Parashat Chayei Sara 5784November 11⎮27 Cheshvan
11/10/2023 09:01:08 AM
LL Giordano
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In Chayei Sarah (“The Life of Sarah”), Sarah dies at the age of 127. Searching for an appropriate place for her burial, Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah. There she is laid to rest. Abraham searches as well for a wife for Isaac, his son. He sends a servant. Eliezer, to fulfill this task. The servant encounters Rebecca at a well and Rebecca gives water to the servant and his camels. Eliezer returns with Rebecca and she and Isaac marry. Abraham marries as well and his wife, Keturah, bears six sons. Abraham dies at the age of 175. Isaac and Ishmael come together to bury their father in the cave of Machpelah.
This parsha is bookended by tales of grief (Sarah's death at the beginning and Abraham's death at its end). And, we might infer, by stories of people stepping up to do the right thing (in this case, honoring the dead) despite complicated and even negative feelings. Read more
Sarah's death occurs at the beginning of Parashat Chayei Sara and this parsha immediately follows the parsha which includes the binding of Isaac. On the basis of their continguity, Rashi concludes that Sarah's death was a direct result of her hearing about Abraham's intended sacrifice of their son. So shocked or angry was Sarah that her soul fled her body. Yet, as Rabbi Deena Cowans muses, even as Sarah died overwhelmed with anger at Abraham, Abraham buries her.
So, too, Ishmael returns to bury his father despite the fact that Abraham banished him to the desert with insufficient food and water. And Isaac honors his father despite the troubled memory of his own near-death at his father's hands. Moreover, Ishmael and Isaac honor their father together despite the asymmetry in their positions with respect to their patriarch. Rabbi Deena suggests that we might imagine Ishmael and Isaac coming together, if only for one brief moment; leaning on one another and standing witness to each other's grief.
We too, in our time, are grief-stricken over the dead of Israel and Palestine. It is difficult to imagine relationships more historically complex than that between Israelis and Palestinians. No less complicated is the entanglement of American Jewish identity with that of Israel. My hope for us in this moment is that we can allow ourselves to feel our grief in all its complexity, honoring those who have died while not losing sight of the Jewish commitment to the sacredness of life. We honor those who have died because we owe them the same respect that is owed to the living.
Sat, March 22 2025
22 Adar 5785
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 27 , 2025
Thursday, Mar 27th 7:00p to 8:00p
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Friday ,
MarMarch 28 , 2025
Friday, Mar 28th 5:30p to 9:00p
Join us for an early family-friendly nosh and Shabbat. We'll Nosh and then Shabbat with services starting at 6:30pm. The LJCC will provide a main. Potluck contributions are encouraged. If possible, let us know in the notes section what you will bring. -
Friday ,
AprApril 4 , 2025
Friday, Apr 4th 6:00p to 8:00p
Cheryl Lester is in town and leading services! Potluck oneg to follow. Please note the early start time of 6pm. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 6 , 2025Garden Party
Sunday, Apr 6th 10:00a to 1:00p
In the spirit of embracing social action to help repair the world in which we live, the Tikkun Olam Committee is committed to stewardship of our earth’s environment. One important initiative is beautifying the grounds around the synagogue in a way that nurtures plants that provide habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insect life. We welcome everyone to stop by and party with us on April 6. In addition to the chance to enjoy some really good food, you can view the recently developed garden areas, learn about ideas for new garden areas and, also, learn about the plan to launch a Friends of the Gardens interest group. A special short learning program for children is scheduled for 11:00. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 6 , 2025Services 101: A workshop for new service leaders & perplexed participants. Session 2 Topic - Prayer
Sunday, Apr 6th 3:00p to 4:30p
Understanding keva (doing it right) and kavannah (feeling it) through close readings, deep engagement, and thinking through how to make the text your own. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 13 , 2025
Sunday, Apr 13th 4:30p to 8:00p
Join us for a community-led second-night Seder. -
Saturday ,
AprApril 19 , 2025
Shabbat, Apr 19th 10:30a to 1:00p
Alyssa Appelman leads with a D'var Torah on our ecological responsibilities. Vegan Kiddish lunch to follow. -
Monday ,
AprApril 21 , 2025Muralist Dave Loewenstein
Monday, Apr 21st 6:00p to 7:00p
The LJCC is exploring a possible partnership with local muralist Dave Loewenstein to adorn our humble building with a community-created mural! Come meet Dave and learn about his work. -
Wednesday ,
AprApril 23 , 2025
Wednesday, Apr 23rd 7:00p to 8:30p
Though Lawrence Jews incorporated a congregation and acquired Bene Israel cemetery in 1869, it took nearly 80 years to acquire a building and more than a century to use Bene Israel as a communal burial grounds. Professor Emeritus David Katzman's talk will illuminate the history of earlier Lawrence Jewish communities, organizations and individuals, and explain why Lawrence Jews did not form a permanent organization until after World War II. -
Friday ,
AprApril 25 , 2025
Friday, Apr 25th 5:30p to 7:00p
Join us for an early family-friendly nosh and Shabbat. We'll Nosh and then Shabbat with services starting at 6:30pm. The LJCC will provide a main. Potluck contributions are encouraged. If possible, let us know in the notes section what you will bring.
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