“A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable
means when it is being designed and in the end must be
unmeasurable.” Louis
Kahn
– American Architect (born Itze-Leib Schmuilowsky, 1901, Estonia) Ours is a great building. Our congregation first worshipped at this location in 1957 after moving from the Washington Boulevard Temple. We have prayed here, learned here, worked for social justice here, laughed here and cried here. A great deal has changed since that time. And, if you were alive back then, you’ve changed too. Just look in the mirror. Sorry! Our building has aged, pretty well, actually, but it is showing unmistakable signs of wear and tear. We do our best to maintain the structural integrity of the synagogue. Perhaps you’ve noticed scaffolding on the sides of the building in recent weeks. We’ve been doing masonry, tuck-pointing and window caulking work to make sure that the “envelope” is tight. But, some things can’t be maintained and need to be replaced. The large, heavy, impressive brass doors that have graced our entrance for 55 years, on Harlem Avenue, have deteriorated beyond repair. They’ve become inoperable, unsafe and it’s time for a change. I’m pleased to tell you that, with the approval of the Board of Directors, Oak Park Temple has retained the services of Newman Architecture, a firm with extensive experience and with the ability to help us to make the changes we need to make the main entrance to Oak Park Temple aesthetically appealing and safe. It is our plan to have this work completed by the High Holidays, so that we may all enter the building in the manner that was intended when the congregation first opened those doors. In addition to wear and tear, there have also been changes in the ways that we use our building. As we approach our sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of the founding of our congregation in 1864, it’s time to evaluate the use of our space. We expect our building to be a home for diverse activities and functions and to provide us with feelings of intimacy, warmth and comfort. We have commissioned Newman Architecture to undertake a study of our space to find ways to improve the extraordinary asset that our building is. In the months ahead, we will be seeking input from members of our congregation to help our architects envision our uses and needs for the foreseeable future. They will assist us in creating a plan for the use of our space that will be in keeping with the spiritual and functional goals of our congregation. Our building should be the best possible place to build a sacred community centered on Jewish worship, learning and social justice. As I said to you at Rosh Hashanah last fall, our building is like a shofar. It is hollow and empty until we fill it with our breath and spirit. What happens here truly defines the space. As we move forward, let’s enjoy the excitement of creating a space in which our ruach (spirit) can reside and thrive. L’shalom,
Jeff Blaine President
Right around the corner, on April 6th, Passover begins. Passover is the holiday that is most widely observed by Jews the world over. It marks our deliverance from slavery and the beginning of our journey together as a people. It occurred sometime roughly 3,300 years ago. It is at the very center of our epic as a people.
Year after year after year, observance of Passover has been a time when we reaffirm who we are and from whence we come. For many, it is the quintessential Jewish experience. Annual Passover Seders have kept the spark of Judaism alive for Jews for whom it was the only Jewish observance of the year for a period in their lives. As commanded in Exodus 13:3 Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, for by strength the hand of God brought you out from this place. And, remember we have.
Each age and time has its challenges, plagues and opportunities for emancipation. In every time, the Passover saga resonates with our personal desires to be released from whatever narrow places in which we find ourselves confined. These may be emotional, physical, interpersonal or spiritual. But, as with our ancestors, release is only the beginning of a very long journey to somewhere else. We did not become a strong people by simply adding water and stirring. It was on the journey that we became a people, and it is on a journey that we become and remain a community. So it is at Oak Park Temple. It is on our journey together, our shared prayer, activities and tikkun olam, through which we create a sense of sacred community, kehilah kedoshah.
As with so many things Jewish, Passover is not an observance that should be done alone. Many of us have very fond memories of family and friends, some long gone, with whom we shared the traditional foods and told of the story of the “going out” from Egypt. Passover Seders have been a place where Jewish identities have been affirmed and strengthened.
May this be a season of emancipation and release from all confinements with which you struggle. My family and I wish you a “zeisen Pesach," a ‘sweet Passover.’
Together we are emancipated and together we journey.
L’shalom,
Jeff Blaine
Due to “press deadlines,”all of what you read in The Messenger was written approximately three weeks ago, including this. That said, so far, we’ve had one of the mildest winters I’ve experienced in the Midwest during the 42 years that I’ve lived here. It is my fervent hope that, I have not just jinxed us and that we’re not pounded by severe weather just before you read this. If we have, my apologies, s’licha! So, here we are at the beginning of March and the harbingers of spring are upon us.
The rabbi’s favorite holiday, Purim, with all of its delightful insanity and irreverence, will be celebrated in a number of ways. We will have an ‘adults only’ Purim/Oy Vey Café party on Saturday evening, March 3rd where
Temple members will show off their musical and artistic talents. The Oy Vey Café has a long history at Oak Park Temple and, if you haven’t experienced one, you haven’t lived! The Purim Carnival and service for kids of all ages will be taking place on Wednesday, March 7th. Young and not-quite-so-young, please join us for all sorts of fun.
We will have a Megillah reading for families with young children at 4:30, 5p.m.-7p.m. carnival and dinner for all ages, including an adults’ only room and at 7 pm a Megillah reading for older kids and adults. On Thursday, March 8th, the Glasser Preschool will have its Purim party. Get the impression that we leave no stone unturned on Purim?
On March 9th at 6:00 p.m., our Shabbat Kehilah Dinner and service will be sponsored by the Board of Directors,
honoring all of our volunteers. Oak Park Temple, and all of the richness that can be found here, would not be possible without the many volunteers who give selflessly of their time and energy. More than likely, this means you! I think that it is also safe to say that were it not for the many opportunities that we have to work side-by-side with our fellow congregants, we would not have such rich relationships with one another. We do reap what we sow! Join us to celebrate!
And, finally, the clearest indicator that spring is almost upon us is the Annual Oak Park Temple Family Retreat at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (“OSRUI”) in Oconomowoc, March 16-18th. The theme this year is "God: The Elephant in the Room." And no, George Burns is not scheduled to appear. Join us for a weekend of fun, relaxation, music and community as we wrestle with God.
Oak Park Temple…never a dull moment!
L’shalom,
Jeff Blaine
May the door to this synagogue be wide enough
to receive all who hunger for love, all who are lonely for fellowship.
May it welcome all who have cares to unburden,
thanks to express, hopes to nurture.
May the door of this synagogue be narrow enough
to shut out pettiness and pride, envy and enmity.
May its threshold be no stumbling block
to young or straying feet.
May it be too high to admit complacency,
selfishness and harshness.
May this synagogue be, for all who enter,
the doorway to a richer and more meaningful life.
Mishkan T’Filah, p.124
In 2001, a little more than 10 years ago, we opened the new wing to our building and added much needed space. In the years since, we've grown in to it! Now there are times where groups have difficulty finding space anywhere in the building for their activities. Irritating, when that happens, but a great problem to have, nonetheless. Oak Park Temple is bursting with activity. We are not simply aspiring to be a vibrant Jewish community; we are a vibrant Jewish community.
2011 was an exciting year at Oak Park Temple. We have seen growing attendance at our worship activities on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our new worship initiatives have been well received: Shabbat Kehillah Services, with music by Tsimmis, on 2nd Fridays and Kabbalat Shabbats on 4th Fridays with Cantor Green accompanied by guitarist, Aaron Bernstein. On Sunday mornings, the Rotunda is abuzz with activity and people and our community hall has been full to over flowing for events including honoring James Crowder, the OPTY Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction, as well as our recent Chanukah Menorah Lighting service.
This past year, as a community, we celebrated births, mourned deaths and illnesses, rejoiced in recoveries, and supported one another in public and private ways. Members of Ozerim provided support and solace to many. We welcomed newcomers and said farewell to others.
Tsimmis, Koleinu, Kolot, Zimrei Ha'am, Mameloshn,the High Holiday choir, Cantor Green, the congregation … the "halls" were alive with the sounds of music!
In 2011, in no particular order, Oak Park Temple found itself energized, informed and sustained by:
A wild Purim Party celebrating Cantor Julie Green’s Bat Mitzvah Year at OPT
We held a joyous Torah Restoration celebration
OPT’s Annual Congregational Retreat was held again at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Rabbi Weiss led a Congregational Tour of the Jewish Deep South
A delegation of eight of us went to the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial in Washington, D.C. where we heard the new President of URJ, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, present a vision for Reform Judaism going forward and we were addressed as a movement, for the first time in history, by the President of the United States
Jewish FAQ were answered by Rabbi Emeritus Gerson
We had regular Adult Education and study sessions with Rabbi Weiss
Ongoing Torah Study groups met weekly
Social Action activities occurred, providing support to those in need and disseminating important information to the community
We continued to deliver shelter, one night a week through the P.A.D.S. program
An Urban Garden was created and nurtured by our Green Chaverim
Sisterhood ran another successful Annual Rummage Sale that raised funds to assist in the many activities through which they support our congregation
Bagel Boys continued to provide sustenance for our bodies in the form of bagels and schmeers
The Annual Hausman Brunch informed us
We began planning for a renovation of our Harlem entrance, the doors desperately needing replacement
We approved projects for the maintenance of our building, particularly masonry and windows
We began planning future capital needs of our congregation
We began the work of preparing for our biennial Auction, to be held on February 4th that will benefit Oak Park Temple and the Glasser Preschool
We’ve begun planning for the 150th Anniversary of our congregation in 2014
We heard from notable speakers:
JeremyBen-Ami, Founder of J-Street
Rabbi Jonathan Greenberg, Midwest Director of AIPAC
Authors Alex Kotlowitz, Anita Diamant and our “own” David Sokol and David Ansell
Alex Ciselsky, a founder of Kibbutz Lotan and The Center for Creative Ecology
Debra Shore, a Commissioner on the Board of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago who discussed threats to our precious water supply
Congregant Daniel Block addressed disparities in access to food in local urban settings
Rebetzen Emeritus Carol Gerson discussed fascinating challenges in Bioethics
We hosted Echad al Echad, 12 Israeli visitors from our sister congregation in Kiryat Tivon
Cantor Green led another congregational trip to Israel
We wrestled as a community with the difficult issues of achieving peace in the Middle East through the "Israel
–Can We Talk About It?" series, with speakers from: AIPAC, the IsraeliConsulate, J-Street
We played at an OPT Summer Shindig Picnic hosted by the Membership Committee
We held a Social Action Day
We hosted the regional NFTY Retreat
There were regular Chevre Hiddur Mitzvah Arts group activities
Mel’s Movie Matinees entertained and informed us with films relevant to Jewish life
We celebrated Shabbat outdoors with our Nature Shabbat
… I'm sure that this list is incomplete. There is so much!
Prayer, study, music, social action and community... Reform Judaism is alive and well at Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion, but let's not be complacent. Together, let's maintain, support and enrich our Jewish community going forward.
L'shalom,
Jeff Blaine
"Everywhere we look, there are dramatic challenges facing our
people; yet each is a phenomenal opportunity to revitalize Jewish life. Only
very rarely has Jewish history known an era of so much creativity or innovation;
no previous generation has possessed our resources and potential...This moment
in Jewish history demands bold thinking with big ideas; this is not a time for
staying the course. It's time to reinvent the architecture of Jewish life."
Rabbi Rick Jacobs (from his acceptance speech as the new president of the
Union for Reform Judaism, June 12, 2011)
A few weeks ago, I participated with other congregational presidents and URJ
leaders in a webinar with Rabbi Jacobs to discuss his transition, becoming the
new URJ President. Something that he said made a strong impression on me. He
said that Reform Judaism is not "Judaism Lite." He went on to note, and
I am paraphrasing here, that ours is the most compelling form of Judaism in that
it incorporates rich philosophical, spiritual and social action values that
embrace autonomy, inclusiveness, creativity and relevance. This combination of
the best of tradition and of modernity is what makes Reform Judaism appealing to
religious seekers. But some of us, myself included, have not always appreciated
the richness. At times, particularly in matters spiritual we have looked to
other traditions. I offer a compelling example of this in the following.
At the recommendation of Rabbi Gerson on our OPT website, I have been reading the book,
Minyan: Ten Principles For Living A Life Of Integrity by Rabbi Rami Shapiro. The book lays out a wonderful
path of Jewish spirituality. Speaking to the dynamic of Jews looking elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment,
Rabbi Shapiro writes, “So prevalent was the presence of Jews in Eastern religions that Swami Satchidananda once remarked to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: ‘How spiritual your people are! Wherever I go,
whatever temple or ashram I visit, the place is filled with Jews.'"
We may choose to explore other traditions, but often, much of what we have been seeking has been within Reform Judaism all along. We just have to look, pay attention and learn in order to find it.
In mid-December, more than 6,700 Reform Jews from North America descended upon our nation's capital for the Union of Reform Judaism’s Biennial. A group of eight us from Oak Park Temple heard the President of the United States addressing the largest gathering of North American Reform Jews ever assembled in one place, as
well as those who participated 'virtually' via webcasts. We also attended what may have been the largest Shabbat dinner ever,in one room, more than 4,000 Jews for a Shabbat dinner. Think our movement is stagnant?
Think again!
These are exciting times for Reform Judaism. Be a part of it.
Happy New Year!
L'shalom,
Jeff Blaine
Auction 2012: "Maxwell Street to the Gold Coast, Rags to Riches". Cutesy title, right? But what does it have to do with Oak Park Temple?
Our congregation's "first building was erected on Des Plaines Street between Madison and Washington streets..." That was only 1.3 miles from the Maxwell Street Market! You'd better believe that Maxwell Street was a big part of OUR history!
Beginning in the 1880s, "Russian" (i.e., Eastern European) Jews became the dominant ethnic group in the Maxwell Street neighborhood, which remained predominantly Jewish until the 1920s. This was the heyday of the open-air pushcart market for which the neighborhood is most famous. Given the timing of the decline of Jewish prominence in the area, it should come as no surprise that it was in 1918 that our congregation purchased the land for the Washington Boulevard Temple, 6.3 miles northwest of the market. Much further away. And, with the move to our current location in Oak Park, we're now 11 miles away.
Join us in a stroll back to the old neighborhood. And, while we're there, let's raise money for Oak Park Temple and the Glasser Preschool. Let's eat, drink and have fun in a way that would make the old neighborhood proud.
And, if the word "gribenes" doesn't make you think, "guilty pleasure" and "heartburn heaven," you haven't lived. You simply have to come to further your 'Jewish delicasies education!' (Gribenes is frequently mentioned in Jewish stories and parables. Gribenes = A favored food in the past among Ashkenazi Jews.)
SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012
OAK PARK TEMPLE & GLASSER PRESCHOOL SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION!!
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!!
COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!
THIS IS GOING TO BE "THE" FUN RAISING/FUNDRAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR!!
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!
L'shalom,
Jeff Blaine
|
RSS Feed