Architecting time

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel likens the Sabbath to a ‘palace in time.’ Often overlooked in this elegant metaphor is the specific nexus between the Tabernacle and Sabbath observance that is solidified in the opening verses of Parshat Vayakel. The Tabernacle assembly process determines Sabbath habits. The 39 major categories curbing Sabbath behavior (weaving, plowing, sifting, writing, etc) are all derived from the activities involved in assembling and disassembling the Tabernacle. The sages transpose Torah’s highly intricate architectural grid for the structure in space to govern the way we structure the period of time, the Sabbath. This represents something more than a convention calling our attention to the space/time continuum. It points to Judaism’s gradual shift from being a religion of consecrated space toward becoming a religion of hallowed time.

Holiness resides not in locations, zip codes, area codes, but in moments, experiences, and memories. A few weeks ago (Parshat Terumah), we considered the Torah’s relationship-friendly language associated with the nuts and bolts of the Tabernacle – indicating that holiness thrives in relationships too. The sages, thus, telescoped the Torah’s extensive focus on the Tabernacle into holiness in time and relationships. May we mine for and multiply holy moments and holy connections as we continue to build our lives.

Unearned generosity

Please. Anna. Much more than simply a polite way to open a request, the Hebrew word for please, anna, appears only twice throughout the entire Torah. First, when Joseph’s brothers plead with him (Gen. 50:17) to bear their sin, forgiving their malicious actions against him so many years earlier. And again in this week’s Sedra following the sin of the Golden Calf, we hear the word ‘please’ anna (Ex 32:31), as Moses asks God to bear the iniquity and forgive their blasphemous idolatry. Both instances of the word anna share in common is the desire to “bear a sin” for which there are no grounds for defense. There is no effort to persuade, to exonerate, or to excuse. Guilt is clear. And a wronged party – Joseph in Genesis and God here – is asked, perhaps as a gesture of pure grace, to bear the offense. Saying anna, please, transforms the ‘redressing of a wrong’ into a potential moment of ‘unearned generosity.’

Twice in the Torah we glimpse the possibility of rectification as one in which responsibility is entirely assumed, so entirely in fact that the gift of “bearing the sin” is possible. Clearly this is not the norm in Jewish tradition. But the notion that Judaism has such a rich culture of teshuva (responsibly rectifying wrongs) that can make it more than a ‘correctional system.’ Moses’ anna suggests that atonement also admits of the potential for forgiving moments of glowing humanity. As rare and distinctive as such moments were in the Torah, so may they find a way into our lives on occasion as well.

Join us at KI on Sunday, March 21, from 11:00am – 12:30pm, for the kickoff of Hebrew Play. At this event, we will have fun activities in Hebrew for kids from six months to six years. Parents to meet and network with each other. This is a free event, ideal event for native Hebrew speakers who want their kids to keep up the language or non-native Hebrew speakers who aspire to raise their kids bilingual.

Questions? Contact Michael (new KI member) at m_s_goldstein@yahoo.com or 617.283.4578.

Wearing our Judaism well

The 14th century Rabbi, Yaakov ben Asher, codified Jewish law in a compendium called the Tur (short for Arba Turim, the ‘four columns’) which became the basis for the subsequent authoritative code of Jewish law known as the Shulchan Aruch. This was a momentous event in the history of Judaism’s rich legal tradition. I find it fascinating that the name of this voluminous work is derived from this week’s Torah portion “And you shall put a mounting of stones in it; four columns of stone…”(Ex. 28:17). The context is a description of the priestly vestments and the features of the breastplate to be worn by the high priest. Why derive the name for a legal collection that prescribes behaviors that span the totality of Jewish life from this seemingly arcane aesthetic detail? Perhaps to imply that how we live as Jews has everything to do with how we wear our Judaism. Purim costumes this weekend represents our annual deviation from our normative garments that both reflect and inform our values. Naming an entire code of Jewish law in honor of the central feature of priestly fashion suggests that all of Jewish behavior orbits around the dignity with which one is robed.
The recent parade of public apologies from professional athletes to political leaders has produced a new genre of media ritual. Contrition is good for the soul; but when tightly manipulated by p.r. handlers it doesn’t even make for good ratings. Integrity requires an alignment between the soul and the surface. What we wear may or may not say something about a sense of fashion, but the clothing lessons of this week’s Torah portion and Purim holiday suggest that garments stand for more than manikins and window dressing. How we wear our values – from the holidays we celebrate to the ways we eat, speak, sleep, and spend our money – the author of the ‘four columns’ reminds us, is, was, and always can be Divinely fashionable.

Join us for our 3rd Annual Gala Celebration Dinner & Auction!

Featuring Dan Ahdoot of Comedy Central & Last Comic Standing

Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm, Epstein Auditorium.

