On November 21st, we celebrated Thanksgiving together with the Aspen Chapel community with an interfaith service. We sang, shared stories, and prayed for peace together. An interfaith choir provided beautiful music, led by Cantor Rollin and Sarah Stevens, along with Dan Sheridan. Pastor Gregg Anderson and I spoke. You can watch the entire service online!
Aspen Chapel Christian-Jewish Thanksgiving Service Nov. 2010 from aspen chapel on Vimeo.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Remembering Mort Heller
Morton Alvin Heller, longtime Aspen resident, died last week at his home, surrounded by family. Read the obituary here. Yesterday Rollin and I had the honor of conducting the funeral for this beloved pillar of the Aspen community, whom we had barely gotten to know. My eulogy is below, along with two poems that were read during the memorial service. Rollin also sang "Fly Me to the Moon," one of Mort's favorite songs, which he used to sing to his grandchildren as "ski me to the moon..." Although we didn't record it, you can enjoy a version of the song by clicking here.
Niv-char shem mei-osher rav, mi-kesef u-mi-zahav chen tov.
A good name is more desirable than great wealth,
and good grace is better than silver and gold.
~ Proverbs 22:1
Morton Alvin Heller knew the value of a good name. The presence of all of you here today attests to that. The sparkle in the eye of everyone sharing a memory of Mort attests to that. This community’s love and respect for Mort and his family attest to that.
Others will speak who knew Mort far better and longer than I. When Rollin and I arrived in Aspen, Lita and Mort extended an open hand of welcome to us. This, I now know, was a glimpse into the kind of man Mort was, and the kind of presence he and Lita were together.
As I sat with Mort’s family and dearest friends yesterday evening, they brought this man to life before my eyes. The impression their stories made on me -- a shadow, I know, of the fullness of Mort’s life -- is what I want to share with you today.
They all spoke of Mort as a wonderful, genuine man. That his most endearing quality was that he was so non-judgmental. Friends observed that he never said a negative word, got angry, or swore. Although Lita added, “If anybody could have brought the temper out of him, I could!”
Everyone spoke of Mort as sweet and mild. A story was told of a time when Lita and Mort were in the car, with all the kids in the back, stopped at a red light. When it turned green, and Mort didn’t step on the gas, Lita said, “It’s not going to get any greener.” To which Mort replied, “Maybe if we wait a while.”
As a father, Mort earned himself a good name. Mort and Lita’s children spoke of him as a caring and wise parent. Of all of Lita’s suitors, they said, Mort was the only one who connected with her children. He was very hands-on, sharing with them his love of all the sports in which he was an accomplished athlete. But he never tried to take over or boss them around -- he was there when they needed him. Lita’s children saw and appreciated how great he was for their mother, how happy he made her. As Sam put it, “Mort was the Gold Standard of a stepfather.”
As a grandfather, Mort earned himself a good name. His grandchildren spoke fondly of their time with Grandpa Morty. Ben told of his first summer job, at the age of 12, delivering local mail on rollerblades for Grandpa Morty’s bank. Ben went on to say that, as gregarious and generous as Morty was, there was something deeper in this -- it was not frivolous work given to a grandson, but a lesson in the value of a day’s work, and in responsibility.
Elizabeth remembered that Grandpa Morty had terrible handwriting, so bad that she couldn’t read it. But while she was at summer camp, he wrote her a letter every day -- though she needed her mother to decipher them! Rachael spoke of Grandpa Morty as full of surprises, always excited to see her, and always able to make her feel at home. And the story was told of Cyrus, who was asked in school at age 7 who his best friend was. He replied, “Grandpa Morty!” Such was the care Mort had for his family, and the affect he had on those he loved.
As a friend, Mort earned a good name. His business partners and colleagues rarely saw a man with more integrity and kindness. He was trustworthy and trusting, and invested in the success of others. He was, as one friend described, a man of “strong opinions that he voiced in a mild way.” And his lifelong friendships are a testament to Mort’s loyalty.
As a lover of life, Mort made a name for himself. It was said that Mort achieved the “perfect balance between work and play.” Not only was Mort good at sports, but he was a good sport. At an Aspen ballet performance by an African dance group, they brought Mort on stage to dance. By all reports, he was fabulous -- and he didn’t get off the stage! And then at a performance of the musical Hair, where the actors pull an audience member from their seat into the action, they sat on Morty’s lap, kissed his bald head, and brought him up to dance! And yet again, at a Flamenco performance at the Greek Theater, Mort couldn’t sit still. He was shaking the entire row with his rhythmic movements. And to top it all off, after the show, in the parking lot he jumped onto a car and started dancing, Flamenco-style! As Robin said, “We never had cringe moments with Dad, as silly as he was.”
Even in illness and infirmity, Mort was worthy of his good name. His spirit did not weaken in the later stages of his life, and he continued to embrace those people and pursuits that brought him joy. He never complained, facing weakness with his characteristic gentleness and grace. In the words of Harlan, who was by Mort’s side for 12 years, “Mort was the humblest and most appreciative man I ever met. When we try to be better people, we should ask ourselves, What would Mort do? and try to be more like him.”
As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend -- as a man -- Mort Heller earned his good name. That name, that legacy, more precious than wealth, lives on.
In closing, a poem by the Hebrew poet Zelda:
“Each of Us Has A Name”
By Zelda, translated by Marcia Lee Falk
Each of us has a name
given by God
and given by our parents
Each of us has a name
given by our stature
and our smile
and given by what we wear
Each of us has a name
given by the mountains
and given by our walls
Each of us has a name
given by the stars
and given by our neighbors
Each of us has a name
given by our sins
and given by our longing
Each of us has a name
given by our enemies
and given by our love
Each of us has a name
given by our celebrations
and given by our work
Each of us has a name
given by the seasons
and given by our blindness
Each of us has a name
given by the sea
and given by
our death.
זכרון צדיק לברכה, zichron tzadik liv'rachah,
may the memory of this righteous man be a blessing in our lives.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eulogy for Morton Alvin Heller (1920-2010)
Rabbi David Segal
November 28, 2010
Niv-char shem mei-osher rav, mi-kesef u-mi-zahav chen tov.
A good name is more desirable than great wealth,
and good grace is better than silver and gold.
~ Proverbs 22:1
Morton Alvin Heller knew the value of a good name. The presence of all of you here today attests to that. The sparkle in the eye of everyone sharing a memory of Mort attests to that. This community’s love and respect for Mort and his family attest to that.
Others will speak who knew Mort far better and longer than I. When Rollin and I arrived in Aspen, Lita and Mort extended an open hand of welcome to us. This, I now know, was a glimpse into the kind of man Mort was, and the kind of presence he and Lita were together.
As I sat with Mort’s family and dearest friends yesterday evening, they brought this man to life before my eyes. The impression their stories made on me -- a shadow, I know, of the fullness of Mort’s life -- is what I want to share with you today.
They all spoke of Mort as a wonderful, genuine man. That his most endearing quality was that he was so non-judgmental. Friends observed that he never said a negative word, got angry, or swore. Although Lita added, “If anybody could have brought the temper out of him, I could!”
Everyone spoke of Mort as sweet and mild. A story was told of a time when Lita and Mort were in the car, with all the kids in the back, stopped at a red light. When it turned green, and Mort didn’t step on the gas, Lita said, “It’s not going to get any greener.” To which Mort replied, “Maybe if we wait a while.”
As a father, Mort earned himself a good name. Mort and Lita’s children spoke of him as a caring and wise parent. Of all of Lita’s suitors, they said, Mort was the only one who connected with her children. He was very hands-on, sharing with them his love of all the sports in which he was an accomplished athlete. But he never tried to take over or boss them around -- he was there when they needed him. Lita’s children saw and appreciated how great he was for their mother, how happy he made her. As Sam put it, “Mort was the Gold Standard of a stepfather.”
As a grandfather, Mort earned himself a good name. His grandchildren spoke fondly of their time with Grandpa Morty. Ben told of his first summer job, at the age of 12, delivering local mail on rollerblades for Grandpa Morty’s bank. Ben went on to say that, as gregarious and generous as Morty was, there was something deeper in this -- it was not frivolous work given to a grandson, but a lesson in the value of a day’s work, and in responsibility.
Elizabeth remembered that Grandpa Morty had terrible handwriting, so bad that she couldn’t read it. But while she was at summer camp, he wrote her a letter every day -- though she needed her mother to decipher them! Rachael spoke of Grandpa Morty as full of surprises, always excited to see her, and always able to make her feel at home. And the story was told of Cyrus, who was asked in school at age 7 who his best friend was. He replied, “Grandpa Morty!” Such was the care Mort had for his family, and the affect he had on those he loved.
