DOCSLIB.ORG

Wonderful of Kol Ami World

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Wonderful of Kol Ami World Volume 45 Number 9 April 2021 • Nissan / Iyar 5781 Message The from the Rabbi Wonderful By Rabbi Rachel Blatt After Passover, we World have a flurry of days. of Kol Ami Literally, we call them the “Yoms”: Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom oom Ha’atzmaut. Even Fundraiser though they are set so close together, they do not blend into ZSunday, April 25 one another, they have their own purpose and meaning. Looking back in my own Early Bird Registration memories of observing these holidays, open through April 16 it is as if they each have their own com- $36 per email address partment, not remembering how closely $72 for 4 email addresses they are placed during the 49 days Registration prices will increase after April 16. between Passover and Shavout. Click here for more information! This was done intentionally, of course. The first Yom HaShoah was observed in 1951, three years after the creation of the State of Israel. It was originally called Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remem- brance Day and was tied to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising which began on Erev Pesach. To go from celebrating the Exodus from Egypt and freedom to memorializing those we lost in the Shoah feels appropri- ate. In every exodus, there are those who Contents do not survive and we must not forget President’s Message ...........................p.3 Brotherhood ....................................p.17 them. Especially in an atrocity like the Kol Ami Zoom Fundraiser ...................p.4 SCHool SCHpiel ................................p.20 Holocaust, there were so many who were not even given the option of an exodus Pesah Services ....................................p.7 Youth Groups ...................................p.22 from their bondage. Tree of Life Long Learning.................p.11 April Calendar ..................................p.25 Facility Focus & Security Spotlight .....p.12 Yahrzeits & Birthdays ........................p.28 Exactly eight days later is Yom HaZikaron. We mourn a full week of Shiva between Sisterhood .......................................p.13 Donations & Anniversaries ................p.29 (continued on next page) Message from the Rabbi (continued from page 1) Congregation Kol Ami remembering the Shoah. Now, we shift. It is such a Jewish Contact us: (813) 962-6338 concept to begin a moment of celebration with a moment of David Pearlman, President sadness. We begin Purim and Passover with a fast. Just after [email protected] Yom Kippur, we jump into the joyfulness of Sukkot. We know that Israel was not handed to us on a silver platter. It is instead, Rabbi Rachel Blatt [email protected] as Altman puts it in his poem, that the silver platter is all the young soldiers who gave their lives for statehood. Mitchell Weiss, Executive Director [email protected] And quickly, we transition to a celebration of Independence. Jennifer Halls, Education Director Just a few weeks after we have symbolically walked out of Egypt, [email protected] we arrive in the Holy Land. The journey has been so dense from Lynn Chernin, Assistant Director of Education Exodus to Shoah to Zikaron to Independence, it is, of course, an [email protected] overwhelming joy to celebrate. Maci Morse, Youth Director We too are about to experience a feeling of freedom, if we have [email protected] not already. We are currently participating in an exodus of sorts Joanna Paley, Office Manager - walking out of the pandemic. As of this writing, they have just [email protected] announced the availability of the vaccine to almost all adults in Rosie Grumbley, Accounts Receivable & Billing Florida over the next few weeks. Many of us have already received [email protected] it because of our age, our health, and our jobs. Our doors are Steve Lynn, Facilities starting to open again. Families have been able to gather. We [email protected] must not leave the pandemic as if it were nothing though. Roberta Baer, Sisterhood President We must remember those who were unable to come with us. [email protected] We must continue to protect those who are vulnerable to this Mario Rodriguez, Brotherhood President disease. By the time we reach Shavuot in our holiday cycle, we [email protected] are able to appreciate the freedom granted at Passover and ChaiLites Staff accept Torah. I look forward to seeing what Torah, what cele- Graphic Design: Black Marker Creative bration, what appreciation, comes out of this freedom as well. www.blackmarker.net Request from Rabbi Blatt Staff: Jamie Krischer & Jody Sampson-Nair, Proofreaders Please keep us informed of significant events in your family life. It is our Office Hours: Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. desire to be of help and service to you in times of special need. It to 5:00 p.m., Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is especially important that we know of those in the hospital, and April 2021, Vol. 45 Issue 9 assisted living or nursing homes, so that we can offer pastoral care and they may be included in a prayer for recovery at Shabbat Services. Congregation Kol Ami ChaiLites 3919 Moran Road, Tampa, FL 33618 Ph. 813-962-6338 Fax: 813-968-2219 [email protected] Amazon Smile The Kol Ami ChaiLites is published on the first of every Hands up – how many of us month by Congregation Kol Ami, Conservative shop at Amazon? Did you Congregation affiliated with The United Synagogue know that when you shop of Conservative Judaism. through AmazonSmile, All articles and announcements are due two weeks prior Amazon donates 0.5% of to the month being published. We reserve the right to edit the purchase price to Congre- for length and consistent editorial tone. gation Kol Ami? Bookmark The ChaiLites is published 11 times a year. the link https://smile.ama- zon.com, select us as your Advertising charity of choice, and support us every time you shop! Same Please contact the office at 813-962-6338. great products, same price, same service. Seriously...SAME. Congregation Kol Ami • April 2021 ChaiLites • Nissan / Iyar 5781 • Page 2 B’Yachad our relationship and hope it helps keep Ami is truly in great hands these next By David Pearlman, President the energy Rabbi Blatt has brought to our two years. community ever strong. Lehitraot Kol Ami! I have said this several times, but it seems 2. I am so proud of our Task Force. Such fitting to close my presidency by thanking See you soon, not hard work, so many different opinions, my family for allowing me the opportunity goodbye. This is such passion for trying to do what we to serve this Kehilla Kedosha. I have missed my last B’yachad each think is the best for Kol Ami. Putting soccer games and basketball games and column! It is with that Task Force together early on has been family dinners, and outings to various very mixed emotions invaluable this past year. places. Particularly since my kids are soon that I write this final flying the coop and leaving Deborah and column. I have tried to be a dedicated 3. I am so proud of High Holidays 5781! me as empty nesters. That has been the President these past two years, and as By no means was it perfect, and the whole hardest part of my term, and yet, their a result, the time commitment has been situation was so complicated and gut support for me, and what I was doing, significant. The work we have done wrenching. Yet, I truly believe we all came never wavered. Todah Rabah, Mishpacha together, however, has been so reward- together in so many ways to make this Pearlman! ing. I have loved working with Rabbi, past year’s Days of Awe awe-inspiring. Mitch, and Kalman these past two years I am so excited for my successor. Kalman I have had the privilege of serving on and doing my part to bring Kol Ami to Pila is the perfect person to follow as numerous boards and being the Chair its next great version of itself. I have loved Kol Ami’s next President. His work as our or President of most of them, so when seeing you all at Shabbat services both in Ritual Chair for so many years has enabled I say that this has been some of the person and virtually; I have been inspired him to truly know just about every single most rewarding work I have done, I hope by the passion and commitment of ALL Kol Ami member. His temperament and you all know how much I mean it. It has our volunteers: Executive Committee, ability to keep his emotions in check will been my pleasure to serve this beautiful Board of Trustees, so many committee serve him well, and finally, his pure love community, so thank you for the oppor- members, and even people who just of Congregation Kol Ami will always guide tunity to do so. help out around the office. It is truly the decisions he and his Board make. Kol Lehitraot, David Pearlman contagious! So many people have been so support- ive and patient over this past year of COVID-19. So, IN- P ERSON BOARD OF TRUSTEES if you pressed me I N S TA L LATI ON S H ABBAT S ERVI C ES on what I’m most proud of during F RI DAY , APRI L 16, 2021 my term, there -Masks are required are 3 things that -Social distancing will be enforced come to mind regardless of vaccination status quickly. -Please follow all screening & safety precautions 1. Welcoming REGISTRATION REQUIRED Rabbi Rachel Blatt and her family. To register, click here. From the time we If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about attending services, spent in New York please join us from home on Zoom or via Livestream.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Relationship Between Harmonic Series and Gematria
    De harmonische boventonenreeks in relatie tot gematria Relationship between harmonic series and gematria Mathieu Daniël Polak April 2017 This example demonstrates the first sixteen harmonics on the low C. The first four notes of the harmonic series are built from the intervals octave, fifth and fourth. The sum of these intervals (8+5+4) is 17. In Hebrew, the consonants of the alphabet carry numbers. The tetragrammaton (Name of God) Yud, Heh, Vav, heh, carries the numbers 10/5/6/5. In Hebrew, the 0 does not exist. One could read 10/5/6/5 as: 1+5+6+5 = 17 . The octave, fifth and fourth in the harmonic series is followed by thirds. In the example these are numbered 5, 6, and 7. The sum of 17 +3+3+3 = 26 . If the 0 in the tetragrammaton would be counted as well it would lead to 26 . (10+5+6+5= 26 ). The first twelve harmonics show clearness in structure. The intervals become smaller and smaller. After note 12 suddenly a major second appears. There seems to be a separation between the first twelve notes and the following notes. The Hebrew word Badal means separation and has a worth of 36 . If all intervals of the first twelve notes of the harmonic series are counted, the number 36 appears. (8+5+4+3+3+3+2+2+2+2+2= 36 ). 36 is a special number. 3+6=9. In any multiplication of the number 36 we can see the number 9. 2x36=72. 7+2=9. 3x36=108.
