president

I received this email from Contra Costa Elections:

“Hello Michael Cohen,

This is a message from Contra Costa County Elections. Your ballot for the 2020 General Election was received and will be counted. Thank you for voting!”

Mercedes and I placed our ballots in the official ballot drop box in the parking lot of the Wastewater District office on Hilltop.  There were no crowds or lines, just a secure box.  It was easy.  And with tracking, I know my ballot was received and will be counted.  If you have not already voted, please do it today.  I won’t presume to tell you how to vote, but you really should vote and when you vote please consider our Jewish values including justice and compassion.  

I think of the words of Rabbi Hillel that I close all my messages with.  “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”  This past Tuesday was the second anniversary of the murder of 11 people in the Pittsburgh massacre.  Vote against anti-Semitism.  “If I am not for others, what am I?”  Black lives do matter and xenophobia is one of the sins we repent for on Yom Kippur.  Vote against hate.  “If not now, when?”  You have until Tuesday.  Don’t wait.  Vote today. 

We are Temple Beth Hillel.

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If I am not for others, what am I?

And if not now, when?   -Rabbi Hillel

We are a small and mighty community joined together by our commitment to Judaism, each other, and Tikkun Olam and we are still together even though we are physically apart and socially distanced.  We are going to get through the challenges of the present because of our support of each other, but I know there are many people struggling through COVID-19 isolation without the comfort of community.  

If you know anyone who might find comfort from our community, reach out to them and invite them to join us for a Friday night service or for Lay Led Torah study or to make sandwiches for GRIP.  They may find some comfort and meaning with us and isn’t that what we are all about?  In this time when human contact is difficult, human connection is especially crucial.  We are lucky to have our community.  Let’s share.  

We are Temple Beth Hillel.

 If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If I am not for others, what am I?

And if not now, when?   -Rabbi Hillel

Our past president, Neil Zarchin, ended all his President’s Messages with, “We are what we do.”  During these past difficult pandemic months I have often thought about what we, Temple Beth Hillel, do and it makes me very proud to be a member of this community.  

Although we can’t safely gather in person, we continue to pray together online.  Our Ritual Committee, led by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel, is working diligently on online High Holy Day observances that promise to be meaningful.  Of course we would rather be together, but Covid-19 makes that impossible.  I am, however,  awed by the creativity and dedication of our committee and clergy who are accomplishing this unprecedented task.  Our choir, led by Cantor Shayndel, is adapting to our current circumstances in a manner that is sure to impress. 

Once again this month we delivered over 400 sandwiches to GRIP to be distributed to those in need.  Jane Kaasa is due a giant thank you for organizing this effort.  Our Food For Thought Committee refuses to give up on providing meals for local students and families even though the current circumstances may eliminate the usual means of packing and distributing the boxes of food.  The committee is facing the challenges with optimism, determination, and creativity.  

In a few weeks, our Religious School will start the new school year online.  Although nothing can replace in person instruction, our teachers, clergy, and staff are dedicated to providing fun and meaningful Jewish instruction.  If you are a Religious School family or if you know a family that might join us, please contact David Zimring, Larry Fox, or Michelle Husby.

 We are Temple Beth Hillel. 

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If I am not for others, what am I?

And if not now, when?   -Rabbi Hillel

Here we are well into the 21st Century, and I am confronted with two moral outrages. Should I be angry at a completely immoral President demanding that houses of worship reopen before it is safe, or should I be angry at yet another killing of an unarmed African American man, this time by a cop, while three other uniformed police officers stood by and watched.

Let’s go from bad to worse and start with the President’s orders. Bear with me while I take the opportunity to state a hunch, without proof. I doubt Trump has ever been in a house of worship for any reason other than a photo op, I doubt he has ever chanted a V’dui, beating his chest and confessing his sins, pleading in humility for mercy. So I say No. Just No. To add to the story, he threatened to override any governors who don’t jump at his command. He does not have the right. California has issued conditions under which houses of worship can reopen. Contra Costa County has upheld its shutdown orders. Even if the county says we can open, it is our decision. Our decision will be made with one consideration only. The health and safety of our community. 

But sadly, that anger has been eclipsed by the murder of George Floyd in MInneapolis. Confronted by police for suspicion of forgery (an obviously nonviolent crime) he somehow wound up face down on the ground under a police cruiser, with one of the cops kneeling on his neck. He complained that he could not breathe. The officer then asked if he would get into the police car, and Mr. Floyd said he would. The officer asked why he wasn’t doing so, Mr. Floyd answered he could not move because the officer was on top of him. Eventually Mr. Floyd lost consciousness. The officer on him did not move until an ambulance arrived. Mr. Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

The four officers have been fired. Perhaps this will lead to justice. Perhaps. BUT….. what would have happened if witnesses had not caught the entire episode on video? Would a witness’s word be sufficient to implicate four police officers? 

Justice, Justice shall you pursue. We can’t vote to oust the corrupt police of Minneapolis (remember Philandro Castille)? But we can vote for leaders with wisdom and forbearance, who will govern with justice and compassion. Vote to change the culture. Voting is an act. Vote.

We are what we do.