In his Rosh Hashanah sermon, “Our Vision of Truth, Our Faith in Tomorrow,” Rabbi Davidson reflects on the challenges and hopes facing Israel, America and the Jewish people as we enter a new year. Watch the sermon and download “Our Vision of Truth, Our Faith in Tomorrow” .
All About Herzl, the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica’s new exhibit, is now open. Many of the items in the exhibit come from the private collection of David Matlow, a Toronto lawyer.
“We welcome anyone to come to the exhibition who wants to learn about Herzl’s life, that wants to learn about Zionism, that, I think, especially in today’s day and age, is so misunderstood,” Warren Klein, exhibit curator and Museum Director, said in an interview with The Forward . “We hope to be an educational vessel for that.”
Treasure Trove has come to life at an exhibit in New York City, The Canadian Jewish News: “At this time, it is important for people to learn (or be reminded) of what Zionism’s purpose was and is, as envisioned by its founder. Simply put, Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, to enable the Jewish people to live freely and safely in our ancestral homeland.” Read more
An up-close look at the real Theodor Herzl — and the real meaning of Zionism, The Forward: “Part of the aim of the Bernard Museum exhibit, which includes several accompanying talks, is to dispel misconceptions about what Zionism means, a mission all the more urgent for Matlow since Oct. 7 of last year, when Israel’s detractors are increasingly defining Zionism in hostile terms.” Read More
Herzl, Prophet of Israel, Is Celebrated at One of the Diaspora’s Crown Jewels, The New York Sun: “The exhibit, curated by Warren Klein, is especially illuminating in respect of Herzl’s convening of the Zionist Congresses that were instrumental in transforming musings into a movement.” Read More [paywall]
Israeli Herzl opera ‘Theodor’ to premiere filmed version in NY, The Times of Israel: “The US premiere will take place at the Temple Emanuel – Streicker Cultural Center in New York, in Hebrew with English subtitles, and with live performances by composer Yonatan Cnaan and original cast members Oded Reich (Herzl), Noam Heinz (Theodor) and Anat Czarny (Julie).” Read More
The Bernard Museum is open Sunday through Thursday 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Hope is hard to find these days. I rediscovered it in the most unlikely and obvious of places: Israel. Rabbi and scholar, Dr. Michael Marmur, who made aliyah from London 40 years ago, notes that the Hebrew word for hope, tikvah, builds from the root kav, meaning “cord, line.” He cites a Jewish mystical teaching …
Director of Lifelong Learning Mike Witman and temple members Carly Snyder and Zach Snyder on a recent trip to Israel. by Carly Snyder, M.D. I had been looking forward to taking my son Zachary to Israel for months. Despite some questioning my decision, I believed strongly that it was the right thing to do. Israel …
Hope is hard to find these days. I rediscovered it in the most unlikely and obvious of places: Israel. Rabbi and scholar, Dr. Michael Marmur, who made aliyah from London 40 years ago, notes that the Hebrew word for hope, tikvah, builds from the root kav, meaning “cord, line.” He cites a Jewish mystical teaching …
Hope is hard to find these days. I rediscovered it in the most unlikely and obvious of places: Israel. Rabbi and scholar, Dr. Michael Marmur, who made aliyah from London 40 years ago, notes that the Hebrew word for hope, tikvah, builds from the root kav, meaning “cord, line.” He cites a Jewish mystical teaching …
By Michael Witman, Director of Lifelong Learning, Temple Emanu-El As Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Emanu-El and a parent deeply committed to my child’s Jewish identity, I’ve had many conversations about the importance of Israel education. One phone call stands out: a mother, distressed at the uptick in antisemitism and anti-Zionism since October 7th, …
Many of us are watching with dismay as events unfold on college campuses around the country targeting Jewish students and other supporters of Israel, often associated with efforts fueled by opportunistic outside organizations with their own political agendas to push academic institutions to divest from companies tied to Israel. No one should endure the intimidation we have witnessed in the news, and some of our own children have experienced, but especially not students living away from home who expect the colleges they attend to be safe places for learning and discovery.
As challenging as conditions are right now on many campuses, I nonetheless remain hopeful that this moment will become a watershed opening many school leaders’ eyes to the pernicious manner in which antisemitism enters the social and academic dynamic of their communities, and that as a result, circumstances will begin to improve.
It will take time, however. And it will take our courageous commitment to calling out antisemitism wherever we see it. So to assist us, the Anti-Defamation League has provided a number of resources:
Additionally, because much of the campus antisemitism at this moment centers around Israel and accusations against Israel, I recommend that our students learn what they can about modern Middle East History. Those who understand its complexity are less likely to engage in the provocations we are watching on the news, and, if confronted, will be better able to articulate a hopeful vision for both Israelis and Palestinians.
