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Chaplain's Corner

More Control Than We Think

BY RABBI BARRY COHEN Think of how different our na-
In many ways, we are prod- tion would be if Europeans had
ucts of decisions other people not sailed to North America and
made long before we were born. begun the process of coloniza-
Published biweekly by Those decisions predetermined tion and everything it entailed,
Jewish Federation of for us what is possible and not including the forced relocation,
Greater Portland possible, what is probable and destruction and death of much
9900 SW Greenburg Road, unlikely. of the indigenous population.
Suite 220 One example: When I applied These simple thought experi-
Tigard, OR 97223 to rabbinical school, I was ments remind us of the power
asked to write an essay answer-
we have, both individually and
503-245-6219 ing the question, “Why are you collectively. This is an argu-
JewishPortland.org Jewish?” In the privacy of my ment against fatalism. This is
apartment, I laughed aloud. I an argument against weakness.
Editor am Jewish because my parents Simply take a few moments to
Deborah Moon are Jewish, and they embraced reflect on the decisions we have Rabbi Barry Cohen is the
editor@jewishportland.org Judaism as a vibrant and essen- made through the years. Think Jewish community chaplain of
the Greater Portland area. He
503-892-7404 (message) tial aspect of their identity and of how different our world
the identity of their children. In would be – for ourselves, fam- can be reached at
Circulation the Cohen household, I implic- ily, friends and even strangers chaplain@jewishportland.org.
To receive the Jewish itly knew that for positive, affir- – if we had decided differently.
Review in your email inbox, mative reasons, choosing any Let’s embrace the opportunity remember to fill our life and the
email your name and email other religion, faith or non-faith we have to be kinder to our- lives around us with meaning
address to made no sense. selves for the decisions we have and purpose. Many of us have
editor@jewishportland.org From an even wider perspec- made. During this past year, loved ones who have died in the
tive, so many people had to I have collaborated with a tal- previous year. This is our “year
make just the right decisions at ented team at Jewish Family & of firsts,” the first time he/she is
OPINIONS printed in the just the right time for me to be Child Services. To paraphrase, not with us at the Thanksgiving
Jewish Review do not born. One different call at any they taught me that we make table, not with us to kindle the
necessarily reflect those step along the way would have the best decisions we can, with Chanukah menorah. Simply
of the Jewish Review affected my very existence. the information we have, with- through our calm, loving and
Committee, the Jewish In a short while, we will cel- in the stresses and strains of the compassionate presence, we
Federation of Greater ebrate Thanksgiving, followed moment. can help our family and friends
Portland, its governing quickly by Chanukah (this year On reflection, we may be navigate this difficult year.
board or the staffs of either starting the Sunday evening of pleased with our decisions, de- With Thanksgiving, we can
the newspaper or the Thanksgiving weekend). spite the pressure we faced. But feel gratitude to be part of the
Federation. Think of how different our what if we regret our decisions? American experiment and
world would be if thousands of What if we are not satisfied pledge to make the difficult
years ago, a minority of Jews with our choices, our words or choices to ensure that our de-
Upcoming had not opposed the might of our actions? mocracy remains steadfast.
the Seleucid Greeks. Judaism
If so, we still have options. We With Chanukah, we can cele-
issues as we know it would arguably can choose to be less self-crit- brate with pride and commit
ical and forgive ourselves. We ourselves to share the vibrancy
never have developed. Our an-
cestors would have complete- can choose to reach out to the and relevancy of Judaism with
Issue date Deadline ly assimilated into the Greek affected parties and express that family, friends and coworkers.
cultural and religious world. we did the best we could in the We are the inheritors of deci-
If Judaism had faded away in heat of the moment and are sor-
Dec. 8 Dec. 2 the second century BCE, what ry for any hurt we inflicted. sions made by others, long ago,
decisions over which we had no
would have been the fate of We continue to be reminded control. May we make the best
Dec. 22 Dec. 16 Christianity and Islam? In this that life can be messy, hard, decisions today as an inheri-
alternate history, the world’s humbling and even ugly. But as tance for generations to come.
Jan. 5 Dec. 29 three monotheistic faiths would we prepare to celebrate Thanks- Think of the number of lives we
not exist. giving and Chanukah, we can can affect for the good.
Jan. 19 Jan. 13

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Submit news, photos Rabbi's Corner each issue. Our community's rabbis are invited to share their
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10 Jewish Review Nov. 24, 2021