This year was especially fun as we all drifted back in time traveling to Woodstock and learning about Peace and Love. The Sanctuary rocked and as everyone left the room was filled with positive energy and the good mood stayed in the air for days.

Hundreds of newly written, unpublished sacred Jewish music compositions have been submitted, and only a precious few will be selected for study and performance at the convention in Portland, Oregon. I am working in confidentiality with an important synagogue composer from California and a distinguished cantor from New York in the discreet evaluations of the many excellent compositions being submitted. The few lucky composers whose works will be selected will have their pieces premiered at the convention, and will have the opportunity for Transcontinental Music Publishers to consider contracting the selections for publication and distribution. That’s a composer’s dream come true.

I have been fortunate to be placed in a variety of leadership roles with the Guild of Temple Musicians, and as Vice President for Education, I will not only work on the Composers Workshops, but will also teach a course for synagogue musicians at Hebrew Union College in July, and assist with the long distance certification program which will provide an outlet for long distance learners to seek cantorial certification through the American Conference of Cantors.

If you were fortunate as a child, your parents tucked you into bed and wished you happy dreams. Now, in adulthood, you likely tuck yourself into bed. Doing so is serious business, first preparing your body for sleep, then covering yourself in sheet and blankets.

What about a spiritual ritual?

What thoughts enter your mind as you prepare to leave wakefulness and surrender to a deeper world?

Is there something perhaps akin to prayer or the formulation of prayer itself that settles you so you might surrender?

Do you wish for the welfare of loved ones? Do you take an inventory of your self?

This is not a light thing – to fall asleep. The word “fall” itself can be unsettling. Talmud Berachot (57b) teaches sleep to be a one-sixtieth part of death.

The traditional ritual to prepare oneself for such exposure is to say the Sh’ma, an expression of faith.

Then, one surrounds oneself with protective angels. Gabri- el to the left, Mich-a-el to the right. Before you, Uri-el. Behind, Rafa-el. And, above all, supervising, is Shechinat-el.

Gabri-el is the archangel responsible for the maintenance of the physical universe. Do you think Physics and Chemistry take care of themselves without some agency responsible for them?

Mich-a-el is the archangel responsible for compassion and comfort. Could you exist for a moment in the physical universe if that universe were not compassionate to your being?

Uri-el is the archangel responsible for illumination and insight. When you sleep, how will you be directed? How will you know where you are going? Best to take along the agency of illumination and insight.
And, Rafa-el is the archangel responsible for healing. Whenever you travel, take along a first-aid kit.

Shechinat-el is the indwelling Divine Presence. It is the expression of the infinite in the world of immanence, the world of space and time. It will be drawing your soul higher (or deeper, if you prefer), into the realms of the dream world. Talmud Berachot teaches that, whereas sleep is a one-sixtieth part of death, dreams are a one-sixtieth part of prophecy.

Maimonides suggests we sleep one third of the day. Two- thirds we are actively involved in the physical. One-third is to be spent with the angels, restoring the soul. We encounter in the dream world representations of our physical experiences that either repair the work of the past day or illumine the work necessary in the next.

So, do you remember your dreams?

Dreams you do not remember are still doing their work in the background. Dreams you remember are a hint of things to come – a one-sixtieth part of prophecy, not necessarily prophesying what will happen, but indicating what you are to do for the refinement of your soul and refinement of the world about you.
This is a serious business, going to sleep. Preparing for sleep is preparing for an eight hour journey. In the waking world, one would prepare well for an eight hour journey.

How do you prepare for the eight hour journey of sleep? How might you better prepare?

While it’s easy to talk about these children in terms of statistics, it’s important to acknowledge that each child is a human being. Too often, they have been exposed to extremely difficult and traumatic situations, including abuse, violence, and addiction, at young and highly impressionable ages. Tragically, they arrive in foster care emotionally and physically scarred and scared.

One of these youngsters, who survived the foster care system, is Antwone Fisher. Antwone was born to an unwed mother while she was serving time in prison. He spent his entire life in foster care during which he endured unspeakable acts of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Like many foster children, when he aged out of foster care at age 18, Antwone ended up in a homeless shelter. Not wanting to live his life on the streets, Antwone enlisted in the U.S. Navy. By working with a navy psychiatrist, he was able to receive the counseling and support he needed. Today, Antwone is an accomplished author, poet, and motivational speaker.

Almost daily we hear about the tragic stories of children in foster care. While the media tends to emphasize the stories of abuse and neglect, there are many people who have opened their homes and hearts to care for these neglected and abandoned children. Temple Israel member James Cohen exemplifies an adult who wants to make a positive difference in the life of a child by becoming a foster parent. We are blessed to have James and his foster son, Jason, as part of our religious school and temple community. Just as they benefit from being part of our extended family, we, too, have benefitted from helping to provide a safe, warm, and accepting environment for Jason, who is a delightful, curious, and engaged child. Here’s what James says about his experience as a foster parent:

Becoming a foster parent is, without question, the best decision I have made in my life. I have always wanted to be a Dad, and through foster care I have been able to be a Dad to an amazing young man. When I first told friends and family of my intention to become a foster parent, I heard some true horror stories. The foster care system is broken. Victimized by circumstances beyond their control, children are often times pawns in a legal system that treats them as property, and disregards their best interests.

But the result of enduring the system - the past year I have shared with an amazing boy – makes it all worthwhile. Watching him learn to read, seeing the joy at a birthday party (at age 7, the first in his life), helping with homework and witnessing him excel at kung-fu, I truly know the meaning of Tikun Olam. The future is uncertain. By definition, foster care is temporary. And my foster son and I simply enjoy the time we have together now. Tucking him in bed and reading a story to him, I can see in his eyes that he feels safe, perhaps for the first time in his life.

While not everyone has the ability, like James, to become a foster parent, there are many other ways we can help foster children, especially through various organizations that offer assistance and quality care to children in the foster care system. JAFCO (Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options) is an extraordinary program in Broward County which provides services to abused and neglected children in South Florida. In addition to a 24 hour emergency shelter, JAFCO also maintains several caring and nurturing group homes. A similar program in Miami Dade County is CHARLEE Homes for Children. We have a unique opportunity to learn more about CHARLEE Homes, the plight of children in foster care, and what we, as individuals and as a community, can do to help these children during the 7:30pm service on Friday, May 11, as we welcome to our pulpit Suzy Schumer, the Director of CHARLEE Homes. Ms. Schumer, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been the Executive Director of CHARLEE Homes since June 2008.

There are hundreds of thousands of Jasons and Antwones who deserve a healthy, safe, and loving home environment. It is our sacred Jewish responsibility to do what we can to help these innocent children. In so doing, we will fulfill the Talmudic dictum, “Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.”

My sister’s children were pretty wonderful and she rarely had to discipline them. Of course there was the time that her fingers were in his birthday cake before it was served, and the time that he dug up the yard looking for pirate treasure. WHAT DID YOU DO? ... I could hear my mother through Carol’s voice.

But walking around Temple Israel the other day, the new live oak trees were blossoming on 2nd Avenue, the vegetables were growing in the community garden, the Brown Patio was inviting and I saw children and adults engaged in activities all over the building and those same words came back to me, retranslated through time, just perfect for this situation: WHAT DID THEY DO?

It could be applied to anyone who has contributed in both large ways and small to our 90th anniversary celebrations, including the children of the Joni and Stanley Tate Early Childhood Center, Rabbi Colman Zwitman Religious School and Bridgepoint Academy, local business sponsors and of course, Temple Israel members and staff. WHAT DID THEY DO? Together they brainstormed and had a collective dream of what our 90th anniversary celebratory year would be and set it in motion, each doing their part. Together they helped create a special moment in time that will be indelibly etched in the tale of Temple Israel of Greater Miami.

Our 90th anniversary afforded us the opportunity to create and inaugurate our very own chuppah on May 6th during our Renewal of Vows and Commitment Affirmation Ceremony... WHAT DID THEY DO? Temple members Dr. Mark Goldberg and David Rigg underwrote the expense of bringing artist Nancy Katz to us for the creation of this one of a kind chuppah. Our 90th anniversary special kick-off cocktail reception at Bloomingdale’s was approaching.... WHAT DID THEY DO? Fundraising Chair Edythe Kerness and event Chair Norma Orovitz worked their charm and created an elegant evening
that could rival any other- did you purchase your raffle tickets yet?

Our May 18th- 90th anniversary Shabbat dinner, creative service, and sinfully good dessert party is almost here... WHAT DID THEY DO? James Weinkle is once again creating a powerful and meaningful service befitting our 90th celebration, and event Chairs: Jane Kahn Jacobs and Michelle Krinzman have worked tirelessly on every detail, making this one party you don’t want to miss. Hopefully, by their example, others will realize that there is a lot to be done, and a lot we can do, together. WHAT THEY DID was a good translation but WHAT CAN YOU DO may be the best translation to build a common bond in the Temple Israel community.

Join us May 18th for a memorable evening in honor of Temple Israel of Greater Miami’s 90th anniversary. We only turn 90, once in a lifetime, so be a part of the celebration. With a new vision and renewed energy we hope to have many opportunities to work together with you to grow into 100.

Contact me for more ways about how you can get involved or support our fundraising initiatives. Thank you to everyone who has participated in some way. A complete list of donors and committee members will appear in the upcoming issue of Chai Lites. As always, we thank you for your continued support.

The remarkable spirit, collegiality, and creativity our Temple Israel community has shown throughout our glorious history, culminating in our ninety years of vibrant life, is ready proof we are moving in a positive direction. Gathering together to celebrate our momentous anniversary with our May 18 Shabbat service and Gala “Birthday” Party, our most welcome gift to Temple Israel is our commitment to continue working together in friendship. Let’s use the opportunity to recommit ourselves to solidify Temple Israel’s spirit, voice, and place as the center for progressive Reform Judaism in our South Florida community. So join with me in a warm Temple Israel thanks to Edythe Kerness, our Vice President of Fundraising, and our many Anniversary Committee members and contributors who have given so generously of their time and resources to make our Anniversary a success. And there is still time for you to identify and pledge your level of commitment!

Temple Israel has even more exciting birthday news. The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects has recognized Temple Israel - our Ken Treister designed Sophie & Nathan Gumenick Chapel - as one of the Top 100 Buildings in Florida! You voted, early and often, to bring state-wide recognition to our prestigious Temple Israel campus, putting us solidly in the Top 20, a truly remarkable achievement. Now, we not only have a significant place in our State’s spiritual leadership, but confirmation we also have left an invaluable contribution to our state’s unique skyline.

Which brings me to mention another lasting proof that our mission to repair our broken world, tikkun olam, continues through the inspirational leadership of so many of our Congregants involved in social justice both within and without the Temple. Just this month, SAVE Dade is recognizing four members of our Temple family as inductees into the Hall of Champions as the 2012 Champions of Equality. We owe much to the positive examples shown by, Eric Hankin, Richard Milstein, Joan Schaeffer, and Elizabeth Schwartz, These members, and so many others of you working through Temple Israel projects sponsored by the Dorothy Serotta Social Justice Forum, are indeed making our world a better place. Mazel tov.

As I have discussed with you on many occasions, Temple Israel continues to look toward the future as we transform ourselves into the model Jewish institution that will well serve the generations to come. As confirmation that our strategic visioning is indeed timely, the Synagogue 3000 Studies Institute has just released its Report entitled “Reform and Conservative Congregations: Different Strengths, Different Challenges.” Predictively, the Report identifies many of the issues being addressed by Temple Israel today, and serves as additional resource material for some of our ongoing Board policy discussions for the direction of Temple Israel. We already know that an important component of that process is what we have defined as our own “Rabbi 3000” initiative, with the successful transitioning from Rabbi Jody Cohen to our incoming Rabbi Tom Heyn, assisted by our visionary Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Chefitz. The excitement continues at Temple Israel.

By now, you will have received your notification of our June 15 Annual Meeting and the Call for Service as we look to identify our future Temple Board leaders. We need you - we want you - to volunteer for service on a Committee, a Project, a Forum, Sisterhood, or our many activities. Without your input and involvement, we are unable to serve our community in the variety of ways that make Temple Israel a sacred space and a special place. This is the time to step forward to join with our many family members who make a positive difference to our Temple, so we can continue our march to the future. Take advantage of the opportunities for you to participate in our “Countdown to the Centennial.”

Shalom aleinu,
Ben Kuehne, President
TemplePresident@kuehnelaw.com

Many years ago Judaic scholar and artist David Moss gave a description of his beautiful, hand crafted Haggadah and explained that unlike other holy books, like the Torah or Megillah, the Haggadah must have pictures so that no matter where Jews have come to live in the Diaspora, they can identify the elements of the meal with the foods available in their own communities that most closely resemble the ideal portrayed in the book. The Haggadah therefore, can be used as a manual for one’s personal
recounting of the miracle of the Exodus.

But if there is nothing else our modern education system has taught us is that every child learns differently, and not every person is as adept at reading an instruction manual, so the Haggadah has to be more than that. Thus the story of the four children is provided to remind us that it is not enough to hear the answers; one must explore the right questions, and beyond that one must know in what spirit one must ask these questions. Literally they are described as wise, rebellious, simple and silent.

I, myself, am one of four daughters—each with different personalities, strengths and abilities. Regardless of each of our understanding of the story, the obligation my parents and grandparents had was to tell the story in such a way that each of us could experience this miracle.

Beyond that as individuals, we all possess many qualities that change over time. The story of the four children reminds us that even as adults, even if we make the effort to be present, to participate in the story, the story will not be the same: our frame of reference, our situations and our perspectives change so that each year we can hear the same words, yet learn something new that will lead us on our personal journey to the redemption.

Each year, we renew our quest together with the people with whom we share this experience, to discover the meaning of this lovely ordered meal by recounting what happened to our forefathers, not just by hearing the story, but by experiencing
the exodus with all of our senses- the wonderful smells from the kitchen, the dipping of our fingers in wine for the plagues, the visual presentation of the holiday symbols on the Seder plate, and the delicious tastes we have learned to associate with the holiday.

But what if one or more of our senses was impaired? Are we still fulfilling the mitzvah if we are unable to partake in the seder in the traditional way?

This was a question we needed to ask, and a reality my family needed to face, when, in addition to our dad (z”l) becoming legally blind due to macular degeneration, his health required that he be fed through a surgically implanted tube. Knowing that I was going to Savannah to be with him and lead the seder during Passover, coupled with knowing his level of commitment to Judaism and to his traditional roots, I realized that this Passover could prove to be a challenging one.

I did a google search and a rabbi search, including many of whom I count among my close circle of friends, to see if in the universe there already existed a seder which does not focus on the tasting of food. Each rabbi I spoke with said that although it was an excellent idea, they were not aware of any seder which existed...and each of them encouraged me to create it...so create it...I did!

It seemed like an arduous task, but I was both motivated and obligated to figure it out for my dad. Because just as it was the obligation of my parents and grandparents to tell the story, it was now my obligation to tell the story in a way in which my father could once again experience the miracle.

Amazon.com and JLevine Booksellers were very happy with me as I perused their sites in an effort to find and purchase just the right combination of text, illuminated Pesach art, and music from which to create our very own sensory seder. Please make sure to visit Dr. Andrew Gottlieb’s showcase where you will find the Towbin Family Unique Sensory Seder Haggadah and materials on display.

Like Moses in the desert, one does not really know what they are capable of accomplishing, unless they challenge themselves.

Wishing you and your loved ones a zissen (sweet) Pesach.

The concert, which recently took place and featured 27 musical artists, including local cantors and program director Alan Mason accompanying them, seems to get better every year. Mason’s direction of this sensational spectacle was equaled by the chemistry he shared with the performers as he accompanied them while playing the piano. The singers all gave powerful performances while providing the highest level of music execution possible through a variety diverse range of music such as Ladino, Israeli, folk, Yiddish, pop, classical, hazzanut, jazz, rap and tango.

The concert’s vibrant tone and upbeat atmosphere was set during the singers opening processional performance of “Ki va Moed.” The audience was then treated to the performers putting forth their best efforts through renditions of Jewish- inspired music that provided a spiritual and lively presence in the room. Mason’s piano playing flowed very well with the singers’ performance. A highlight from the concert included Martin Bookspan, former host of the PBS series “Live from Liberty Center,” serving as special guest host.

Highlights from the cantors’ performances included Zachary Mondrow of Temple Torah of West Boynton Beach providing a powerful performance of “V’Li-rusholayim Ircho,” Lisa Segal of Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach giving a beautiful rendition of “I Sing I Pray,” Geniene Miller of Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus in North Miami Beach singing “A Piece of the Sky,” Michelle Auslander Cohen of Temple Beth Am in Margate and Temple Beth El of Boca Raton providing a nice rending of “Sim Shalom,” Emily Arnoff Teck of Temple Beth EI of Boca Raton rapping to “We Can Rise,” Rachelle Nelson of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest singing “Mirror to My
Soul” that brought a spiritual presence to the room, Benjamin Matis of Shleter Rock Jewish Center in New York providing “Hatei Elokai,” Luis Cattan of Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus in North Miami Beach performing “Ilu Finu,” and Cesar Beliniski of Temple Beth Torah-Tamarac Jewish Center singing “Amen” that proved to be a fitting closure to the solo performances. These are just a few of the brilliant performances that the singers gave. The concert ended in a joyful celebration of all the performers that should entice guests to return next year.

Those who missed this year’s concert can always catch it next year. This annual concert is one that should be seen at least once and the music appeals to people of all backgrounds. The date for next year’s concert is set for Jan. 19, 2013 at 8 p.m. at Temple Israel of Greater Miami.

This year was especially fun as we all drifted back in time traveling to Woodstock and learning about Peace and Love. The Sanctuary rocked and as everyone left the room was filled with positive energy and the good mood stayed in the air for days.