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Dear Central Great Lakes,
This weekend we may witness the launch of Artemis 1 and a new moon exploration program. It’s been a long time between moon shots – fifty years. A long time between dreams.
The vision for the Artemus 1 program is extraordinary: to establish the first long-term human presence on the moon, moon-launch an orbiting space station, and construct a base-camp on the moon’s surface. This launch is the first small step toward the realization of these dreams. Nonetheless, it soars with a palpable hope. A new excitement is in the air!
Why? Perhaps because there’s a connection between dreams and hope and art and
science. A thread that can give substance to our wishes and strengthen our resilience to pursue the possibilities that life gifts us. And this connection occurs where you least
expect it.
Do you remember when Maya Angelou dedicated a poem, “A Brave and Startling
Truth,” for the Orion space mission in 2016? Her inspiring words gave wings to our hope for peace, which, she noted, “lies, sometimes hidden, in every heart.” Her words became an inspiration of hope for the unknown future in our own galaxy of life. The truth she highlighted was “…we, the people…we are the possible.”
Carl Sagan was inspired by a landmark photograph of the earth as seen by the
Voyager. It was the first time we saw the earth -- its beauty -- from the outer reaches of
the solar system. It was a wonder-filled picture. Sagan called it “a pale blue dot …a
mote of dust suspended on a sunbeam.” And with this, our dramatic vulnerability in the
cosmic order was now before us.
Yet, as vulnerable as we are in this grand scheme of things, it’s always balanced with
the excitement of the possible. Clearly, Sagan helped define our place in the cosmic
order not as something separate from, or superior to, nature, but as a tiny pixel-like part of it -- imbued with equal parts humility, responsibility, and possibility.
Rather lofty aspirations in this cosmic role of ours? Perhaps. The responsibility is ours.
We know that to be a Jew is to take personal responsibilty for our role in the unfolding drama of our lives, that of our community, that of our world. Writing this job description is a sobering thought.
But the power of one for good is real. And Torah is our guide along our way.
We’re reminded in this week’s parsha, Shoftim, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue...”
Alternatively: “Righteousness, righteousness, you shall pursue…” How to follow the
written Torah law of Sinai is contained in this commandment. It’s the job description we
seek! Our responsibilities are many: from loving our fellow man and concern for social
justice, to caring about social action and sustaining this fragile blue dot we call home.
But it’s not rocket science. Simply, to be a Jew is to embrace social justice. As modern Conservative Jewish women, this commitment means to be aware of laws; to analyze different approaches to social issues; to learn how social justice is administered; and understand who is vulnerable. Social responsibility also includes an awareness and watchfulness of our environment and its vulnerability. To pursue righteousness is to learn and then to act when necessary. Indifference is not an option.
Abraham Heschel, z”l, wrote that ultimately the metric upon which our moral worth is
measured remains whether or not we declare ourselves stakeholders in the moral health of society. Women's League and CGLR are stakeholders!
Our commitment to social justice is reflected in the opportunities we offer to engage in
advocacy programs and resolutions that support the ideals and causes that are
important to Conservative Jewish women; from gun control, voters’ rights and human
trafficking to Women’s Right to Choose and so much more.
Here are some program notes along these lines:
* Sunday, September 11, CGLR partners with our Affiliate at Congregation Kol
Emeth, Skokie, IL, to present a program on WL’s advocacy: Public Policy & Social
Action; Women's League, Affiliated Sisterhoods, and Resolutions.
* Ukraine Advocacy: In partnership with WL, Masorti Olami, and Midwest
Schechter, CGLR continues to create awareness, provide updates, and support
Ukraine.
* Sunday, October 2, Reverse Tashlich: We’re raising awareness of and
reinforcing the urgent moral imperative to protect the aquatic environment.
* Project Stock the Shelves: An on-going WL/CGLR initiative to donate food to
local food pantries and help reduce food insecurity among our neighbors.
Our new Torah Fund campaign, Hazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous defines
our spirit for the year ahead, inspiring us to embrace all these possibilities to engage.
We may be a tiny pixel-like part of the universe – but we are a mighty force to do good
along the way and make our lives a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pamela Schlosberg
Central Great Lakes Region President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
847.433.7546 (h); 847.691.8991 (c)
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