Friday, May 7, 12-1
Last week our discussion group began by considering the practicality of some of the suggested strategies for achieving economic justice that Waskow offers at the conclusion of Chapter 9 of Dancing in God’s Earthquake. Many of us agreed in spirit with some of Waskow’s suggestions (eliminating all dependence on fossil fuels; annulling debts in exchange for commitment to public service; shorter work weeks; bank loans to local enterprises), but we also agreed that implementation of some of these goals would be difficult.
We began our discussion of Chapter 10, about whether war-like kings were ”a blessing or a sin?”, with a consideration of how Waskow’s definitions of God evolved into a ”holy process by which consequences flow from our decisions” and the ”inter-breathing through which humanity creates natural consequences for itself and all life.” Several of us spoke about how Waskow’s definitions morphed according to his agenda; others had trouble with his consequentialism. This is a subject that is likely to engender more discussion in our closing weeks. We also discussed Waskow’s definition of government as an ”institution that possesses a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence.” Our conversation included acknowledgement of the need for checks any leader’s power–through prophets and other safeguards against autocracy. This included discussions of some of the ways non-violent resistance to illegitimate uses of power is both sanctioned and modeled in the Biblical text.
This week, we’ll conclude our discussion of Chapter 10 and move on to chapter 11 (about two genocides that are described in the Bible) and Waskow’s Coda and Afterword (pp. 172-198).
Our informal discussion group is held online every Friday from 12-1. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. Dancing in God’s Earthquake can be ordered through a variety of internet outlets. If you have questions, or would like the Zoom link, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.
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Join us for Shabbat morning services via Zoom every other Saturday morning at 10:00am.
Join the service by going to Our Virtual Community here, then scroll down and click on the blue Saturday Morning Service button.
Just as healthy foods nourish us through the blood stream, so Jewish meditation nourishes our “soul stream.” Meditation can be transformative, taking us from the intellectual awareness of ourselves to a deeper spiritual practice that links us to Judaism in the most profound way. Each mitzvah, holy day and cycle of life has its own rhythm, nuance, taste and character. Jewish meditation is a practice of infusing their essence into our daily spiritual lives.
Ready to give it a try? Join us via Zoom (every Sunday from 2:30pm – 4pm. No previous meditation experience necessary. This opportunity is free and open to all. Please contact Linda Wolf at linda@networktype.com for the online meeting information.
Friday, May 7, 12-1
Last week our discussion group began by considering the practicality of some of the suggested strategies for achieving economic justice that Waskow offers at the conclusion of Chapter 9 of Dancing in God’s Earthquake. Many of us agreed in spirit with some of Waskow’s suggestions (eliminating all dependence on fossil fuels; annulling debts in exchange for commitment to public service; shorter work weeks; bank loans to local enterprises), but we also agreed that implementation of some of these goals would be difficult.
We began our discussion of Chapter 10, about whether war-like kings were ”a blessing or a sin?”, with a consideration of how Waskow’s definitions of God evolved into a ”holy process by which consequences flow from our decisions” and the ”inter-breathing through which humanity creates natural consequences for itself and all life.” Several of us spoke about how Waskow’s definitions morphed according to his agenda; others had trouble with his consequentialism. This is a subject that is likely to engender more discussion in our closing weeks. We also discussed Waskow’s definition of government as an ”institution that possesses a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence.” Our conversation included acknowledgement of the need for checks any leader’s power–through prophets and other safeguards against autocracy. This included discussions of some of the ways non-violent resistance to illegitimate uses of power is both sanctioned and modeled in the Biblical text.
This week, we’ll conclude our discussion of Chapter 10 and move on to chapter 11 (about two genocides that are described in the Bible) and Waskow’s Coda and Afterword (pp. 172-198).
Our informal discussion group is held online every Friday from 12-1. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. Dancing in God’s Earthquake can be ordered through a variety of internet outlets. If you have questions, or would like the Zoom link, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.
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With services unavoidably cancelled, the Ritual Committee is working hard to find ways we can support each other as a community when we can’t be together in person. It’s very distressing to be unable to say Kaddish for a loved one, or to contemplate not sharing a Seder meal with friends and family. We’d like to share with you some plans we have for filling these gaps in our lives.
Please join us for Kabbalat Shabbat services via Zoom. As long as at least 10 adults log in, we’ll be able to say Kaddish, so please consider attending, even if you’re not a Friday night regular.
You can join the service by going to Our Virtual Community here, then scroll down and click on the blue Kabbalat Shabbat Service button.
If you’d like to borrow a siddur for use at home while services are cancelled, we’ll be happy to lend you one! Please contact the office for details.