In honor of service

It is nearly impossible to visit Arlington National Cemetery and leave unmoved by the dedication and honor of those who serve in our nation's armed forces. Even a simple walk through the headstones let alone the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns or a visit to a family member's stone can make you feel like you should be doing more for our country. Elizabeth and I arrived in DC for a family vacation yesterday and took the boys to Arlington to see her grandfather's (and grandmother's) final resting place. It was surprisingly emotional considering that he passed away in 1994. But the story of his service, like the stories of so many from his generation, is inspiring and, given my own lack of service, intimidating. He was a physician and Army captain who was at Normandy a few days post-DDay, at the Bulge in the heat of the battle and the liberation of Nordhausen. He volunteered to staff medical facilities at other liberated camps. We have his diary from those months in the European theater.

One of my only regrets at this point in my life is that I never served our country in any branch of the armed forces. I came close (but you know what they say - ironically - about the only places where close counts). As a kid I wanted to join the Air Force (see earlier post "We're shooting for the stars") until I learned what that really meant, when the recruiter came to HUC to talk about chaplaincy I was one of a handful who went to hear his pitch, and after Bob Goodman's funeral (who was one of many Jewish veterans I've had the honor to eulogize), I came home and told Elizabeth I was going to sign up for either active duty or the reserves. My father in law and a friend who had completed the chaplaincy training course explained to me why I was "out of my mind." Anyway, for various reasons - most of which come down to privilege and sheer luck of timing for when I was born - military service was not such a pressing option. By the time 9-11 moved so many to enlist, I had two kids and other responsibilities, and, and...

The URJ and CCAR have passed resolutions recently promoting and encouraging service in the military chaplaincy. I think we'll have to do more than pass some resolutions. Like many others, I meet so many older Jewish men who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I don't wish misery or death on anybody. I also know how horrible military service can be. But, it does seem that we've lost something these days that our older brothers, fathers and grandfathers possessed. It is amazing how few of us answer the call and how many of them did (I know, many by draft and not by choice). Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our priorities. Maybe we need to visit Arlington a little more often.

In Memoriam: Susan B. Shpeen

Susan Shpeen, wife and life long partner of Rabbi Scott Shpeen, passed away on Tuesday after a short but fierce battle with cancer. Scott has been my mentor, friend and trusted colleague since he first hired me out of rabbinical school in 2002. Susan provided a perfect first model for Elizabeth and our family to follow. Here is (left to right) Scott, Susan, Elizabeth, me, and Rabbi Sam Stahl at a celebratory dinner just before my installation as rabbi of Monmouth Reform Temple in November 2006. May Susan's memory be a blessing and may Scott, Adam and Hilary soon be comforted.



Albany Times Union Newspaper ran a story about Susan's passing, "Hardest Worker..."

Welcome to the blogosphere

I was reminded recently that I should explain the blog and my "editorial philosophy." I know that many of you already know what a blog is and have a sense of how a blog differs from a traditional website or the webpages of a mainstream newspaper or news network (like CNN.com or WashingtonPost.com). I use this blog to post quick, short pieces that reflect my opinion about events related to the Jewish world, our temple, and American culture in general. I often use more humor and sarcasm here than I would use in a sermon or bulletin article. Like most blogs, my postings sometimes sacrifice thoroughness of research for speed of posting. In other words, they are short, quick reactions to stories I have seen in the news or around us. I use the blog for three purposes: 1. to bring stories to your attention that you might otherwise miss (since I don't expect you to weed through the Jewish news sources as much as I do). 2. Elicit comments and discussion on issues. 3. Offer my opinion and perspective. I have changed postings after they've been up for a few days - especially as comments point out mistakes or counterpoints or the stories themselves are disproven (see the J Street entry below for an example of one that I've changed since originally posting).

In short, welcome to the blog. Feel free to comment, flame, praise, dismiss, log-off, whatever. But, please, join the conversation if you see something that moves you!

What's a blog?

Back Soon

With apologies, the blog has been dormant these past weeks. I'll be back after this weekend (if not before).

Biennial: Bringing the Rabbis to Life

There's a teaching in Rabbinical Literature meant to show the importance of cheerfulness and pleasantry between people. In Jewishspeak it is called "sever panim yafot." The story goes that one of our ancient sages would not walk more than a few steps in the market place without greeting somebody with a smile. It always seemed hard to believe. I've been in the shuk and other Middle Eastern market places. There's lots to smile at (the food, colors, culture, hustle & bustle), but it isn't always the nicety of other people.

Here at the URJ Biennial (my first, by the way), I've seen how the rabbis and everyone else here come to life. All of us here in Toronto are energized and engaged. It's an electrified atmosphere. But it is also a place where that Talmudic story comes to life. I can not walk five steps without seeing an old classmate, an old neighbor (and one of my first friends in the world) who made aliyah and now organizes group trips, a colleague, a mentor, a friend, a vendor (i.e. Avi Zuckerman, etched glass artist), etc. It's hard to get to the sessions because you have to run a friendly gauntlet of smiling faces to get to your room. But, as our ancient sages knew from their own market place, some of the best exchanges and most important business happens in the passage ways and not the offices or stalls. So maybe I can't get to every session I expected, sever panim yafot is alive and well and producing lots of good learning in Toronto!