COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Celebrating and Living During Challenging Times Rabbi Nancy Rita Myers | Beth David
We’ve been through a lot. It’s been over two years of Covid 19 and all the subsequent variants such as Delta and Omicron. We’ve sheltered in place, put various masks on our faces, gotten vaccinated and then boosterized, and we’ve made adjustments to our work, school, and social lives. So many of us have dealt with fear and anxiety. We’ve been worried about our health and that of our loved ones. We have mourned the loss of events and social gatherings. We have agonized over sending our children to school and how to work and balance all the challenges that have come with the pandemic. And then, we also became even more worried about our security as we come to synagogue, Jewish community centers, and more. It can feel as though there’s no end to the worry and insecurity at times but Judaism has lessons and insights for us all. These months, we will be celebrating Purim and Passover. These holidays emphasize resilience, faith, and a willingness to live and take charge of our destinies. Purim features the book of Esther where an evil advisor, Haman (lots of noise), wants to eradicate the Jews of Persia. Mordecai urges his cousin Esther to advocate for her people and reveal her secret Jewish identity. Through wisdom, Esther devises a way to speak to the king and in doing so, wins him over. The Jews are given the means to defend themselves, the evil villain is disposed of, and the Jews celebrate with merry making. The following month, Passover reminds us of the suffering of our people in Egypt and the rising up of an initially tentative leader, Moses. Overcoming his fear of speaking, Moses and his
brother Aaron stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. After ten punishing plagues from God, our people risk everything to leave Egypt for the promise of a better future. And so, we have Passover seders and recall our exodus out of Egypt. Both Purim and Passover, showcase our people’s struggle to survive in adverse situations. Thankfully, today, we don’t live under a tyrannical government and there it is no orchestrated attempt to destroy us. Yes, we face growing anti-Semitism as hateful acts are increasing against many other marginalized
It can feel as though there’s no end to the worry or insecurity at times but Judaism has lessons and insights for us all. groups. Yes, we are still facing health and life challenges from the ever changing Covid 19 virus. However, we are blessed to be able to live with a freedom our ancestors would’ve relished. We are much more secure and stable that the generations who lived in Egypt, Persia but also in Europe during the many times of our tumultuous history. Here in the U.S., we have friend and allies. We are also able to vote, advocate, and influence policies. We are not helpless. We are ingenious, hardworking, caring, and committed people. And our tradition teaches that there is life not just in good times but also in hard ones as well. Our commandments continue to keep us grounded in Torah, God, and peoplehood. Our customs and traditions, remind us of the sacredness of time. And we know that there is meaning and purpose right here, right now. So at this time, we need to celebrate with gusto, observe with intent, as we remember and recount our incredible history. What a blessing it is to be alive. How lucky are we to be Jews living in the U.S. and may we continue to embrace our amazing heritage, L’dor va’dor, from generation to generation.
Synagogue Directory Beit HaLev I
P.O. Box 2279 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Rabbi Galit Levy-Slater 562.493.2680 duets@icloud.com www.galityomtov.com R Beth David
6100 Hefley St. Westminster, CA 92683 Rabbi Nancy Myers 714.892.6623 tbdavid@templebethdavid.org www.templebethdavid.org O Chabad of Los Alamitos & Cypress
12340 Seal Beach Blvd. Suite B-219 Seal Beach, CA 90740 Rabbi Shmuel Marcus 714.828.1851 smarcus@jewishcypress.com www.chabadlosal.com
Chabad of West Orange County/ O Congregation Adat Israel 5052 Warner Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Rabbi Aron David Berkowitz 714.846.2285 info@chabadhb.com www.chabadhb.com
O Congregation Lubavitch
3981 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807 Rabbi Yitzchok Newman 562.596.1681 yitzyg@aol.com
I Congregation Shir Chadash
6440 Del Amo Blvd. Lakewood, CA 90713 Rabbi Karen Isenberg 562.429.0715 csclakewood@dslextreme.com www.csclakewood.org
Congregation Sholom of Leisure World, Seal Beach C Mail to: PO Box 2901 Seal Beach, CA 90740 1421 Northwood Road Seal Beach, CA 90740 President Carol A. Stern Levine Phone: Direct 562.505.3622 Phone: Membership 562.430.7040 congsholomlwsb@gmail.com I P’nai Or
3955 N. Studebaker Road Long Beach, CA 90808 Email: info@pnaior.org Website: www.pnaior.org
Shul By The Shore O
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MARCH – APRIL 2022
presents in person Long Beach’s own
Michael Stuhlbarg Versatile, accomplished actor on stage, in films (The Shape of Water, Call Me By Your Name, The Post) and currently in Hulu’s Dopesick Sunday, March 13 Alpert JCC Lipeles Auditorium 2:00 p.m. For tickets visit jfcslongbeach.org Or call (562) 427-7916
3801 E. Willow Street Long Beach, California 90815 Rabbi Abba Perelmuter 562.621.9828 rabbi@shulbytheshore.org www.shulbytheshore.org R Temple Beth Ohr
15721 E. Rosecrans Ave. La Mirada, CA 90638 Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfarb Phone: 714.521.6765 office@tbolm.org www.tbolm.org
C Temple Beth Shalom
3635 Elm Avenue Long Beach, CA 90807 Rabbi David Cantor 562.426.6413 office@tbslb.org www.tbslb.org R Temple Israel
269 Loma Ave. Long Beach, CA 90803 Rabbi Scott Fox 562.434.0996 info@tilb.org www.tilb.org
Temple Ner Tamid of Downey I 10629 Lakewood Boulevard Downey, CA 90241 Rabbi Daniel Mehlman 562.861.9276 C Conservative I Independent O Orthodox R Reform
