September 2011 - MBR Holds Elul Retreat
On Thursday, September 8, 2011, the MBR helped a group of 20 rabbis and cantors prepare for the High Holidays with a morning of spiritual practice, meditation instruction, Torah Study and Tefilah.
According to Rabbi Toba Spitzer who, along with Rabbi Dan Liben, facilitated the day's activities and learning, "It was a wonderful opportunity to experience mindfulness in a variety of settings with colleagues--sitting in meditation, learning together, doing walking and eating meditations. We explored the notion of "teshuvah" as both "return" to an intention (in this case, the intention to rest the awareness in the breath and the body, in the present moment of experience) and as "response"--exploring the sensations and feelings that arise, moment to moment, in response to whatever it is we may be experiencing. We also studied some wonderful Hassidic texts that explored the possibility of teshuvah in every moment."
June 2011 - Harold Kushner Addresses MBR at annual Yamim Noraim Seminar
A robust room full of rabbis attended MBR's annual Yamim Noraim seminar on June 16. Harold Kushner, Laureate Rabbi of Temple Israel of Natick shared his wisdom, experience and learning. Rabbi Kushner demonstrated that Unetaneh Tokef needs to be understood as two prayers, emphasizing human choice, power and agency on the one hand, and those aspects of our lives which are beyond our control on the other. His presentation "Learning to See an Invisible God" included interpretations of times in the Torah where people were aware or not aware of God's presence. In his conclusion Rabbi Kushner showed how the classic language of berakha provides a way to acknowledge God's presence, thanking God for giving us ways of bringing holiness into our lives through mitzvot. The question is not where or who or what is God, but "when is God"; Kushner answered his own question by saying "in the best of times, in the worst of times, and in ordinary times."
Also that day, Rabbi Allan Lehmann, Associate Dean of Hebrew College's Rabbinical School, was officially installed as MBR President for 2011-2013, along with a new slate of officers. Our congratulations and gratitude to the MBR's new leaders.
May 2011 - Consul General Shai Bazak Meets the MBR
On May 19, 2011 the Mass. Board of Rabbis enjoyed a program celebrating our love for Israel in fellowship, film and food. Shai Bazak, the new Consul General to Israel from New England, spoke openly to the assemblage and firmly demonstrated his desire to work in partnership with area rabbis. Following our conversation with Bazak, the group enjoyed the new film, Mifgash, which tells the story of Hillel Bus 740 on their ten-day Taglit-Birthright Israel trip. The day was capped off with an Israeli lunch sponsored by Dushez Kosher Caterers of Newton.
February 2011 - Dr. Lynne Heller addresses Yom Iyyun
At the annual Yom Iyyun, taught this year by Dr. Lynne Heller on February 17th, a gathering of MBR members spent the day learning about "Esther and the Power of Political Parties" -- biblical typologies through the lens of politics, and "Beyond the Garden of Eden" -- Images of Eden and creation in TANAKH. Through a close literary reading of selected biblical passages, the assembled were able to address many interesting and provocative issues through a process of intertextual analysis. Dr. Heller's passion for, and wide-ranging knowledge of the biblical text was evident in our morning and afternoon sessions as it merged with her academic background in Comparative Literature and Jewish Studies.
December 2010 - MBR Welcomes Sally Priesand and Sandy Sasso!
On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, forty members of the Mass. Board of Rabbis, including several rabbinic students from Hebrew College, came together to hear from Sandy Eisenberg Sasso and Sally Priesand on the important topic of "Nurturing the Spiritual Life: Children and Adults". In the photo, above (left), Barbara Penzner, past President of the MBR, introduces our speakers. The presentations and ensuing discussion were both interesting and informative, helping colleagues think about our understanding of God in our rabbinates and personal lives, dealing with both children and adults. The December meeting was sponsored in part by Levine Chapel (below right, David Decter of Levine with Dan Liben (right) and Alan Teperow (left).
October 2010 - Art Green Addresses MBR
"Radical Judaism" - A Cross-Century Retrospective” was the topic of learning for the MBR's Opening Meeting with Arthur Green. Traditional religion fought two great battles with modernity across the course of the twentieth century: one over evolution and the other over Biblical criticism. According to Art Green (above, left), Professor and Rector at Hebrew College's Rabbinical School, "I think it fair to say that we ("we?") lost both of those battles. Nevertheless, religion is clearly not defeated as a strong factor in human life. How do we go forward as religious people, now in a new century, after both of those questions have seemingly been settled, and neither in "our" favor?" Close to 50 colleagues came together for this important and fascinating discussion, sponsored in part by Stantesky Memorial Chapels (above, officials of Stanetsky's with Dan Liben and Howard Jaffe (far right)
June 2010 - Reuven Kimelman Teaches at Yamim Noraim Seminar
March 2010 - Yom Iyyun Features Larry Fine
Lawrence Fine, the Irene Kaplan Leiwant Professor of Jewish Studies and professor of Religion at Mount Holyoke College, was the MBR's Yom Iyyun speaker on March 16, 2010. Fine is a well-published scholar of Kabbalah and Hasidism with special interests in mystical experience and practice, and mystical communities. We were fortunate to have Larry Fine as our scholar-in-residence to discuss "Spiritual Friendship among the Kabbalists of Safed and Jerusalem in the 16th-17th Centuries", followed by lunch and an afternoon session on "Love and Friendship in Classical Hasidism". Those fortunate enough to attend the Yom Iyyun were able to study these concepts in order to understand the importance of the interpersonal to the Hasidim, and to consider how these might speak to us today. (Photo caption: Rabbis Lawrence Fine (L) and Daniel Liben)
October 2009 - MBR Welcomes Capers Funnye to Boston
The MBR was proud to welcome Capers Funnye, a Chicago-based African American rabbi, to Boston on Thursday, October 29th. Funnye recounted his journey into Judaism and the rabbinate, as well as the challenges he faces being a rabbi of color. Fifty MBR members participated in what proved to be an enlightening conversation not only because of Funnye's background, but also as an exploration into diversity and inclusiveness in the Jewish community.
Dan Liben, MBR President, introduces Capers Funnye |
Capers Funnye recounts his interesting story |
October 2009 - MBR Passes "Statement on Labor"
Following in the historic tradition of the MBR to take stands on pressing issues of public policy, the MBR passed a "Statement on Labor" at its October 29, 2009 meeting. Drawing on Torah and rabbinic tradition, the statement "recognizes the rights and dignity of American workers, and supports legislation that safeguards and promotes their wellbeing". For the full statement, please go to the Public Policy page.
June 2009 - Yamim Noraim Workshop
The annual Yamim Noraim Yamim Noraim Workshop and Israel Bonds Luncheon was held on June 4th as a wonderful closing event for the year. The program, attended by over 50 of our members, not only enabled rabbis to study text with a master teacher, but also afforded us the opportunity to support Israel Bonds and hear from Stanley Davids - Honorary Chairman, State of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Cabinet.
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| Pictured above is Dr. Nehemia Polen, Professor of Jewish Thought and director of the Hasidic Text Institute at Hebrew College, who gave a stirring and thoughtful talk on "Hasidic Texts and Themes for the Yamim Noraim". Click on the play button below to listen to his presentation.
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At MBR's Election of Officers, incoming President, Dan Liben, thanked Eric Gurvis for his two years of devoted service as MBR President. |