September 2014 Bulletin - Congregation Beth Israel, Portland Oregon

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Established 1858

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Bulletin September 2014 Elul 5774 - Tishrei 5775

L’Shanah Tova

Vol. 63, No. 11

The Board of Trustees and Clergy invite you and your family to join us for a Rosh Hashanah Reception 1 Tishrei 5775 . Thursday, September 25, 2014 Reception is in Blumauer Auditorium, immediately following the service Catering by Alfresco Catering and Sheraton Hotel With thanks to the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood for organizing the sweets table

Praying for Peace in a Dangerous World The bright sun and blue skies of our Portland summer are starting to shift now, as the leaves begin their inevitable, colorful change and fall. But for many of us, this summer, which should have had spirits as clear as the infinite sky, has held a darkness ominous as a rain cloud. The Middle East has been roiling, and it is hard not to be affected. Even as we pray for peace, we have seen the reality of war. An unprecedented number of missiles have fallen on Israeli territory. Unprecedented attacks through terrorist tunnels have been attempted. An unprecedented number of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed. Around the world and close to home, Anti-Semitic language and attacks have risen to levels not seen since the darkest years. Even outside the media glare, violence continues unabated: in Syria, in Iraq. Even here in the United States, racial tensions have boiled over, and children flee for their lives across our Southern border. Peace and safety seem like naïve dreams.

will be a time of peace for us, for Israel, for the world. We pray that we will find the comfort and security and confidence of our congregational family. We will greet each other with hope. As the prophet said: Blow the shofar in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children. . . And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else; and my people shall never be ashamed. (Joel 2:15-16, 27) May 5775 be a year of blessing for you, your family, and our community. May we strengthen one another. And may the world know peace.

We tremble, if only inwardly.

Shanah Tova

Soon, it will be time for us to gather as a community. The Yomim Norayim – the “Days of Awe” – will see us all together once again (and for some of us, for the first time with this community) in our sacred Temple. This is a time to remind ourselves that we are not alone in our fears. This is a time to reinforce our dreams for a better tomorrow. We pray that this

Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Rabbi Rachel L. Joseph Rabbi Emanuel Rose Cantor Judith B. Schiff


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