Rosh HaShanah: Hello TIPTY!
Sermon by Rabbi Jennifer Hartman
2018/5779
Hello TIPTY!
I missed you guys last year! Thank you for your understanding of my maternity leave. And while I’m speaking to everyone in attendance today, I want you to know that YOU are the inspiration for today’s sermon! I am sorry I am going to have my back to you, but I hope you will still listen!
With the production of Hamilton being in town, I would be remiss if I did not reference it! In the show, Hamilton uses the refrain:
I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
I’m just like my country
I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwing away my shot
So many of the most amazing changes in history were started by ambitious, energetic, and brave young people – like you. This includes the establishment of the United States of America. At our nation’s inception, three of our most influential founding fathers were James Monroe at 19 years old, Aaron Burr at 20, and Alexander Hamilton at 21. I understand this may be too “ancient history” for you to feel a connection with these great historical figures. So, let us look more recently. How about to the 1960s when four black teenagers walked up to the all-white Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C. and refused to leave – leading to countless sit-ins that swept the South, and forced our country to confront racial injustice.
Or how about the 1970s uprising of black high school students in Johannesburg, South Africa. At this time, the white and black communities spoke different languages. The South African government made a law that only the white language could be spoken, making it nearly impossible for black teachers to teach and for black students to learn. This government mandate was forcing these students into poverty, without any chance of upward mobility. Several of these students courageously responded with a peaceful protest, which turned deadly when police attacked the students with guns and tear gas. The parents of these students could not understand what their children had done.These parents felt that, by standing up and challenging their government, their children were only making life worse for the community. But these inspirational students understood that this new law meant the end of their education and that was untenable for them. Their protest brought international attention and outrage to issues of racial equality, which ultimately led to the dismantling of Apartheid.
Or we can look to this past February when the students of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL turned their tragedy into action. These students took up the cause of gun control and have not only spoken with President Trump, but have also persuaded companies such as Delta and United Airlines, Hertz and Avis Car Rentals, and Metlife Insurance to cut their ties with the National Rifle Association. These students have done more in a few short months than many lobbying groups, with much deeper pockets, have done in years.
In all ages, society has leaned on its youth to have visions of a better future, while listening to its elders share their dreams about a life once lived. As the prophet Joel so eloquently teaches in the Tanach – “the old shall dream dreams, and the young shall see visions.” During the time that the prophet Joel lived, only select individuals - those who showed their commitment to God by living lives dedicated to helping the vulnerable and taking care of our earth - were given the gift of prophecy. Joel prophesizes that in days to come, in a world where we all work toward justice, at that time, all of our youth will have visions of the future, all will hear and pay attention to God’s voice. While we do not yet live in this more perfect time, we do live in an amazing era where our young adults not only see visions of what needs to be done, but have the courage to act on these visions to help build a future of which we can all be proud.
I want to tell you, the youth who are here today, the ones in the TIPTY choir and the ones in the congregation: the adults in your world are noticing all that you do! While I was working on this very sermon, a friend sent me a text asking if I wanted topic suggestions. Out of curiosity I replied “sure.” He texted: “If I could write the sermon, my topic would be ‘How adults in our country need to be as good as our youth.’” I was delighted to have evidence that I am not the only one who notices all of the work you are doing and change you are making. While we debate and discuss, you are out there getting things done. You are changing the world. Do you, the youth of our congregation, our world, truly understand the power that you have? The difference that you can make? I still hear too many of you question the kind of impact you could have; I see you shrug your shoulders in defeat. The reality is that you are the ones who inspire the rest of us to act.
In 2015 I traveled with a group of 8th grade students to Alabama and Georgia to explore the intersection of the Civil Rights movement and Judaism. The movie Selma had just come out and it was the 50th anniversary of the march which happened because of the work of two brave young people – James Bevel and Diane Nash. James and Diane understood that segregation was eating at the soul, not only of their community, but of the nation. Our group thought of their courage as we walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with images of the beatings in our head. When we entered the town of Selma we were met by a middle-aged and very energetic woman named Joanne. She pulled us all together with her strong yet sweet voice and began to tell us her story.She spoke of the rush of excitement in early spring of 1965, as she walked across the bridge surrounded by her community, holding hands with her family. And then the sheer terror she felt as the police descended on the march. She remembers being beaten to the ground and out of nowhere being picked up and put into a car and taken to safety. The events of that day defined her and her drive to bring equality to her community. She challenged the students on the trip to find their passion and not let anything get in their way.