Festive dinner, drinks and auction
Tickets: $90 or $125 per person

Together we will celebrate the new strides that we have achieved in governance and building renewal. Please join us for the festivities: delicious food, festive drinks, silent & live auction and new this year, a comedy show with rising star Dan Ahdoot! You will not be disappointed! KI happiness is always our most important goal of the evening!
We’ve already begun collecting auction items! Take a look at what is new this year!

MFA Curator Tour – Luis Melendez “Master of Spanish Still Life” with Ronni Baer
2 weeks at JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood
Dr. Smile Dental Treatment
Brookline Arts Center class
Bay State Model Railroad Tour
Relax the Back Shoulder Flex
Little Dreams infant clothing
Artbarn Theatre tickets
Geek Squad
Cafe Eilat

Click here for a full list of Gala donors.

We invite you to consider making a donation to the auction. Many of you have professional skills that will appeal to our gala guests. Or perhaps you own a treasure that you would like to donate for the benefit of KI. And don’t forget other items like vacation homes, sports tickets, gourmet cooking, babysitting coupons, foreign language lessons and the like. Be creative! Call 617-277-1008 or email the auction item donation form to kidinnerauction@congki.org and let us know what you have in mind!

Please support our efforts by purchasing an ad in the program book. It’s easy! Download the ad form and mail to the office. Or, email the form to kidinnerauction@congki.org, or call 617-277-1008, and we will create the ad for you.

Our Wish List is complete:
Additional white folding chairs
Outdoor informational kiosk
Paint & carpet 1st floor Hadran classrooms
Paint & furnish USY Youth Lounge
New couches for Bride’s Room

We look forward to celebrating with everyone soon! Click here to see the flyer!

KI Gala Celebration Committee
Jen Skolnick, Chair
Geraldine Acuna-Sunshine
Maria Benet
Harriet Davidson
Sally Fogel
Nora Friedman
Deborah Hirsowitz
Sharon Krebs
Shari Lecker
Onir Leshem
Candace Lun-Plotkin
Helene Maltzman
Sandy Mazur
Bob Nissenbaum
Heidi Paisner
Danielle Remis-Hackel
Jan Rose
Sara Schutzman
Debra Shure
Geraldine Skurnick
Martha Winer

As Pesah 5770 approaches, we are reminded of how weighty ‘preparation’ is in relation to ‘celebration.’ In order to properly clean our homes and become Hametz free, several important institutions and traditions have been established (Selling, Searching, Annulling, and Burning of Hametz). This year it will be possible for you to sell your Hametz via our KI Office, at Daily Minyan, and electronically at www.congki.org up until Monday, March 29^th at 11:46 am. Click here for the form.

We will accept Paypal donations to the Maot Chitim fund below. Be sure to specify Maot Chitim in the special instructions field.

