Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Hevre,

As I emerge from five days of retreat during which I meditated, walked, chanted, and studied Jewish and Buddhist texts, I see anew the blessings and the curses of how much of our lives can be spent online. The blessings are clear to me as Zoom allowed us to be together during COVID lock downs and continues to connect us as a community, wherever we are. I share ideas with colleagues online and see wonderful posts, pictures and updates from many. In fact, my retreat was held online! But the downsides are real, and I can get sucked in like the best of any teenager. I appreciate the “Shabbat” I experienced as I am about to enter Shabbat - the deep joy of slowing down and (mostly) unplugging.

This evening we are going to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Shabbat together, with poetry, additional liturgy and words from some community members as well as a festive Oneg. I hope that you can join us in person or on Zoom at:

https://zoom.us/j/412061997#success
Meeting ID: 412 061 997

We will begin this evening before Shabbat candle-lighting by lighting a yahrtzeit candle for Roe V. Wade with a reading from the National Council of Jewish Women, as Roe fell a year ago tomorrow.

I leave you with a prayer written by my colleague Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann:

Sovereign of the Universe,

mercifully receive our prayer for equal rights for all people.

Let your blessing pour out on the members of the LGBTQIA community

who are denied basic human freedoms and protections.

Instruct our government in the words of your Torah,

so that they truly know that human beings

were created “b’tselem elohim,” in the image of the Divine.

Uproot hatred and ignorance from our communities,

schools, places of worship, workplaces, and homes.

Implant in the hearts of those who fear

and those who hate a spirit of humility

and a sense of awe for God’s Creation.

May one day we have a nation where all are equal,

and a world where all people are accepted with blessing and love.

And let us say: Amen.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Diana

P.S. If you would like to respond this email, please write me at: rabbidianamiller@gmail.com