As a friend, Mort earned a good name. His business partners and colleagues rarely saw a man with more integrity and kindness. He was trustworthy and trusting, and invested in the success of others. He was, as one friend described, a man of “strong opinions that he voiced in a mild way.” And his lifelong friendships are a testament to Mort’s loyalty.
As a lover of life, Mort made a name for himself. It was said that Mort achieved the “perfect balance between work and play.” Not only was Mort good at sports, but he was a good sport. At an Aspen ballet performance by an African dance group, they brought Mort on stage to dance. By all reports, he was fabulous -- and he didn’t get off the stage! And then at a performance of the musical Hair, where the actors pull an audience member from their seat into the action, they sat on Morty’s lap, kissed his bald head, and brought him up to dance! And yet again, at a Flamenco performance at the Greek Theater, Mort couldn’t sit still. He was shaking the entire row with his rhythmic movements. And to top it all off, after the show, in the parking lot he jumped onto a car and started dancing, Flamenco-style! As Robin said, “We never had cringe moments with Dad, as silly as he was.”
Even in illness and infirmity, Mort was worthy of his good name. His spirit did not weaken in the later stages of his life, and he continued to embrace those people and pursuits that brought him joy. He never complained, facing weakness with his characteristic gentleness and grace. In the words of Harlan, who was by Mort’s side for 12 years, “Mort was the humblest and most appreciative man I ever met. When we try to be better people, we should ask ourselves, What would Mort do? and try to be more like him.”
As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend -- as a man -- Mort Heller earned his good name. That name, that legacy, more precious than wealth, lives on.
In closing, a poem by the Hebrew poet Zelda:
“Each of Us Has A Name”
By Zelda, translated by Marcia Lee Falk
Each of us has a name
given by God
and given by our parents
Each of us has a name
given by our stature
and our smile
and given by what we wear
Each of us has a name
given by the mountains
and given by our walls
Each of us has a name
given by the stars
and given by our neighbors
Each of us has a name
given by our sins
and given by our longing
Each of us has a name
given by our enemies
and given by our love
Each of us has a name
given by our celebrations
and given by our work
Each of us has a name
given by the seasons
and given by our blindness
Each of us has a name
given by the sea
and given by
our death.
---------------------------------------------------------------
If
by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
---------------------------------------------------------------
When Death Comes
by Mary Oliver
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn,
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
---------------------------------------------------------------
It can be said with certainty that Mort Heller was not one who simply visited this world: he embraced life and left a lasting impression. He will be missed.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veterans Day in Aspen
This morning I had the honor of offering the invocation and benediction during Aspen's Veterans Day commemoration. After the presentation of the colors and a memorial wreath, Colonel Dick Merritt and Dan Glidden led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance, words of welcome, and the lighting of a memorial candle. Then they invited me to give the invocation, and here's what I said:
Finally, I was asked to offer the benediction:
Good morning. It's an honor for me to be here with you today.
The Abraham of the Bible -- the father of three faiths -- was, at times, a man of war. He was called by God to bring a new way of life to the world. In the service of that call, he left his home and family, journeyed to an unfamiliar land, and there stepped into the role of general to battle hostile forces threatening what was dear to him (Gen. 14).
But Abraham never lost sight of his calling, the transcendent purpose of his wandering and warring. That calling had been proclaimed by God: “You shall be a blessing... And all the families of the earth shall be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:2-3).
In our nation’s history, Abraham Lincoln, too, became a man of war. He was called and sworn to protect this Union, its constitution, and the universal freedom promised in its Declaration of Independence. He despised war, but loved the union more.1 Liberty and Peace were his higher purpose; war, the unfortunate instrument to protect those ideals and the nation whose soul they breathe into life. So it has been throughout the history of our country, when men and women have stepped forward to serve.
