I'm sure it was difficult. What is Judaism summed up in a brief conversation? What are we as a dictionary definition? Your children and I will answer those questions in a very Jewish way, by telling a story:
A man was eager to learn all that Judaism had to offer, but didn't want to take the time to study and learn for himself. So he went in search to understand what is this thing we call Judaism. He walked to the home of the first Rabbi and asked, "Rabbi, what is Judaism, what does it mean to be Jewish? But, please tell me fast, I do not have time to sit and study all day."
The Rabbi was insulted, how can you explain all the wonders and complexities of his beloved religion in such a short time?! This Rabbi was respected and admired in his community. He studied all his life and new the Torah, The Talmud, and even contributed to some of these halachik (Jewish law) debates.
The Rabbi closed the door not knowing how to answer the man without engaging in along deep conversation and debate. So the man went in search of another Rabbi to answer his question. The man, if you have already heard this story before will know, got to the house of the famous Rabbi Hillel. Rabbi Hillel is known for being a more patient, more lenient Rabbi. When the knock came to his door he eagerly answered it and asked the stranger how he could be helpful. The stranger repeated his question to Hillel:
"Rabbi Hillel, I do not want to learn for myself, but I want to know the sum of all Judaism. Can you please explain to me all of Judaism while standing on one foot?"
So Rabbi Hillel thought, and then while standing on one foot answered, 'Ve'ahavta Lere'echa Camocha' Love your neighbor as you love yourself." This is the sum of all Judaism.
Is this the sum of all Judaism? Maybe. Maybe not. So your children and I went on a quest to find our own Jewish "tag lines". Smith magazine has been creating 6 word memoirs on variety of topics including Judaism. We looked at a few of the different tag lines other people have created to sum up their Judaism and commented.
Some made us laugh or think. We agreed with some and disagreed with others. And some we didn't understand! But we did see how people all sum up their Judaism in different ways. So we came up with our own....all while standing on one foot...
We finished class by discussing Reform Judaism. Make sure to ask your children the 3 things Reform Judaism did to open the door wider to be more inclusive. Reform Judaism also places an important part of the world Today and making sure we work hard to make a difference and improve the world we live in right now, otherwise known as Tikkun Olam (repair of the world).
As we reviewed our year so far:
Learning about disabilities vs. handicaps
universal design
how we can use our passions to fix holes in the world
people first speech
elderly care and our trip to Rogerson House
poverty and hunger and our trip to the Brookline Food Pantry
stopping bullying and watching "The Wave"
literacy and learning how to be reading buddies
and all of our Bar and Bat Mitzvah projects
we realize social action is at the focus of Reform Judaism and a Reform Jewish Education.
Luckily, that is what our class is all about!
As we continue our Tikkum Olam curriculum we would like to invite you to join us next week at 7:00pm in the Montague Chapel for an incredible talk about Ethiopian Jewry.
Remember to "Ve'ahvta Lere'acha Camocha"
to love your neighbor (spouse, coworker, stranger...) as you would love yourself.
See you next Monday.
Gila
