Shabbat Message from Rabbi Ariel Russo - April 1, 2022

This Shabbat will recognize two liturgical additions to our service, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, celebrating the new month of Nissan, and Shabbat HaChodesh, recognizing that Passover will be celebrated this month. We begin to ponder what our freedom means while also recognizing all who are not free. Our joy is tempered because Passover also recognizes the gift of Israel and our people's long yearning towards living there. This week there were terrible acts of terrorism in Israel, reminding us of our vulnerabilities, within the actualization of the state of Israel. The Rabbinical Assembly put out a really meaningful statement:

"The Rabbinical Assembly is appalled by the violence perpetrated against eleven innocent individuals in Israel, who among them reflect the richness and diversity of Israel’s population: Jews, Druze and Christians, immigrants and Israel-born natives. Every one of these people should have simply returned home to their families and friends after an unremarkable day.

"We share a conviction that there is a way for the region’s diverse populations to live in proximity with mutual respect. Those living in the region must commit to pursuing peace and security for all. We join with all those groups in condemning these terror attacks and call on others in the region who have not yet done so to do the same and reject all acts of violence.

"Especially on the eve of major religious holy days for each of the three monotheistic religions in our holy land, we urge everyone to support the grieving families and to resist calls for revenge. As we learn in the weekday liturgy, Hashkiveinu, 'May You, God, spread the shelter of Your peace over all the residents of Your land...'"

As we spiritually prepare for Passover this Shabbat and this month, may we contemplate our freedom and our vulnerabilities. May we pray for end in violence in Israel and in all areas of the world that are experiencing terrorism and persecution.

Shabbat Shalom, may it truly be a Shabbat of peace,

Rabbi Ariel Russo

Shabbat Message from Rabbi Ariel Russo - March 26, 2022

We will be celebrating Shabbat Parah tomorrow with a special Maftir Torah reading. Within this Torah reading we learn about the red heifer, parah adumah in Hebrew. It was an interesting rite, enabling people to become purified. Shabbat Parah, the Shabbat immediately following Purim, directs our attention to Passover. We can no longer deny the work ahead. I can speak for myself when I share that I have been avoiding the Passover aisle in the supermarket, speeding past it, as if that will delay the holiday cleaning from happening.

There is an opportunity to spiritually prepare for Passover in addition to cutting down on our carb bulk purchases this month (three weeks!?). We read during the seder, kol dichfin yaytay v'yechol, let all who are hungry come and eat. Even writing this now my heart is heavy with all of the people in our world who are hungry, who are persecuted against, and who are facing a devastating war. Some of my colleagues went on a mission to the Poland-Ukraine border and have brought back stories of hope as they shared about all of the relief and refugee efforts.

As part of our spiritual preparations this year, let's keep our hearts, our resources, and our prayers open to all those in crisis. May Jews, and people everywhere, have food security, peace, and freedom. The red heifer reminds us of death and also life, of purification and of hope. May we not lose our hope and continue to pray for a safe place for everyone to experience Passover. Even if, like me, you are running past the Passover aisle in denial, our spiritual preparations can and should start now.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Ariel Russo

Shabbat Message from Rabbi Ariel Russo

Week of March 18, 2022

Judith Kaplan, the eldest daughter of Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, became the first American girl to have a bat mitzvah ceremony on March 18, 1922 in New York, N.Y. A clipping from the temple bulletin of Rhoda Shapiro's bat mitzvah announcement.

Jewish Women's Archive; Rhoda Shapiro

What is your Bat Mitzvah story?  Perhaps you are the first woman in your family to have a Bat Mitzvah.  Perhaps you had a Bat Mitzvah as an adult.  Or maybe you created opportunities for your daughter to have a Bat Mitzvah.  I would love to hear your stories and with your permission, we will share them on Facebook.  Please include a picture if you have one.  

This Shabbat marks the 100th anniversary of the first Bat Mitzvah.  On March 18, 1922, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the founder of Reconstructing Judaism officiated at the first Bat Mitzvah for his daughter, Judith.  Judith's Bat Mitzvah took place exactly 100 years ago today.  The Conservative Movement ran with this idea and Bat Mitzvahs became commonplace in Judaism.  I remember fondly when I first arrived at CSI Nyack, almost 8 years ago, and you hosted many Meet and Greet gatherings for me and Matt.  A theme that stood out is that many of you came to CSI because it was the first synagogue in Rockland County that was egalitarian.  Now the expectation is that all of our students of all genders will be called to the Torah for B'nei Mitzvah.

How fitting is it that we will be celebrating a Bat Mitzvah from our community this Shabbat?  The name of this week's Torah reading is Parashat Tzav, coming from the same root as Mitzvah, commandment.  The second line is a command for Aharon from God (via Moshe).  Rashi, one of our commentators, wrote "COMMAND AARON — The expression “Command …!” always implies urging on to carry out a command, implying too, that it comes into force at once, and is binding upon future generations."  Our future generations are taking on the command and celebrating Bat Mitzvahs with full hearts.  A gift to this generation and all future generations.  I look forward to hearing your stories and to celebrating with you this Shabbat. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Russo 

Shabbat Message from Rabbi Ariel Russo

Week of March 11, 2022

We read in Megillat Esther this week that  “grief turned into joy, a day of mourning into a day of celebration.” (Esther 9:22). 

Purim underscores the reality that life can change without warning.  While we normally assert the illusion of control, Purim reminds us that both joy and pain may be right around the corner.  We lean into this reality on Purim with revelry.  We respond to the fragility of life with drinking, masking, and partying (and CSI has an epic party planned for #PurimFest this year).    

