Summer Message #2 Why Be Jewish?

Dear Friends,
We have chosen to wrap the Panim Hadashot High Holiday program around a theme: Why Be Jewish? The High Holidays is a time when Jews gather. The traditional format is to pray most or all of the days. But one of the big breakdowns in modern Jewish life is the connection of the Jew to the traditional prayers. So our experiment is based on gathering Jews to study and converse on Jewish themes as an alternative path to marking these special holidays. The theme of Why be Jewish? gets to the heart of the matter. How do we ground a commitment to living a Jewish life, of expressing a positive Jewish identity? Do the traditional answers to this question make sense? Are there new answers to this question? During the summer months I will reflect on the question in this blog. I welcome comments and thoughts and hope you will join us in examining this question when we gather on Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur.

Leon Wieseltier wrote a beautiful little book in the 90s called Against Identity. It is aphoristic in format and is filled with profound observations on identity and contemporary culture. Over the next few entries I would like to share some of the most thought provoking passages and relate it to our question.

This passage is found on page 25. "Kierkegaard said that it is easier for somebody who is not a Christian to become a Christian than it is for somebody who is a Christian to become a Christian. I am always at a disadvantage toward my own tradition. I am not only quickened by my intimacy with what I have been given, I am also dulled by it. I lack the wakefulness of the stranger. I should conduct myself toward the tradition to which I have fallen heir like an actor who has played a scene poorly: I should go out and come in again."

It has certainly been my experience working with converts that it is easier for somebody who is not a Jew to become a Jew than it is for somebody who is a Jew to become a Jew. Now this might sound shocking, given that Judaism carries a whole lot more cultural baggage (specific language, land, ethnicity). But I think the observation makes sense from the perspective of motivation. It is now commonplace to see Jews by Choice show much more fervor and interest in Judaism than their born Jewish partners. It is also common to find Jews either complacent or alienated about their legacy. Adulthood is a second chance for Jews to go out and come in again.

This is the basis of asking the question of Why be Jewish? To some the question makes no sense at all. Some of us feel Jewish to the bone and have never felt the need to articulate the question, much less answer it. But we no longer have singular identies and affiliations. Many ways of being tug at us. So what does the Jewish 'piece' have to add to who we are? Does the Judaism of my childhood make any sense in adulthood? If I did not get much Judaism in my childhood, what does it have to add to my adulthood?

Wieseltier adds on page 27: "To know about a thing that is yours is to know little about it." I think this is true of Jews today. It was true of Jews (Israelites) in the Exodus. God picks a stranger to lead them out of Egypt. So maybe the solution today is to make ourselves strangers temporarily to our own tradition to reassess its importance in our lives.

Judaism greatly emphasizes Kavanah-intention and purity of heart. Posing the question of Why be Jewish? restores the possibility of kavanah to living a Jewish life. Intentionality lifts up our acts and our values to a higher level. That is why the question is appropriate on the Days of Awe when we seek to move our lives to a higher level.

Shalom, Rabbi Dov Gartenberg6-18-06

Summer Message #1

Dear Friends,

The summer is almost upon us and it is time to relax and enjoy the good weather and the company of family and friends. Panim Hadashot will scale down its activities to a minimum from June to August. If you are interested in hosting a Shabbat around Seattle, we still have openings during most of this period.

At Panim Hadashot we are busy planning for the fall and the coming year. We are planning a wonderful and unique High Holiday program which will complement the Shabbat around Seattle events that will continue in the Fall.

The Panim Hadashot High Holidays will feature the following

· A Unifying Theme: "Why be Jewish?" withs study sessions and forums on Rosh Hashannah afternoon, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur afternoon.

· Two beautiful High Holiday Seders, including a Rosh Hashannah Seder on Friday, Sept 22nd and a Feast Before the Fast prior to Kol Nidre on Sunday later afternoon, October 1st with the ritual foods prepared by Emily Moore, renowned Seattle Jewish chef

· Expanded "Services for the Ambivalent" on Rosh Hashannah morning, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur morning.

· Our entire program will take place at the gorgeous grounds of Bastyr University and St. Edwards Park in the Juanita-Kenmore area above Lake Washington with outdoor programs planned.

· Family programming will also be offered as well as concurrent childcare to make our program family friendly.

We chose the theme "Why Be Jewish" to explore the contemporary meaning and relevance of Judaism for Jews with complex identities. How do we integrate our Jewish sensibilities and identity with our other frames of reference? What in Judaism speaks to our current reality? What in Judaism does not? How do we fashion a passionate and thoughtful commitment to Judaism which is a force for good in the world and within Jewish life? We want to utilize the period of the High Holidays to reflect on these questions and start the new year.

We also want to celebrate the beauty of Judaism by sharing with the community the beautiful seder traditions of this season. We will offer the first public Seudah Hamafseke-the feast before the Yom Kippur Fast. Rich with symbolic foods and uplifiting rituals and activities, this meal will enable participants to ready themselves for the great day of atonement and offer time to pause to reflect on the past year and hopes for the coming one. Along with the Rosh Hashannah seder these public seders enable participants to share this season with family, friends, and new faces a festival meal in a relaxed and spiritual manner.

More information will be forthcoming as the summer progresses. If you are interested in reserving a spot (since space will be limited), please write to Cynthia, my assistant, cynthia@panimhadashot.com.

