In This Moment, January 20, 2022: Who Betrayed Anne Frank? Is Attending Services an Act of Courage?

 

This week's Shabbat-O-Gram is being sponsored by Remi and Julie Rosenberg in honor of Sylvie becoming Bat Mitzvah In This Moment

Krav Maga Drills From a Chair An Act of Courage In the wake of last weekend's attack in Colleyville, Deborah Lipstadt wrote in the New York Times that for Jews, going to services has become an act of courage. A Washington Post column echoed those sentiments. I agree, depending on how you define "courage." Oxford defines courage as "the ability to do something that frightens one." We shouldn't be frightened to attend services, I believe. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker put it, "We can't live in fear every step of the way." The odds of any particular synagogue being targeted for an armed attack are still very small. But Oxford's other definition of courage fits perfectly: "strength in the face of pain or grief." It should be life-affirming to associate with a synagogue community, rather than a source of fear. That connection should strengthen our resolve, especially in the face of life's greatest challenges. A visit to a synagogue (real or virtual), especially in the act of communal prayer, should not feel like a routine visit to a bar or supermarket, or even to a JCC; but rather it should be an acknowledgement that being a Jew is a fragile and precious gift, and an affirmation that this gift imbues our lives with purpose. Even the first Oxford definition of courage is illuminating here: "The ability to do something that frightens ONE." For Jews, there is never just one. When we have a minyan, when we stand with community, there always are at least ten. That's why, even for those who have trouble accessing prayer, the connection with community - with ten - can be deeply meaningful. At times like these, with Covid again spiking (hopefully peaking), we are all feeling life's fragility. The Colleyville captives touted their security training for saving their lives, particularly regarding the use of chairs. We've done those sessions too, and we plan to do another one soon. Meanwhile, see above a quick Krav Maga training film on the use of chairs for self protection. Leave it to Israel to come up with ways for people to fight back against hate. We are deeply relieved and grateful for the Colleyville escape, and it's fitting to recite the traditional prayer thanking God for releasing captives (see below, third blessing down). Still, despite our gratitude, we know that, save for quick thinking, some timely training and a handy chair, we would all be grieving this week.

Shabbat Shalom! Mazal tov to Sylvie Rosenberg, who becomes Bat Mitzvah this Shabbat morning. Because strict Covid protocols will limit the in-person seating, I encourage people to join us on Zoom. On Friday evening at 7, exclusively on Zoom, TBE congregant and world renowned author Sarah Darer Littman, whose book, "Some Kind of Hate," will be published this fall, will weave her work into the topic of the moment: “After Colleyville: Weaving our Jewish Reality into Fiction?” Also, join us this evening (Thursday) at 7 for the first session of our Interfaith Council's Midwinter Series on the book of Jonah (see flyer at bottom, and click here to join the session). We are hosting this one, and given the importance of fostering interfaith relations at a time like this, the more TBE'ers on the Zoom screen to welcome our neighbors, the better! (See this article on how the interfaith community came together in Colleyville). And in the spirit of interfaith dialogue, this week's portion of Yitro is case in point. It's one of three portions named for someone who was not a member of the Tribe. Yitro features the Ten Commandments.  Click to see a comparative look at how the Ten Commandments are interpreted by major world religions. And click here to see a packet on the tenth commandment, the impossible one, the only one that prohibits an emotion, the one about coveting.

Leaving aside the British spelling of

Anne Frank's Betrayal Anne Frank's hideout was revealed by a fellow Jew, according to a new book, discussed on 60 Minutes last week. That may be true - or not - but it should not be a surprise. In fact, though, she was betrayed not by any particular person, Jew or non-Jew, but by the entire society. And all Jews, including the supposed traitor, were similarly betrayed. Here's who betrayed Anne Frank: Those who ignored the warning signals of democracy's decline in Germany in the '20s and 30s. (See this explanation from the Anne Frank Museum) Those who lampooned Hitler as a clown, disregarding the hate and downplaying the danger. Those who ignored the rise of anti-Semitism throughout Europe and America during that time - failing to understand that even the smallest stereotype can lead to much bigger things, as we saw this week in Colleyville: Akram wanted the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman serving an 86-year sentence in federal prison in Fort Worth for trying to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan. And he apparently thought the Jewish worshipers assembled for the Sabbath could make that happen — drawing upon centuries-old antisemitic tropes and conspiracies that Jews secretly control the moves of politicians and manipulate world events to their advantage...“This was somebody who literally thought that Jews control the world,” Cytron-Walker said. “He thought he could come into a synagogue, and we could get on the phone with the ‘Chief Rabbi of America’ and he would get what he needed.” It's unusual to reopen a cold case after 75 years. But even if it turns out that this revelation is true, Anne Frank's murder is not somehow cheapened or the murderers' guilt lessened if she was turned in by a Jew. It only highlights the impossible moral choices so many victims had to make in order to increase the chance of saving their own families. What's most important here, perhaps, is how potent a symbol Anne Frank continues to be. That was mentioned in the 60 Minutes broadcast:

But is it really who we are? Or who we wish to be? Are we worthy of comparison to Anne Frank, when so many let her down? Who else betrayed Anne Frank? The Dutch government, the police, the neighbors, the conductors on the trains, President Roosevelt.... It took a village to raise her, and it took a global village to kill her. But still she represents who we wish to be, the best of humanity's potential. Because she was killed as a still-innocent teen, she was never muddied and creviced by life's grinding pressures. So we'll never know if she would have remained true to that childlike innocence. But we do know this. By ignoring the signals bulleted at the top, as they are reappearing today, we are in the midst of betraying dear Anne all over again.

