TEMPLE NER TAMID - THE CONSERVATIVE CONGREGATION OF PEABODY

Temple Ner Tamid is a Conservative Congregation that enriches Jewish Life by providing for spiritual, ritual, educational and social growth as well as community service in a warm welcoming atmosphere for all individuals and families

368 Lowell Street

Peabody, MA 01960

Tel: (978) 532-1293 Fax: (978) 532-0101

Email: TempleNerTamid@verizon.net

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The CONSERVATIVE CONGREGATION of PEABODY

FROM THE RABBI

by Rabbi David Klatzker

NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS

(I) Last month, I attended sessions of the Rabbinical Assembly--the international convention of Masorti/Conservative rabbis, with nearly 500 in attendance in Cambridge. In contrast to the popular impression that our movement is failing, I was genuinely inspired by the possibilities.

We have the potential and the resources to be successful at re-inventing ourselves.

To give just a couple of examples:

–Arnold Eisen, the Chancellor-elect of the Seminary, gave a moving talk on the need to focus on “mitzvah.” Our understanding of “mitzvah” is what really distinguishes us from the Reform and the Orthodox. Unlike most of the Reform, we have retained a strong sense of commitment to traditional practices. Unlike most of the Orthodox, we feel that the best translation of “mitzvah” is not “commandment” or “obligation,” but rather “committing ourselves to a higher purpose in life.” As an example of how we might enable Torah to speak to Jews today, one rabbi suggested that we re-brand Shabbat as “I-pause” (sounds like “Ipod”).

–Rather than see Conservative Judaism as hopelessly fractured between traditionalists and liberals--one synagogue does a full Torah reading on Shabbat, the other does not; one supports gay and lesbian marriages, the other does not–why not be proud of the fact that we permit choice within a set of boundaries? Rather than pushing people away, we are the movement that tries the hardest to bring Jews together at the same table, so that they can dialogue and learn from each other. We don’t believe in a single truth or a grand narrative of what it means to be Jewish, but in multiple truths and mini-narratives.

(II) A number of TNT members have asked me about a multigenerational synagogue trip to Israel, so I am starting a committee to explore our options. A good time to travel might be at Sukkot (September/October) or during February school break–when it is not as hot as the summer, and the airfare would be less costly. We could visit the Western Wall excavations in Jerusalem, hold a morning service at the Joseph Caro Synagogue in the mystical town of Tzefat, kayak on the Jordan River, visit Independence Hall in Tel Aviv where the modern state began, see the powerful new museum at Yad Vashem–and do so much more. If you would like to discuss this further, please let me know.

(III) Our special thanks to Ariel Berger, our outgoing Youth Director, for all that he has done to strengthen Peabody USY–the largest Jewish youth program on the North Shore. And welcome (back) to Sue Callum, our new director! We look forward to an exciting new year.

(IV) Summertime, and the living is easy! But the synagogue does not close during the summer. Stay tuned for details of our innovative summer programming, including Shabbat dinners and many different types of services.