VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY:
Writings from our Members
My father grew up in Squirrel Hill during the Depression. He celebrated his bar mitzva at Tree of Life in 1940.
I lived in Squirrel Hill during 1998-2000 while studying at Pitt. I belonged to Dor Hadash, which rents space from Tree of Life. Dor Hadash is a member-led congregation, although they have a wonderful female rabbi/cantor who leads some of the services. They are Reconstructionists, like to sing, and (mostly) politically liberal. Sounds like Makom to you?
The biggest takeaway for me from the recent (October 6) Makom-sponsored “Conversation with
Mossawa” was that Palestinian-Israeli peace activists hope to build a network of people and
organizations, churches, synagogues, etc. in the United States who will actively speak out against
Israel’s recently passed Jewish Nation State law and urge their elected reps to do likewise.
Makom Shalom is the Hebrew term for a place of peace, and aptly describes our congregation. We are a welcoming community, embracing Jews and non-Jews of every color, sexual orientation, and belief. We fly no national flags and welcome divergent views on the challenging issues of our time. We can (and often do) disagree on issues -- and yet we still love, embrace and respect each other. In this space, members and visitors are encouraged to share their experiences at Makom, their beliefs and values, and their own stories. Respectful commentary is welcome.
After 61 years and over 100 Seders, you would think that I could recite every prayer in the Haggadah from memory, and explain every prayer and passage. And yet every year I am surprised to discover new passages that I don’t recall hearing before…. and I discover new meanings in the text. How the heck is that possible???
Ruth recalls her family's experience of the Holocaust and the threats faced by the State of Israel. While Rabbi Michael and many members of the Makom community speak out regularly about the Occupation and the rights of the Palestinians, in this essay, Ruth voices concern for the survival of Israel in the face of those who seek its destruction.
