Divrei Derech

Out of the Office, Episode 6

One of the things I really enjoy about rabbinic work is the diversity, the various and sometimes unexpected things that come up in the life of a rabbi.  In recent years, I’ve shared some of those fascinating adventures that take me out of the office in case you might be wondering what I’m up to when you don’t see my car in the parking lot.

Last night I experienced another fascinating adventure and the first one I’m chronicling during my time here in Fresno. 

I got on Highway 99 and headed south to Selma, where I arrived at the Spike & Rail (formerly Pea Soup Anderson’s) for the monthly meeting of the Central Valley Funeral Directors Association.

Turns out, there aren’t so many Jewish funerals in the region, and the group thought it would be informative to bring the rabbi in for some learning about Jewish burial practices.

I was pleased with how familiar they already were with Jewish practice and I’m always impressed with how sensitive each mortuary is with properly attending to the needs of the Jewish community.

By the way, the other thing that impressed me about the group is the caring for the community at large and the desire to give back.  Part of the evening’s business included a discussion of projects to help the homeless.

It’s a great group and I was glad to meet those who care for our families at some of the most difficult moments.

 

...If you're interested in checking out previous episodes of 'Out of the Office,' here's a quick recounting.  Each one is a link.  You can simply click on the title and it will take you to the original article:

Episode 1: Hope Hospice Ethics Committee

Episode 2: Urban Shield 2009, Alameda County Sheriff’s Dept., Tactical Training Program and the Israeli Delegation

Episode 3: Dublin High School English classes discussing the Holocaust, Judaism & Anti-Semitism

Episode 4: Chaplain call for Pleasanton Police Dept., Holding Fort for the Priest

Episode 5: JCRC meeting with California Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan 

Sanitized for your protection

(Sparked from a comment on yesterday’s blog post…)

Something struck me when I first walked into the building.  Yes, it’s a beautiful campus… lots of light, windows throughout the building looking out on trees and grass.  But I couldn’t help but notice the hand sanitizer museum pieces sprinkled throughout the lobby.  There they sit, each paired with a sculpture of Jewish life.  I’m sure there’s a message in it, but I haven’t quite figured it out yet.  (I’ll take suggestions.)

You might think this display of the modern equivalent of ‘sanitized for your protection’ would be off-putting, but I find some comfort in it.  I suppose it comes from shared history and the experience of having survived a challenging time.

Those of us up at camp at the beginning of the 2009 season remember the outbreak of H1N1, which we were still allowed to call ‘swine flu,’ and all the extraordinary steps we took to keep the camp community as healthy as possible.

We loaded up on the hand sanitizer and dispensed it liberally.  It even became part of the religious ritual…

(My friend and colleague, Rabbi Paul, dispenses sanitizer at the entrance to Friday Night services.  Rabbi Paul has a great blog you'll find here: Or Am I?)

I guess, when you think about it, it’s not that far off traditional practice as ritual handwashing has long been part of Jewish tradition… albeit for different purposes.

Yes, I thought it was a bit silly to see each of our art pedestals adorned with these plastic bottles, but I guess it’s funny what can provide comfort.

And if you’re interested in the lasting legacy at our URJ camp in Northern California… head on up the hill toward the faculty cabins and you’ll find a mural memorializing what is known in some circles as the infamous ‘Swine ’09.’

 

(Max painting the design by our friend and artist-in-residence, Isaac.)

...very fun mural, but in addition, to silly camp memories, Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik does some amazing Jewish art.  

You can find it here: Nice Jewish Artist.com

A Significant Little Statue

I’ve been noticing the statues all throughout the lobby of our building.  I have to admit that my attention has especially focused upon the various sculptures paired with economy-size hand sanitizer bottles on each pedestal.

 

So, perhaps it’s not much of a surprise that I hadn’t really focused upon one near the office with three figures sitting together.

I stopped and read the plaque accompanying this piece located near the office.  The title is ‘The Forum of Better Understanding’ and it’s dedicated to a priest, a minister and a rabbi.  Yes, I’m used to those three setting up a joke, but this one’s for real...

 

Rabbi David Greenberg, who began serving the Fresno Jewish community in 1931, came together with the local Episcopal priest and Catholic monsignor in a radio program called ‘Forum for Better Understanding’ and they continued the show until 1954.  The original statue sits downtown in Courthouse Park and the smaller model is the one displayed in our lobby.

 

(The full sized statue is on 'M' between Tulare and Fresno. Sculptor: Clement Renzi, 1968, lost wax cast in Verona, Italy)

I’m learning about Rabbi Greenberg’s legacy as a champion of interfaith understanding, civil justice and human rights.  Already, in a few short weeks, the interfaith community has begun to welcome me and I’m eager to develop those relationships that lead to the important work we accomplish across religious lines.

I appreciate having this reminder sitting in our lobby and I hope the statue downtown does more than sit.  In fact, there’s a Fresno Unified elementary school named for Rabbi Greenberg.  I hope the students there learn the significance of the name of their school and what it means for religious understanding. 

Click here to see the J Weekly article about the dedication of Greenberg Elementary

 

By the way, there’s another elementary school in town named for a prominent member of the local Jewish community.  Louis Slater Elementary honors the well respected, giving businessman whose grandson Dewey carries on his legacy in our community today.  

A little more background on Louis Slater Elementary

 

Shabbat in the Woods

I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they find their spirituality out in the wilderness.  The subtext, of course, is that they have difficulty spiritually connecting in the synagogue. 

I get it… and I agree, although I’ve had many great worship experiences indoors.  There are many conducive spaces, awe-inspiring buildings.  I’ve even had great spiritual moments in not-so-great rooms.  In those cases, it’s more about the people gathered and the mood we create, but…

There’s also nothing like the breathtaking natural sanctuaries.  I’m especially awed by towering redwoods.  The majesty of Yosemite inspired spiritual power in people long before Europeans set foot on this continent.

Reform Judaism in the west has long had a great relationship between our religiosity and the wilderness with our URJ camp located for many years in the middle of the redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountain range.  We’ve moved our camp up to Santa Rosa but it’s still a beautiful natural surrounding and I notice new redwoods springing up there each summer.

A rabbi friend of mine who also spent time at URJ’s Camp Swig has made a life of wilderness Judaism.  Check out Rabbi Mike Comins’ organization:

Torah Trek: The Center for Jewish Wilderness Spirituality 

Rabbi Jamie Korngold has also created opportunities to bring our Judaism together with the inspiration of the natural world. 

adventurerabbi.org

I’m going to take advantage of my new locale and its proximity to natural wonders and take Shabbat into the woods.  Thanks to Scott and Deborah for helping me identify and reserve a spot up at Shaver Lake for our first adventure.  There’s plenty of space, picnic grounds and bathroom facilities right on the lake in the midst of the spectacular wilderness.

I plan to let the natural beauty speak for itself, punctuated with a taste of Shabbat music.  What better way to recharge our souls in the weeks leading into the High Holy Day period.

Let me know if you’re interested in joining us.

September 10^th at Shaver Lake

Informal Shabbat service at 1:00 p.m.

Bring a picnic lunch

I’ll have more details up on the Temple Beth Israel website soon. www.tbifresno.org