May 2022

TBO Website Admin / From our Rabbi, Rabbi Kort, TBO News /

Dear Temple Beth Or Community:

We often turn to our Shema prayer for comfort and grounding. As we process the school shooting this week in Uvalde, Texas, I want to share a kavanah (intention) written by our Reform Movement’s teenagers after the mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida:

When we watch the news after each senseless act of violence, we feel pain as though we ourselves were the victims. Every time someone is murdered, we ourselves are offended; God is offended, for we are all inextricably linked. We are one. We are called upon to raise our voice and turn our actions to collectively affirm this oneness.

While our TBO community is on break this weekend, know that if you need support, I am here as your rabbi if you need to connect. School districts have shared resources with families and I want to emphasize that our children need special care right now. The American Psychological Association suggests: make space for kids to talk, take “news breaks,” monitor adult conversation, check in often, and be sure to care for ourselves too. (Helping Your Child Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting)

Our Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center is engaged in a campaign to prevent gun violence and TBO will be sure to share out upcoming action opportunities.

Our ancient Sages teach: “One who takes a life, it is though they have destroyed the universe. And one who saves a life, it is as though they have saved the universe” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). As we reflect on the immense loss of life from gun violence in our country, our tradition asks us to grieve and, at the same time, invites us to action.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Kort

Lag BaOmer: Emerging from Isolation to Community

TBO Website Admin / From our Rabbi, Rabbi Kort /

Lag BaOmer is a minor holiday celebrated with major fun. Bonfires and barbeques are the tradition in Israel and at TBO this year too. While I know our community
will enjoy s’mores together at the beach, we can glean deep wisdom from the holiday too. Lag BaOmer is said to be the yahrzeit of the second century sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai who found safety from the Romans by hiding in a cave. The Talmud (Bavli, Shabbat 33b) tells the tale of his rough re–entry into society after more than a decade of isolation.

After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jews in the Land of Israel responded to this trauma in different ways. Some refused defeat (the story of Masada) while others conceded to life under Roman rule and adapted Jewish practices to center on prayer and learning instead of sacrifices at our central Temple. Transitioning away from trauma and an established way of life is difficult.

Shimon bar Yochai would not hold his tongue from speaking out against Roman rule and fled for safety with his colleague, Eleazar. They barricaded themselves in a cave where, miraculously, a carob tree and a spring appeared and sustained them through twelve years of total isolation. None other than Elijah the Prophet came to tell Shimon and Eleazar that the emperor was dead and they could emerge back into the world but their re–entry into society went terribly wrong. They saw a Jewish man ploughing a field, going on with his life
as though the Temple had never been destroyed! This enraged Shimon and Eleazar. They looked at this farmer with a gaze so fierce that the farmer was immediately burnt up! This prompted the Divine Voice of God to call out “go back into your cave!” They stayed in the cave for another year. When they emerged for the second time, they saw a person preparing for Shabbat with a practice that was unfamiliar to them. This time, instead of responding with rage, they recognized the practice as beautiful and offered praise.

Like Shimon bar Yochai and Eleazar, our first response to the trauma and isolation of these past two years might be anger. Outbursts of rage seem to be all around us: on airplanes, at award shows, and maybe even at work. Many of us are just starting to enjoy in–person community again. Things will feel different because our world has changed and we as individuals have changed. Let’s glean wisdom from Shimon bar Yochai and Eleazar by taking time and energy to process the big feelings that come with our transitions from isolation to community in order to embrace and enjoy the beauty in the world around us.

Rabbi Rachel Kort (she/her)

TBO Website Admin / From Our Presidents /

Even though the weather has been a little bit cooler and damper than usual for this time of year, the tulips and longer days are a sure sign that it really is spring. Lots of folks use
the spring, and especially Passover, as a signal to do some deep cleaning. Recently a congregant shared an article from the Seattle Times with me that suggested that this year, in addition to tidying closets and cleaning out the garage, we might want to consider cleaning up our use of words and work towards a more positive approach to our communication. Many have also noticed that things seemed to have gotten more unruly since COVID–19 hit. Perhaps it is the result of isolation. losses, disappointment or other consequences of the virus. Regardless of the cause, it cannot be denied that people seem ruder and less civilized – crazy drivers, inconsiderate shoppers, moody store clerks, demanding travelers – it’s everywhere.

Let’s take the opportunity to use the arrival of spring to help us work towards a more positive, constructive and pleasant way of living with others. As we gather more at our Temple we can practice those same skills as we welcome back those we have been missing. I hope to see you in person at our building in the coming days and happy spring!

Melanie (she/her)
President