Today is Tisha B’av, the fast of the 9th of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish Calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem and recognized as the anniversary of several other sad events in our history.

This year, as we do every year, we read the book of Lamentations, Eichah, during the evening and the morning and read  kinot, dirges, mourning the loss of the Temples and the destruction of Jerusalem.

The book of Eichah is heartbreaking. Its descriptions of death and destruction, pain and suffering are so powerful and the language so intense that one can not help but be moved by the words and the mournful tune. One can imagine Jerusalem lying in ruins with its people suffering in such deep pain.

But, as I read Eichah this year, I did not think of Jerusalem, I thought of Gaza.

Let me be clear as I have been all along in my blog postings. I am fully aware of Hamas’ desire to destroy Israel and I take them at their word that this is what they seek. I do not doubt that Hamas uses horrible tactics such as using human shields or placing their own civilians in harm’s way. And I certainly do not question Israel’s right to self-defense against those who seek to destroy it.

But, I could not get the pictures of Gaza out of my mind as I read Eichah this year.

While I worry about my friends and family members throughout Israel who have to run to shelters when the siren is heard, this time it is Gaza that in the words of Lamentations is the city that sits solitary and destroyed with its residents seeking in vain for protection.

While I cry for the families of brave Israeli soldiers who answered the call to protect their country, I cry as well for the children of Gaza who have been killed or wounded or left without family to protect them and help them grow. I cry for all of those who were not militants, who did not seek to destroy or hurt others,  who had no place to run and no place to hide from the attacks.

I don’t pretend to be a military expert. I have no idea what Israel could or should have done differently, if anything, to prevent the massive death and destruction that Gaza has experienced. But, regardless of the justification of Israel to act in self-defense, the “city” that I thought of when I considered Tisha B’av’s call to picture a destroyed city was, in fact, Gaza.

I understand that war is not pretty and that sometimes it comes down to “us” or “them” and our tradition would tell us never to denigrate the importance of your life and your security in deference to an enemy’s. I get that. But, I still can’t stop thinking of the innocent people in Gaza and wondering whether it could have been different.

Should, God willing, this cease fire hold, I pray that Israel immediately begins to put all of its energy and resources into finding a way to make peace with the Palestinians and give their people a chance at a secure, independent life, the same we hope for our own people in the State of Israel.

And, if that does happen, I pray that Jews throughout the world will stand with Israel as it works for peace with as much solidarity, passion and loyalty as we do during times of war.

This Shabbat is Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of comfort. May God bring comfort to all.

Let’s take time out from the serious, frightening, gut-wrenching issues in the news and focus on something less earthshaking but something that touches me deeply.

Today’s New York Times featured a piece which was really a rant by Neil Genzinger in what is called the “Critic’s Notebook” The piece was called; “Sure you Loved Lucy, But Vintage Has Limits”.

The reporter was complaining about the proliferation of old tv situation comedies around the cable networks and, to an extent, I agree. There is one station that apparently shows Mr. Ed for several hours on weekend mornings.

Say what you want about that phenomenon but it was this line that stunned me: “But today, the broad humor (of I Love Lucy) draws only the occasional chuckle.

I am shocked.

I was so astounded by this line that I ran to my I Love Lucy Box Set and watched Lucy, dressed as Carmen Miranda, lip-synch to one of her records while it unexpectedly sped up and then slowed down. “Occasional Chuckle”? I was on the floor laughing and I’ve seen it more than 100 times.

Every single episode of I Love Lucy has at least one example- and many have many more- of precise comedic timing, daring bits of physical humor, unforgettable facial expressions and the beauty of an ensemble cast working together. It is genius.

And, while we’re at it, the author of the Times’ piece called Green Acres “empty-headed”. What? Green Acres was one of the most brilliant pieces of comic writing, full of self-deprecating humor with cute, creative touches (such as when Lisa would find the credits written on the sheets she took out of the laundry).

He claims that the Honeymooners’ seems sad because Alice and Ralph screamed at each other. The verbal abuse is a little hard to take but watch that show carefully, they love each other with a depth that comes through the yelling. And, when Jackie Gleason plays Ralph Kramden, you are watching an artist at work.

