The days are as long as they get right now, yet we need light desperately: the light of hope, the light of healing, the light of happiness, all obscured in the horror of realizing that our own Federal government is operating concentration camps full of children and adults who are innocent of any crime. … Continue reading
Shabbat Naso: Queering Your Torah Study
Shir Tikvah’s greatest contribution to the Portland Jewish community is our vibrant, provocative weekly Torah study. As scholar Judith Plaskow put it: Given the centrality of Torah study and interpretation to Jewish self-understanding, it is not surprising that many contemporary Jews continue to grapple with Torah as a way of defining their Jewish identities. … Continue reading
Shabbat Naso: In Honor of Pride, Queer Morning Blessings
begin with this blessing for all ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שאשני בצלמו barukh atah Ad-nai Eloheynu melekh ha’olam sheh’asani b’tzalmo I give thanks that I am created in in Image of G*d choose the appropriate continuation/s for a non-binary person ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם שעשני כרצונו barukh atah Ad-nai Eloheynu … Continue reading
Shabbat BeHukotai: How to Choose Blessing Over Curse
Our parashat hashavua, our Torah reading for the week, is BeHukotai, which can be translated as “in all these laws.” The parashah itself is famous for a horrifying list of curses that we are told will befall us if we turn away from the good path of life. Longstanding Jewish tradition bids us chant this … Continue reading
Shabbat HaGadol: It Matters Now, Too
This Shabbat is called Shabbat HaGadol, the “great Shabbat,” possibly echoing the content of the special Haftarah chanted on this day, which speaks of a “great and terrible day” which is coming. הִנֵּ֤ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ שֹׁלֵ֣חַ לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אֵלִיָּ֣ה הַנָּבִ֑יא לִפְנֵ֗י בּ֚וֹא י֣וֹם ה’ הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָֽא׃ Here, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the … Continue reading
Shabbat HaHodesh: Homelessness and Hope
On this Shabbat HaHodesh (The Month) we mark the first day of the month of Nisan, which, since it is the first of months in our calendar, is also the first day of the Jewish year. Happy New Year! Our people took their timing from the world around them, which renewed itself in buds of … Continue reading
