Why is the orange really on the seder plate?

The saying goes that an old male rabbi once said that "women belong on the bimah like an orange belongs on the seder plate." As a result, many progressive Jews include oranges on their seder plates to honor womens' voices and importance in Judaism. I was surprised to read this article, however, which has a different take on the story of the orange. Enjoy!

Can I get an "amen"? Amen!

Genessa and I went to that Three Rabbis event I've talked about in earlier posts. It was at the JCC - a crazy beautiful building with great art and social justice exhibits lining just about every hallway. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I was a little disheartened to know that three white, middle-aged, male rabbis would be leading a panel on "otherness" in the Jewish community - come on, this is SAN FRANCISCO! - but what can you do?

The conversation was kind of all over the place, and not especially ground-breaking. However, audience members were able to write questions on index cards to be answered by the rabbis, and my question was chosen. I asked something like: Is there a place in the Jewish community for non-Jews who feel a spiritual connection to Jewish practice and tradition, but who may not have plans to convert. The answer? Practicing Jews may not (should not?) say "amen" to prayers related to "our" God or specific Jewish experiences when recited by these types of non-Jews.

This is especially relevant to the Passover seder. If God had only "brought US out from Egypt," or parted the Red Sea," drowning "OUR pursuers in its waters" - that would have been enough. So the song goes during the seder (though the CAPS are my own doing).  Implicit in the response of the rabbis is that, though I may sit at the Passover table, I should not sing blessings or songs like the one above (Dayenu) so as not to cheapen the experience or invalidate the suffering of those with REAL Jewish ancestors.

I actually don't take issue with the opinions of these rabbis - I understand where they're coming from. Thankfully, I've never encountered this attitude in my own life, and don't expect to find myself praying with the Three Rabbis any time soon. Still, the response did get me thinking about secular Jews who sing prayers in Hebrew, without really understanding what they're saying. Can these rabbis say "amen" to people who pray by rote rather than with feeling? Is ancestry more important than sincerity? What do you think?

Savory Hamentaschen sound delicious

Reading about Hamentaschen and their many possible fillings before breakfast is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Except instead of the bounty of Rainbow to satisfy my (real or perceived) hunger, I have a fridge full of. . . Half a lemon. And some asparagus. And bread - I guess toast and jam will do for now.

Anyway, here's a fun article on the evolution of Hamentaschen in the NYT (thanks, Bruce!). Also, fun fact! Did you know that Hamentaschen which, in German, would translate to "Haman's* pockets" were not actually originally called Hamentaschen? They were called something like "Mohntaschen," translated as poppy seed pockets, but added the Yiddish "ha" in the late middle ages. Hamentaschen is a much better name, I think.

*Haman is the villian of the Purim story, when Hamentaschen are traditionally eaten.

A wonderful Tu B'Shevat seder

Last night, Moriah and I attended the aforementioned Tu B'Shevat seder, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and, in particular, their Young Jewish Proud group.  It was a completely, completely amazing event.  I encourage absolutely everyone to visit the YJP website, and take a look in particular at the Young Jewish Declaration and the video of young Jewish protesters disrupting a speech by Netanyahu at the Jewish Federation General Assembly in November 2010.  It's so profound and so inspiring to know that there are Jews out there - in particular, young Jews - who are challenging the paradox of Jewish notions of peace and justice and tikkun olam* generally, and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government.

More about the seder.  Tu B'Shevat is the "birthday of trees," kind of a Jewish Arbor Day.  The focus last night was on the Jewish National Fund (JNF), "established in accordance with the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine that included the establishment and recognition of a 'Jewish agency' comprised of representatives of world Jewry to assist in the 'establishment of the Jewish National Home. . . in Palestine.'"  The JNF has served as a mechanism by which the Israeli government could "sell absentee lands. . . 'left behind' by former Arab owners."  The JNF has thrived in large part thanks to money collected from Jews around the world, especially on Tu B'Shevat.  They planted European pine trees that, though not well suited for the soil, prevented Palestinian planting (in part because the acidic soil resulting from dropped pine needles made other agriculture very difficult) and ensured land reserves for new and expanding settlements.

As a group at the seder, we discussed some of the sad, unjust implications of Tu B'Shevat historically and how we can instead celebrate the holiday to speak up about the importance of land and agriculture for ALL people.  I can't overstate how moved I was to have this conversation, bridging in so many ways the spiritual connection I feel to Judaism and the concerns and anxiety I have about Israel.  It may seem naive, but I had no idea that there were enough Jews with a similar internal conflict to fill a whole room for a seder.  Clearly, I need to spend more time with this community.

