Dear Friends –

One of the most influential programs for young adults over the past decade has been Taglit-Birthright Israel.  This trip, designed specifically for young adults ages 18 to 26 who have never been to Israel, is not only an adventure of a lifetime, but it is also a life-altering experience.  In my opinion, Birthright has had more of an educational impact on the Jewish community today than any other program that is available to young adults seeking to connect to our faith and heritage.

Why has this program been so influential?  The primary reason for Birthright’s success is the result of its mission.

In an article in the Jewish Herald-Voice written by Emily Feinstein, who happens to be temping in our office for Melissa while she is on maternity leave, “The organization’s founders created this program to send thousands of young Jewish adults, from all over the world, to Israel in order to diminish the growing division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants’ personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people.” (Jewish Herald Voice, January 26, 2012).

In just 12 short years, Birthright Israel has brought more than 250,000 Jewish young adults to Israel from all over the world. To date, 1,800 Houstonians have participated.  These kinds of numbers play an enormous role in how young American Jews see and understand Israel and its centrality to our faith, history and the world at large.

This trip to Israel is virtually free, which is one of the primary reasons so many students line up to participate.

If you have a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter that qualifies for this trip of a lifetime, please consider signing up immediately!  Registration for summer trips for 2012 beings tomorrow, February 15.  These trips will fill up very quickly, so if you have interest, do not hesitate to click on the following website:  www.birthrightisrael.com. You may also contact Rene Kariel at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston at 713-729-7000, ext. 319 or rkariel@houstonjewish.org.

If you do not fall within the specified age range for this trip and you have a strong desire to go to Israel this summer, there is still plenty of room to go on the HCRJ Trip to Israel with me.  Details for the trip may be found on our website at www.hcrj.org.  Our registration ends in March, so if you are interested, please contact me.

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends –

What a crazy winter it has been.  Temperatures fluctuate weekly from the low 30s to the high 70’s.  If your yard is like mine, the plants are very confused.  Our roses are in full bloom and our trees don’t know what to do.

When the idea of marking an annual anniversary for trees was conceptualized by our ancestors, none of them could ever have imagined a winter like this.  Crazy as it may be, the holiday of Tu B’Shevat (15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat) is here for us to enjoy.  Tonight, Tu B’Shevat begins at sunset, and at HCRJ we will observe this Jewish Arbor day in a number of special ways this weekend at our Shabbat services and during religious school.

What is Tu B’shevat and how do we celebrate it?

Tu B’Shevat is the day that marks the beginning of a “New Year for Trees.” This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.

Scholars believe that Tu B’Shevat was originally an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring.  After the destruction of the Temple in 70 ce, this holiday became a way for Jews in the Diaspora to nurture a sense of community and reinforce a connection to the Holy Land.

Today, our observance of Tu B’Shevat serves to remind us to consider ecological issues similar to those posed by the questions mentioned above.  In our modern day experience of this “birthday for the trees,” Tu B’Shevat serves as a kind of Jewish Earth Day.  Through recognizing the importance of trees, we take the time to appreciate the delicate ecological balance of the earth and dedicate ourselves to preserving it for generations to come.

This year, our observance of Tu B’Shvat will take place at our Friday night Shabbat Services as we weave the themes of this special day into the music, message and meditations of the day.  Additionally, our Religious School will be observing Tu B’Shevat on Sunday, February 12, with a special program and presentation from the Houston Audubon Society that will open the eyes of our youth to the importance and value of taking care of the earth.

In the spirit of this festival honoring nature, take a brisk walk in the days to come and enjoy the glories of God’s world of creation.

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends,

It may be difficult to believe, but hunger is a huge problem in the United States.  Recent figures indicate that one in seven households are “food insecure.”  Seventeen million families do not know if they will have enough food from week to week.  This is a staggering statistic to digest, and all too often, most of us feel like we are not able to make a difference.

The truth is that each of us can help make a difference in our collective efforts for the fight against hunger.  There are many organizations which address this growing problem, but this week I’d like to draw your attention to a charitable effort that comes every year on Super Bowl Sunday.

The event is called The Souper Bowl of Caring, and HCRJ has been participating in this nation-wide effort since 2009.  Each year we join millions of participants throughout the United States in collecting funds that go toward feeding the hungry.  To learn more about this wonderful organization and to donate directly, please visit their website at www.souperbowl.org.

Our own efforts at HCRJ will take place throughout the Super Bowl weekend.  Opportunities to contribute to this important cause will begin at our Family Shabbat Services this Friday night, Feb. 3, and continue through Sunday morning at our monthly family breakfast.

