Two fold post: #KehilaKonnections and Vayakhel-Pekudei

I want to introduce you to my latest endeavor - an occasional (2-3 x/week) video series called Kehila Konnections.  I will be posting the short video on youtube with a prayer, poem or kavannah (intention). Something to remind us that we are a people who are linked spiritually as well as physically. Despite being required to social distancing, we are still a community. Kehila is the Hebrew for congregation and is more generally used for a Jewish community or structure. This is my contribution to the myriad ways folks are trying to keep  connected. 

  

I recognize that we all experience our Judaism differently. To celebrate our different paths I am asking you to send me suggestions for content - do you have a favorite prayer? Is there a passage from a book that you'd like me to share? Do you have questions that I can answer? I am open to all possibilities. 

The first one is called Ma Tovu - a song of community

https://youtu.be/zwav88wB7EY

The second is call Asher Yatzar – our bodies

https://youtu.be/ORu9epQLxV4

If you like the videos, let me know and I can put you on my mailing list for notification when a new video is posted.

And now, for a brief word of Torah…

In this week’s Torah Portions, Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei (Exodus 35:1 - 40:38), we are told that God’s presence is indicated by a cloud over the Mishkan (portable Tabernacle) by day.  In times such as these it is important that we do not feel alone, even if we are physically alone. If you are feeling lonely or panicked or hit by a wave of anxiety, breathe deeply and take a look at the clouds. Know that they are a physical manifestation of the metaphor of God’s presence. Breathe deeply and know that others are looking at the same clouds that you are, that you are one of a whole and not alone. My Jewish Learning has a good summary of the portion as well as several different Divrei Torah and other information.  

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/torah-portions/parashat-vayakhel-pekudei/

May this Shabbat contribute to the healing necessary in our world right now.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat of peace, love, happiness and health, health, health.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbah Arlene

rabbaharlene@gmail.com

A Shabbat Message - Parashat Vayakhel and the message of Community

This week's Torah portion, Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20). As all Torah portions it contains several different plot lines. This one talks about the many aspects of building the mishkan (portable tabernacle that housed the 10 Commandment and was carried around in the desert with them), particularly that all the people donated materials to be used in the building itself. It's primary message, and the message of all the portions surrounding this one, is about community. 

To be a community means we do things together, we take care of each other, we contribute. To emulate this, I will soon be sending out an email regarding the start of a new volunteer committee at OK, a Chesed Committee whose goal will be helping out members when they are in need - during an illness, birth of a child, death of a family member etc. 

But, as we know, our obligations towards helping others does not stop at the "borders" of our OK community. We are part of a larger community of Jews, of non-Jews, of those who live in our neighborhoods and in our country. We are reminded quite poignantly of this in this time of presidential politics. Quite a few people are vying to become the president of this great nation. Two things really stick out to me (among many). First, the people running are male and female, Caucasian and Hispanic, Christian and Jewish. This is the most diverse national race that I can recall. Second, no matter how diverse the playing field is, race and ethnicity have become a part of patter. This is unacceptable for a nation founded by immigrants and given the make up and sophistication of people today. 

You will find that I rarely use my rabbinic platform to discuss politics. But the racism that has seeped in to this election cycle is not just a political issue; it is a human rights issue. So please be aware, listen and learn and pay attention to what is being said during this political cycle. And, if you can, try to counteract the hateful words. No effort will be too small. 

Here is a link to a short, pithy article from Jewniverse called "Albert Einstein's Little-Known Civil Rights Activism." As we know, racism has been around for a long time. It's time to eradicate it. 

http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ba13d322ff1efbe114aeb6779&id=c606f4f1d4&e=646f6451e3

Shabbat Shalom and blessings of peace and love to all, 

Rabbah Arlene