Blog

Dear Friends,

Here is my video d'var Torah for this week, inspired by Rabbi Amy Eilberg and her book, From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Wisdom and the Pursuit of Peace.  A few of us at CBI have the great privilege of calling Rabbi Amy Eilberg our friend, and she actually visited CBI about 6 years ago and shared her Torah of peacebuilding over Shabbat and during our first season of CBI Cafe.

If you're intrigued by something in the d'var Torah, I'd encourage you to buy her book and read it - it's a resource I return to often.  Even if you don't love this d'var Torah, buy the book anyway.  It's really deeply wise and moving.

Most importantly, I hope you are all staying well and safe, and look forward to connecting with you soon.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Justin David

Shalom Friends,

Here is last week's video d'var Torah.  Sorry it's several days late - I found it a little challenging to get it out before Shabbat, but here's hoping I can get them to you earlier in these winter months especially.

Chodesh Tov - it's Rosh Chodesh Kislev and we had a lovely, if chilly, minyan in person this morning, along with about another 9-10 people streming in.  Hanukkah of course is in a little more than a few weeks and we'll keep you posted as plans shape up.

Most importantly, I hope you're staying well and safe and look forward to being in touch soon.

B'shalom,

Rabbi Justin David

.

Dear Friends,

A couple of days ago, the New York Times ran over two pages “The Anxious Person’s Guide to the 2020 Election.”  Whatever any of us is feeling in the moment, and however much we are working to get out the vote or making efforts to vote ourselves, I imagine that each of us has had our difficult moments.  

At different times in my life when I have experienced the kind of anxiety that has affected my mood, disrupted my thoughts and concentration, and cast a constant cloud over the normal pleasures of life, there has been nothing I yearned for more than to close my eyes and make it go away.  And as a rabbi, in this moment, how I wish for that magic text, or words, or program that can do the same for our community and everyone I care about.  Of course, I will take this moment to urge you to seek professional help if you are struggling to a degree that is unmanageable for you

I do believe in the power of our tradition and our community to inspire and heal, and so  I would like to offer a time to gather as well as some brief thoughts that I hope will help us gain some perspective and, most of all, remind us of the wisdom and strength that is within our midst and our reach.

Erev Election Day Gathering Online, Monday, November 2, 7:00.  After dinner (or bring your dinner), if you’re not calling or texting people to vote, join us for an hour long gathering to pray, sing, and reflect on hope.  We will have an opportunity for a brief evening service to say the Sh’ma and Amidah, look at an inspiring text and sing songs that lift up the soul and our collective yearning for justice.

For this week’s video d’var Torah, I was inspired by the pioneering feminist biblical scholar Savina Teubal, as well as by a New York Times article about Joni Mitchell.  In bringing their words to reflect on Lekh L’kha, I hope we gain a sense of the universal human stories that may lie at the heart of both the revealed and concealed stories in this week’s Torah portion.

Click here for an appreciation of the remarkable life and contributions of Savina Teubal, written by Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell.

For a broader appreciation of democracy, community, and the role of synagogue life, I was inspired by the writing of Maxine Greene, z”l, who was a towering philosopher and for a time the President of Teacher’s College at Columbia University.  Over the years, Maxine Greene developed a relationship with educators at the adjacent Jewish Theological Seminary, where I studied to be a rabbi.  

Greene was a an ardent believer in the kind of “freedom” that allows us to tap into our capacity for wonder and the joy of human solidarity.  Of course, she acknowledges, the forces of marginalization prevent us from understanding and making real our freedom.  However, she said, we also need some “critical distance” to remind ourselves that we have the capacity to think differently, to resist the onslaught of dehumanizing forces, and therefore to act differently.  She says that we might think of freedom as, “...a distinctive way of orienting the self to the possible, of overcoming the determinate, of transcending or moving beyond in the full awareness that such overcoming can never be complete. We might think of freedom as an opening of spaces as well as perspectives, with everything depending on the actions we undertake in the course of our quest…”

For me, community is the place where we create the “opening of spaces” to gain perspective on our lives and society, and also on our internal capacities of wonder, curiosity and the capacity to change.  I am also deeply moved by the notion that the “freedom” we seek - whether through insights from our tradition or the work we pursue - is by nature incomplete.  I don’t think it’s oversimplifying to say that much of Jewish tradition reckons with our sense of incomplete freedom, providing us with texts, rituals and sacred moments to develop perspective wherein we have a taste of freedom as “zekher l’yetziat mitzrayim,” a sense, or memory, of the complete freedom promised by the Exodus toward which we are always working, as the Shabbat and Yom Tov Kiddush reminds us.  A life of mitzvot is therefore a life bringing incomplete “freedom” into greater fullness, chiefly by caring for those who are most vulnerable and uprooting the conditions that lead to oppression, “unraveling the bonds,” as we read on Yom Kippur in Isaiah, Chapter 58.