At each of these congregational programs, please look for an enormous soup pot and donate generously.  Every dollar you give goes directly to feeding the hungry.

Last year, $2.1 million dollars were collected for hunger relief in Houston alone.  That’s an enormous amount of support in the span of just one weekend.

As we enjoy Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday and as we indulge in our annual Super Bowl fiesta fare, take a little time to share in the abundance we have at our finger tips.  Please give generously at the HCRJ collection pot or at the Souper Bowl of Caring website listed above – because no matter who may win the game, we know we can create a winning scenario with the gift of sustenance for those in need.

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends –

We are so blessed to have Emily working at our front desk while Melissa is away, and today she has proven to be a double blessing for all of us.  Today’s Reflections were crafted by Emily as a favor to me as I was crafting a eulogy for Paul Brochstein, whose funeral was this morning.  Thank you, Emily for your inspiring words…

On the Jewish Calendar, this Wednesday, January 25 ­­– or Shevat 1 — marks the holiday Rosh Chodesh. In Hebrew, Rosh Chodesh means “first of the month” and applies to the first day of any new month.

In ancient days, Rosh Chodesh was a significant festival day. The new months were determined by observation of the moon. Observers would watch the sky at night for any sign of the moon. If they saw it, they would report their sightings to the Sanhedrin, who would ask a number of questions to ensure they were not mistaken. If two independent, reliable eyewitnesses confirmed that the new moon had appeared and described it consistently, the Sanhedrin would declare a new month. The following day, a festival would commence with the sounding of the shofar.

Although today many Rosh Chodesh holidays occur without acknowledgment or consideration, in the past it was not to be underestimated. The entire calendar was dependent upon these declarations and without them there would be no way of knowing when holidays were supposed to occur. They needed the “little” ones to observe the “big” ones.

We often hear the expression, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. It is important to remember that the beginnings of new months and even non-holidays are significant when it comes to weaving the web of our intricate and complex lives.

Each passing day is a blessing and should be thought of as a little celebration. As Jews, we have many holidays to celebrate along with all the American ones. We must remember that even if tomorrow is not an official holiday, it is still special and important. As we live out our days, months and years, let’s strive to rejoice for the small ones and the big ones.

L’Shalom – Emily and Steve

Dear Friends –

Our torah portion this week comes immediately after the story of the burning bush.  As Moses steps away from this powerful moment of revelation, he is a changed man.  He has come to understand the God of his ancestors in a new light.  This new understanding is a personal relationship with a deity that is revealed through ordinary moments in everyday life.  While Moses will soon come to know a God who does great miracles ­­– such as the splitting of the Sea of Reeds — Moses learns at this intimate encounter of the burning bush the importance and value of keeping his eyes wide open for miracles in everyday moments.

After all, a bush burning in the desert heat would not be an uncommon sight.  If the bush was burning unconsumed by the flames, it would demand that any passerby would need to stop long enough to notice this oddity.  How many people passed by that bush before Moses?

In our daily lives, the story of Moses and the burning bush reminds us to pause long enough to appreciate the miracles that surround us every day.  There is so much wonder in our world that we pass by without ever noticing and so much that we take for granted.

During this week, as our Torah portion recounts the aftermath of the epiphany of Moses, we have a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves to pause long enough in our daily routines to recognize that we are blessed with revelations of our own.  These revelations of God’s presence come in very ordinary forms.  They may take place in our interactions with family or friends.  They may come to us at home or at work.

Whatever they may be and however they may come to us, the blessings and miracles in our lives are everywhere for us to cherish.  We just need to open our eyes and pause long enough to see and appreciate those little miracles that are right in front of us all the time, which all too often remain undetected.

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends –

This week’s Torah portion is the first chapter of the Book of Exodus. It is called Shemot, which literally means “names.” Shemot is an appropriate Torah portion to mark the fact that HCRJ has been doubly blessed with two new names: Brooke Sophie Wolfson and Caroline Elizabeth McElroy.

Brooke is the newborn daughter of Melissa Wolfson (our Temple Administrator) and her husband Steven.   She was born early Monday morning January 9, and while she was a bit more petite than expected, weighing in at 5 pounds 10 ounces and 19 inches long, she brings her proud parents tremendous joy.

Caroline is the newborn daughter of our confirmation teachers Coby Nathanson and Frank McElroy.  Caroline was born today weighing in at 8 pounds 6 ounces.

All parents are happy and healthy, and today we share in their joy. We look forward to meeting Brooke and Caroline in the near future. Mazel Tov!

As Melissa will be on maternity leave for the next 12 weeks, we have another new name for everyone to remember, Emily Feinstein.  Emily will be temping while Melissa is away, so if you are in the office, please take a moment to introduce yourself and extend a warm HCRJ welcome.

