17 Elul 5780 - September 6, 2020

 I AM JEWISH: MARILEN PITLER

I recently heard a poem by Judah Halevi.  One of the lines states, "A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream to be --"  

This line resonated with me as I thought about what it means to me to be a Jew, what it means when I say, "I am Jewish."  COVID-19 has put a spin on the world we have never seen.  We have witnessed tragedy, war, natural disasters, but my generation has never witnessed our earth turned upside down.  Today's reality has put a new spin on my thought process.  This is not the time to be complacent.  Life is too short.  So, what does it mean when I say "I am Jewish?"  It means my faith has given me the strength to face the world each waking hour of the day.  My faith has given me the strength to face my demons, to make me stronger, to speak out for issues impacting my generation and generations to come.  My faith has given me the courage to reach out and attempt change, a change that is inspired by my Jewish values to work toward the advancement of social and economic justice.  

Yes, it is "A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream to be--"  I AM JEWISH

It is tradition to read Psalm 27 every day during Elul.  

PSALM 27

God is my light and my refuge secure - whom shall I fear?

God is the stronghold of my life - of whom should I be afraid?

When those who act with malice would devour me with words,

it is they who stumble, they who fall.

If an army were to take up arms against me, my heart would not fear.

If war were waged against me, still I would trust.

Just one thing I have asked of God; only this do I seek:

to dwell in God’s house all the days of my life,

to behold divine sweetness and beauty, and to gaze in delight at God’s Temple.

God shelters me in times of hardship, shields me in a tent of divine protection,

raises me high on a rock - so that now my head rises above enemies around me. 

Let me make offerings in that tent - the offerings of a joyful cry.

Let me sing hymns, and celebrate the One who is eternal - Adonai.

Hear my voice when I call; God, answer me with grace.

My heart spoke for you - it said, “Seek My face.” Your face, Adonai, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me, nor angrily turn away Your faithful one -

the one You have sustained. My God-of-rescue, do not desert me!

When my father and mother have gone, God will gather me in.

Teach me your way, Adonai; and guide me on a straight path,

because of those who lie in wait for me.

Do not hand me over to the will of foes who rose against me -

lying witnesses and those whose very breath is violence.

If only I could believe that I will see God’s goodness

in the land of the living. . .

Wait for Adonai

Be strong of heart, and be bold -- but wait for Adonai.

It is also tradition to hear the sound of the shofar each day during Elul.  It is a wake up call to prepare for the upcoming holy days. 

UHCSTL · Shofar 1