This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)
God commands Moses “Come to Pharaoh” (Exodus 10:1). Most translators “fixed” the Hebrew by translating the command into “Go to Pharaoh” and ruined the original meaning.
When Adonai says “Come to Pharaoh”, there is a great lesson here. To fight evil, to succeed in fighting evil, you need to come to it, to understand it, to enter it, and then to overcome evil. You only bring light if you are willing to overcome darkness.
This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)
“But by my name Adonai I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3). Adonai is revealing the real name of God, Adonai is telling Moses for the first time Adonai’s private name.
In basic training (boot camp) our commander was the closest persona to God I ever met. And we only called him “the commander”. On the last day of boot camp he revealed his real name. He became real, he became almost a friend. Adonai becomes closer to Moses and to us when called Adonai, the real name of God. It becomes a friendship.
This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)
“We are family (Hey, y’all)
I got all my siblings with me …”
In Genesis, we were a family. In Exodus, we are called for the first time a People. No longer just a family, we became a Nation.
From the beginning of our story, with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” to the first time we are called a People, being Jewish is much more than a faith and a religion. Being Jewish is being part of a people, part of the people of Israel.
This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
This week’s Torah Portion marks the end of the tales of Genesis, the legendary tales of the legendary lives of our ancestors from long ago: Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob, Rachel, and Leah; and finally Joseph. And while their lives were far from perfect, each in their own way displayed the courage, faith, determination, and wisdom to do more than just survive, but to fulfill their destiny as the ancestor of a people, our people, numbering like the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea.
We are the children of a hundred generations of our people, the descendants of greater ancestors than perhaps any of us can imagine ourselves to be. And yet, more importantly, we are and will be the ancestors which generations to come will look back upon as the builders and shapers of the world they will inhabit, for better and for worse, for blessing or for curse. Let us be good ancestors for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations yet to be.
This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18−47:27)
Here in Parashat Vayigash, Joseph stands at a crossroads and the entire history of the Jewish people stands in the balance. What path will he choose? Joseph’s brothers stand before him, the same brothers who had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Many years have passed and despite all odds, Joseph stands now as second only to Pharaoh.
And now his brothers stand before him, not recognizing the brother they had betrayed so many years ago. Joseph could have them killed, or imprisoned, or sold as slaves – just as they had done to him. Or he could provide for them life giving food and a prosperous future under his protection in Egypt. What path will he choose? And then, Vayigash Yehudah, and then Judah draws near and offers his life in exchange for his brother Benjamin.
Joseph sees that his brothers have changed. Joseph sees that he has changed. And Joseph chooses to draw them near and forgive. Joseph chooses the path of repentance and return and we are the heirs of that choice. Seeking and granting forgiveness has been our path for righteous living ever since that day.
Name: Matt Schwartz
Age: 53
How long have you been a member of The Temple? 25 years
Why did you decide to join The Temple? Cindy and I joined shortly after moving to Louisville. I grew up at Adath Israel downtown so it was easy to come home! We then proceeded to meet many of our lifelong friends through the Temple preschool and family holiday events. My parents, Gail and Buddy, were both very involved in Temple life and leadership and our family continued that tradition.
What do you do for a living? Lead a growing insurance brokerage with my brother Scott – personally, I focus on wellness, benefits and related support services.
What is your favorite holiday? Sukkot – we’ve raised a sukkah for 20+ years and it’s fun to bring in new people to enjoy all the photos we’ve gathered – and now post – over the years.
What is your favorite Temple memory? My children’s Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
What is your favorite Jewish food? Strudel – I remember – at age 6-8-10 – covering the entire kitchen table rolling out dough with my mom.
What is the farthest you’ve traveled? Tibet
How do you like to celebrate special occasions? Definitely with family and friends in tow – I love sharing experiences and creating memories.
How did you meet your spouse or partner (if you have one)? She was sitting on the couch, living in my old apartment. I came by to collect some mail I hadn’t received. Voila!
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I love live music – listening to it and creating it! In fact, my band from college still connects after what seems just a few short years to write new music and play … every chance we get.
What is your favorite volunteer activity? I really enjoyed being President of The Temple, helping map a course for future success and sustainability
What was your first car? Do you miss it? 1972 Dodge Dart (it was formerly Alison Roemer’s grandmother’s car)
Do you have a favorite sport and/or sports team? Big college basketball fan
Do you have a hidden talent? musician
Do you have any pets? 3 small, needy, but friendly, dogs – Uno, Lola and Dobby.
Have you lived anywhere besides Louisville? Tampa, Charlotte and DC area
What is your favorite Louisville restaurant? Al Watan
Why did you give through LIFE & LEGACY? If not me, who? The Temple has been very important to the life of my family. It seems obvious to me to do what I am able and give back – beyond current giving, it is “easy” to commit to more significant and impactful giving through estate planning. This is how I pay back my parents and grandparents who did what they were able years ago. I am now modeling generosity to my kids as well!
5101 US-42, Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 423-1818
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