I’ve just read an editorial by Kathleen Parker in the Washington Post about Supreme Court Nominee, Elena Kagan: “Elena Kagan is miles away from mainstream America” on 5/12/10. It was brought to my attention by a cousin who is very active in politics. She pointed it out to me for a few reasons: one, I went to high school with Elena Kagan (she’s three classes ahead of me but our school ran from 7th-12th grade) and to Princeton with her; and two, because the opinion piece implies that Kagan can not possibly represent middle America as a liberal New York Jew. Oh, the writer doesn’t come out and say it in words that crude, but the allegation is there.
It is not my place as the leader of a religious organization to comment on whether Kagan should be appointed to the Supreme Court. I want to comment instead on Parker’s notion of identity and bias and the idea that being born to a Jewish family in the big city of New York somehow renders a person incapable of seeing past one’s own cultural biases. True, no other part of the county is like New York City but in any city one comes in to contact with a huge number of people who are different from oneself. People of every skin color, every socio-economic background, every religion and ethnic heritage all mix together in a big city. Compare the variety of people one passes on the streets of New York with the lack of variety one passes on the roads of Kinnelon and Pequannock and West Milford and Millburn (where I live). Surely exposure to so many people different from oneself could readily influence a person to be more attuned to and appreciative of diversity. I can only comment that growing up in New York City I had no idea there was a single majority American culture because everyone I knew and everywhere I looked I saw diversity. I expected people to have unique identities, not uniform identities. I consider this the opposite of narrow bias.
Part of what motivated me to become a rabbi was that when I began to embrace and value my Jewish identity; I found I related more fully to the larger world. I would characterize some of my college years as a struggle between the values of universalism and particularity. I was idealistic and wanted to see all of humanity as one big family and concluded, at first, that all differences were barriers. By senior year I had realized that our differences were PART of the universal connection between all people. Each of us has a language, a history, a family, talents, fears, preferences, a religious heritage, and on and on. Only when I began to treasure, for example, my own languages (English and Hebrew), and my own history (both familial and Jewish) could I appreciate these same aspects of another person’s identity. I became a rabbi so that I could help other people explore the special dimensions of Jewish identity so that they could find their own value in them. The more I have come to know about Judaism and to grapple with all that I love and detest in our history and heritage, the richer I consider my life and my identity to be. Being Jewish doesn’t make me more narrowly biased; it has become my bridge to a wider view of the world. Kathleen Parker appears to be the one with the constricted view.
The President's Message
May-June 2010
I don’t get out much.
However, when I do, it sometimes makes me think of home. Our family recently ventured into the wilds of Manhattan to attend the bat mitzvah of my sister’s eldest daughter. The service was held in a small Reform synagogue near Greenwich Village. As often occurs when I’m in charge of travel arrangements, we arrived waaaaaay too early and had a chance to look around.
The first thing that struck me was their use of the CCAR prayer books. It was nice to see the reassuring navy blue covers on the shelves. And equally familiar was the noise that arose prior to the start of the service and also how the service didn’t quite start as scheduled. But the most familiar characteristic was actually the service itself.
Most surprising to me, the melodies were nearly identical to those we hear at the JCK. The congregation we visited employs an electric piano to accompany the service, but nearly every prayer matched the familiar melodies that we can hear at least twice a month at our JCK home.
I hope this meandering introduction allows me to segue neatly to a topic that should me near and dear to all of us. A few weeks ago, Rabbi Helaine and I signed another two year contract that will extend her tenure with us through 2012. I am so pleased that Rabbi Helaine has agreed to stay with us and help us grow. I have long believed that stability in the post of Rabbi is one of cornerstones to the continued viability of the JCK.
My recently foray to the East End Temple reminded me again of the treasure that we have in Rabbi Helaine. While she will be the first to tell you that there are many things she wants to improve about herself, I (and many others) believe that she continues to be an excellent fit for our Congregation.
And I hope that continues to be the case for many years.
Have you been to Israel yet, especially to Jerusalem? I still relish my first trip to Israel 35 years ago in 1975.
