Living the dream...

Birthing Worlds of Compassion Erev Rosh Hashanah ~ 1 Tishrei 5774 Rabbi Jennifer Gubitz Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland, MA Wandering the streets, his clothes ragged and tattered, his shoes threadbare and his hair bedraggled and disheveled, full of passion Jeremiah zealously and fervently entered the town square.  It was market day and people gathered around stalls of spices, booths of breads, bushels of produce, wagons of home goods, and tables where scholars and their students hunched over, swaying back and forth learning, almost singing, ancient texts. Surely, people will hear me this time, he hoped.  They cannot ignore me if I yell loudly enough!  He could feel a passion welling up inside as he reflected: Even if they don’t look at me, because they never look at me, at the very least while they shop, perhaps just this once they might stop and listen - even for a moment. And then Jeremiah began to shout these words which are read on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the

Shabbat Shuva: No Return Limit September 21, 2012 ~ 6 Tishrei 5773 Rabbi Jen Gubitz The entire subway ride, I geared up.  I practiced what I might say: my demeanor, my smile, my defense, if necessary. Would they listen? Would they agree? Would they allow for my return? And then, I entered the Apple Store in Chelsea, graciously greeted the first clerk I saw, and went for it: “Hi,” I began. “16 days ago, I purchased a new laptop.  The reason I purchased a new laptop is because mine was stolen from the synagogue where I work. And I’m a rabbi.  Well not really, but I’m going to be one, and it was two days before Rosh Hashanah when it was stolen.  I knew you might come out with a new model, but I needed one right then.  So I bought it - but then we had Sukkot (which is this crazy Jewish holiday where we dwell in booths even though people in New York barely can afford to dwell in apartments) and as you can see, I’m a few days past the return date.  So I know I should’ve b

July 5, 2013 ~ 27 Tamuz 5773 Rabbi Jen Gubitz In the twilight's last gleaming, there were rockets red glare and it seemed, bombs bursting in air.  All which gave proof thru the night that if you drive on I-90 towards Boston on the 4th of July you will experience a three hour fireworks extravaganza. Freedom rained over Saratoga Springs; Liberty poured out on Albany; Justice sprinkled brightly upon Sturbridge; the Pursuit of Happiness burst colorfully over Worcester; Equality shone down on Boston... an explosion of long and hard fought rights gave proof thru the night that we have it good here in America.  Even when our personal politics or religious preferences or life choices come into conflict with the broader populace or broader governance, we have it good here in America.  And we Jews have it pretty good here in America, too. Though our national anthem only emblazons one stanza into our minds, in this four verse poem written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key some 200 y

Sh'lach Lecha: Wrapped Tightly in Tzit Tzit May 31, 2013 ~ 23 Sivan 5773 Rabbi Jen Gubitz, Temple Shir Tikva The fringes dangled between their fingers as they grasped on tightly to their newest baby.   Over their shoulders a tallit worn with memory swaddled their now family of four. But their young son, unenthused with this ritual of welcome to his new sister squeezed away into another room. “Caleb! Come back!” His dad called. “I don’t want to,” he replied. “But don’t you want to play a game and hide under this fringy blanket?!” Enticed quite quickly back into the four corners of his family’s tradition, the rabbi chanted the priestly benediction, and a new baby girl entered the covenant of the Jewish people. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitz’votav Vitzivanu L’hit’a’tef Ba’Tzit Tzit. Blessed are You, Ruling Spirit of the Universe, Who has Sanctified Us With your Mitzvot,

Running on Bridges April 19, 2013~10 Iyyar 5773 Rabbi Jen Gubitz Kol ha'Olam   - the whole world is glued to Boston this week. The beautiful weekend, followed by an amazing race, with perfect running conditions. The only heartbreak, we thought, being the hills of   Newton .   Kol ha'Olam   - the whole world gathered to cheer on world-class athletes, a world-class race course, with world-class fans. Kol ha'Olam   - we know that in this whole world we are not the only ones who face and fear tragedies like this and yet,   Kol ha'Olam   - it feels today in   our   whole world of Boston that we are under siege, and we are scared and we fear for our safety, for the safety of our loved ones, and for the safety of those we don't even know. Kol ha'Olam   - though at times it felt like it might - the whole world did not end this week, but worlds ended.  Lives were snuffed out and   fears ignited.  And those narrow straits,  tzarim , those narrow str