Wednesday, November 19, 2008
eWeekly: Nov 19, 2008
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 8, November 19th, 2008 (Due to circumstances beyond this webguy's control, last week's eWeekly never made it to the site. Humblest apologies...)
Parashat Vayera – Genesis 23:1-25:18
Burying one’s dead—what could be a more rudimentary cultural ritual? The scene in which Abraham buys a gravesite from a Hittite for Sarah is often commented upon for the highly stylized negotiation that results in the acquisition. Scholars relate to this material as a rare glimpse of social-business history. I wish to focus on something far more basic: the very notion that burial assumes land ownership.
We know very little about biblical-era traditions of burial or attitudes toward the dead. This led one scholar to call customs relevant to the ancient Israelite cult of the dead “a hidden heritage.” In an article published in the 1970s, H. C. Brichto suggested that during the pre-Persian eras—that is, before 538 b.c.e.—Jews were particularly concerned that family members be properly buried on ancestral lands. Since death was understood as a continuation of life, including retained memory, consciousness, and awareness of all that was happening with descendants, one’s afterlife was to take place where one belonged—on clan-owned lands. (1) As Jews increasingly became citizens of the world—either through forced exiles or migrations—historical circumstances forced traditional attitudes toward the dead to be abandoned. Identity along clan and geographic lines diminished. A Jew living outside of the Land of Israel might entertain as an ideal burial in the Holy Land, but practically speaking, it proved to be implausible for most living abroad. And with urbanization in the Land of Israel itself, identity had less to do with specific regions than it did with the place a family lived, whether or not it involved a historic association.
Abraham’s acquisition of Machpelah, then, is packed with irony. Technically speaking, he is on the very land he has been promised, but he rightly identifies himself as “a resident alien,” making clear that nothing truly belongs to him. Nothing of this land will belong to any Jew prior to the return of the Egyptian exiles many centuries after Abraham’s lifetime. Thus, the authors, by engaging this particular story, can initiate the ideal of burial in the Holy Land—something they will reiterate through Jacob, who dies in Egypt (Genesis 47:30, 49:29–33)—but also send the signal that even Abraham had to acquire a grave for his wife in a land that was not (yet) his own. In a very profound sense, then, Abraham was like any Jew who did not have access to ancestral property. The pattern he symbolizes would become the dominant pattern of Jewish life after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c.e.
The fact that Abraham refuses to take land offered him for free (Genesis 23:6–9) stems from Abraham’s desire to achieve a legally legitimate and irreversible hold over his parcel. The principle underlying this acquisition is very simple, but the social dynamic will prove harsh. No social or legal convention would guarantee Jews peace in their graves in subsequent eras.
The image of a gravesite, with its stone witnesses to the deceased and its tranquility, is among the most stable cultural symbols. And yet, “life in the grave” for the Jew has all too frequently been robbed of its most precious dignities. Once the Diaspora commenced, the experience of being denied the grave began. Much of our Bible conveys an awareness of the shift in fates for the living and the dead with the destruction of Jerusalem itself—the moment that defines the beginning of Diaspora. The Book of Psalms records the devastation of Jerusalem by speaking of the corpses of God’s servants strewn “as food for the fowl of heaven, and the flesh of Your faithful for the wild beasts. Their blood was shed like water around about Jerusalem, with none to bury them” (Psalm 79:2–3). The heartrending character of such narratives—whether they derive from antiquity or the Holocaust matters little—lies in the many layers at which the violation of one’s humanity is implied by such a scene. It is one thing to be killed; it is yet more horrible to imagine that one’s death is not commemorated through ritual and burial.
A deep element of our humanity is expressed through how we relate to the deceased. Such rituals say less about the dead than they do about the living. The issue here is not whether burial is somehow more appropriate than, say, cremation, as a Hindu would practice it. The issue is about how a culture exercises control over this very important structure for expressing the sanctity of life. Despite the fact that Jews believed in an afterlife, and hoped death was but a temporary state, the grave needed to be permanently at peace, undisturbed, and with the remains of a corpse intact, waiting for the final resurrection. An afterlife was dependent upon the meritorious character of a person’s life, and upon a peaceful existence in the grave.
