This year, Black History Month resonates particularly strongly for me as a Jew. For this February, Jews around the world are reading the Torah portions that focus on the Israelites, Moses and the journey out of Egypt and towards freedom.
Black history and the suffering of the Israelites are part of the same story. We have always been intertwined in our experiences as slaves, persecuted peoples, and as allies. We worked together during the Civil Rights Movement. Still today, we continue to partner in the fight for social justice, humanity, inclusion and equality. I see our histories as being very similar and our fight as the same. Every day and forever, the Jewish and Black stories are bonded. We need to continue the work of our ancestors and leaders. We will honor those who came before us: Abraham, Sarah, Harriet, Isaac, Frederick, Rebekah, James, Leah, Crispus, Miriam, Maya, Rachel, Sojourner, Esther, Martin, Moses, Langston, Ruth, and Nelson.
In honor of Black History Month, I wrote the following responses to the Torah portions that we will read this month. These poems speak to the connected journey and experiences of Black and Jewish people. They will appear in my forthcoming book, Butterflies in Fields of Corn.
We journeyed across the land
and experienced miracles from G-d
demonstrations of his power
after we were released from bondage
and blessed to be alive
We prayed to persevere and survive
We congregated, walked, and rested together
we shared stories
of stress, sacrifice, and success
and sang as we marched on
in the desert
dry and barren
yet we were full of hope
We were weary
and rested together
at the base of the mountain
and communed about
all of the wonders we had seen
after we were let go
as slaves
now trying to thrive
We wanted to persevere and survive
We praised G-d for giving us
the strength to press on
the fortitude to keep moving
and allowing the stars to guide us
leading us to the blessed freedom
of our dreams
and celebrating
our lives
saved and revived
We persevered and survived
We settled by the mountain
called Sinai
and feasted on matza and pomegranates
and drank the sweet wine
of liberty
we relished in our freedom
of no longer being deprived
We honored how we persevered and survived
We celebrated life
wildly
and suddenly
a figure appeared from the top of
Mount Sinai
our leader
after 40 days and nights
to share G-d’s truth
and light
to guide us to a life
that is right.
With scripts eloquently and passionately spoken
our leaders gave all they could give
they challenged us to be people of character
peace and love
to be as G-d calls us to live
The divine texts
blessed by G-d
inspired by the flames
burned in the heart
powerful like the lightning from the sky
sacred verses
received on the mountain top
providing us with ways
to make a new start
Dreams sermoned
from the mountain top
mitzvahs of love and peace
goodness and community
prayers that hate would stop
We vowed to fight
to never again
be in bondage
and never forget
our history of slavery
and always do what is right
Commandments of values, respect
trust, and responsibility
messages of order, justice, and equality
heard throughout the land
encouraging and inspiring us
to live by the laws
of G-d’s love
decrees of peace and unity
Our journey continues
across the land
as we commune for humanity
and work together so all people may thrive
honoring our interconnected history
collaborating as one community
we will ALL persevere and survive.
Mount Sinai
She walks from Mount Sinai
Gloriously
appearing from the Shabbat sun
a crown of gold and copper
adorning her ebony wooly hair
twisted roots intersecting
representing the history of her
and how her story had begun
Her lips
painted with pomegranates
separated like the sea
sharing sacred scrolls
seeping from the crevices
of her ivory teeth
she stood so sure
poised to present
a powerful sermon
her eyes shining
dark and rich
a blend of coal and diamonds
Illuminating her care
her flesh
revealed the light
radiating from her inner being
reflecting hues of bronze
and wood persimmon
her beauty so rare
and spirit so pure
She walks from Mount Sinai
dressed in red tapestry
of fine linen
carrying the rules of life
in her hands
her body
inviting aromas
of havdalah spice
from within her temple
she depicts the innocence
of cherubim
and the strength of the beams
holding the tabernacle
facing the east
she nurtures the earth
and engulfs it with the
natural incense
of her energy
soulfully
she speaks
G-d
and commands
her people to
live
holy
She walks from Mount Sinai
Powerfully
she floats
peacefully
welcoming Shavuot
and spreads her arms toward the west and the east
blessing the land
and testifies of promises
clairvoyantly predicting
oppression
and faithfully
fortuning redemption
she shares
G-d’s plan
She walks from Mount Sinai
Gracefully
revealing her dreams
and the hopes in her mind
believing that anything is possible
and caring for humankind
she is the root
spreading her love
embedded in the soil
the magnificent universe
is within her
the G-d above
She walks from Mount Sinai
Courageously
accepting her fate
knowing that the Israelites
will be persecuted
and pleads for forgiveness
and mercy for her people’s sake.
She walks from Mount Sinai
Beautifully
&
Gloriously
void of judgements
profoundly loving her people
and giving them
the absolute joy of life
G-d’s testaments.
