It's a memory of how we are connected across time and space, through sorrow and hope.

In the NYC disaster relief efforts following September 11th, 2001, one of the sites I served as a chaplain was the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94. At one end of that huge complex, a long open corridor was designated as the “Walk of Bears.” Stuffed bears of all shapes, sizes and colors were arranged along the floor against the wall. Signs explained that they were a gift from the people of Oklahoma City, and were not to be removed.

The shipment of bears had arrived on September 19th. We learned that after the domestic terrorist attack of April 19th, 1995 on the Oklahoma City Federal Building, survivors and disaster relief workers there began to find teddy bears left on the chain-link fence. No one knew who was leaving them, but they kept showing up. Now the people of Oklahoma City had decided that it was time for the people of New York City — and Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, PA — to take comfort in these bears.

And posted across the long wall of the NYC Family Assistance Center, above the bears, were the photographs of the missing and the dead. Like the teddy bears, their faces reflected all shapes, sizes and colors — people from all over the world.

Every day, the Walk of Bears would be visited by family members and friends, law enforcement officials, support agency staff and disaster relief workers. People came to write and read messages on the wall, to meditate, to cry, to reflect, to remember, to tell and hear stories…to reach out and care.

The Walk of Bears was a refuge at a time of overwhelming pain. As we move through this anniversary of tragedies that shook our cities, our nation and our world, may we all take refuge in the memories that will help us to reach out and care for each other — day by day, over the long term.  LEARN MORE

We are happy to announce that WAYS OF PEACE has received its IRS designation as a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization. This means that all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We are very grateful to our initial donors for their support in helping us to reach this point.

This brings us to the next level of Nedivut Tzedek / GENEROUS JUSTICE, our new network of innovative learning circles for social change through "spiritual finance." GENEROUS JUSTICE offers authentic, time-tested resources and support for bringing our money into harmony with our highest values — no matter what we earn. Learn more!

Whether or not you are in a position to make a donation toward any of our projects at this time, we encourage you to take the opportunity for a mid-year review of your personal and family giving.

Jewish tradition defines generous and just giving in terms of percentages — not absolute numbers. What percentage of your income have you donated so far in 2014? What percentage did you donate in 2013? Would you like to be more empowered in your choices when you open your wallet or check your account balance? You're not alone!

Setting aside an incremental percentage throughout the year makes for more satisfying and strategic donations, instead of the usual last-minute rush to disburse whatever is left over in December. All of this is part of the GENEROUS JUSTICE process of learning together, building community while fostering respect for each individual participant.

If you would like to make a special tax-deductible contribution to help launch the GENEROUS JUSTICE project, please specify this when making an online donation or writing a check.

In other news, it's not too late to register for Three Legs or One Foot: Rebalancing Our Jewish Communities, a retreat-based exploration of best practices in Jewish and interfaith caring development. This program is part of the National Havurah Committee Summer Institute that will take place August 4-10 in scenic Rindge, New Hampshire. Learn more!

And if you would like to bring these or any other WAYS OF PEACE programs to your community, we'd love to hear from you.

With many blessings for "Interdependence Day" and beyond,

Rabbi Regina Sandler-Phillips 

for WAYS OF PEACE

This is a time of spiritual preparation in our Jewish calendar, when we traditionally “number our days” from the Festival of Freedom until Shavu'ot: the Festival of First Fruits and Revelation.  

As we emerge slowly into longer daylight and sunnier weather, you are warmly invited to join us for one or more of our upcoming events — the “first fruits” of this year's group programs offered by WAYS OF PEACE:

Who's Robbing God, and What Can We Do About It?

A Taste of "Generous Justice"

Tuesday, June 3rd at 10:30 pm in Brooklyn, NY / Free and open to all

This session is part of the all-night Shavu'ot Across Brooklyn, and will introduce Nedivut Tzedek / Generous Justice (see below).  Find out what happens when Occupy Wall Street and Move Your Money meet a potent gathering of prophets and rabbis — and come prepared for surprises!  Learn more

And When I Die: The Musical!

      A Funeral Planning Cabaret

Sunday, June 8th at 7:00 pm in Brooklyn, NY / Free and open to all

This unique seminar-in-song offers a non-sectarian introduction to advance directives, funeral consumer choices and your next steps.  Learn more

Three Legs or One Foot:

Rebalancing Our Jewish Communities     

Monday, August 4th through Sunday, August 10th in Rindge, NH

Registration now open

A retreat-based exploration of best practices in Jewish and interfaith caring community development.  Practical, accessible applications of Jewish values and experience to help to restore caring as an integration of kindness and justice.  Learn more

Nedivut Tzedek / Generous Justice

A New Jewish Peer Support Network for Just Giving

WAYS OF PEACE has received an Innovation Fund grant to launch a new network of Jewish generosity circles.  Nedivut Tzedek / Generous Justice is an initiative to renew our Jewish culture of “spiritual finance” as rooted in the flow and circulation of wealth.  It offers authentic, time-tested resources and support for bringing our money into harmony with our highest values — no matter what we earn.  Learn more

With many blessings for the Season of Revelation and beyond,

Regina

Rabbi Regina Sandler-Phillips

for WAYS OF PEACE

Michelle V. Agins - The New York Times

‘Tis the season for discussions of how kosher it is for Jews to celebrate Halloween. But the fascination with “the undead” isn’t limited by the calendar; it’s ongoing, particularly for young people, and it provides opportunities for dialogue between generations on issues that go beyond costumes and candy.  (...)  READ MORE

Michelle V. Agins - The New York Times

The Jewish Daily Forward, 7/30/13

In August 1963, “The American Way of Death” by Jessica Mitford sold out its first printing on its publication date and topped The New York Times best-seller list for weeks.

Inspired by her husband, Robert Treuhaft, a radical Jewish labor lawyer who was an unnamed co-author of the book, Mitford brought a sparkling British wit to her investigation of the American funeral industry. She focused on such practices as embalming bodies for viewing in ornate, expensive caskets, demonstrating how funeral industry profits had become dependent on these items — and on the inducement of bereaved families, at their most vulnerable, to pay for them.

Mitford’s (and Treuhaft’s) book struck a responsive chord among millions of Americans, prompted new Federal Trade Commission regulations and gave a significant boost to what is known as the funeral consumer movement.

Fifty years later, what can we learn from “The American Way of Death” as we consider our current Jewish choices for responding to life’s final chapter?  (...) READ MORE