Celebrating Judaism

The power of learning, traditions and culture

By Bruce Tomar

As our mission states, FJMC provides men opportunities for personal growth and to build strong relationships. One of the tenets to accomplishing this is by celebrating Jewish learning, traditions and culture. That is:

• Jewish learning, through the study of Torah and Talmud, through debate and conversation – such as we practice with Hearing Men’s Voices and Chavruta – and through interpretation. It means blending literal understanding with spiritual meaning and keeping all of this within the framework of ritual practice, community and family involvement.
• Jewish traditions, which are centered around connecting with God, community and heritage: the blessings, rituals and even the shared meals that have lived on through the generations;  Shabbos, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim, Pesach; even weddings, B’nai mitzvot, our daily prayers and acts of charity.
• Jewish culture, with its rich tapestry of traditions, beliefs and practices that encompass family, food, intellectual pursuits and social values – blending ancient customs with modern life.

The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of the United Kingdom viewed Judaism as a vibrant civilization, a covenantal people and a source of life-changing ideas, focused on pursuing justice, ensuring compassion and building a moral world, while also emphasizing continuity through storytelling, tradition (like the Torah) and an engaged, outward-looking faith that honors God’s image in every person, even while critiquing politicization of religion in Israel. He stressed being part of an eternal people, carrying forward our mission to be God’s ambassadors by creating a just society, and passing these values to future generations.

Yours in brotherhood.

Bruce Tomar is president of FJMC International.