Congregation B'nai Shalom
Traditionally Speaking
May, 2005
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Congregation B'nai Shalom Traditionally Speaking |
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - From RABBI JONATHAN GLASS
Covenant, Community, and Counting our Omers
What does the ideal Jewish community look like? Is it young, old, or mixed? Is it exclusive or welcoming, successful or struggling? Is it uninformed or well-educated, anxious or exuberant, melancholy or melodious? Is there even such a thing as an ideal Jewish community? If there is, what would it look like?
Communities are like people; every community has its own personality, shaped not only by its shared values but by a unique set of events and experiences. There is no ONE ideal Jewish community. There are, however, a number of ideal qualities that every community should strive to move toward and maintain.
The season we find ourselves in now is known as “Counting the Omer.” It’s a time when we prepare ourselves for Shavuot, the day we receive the Torah and enter into a special partnership with G-d. Our sages tell us that the great community of Rabbi Akiva and his students was devastated during this time of year because they did not show respect for one another. Ever since that time, the period of Counting the Omer has become a time when we pay special attention to our behavior; we strive to become-in the words of the Torah-a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We can translate this for our own times as including the ideas of service, trust, caring and respect.
Service: The task of the ancient priest was to serve-service in ritual, worship, teaching and blessing. The priests were described as being eager and enthusiastic. What does it mean for us to be a kingdom of priests? It means that, as a community, we are not apathetic but dedicated, wanting to serve and enthusiastic about the holy work that we do. The community is not here to serve us-it is us! And it is through community that we serve the Blessed Holy One.
Trust, Caring and Respect: To become a holy nation people need to trust each other, they need to care about each other, and they need to respect each other. Rabbi Akiva’s students may have been geniuses in their knowledge of Torah, they may have been scrupulous in their observance of Jewish ritual, but their foundation was lacking. In order to be on the path of becoming a holy nation every community needs to pay special attention to the qualities of trust, caring, and respect.
At this season of Counting the Omer, as we prepare to renew our covenant with the Almighty, may we pay special attention to those areas in our lives-service, trust, caring and respect-so that we will truly be on the pathway of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Warmest Best Wishes,
Rabbi Jonathan Glass
FROM THE PRESIDENT - ROB CHEIFETZ
I have some news, and then I’ll share a quick and beautiful dvar Torah I heard.
The news: Rabbi Glass has stated that he wants to have a long term commitment to the shul. We likewise expressed our desire for a long term commitment. We are currently working out the details, which we believe are “workable.” As in any important relationship, there will be a need for flexibility and understanding - and mutual respect. We’d like to share all of the details and “ins and outs” with you personally, so please make sure to attend the shul’s Annual Meeting on May 4th. It is very important that you come and express your individual commitment to the shul and to our community’s relationship with Rabbi Glass.
The dvar Torah: For each sin a person commits, the Torah prescribes a sacrifice as a means of atonement. For the sin of lashone harah (gossip/slander), the Torah prescribes the sacrifice of two birds. This leads to two questions: (i) why sacrifice a bird (rather than a cow, or sheep, or a meal offering)? and (ii) why two birds? The Zohar explains as follows: the bird is the chosen sacrifice because the sound you make when exchanging gossip is like the chatter of a bird; and two birds are sacrificed because one bird atones for the bad things you said about your neighbor, and the other bird atones for your failure to say the good things you know about your neighbor. SO, the next time you are having a conversation and your neighbor’s name comes up, not only is it important to refrain from saying something bad about him/her, but you must also give credit where credit is due, and express the good things you have heard.
See you at the May meeting! Shalom and l’hitraot.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, May 15: 2005 Israel Solidarity Day featuring the 34th Annual Walk With Israel. Registration is from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry, Buffalo Grove. The kickoff and 5.7K Walk with Israel starts at 10 a.m. Food and entertainment will be at Temple Chai, 1670 RFD, Checker Rd., Long Grove, starting at 11:30 a.m. The Moshav Band and Joel Frankel will be entertaining the crowds. Parking will be made available at Congregation Beth Am. There will be NO parking at Temple Chai. Bussing will be provided back to the parking lot at Congregation Beth Am. Shuttles will be provided between Congregation Beth Am and Temple Chai for those unable to walk. All funds raised will go toward sending Israeli children to camp. For more information call (312)444-2905 or e-mail israelsolidarity@juf.org. Register at www.juf.org/walk.
An educational twist has been added to this year’s theme. Every synagogue in the area will have a booth on different Jewish heroes.
Upcoming programs:
Culminating Dinner and Bingo: June 6 (tentative date). Watch your mail for more information.
Rummage Sale: July 10. Please start saving items to donate.
Kabbalat Shabbat Services ---Come join our Family Kabbalat Shabbat services at 7 p.m. Don't forget to bring the kids!
Pesach Service Times: May 1st - 9 a.m., Yizkor - 10:30, Mincha and Ma’ariv to be announced.
OUR LIBRARY NEEDS GOOD JEWISH BOOKS----This is a beautiful way to memorialize a loved one or honor someone special and promote Jewish education at the same time. No shul library should be without a set of Talmud. We need one! ---Artscroll Hebrew English Talmud ---$50 per volume---Your donation can dedicate one or more volumes today!