Have you ever heard of Acacia Trees? They are also known as Umbrella Thorn or Israeli babool. The Acacia tree or as it is referred to in our Torah portion T’rumah as Atzei Sheetim is one of the main materials that was used in the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
This particular Tree was not native to the Sinai desert and it does not bear fruit. So where did this non fruit bearing tree come from? “In Midrash Tanchuma, Rashi tells us that Jacob planted them on his way to Egypt, foreseeing that one day his grandchildren would need them.” (Etz Chayim 493) From this Midrash we are able to gain a deeper insight to the character of Jacob. While he like many of us was flawed, he did something that was selfless. Planting these trees would not help him in his life in any way, nonetheless he planted them for the use of his descendants.
Parshat T’rumah opens with the famous verse, “Let them make me a Temple/Sanctuary and I will dwell within them.” The last part of this verse is the most important, the actions that Jacob took by planting Trees for future generations to use was letting God dwell within Jacob. God wants to be able to dwell within each person, but we have to be open to letting God dwell within each of us which is no easy task. In order for God to dwell in us like God dwelled within Jacob we must be well balanced in our personality traits and attributes, thinking of others and being selfless like Jacob. Every so often if we put our needs on the backburner and help the stranger, a friend, a family member we are able to let God dwell within each of us.
Wishing everyone a Shabbat filled with peace and deep spiritual thought.
Shabbat Shalom Cantor Kowitz
Wellness Precaution
Shabbat Shalom,
As we work through this winter and flu season it’s exciting to know that spring is only 3 weeks away. However, there are mounting concerns and anxiety centered around the Coronavirus.
CBO is a welcoming congregation in which we greet each other with a hand shake or kiss on the cheek. I hope that we will continue to be welcoming while stressing that during this flu season we are conscientious about the health and wellness of our community.
Members of our community may be ill, recovering from the flu, have weakened immune systems or generally concerned about contagious illnesses. If you are feeling ill or have concerns about becoming ill do not feel pressured to extend your hand for a hand shake and on the contrary, do not feel offended if someone doesn’t extend their hand to reciprocate your hand shake.
For your welfare, there are Purell dispensers located at the entrance of the sanctuary and Muraskin room and in the Hebrew school. Additionally, the custodial staff have been requested to disinfect all door knobs, handles and surfaces with Lysol wipes on a regular basis.
Wishing everyone good health and welfare
Bruce Nelson President
SERVICES
Friday, February 28 - Friday, March 6
Friday 6:30 PM Shabbat Across America Dinner 8:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 9:00 AM Nosh and D'rash 9:45 AM Shabbat Service - Bat Mitzvah of Shayna Zaslansky
Sunday
9:00 AM Minyan (requested by Ira Faber)
Monday 6:30 AM Minyan Thursday 8:00 AM Minyan (requested by Marc Miller)
Friday 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service
VOTE FOR YOUR VOICE IN ISRAEL
Once every five years, Jews throughout the world (outside of Israel) are given the chance to participate in the elections for the World Zionist Organization (WZO), which controls over $1 billion in funding for educational institutions and influences policy regarding religion and society. Make sure your point of view is represented in the next World Zionist Congress. When you vote, you will be able to choose from over a dozen slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations and cultural traditions.
We are encouraging members of our community to vote for a Conservative/Masorti Slate. Vote Slate #6 to make sure that our voices are represented in Israel. There is a monopoly of Ultra-Orthodox over Marriage, Divorce, and other matters of law. We need a Conservative Jewish presence and voting Slate #6 can help!
Those elected from the United States will join delegates from Israel and around the world at the 38th World Zionist Congress in October 2020, the international “parliament of the Jewish people”, to make decisions regarding key institutions which allocate nearly $1 Billion annually to support Israel and World Jewry (including the World Zionist Organization, Keren Kayemet LeYisrael – Jewish National Fund)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask Rabbi Bernstein at Rabbi.Bernstein@CBOHR.org
B'shalom, Rabbi Bernstein
Click on the links below to register for any of these programs
Our Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry needs increased membership contributions as well as ideas for other sources of income. We are now serving 15 to 20 families per week. While a lot of food is contributed to our pantry from supermarkets and other synagogues, it is still necessary to purchase needed food items.
Checks can be made out to the Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry or made out to CBO with an indication that the funds go to the pantry account.
Please remember that this is OUR Pantry.
Thank you.
As a member of CBO, you have a Shul Cloud Account within our Website. Your login is your email (the email you use to receive this email). If you don't know your login password, you can reset it HERE Why do I need to login? By clicking on "My Account." You can view and update your information on your account.
Click on "Edit my profile"
Make sure that the information is your profile is correct, e.g. your Hebrew name and birthday, work and contact information.
Add your family members and/or make sure that their information is correct.
Add yahrzeits so you can be notified of future occurrences.
Register for many of our exciting events and programs.
We want to hear from you! Please send us your feedback and suggestions. Your input matters to us.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism