Pledge 25 Siyyum

On Sunday, June 13, Ohr Kodesh celebrated the conclusion of the Pledge 25 in Honor of Rabbi Lyle Fishman program year. Following the morning minyan where Rosh Chodesh Tammuz was observed, Pledge 25 Program Co-Chair Gary Simms welcomed attendees to the "siyyum." Citing Pirke Avot, Gary noted that the world stands on three things: on Torah, on Prayer, and on acts of loving-kindness. He suggested that these reflect both the Pledge 25 program and the attributes of Rabbi Fishman's leadership of the congregation.

Pledge 25 Committee member Erica Raphael offered thanks and acknowledgment to the facilitators and Pledge 25 participants. More than 30 individuals served as speakers, teachers, and presenters during the course of the year's events. 

Two representatives spoke on behalf of the facilitators: Phil Schulman, who offered some of his signature humor, and Mickey Feinberg, who spoke of the importance of learning at each and every stage of life.

The Ohr Kodesh singers offered a delightful musical interlude.

Representing the younger generation, Jonathan Israel explained how he fulfilled his Pledge 25 responsibilities by raising more than $200 for Haiti Relief from fellow elementary school students.  Gary Simms then read portions of a letter from NIH congratulating OKC member Gerry Feldman, who donated blood platelets sufficient to help 33 individuals, all in honor of Rabbi Fishman and Pledge 25.

Rabbi David Kalender of Congregation Olam Tikvah (Fairfax, VA), a chevrutah study partner with Rabbi Fishman, was the surprise guest at the morning's session, leading the congregation in a text study which demonstrated the importance of encouraging everyone to take active roles in the community.

OKC member Barbara Garlock, who also serves as the Interim Executive Director of Interfaith Works, described the support received by her organization from Pledge 25 participants. She announced a Pledge 25-sponsored school supplies drive that will be continuing for the rest of June, and asked people to drop off donations in the lobby of Ohr Kodesh and to publicize this opportunity to their friends and neighbors.

Julie Herschthal, co-chair of the morning festivities, offered a commemorative presentation to Rabbi Fishman. In his own remarks, Rabbi Fishman responded with warm thanks to the committee, the participants, and to the congregation. He noted that his colleagues across the country have congratulated him for the concept. He stated that while the concept of Study, Prayer and Chesed is from the Mishna, the idea for the Pledge 25 program came from OKC President Brian Israel, who offered his own thanks to the Rabbi and to the organizing committee.

At the festive brunch which followed the presentation, members and guests enjoyed a delicious spread

Rabbi Fishman, Debra Rosenman, and Rabbi Kalender enjoy the brunch as well.

Ha-ma-kom y’na-chem

On the morning of Sunday, March 13, with about 20 people gathered around the table in the Salzberg Library, Debra Rosenman led a learning session on How to Comfort the Mourner. As someone commented at the close of the lively discussion that developed around this topic, she taught us much about how to be a mourner, too.


Debra began with the textual source of shivah. When Job was mourning for his family, three visitors came and sat with him in silence for seven days and nights. The theme of silence was one she returned to frequently. She emphasized the importance of being present for the mourner in a way that does not draw attention to oneself – “it’s not about you”. She offerred some “do’s and don’ts” to guide us in the shivah house where the rules of normal social intercourse do not apply: do not make a grand entrance/exit; do not greet other visitors who may be present; be guided by the mourner’s choice to speak or not speak. Shivah can be exhausting for the mourner. Silence can be helpful. Visiting during the day rather than at minyan times can offer the chance for quiet support without distractions.

A related discussion developed around food. Many feel it necessary to bring food to shivah – that to arrive empty-handed is wrong, and that it should be something sweet. Debra countered this notion: the only thing you bring to shivah is yourself. Food can be burdensome to the mourner, which was echoed by some around the table. ( Check first with someone close to the mourner about food needs before making any assumptions. In fact, the need may be greater once shivah has concluded.)

