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Chaverim y'karim ~ Dear friends,
On Rosh HaShanah Evening, I took on a topic based on a 1982 essay written by Rabbi David Hartman, "Auschwitz or Sinai?"
Over the course of the next two days, you will have the opportunity to consider - in live time - what that essay and its very title means for you. In his own words, Hartman was speaking mainly of what will guide the Jew (and the State of Israel) in the late 20th century: the trauma of Auschwitz or the Covenant forged at Sinai. From his teachings, I explored the idea of defining and shaping our Jewish identity based on both looking back to Auschwitz to remember and honor the murdered while also moving forward based on the commandments which God and our heritage demand adherence to for the genuine living of Judaism.
So ... what are the two events to live into this broader concept of "Auschwitz or Sinai?"
JOIN US THIS FRIDAY EVENING, 10/2 @ 6:30pm at Temple Sholom for our Kabbalat Shabbat / Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Service. Yes, that is a LOT to accomplish in one service (and under 90 minutes!) but I have great faith in Torah and in us! We will be a community of "holy rollers" as we roll our Torah from the end of Deuteronomy to the beginning of Genesis to commit, once again, to its recitation and the meaningful living that is possible through those 304,805 letters and all the teachings that emanate from all 79,847 words.
So ... THAT is the Sinai part of the equation.
And for the Auschwitz ...
Our Jewish community in Litchfield County is blessed by the presence of Bernie Kaplan who is a dedicated and devoted teacher, musician, writer, and composer. Bernie serves on the board for and actively participates in the life of the JCC in Sherman. SATURDAY EVENING, 10/3 @ 7:00pm at the JCC in Sherman, there will be a dinner and screening of Remember Warsaw: A Classical Music Drama for the Concert Stage, which Bernie wrote with celebrated composer and conductor Roger Ames (z"l). On the show's website, you will find a treasure of information about the show and its production.
To register for dinner OR just the show, please see the JCC in Sherman event registration page, which details further about the evening and related cost.
Friends, whether you go to neither or both or one of these events, we are Auschwitz AND Sinai Jews. We are tied to the stories of tragedies in our past and can only operate within a world that did - and continues to do - atrocious things to the Jewish People. Look no further than the story of the FlyDubai Flight and an Omani pilot who nearly murdered 180 passengers - almost all Israeli. Michael Oren just posted an outstanding piece this morning, "The Meaning of FZ1073" which considers the near tragedy, the strength of individual Israelis, and the call for vigilance against terrorists and dedication to good, upstanding people.
And with the same minds and bodies we must embrace Sinai and all that goes with it to remember, to strengthen, and to experience for ourselves what God and Torah ask from us. I'm in the middle of reading Sarah Hurwitz's book As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us. It is an outstanding exploration of this one Jew's discovery of who and what we are - particularly in light of those who, indeed, try to blot us out (including some from our own ranks). The book is a perfect companion to Simchat Torah and the times in which we are living.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of Sukkot and a meaningful weekend! Chag sameach & shabbat shalom!
Rabbi Mark Cohn
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Check out The Republic of Moses. The subtitle reads: Can democracy be fixed? A very old book offers some surprisingly timely, and deeply hopeful, advice - remind us that democracy is difficult, maddening, and absolutely sacred work. This is a production of the Simchat Torah Challenge, which began after October 7th in an effort for Jews to unite globally around our core, which is Torah. As we approach this third yahrzeit of 10/7/23, which was Simchat Torah, studying Torah in the memory of those who were murdered and who fell in battle on that day is a way to link our souls to theirs.
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