    [Show full text]
  • Chai Rollers Initiative to Tackle ‘Suicide Epidemic’
    1908 2016 108 years Emery kicks off football season The Texas Gulf Coast’s Jewish Newspaper Since 1908 Page 16 September 1, 2016 - 28 AV 5776 Volume CIX - Number 21 Houston, Texas jhvonline.com $2 Per Copy Houston student takes on administration over anti-Israel incidents By AARON HOWARD | JHV high school level. the effectiveness of student activism at the high What’s also new is that Jewish high school school level. As the fall semester begins on U.S. college students are refusing to be intimidated, even The Jewish Herald-Voice spoke with Terk by campuses, pro-Israel organizations forecast that when high school administrators fail to address phone from Austin, Texas, where he is preparing this year will see new levels of pro-Palestinian acts of bullying, vandalism and offensive conduct to start school at The University of Texas. student initiatives. These initiatives include against Jewish students. everything from resolutions calling for boycott, In November 2015, anti-Israel students at Carnegie incident divestment and sanctions against Israel; to intim- HISD’s Carnegie Vanguard High School covered On Nov. 1, 2015, a student at Carnegie posted idation and posting clearly anti-Semitic messages over Israeli flags during an International Festival at least two messages on social media. One post on social media. Some college campuses have and posted a Twitter message calling for intifada. on Twitter was a cartoon reproduction of a become environments where Jewish students Eliav Terk, then a senior at Carnegie, refused to character with horns and a Star of David lurking feel threatened, particularly if they identify remain silent.
    [Show full text]
  • Hebrew for What April 2017
    Hebrew for What? Hebrew at the Heart of Jewish Day Schools Alex Pomson Jack Wertheimer Adar 5777 March 2017 Hebrew for What? Hebrew at the Heart of Jewish Day Schools Alex Pomson Jack Wertheimer A Report of The AVI CHAI Foundation In Cooperation with Rosov Consulting Acknowledgements The authors are grateful for the continuing support and encouragement of Mem D. Bernstein and Arthur Fried, current Chair and Past Chair of The AVI CHAI Foundation, as well as the Trustees who have taken a keen interest in this project since its inception. Discussions with the principals of the Foundation considerably enriched our thinking. As he has in the past, Yossi Prager, Executive Director of AVI CHAI in North America, has served as our most attentive and meticulous reader. His many comments on successive drafts have helped us shape and improve this report. At various stages, staff members of The AVI CHAI Foundation have served as sounding boards and careful readers. Susan Kardos, in particular, offered valuable feedback on several drafts of this study. Her thoughtful suggestions spurred us to revise and improve. Deborah Fishman with the assistance of Michael Trapunsky provided editorial oversight and smoothly ushered the report through its design and production stages. Deena Fuchs played a critically important role in planning for the release of this report. To all of them, our sincere thank you. This report is the outcome of a productive partnership not only between the two authors, but also between The AVI CHAI Foundation and Rosov Consulting. From the early stages of conceptualizing the research design through the actual data gathering and finally into production, this project has been a team effort.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Mourning Traditions
    JEWISH MOURNING TRADITIONS Shmira / The Vigil (From Chevra Kadisha) When a person dies, the soul or neshama hovers around the body. This neshama is the essence of the person, the consciousness and totality, the thoughts, deeds, experiences and relationships. The body was its container and the neshama, now on the way to the Eternal World, refuses to leave until the body is buried. In effect, the totality of the person who died continues to exist for a while in the vicinity of the body. Jewish mourning ritual is therefore most concerned with the feelings of the deceased, not only the feelings of the mourners. How we treat the body and how we behave around the body must reflect how we would act around the very person himself. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH Jacob is promised that when he dies, “Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:4). The 16th century “Code of Jewish Law” dictated that the eyes should be closed, arms and hands extended and brought close to the body and the lower jaw closed and bound. The body was placed on the floor, with the feet towards the door. The body was covered with a sheet and a lit candle placed near the head. The Midrash states that on Shabbat one does not close the eyes, bind the jaw or light a candle. Some Jewish communities would place potsherds on the eyes; Russians placed coins. Ancient superstitions in many cultures held that if the eyes were opened, the ghost of the deceased would return to fetch away another of the household.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is the Meaning of Meaning in Jewish Education? | FALL 2015, VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
    GLEANINGS FALL 2015 Dialogue on Jewish Education from The Davidson School VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3 The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education is the largest multidenominational school of Jewish education in North America, granting masters and doctoral degrees and providing professional development to educators currently in the field. Drawing upon cutting-edge thinking in both Jewish and general education, its pedagogy emphasizes experiential education, is informed by best practices and new developments in teaching, and engenders leadership in a variety of educational settings from day schools to summer camps, Jewish community centers to congregational schools, Israel experiences to environmental education, and early childhood to adult Jewish learning. • MA In Jewish Education • Doctorate in Jewish Education • Professional Development What Is the Meaning of and Curriculum Meaning in Jewish Education? “I want this learning experience to be meaningful” and “I want my learners to find meaning through Jewish practice” are two comments we hear a lot in the field of Jewish education. All educators must consider the role that meaning plays in their work with learners. The term is one that is often used in a variety of contexts in contemporary discourse about Jewish education and identity. However, it is a term that is loosely defined and often used differently among various people who invoke it. In this issue we look at the concept of “meaning”—how people use it, what it might denote, and what Education projects at The Davidson School are generously funded by the Alan B. Slifka Foundation, AVI CHAI the implications of these ideas are for our work in Jewish education.
    [Show full text]
  • Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna: Shining Books
    Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna: Shining Books Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Yehudah Yechiel Michel Safrin of Komarna was born on the 25th of Shevat 5566 (1806). His father passed away when he was 12 years old, and he was raised by his uncle, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Ziditchov. After he married, he moved to Pintchov, his father-in-law's town, and became a rebbe. Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac also served as a dayan (judge) in Ziditchov. Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac suffered disdain and poverty. Later, he said that he achieved his lofty spiritual level in the merit of the persecution, which he suffered with love and joy. Later, he moved back to Komarna and remained there until the end of his life. Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac was the first and most important rebbe of the Komarna Chassidut and had thousands of chassidim. He was a prolific writer on an array of Torah topics, particularly on Kabbalah, in which he was an expert and a great innovator. He delved into the writings of the Ba'al Shem Tov and into the stories about him and his disciples. Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac passed away on the 10th of Iyar, 5634 (1874), at the age of 68. *** There are many stories of Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac and the books that he wrote. Once, he was a guest in someone's home, and he slept in the study. On Shabbat night, he saw that one of the books on the shelves was shining. At first, he thought that he was imagining things, but when he saw that the book was indeed shining, he got up to see which book it was.