While acknowledging that every situation is different, and that paying a shivah call requires us to be sensitive to the emotional environment and psychological realities we encouter, Debra advised that we can – if we feel comfortable doing so – teach the mourner that she does not need to offer food or introduce us to others present, ie, to play the social role of host. In this spirit, Debra taught us the only prescribed speech that tradition assigns to the visitor: Ha-ma-kom y’na-chem et-chem b’toch sh’ar a-veil-lei Tzi-yon virusha-la-yim, May God’s Presence comfort you among all the moruners for Zion and Jerusalem. She encouraged learning and developing comfort in saying it. Putting it in context first (“I would like to offer you the saying that people have used for hundreds of years when leaving the house of mourning”) can make it easier for us to say and for a mourner who is not familiar with it to hear. This teaching, like so much that Debra gave us, opened a window on the true meaning and comfort of shivah.

Pledge 25: All Ages Participate!

Dear Pledge 25:
I heard about the Pledge 25 program (for Rabbi Fishman) and I wanted to participate in this.

One day at recess I saw my friends talking. So I went over to them and it turns out they were talking about helping Haiti and helping Haiti is a very good way to fill in my 25 hours to pledge 25. So I said “I can help you.” They said “yes we need help.” So at lunch we talked about it.

Joey Shoyer (one of the friends) said we should do a raffle. I said we should do a guessing sort of thing. Ethan Jack (another friend) said we should put a bunch of M&Ms in a jar so I said, “I will buy the jar, I will buy the M&Ms, I will ask permission from the principle.” So basically the project was then under my control. I was the leader, which put a bit of pressure on me. Then the next day I was told by my teacher that I could only do my project with the 3rd and 4th grades so I was a bit upset, but it was for the best. I was also told that only my class could do this, which meant that Joey and Ethan would not be able to participate in my project but I still want to give them credit for their help last week.

My project started when I went to the 3rd grade during my recess and their lunch. I went to the 4th grade during my lunch. I thought I would raise about $50, but I got $200! How crazy is that?

I am donating all of the money to Haiti; specifically the American Jewish World Service because I like that the American Jewish World Service gives the money directly to Haiti unlike Doctors without Borders. They give to anybody in need which is a great deed, don’t get me wrong, but not what I wanted to do.

I am very proud of this project because I was a leader (with many helpers including Joey, Ethan and my class). I was a leader of fundraiser that raised $200 for the Haitian people.

Jonathan Israel, 4th Grade

Schulman Slays 'Em

Ohr Kodesh jokemeister supreme, Phil Schulman, had them rolling in the aisles on Tuesday, March 2 for his one-night-only Pledge 25 offering, “What Do You Mean You Can’t Tell A Joke?”

Phil told the packed chapel crowd, “If you came here humorously challenged, you will leave here humorously challenged!” However, he said, “If you follow these ideas, at least you’ll tell a joke better than when you came in.”

“Being funny is a God-given talent,” Phil explained. "It's all in the genes." Responding to some good-natured heckling from the audience, he retorted, “We may not all be funny, but everyone thinks he’s a comedian.”




Phil added to the Pledge 25 theme of study by offering an opportunity for "text study." A copy is at this link: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-Cb3y82429bNmRkOGRhODItYTkzZC00Y2NlLTljMTUtNzE5ZDU0MDNhZDA4&hl=en


Phil illustrated each of his points with a joke, ranging from amusing to hysterical to rolling-on-the floor, please-make-him-stop funny. There was, of course, a “serious” side to Phil, as he explained the keys to telling a joke: the set up, the anticipation, and the punch line. Or, a beginning (“how many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?”), a middle (“one”), and an end (“but it takes a long time, and the light bulb has to really want to change!”). He explained that telling a joke is like a magic trick – it all depends on misdirection.

Before offering his "Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts" for telling a joke successfully, he invited audience members to offer their own efforts. All (well, most) were at least in the “amusing” category!

      

Phil explained that “Telling jokes well is important, because people love to laugh, and they love people who make them laugh.” We love you, Phil, for making us laugh.

