THURSDAY, MAY 28 6:00 PM - Shavuot contest for kids What would you add as the 11th Commandment? (Draw, paint, write a song or poem, or just write down your answer to share with all) - A special prize to the winner. 7:00 PM - Learning with Cantor Kowitz - How and Why we chant the Ten Commandments. Let us know what your 11th commandment would be. 7:45 PM - Shavuot Service 9:00 PM - Tikkun Leil Shavuot - Torah from Coast to Coast
FRIDAY, MAY 29 - FIRST DAY OF SHAVUOT 10:00 AM - Service
SATURDAY, MAY 30 - SECOND DAY OF SHAVUOT 9:30 AM - D'var Torah 10:00 AM - Service & Yizkor 9:10 PM - Havdallah Service
From Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein Thursday, May 28, 2020
Dear CBO Families, With its many facets, Shavuot not only acknowledges the giving of the Torah, but also the journey of a unique woman, Ruth. Ruth’s story may speak to us in our current situation. She shows us how courage and strength can manifest in one person in a dire situation.
Because of famine and the loss of her husband, Ruth join’s her mother-in-law, Naomi in her travel home to Bethlehem in search of food. While Naomi encourages her to go back to her home in Moav, it is loyalty that draws Ruth to follow Naomi. It may have seemed more comfortable to return to her homeland, but her instincts tell her to follow Naomi.
Like Abram and Sarai, she leaves her home because there is food scarcity, so she must adapt and move to avoid starvation. In a unique article in the Forward, Mijal Bitton shares that Ruth “is also rejecting the heritage of her people-by-birth, the Moabites. The Moabites are known in the biblical narrative for turning away the hungry people of Israel who were journeying in the desert seeking bread and water.” Ruth, herself becomes someone who is hungry and is in need of the kindness of others. Israel is a place of plenty at this moment and because of their culture and values embodied by Boaz and enforced by him, Ruth is fed and cared for.
There is a unique contrast of cultures. In Moav, strength is hoarding and keeping everything for yourself, while for the people of Israel, strength is asking for what you need, defending those at risk, and choosing the path less followed.
May we learn from Ruth’s choices and never be ashamed of need, nor afraid of giving.
Chag Sameach, Rabbi Bernstein
As a reminder, Rabbi Bernstein and Cantor Kowitz are available to speak with you about anything that is on your mind.
Mazel Tov to Cynthia Jacobson's grandson, Cooper Moran on his graduation from John F. Kennedy High School.
Please let us know if you have any celebrations, including anniversaries, birthdays, college acceptances, honor society, etc. that we can announce in our weekly blast.
MINYAN REQUESTS
The following families will be observing yahrzeit:
Saturday, May 30th, following Havdallah, Barbara Ringel has yahrzeit for her mother, Ruth Washton
Monday, June 1st at 8:00 PM, Les Scherer has yahrzeit for his father, Howard Scherer.
Please go to https://www.cbohr.org/events-general.html.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism