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By Rabbi Sharyn Henry May 18, 2012 26 Iyar, 5772 This week we complete the reading of Vayikra, Leviticus. In Ashkenazi congregations there is ritual that takes place each time we complete the public reading of a book of Torah. After the Torah reader reads the last words of a book in the Torah, before the recitation of the final blessing of the person doing the aliyah, the entire congregation, followed by the reader, recites aloud, “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek—Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened.” We have to imagine that the rabbis who originated this tradition had a reason for it, although the closest thing to an explanation I have found is a source. There is a strong link between this phrase and the words spoken to Joshua and to the community by Moses on the last day of his life. Twice on that day Moses charged Joshua in front of all Israel, “Chazak v’emematz—Be strong and courageous” (Dt. 31: 7 and 23). As the mantle of leadership was passed from Moses to Joshua, the people were likely to have felt vulnerable at a moment of so much change. It was a time when the rules weren’t necessarily clear and there was uncertainty about what the future would bring. Moses’ words brought comfort and support to a fearful people.

I was blessed to have had the opportunity to become a rabbi and serve the Jewish community in a time when the doors to the rabbinate were open to women. As we celebration the 40^th anniversary of Sally Priesand’s ordination, I am acutely aware that this was not always the case. Rabbi Priesand and the generation of pioneering women who came before me pushed through closed doors and laid out a welcome mat for women like me. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their perseverance. I am also reminded of the generations of women who came before them – women to banged on the doors, nudged them ever so slightly, and loosened the hinges of those closed doors. They may never be feted the way we mark the milestones of Rabbi Priesand’s ordination, but surely they deserve a nod from us at moments like this.

As we all know (I hope!), our thirteen Reform camps offer the most inspiring Judaism our children can experience. More than 10,000 youngsters had a taste of a Reform Jewish summer in 2011, and this year’s registration numbers are even better. I have the pleasure of serving as the Chair of the URJ Camp Harlam Council. Harlam is our camp located in the Pocono Mountains, northeast of Philadelphia. We serve nearly 1,000 campers and 225 staff each summer. Additionally, I am honored to be a Vice-Chair of the NAC, our Reform North American camping organization that has oversight for the camps. As an engaged participant in NAC events and meetings, I appreciate the benefit of ‘seeing the big picture’. A few days ago, Director of Camps and Israel Programs Paul Reichenbach shared a  Confirmation essay with the NAC community. Its author, Maura Grindle from Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, Maryland attended our three-year old North American sports camp called 6 Points (www.6pointsacademy.org ). Kids from around the world have come to 6 Points. Its success is unparalleled. Sports experts offer clinics and training expertise in a variety of sports. But 6 Points is far more than just a sports camp.  It teaches Jewish values and pride, albeit within the sports setting. As you read Maura’s essay, think of your own children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all the kids in your Religious Schools. Have they had this experience?  How would they relate their Jewish lives to daily experiences? Would playing Lacrosse or basketball connect them with God? When our kids play Little League at home, do they learn that compassion and humility are as important as courage and determination?

By Rabbi Joshua S. Taub The chief executive of a large company was greatly admired for his energy and drive. But he suffered from one embarrassing weakness: each time he entered the president's office to make his weekly report he would wet his pants! The kindly president advised him to see an urologist at company expense. But when he appeared before the president the following week, his pants were wet again! “Didn't you see the urologist?” Asked the president. “No, he was out. I saw a psychiatrist instead, and I'm cured,” the executive replied. “I no longer feel embarrassed!” - The Spirituality of Imperfection, Kurtz & Ketchem Imperfection is a reality of our existence. While my mother insists I am perfect, Ralph Waldo Emerson more accurately speaks the truth when he says “there is a crack in everything God has made.” It can be a revelatory moment in our lives when we recognize and embrace our imperfections. After all, it is only through our “cracks” that God's light is able to shine and illuminate the world.

In honor of Mother's Day, WRJ's President, Lynn Magid Lazar, and Executive Director, Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, were asked to pose May's Big Question for The Global Day of Jewish Learning. Their question: "As Jewish law commands us to 'Honor your Father and your Mother', on this Mother’s Day, how do we fulfill our obligation to honor our mothers? Is there any difference between how we honor our mothers and how we honor our fathers?" was answered by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz below (and on the Global Day site).

by Peter Radvanszki I spend the last year of my studies in Toulouse, France, where I have a full-time placement in the Liberal Jewish Community of Toulouse, which allows me to help develop the community in several ways. Besides the usual rabbinic tasks of leading services and teaching, I started a cantillation course, in order to create a new generation of Torah readers in the community. There are around six very enthusiastic participants in the course, which is a huge number in such a small community. The community had a lot of success in the past few months. We moved into a new building which allowed us to increase the number of the participants in services and programs. The new place gives us huge potential to grow in number and in to increase the number of educational programs.

“You shall be holy for Adonai your God is holy” are words so important that they are read from the Torah two times during the year; this week in Parashat Kedoshim and on Yom Kippur afternoon. Not only does God command us to be holy, but what follows, often called the Holiness Code, is a veritable guide on how to live that holy life. This one portion exemplifies Jewish tradition and Jewish ethics. Listed in this short section, to name but a few, are mitzvot concerning: ritual observance, care for the poor and physically challenged, fair treatment of workers, and legal justice. We learn that our relationships with each other can, and must be, as holy as our relationship with God. In essence, “You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” For the past almost 100 years Women of Reform Judaism has taken these words to heart. Through advocacy and fund raising, WRJ works to bring justice and fairness to our world and strives to keep Reform Judaism flourishing. Whether fighting for human rights or making sure that there is a place for our teens in the Reform Movement by creating NFTY or contributing $90,000 to the Campaign for Youth Engagement, Women of Reform Judaism is there.

I recently had the opportunity to represent WRJ at two events dealing with social action issues. Living in the greater DC area, both of these meetings were easily accessible in downtown Washington, and I welcomed the opportunity to be part of an impressive network of people coming together for tikkun olam, the repair of our world. The first event that I attended was a senate briefing where a panel of national policy experts presented evidence in support of S. 1925, the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2011. Originally passed in 1994, VAWA has been hugely instrumental in the fight against intimate partner violence.  Even before the passage of the 1994 act, however, WRJ was involved in the grassroots efforts to bring this issue to the national forefront and helped craft the initial VAWA legislation. It was an honor to sit in the audience in the Senate building in January and to be part of WRJ’s continuing effort to help end domestic and partner violence.

By Rabbi Alana Wasserman After my daughter was born (a little over four years ago), I remained in the hospital with her for five days. While most people may not relish the thought of spending any time in a hospital, I loved every minute of it. This was my private bonding time with my new baby girl. In a way, I felt as though this time was a divine gift. As it turns out, not only was this a divine gift, but something mothers are commanded to do.