In that spirit, we honor and celebrate you, our veterans, today. As we give thanks for your service and sacrifice, let us always remember:
in your courage in combat, we see your commitment to peace;
in your bravery in battle, we sense your transcendent purpose:
to be a blessing to your families, to our nation, and to the world.After I spoke, Dick Merritt expressed that I was their chaplain for the day, and he spoke about the proud history of chaplains in the military. He told a story about a military ship that was sinking, and the four chaplains who gave up their life preservers -- and therefore, their lives -- so that four more troops could be saved. They were three pastors and a rabbi, a reminder that all faiths are joined in support of our country. Then a list was read of Aspen soldiers killed in Action, and Tom Buesch read a moving poem by a young airman (I will try to obtain a copy to post here). Jeannie Walla led us in the national anthem, and then all veterans present were called forward in order of the wars in which they served. It was an emotional sight, to see so many of different ages and life experiences who had served our country. Several veterans gave impromptu remarks about memories of the war, what their service means to them, and fellow soldiers lost along the way.
Finally, I was asked to offer the benediction:
I am grateful that I took the time out of my day today to be reminded of the debt we owe all those who serve in the military. To all our veterans: Thank you.Today we have celebrated, commemorated, and reflected. In closing, I offer a blessing inspired by the ancient words of the Torah:May God bless and keep our veterans, and those they love and protect.May God’s face shine upon them and be gracious to them.May God’s countenance be lifted up to us all, and grant us that most precious of gifts, peace.And together let us say, Amen.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Relational Community: the changing American religious landscape
I recently came across these two articles about religion in America and thought they were worth sharing.
First, Rabbi Eric Yoffie wrote two weeks ago, in the wake of several studies and articles on religious Americans, that "Media Images of Religious Americans [are] Elitist, Condescending, and Wrong." I recommend the full post, but I'll just highlight a few key points that relate to our Jewish world here in the Roaring Fork Valley:
Doing AND learning, acting AND knowing: these are both essential to being an authentic Jew.
Second, I highly recommend this fascinating article about what's really going on within American religious communities. Entitled "Changing Faiths", the article's tagline reminds us that religious Americans are "far more diverse, tolerant, and compassionate than the image of an evangelist upsurge would suggest."
The article is a book review about Robert Putnam and David Campbell's new American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. (You may remember Putnam from his earlier bestseller, Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community.) What's most interesting to me about this article -- and it's integrally related to Putnam's earlier research -- is the implications for what makes for a vibrant religious community. In the end, it's more about Cheers than about belief in God, Torah, or the soul, for example. People want to go "where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came!" In the author's words:
We need your help as we continue to rethink how we can build such a relational community in Aspen and the Valley. Won't you join us?
First, Rabbi Eric Yoffie wrote two weeks ago, in the wake of several studies and articles on religious Americans, that "Media Images of Religious Americans [are] Elitist, Condescending, and Wrong." I recommend the full post, but I'll just highlight a few key points that relate to our Jewish world here in the Roaring Fork Valley:
Jews have always prescribed two paths to tradition: the path of the mind and the path of the heart. And both are essential to religious well-being...
How should we judge religion? We should judge it by what people know, but just as importantly, by what they do. And we should see religious belief, for all who are inclined to embrace it, as a virtue and a blessing. On this basis, there is no room for doubt: religion is a great asset for our country, one of those things that makes America great.I sincerely hope that we continue to cultivate that kind of religious outlook in our community. As Rabbi Hillel said 2,000 years ago, when asked to summarize the Torah "on one foot": Do not do to others what is hateful to you. The rest is commentary: go and learn it.
Doing AND learning, acting AND knowing: these are both essential to being an authentic Jew.
Second, I highly recommend this fascinating article about what's really going on within American religious communities. Entitled "Changing Faiths", the article's tagline reminds us that religious Americans are "far more diverse, tolerant, and compassionate than the image of an evangelist upsurge would suggest."
 |
| Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, author of The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church |
What makes religious folks collect clothes for the poor, donate to the United Way, and attend town meetings is not just theology or exhortations by the clergy; it is involvement in the life of the congregation, having family and friends there, talking about religion with them, and participating in small groups. "Devout people who sit alone in the pews are not much more neighborly than people who don't go to church at all," they find. "Statistics suggest that even an atheist who happened to become involved in the social life of a congregation (perhaps a spouse) is much more likely to volunteer in a soup kitchen than the most fervent believer who prays alone."The point is, religious communities are strongest when they are relational communities. Where people know each other's stories; where they care about what keeps their neighbors up at night, and they share their hopes and dreams and help each other achieve them. The particulars of belief and practice are, as Hillel said, commentary: go and learn them, and talk about them together. But what counts most is whether we are connected to each other, whether we can look each other in the eyes, face to face, and say: I share your joy, I know your pain. That's the foundation on which we can build a spiritually and morally fulfilling congregation that will bring light to our lives and to the world. That's what will make us a true community.