Jewish tradition teaches that the Shehechiyanu prayer is to be recited at moments of joy and celebration.  This week at HCRJ we should all recite the Shehechiyanu together in honor of the fact that our blessings are in abundance.  Moments like these cannot be taken for granted:

Shehechiyanu, V’kiyamanu, V’higiyanu LaZman HaZeh

We thank You God, Ruling Spirit of the Universe, for giving us life, sustaining us and for enabling us to reach this day.

May we continue to go from strength to strength.

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends –

Happy Chanukah!  Today is the first day of Chanukah, and tonight we will light candle number two.  From a religious perspective, Chanukah is often a missed opportunity for spiritual growth, as the giving and receiving of gifts often takes center stage.

On the one hand, our focus on the material aspects of the holiday is completely understandable as it is part of the social fabric of our society during this season.  From the beginning of November through the end of December consumerism is a central part of who we are as Americans.  Truth be told, it’s fun to partake in this part of the holiday.

On the other hand, when the celebration of Chanukah becomes exclusively about materialism, we lose a yearly opportunity to bolster our identities and strengthen our community.  The customs and rituals we share are simple, beautiful and designed to help us to proudly connect to our history, our people and our faith during a season when we can feel conspicuously outnumbered and often left out.

Eating latkes, spinning dreidels, lighting candles and reciting the proper blessings have long bonded us in our homes and our communities.  Our rituals and celebrations are different than those of our neighbors, and when we perform them with an intent to remember the stories of our past, these ancient traditions can serve to strengthen our community in the present.

The story of Chanukah from the lens of history is a story which is repeated again and again.  It is as much our story today as it was for our people in 165 BCE.  Chanukah is not only a story of victory over the oppressive forces which threatened our faith and sovereignty, but it is also a story of assimilation and what happens when we as a people begin to lose a sense of the importance and values of our faith.

From the perspective of history, the story we learn in our childhood is never a complete one.  We never really hear that the Jews during the time of the Maccabees were partially responsible for what eventually takes place.  We never really hear that the regime of Antiochus was, in part, the result of a highly assimilated Jewish community who wanted to adopt as much Greek culture as they possibly could.  We never really hear that the Maccabean War was, in part, a civil war which ultimately leads to a period of our history that we would probably like to forget.

While it is true that Maccabees, under the leadership of Judah, were victorious in their courageous fight against the Syrian Hellenists and successful in recapturing Jerusalem and the Temple, what we are never taught is that the Maccabees were zealots.  They were an ultra religious group (not unlike the super zealous militias we see in today’s world).

The real fight of the Maccabees was a fight against assimilation.  Their fight was an aggressive attempt to eradicate a trend that had permeated Jewish society of that time – the gradual deterioration of the Jewish identity because of assimilation into Hellenist society.

When viewed through the lens of real history, the celebration of Chanukah takes on many additional nuances which are important for us today.  There is the nuance embedded in the historical narrative that we cherish and celebrate as we view Chanukah as a holiday celebrating liberation and religious freedom.  There is the nuance which reminds us of the importance of maintaining a sense of who we are and what we value while living in a society dominated by values which may at times compete with our own.  And there is a nuance which warns us against being too zealous in our beliefs.

Each of these nuances to the celebration of Chanukah challenges us to understand this winter celebration in a way which is broader and more meaningful than the simple lesson taught to us in our youth.  While the legend of the miracle of the oil may lift up our spirits and fill our souls during the dark months of winter, history provides us with a lens through which we may examine our present in light of the past.

Beckye joins me in wishing all of you a very Happy Chanukah!

L’Shalom – Steve

Dear Friends –

A Christian friend of mine recently shared the following quote with me as a way of articulating a modern way to consider the theology of the Christmas season and the joyous anticipation of God’s coming into the world through the birth of Jesus.

We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is always needing to be born. ~ Meister Eckhart

From a much broader perspective, this quote from Meister Eckhart rings true for people of all faiths.  God is metaphorically “born” for each of us every time we come to understand God in a new way.  For Christians this process is through Jesus; for Muslims it is through the teachings of Mohamed; for Buddhists it is through the path of the Buddha.

While God is eternally present, our awareness of God’s presence is something that changes all the time.  Spiritual renewal and discovery happens through our own revelatory moments throughout our lives.  When considered from this perspective, God is “born anew” all the time.