Well, enough of that for today. Just so you know how I feel. Now back to the real world. Do we have to?

I remember exactly where I was 45 years ago this morning. I was in a summer program at Hebrew College (then called Hebrew Teachers’ College) in Brookline, Massachusetts. On that Wednesday morning, July 16, 1969, we took a test and when I finished taking the test, I went out into the hallway where some other students were gathered around a radio listening to the news reports of the lift off of Apollo 11.

As I have written on many previous occasions, I was- and remain- a big fan of the space program. I remember that week in 1969 so clearly and, as can so many others I’m sure, remember so vividly the landing on the moon and the first moonwalk. Those days are indelibly etched in my mind.

As we mark this anniversary, the inevitable question comes up again: Was it worth it? Couldn’t the billions of dollars spent on space exploration have been used for more pragmatic purposes- to feed the hungry or house the homeless?

Of course, we could have found more immediate uses for the money that went into the space program. But, human beings were meant to be explorers. We were created with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn more about who we are and where we came from. I know that there were political issues involved in the space program for the beginning- gaining an advantage of the Soviets- but there was also a desire to learn, to understand more about the universe in which we live, to expand our horizons. We have all benefitted in so many ways from this effort and no amount of second guessing can change that.

We all decide, as nations and as individuals, how to budget our resources. What do we choose to spend money on? How do we use our energy, our talent, our intelligence and our curiosity? And as nations, those questions become even bigger: Do we choose to build or to destroy? Do we choose to elevate our goals for the good of our people and others or do we seek power and control?

When the astronauts landed on the moon in July 1974, they placed a plaque which read in part: “We came in peace for all mankind”. Whatever the lunar landing accomplished, it did not bring peace to the world and here 40 years later, those of us whose hearts and minds are connected with what is happening in Israel and Gaza know this full well. And, Israelis and Palestinians on the ground know it better than anyone.

Through all of the questions and all of the issues that this conflict raises, one which continues to arise is: Why did the Palestinians in Gaza choose to follow a path of attempting to destroy Israel rather than to build up their own state and feed and house their people? Why did they choose to use their energy, talent and intelligence to find new ways to threaten Israel rather than to attempt to build up an economy to benefit their own citizens? These questions need to be considered for all of their implications.

You know from reading my blog and other pieces that I have written that I have expressed criticism for some of Israel’s policies over the years including some of the policies relating to Gaza. I stand by those criticisms. But, it can’t be denied and it should not be forgotten that there was potential for Gaza to be turned into a peaceful, economically stronger area with self-determination and independence. It would not have been easy for sure. But, it could have been done. A different choice was made, a choice to seek to destroy rather than to build and the ramifications of that choice are still being felt today.

The beautiful pictures of the earth rising above the surface of the moon taken by the astronauts of Apollo 8 show such an inviting, peaceful place contrasting to the barrenness of the moon and the darkness of space. That picture gave us all hope but hope only becomes reality when people, all people, commit to building rather than destroying.

As I wrote previously on this blog, I began my vacation two weeks ago. My first day out of the office was the day on which we received the tragic, horrible news of the death of the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Since that day, we have heard the unspeakably terrible news of the killing of a Palestinian teenager for which Israelis have been accused. Then, the rocket fire increased against Israel and Israel began its bombing of Gaza. So much has happened in the past two weeks and I have tried to keep up on this blog with thoughts about the situation as I try to have some time away from the pulpit.

So what more is there to say that hasn’t been said already? It seems that there is little new to say but I feel an obligation to write something.

I believe without question that Israel has the right and the obligation to defend itself against these horrendous rocket attacks which means not only utilizing the Iron Dome Missile Defense but also to do what could be done to stop the rockets from flying in the first place. That means legitimately trying to wipe out Hamas’ capacity to fire these rockets. I would hope that Israel would do this with as little harm to civilians as possible but I also recognize that many in Gaza, at least according to the reports that we are hearing, are choosing to stay rather than to leave in response to Israel’s warnings. This places Israel in a terribly difficult position but as I have written previously, I hope that Israel will do all that it can to minimize civilian deaths and to seek every opportunity to reach a cease fire which both sides would honor. The scenes out of Gaza are horrible and we should grieve for the children and innocent people on both sides who are scarred by this terrible situation.