We need your help as we continue to rethink how we can build such a relational community in Aspen and the Valley. Won't you join us?
Friday, October 1, 2010
"Write for yourself this song..." (Deut. 31:19)
"The Sofer is here, the Sofer is here!" read our ad in the Aspen Times this past summer. Rabbi Isaac Leizerowski, a rabbi and sofer (specialized Torah scribe) in Philadelphia, came to Aspen for four days to restore and teach our community about two newly acquired Torah scrolls that were in need of some repair. We also put new Eitz Chayim (the wooden Torah rollers/handles) on our older scrolls, and had them restored as well. Overall, it was a great experience for all ages to see this unique art of Torah scribing up close and personal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in writing and restoring a Torah! Actually, it's going to be twice-in-a-lifetime: we're bringing the sofer back again during ski season, so more of our community will have the opportunity to participate. (For Torah dedication and sponsorship opportunities, please be in touch with Faith Leibell, 925-8245, office@aspenjewish.org.)
Here are 15 video highlights from the sofer's visit! (Scroll down; you may see some people you know!)
Sivan, Mel, and Joshua watch the sofer at work and lend a hand
These were custom-ordered from Philadelphia!
It really involves sewing - with a needle and thread made from cow sinew!
More sewing...
Sivan and Michael, hard at work
We had a great downvalley experience with the sofer, too!
Cantor Rollin demonstrated her Hebrew-English chanting. The sofer was pleasantly surprised :o]
Ross, Aiden, Josh, and Josie lend a hand
Marian's turn, our President!
Meg and Jake participate in the mitzvah
The Lansburgh family
The art of sofrut is really quite complicated...
Sonny and Gigi Durand
Alan Bush really got the hang of the sewing!
Cantor Rollin's turn, with some help from Nina
Here are 15 video highlights from the sofer's visit! (Scroll down; you may see some people you know!)
Sivan, Mel, and Joshua watch the sofer at work and lend a hand
These were custom-ordered from Philadelphia!
It really involves sewing - with a needle and thread made from cow sinew!
More sewing...
Sivan and Michael, hard at work
We had a great downvalley experience with the sofer, too!
Cantor Rollin demonstrated her Hebrew-English chanting. The sofer was pleasantly surprised :o]
Ross, Aiden, Josh, and Josie lend a hand
Marian's turn, our President!
Meg and Jake participate in the mitzvah
The Lansburgh family
The art of sofrut is really quite complicated...
Sonny and Gigi Durand
Alan Bush really got the hang of the sewing!
Cantor Rollin's turn, with some help from Nina
Monday, September 27, 2010
Songs and Sermons from Yom Kippur
Moadim l'simcha - Happy Sukkot -- and Happy Simchat Torah to all!
It was an honor to lead this community in worship and learning during Yom Kippur. We hope the new year 5771 brings many blessings for you and your families. As we did after Rosh Hashanah, we are posting songs and sermons from Yom Kippur. Please see the descriptions and links below.
We hope to see you again soon.
בברכה / with blessing,
Rabbi David Segal & Cantor Rollin Simmons
_________________________________________________________________________
SONGS
Adonai Mah Adam (click to download)
from the Yizkor (Memorial) Service
composed by Pedro d'Aquino
Translation:
God, what is man that You should care about him, mortal man, that You should think of him? (Psalm 144:4)
Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. (Psalm 144:4)
at daybreak it flourishes anew; by dusk it withers and dries up. (Psalm 90:6)
You return man to dust; You decreed, “Return you mortals!” (Psalm 90:3)
Turn, O LORD! How long? Show mercy to Your servants. (Psalm 90:13)
Give us joy for as long as You have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered misfortune (Psalm 90:15)
Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart. (Psalm 90:12)
But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for God will take me. Selah. (Psalm 49:16)
My body and mind fail; but God is the stay of my mind, my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
From Dust to Dust (click to download)
from the Yom Kippur Morning Service
Composed by Cantor Rollin Simmons; Arranged by David Deschamps
Text from High Holiday Liturgy, adapted from Kol Haneshama and M'tsudah Siddur
We begin from dust
we find our end in dust
so long as we live, we strive for bread
We begin from dust
Like vessels of clay we break
Like grass we wither
Like flowers we fade
Like shadows we pass
Like clouds, we drift away
We blow by like the wind.
