A Reflection of Psalm 1

A Reflection of Psalm 1

(c) Rabbi Menachem Creditor

with gratitude for the sacred friendships of Pastor Dana Cunliffe, Pastor Michael McBride, and Reverend Sarah Isaakson

Blessed is one who neither walks, 

nor stands, 

nor sits in cynicism 

but rather delights in the Wisdom of the Infinite, 

meditating and acting wisely 

day and night. 

That one shall be like a tree 

planted by the rivers of water, 

that brings forth nourishment when needed, 

who succeeds and gains in strength over time. 

Scornful people are not like this. 

They are like chaff driven by the wind. 

Abuse and hurt will not last in a just community. 

God knows us deeply and is the love we seek.

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti ||  ShefaNetwork 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Save the Dates for Upcoming Speakers!

Congregation Netivot Shalom Save the Dates: Upcoming Speakers! Netivot Shalom Links... CNS Website CNS Blog CNS Calendar CNS Preschool Shorashim Hebrew School Amitim Midrasha CNS Adult Education Make a donation to Netivot Shalom!   Congregation Netivot Shalom is an egalitarian, participatory Sacred Community that encourages and engages in Tefilah(Prayer), Torah (Learning), Tzedeka (Social Justice), and Kehillah (Community) within our congregation and the broader community.  Our mission is to inspire Jewish practices among individuals and families who are considering Judaism, are intermarried, or Jewish. We share a commitment to Masorti (Conservative) Judaism and furthering individual and communal spiritual growth, while recognizing a range of personal philosophies, practices and needs.   Upcoming Speakers at Netivot Shalom!   September 10: Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service   Ruth Messinger turned the American Jewish World Service into a communal powerhouse. During Messinger's tenure, AJWS has pioneered a unique blend of support for grass-roots efforts in the developing world with advocacy for social change, all in the context of Jewish teaching. Messinger's leadership again galvanized the world through her extraordinary efforts after an earthquake devastated much of Haiti.  Just hours after the earthquake tore into the poorest nation in the hemisphere, Messinger arranged for AJWS grantees to coordinate relief activities and galvanized a fundraising effort that eventually brought in more than $6 million to 17 Haitian organizations.   November 17: Jay Michaelson, Author of "God vs. Gay"    Jay Michaelson is a writer, scholar, and activist whose work addresses the intersections of religion, sexuality, spirituality, and law.  His newest book is God vs. Gay?  The Religious Case for Equality, will be published in October, 2011, by Beacon Press.  Jay is is the author of three other books and over 200 articles, essays, and works of fiction.  He is the Associate Editor of Religion Dispatches, a Contributing Editor to the Forward newspaper, and Founding Editor of Zeek magazine.  His work on behalf of sexual minorities in religious communities has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, and NPR, as well as several anthologies.    February 11: Anat Hoffman, Chairperson of Women of the Wall   Anat Hoffman is the chairwoman of Women of the Wall. She is the executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, the legal and advocacy arm of the Reform Movement in Israel. Previously she held a seat on the Jerusalem City Council, where for fourteen years she stood in opposition to the policies of the city's right-wing and ultra-Orthodox administration. She has dedicated her adult life to the Jewish principle of tikkun olam, which literally means repairing the world.

JTS's Conservative Judaism Blog: "Jews and Others: The Responses"

Dear JTS Family, Why do we label ourselves and others, and what can we learn from it? This week, in "Jews and Others: The Responses," I rejoin the lively conversation that is taking place on the JTS blog. Conservative Jews are sharing their experiences and discussing their beliefs on a variety of topics. Read the essay and let me know what you think. Visit the "Conservative Judaism: A Community Conversation" blog—and follow me on Twitter @Arnold Eisen (twitter.com/ArnoldEisen) as well. Sincerely, Arnold M. Eisen Chancellor The Jewish Theological Seminary

Sunshine, Time, and a Smile
(C) Rabbi Menachem Creditor

The mundane can be holy,
Muggles can be magic.
All it takes is
sunshine, time, and a smile.

A-Jewel-A-Day: Elul 6 - Josh Kornbluth

Editor's note: We are thrilled that you have joined us for this 29 day journey to Rosh Hashana. Please note that it is not too late for your friends a family to read past Jewels and join in the conversation by signing up here. Elul 6 Candlelight by Josh Kornbluth

Talking about enlightenment -- at least in spiritual terms -- doesn't come easily to me.  My upbringing was totally, passionately, proudly secular.  We "modern" Jews held no truck with the "old fashioned" types who went to temple, spoke to God, became "enlightened."   Except ... I'm remembering one evening, back when I was five or so, when New York City -- my hometown -- experienced a blackout.  As it happened, the blackout occurred during the most awkward time of my week: when my dad "returned" me to my mom, who had won custody after a bitter divorce battle.  The handoff never went smoothly -- often there would be yelling, sometimes even tears.  As Dad and I rode the subway on our way to Mom's apartment, he would regale me with her failures as a wife, as a mother, as a human being.   But on this night our train -- and all the noises -- suddenly stopped.  And by the time Dad and I had made our way to Mom's apartment, walking for miles through sidewalks thronged with our fellow New Yorkers, it was quite late indeed.  What a shock it was to see how Mom greeted us: hugs and kisses for me and for Dad, tears of joyful relief!  Together -- together -- my parents lit candles, hunted down batteries, made snacks from our strangely silent fridge.   Was this -- in our family's own irreligious way -- a moment of enlightenment?  Looking back through the years, I see the three of us laughing in the candlelight and I say: yes. Josh Kornbluth is a comic monologuist who lives in Berkeley with his wife and son. You can follow his doings at www.JoshKornbluth.com.

Produced by Craig Taubman and   benefitting

New Audio Shiur: "Jewish Days of Judgment and Purpose"

High Holidays Lecture 5772: "Jewish Days of Judgment and Purpose"
Rabbi Menachem Creditor

audio available at http://soundcloud.com/rabbicreditor/high-holidays-lecture-5772

This shiur/class, "Jewish Days of Judgment and Purpose", took place at Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, CA on September 1, 2011. It is an emotional glimpse into the themes and flow of Elul, Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur. The text sheet is here (http://tinyurl.com/3jskgq3) and you can purchase Mahzor Lev Shalem at any good Jewish Bookstore or online at http://rabbinicalassembly.org/story/mahzor-lev-shalem-rosh-hashanah-and-yom-kippur?tp=225.

---
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Congregation Netivot Shalom  || Bay Area Masorti ||  ShefaNetwork 

Rabbis for Women of the Wall  ||  menachemcreditor.org 

To join Rabbi Creditor's email list, send a blank email to thetisch-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

September 11 Commemoration

Find Netivot Shalom on:                       9/11 Commemoration Cosponsored by Congregation Netivot Shalom and the Pacifica Institute Sunday, September 11, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Congregation Netivot Shalom (1316 University Avenue, Berkeley)   "September 11, 2001" - Reciting these words has meaning for almost every person around the World.  An event that at once ripped us apart and brought us together.  In the decade since "that" September 11, the world has been changing - in both positive and negative ways.  Some people grew more fearful of each other, and hatreds increased; and some people saw the need for more understanding and deeper work towards peace.    Congregation Netivot Shalom and Pacifica Institute have been forging ties between the local Jewish and Turkish Muslim communities during recent years.  Join us on this ten-year anniversary of September 11 as we continue that dialog and continue to pray for peace.    We will be joining together at Congregation Netivot Shalom (1316 University Avenue, Berkeley) on Sunday, September 11, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.