“Making Each Day Count” | April 14th
I look forward to Passover all year. I know that many people dread those weeks and days leading up to this busy holiday, the mad scramble to find every last crumb of hametz and the struggle to find creative ways to prepare matzah. But for me, Passover means that spring is coming and so is a week spent with family, and eating delicious Seder leftovers. There is a certain feeling in the air during Passover that makes those 8 holy days feel unlike any other time of the year.
And yet, despite my genuine love for the holiday, each year by the midway point, even I start itching for it to end. I find myself calculating the remaining days, practically counting down the minutes until we can eat again without all the stringencies of the holiday. I dream of the foods I may not have eaten in years, but now all of a sudden cannot imagine living without. And at that point in the holiday, I want nothing more than for it to just end already.
But Passover also gives us a reminder that we shouldn’t necessarily rush to the finish line. Beginning with the second night seder, we start the 49 day counting of the omer that bridges the gap between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. The custom is to count each night while reciting the blessing. But the trick is that if you forget to count on even one of those nights, then you continue the count without the addition of the blessing going forward. Missing one single day impacts the whole rest of your count. During the pandemic, I began to take the daily ritual much more seriously because it was another much needed way to distinguish one long day from another. Ever since, I have been adamant about not missing a single night. Counting the omer has become an opportunity to take stock of each day; asking myself what I did with the last 24 hours. Was I as productive as I wanted to be? Did I spend enough time with my family? Did something happen to me today that I will remember for a long time going forward?
As we continue to count the omer, may we remember the importance that each day holds, appreciate that every day is an opportunity to see the world anew, and not only count each day, but make each day count.
Rabbi Gabe Cohen
Passover 5783 | April 5th
It is hard to believe that only one year ago – 365 days and 525,600 minutes – ago since the Temple sent a delegation to Poland and Ukraine to bring supplies and support to those afflicted by the then new war brought on by Russia. In many ways, it feels like just a few weeks ago. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime.
It is equally hard to believe that it was only three-short-years since a Passover we will never forget, our first COVID holiday. We were with our households only, perhaps some Zoom’d in family but otherwise, we were exiled and alone in what was a lonely and sad Seder.
And now, in 2023, 5783, we are feeling the full effects of freedom, liberty, and independence again. The effects and reality of a sovereign nation being driven out of their home and lands has been a daily reality, and less new. The paralysis and death toll (thank God) of COVID are in the rear view mirror and we can fly on planes and celebrate Passover with family from near and far. The pinch of distance and isolation is thankfully, not a reality this year.
Yet, with all these back to normal or “used to it” moments, I suspect the potency of our freedom might be less understood and appreciated THIS Passover.
Why is it that we beg and plead for necessities when they are taken away, in the simplest forms, and when they are returned to us, we are grateful but for a short-lived moment? Do these moments really have long-term effects on our lifestyle, choices and mindset?
As you enjoy the gift of sitting at the Seder this year, surrounded with people you love, and who love you, pause for more than a moment and appreciate where we were and where we are. Do not let the freedoms we relish today, which were more compelling yesterday, be lost on our outlook for tomorrow. In every generation we must see ourselves as if we too, personally came out from Egypt, the Haggadah teaches. One does not need to jog our memories too far to imagine this reality and to be appreciative of the gifts we too often take for granted.
Dori and our children join me in wishing you and your family and loved ones a zissen and kosher Passover holiday.
Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner
“The Shattered Innocence of Children” | March 31st
As I sit down to write this, I find my heart hurting and my senses numb. This week, our nation was forced to watch what has become an all too familiar sight with yet another tragic shooting, this time at a school in Nashville. The cycle of violence continues with seemingly no end in sight. And when this kind of attack takes the lives of innocent school children who have never harmed a soul in their lives, we find our pain and anger overwhelming. We mourn both for those who have been senselessly taken from this world, as well as for the survivors whose lives are forever shattered.
As the news unfolded, I couldn’t help but view this tragedy in light of the Passover seder coming up next week. To me, Passover has always been the quintessential kids holiday. At its very core, the seder is about the innocence of children. We put kids on the spot to sing The Four Questions, use interactive props, puppets and songs to keep them engaged, and prepare trivia questions about the Passover story. We seek to teach our little ones, as we do not only talk about the wise, the simple or the wicked child, but also the child who is so innocent that he does not even know how to ask a question.
Like the child who does not know how to ask, we are once again left speechless. We collectively wonder how we can continue to subject our children to such acts of unspeakable violence. Each time an avoidable tragedy like this takes place, we recognize that the innocence of children is shattered that much more. Passover is the holiday of questions, but the only question that feels important this year is when this cycle of violence will end.
Each Shabbat morning, when we read A Prayer for Peace, we say the hopeful words: “May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease, when a great peace will embrace the whole world”. On weeks like this one, those words may feel hollow. And yet, we continue to pray with the overwhelming desire that this will be the week they will actually come true. Like you, I am hoping for a Shabbat and Passover of calm, quiet and peace.
Rabbi Gabe Cohen
“Almost Passover Time” | March 24th
Wednesday night and Thursday, we celebrated the new month of Nisan that rings in springtime and a two-week warning for Passover readiness. To prepare for the holiday, there are three things we need to do:
- Start the process of cleaning and preparing our homes
- Sell any of our Hametz
- Make sure anyone who needs a place for Seder or funds to celebrate Passover, can do so through our generosity
As hard as it might be to believe, there are people in our community – both our Temple and Bergen County – who are hungry. There are kids and adults who every night and do not know where their next meal will come from. In our Jewish community, this issue is highlighted when Jews amongst us do not have the means to buy wine, matzah or even chicken soup for the Passover holiday. To forsake those during their time of hunger is to forsake the essence of Judaism. After all, we say during the Seder, Kol Dichfin – Yatay Veyaychol – ‘All who are hungry, let them come and eat.’ How can we say such a line if we are silent and stand still, knowing real hunger surrounds us?
Maimonides tells us that for any Jew to pass a hungry person on the street and not offer them food is to commit idol worship. That means our primal goal is to look after the welfare of the other. That is the core of being Jewish.
This year, again, Temple Emanu-El will join to collect support for the Maot Hittim – Kol Dichfin – All Who Are Hungry fund. 10% of all funds collected will be matched by my discretionary fund and all proceeds will go to those in need. There is no amount too big or too small to donate. All contributions will make a profound difference.
If you have unopened Chametz such as cereal boxes, oatmeal, canned soups, beans, vegetables or boxes of pasta, that you want to rid your home of before Passover, please bring them to the Temple. There is a drop box at the Administration Wing entrance. All unopened boxes will be donated to the JFS and or Closter food pantry.
The Seder is a feast that tells us all that we are free, and we are able to satisfy our hunger whenever and wherever we choose. For those bound by hardship, you can enable them to celebrate Passover this year in the spirit it was intended. Please be a part of this important Passover Mitzvah. You can send your tax-deductible donation to the Temple or to the Passover fund.
Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner
“Going Above and Beyond” | March 17th
Is there such thing as too much kindness? This week’s parsha, Vayakhel-Pekudei, puts that question to the test. While the Israelities are making their way through the wilderness, they build the beautiful sanctuary designed as a place to worship God. The artisans among the wandering Israelites are so excited about giving their finest supplies towards this holy space that they inadvertently bring too much. Completely overwhelmed by their generosity, Moses has to tell them to stop donating. As far as problems go, this is a good one to have. Having the people bring too much towards this noble purpose indicates the level of enthusiasm with which they gave. When it comes to holy causes, their generosity knows no bounds.
We read this scene at the end of the book of Exodus exactly one year since our community stepped up in a similar way to give towards a holy cause. It was this week in March of 2022 that a small but mighty group traveled to Ukraine on a relief mission to supply people in unimaginable need with supplies that they could not live without at the start of the war. Although I knew I would be coming to Temple Emanu-El later in the year, this all predated my time here. I knew my eventual home was a special place as I marveled from afar at the emails, social media posts and news stories documenting the herculean efforts of this community. People stepped up in an unprecedented way to stuff duffel bags with all manner of supplies, ranging from bars of chocolate to necessary medical supplies. The synagogue resembled an Amazon warehouse with more stuff than anyone knew what to do with. People gave so generously that, like Moses, we too had to ask for donations to stop.
That kind of generosity of spirit is an incredible credit to our special community. It makes all the difference in the world to know that when somebody is in need, others will not only step up, but go above and beyond. I have seen that firsthand here with the way we respond to family crises, meals that are sent to offer comfort in times of distress, and people coming to support mourners during shiva. These are the efforts and actions that can elevate a group of people into a kehillah kedoshah – a holy community. Perhaps our goal should not be to overwhelm those in need, but may we always give with such kindness and generosity that those in need will always know that help is on the way.
Rabbi Gabe Cohen