On a personal note, I am overjoyed to announce that I am soon to marry. My fiancee is Robbie. She is a lovely person, full of life and kindness. Our plans are to marry in the late fall. Thanks for the many well wishes.

Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Rabbi Dov's Listing of Jewish Innovative Organizations

Dear Friends,

From time to time I want to list for you Jewish organizations and communities that are doing exciting things. Mikol mlamdai hiskalti. I learn from all my teachers. We are living at a time of great fermentation in Jewish life. I invite you to check out some of these new experienments in Jewish community.

Ikar A new type of community in Los Angeles formed by Rabbi Sharon Brous

Aitz Hayim In Chicago. This is a shul without a building. Read the 10 principles.

Religion Outside a Box I just got in contact with the founder of this group.

Storahtelling This organization revitalized the ritual of reading the Torah.

If you want to keep follow interesting changes taking place in the American Jewish community, go to the Synagogue 3000 website and blog. LINK

Panim Hadashot is proud to be part of this flowering. Share with me your impressions.

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

A Voice Recording of Mah Yedidut-A Sabbath Table Song

This is a lovely Shabbat table song along with my 'geshrai' custom (a well place oy between the phrases). A text of this song is found in the many songsters and Sabbath prayerbooks. I recommend the Kol Echad Songster which also has a transliteration of the Hebrew text.

Download mah_yedidut.WMA

Some Shabbat at Home Ideas

Dear Friends,

I like to pass on to you some of the new ideas and practices I am sharing at the Shabbat around Seattle experiences. I have found these practices to greatly enhance the joy-oneg of Shabbat. This past Shabbat I spend with a lovely family in Newcastle. I shared with them a couple of traditions.

Following the Talmud in Shabbat I brought a shofar which we blew 6 times prior to candlelighting. Here is a paraphrasing of the source by Francine Klagsburn from her book, The 4th Commandment. When the Second Temple stood, six blasts of the Shofar announced the approachof the Sabbath to the Jewish community. The first blast signaled the farmers to stop their plowing. Digging, or other work in the fields. The second directed the merchants in the towns to place the shutters on their windows and close their shops. The third meant that all the cooking must end and the time had come to light the Sabbath lamp. Soon after, three more blasts proclaimed the official beginning of the Sabbath.

Blowing the shofar is a dramatic 'havdalah', differentiation from the week of work and stress. It signifies renewal and links up Shabbat with Rosh Hashannah. I have also learned that Jews never tire of hearing the shofar and that it has very positive associations. One suggestion: Let a kid blow the shofar. It helps him or her feel that Shabbat is special.

Just after candlighting we read a passage from Naomi Levy's beautiful book of prayers. When we read this, everyone chimed in with a comment of how helpful it was to move into the Shabbat mood.

A Prayer for Embracing Lifes Mystery A Prayer at Candlelighting I want to know You, God. I want to see the world through Your eyes. To feel intimately involved in all of creation. I want to know why things happen the way they do.

Help me, God to accept what I cannot understand, to accept life without constantly trying to control it. Teach me how to bend with life, how to repair what I canrepair, how to live with my questions, how to rejoice in Your wonders.

When I am faced with events that baffle and astound me, help me to transform my frustration into humility and awe. Teach me to embrace the mystery, God. Remind me to enjoy the ride.Thank you, God for this spectacular life.

Amen Rabbi Naomi Levy

She has another beautiful blessing which augments the ritual of blessing the children. Here is a prayer for children blessing parents:

A Blessing for Children to Say to a Parent(s)

You gave me my life. You give me your wisdom, your guidance, your concern, your love. You are my mentor, my protector, my moral compass, my comfort. There are no words to express my gratitude for all the blessings you have given me. Still, Itell you thank you. May God bless you as you have blessed me, with life, with health, with joy, and with love.

Amen Rabbi Naomi Levy

I recommend her book, Talking to God to see her many other beautiful prayers that she has composed for various occasions and situations.

I tried another idea this past Shabbat which worked out very well. I chose to highlight one of the Zemirot-table songs- for the evening. I took Mah Yedidut, one of the most fun of the zemirot and broke it down so that we sang stanzas from it throughout the dinner. Since many at the dinner were unfamiliar with the melody, I was able to help everyone master this beautiful zemer by singing one stanza at different intervals throughout the evening. This also enabled me to give commentary on the language, share insights into Shabbat, and to teach the concept of oneg-Sabbath joy-which is the main theme of the medieval song.

I will post my version of it on the blog for people to enjoy it and learn it.

Hope these are helpful ideas.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Performance Art and Jewish Spirituality: Some Insights into Leading a Seder

A seder, whether it takes place on Passover or Shabbat or any other time, is not merely a banquet. First, let me clear away a couple of misconceptions. A lot of Jews when they think of the seder as only referring to the Passover Seder. A seder is a meal which is distinguished by a number of distinctive prayers and rituals which highlight a special time and theme. The Sabbath meals, especially Friday night, can be considered as seders. Jews have marked seders on many other holidays such as Rosh Hashannah, Tu Bishvat, and Purim. The Passover seder is the most comprehensive and in many of its aspects is governed by Jewish law.

