Shabbat Shalom ~ Tzav 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

In January of 1963 Rabbi Morris Adler, on behalf of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, organized the first national conference on religion and race to be held in Chicago. He asked Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel to give the opening address. Rabbi Heschel began his address:

“At the first conference on religion and race, the main participants were Pharaoh and Moses. Moses’ words were: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to me.” While Pharaoh retorted: “Who is the Lord, that I should heed this voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover I will not let Israel go.” The outcome of that summit meeting has not come to an end. Pharaoh is not ready to capitulate. The exodus began, but is far from having been completed.”

As the Passover holiday approaches this year, I cannot help but think about Heschel’s framing of that episode so long ago and its resonance today. I am particularly moved that he addressed these remarks to an interfaith audience, highlighting the universal nature of the values he was discussing and the kindred nature of people of faith. It is in that spirit that, just after Passover, on Sunday April 19th at 4pm, we are hosting “Learning with Neighbors.” Partnering with several local churches and synagogues, we will break bread together and learn from the perspectives of the clergy representing different faiths. The theme is “The Season of Renewal.” I hope you will join us. Register here and for childcare here.

Of course, we have lots of excitement around WJC before mid-April. First, this Shabbat, be sure to take advantage of one of the opportunities to meet and learn with Rabbi Sara Birnbaum, a candidate to be our next Assistant Rabbi. Rabbi Birnbaum will be ordained this spring at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. For the full schedule of events during her interview weekend, click here. Also, instead of my regular weekly video, please enjoy Rabbi Birnbaum’s senior sermon from Parshat Lech Licha.

Then, Wednesday night is the first seder! For a full schedule of events on Tuesday, Wednesday and throughout the holiday, click here. And if you have any questions about the holiday or its many rules and customs, please send me your questions – rja@wjcenter.org.

See you in shul,

RJA