It's Hard Out There for a Rabbi How tough is it to be a rabbi these days? According to the Forward, the heroic rabbi at the center of last weekend's drama has been at the center of another, all-too-typical drama within his congregation. The Texas rabbi celebrated around the world as a hero for freeing three congregants and himself from a gunman in an 11-hour synagogue siege is set to leave the community in June, the Forward has learned.   Backstory: Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker resigned in November amid debate about whether his contract would be renewed. Rabbi Ben Sternman of Adat Chaverim in Plano, Texas, part of a foursome of area Reform rabbis including Cytron-Walker that meets weekly, said “he showed up for lunch one week and he was looking very upset.” He is on the market for a new pulpit and the synagogue was in the midst of searching for an interim rabbi when Saturday’s hostage situation occurred.  This is an awkward time for a transition, but I noticed signs of a search process on the synagogue's website and wondered whether someone who seems so exemplary (and, according to congregants that have been quoted, so beloved and "quite simply a mensch,") could be looking for a new position now. And indeed he is. I'm sure he will be fine, especially now, but it just points out the embarrassing strangeness of American Jewish life. The article goes on to say that synagogue leaders were upset that he had been critical of Israel and that he would not allow people to bring their guns to services. You can read the rabbi's response to those accusations here. The plot thickens, with the Forward also revealing that: Beth Israel’s leadership moved to end his tenure, shocking many congregants who adore him. “There was an enormous outcry when the email came in,” one member, Stephen Yarus, said in an interview. The congregation had, several years ago, overwhelmingly voted to override another board move to oust Cytron-Walker, and Devorah Titunik, another member, said the rabbi told her he wanted to avoid another such vote for fear “it might split the congregation.”  Gotta love our people! I know these things happen to all faith communities But one wonders if a good man was run out of town unnecessarily because of a combination of a hyper-critical and unforgiving "gotcha" culture ("Rabbi, why were there only four people there last Shabbat?" ) and a Covid fatigue that has simply driven people crazy-angry. It reminds me of the old joke of how Moses, called "Our Rabbi" (Rabaynu) by the rabbis, would certainly have not been hired by any synagogue. His rap sheet (including a murder), a history of anger issues and his speech impediment alone would have sealed the deal. Oh yes, and his age - 80 at the time of the Exodus. Thank you, Mr. Rabaynu...Neeext! Whatever the underlying causes of this Lone Star Soap Opera - and outsiders can never know the whole story - it adds a sad coda to an already heartbreaking saga. TBE Scales Kilimanjaro! We celebrate the feat of the feet of two TBE members this month, Cheryl Wolff and Nicole Zussman, who scaled a peak even higher than Mount Sinai! Mazal tov to them!

I always like to end on a "high" note! And to an another note of inspiration, among the stories revolving around the life of the great Sidney Poitier after his passing last week was one involving an elderly Jewish man who taught him english - an act of selfless courage that changed the course of one man's life, and thereby changed us all. One act of kindness can save the world. See it below. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, Connecticut 06902 203-322-6901 | www.tbe.org    A Conservative, Inclusive, Spiritual Community

Shabbat-O-Gram March 29

  

Click here for an explanation of this Kabbalistic Omer Counting Calendar 

 Source: Velveteen Rabbi blog.  

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Last Half of Passover:

  

Passover Services

Join us for services on Friday night at 7:30 and again on Shabbat morning. we will be in the lobby for both services (in those comfy blue chairs).  On the intermediate Shabbat of the festival, it's customary to read from the Song of Songs, that exquisite bit of biblical erotica.  Here's a background article about the Song and why we read it this week.  

Pesach concludes on Monday and Tuesday mornings with festival services at 9:30 AM(Yizkor's on Tuesday).  Because some of our regulars are away for the holiday, please make a special effort to attend on either or both of these mornings!  It is so appreciated!  There is no 7:30 minyan on those two days.

Special Mitzvah for a Congregant

I'm delighted at the response I received recently when I asked for some help in finding odd jobs for a young congregant struggling to meet rent expenses.  I have one more request, this time on behalf of a congregant in his 60s who recently was required to vacate his apartment through no fault of his own.  Because he is living alone and on a fixed income, housing options are limited.  If anyone in the congregation has a mother-in-law suite, vacant carriage house or something similar that could be rented for below market value, that would be ideal.  I know this person very well and can vouch for his trustworthiness.