Joanne did not know it at the time, but standing in the front of the line, next to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The two became fast friends in the early 1960s. Both were speakers at a conference on religion and race organized by the National Conference of Christians and Jews[1]. They supported one another through many endeavors including the march from Selma to Montgomery. After the march, Rabbi Heschel was asked if he had time to pray on the journey. He responded, “I felt my legs were praying.” His marching, his protesting, his speaking out for Civil Rights was his greatest prayer of all. He, as well as Joanne from Selma, did not let anything interfere with their vision, or actions towards, a more accepting, more equal, and more just society.
You, the students of Temple Israel, the students of Minneapolis, have as much courage, passion, and fortitude as all of the students I have been talking about; these characteristics are ingrained in you, and I marvel at this all the time. In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting earlier this year, you coordinated walkouts at your schools in conjunction with your peers in Florida. Through the organization Students Demand Action, you planned and implemented a march that brought thousands to our state capital.
Your civic involvement is unprecedented in many ways.This is why I was not surprised to learn that youth, ages 18 to 24, decided the 2008 election. Just by showing up to vote in greater numbers than previous decades, you changed the course of history and elected the first black president of the United States. In fact, according to the Youth Electoral Significance Index, voters between 18-29 years old will have the greatest impact of any age group on our Minnesota elections. The races here are projected to be very close and in close races, even slight boosts in youth voting could mean the difference between defeat and victory for candidates from either party. It is our responsibility as part of the Jewish community to play an active role in choosing our leaders. The Talmud teaches that "A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted."[2] Judaism views voting as a responsibility and as US citizens, it is our privilege and an opportunity for each of us to express our beliefs on what is best for our country.
Not only do we, your parents, teachers, and clergy, listen to you and find inspiration in your words and your actions, we are also here to help you develop your skills of advocacy.Many of these skills are already built into what you do at school[3]. Problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and perseverance are all a part of your daily experience. This morning, I have given you historical and modern-day examples of youth and young adults who are using these skills to change history. My hope is that you will see yourselves in these stories, see that the current movements you are already a part of are connected to those you learn about in history class. Your work for justice also connects you to our Jewish tradition. If you have not yet reached confirmation, 10th grade, then you will soon learn more about this link. During Confirmation class, Temple Israel students connect their Jewish learning to activism and spend the year studying Jewish texts - Torah, Tanach, Talmud. In these studies I work to show you how ancient texts are directly connected to current events. Together, we use these texts to lobby on Capitol Hill! Jewish tradition supports you when you choose to protest or organize or speak truth to power.
You, the youth of today, are a part of a community of young people with a shared vision of a more equitable society that stretches back to Alexander Hamilton and even farther – to Moses, to King David, and to Rabbi Hillel who is so often quoted as saying:
If I am not for myself who will be for me?
If I am only for myself who am I?
If not now, when?
If not now, if not when you are young and energetic, when you are idealistic and committed, then when will you, or any of us, have the determination to do this most important work? You, the youth of today, have the knowledge, the passion, and the resources to change our world. I want to be sure, before we leave this morning, that you know, unequivocally, that you have this power, this strength, this courage and that we, your teachers, your parents, your trusted adults are here to support you in your passions and, mostly, to stay out of your way as you work to bring justice to this world.I strongly believe, knowing you as I do, that you are NOT going to throw away your shot!
[1]https://www.plough.com/en/topics/community/leadership/two-friends-two-prophets
[2]Babylonian Talmud Berachot 55a
[3]https://www.ted.com/talks/sydney_chaffee_social_justice_belongs_in_our_schools/transcript?rss#t-593794