Dear Friends,

“How was your trip?” This is the question I continue to field even as I write this article. The trip, of course, is the congregational trip that took 29 of us from Austria to the Czech Republic, Israel and Jordan. How was the trip? It was amazing, rich, challenging and eye-opening. We saw and experienced many wondrous things. I want to share some of my thoughts, feelings and reactions to this two week journey. The nature of the Covenant calls for this to be done through three brief snapshots.

Our first stop was in Vienna, Austria. I have to say Austria was not a comfortable place for me at all. The first person our tour guide highlighted at the Schönbrunn Palace was the 18th century Empress, Maria Theresa, who promulgated some of the most rabidly anti-Semitic laws in Europe. To this day, Austrians see themselves as the victims of Hitler and not his willing partners. Austria has yet to deal honestly with its role in World War II. The Jewish community of Austria was all but lost. Yet we had the enormous privilege to share Erev Shabbat Services with the progressive Jewish community of Vienna, a small, vibrant and growing community that welcomed us with the same warmth and joy we use to greet guests at Temple Jeremiah. I was given the great honor of offering the D'var Torah and noted just as the congregation was celebrating its 18th or Chai year, so, too, was I celebrating my 18th or Chai year as a rabbi. With great generosity and a genuine sense of inclusion, the worship was conducted in Hebrew, German and English. What really impressed us was the spirit of the place. Congregation Or Chadash (New Light) sings with great gusto. Many melodies were familiar, some were new and some were familiar with new flourishes. As a group we came away energized knowing Am Yisrael Chai, the People of Israel lives in Vienna.

In Prague we had a magnificent day touring the Jewish Quarter. As in most of Europe, WWII decimated the Jews. Yet the richness of this Jewish community could not be muted. The synagogue buildings to this day are beautiful and majestic. The streets were crowded with tourists from all over the world who have come to learn what once was and what exists today. It was thrilling to walk the same streets legend says were walked upon by the Golem, the homunculus created by Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of Prague, in the 16th century. It was said he created a golem out of clay to protect the Jewish community from Blood Libel and to do physical labor, since golems are very strong. Another version says it was close to Easter in 1580 and a Jew-hating priest was trying to incite Christians against Jews. So the golem protected the community during Easter. Both versions recall the golem running amok and threatening innocent lives, so Rabbi Loew removed the Divine Name, rendering the golem lifeless. Ultimately, the golem could not guarantee the safety and survival of the Jewish community. What saved the community is its commitment to Torah and hearing the contemporary voice of Torah that guides the nascent progressive Jewish community. The richness of what was in Prague bodes well for what can be in years to come.

Arriving in Israel is always, for me, transforming, particularly after a week in Europe. There is one exper-ience, out of so many powerful experiences, that stands out. In 1977 I spent a semester as an exchange student in Israel during which we spent a week at a field school that is part of Kibbutz Sde Boker, Ben Gurion's kibbutz. After a long day of hiking under an incredibly hot sun, we came to the edge of a cliff. Below us we saw a wondrous sight ... a waterfall in the middle of the desert with a large pool. As a group we screamed, ran down the path, jumped in the water and screamed again as the cold water chilled our sun-baked bodies. The place was called Ein Avdat. One of the last places on our trip was this same Ein Avdat. As I led our group to the waterfall, I was transported back in time. I relived one of the formative experiences that connected me to the path that led me to Jeremiah. Israel has this power. I cherish the time we spent there and the wonderful group of people with whom I shared it. New friendships formed and old friendships deepened. I look forward to the opportunity to share this experience with other Temple Jeremiah members in the years to come.

See photos of the group's 2008 trip to Israel and Jordan.
See photos of the group's 2008 trip to Austria.
See photos of the group's 2008 trip to Prague.

Learn about the 2009 Family Trip to Israel.

Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, D.Min.

Re-printed from the May, 2008 Covenant-