One way to consider the “birthing of God” in our lives which is so central to the spirit of this season involves the Jewish concept of Tikun Olam.  Through Tikun Olam (repairing the world) we strive to renew our awareness of God in the world through our actions. In response to poverty, hunger, homelessness and other issues, which cause fissures in the wholeness of the world, Tikun Olam is a Jewish value which drives us to bring God into our lives through the works of our hands. Thus, in the face of all that is strained and unjust in the world today, we have the opportunity to birth acts of love, grace, and kindness into the world every day.

In the spirit of Tikun Olam and the spirit of this season, we have two wonderful Mitzvah Projects for you to consider in the coming weeks.

2^nd Annual Jewish/Muslim Christmas: Last year we gathered at HCRJ.  This year we will gather at a mosque.  Join us for our 2^nd Annual Jewish/Muslim Christmas Program.

During our brief time together we will discuss the challenges of being a minority faith in the broader context of American society.  More details may be found below.  Please RSVP by responding to this email.

Christmas Day at Turning Point Center: This year will be our 7^th annual Christmas Day Lunch Program with the Turning Point Center.  We will gather in the spirit of giving as we serve Christmas lunch and sing Christmas Carols to the residents.  More details may be found below.

Community Service Hours are available to all high school students who attend either of these programs.

Every situation that calls on us to repair the broken world in which we live represents a sacred opportunity for spiritual growth and theological maturation. May our coming together for these and other projects during this season in which our Christian neighbors celebrate the birth of God in their lives provide us with a means through which we too can experience a sense of God born anew.

L’Shalom — Steve

Dear Friends –

 Our unanimous vote to move forward with the construction of our new building on Sunday morning marks a new and extremely exciting chapter in the unfolding history of Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism.  When our founding members established this unique congregation in 1957, they could only have dreamed that one day HCRJ would blossom into the thriving community it has now become.  We are the realization of that dream and the continuation of a Houston based congregation rooted in the tenets of Classical Reform Judaism and committed to fostering a love of learning and a commitment to justice, tolerance and understanding. 

 Throughout the past 54 years, we have continued to build upon the vision of our founders.  In 1973, HCRJ expanded its facility by adding our current sanctuary and social hall, and now we are ready to expand once again.  This endeavor is monumental, and your participation in this effort has been and continues to be central to our ability to live in accordance with the words of our sages:

 “Hayashan Yitchadesh, v’ha-chadash titkadesh”

  May the old be made new and the new be made Holy

 Together we are constructing something that will radically expand our capacity to celebrate, learn and realize the tenets of faith.  As we witness the construction that will be unfolding over the course of the next 10 months, may each of us be filled with a sense of a sacred mission for us and the generations to come. 

Thank you – Steve

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, we read the story of the Tower of Babel.  This ancient tale may be understood as a story about the arrogance of a people set on building a tower in the spirit of self-aggrandizement.  They said to one another:  “Come let us make bricks and burn them hard — and let us build a tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves.”  (Gen. 11:3-4)

As we know from this infamous story, God was so displeased with such egotistical frivolity that God destroyed the tower and scattered the people of Babel all over the face of the earth.  Though set in mythic antiquity, the story of the Tower of Babel is a timeless lesson which is as true today as it ever was.

Building towers of folly, engaging in the aggrandizement of the self, and allowing illusions of grandeur to be our modus operandi can lead us in the building of Babels of our own.  Therefore, it is important to have a well articulated mission before erecting any new edifices in our lives.

At Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, we have spent the past 2 year weaving a well articulated mission into our plans for a new building.  As I write these words, it is a joy to be able to share with you that the dreaming part of our development is now complete, and we are almost ready to break ground. 

But before we can move forward with the building, we need the approval of our membership.

Please join us on Sunday Morning November 6, 2011 for a special congregational meeting.  At this meeting you will have the opportunity to learn about the final plans for the expansion of our facility.  Most importantly, your presence is needed to establish a quorum so the vote we will be taking that day can be kosher according to the by-laws of the congregation. 

Registration for this important meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be accompanied by a nice breakfast.  The meeting will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.

In stark contrast to the Tower of Babel, the buildings we construct for worship, study and service represent our best attempt to weave sanctity and holiness into the fabric of our lives.  Our sanctuaries and synagogues serve to nurture humility and humanity, not arrogance and folly. 

As we set out to expand our facilities at HCRJ, our work is both practical and sacred at the same time.  Our expansion will indeed increase our capacity to serve.  New classrooms and social spaces will enable us to broaden our abilities to celebrate and educate.  Yet, like in ages past, our new building holds the promise of something greater.  For woven into the fabric of what we are creating together is a kind of sermon in stone as our mission is part of our masonry. 

 Please mark November 6^th on your calendar and make every effort to be here that morning to add your voice to the quorum we need to move forward.

L’Shalom – Steve