Dear Friends,
Nice to be back in Memphis after a week in Maryland.
I enjoyed spending time with Sherri and my siblings and their families, and had a wonderful time at a rabbinic conference as well.
This was an interdenominational gathering of rabbis - Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Renewal rabbis were present.There was much talk about the future of Jewish life in America, how we could support each other in our work, how to spread our messages on social media, and how we as rabbis should respond to the new political realities in America.
We rabbis are struggling with the question of how political we can or ought to be. In a normal election season, many congregational rabbis avoid politics, while some dive in headfirst. I think you'll all agree this was hardly a normal election season, and the first weeks of the new administration have given rise to any number of questions rabbis could discuss if they so choose.
And yet, there is perhaps some value to be had around the separation of synagogue and state. You all know that I tend to avoid discussing politics, and not just because we have members from all across the political spectrum, or because i have too many colleagues who've been fired for speaking up. Mostly I keep silent because the political world is full of such divisiveness that I fear it would pollute our shul if we (or I) talked about politics too much around here. I want our shul to be a place where everyone feels at home, regardless of ideology, belief, sexual orientation, financial status, etc.
And yet, if we believe that we are teachers of wisdom and heirs to a prophetic tradition that encourages us to lead better lives and to take care of all members of society, how can we NOT talk about politics? In a time when civil discourse and respect for the fundamental building blocks of American democracy have been thrown aside, how can we not speak up in favor of our beliefs?
And on the other hand, freedom of the pulpit only goes so far, and my job is not to tell you what to think or who to vote for.
In my last rabbis message I shared that I was uncomfortable watching the inauguration. One of our members responded that as the rabbi of a synagogue whose members stretched across political lines, my personal political opinion was neither desired nor warranted. And she has a fair point. Admittedly, I thought about not writing about the inauguration for fear of offending someone. On the other hand, how could I NOT talk about the inauguration? The email suggested that as a Jewish leader, I should be more focused on the fact that our new president wants to move the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.
I found that interesting. Should rabbis only be concerned about "what's good for the Jews" and Israel? Is there a role for rabbis to play around American democratic issues? I welcome your thoughts on this.
It seems to me that most people either don't want their rabbis to talk politics so that they can stay "above the fray" and be able to serve all their congregants (though the assumption that we can't serve people whose political vies differ from ours is a deeply troubling one in my opinion), or people DO want their rabbis to talk politics, but only so long as the rabbis agree with whatever they happen to think! Clearly, we're not all going to agree on every political issue.
I do think the separation of church and state is a good idea, and one Israel would benefit from embracing. Clearly, many American churches have blurred the lines, with unfortunately little consequences from the IRS, who are supposed to be monitoring such activity. In theory nonprofits that talk politics can have their nonprofit status revoked. Then again, if the National Football League can be a nonprofit, clearly our tax system needs some work (oops, I think that was a political statement!)
For the record, I think there is absolutely a role for people of faith to play in shaping American democracy. I respect my colleagues who get involved politically, and I also respect those who don't. It's not an easy decision to make, and there are unfortunate repercussions either way.
As for me, I will continue to mostly avoid talking about politics while I'm still your rabbi. I don't see it as my role, though where politics affects who we are as Jews I may address individual situations.
Regardless, I think the question of which political candidate is good for the Jews is not the best approach to choosing a candidate.
I want a candidate and political leaders who are good for America. Yes, obviously I want people who are good for the Jews, and I want someone who will fix what needs fixing in the US for all who live here.
I'm also aware that while I certainly have opinions, I don't have all the answers, and my personal political opinion is only my own view.
Even if I do mention a political viewpoint, I wouldn't ever expect everyone to agree with me on it. I don't always even agree with myself! The question about moving the Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is one such question.
On the one hand, some Jews feel that not recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is deeply offensive. On the other hand, the world has essentially recognized west Jerusalem as Israel's capital so why would moving the embassy mean anything? And in reality the US has a consulate in Jerusalem and the embassy in Tel Aviv. One idea I've heard discussed is they'll just switch the two buildings, and the consulate will become the embassy and vice versa. Is that worth angering much of the Arab world? To be honest, compared to all of the challenges Israel and the US face these days, this feels like the bottom of the priority list. Given the fragile state of the planet, I can't find it in me to care whether the embassy is in Tel Aviv or in Jerusalem.
I care about this great country of ours and I want it to succeed, regardless of whoever is in a leadership position. Do I think Jewish wisdom can be a part of the healing of this country? Absolutely.
Do I want religion to be a part of the solution? Of course. The challenge is that religion can be used in all sorts of unhelpful ways, and when politics and religion mix, all too often the results are disastrous. Is there a better way? I certainly hope so.
I'd love to hear from you - how involved do you think religious leaders should be in American political discourse? Do you want me to share more of either my own personal views or my understanding of how Jewish tradition can inspire us to live our lives even as that relates to our country? What advice would you give to my colleagues struggling to find their own voice?
Whatever you believe and however you voted, I hope this upcoming Shabbat is one of peace and healing for us all. In a time of such polarization, I am more and more grateful for the gift of Shabbat, which allows us to decompress from it all.
This Shabbat of course is David Sabin's Bar Mitzvah, and we hope to see you tomorrow for his special day.
Please note there will be no Starbucks Shabbat this week.
Of course, there are not enough words to describe our sadness at the loss of Herb Notowich, who has been a fixture at Beth Sholom for so many years. Shiva minyans will take place Sunday and Monday at 5:15 pm at Scott and Jill Notowich's house. Monday night minyan at 6 pm will happen here at Beth Sholom as well, and I know Herb would've wanted the minyan he shepherded for so many years to continue on without him. My thanks to those stepping up to make it happen.
It's not too late to call the office and rsvp for the Path of the Mensch course I discussed in last week's rabbi's message. We can all use more learning around values and how to become our best selves. I do hope you'll join us. Please call the office to rsvp.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan
