LJY Israel Tour just returned. It included 4 FPS folk, and also Kayitz, the year above, visiting Croatia, Serbia and Austria, 20% of whom were from FPS. I have been thinking of Coming of Age Summers. I’m not sure if you can remember yours, I can recall mine and here it is remembered for posterity on Radio 2 Pause for Thought.
There is something viscerally different about these long days of Summer. a slowness kicks in even when we work at our desks. This week’s portion Va’etchannan contains the Shema where we are told to remember and talk of these things; God morning and night. We often forget it’s Torah not a ready made prayer composed generations after. The blessing before the Shema, Yotzei Or u’Vorei Hoshech who makes light and creates darkness takes on more meaning during these light evenings.
This Shabbat evening will be our August Resouled. Do join us if you are here and experiencing summer in North Finchley.
Shabbat Shalom and look forward to seeing you.
Rabbi Rebecca
Last weekend I went to listen to Yael Naim at the Purcell Rooms. She is an Israeli French songwriter, indeed she became the first Israeli ever to be in the U.S top ten when one of her songs was picked by Steve Jobs to advertise the new Mac Book Air in 2008.
She brought much Jewish neurosis ad charm to her performance on Sunday, including her protegee, ‘younger brother’ Eyal another Israeli musician who warmed us up before she arrived. Her repertoire had been upbeat but Sunday’s concert was her new material, ‘fresh from the fridge’ as she described. It was mournful and full of both grief and acceptance. I find such music always moving. Indeed Joni Mitchell and Carole King form the soundtrack of my life, melancholic female vocals.
But sitting in the Purcell rooms life and our Jewish calendar coincided. Unwittingly it was the perfect way to approach the 9 Av which falls this Shabbat and is, as we know, the ultimate day of mourning in the Jewish calendar. We Progressive Jews, have struggled at times with this memorial of disaster; for the destruction of both temples, believing as we do in progress of Judaism from Temple worship, but the day has also acted as a magnet for disaster throughout history. But, of course, we have no problem engaging with grief and mourning and so this day reminds.
Rabbi Alan Lew z’l *changed my perspective when he suggested 9 Av, Tisha B’Av is the gateway to the ‘undoing’ of our hearts in preparation of Elul and the HHD season. We will only benefit from the renewal and return that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur offer if we unpack or break up the walls, protection and stubbornness that we have built through the past year [or years].
Whether you relate to the history and memory of this day or the symbolic and religious opportunity it gives, it offers something rich.
This year we do not have a commemoration at FPS but I attach a Thought for the Day I recorded for Jewish Care on the theme of Tisha B’Av. Click here to listen.
Shabbat Shalom and hoping your summer is suitably recharging and relaxing.
Rabbi Rebecca
*This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation 2003
This is a photo of the entrance to our synagogue. Rarely a person arrives nowadays without commenting on its beauty. Sasha Conroy is responsible for this and her gardening helpers, most notably David and Sam. There is even an irrigation system in place to sustain its bloom. Many of us who come often to FPS might have ceased to notice this impressive addition to our garden. It is universally acknowledged that joy and appreciation diminishes after the initial spike. During the month of Elul why not look again at things we often forget to appreciate, looking up or out at sights that bring us joy.
Gratitude can always be sharpened, indeed focusing on the good is a skill. Elul, the preparation month before the HHD gives opportunities to reflect and consider.
In Musar, the system of ethical improvement created by Rabbi Israel Salanter, a later rabbi Rav Wolbe turns the idea of judgment of ourselves, so necessary for Elul into something appreciative too. (Alei Shur II p. 160): We find that in order to regret one’s transgressions, it is first necessary to know the enormous positive qualities which reside naturally within us. Looking for the good, out and in, is undeniably beneficial
It’s the 5th day of Elul, today Thursday 5th September, do check out all of our Elul activities as we gear up to Rosh Hashanah.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Rebecca
Mattot means tribes or clans. the name given to this week’s portion. But it coincides with the quiet period of Summer when many of us will be relaxing in our clans, with our tribes and even ourselves, the most critical clan member. It’s a welcome custom we have of re-calibrating ourselves during the weeks of high summer. The next portion often doubled with this is Maasei; Journeys. Again apt for this time of year.
Some of us travel and some of us stay put and enjoy our gardens. We will be here, enjoying our countryside.
