Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz

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I’ve been reviewing some of the news headlines of the past year that have involved Jewish and Christian community leaders.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t make for pleasant reading.  Now, of course we know that the media loves ‘bad’ news so perhaps this is not so surprising.  But we know how embarrassed we feel every time the Jewish community becomes the focus of news about corruption, unethical business practices, breaches of health and safety in the workplace, etc.

People who affirm and practice a faith, like all people, are susceptible to temptation, straying from the law by intent or bad judgment.  It is unlikely that a year will pass when some of these stories don’t make the news headlines.  But we need to be mindful that, for many unaffiliated and disconnected Jews in our communities, the mainstream press and, increasingly, online sources, are the only places that they read about Jews and Jewish life.  Those of us who belong to communities, who read Jewish press, who have experienced the warmth and support of a community of faith in our time of need, or the richness of our culture and wisdom from social gatherings and learning opportunities know that there is a great deal of value in Jewish life.  But how do we share those messages with those beyond our congregational membership?

There is nothing more powerful than word-of-mouth.  Our members, through informal conversations, and words of encouragement with neighbors, colleagues and friends, are the best advocates for being part of a Jewish community.  Beyond that, I’ve been exploring ways of ‘taking Jewish public’, beyond the walls of the synagogue, inspired by some of the conversations that have taken place at the Center for Jewish Leadership and Learning (CLAL) where I have a ‘Rabbis Without Borders’ Fellowship this year.  As a result of these conversations, I’m experimenting with two new projects.

The first is a monthly column submission to Hersam Acorn newspapers, the consortium that runs all of the local town weeklies (Bridgeport News, Fairfield Citizen, Trumbull Times, etc.)  Called ‘Raise it Up’, it raises issues that emerge from local events and news where I can offer an ethical or spiritual reflection that can help connect faith-based wisdom with everyday life in an accessible way.  In January I reflected on lessons from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the February column highlighted the numerous local events that have been convened to raise funds for Haiti, including a wonderful interfaith program being planned for March 13th (see p. x).  If there are local stories or issues (eg. Environmental projects, education, health, or other public-interest news) that you think would make an interesting focus for this column, please drop me an email to bring it to my attention at rgurevitz@congregationbnaiisrael.org.

The second experiment is a monthly Jewish mantra and meditation hour that I have been running with Andrea Rudolph at the Soma Center for Well-Being, Fairfield.  Welcoming people of all faiths, it has attracted a number of unaffiliated Jews who have found spiritual value in meditation practice, and who are excited for an opportunity to reconnect this practice with their Jewish heritage.  For some, this is their first interaction with a rabbi since childhood.

There are many ways to represent and share the beauty and value of our faith – to highlight the message of faith at its best.  Those are the messages that I want to share, and I hope we can all do our part to help spread the word.

Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz

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