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November 2014 8 Cheshvan - 8 Kislev 5775 Volume 36 Issue 3
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November 2014 8 Heshvan - 8 Kislev 5775 volume 36 issue 3
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November 2014 8 Cheshvan - 8 Kislev 5775 Volume 36 Issue 3
A Message From Rabbi Robert Wolkoff
“Out of chaos comes order.”
Nietzsche
“Out of chaos comes order…but not yet.”
Rabbi Wolkoff
File under “unfinished business.”
Now that the holidays are over, it’s time for me to deal with the
avalanche I have created by telling everyone that I would get back to
them after the holidays. And I am reminded of the classic rabbinic
saying, “You don’t have to finish the work, but you aren’t free to
desist from it.”
And in this, it seems, my desk is a microcosm of the world as a whole.
Almost everywhere we look, there are issues that are chronic, messy,
and open-ended. The war against the Islamic State is one example. It’s
hard to remember a time when an American President had to do a u-
turn as quickly as President Obama did. One day, the threat of war is
receding, and we can—with a great sigh of relief—bring our troops
home from the Middle East. The next day, it seems, we have to go
back in because another head of the hydra which is Middle Eastern
terrorism has gone on the attack.
And it ain’t over yet.
So, too, Ebola. One
victim here, one victim there. And then a second
victim here, a second victim there. And then…Where this one will end,
nobody knows, but it’s hard to talk about Ebola without using the word
“epidemic” in its full, terrifying, meaning.
And then there’s the issue of women’s rights. The Supreme Court
recently shot down a Texas law—supposedly for the “protection” of
women—that would have closed a dozen women’s clinics. This was
the law, if you recall, that Wendy Davis tried to filibuster. But that’s
not the whole story. The decision is only temporary. The Federal
Appeals Court still must render a decision on the constitutionality of
the Texas law, and that ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court.
So there are at least two more rounds to go. And then, most assuredly,
we’ll start all over again.
Then there’s Ukraine, and Ferguson, and unemployment, and
Fracking and…[feel free to fill in the blanks].
And the Redskins. As if we didn’t have enough to do.
So how do we handle all this? The best way we can. And what is the
best way we can? With love, and empathy, and wisdom, and determi-
nation. And all of these we can learn from our Torah tradition, and
from our mindful interactions with our community.
We won’t finish. But we will at least be able to live with ourselves
while we bring some order out of the chaos.
Rabbi Robert L. Wolkoff
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November 2014 8 Cheshvan - 8 Kislev 5775 Volume 36 Issue 3
What Do You Want to Know?
One of the most difficult things to do is to admit that you do not
know something. I believe that this is a true statement for all of
us and, regardless, of our stage in life. It also is my belief that
learning equals growth and new challenges keep us vibrant.
So, when over the last few weeks, a number of congregants
came to me with the request to learn how to improve their
Hebrew reading and how to better navigate our services, I
immediately replied YES! Now I’ve been thinking about this for
a while but I’m not certain or know what the plan should be.
I’d like to teach basic Hebrew reading and language, Torah and
Haftarah Trope, and how to lead every service weekday, Shab-
bat, and all of the special holiday services. OK - - maybe I
should temper my enthusiasm; this may be a bit much, or is it? It
is easy to forego such an opportunity due to unrealistic expecta-
tions. For example, you must be a competent Hebrew reader in
order to take on any of my other goals, so that’s where we
should start!
In our prayers we sing “Kedeshaynu B’mitzvotehcha, instill in us
the holiness of Your mitzvoth.” With great enthusiasm, we rhyth-
mically bang the pews and sing this prayer on Friday nights and
Shabbat mornings. Rabbi Wolkoff spoke to us on the High
Holidays about doing just this. Some of you were overwhelmed
by the message; my take is that Rabbi Wolkoff wants us to grow
and is encouraging us to take another step on the ladder; it’s
time. Clearly it is and that is why people are asking to learn
more.
I would say that I have a reasonable level of Judaic knowledge,
but I’m so far from being satisfied. As I did this past summer, I
will continue my studies this semester and gladly share with you
my journey.
Now is the perfect time for us to refresh our skills.
Please stop in, contact me by phone (732-2978-0696 ext 15) or
email at
cantor@bnaitikvah.org
.
Would you like to become a Bat Mitzvah? We’ll plan it. Would
you like to refresh your Bar Mitzvah? We can do that ,too. Read
Torah or a Haftarah, read Hebrew for the first time, advanced
Hebrew, I’ll teach you or I’ll find you a teacher.
I think we’re all ready to learn and to embrace our destiny.
Please ask and expect the best.
“Kedeshaynu B’mitzvotehcha, instill in us the holiness of Your
mitzvoth.”
With joy,
Cantor Bruce Rockman
November 2014
P.S. I’ll see you at the Rutgers Jewish Film Festival.
From the Desk of Cantor Bruce Rockman
CBT Fall Picnic in the Park