One of the most distinctive ways of Judaism is to transform a banquet, a feast of delectable foods, into a religious experience rich with meaning and a sense of community. But there is not one way to run a seder, contrary to the approach taken by the editors of the "Maxwell House Haggadah". Noam Zion in his leader's guide to the Haggadah, A Different Night deals with the issue of how to approach a seder. He brings a debate from another field of human endeavor as a way of understanding how we might approach the way we experience a seder.

One of the reasons that many seders fall back into being family banquets is that we have misconceived what a seder can be. Is it a rigid order of rituals? Do we merely 'go by the book'? The passage below gives us some helpful metaphors with which to understand a seder and to begin to see it again as religious experience which is shared by everyone around the table. One of Judaism's great gifts is to transform eating activity into a moment of communal and spiritual awareness. This may repoint the way for us on how to sanctify those gatherings around our tables.

"The leader of the seder is similar to the conductor of an orchestra and the Haggadah is the musical score. What is the approprieate relationship to the maestro to the masterpiece to be played? How much freedom should be allowed in adapting the music to the audience's needs? Is the Pesach seder meant to be a jam session or a Bach Fugue?" Zion then brings a remarkable passage from another field which suggests how a seder can be conceived.

"There has been a general tendency to passivity on the part of people as an audience for art; they have been receptacles for workd developed by others-the artists. A form of specialization emerged-specialization in all the fields. Over the centuries artists have become specialists for the people. They expressed the highest and deepest felt essences of a culture; they painted for the people, they made music for the people, they built buildings for the people. This created a dichotomy whose results are all around us. A dichotomy betwen the act of art and the act of life; between the score-maker and the scored-for; between the technician and the layman. It is a dichotomy which did not exist in traditional cultures where all the people were artists, nor does it even exist among children."

"In the realm of music, a score can either control or allow leeway. The difference, however, is enormous. In the older music, scoring devices were used to control, with precision, the the notes and true intervals played by the performer. A Bach score is Bach and not something else. It communicates exactly what Bach had in mind and controls what the performer does." "The newer musical scores on the other hand are not devices for control in the same way. They communicate an idea and a quality-what emerges is soemthing both more and less than what was intended. The hand of the composer lies less heavily on the performer."

"It is the performers almost more than the composer who make the music (an approach, incidently, dating at least back to the beginning of jazz). The inevitable question that arises is: Whic is better,that the composer control what we do or that we ourselves play a major role in determining our own music? Each performer must determine this answer for her or himself."

"We are searching for ways to break down this dichotomy, for ways to allow people to enter into the act of making art, as part of the art process of open ended scoring devices which will act as guides, not dictators. These kinds of scores have the built-in possibilities for interaction between what is perceived beforehand and what emerges during the act. They allow the activity itself to generate its own results in process. They communicate but do not control. They energize and guide, they encourage, they evoke responses, they do not impose."Lawrence Halprin, "RSVP Cycles".

Yom Hashoah and Human Nature

Today we observe Yom Hashoah-Holocaust Memorial Day. It is a day not only to think about the past, but to reflect on the tenuous present. Why does the genocide in Darfur go on unabated? Why does a national leader openly deny the holocaust? Why does the same anti-semitic fervor that gripped the Nazis overflow in so many parts of the Arab world?

The Jewish calendar's holidays and sacred occasions can be seen as a calendrical debate on human nature. Shabbat and the pilgrimage festivals leave us with a sense of the joy and goodness of being human. Tish a Baav and Yom Hashoah remind us of the evil in human beings. Typical of Jewish sensibility both types of observances are embedded in the rhythims of a Jewish life so no one can make an absolute claim that we are either angels or devils. A Jew must be an optimistic realist. That is why we must have Shabbat and Yom Hashoah, Succot and Tish a Baav.

Some Reflections on My Passover Seder with my Autistic Son

I have an autistic son. His name is Moriel. Moriel is an 18 year old who is very lovable because he likes to play games. Once you understand that he is playing games you can connect to him by joining in his game. One game he loves is "Win the Championship High 5". Mori loves the sensation he receives from a vigorous high 5, the one you might get after winning the superbowl or the worldseries. Giving him a strong and enthusiastic high 5 always transforms his face into a broad smile. He will hold his hand out in the air and all you have to do is swing your own hand in an arc so that your palm lands squarely in his palm. Since Mori does not speak, this 'game of champions' is one of the way I know I can make him happy.

Mori has another game which I did not realize was a game until recently. The doctors think that Mori has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Persons with OCD need to control their environments more than others. In Mori's case he likes to have people sitting near him to maintain a certain posture and keep their hands and arms in a specific places in relationship to him. So if I move my hand from my knee to place it on my hip, he will take my hand and put it back on my knee. It is very important at this moment that I keep my hand on my knee.

For years I would go along with this, but recently I have tried testing Mori by moving my hand off my knee repeatedly after he places it back on it. I noticed that he smiled broadly as I kept on removing my hand and he kept on putting it back. At that moment I realized that he was playing a game with me. I learned his rules and once I knew them I could play with him over and over. All games have rules and in Mori's case he makes them. I had to learn the rules of his games in order to play them.

