Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Chevre, 

We mourn the tragic death of 13 Philadelphians, eight of them children. As a way to honor their memories and to ensure future life, let us all check our smoke detectors. 

As we are facing a time in our country when we are looking for thoughtful, determined leadership, I am reminded of a prayer that I find meaningful called Baruch She’amar which says, “Blessed is the one whose word called the world into being. Blessed is the one who created the world. Blessed is the one who speaks and it is done.” 

Though I believe in some combination of science and divine will, I love the idea that the world came into being through the words of the Holy One. And that we, those who were created in the divine image, also have power through how we use words. Will we use words to wound? To witness? To empathize? To shame? To show new possibilities?

On this day, January 6^th, a year after words were used to inspire hatred and violence, we are reminded of the power of speech. 

Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso wrote, “We are living through times when respectful discourse is belittled and rational debate shunned.  This anniversary of the assault on our democracy calls on all of us to assume responsibility for the sacredness of words, especially the words of the documents that bind us together as Americans: the Declaration of Independence; the Constitution; the Bill of Rights; oaths and pledges of citizenship, honor, respect, truth, justice, and peace… The ancient sages remind us:  “It is not your responsibility to complete the work; but neither are you free to desist from it”…Democracy is an unfinished task; it is not just an inheritance from the past.  It is the vision, the words, and the labor we gift to the future.” [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/one-year-after]

Let us evaluate how we use our voices as citizens of this country, as members of families and communities, and re-commit ourselves to using our voices toward healing and toward justice. 

I will see you tomorrow evening on Zoom at 7:00 pm for Shabbat services. The Zoom link is: KabbalatShabbat 

Saturday morning we are having services at 10:00 am with participation from many people. Please let me know if you can make it because we need to make a minyan for people saying kaddish. The Zoom link is: 

Zimra Shabbat

*Please remember to sign up for the Bagel U event on Mideast Peace this Sunday at 1:00 pm (details are in the e-bulletin) 

Shabbat shalom, 

Rabbi Diana