Shabbat Bemidbar
Numbers 1:1-4:20
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, May 30, 2008 8:01 P.M.
I walked as fast as possible. I worked up quite a sweat, in fact. After
about a mile, I broke into a jog and then ran as hard as I could.
Finally, after about 25 minutes, I stopped. My heart was pounding. My
shirt was soaked. But I had gone nowhere. I had just done 2.5 miles on
the treadmill at L.A. Fitness.
After I cooled off, showered, and went to my office, I sat down with my
Chumash to prepare for this week’s Torah reading, parashat Bemidbar. I
read some of it slowly and some faster, but I felt at times that I
wasn’t getting anywhere—like I was back on the treadmill. Censuses were
taken. The long journey was recapped. The tribes were listed and
relisted. Not the most interesting Torah reading of the year.
Then I remembered something in chapter 4 in the book of Deuteronomy to
help me get through the early chapters of Numbers. I was told why all
that recapping was important. Moses told the people not to “forget the
things your eyes have seen . . . . Teach them to your children” (4:9).
This week’s Torah portion was not about Israel going nowhere fast. It
was about training, about a lesson in using God’s past workings as
instruction for future godly living.
Every parasha is important and God’s truth permeates about how we should
live our lives even the seemingly most uninspiring ones. As we prepare
for Shavuot, the giving of the Torah, we must remember to keep reading
even when it may seem unimportant. Sometimes we have to be patient to
realize its full purpose.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gary Greene
Services Schedule:
Friday night 7:00 p.m.
Shabbat 9:00 a.m.
Mon. & Thurs 6:30 a.m.
Sun. -Thurs night 7:30 p.m.
Announcements:
A gift from METNY Celebrating Israel’s 60th Birthday. Thursday, May
22. A free concert for the entire family at Shelter Rock Jewish Center,
Roslyn. Blue Fringe, the Jewish Rock Band and Tismoret, and outstanding
a cappella group. Admission by reservation only. Call Don Schiller:
211-533-7800 ext 212544
Sunday, June 1st Salute to Israel Parade Join family and friends as
we march in this year’s Salute to Israel Parade. Spectators also
welcomed! RSVP required. Cost is only $18.00 per person and includes
round trip air-conditioned bus (from MJCC and back), special
commemorative T shirt, a light snack and bottled water. Even if you
can’t attend show your support by donating $18.00 or more by May 5th and
receive the official Salute to Israel Parade T shirt as our gift.
June 4, 2008 Annual Meeting after Ma’ariv services
Shabbat, June 7. 2008 We celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Jackie Gabler
Sunday, June 8, 2008 Shavuot
6:00 P.M. Join us for a dairy dinner
@ a cost of $15.00 per person not to exceed $50. 00 per nuclear family.
RSVP by Tuesday, June 3rd.
7:00 P.M. Watch the Oscar winning movie West Bank Story. West Bank
Story is a musical comedy about David, an Israeli soldier, and Fatima, a
Palestinian fast food cashier - an unlikely couple who fall in love
amidst the animosity of their families' dueling falafel stands in the
West Bank. Tensions mount when the Kosher King's new pastry machine juts
onto Hummus Hut property. The Palestinians ruin the machine and the
Israelis respond by building a wall between the two eating
establishments. The couple professes their love for each other,
triggering a chain of events that destroys both restaurants and forces
all to find common ground in an effort to rebuild, planting a seed of
hope.
7:30 P.M. Shavuot Services with Hebrew School Commencement and
Promotion Ceremonies. All diplomas, awards, and honors will be given out
during the services
8:30 P.M. Discussion on the future Israeli-Palestinian relationships
based upon the movie with Cheese Cake desserts and a special sheet cake
in honor of our Hey class students.
The movie, services, and desert/discussion are free and open to the
public.
Shavuot services Monday and Tuesday begin at 9:00 a.m. with yizkor at
11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
Shabbat, June 14, 2008 June’s Lunch and Learn with Installation of
Synagogue Officers and Board Members. More than 40,000 Israelis who
were converted to Judaism in the past decade by the state's official
conversion courts may find their conversions annulled-rendering them
non-Jewish in the eyes of the law-following a ruling ...by Israel's
Supreme Rabbinical Court.
The Israeli Supreme Rabbinical Court has been hijacked by Ultra-Orthodox
rabbis who don't represent a more nuanced view of our tradition. Come
and study what our tradition asks of a convert before he or she joins
the Jewish people.
Call the office, 718-428-1580, to make reservations by June 14, 2008
Lunch costs only $8.00 per adult (12 years and older) and $4.00 per
child; children under 5 are free.
June 17, 2008 Ritual Committee meeting after Ma’ariv
Shabbat, June 21, 2008 We celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Myra Greenberg
Shabbat, June 28, 2008 We celebrate Harry Makler’s special Birthday.
July 13th MJCC is going to another Brooklyn Cyclone’s Game! It is
Jewish Heritage Night at the stadium where the Cyclones will be playing
the Spikes. Tickets are only $18.00. RSVP at the synagogue office no
later than May 14th for our block of tickets to be purchased on time.