Taking a pause and that second cup of coffee with a book after breakfast might be just what the soul needs after the fast pace of life, work and school. Even for a few days.
Here is my Pause for Thought on Coming of Age summers and the joy of laziness.
Shabbat Shalom to All
Rabbi Rebecca
The picture above is of our Council considering its tasks and the best way to lead FPS. They gathered for a full day of work last Sunday for what was euphemistically called an Away Day although we were here in our Synagogue sanctuary.
We had a nicer lunch than our usual snacks on a Tuesday evening. Our council is made up of Lay Leadership who guide and take responsibility for the synagogue as trustees for three years (usual minimum). They build upon the work by our founder members and the folk that followed them in leading the synagogue.
This week’s Torah portion Pinchas describes Moses handing over the task of leadership to Joshua. To that end I have invited our Our Vice Presidents (former Chairmen and Chairwomen) to join me in the service. Our congregation is nothing, if not M’Dor-le-Dor From One Generation to the Next. Indeed that is our strength.
See you for our Shabbat services this weekend, starting with Shabbat Resouled.
Wishing you all a peaceful Shabbat.
Rebecca
We anticipated the donkey of this week’s portion with our Pet Service last shabbat. Exceedingly concerned about decorum, flow and interruptions I was pleasantly surprised by the service. Admittedly not to everyone’s taste but we managed a memorable Shabbat B’Yachad with 8 dogs and 2 rabbits making up our minyan. And we truly managed to pray. This week’s Parashat Balak is famous for the talking donkey (it probably inspired the makers of Shrek). But actually the donkey just points out the obvious. What are you doing, she asks Balaam, and pay attention to what is happening, not least me talking. Forget the animal, words of wisdom are shared.
I took some days at home at the end of June. Attending to the children and their needs and just catching my breath. Balancing being a parent with work and busyness is always interesting. I know some of you have not experienced it or perhaps are far from those days, but the challenge of sharing oneself across our responsibility and passion is never dull. Being busy is a blessing and I never forget that but it sometimes entails robust consideration and planning. We often have our eyes fixed on goals ahead and can miss the life we are in the midst of.
Shefa Gold, a rabbi and liturgist wrote this extraordinary poem. We can, she suggests, miss ” the miracle is where you’re standing”.
The treasure is where you’re standing.
I just had to tell you …
Though your gaze is fixed on distant shores,
and though you’re scanning the sky madly for that one
miracle that will tuck your doubts to bed
and kiss them away.
You’re looking for the one that will clinch it, aren’t you?
Well, you’re looking too far … ‘cause,
the miracle is where you’re standing.
Miracles are commonplace.
They can walk in broad daylight,
and not be recognized.
But rare … oh so rare is the one who can step up to that
imposter-ordinaire and rip away the mask and say to
each and every day in its disguise,
‘Aha! This here and now is miracle and I wasn’t fooled
For a minute.’
The miracle is where you’re standing,
But who would think to dig beneath the soil of his own
complaint.
Here is my Pause for Thought on Leaving Home as well, some of you may be navigating that at the moment.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rebecca
Zoe Jacobs writes:
As a Harry Potter fan, I love a bit of magic and this week’s portion is full of it. Blood sprinkling, hyssop dipping, rock knocking and serpent sculpting.
It seems an odd moment in the Israelites’ story – where problems come up, God waves her metaphorical magic wand and the problem disappears.
This is not how it works any more. We might be grateful we are no longer likely to suffer 40 days and 40 nights of rain (climate change aside) nor do we think we should stone women who have been sexually assaulted. But neither do we have a direct line to God’s magic powers. If we want something to change, it is people who will make it happen.
This week I am on Citizens UK 6-day training in Birmingham. FPS is a member institution of Barnet Citizens and it is with, and through, them that we successfully petitioned Barnet Council to welcome 50 Syrian refugees to the borough and recently ran our listening week which led to our Barnet Citizens listening event.
As one of the leaders on the course just said, “We are here to make change … (I really must stop writing this and start listening again!). This week, along with 50 others from around the UK, I am exploring the best ways we as institutions, and groups of institutions, can create the ‘people power’ to make change. It is inspiring and exhausting. I think this is a remarkably accurate representation of the emotions we’ll experience as I – and I hope, we – move forward trying to make change in our local communities. It is challenging and difficult and can be frustrating but sometimes it will be extraordinary.
