Dear Friends:
Last week we began reading the Torah anew. The first verse we actually read this past Shabbat morning was Genesis 5:1: “this is the book of the generations of humanity; on the day that God created humanity, in the image of God He made him.” The Talmudic sage Ben Azzai said that this was the most important verse in the entire Torah. Dyonna Ginsburg, CEO of the Israeli service organization “OLAM”, writes: When humanity is at its worst, it is natural to retreat into our particularistic selves, wanting to protect our own. In his choice of verse, however, Ben Azzai arguably challenges us to fight that inclination, assert our shared humanity, and seek out the divine spark in others, even when it’s difficult.
The Torah’s assertion that all human beings are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, has guided much of my community involvement over the years. While it is important that as Jews we look out for our own -- “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”, we also have to be involved in the larger community -- “If I am for myself only, what am I?” A number of years ago several predominantly African American denominations created Faiths United to Save Democracy. One of their key projects has been the recruitment and training of “Poll Chaplains.”
Poll Chaplains serve as a strictly non-partisan spiritual peacekeeping presence outside polling places and try to prevent voter intimidation or vote suppression. FUSD Poll Chaplains -- who can be of any faith and any race -- are being deployed in swing states as well as a few others with a history of voter suppression. When I found out about this program, I volunteered to serve as a Poll Chaplain in Pennsylvania. Over the summer I participated in the required training and received my certification.
This Tuesday I will be serving as a Poll Chaplain shuttling between two different polling places in Harrisburg, PA. Last week at a Zoom meeting for rabbis who will be serving as Poll Chaplains all over the country, a couple of rabbis who have done this work previously said that most likely our shifts will be pretty boring. But I was reminded of when I lived on a border kibbutz in Israel and did guard duty. Most of my shifts were boring, and this was a good thing; but it was important that someone appropriately trained and equipped was on guard duty in case something did happen. Of course there are differences; on kibbutz guard duty I was equipped with an IDF-issued Uzi and radio, whereas on Tuesday I’ll be “equipped” with a cell phone and the phone numbers of a couple of different hotlines staffed by election lawyers.
The rabbis who are serving as Poll Chaplains have also been issued one other piece of equipment. Reflecting its origins in the Black church, Poll Chaplains have been urged to wear their clerical collars. Since of course as rabbis this is something we lack, rabbi Poll Chaplains have been issued fluorescent safety vests emblazoned front and back with the word “CLERGY.”
This coming Thursday night our Adult Education classes will resume. I plan to alternate between a text-based class on “Pirkei Avot,” the Mishnaic tractate which provides the ethical basis of our tradition, and occasional classes or discussions on current events or specific topics. Since it has been a long time since we last met and a lot has happened, this Thursday night will be An Opportunity to Process: Israel At War, US Elections, Etc. If you have suggestions for future classes -- either single sessions or longer explorations -- please let me know. My goal is to provide education about things which interest you.
As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 at the shul. For my drop-in hours, you do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building.
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org or 301-977-0768 rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment; if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
Additionally, if you know of a Kehilat Shalom congregant or another member of our Jewish community who could use a phone call, please let me know.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Charles L. Arian
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