Shabbat Shalom from TBE

Shabbat Shalom

from

Temple Beth El

Deadline to complete the TBE Survey is
this Monday, May 15.

Click on this link to complete the TBE survey.

Thank you for your feedback.

Friday, May 12, 2017 / 16 Iyar, 5777

Parashat Emor Leviticus 21:1-24:33

Dear Friends,

Last week I shared some thoughts following my return from the Consultation on Conscience, a three day public policy and advocacy conference sponsored by the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism.

A week later, I am still thinking about discussions from the Consultation, including the intersection of religion and politics in temple life (which was addressed as well earlier this week at the first annual Catholic-Jewish Women's Dialogue of the South Bay, a one day conference organized in part by our own Marla Shwarts). What is appropriate for a rabbi to say and refrain from saying from the bimah? What is the appropriate role of a synagogue when it comes to advocacy? When should a synagogue endorse pieces of state and federal legislation? When should it protest? How do we create an environment where different perspectives can be discussed thoughtfully and respectfully?

These are important questions. While I do not and will not promote one candidate or party over the other, I do share Jewish texts, teachings and values that help us better understand important public policy issues of our day as seen through a Jewish lens.

This week I came across a thoughtful d'var Torah by Rabbi Richard Address who is the Founder and Director of www.JewishSacredAging.com. He comments on the verse in this week's portion, Emor, which reads, "And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger, I the Eternal One am Your God." (Lev. 23:22). Noticing this commandment to leave some of the harvest behind for those who are lacking, Rabbi Address then asks the question (which he connects gently to the current debate on access to health care), "Does society have a moral obligation to provide that which is lacking to those in need?" The remainder of his d'var Torah explores this serious contemporary concern (how do we provide for the least among us, especially access to health care?) through the lens of an ancient text and modern Jewish commentaries as well.

This model that Address applies in his d'var Torah guides our public policy discussion and advocacy. We ask "what does Jewish tradition teach about this issue?" Then we explore its many dimensions. When I read the Torah and study Jewish texts, I see clearly values that bolster our society-our responsibility for the least among us; giving tzedakah to help them; making sure our elderly or infirm loved ones are cared for; loving the stranger because we were once strangers. I know, too, that others read the same texts differently. When we come together to engage in sacred dialogue that explores issues through a Jewish lens then great conversations can happen.

Please read Rabbi Address' d'var Torah, review the Religious Action Center website, and join us for our Shabbat service tonight when Randy Ross will offer reflections on her experience at the Consultation on Conscience. If you'd like to learn more about ways to be involved in discussions or advocacy work with other temple folks, please let me know.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Charles Briskin

Refuah Sh'leimah

For those recovering from an illness:

Barbara Mozlin

Vivian Rigler

Jack Lebental

Irene Tyson

Elaine Grove

Beth Wahba
David Shneer
Andy Kauffman
Howard Uller
Wendy Waterman
Marty Herman
Jackie Grossman

To add a name to this list, please contact the TBE Office. We will not add names until we are notified by the family. Thank you.

Upcoming Services

Can't make it to services? Watch from the comfort of your own home!

Temple Beth El now offers LIVE STREAM of our services.

Live streaming is available through www.youtube.com and then search: TempleBethElSanPedroLiveStream
or click here to go directly to the link.

Friday, May 12

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with Torah reading

Celebrating adult birthdays and anniversaries with an aliyah to the Torah. Randy Ross will share her reflections from her recent trip to Washington D.C. for the Religious Action Center's Consultation on Conscience. Alissa Wagner will chant Torah.

Saturday, May 13

9:30 a.m. Lay-Led Shabbat Shaharit (morning) Service

9:30 a.m. Discussion on a Jewish topic

10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Noon Potluck Kiddush lunch

Friday, May 19

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service of Confirmation
Join our TBE family as we honor this year's Confirmands for completing their years of Torah School study:
Adam Paul, Alissa Wagner and Eden Zafran.

Saturday, May 20

10:00 a.m. Meditation Service

Friday, May 26

6:30 p.m. Musical Shabbat Service

Featuring the Moody Jews.

Saturday, May 27

10:00 a.m. Torah on the Trails walking Royal Palms County Beach

Drive Western Avenue to the southern end, make a left turn onto Paseo del Mar, and drive 0.2 miles. Meet near the parking kiosk, which is on the ocean side of the street. Street parking is allowed on the right side of the street past the entrance to the parking lot.

*Tuesday, May 30 at TBE

Tikkun Leil Shavuot-A Night to Take Hold of Torah

6:45 p.m. Festival Service & Yizkor

7:30 p.m. Erev Shavuot Study & Discussion

Join us at 6:45 p.m. as we worship together with a Festival Service. Special prayers of Yizkor (Remembrance) will be recited. Please contact Rabbi Briskin directly if you would like the name of a loved one added to the Yizkor list.

Then at 7:30 p.m. join Rabbis Briskin and Schuldenfrei, with our friends from Congregation Ner Tamid, for an evening of study and discussion on Jewish texts. Dairy dessert reception with follow. Please RSVP to Carrie in the TBE Office so we can plan accordingly.

Shoe Drive

Ends May 31!

We are collecting any lightly used men's, women's, and/or children's shoes and NEW (unworn) socks to benefit Shoes for the Homeless, Inc., a 501 (c)3 charitable corporation, whose mission is to provide shoes, free of charge, to the homeless and those in need in our local community.

Donation Bins are located in the lobby
next to the elevator.

We hope to see you soon at Temple Beth El.

Find us on the web at: www.bethelsp.org

Call the office for more information: 310-833-2467
Or drop by for a visit: 1435 W. 7th Street, San Pedro 90732