Yes, without question, Israel needs to defend itself but as I wrote on my Facebook page last week: …we must never take for granted or merely accept the necessity of bloodshed, especially of innocent children and we must never fall victim to the celebration of military might. May Israel find the proper course as it fulfills its responsibility to protect its people from harm and continue to seek every opportunity possible for an end to this madness.

But, in addition to saying this, I believe that we must look at the bigger picture. I am not trying to justify the actions of Hamas, God forbid, but Israel needs to ask itself how the settlement policies, the oppression that the occupation brings and policies concerning the blockade of Gaza are among the factors that exacerbate the conflict. Obviously, this is not the moment to move forward with discussions of the two state solution but when this operation in Gaza is over and some calm is reached, the ball will be back in Israel’s court to look at its policies towards the Palestinians and ask itself how the status quo can be changed. Again, let me be clear, I say this not to justify at all the attacks coming from Gaza and those rocket attacks need to be taken into account at every moment when evaluating Israel’s actions. But, it is certainly right from an ethical standpoint and wise from a pragmatic standpoint as well for Israel to look at its own policies and do what it can to restore calm in the region and trust in the eyes of the world.

In the meantime, even if I am not “on the pulpit” at this critical moment in time, I pray for all of my brothers and sisters in Israel, for those who defend her and for those innocent people on both sides who are caught in the crossfire or who are bearing the brunt of this terribly violent time. May peace and calm come soon to all.

No one can deny the fact that the horrific kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers is merely the most recent in dreadful, violent terrorist attacks by Palestinians against innocent Israelis. These unjustifiable acts are horrendous and despicable. But, in the same vein, to express shock and disbelief that Jews could be capable of an act as despicable as the murder of the Palestinian teenager or the beating of another young man is disingenuous. While these are extreme acts, they are not unique. As innocent Israelis have been the victims of terror, so many innocent Palestinians have suffered over the years.
These latest incidents will draw attention because of the timing and the particularly violent nature of the acts and I have no doubt that those who committed these acts will be brought to justice as they should be. But, the truth is that the conflict has produced daily acts of intimidation, humiliation and physical abuse of Palestinians by Jews just as it has produced so many horrendous acts of terror against Jews by Palestinians. While we may be sickened by what we have read in recent days, we can’t take it out of the context of the cycle of violence, oppression and violent calls for revenge. We should be saddened and deeply pained. But, we shouldn’t be surprised.

This piece, appearing in Ha’aretz yesterday, needs to be read:

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.603431/.premium-1.603431

This past Sunday, I stood under the huppah with a couple beginning their life together. It was, as it always is, my favorite moment as a Rabbi.  To see two young people walk out of the synagogue with their whole life ahead of them is a marvelous sight.

Then, after the ceremony, I participated in another ritual which Rabbis enjoy, I went on vacation.

The joy of that moment under the huppah was still in my mind as I began my vacation with a quick trip out of town and, in fact, out of  email and cell phone contact for a while on Monday. So, it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that I heard what so many had heard hours before, the tragic, heartbreaking news from Israel that the bodies of the three kidnapped teenagers had been found.

And so, even as I  was surrounded by the beauty of one of my favorite places in the entire world, taking a deep breath after what has been a long and difficult year, the reality of the world hit me full force.  And as I thought about how these young men would never stand under a huppah with their beloved, I began to cry.

But, of course, this is not about me, nor in a way is it about any of us six thousand miles away. It is about three families suddenly plunged into mourning.

Those of  us with specific perspectives on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people are ready to see this tragedy through political eyes. But our understanding of the conflict should not cloud the fact that this is a personal tragedy, experienced by three families.

I want to echo the words I have read in various places over the last few hours and have felt myself since the news of the kidnapping broke and even more so since the bodies were discovered: this is not the time for politics. Let us stop with the political analyses for a while. Let the families sit shiva. Let them start to face the heaviest burden a parent should have to face. Let us not preach nor pontificate nor use this as an opportunity to advance our political aims, whatever they may be. Let us stand in silent prayer for the souls of these young men.

And, finally, and this is not a political statement, it is a Jewish statement, let us pray for consolation for these families and all families  in the Middle East throughout the world whose children have been taken from them.

May Eyal Yiftach, Naftali Fraenkel and Gilad Shaar and all of the other children rest in peace and inspire us to work for an end to suffering for all.

I promised another in my endless series of nostalgic ramblings and here it is- another tribute to a lost art form, lost in the new and better technology.

This past week, we learned of the death of Casey Kasem, radio personality best known for his “American Top 40” weekly radio show. Each week, Kasem would run down the top 40 songs from the Billboard Magazine charts and make comments or tell stories about the artists who performed them. I read this past week that he really didn’t like the style of music he was popularizing and I always suspected that as he always seemed just a bit detached from the songs he was playing. But, one way or the other, it was fun to listen to that show. I associate it with Sunday mornings during my summer vacation in 1974 when I worked in a delicatessen washing dishes and doing other related work by myself in the kitchen with only my radio to keep me company. Thanks for the memories, Casey and especially thanks for the original theme song to American Top 40 which I can never get out of my mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WAgZKHJtjg

But, the art form I want to reminisce about is not American Top 40, per se. Rather I want to reminisce about  the entire phenomenon of Top 40 radio on a local AM station. Who even listens to AM radio anymore for music (or maybe for anything)? But, when we were growing up in the 60s and early 70s, that is what you did. You listened to the local AM top 40 music station.

In Boston, there were two – or perhaps more- but the one that I and most of my friends listened to during those first years of music awareness was WRKO 680 or as it was called in the endless jingles you heard at least 20 times an hour: 68 RKO, Boston (you can find the melody such as it was on the Internet).  The station was my constant companion when at home in the morning or after doing homework (or during) or on weekends or whenever we needed to hear what the latest song to hit the charts was. And we really cared. We cared what the #1 song was. We cared about the latest hit from Three Dog Night or Creedence Clearwater Revival or any of the other favorites. We cared when a song we liked was suddenly dropped from the play list because it wasn’t selling. We cared when a song with suggestive lyrics would suddenly show up and we would all laugh at school the next day: “Have you heard…”?

I know young people still listen to music today and that’s great. And, I know there are still some FM stations which you can get around the country on Satellite Radio or on the Internet and they influence the music industry and inspire loyalty. But, it’s not quite like it was then when you just wouldn’t listen to another station or care about anything else on the radio (except of course Red Sox baseball) and you knew the DJs- or “personalities”- by their distinctive style and the inside jokes.

I miss those days and often go back to websites which contain “airchecks”- brief recordings of WRKO and other stations. But, they don’t satisfy my urge for nostalgia, especially since I recorded many hours of WRKO on our reel to reel tape recorder when I was a teenager. However, I threw  out the tapes when our tape recorder broke and we switched to cassettes. It never occurred to me that I might be able some day to transfer them to another medium. What a loss.  I can’t blame my mother for throwing them out like she threw out my baseball cards. This one was my fault. I wish I had them back.

I’d be glad if anyone with similar memories would respond to this posting with your own memories of the Top 40 station from your city. It’s part of my youth and I know it’s a part I share with many others. It’s all different today and that’s OK. I like being able to have my own playlist on my iPhone which connects to the bluetooth in my car and insures that I don’t have to listen to something I don’t like. But, that was part of the charm of Top 40 radio. You didn’t like everything you heard but it didn’t matter. It was what you were supposed to be doing.

I have an idea for another in my continuing series of “nostalgia” pieces for this blog. I plan to post it by the end of the week. But, now is not the time for light, humorous writing.

