A bit less then a year ago on a day very much like today I was jumping on a plane to newark to go to kutz. I could have never dreamed of what my personal and NFTY's landscape would look like they do today.
I remember one day we were on the tennis court for some reason and I was talking to someone about how Zach Newburgh would make a good NFTY President but I wasn't sure if if NFTY was ready for someone as observant as Zach to be their President .Looking back I see it as me just being part of the status quo. Because the fact is it doesn't matter. It's so funny to look back and see how much everything has changed.
In this year I have come to discover that in that instant I let my self get so caught up with Zach's observance I threw out the fact that it's someone's stance not their observance that should really matter. I just hope that most people aren't as superficial as I was at that moment in time .
I have also become more observant, right now I wonder how this trend is affecting NFTY. I see two outcomes and I'm not sure if either looks promising. #1 being that the leadership steadily gains more observant members and becuase of this NFTY as a whole becomes much more observant and we lose the more secular end of the spectrum and thus lose one of the most important demographics in NFTY, or that we keep things the same and we risk losing those most likely to lead becuase of their increased observance levels. I'm not sure which one is a worse outcome. We must find some middle ground I don't rank either group as more important then the other I think that they are both key players in the continuiation of the Reform Movement.
On a personal level most of my stances on Jewish issues have changed. I know for sure I'm no longer part of the movement's status quo. I'm really glad that I've been able to start thinking on my own it has really helped me to understand my Judaism. I have also become a bit upset with the movement in general because I don't really feel like most Reform Jews are really "Reform" I think that the majority are just Jews who don't do much Jewishly and call them selves Reform. Because of this I have to wonder if at somepoint the movement is going to split at some point like in the English have.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
The beginning of an new era
Yesterday NFTY installed the New North American Board, and tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of leaving for kutz for my last summer of being a Participant. With this in mind I am reinstating this blog that has lain dorment for so long.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Scary ain't it
Tonight, I went to services we had speakers from AIPAC speak about Israel (i'll post more in depth about that later) I found this on Ynet News after I got back form Services
Salah: Caliph will sit in Jerusalem
Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah tells rally of 50,000 in Umm al-Fahm: Jerusalem will be the capital of the new Muslim caliphate sooner than is thought; says Sharon, Katsav, Clinton punished by Allah for wanting to divide al-Aqsa mosque site
Roee Nahmias
Head of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah said Friday that “soon Jerusalem will be the capital of the new Muslim caliphate, and the caliph’s seat will be there.”
Salah addressed an audience of 50,000 attending the Islamic Movement’s 11th annual rally in Umm al-Fahm. “Caliph” refers to a leader of the Muslim nation and in Arabic means the “heir” or “substitute” of the prophet Muhammad.
Salah noted that history tells of many occasions in which the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was occupied by foreign conquerors, but the occupiers left after a short time, and thus will also be the fate of the Israeli occupation.
“The Israeli occupation will leave Jerusalem soon. It will happen sooner than is thought,” Salah said at the rally, which was held under the slogan “Al-Aqsa endangered”.
'Punishment from Allah'
The sheikh added that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katsav were “punished by Allah” after they plotted to bring harm to the mosque.
Sharon was punished because he planned to break into the mosque, and Katsav’s punishment came in the shape of the sexual harassment charges plaguing him after he supported the notion of dividing the mosque area between Jews and Muslims. The site is also holy to Jews as the site of the Temple Mount.
Former United States President Bill Clinton suffered a similar fate to Katsav’s, and after backing the idea of dividing the site he became embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Salah declared that ideas to divide the site still exist, but he reassured his audience: “There are all sorts of plans to divide the al-Aqsa mosque but they will not succeed.”
During his speech the sheikh called on Arab nations to provide financial support, whether with cash or with gold, to help save the mosque and Jerusalem. He even called for the establishment of a fund for the purpose.
Salah responds to pope's comment
Salah also responded to the statements attributed to Pope Benedictus XVI which were interpreted by many as being offensive to Islam. Benedict quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.
"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.'" Benedict did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it.
The sheikh expressed hope that the comment did not portray the official stance of the Catholic leadership. “I hope it was a slip of the tongue, because if it is not, his words are a direct call to the nations of Europe to stand behind President (George) Bush and Israel in their war against Islam,” he said.
The former mufti of Jerusalem Ekrima Sabri and the archbishop of the Greek-Orthodox church who is considered close to the Palestinian Authority also spoke at the rally. Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Musa also sent his blessings to the assembly.
