Copy

My friends and I were from all sorts of different backgrounds, religions, and traditions, and we accepted this diversity as normal and beautiful." - Gavrielle Blank

STATE OF FORMATION Weekly
A Prayer for Homeless Youth

By Andrew Twiton

Winter is loitering in Minnesota this year, even though we’ve asked it to move along. Last Thursday brought a half-foot of snow, and April 19th achieved a record low of 21 degrees before the sun came up on Saturday. The 19th was also the date for Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative’s annual event, A Night on the Street.

That night, I joined 268 youth and adults from 22 faith communities to sleep in cardboard boxes in Plymouth Congregational Church’s parking lot in downtown Minneapolis. The youth raised over $25,000 for housing specifically for homeless young people, and we learned about the realities of being homeless from youth who have been there and from street outreach workers who see it everyday.

Just before setting up our boxes for the night, we gathered for prayers representing the different traditions participating in the event. One of the prayers offered was Martin Luther’s evening prayer.

Read more here.

Parashat Emor: Embodied Leadership and Its Discontents

By Lauren Tuchman

In Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21-24), read this past week in synagogues around the world, we are introduced to the relatives for whom Kohanim (priests) are permitted to mourn, as well as a list of various classes of priests who, owing to a mum (blemish), are barred from performing the sacrificial service in the Mishkan (Leviticus 21:16-21). They include those who are blind, lame, have a limb which is too short or too long, one who has a broken arm or leg, one with dwarfism, a hunchback, one who has a growth in his eye, a boil-scar, scurvy or crushed testes. Our Torah starkly states that people with a “mum” are forbidden from going behind the curtain or approaching the alter, lest they profane a place that G-d has made sacred (Leviticus 21:23). However, they are permitted to partake of the sacrificial meat, just as all other Kohenim are.

As Jews, we are heirs to a rich and sacred tradition of commentary, and this deeply troubling passage is no exception. There is a strong tendency to spiritualize this passage; the physical disabilities listed are read allegorically such that they apply to all people. In what way is our service of G-d impacted by our own hang-ups? There is also the tendency to contextualize it as a passage emblematic of its time. Thirdly, there is a strong tendency in some circles to engage in disability apologetics. Those with disabilities, according to some strains of thought, are possessed with higher souls, and though they suffer in this world and are barred from sacred sacrificial service, G-d will richly reward them in the world to come.

Read more here.

Boston Blooms

By David Fisher

One week removed from the lockdown of my city, spring is reclaiming our streets. In the moments and days following the Boston Marathon bombings, I watched my hometown transform into a combination of tragedy and heroism. In the week since, I have seen us move forward stronger and prouder, ever more dedicated to the causes of peace and justice. As someone blessed with full time work in interfaith engagement, I am proud. And as a Jew, we could not be at a more relevant time of year as we count the Omer; these are the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot, commemorating the journey from Egypt to Sinai as spring days lengthen.

Any reflection on the recent events in Boston must begin with the same clear statement. I have been stunned and grief-stricken, and condemn these violent acts. It is a blessing to live in a country with the dedicated protection of law enforcement officials. May we all find healing in our shared grieving, and may our doctors and clergy find continuing strength as we move forward.

Read more here.

Call for Nominations

Please nominate a colleague, student, or friend to become a State of Formation Contributing Scholar!

Most Recent Posts

*|FEED:http://stateofformation.org/feed [$count=5,$content=titles]|*
State of Formation is a forum for emerging religious and ethical leaders. Founded by the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue, State of Formation is a project of the Center for Inter-Religious & Communal Leadership Education at Andover Newton Theological School and Hebrew College. It also works in collaboration with the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.