From the Presidents – June 30, 2023
Shalom Everyone!
And happy summer! We were so excited to see everyone at the A’s game on Tuesday night! Sadly, there is a strong probability this was the penultimate Jewish Heritage night at the coliseum before the team moves to Las Vegas. Nevertheless, we can think of the old cliche “When G-d closes a door, He opens a window.” Although often attributed to the Bible, it likely originated from the German play “The Winter’s Tale” in 1895. Ever since, it has expressed the desire for hope in the midst of sadness, disappointment, or tragedy. In this case, I recently rediscovered that in addition to the A’s, there are a host of minor league teams in the Bay Area, including the San Jose Giants, Stockton Ports, Fresno Grizzlies, and Sacramento River Cats. Each of these teams, in addition to providing great baseball entertainment, may yet produce the next big super star in Major League Baseball. So when the A’s make their departure, and you don’t feel like seeing the Giants, you can possibly witness history by attending a minor league game and seeing the rising stars of the next generation. Hence, the closed door gives way to an open window. Or in other words, when we put our minds to it, we can see the good in most situations.
Also, next month Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a series of events to mark July. First of all, TBH will be hosting a booth at the El Cerrito 4th of July festival on Tuesday, July 4. Larry has a sign up sheet for those who would like to volunteer their time to help spread the word about our congregation. Please email me or Larry if you would like to help out. In addition, on Saturday, July 8 at 5pm sharp a group of us are meeting in the TBH parking lot and carpooling to see a free showing of “A Room With a View” by the Actor’s Ensemble at Berkeley’s John Hinkel Park. To sign on for the carpool or with questions, email Jane Kemp at jckemp5674@gmail.com. And on July 29 at 4:00 p.m. we will host our Movie Night Potluck, with our own Michael Cohen providing background, trivia, and other fun facts about the movie. There will be plenty of snacks and popcorn!
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held on July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Thanks everyone!
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
~ Anna B Stein and David Zimring, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel
Chukat-Balak, Numbers 19:1-25:9, Parshat Hashavua for Shabbat, July 1, 2023
June 30, 2023 by tbhrich • Drashot
The past year, since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, has shown us that the civil rights of women, as basic as having control of and autonomy over their bodies, are still very much in doubt. The struggle of women to be treated as equal citizens, or simply as full human beings, with all the rights and privileges as men remains unsettled and a nexus of political conflict. Miriam, Moses’ sister, is an unusual example of a woman in the Bible. She is the motive force of the Exodus. According to the rabbis she convinced her parents to have a third child, leading to the birth of Moses. It was Miriam who hid Moses in the Nile, where Pharoah’s sister found him. She also convinced the princess to accept Moses’ mother to be his wet nurse. Without her intervention the Exodus wouldn’t have happened. During the long journey in the desert it was Miriam who provided the Israelites with water as, according to a midrash, a well of fresh water followed the Israelites as long as Miriam was alive. In this week’s Torah portion Miriam dies after a long life of service as a leader who guides, motivates and sustains her people. In this she combines classically feminine and masculine qualities. There are very few important women characters in the Bible, but Miriam reminds us that since the beginning of our people’s recorded history we have examples of the power of women. It is about time we caught up to that ancient wisdom and ensured that women are treated as fully equal members of society. To do otherwise is to deny the full God-given dignity and power of women as exemplified by Miriam.