For more on this weeks portion, go to http://urj.org/torah/
MEMBERSHIP
From Laura Flieder: When I started sending in these e-weekly columns, I told you that I wanted to enhance the culture of welcoming in this Temple. I still believe that we do a better job at TOS than most Temples in making people feel welcome here. However, with the exception of my mother’s turkey recipe, there is always room for improvement.
One facet of welcoming people is getting to know them. So we started with the name tags. Another facet of the welcoming process is support. We can support each other as members in many different ways. Meals and carpools come to mind, but there is another way. We can support each others’ businesses.
But how can you support your fellow congregant’s businesses if you don’t know what they do? And if your fellow congregants don’t know what you do for a living, how can they reciprocate? On Saturday, January 24, 2009 there will be TOS Community Night. It is a night of business and social networking.
Each person who chooses to present will give an “Elevator Pitch” 30- 45 seconds. After the pitches, we will enjoy a cocktail party. Good food and drink and good company. Oh did I mention Door Prizes?
Only TOS members may give a pitch. Come socialize. Come network for your business opportunities. Learn about your fellow congregants’ business as they learn about yours. More details and a flyer to follow. Any questions, call me at 724-449-2779 or .
Todah,
Laura Flieder
Calling all singers, dancers, actors, and artists ITS HERE AGAIN! The TOS PURIM MUSICAL
Auditions are on Sunday December 7th from 9am-1030am in Rabbi Art’s office
If you are interested in auditioning please email .
Include all of the following information in your email: Name, age , phone number, talent/s (singer, dancer, actor, artist, costume), weekend (Fri, Sat, and Sunday) availability beginning in January, and your most frequently checked email address.
Tifani will email you back with your time slot for Sunday Dec 7th.
To audition please prepare the following:
• 1 minute clip of a song from a musical
• 30 seconds of choreography (bring your own CD)
It is possible to just audition with one of the above...but this year’s musical includes lots of dancing!
Parents and kids please sign up to help with the stage crew, set designs, and costumes.
LIFELONG LEARNING
Shalom,
Tomorrow, I am driving to Harrisburg for the Union for Reform Judaism Pennsylvania Council Regional Biennial. I will be participating in the Pre-Conference Kallah for Educators and will attend other sessions on Friday and Saturday morning based on the weekend’s theme: Wise Hearts: The Legacy and Challenge of Jewish Leadership.
I look forward to meeting with other reform Jews from our state and know that I will bring back to our congregation lots of ideas and information to pass on to all of you. I will, of course, be back in time for Sunday School and hope you will join me at the dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for The Alvin Weinberg Children’s Computer Center beginning at 10:45 in the Upper Multi Purpose Room.
Shavua Tov,
Marci
LATKE COOKS NEEDED!!!!!!
We are looking for some volunteers to make Latkes for our Family Chanukah Party on December 21, 2008.
If you are interested please contact Ken Eisner at or
Thank You in Advance!!!!!
FUNDRAISING
We’ve started planning our spring fundraiser! “Back By Popular Demand” the Temple will be hosting a ‘Nite at the Races and A Silent Auction’ on Saturday April 18, 2009. We have a lot to do to ensure this evening is a huge success! Our goal is to meet and even exceed the high expectations of those who attended in the past. It’s a hard act to follow! As a result, we’ll be looking for many volunteers to help pull this off. Therefore, a planning meeting will be held on Sunday, December 7 at 11:30am in the Multi-Purpose room.
We have lots of volunteer opportunities available so please consider joining this very important effort. Special thanks to those who have already signed up. Remember this is our big fundraiser for the year and we need your participation!
The subcommittees needing committee members are listed below:
Start-Up Committee: Responsibilities include advertising, invitations, RSVPs and selling horses.
Fundraising Committee: Responsibilities include obtaining and tracking race sponsorships, prizes and donations.
Set Up/Clean Up Committee: Responsibilities include room set-up, decorations, and clean-up.
Kitchen Committee: Responsibilities include organizing appetizers and the caterers.
If you have any questions, concerns or want to sign up, please contact me at 724-772-8117 or via email at
Thanks in advance for your participation. TOGETHER LET’S MAKE THIS THE BEST FUNDRAISER EVER!!!