These days I tell everyone who is interested, whether Jewish or Christian, that a trip to Israel will be one of their most exciting and fulfilling travel experiences. I especially recommend this to people who are active in their religion. For them particularly a trip to Jerusalem has special meaning.
I tell them to hire an Israeli guide. The Israeli guides have to take special training before they are permitted to guide foreign travelers around. I think this was originally to prevent travelers to Israel from being taken advantage of by individuals who are not trained or licensed. The training is intense and includes biblical aspects of the Holy Land from both the Jewish and Christian perspectives.
One guide I hired hiked way back to a waterfall in the desert with me. He said in all his years of being a guide he had never been to that waterfall before but he had visited it during the training period. The Israeli guides are very professional.
I am warning people to be sure not to get a guide through the Council of Churches. This council is anti-Israeli and they hire as guards Palestinians who spend much of the tour describing how terrible the Israelis are.
We Americans are lucky we can travel to Israel without a problem. Years ago I met the spiritual leader of the Egyptian Copts here in America. (The Coptic religion is one of the oldest branches of Christianity.) He told me that his greatest desire was to walk in the steps of Jesus and visit the Christian holy sights. But he could not because of his prominence in his religion. Copts make up 10% of the population in Egypt. They are discriminated against there but in general are not subjected to vicious persecution. He felt that if he went to Jerusalem it would be widely known and the Copts in Egypt would feel it by intense persecution by the Muslims there, both those in official positions and others.
So tell your Jewish and Christian friends to make the trip. If money is tight there are church and synagogue groups that go on group trips to Israel on a shoestring. . It will be one of the greatest experiences of their life. I have never met anyone who went there who was not thrilled by the experience.
E. Weisselberg
Introduction to Judaism 2010/2011
A course for anyone interested in exploring Judaism - interfaith couples, those considering conversion and Jews looking for adult-level basics.
This class introduces the fundamentals of Jewish thought and practice in 16 weeks. Topics include Jewish holidays and life cycle events, theology and prayer, Israel, history and Hebrew.
Cedar Grove, NJ Temple Sholom of West Essex -- Mondays October 4-January 17, 7:00-9:00 pm
Welcome De Angelo family to the JCK! Robin and Ken have three children: Dylan, Alexandra and Jake. We look forward to meeting the whole family at JCK events and services.
The JCK offers reduced dues (50%) to all first-year members. If you are interested in becoming a member or know someone who is, please have them contact our membership Chairperson, Susan Mittler at suefried@optonline.net or our Rabbi, Helaine Ettinger at rabbihelaine@msn.com or our Education Director, Batyah Hancock at morahbatyah@yahoo.com
Mazel Tov!
· Dot and Norman Heyman welcomed a new great grandchild at the end of June. The congregation shares their joy at this happy news.
· Mazel Tov to Heather Stewart who became engaged to Rob Cascone in May. Mazel Tov to her mom, Babette Stewart on this happy news. A September 2011 wedding is planned.
· Congratulations to Helen Goldenberg, Sol and Jody Goldenberg’s daughter, on her graduation in 3 years Magna Cum Laude from Binghamton University. Helen will continue her studies for a Master’s degree in Art History.
Condolences
Neil Beim’s father, Irving Beim, passed away June 25. The congregation extends its sympathy to Neil, Lynn and Alex over this loss.
Contributions
· Jill and Howard Brechner sent in a year end contribution in memory of Stanley Brechner.
· Candace and Jeff Dobro sent in a year end contribution in honor of Sarah Dobro’s marriage to Ben Fulton.
· Sarna Strom contributed to the Building Fund in memory of Nathan Meltzer and George Meltzer.
· Sharon and Rick Suntag sent in a year end contribution.
· Selma and Ken Bitz contributed to the purchase of high holiday flowers.
· Jeffrey Bernstein and Kory Lind sent in a year end contribution.
· David Hoenig and Jeff Stitch sent in a year end contribution.
· Sol and Jody Goldenberg sent in a year end contribution.
You'll Plotz for Our Plots!
Located at Beth Israel Cemetery Near Rt. 1, Rt. 27 and GSP Woodbridge, NJ