    [Show full text]
  • AVI CHAI Spend Down 2018
    THE SAVING REMNANT IS SHINING BRIGHT, ITS FIRE NOW SPREADING RENEWING LIGHT YEAR SEVEN REPOrt ON THE CONCLUDING YEARS OF THE AVI CHAI FOUNDATION BY JOEL L. FLEISHMAN PROFESSOR OF LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY AND CIVIL SOCIETY SANFORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY DUKE UNIVERSITY MAY 2018 FOREWORD his report is based on a thorough review of Board minutes, internal documents, and published reports of The AVI CHAI Foundation, and on interviews with Tsome of the Foundation’s senior officers and the Executive Directors for Israel and North America, conducted in the United States and Israel in the summer of 2017. Except where otherwise noted, quotations from AVI CHAI Trustees and staff are drawn from these interviews. THE SAVING REMNANT IS SHINING BRIGHT, 1 ITS FIRE NOW SPREADING RENEWING LIGHT THE SAVING REMNANT IS SHINING BRIGHT, ITS FIRE NOW SPREADING RENEWING LIGHT YEAR SEVEN REPOrt ON THE CONCLUDING YEARS OF THE AVI CHAI FOUNDATION BY JOEL L. FLEISHMAN PROFESSOR OF LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY AND CIVIL SOCIETY SANFORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY DUKE UNIVERSITY achieve significant, lasting objectives in the time BACKGROUND remaining and leave its grantees stronger and This is the seventh in a series of reports on how The more fully equipped to carry on the parts of their AVI CHAI Foundation is going about completing mission that the Foundation has supported. its grantmaking by December 31, 2019. The Foundation was established in 1984 by financier Zalman Chaim Bernstein (z’’l 1), with the mission PART I: OVERVIEW of strengthening Judaism, Jewish literacy, and At the end of 2017, The AVI CHAI Foundation Jewish tradition; promoting mutual understanding stood exactly two years away from its intended among Jews of differing religious orientations; sunset, when its two remaining programs, in and sustaining, enlarging, and enriching Jewish North America and in Israel, would make their commitment to the State of Israel.
    [Show full text]
  • Hearts and Minds: Israel in North American Jewish Day Schools
    Hearts and Minds: Israel in North American Jewish Day Schools Alex Pomson Jack Wertheimer Hagit Hacohen-Wolf Nissan 5774 April 2014 Hearts and Minds: Israel in North American Jewish Day Schools Alex Pomson Jack Wertheimer Hagit Hacohen Wolf A Report of The AVI CHAI Foundation In Cooperation with Rosov Consulting Hearts and Minds: Israel in North American Jewish Day Schools Alex Pomson, Jack Wertheimer, Hagit Hacohen-Wolf Five Key Findings: • Not only is Israel education rarely contested in day schools, Israel actually serves as glue holding school communities together. Particularly in schools outside of the Orthodox sector, Israel is the single most important Jewish common denominator binding school families together. • Israel educators fall into two categories: slightly over two thirds see their role as what we describe as Exemplars: they believe Israel education is best done by sharing something of themselves with students. Slightly under one-third of teachers, by contrast, encourage their students to learn about Israel through inquiry and study; we call these teachers Explorers. Both types of teachers are found in every day school sector, regardless of denominational affiliation. This last finding constitutes both an opportunity and a challenge: it suggests that there is great potential for professional development across denominational lines; it suggests also that all schools should be alert to how diverse the experience of Israel education is in their classrooms. • Students’ connection to Israel grows from their relationship to the Jewish people. Nurturing connections between students and Jews around the world contributes to their connection to Israel. Put differently, the road toward engagement with Israel runs through students’ relationships to other Jewish collectives, wherever they are found.
    [Show full text]
  • LETTER KUF All Hebrew Reversed
    KUF KUF THE LETTER THE LETTER ק Divrei Hokhmah ק Divrei Hokhmah Brought to You by the Letter Kuf (KODEM (before, previously קדם This year’s Divrei Hokhmah offer a different approach for study to open your meetings. Rather than focus on an annual theme or concept, we are presenting brief study pieces on words that begin with the letter . This year, as Women’s League for Conservative Judaism celebrates its Why the letter kuf? Kuf is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and has the 100th anniversary, is a year in which we pay tribute to that which numerical value of 100. As we begin to mark Women’s League’s 100th came before, kodem. anniversary, how appropriate to identify Hebrew words beginning with kuf to complement this centennial celebration! The organization has undergone extraordinary changes throughout The selected kuf words should be well known and are a fitting reflection of the decades. The primary language of our members is no longer the Women’s League mission to educate its members. Yiddish. Our per capita dues have gone from ten cents to $15. We no longer wear hats and gloves to meetings. In fact, many sisterhoods no Of course, if you have another offering, please feel free to present it. And don’t forget to share it with us! longer have meetings. Our members today can be in touch, instantaneously, with any member, any place in the world, with the click of a mouse. Origins of the Letter Kuf But some things remain the same, unchanged from before (kodem).
