LISTEN TO THOSE WITH WHOM YOU DISAGREE
YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING

Hillel and Shamai, first century scholars in Israel, argued about almost everything. Hillel is thought of by some to have represented a more liberal interpretation of Torah and Shamai, a more conservative approach. Of these two giants of Torah, the Talmud says, “Eilu v’eilu…these and these are the words of the living God.” How could it be that Hillel and Shamai, holding opposite positions, could both be speaking the word of God?

In most, but not all, cases, Jewish law follows the opinion of Hillel. However, the words of Shamai were carefully preserved and honored because they were well reasoned arguments presented by a great scholar who loved his people. There is a lesson in this for those who engage in political or religious discourse these days and that is to honor those with whom you disagree. Without civil discourse, there can be no civil society. When American politicians compare each other to Stalin and Hitler, they simply go too far. When they question each other’s motives, when they besmirch each other’s character, when their words imply threats of violence, they create an atmosphere that is toxic to our nation’s soul.

During Yom Kippur, Dr. Abe Fischler led a superb discussion on Peter Berger’s new book, In Praise of Doubt. The subtitle, “How to have passionate beliefs without being a fanatic,” explains what the book is about. Having strong religious and political opinions and remaining a civil and open minded person is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. The ability to disagree without being disagreeable is fundamental to civil democratic society.

Eugene Borowitz, my theology professor in rabbinical school, encouraged us to read theologians with whom we disagreed. He told us that the vast majority of people who hold ideas contrary to our own are neither stupid nor evil. He taught us that you often learn more in a serious conversation with someone on the other side of an argument than you do from someone who merely reaffirms what you already believe.

Serious people -- liberal and conservative -- should take the time to carefully consider each other’s arguments, without prejudice or hostility. Whenever incivility and hatred enter an argument, reason flees. Democracy is built upon the foundation of passionate debate and destroyed by angry invective. Listen to those you disagree with respectfully and open mindedly.  You might learn something. In Sefer Hasidim, a book of Jewish wisdom written in medieval times, we read, “If you are proved right, you accomplish little; but if you are proved wrong, you gain much; you learn the truth.

TBE HAITI PROJECT WINS FAIN AWARD

Hollywood CARES, the project established and maintained by Temple Beth El and First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood to help impoverished children in Haiti, was named as a recipient of the 2009 Irving J. Fain Social Action Award.  Every two years, the Union for Reform Judaism recognizes the most outstanding social action projects among its more than 900 congregations with the Fain Award.

Through Hollywood CARES, Temple Beth El and the First Presbyterian Church fund a home for seven HIV infected orphans, which is managed by an organization called Project Papillon.  We also provide for dental care and schooling, as well as food, clothing, and other needed supplies to all of the twenty-eight children of Project Papillon.

During the month of January, a group of ten of us traveled to Port au Prince to inspect the school that we have recently established as part of our project.  We are pleased to report that our children are healthy, happy, and serious about their studies.

Hollywood CARES is simply the continuation of a 52-year tradition here at TBE of heeding God’s call of Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World.

Sharon Tanenhaus, our Social Action chairperson; Dr. Martin Lewis, a key member of Hollywood CARES; and I traveled to the URJ’s 2009 Consultation on Conscience in Washington D.C. in April to receive this award on behalf of our congregation.

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About the Rabbi
Rabbi Allan C. Tuffs is a fourth generation Canadian.  His great grandparents left Romania in the late 1890’s for the wide-open spaces of the Canadian prairies.  Rabbi Tuffs was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.  (Of course he wasn’t a Rabbi when was born, that would not happen until much later in life.)

He spent many summers on Gabriola Island at Camp Miriam, a summer camp sponsored by the Labor Zionist movement.  It was there that he developed an undying loyalty to Israel and the Jewish people.  It was there that he was introduced to the Hebrew language in a serious way and discovered the beauty of Shabbat.

From 1969-71 Rabbi Tuffs lived on Kibbutz Menara on the Lebanese-Israeli border near Kiryat Shemona.  He graduated from Menara’s first Ulpan program and remained to work in the kibbutz military and agricultural wagon factory.  During that period, the PLO was waging a war of attrition against Israel.  Rabbi Tuffs experienced numerous attacks.  He says, “Those two years in Israel were among the most important of my life.  I was proud to have in some small way contributed to the rebuilding of our people’s homeland after 2,000 years of exile.”

Upon returning to North American in 1971, Rabbi Tuffs attended Baltimore Hebrew College, Maryland, where he completed his undergraduate work in Jewish studies.  He also worked as a teacher and youth director in various synagogues in the Washington, DC area.  In 1980, he received his MA in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (New York Campus), where he was ordained in 1982.

His first rabbinic position was at EmanuEl Bne Jeshurun in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he served as assistant and then associate Rabbi.  Among his accomplishments there was writing “Living Mitzvot;” an Experiential approach to B’nai Mitzvah Training.  This program was adopted by over 125 congregations throughout North America.  He also founded Project Reunite, a program for the homeless that brought together the resource of his congregation, the Milwaukee County government, and Department of the US Federal government.

Rabbi Tuffs also served Temple Shalom of Naples, Florida, from 1987-89, where he was active in programs for the homeless in that community as well.  Rabbi Tuffs served Temple Shalom in Bucks County, PA, from 1989-1997.  During that period, Rabbi Tuffs earned his doctorate of ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation.  He also authored “You Shall Teach Them to your Sons,” a guide for Jewish fathers and sons, as well a several published articles on masculine spirituality.

For the past 12 years, Rabbi Tuffs has been the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El, Hollywood, Florida.  Under his leadership, this Temple has experienced a true renaissance.  Since his arrival, he has written a new innovative Friday night prayer book call Shir Halev (song of the Heart), and introduced Shabbat Renewal, an innovative and highly spiritual worship experience that incorporates yoga and meditation.  Rabbi Tuffs has helped to create a warm and spiritual community of people who are committed to preserving and advancing Jewish tradition.

Rabbi Tuffs is a serious student of Judaism.  As a participant in the prestigious CRE program of the Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem, he travels twice a year to Israel where he studies with some of the worlds most renowned Jewish scholars.

Rabbi Tuffs is proud to be called “Abba” by his children Gabe, Abbie, and Danny and is blessed to be married to Marilyn Faber.