Amy Covell
VP Fundraising
Genocide Awareness Shabbat
As members of the human race and the Jewish community we must stand up and speak when innocent people are being murdered. Within the past century, genocide has occurred for different reasons in different areas, but we have yet to learn from this history, for it continues to repeat itself. Join us on January 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM as we discuss past genocides and pray that the current genocide in Darfur region of the Sudan will be the last. For more information please contact {encode=” ” title="Rachel Dougherty"}. I am launching a postcard drive. All you must do is complete a postcard that will be sent to Washington D.C. to urge the new administration to take humanitarian action in Darfur. Please fill out a postcard when you find a spare second. Postage will be taken care of. Thanks.
Thank You Oneg Hosts!
The Women of Ohav Shalom (WOS) would like to thank the families who have graciously volunteered their time and effort to host a Friday night Oneg this year: Rebecca Mason and family, Michelle and Linda Leavitt and families, Bobby Harley, and the Karsh, Feldman, Ogiwara and Silberstein families. Thank you for participating in this mitzvah for our temple. WOS would also like to thank the families who made monetary donations to off-set the costs of providing treats at onegs when we do not have a volunteer family.
Do You Like to Bake Cookies? Eat Cookies? Why Not Host an Oneg?
We need you! We still have lots of open dates that we need Oneg hosts. Please consider volunteering to host an Oneg for November 21st or 28th, December 12th, 19th, or 26th, or January 16th, 23rd, or 30th. Please help keep this wonderful tradition thriving and volunteer to host a Friday Night Oneg. or call Joni Ferrara at 724) 933-3923 to schedule a date. Volunteers (and cookies) are greatly appreciated!
Swarovski Crystal Bracelets
Join THE WOMAN OF OHAV for a fun night together creating your very own Swarovski Crystal Bracelets
December 11th at TOS from 6 – 8:30PM. Pot Luck Dinner (Enough for 12). Please let Elaine Bergstrom know if you are attending . Adult or Girls Crystal Bracelet cost $18 each. Girls Beaded Bracelets 13 and Under are $12
Checks Payable to WOS: Deadline is Monday Dec.1st Send checks to: Elaine Bergstrom1513 King David Dr. Pgh., PA, 15237
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GREAT HANUKKAH PRESENT?
Help the Women of Ohav Shalom support Temple Ohav Shalom by buying a a raffle ticket for a a Pittsburgh Penguins Gift Bag! Each ticket costs $10.00. The gift bag includes:
2 tickets for the 12/23 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning
2 Penguins Sweatshirts
Penguins Reusable Tote Bag
Penguins Pennant
Other Miscellaneous Penguins Stuff!
Tickets will be sold in the Education Wing during Sunday School and Hebrew School until the drawing at 11:30 on Sunday, December 14th. Bag will be on display during the Book Fair.
BOOKFAIR at TOS
The WOMEN OF OHAV SHALOM are happy to once again sponsor the Scholastic Book Fair at Temple Ohav Shalom. It is going on now through November 23rd. Hours are Tuesday 5-7:30PM and Sunday 9-11:30 and Monday & Wednesday from 9-10:30AM.
RECYCLING AT TOS
Please remember to recycle your newspapers at TOS. If you drop them off when you come to the temple, we can earn money. Also, we recycle print cartridges and cell phones!
GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, November 21st 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah with Shara Taylor
Sunday, November 23rd Dedication of Children’s Computer Lab
Saturday, December 6th 10:00AM Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Sunday, December 7th 9:00AM-10:30 Rabbi Art’s Office Purim Auditions!
Thursday, December 11th 6-8:30PM WOS Swarovski Crystal Bracelets
Sunday, December 21st Family Chanukah Party Details to Follow
2009
Saturday, January 3rd 10:00AM Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Friday, January 16th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Friday, February 20th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, led by Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Open Discussion about new siddur in Social Hall following Service
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Schedule of Worship Services for November
Parashat Chayei Sarah
Friday, November 21---23 Heshvan, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Shara Taylor
Saturday, November 22 --- 24 Heshvan, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Marshall Auron
Parashat Toldot
Friday, November 28 ---1 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Sandy Berkowitz
Saturday, November 29 --- 2 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bill Lowenberger
