Dear Friends,
It's nice to be back in Memphis after a wonderful week with my colleagues.
I enjoyed learning, studying, praying, and making music with good friends, and seeing five friends be ordained was a beautiful sight as well.
I always get a little ferklempt at the ordinations - it's truly lovely to see people reach the end of their studies, be blessed by teachers and friends, and feel imbued by God's presence for the journey ahead. Hard to believe it's been five years since my own ordination!
Of course, there was much talk about today's inauguration of President Trump. Some of my colleagues flew to Washington to be part of the protest march. Others are participating in protests where they live. Some are cautiously optimistic that our new President will do good work for the country.
I'm obviously not hear to invite anyone to pick sides or to tell you how to think.
I share my colleagues hopes that our President succeed, even despite his and our flaws.
And while during most years I would have sat and watched the pomp and circumstance, this year I couldn't do it. Like many of you, I'm deeply troubled by the state of our democracy. I can only hope our worst fears won't be realized. I know that sometimes the most unlikely people are capable of bringing about great change. Does the office make the President or does the President make the office? Probably a bit of both.
These will be difficult times for our country, regardless of which party you belong to or support. The level of polarization is extreme. We have forgotten how to talk civilly with each other. What passes for news is too often just sound bytes read by professionals who think the only way to build themselves is to tear others down.
I believe in our country, and I am heartened by all speaking up in favor of our principles.
As for me, I studied Torah this morning, and then I had lunch with Bishop Holley, Memphis's new Catholic Bishop. I wanted to wish him well in his work here, and I offered to support him however I could. We clearly don't agree on every issue, and we don't need to. Too many of us live in bubbles of isolation, only listening to the same news and TV shows as our friends. While understandable, I find it incredibly valuable to be able to learn from and with even those I disagree with on key issues. The Bishop and I hope to continue being in touch. I certainly hope we do.
In my Torah study this morning, my colleague and I are studying the commentary of Avivah Zornberg, a brilliant contemporary Israeli commentator. In the section we studied, she talked about suffering and silence and anonymity. Some of our ancestors who played key roles in the liberation of our people were anonymous or silent. Moses is an anonymous Hebrew born to anonymous parents and only named by Pharaoh's daughter (who herself is not named in Torah).
What is the proper response to suffering? Our ancestors were silent for a long time, and then when they finally cried out to God, they were liberated.
Should we take actions into our own hands, as Moses did while killing the egyptian? Should we sit back and let others be in charge?
Should we throw up our hands and accept whatever comes our way?
Or should we be silent until we have something to say?
There's no right way or wrong way to answer this question.
Like every Jewish question, the answer is, it depends on the situation.
Of course, there are good organizations on all sides of the political spectrum helping to ensure the continued strengths of American democracy.
They need our support, as do our legislators who stand up for justice and fairness for all.
As for me, after a long, painful election season, I'm opting for some silence.
I'm not sure what there is to say that hasn't already been said. Sometimes words get in the way. On the other hand, I also believe that our country is in desperate need of leaders who can help us heal and move forward.
It's easy (sometimes) to be silent or to complain - who of us will be the next Moses, calling us all to move out of our slaveries and into lives of freedom and connection? We don't have to be Moses, of course, but all of us can help.
I truly hope that our leaders lead with the best interests of the American people and the world, and that we all call ourselves to greater levels of involvement for truth, justice, freedom, and peace. Let us become the leaders we are looking for, and let us all continue doing what we can on behalf of our wonderful country. I invite us all to share our hopes and dreams for the next years in our country's life. And then, let's do what we can to make them happen.
Please join us tomorrow morning for the baby naming baby Lejman, the newest member of the community.
We'd also love to see you next Wednesday the 25th at 7 pm to hear Amal Elsana Alh'jooj speak about Building a Shared Society in Israel: Challenges and Opportunities. My thanks to Penina for organizing our Israel speaker series.
Speaking of Penina, like many of you, I was saddened to learn of Penina's decision to leave Beth Sholom and move back to Philadelphia. Penina has been an invaluable resource at Beth Sholom for the last few years, and our youth, family, and educational programming have grown exponentially under her leadership. Penina, we'll miss you, and hope moving back to Philly is the right next step for you on your journey. Our next Director of Congregational Learning has big shoes to fill! We thank you for all your hard work for Beth Sholom these last few years.
My thanks to the hard-working rabbinic search committee and the newly-forming Director of Congregational learning search committee for their time and efforts. I know there is a lot of change happening for Beth Sholom. I also know that we have great leadership teams here who will continue guiding us forward. Let's be sure to acknowledge them for their hard work!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan
