Rabbi’s Book Review of Devotion: A Memoir

October 21, 2010 · Filed Under Baum's Blog, Book Reviews · 1 Comment 

I recently read Devotion: A Memoir by Dani Shapiro.  I recommend it.  Margaret Quamme wrote a review in the Columbus Dispatch asserting that “If Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love was about the fantasy of a spiritual journey, Dani Shapiro’s Devotion is about the reality.”  I have to say, I enjoyed reading Devotion much more than I did Eat, Pray, Love.

Dani Shapiro grew up in a traditional Jewish home and then really struggled to find her place in the Jewish community as an adult.  She had a definite discomfort with Orthodox Judaism but also didn’t seem to have an affinity for Reform Judaism.  She goes on a religious journey during the book, though not a journey as extreme as Elizabeth Gilbert’s.  It struck me that some of us set out on very intentional religious journeys while others of us end up on a journey and realize afterward that we were on one.

Shapiro struggles quite a bit with God throughout the book.  Shapiro’s infant son faced a serious illness, and this greatly affected Dani’s relationship to religion and perhaps to God.  At one point in the book Dani indicates that she didn’t see God as an interventionist deity, but “still, every moment of every day became a prayer” (pg. 32).  Her honesty is compelling.  And it was noticeable that for her, like for many, there seemed to be a fine line between prayer, superstition, routine, and ritual.

Another theme throughout the book is that Dani consults various spiritual/religious sources.  Some of the most important people in her life are a yogi, a Buddhist, and a rabbi.  A lot of what Dani does is mix traditions – which is not surprising given that more than ¼ of adult Americans change their religious affiliation at least once (to join a different religion or no religion).  I’m intrigued by this fluidity – and not terribly surprised by it. Many people, especially people in my generation – i.e. those in their 20s and 30s – often want to learn about and dabble in different areas and choose what speaks to them from a breadth of options.

I’m curious what you all think about this – is this blending a good thing for Jews?  Surprising?  Empowering?  None of the above?  Please share your thoughts

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I’m a Jewish Community Hero Semifinalist- Thank You!

October 20, 2010 · Filed Under Baum's Blog · Comment 

I owe many of you a very very big thank you for voting for me (early and often!) in the Jewish Community Heroes contest sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America.

Being named a semifinalist means that I will go to the next round of judging, in which a panel of judges will choose the top 5 finalists and the official Jewish Community Hero of the Year.

Even though the contest involved voting for me, I really saw it as a vote for OurJewishCommunity.org – and therefore as a vote for contemporary Judaism.  Over the past 2+ years, OurJewishCommunity.org has reached tens of thousands of Jews around the world – meeting them where they are.  That means Jews who are homebound, geographically isolated, unable to -afford synagogue membership, particularly interested in forming community online, and many others have an opportunity to connect to Judaism in a way that is meaningful to them.

The Jewish Heroes’ Contest focuses on tikkun olam – making the world a better place.  That is what all of us – collectively – are doing at OurJewishCommunity.org.  We’re continuing to create a community that is inclusive – one that values social justice and personal responsibility – one that gives voice to a philosophy that focuses on each of our roles in repairing the world and brightening our collective future.

The contest also focuses on strengthening the Jewish community.  That is precisely what we are doing.  Thanks to OurJewishCommunity.org, we all have a platform for expressing our Jewish identity in a way that is meaningful in the 21st century.

I recently heard the quotation “No more prizes for predicting rain.  Prizes only for building arks” (btw, please let me know if you know the origin of this quote so I can give proper credit). This concept struck me because I sometimes worry about the Jewish community – I predict rain – i.e. that Judaism may not thrive like i hope it will in the future.  But what we’ve also done is built an ark – we’ve created a solution for helping Judaism thrive.  We know that so many people would have no Jewish connection if it were not for OurJewishCommunity.org.

So, I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart – thank you for your votes and thank you for doing your part in strengthening Our Jewish Community.




