Rodef Sholom: A Reform Jewish Congregation in Marin County, California

Moving From Passover to Shavuot: Our Stories of Freedom and Discovery
Zman L’Vatikim - Time for Seniors Luncheon with Rabbi Stacy Friedman
Wednesday, April 18 at 11:30 am, Social Hall 

Rabbi Stacy Friedman will host this month’s lunch program. This program is free and is co-sponsored by Women of Rodef Sholom. RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 by April 16 to insure that we have enough food.

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A rabbi and his daughter were driving in the car when she asked her father, “What is the holiest day in the Jewish year?” He thought for a moment and responded, “Purim! -- or maybe Shabbat.” “Purim?” Surprised by her father’s answer, she asked for an explanation. In the Torah, Yom Kippur is known as Yom Ha-Kippurim. Rabbi Isaac Luria (18th century) explains that the word Purim is found in the biblical name for Yom Kippur- Yom haki-PURIM, which literally means a day like Purim!

Why and how is Yom Kippur a day like Purim? The rabbis teach us that all holidays and each Shabbat are “half spiritual, half physical.” We spend part of each holy day praying and singing (the spiritual part) and the rest of the day eating a special meal, some challah, and celebrating at home with family or friends (the physical part). Of all the holidays in the Jewish calendar, Purim and Yom Kippur are the only two exceptions. Purim is all physical while Yom Kippur is all spiritual. Yom Kippur is spent fasting, while Purim is spent feasting. On Yom Kippur, we turn completely inward and thwart worldly endeavors, while on Purim, the opposite is true- we celebrate with costumes and loud noise (groggers), we eat and bring food (shalach manot) to friends and family, we give money to the poor. And even the central biblical text of Purim, the Book of Esther, never mentions God!

So how then, can Purim be holier than Yom Kippur? Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov writes that, If one attains holiness through affliction (like we do on Yom Kippur) and another attains holiness through indulgence (like we do on Purim), who is the greater of the two? One who attains holiness through indulgence is greater for it requires an infinitely greater degree of striving and effort.” I believe what he is saying is that holiness that derives from praying, meditating, and fasting is easier, cleaner-cut than finding holiness amidst the chaos of everyday life. Finding holiness while sitting on top of a mountain is often much easier than finding it while paying the bills or sitting in traffic. But ultimately, the is the lesson of Jewish life-- living a spiritual life while living life fully, with all its holy messiness. In this way, the challenge of Purim is greater!! That’s why Yom ha-kiPurim is only “a day like Purim.”

My point is not to diminish Yom Kippur’s importance, but rather, to recognize the importance and centrality of Purim! In essence, Purim and Yom Kippur are two sides of the same coin. They balance each other, and when we celebrate both, we too experience more balance and more holiness as well. I know we will have arrived when as many people attend Purim as do Yom Kippur!

I look forward to seeing you all this year on Purim (remember, Purim is not just for children, but is truly an adult holiday as well).

If you would like to participate in our Purim service and shpiel, let me know at 479.3441 or stacy@rodefsholom.org.

Come ready to celebrate, have fun, laugh, and enjoy! Oh and don’t forget your costume!

Rabbi Stacy Friedman

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Lunchtime Talmud Class with Rabbi Stacy Friedman:   How can our ancient texts help guide us today?

3 Thursdays, February 9 and 16, and March 1, 12 pm, Inner conference room

Together we will explore Pirke Avot and other vital texts from the Mishnah and Talmud, attempting to understand not only the origins of much of our ethical tradition but also, to garner wisdom to enable us to lead more principled lives today. Through lively debate, discussion, and study, we will seek to bring our ancient texts to life and to understand ourselves and our society better as well. No knowledge of Hebrew or prior experience necessary, only a curiosity and a desire to learn and to grow. RSVP to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org.

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Based on the renowned book by Dr. Wendy Mogel, The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers, Rabbi Stacy Friedman and Educator Vicky Kelman will lead us in exploring the challenges involved in parenting teenagers.

Aimed at families with children in 6th through 12th grade, this 6 session series will help you find and develop tools that will allow your children to become resilient and self-reliant young adults.

When: 6 Tuesdays, 7 to 9 pm: 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13
Where:  Lefferts Library, 2nd fl of the JCC
How much: $36 per parent; $50 for both parents (make checks payable to Women of Rodef Sholom)
RSVP: Space is limited, so RSVP as soon as you can to wrs@rodefsholom.org.

About Rabbi Stacy Friedman: Rabbi Friedman, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Rodef Sholom since 2003, was ordained by the Hebrew Union College in 1993. She has served on community boards of the Marin Interfaith Youth Outreach, the Bureau of Jewish Education and the Family Education Task Force of the JCF in San Francisco. Rabbi Friedman sees Judaism as a rich tradition that inspires us to lift each human being and see within them the divine spark. She and her husband are parents of two boys who will soon be teens.

About educator Vicky Kelman:  Vicky Kelman is a Master Jewish educator who specializes in Jewish Family Education. After 15 years at the Bureau of Jewish Education, she is currently an independent consultant. She is a winner of the Covenant Award, a national award for distinguished work in the field of Jewish education.

Brought to you by the Women of Rodef Sholom and Congregation Rodef Sholom

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Together we will explore Pirke Avot and other vital texts from the Mishnah and Talmud, attempting to understand not only the origins of much of our ethical tradition, but also, to garner wisdom to enable us to lead more principled lives today. Through lively debate, discussion, and study, we will seek to bring our ancient texts to life and understand ourselves and our society better as well.  No knowledge of Hebrew or prior experience necessary, only a curiosity and desire to learn and grow.

When: 3 Thursdays, 12 noon, February 9 & 16 and March 1
Where: Inner Conference Room
RSVP: to Pete at 479.3441 or pete@rodefsholom.org

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