In the introduction to The Triumph of Life, his recently-released book on Jewish thought, 91-year old Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg noted something that has been true about Judaism in the modern era:
These days, all Jews are “Jews By Choice.”
He wrote this with full knowledge that “Jews By Choice” has long been the preferred way to refer to those who have formally converted to Judaism. Rabbi Greenberg is an Orthodox Rabbi and, as a lifelong Jewish pluralist, would never disparage those who live Jewishly in ways different than he does.
And yet, throughout the long arc of his life he has seen that those involved in Jewish life do so, not out of compulsion as may have been the case in pre-modern times, but because they are exercising a choice.
Over the coming five weeks, a period which includes the High Holidays and a major election, you and your family will face some important Jewish choices.
I have a few suggestions which I hope you choose to take:
First, if you are in Greensboro, please be at Temple for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Being together this year is so important. Schools and universities will not be closed for weekday Rosh Hashanah this year; neither will workplaces. And even though Yom Kippur is a Friday-Saturday this year, the rest of the world will continue with its regular routine. I wish that we didn’t have to face such choices, and I have strongly encouraged better calendaring by those who have a say in such matters. Thankfully, schools and jobs have religious observance policies. While far from perfect, they allow us to exercise our religious choice freely and without penalty. Generations of Jewish leaders worked hard to make sure that such policies are in place. The choice is up to each of us. It is in our hands to take that important step to excuse ourselves from our routine and be with our community on the holiest days of the year.
If you run into any resistance, or want to talk through the choices you are facing, please be in touch with Rabbi Hertz or me.
A second choice which I encourage you to take is to be at Temple on Monday night, October 7th which will be one year to the day since the worst single-day attack against Jews since the Holocaust. Temple is the host site for the community-wide memorial which will start at 7 PM. Please allow extra time for parking and to go through security. Our service will bring together Reform Jews, Conservative Jews, Orthodox Jews, and nearly every point in between and beyond for a solemn time for us to remember and draw strength from one another. Parents and families may bring children of any age according to their discretion, however, given the nature of what Israel experienced and the events of the past year, the service will be most appropriate for youth middle school and older.
There are many other ways to be involved throughout October, including our celebration of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. I love the wide range of choices available this year; I am looking forward to seeing you as often as you choose to be involved.
It wouldn’t be right, however, if I didn’t encourage you to choose to exercise your civic duty of voting in the November election. If you are not yet registered, go to https://www.vote411.org/north-carolina; you can register online until October 11th. Most importantly, please be sure to cast your ballot in this election and, if you don’t already do so, vote in all elections. Personally, I don’t just see this as an American choice; it is an important Jewish choice.
Above all, Michal, my family, and I send our sincerest blessings to you and yours for a New Year filled with healing, health, peace, and blessings.
L’shanah tovah
Rabbi Andy Koren
Senior Rabbi
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