Like dust we scatter
Like a dream, we vanish from sight.
But you, oh you...
Your reign is eternal, O God who lives and endures.
Your reign is eternal, O God who lives and endures.
________________________________________________________________________
a word from Rabbi Segal: I preached about two hot-button issues this Yom Kippur: Israel; and the Muslim center near Ground Zero. I hope that my words will be received in the spirit in which I delivered them: as an invitation to conversation, and to an exchange of ideas and sources. I expect and welcome different points of view, so I hope to hear from you to continue both conversations.
Click the sermon titles to download the PDFs.
• "Sacred Grounding": thoughts on the Cordoba House and Jewish responses to Islam in America
• "A Tale of Two Emails": about how we talk about Israel within the Jewish community, and how it's hurting us
*click here for the handout from the afternoon discussion session about Israel
It was an honor to lead this community in worship and learning during Yom Kippur. We hope the new year 5771 brings many blessings for you and your families. As we did after Rosh Hashanah, we are posting songs and sermons from Yom Kippur. Please see the descriptions and links below.
We hope to see you again soon.
בברכה / with blessing,
Rabbi David Segal & Cantor Rollin Simmons
_________________________________________________________________________
SONGS
from the Yizkor (Memorial) Service
composed by Pedro d'Aquino
Translation:
God, what is man that You should care about him, mortal man, that You should think of him? (Psalm 144:4)
Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. (Psalm 144:4)
at daybreak it flourishes anew; by dusk it withers and dries up. (Psalm 90:6)
You return man to dust; You decreed, “Return you mortals!” (Psalm 90:3)
Turn, O LORD! How long? Show mercy to Your servants. (Psalm 90:13)
Give us joy for as long as You have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered misfortune (Psalm 90:15)
Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart. (Psalm 90:12)
But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for God will take me. Selah. (Psalm 49:16)
My body and mind fail; but God is the stay of my mind, my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
From Dust to Dust (click to download)
from the Yom Kippur Morning Service
Composed by Cantor Rollin Simmons; Arranged by David Deschamps
Text from High Holiday Liturgy, adapted from Kol Haneshama and M'tsudah Siddur
We begin from dust
we find our end in dust
so long as we live, we strive for bread
We begin from dust
Like vessels of clay we break
Like grass we wither
Like flowers we fade
Like shadows we pass
Like clouds, we drift away
We blow by like the wind.
Like dust we scatter
Like a dream, we vanish from sight.
But you, oh you...
Your reign is eternal, O God who lives and endures.
Your reign is eternal, O God who lives and endures.
________________________________________________________________________
SERMONS
Click the sermon titles to download the PDFs.
• "Sacred Grounding": thoughts on the Cordoba House and Jewish responses to Islam in America
• "A Tale of Two Emails": about how we talk about Israel within the Jewish community, and how it's hurting us
*click here for the handout from the afternoon discussion session about Israel
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Rosh Hashanah Sermons and Song
Shanah tovah, everyone! It was an honor for Rollin and me to lead the Aspen Jewish Congregation in prayer and reflection this Rosh Hashanah. In some ways, this was our first major introduction to the community, and we have felt so embraced and welcomed. We look forward to our worship together again on Yom Kippur.
Several of you asked us to post my sermons and Rollin's singing, so here they are (click the links to download the PDF and MP3 files):
• Rosh Hashanah Evening Sermon: "The More Things Change..."
• Rosh Hashanah Morning Sermon: "Offlining Toward Paradise"
• Cantor Rollin singing Avinu Malkeinu
We hope your new year has started off with sweetness and blessing. May these Yamim Noraim / Days of Awe help you connect more deeply with your loved ones and with your best self.
Several of you asked us to post my sermons and Rollin's singing, so here they are (click the links to download the PDF and MP3 files):
• Rosh Hashanah Evening Sermon: "The More Things Change..."
• Rosh Hashanah Morning Sermon: "Offlining Toward Paradise"
• Cantor Rollin singing Avinu Malkeinu
We hope your new year has started off with sweetness and blessing. May these Yamim Noraim / Days of Awe help you connect more deeply with your loved ones and with your best self.
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