There have been some wonderful things to celebrate at Shomrei of late. In addition to a beautiful Musical Taste of Shabbat at the home of Judy Wildman and Ken Bannerman last week. Shomrei had a wildly successful Purim Carnival and Purim celebrations with Meghilla readings, a Purim Spiel and a Purim Band, that were widely attended. Earlier in the week we had a board meeting that addressed a major issue in a very meaningful way.
I attempted to put into my own words what took place, but upon reviewing the material prepared by Geoff Sadow for the Board’s consideration, I have chosen to simply present excerpts from his report which explains the issues far more clearly than I could. The following then, is from a Ritual Committee report prepared by Committee Chair, Geoff Sadow for the Board of Trustees.
Following the Ritual Committee’s annual review of the High Holidays, and based on some feedback from the community, the committee undertook an in-depth effort to study two contentious verses in the Torah which are read each year during Yom Kippur Mincha as well as during the yearly Torah cycle. These verses deal with prohibited sexual practices and the ensuing penalties. Since Rabbi Greenstein arrived at Shomrei, he has been teaching a new translation of these verses from the bima, but due to time and scheduling constraints, the committee felt it important to explore ways to gain a better understanding, and how best to extend that understanding to the community.
These verses have become controversial in all corners of present day Judaism and evoke strong emotions from nearly everyone who reads them. Rabbi Greenstein explained the way each of the 3 mainstream movements (Orthodox, Conservative & Reform) have chosen to deal with them up until this point, and how he has struggled for many years to accept any of those approaches. He detailed his interpretation and how it differs from all three and explained why it is the proper way for the Shomrei Community to interpret the verses. Members spent several months listening, learning, struggling and asking questions over the course of 3 formal meetings.
The Ritual Committee voted to approve the placement of a pamphlet detailing Rabbi Greenstein’s “Interpretive Translation of Two Verses in the Torah” into pockets in the back of the High Holiday Machzorim and the Etz Chayim Chumashim to allow access to this translation to anyone in attendance.
In conjunction, it was agreed that the Rabbi will take multiple steps to educate the community further. This portion is part of the Parshiot of Achrei Mot/Kedoshim which are split this year and will be read on May 7 & 14. To begin the process, on May 7, Torah Study will deal with these verses and Rabbi Greenstein will offer a special D’var, devoted exclusively to these verses during the actual reading at Shabbat Services. The following week on May 14, Rabbi Greenstein will offer a Lunch and Learn at Kiddush to allow for further discussion. In addition, as we prepare for the High Holidays in September, Rabbi Greenstein will offer a series of Adult Education Workshops studying these verses in depth, culminating with his sermon on Kol Nidre and the actual reading on Yom Kippur afternoon. All members of the community will be invited to these opportunities to learn via the regular Shomrei communications platforms.
As a footnote to this process, I must point out that due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, a few members have expressed a reluctance to publicize this translation outside of the Shomrei community while others think it is imperative.
The discussion that ensued upon the Ritual Committee’s recommendation to the Board was unusual in that we had several visitors from the Ritual Committee and the community who wished to share their concerns, most of which revolved around fears of how such a change might impact some members of our community. While the board took those concerns seriously, its focus for the most part was on how such a change could benefit the community. After a spirited discussion in which all views were heard, the Board of Trustees voted to adopt the report as a policy of Shomrei.
The schedule of community learning will begin as suggested in the report and the pamphlets will be printed and inserted. The period of community study will begin shortly. I urge each and every one of you to attend Shabbat Services on May 7th and the Shabbat Lunch and Learn on May 14th. To finally address this issue, rather than ignore it –– which is for the most part the position of the three major denominations –– gives us all an opportunity to grapple with the implications of the current and widely used translations and to see what is possible with a new translation.
For centuries the current translation has been used to vilify, persecute, demonize, criminalize and even murder people who are gay. Abraham Joshua Heschel writes, “An act of injustice is condemned, not because the law is broken, but because a person has been hurt.” For too long these verses have been used to hurt in ways unimaginable. By taking a stand that we will no longer identify ourselves with this passage, we have the opportunity as Mica put it, “To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.”
I wish to extend my deepest thanks to Geoff Sadow, the Ritual Committee, Rabbi Greenstein and Shomrei’s Board of Trustees for bringing us to this moment in such a way that we can learn, grow and “do justice.”
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The adoption of this translation puts action behind our core value Inclusiveness. Everyone in our congregation should be able to celebrate the words in our Torah. Yasher Koach to the Ritual Committee, Board of Trustees, and Rabbi Greenstein.
Absolutely right. When I was bat mitzvahed, we asked my rabbi to be inclusive and aware as half my family are Protestant and there would be lots of non-Jews in the sanctuary. For Shabbat Hagadol, he gave a sermon about the chosen people. It was the opposite of inclusive; a seminal sad event on what should have been a happy occasion. On Davida’s bat mitzvah last year — the rabbi made a note of saying how we’ve interpreted the text to clarify the opposite — inclusiveness. This meant a great deal for our family with many gay friends and family members sitting with us in the sanctuary. I am proud of Shomrei’s openness to change and inclusion while maintaining conservative Jewish customs. Bravo, Yasher Koach!