    [Show full text]
  • Divine Wisdom and Warning
    Divine Wisdom and Warning Decoded Messages from God Nicholas Gura Hamilton Books An Imprint of Rowman & Littlefield Lanham • Boulder • New York • Toronto • Plymouth, UK Copyright © 2011 by Nicholas Gura First published in 2015 by Hamilton Books 4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706 Hamilton Books Acquisitions Department (301) 459-3366 Unit A, Whitacre Mews, 26-34 Stannary Street, London SE11 4AB, United Kingdom All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available Library of Congress Control Number: 2015932571 ISBN: 978-0-7618-6572-8 (pbk : alk. paper)—ISBN: 978-0-7618-6573-5 (electronic) Cover art by Catherine Gura TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992. To my two heroes the Honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beate Klarsfeld Contents Acknowledgments vii I: Divine Messages: Real or Random? 1 1 The Discovery 3 2 Gematria: God’s Math or Numerical Coincidence? 11 II: Divine Wisdom and Warning for Timeless Questions and Mysteries 19 3 Why Are We Here? Why Does the World Exist? 21 4 Who Wrote the Bible? Is the Bible Really True? 35 5 Was Jesus Actually a Messenger of God? 51 6 What Is God’s True Religion? 61 7 Do We Really Have Free Will? 69 8 What Are the Minimum Requirements for Entry into Heaven? And What Happens after Death? 79 9 Suffering: Is It Divine Punishment? 91 III: Divine
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Expression Today and Implications for Jewish Education | SPRING 2019, VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1
    GLEANINGS SPRING 2019 Dialogue on Jewish Education from The William Davidson School VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1 The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education is the largest multidenominational school of Jewish education in North America, granting master’s and doctoral degrees and providing professional development to educators currently in the field. Drawing upon cutting-edge thinking in both Jewish and general education, its pedagogy emphasizes experiential education, is informed by best practices and new developments in teaching, and engenders leadership in a variety of educational settings. Learn more at www.jtsa.edu/davidson. Jewish Expression Today and Implications for Jewish LEADERSHIP COMMONS The Leadership Commons is a project of The William Davidson School dedicated to building Education educational leadership that works together to Early in the movie Keeping the Faith, we see fictional Rabbi Jacob create a vibrant Jewish future. • Leadership Institutes Schram push his Upper West Side congregation to explore different • Research, Design, and Publications forms of Jewish expression—reciting the morning berakhot within a meditation circle and bringing in a Harlem gospel choir to sing the Ein Keloheinu prayer, to name two examples. Leadership of the Education programs at The William Davidson School are currently congregation are resistant, yet Rabbi Schram’s innovative techniques funded by the William Davidson Foundation and supported by ignite a fire of passionate engagement within his community, the Alan B. Slifka Foundation, Amy Mandel/Katina Rodis Fund, The Avi Chai Foundation, Birmingham Jewish Foundation, inviting them to experience new forms of Jewish expression that Covenant Foundation, Jim Joseph Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, and inspired them into a more active Jewish life.
    [Show full text]
  • Shmini Sober Guys Anonymous
    Shmini Sober Guys Anonymous Hashem spoke to Aaron and said: Do not drink wine or any alcohol, neither you nor your children when you enter the Tent of Meeting, neither you nor your children; this is an eternal rule – for all generations. Vayikira 10:9 Everything bad that has ever happened in the world is the result of wine. Adam Harishon drank wine at his marriage reception, and it led him to sin.447 There would never have been death in the world otherwise. Noah drank wine, and suffered terribly as a result. He never had another child as a result of his excess. Lot was only convinced to engage in his incestuous liaisons while under the influence of alcohol. The Golden Calf was only created because the Jews had been drinking wine.448 The sons of Aaron only committed the sin that led to their fiery deaths as a result of having imbibed wine.449 The Baalei Hatosafos450 tell us that the ben sorer umoreh (rebellious son451) is killed primarily as result of his drinking. The Ten Tribes were only exiled (and largely lost to the Jewish people) as a result of wine.452 The use of wine would seem to have wrought more trouble than the world has been able to tolerate. If not for the influence of spirits, the world would be sin-free and death-free – wouldn’t that be something! “Do not be from those who guzzle wine.”453 “To one who fixes his gaze on the [wine] goblet, all paths seem just,”454 are just a few of the places where Shlomo warned of the dangers of wine drinking.
    [Show full text]