I may have more to say about the seder and these ideas generally as I continue to reflect, but for now I think it's best to close this post with the same sentiment that closed last night's event.

All land is holy.  All people are chosen. 

*The responsibility of Jews to actively contribute to repairing our world

Can I interest you in Hanukkah?

From A Colbert Christmas, Jon tries to interest Stephen in Hanukkah which lasts for "seven - for you? - eight nights." I'm sold! (Thanks to Genessa for sharing.)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
A Colbert Christmas: Jon Stewart
http://www.colbertnation.com/
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> March to Keep Fear Alive

Shana Tovah! It's gonna cost you.

Ilan and I have attended services at Beth El probably two or three times. (In other words, more than we have services at any other temple.) I liked High Holidays there last year, when I think we paid $50/ticket and got to attend one service each for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We bought the tickets through a coalition of East Bay congregations that allowed the more timid among us to dip our toes in the waters of a few different places. Options ranged from the sedate and comfortable (Beth El) to the clappy and dancey (Chochmat Halev).

Okay, anyway, I couldn't find those great $50 tickets this year, so I emailed Beth El directly to see about tickets and they cost $250 PER PERSON. Is that craziness? If Ilan and I pay the full amount, we will have purchased membership, anyway. But we're not going to do that. We're going to offer $100 or $150 for both of us, see if they accept that donation, and take it from there. I know Beth El has to pay for a whole slew of construction projects they completed a while ago, and I'm sure they're not the only ones charging this amount (or more), but I'm still a little shocked at the ticket price for these tickets! Don't they know I have a cat to feed?

Clearly, I can't worry about writing Life Changing Posts

Okay, so I realize that it is a long time between posts, and I also realize that this is because I feel like each one must be earth shattering and wonderful. (Which of course means that I think all of my posts to this point have been earth shattering and wonderful - deal with it.) I'm going to try to forget that and I hope you'll be understanding when I hit you with some more mediocre posts. Like this one perhaps?

Anyway, since my last post two big things have happened. The first! I celebrated my second Passover ever, this time with my friends Genessa and Karen and about a dozen of their friends. And Ilan, of course. It was really great! Last year was spent at the Persings and I don't recall the haggadah we used, but I imagine it was a good taste of what a family Passover seder looks like. Lots of friends and family around a big table, lots of delicious food, and plenty of back-and-forth about the order of operations and what was worthy of explanation (or not) to the less initiated around the table. (Thinking back, I may have been the only one who needed a lot of explanation, actually.) I really enjoyed it. I love long meals, and Passover provides all of the conversation fodder one might need without the pressure of thinking of things to say oneself. Everybody wins!

This year, Genessa and Karen wrote their own haggadah, using pieces from one that was created at Williams College and another used by Genessa's family growing up. There was a lot of poetry and opportunity for sharing of anecdotes (which shyness prevented most from taking advantage of) and many more besides me who didn't have a lot of experience with Passover. It took a lot of pressure off of me to pronounce anything correctly, which I really appreciated. It all just felt so. . . friendly.

I also enjoyed Passover because I was thinking about the plagues and (wait for it) things I heard recently from an archeologist about how there's a good chance that much of what is said in the Torah can be supported factually. For example, there was a lot of volcanic activity near Egypt in the centuries before and after the plagues would have happened, and that volcanic activity could explain rivers of blood (sediment from eruptions settling in rivers) and even frogs falling from the sky. The Torah is certainly not a historic document like text books are, but it's fun to think of it as an often fictionalized take on real events.

The second big thing that happened since my last post was a Shabbat dinner shared with none other than my Christian parents during their visit here in Oakland. More on that to follow!

Step into my library

I think it will be helpful to share some of the books I've enjoyed reading thus far.

Living a Jewish Life
By Anita Diamant
This is a great, easy-to-read primer and provides enough basic knowledge to inform future reading of more in-depth books.

The Jewish Catalogs (First, Second and Third)
By Strassfeld & Strassfeld
I was introduced to the First Jewish Catalog by my wonderful friend and former housemate, Hadley. Published between 1973 and 1980, these books tout themselves as "do it yourself kits" for cultivating a personal Jewish practice outside of organized Judaism. They're absolutely fascinating and fun to read - the Jewish equivalent of finding your mom's early edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves. They may be out of print, but you can find them used at abebooks.com.

The Jewish Holidays
By Michael Strassfeld
This book has been invaluable! Whenever I have a question about a holiday ritual that no one can seem to answer ("That's just the way we do it!") this book has provided one. It's also a great way to impress your friends with your obscure knowledge.

And, of course, the Torah! I look at contemporary commentary each week (or as often as possible) on chabad.org. It's an especially great place to see what the ladies think.