The role of sermons and synagogues

We just finished celebrating Rosh Hashanah here in Jerusalem (and all over the world of course) and Yom Kippur is just around the corner. Of course as I think of these two Holidays my mind turns to sermons. (Be warned, since I am thinking about sermons which are historically long, I will be writing a long blog post in their honor)

Rosh Hashanah morning, I went to Kol Haneshama, which is a progressive synagogue in town. They are quite large and during the Holidays and chag, are often filled with visitors. It was quite a new experience for me, a Chag (holiday) service in Jerusalem. First thing I learned, no one comes to services on time. I got there right on time and there were maybe 20 people in the entire synagogue. By the time we were halfway through the services, there were at least 200. I was informed that Israelis often skip the basic Shacharit (morning) service and come in time for the good stuff, the service part relating to Rosh Hashanah. I also learned that while in the States we are honored with one long sermon, at this synagogue they like to honor us with 4 (yes four) sermons delivered by communities members. 


Now, all these sermon's were in Hebrew, so I had no clue as to what was being said. Luckily, after the service, one of the temple member's filled me in on the first sermon that was given. The speaker (who I believe was a temple Board member) spoke about the congregations need for more advocacy. Two things he pinpointed were refugees and racism. He spoke about supporting and volunteering at the new Gan (preschool/kindergarten) at HUC which is for refugee and migrant workers children. He then spoke about an experience he had recently had at a Hummus bar in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiyot. It was a new Hummus bar and had received rave reviews, so as a Hummus lover, the speaker went to go check it out. He got there and saw a sign which read, "Kosher Israeli". He asked what that meant and the Hummus Bar owner proudly proclaimed, "We only employees Israelis" (read, no Arabs). The speaker told the owner that he could not frequent a place supported racism and walked out. The speaker then spoke about how congregation members should go to this Hummus bar and tell them that they think this illegal and racist practice is unacceptable. 


After recapping the Sermon for me, several congregation members began to discuss the sermon which lead to a discuss on what is the role of a synagogue? Is it place for advocacy and policy-making and politics? Or is it a community building place? I was fascinated by the conversation and realizing that synagogues in Israel have many of the same problems and concerns as synagogues in States. 


As this conversation continued my mind drifted to where my stance fell. Should sermons be political? Should clergy let their congregant know where they stand on certain issues and more so, give their synagogue as an entity a stance on issues? While I am not in school to become a Rabbi or Cantor, as a Jewish professional I will need to decide the message of the organization I will be working for. 


My mind drifted back to a friend of mine, who's family resigned from our synagogue in Lafayette after a political HHD sermon was given. I don't remember what the Sermon was about, but I remember trying to grapple with the idea-- was it ok for the Rabbi to give a sermon that some people disagreed with? Should the Rabbi stick to their convictions and say what they truly believe, or should they try to appease all the members and give them a safe space to worship in, and speak about their personal beliefs in their private lives? Do these things need to be at odds?


I spent much of the weekend struggling with this question: What is an appropriate sermon to give? What is an appropriate stance for a synagogue to take on certain issues? While I was deep in thought about these, I received an email from Congregation Beth Israel (the temple I was member of in Portland) with Rabbi Cahana's sermons from Rosh Hashanah. Immediately I noticed the title of one of his sermons, "Marriage Equality". With haste, I opened the email and read what Rabbi Cahana had to say. (Instead of making this post even longer and recapping all his thoughts, you can read the sermon here)


Two parts of his sermon really caught my attention in the midst of this sermon crisis I was having. He wrote,
 "But, though I cannot give a legal opinion, I will give a moral 

one: legislating discrimination is just wrong. That is not who we are as a people 

or as a nation. Allowing people to vote for discrimination is wrong."

 and:

"I plan to take up the stand. I plan to speak out. I plan to be plain. My 

conscience, my sense of Jewish Justice and basic fairness, compels me."

Suddenly I realized I had been looking at this all wrong. Its not about being political; its about being Jewish. If my Jewish values compel me to speak about an issue that I see happening that is wrong, then I must speak out about it. It would be wrong and against my morals and what being Jewish means to me to let any sort of wrongdoings occur if I have the ability to speak out against it and rally other people to action. Yes, a synagogue is a place of community-building and worship. But is also a place of Tikkun Olam (fixing the world) and doing what is right. If I know something in my heart is right, then I must do all to strive for that goal. Sure people may disagree with me or even become angry with views expressed, but as a Jew it is important to stand up for what is right. 

Thank you to all the Rabbis, Cantors, and Jewish Professionals who have not been scared to stand up for what is right and are not afraid to ruffle a few feathers if it means ending injustice. I hope that in my professional and personal life I can be like all of you and use the voice and responsibility I have been given to make a difference in the world and work for what is right.