Message from Rabbi Cohen in This Issue
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S I VA N - E L U L 5 7 7 4 • S U M M E R E D I T I O N • J U N E - A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 C O N G R E CG A T I OhN BaE T iH -I S lR iA EgL • BhE R KtE s L E Y MESSAGE FROM RABBI COHEN Sadly, this summer all of our rejoicings are deeply disturbed learning and personal growth. The list I compiled spans several by heartbreaking events in Israel. The biblical poet somberly genres and themes, with a little something for everyone. I highly cries, If I forget thee, oh Jerusalem! Certainly, this summer, wher - encourage us to order these books through our local Judaica ever we may be, at work or on break, our hearts and minds book store, Afikomen. must be intently focused on Jerusalem, on Zion, as an entire For those interested in literary readings of biblical texts, I rec - nation mourns three of its boys. As the days of mourning turn ommend R. Nathaniel Helfgot’s Mikra & Meaning . R. Helgot, into weeks, let us hold on to the urgency of this hour and the my former Tanach rebbe at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah , is a master - profound lessons of unity that emerged out of this horrific ful teacher and writer. His work contains several articles about tragedy. At CBI, we will use the summer days as an opportu - the book of Numbers (particularly relevant to our current Torah nity to delve more deeply into the Torah, and as we do so, I portions) alongside other major biblical texts and reflective works hope that we will keep our nation’s boys, z”l, as a primary focus on biblical scholarship and Modern Orthodoxy. I would also rec - of all of our studies. ommend reading the book’s nuanced introduction, written by To begin, we will have several opportunities to learn with visiting the great R. Aharon Lichtenstein shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat rabbis and scholars from Israel, many of whom have personal con - Gush Etzion . A true intellectual power-house and visionary, Rav nections to the CBI community. In mid-July, we will welcome Lichtenstein cogently weighs the blessings and challenges of a back R. Aaron Leibowitz, the beloved son of CBI’s own R. Yosef literary and scholarly approach to Divine writ. Leibowitz. R. Aaron grew up in the CBI community in the 70’s In recent months, I enjoyed reading sections of R. David Brof - and early 80’s. Of late, R. Leibowitz has been involved in impor - sky’s Hilkhot Mo’adim – Understanding the Laws of the Festival. tant innovative work in the field of community-based Kashrut su - The book masterfully portrays the entire Jewish holiday cycle pervision in Jerusalem. During his visit, R. Aaron will share his through a Halakhic (legal and practical) lens combined with pri - reflections about this initiative alongside personal accounts of his mary sources and spiritual-philosophical analysis. I would es - social and political work in Jerusalem. Towards the end of July, we pecially recommend reading the book’s opening chapters which will also welcome R. Ronen Neuwirth, the executive director of offer a clear presentation of the laws that govern all the holi - Beit Hillel, who will be here on a family trip with his four chil - days (an area of Halakha that is often not sufficiently dren. Beit Hillel was recently founded in Israel as a Modern Or - thodox Attentive Leadership forum for rabbis, rabbaniyot (women — continued on page 2 scholars and leaders), and other scholarly or community leaders. I believe that Beit Hillel’s vision will resonate deeply with our CBI Family. On July 22nd, we will welcome R. Naftali Citron of the IN THIS ISSUE Carlebach shul, NYC who grew up in Berkeley. Message from Paul Albert .................................... 2 In addition to these visits, several of our weekly classes will go Message from our R. Intern, Daniel Millner ........ 3 on this summer, including our Beit Midrash program on Thurs - Guide for Three Weeks and Nine Days ............ 4-5 day nights and our Friday class on the Mishnah . Please consult Gan Shalom Update ............................................ 6 Daf HaShavuah (our weekly bulletin) for exact dates as well as The Inspiring Work of Leket Israel ...................... 9 other educational offerings. Class Schedule .................................................. 10 I wanted to take this opportunity to also suggest a few books I Times for Action ................................................ 11 enjoyed in recent months. I hope that the more leisurely weeks CBI Calendar .............................................. 12-13 of the summer, will allow each of us some time for individual Events at CBI & the Community ................ 