The  kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers in what by all accounts is  an act of terror is on all of our minds and legitimately pushes away any attempt at humor. It is a despicable act and our anger and disgust at those who performed the act and those, including leaders of Hamas, who have defended it or glorified it are legitimate and appropriate.

I pray for the safe return of these three students and for comfort for their families and communities. I can not imagine the pain that these families must endure and I hope that the government of Israel will be able to find them, return them safely to their homes and that those who perpetrated the act are brought to justice.

It is a time for anger, tears and for sadness.

But, as much as we legitimately focus our sadness and our tears on these young men and their families, we need to remember as well that so many other families on both sides of the conflict have suffered so deeply over the years. Deaths in war, terrorism, the persecution that comes from occupation, kidnapping, arrests, home demolitions.. the list can go on and on. And, while I will say again that at this moment, our anger and our pain is focused on this act, our tradition and our humanity calls on us to see the big picture as well and realize that suffering is found in so many, many places in Israel and the Occupied territories (and yes, I do use the word “occupation” as do so many in Israel and throughout the world). These three young men are uppermost in our minds right now but there are countless other people of all ages who have suffered so deeply from the conflict and lack of progress in peace negotiations.

There are those who will argue that a two state solution would result in increased acts of this kind and that Israel would be foolish to ever agree to a Palestinian state. There are those who will take the position, as I have done, that an end to the occupation and self-determination for the Palestinians is not only right morally but pragmatically as well.

We can leave all of those discussions for another time. That is not important today. What is important is the return of these young men and the ability for all  Israelis and Palestinians,  to feel safe in their homes with the dignity, human rights and security that all deserve.

May Eyal Yifrah,Gil-Ad Shaer,  and Naftali Frenkel return home safely and may the families of all of those who suffer from violence, persecution and terror find comfort in a dedication of leaders, against all of the roadblocks that exist, to find a way to live peacefully with each other.

32 years ago this month, the movie E.T. the Extraterrestrial premiered in movie theaters across the country. I knew that fact without looking it up because I know that  I saw E.T.  just before moving to Lansdale, PA for my first job as a Rabbi.

I was absolutely mesmerized by E.T. While I’m not sure  it has stood the test of time as well as some other classic  movies I love, I remember being absolutely enthralled with the story- so much so that I made E.T. the subject of my first Rosh Hashana sermon as a Rabbi.

I don’t think I gave very much thought to how risky that might have been. A first High Holy Day sermon can leave a permanent impression on a congregation. I didn’t consider that. I just came up with the idea and ran with it. Thankfully, the congregation responded very positively.

As an aside, I should mention that the congregation’s positive response to the sermon encouraged me to continue to write sermons which were midrashim on aspects of popular culture: movies, tv, music etc. This approach has been a staple of much of my Rabbinic writing over the years. I shudder to think what I would have been writing about all of these years had the folks in Lansdale reacted differently to my sermon on E.T.

So, what did I write about this movie? I wrote about the last line (or at least the last line of importance) in the film. As E.T. is saying goodbye to his friend Elliott, he looks at him and points to the boy’s head and says: “I’ll be right here”.

I was fascinated by that line. What E.T.  was telling Elliott was that the memory of his visit on earth would always be with him and that what he taught him about friendship, loyalty and the importance of “home” would always remain.

I compared this to the giving of the Torah.

God comes down to earth at Sinai and leaves us with rules to live by and values to embrace and God tells us: “Study and follow my Torah and I’ll be right here”.

I’ve learned a lot about writing and delivering sermons over the past 32 years and probably would write the sermon differently today. But I still embrace the basic point: that the Torah is our connection with that moment in the past which we need to bring into our lives today. “I’ll be right here” says God.

When we seek the presence of God, we can find that presence in many places: in the beauty of the world, in the eyes of someone we love, in the hope that persists even in the darkest of times and in the wisdom of our tradition. That last source of God’s presence is sometimes overlooked and that is unfortunate but if we seek God’s presence in our lives, one of the simplest places to look is right in the Torah itself.

I’ll be right here says God. Right here in our hearts and our heads. Always.