This insight I bring to running a seder. Baruch Bokser, z'al, my teacher of Mishnah, wrote a marvelous book on the Origins of the Seder. He quotes an anthropologisst's observations about the nature of a Passover Seder. "Formal public ritual is like a game that everyone agrees to play. The participants consent to abide by the rules of the evening and to let the decisions concerning their own actions be taken out of their hands and placed in the Haggadah's program.

For the success of the game, they allow themselves to be freed fro the evening from the mentally divisive process of decision making, which focuses the mind on ideas in opposition, and also tacitly agree to ignore the personal matters and status considerations that separate individusl in nonritual time. In relaxing the barriers that divide people mentally and socially, the focus of the evening now may be socially shared ideological considerations and not private concerns." p. 81

The seder has its own rules, its own world. To make it come alive you have to allow yourself to enter its world. Of course every seder leader must interpret that world to the participants and that is precisely the art of running a seder. The great challenge of running a seder is to keep the private and physical concerns of those attending in the background so that everyone present can fully play the game. That is why I think a seder has to be highly interactive, improvisational (following Maimonides teaching on doing something different), and multi-sensory.

Everyone must be invited into the game which is meant to teach us once again something that unites those present at the seder. At second night seder I experienced the joy of my son, Moriel, attending most of the seder. He was surrounded by loving family and friends, and several others who had never been to a seder.

It was my opportunity to welcome them and him into a timeless game that the Passover seder presents to us. He did quite marvelously with the help of an aid and his brother who sat at his side. He played the role of the 'child who does not know how to ask' and he played it beautifully. His non-Jewish aid who had never been to a seder was greatly moved by the whole experience. Of course, the haggadah, anticipates a person like Mori at the seder and the rules of the seder game demand that you make the experience accessible to this person as well. So we sang, and we told stories, and we ate the symbolic foods in the most playful manner and so fulfilled our obligation to see ourselves as going out of Egypt.

In Every Generation

Something for your Pesah Table.

As I was running around getting ready for my seder I glanced at a New York Times article, "Seeking Ancestry in DNA Ties Uncovered by Tests" DNA. The article mentions the story of John Haedrich, a gentile who is using genetic tests that point to a 'genetic Jewish identity' to gain Israeli citizenship under the 'law of return'. He may challenge the law in Israel, arguing, "Because I was raised a gentile does not change the fact that I am a Jew by birth."

This fascinating story is great discussion fodder for the Passover seder. I recommend that you read the portion of the article around the passage of "In Every generation"-Bechol Dor vador. In that passage the haggadah emphasizes the marker of a Jew as being one who identifies with those who left Egypt. Here are some questions to consider.

With the reality of geneitc testing for ethnicity does Jewish identity through being born of a Jewish mother make sense?The Haggadah suggests that being Jewish is a matter of buying into the narrative of leaving Exodus? Do you think that is still true or relevant? Should Halachah on Jewish identity change due to advances in genetic testing?What is the impact of having a definition of Jewish identity that is based on genetics or birth? Would it be better if Judaism was based on choice?

These questions should stir up the knaidelach. Have a good discussion. Share with me your answers.

Hag Sameah, Happy Passover
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Hartman Leadership Seminar Update: 4/5/06

To Participants in the Hartman Long Distance Seminar on Religion, Ethics, and Violence

From Rabbi Dov Gartenberg
4/5/06

Re: Upcoming Beit Midrash Session and other announcements

1. Upcoming Beit Midrash Session:
4/8/06 at 3:30-5:00pm on Shabbat afternoon at the Beit Midrash of Rabbi Dov Gartenberg, 3827 NE 90th St. Seattle, WA 98115

All participants are invited for a supplemental learning session with Rabbi Gartenberg to discuss issues raised in the Hartman series and to prepare the texts for the upcoming session. At this Rabbi Dov will recapitulate the essential points of Moshe Halbertal's last presentation and will lead a discussion on the far reaching implications of it. We will then look at the texts for David Hartman's first session (see below). Enoy a relaxing and learning oriented conversation with some pre Pesah refreshment. Please bring your studybooks. Please rsvp if you are coming to rabbidov@panimhadashot.com.

2. Next session: 9:00am on Sunday, April 23rd at the Federation Board Room. Rabbi David Hartman, founder of the Shalom Hartman Institute, will teach on "The Limits of Religious Authority".

3. Save the Date: Donniel Hartman will be in town on Friday morning, 8-9am on May 12th at the Federation Board room to speak to Hartman participants and prospective students on 'Standing Before God', the theme of next year's seminar. This will be an opportunity to give Rabbi Hartman feedback on this year's seminar. Please rsvp with rabbidov@panimhadashot if you plan to come. More information will be forthcoming.

4. Registration to the Israel seminar is still open. Please contact Rabbi Gartenberg if you are interested. Please do not delay your registration.

Hag Sameah,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Rabbi as a Shabbat Animator

March 20, 2006

In starting Panim Hadashot one of my goals was to alter the role of the modern rabbi. The pulpit rabbi has many functions, but the most well known is his/her role as officiant at a religious service. The focus of Panim Hadashot shifted from the communal worship service to the home Shabbat table. The innovative idea of Panim Hadashot was to bring the rabbi into the home of a host to lead a seder-a ritual feast with a gathering of adults or families. Being present at different tables week after week summons a very different challenge for a rabbi. The words officiant, or master of ceremonies certainly does not describe what I do. Rather I would like to coin a word for what I do: I am a Shabbat animator.

I first heard the word used a couple of years ago to describe a very dynamic woman who started a minyan in Jerusalem. She was described to me as a social animator. Her leadership consisted in networking people, inviting them to participate, encouraging their contributions. Because of her vital energy she gathered around her a new and dynamic religious community which is now widely respected in many circles. I did some further research on the term animator and ran into this definition:

This term appears either in the context of culture animation (supporting artistic creativity and development of particular persons and groups) or social - cultural animation (stimulating cultural activity of local communities). However, by Latin origins of the word (anima), it always means encouraging, inviting to an activity.

Social Animator
My work today as a rabbi consists of inviting (the Hebrew word is mzuman or mazmin) and encouraging people to share a Shabbat experience around the table with me. Both the preparaton for the seder and the conduct of the seder is a very intentional application of the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim-the bringing in of guests. I give a lot of thought on how people around the table can feel welcome and can fully access the experience of Shabbat and community which the Sabbath seder and feast ideally produces. How do you achieve fellowship among the people who attend? How do you create the conditions for people to have an authentic experience of the Sabbath? How do you inspire people to build a Shabbat table practice? How do you help people to take on Shabbat as a mitzvah? How do you move people to grasp the great ethical and spiritual teachings of this day?

That is the task of the rabbi as Shabbat animator. A Shabbat animator does not need to be a rabbi, but a rabbi can very effectively model this for other Jews. A rabbi who focuses on this work must:1. Know how to translate the tradtion to many different sorts of people including non-Jews.2. Know how to improvise-to use the element of song, food, story to convey values, teachings, and insights,3. Know how to relax people and also how to heighten awareness in the ritual moment. 4. Must be on the Hillel side of the spectrum as opposed to the Shammai-a welcoming and non-judgmental attitude. That means you must have no need to show off your erudition, but rather to use it to inspire greater interest down the road. 5. Know how not to overfunction and let the beauty and wisdom of the tradition speak for itself.6. Know that you will not touch everyone you encounter so that you focus on those you touch with your teaching.

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Shabbat Beit Midrash

Sabbath Encounters with Great Jewish Texts and Ideas

Upcoming Session: 3/18/06
Location: Beit Midrash of Rabbi Dov Gartenberg, 3827 NE 90th St. Seattle, WA
Time 1:15-2:45pm
Teacher: Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Who is invited?

We welcome all Jews, secular or religious and all those in between. We also welcome interfaith couples and non-Jews interested in a meaningful engagement with Judaism. We welcome all those who thrive on engaging different points of view. No rsvp is required. Light refreshments are served.

Introduction to the Topic and Texts:
Pursuing Peace in an Unredeemed World.

Judaism places a high value on the act of pursuing peace. But there is a great distinction between the biblical teaching of the prophets which presents us with a utopian vision of peace and the rabbi's views of peacemaking called in the Talmud 'darchei shalom'-the ways of peace. In a teaching and discussion relevant to our own troubled times we will look at texts which talk about peacemaking in a world of diversity and conflict. From texts we will move to our lives and discuss how we succeed and fail in our peacemaking efforts and how we may apply the approaches suggested by the texts.

On the Frontiers of Rabbinic Work

On the Frontiers of Rabbinic Work
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg
March 17, 2006

Many rabbis and commentators go to this week's Torah portion to reflect on the role of leadership in a community. In Ki Tisa in the Book of Exodus Moses is caught between an angry God and a people he feels compelled to serve. He is the thread that holds the together the relationship. He advocates on behalf of the people, yet he is the agent of God's word. He must mediate the reality of God for a people that feels distant from God.

The role of the rabbi is based on the life of Moses in many ways. The rabbi must understand the dual directional nature of leadership based on the model of Moshe. On one hand the rabbi mediates God's word, tradition, Jewish values (whatever term you want to use) to the people. He or she is a teacher who has something special to teach or bring down (tablets) or to translate. On the other hand the rabbi is an advocate for the Jewish people to God, reminding of their worthiness and of the covenantal relationship which is binding on God as well.

A rabbi then in the classical sense is a connector bringing God and Jews together, trying to keep the relationship alive and fresh. That is how I conceive of my work as a rabbi who focuses on outreach.

Outreach is an awkward and ambiguous term. The term in the Jewish community is best defined as connecting-restoring, reengaging, even creating a relationship between a person and his living tradition. A rabbi is an advocate and a repository of that tradition. The people I reach out to are those who I think potentially will not only find meaning in this relationship, but will help make the world a better place because of a renewed relationship to it. This is very Hutzpadik when you think about it. Who am I to think that reconnecting to Judaism would help improve a person?

The question is even more important in a world where some clergy take on enormous power and even control nation states. There is much antipathy and distrust toward clergy for the abuses of power and the push to control or to coerce people. Doing Jewish outreach as I understand it is not at all a clergy power grab or an attempt to save people from their evil paths.

One of the unique approaches of Panim Hadashot is the presentation of Judaism pluralistically. I only know a few places that do this such as the Hartman Institute. I have confidence that the many voices within Judaism create meaningful and compelling answers on how to be a human being. I don't believe there is one way, but there are paths we must choose to take. I am passionate about presenting those multiple voices and derive great satisfaction in seeing people become engaged in the choices that Judaism present to a thoughtful and searching person.

The work of outreach is associated with rabbis who believe there is one way to be Jewish. The frontier of my rabbinic work is how to present Judaism passionately and affirm and validate different paths of leading a meaningful and world improving form of Judaism.
I will continue reflecting on this issue over the next couple of weeks.

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Hartman Seminar Information

To Hartman Participants
March 17, 2006

Here are the questions that go with the texts in the study guide for Moshe Halbertal's 3rd presentation on March 19th entitled: The Holy and the Ethical.
Please come at 9:00am.
Please call 206 852-9581 if you have trouble getting into the building.

HEVRUTA GUIDE: The Holy and the Ethical
March 19th Session with Moshe Halbertal

1. Read Leviticus 19:2 (not included in the materials. Have bi-lingual Bibles avaialable) and the surrounding verses. What is the context? What does it mean to be holy according to the Biblical verse?

2. Read Deuteronomy 6:18. What is that which is "right and good" according to the Biblical context?

3. Read the Ramban on Leviticus 19:2. How does he understand holiness?
How has he expanded the interpretation of the verse?

4. Read the Ramban on Deuteronomy 6:18. How, according the Ramban, should one interpret the Biblical verse? What idea of the ethical emerges from his interpretation?

Enjoy your learning

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Hartman Seminar News: 3/10/06

To Participants in the Hartman Long Distance Seminar on
Religion, Ethics, and Violence

3/10/06

Contents:
Beit Midrash Session 3/11
Study Questions for 3/19 session
Information about Israel seminar in June
Announcement of Topic and First Date on 2006 Seminar

1. Beit Midrash Session: Shabbat afternoon 3/11; 3-5pm at Rabbi's Beit Midrash, 3827 NE 90th St.

The Format of the Beit Midrash

The first hour of the Beit Midrash will be devoted to the previous session on February 26th with Moshe Halbertal. Moshe modeled for us how the tradition confronts morally distrubing texts and uses interpretation to alter the law.

The second hour will focus on preparing for the upcoming session, reveiwing the texts in the study guide and having an initial discussion on the issues they raise.

This is also an opportunity to get to know our fellow students better and to enjoy refreshment in one of the homes of our participants including my own.

2. March 19th Session

Here are the questions that go with the texts in the study guide for Moshe Halbertal's 3rd presentation entitled: The Holy and the Ethical

HEVRUTA GUIDE: The Holy and the Ethical

March 19th Session with Moshe Halbertal
1. Read Leviticus 19:2 (not included in the materials. Have bi-lingual Bibles avaialable) and the surrounding verses. What is the context? What does it mean to be holy according to the Biblical verse?

2. Read Deuteronomy 6:18. What is that which is "right and good" according to the Biblical context?

3. Read the Ramban on Leviticus 19:2. How does he understand holiness?
How has he expanded the interpretation of the verse?

4. Read the Ramban on Deuteronomy 6:18. How, according the Ramban, should one interpret the Biblical verse? What idea of the ethical emerges from his interpretation?

Enjoy your learning~

Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum will be subbing for me in the final hour of the March 19th session while I attend the Jewish Film Festival where Panim Hadashot is sponsoring the Sunday morning film. Rabbi Nussbaum has been my Havruta over the past year in the Hartman rabbinic program remote learning class and is familiar with the Hartman approach. She is an outstanding teacher and colleague.

3. Information about the Israel Program at the end of June 2006

New! Please note the Hartman website has a special section on the summer seminar now available for all of our participants. It includes some basic information and registration form access. Once registered, the participant will receive additional information and recommendations. We are constantly improving and upgrading our website and look forward to your responses.

Please direct your inquiries to, www.hartmaninstitute.com, to the section on programs, to Lay Leadership Retreats and to the specific registration for the long distance program, which is indicated as such. You can access it directly via: http://www.hartmaninstitute.com/ShowContent.asp?id=133

4. Announcing the Topic and First Date of the 2006 Seminar
The topic of next year's seminar will be Standing Before God: The Complexities of a Spiritual Life. There will 8 long distance broadcasts starting on Sunday morning, November 12, 2006. Next year the program will be a joint effort of Panim Hadashot and the Shalom Hartman Institute. We are working on location, costs, and an invitation to leaders across the community to participate.

For questions and comments please write to rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or call 206 525-0648.

Living the Jewish Year

Dear LTJYers,

Please note the upcoming activities this week:

Shabbat Beit Midrash: Sat. 3/11 1:15-2:45pm at the Panim Hadashot Beit Midrash, 3827 NE 90th St; Seattle.

Topic: Building a Spiritual and Ethical Reputation

LTJY Monthly Meeting: Sun 3/12, 10:30-12:00pm. Panim Hadashot Beit Midrash.

Purim Megillah Reading 'Field Trip with Rabbi Gartenberg' : Mon 3/13 6:30pm at the Kol Haneshama Congregation Link with directions to Kol Haneshamah.

Synagogue of the Month Information. LTJYers are encouraged to visit a service or program at each of the congregations listed during a particular month. These visits will be part of our discussion at the monthly meeting. Please see attached.

Download synagogue_of_the_month_2006.doc

Panim Hadashot Weekly Enewsletter: 3/1/06

New Faces of Judaism: Weekly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, March 1, 2006, Rosh Hodesh-New Moon of Adar. Covering Activities from March 1-7, 2006
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Brief Message from Rabbi Gartenberg,

I continue to be astonished with how many people tell me how hard it is to plug into Jewish life in Seattle. Because I do so much outreach I am able to talk to lots of 'independent Jews'. Many are formerly affiliated. But the common comment is about the difficulty of finding fellowship in Jewish institutions. I know that many people in the organized community, particulary Jewish professionals try ceaselessly to open the doors and to welcome people, but there must be some greater systemic problem based on the common refrain I hear.

Panim Hadashot works hard to practice and spread the practice of Jewish hospitality-hachnasat orchim- not as a strategy, but as an ethical commitment which is based on the regard for the other. We do this in our unique Shabbat outreach which encourages hosts across the city to invite new faces to their table and also in our approach to Jewish learning which focuses on the cooperative and interactive dimension of Jewish learning. Judaism is the religion of 'relationship', of 'covenant', of 'I and Thou'. It behooves us as Jews to strive to be better at regarding and responding to the 'other'.

I welcome you to experience Panim Hadashot's old-new way of experiencing Judaism. Check out what is below.

One other note: The month of Adar has begun. Increase your joy!!!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

This week

Fri. 3/3 . 6:15pm
Shabbat around Seattle: Crossroads in Bellevue: Covner/Dougherty Household. Full

Sat. 3/4 : 1:15pm , Panim Hadashot Beit Midrash: 70 Faces of Torah for Families . Families exploring Torah together. LINK

Upcoming Activities

Sat. 3/4, 1:15pm 70 Faces of Torah for Families. Sun. 3/12 2:00pm Shaarei Tikvah-Gates of Hope. A Purim Celebration for those with Special Needs, their families, and the supportive community. LINK

Sat 3/11, 3/18, and 3/25 The Joy of Sabbath Torah Study-Shabbat Beit Midrash. Come study great selections from the Jewish ethical tradition: LINK

Monday 3/12 The Reading of the Megillah. Go to a synagogue to hear the festive reading!!!
Sun 3/19 10:00am Join Panim Hadashot at Rashevski's Tango at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. LINK

Tues. 3/28 Downtown Bellevue Barnes and Nobel Jewish Book Group with Rabbi Gartenberg. Free and open to the public: LINK

Are you interested in learning more about the Jewish Way of Life: Consider the award winning LIVING THE JEWISH YEAR PROGRAM of Panim Hadashot. For more info click the LINK
Support the Practice of Jewish Hospitality. Help Share the Love of Jewish Learning with a Wider Circle: Support the Groundbreaking Work of Panim Hadashot. Become a Haver-Friend of Panim Hadashot: LINK
_______________________________________________________________________
Panim Hadashot, New Faces of Judaism, is a new endeavor of Jewish learning, celebration, and outreach. Our website is at http://www.panimhadashot.com/. Panim Hadashot is the winner of the Levitan Innovation Award and is endorsed by the Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Panim Hadashot is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Founder and Rabbi, Dov Gartenberg: rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or 206 525-0648
To contact us: Call 206 280-3715 or email dorothy@panimhadashot.com. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send request to dorothy@panimhadashot.com.

Panim Hadashot Weekly Enewsletter: February 22, 2006

New Faces of Judaism: Weekly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
24 Shevat 5766:
Covering Activities from Feb. 22-29
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Brief Message from Rabbi Gartenberg,

Panim Hadashot resumes activity this Shabbat and coming week with some great learning opportunities. Over this Shabbat I will be exploring the ethics of 'distraint', the practice of taking a pledge as collateral (from the new portion, Mishpatim-Exodus 21-24. The Torah reveals the grandeur of its ethical teaching in the details of everyday life and distraint is an excellent example of the Torah's ethical genius. This will be the specific focus of the Shabbat Beit Hamidrash on Shabbat afternoon.

On Tuesday, 2/28 in the evening I will be at the downtown Bellevue Barnes and Noble for the beginning of the Contemporary Jewish Thought & Culture: A Barnes & Noble Book Group. This will be an opportunity for people to be exposed to some really wonderful books on Jewish thought and spirituality. The book group is free and open to the public. Panim Hadashot is happy to do more activities on the East side which has a rich and growing Jewish life.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

This week
Fri. 2/24. 6:30pm Shabbat around Seattle: Madison Park: Family centered Shabbat dinner. LINK Space is very limited.

Sat. 2/25: 1:15pm Shabbat Beit Hamidrash: The Ethics of Distraint. LINK 2nd LINK about the program

Sun 2/26 9-11am Hartman Lay Leadership Seminar.

