Go Forth

The Shabbat is nearing.  The idea of rest is tantalizing but also out of reach when a journey is waiting on the side of it.  I have been working around the clock to leave everything in order at the synagogue and to prepare for my leadership responsibilities on the pilgrimage. Rest. Breathe. Reflect. Meditate. They are also important parts of the preparation.

Jews read from the part of Torah this week called Lech Lecha, where Abraham is urged to Go Forth and leave his homeland.  Not only is this appropriate wisdom for preparing for a pilgrimage but it is my Torah portion.  This is what I chanted at my Bar Mitzvah.  I have discovered that one can read this portion as directed to the seeker.  It is perhaps what transformed me into a seeker at 13.

As a seeker, I am warmed by fellow travelers.  Not because they have answers, though at times they do, but because they understand the sacred nature of the journey. Pursuing wisdom is its own reward and sharing the endeavor with others can be rewarding. It is one of the intentions I set for this journey.

As I prepare to leave, I pack stories.  Here is a Chasidic Tale inspired by Lech Lecha and journeying forth and perhaps a metaphor for what happens on a Pilgrimage. 

A man was on a journey that took him through a forest. There he lost his way. After several days of wandering, he encountered another person. To this one he appealed: Can you show me the way out of this forest? The other replied: I too have lost my way. Each path I have taken has been wrong. But at least I know what paths not to take. Let us search for the way out together.

Yes, let's.

Mom 1 Josh 0

I have the unique privilege of having my divorced parents as members in my synagogues. They can make life interesting--and there is a humility built into the experience.  Nothing like parents to remind you of your own humanity and foibles.

As a good Jewish Mom, she worries when I take trips out of the country.  

Once my mom loudly rustled in her purse as she pulled out her sunglasses to "hide" her tears as I explained to the congregation why I was not canceling my trip to Israel even though the Lebanon War had just begun.  Last summer, she endured my return to Israel during the Gaza War. 

Tonight when I tried joking around with her about going to Morocco, she was on her witty A-game.

Yes, Mom 1  Josh 0

Josh, I don't think I will make it to services tomorrow night."

"You do know that if I don't make it back from Morocco that it might be the last time you see me lead services."

"Aren't we having lunch on Sunday."

"Yes, but that's not services."

"It's ok, I still remember the High Holy Days."

"Alright. By the way, I hope it's OK that I have asked in my will that someone read the Jewish Times article where they quote you about me becoming a rabbi. I just want to let you know that people will understand why you weren't there."

"The one where I said, 'I thought you would have become a marine biologist."?

"Well, Mom actually it read, 'I always hoped he would have done something more interesting with his life."

"I was misquoted."

"Try explaining that at my funeral."

"Well if YOU had become a marine biologist you would be in Hawaii now."

Touche, Mom.  Sunday lunch, Round 2!

You Have Packed Your Suitcase, Prepare Your Soul

Dear World Pilgrims,

‘Adventure is a path… your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way, you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind- and perhaps realise that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black and white’ – Mark Jenkins.

As we prepare for this magnificent journey, I wanted to offer all of us the reminder that more than mere travel we are embarking on a beautiful spiritual adventure together.  I have discovered that not only do I return with a greater appreciation for the countries and the peoples we encounter, but my pilgrimage is also a journey within my own soul.

As important as it is to pack our suitcases with our necessities, I would like to suggest that we also be attentive to our own spiritual and growth needs. To that end, I wanted to make a few suggestions to support your experience.

1.  Reflect

Consider taking even a few minutes of silence to reflect on this amazing opportunity.  What does being on a pilgrimage do to you?  What feelings arise? Is there anything you need to do or complete before you to leave to be the most available you can for the experience?

2. Set an Intention (or two)

Ponder what a successful pilgrimage  would feel like?   Is there an intention you might set to help you achieve your personal goals and hopes? For some writing it down and bringing it with you may be resourceful. You also may notice that it serves as your compass or it way transform.

3. Write

Writing can often help us connect to our feelings beneath the surface or serve as a reminder to follow up on an area of interest.  You may like to use a small journal to jot down some thoughts, ideas, prayers or ideas.

4. Bring Your Authentic Full Self

While we are grouped by faith traditions, we are more complex or varied than just our faith tradition. No one is expected to be a paragon of their faith; the only expectation is for you to be you.

5. Pray

If it makes sense in your personal practice, offer a prayer for a meaningful and secure adventure.

May you find the next few days filled with ease and grace as you prepare to leave.  Remember that while there are limits on the size of our luggage, there is unlimited space to bring our fullest sense of kindness, patience and compassion.

See you soon,

Joshua

Revisiting the Declaration of Common Ground

            Twenty pilgrimages and 13 years later, it is hard to understand how groundbreaking and risky the first pilgrimage felt.  We were truly strangers going on a sense of trust and goodwill. We had to iron out many differences and we were formulating the process as we traveled.  Yet, we witnessed a profound transformation of strangers to community.  On the last days of the pilgrimage, we came together and broke into groups to formulate this Declaration of Common Ground. Rereading this as I prepare for our upcoming pilgrimage, I am moved by the integrity of the process and the hopefulness in the pledge.  While the language is a bit “constitutional” for my taste, the sentiment resonates and it brings me great hope even in dark times that we 45 Muslims, Christians and Jews came together and pointed towards a better way.

WORLD PILGRIMS^© DECLARATION OF COMMON GROUND

PREAMBLE

We the inaugural group of World Pilgrims – 45 Jewish Christian and Muslim clergy and community leaders from Greater Atlanta, Georgia – traveled together through Turkey from October 20 -30, 2002, seeking Common Ground.  During this time we build upon our mutual belief that God is the Creator of all human beings and discovered in each other the spiritual abundance that God bestows upon us all.  We prayed, laughed, wept, argued and celebrated together, openly sharing our personal religious journeys and our faith traditions.

We are here to declare to our communities that we have found hope, trust and an abundance of Common Ground.

DECLARATION OF COMMON GROUND

WHEREAS we find the current state of relations among our faith communities strained by misunderstanding and animosity;

WHEREAS people of faith are mandated by God to create conditions in which all human beings may live in harmony and experience their highest potential;

WHEREAS all people are created equal and loved equally by God;

WHEREAS we affirm that remaining faithful and passionate about our own traditions is critical to the continued vibrancy of religious and community life;

WHEREAS we have found commonalities that supersede historical tensions;

AND WHEREAS we are committed to building faith communities based on mutual understanding;

WHEREAS we recognize our obligation to continuously examine our own understanding and practicing of our religions;

THEREFORE, we affirm that we will:

·        Strive to deeply comprehend and respect one another’s views and defend each other’s rights to express those views;

·        Move beyond acknowledgement and tolerance and engage in education and exploration of both our Common Ground and our differences, in order to remove or minimize misunderstandings, misconceptions, myths and stereotypes;

d

·        Create a common agenda to enhance spiritual and social conditions of all faith communities individually and collectively;

·        Cultivate safe spaces where strong convictions are heard without defensiveness and held in mutual trust;

·        Work to build understanding, respect and trust among our clergy and leaderships, and our congregations and constituents;

·        Support each other in our efforts to build interfaith dialogue and cooperation;

·        Challenge the forces in our own communities that promote fear over faith, violence over dialogue and disrespect over understanding.

RESOLUTION

We, the World Pilgrims of Atlanta, commit to hold each other accountable to upholding these principles in the same spirit of friendship and love shared on this Pilgrimage.

We invite all people of faith who agree with these principles and who seek Common Ground to join this movement to build communities guided by God’s World, Grace and Peace.

We are leaving in 4 days! Let these words be our guide.