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From Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein Thursday, April 30, 2020
Dear CBO Family,
Recently, I have been finding the urge to fix everything that is broken, from the clutter of my closets, to what I’m eating. Imagine my surprise when I push myself so hard that the pressure actually inhibits me from taking the first step on anything. This is where the phrase, “progress, not perfection” comes in. I have noticed that when I stop trying to do everything, I get more done. It is a paradox of life. The Torah helps us parse this out.
We begin Acharei Mot-Kedoshim with a reminder of how to conduct the Yom Kippur sacrifice. If you have not already closed this email, I’ll explain a little about the nuances of such sacrifices and how I think this helps us relate to what is in our control and what continues to allude us. On Yom Kippur the High Priest takes 2 goats; One goat is sacrificed right then and there and the other one wanders in the wilderness. Depending on the way the wind blows, this could take on so many possible meanings. At this point in my life, these 2 goats represent the actions we can change and those that are beyond our influence. In simple terms, where we have control and where we don’t.
It is incredibly frustrating when you desire your life to go in a certain direction and despite all of your efforts, there are aspects that do not abide by your rules. One option is to continue pushing forward and striving for what we want. This has its time and place and we can strive for excellence using that mindset. Too often, especially in times of distress, we drive ourselves crazy with this approach. Another option encourages us to be realistic and see that there are some aspects of life that we cannot change. There are goats that we can nip in the bud and there are goats that will continue to wander.
Accepting that not everything will be finished right now, and giving ourselves the grace and permission to not be perfect can relieve the pressure and free up our creativity, our sanity, and our breath. May you be kind to yourself and be gracious with those around you. We are under a great deal of pressure and we are only human.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein
CBO AND THE ALIX RUBINGER KOSHER FOOD PANTRY CARES
In a recent article in the Bellmore Patch, it was mentioned that the local school district was providing meals to children on Mondays and Wednesdays. This grab and go program provides lunches 5-days a week to school children. Since the start of the pandemic, the need for this lunch program has increased from 70 to 165 children. The local chapter of the Lions Club has joined with the school district to provide pizza dinners to these 80 families throughout Bellmore and Merrick. A copy of the story is reprinted below.
Congregation Beth Ohr has committed to help feed these children by providing a Family Meal Package from Bagel Boss of Merrick. This Family Meal costs us $20.00 each and it is our hope that we will be able to provide these meal packages during the next few weeks to the families in need. Through the generous donations of our sponsor families, CBO already has commitments for $1,800.00. Please help us help those children that need our help. Please join us in this mitzvah by contributing $18, $36 or $54 to the Alix Rubinger Food Pantry.
You can donate by clicking here or visit the CBO website at www.cbohr.org.
MINYAN REQUEST Murray Ackerman requests a minyan on Monday, May 4 at 8:00 PM. He has yahrzeit for his brother-in-law, Oscar Marcus. Click here to get the meeting information.
CELEBRATIONS AND GRATITUDE We want to thank the CBO Cares committee for coordinating the School Lunch Program donations, and to all our congregants and friends who have generously made contributions.
Mazel Tov to Mitchell Gaines upon the birth of his granddaughter, Ella Gaines Kruchinsky, born on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The proud parents are Alyssa and Johny Kruchinsky.
Please let us know if you have any celebrations that we can announce in our weekly blast.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism