Planning for Summer!
Community Shabbat Hike to Waitawheta in the Karangahake Gorge, see "What's New at Beth Shalom".
A strong, vibrant community with a spiritual heart embracing Jewish life and its diversity.
(ISSN 1177-2352)
Opinions expressed in Teruah do not necessarily represent the views of Beth Shalom Board of Management.
Affiliated with the Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ)
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PO Box 26 052, Epsom, Auckland 1344, New Zealand
Tel: 09 524 4139 Fax: 0282 552 3027
Office: Christine O’Brien office@bethshalom.org.nz
Website: www.bethshalom.org.nz
Executive
Board members and portfolios
I have been sitting here working on this message for way too long now. Maybe it is because it is cold out and I have the fire going. Maybe it is because it is the longest night of the year. Maybe it is because I just wrote a message to the community yesterday and I don’t want to repeat myself. Maybe it is because there are just so many things going on in the world that this message seems small. Maybe it is because I don’t know just how many people actually read this anyway. After waffling off in many directions, I think I’ll direct this message to joy. It seems something that there is just not quite enough of in the news right now (bar the arrival of the Prime Minister’s new baby girl!).
Several years ago I was attending a chapel service out at St Kentigern College. I quite like listening to the Reverend out there as he directs his sermons to the students - always making a point that is relevant to their lives. This particular sermon was on the difference between being happy and being joyful. It has stuck with me for all of these years, so I figure it must be worth sharing.
Reverend Smith started by exploring the idea of happiness. Most people said what they wanted out of life was to be happy. He then pointed out that when people’s lives didn’t go the way they planned, when happiness wasn’t achieved, that these same people were often found to blame others for their lack of happiness. He argued that happiness was a byproduct of “things.” Your puppy could make you happy, but then it might chew up your shoes and you wouldn’t be so happy anymore. It would be the puppy’s fault. Money could make you happy because it could buy you stuff you wanted. But money could run out or that stuff might cost more than you have. Not happy again thanks to “the Man,” or the IRD or any other number of organisations that limited your disposable income. It is easy to see that the opposite of happy is sad.
But joy was something that came from within. It was an outlook. An attitude. Nobody could take joy away from you. It was always yours to cherish and share with others. It wasn’t dependent on anything external. You could find joy in the tiniest of G-d’s miracles or the most spectacular. This idea spoke to me and I’ve never forgotten it.
So, tapping into my desire to be joyful, I will point out that the days are now getting longer; that the fireplace has warmed up my house nicely; that there have been many babies born since I started writing this; and that you just finished reading my message so it was worth writing after all.
B’shalom, Debbie
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING A NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM FOR THE TZEDAKAH BOX.
Leah Jacobs and Howard Rabinowitz were married on 17th June in London. Leah was a member of Beth shalom whilst she was living in Auckland from 2013-2016
As you all know, Rabbi Chava Koster was with us for 2 weeks at the beginning of May. Since her visit, the Rabbinic Search Committee has been been reflecting, collecting and collating input from many of you. They made their formal recommendation to the Board last week and we therefore would like to notify you that the Board has accepted their recommendation and has decided not to offer the position to Rabbi Chava. It was not an easy decision, but in the end it was felt that she wasn’t a good fit for what our community needs right now.
I want to publicly thank Alistair Kirk, Julie Dick, and Chris Shiller for all of the hard work they put in screening, interviewing and researching rabbi’s for the community. It has been a very long process and they have gone above and beyond the call. The Board will now focus on a comprehensive strategic plan with the thought that it will give us a better idea of the direction we should be headed in. Your input will be requested via survey and interview. Please be a part of this process. It is vital that the board hear your voice so we make Beth Shalom a place you want to be.
Debbie Swiatek
JEWISH IFTAR DINNER: From left front: Naomi Johnson, Nazife Basar, Taner Basar, Debbie Swiatek, Emily Swiatek, Rachel Zussman, Ayse Demirbas, Paul Wilton.
On 9 June we held a Ramadan Iftar dinner at the home of Debbie Swiatek and Emily. We brought together Jewish people from Beth Shalom with Turkish Muslim people from Pearl of the Islands Foundation, a Foundation that Naomi has close links to. She was appointed to their Advisory Board at the end of 2017 which shows their commitment to diversity and enthusiasm to mix with other religions. It was a wonderful evening where new friendships were formed and existing ones strengthened.
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. This year, Ramadan fell between 16 May and 14 June. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset.
Muslims are greatly encouraged to share the breaking of the fast meal with others. This gathering is called an ‘Iftar’. Ramadan is a time of community. Muslims aim to connect with neighbours, friends and family; they reach out to their surrounding communities. Through fasting, Muslims aim to develop deeper compassion and a greater level of patience and reflection. Fasting introduces a sense of social responsibility by promoting empathy with the less fortunate. Acts of charity are among the traditional practices of Ramadan, and many Muslims carry out this tradition frequently throughout the month.
This Ramadan the Pearl of the Islands Foundation hosted a large number of Iftar dinners including a Parliamentary Iftar dinner in Wellington, a dinner for newly arrived refugees and they co-hosted a dinner at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.
So this was the first Jewish Iftar dinner we have jointly held with the Foundation. Next Ramadan let’s work towards hosting one at Beth Shalom open to anyone who wishes to participate.
“Flamingo”, is now in New Zealand. Exclusive cards and gift wrap. Beautiful, unique designs by over 40 artists.
Made in the United Kingdom - very ‘eco’ friendly, great quality and value. Cards for everyone and all occasions (sorry, no Jewish themes).
Check out our new 2018 range either by our online flippy book, click here, or contact Lita and Colin on (09) 832 3453 or serendipitylns40@gmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
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A big mazel tov to Nick Bigio on doing such a brilliant job on his Bar Mitzvah two weeks ago. It is a great day for the Beth Shalom community to welcome a young man into our midst and celebrate his Bar Mitzvah with him. May he go from strength to strength. We look forward to hearing more from you in the future and having you join our Bnei Mishna group.
Every term brings new and interesting learning opportunities to our school. I am really excited by some of the amazing Hebrew studies our students are doing with Jack Flint who has his own special way of getting the students in Kita Bet and Gimmel up reading and understanding Hebrew.
Carol McCracken, our Kita Gimmel teacher last term built the oleh moed (the tent of meeting) that the Israelites had in the desert. I am sure some of you must have seen it in our hall. Last week they built the walled city of Jericho out of Tim Tams and re-enacted the bringing down the walls by stomping around the model and amazingly enough the walls from the vibration fell down and fell outwards just like in the bible. It was of course a tasty morning tea to devour the walls.
Ted and Tami are doing creation in the Kita Aleph and Bet Jewish studies class and having tons of fun. They are also building a Jewish home with all the signs and symbols and learning the blessings.
Bar Mitzvah class presented a play from the book of Esther for the Sunday School under the direction of Phillip our resident actor. We are also doing Torah study and trying to find the lessons from it and applying them to our daily lives.
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Bnei Mishna redesign
Bnei Mishna team has created something new and different for the post Bar Mitzvah students. Every week we meet in a different family’s home and different parents lead the learning and exploration based on their areas of expertise. This month we had David Zussman teach us about housing as an issue of social justice. It was fascinating and the students are really keen to do a hands-on tikkun olam project which David will try to organize in Term 4.
Last week we had Jude and Sue Berman focus on Jewish food. It was fun to make something eat, learn and research where foods are from and what customs are associated with these traditional foods along with a Jew food quiz which had lots of laughs
Bnei Mishna group is more than a class it is a social, educational and engaging teen event that seems to make things really fun and much more experiential.
Chanukah Fest 7, 8, 9 December with Max Gerard and Shannyn Gelbart
On the horizon we have some great fun that is in the planning. Max Gerard and Shannyn Gelbart are coming to Auckland for a Chanukah Fest on December 7, 8 and 9. I am looking for people to be on the organising team. Both Max and Shannyn have joined our community for Shabbaton in the past and are great musical and spiritual Jewish leaders. Click here for Max Gerard video They are in NZ the week before so we jumped at the chance to have them come up to Auckland for shabbat and lead services (funded with the help of the B&B). They will lead Friday night services and the pot luck dinner followed by singing. They will lead shabbat morning services followed by lunch. We want to organise some afternoon study, hike and creative mediation, yoga on top of a volcano, krav maga, torah study. Stay tuned for an update. Followed by Havdalah.
Hebrew Class for Adults: we are reactivating our Hebrew classes on Thursday nights at 7pm for all levels.
Torah Study: Torah study after morning services on the first shabbat of every month so the next one will be on July 7th.
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Chanukah in the Park
If you have any ideas let us know. If you are interested in being on the organising committee for this, please contact: Debbie Miller; educator@bethshalom.org.nz
Waitewheta Hike Shabbat 21-22 December 2018 or 25-26 January 2019
We want to do a community shabbat hike to Waitawheta hut beside the Karangahake Gorge down the old tram tracks.The facility has room for 29 and tents. It is an incredibly flat hike with some river crossings, and great swimming. It has optional hike back to a stand of Kauri trees on the cliff side. We are discussing which dates would be best, December 21-22 or January 25-26. We would like to know if you are interested or can suggest another date that would work for you.
A group of Beth Shalom members has commenced, to think of and pray for individuals in our community, who are in need of healing.
The idea is that this group is not an organised group or minyan. Simply, caring people who, when made aware of the need, help healing with the power of prayer.
And that families in distress might receive comfort from the knowledge that this is taking place.
Caring for the unwell is part of being a community.
For those interested, I can supply articles: “The Jewish Way in Healing”, and some scientific research on the positive power of prayer in healing.
If you wish to be part of this group
Or, if you know of someone who is unwell that would appreciate our prayer
Please contact Leon Goldwater or Christine O’Brien at shul office
Leon: ldgoldwater@gmail.com 020 403 88054
Christine: office@bethshalom.org.nz 524 4139
Many of our congregants will fondly remember Rabbi Patti Kopstein and of course her husband, Rabbi David Kopstein.
One of the lovely things that Rabbi Patti introduced us to was Kaddish for Critters. While this was primarily to help children at the time of the loss of a much-loved pet, it is such a beautiful concept, one that I have used each time I have lost a pet and and have also given it to both Jewish and non-Jewish friends to help them at this sad time.
Rabbi Patti says “the death of a much-loved family pet, whether it’s a cat, dog or a mouse, can be a traumatic event in a child’s life. It can also be used to help children and their parents learn to grieve when the one they love is no longer alive. Through it we learn also to honour life, both human and animal”.
Rabbi Patti and a friend put together a kaddish for critters, joining some thoughts and reflections from various sources including the mourners’ kaddish.
Rabbi Patti says “the kaddish for critters is part of the cycle of love, respect, caring, protection, responsibility and bereavement. As it evolved through time, adults really began to want to be part of the whole process, having had no place to mourn the loss of their beloved pets”.
Kaddish for Critters by Rabbi Patti Kopstein and Mickey Zeldes:
Barukh ata Adonai
Elohaynu melekh ha-olam
Shekakha lo b’olamo.
Praised are you, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe
Who has created creatures such as these.
Today we think of the animals we love
Those who are with us still And those who are not.
We remember the happy times we shared with them
And the many things they taught us
About love and life,
About grief and death.
We thank God for the time we had together
As we say: Yehay sh’may raba
M’vorakh l’olam ul’ulmay almahya.
May God’s name be praised forever and ever
Vim’ru
Amen.
Thank you, Rabbi Patti, for leaving us with this wonderful way of saying goodbye to our fur babies when their time is up.
Naomi Johnson for Ritcom
The LIMMUD Season 2018 is well underway and we are eagerly awaiting the big weekend at the end of August.
Taste of LIMMUD was held in Auckland on 6 June at Dio and in Wellington on 7 June at the Holocaust Centre. As always, we had a top class line-up and feedback was very positive.
Allison Kaplan Sommer, award winning journalist at Haaretz, was on a panel and led a session about Israel. She had this to say about her experience:
“ The Limmud events were well-organized and the participants eager to learn and discuss current events in Israel as well as the relationship between the Jewish State and the Diaspora.... I think the most thrilling aspects of travel are the things you don’t anticipate. And so the invitation I accepted so casually turned out to be a truly special gift and pleasure. My only 'problem' - now that I’ve tasted what New Zealand and its unique Kiwi Jewish community have to offer, I want a bigger bite! ”
Yair Rosenberg, also a top journalist from New York, gave a fascinating talk about dealing with antisemitism in the social media, where he has had some success in turning the tables on "trolls" who target Jewish journalists.
Viv Josephs, our programme director, gave a presentation of what to expect at LIMMUD itself and it promises to be an event not to be missed.
Once more, we have some impressive speakers coming from overseas. These include: - Kinneret Shiryon who was the first woman rabbi to practice in Israel, where she established the Yozma congregation in Modi’in;
- Manny Waks, who covered the sexual abuse scandal in Melbourne, will be dealing with difficult issues in the Jewish community. He will also be speaking about his movie, Code of Silence and will be giving a talk on travelling the religious spectrum;
- Rabbi Steven Greenberg is described as the first openly gay Orthodox Jewish rabbi;
- Jessica Deutsch is a New York based artist who explores the intersection of Jewish tradition and contemporary culture in a unique and creative way; and
- Hagai Segal, a leading authority on geo-political issues, strategic risks in the Middle East and counter terrorism.
As always, there will also be a feast of interesting talks from national speakers and this year, we are offering opportunities for presenters to provide short, pithy, "Ted talks". If you have a talk, story or ideas that you would like to share, please contact Christopher Dempsey, LIMMUD Administrator, by email at info@Limmud.org.nz.
Register now to catch the early bird discount at www.limmud.org.nz.
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After almost 18 months of planning it was time to head off on the holiday of a life time to Italy and Israel. I couldn't wait for our 5 weeks of discovering history, culture and food! I have been to Israel before, but had a yen to go back and explore more and get to know the country which has been at the core and foundation of our faith for over 2,500 years.
ITALY
Mum and I headed off to Italy first. We stayed in Rome for a few days and then joined our Trafalgar Tour called "The Best of Italy" with another 46 people for a further 13 days. Dad would join us for a further 2 days in Rome and then we would go to Israel together.
Starting in Rome in a cute little boutique hotel in the Trevi District, not far from Piazza Barberini, we explored on our own and discovered Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo; The People's Square, The Quirinale- Government buildings, The Pantheon, Piazza Navona as well as the Spanish Steps. We had the most outstanding Gelato at the Gelateria -della Palma - over 150 flavours to choose from!
Joining the group tour, we stayed the first night in a gorgeous hotel called Hotel Victoria on Via Campania, a stone's throw from The Borghese Gardens. On the first night our brilliant tour director, Marisa, and a bus driver, Roberto, took us all on a tour around Rome.
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In Rome we explored the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum with a local specialist. Then it was off to Pompeii, Sorrento, the Isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Positano for the next few days. We travelled further inland to the region of Umbria and stayed in Perugia but explored Assisi. On our way to Assisi we stopped in Monte Cassino. There was a Commonwealth Memorial and cemetery for soldiers who died in World War II. I found the grave of a lone Jewish soldier (identified only by the Star of David on the tomb stone) by the name of Sidney Shulton. He was a Private in the Queen's Royal Regiment of West Surrey, United Kingdom and died at the tender age of 22 on Thursday, December 2, 1943. We both left stones - letting him know that he was visited by some of his tribe!
Photos:
Left to right - Fallen Soldiers of Monte Cassino. Amalfi Coast. Grand Canal, Venice. Bridge of Sighs.
On to Venice and a cruise along the Grand Canal. The weather was incredible. We ate gelato, again, explored the exterior of Saint Mark's Basilica and the Palazzo Ducale - The Dodge's/ Duke's Palace - and took a short ride on a gondola where we saw the Bridge of Sighs
We journeyed through to the beautiful region of Lombardy to Milan and the Lake Districts to Baveno - a small town on the shores of Lake Maggiore (Lake Major) and about an hour's drive away from Lake Como.
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After the Lakes we made our way onto Pisa. We discovered an old Jewish Cemetery on walking to the Leaning Tower and I later learnt, that a Jewish community has been present for there for about 1,150 years. It is the second place Jews settled in Italy, after Rome. On to the region of Tuscany, home to Florence-, the birth place of the Renaissance. Along with another local specialist we delved into Florence and attended the Galleria dell' Academia where we saw Michelangelo's David and other sculptures and paintings. We moved onto the Piazza del Duomo and then Piazza Santa Croce - one of Florence's largest squares. To our amazement we saw a huge Star of David (confirmed by our local specialist) as the symbol above the rose window of the Cathedral of Santa Croce. Bizarre, but awesome to see that we as Jews have indeed had an influence in Florentine art and architecture.
Alas it was time to go back to Rome and say farewell to some amazing people who had become our 'mia familia'.
Dad joined us at this point and we went back to our cute little hotel in Trevi.
Photos:
Left to right - Aimee and Barbara at Tower of Pisa. Florence.
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Photos: Cathedral of Santa Croce (note Star of David). Caricatures of Murano Glass.
On researching our trip, I found that there was a tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Rome. We were all intrigued! It is in the Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome, along the Tiber River. We met our guide, Micaela Pavoncello, a young, vibrant and well spoken Roman Jewess with Sephardic (Roman and Libyan) heritage, outside the walls of the ghetto. Along with another two Jewish couples we made our way into the Jewish Museum where Micaela gave us a rich recount of the history of the Roman Jews dating back to Caesar's time. Jews have been in Rome for 22 centuries. Micaela brought the past to life by explaining how the Jews have shaped Roman society, even though they were ostracised by the Catholic Church who believed that we needed to be converted and saved. She then took us through to the Great Synagogue and explained the architecture and the design. From there she guided us through the small ghetto streets, taking us into a bakery or two and an Italian Jewish bookshop, all the while sharing with us the passion and pride she has for her culture, heritage and upbringing.
Should you ever make it to Rome and wish to explore the Jewish Ghetto in Rome I highly recommend Micaela and her tours. Here is the link to her website: http://www.jewishroma.com/
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Photos:
Left to right - Great Synagogue in Rome. Beautiful items to Dress a Torah. Inside Great Synagogue in Rome.
Time to end our Italian leg of our holiday. We said a fond Arrivederci to Rome and Italy and looked forward to our next adventure in Israel.
ISRAEL
On arrival in Tel Aviv we met up with family and friends for a few days and before we knew it, it was time to tour again! I had discovered a 'Jewish Heritage' Tour called Shalom Israel Tours. (https://shalomisraeltours.com) where we would be taken all over Israel to Jewish sites.
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Along with 37 other tourists, who were predominantly Jewish, we were escorted by a terrific Israeli tour guide, Meir Shalom, and his Druze driver, Nemer.
Our first day was rather busy. We visited the Caesarea Ruins, Haifa Bahai Gardens, Haifa Maritime Museum, Rosh Hanikra grottos and cable car and Akko/ Acre. We ended the day by checking into the Kibbutz Lavi Hotel- a Kibbutz Hotel which is located in the lower Galilee and is known for their carpentry of Synagogue furniture.
The next day we went on a jeep adventure in the Golan Heights, where we were given a bumpy but fun tour of the lush, fertile and rich land Israel has so expertly developed.
We stopped close to the road that leads to Damascus and were gifted with an amazing recount of events by our jeep guide who participated in the Six Day War. We took a brief drive to the Mitzpe Gadot look out, where we saw both the Lebanese and Syrian borders. The road to Mitzpe Gadot was closed just two days before due to a recent attack on Israel.
Then onto Tzfat at the end of the day where we explored the artist quarter and old Ashkenazi Synagogue.
Leaving Kibbutz Lavi we now made our way to Tiberius and the Jordan Valley where we viewed the mosaic floor of the Beit- Alfa Synagogue.
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A short tour of the Beit She'an National Park was most interesting, as this park was where King Saul beat the Philistines and it later became a Greek city. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 BCE. We had a nice long break at the Gan HaShlosha National Park where some of us cooled off with a swim in the fresh water pools, before making our way to Jerusalem. Entering Jerusalem we all recited the blessing of “Shehechiyanu” to celebrate the joyous occasion of entering Jerusalem, our eternal Capital!
Time to explore The Old City. From the Jaffa Gate we made our way through part of the Muslim Quarter. There we had the most amazing tour of the Western Wall Tunnels and were able to get as close as you can get to the Holy of Holies. At the Kotel we were given individual time to do our own thing, until it was time to go to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and walk in the burning hot sun! Later we climbed up to the Jewish Quarter to the four Sephardic Synagogues and witness a Sofer scribe working on his very first Torah. These Synagogues were a safe haven for those fighting in the War of Independence for two weeks.
We walked up to The City of David where we went to the room of the Last Supper, down to King David's Tomb, and onto the Tower of David Museum where we would, later that night, see a spectacular light show on the walls of the tower.
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Next day was themed a day of "The New City of Jerusalem". Firstly, Ammunition Hill, where we walked among the trenches and viewed an interactive and thrilling retelling of how Jerusalem was recaptured and liberated in over four hours on June 6th, 1967. Then onto Mount Herzel National Cemetery where prominent Zionist pioneers Theodore Herzel, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin are buried.
Around the corner, set on the Mount of Remembrance we visited Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and the Children's Memorial, which commemorates the one and a half million Jewish children who perished.
The main building is shaped like a prism with nine different galleries filled with interactive displays, films, letters, art work, personal items donated, and items confiscated. All I could think about during my visit was our own dear survivor and friend, Fred Silberstein. I had the honour of listening to his personal and harrowing experiences many, many years ago. Remembering his story affected me so.
Next stop was the Israel Museum and Dead Sea Scrolls. We saw the model of the Second Temple and the Qumran scrolls discovered in 1947. We were lucky to see the Genesis Apocryphon, a rare scroll describing the lives of Noah, Abraham, Enoch and Lamech. It can only be viewed for 30 seconds at a time to protect it from direct light and will be returned to the archives and not seen in public for another dozen years or so.
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Around the corner, set on the Mount of Remembrance we visited Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and the Children's Memorial, which commemorates the one and a half million Jewish children who perished. The main building is shaped like a prism with nine different galleries filled with interactive displays, films, letters, art work, personal items donated, and items confiscated. All I could think about during my visit was our own dear survivor and friend, Fred Silberstein. I had the honour of listening to his personal and harrowing experiences many, many years ago. Remembering his story affected me so.
Next stop was the Israel Museum and Dead Sea Scrolls. We saw the model of the Second Temple and the Qumran scrolls discovered in 1947.
We were lucky to see the Genesis Apocryphon, a rare scroll describing the lives of Noah, Abraham, Enoch and Lamech. It can only be viewed for 30 seconds at a time to protect it from direct light and will be returned to the archives and not seen in public for another dozen years or so.
Leaving Eilat and heading then into the heartland of the Negev to see the Mitzpe Ramon Crater, Ben Gurion's tomb overlooking the Tzin Canyon and Avdat highlands which he loved so much. It was a short bus ride to his preserved home in Sde Boker where we learnt about his life as a man, politician, kibbutznik and his passion for the Negev.
Ben Gurion had the vision that “It is in the Negev that the people of Israel will be tested… for only with a united effort of volunteering people and a planning and implementing State will we accomplish the great mission of populating the wilderness and bringing it to flourish. The effort will determine the fate of the State of Israel and the standing of our people in the history of mankind.”—David Ben-Gurion[1]
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Our last and final stop of the day and of our tour was the Hazterim Airforce Museum in Be'er Sheva where we were guided to sit in one of the four Boeing 707 planes that were used in the Entebbe rescue in 1976. There we watched a pretty cool movie of the timeline, advancements and accomplishments of the IDF Airforce. Displayed outside there are another 140 aircraft utilised by the air force: 'American Phantoms, German Messerschmidts, Israeli Kfirs, and Syrian Mig-23s. There are also missile carriers and anti-aircraft artillery on display'[1].These aircaft have all been preserved by the dry desert air.
Next day it was time to finish our tour and head to the airport where we said Lehitra’ot to Israel and Toda for an amazing experience!!
[1] https://www.myolivetree.com/blog/significance-negev-desert/
[1] http://www.attractions-in-israel.com/negev/negev-museums/israel-air-force-museum-in-be%E2%80%99er-sheva-%E2%80%93-aircraft-museum-in-beersheba/
In last month’s Teruah, we took a brief look at how our funeral services characteristically start-off in ways that are authentically Jewish but nevertheless inclusive. Let’s continue in the same vein this month, with a look at some of the options for service content provided by our favoured source, the Rabbi’s Manual of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
But, first, it’s worth considering why the B&B’s rules insist on the central role of this slim volume in providing the framework into which any additional material needs to be slotted.
One reason is that, just like with most other Jewish rituals, our funeral services have developed gradually down the generations in ways that can be profoundly inspiring and comforting. They are the work of centuries and have a natural, emotional dynamic that no committee, let alone any single individual, could ever devise for themselves. The Rabbi’s Manual recognises and reflects this heritage, albeit in ways appropriate to our own time.
But we also insist on the manual’s centrality in order to reduce the likelihood of items inconsistent with core Jewish beliefs or sensibilities being accidentally included in a service. Obviously, this consideration is of much less significance when Beth Shalom has a rabbi available to officiate. But when, as often happens, the task falls to a lay person, it helps if they don’t have to make off-the-cuff theological judgements when time is short and the grief of bereaved family members still raw.
And, last but by no means least, we like to keep the manual at the heart of proceedings, because of the numinous beauty and dignity of so many of the English translations it contains.
To return to the service itself, the opening section will typically consist of psalms and other biblical readings. A frequent choice is the passage from Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), which starts with the line: “For everything there is a season, a time for every experience under heaven”. When read with appropriate feeling, this item seems appropriate at just about any funeral other than that of a very young person.
Another familiar passage is the Eishet Chayil (A Woman of Valour). When recited in English, at the funeral of a woman who has not had children, it’s now customary to substitute the phrase “Her good deeds rise up and bless her” for the traditional “Her children rise up and bless her”. Similarly, the term “partner” can be substituted for “husband”.
The Rabbi’s Manual also contains a series of more modern readings which complement those of biblical origins. Collectively, they prepare the ground emotionally for one of the most important parts of the service, the Hesped or Eulogy. But that’s a topic for another month.
The conference website is now up and running and registrations are being accepted.
Check out the programme and speakers led by Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Larry Hoffman. Highlights include:
Early-bird registration runs till August 17th, including great rates for first time New Zealand registrants - contact your Board to find out what support is available.