Lest we despair with the knowledge that we live on the edge and a crisis may be right around the corner, Purim has more wisdom for us.  Of the four mitzvot associated with the holiday including, hearing Megillat Esther (Wednesday night at CSI), Mishloah Manot (I hope you have received yours by now or will soon), Seudat Mitzvah (feasting), and Matanot L'evyonim (sending gifts to those in need).  I want to focus on Matanot L'evyonim right now because we are in a crisis.  The news from Ukraine is devastating.  We heard meaningful and heartbreaking stories from our guests who fled the Taliban last Shabbat.  Another response to the capriciousness of life is to give generously.  Purim reminds us of what we already know and sometimes push aside.  

Join us this week for mitzvot, revelry, megillah, hamantashen, and a pretty spectacular party as we cultivate joy and celebrate the highs.  We also give generously on Purim because we know that things change quickly and that while we celebrate, others are in crisis.  

• Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - Erev Purim!

  • 6:00 pm Astonishing Andrew Magic Show

  • 7:00 pm Purim Shpiel and Megillah Reading

• Sunday, March 20, 2022 @ 3 - 5 - Purim Fest 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Russo 

March – April 2022 Membership Bulletin

Purim Samach!

Message from Rabbi Ariel Russo

Adar I - Adar 11 - Nisan 5782

The Hebrew calendar generally follows the lunar cycle. There is one snag because the Hebrew lunar cycle is about 11 days less than the solar calendar. Since the calendar was set in as early as the Tannaitic period (10 - 220 CE), there was a system of intercalated months, adding an additional month to keep up with the solar calendar and the seasons.

This month is added roughly every 3 years and is based on a 19-year cycle. Originally the Sanhedrin, an ancient tribunal that was assembled after the destruction of the second Temple, determined when the month would be added. We read in the Babylonian Talmud: Sanhedrin 18b:9-13

A king is not seated on the Sanhedrin, nor is a king or a High Priest on [a court for] intercalating the year... A king [has a conflict of interest] due to army payment. [Rashi: soldiers would get an extra monthly payment while taxes are collected yearly.] A High Priest [has a conflict of interest] due to the cold. [Rashi: when the High Priest has to immerse and walk barefoot on Yom Kippur.]

As evidenced by the text, fairness and an unbiased determination of the additional month was of utmost importance. There was a lot of intention that went into telling time and counting sacred time. Eventually this month was added based on a mathematical calculation. The month that is added is Adar II since the month of Adar has the association of joy, The Talmud tells us, Mi Shenichnas Adar, Marbim B’Simcha, Taanit 29a:18

Just like as soon as Av has entered, we decrease in happiness, so too as soon as Adar has entered, we increase in happiness.

We are coming towards the end of Adar I and about to enter Adar II where Purim will be celebrated and Passover will follow comfortably in Spring. I have outlined the practical reasons for adding another month, and I believe there is a spiritual resonance as well. As we take stock of the spiritual practices of gratitude and meaning-making, we have another month to find joy

Rashi says on Taanit 29a:63

Whoever enters Adar -- These were days of miracles for Klal Yisrael, specifically Purim and Pesach.

May we each find pockets of happiness this month and with spring around the corner. May we recognize the miracles big and small in our daily lives. May we see this extra month as a gift of time. Ken Yehi Ratzon - May it be God’s will.

Shabbat Message - Information about Ukraine

Parashat Pekudei begins with an accounting of all the materials needed in the mishkan. 

We begin with:

אֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֤י הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר פֻּקַּ֖ד עַל־פִּ֣י מֹשֶׁ֑ה עֲבֹדַת֙ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם בְּיַד֙ אִֽיתָמָ֔ר בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

These are the records of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the Pact, which were drawn up at Moses’ bidding—the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

The details that follow concern both the materials and the people who contributed to those materials.  Ukraine needs us now to be held accountable and to contribute.  

It was very inspiring and sobering to learn from Alisa "Tzipi" Zilberstein last night about her personal and professional connections to Ukraine.  She spoke honestly and passionately about the needs she is seeing right now and ways that we can help.  If you missed the program, you can view the recording here:

Topic: Supporting Ukraine
Start Time: Mar 2, 2022 07:23 PM
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/v3h8PiFl1oCpa4nr-Imec4bVODwZ3Qj-8Cx91WgUFrCA0RWpoOqyL0jUDt72tPmu.0Lmbnq_20vOQOdh6
Access Passcode: U4@ghvxu

Here are some ways that we can help today from Tzipi: Ways to Help Ukraine

1) Donate to my Jewish community in Ukraine. This money will go to people who got evacuated to Chernowitz on the Romanian border or stayed in Kyiv.
Emergency Campaign for Masorti/Conservative Communities in Ukraine
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Emergency-Campaign-for-Masorti-Conservative-Communities-in-Ukraine.html?soid=1102405988674&aid=5whtS-6n_c0

2) Most comprehensive list: Official funds, requests, materials (doc updated live, hourly).
https://gskyiv.notion.site/gskyiv/Real-ways-you-can-help-Ukraine-as-a-foreigner-0d581603e9b34df490f6e6adad1969bc

3) 20+ Ways to Help Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/RazomForUkraine

4) List of trusted Ukrainian News sources in English
https://gskyiv.notion.site/Read-info-from-the-source-7eafea1833044c4e80dafe4d602c06aa

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,
Rabbi Russo