Scary Ain't it
Salah: Caliph will sit in Jerusalem
Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah tells rally of 50,000 in Umm al-Fahm: Jerusalem will be the capital of the new Muslim caliphate sooner than is thought; says Sharon, Katsav, Clinton punished by Allah for wanting to divide al-Aqsa mosque site
Roee Nahmias
Head of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Raed Salah said Friday that “soon Jerusalem will be the capital of the new Muslim caliphate, and the caliph’s seat will be there.”
Salah addressed an audience of 50,000 attending the Islamic Movement’s 11th annual rally in Umm al-Fahm. “Caliph” refers to a leader of the Muslim nation and in Arabic means the “heir” or “substitute” of the prophet Muhammad.
Salah noted that history tells of many occasions in which the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was occupied by foreign conquerors, but the occupiers left after a short time, and thus will also be the fate of the Israeli occupation.
“The Israeli occupation will leave Jerusalem soon. It will happen sooner than is thought,” Salah said at the rally, which was held under the slogan “Al-Aqsa endangered”.
'Punishment from Allah'
The sheikh added that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katsav were “punished by Allah” after they plotted to bring harm to the mosque.
Sharon was punished because he planned to break into the mosque, and Katsav’s punishment came in the shape of the sexual harassment charges plaguing him after he supported the notion of dividing the mosque area between Jews and Muslims. The site is also holy to Jews as the site of the Temple Mount.
Former United States President Bill Clinton suffered a similar fate to Katsav’s, and after backing the idea of dividing the site he became embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Salah declared that ideas to divide the site still exist, but he reassured his audience: “There are all sorts of plans to divide the al-Aqsa mosque but they will not succeed.”
During his speech the sheikh called on Arab nations to provide financial support, whether with cash or with gold, to help save the mosque and Jerusalem. He even called for the establishment of a fund for the purpose.
Salah responds to pope's comment
Salah also responded to the statements attributed to Pope Benedictus XVI which were interpreted by many as being offensive to Islam. Benedict quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.
"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.'" Benedict did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it.
The sheikh expressed hope that the comment did not portray the official stance of the Catholic leadership. “I hope it was a slip of the tongue, because if it is not, his words are a direct call to the nations of Europe to stand behind President (George) Bush and Israel in their war against Islam,” he said.
The former mufti of Jerusalem Ekrima Sabri and the archbishop of the Greek-Orthodox church who is considered close to the Palestinian Authority also spoke at the rally. Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Musa also sent his blessings to the assembly.
Scary Ain't it
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
a Drash for your thoughts...
This is the drash I gave last Friday (the 1st)
Shabbat Shalom,
L’dor V’dor Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase – From generation to generation, we shall study we shall choose and we shall do
This saying is an evolution just like Reform Judaism. David Singer a third year Rabbinical student on the faculty at the URJ Kutz Camp introduced me to the concept of Na’ase V’Nishmah that when the Israelites received Torah responded to G-d saying that we will Na’ase V’Nishmah we will do and we will obey. David stated “they were wrong because it doesn't work” It seems that is because the words are in the wrong order. As Reform Jews we must change this saying into Nilmad V’Na’ase we will study and we will do. I find a great flaw in this approach because it is missing an important piece which is choice. This lack of choice leads me to feel that Nilmad V’Na’ase does not really carry a message that cohesively fits with Reform Judaism. So, following a conversation I had with my friend Rachel Ehrlich a fellow former participant in the Kutz Judaic studies major I changed this saying to Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase” we will study, we will choose, and we will do.” This is the cycle we should follow we study we make a choice to observe or not to observe and to what level we observe that which we have studied, and then we act on that choice.
In this weeks portion Ki Tetze, translated often as “ when you go out “ we hear of many commandments that we should observe. The section we read from tonight holds many ethical commandments. The other sections of this portion contain more “physical” commandments and some of these more “physical” commandments seem to make less and less sense as time goes on.
