Earlier this week I attended the AJC World Forum in Washington DC. The AJC (American Jewish Committee) advocates for Jews around the world, addressing issues relating to anti-Semitism, Israel, and justice. I am a member of the board of our local JCRB-AJC chapter in Kansas City, and I was proud to represent our city alongside a strong KC contingent.
Among the highlights of the conference:
The opening plenary featured an address by former Chief Rabbi of the UK, Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks delivered a powerful message that highlighted the current global challenges we face of anti-zionism, anti-semitism, and the eroding of moral values. In response to these challenges he encouraged the need for greater friendships worldwide, Jewish unity, and the celebration of Judaism. “Less oy, and more joy.” Rabbi Sacks reminded us that we defined by love of God and not by hatred of others.
Another highlight for me was meeting other Jews, young and old, not just from around the country but from around the world. At one dinner I was seated between a young man from Buenos Aires on one side, and a woman from Vilnius, Lithuania on the other. Waiting for an elevator, I was engaged in conversation with a young Jewish leader from Warsaw who encouraged me to spend a Shabbat in their community. The feeling of being “one people” was very palpable and encouraging.
Finally, in addition to hearing from foreign ministers from around the world as well as domestic politicians, columnists, and religious leaders, I had the opportunity to join our delegation in visiting Capitol Hill to meet our Senators from both Missouri and Kansas. We advocated for the proposed America-Israel trade cooperation agreement and continued sanctions on Iran, as well as matters related other international trade agreements. Especially given recent events in our area, the Senators all recognized the importance of the work of our community in promoting justice locally and around the world.
In other local programming news:
This morning Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Rosenblatt addressed HBHA students at their final “Taste of Shabbat,” and then gave a talk to parents entitled, “Parenting the Powerful Child.”
My takeaways:
We cannot shield our children from the powerful tools of technology nor from the media and cultural outlets that seek to define their childhood dreams.
Yet just as neurologists have shown that addiction and negative behaviors can define the contours of the brain, so too we believe that the study and practice of Torah, the “good behaviors,” can help shape our minds and souls in the most positive ways.
The learning and the doing, repeated, with involvement and encouragement from parents, can truly imprint our children with the values they will need to navigate the ever more complex and empowering world with humility and kindness.
The audio file can be found here (twenty three minutes): Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt Parenting the Powerful Child
This weekend:
Mazel Tov to the Silver’s on the Kiddush in honor of their daughter’s naming, Leora Malka Sarah!
Perek in the Park will not meet this week.
Rabbi Elchanan Schulgasser will deliver the D’var Torah on Shabbat morning.
Shabbat Shalom!