When the sad news of the rapidly declining health of longtime friend and mentor, Midge Schildkraut reached me- I offered to fly up. “She may not make it, Sweetie, ’’ my sister Carol whispered as she struggled to maintain her composure.

This cold reality gave me pause and as I stopped to recall our beginnings...I reminded myself that many of my accomplishments are in fact because Midge gave me, a new resident of Savannah, Ga., an incredible opportunity.

It is germane to use the term resident because it is a well- known fact to native Savannahians that unless you are actually born there, you never achieve more than resident status (e.g. the obituary for a 92-year-old local woman, which read, “...born in Charleston, SC resided in Savannah for 91 years...”).

Midge, a formidable former newspaperwoman, wrote tight copy and edited articles in a way that even the authors, of which I was often one, never dreamed. Once I was led on the path of pursuing Jewish communal service as my life’s work-it was again Midge in her other role as the first female President of Congregation Agudath Achim, who gave me the chance to fulfill this newly chosen career track.

Even though perplexed by the suggestion to submit an application for the newly vacant position of Executive Director, it was because of her relentless persuasion that I did. At the time, I could not even imagine myself as a viable candidate for such an esteemed position. After becoming the synagogue’s Executive Director, I realized that being an E.D. is like taking every skill that I have learned along the way and rolling it up into one job description.

And although Midge could appear detached and devoid of emotion when it came to editing a piece, when it came to people and helping them achieve their best work, her enthusiasm bubbled over. I am certain that if it was even suggested to her the importance of all the times she listened, gave guidance and the impact that she had on me as a mentor- she would be amused and deny it and say “Naaaah”. It seems especially fitting, that this month, when we celebrate Tu B’Shevat- “ The New Year of Trees,” that I pen this article, for just as a tree requires nourishment to grow and thrive, so does a life.

Can one truly ever know the impact that they have on another, planting the seeds of success...just as a garden grows...people flourish with care and nurturing. Someone’s entire life and career can be altered by a mentor...Midge has a knack of doing just that.

This article is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend and mentor, Maxine “Midge” Lasky Schildkraut, (z”l). I owe you a debt of gratitude my friend, you will be sorely missed.

In kicking off our “Greening and Growing Temple Israel” theme, I encourage you to join the community celebration at the Temple on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 10 a.m. Just as our trees bring new life and vibrancy to our Temple campus, your participation spurs the energy and enthusiasm that makes Temple Israel a special place for all.

As I have mentioned often since I attended the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) in Washington, DC in December, the power and energy of the 6,000 Jewish leaders, activists, scholars, and students gathered together to study, converse, worship, and eat under one roof was a true testament to the vibrancy of progressive Jewish life in America. What I learned, and what our Jewish convocation shared, is that we are changing, rebuilding, and revisioning our present and future as Jews in our families, our communities, and our nation. To any participant or observer, there is no doubt that Reform Judaism is here to stay, and that we will continue to speak to and satisfy the needs and desires of our Jewish communities across North America.

The highlight of the Conference was the appearance of President Barack Obama as our Keynote Speaker, captivating all in attendance with his meaningful Dvar Torah and his thoughtful and exciting vision of our Nation’s future, the importance of the State of Israel as a model for democracy and freedom in the Middle East, and the values we bring as a community to maintaining our Nation as a welcoming place for all who choose to make their lives in a land of freedom and democracy. The strength of our People as role models was plainly evident in the President’s appreciation for our gathering. Rabbi Jody Cohen was one of the honored few who participated in a private meeting of Jewish Leaders with President Obama!

The Temple Israel leadership used the URJ Biennial as an opportunity to learn from other Temple communities. Our Temple Israel members in attendance (Rabbi Cohen, Joan Schaeffer, Alan Mason, Robert Glazier, Valeria Michanie, Lynn Kislak, and Jennifer Rueben) saw firsthand that our Temple Israel brand is both well known and considered a leader in creating a new vision for our Temple communities. We are most certainly on the right track with our efforts to create a Center for Jewish Life and Culture within the grounds of our Temple Israel Campus, just as we continue to revision our role in downtown Miami.

Our Temple leadership has been hard at work in our strategic visioning process, as I wrote in my January Chai Lites message. As we imagine the growth of Temple Israel from within and without, the Temple’s core values and programming need the type of rededication and commitment that can only result from a new model of Temple organization. For instance, in confirming Temple Israel’s brand as a model for Jewish educational programming, a commitment to our esteemed Joni and Stanley Tate Early Childhood Center requires that we put in place leaders from inside and outside our Temple family who will enable us to grow our ECC as a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children, instilling religious and cultural values so needed today in our society. To that end, The Temple will be searching for thoughtful and excited leaders who are willing to dedicate their skills as a board to develop and implement goals and policies for the successful growth of the ECC.

Our cultural offerings remain a source of pride within our family, but we can no longer be satisfied with a menu of programs focused primarily on our membership. To that end, as we expand our commitment to diverse and inviting programming responsive to our community’s needs and desires, we are envisioning the opening of our inviting campus to a brand of exciting, vibrant, though-provoking, and relevant programming that can only happen with the visionary participation of leaders focused on using our campus for creative cultural offerings in addition to our Temple activities. We can only imagine the Temple campus as a destination point for more community events as highly anticipated as our ever-successful Winter Jewish Music Concert that drew a standing room only audience. Thus, we intend to spur the creation of a cultural center on campus that will be organized by leaders inside and outside our Temple who will dedicate themselves to implementing a self-sustaining cultural center that draws from the entire community.

A third component of our growing process is the preservation of our award winning campus. Just as Temple Israel has been honored by the nomination for consideration in the “Top 100 Buildings in Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places,” we need your help to make that nomination a reality (details to come). We must also remind ourselves that as stewards of our future, we need the assistance of experienced professionals and leaders who can devote their time to revitalizing and maintaining our buildings, forecasting additional facilities, and identifying the best means of utilizing our sacred spaces. To that end, the Temple leadership is intent on creating an oversight board to monitor, preserve, and coordinate our physical plant, create a mechanism to meet the financial needs for our campus, and to attract a wider segment of our community onto our grounds.

As the sages have said, “These are exciting times in which we live.” Let’s make them exciting together, as we “green and grow” Temple Israel into a new and sought-after model of progressive Judaism in Miami. I only ask that when called upon, you will open your hearts and give of your talents to grow that vision into a reality.

Kol Tuv (Be well).

The first picture below is of Jo-Ellen Unger, who was Temple Israel’s Religious School Music Teacher when I arrived in 1991. The next picture is of Rabbi Dana Magat, our Assistant Rabbi over 20 years ago. The next picture represents today, and the picture below is of Rabbis Rex Perlmeter and Rachel Hertzman, who were the rabbis I began with at Temple Israel over 21 years ago. Each of these professionals has enjoyed a career that has taken them around the country. We are fortunate enough to connect every few years at a professional URJ function, and they continue to marvel, and take pride, in my long and sustained position at Temple Israel of Greater Miami.

These words have always had a special meaning to me - and now - especially now, in view of recent events - these words reverberate in the very deepest reaches of my soul and feel far more poignant to me than ever before.

As I reflect on the last few years as Cantor of Temple Israel, it’s important for you to know, that I cherish the special role that you have allowed me to play in the life of your family, both in happiness and in sorrow. I am motivated by hearing from you how much I have touched your lives in the special times we’ve had together. Please know that in meaningful ways you have touched my life as well.

The New Year gives to us the promise of hope.
The New Year gives to us the promise of spiritual growth.
The New Year gives to us the promise of a renewed energy.
If only we allow it.

The New Year welcomes changes and challenges. In the New Year, we will face these changes together.

As a congregational family, we will wrestle with decisions which need to be made.

Personally and professionally, I will also be wrestling with the decisions which I have made.

“...And if not now, when?”

I will be leaving Temple Israel at the end of my contract, the end of June 2012, and I wish for each of you a year filled with peace and contentment.

With Love,

Cantor Michael Glozman

If I tell you we have a book titled Love Story in Jewish tradition, you might think it to be by Erich Segal and recall one of the most odious lines ever written - Love means never having to say you’re sorry... But we have another Love Story, one with a longer shelf life, dating back to the 12th century – Sefer Ahavah by Moses Maimonides.

Sefer Ahavah is the second volume of Maimonides’ code of law, the Mishneh Torah. In it he has the laws concerning expression of love for the Creator. The commandments covered are those concerning:

• The recitation of the Shema
• Laws concerning prayer
• Laws concerning tefillin
• Laws concerning mezuzah
• Laws concerning the writing of a Torah scroll
• Laws concerning tzitizit – the fringes on the tallit
• Laws concerning blessings
• Laws concerning circumcision

What do these have to do with love? Can you figure it out before you read on?

All of them emanate from the first subject, the recitation of the Shema, during which one hears that we are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our might. What follows are the details of ritual actions which, for the most part, make little rational sense.

Why would God demand certain words to be recited daily, a certain formulation of leather boxes and straps, a certain precise writing for mezzuzot and Torah scrolls? What difference would it make if we chose a different formulation as long as we had the sense correct?
Why are we expected to tie a certain number of fringes to a shawl, and then wind and knot them in a precise fashion? Why the precise wording of blessings? And, last of all, why would we even think of circumcision? (This was long before there was any question of medical benefit.)

Why would we do those things which make little rationalsense – other than out of love! Consider the non-rational things your lover requests of you. Why do you do them, other than out of love?

So, a suggestion for a valentine this year: “How do I love you? Let me count the ways.” And then, a list of all the non-rational things you do as an expression of love.

Now, if we were to make Valentine’s Day into a religious holiday, consider writing a valentine to the Creator: “How do I love you? Let me count the ways.”

What might be on your list?

For five days we, along with 6000 others, immersed ourselves in the best that the Reform Movement has to offer. Whether first time or repeat attendees, each of us was in awe of the quantity and quality of workshops, vendors selling all types of Judaica, diverse programs, and worship opportunities offered at this convention.

While years ago the highlights of the biennials were the programs and workshops, ask any of the attendees at the biennial and they will agree that the highlight nowadays is worship, specifically Shabbat worship. Imagine the energy and ruach (spirit) that is generated when 6000 people lift up their voices together in prayer and song. The delegates from Temple Israel were naturally biased since our very own Dr. Alan Mason played a key role as the pianist for the Shabbat morning service, which was a special tribute to Rabbi Eric Yoffie, who was retiring as president of the URJ. How proud we were of this well-deserved honor accorded to Alan by our national Movement. And how blessed we are to have Alan enhance our worship experience each week!

A volunteer choir of laity and cantors, in which Jen participated, along with a variety of musical instruments, created an ambiance for uplifting and meaningful worship that transported us from a huge hall in a convention center to an ethereal place of deep spiritual community. At times during the services, people of all ages spontaneously danced throughout the convention center. Immediately following the Erev Shabbat service, all 6000 attendees ate dinner together in one large room. Talk about a sense of community! As we left the dinner, Valeria and I watched in awe, pride, and joy as the several hundred teenage delegates from our youth movement (NFTY) gathered on the steps in the convention center and sang out their cheer for NFTY. Their youthful fervor and commitment, which permeated all aspects of the biennial, gave us hope that the future of the Reform Movement is in very competent hands.

An important highlight of the biennial is the Reform Movement’s ability to attract outstanding speakers. Thanks to the proximity to the capitol, this year, we were privileged to be addressed by President Obama and Rep. Eric Cantor, as well as Israeli politicians Natan Sharansky and Ehud Barak. To be in the same room while President Obama spoke was quite a thrill. An engaging speaker with a delightful sense of humor, President Obama began his speech with a beautiful D’var Torah about that week’s Torah portion and reiterated his administration’s deep and strong commitment to Israel.

I was 1 of 20 (mostly rabbis) out of the 6000 attendees chosen to have my photo taken with the president. As soon as he finished speaking, the 20 of us were whisked into a private room backstage where we were addressed by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. President Obama then joined us and also spoke informally for several minutes. Each of us had the opportunity to exchange a few words with the president as we had our photo taken with him. The president came across as warm, caring, compassionate, and determined to get the country and economy back on course. He even joked that he can empathize with congregational rabbis since dealing with Congress is similarly challenging!

Another highlight of the biennial were the tributes paid to Rabbi Yoffie and the installation of the new president, Rabbi Rick Jacobs. As rabbinic students, Rick and I would commute together to a congregation in Scarsdale. During those long Sunday morning rides to and from Manhattan we had plenty of time to talk about life, Judaism, and our hopes and dreams for the future. Even back then, it was apparent that Rabbi Jacobs is an extraordinarily gifted individual and leader. He understands that the Reform Movement, like American Judaism in general, is at an important crossroads and if we are to succeed as a Movement, we must take bold actions. As a former employee of the URJ, a congregational rabbi, and soon to be congregant, I look forward to hearing from Rabbi Jacobs as he and his transition team share with us how they plan to keep Reform Judaism relevant now and in the future.

From this biennial, we gained new and exciting insights into synagogue management, education, and text study, and participated in worship experiences that will resonate with us for months to come. The next national biennial will take place in December 2013 in San Diego. Although biennials are time consuming and costly, these kinds of Jewish experiences are priceless. The more members and staff who take advantage of these opportunities and share their experiences, the more we all will benefit and become a stronger, healthier, and more spiritually viable congregation.

Almost fifty years later, as we honor the memory of this renowned civil rights leader this month, we wonder, what happened to the dream? As a nation, we have come so far, and yet, there is still so much work to do to fulfill the dream of attaining freedom, dignity, and economic justice for all. Even with all the progress we have made as a society, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. A recent study by Stanford University reports that the middle class, which has been the stalwart of American society, is shrinking, causing the income gap between rich and poor to increase at a rapid pace. Low income neighborhoods, still inhabited primarily by minorities and single parent households, lack access to the same quality education, health care, and job opportunities as the more affluent, primarily white population.

Immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants, have become the modern day whipping posts as states pass harsh anti-immigration laws that are antithetical to the values upon which our country was founded. As in the 1960’s, Alabama is being accused of racism after passing one of the nation’s most stringent anti-immigration laws. With a sad sense of déjà vu, the powerless and vulnerable are being targeted, hunted, arrested, and deported. Families are being torn apart and children, whose parents have worked hard to provide them with better opportunities, especially education, are being penalized.

Yet, even with all this cause for despair, there is hope. Thanks to social networking, something Dr. King probably could not have envisioned, an organic movement, representing the diversity of our population, is revitalizing the call for social and economic justice. From New York City to Oakland, California, people from all walks of life are calling upon the economic decision makers to reign in greed and excess. The Occupy Wall Street Movement is redefining and re-energizing a generation. Jeffrey Sachs of the New York Times calls this movement “the start of a new era in America.” Halevi, it should only be so, as my grandmother used to say!

In the tradition of Dr. King, it is time once again for people to speak up for justice. With only a 9% approval rate of Congress, we can no longer sit around and wait for, or expect, our politicians to make the changes necessary for the American dream to become a reality. An organization called 1Miami recently conducted a survey of 900 residents from Little Havana to North Miami to determine how their lives have been impacted by the recent economic crisis and what we, as a community, need to do to help with the recovery effort. The findings indicate that to succeed economically, Miami needs to create 100,000 jobs. At the same time as large corporations, such as Florida Power and Light and Wells Fargo, have achieved record profits, and state legislators have upheld $850 million in tax cuts for the wealthiest Floridians, many local residents have lost their jobs and homes. 1Miami has outlined very clear and specific proposals to rectify Miami’s current economic crisis. To learn more about the findings of this important survey, check out their website at www.onemiaminow.org.

Perhaps it’s not coincidental that the annual commemoration of the birthday and work of Dr. King coincides with the Torah reading about our people’s efforts to seek freedom from enslavement by Pharaoh in Egypt. After all, this has been the example that Dr. King, and so many other oppressed people, have used as they experienced their own movement from slavery to freedom. Just as Moses heeded God’s words to keep exhorting Pharaoh to free the Israelites, so, too, must we heed Dr. King’s words to “continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.” That faith in freedom, dignity, and justice, which stems from our people’s experience of redemption from slavery, must continue to inform our actions in these very challenging times. Even in the most turbulent times of racial divide and brutality, Dr. King reminded us, “in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.” As we begin a new secular year, may we honor the memory of this courageous man by working to keep that sacred dream alive.

For one thing, since he knows about everything, those of us who know somewhat less consult him from time to time for advice and direction.

And, when he was a congregational rabbi in La Jolla or Miami (Beth David), or presenting at rabbinic gatherings and conferences, when he was traveling regularly as scholar for a Shabbat in any number of communities, that wealth of intake would be refined into ingots of golden sermons and teachings.

Jack’s not a pulpit rabbi at the moment. He still travels, not as often. The books keep coming to him, and the newsletters, and the bulletins. What comes from him now are internet communications, words of Torah that are at once readily available and profound. So Jack still travels weekly, if not from community to community, then through community to community at the speed of light.

We’re fortunate each year that he manages to descend from his home in Boca Raton and visit with us, in person. This year will be Wednesday, January 18th, during our noontime learning.

Wednesday noontime learning has been a practice for me for about 30 years, my ten years here at Temple Israel, and the two decades before when I was with the Havurah of South Florida. Wednesday is sometimes called “hump day,” the day one has to get over before the weekend arrives. I consider it the opposite, the lowest point in the week, the descent from the past Shabbat bottoming before one ascends to the coming Shabbat. I like to have an hour of learning to provide a bounce, to push me forward.

The Havurah used to learn in corporate board rooms, comfortable settings for 15 – 20 people. One year we were learning Abraham Joshua Heschel’s masterpiece, God in Search of Man. Jack was in Miami then. He heard of what we were doing and asked if he might sit in. He did so, quietly, not speaking until one particular issue was raised.
Heschel quoted a rabbinic midrash, a teaching well known among those with some learning, but not easy for novices to understand. So, I explained it. “You know,” one of the participants said, “Heschel should have had some readers go through his manuscript to pick things like this up. Another paragraph or two of explanation would have been welcome.”

That’s when Jack spoke. He said, “Would you be kind enough to turn to page 427?” is the last page of the book, titled Acknowledgment. Heschel writes, “For valuable suggestions, the author is grateful to Professor Maurice Friedman, to Professor Fritz Kaufmann, and to Rabbi Jacob Riemer who have read all or parts of the manuscript.”

We had an editor of God in Search of Man at the table and didn’t even know it. We know it now. Rabbi Riemer will be with us again January 18th at noon.