An example of an ethical commandment housed it this portion is “You must pay a person their wages on the same day as you set forth before the sun sets…” When you look at this commandment you see that it makes ethical sense, a 12 year old could explain it. Unfortunately not all the commandments we see in this portion make as much sense. For example the commandment ”You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.” When I looked at this commandment I was initially confused, and I started to ask questions like; why should we do this ? What kind of basis does this law have in modern times? What I found surprised me. This commandment is closely connected the Temple and the Kohanim the priests who officiated sacrifice. The reason that is given for not mixing these two substances is the Kohanim wore garments of wool and linen and because of this the mixing of wool and linen holds the inherent holiness of the Kohanim, Therefore cloth of wool and linen can not be worn by anyone who is not a Kohein. I find this commandment very unnecessary in 2006 when there is no longer a Temple and the Kohanim serve no specific function in Reform Judaism. This relates to us because of the Reform value of “Choice Through Knowledge”. Choice Through Knowledge can be applied to this commandment to bring us to the conclusion that this law is dated. If we wish observe it by all means do it but if not have the understanding of the underlying meaning and spirit of this law
`Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase “we shall study we shall choose and we shall do. I see this as a needed redefinition of “Choice though Knowledge” and a call to action to remind us that “Choice through Knowledge” should never become choice through ignorance or choice by default,. because the resources to make informed choice are unavailable. With this we must understand that all people will not make the same choices as we do but we must remember that these choices are purely in the spirit of Reform Judaism no matter how extreme they may seem. I have spent the past three summers at the URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick NY. Kutz has been instrumental for me to understand truly what Reform Judaism is, what my Judaism is, and how Choice Through Knowledge what I call Nilmad Nivchar V’ Na’ase should truly work David Singer has shown me the importance of really understanding what’s going on around me and not just to dismiss it as Orthodox or something cohesively not Reform.
Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, is a way to make sure that Reform stays current. because Reform is a process therefore it should never become stagnant. Reform is not only about Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, but also about keeping an open mind. Reform Judaism is a continuum that reaches far and wide. I know Reform Jews \who consider themselves Classical Reform, and I also know people who wrap Tefillin and wear Tzit Tzit that are Reform Jews. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you reach your decisions to do it.
This portion is filled with commandments, some that you can easily understand and take to heart, and others that take much study and consideration to understand. All I ask is that Ahtai Ki tetze or rather Ki Netze anachnu Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase . When we go out, let us study, let us choose, and let us do.
Shabbat Shalom
tell me what you think...
Shabbat Shalom,
L’dor V’dor Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase – From generation to generation, we shall study we shall choose and we shall do
This saying is an evolution just like Reform Judaism. David Singer a third year Rabbinical student on the faculty at the URJ Kutz Camp introduced me to the concept of Na’ase V’Nishmah that when the Israelites received Torah responded to G-d saying that we will Na’ase V’Nishmah we will do and we will obey. David stated “they were wrong because it doesn't work” It seems that is because the words are in the wrong order. As Reform Jews we must change this saying into Nilmad V’Na’ase we will study and we will do. I find a great flaw in this approach because it is missing an important piece which is choice. This lack of choice leads me to feel that Nilmad V’Na’ase does not really carry a message that cohesively fits with Reform Judaism. So, following a conversation I had with my friend Rachel Ehrlich a fellow former participant in the Kutz Judaic studies major I changed this saying to Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase” we will study, we will choose, and we will do.” This is the cycle we should follow we study we make a choice to observe or not to observe and to what level we observe that which we have studied, and then we act on that choice.
In this weeks portion Ki Tetze, translated often as “ when you go out “ we hear of many commandments that we should observe. The section we read from tonight holds many ethical commandments. The other sections of this portion contain more “physical” commandments and some of these more “physical” commandments seem to make less and less sense as time goes on.
An example of an ethical commandment housed it this portion is “You must pay a person their wages on the same day as you set forth before the sun sets…” When you look at this commandment you see that it makes ethical sense, a 12 year old could explain it. Unfortunately not all the commandments we see in this portion make as much sense. For example the commandment ”You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.” When I looked at this commandment I was initially confused, and I started to ask questions like; why should we do this ? What kind of basis does this law have in modern times? What I found surprised me. This commandment is closely connected the Temple and the Kohanim the priests who officiated sacrifice. The reason that is given for not mixing these two substances is the Kohanim wore garments of wool and linen and because of this the mixing of wool and linen holds the inherent holiness of the Kohanim, Therefore cloth of wool and linen can not be worn by anyone who is not a Kohein. I find this commandment very unnecessary in 2006 when there is no longer a Temple and the Kohanim serve no specific function in Reform Judaism. This relates to us because of the Reform value of “Choice Through Knowledge”. Choice Through Knowledge can be applied to this commandment to bring us to the conclusion that this law is dated. If we wish observe it by all means do it but if not have the understanding of the underlying meaning and spirit of this law
`Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase “we shall study we shall choose and we shall do. I see this as a needed redefinition of “Choice though Knowledge” and a call to action to remind us that “Choice through Knowledge” should never become choice through ignorance or choice by default,. because the resources to make informed choice are unavailable. With this we must understand that all people will not make the same choices as we do but we must remember that these choices are purely in the spirit of Reform Judaism no matter how extreme they may seem. I have spent the past three summers at the URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick NY. Kutz has been instrumental for me to understand truly what Reform Judaism is, what my Judaism is, and how Choice Through Knowledge what I call Nilmad Nivchar V’ Na’ase should truly work David Singer has shown me the importance of really understanding what’s going on around me and not just to dismiss it as Orthodox or something cohesively not Reform.
Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, is a way to make sure that Reform stays current. because Reform is a process therefore it should never become stagnant. Reform is not only about Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, but also about keeping an open mind. Reform Judaism is a continuum that reaches far and wide. I know Reform Jews \who consider themselves Classical Reform, and I also know people who wrap Tefillin and wear Tzit Tzit that are Reform Jews. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you reach your decisions to do it.
This portion is filled with commandments, some that you can easily understand and take to heart, and others that take much study and consideration to understand. All I ask is that Ahtai Ki tetze or rather Ki Netze anachnu Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase . When we go out, let us study, let us choose, and let us do.
Shabbat Shalom
tell me what you think...
odd fog sightings
so I was standing on my roof earlyer this morning (I have a roof sundeck) I was unaware that it was really foggy and kinda cloudy until I got up there (I was going to watch the sun rise) but in the fog I mannaged to see the outline of a pair of what I thought were buildings that looked quite like the twin towers. (factual note the only buildings that can classify as twin towers are Marina City which is not viewable from my roof) Understandably I was a little creeped out seeing the outline of two bulidings hae no place in the chicago skyline (or truly anywhere ant this piont in time) fit so well.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Questions and Life
Where are we? Where are we going? How do we make the past tense into the the future tense? How do we make that which is stagnant evolve? How do we make the changes that we want to happen happen when we have no power and no group that will listen? How do we make things that we can't stand meaningful? I truly wonder... I sit here wanting to find my niche in chicago I am a REFORM JEW and the movement gives me the space to express my Judaism in anyway I want. But my community does not. Last friday (the 1st) I drashed about Choice Through Knowledge or rather Nilmad Nivchar V'Na'ase ( We will Study, we will Choose, and we will Do) at my congragation and I recived alot of praise many people thought I was a Rabbincal student though I must say I'd rather see them take what I said to heart and get no praise than be praised and them brush off what I said as an aww look at the cute smart kid who I thought was a rabbincal student moment. But yet in my speech about tolerance and Nilmad Nivchar V'Na'ase I didn't feel comfortable enough to tell/ show them where my explorations of the topic have led me. I guess that I feel my community will shun me for wearing Tzit-Tzit (I wear them out at all other points when I'm not around a large group of Jews or anywhere near my shul). but back to the story. so after I came home from services on friday night I got an invitation to come to a psudo-independent minyan affilated with a nearby Conservative shul so in spirit of what i had just spoken about I decided to go and try it. so I went and after two and a half hours. This is what I though there was a lot of stuff I wasn't familluler with. The service was a bit long and all melodies were boring but I liked the repitition of the Amidah and the fact that we did the Prayer for the State of Israel in hebrew (we did an english reading instead the night before I thought that was a bit stupid hebrew would have been more apropoe for that). Afterwards was the fun part we had a picnic in Lincoln Park and we ate we talked about the movments ie how the Conservative movement has issues and the how Reform wiill end up Reforming it self sooner rather then later or at least my hopes that it will in some respects. I got to vent about all my issues with the general stagnaity of the Reform Movement as a whole. In short I had some great conversations this thing started ad like one and I stayed till about six ten. So I decided I'd come bcak and try it again. Went back this shabbat and met a guy who knows Scott Leader who was Billy Tiep's songwriting partner(billy was a songleader at kutz in '04) I talked to him and his girlfriend about College in short it was fun.
More later I hope
Becca
More later I hope
Becca
Monday, September 04, 2006
Changes and major tiyul suckage revisited 2.0
So,
I will never be the same person I was this June. I have been irrevocably changed for the better. This summer has changed me in so many ways I am so much more educated about my Judaism. I've found many meaningful practices that I have adopted (some that I never thought I would ever do) that deviate for what many would call the norm but I don't seem to really care about that any more.
Kutz 2006 - Your are the facilitators of this change.
David Singer- set the ground work for some great changes and challenged me so much with some things he posted on his blog.