Commenters to the posting are asked to leave a joke to share!

You have no excuse to be Bored In Shul!

You no longer have an excuse to be bored at shul!


On Sunday night, February 21, Dr. Erica Brown of the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning gave an enlightening and entertaining talk to an overflow audience in the chapel based on her book Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism. She was speaking as part of the special Sunday Night Lecture Series being held as part of the celebration of Rabbi Fishman’s 25th anniversary with Ohr Kodesh.

She skillfully engaged the audience in an interactive session, with individuals suggesting and identifying what they felt to be boring about prayer and services at Ohr Kodesh and in their own personal practices. Participants mentioned, among other things, the lack of relevance of Shabbat morning prayers and uninspiring English translations of these such prayers.

Among the many sources--e.g. philosophical, psychological, sociological, historical--she relied upon in her talk, Dr. Brown highlighted a 2,000 year old excerpt from the Mishnah which mentioned boredom in the context of the ketuba (marriage contract) requirements. The Sages of the Mishna counseled against a man promising his wife that she would have no responsibilities in life (and a woman from accepting such a promise-- better she should get an immediate divorce!) because such a boring or purposeless life is not acceptable.

And how does one avoid a boring life, or for that matter, a boring spiritual practice? Dr. Brown simply suggests the answer is to find something new within our lives and within our prayers. It is, she counsels, each individual's responsibility to find something new when we attend Shabbat morning services or engage in any of our Jewish rituals. By doing so we will regularly re-engage in that practice and find greater satisfaction and wonder in Judaism.

Following her talk, Dr. Brown remained on hand to sign copies of her book and to take additional questions.

Those interested in hearing more from Erica Brown should certain attend the Partnership’s “Routes” program on Sunday, March 7. In addition to Erica Brown, some other notable speakers include:

• Aryeh Ben David on loving difficult people;

• Steve Greenberg on being an Orthodox gay rabbi;

• Tamar Ross on the concept of God;

• Erica Brown on sex and politics

• Andy Polin on Jews and sports

The program will be held at the Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington, DC) located right by the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center Metro, which is on the Yellow and Green lines. Take advantage of pre-registration prices! $18 in advance/$25 at the door. Go to http://www.pjll.org/ to register or call 240-283-6200.

A Taste of Beit Shemesh

Last night’s Israel program, “A Taste of Beit Shemesh,” was a huge success; we had approx. 150 attendees who sampled the SUPERB dishes prepared by our visiting guests from Beit Shemesh, the Greater DC area’s Partnership 2000 sister city in Israel. The food was delicious, the background stories helped to provide affirmation of the incredible ethnic diversity of Israel and the evening was enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to the hard work of many volunteers who organized, purchased food, helped with kitchen prep and/or cleanup, etc: Mickey & Mordy Feinberg, Ellen Elow-Mintz, David Moses, Jan Feldman, David Friedman, Barbara Gerber, Rosalind Goldfarb Levitt, Martin & Donna Goldman, Sarah Hyams, Sherry & Ron Kabran, Sarah Kagan, Helene Kahan, Dora Klayman, Marilyn Polon, Jacqueline Rams, Marla Satinsky, Benson Silverman; Lisa Silverman. Special thanks also to Hannah Burke and to Farlee Wade-Farber for providing day-long oversight for the kitchen. (And my apologies if anyone’s efforts were overlooked!)

Kudos to the team from Beit Shemesh: Smadar Kaplinsky, who coordinated the effort from Israel, and each of the cooks:
· Ety Edlund (Egyptian)
· Rachel Hadar (Persian)
· Naomi Levy (Tunisian)
· Malka Nahmani (Moroccan)
· Leah Siboni (Kurdistan)
· Rachel Sopher (Cochin/Indian)

And thanks also to the staff at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Gilad Golani and Lisa Kleppel for bringing this wonderful opportunity to Ohr Kodesh.

Avoid Seder Panic!!

Ellen Elow-Mintz and Bob Kott are leading a "mini course" on ideas to improve your Pesach seder experience.

