It's one thing to see war break out on the news and know that it is far away and our loved ones are safe. It's another to watch as cousins, children, grandchildren, and siblings hide in bunkers out of fear of being struck by a missile. This conflict is so close to home even while many us feel helplessly far from the people and country that we love. The nationalist violence across the region between Jews and Arabs fuels this continuous conflict and we pray for "true peace," invoking the words of Psalm 122, ‘Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem; May those who love you be at peace. May there be well-being within your ramparts, peace in your citadels.’”
My friends and colleagues who are rabbis in Israel share their reflections on what this experience is like for them. CLICK HERE to read their comments.
Tomorrow, we will be reciting this prayer:
CLICK HEREfor the Prayer as Israel is Under Missile Attack [English and Hebrew]
May Shabbat truly bring peace, Rabbi Bernstein
From Cantor Joshua Diamond Friday, May 14, 2021
We always read Parshat Bemidbar the Shabbat before Shavuot, it allows us to begin a new chapter in the Torah and a new chapter in our lives. This is to remind us that “the Torah was given in the wilderness, a place accessible to all, a site that belonged to no one people and that it was given to a people with no real property or possessions.” (Etz Chayim 769) The Talmud tells us that we should be as open as a wilderness to receive the Torah, however this was not easy for our ancestors nor is it easy for us.
When we read about the Israelites time in the desert after they received the Torah we constantly hear about their bickering and wishing they were back in Egypt. Egypt was a land filled with monuments made by people, life was predictable, hard and the days were long but our ancestors grew accustomed to it. Their time in the wilderness/desert or Meedbar as it is written in Hebrew was unpredictable, untouched by human hands, every day brought new challenges. It was in this Desert that our people were reborn. They became a people and gave birth to a new generation that never knew life in Egypt.
Today many of us find ourselves in a similar situation to our ancestors. We long for the days of life pre-COVID, they seem care free and easy. However if we really think about what life was like in those times we remember we had many of the same challenges, they just manifested themselves differently from the ones we experience in the world we live in now. Like the ancient Israelites, every day for us in our world is different.
We are now entering a holiday and a summer that brings us opportunity and hope. We receive the gift of Torah on Shavuot and perhaps this summer we can receive the gift of learning to be with each other in this new ever changing world. May all of you stay healthy and keep the love of Torah in your heart.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Diamond
Mazal Tov to Rabbi Bernstein and Martin Yafe on their engagement
CLICK HEREfor the Schedule of Services, Minyans & Events
MORE CELEBRATIONS Mazel Tov to Sasha Hausman on earning her Bachelor’s degree in Bio-Medical engineering from the University of Miami. Proud grandparents are Adrienne and Allan Hausman. Proud parents are Christine and Seth Hausman.
We would like to wish Theodore Grossberg a very Happy 90th Birthday.
MINYAN REQUESTS Barbara Ringel requests a minyan for Tuesday, May 18th t 9:00 PM. She has yahrzeit for her mother, Ruth Washton.
Jeff Hesekiel requests a minyan for Thursday, May 20th at 8:00 PM. He has yahrzeit for his mother, Sylvia Hesekiel.
Shavuot Services Monday, May 17th at 9:45 AM (In Person & Zoom) CLICK HERE to register if you are attending in Person Monday, May 17th - Yizkor & Ma'ariv at 8:00 PM (Zoom)
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism