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ONLINE WEBCASTS

Did you miss Dr. Ron Wolfson at Temple? Check out the webcasts of his presentations below:

April 24, 2009
Calling All Temple Israel Angels

April 26, 2009
Blessings and Kisses – The Power of Family
Dr. Ron Wolfson

The world that can be, indeed.

Submitted by Rabbi Eric Linder

There is not one definition of what religion “does.” It is different things to different people, and often in the same faith. Of course, this doesn’t stop some from trying; the theologian Paul Tillich defines religion as one’s ‘ultimate concern.’ I like that.

But looking at it closer, it seems vague … ultimate concern? What is that?!

I think about my religious upbringing – going to Hebrew School as a young child, being bribed by my parents to attend a youth group conclave, taking college courses in Jewish mysticism, working at a Jewish Summer Camp … I think about all of these, and there’s one thing they have in common. They’ve helped me get from who I was to who I am. My purpose of religion, then? Religion helps move us from the world that is to the world that can be.

Normally there is a gap. In most areas of life, I can look to what I want something to be, rather than what it actually is, and there is a difference. And like everyone else, I have to make do, hoping for the best.

Last night, though, there was no gap. No separation. The world that is was the world that should be.

Three years ago I was interviewed for this job, as the Assistant Rabbi of Temple Israel, in Omaha, Nebraska. I was off-handedly told of a project called the Trifaith Initiative. Three years later, the dream of a visionary few has become the reality for a hopeful many. Like most meaningful things, change has been slow, as there have been challenges and obstacles. But not to our spirit; not to our hope, and not to the core belief in our souls – that we are stronger because of our diversity, and not in spite of it.

Success will undoubtedly be measured in numbers: 1000 people came to our event last night. Those people witnessed 3 different prayer services. 4 nationally renowned religious figures shared their thoughts on peace.

But, the true success lies between the numbers.

Like other moments that happen, you ‘had to be there’ to experience the sense of hope and strength that we felt last night. The real success of our project, though, is that you can be there. You can be open to hearing the ideas of others, even if you vehemently disagree. You can speak truth to power, while also doubting your own certainty of truth. And you can dream along with us.

The night ended with a version of what Jews call the Priestly Benediction. These words are a special blessing and said during various life cycle moments. They were chanted last night in three languages – Hebrew, English and Arabic. They were chanted by three different faiths, spanning time, geography, and theology. And we realized last night that by blessing each other, we in fact bless ourselves.

May God bless you and keep you.

May God cause a divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God always turn his presence upon you, and grant you peace.

The world that can be, indeed.