Friends,
There are special named shabbatot sprinkled throughout the Hebrew calendar. This Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazon—Shabbat of Vision—and occurs every year on the Shabbat immediately preceding the mournful day of the 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av. Tisha b’Av is considered the saddest day of the year, a somber day of memorial for the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the course of our history.
Shabbat Chazon is of particular interest to me this year, as the text from the prophet Isaiah that is traditionally read on this Shabbat offers the prophet’s vision both of the world as it was in his time—a time of idolatry and distance from God—as well as the world as it could be. Isaiah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but also foretells the reconciliation between God and the Jewish people that will be possible in the wake of this tragedy. This “holding both” feels so resonant today; despite the hardship and bias we face as a community, we continue to recognize the good, both in this moment and in days to come. Isaiah’s words remind us that while difficult times may be unavoidable, we are called to keep a vision of something better at the forefront of our collective minds, and to let that vision guide the work of our hands as we build and rebuild, together.
A few thoughts on holding tightly to the promise of a better tomorrow:
Bearing witness at Delaney Hall. Register here to join with Jewish communities from across Northern NJ to observe Tisha b’Av (this coming Wednesday, July 22) at Delaney Hall in Newark. The gathering will draw on both the pains of our Jewish past and on our community’s resilience through the millennia, to bear witness and stand in solidarity with those suffering in ICE detention and demand a better, kind nation which embraces immigrants and asylum seekers with open arms. The commandment to treat strangers (foreigners, sojourners, immigrants) with kindness and dignity is the most-often repeated mitzvah in the entire Torah—even more often than the commandment to love God; it is essential to who we are as a people.
SOMA leadership standing in solidarity with the Jewish community. This week began with the troubling news of an Israeli flag being stolen off of the front of Oheb Shalom’s building. While we await further details about the incident, I am incredibly heartened by the swift and thorough (and ongoing) response by the SOPD, and by this unequivocal letter of support for our local Jewish community, signed by the entire elected leadership of South Orange and Maplewood. After you read the letter, I urge you to reach out to South Orange and Maplewood elected officials to thank them for their allyship.
TSTI’s new “phone locker.” Last week, Cantor Moses and I debuted a new locker (Phone Jail? Phone Camp? Name still in formation…open to suggestions.) that will be available each Friday night for those who wish to take a break from endless digital connection and enjoy “Tech Shabbat”—the gift of deeper presence and connection. Kudos to TSTI member Eric Rothman who was our brave first adopter! Like this idea and feel a bit bold? Consider a full 24 (25!) hour “Tech Shabbat”, with credit to Tiffany Shlain, who originated the idea.
What gives you hope this week for a better tomorrow? I was so inspired and uplifted by your responses last week—keep ‘em coming!
With wishes for a peaceful Shabbat –
With love from my family to yours –
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Klein