On January 20th, 2017, Rabbi Sari Laufer delivered this sermon the evening that we inaugurated our 45th president. ย Many were very moved by her message and we wanted to share it, with her permission.ย
BE A MIDWIFE
Inauguration Shabbat 2017
Rabbi Sari R. Laufer
It must have been dark; these things seem to happen in the middle of the night.
It must have been frighteningโthe darkness and the chaos combined with a rush of adrenaline coursing through their bodies.
It must have been exhilaratingโnot the sheer physicality of the task, but the emotional risk, and payoff, of the choice they made.
The screams of the woman in labor. The coaching. The yelling. The silence. The intake of breath. The cry of an infant. The silence. The agony. The fear. The unknown. But the power. The power. Each time, each night, each birthโ standing on the precipice. Quietly resisting. Quietly moving forward. Quietly creating a future.
In the midst of it all: an angry Moses, a dead Egyptian, a burning bush, a Divine revelationโthe Book of Exodus opens with a quiet revolution, a model of resistance, a testament to the power of individuals, of women, life, birth, and hope.
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shifra and Puah, 16 โWhen you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.โ 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.ย (Exodus 1:15-17)
In the darkness, they created light. In the fear, they found moral courage. Under the rule of unjust leadership, they found spiritual resistance. To fear God, to revere God and hear Godโs call over that of our flawed human leadership, is to find a sense of history and future, to understand our place in eternity, to play a moral and spiritual long game.
It is 5am on an April morning in 1992, just across town. Along with my mother and other members of our synagogue community, I climb aboard a bus headed to Washington, DC for a major rallyโthe March for Womenโs Lives. On that day, marching proudly as a member of a Reform synagogue, I learned what it meant to put values into action. On that day, I learned that Judaism had a language for that; I learned that Judaism had a language that spoke deeply to the social issues of our time. On that day, I knew I wanted to become fluent in that language, the language of the prophets who teach us that Godโs work, holy work, is in feeding the hungry and housing the homeless, in clothing the naked and freeing the captive. If youโve heard me speak of my path to the rabbinate, of why I became a rabbiโyouโve heard me speak about text and tradition, about Israel and Jewish time, perhaps about the Divine and prayer. But none of those relationshipsโnothing that I learned or felt or sought in Judaism, would have happened if not for that dark April morning. The fear, the unknownโbut also the power.
I know that for many of us in this room tonight, today was a dark day. Today was a day of fear and sadness and anger and trepidation. Kol hatchalot kashot, our text teaches usโall beginnings are difficult, but today feels more than that. It feels scary. It feels heavy. It feels unsure and unjust. And, I think even if you sit across the political divide from me—you will acknowledge that there has been a breach, that we as a people are fractured and broken as never before in my memory. Today feels like a dark dayโbut, in the words of Valerie Kaur, a Sikh teacher and activistย โ”What if this darkness is not the darkness of the tomb โ but the darkness of the womb?” What if today, this moment, is a moment of birthโfraught with danger, but also with endless possibility.
Like many of you, I sought out this place on the Shabbat after Election Day. Newborn daughter on my chest, I stood in this Sanctuaryโwith an almost High Holy Day crowdโseeking community, seeking consolationโbut above all, seeking inspiration and hope. And I found itโand continue to find itโin this place and with all of you. So too, tonight, I look to youโto usโnot only for comfort, but for inspiration. For the courage of moral and spiritual resistance. Because it is what our tradition demands, and it is what we can do.
There are hundreds of texts which I could share tonightโtexts that implore us to protect, to love, the stranger and the orphan and the widow. Texts thatย remind us to leave the corners of our fields for those who do not have enough. Texts that speak of justice and of righteousness. Texts that form the core of our Torah and prophetic tradition. Texts that you have read or heard a thousand times. Instead, I want to offer you this teaching. Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, the first chief rabbi of what would become the State of Israel, spoke of our responsibility, as humans and as committed Jews. He wrote:
The righteous need not accept evil, but rather increase righteousness in the world. They need not accept rejection, but rather increase faith in the world. They need not accept ignorance, but rather increase wisdom in the world.
This is our task, our mandate, the foundation of our spiritual resistance and moral courage; this is the work of the midwives. We need not accept hatred, but rather increase love in the world. We need not accept xenophobia, but rather increase our welcome. We need not accept misogyny, but rather increase feminism in the world. We need not accept homophobia, racism, anti- Semitism, but rather increase justice and equality in the world. We need not accept dishonesty, but rather increase truth in the world. We need not accept violence, but rather increase compassion in the world. Increase trust. Increase hope.
Increase love. Increase love. Increase love.