I have no easy words of reassurance and comfort - the complexity of the times resist them.  But I wholeheartedly believe in the power of our tradition and our community to provide us with guiding wisdom and the inherent hopefulness of human solidarity.

Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom as we seek deeper connections and work toward a world of fuller justice,

Rabbi Justin David

Dear Friends,

I am very much looking forward to the deeply meaningful learning and conversations we will have with our 6-week program beginning this Sunday, “Taking Care: Learning, Reflecting, Discussion and Planning for End of Life.”  I am especially grateful to Rabbi Nancy Flam for conceiving and designing this program, which we both hope provides a needed and helpful service to our community.

The first three sessions are structured as complementary learning sessions, each reinforcing the other.  This Sunday at 10:00, I will teach on the Rabbis’ view of consciousness at the end of life that includes one’s mind state, sense of agency, and perspective on death.  Beginning at 11:15, Nancy will teach on the Vidui, an ancient ritual of atonement before death.  

For more information, please see the description here. 

Most importantly, I hope you will feel drawn to these conversations as part of your ongoing journey toward finding wisdom and depth in our tradition and among our community.  I am happy to share that, through our study for these sessions, Nancy and I are both finding ideas and texts that we have never encountered, and we eager to share and engage in deep dialogue with you.  

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom, and looking forward to studying and talking with you soon.

B’vracha,

Rabbi Justin David

Dear Friends,

As we savor these last beautiful hours of Sukkot, I wanted to send a reminder about our online and in-person gatherings for Sh'mini Atzeret (tomorrow) and Simchat Torah (tomorrow evening and Sunday), culminating in our unrolling of the sefer Torah in our parking lot on Sunday at 12:30.  

Sh’mini Atzeret, beginning tonight, (Friday at 6:00 PM), will be all online.

Tomorrow morning at 9:30, we will gather for Sh’mini Atzeret as we typically do on Shabbat, with additional time for Yizkor, chanting from Ecclesiastes and Geshem (prayer for the rainy season) afterwards.  As we will also sing Hallel, Talmud study will begin at about 10:10 instead of the usual 10:00.   Here is the link to the texts for tomorrow's study.

Erev Simchat Torah Singing Online - Saturday Evening, October 10, 6:30 PM - Join us online to celebrate this year of study during unprecedented times by singing and reading from the final parashah of the Torah.  Although we won’t dance, we will most definitely sing, and we take requests!!

Simchat Torah In Person AND Online - Sunday, October 11, 9:30 AM - Join us for an in-person service that we will simultaneously make available online.  Following Shacharit and Hallel, we will finish reading the Torah as we make time for joyous singing and begin again!  Please note that we will have amplification for this service and it will be broadcast on Zoom.  Stay to the end and enjoy our Covid-safe kiddush!!

Please register for the in-person service by following this link.

In-Person, Socially-Distant Unrolling of the Torah - Sunday, October 11, 12:30 PM - As we did for the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, we invite families and anyone who would like to join us in the CBI parking lot as we behold the entire Torah in one gaze.  Perhaps we will take some moments to chant from beloved sections we know (10 Commandments, Song of the Sea, Priestly Blessing, favorite b’nei mitzvah portions) and sing as well.  Covid-safe, individually wrapped snacks will be available.

Looking forward to connecting with you over these final days of Z'man Simchatenu, the Season of our Joy, even in this unprecedented time.  

Shanah Tovah and Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Justin David

Dear Friends,

While Felicia and I certainly felt the absence of everyone’s physical presence on Rosh Hashanah, having the camera trained on us was a constant reminder that you were with us remotely, and once we began, we felt as if you were there with us.  

As we look ahead to Yom Kippur, there are a number of features that will remain the same, as they seemed to work well for Rosh Hashanah.  At the same time, given that there are some important differences, I wanted to give you some idea of what to expect for Yom Kippur.