Tues. 2/28 Downtown Bellevue Barnes and Nobel Jewish Book Group with Rabbi Gartenberg. Free and open to the public: LINK

Upcoming Activities
Fri 3/3, 6:30pm. Shabbat around Seattle: Bellevue. A Shabbat of Jewish Song. For details LINK
Sat. 3/4, 1:15pm 70 Faces of Torah for Families. LINK

Sun. 3/12 2:00pm Shaarei Tikvah-Gates of Hope. A Purim Celebration for those with Special Needs, their families, and the supportive community. LINK

Sun 3/19 10:00am Join Panim Hadashot at Rashevski's Tango at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. LINK

Are you interested in learning more about the Jewish Way of Life: Consider the award winning LIVING THE JEWISH YEAR PROGRAM of Panim Hadashot. For more info click the LINK

Support the Groundbreaking Work of Panim Hadashot. Become a Haver-Friend of Panim Hadashot: LINK
_______________________________________________________________________
Panim Hadashot, New Faces of Judaism, is a new endeavor of Jewish learning, celebration, and outreach. Our website is at http://www.panimhadashot.com/. Panim Hadashot is the winner of the Levitan Innovation Award and is endorsed by the Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Panim Hadashot is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Founder and Rabbi, Dov Gartenberg: rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or 206 525-0648
To contact us: Call 206 280-3715 or email dorothy@panimhadashot.com. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send request to dorothy@panimhadashot.com.

Panim Hadashot Weekly Enewsletter: February 15, 2006

New Faces of Judaism: Weekly E-Newsletter
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 17 Shevat 5766: Covering Activities from Feb. 17-23
______________________________________________________________________
Brief Message from Rabbi Gartenberg

I point your attention to the front page of our website http://www.panimhadashot.com/ for information about many special activities coming up during the end of February and through March. I call you attention to the new Jewish Book Group I am leading at the Bellevue Barnes and Noble on Tuesday evening, March 28th. Consider enriching your Shabbat afternoon with the stimulating learning of our Shabbat Beit Hamidrash-The Sabbath House of Study, which will meet at 1:15 on Shabbat 2/25. You will see on our front page that Panim Hadashot is sponsoring the film, Rashevski's Tango at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival on Sunday morning, March 19th. And join Panim Hadashot, the Jewish Family Service, and Congregation Beth Shalom for Shaarei Tikvah-Gates of Hope for a beautiful Purim Celebration for our loved ones who are developmentally disabled. That celebration will be on March 12th from 2-4. Each of these activites will engage your mind and heart.

I will be at a family simchah this weekend and Dorothy Glass, our Director of Operations, is in Israel. Panim Hadashot activities will resume the following Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Support the Groundbreaking Work of Panim Hadashot. Become a Haver-Friend of Panim Hadashot: LINK
_______________________________________________________________________
Panim Hadashot, New Faces of Judaism, is a new endeavor of Jewish learning, celebration, and outreach. Our website is at http://www.panimhadashot.com/. Panim Hadashot is the winner of the Levitan Innovation Award and is endorsed by the Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Panim Hadashot is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Founder and Rabbi, Dov Gartenberg: rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or 206 525-0648
To contact us: Call 206 280-3715 or email dorothy@panimhadashot.com. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send request to dorothy@panimhadashot.com.

Panim Hadashot Enewsletter: A Unique Tu Bishvat Celebration

New Faces of Judaism: Weekly E-Newsletter
Monday, February 6-14, 2006 6-16 Shevat 5766.
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Brief Message from Rabbi Gartenberg

This weekend will be a full one at Panim Hadashot-New Faces of Judaism. Two great seders are taking place, one on Friday night in Bellevue and a beautiful Tu Bishvat seder in Seattle on Sunday evening. On Shabbat afternoon, you can experience great learning in the early afternoon with the start of a series on great texts on the Jewish ethical tradition. In celebration of Shabbat Shirah-the Sabbath of song-you are invited to our Shabbat afternoon sing-along featuring favorite songs and table melodies.

A summary of our programming is now posted on our website at www.panimhadashot.com. Check the programs tab. This summary of programs will give you a sense of the unique educational and outreach approach of Panim Hadashot.

One more word on Tu Bishvat. The 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat is the new years of the trees. A seder developed around this minor festival in the middle ages and drew from kabbalistic traditions. We will celebrate this beautiful seder with dishes from renowned chef, Emily Moore, and a unique seder drafted by Mark Solomon. I invite you to join us for this unique feast and celebration.

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg

Panim Hadashot Activities This Week:
Shabbat around Seattle: Bellevue. Fri. 2/10. Shabbat Table Conversation: Why Be Jewish? For more info click HERE Panim Hadashot-new faces are invited. Please contact rabbidov@panimhadashot.com.

Shabbat Beit Midrash. Sat 2/11 1:15pm. Panim Beit Midrash. Tikun Olam: Illuminating Jewish Ethical Teachings: Faith as Protest. Click for details

25th Hour: End of Shabbat Sing-Along. Sat. 2/11 4:45-6:15pm. Panim Beit Midrash. Love Shabbat, love to sing; then come! Click for details

Tu Bishvat Seder-Celebration of the New Years of the Trees. Sun. 2/12, 6:30pm Panim Beit Midrash. $10. Space limited. RSVP to rabbidov@panimhadashot.com. Click for details

Support the Groundbreaking Work of Panim Hadashot. Become a Haver-Friend LINK
_______________________________________________________________________
Panim Hadashot, New Faces of Judaism, is a new endeavor of Jewish learning, celebration, and outreach. Our website is at www.panimhadashot.com. Panim Hadashot is the winner of the Levitan Innovation Award and is endorsed by the Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Panim Hadashot is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Founder and Rabbi, Dov Gartenberg: rabbidov@panimhadashot.com or 206 525-0648
To contact us: Call 206 280-3715 or email dorothy@panimhadashot.com. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send request to dorothy@panimhadashot.com.