When the Jews were in the desert G-d instructed Moses to count them. One of the reasons for this was to demonstrate to them that "Every Jew counts", literally every individual is an essential part of the Jewish community.
This signifies the value of each individual in preserving Jewish heritage, advancing society, and fostering inclusivity and Jewish pride. Unity prevails despite diverse backgrounds and practices because essentially each individual within the community still remains unique as representation of the oneness of G-d within a diverse and fragmented world.
By passing down traditions, observing Mitzvahs and learning Torah to the best of our ability, every Jew contributes to the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage and community.
Jewish people have also excelled in fields such as science, arts, literature, and medicine, leaving an indelible mark on civilization.
By recognizing the unique contributions of every Jew and promoting inclusivity, we build a stronger community and a better world for all.
This is what we call a holy life.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Directors
Shabbos Times
Friday, May 19 Candle Lighting: 7:53pm
Evening service: 7:30pm
Saturday, May 20 Morning service: 10:00am
Kiddush Brunch: 12:00pm Evening service: 7:55pm
Shabbos ends: 9:00pm
Kiddush sponsored by Danny and Tamar Levin
in honor of Danny's birthday
Mazel Tov!!
Daily Minyan Times
May 21- May 25
Sunday Morning: 8:00am
Monday- Friday Morning: 7:00am
Sunday- Thursday Evening: 8:05pm
Hebrew School Awards Ceremony
Students and families joined this past Sunday to celebrate a wonderful year at Hebrew School! The ceremony included songs and prayers by the classes, awards for each student, teacher and volunteer appreciation and a tribute to our Moms with each student gifting their mother with a rose. The students also displayed presentation boards with topics covered throughout the year, as well as pictures with their Hebrew names.
Bat Mitzvah Club In celebration of this special milestone in a Jewish girl’s life, the Bat Mitzvah Club met monthly covering different topics in Judaism, created meaningful projects, while having a blast with their friends!
MVP Volunteer Program
The MVP program for Middle Schoolers met weekly to bring joy and smiles to seniors and assisted living residents in our community.
A BISSELE HUMOR
A renowned rabbi, a brilliant philosopher, was held in high regard by his driver, who listened in awe at every speech while his boss would easily answer questions about morality, ethics and philosophy.
Then one day the driver approached the rabbi and asked if he was willing to switch roles for the evening's lecture. The rabbi agreed and, for a while, the driver handled himself remarkably well. When it came time for questions from the guests, a man in the back asked, "Is the epistemological view of the universe still valid in an existentialist world?"
"That is an extremely simple question," he responded. "So simple, in fact, that even my driver could answer that, which is exactly what he will do."
WEEKLY eTORAH
“Numbers” may be the name by which the fourth of the Five Books of Moses is commonly called, but in the Hebrew original it is known as Bamidbar, or “In the Wilderness.” It is interesting to note that this Parshah is always read immediately before the festival of Shavuot, “the season of the giving of the Torah.” What is the connection?
The Sages teach that it is not enough for G‑d to give us the Torah; we have to be ready to receive the Torah. What makes us worthy recipients of this most precious and infinite gift from G‑d? This is where the “wilderness” idea comes in. A wilderness is a no-man’s land. It is ownerless and barren. Just as a desert is empty and desolate, so does a student of Torah need to know that he is but an “empty vessel.” Humility is a vital prerequisite if we are to successfully absorb divine wisdom.
As long as we are full of ourselves and our preconceived notions, we will not be able to assimilate and integrate Torah into our being. Even if are already somewhat accomplished in our Torah studies, we still need to remember—as the Kotzker Rebbe put it—that “as much as you know, you are still an undeveloped wilderness.”
Then there is the idea that an ownerless wilderness is there for anyone to stake his claim. No person or group of people has a monopoly on Torah. It belongs to each and every single Jew, not just the rabbis or the yeshivah students, or the religiously observant. “The Torah that Moses commanded us is the heritage of the entire Congregation of Jacob” (Deuteronomy 33:4). While we acknowledge that there is much hard work ahead of us if we are to acquire the Torah and make it ours, we also know that with diligence and effort we can succeed. Indeed, some of our finest Torah scholars throughout the generations have hailed from the simple, ordinary folk—tailors, cobblers and the like.
Maimonides, in his Mishneh Torah states: “With three crowns was Israel adorned—the crown of Torah, the crown of the priesthood and the crown of royalty. The priesthood was the privilege of Aaron . . . royalty was the privilege of King David . . . the crown of Torah is there ready and waiting for all of Israel . . . and it is the greatest crown of all.”
However, while Torah may be “free for all” as a desert wilderness, we must surrender ourselves to it, emptying ourselves of our ego and our preconceptions, rather than attempting to adjust it to our own circumstances and lifestyles.
And then, like the empty and uninhabited wilderness, the Torah personality may well find himself alone and isolated. We might express our strongly held values and beliefs, only to discover that we stand alone. We might display the courage of our convictions and find ourselves, like Abraham, “on the other side” of the whole world. Our principles may well prove unpopular, especially should they step on toes or upset apple carts. No matter. Being true to G‑d and His Torah means standing by it, under any and every circumstance.
May the literal title of our Parshah of Bamidbar, and the many lessons it conveys, serve as a fitting prelude for the beautiful festival of Shavuot. May we receive the Torah with joy and earnestness, so that this important festival will be both memorable and meaningful.
