The ABC’s of TBS by RARP (October 2013 KOL)
When I first arrived in Virginia, as an assistant rabbi in 1982, I was ill-prepared to navigate the Washington world of acronyms beyond the common ones for CIA and FBI. To be an insider in this town, you need to navigate an alphabet soup of letters describing agencies and endeavors necessary for our nation’s well-being. The same is true in the Jewish world. When I teach Introduction to Judaism, I always have an evening deciphering the Jewish alphabet soup for newcomers to the Jewish world:
URJ (Union for Reform Judaism), formerly the UAHC (Union of American Hebrew Congregations) = The governing body of our Reform Movement and congregational life and one third of our Movement’s leading organizations (the other two being the CCAR and HUC-JIR). WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism), formerly NFTS (National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods), and MRJ (Men of Reform Judaism), formerly NFTB (National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods), and NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth), formerly National Federation of Temple Youth, are all under the URJ umbrella. [NFTY-MAR = our Mid-Atlantic Region of NFTY and has events called JELLO (for leadership), THEVENT, and a Fall and Spring KALLAH, which used to be called conclaves.] You can visit urj.org to find out more about our movement and to find all the congregations you can visit as a home away from home. We offer reciprocity each High Holy days for you and for members of other Union congregations (only), as one of the benefits of URJ affiliation.
CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) = The rabbinic branch of our movement, which includes the placement of rabbis in congregations.
HUC-JIR = Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, our Reform Seminary with campuses in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, New York, and Jerusalem. I serve on the Board of Governors of HUC-JIR, which is why I visit each campus every year. This month I will be in Cincinnati and the day after I return, I will be going to Jerusalem. Don’t worry, I pay for all of my trips!
ACC = The American Conference of Cantors
RAC= The Religious Action Center, which is the social justice arm of our URJ congregations based in Washington and working in advocacy on the issues determined by our URJ Biennial, where every Reform congregation has voting representatives who determine its agenda.
IRAC= The Israeli Religious Action Center, which is the social justice voice for the State of Israel on issues of religious freedom and a host of other civil rights.
So, now when I use these terms, you will have a better understanding of the institutions we are connected to, birthed from, and supporting. This December the URJ has our national Biennial Convention. This time, it is in California. Last time it was here in D.C. It is the largest gathering of Jews in North America, and the largest showcase of Judaica and Jewish music available in one location. You are all welcome to attend. Ask a Board member about it if you have any questions.
Yet, when I think about my top ABC’s at TBS, I think in different terms:
A is for Adult Education (which we call LIFE = Learning Is For Everyone)
B is for Bereavement Committee
C is for Caring Community
Just focusing on these three ABC’s will let you know how valuable your membership really is. There are learning experiences weekly to nourish you and sometimes your guests. We hope you take advantage of the wonderful programming that we provide whether it is the brunch and learn at my house this week, or the exciting opportunity to hear a rabbi and a qadi from Jersualem dialogue right here at TBS.
The Bereavement Committee is amazing. Devoted members do everything they can to help a grieving member in their hour of need. From shiva minyans to funeral logistics, caring calls, and help in a multitude of ways, you have fellow members available seven days a week to help you when you have a loss.
And finally, the Caring Community Committee (CCC) has as its mission the well-being of our members, and the support of our rabbis in caring for those who are sick or hurting, hospitalized or home-bound. If you have a need, contact Nina at caring@tbs-online.org or Ellen at the temple office. We really want you to know you are not alone.
Thirty-one years later, I have become quite an expert on the Washington and Jewish alphabet, although there is always a new acronym to learn in both worlds. I may sign my emails or letters RARP, by the way. Those are my initials, but are also an homage to the old tradition of rabbis being known by a four letter acronym, for example, Maimonides, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, was known as the RMBM. So, I am the RARP.
What I have come to realize is how important the organization or service behind the letters can be. More than that, the center of my universe, and yours, can be the three letters TBS, because TBS Cares & TBS Shares. That is the true value of belonging. If you are looking to feel connected, seek out one of our ABC’s. If you have a need, know that we are here for you. Often people join temples in health and that is a good thing. But, you really learn how very important belonging is when you have a need, an illness, or a death. Then, the temple is the first responder and source of strength.
Thank you for saying YES to TBS. Wishing you a wonderful beginning to Fall.
Fondly,
RARP (Rabbi Amy R. Perlin)