It's the antidote to the pre-Pesach panic about keeping everyone involved in the Seder. Come to the second part of the Pledge 25 session on Enhancing Your Family Seder on Wednesday, February 10 immediately following minyan.

This past Wednesday, Bob and Ellen shared ideas with congregants who TiVo'd President Obama's State of the Union message. The discussion centered on selecting a haggadah (haggadot) to meet the needs of those present and ways to incorporate different themes and materials without having a seder that runs until dawn.


For those who could not make the session, here's a link to materials discussed http://public.me.com/emamom . Click on Passover Seder Resources and you can download a variety of items. The session on Wednesday, February 10 will focus on mechanics, logistics, food and tips to make seder flow smoothly. Plan to be there!

Topical Tuesdays With Rabbi Fishman

Rabbi Fishman has been continuing his weekly Tuesday night teaching, this month focusing on the Amidah. Previous sessions have included discussions of the Poetry of Yehuda Amichai, the story of Samson, and the Shema. The classes have been warmly received, and all are invited to attend. Future monthly subjects include:

Selected Psalms -- In modern life, do these poems still resonate? Explore the relationship between selected Psalms and critical emotional moments of our lives.

Heroines of the Hagaddah -- Learn the fascinating stories and profound impact of the heroic women of the Exodus. including Moses’ mother Yocheved, the midwives Shifra and Puah, Pharaoh’s daughter Batya, and, of course, the prophetess Miriam.

Contemporary Israeli Holidays -- How should Jews outside of Israel observe modern Israel commemorations, including Yom Hashoah, Yom Ha-atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim?

The Torah Service -- Choreography, pageantry and meaning.

The Binding of Isaac -- From Kierkegaard to Spiegel and beyond, this class will explore the Akedah from a modern perspective.

Rabbi Joshua Haberman, the rabbi emeritus of Washington Hebrew Congregation, offered a touching and instructive lecture on "The Mixed Blessing of Aging" at Ohr Kodesh on Sunday, January 24. His presentation was part of the special Sunday Scholar series being offered by friends of Rabbi Fishman to honor his 25th anniversary with the congregation.

Rabbi Haberman suggested at the outset that he has the bona fides to speak on the topic, having recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He began by asking whether we truly want the Biblical "meyah v'esrim" - the fabled "120 years" of life. Are the final years worth living? He answered with a resounding "yes!"

He noted that while traditional western culture denigrates the aged, the Biblical view is expressed by the aphorism "a gray head is a crown of glory." He noted that in the United States, the elderly often suffer from a high degree of social ostracism, and warned that the "attitude of the environment may become one's self-image." He acknowledged that old age does bring with it changes in mental acuity and physical capability, but argued that these changes are not all negative. He pointed to many examples of elderly individuals who continue to be creative and actively contribute into their 8th 9th and even 10th decade, and suggested that all institutions, including Jewish communal institutions, should "recruit, rather than retire the elderly" and take advantage of their accumulated wisdom.

Pointing to what he called the "compensations of aging," Rabbi Haberman suggested that the elderly can gain tranquility, enjoy the cooling of passions, and gain the ability to let things go. Further, having faced the greatest challenges of life (career, marriage, raising children, etc.) the elderly can take the opportunity to savor life without also having to withstand the pressure to succeed. More humorously, he suggested that the elderly can be "liberated from the compulsion of setting everyone straight."  He also opined that old age can, for the fortunate, be a time to rejoice in children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.

Following his remarks, Rabbi Haberman engaged the attendees in a spirited and insightful round of questions and answers.

The next in our Sunday Lecture Series will take place on Sunday, February 21 at 7:00 PM with Dr. Erica Brown speaking on Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism (re-scheduled from the December snow cancellation). This session will explore the nature of boredom through general philosophy, psychology and Jewish texts in an attempt to understand what boredom is, how it affects the spiritual life, pervades our parenting, impacts our Jewish institutions and limits our discovery of wonder within our tradition. 

