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Freedom is easy, a gift that reminds us that we can change and be whomever we want to be. Responsibility is harder, but it’s still a blessing, because it gives our lives purpose, values and structure in order to create the world that we want to live in.
Judaism is not about saving one’s soul, but of shaping the future for everyone. We are expected to be agents of change, pursuers of justice and peace, and lifelong learners, so that everyone’s life has a chance for actualization and fulfillment.
Along with all of these serious obligations, we are also a people of humor, irony, skepticism and doubt, which well equips us for the chaos of life. In the Talmud, jesters are considered essential, in every society to bring us joy and laughter, and they are guaranteed a place in the Olam HaBa/The World To Come.
In medieval times, Badchanim/comedic entertainers were credited with averting disasters facing the Jewish community by charming adversaries, and many itinerant Badchanim were asked to visit communities far and wide to cheer people up after personal or communal tzuris. It’s no coincidence that so many American Jews have shaped our country’s humor and culture for over a century.
So please join us this Friday evening, May 5, for a Sushi and Asian Salad Shabbat Dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by “Broadway Shabbat Alive” at 7:00 p.m., with our Cantor, Young Cantors and Band singing and playing Broadway melodies for our traditional prayers. Imagine Lcha Dodi, Barchu, Shema, Mi Chamocha, Alenu and more sung to melodies from Fiddler on The Roof, The Sound of Music, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked, Les Miz and more!
Then at 8:00 p.m., enjoy the stand-up comedy of Wayne Federman, comedian, actor, USC professor, author and CNN and HBO documentarian. Wayne has appeared multiple times on The Tonight Show and was the head writer for Jimmy Fallon. He has his own special on Comedy Central and has acted in numerous films and TV shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Silicon Valley, Larry Sanders, Community, Legally Blonde, Knocked Up, Step Brothers, 50 First Dates, and Funny People. For HBO, he co-produced the Emmy-winning documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, as well as winning an Emmy for George Carlin’s American Dream. He is also an adjunct professor of stand-up history and performance at USC and he was part of the first stand-up comedy tour of Israel after the 2001 Intifada.
His book, The History of Stand-Up: From Mark Twain To Dave Chapelle, has received rave reviews and his presentation on “Jews In American Comedy” at University Synagogue last October was a great hit with everyone. RSVP now for Shabbat dinner, Shabbat Alive services, and Wayne Federman. (Click here for our in-person services. If you want to watch on Livestream, there’s no need to RSVP – just click the link on our homepage at the time of the service or anytime thereafter).
Also, please save the following May dates for these upcoming memorable events:
- On Friday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m., Israeli artist and art historian Shirel Horovitz will speak and share a PowerPoint presentation on “Exploring Contemporary Israeli Art,” examining it as a window to Israeli history and collective memory. (RSVP now – click here.)
- On Friday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m., my topic at services will be “Ask The Rabbi.” Please bring your questions on any aspect of Judaism, including Reconstructionism, that you’ve always wanted to know. The beauty of Judaism is that there is never only one answer to a question!
(RSVP – click here.)
- On Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m., come to our Annual Gala. This year, we are celebrating the 36th birthday of University Synagogue! Great food, a DJ playing the hits from the 70’s till today, free childcare, live and silent auctions and more. After all, 36 is “double chai,” so join in the fun and become a “double chai roller.” (RSVP – click here.)
- On Friday, May 26, join us for our Annual Congregational Meeting at 5:30 p.m., Pre-Oneg Shabbat at 6:30 p.m., and Shavuot (and Yizkor) services at 7:00 p.m. We’ll honor University Synagogue teachers and students of all ages – from Pre-School to Adult Education – and our Madrichim and Confirmation students will help lead the service. I’ll discuss the traditional Biblical readings of the Ten Commandments and The Book of Ruth, followed by a second Oneg Shabbat at 8:30 p.m. with cheesecake and ice-cream since dairy foods are customary for the holiday. (RSVP – click here.)
There’s so much learning, fun, music, spirituality, good food and culture coming up at University Synagogue during the “Marvelous Month of May.” Please share the joy with us.
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