Rabbi Andy Bachman- started me on a path to expiermentation with his visit to Jewstuds 05 urging us to all lay tefflin. After that I said I'd try that agian. it would take almost a year for that to happen. I did and I enjoyed it I said that I'd have to do it more times to see if it really worked for me. But at that point my courage dried up you see I hate feeling like the only one doing something I feel like I'm the center of attention(even whan I'm not) and at that point I was the only girl and my comfort level fell so the idea of attempting died . I will try agian soon I hope. Rabbi Bachman came back managed to get mt thinking about Eco-kashrut I like th idea I'm still creationg my system of Eco-kashrut.
the Anachnu Rotszim Crew- Got me thinking about the moshciach I see now that I have two conflicting views my poetic view i don't want to explain in now it's complicated( if you want to talk about that one comment im or email me) and the view that he will come the temple will be rebuilt but Rabbnic Judaism will live on. these views conflict to the nth degree and I can't seem to reconsile them.
All who have not been mentioned- You all have changed me just by being my family for 3.5 weeks.
I'm not going to lie I miss camp I concider Kutz my home and feel that my time in Chicago is more of a Tiyul then going to camp or anywhere else (except Israel) is. And most of my time here has been spent in front of the computer I am now sitting at since none of my friends were really around. so in short these weeks have sucked.
So at this time last year I had a post quite like this and these were the things i had to look forward to.
school starts on tuseday so the year of hell begins It wasn't that bad
at least im on regional cabinet. I didn't really do anything not my fault lets hope that changes if I get Rosh Tzion
EiE in feb i hope. didn't happen almost riped my hair out but yet it didn't dawn on me that I was a Zionist until this summer but then agian I think that a having a strong connection with Israel and being a Zionist are two diffrent things
Biennial Nov i hope. didn't happen
So the list for this year
School Tuesday I'm a senior so it should be cool
the Region we'll see
Convention '07 I hope I want to run for boaed wht pos I'm not sure
lastly in this time of changes
Chazak Chazak v'nethazek
be strong be strong and stregthen each other
well that it for my first real post
Becca
I will never be the same person I was this June. I have been irrevocably changed for the better. This summer has changed me in so many ways I am so much more educated about my Judaism. I've found many meaningful practices that I have adopted (some that I never thought I would ever do) that deviate for what many would call the norm but I don't seem to really care about that any more.
Kutz 2006 - Your are the facilitators of this change.
David Singer- set the ground work for some great changes and challenged me so much with some things he posted on his blog.
Rabbi Andy Bachman- started me on a path to expiermentation with his visit to Jewstuds 05 urging us to all lay tefflin. After that I said I'd try that agian. it would take almost a year for that to happen. I did and I enjoyed it I said that I'd have to do it more times to see if it really worked for me. But at that point my courage dried up you see I hate feeling like the only one doing something I feel like I'm the center of attention(even whan I'm not) and at that point I was the only girl and my comfort level fell so the idea of attempting died . I will try agian soon I hope. Rabbi Bachman came back managed to get mt thinking about Eco-kashrut I like th idea I'm still creationg my system of Eco-kashrut.
the Anachnu Rotszim Crew- Got me thinking about the moshciach I see now that I have two conflicting views my poetic view i don't want to explain in now it's complicated( if you want to talk about that one comment im or email me) and the view that he will come the temple will be rebuilt but Rabbnic Judaism will live on. these views conflict to the nth degree and I can't seem to reconsile them.
All who have not been mentioned- You all have changed me just by being my family for 3.5 weeks.
I'm not going to lie I miss camp I concider Kutz my home and feel that my time in Chicago is more of a Tiyul then going to camp or anywhere else (except Israel) is. And most of my time here has been spent in front of the computer I am now sitting at since none of my friends were really around. so in short these weeks have sucked.
So at this time last year I had a post quite like this and these were the things i had to look forward to.
school starts on tuseday so the year of hell begins It wasn't that bad
at least im on regional cabinet. I didn't really do anything not my fault lets hope that changes if I get Rosh Tzion
EiE in feb i hope. didn't happen almost riped my hair out but yet it didn't dawn on me that I was a Zionist until this summer but then agian I think that a having a strong connection with Israel and being a Zionist are two diffrent things
Biennial Nov i hope. didn't happen
So the list for this year
School Tuesday I'm a senior so it should be cool
the Region we'll see
Convention '07 I hope I want to run for boaed wht pos I'm not sure
lastly in this time of changes
Chazak Chazak v'nethazek
be strong be strong and stregthen each other
well that it for my first real post
Becca
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Welcome to my ramblings
You are entering a new chapter in my life. Here I may post pithy quotes, struggles I have and David Singer inspiered rants and many other things Welcome to the new chapter. In short welcome to the ramblings.
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