By Amy Unger
On Feb. 16 and 17, it was an enlightening and enjoyable Shabbat weekend at Congregation Or Atid as the congregation held its inaugural Scholar In Residence Program.
Rabbi and Distinguished Scholar, Rabbi/Dr. Leila Gal Berner delivered intellectually stimulating and enlightening lectures throughout the two days. Rabbi Berner is rabbi emerita of Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community, and has served congregations in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
A Fulbright scholar, Rabbi Berner has taught at Emory and American Universities and Reed and Swarthmore Colleges and currently teaches in the ALEPH Ordination Program. She is the author of Listening to the Heart of Genesis: A Contemplative Path, a new gateway into Torah learning.
The sanctuary was filled to capacity on Friday evening for Rabbi Berner’s lecture on the life of the Jews in Medieval Spain, who, living together with Muslims and Christians, created the “soul” of the land.
Rabbi Berner spoke about the amalgamation of these cultures and the stories that emerged about Jews during this time which were derived from the extensive documents she researched in Spain’s archives. The stories of the day-to-day life of the Jews during that time are no less than fascinating.
After Rabbi Berner’s lecture, there was an uplifting Musical Kabbalat Shabbat filled with Ruach and joy, followed by a delicious Shabbat dinner.
Shabbat morning services continued with a special guest, Rabbinical student Joshua Jeffreys, who read the Torah.
Rabbi Berner gave the Dvar Torah on the building of the Tabernacle, the Mishkan, with its specifications outlined in the Torah. She emphasized how a sacred place can be created by anyone and at any place.
After Shabbat services, Rabbi Berner spoke about the Jews under Islam in Medieval Spain: Poetry, Pragmatism and Politics. She related how “golden” it was through a presentation of the poetry of the Jews, the particular political situation of the Jews under their Muslim rulers, and how they navigated all of this pragmatically and cleverly.
The lecture was quite informative and appreciated by all who were in attendance.
Rabbi Sherry Grinsteiner led a lively Havdalah service. Following the Havdalah service, Rabbi Berner spoke about the estimated 3,000 Abayudaya Jews of Uganda. She shared how they have a deep spiritual connection to G-D and engage in Jewish customs, traditions, and holidays with enthusiasm and fervor.
She also shared her experiences from her visit this past August when she visited the Abayudaya Jews of Namutumba, Uganda and became familiar with their Shabbat practices, folkways, love of learning, and challenges.
Rabbi Berner has a nonprofit dedicated to helping feed the Jews of Namutumba in eastern Uganda and supporting the community’s young spiritual leader in his studies to become a Rabbi.
For more information (where you can also actually see a live Shabbat service of the Abayudaya Jewish community) or to donate, please go to www.ezrauganda.org
The evening ended with spiritual music by congregant Zach Samuels, who sang and played the guitar, including some of his original music.
