September 2017
Elul 5777 / Tishrei 5778
From the Rabbi’s Study. . . Images and voices of the past recently re-emerged on the domestic and national stages. In Charlottesville, Virginia, one person was killed and nineteen injured when a car rammed a counter-protest organized to speak out against White Supremacists, the KKK, and Neo-Nazis. On the international stage, President Kim Jong-un of North Korea escalated his threats regarding nuclear engagement. Meanwhile, we have entered the Jewish month of Elul which is a precursor to the High Holidays. In the Un’tane Tokef prayer we read, “Repentance, prayer and charity remove the severity of the decree.”
High Holiday Services Rosh Hashanah: September 20, 21, 22 Yom Kippur: September 29 and 30 Sukkot: September 5 Simchat Torah: October 11 Shemini Atzeret: October 12 Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Slater 3:30pm Saturday, 9/9/17, Sanctuary Pre-Holiday Temple Clean Up Day 10:00am Sunday, 9/10/17, Outside and in
Repentance As we try to make sense out of that which we cannot understand, we need to look into our hearts. None of us would think of attacking innocent people with a motor vehicle or a nuclear weapon. Yet if we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that bias and bigotry do exist in the corners of our hearts. We must work to eradicate any perception that paints another human being as less valuable than ourselves. When cultivated over generations, these small seeds of contempt result in a harvest of violence. Cleansing our hearts of bias, hatred and bigotry will prepare a more fruitful ground for future generations.
Board of Directors Meeting 7:00pm Tuesday, 9/12/17, Board Room Welcome for new Members 5:30pm Friday, 9/15/17, Shmoozatorium Oneg for Al Spaien’s 90th Birthday After services, 9/23/17, Shmoozatorium
Prayer The power of prayer cannot be quantified. It is our way of reaching out to our creator while also reaching inwards. Continued on page 2
Tuesday Afternoon 5:30pm Friday Night 6:15pm Saturday Morning 9:30am Followed by Kiddush Luncheon