jewish community can mean we don’t lift our heads to look at the bigger picture. Sometimes we are working so hard on so many important ways to develop, sustain and progress our synagogues that we might resist seeing and listening to everything we should.
Following allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by a colleague, many have come forward from Progressive Jewish communities to insist on a proper Ethics Committee to both protect and create due processes for complainants and subjects of complaints alike, be it rabbis, teachers, student rabbis or lay leaders. The Union of Reform Judaism in the States has created a robust process for this already. It behoves us greatly to follow. I have signed a letter along with many colleagues committing to safer sacred spaces and both the Liberal and Reform movements are working on this now.
I see an echo and anticipation of this in our Torah portion Va’eira. Getting deeper into the story that defines us, the Israelites are worn down by their avodah kasha, hard labour. So much so that when Moses returns from his visionary and encouraging moment at the Burning Bush, and relays what He and God have planned; they can’t hear it, let alone believe it.
Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses because of their kotzer ruach and because of their hard labor. (Exodus 6:9)
Rashi helps explain kotzer ruach as “shortness of breath,” When one is stressed, pressed or anxious we feel this difficulty in breathing or rushed breaths.
As Sforno, Italian commentator of 16th century says, “It did not appear believable to their present state of mind … their heart could not assimilate such a promise” (Sforno on Exodus 6).
There are times when we feel beleaguered or downright exhausted in our Jewish communities but this is something that surely should receive attention and commitment.
Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Rebecca
It can’t fail to strike us. As we read the opening of Exodus and the image of the Burning Bush this Shabbat, that intense theophany, and moment of divine revelation. The description of the bush in flames but not burning whilst we receive images and accounts of Australia’s hideous fires raging through the bush. Noel Butler, a Native Australian, who with his wife Trish runs forest camps for troubled indigenous young people, explains:
“Fire in this place is our friend,” he says. “Fire has been used to maintain, to look after this whole continent forever.” Native peoples called them “cool burns,” No longer. “I think this is a wake-up call not only for Australia but for the rest of the world. You cannot just destroy the land. You cannot destroy what keeps you alive.”
His words speak to balance. The Native Australians always understood balance was essential to the bush.
This week I am thinking about spiritual practice, what sustains and guides us, and how it helps us maintain balance in our lives. Moses’ moment at the burning bush is considered a peak moment of divine awareness. Perhaps the observations and wisdom of the Native Australian community might inform and instruct our own attempts. May the flames settle.
Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Rebecca
2020 began for me in Israel. Despite it being the lesser Shanah Tovah everyone there seemed pretty excited by the entry into Esrim Esrim (TwentyTwenty).
It was a joy there and full of interest and questions too. Aside from Benjamin Netanyahu being at the top of Israeli politics most other things have changed a great deal this past decade for Jews and the world. Jeremy Corbyn was a back-bencher, David Cameron and Nick Clegg held the coalition government, Brexit was a glimmer yet to be fully articulated let alone realised. The World Cup was held in South Africa, without the uncertainty and apprehension that anticipates the next in Qatar.
The decade began, as we know too well, with the assassination of Qassim Soleimani and conversations of its legality. Trump’s and Iran’s language of disproportionate retaliations begin our year with justifiable concerns.
And yet life goes on. Yesterday I attended with several of our Ivriah teachers and assistants the Liberal Judaism/Movement for Reform Judaism’s training day for Religion Schools. The LJY group of 18 years old flew to Israel for their 6 month stint (Schnat). We always have to continue and build resilience and hopefulness regardless.
Gam Zeh La’Avor is a famous Hebrew expression; this too will pass. Nothing stays the same. Ever.
Here’s to the changes and opportunities 2020 may bring. Wishing you strength to rise to them. Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazak. Strength, strength let us be strengthened. (We’ll say these words as we finish the book of Genesis this week, and they are even more far reaching than usual.)
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Rebecca
I have retold the Chanukah story many times this past week; to children, to teenagers and to the Finchley Council of Christian and Jews’ group. I love the Greek element to our history and the challenges of assimilation and cultural integration that we have always had. Adjusting to the outside world and renegotiating it is not new.
As contemporary Jews constantly making choices about modern life and our Judaism I find myself having empathy for those Hellenised Jews and wondering where I might have been in the battle led by Judah (known as Maccabis because of the Torah verse and prayer Mi Camochah b’Elohim Adonai ). And that’s the interesting fact about Chanukah, meaning dedication, that we get to rededicate and set priorities every year. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus claimed that one can’t step into the same river twice, but Jewish tradition argues otherwise. Things shift and change and we rediscover and re-decide constantly about our Jewish lives.
Alongside the candles, the latkes, the doughnuts and the gifts comes this season for dedicating, prioritising and setting intention. Chanukah is the unlikely holiday for recalibration. Not just an antidote to Christmas but a moment of light. I am so looking forward to spending Chanukah with you all; I hope we have planned something for everyone. Please see here for our Chanukah gatherings and upload your photos to our Facebook page and Twitter account.
Warm wishes for Shabbat and Chanukah following it and a special Happy Birthday to Lionel, recovered and celebrating his birthday with FPS on Shabbat.
Rabbi Rebecca
This week I officially started to enter Chanukah spirit. I usually resist until the week before but I gave a talk on our festival of light to Finchley’s Council of Christians and Jews and had to reflect on this ‘minor holiday’. I remembered a story that came out of a small town Billings, Montana in the U.S 1993 a tiny town of 80,000 folk and an even smaller Jewish community of 50 households. There was an anti semitic attack during Chanukah when a rock was thrown through a window at the chanukiah lit in a Jewish home. The next day the Billing Gazette included a cut out chanukiah in its pages and townspeople put them up in their windows as a gesture of solidarity. Quite a story of solidarity, and affecting.
Chanukah means of course not lights but rather dedication. The temple was re-dedicated by the Hasmoneans (Maccabis) in the 2nd century B.C.E. For us in amidst the December intensity of Chanukah, and gifts and chocolate coins and donuts there is an opportunity to consider what it is we dedicate ourselves to. Our Judaism, our families, our work priorities. Indeed our lives. (Perhaps even our vote) I like to consider this as the foundation to the candle lighting this month.
We’ll begin gearing up for Chanukah this Friday for Ivriah students, their families and all our tiny tots as we have a fun way to enter Shabbat from 5.30pm.
We’ll be gathering for 2nd night candle at FPS 23rd December 6pm with a short concert by the Dolans-Light in the Darkness- and wine and cheese (check out the story of Judith and Holofernes!)
And Chanukah lunch and candle lighting 26th December (Boxing Day 1pm) let us know if you would like to join and if you need a lift.
Shabbat Chanukah Friday 27th will be a bring and share latke kiddush.
I look forward to seeing you everyone at FPS at some point !
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Rebecca
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