Some observations, this Yom Kippur:
- Our Kol Nidre Sermon was quite surprising: Rabbi Brown spoke on Proposition 8. Now, he never explicitly came out and spoke on a particular way to vote (smart man, he), he did talk about how homosexuality was one of the last acceptable forms of discrimination in society… and how that discrimination was wrong. He talked about some of the various statements being made, such as the claim that if the law stands as is, teachers will be forced to teach about homosexual marriage — that’s wrong, because all they legally need to cover is the benefits of marriage, not what valid marriages are… and those benefits are independent of how the couples are constituted. He also noted that the claims regarding churches being forced to teach about gay marriage or officiate are wrong… the separation of synagogue and state (;-)) means the government cannot dictate church teachings. Churches can discriminate, but government cannot. He also noted on how the Board of Rabbis has officially come out as being against Proposition 8. I was pleased to hear this sermon — this is what the pulpit is for: taking a moral position and educating the congregation about what religion says. Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that I support the No on 8 cause.
- This morning’s sermon was less interesting. Rabbi Lutz spoke about the call to get involved, and not just stand idlely by. The basic point at the end was to get involved with some of the social action activities at the temple. I didn’t find it that stirring of a call.
- We did go to one of the afternoon discussions. We had a speaker from the Anti-Defamation League, talking about hate on the internet. This is something I’m well aware of, being prominant in the Jewish internet community. It is also one thing I’m worried about with this election and the current financial crisis: as the economy is tanking, guess what is rising: antisemitism (the comments in that link just make the point). All of us who are active on the internet must do our part to combat hate speech: it is our responsibility as good internet citizens.
- I should note that I’m very proud of my soon-to-be 14yo daughter: this is her first YK doing a fast (only water), and she has inspired me to do the same (although I have had black tea, just to warn off any migraine). She also went to the afternoon talk (although not afternoon services, which can be a bit snooze-inducing), as well as going to closing services.
- Sitting in services, I was thinking back to the various places I’ve been in services, from the Mormon stake in Van Nuys where TBT had their services, the sanctuaries at Ahavat Shalom and Kol Tikvah, the Hillel at CSUN, Warner Youth Center and Piness Auditorium at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, and the old sanctuary at Temple Jeremiah in Westchester. No point here, just interesting to look back at all the services and how they have differed.