As for that which will remain the same, we will begin the morning with a half hour of meditation framed by morning blessings and Psalms; Shacharit (morning service) will feature primarily singing; and once again we will offer an interactive Torah study session at the time when we would normally have the Torah service.  That being said, we have also paid close attention to some features of Yom Kippur that merit special consideration.

1. Kol Nidre - Much of Kol Nidre will remain the same: the beautiful singing of Kol Nidre by Felicia, my D’var Torah, and the service that follows.  However, the second half of the service, after the silent Amidah that includes the Slichot (poems and verses for reflection), will be tailored to maximize an experience of participation.  The result is that this section of the service should move along at a faster pace and end a little earlier than usual. 

2. Silent Amidah throughout - The Yom Kippur Amidah includes confessions (Ashamnu, Al Cheyt) that we also sing publicly, and the counterpoint between the two gives one the opportunity both for an inward as well as a collective experience.  With this in mind, we will bring the fully silent Amidah back for all Yom Kippur services.

3.    Prayers for Healing and Yizkor - These will occur after the interactive Torah study, at the time they normally would.  Following a format similar to Rosh Hashanah, we will offer prayers for people in need of healing, as well as some brief reflections on the work of tikkun (repair) in our community and society.  Then, we will take some time to recite Yizkor for loved ones, friends and members of our community, ending with the Mourners Kaddish.

4.  Musaf, Minchah and Ne’ilah - With the opportunity for a fully silent Amidah, Musaf (which includes U’ne Tane Tokef), will be similar to our historic practice.  However, to accommodate being on screens, Felicia and I decided to lead the Seder ha-Avoda (Service of the Kohen Gadol) differently, replacing the traditional format with selections from the Machzor that allow for more community interaction and participation.

Minchah and Ne’ilah will take place as if everyone were together.  I will chant from the Torah scroll, albeit without a minyan for the purposes of study, and I will also chant the Book of Jonah as the Haftarah.  After Ne’ilah, as always, I will sound the Shofar with a Tekia Gedolah, a fitting end as we emerge from this Day of Atonement renewed for the year.

Wishing everyone a G’mar Hatimah Tovah, a time of being sealed for a year of health and blessings,

Shanah Tovah,

Rabbi Justin David

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder that tonight, after our Erev Rosh Hashanah services at 6:30, we will have a festive and joyous Rosh Hashanah Seder at 7:30. Below is part of the original letter with advice for what foods to assemble and some background material.  Look forward to seeing you there!!

Check out this "teaser video" we made earlier in the week featuring yours truly and, I must say, a decent Tekia on the Shofar!

Here’s an excerpt from the original letter:

For our seder after services on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, feel free to assemble a variety of fruits and vegetables (list below) over which we will recite blessings for the New Year, each blessing playing off of the name or some quality of the food (hence a “sweet year” with apples and honey).  

I also hope you bring a food of your own over which you will invent your own pun and blessing to share with the group (e.g. may we have a “plum good year!” Or may this year bring a “raise-in” your good fortune! - I’m sure you’ll come up with much better ones!).

Here is a list of some traditional foods you may want to have handy, and they can be prepared in any style you wish (raw, cooked, pickled, sweetened, etc.):

Wine or grape juice for kiddush

A cup of water and bowl for netilat yadayim (ritual hand washing)

Challah (for motzi)

Pomegranate

Dates

String Beans

Head vegetable (lettuce, melon, etc.)

Pumpkin or squash

Leeks, chives or scallions

Carrots

Beets, spinach, or swiss chard

Fish, or something reminiscent of a fish (Swedish fish counts!)

And of course...apples and honey!

Our seder should last about 20 minutes or so,

I have included here some materials about the Rosh Hashana Seder for some background. I will be creating a text that fits our purposes for our community, and of course, if you would rather celebrate a Rosh Hashanah seder offline, please feel free to draw on these materials and use them as you would like.

Here is a beautiful and in-depth article on the Rosh Hashanah seder by Rachel Musleach, courtesy of My Jewish Learning.

For a text of the Rosh Hashanah Seder in Hebrew, English and Farsi, take a look at this document shared with me by our own Nili Simhai, which she uses in her own family - be sure to scroll down about a page once you click on the link.  

And here is a very full Rosh Hashana Seder prepared by the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative Judaism.

Looking forward to celebrating and bringing in the blessings of the New Year with you!