We address these topics in our temple’s high school program. And there are many resources available, but here are two, easily accessible: a timeline of the Arab-Israeli conflict produced by the American Jewish Committee (ajc.org is always a good resource for information); and a very readable book, also about the history of the conflict, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, by Israeli actress and activist Noa Tishby, who will speak at Emanu-El on May 2. I encourage you to attend.
On most every campus, there will be human resources to whom students can turn, and emotionally safe spaces where they can go. At many colleges, those will include Jewish organizations. At others where the Jewish presence is smaller, those may include compassionate advisors and professors. Sometimes they need to be sought out, but they are surely there.
And I and my colleagues are here, for both you and your kids. If you feel we can be helpful in addressing a challenge at school directly, or if you just want to talk, please never hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you to all of our volunteers who contributed their time and energy to a worthwhile mitzvah for the Supply Drive for Israel. We received hundreds of packages and had 100+ volunteers from the Temple Emanu-El community join us to pack an impressive 842 items to be sent to Israel’s front lines. For our third …
by Rabb Sara Sapadin
January 13-18, 2024, marked a significant journey for Rabbi Joshua Davidson, Rabbi Sara Sapadin and 17 devoted members of Temple Emanu-El, including Temple President Harris Diamond and Board Member Margaret Streicker. On behalf of the entire temple community, they embarked on a Solidarity Mission to Israel, a heartfelt endeavor to stand with the Israeli people, confront the harrowing realities of the October 7th atrocities and affirm our community’s unwavering support for Israel in both good times and bad.
Covering extensive ground in just four days, our group engaged deeply with the land and people of Israel. We were honored to hear from a survivor of the October 7th attacks, learning about the enduring impact on his family. The poignant words of Lee Siegel, brother of hostage Keith Seigel, resonated with us, urging us to share their story and to continue advocating for all the hostages still in Gaza.
Our itinerary included meeting volunteers and NGOs who responded valiantly to the crisis, visiting communities hosting displaced families and exploring Israel’s state-of-the-art Magen David Adam blood center. We engaged in hands-on support, from donating blood to assembling care packages, and participated in dialogues with journalists, politicians and advocates, each offering unique insights into Israel’s current challenges and future.
“The unique value of our Congregation Emanuel trip to Israel is that it engaged us in direct, substantive and constructive dialogue with many Israelis on the front lines of Israel’s battle against terrorism and movement to protect democracy.” – Jim Gabbe
The mission profoundly deepened our connection to Israel and its people. Witnessing their resilience and indomitable spirit in the face of adversity filled us with respect and admiration. Our congregants reflected deeply on this experience. Danielle Greenberg emphasized the importance of “showing up” for Israel and the global Jewish community.
Rabbi Rinat Safania of V’ahavta, the Reform Community in Shoham, poignantly captured the essence of our visit: “After October 7th, we felt alone. But your visit made us feel less alone.”
Several members shared powerful thoughts encapsulating the essence of our journey. Jennifer Geiling expressed her pride in being a Reform Jew, lauding our commitment to equality, social justice and inclusivity. Jim Gabbe highlighted the mission’s unique value in facilitating direct dialogue with Israelis at the forefront of combating terrorism and defending democracy. Dr. Phyllis Mervis reflected on Golda Meir’s words about Israel’s “secret weapon” – its fierce determination and optimism, which we witnessed firsthand. She also acknowledged the gratitude expressed by many Israelis for our visit and thanked Temple Emanu-El for making this trip possible.
“I left Israel proud to be a Reform Jew. We are leaders in standing up for equality, social justice and inclusivity.” – Jennifer Geiling
Here at Temple Emanu-El, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, advocate for her and uphold her right to defend her people. As such, we want to express our gratitude to all mission participants: Harris Diamond, Judith West Edelman, Ellen Rothschild French, James Gabbe, Jennifer and Charlotte Geiling, Karel and Danielle Greenberg, Stephen Harris, Phyllis Mervis, Mollie Levison, John and Bonnie Rotenberg, Rebecca Rozen, James Solomon, Margaret Streicker and Samantha Triolo.
Am Yisrael Chai – The people of Israel live!
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, offers his reflections on the January 2024 Temple Emanu-El Mission to Israel in response to the October 7 attacks.
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, Peter and Mary Kalikow Senior Rabbinic Chair at Temple Emanu-El, discusses how contemporary Progressivism has suffered a breakdown over Israel and Jews because of its binary sorting of peoples and nations into oppressor and oppressed.