For the text of the talk, please use the following link: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/flash/health/newoldage/haberman.sermon.pdf

Helping Sunflower Bakery

The Sunflower Bakery is an exciting program in the community which provides on-the-job training for individuals with developmental disabilities, helping them learn skills needed for success as bakery employees. Their excellent products are kosher. OKC member  Deena Leener, advises that they are in need of volunteers to assist trainees and to produce cookies. They will be baking Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30-12:30 and 1:00-5:00. Please contact Deena at dinarl3@aol.com

Learner's Service - A Great Opportunity

A Learners’ service was held in the Cohen Chapel at 9:30 AM last Shabbat (January 16). Led by Rabbi Fishman, this service included singing and a lively discussion of the structure and meaning of the Shabbat Torah Service. The service is great for both novice and experienced. The next Learners' service will be on April 10, led by Rabbi Israel. All are cordially invited to attend, and it's a service where all of - regardless of our current knowledge - can learn more!

Rabbi Steinsaltz Draws Huge Crowd, Salutes the Memory of MLK

In a truly transcendent opportunity, more than 500 members of Ohr Kodesh and the DC Metro Jewish Community attended a memorable and moving event: a presentation by world-renowned scholar, teacher, and Talmudist, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. His presentation was entitled: Dreams of Freedom - Honoring the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Rabbi Steinsaltz was joined by Ohr Kodesh member Arthur Spitzer, who heads the Washington Metro area chapter of the ACLU at Ohr Kodesh on Monday, January 18.


By turn approachable, witty, passionate and professorial, the soft-spoken Steinsaltz made his presentation in Ohr Kodesh's social hall to the highly attentive throng. Following a very brief introduction by Rabbi Lyle Fishman, Rabbi Steinsaltz slyly thanked Rabbi Fishman for not giving a eulogy as an introduction - without a recital of his achievements, he explained, expectations for his remarks would be lower!

Rabbi Steinsaltz suggested that Dr. King was greatly influenced by the tradition of the Hebrew Bible (which Rabbi Steinsaltz apologetically referred to as "The Old Testament" since it was known by that name to King in particular and as such to Americans in general). He remarked that while Christian theology is based on mercy (he called it "offering a second cheek"), Jewish tradition is based on the concept of Justice: "Tzedek, Tzedek tirdof" he quoted from Leviticus ("Justice, Justice you shall seek!"). According to Rabbi Steinsaltz, Dr. King demanded justice for his people; in so doing, he reflected the Jewish tradition of taking action, and not simply waiting prayerfully for help.

Rabbi Steinsaltz taught that Jewish tradition demands that we obey the laws of the land in which we live, but he noted an important caveat: where the law creates inequality, it is not a law we need observe. In fact, he stated, when a law is unjust, it is our religious obligation to oppose it.

Rabbi Steinsaltz stated that while King (and Gandhi before) him were able to overcome the oppression of their peoples through non-violent protest, such a course of action can only work when the "oppressor" society is essentially just. While England and the United States were moved to change through non-violence, he opined that such could not take place in Iran today or in Nazi Germany. Sometimes, he suggested, we must do what we must do, citing both Abraham and Moses as Biblical figures who took to arms when necessary.

In his remarks, the ACLU's Spitzer suggested that non-violent protest may indeed have worked "too well," as those seeking confrontation with authority have found that the laws they must break to gain notoriety often have no relationship to the object of their protest. While activists in King's day could march because they had improperly been denied a parade permit (a clear link), or sit in a restaurant which refused to serve African Americans, today’s protestors may seek arrest by sitting on the sidewalk in front of the White House in order to publicize their opposition to a range of governmental policies unrelated to limits on movement hear the White House.

The evening was co-sponsored by Ohr Kodesh and by the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning. On behalf of PJLL, Dr. Erica Brown was on hand to greet the crowd. She announced future educational opportunities being sponsored by PJLL, including the Routes Program on Sunday, March 7. For more information, please go to pjll.org.