Tonight at 7:30 we celebrate a special Shabbat service in honor of Rabbi David Widzer, who is concluding his time at Kol Dorot. This will be Rabbi David's last service with us, and I hope that you will join us via Zoom to wish him well and reflect on the many ways his talents and leadership have transformed our community and touched the lives of so many of our families.
May it be a healthy and peaceful Shabbat, here and everywhere.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Noah
Torah for Today
—Rabbi Noah
The angel said to me, "'This is the word of God to Zerubbabel: Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit,' says the God of Hosts."
— Zechariah 4:6
This verse from this week's Haftarah portion is the source text for a classic Debbie Friedman song. (That link is a recording of the song, but for something that captures Friedman's personality and teaching style in a remarkable way, try this one.)
This is a beautiful example of Debbie Friedman taking a relatively obscure text and spreading it throughout the American Jewish community. And in this case, she does not merely popularize the text, but adds an important midrash (interpretation).
The Bible in Zechariah says: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit..." As readers we might ask, "By My spirit...WHAT?" Zechariah doesn't have an answer. But here are Friedman's lyrics:
Not by might, and not by power,
But by spirit alone shall we all live in peace.
This chorus differs from the Bible verse in two significant ways. First, the "spirit" is not exclusively God's spirit. All of us are called to have and contribute spirit. And Friedman provides an end goal of that spirit, "...shall we all live in peace."
In this moment of protest and activism, this song from our Haftarah is an anthem for collective action and change. As Friedman sings in the verse:
The children sing. The children dream.
And their tears may fall, but you can hear them call.
And another song will rise, another song will rise,
Another song will rise.
Celebrate Shabbat
*LIVE* Candle Lighting and Shabbat Blessings
Friday, 6/12, 6:00pm
Check your daily email for details on how to join in.
*LIVE* Kol Dorot Shabbat Service
Honoring Rabbi David Widzer
Friday, 6/12, 7:30pm
Check your daily email for details on how to join in.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Saturday, 6/13, 9:00-10:00am
Check your daily email for details on how to join in.
Havdallah with Rabbi Noah and Family
Saturday, 6/13, 6:00pm (Pre-recorded. Watch any time!)
Visit Kol Dorot Facebook Page
Engraved Brick Orders
*Deadline is Sunday, June 14*
Click for more information, or fill out the ONLINE FORM.
Note: If you are filling out the paper form included in your "Shabbat ShaBag," please mail it to our new address, 660 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ 07649.
Rabbi David and Patsy Tribute Boards
Please join us in honoring the years of service and dedication Rabbi Widzer and Patsy Deonandan have provided our community and in celebrating the next chapter of their lives.
We invite you to share your best wishes for them virtually through our Tribute Boards, where you can upload videos, photos, and notes that express wonderful memories and congratulations. Simply click on the link to each Tribute Board below and follow the instructions.