A few years ago, during the worst of the economic collapse, I used this space to help match congregants with job opportunities and we also ran a number of seminars.  We serve congregants in need of everything from rides to friendly visitors to baby sitters to shiva meals to hurricane relief.  That's what a congregation does for one another and for its community.  That's what happened once again this week as TBE congregants led a Seder at Atria.  See the photo below and, in the spirit of the holiday, click here for our 2013 Passover album, including our Interfaith Seder and Religious School activity day.  

     

See also Aaron Patashnik's Bar Mitzvah d'var Torah from last Shabbat, and the booklet of source materials from our Interfaith Seder, including quotes from Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Lau Tzu, the Quran, the New Testament and of course, many Jewish sources.  And click here for the study packet on whether it's OK to eat legumes on Passover ("Give Peas a Chance"). It's the most thorough explanation of the issues that you will find. You can read why some of the great rabbis ages gone by thought that avoiding lentils on Passover was "idiotic."  And yet the custom has persisted for 700 years.  And now, the main reason to keep it is that it has been around for 700 years! For some, with a plate full of rice, Passover would simply not be Passover anymore.  

But old traditions sometimes change, as they discussed this week at the Supreme Court...

DOMA and Beyond

In light of yesterday's gripping Supreme Court arguments, I share once again the column I wrote when New York State legalized gay marriage; I make the case for gay marriage as the right Jewish moral choice, even for those who might have issues with homosexuality.  While the article focuses on equal protection within the state, the argument can extend to federal protections as well, as they were doing yesterday at the Supreme Court.

"All Who Are Hungry, Come and Eat" Homelessness in Stamford

Last week I had the chance to meet Jason Shaplan, CEO of Inspirica, which used to be known as St. Lukes Lifeworks.  This non-denominational agency has been doing fabulous work and I saw it in action at their remodeled Franklin St. headquarters. Homelessness is up by 57% in suburban and rural areas over the past three years.  In 2011, more than 16,000 people used Connecticut's homeless shelters, including 2,700 children.  The good news is that Inspirica is doing something about it, helping to break the cycle of poverty, joblessness and homelessness in significant ways.  I plan to bring Jason here in the near future, but in the meantime, go on their website to see how you can volunteer, and let me know how you might wish to organize a group from TBE to volunteer together. 

And speaking of volunteering, thank you to all who contributed 200 bags to the JFS Passover food drive.

Obama's Visit and Anne Frank's Chestnut Tree

It's been a week since President Obama's return from Israel, but it will not soon be forgotten - both the images and the words.   Images like the welcome at the airport, his being serenaded by children singing "Tomorrow" in Hebrew, English and Arabic, the address to Israeli students in Jerusalem, and last but most certainly not least, the speech at Yad Vashem.

Those words spoken there will have a very long shelf life.  If you have not heard or read the President's speech at Yad Vashem, take a few moments to read it.  Here are a few excerpts:

For here we learn that we are never powerless.  In our lives we always have choices.  To succumb to our worst instincts or to summon the better angels of our nature.  To be indifferent to suffering to wherever it may be, whoever it may be visited upon, or to display the empathy that is at the core of our humanity.  We have the choice to acquiesce to evil or make real our solemn vow -- "never again."  We have the choice to ignore what happens to others, or to act on behalf of others and to continually examine in ourselves whatever dark places there may be that might lead to such actions or inactions.  This is our obligation -- not simply to bear witness, but to act....

...Here we pray that we all can be better; that we can all grow, like the sapling near the Children's Memorial -- a sapling from a chestnut tree that Anne Frank could see from her window.  The last time she described it in her diary, she wrote: "Our chestnut tree is in full bloom.  It's covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year."  That's a reminder of who we can be.  But we have to work for it.  We have to work for it here in Israel.  We have to work for it in America.  We have to work for it around the world -- to tend the light and the brightness as opposed to our worst instincts.

So may God bless the memory of the millions.  May their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life.  And may each spring bring a full bloom even more beautiful than the last. 

The story of Anne Frank's chestnut tree is inspiring.  The tree outside her old house in Amsterdam  died recently, but its saplings were harvested and are being planted at sites all over the world, among them 11 sites in the US.  The venues are deeply symbolic; one sapling that will be planted just outside Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., where African American students braved angry mobs in the fall of 1957 to integrate the school.  Boston Common is another site, where American aspirations for liberty first bore fruit.

The closest site to us is at the Liberty Park 9/11 Memorial.  But we at TBE have our own living memorial.  The Holocaust memorial garden planted just outside our sanctuary windows by a group of 7^th graders a half dozen years ago is once again beginning to bloom.  The kids in the photo below are now freshmen in college, but this garden is a reminder of their lasting contribution to the memory of the Holocaust and of their dedication to their synagogue. (Can you recognize who they are? See more photos here). It should be in full flower just in time for the community Yom HaShoah program here next weekend.

  

   

Minyan Mastery

What does the word "daven" mean?  Why do we need ten for a minyan?  With our current emphasis on building up our morning minyan,  here is a link to our "Minyan Mastery" feature, with all the minyan material that's fit to print.

Shabbat Shalom!  A Sweet Pesach!

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

Check out our Purim photo album, our Temple Rock  album and our fall-winter album too.