Sisterhood: A Centennial Perspective

Nancy Sherman
Sisterhood Shabbat

I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to speak  on this very special Shabbat.  We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Women of Reform Judaism, formerly known as the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (NFTS).  I have several goals tonight.  While we certainly want to celebrate WRJ’s 100th birthday, I want to particularly focus on the history of our Sisterhood and the leadership of our Past-Presidents and Queen Esthers, whom we honor tonight.

Since I was not here at the founding of Temple Israel Sisterhood, I have relied on Rabbi Randy Falk’s rabbinic thesis written in 1946, as well as a history of the Sisterhood written by Fannie Friedman (8th Sisterhood President and 2nd Queen Esther).  I don’t know if you’re all aware that we have these two books here at the Temple – a compendium of the Sisterhood presidents with a biography of each, and the same for our Queen Esthers.  These two books were primarily written by the late Isabelle Rips, a Queen Esther, who was the Temple historian.  Some of the later entries were written by the late Ann Weisman (Queen Esther) and by Carol Stahl (Past President and Queen Esther).

A Price Tag on Human Life?

Charles P. Sherman
Pre-Purim

Four examples of a vulgar expression which contradicts and undermines a core Jewish value – the dignity and sanctity of every human live.

A Price Tag on Human Life?

I am offended by an offensive statement which I’ve encountered three different times in three different places.  It’s a vulgar expression which articulates a totally un-Jewish value.

You may be surprised, therefore, that the first time I encountered this statement was in Bereshit, the Book of Genesis.  It appears in a story which took place in the land of Israel at the very beginning of our history.  The second time I found it was in the Megillah that we shall read this Sunday morning; it appears near the climax of the story.  And the third time I found it was in a report of a committee meeting which took place in California about a year and a half ago.  Each time I saw that expressionsomething within me shivered, for I believe it is one of the most tasteless expressions I’ve ever heard.  I fear for what will happen to this world if this expression takes hold and is used more often.

Comment

A Miracle Fund

Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Shabbat Terumah

The generous act of a reclusive, New Jersey farmer reminds us to never underestimate the attachment of even the most marginal Jew. 

Who knows when the “pintele Yid” will flare into a flame?

A Miracle Fund

How many of you remember who Eliot Ness was?  Interesting how many hands go up.  When I was growing up, Eliot Ness was one of my heroes.  If you remember, he was an FBI agent, and in those days the FBI was very highly respected.  I was impressed because Eliot Ness was absolutely incorruptible – neither threats nor bribes could stop him from doing his appointed task.  He was going to get the bad guys no matter what it took.  If he couldn’t get them for murder, then he was going to get them for income tax evasion.  But one way or another, Eliot Ness was going to get his man.  He finally brought down Al Capone.

Comment

When God Is Misquoted

Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Shabbat Yitro

In this week’s sedra, Moses misquotes God. Our sages recognized the problem and “corrected” it in their way. Modern female scholars have added their own insights to enlarge and enrich our understanding.

When God Is Misquoted

I want to study with you this evening two passages in the Torah where God gets misquoted. The first occurs near the beginning of our Torah. The serpent says to Eve: “Did God really say you may not eat of any tree in the Garden?”

And Eve answers: “Of any tree in the Garden we may eat, but God said of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the Garden do not eat of it or touch it, lest you die.” (Gen. 3:3)

Is What You See What You Get?

Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Shabbat Bo

God’s instruction to put blood on the Israelite doorposts “as a sign for you” is a reminder to look beyond exterior surfaces and also to let people into our life.

Is What You See What You Get?

Each morning on his way to work a lawyer passes by an old woman selling bagels on the street, and each day as he walks by, the lawyer puts down a dollar bill and hurries off to work without ever taking a bagel. He doesn’t like bagels, but he wants to help out. So every day for five years, it’s another dollar. And the man never says a word. He sees himself as the old woman’s silent benefactor, her anonymous saint. Without ever sharing a word, he knows that his kindness must be greatly appreciated by the poor woman.

The Place of Israel in Our Lives

Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Brotherhood Interfaith Dinner
Guests: Asbury UMC

A woman was busy preparing a dinner for the rabbi. Her young daughter interrupted her: Mommy, I have a stomachache.

The mother quickly answered: Your stomach hurts because it is empty. You need to put something in it. She gave her daughter a snack and continued her work.

When the rabbi came over, he asked the woman for a couple of Tylenol. “Forgive me, I have a headache.”

The little girl quickly spoke up: “I know what the problem is; your head hurts because it is empty! You need to put something in it.”

The Women Behind the Man

Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Shabbat Sh’mot

The Exodus was made possible because of the independent and cooperative will of six brave, righteous “women of justice” – Yocheved, Miriam, Shifrah, Puah, Batya, and Zipporah.

The Women Behind the Man

The Rabbis say the Exodus was made possible because of the merits of righteous women. Now some interpret this statement as a patronizing approach to women in the spirit of the famous dictum – “behind every great man there is a great woman”. These critics say this relegates women to the sidelines and renders them nothing more than hidden tools helping to pave the way for their husband’s success. I have a very different perspective – the Exodus was made possible because of the merits of six righteous women.

Sh’mot, the Book of Exodus which we Jews started studying this week, actually begins the national story of the Jewish People. After twelve weeks of studying Genesis, we’ve gone from the creation of the world through the Abrahamic family sagas and the beginnings of the Jewish People. At the end of the four generation patriarchal period and the Book of Genesis, the Jewish People is a family, and Judaism is a family faith.