D'var Torah

January-February 2006
Kislev, Tevet-Shevat 5766

“Today, Tomorrow, and the Day After”

One of the great strengths of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center has been its commitment to ongoing serious adult education. In past years we have been privileged to have as our scholars-in-residence some of the most illustrious names within the Conservative Movement. Through the generosity of members of the congregation, Sisterhood, the Men's Club, this year we are pleased to welcome to our community Dr. Mayer Rabinowitz. Because of his deep involvement within the legal apparatus of the Movement, he will be able to share with us some of the insights and underpinnings of the legal system that supports our commitment to make the Torah great and glorious, to enrich and enhance the texts, laws, customs and traditions that have made possible an engagement with the challenges of living in the real world.

One of my teachers once compared the Jewish legal tradition to a large chess board, on which there are pieces enjoined in the game. The players can only move in prescribed ways across the board, working their way to a goal. The game pieces set out on the board thousands of years ago remain in play as long as they follow the rules. Strategy, concentration, and an anticipation of responses to moves made characterize the ongoing Jewish legal tradition. It has been this sense of the active chessboard that engendered discussions about Jewish marriage and divorce, the role of women in synagogue life and egalitarianism. Presently, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Movement is preparing its findings and on the serious contemporary issues of homosexuality, transgender and biomedical issues. Dr. Rabinowitz has been a key player throughout these processes and will bring his own expertise and engaging teaching style to the GHC as part of our scholar-in-residence weekend, January 22-22, 2006. This is cutting edge education and more than simply relevant information. Check Programs & Events for specific details.

And, lest you forget - Super Bowl; Sunday will be marked by the Blood Drive under the leadership of our Men's Club, and the annual celebration of World Wide Wrap. Get into leather; join with our community and us as we celebrate the joy of binding ourselves to the tradition in remarkable sensual and significant ways. And wait until you see what is planned for the school!! Sunday morning, February 5, 2006 - morning minyan followed by wraps and rapping about tefillin as an essential piece of the traditional Jewish uniform of prayer. No experience necessary -- we've got plenty of (w)rappers to help you out.

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