14-17 A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR OUTGOING TREASURER By Paul Albert As your outgoing Board Treasurer, I was beloved Gan Shalom, I am very grateful to you for your past, thinking about what I wanted to write for current and continuing financial contributions in making the this issue of Chai Lights. This brought back rebuild a reality for our youth. I also want to thank Sisterhood memories of my Bar Mitzvah. I had just and Naomi, “the scrip lady,” who have given generously to us. given all of my drash but the last few sen - Because of you, having enough money was never a concern. tences. In retrospect, the last few sentences were probably the most meaningful part I also want to thank all of those individuals who give their time which was thanking those who made my Bar to make these events happen. While too many to mention, Mitzvah possible, my parents, the rabbi, and without their help we would not have the wonderful happenings those guests who attended. This is how I feel that we have. That being said, also during my time as treasurer, right now about you, my CBI family, Rabbi Cohen, the board I would like to specifically thank the Kiddush coordinators, Jane and Joelle, who have honored me by giving me the opportunity Turbiner, Rona Teitleman and Avraham Burrell and you for our to be your treasurer for the last three and one-half years. amazing Kiddush’s Shabbat after Shabbat. Finally I am truly grateful to Rabbi Cohen, past and current presidents Rebecca Your generosity both financially and in time given has made my Landes and Lois Marcus, the board and Joelle for all the support job a joy. Through your financial generosity, we have been able they have given me during my tenure. I feel that I have received to fund worthwhile projects and events that have benefited all of far more from you than I have given you. us. Elishav and Ma’ayan and the wonderful events and teachings that they have done for our youth were funded by you. During Incoming treasurer Ben Rose will be a true asset to our family. my time, your financial generosity made possible our many As Rebecca Landes said, “we are a destination shul.” Shabbat Shalem programs, the Chinese dinner and movie, Sukkot and Purim events just to name a few of our many hap - With deep gratitude, penings. You continue to support our annual gala in appreciation Paul of those being honored. As the continuing treasurer of our continued from page 1 mastered). The remainder of the book (over 700 pages!) is di - focusing in on the Jewish aspects of Cohen’s writings as well vided among the holidays and can be read in advance of each of movingly depicting critical Jewish milestones in Cohen’s life. I the Chaggim throughout the year. was especially touched by chapters describing Leonard Cohen’s first live performance in Israel as well as Cohen’s spontaneous In the area of Jewish literature, I would urge our CBI Family to be - tour of army bases during the Yom Kippur War. come better acquainted with the writings of R. Haim Sabato, whose works have often born comparison to those of S.Y. Agnon. R. Sabato As we enter the summer days, I also wanted to take the oppor - descends from a long line of rabbis from Syria and his family lived tunity to once again thank our outgoing president, Lois Marcus, in Egypt for two generations before moving to Israel in the mid 50s. for her masterful stewardship of our community, together with His works powerfully describe Sefardi spiritual and religious life as the ever visionary Paul Albert, our outgoing treasurer, and wel - it encounters major geopolitical, cultural and intellectual, shifts in come our incoming president Irene Resnikoff together with our the Diaspora, as well as in Israel during its founding period. Of late, new treasurer Ben Rose. We are truly blessed by their example, I read Sabato’s first novel, Emet MiEretz Titzmach (Aleppo Tales) , a dedication, and hard work. collection of three stories about Aleppo’s unique Jewish community during three critical phases, prior to the age of emancipation, dur - May the weeks to come bring comfort to our people, especially ing the first and second world wars, and after Israel’s founding. to the families of our beloved boys, z”l, together with opportu - nities for all of us to grow spiritually and religiously, through For those looking for something a little lighter or less traditional, our reading and learning, through prayer, and through the per - though potentially religiously inspiring as well, I would suggest formance of mitzvoth and good deeds. reading Liel Leibovitz’s recent biographical work on Leonard Cohen, my beloved Jewish Canadian singer and song writer, ti - With blessings, tled A Broken Hallelujah . Leibovitz does an exceptional job in R. Yonatan Cohen Page 2 Congregation Beth Israel Chai-Lights FROM OUR OUTGOING RABBINIC INTERN By Rabbi Dan Milner Dear CBI family, gregation Tiferet Israel in Austin, TX, a similarly warm and open community, but, as we all know, there can only be one For the past year, I have had the zchut (the CBI, which is truly unique among Modern Orthodox syna - privilege) and great pleasure of serving as gogues, and I am so grateful that I was able to experience that CBI’s rabbinic intern.