Comments for CO-STAR Blog - Sharing insights about synagogue life http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog Star Synagogue Fri, 09 May 2008 16:14:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 Comment on Guest Blogger Rabbi Aaron Spiegel On Why Synagogues Need To Increase Their Use Of Technology by 3 Solid Articles on Nonprofits 2.0 | Friendly Web Tools Blog http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/guest-blogger-rabbi-aaron-spiegel-on-why-synagogues-need-to-increase-their-use-of-technology/53#comment-1053 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:19:18 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/guest-blogger-rabbi-aaron-spiegel-on-why-synagogues-need-to-increase-their-use-of-technology/53#comment-1053 [...] Aaron Spiegel, who’s the IT guy and a former congregational rabbi at the Alban Institute, wrote about how synagogues need to use more technology. [...] […] Aaron Spiegel, who’s the IT guy and a former congregational rabbi at the Alban Institute, wrote about how synagogues need to use more technology. […]

]]> Comment on Create Your List of 10 Modern Day Plagues by Hayim Herring http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1020 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:03:42 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1020 Josh--thanks for this very creative adaptation, which I plan to use at my seder. Chag sameach, Hayim Josh–thanks for this very creative adaptation, which I plan to use at my seder. Chag sameach, Hayim

]]> Comment on Create Your List of 10 Modern Day Plagues by Joshua Heller http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1013 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:23:31 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1013 This got my thinking going- how do our modern plagues compare with the plagues in Egypt. Dont' have a full list, but some of the matches might be chomer l'drush... Dam- man's destruction and neglect of the environment- a few years ago, a river actually caught fire; here in Georgia we have gone far beyond the capacity of our lakes and rivers to support us. Tzfardeah- the chipring, swarming and multiplying distractions (cellphones etc) Kinim- lice- the ways in which those around us take from us according the the measure of s'dom- a thousand "minor" thefts- stealing time, rounding down by a 1/10 of a cent, "junk fees" that it is not worth fighting. Arov- "mixed species"- science crossing boundaries like cloning, genetic modification without benefit of ethical discussion. Dever Shechin- Barad- Arbeh- consumerism and the culture of consumption- the midrash says that the arbeh consumed "ein ha'aretz" the eye of the earth- they ate more than they needed to because they didn't even look at what they were eating. Darkness- know-nothingness- refusing to see the problems with one's own religious faith or political "ism" Makat Bechorot- geoncide and murder This got my thinking going- how do our modern plagues compare with the plagues in Egypt. Dont’ have a full list, but some of the matches might be chomer l’drush…
Dam- man’s destruction and neglect of the environment- a few years ago, a river actually caught fire; here in Georgia we have gone far beyond the capacity of our lakes and rivers to support us.
Tzfardeah- the chipring, swarming and multiplying distractions (cellphones etc)
Kinim- lice- the ways in which those around us take from us according the the measure of s’dom- a thousand “minor” thefts- stealing time, rounding down by a 1/10 of a cent, “junk fees” that it is not worth fighting.
Arov- “mixed species”- science crossing boundaries like cloning, genetic modification without benefit of ethical discussion.
Dever
Shechin-
Barad-
Arbeh- consumerism and the culture of consumption- the midrash says that the arbeh consumed “ein ha’aretz” the eye of the earth- they ate more than they needed to because they didn’t even look at what they were eating.
Darkness- know-nothingness- refusing to see the problems with one’s own religious faith or political “ism”
Makat Bechorot- geoncide and murder

]]> Comment on Create Your List of 10 Modern Day Plagues by Rabbi Hayim Herring http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1006 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:54:34 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1006 Thanks, Rabbi Riter, for your comments. And yes--I think that we sometimes underestimate our own ability to bring about the changes we wish to see in the world. Rabbi Herring Thanks, Rabbi Riter, for your comments. And yes–I think that we sometimes underestimate our own ability to bring about the changes we wish to see in the world.

Rabbi Herring

]]> Comment on Create Your List of 10 Modern Day Plagues by Ted Riter http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1002 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:49:14 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-1002 The greatest modern day plague is that too many of us are living at the effect of others and other things and not taking on the responsibility to instead affect the change that we wish to see in ourselves and the rest of the world. The greatest modern day plague is that too many of us are living at the effect of others and other things and not taking on the responsibility to instead affect the change that we wish to see in ourselves and the rest of the world.

]]> Comment on Create Your List of 10 Modern Day Plagues by Rabbi Hayim Herring http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-991 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:57:40 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/create-your-list-of-10-modern-day-plagues/59#comment-991 Thanks to my friend, Rabbi David Fine, for adding "fear of complexity" (black and white, simplistic thinking). And, it was Rabbi Jason Miller who contributed "reality TV" to my original list! Rabbi Herring Thanks to my friend, Rabbi David Fine, for adding “fear of complexity” (black and white, simplistic thinking).

And, it was Rabbi Jason Miller who contributed “reality TV” to my original list!

Rabbi Herring

]]> Comment on Thoughts on the Pew Study On Religion In America by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/thoughts-on-the-pew-study-on-religion-in-america/55#comment-727 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:13:09 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/thoughts-on-the-pew-study-on-religion-in-america/55#comment-727 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on the Pew study. They are very helpful in undestanding a rather significant study. While it is being used as a source for insight into the American Jewish population, it is important to note that its sample size was about half the size of the NJPS (whose own sample invited criticism). In addition, anecdotal evidence about issues such as conversion into Judaism seems to suggest that this Pew study's numbers dont accurately reflect what is going on in the Jewish community. What is important, as is the case with much of current sociological and demographic research, are the trends that are identified in the study. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on the Pew study. They are very helpful in undestanding a rather significant study. While it is being used as a source for insight into the American Jewish population, it is important to note that its sample size was about half the size of the NJPS (whose own sample invited criticism). In addition, anecdotal evidence about issues such as conversion into Judaism seems to suggest that this Pew study’s numbers dont accurately reflect what is going on in the Jewish community. What is important, as is the case with much of current sociological and demographic research, are the trends that are identified in the study.

]]> Comment on Real Leaders Are Not Loved By All by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/real-leaders-are-not-loved-by-all/56#comment-726 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:09:34 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/real-leaders-are-not-loved-by-all/56#comment-726 You make an impt and insightful comment about leadership. I believe that today's leaders will also have to be sensitive to the issues of creating an inclusive Jewish community. (Please see our www.BigTentJudaism.org) for more details. So how is this relevant to the Purim story? We forget that Esther, a Jewish woman, married King Ahashuerus, not a Jewish man. Thus, the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia could not have happened without the heroism of Esther and Mordecia but also without the strength, power and influence of Ahashuerus. Sometimes leadership means using a different prism to look at the world around us. For a fuller explanation, feel free to explore JOI's blog at www.joi.org. Rabbi Kerry Olitzky You make an impt and insightful comment about leadership. I believe that today’s leaders will also have to be sensitive to the issues of creating an inclusive Jewish community. (Please see our www.BigTentJudaism.org) for more details. So how is this relevant to the Purim story? We forget that Esther, a Jewish woman, married King Ahashuerus, not a Jewish man. Thus, the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia could not have happened without the heroism of Esther and Mordecia but also without the strength, power and influence of Ahashuerus. Sometimes leadership means using a different prism to look at the world around us. For a fuller explanation, feel free to explore JOI’s blog at www.joi.org.

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky

]]> Comment on Some Implications for Synagogues to the Emergent Jewish Communities Study by Shawn Landres http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/some-implications-for-synagogues-to-the-emergent-jewish-communities-study/40#comment-663 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:30:11 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/some-implications-for-synagogues-to-the-emergent-jewish-communities-study/40#comment-663 On the subject of integenerationality and emergent sacred communities, permit a son to kvell over his mother's <a href="http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=19075" rel="nofollow">letter to the editor in this week's <i>Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles</i></a>:<blockquote>...Just recently after my husband died, Rabbi [Sharon] Brous conducted the most meaningful and respectful funeral service I have attended in the last 40 years. In the days following the funeral, not only were members of the IKAR community present for all seven days of shiva, but my refrigerators and pantry were filled with the food that they provided for me and my family. The people who came to my home were young professionals with demanding work schedules and young families, yet they made the time to daven with us and comfort and support me and my family during a very difficult time. ...These serious and thoughtful Jews find meaning not only in prayer and ritual, but in their commitment to healing the world one day at a time and in supporting both the spiritual and secular community in which they live. Renata Landres Los Angeles</blockquote> On the subject of integenerationality and emergent sacred communities, permit a son to kvell over his mother’s letter to the editor in this week’s Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles:
…Just recently after my husband died, Rabbi [Sharon] Brous conducted the most meaningful and respectful funeral service I have attended in the last 40 years.

In the days following the funeral, not only were members of the IKAR community present for all seven days of shiva, but my refrigerators and pantry were filled with the food that they provided for me and my family.

The people who came to my home were young professionals with demanding work schedules and young families, yet they made the time to daven with us and comfort and support me and my family during a very difficult time.

…These serious and thoughtful Jews find meaning not only in prayer and ritual, but in their commitment to healing the world one day at a time and in supporting both the spiritual and secular community in which they live.

Renata Landres
Los Angeles

]]> Comment on Real Leaders Are Not Loved By All by Counting Members OR Having Members Who Count « Ma Hamatzav? (Was’ Up?) http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/real-leaders-are-not-loved-by-all/56#comment-658 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:31:24 +0000 http://www.starsynagogue.org/blog/real-leaders-are-not-loved-by-all/56#comment-658 [...] March 12, 2008  My friend Rabbi Hayim Herring recently wrote a piece on the Co-STAR blog entitled &#8220;Real Leaders Are Not Loved By All.&#8221; Hayim reminds us that the final sentence of the book of Esther says, [...] […] March 12, 2008  My friend Rabbi Hayim Herring recently wrote a piece on the Co-STAR blog entitled “Real Leaders Are Not Loved By All.” Hayim reminds us that the final sentence of the book of Esther says, […]

]]>