We will do it in small waysโin everyday acts of kindness and compassion; a smile on the subway, a kind word or gesture when someone is struggling. We will do it privatelyโthrough our donations and our rituals at home. We will do it publiclyโstanding proudly with and for our black, brown, white, Muslim, Christian, atheist, gay, straight, transgender, immigrant neighbors; weโll do it in Washington, DC and Albany, speaking truth to powerโmaking calls and writing emails and visiting our elected officials–holding up our values, our hopes, and our vision. And we will do it Jewishlyโguided, inspired, and commanded by the words of our Torah, a teaching that is deeply politicalโฆ.though non-partisan. And, we will do it togetherโin community and in power.
Some of us started this morning, packing backpacks for hungry children in New York City. Some of us are starting tonight, opening our spiritual home for men in need of a safe place to spend a night. Some of us will start tomorrow; in the streets of Manhattan and Washington, DC. We might start the next day, or the nextโbut know this: We need notโwe MUST notโsimply accept what is. We mustโwe are commandedโto work for what can still be.
Last Shabbat, Rabbi Levine quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jrโs final sermon to his congregationโtitled The Drum Major Instinct. In prescient, powerful, and poignant words, he told his congregation what he hoped would be said about him at his funeral:
And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. (Yes)
And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prizeโthat isnโt important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awardsโthatโs not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. (Yes)
I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. (Yes)
I’d like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.
I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. (Amen)
I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. (Yes)
And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. (Yes)
I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. (Lord)
I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. (Yes)
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness.
Amen vโamenโwould that I could ever give a sermon that good. Yes, to all of those visions and hopes. Yes.
But tonight, I want us to imagine something else. Dr. King himself, in that very speech, first touches on the dangers of the drum major model–of its temptations and weaknesses. I want to imagine a model of leadership, of courage, and of resistance that is not that of Moses. One that is not that of Dr. King. In the spirit of this Shabbat, of all Shabbatot, I want to offer a model that is, I say proudly, a little more female. Let us be midwives–not one single person leading a crowd, but a collective power that urges us to resist. To breathe. To push. To birth. To birth hope, and love, and a new reality.
I want us to be midwives; we can be leaders who coach and comfort, who guide and grapple, who usher new hope and potential into the world. And so, tonight, on this Shabbat, on this Inauguration day: Let us strive to be midwives. Midwives of justice. Midwives of compassion. Midwives of righteousness. Midwives of kindness. Midwives of love. Each time, each night, each birthโstanding on the precipice. Resisting. Moving forward. Creating a new future. Loudly. Proudly. Together.
Increasing love. Increasing love. Increasing love.
Amen.
Justin Callis (he/him), our Cantorial Intern, is a fourth-year student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. He is the recipient of the Reuben Peretz Abelson Prize for dedication to Yiddish Song, the Temple Israel of Boston Cantorial Prize, and the Lee Gura Memorial Prize for Aptitude in Synagogue Choral Music.
Sarah Adams, viola, performs locally with the New York Chamber Ensemble, theย Claring Chamber Players, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Friends of Mozart, and the Saratoga Chamber Players.
Violinist Michael Roth is a native of Scarsdale, NY and received his early musical training with Frances Magnes at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School. He attended Oberlin College and Conservatory, continuing his studies with Marilyn McDonald. At Oberlin, he won the Kaufman Prize for violin and First Prize in the Ohio String Teacher’s Association Competition. He completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Massachusetts where he worked with the distinguished American violinist and pedagogue Charles Treger and was a recipient of the Julian Olevsky Award.ย Mr. Roth is currently associate concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and has appeared in chamber music and as a soloist with the company, most recently in the debut of “Slice Too Sharp”, a ballet of Biber and Vivaldi violin concerti, and “After the Rain”, violin music of Arvo Part. In addition he is a member of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Principal 2nd violin of the Westchester Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra and the New York Pops. He was concertmaster of the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra for many years and often appeared as soloist there, as well as at the Caramoor and Bard Music Festivals. He has played and toured internationally with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the New York Chamber Soloists.
Known for his sweet and โsumptuousโ (New York Times) tone, American-born Doori Na took up violin at the age of four and began his studies with Li Lin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He quickly made his first performance with orchestra at age seven with the Peninsula Youth Symphony as the first prize winner of the concerto competition. Thereafter Mr. Na went on to win top prizes in The Sound of Music Festival, The Korea Times Youth Music Competition, the Chinese Music Teacherโs Association, The Menuhin Dowling Young Artist Competition, The Junior Bach Festival, VOCE of the Music Teacherโs Association of California, and The Pacific Musical Society. Receiving full scholarships to private high school Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, he moved to Los Angeles to study with renown violin teacher, Robert Lipsett, at The Colburn Music School. There he appeared as soloist with the Palisades Symphony, Brentwood Symphony, and Torrance Symphony. During that time, the summer of 2004 was Mr. Naโs first time at the Perlman Music Program where his expression and musical identity were greatly influenced. He has been a part of the program ever since and participated in many of their special residencies in Florida, Vermont, New York, and Israel.
Alan Goodis is a touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. Born and raised in Toronto, Alan is a proud product of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan tours throughout the US to serve as an Artist-In-Residence and performer at Temples, Youth Conventions and Jewish summer camps.
Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her gorgeous compositions and liturgical settings, her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for over 25 years.
Dan is a product of the URJ Jewish camping movement. He has toured Jewish summer camps across North America for the last 15 years. A classically trained singer, Dan received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at the University of North Carolina. In 1995, realizing the potential of music to make powerful connections with Jewish youth, Dan established the Jewish rock band Eighteen. Since that time, Dan and Eighteen have released 13 albums. Songs like, Lโtakein, Bโtzelem Elo-him, Kehillah Kedoshah, Chazak, Sweet As Honey, and Asher Yatzar have become Jewish communal anthems throughout North America.
Naomi Less is an internationally celebrated singer/songwriter, ritualist and educator. Beloved for her warm smile and inviting presence, communities celebrate her imagination and innovation, tenderness and pizzazz! Her original music is sung in worship communities worldwide. Naomi serves as Co-Founder, Ritual Leader and Associate Director of Lab/Shul and is a leader in amplifying women’s voices through her work at Songleader Boot Camp and her Jewish Women Rock show on Jewish Rock Radio. Naomiadvocates for people struggling with fertility journeys as a performance artist and speaker for Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Challenges. Fun fact: Naomi and her husband wrote the song shine/Yivarech’cha, a Friday night blessing, specifically composed for URJ Crane Lake Camp, sung every Friday night in the dining hall.
Her destiny became obvious to Joanie Leedsโ parents when, at the tender age of 2, Joanie grabbed the performerโs mic at a party and belted out the entire songโTomorrowโ from Annie. Jaws dropped! No one could remember ever hearing a big voice like that coming from one so tiny and certainly no one would have thought she would one day earn a GRAMMYยฎ Award for her original music.
A composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader, Elana Arian is one of the leading voices in contemporary Jewish music. Elanaโs music is part of Jewish life across the globe, and her compositions are sung in spiritual communities, summer camps, and synagogues from Louisville to London, from Chicago to the CzechRepublic, and everywhere in between. Elana just released her fourth album of original music, The Other Side of Fear, and her compositions have been published in countless Transcontinental Music collections. Elana serves proudly on the faculty of Hava Nashira (Oconomowoc, WI), the Wexner Heritage Foundation (Aspen, CO), Shirei Chagiga (London, England), and as an instructor at the Hebrew Union College in New York, where she teaches in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Elana has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, and perhaps most memorably, five separate appearances at the (Obama) White House. She lives in New York with her wife, Julia, and their two daughters, Maya and Acadia.
Known for his unique, engaging, and deeply soulful approach, Noah Aronson is considered one of the most sought after Jewish musicians in North America, making over 65 community appearances each year.
There is a reason why Time Magazine has listed Michelle in their Top Ten list of Jewish rock stars.
Kol BโSeder has been composing and performing contemporary Jewish music since the early1970s. Rabbi Dan Freelander and Cantor Jeff Klepper met as college students; over the past 50years they have released numerous CDs and songbooks. With Debbie Friedman (z”l) and others, they forged a new musical sound for American Jewish camps, schools and synagogues. Their songs, such as “Shalom Rav,โ โModeh Ani,โ and “Lo Alecha,” have become traditionalJewish melodies around the world. They are delighted to be inaugurating their fiftieth anniversary celebration by appearing in support of URJ camps, where they first composed and incubated many of their early songs.
Rabbi Mira Weller (she/her) received her ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in May 2022. She studied Culture and Politics at Georgetown Universityโs School of Foreign Service and received her Masterโs in Jewish Education at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR. She is the proud recipient of awards for her studies in rabbinic literature, her work in Jewish education, and she was granted the Myrtle Lorch Pfaelzer-Monroe Pfaelzer Award for an Outstanding Female Rabbinical School Student (2022). Rabbi Mira speaks Hebrew and Spanish (so please practice with her!). She has a passion for uncovering new possibilities in the great wealth of our tradition and for making music inspired by Judaismโs many cultures. Her guilty pleasures include cupcakes, classical music, and philosophy.
New York bassist Roger Wagner enjoys a long and diverse career. As soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral bassist, Mr. Wagner has appeared on many of the world’s great concert stages.
Sarah Adams 
Leonard Bernstein described 
Praised by the New York Times as โirresistible in both music and performance.โ flutist, 
Margaret Kampmeier, 
Michael Roth
Our initiative for young children and their grown-ups provides a slate of offerings including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, music, classroom readiness programs, and new parent experiences. During the pandemic, we have leaned on $1m of seed funding for Sholom Sprouts established through this campaign as we offer age-appropriate virtual programs for our families with young children, who are the future of our community. We look forward to welcoming our littlest members and their grown-ups back to our new fifth floor, as well as hiring a Program Assistant to increase the capacity of Sholom Sprouts to grow. This program provides a crucial entry-point to the congregation and membership for young families.
