Reflections on Playing with Fire: Fear and Love from Parashat Tzav and AIPAC Policy Conference 2016 by Rabbi Aaron S. Weininger ![]() Don’t play with fire. We grew up with this warning and tell it to our kids. But for our ancestors wandering in the desert, offering animal sacrifices, it didn’t really apply. Parashat Tzav jumps right into the ritual of the “olah,” the burnt offering, the sacrifice that was offered over a fire that had to remain burning all the time. The olah offering was never eaten and it was most accessible to all Israelites, rich and poor, because the offering could come from a range of animal choices. ![]() By Deb Savitt A forty-four minute flight from Miami is all it takes to be transported into a postcard from some other time and place. As Cuba’s closest neighbor, the U.S. border may be close, but—completely isolated from one another—our daily lives could not be more different. ![]() by Evan Stern, Development Director If you’re interested in happenings at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, or you are active in the pro-Israel community, you are probably aware of Tuesday’s MSA (Minnesota Student Association) special forum to vote on two resolutions of major importance to the Jewish and pro-Israel communities. The student group, Students for Justice in Palestine recently introduced a measure that would require the University to divest pension funds from certain companies that do business with the Israel Defense Forces. In response to this resolution, Students Supporting Israel introduced its own resolution condemning anti-Semitism on campus and urging the University to adopt the US State Department definition of anti-Semitism. ![]() By Cantor Scott Buckner Our synagogue and community is blessed by the presence of many devoted volunteers. At this time I would like to highlight a dedicated group of leaders who keep our daily services running with their love of Torah and davening. These members of Adath read Torah and/or lead services every week at our daily minyan with great skill, loving presence and commitment to our synagogue. They go above and beyond, by making their participation a regular commitment and taking responsibility for leading the service on a particular day and time every week. ![]() by Rabbi Lauren Kurland Shabbat Shalom! First off, I want to thank you all for arranging for a heat wave on the weekend of February 19! Seriously, I saw that it was something like 6 degrees at one point last week, and I wasn’t sure what to make of that number! So thank you for the figurative and literal warm welcome. Not that I should talk weather, however. I’m coming to you from Seattle, where they sell T-shirts at Pike Place Market that say, “Seattle: Rainy season--January 1 to December 31.” And while that’s not *totally* true, Seattle does leave you with a distinct sense of being damp for six months straight. No amount of fleece or Gore-Tex can really keep it out all season long. Believe me, I’ve tried. ![]() Adath is joining the Food Fight—the fight against hunger—by supporting Minnesota FoodShare. Our congregation supports three local food shelves, ICA in Minnetonka, STEP in St. Louis Park, and PRISM in Golden Valley. In this food fight, everyone wins because the FoodShare March Campaign, is the largest annual statewide food and fund drive. ![]() By Kim Gedan This is one small step for all Jews, one giant leap for an inclusive and pluralistic Judaism! During the Adath Jeshurun and Magen Avraham Skype session on February 14, the the group discussed Israel’s two major historic decisions. For the first time in the history of the State of Israel, non-Orthodox Judaism has achieved formal status in our holiest of places – the Kotel. This is a major milestone that we cannot take for granted when the State of Israel runs according to traditional Judaism. Where Reform and Conservative Judaism isn’t acknowledged or existed until now. ![]() By Sari Lederman, Mother of the Bride When my daughter got engaged and we started planning her wedding she had one request. She wanted to keep as much at the synagogue as possible. Even though she did not grow up at Adath and was now living out of town, we knew somehow we needed to incorporate Bnai Emet and Adath into her wedding day. We met first with Bernie and asked him if he thought Beth and her staff could handle such an event and how many people the synagogue could hold. We also talked about what is at Adath that came over from Bnai Emet. We discussed timing and staff that would be available for us that day. We also addressed that the bride and groom did not live in Minnesota, so all planning would be taking place long distance and I would be the point person. Bernie was honest in his response and really helped everyone feel confident that it was doable. ![]() by Kim Gedan, co-chair Adath Israel Committee On January 31, the Israeli government legally sanctioned an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall. Israel has recognized the rights of all Jews to worship at the Kotel, regardless of denomination. A prayer for Jewish pluralism has been answered! ![]() by Kara Rosenwald I am excited that Rabbi Kurland coming to Adath for the weekend. My family is looking forward to sharing a special Shabbat with other families that have children the same age as our son and daughter. I like that there are different programs planned, geared towards families in different age groups. Since we have a 3rd grader and a 6th grader, Saturday morning and Saturday evening look like they will offer two different conversations that we are looking forward to being part of. Our 3rd grader will be in Havaya that morning and our 6th grader will be in SMP. Also, we plan on participating in the lunch time discussion after services. |
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