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New B.A. Members Treated to Dinner and Speaker
New and returning members of B.A. enjoyed a delicious deli dinner on the evening of Friday, November 22nd. Through the efforts of Membership Committee Co-chairs Shelly Komito and David Wohlsifer, the casual atmosphere promoted conversation and camaraderie. The evening provided an excellent opportunity for new members to feel welcomed-and welcomed back--into the B.A. family.
B.A.'s own Malcolm Lazin was the featured speaker during a lively and musical service led by David Wise. Malcolm, best known as the founder and executive director of Pridefest America, now Equality Forum, spoke about civil rights and the gains made by Jews and gays and lesbians during the 20th century. This year's "featured country" at the Equality Forum is Germany, considered to be one of the most progressive countries in the world regarding gay rights.
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A Note from the Editor
While visiting with family in Florida over Thanksgiving and Chanukah, we got to talking about newspaper bias in the local newspaper. Even in strongly Jewish south-eastern Florida, the articles seemed anti-Israel. This problem has been noted by some in Philadelphia as well, and has led to calls for a boycott of the Philadelphia Inquirer (for more information, see
denenbergsdump.org or
www.boycottwatch.org/misc/PhilyInq.htm).
As the conversation continued, we speculated about Jewish influence, or possibly lack of influence, in general, in relationship to our numbers. No one there, however, knew what the numbers were!
Being a librarian, as soon as I got home and could access my computer, I looked it up. I have to admit I was surprised by the statistics. Jews comprise only .2% (that's point two) of the world population; Christians, 33%; Muslims, 20%; and Hindus, 13%.
In the United States, Jews comprise only 2% of the population, or about 5,800,000 people. Israel has only about 4,850,000 Jews, New York City 1,750,000, Philadelphia, about 254,000 (about 2%).
According to the American Jewish Year Book, 1998, of the 5.5 million core Jewish population in the U.S., 1.1 million, or approximately 20%, say they have no religion.
On the brighter side, if 10% of the population is really gay, then Philadelphia's own Beth Ahavah could have a congregation of 25,000! It makes you think.
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Center City Kehillah and Local Jewish History
The Center City Kehillah is a consortium of 11 Center City synagogues and the Gershman Y. The Kehillah presents a variety of programs that build community. All major streams of Judaism are represented. The mission of this group is to maintain a vibrant and viable Jewish community in Center City.
The Philadelphia Jewish community traces its beginnings to the earliest migrations to America. Portuguese-Sephardic synagogue, Mikveh Israel, on Fourth and Arch Streets, was founded in 1740.
The major migrations of Central and Eastern European Jews began in the latter half of the 19th century. As far back as 1873, the American Line offered service between Liverpool and Philadelphia. The advantages of the Port of Philadelphia and the American Line were praised in the Jewish press of Eastern Europe. The Pennsylvania Railroad was also cited as "the best and most reliable for emigrants who are going to the American West," by a widely-distributed Hebrew journal. On any given day, the Port of Philadelphia literally hummed with activity. On one typical Saturday in December, 1876, a total of 149 vessels were loading, unloading, or in ballast! In port that day were 14 steamships, 44 barks, 10 brigs, 76 schooners, and five other ships. Records indicate that all Jews arriving in Philadelphia were met by representatives from the established synagogues.
Russian Jews joined the stream of immigrants to America after the assassination of Russian Czar Alexander II in 1881. With the new czar, Alexander III, a series of pogroms caused many Jews to flee to America.
In 1881, there was but one hall for prayer in the Philadelphia downtown area. If a Jew wanted to observe a yahrzeit, he had to go to Port Richmond or Northern Liberties, where German Jews already had established synagogues. The Center City and downtown Jews formed havurot, which provided basic social services such as fraternal, burial, insurance, and philanthropy. In some havurot, prayers were read and services were conducted as well.
The Center City Kehillah promotes the interests of today's Philadelphia's Jewish community.
Of course, Congregation Beth Ahavah was not part of early Jewish Philadelphia, but we are active today in the activities of the Center City Kehillah. Watch for future activities and join in. Be part of history.
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Chanukah Party
B.A.'s Chanukah Party was held as Chanukah ended in Philadelphia...but was still being celebrated in Hawaii! Our thanks to all the party planners and other helpers who set-up and cleaned-up. Clearly, a good time was had by all, and it was just what we needed to combat the earlier-than-usual winter!
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A Note from the President
Now that the High Holy Days are long over, it is time to take a look to see if we are honoring the pledges we made to ourselves as we sat through all of those hours of services.
Change is hardly ever easy. We have so many tapes that run through our minds that try to keep us status quo. Some of these tapes date back to childhood. Some are inherited.
The key to real change is desire. Change takes time, effort, and perseverance. All of these are driven by desire. How much do you really want to alter your habits?
Once you decide you want to change, the next step is ridding the negatives from your thinking. Be mindful of your thoughts. If you are like most of us, there are lots of "nots" in your thoughts. These "nots" are often connected with "can". I cannot do this, I cannot do that.
When you hear cannot in your thinking, tell yourself, "Yes, I can," just like in the story many of us heard as children, The Little Engine That Could. The more you tell yourself you can, the more likely you can- and will.
As with any positive change, it can be difficult and seem like work. However, if you persist, I promise the rewards can last a lifetime.
I wish you a healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling year.
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Regional Biennial
It is not often that most of us have the privilege of being in a progressive religious environment outside of Congregation Beth Ahavah. Even in the Philadelphia area, many congregations are tolerant of gays and lesbians, but not welcoming. However, over the weekend of November 14th through 17th, Marcia, Gloria, and I attended the Union of American Hebrew Congregations Pennsylvania Regional Biennial in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. We felt extraordinarily welcome and comfortable as gays and Jews.
The primary focus of the Biennial was 21 different workshops, whose topics ranged from maintaining a congregation's financial stability to teaching adults and children about Israel. Marcia and I attended a workshop on creating a congregational culture of leadership, and learned about different approaches to involving the congregation as a whole in the work that the synagogue does.
The remainder of the weekend was filled with singing, praying, study sessions, and, most importantly, eating. Nothing quite compares to wolfing down a plate of mesclun greens and a delightfully seasoned salmon filet, after joining with 300 other lay people in a rousing Kabbalat Shabbat service. Other culinary adventures included a visit Gloria and I made to the Heavenly Hedgehog Ice Cream Company, which sponsored the workshop that Gloria led about tikkun olam, and where I sampled a delectable mint chocolate chip ice cream. (Gloria enjoyed the cherry vanilla.)
Most importantly, each of us felt invigorated by the feeling of community that pervaded the gathering. When I would casually mention in conversation that I was gay, no one batted an eyelid, and people expressed a sincere interest in learning more about Beth Ahavah. The whole experience left me excited at the prospect of attending next year's National Biennial in Minneapolis. I just hope the food is as good.
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Remembering Bernie
Bernie Mellitz and I met when Beth Ahavah was holding services at the Jewish Y at Broad and Pine Streets in Center City Philadelphia. I noticed him waiting for a bus going north on Broad Street. I had my car and offered him a ride. It turned out that Bernie lived in my neighborhood off City Line Avenue. Bernie was someone who attended services regularly back in the late 80s and early 90s. He felt connected to the congregation, although many folks may have not felt connected to him. Politics was his passion and he never passed on the chance to exchange opinions and give opinions of our country's and world leaders. His views about Israel were just as passionate and strong. He had an eccentric side, but he always asked how my family and friends were. People were valued by Bernie.
Although my contact with him lately was seeing him when he occasionally came to B.A., I will miss his vigor, verve, and his always asking about my family. I will remember the kind soul that he was, and the fact that he was a friend and neighbor during my 15 years living in the City Line Avenue area.
We send Bernie's family and friends our sincere condolences.
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B.A. Torah Study Group Meets
B.A.'s Torah Study group gathered on Saturday, November 22nd (18 Kislev 5763) to read, peruse, discuss, and debate the Parashah Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36).
In Vayishlach, we read of Jacob's nightmare/dream inducing feelings about meeting his twin brother Esau. Jacob is concerned about meeting up with his brother whom he had cheated out of their father's blessing and inheritance. Jacob divides his group into two camps so that if Esau is still angry and attacks, some of Jacob's family might remain safe. When the brothers meet, they weep as they look into each other's eyes. There is an uneasy reconciliation. Our ancient Rabbis in the Talmud discussed whether Jacob might have had any regrets about what he had done, or if he was simply fearful of what his brother might do in revenge.
Vayishlach also deals with the story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Dinah is allegedly raped by Shechem, who is not of their clan. Shechem offers to marry Dinah and conditions are put on that proposal, including that all the men of Shechem's town be circumcised. Adult circumcision is quite painful, but an agreement is made. The brothers take revenge on the men of Shechem by attacking them on the third day after the circumcisions, when they were in the most pain, slaughtering all the men of Shechem and taking the women and children as slaves. Jacob is doubly disgraced, first that his daughter is raped and second, that his sons kill Shechem, the future bride-groom, and destroy all the people of the town.
Our rabbinic intern, Susan Falk, facilitates Torah study once each month. All are invited. Watch for future dates and consider joining us!
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