It is a shame we don’t have a magic wand, a shame we can’t change the world by clicking our fingers. But we can’t and this is the next best thing. I hope you join me on the Citizens journey.
Zoe Jacobs
Youth and Community Development Manager
I never stop being thrilled that our young people flock to FPS and their activities. Of their own volition, and I am assured this is true, they choose fortnightly to be part of their KT group on Saturday evenings.
The photo shows the first year class enjoying an evening of Radio 4’s Panel Games with Jewish tasks. Highlights were singing Adon Olam to the Beatles’ Hey Jude. Playing The Unbelievable Truth they snuck facts about Rabbi John Rayner z’l and Lily Montagu past team mates. In short, they were impressive.
I share this during the week of Parashat Korach where Moses is challenged by Korach who insists in Numbers 16:3 “….all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Eternal is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the God’s assembly?” Now Korach famously was causing trouble and there is much written on his challenge for leadership, exceedingly topical at the moment. But for me in our congregation I am reminded of the truth of his statement here. When I’m not here I see how rich we are at FPS in fabulous teachers and those who lead services and organize us from our teenagers to our older folk.
Watch out for our beautifully lay-led services this Shabbat and consider learning if it takes your fancy. My door is always open to talk more how you can contribute your skills to FPS.
Shabbat Shalom to all
Rebecca
As a proud constituent member of Liberal Judaism, supporting our Days of Celebration is our responsibility. It’s this coming Sunday for our 2019 Day of Celebration. The theme “If I am only for Myself ….” explores the roles communities play in supporting their members, when the state does not. How do we manage welfare and ongoing structures of activities that make our synagogues the community hubs they are. I have chatted to a few FPSniks who have confessed being unexcited by the title. Please come anyway. Let your children be part of the LJY NETZER track, meet their madrichim whom they’ll encounter on Kadimah.
Be part of learning and building what our movement looks like and cares about. This year our focus is inwards towards our synagogues and what they manage to do. I do hope you will consider joining me and my family, even at this late stage.
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Rebecca
p.s looking ahead to our PET Service, a regular joyful Shabbat B’Yachad with pets! No cats unless they love dogs! Lizards, dragons, good natured dogs, tortoises, fish in bowls…anything you would like to bring! Exotic is good.
Last weekend’s Shavuot celebrations (Dalet & Hey, right, making ‘Tanach cake’ at Ivriah on Sunday morning), combined with Kabbalat Torah celebrations, reminded me of the power of stories.
I have just recorded 8 Pause for Thought scripts to be aired on Radio 2’s late night programme with OJ Borg and repeated on Sunday mornings. For this week the Best Story Ever. Stories are brilliant and I truly believe that one of the most important story-related skills children can learn is to tell stories about themselves and each other.
Last month the fantastic author Judith Kerr died. She was 95 and had written stories for 60 years. Judith was famously a refugee. She arrived in this country before WW2 seeking refuge here with her parents and brother.
In her book When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit she shared her experiences of leaving her home in Germany and travelling in danger across Europe to safety in London. She was one of our most beloved story tellers and my favourite is The Tiger Who Came To Tea.
All my children grew up on this story book as did I. A tiger knocks on Sophie’s door and has an unexpected tea with her and her mother. He wolfs down cakes and sandwiches, even the tins in the cupboard are emptied. Sophie gazes on delightedly, as the tiger drinks all the water out of the taps and finally Daddy’s sad face appears as he arrives home and is told there is no food left in the house. And to the delight of Sophie they all go out for sausage and chips.
Judith always rejected the suggestion that the tiger symbolised the Nazi Gestapo echoing her own experience of unwelcome guests knocking on your door. Actually the reverse seems to be true.
Judith Kerr has told the best story ever because she of all people knew of the kindness of strangers, the joy of being open to the unexpected, the welcoming of visitors (human and otherwise) and the excitement of an unanticipated dinner out in your pyjamas.
And in this year, with all its uncertainties, this is the story I’ll keep coming back to. A reminder that, like Abraham welcoming visitors to his tent in the heat of the day, I must always reach out to strangers, remain open minded and generous and welcoming. Judith taught us and our children an invaluable lesson, that welcoming a tiger to tea is exactly what one should always do.
Shabbat Shalom and let’s hope we keep telling stories.
Rabbi Rebecca
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