Shanah Tovah,

Rabbi Justin David

Need a shareable and editable document…

Dear Friends,

It has been heartwarming to see so many of you at CBI over the last couple of days as we distributed High Holy Day packages. We are opening one last distribution window this Friday, September 18 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. There is no need to register in advance. Come to the CBI parking lot and we will provide you with everything you need to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. CBI board members and volunteers (pre-screened and wearing masks and gloves) will place the following items in the trunk of your car:

• A copy of our 5781 High Holy Day Guide (includes service and program schedule)
• Machzorim (high holiday prayer books) for you to borrow and return after Yom Kippur
• A sweet holiday gift from CBI
• A paper shopping bag to fill and return to CBI as part of our food drive to benefit the Northampton Survival Center
• Shofarot (for those who reserved them)
• Siddurim (prayer books for Shabbat and holidays) for you to borrow if you'd like.

PLUS

• Abundance Farm Round Challah. I'm thrilled to share that our Abundance Farm Bakery is preparing to bake traditional round challot for Rosh Hashanah. Quantity is limited; reserve yours here. Pick up will be in the CBI parking lot this Friday from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

Finally, you may still have questions about how the High Holy Days will work this year. Below, please find answers to some frequently asked questions. 

Wishing you and your family a sweet, healthy, and safe new year.

Warmly.

Emily

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will I receive the link to access Rosh Hashanah services?

The CBI office will email all CBI members (and guests who have registered) with the link on Thursday, September 17.

What if the link doesn't work? We had technical difficulties with [insert name of Zoom program here].

The link has already been tested, and it works! On Thursday we will also share a phone number that you can call throughout the High Holy Days if you run into any challenges with technology. We will have staff and volunteers on standby for you.

When do I return the machzor that I borrowed?

Please plan to return your machzor to CBI on Tuesday, September 29 (the day after Yom Kippur) between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. We will have volunteers on hand to assist with contact-free returns.

When can I return my Food Drive bag to CBI? Also, I heard that the Survival Center is not taking food donations.

You can return your filled grocery bag to the entryway vestibule at CBI any time that is convenient for you between now September 30. You're welcome to drop it off while returning your machzor. We have been in touch with the Survival Center and they will accept our donations after our volunteers have safely sorted them at CBI. Want to help with sorting? Let us know!

How do I sign up for my (or my family's) private moment in the CBI sanctuary?

Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we are welcoming community members into the CBI sanctuary for 15-minute time slots for private prayer and reflection. We will be sharing the sign-up form and more information about how this will work in the coming days. 

When and where is tashlikh? Will we be able to gather in person?

Our communal tashlikh will be on Sunday, September 20, the second day of Rosh Hashanah, from 1:00-4:00pm. We will begin at CBI and walk to Child's Park. You can begin any time you want. Instructions can be found on the CBI blog here.

What is the deadline to submit names for the Yizkor Book?

Please submit names of loved ones for our Yizkor Book of Remembrance by filling out our online form here. We suggest a minimum donation of $10 per name. The deadline for submissions is September 18.

How do I order a Lulav & Etrog set? 

You can order your lulav & etrog set directly through our website by clicking here. Sets cost $40 each. Please place your order by September 25.

Dear Friends,

I am very excited and hopeful to send this first of three or so letters before Rosh Hashanah as an invitation to consider how we make this season meaningful in this unprecedented time.  

Here is a Google form that I hope you will look at and, if you would like, fill out to contribute your voice and perspective to our prayer services.

Central to our High Holiday services are prayers for healing and wholeness before the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah, and the public confessions of Ashamnu and Al Chet on Yom Kippur.   

This year, Felicia and I saw that we have an opportunity to bring your presence into the online prayer experience by inviting you to anonymously share your reflections on experiences from the past year, as well as concerns, hopes and aspirations for the year ahead.  We will then draw on your anonymous responses and weave them into our service, particularly during our communal prayers for healing on Rosh Hashanah as well as the confessions on Yom Kippur 

If this sounds meaningful to you, please feel free to look at the questions in the form and respond as you wish to any or all of them. In addition to helping to create our service together, we hope that answering these questions is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the past year as well as the year ahead.  Of course, if you do not wish to participate, or to respond to these questions for your quiet reflection only, that is absolutely fine.

Thank you for taking the time, and I hope you are staying safe and well.

B'shalom,

Rabbi Justin David