What is the greatest challenge facing the Jewish community in Memphis and Judaism in America?

The greatest challenge facing the Memphis Jewish community is a sustainable future. We have plenty of buildings but could use more bodies. From 1940-1990, Memphis was the only Jewish community in America with virtually the same numeric population – 10,000 Jews. An aging community and college kids taking jobs in larger cities means that we must find ways to retain and attract more Jewish folks to Memphis. It is an urgent demographic matter. We’ve gone from being one of many Southern Jewish communities to serving as THE Jewish “hub” for a four-state region. Our challenge is not only to be proud inheritors of the past, but to be something far greater – ancestors of future generations of Memphis Jews who want to live right here.

What is the greatest challenge facing the Jewish community in Memphis and Judaism in America?

Today all of us face the challenges of multitasking and being constantly on the go. We use Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging to communicate our schedules, our whereabouts and to just check in with our friends and family. Yet even with all this technology, we should never forget the importance of face to face conversations and taking real time, not quality time, to be with our loved ones. One of the key beliefs in Judaism is that in order to maximize the authenticity and the sincerity of the message we want to send to our children. We cannot hide behind the screen and push the send button, thinking that the computer or iPhone will do the work for us. We are not against technological advancement, we embrace it and use it, but it cannot and should not replace actual family time.

In the Biblical narrative of Shema Yisrael, Deuteronomy 6:7, it says “You shall teach them thoroughly to your children and you shall speak of them.” This vehicle of conveying an authentic tradition, a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation, is the basis for Judaism. This is especially true as we approach Rosh Hashanah, which according to our Jewish tradition, is the day Adam and Eve were created. The gift from G-d to them was their ability to speak to each other, heart to heart, face to face. The Jewish people and the entire world should never replace a true conversation with a text message. On Rosh Hashanah we hear the simple sound of the shofar, which brings us back to our origins and reminds us what our beliefs and values truly are.

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein is the Senior Rabbi at Baron Hirsch Congregation.

What is the greatest challenge facing the Jewish community in Memphis and Judaism in America?

As inheritors of an ancient and elaborate set of rituals and traditions, it is not easy to transmit all this information, unless we give our children a very extensive Jewish education. Making sure that most Jewish children grow up with a rich knowledge of the Bible, the Talmud, Jewish law, history, language, and philosophy, is a daunting task. This problem is exacerbated by the economic challenges which face us. Then, assuming one could provide this education for all of our children, how do we convey not only the information, but also the sense of commitment to Judaism?

To some degree, we are simply part of the global community who are all suffering from the same maladies: unemployment and economic challenges, while at the same time, suffering from a culture of materialism and meaninglessness.

We also face challenges unique to us. As Jews, we need to be concerned with the State of Israel and the security of her citizens. It’s not OK that about a million of her residents feel under threat of rocket attack from Hamas in Gaza, and there is concern that concessions on the ground in the West Bank could eventually lead to similar threats in almost every town in Israel. Most Jews are interested in the Palestinians finding a place of dignity among the family of nations, but the hostility coming from Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, and Iran, does not bode well for future co-existence.

We as Jews have many concerns for the coming year. Our first concern is the safety of Jews around the world. Our second concern is that our children be as Jewishly knowledgeable as possible. Our third concern, which makes the second concern most challenging, is that everyone have the resources to live our dreams of a safe, secure, and meaningful life.

A special Rosh Hashanah message from Father Vieron:

The ancient Eastern Orthodox Church has “stolen” from God’s Chosen people the concept of the New Year, designating September 1st as the beginning of The New ECCLESIASTICAL Year! A very important day in the Church.

With this difference: Whereas Rosh Hashanah is a moveable High Holy Day (usually at about this time of the year) in the early Eastern Orthodox Church, it is a fixed day – always on September 1.

Furthermore, in all the Patriarchates of the Eastern Orthodox churches, a solemn Service is commemorated on September 1, inscribing in what is referred to as “The Book of Life!” – another stolen concept from those who worship near the Star of David.

We who worship in the Shadow of His Holy Cross remain grateful to the Jewish Faith for this and…for many more reasons.

Here’s the invocation I delivered Monday, Sept. 26, to the Touchdown Club at Chickasaw Country Club:

Heavenly Father, for those who worship near The Star of David, this week marks the celebration of Rosh Hashanah – the beginning of The New Year and for some of the early Christian Liturgical Churches, who confess to “stealing” from Your Chosen People, the observance of the New Ecclesiastical Year! Your people, O Lord, have a beautiful custom of consuming apples dipped in honey as a symbol for a sweet New Year. May we who worship in the Shadow of Your Cross also taste the sweetness that comes from Above, from You, O Lord and Savior – the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

What an exciting fortnight this has been! Wins and losses we never expected but that is what makes our gridiron encounters exciting to all of us. Of course, we peek in on Sunday afternoons to see what the big boys are doing and on the diamonds to follow the play-off possibilities, but its our beloved college games that we love to….live and die for! Thank You, O Lord.

We are honored this evening with the presence of Your son, James. A native of Pennsylvania, 38-year-old Franklin comes to us with an illustrious past, having spent 8 years on the Maryland coaching staff. In addition to his offensive acumen, he is regarded as one of the Nation’s top recruiters and had helped the Terrapins signing star recruits. His philosophy as the new coach of The Commodores is, “First, the State of Tennessee, next, the world!” And with a 3-1 record and a decent showing over 9th ranked Shiellie’s Team, this past week-end, who can doubt him. We in the Bluff City love the Nashville Institution of higher learning. We look forward to loving Your son, James, too; who sought us out to be with us this evening in what we hope will be an annual visit. His presence graces us with an added speaker whom we look forward to this evening, as well as to another epicurean dinner. We invoke Your Blessing upon Your son, James, upon his wife, Fumi and their two daughters, Ava and Addison.

Bless the food and drink set before us, multiply them the world over for the good of mankind and us to Thy Service as we say, Kyrie Eleison and AMEN.