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Jewish Memorial Reading at the Homomonument

October 14, 2010 · Filed Under Baum's Blog · 1 Comment 

There’s been a lot of attention in the news recently around gays and lesbians.  The recent tragic deaths of Tyler Clementi, Justin Aaberg, Asher Brown Billy Lucas, and Seth Walsh shed light on the issue- and how serious it can get when young people take their own lives.  The Trevor Project seems like a wonderful resource, and last night I watched this very powerful video by Forth Worth City Councilman Joel Burns.

Yesterday I also happened to be watching some videos that Rabbi Barr had filmed over the last several months while traveling.  He filmed a video at the Homomonument in Amsterdam which commemorates gays and lesbians persecuted in the past, present, and future because of their sexuality.  In the video, he also reads Congregation Beth Adam’s Memorial reading (pdf).

Please note that while the video mentions this is the only such monument, it is not the only.  It is believed to the first, but there is also one in Berlin today.

OurJewishCommunity.org has recently signed the Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives.  We hope you’ll consider doing the same.

You may also want to watch the Shabbat Service where we discussed homosexuality and Judaism (and Glee!) It’s the October 8th service in our archive.

May the memories of good people bless our days.

P.S. If you support our contemporary Jewish voice, please vote for me as a Jewish Community Hero before Friday, October 15th at noon.  Thank you.



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Jewish Newspaper Bans Same-Sex Wedding Announcements

October 4, 2010 · Filed Under Baum's Blog · 13 Comments 

I am horrified.  A Jewish newspaper has done something terrible.  Really terrible.

On September 24, the Jewish Standard of Bergen County published an engagement announcement of Avichai David Smolen and Justin Taylor Rosen – two men.  That is the good news! A wonderful wedding announcement from two people in love.

The horrifying news is that the Jewish Standard then printed a statement saying they shouldn’t have published a gay wedding announcement and they won’t do so in the future.

From the Jewish Standard’s website:

We set off a firestorm last week by publishing a same-sex couple’s announcement of their intent to marry. Given the tenor of the times, we did not expect the volume of comments we have received, many of them against our decision to run the announcement, but many supportive as well.

A group of rabbis has reached out to us and conveyed the deep sensitivities within the traditional/Orthodox community to this issue. Our subsequent discussions with representatives from that community have made us aware that publication of the announcement caused pain and consternation, and we apologize for any pain we may have caused.

The Jewish Standard has always striven to draw the community together, rather than drive its many segments apart. We have decided, therefore, since this is such a divisive issue, not to run such announcements in the future.

They are apologizing for the pain they have caused the closed-minded Orthodox community.  But they are not apologizing for the pain they have caused gays and lesbians and for the pain they have caused all of their allies.

This would shock me anytime, but it is especially horrifying given the recent suicides of Tyler Clementi at Rutgers University and of Justin Aaberg, Asher Brown Billy Lucas, and Seth Walsh – all of whom killed themselves after being the victim of anti-gay harassment.

The Jewish Standard says it will stop printing same-sex wedding announcements because of the “great sensitivities within the traditional/Orthodox community on this issue.”  I am sick and tired of the Orthodox Jewish community having the loudest voice.  They make up 9% of the Jewish population in America.  Whatever they want to do in their own community and in their own families is fine with me.  But I am not fine with them rejecting the public celebration of a marriage between two people who want to share their simcha (happy event) with others.

I have contacted the editor and publisher of the Jewish Standard to let them know that I disagree with their pandering to the Orthodox community – and I hope they will become a newspaper that reports all engagement notices regardless of gender.

The newspaper’s contact information is below if you would like to to share your feedback:

Publisher James Janoff at (201) 837-8818, ext.104 publisher@JewishMediaGroup.com

Editor Rebecca Boreson at (201) 837-8818, ext. 105 editor@jewishmediagroup.com

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