Last night, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Yossi Klein Halevi for a conversation with our community. I was proud and humbled to sit next to him on our bima between a flag of the US and a flag of Israel. For anyone who might have missed the event, you can watch a recording of the programHERE.
I want to personally thank Bill and Lynn Geller for sponsoring this program. If you would like to join them in helping us to bring exceptional speakers and inspirational Israel education at HEA to all ages in the future, we encourage you to consider a donation to the William and Lynn Geller Fund for Pro Israel Education.
Though the subject of the conversation was not about Pesach but rather our relationship with Israel as Jewish Americans, in many ways Yossi helped us prepare for the upcoming holiday by inviting us to make space for fresh perspectives at our seder tables. During the program, we discussed what it means to be a Passover vs. a Purim Jew, a paradigm he wrote about in 2013 that still rings true today:
Jewish history speaks to our generation in the voice of two biblical commands to remember. The first voice commands us to remember that we were strangers in the land of Egypt, and the message of that command is: Don’t be brutal. The second voice commands us to remember how the tribe of Amalek attacked us without provocation while we were wandering in the desert, and the message of that command is: Don’t be naive.
The first command is the voice of Passover, of liberation; the second is the voice of Purim, commemorating our victory over the genocidal threat of Haman, a descendant of Amalek. “Passover Jews” are motivated by empathy with the oppressed; “Purim Jews” are motivated by alertness to threat. Both are essential; one without the other creates an unbalanced Jewish personality, a distortion of Jewish history and values.
Much of the discourse between Jews across the oceans and within our own country today revolves philosophically around whether we orient as Passover Jews around empathy or Purim Jews around an alertness to threat and how we accept or reject those who feel differently from us in this way. What Yossi emphasized last night, and what I want to bring to my own family’s seder next weekend, is the importance of holding seats for both at our tables and in our consciousness to deepen our conversation and better represent Jewish history and values.
As we head into the Festival of Freedom we are invited to open our doors–to those who will sit around the table with us, to Four diverse Children, to Elijah the prophet, to all who are hungry to come and eat. While we might not literally be able to open our doors to everyone, we can make a seat at our table for someone who offers a different perspective. And we can remember that as American Jews, we too have a seat at the table and a voice that matters, even when we might feel distant from decision-making in the Middle East.
Last night, Yossi reminded us that any American Jews who haven’t voted in the last Israeli elections can and should vote in the current World Zionist elections to elect delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress. Why? For one, because the representatives who are elected—with one-third of them coming from the United States—will make key decisions on allocating over $1 billion annually to support the most pressing needs across Israeli society Diaspora. Monies are allocated proportionally according to the votes secured by each slate.
I hope you’ll consider joining me and taking 5 minutes and $5 to vote for the Mercaz (Conservative movement slate #17)to protect OUR seat at the table. This is one of the ways we can stand up for a just, secure, and strong Israel. Voting ends May 4, so make sure your voice is heard by voting NOW and encouraging your friends and family to vote as well.
I want to wish you a Chag Kasher v’Sameach–may your preparations for the upcoming Holiday of Pesach be as thorough, thoughtful, and uplifting for your soul as for your kitchen.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Coming Up!
Torah for Today Class Shabbat, Apr 5th 10:30a to 11:15a, Library With Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, Ph.D.
USY Chocolate Seder Shabbat, Apr 5th 6:00p to 8:00p 6th-12th Graders are invited to celebrate Passover with analogous candy traditions!
Women’s Seder Sunday, Apr 6th 6:30p to 8:30p As women, we will gather to celebrate the season with a Women’s Seder led by Rabbi Shulman. We will nosh with a charoset bar, study, and sing together in community. $5 members/ $10 non-members.
FRONTLINE WARRIORS: The Fight Against Campus Antisemitism Sunday, Apr 6th 7:00p to 9:00p The world premiere of Frontline Warriors: The Fight Against Campus Antisemitism, a gripping documentary following courageous student leaders on campuses that have become battlegrounds of hate, violent protests, hostile encampments, and national controversy.
Monthly Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Shulman Wednesday, Apr 9th 12:00p to 1:00p A curriculum on Judaism and Jewish identity based on traditional sources and the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Topics include Identity, Prayer, Study, Mitzvot, Tzedakah, Chesed, Faith, Israel, Kiddush Hashem, and the Jewish future.
Shabbat-Along Friday, Apr 11th 4:30p to 7:00p Last Chance Chametz Shabbat! Feel free to come when you are able for this interactive Shabbat experience geared toward families with children in 3rd grade and under. Older siblings, grandparents, and friends are always welcome.
Second Night Seder Sunday, Apr 13th 5:30p to 9:00p Join Rabbi Sarah Shulman, Music Director Eitan Kantor, and HEA staff for an engaging, lively, joyful, and kid-friendly musical Second Seder. HEA Preschool teachers will be on hand to lead fun children's activities.
Tot Shabbat Shabbat, Apr 19th 10:45a to 12:00p A fun and spirited playtime and Tot Shabbat service.
USY Chametz Fest Sunday, Apr 20th 8:00p to 9:30p Get ready to break Passover and eat all the chametz! Open to 7th-12th Graders
Yom Hashoah Commemoration - Music and Survival: The Spirit Endures Tuesday, Apr 22nd 7:00p to 8:30p HEA welcomes a special “Violin of Hope” on loan from the Nashville Symphony and the family violin from the Sladek family that survived with our member, Osi Sladek. The program will include music of the holocaust with the Eitan Kantor, The Colorado Hebrew Chorale and Guest Violinist from the Colorado Symphony, Samuel Nebyu.
Bubbe, Zayde and Me: Yom Hatzmaut Sunday, Apr 27th 4:00p to 5:30p Come and celebrate Israel's birthday with your grandchild (age 2-8) with Israeli-themed activities. We will make Israeli treats, create an Israeli flag collage, write notes for the wall, and much more. $15 per HEA member family / $25 non-member family
Kavod on the Road Tuesday, Apr 29th 1:00p to 2:30p Monthly programs for adults hosted by Kavod On the Road at HEA.
Israeli Wine Tasting for Yom Hatzmaut designed for women age 30-50 Thursday, May 1st 7:00p to 8:30p Israel boasts a vibrant wine industry with over 300 wineries, including both commercial and boutique wineries, spanning various regions from the Galilee to the Negev Desert. Come and taste a variety of these wines in a blind taste test and rate your favorites. Israeli snacks will be served. $20 per-person HEA member / $30 per-person non-member
Men’s Night Out: Pastrami and Poker Tuesday, May 6th 7:00p to 9:00p Bragging rights to the winner, but all proceeds will be donated to Leket Israel, The National Food Bank of Israel. Entrance fee with dinner included (veg option available): $36 HEA member / $50 non-member. non-member.