Business Donors
Abeille – http://www.abeille.us/
Ace Ticket.com – www.aceticket.com/
Albert’s of Brookline – www.albertsbrooklineflorist.com
Architect’s Inn – www.architectsinn.com
Art Barn Community Theater – http://www.artbarn.org/
Avishag Skincare
Baby Pistachio -http://www.babypistachio.com
Barbara Krakow Gallery – www.barbarakrakowgallery.com
Beauty and Style – www.beautyandstylebrookline.com
The Body Shop -www.thebodyshop-usa.com
Boston Ballet – www.bostonballet.org/
Boston Bodyworker – www.bostonbodyworker.com
The Boston Red Sox – redsox.mlb.com
Boston Sports Clubs – www.MySportsClubs.com
Bravo – http://www.mfa.org/visit/index.asp?key=6
Brockton Rox Professional Baseball – www.brocktonrox.com
Brookline Arts Center - www.brooklineartscenter.com
Brookline Booksmith – www.brooklinebooksmith.com
Brookline Courtyard by Marriott – Courtyard by Marriott Brookline
Brookline Fire Department – http://www.brooklinema.gov/
Brookline Music School – www.bmsmusic.org
The Butcherie – www.butcherie.com/
Café Eilat – www.cafe-eilat.com/
The Children’s Bookshop – www.thechildrensbookshop.net/
City Housewares – www.city-housewares.com
The Clayroom – www.clayroom.com
Concord Dental Associates - www.concorddentalassociates.com/
Crew International
Crossroads Trade – www.crossroadstrade.com
Coolidge Corner Theatre -www.coolidge.org
Coolidge Corner Wine & Spirits -www.ccwineandspirits.com/
Day Spa MAGI – www.spamagi.com
DeCordova – www.decordova.org/
Dellaria Salons -www.dellaria.com/
Dependable Cleaners – www.dependablecleaners.com/
Designer Circus - www.designerscircus.com
Dining In – https://www.diningin.com/
Downtown Shoes
Eureka! Puzzles and Games – www.eurekapuzzles.com/
Exhale
Fire Opal – www.fire-opal.com/
The FirePlace – www.fireplacerest.com
The French Library – www.frenchlib.org
Geek Choice – www.geekchoice.com/
Hair Cuttery – www.haircuttery.com/
Hands of Time Concierge
Harvard Art Museum – www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/
Healthworks – www.healthworksfitness.com/
Holiday Inn Boston-Brookline – www.holidayinn.com
Inner Space – www.yogainthevillage.com/
ISIS Maternity – www.isismaternity.com/
JCC Camp Grossman – http://www.jccgb.org/camps-and-summer/grossman/
JCC Kaleidoscope Creative Arts&Science Camp – www.jccgb.org/camps-and-summer/kaleidoscope/
JCC Maccabi Camp Kingswood – www.kingswood.org/
JCC Sports Camps -www.jccgb.org/camps-and-summer/sports/
The Jewish Advocate – www.thejewishadvocate.com/
Jewish Women’s Archive - www.jwa.org/
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library – www.jfklibrary.org
JP Licks – www.jplicks.com/
KaBloom – www.KaBloom.com
Karina Mattei Gallery – www.karinamattei.com/
KetubahKetubah - www.ketubah.com/
KooKoo – kookoocafe.com
Kupel’s – www.kupelsbakery.com
Lactation Care – www.lactationcare.com
Lady Grace Stores - www.ladygrace.com/
Lavinia Borcau Skincare – www.laviniaborcau.com
LensCrafters Brookline – www.lenscrafters.com
Little Dreams
Mailboxes Etc. – www.mbe.com/
Manna Massage – www.mannamassage.com
Michael Salon -
Modern Pilates - www.modernpilatesboston.com
Music Together Brookline – www.musictogether.com
MY Oilcloth Inc. – www.myoilcloth.com/
National Center For Jewish Film – www.jewishfilm.org/
New England Comics – www.newenglandcomics.com/
Paper Source – www.Paper-Source.com
Pawtucket Red Sox - www.pawsox.com/
The Pear Tree – www.thepeartreeofbrookline.com
Phil Cherkas Home Improvement – www.cherkashomeimprovement.com
Portrait Simple, Chestnut Hill – www.portraitsimple.com
Pucker Gallery – www.puckergallery.com
Puppet Showplace Theatre – www.puppetshowplace.org
Rabbi Rocketpower Books – www.rabbirocketpower.com/
Rami’s – www.ramisboston.com
Red Cab
Relax the Back – www.relaxtheback.com/
The Rose Art Museum – www.rose.brandeis.edu
Russo’s – www.russos.com/
Sandra Rae Design
Sara Piazza Photography – www.sarapiazza.com/
ScrubaDub - www.scrubadub.com/
Shaw’s/Star Market - www.shaws.com/
Shimon Salon – www.salonshimon.com
Shimon’s Service Station
Simmons College – http://www.simmons.edu/athletics/programs/
Smile Boston – www.smileboston.com/
Snip-its – www.snipits.com/
Sowles Trauring Dental Partners of Boston – www.dentalpartnersofboston.com
Staples, Beacon St. Brookline – www.staples.com
Starbucks – www.starbucks.com/
Storck & Storck – http://www.storckandstorckcleaning.com/
Tova’s Catering – www.tovascatering.com
The Studio: A Dance Center for Adults – www.studiodcfa.com
Trader Joes – www.traderjoes.com/
Ultracut Hair Salon – Ultra Cut
Vintage
Walter’s Jewelry
When Pigs Fly Bakery - www.sendbread.com/
Wild Goose Chase
Zomar, Inc.
Zoots - www.Zoots.com

To learn more about the Festival or to purchase tickets for any of the Festival concerts go to www.jewishbostonmusicfestival.org

We are thrilled to introduce KICKS: Kehillath Israel’s Community Kabbalat Shabbat

KICKS is a warm community of spiritually-engaged Jews that strives to create soulful, energetic Friday night t’filah and nourishing, inclusive communal activities. We cultivate a traditional-egalitarian davening atmosphere that is committed to powerful prayer experience, within the broader communal fabric of Jewish learning and socializing in Brookline and Boston. We welcome new faces and seasoned ones, and encourage everyone to join us in taking responsibility for the group experience.

Join us for the launch:
Friday, March 12
KI’s Chapel, 384 Harvard St, Brookline
Mincha: 5:35pm; Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:55pm; Maariv: 6:30pm

Start times will shift each week with sundown. Join the once-weekly email list for our weekly start times and updates on dinners and other communal activities. Sign up on our Google groups page: http://groups.google.com/group/kikabbalatshabbat, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=328611620204, or email KIKabbalatShabbat@gmail.com. Questions, comments, suggestions, and your desire to get involved are all very welcome.

Friday March 26, 2010, 6:00pm, Rabb Chapel at Congregation Kehillath
Israel, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

For more information email hadranassistant@congki.org. Or call 617-566-0079