Rabbi's Blog

It was in the 1^st or 2^nd century CE, when the Talmud Rabbis began to codify the Torah reading with a reading from the Prophets.

So, for the last 2000 years or so, the Jewish people have been reading the Haftarah that Cantor Kilik just chanted. And for the last 2000 years or so, the Jewish people – US – have been asked the same question -- why do we fast. Are Isaiah’s words just another part of the liturgy for which we’re not really paying attention.

For the last 2000 years, Rabbi’s have understood that this Haftarah is meant to shake us, to awaken us, to make us think about what we are doing to make our world a little better. This Haftorah is challenging us to act, to not be passive; that fasting alone is not enough; that acknowledging where we have missed the mark is not enough. We are being pushed to act. We are being pushed to recognize that we must have a moral and ethical foundation which obligates us to act.

And the Seaside Jewish Community, like many congregations, have used this message to take action. To engage in activities of Tikun Olam, of repairing the world, of doing Social Justice work. 

Last Yom Kippur, we heard about three of the Seaside Social Justice Programs – Our extensive food programs, the Multi-faith activities, and Antisemitism and Security. This year, we’re going to highlight one – Speaking Out Against Hate. SOAH. It is a new program that is still being formed. We wanted to highlight it this year because if successful, it could create a paradigm shift.

[Remarks by Allan Slan, will be posted separately.]

At Seaside, there are 10 different Social Justice topics we touch on regularly. There are about 30 people organizing the programs, and there are many of us who participate. Think about some of the actions we take. Have you shopped, cooked, baked, and/or served at any of our food programs – ISOP, Team 6, Good Sam, CRC? Maybe you’ve contributed coats, clothing, diapers, baby food, toiletries for our collection program. How about writing a postcard asking people to vote? Or attended an ADL briefing about Antisemitism and Security? Or packaged and delivered hospitality bags to SJC members in need at Purim and RH? Have you participated in Pride Shabbat, or any of the Your Neighbors Faith programs? These are many of the components of the Seaside Social Justice program. Many of you may also be engaged in similar programs sponsored by other organizations. Take a moment to think about how you are engaged in Social Justice activities. And if you’re willing, share your experience with someone near you.

When we take Isaiah’s words to heart and when we action as a result, we are moving closer towards fulfilling the Prophet Micah’s words – What does God ask of us: Only to do justice, and love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. We also move closer to fulfilling the words that Rabbi Julie has used as a theme these HHD – the words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And, if not now, when?

One last word before I close. We are about to begin the Yizkor Memorial service. And there are four people I’d like to mention who died this past year, who were all engaged in social justice work.  Most recently, we learned of the death of Rabbi Matthew Simon, Rabbi Emeritus of B’nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, MD. He was a member of Seaside and would often deliver the Yom Kippur morning sermon – the slot that I am filling today. He was a social justice giant in the Jewish world.

The other three are lesbians who worked to promote social justice in the LGBTQ communities in which they walked – Evie Simmons, Natalie Moss, and Sarah Jane Garten.

Zichronam l’vracha. May their memories be blessings.