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As the year 2000 approaches, Jewish thoughts turn to the
interface between technology and belief. Does humanity's
trust in its own inventions reflect the commandment to
perfect the world or does it risk civil disaster?
"Take a Break" in the days from erev
Shabbat, Dec. 31, 1999, to at least Jan.
3 or, if possible,. Jan. 9, 2000.
This approach would be a win-win
situation. If Y2K makes trouble, we
are ready; and if not, we have built
,stronger Jewish congregations and
Lcommunities. At "worst," we build
communities that care about each
'other more deeply, help each other
more effectively, understand Torah
more fully, and celebrate together
more joyfully.
These sermons at our High
Holidays also could explain how, in
the coming months, congregants and
their neighbors would prepare to
address both the dangers of disruption
d the joyful opportunities for com-
munity-building that may unfold
from Y2K.
But what does this have to do with
Judaism? Joy from a burning thorn-
bush is nothing new for our people.
We could easily see Sukkot, Pesach
and Shabbat as life-deprivations — a
flimsy house, a restricted diet, no pur-
chasing. But Jews have learned to see
these holidays as joyful life-enhance-
ments, times to celebrate and share.
With that in mind, I suggest the
following timetable to take us from
now through early January 2000.
* As soon as possible, the congrega-
tional leadership (rabbinic and admin-
istrative) briefs key members on Y2K
and how to deal with it. Starting the
process of the congregation's own self-
assessment, the leadership selects some
people to act as trainers and facilita-
tors for a Y2K training event sched-
uled for late September.
* In a few weeks, synagogues
announce a special Y2K self-assess-
'
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of the
Shalom Center in Accord, N.Y, is a pro-
lific writer. His books include: Down-
to-Earth Judaism, Seasons of Our Joy
and Godwrestling — Round 2. A
fuller version of this report, including a
Checklist for Y2K Preparedness, is avail-
able as Shalom Paper No. 7 on the Web
site http:www//shalomctr.org
ment and preparatory training. Many
congregations may find it most conve-
nient to do such a program on
Sunday, Sept. 26, during Sukkot.
* For Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur
or another holiday, the rabbi preaches
on the deeper meaning of Y2K. The
sermon might invoke three elements:
the origins of the Y2K problem in the
weakening of face-to-face communi-
ties and the success of techno-idolatry
and reckless globalism (as in the Tower
of Babel story). Also, Jonah's warning
to Nineveh, chanted on Yom Kippur
afternoon, can serve as a model for
warnings intended to heal society
through stirring action to cancel out
the danger warned about. That's like-
wise with Isaiah's teaching in the Yom
Kippur haftorah that by communally
protecting the most vulnerable, we
achieve the real delights of Shabbat joy
and rest. The sermon should set the
tone of preparing for Y2K, which is
not out of fear but out of an intention
to strengthen and celebrate communi-
ty. Basic information should be given
on how to prepare, and congregants
urged to attend a training workshop
scheduled during Sukkot.
* On Sunday, Sept. 26, or soon
after, the synagogue should hold a
training workshop, using Sukkot as
the symbol for encouraging creation of
a simple-living, community-sharing
"festival" at the turning of 1999. This
training continues through the fall.
People form teams for involving
neighbors and congregation members
in preparedness groups that can turn
disruptions or shortages into commu-
nal-sharing and simple-living celebra-
tion times.
* From Dec. 31 to Jan. 9, the syna-
gogue makes itself available as a meet-
ing place. It serves as a center for
prayer and celebration and an "indoor
sukka," if that turns out to be neces-
sary, for the old, the sick or the poor.
To do this, the congregation makes
arrangements for back-up food,
warmth and medicine.
And so, we choose to take a break
instead of suffering a break-down. 17
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Detroit Jewish News
9/10
1999
7