27 Av 5773 3 August 2013 KOL MEVASSER holy nation “if you keep the command- The Evil of Good ments of the Lord your God and walk in KJ Schedule His ways.” Rabbi Hayyim Palachi, a sage Parashat Re’eh Intentions of 19th century Izmir, pointed out that to By Rabbi Marc D. Angel Erev Shabbat “walk in His ways” entails positive action. It Friday, August 2nd is not enough to feel empathy for the poor, Shaharit .......................................... 6:30 am Has this ever happened to you? People or to wait for a needy person to come to Shir Hashirim .................................. 6:45 pm say they love you and respect you…but you to ask for help; rather, you must “walk” Minha & Arbit ................................... 7:00 pm then act in a manner which is unloving and and actively pursue opportunities to help Candle Lighting ............................... 7:34 pm disrespectful. Have you ever noticed when others. The hallmark of a religious person Shabbat people say they believe in this cause or is good and upright action. Saturday, August 3rd Shaharit .......................................... 8:30 am that cause…but then proceed to ignore it Class with Rabbi Batzri ................... 6:00 pm and refrain from supporting it. They ex- A popular saying has it that “the road to Ladies Tehillim ................................ 6:00 pm press the best of intentions about this or hell is paved with good intentions.” that…but then act in a way that negates Minha/Arbit ..................................... 6:45 pm Shabbat Havdallah ......................... 8:18 pm these professed intentions. Some years ago, Israel launched a mas- Weekdays sive effort to bring Ethiopian Jews to the In this week’s Torah portion, the Almighty Sunday, August 4th Jewish homeland. Our local UJA- Shaharit .......................................... 7:30 am states that He will bless the people of Isra- Federation sponsored a rescue campaign, Monday to Wednesday, August 5 to 7 el because “you will do what is good and indicating that it cost $1200 to bring each Shaharit .......................................... 6:30 am right in the eyes of the Lord your Ethiopian Jew to Israel. Our Congregation, God” (Devarim 12:28). The verse specifi- along with many others, participated in Thursday & Friday, August 8 & 9 Selichot ........................................... 5:30 am cally refers to action. It does not say that raising funds for this life-saving effort. Shaharit .......................................... 6:30 am blessings will be given because you think nice thoughts or say nice words. It says I recall clearly the responses of two mem- Rosh Hodesh Elul Monday Evening, August 5 that blessings ensue when “you will do bers of our Congregation. One of them, a Tuesday & Wednesday, August 6 & 7 what is good and right.” A person’s quality (Continued on page 3) is measured not by intentions and words, Erev Shabbat but by deeds. Friday, August 9th Parashat Re’eh Shaharit .......................................... 6:30 am Later in the book of Devarim (28:9), God Weekly Torah Portion from Shir Hashirim .................................. 6:45 pm promises to raise the people of Israel as a Book of Deuteronomy / Devarim 799 to818 Minha & Arbit ................................... 7:00 pm Haftara from Isaiah/Yishayahu 818 to819 Candle Lighting ............................... 7:28 pm In Memoriam Shabbat Kiddush We remember these yahrzeit anniversaries for August 3rd to 10th, 2013. It is customary to light is sponsored by a memorial candle, donate tzedaka, and attend services the preceding Shabbat. Hanina Mathalon and 27 Av / Shabbat, August 3rd Lulu bat Shereen Yvonne Sheeri Kooby 28 Av / Sunday, August 4th in honor of Goel Berookhim the Bat Mitzvah of Malka Isaac Malka bat Rivka 29 Av / Monday, August 5th Errol Levi Social Hall & Ballroom Michelle Adina Mathalon Rebecca Shamash Rivke bat Sarah Are you planning one of the following? 30 Av / Tuesday, August 6th Engagement Party Wedding Israel Messiah Yisrael ben Mashiach Brit Milah Baby Naming 1 Elul / Wednesday, August 7th Birthday Party Bar/Bat Mitzvah Congratulations Nissim Moses Nissim ben Yoshua Efraim Anniversary Company Event 2 Elul / Thursday, August 8th Michelle Saltanat Kohan Did you know that Kahal Joseph has one of the most beautiful ballrooms on the Westside Mazal Tov to your parents 4 Elul / Shabbat, August 10th for your private event? Do you know that we Nicole & Abe Mathalon Edward Kelly have an amazing, kosher catering kitchen? And a modern children's playroom for younger your sister and brothers Refuah Shlemah visitors? Kahal Joseph is fabulous for parties Brittany, Jordan, and Tyler Yocheved bat Rachel Mazal bat Malka, up to 200 guests. Please contact Sarah Dan Herdoon Mazal Tov bat Salha Matana Moshe ben Ezra Vera Levi Bouchoucha at 310.474.0559 for information. and your grandparents Hanina Mathalon Sasson ben Rahel/Sassoon Moses Penina bat Henia Dov Ber ben Sonia Yvonne Sheeri Kooby Maurice Ovadia / Moshe ben Noosha, Food Donations for Dr. Ellis Kooby Pnina bat Esther Yossef ben Jamila Ruth bat Aliza Dina bat Simha High Holy Days Children’s Room Shoshana Goury/ Shoshana bat Rahel The High Holy Days are rapidly approaching. Gerry Meyers / Ezra ben Yosef Aharon We’re organizing our special children’s program. David S. Kelly KJ Youth Choir Yehoshua ben Channah One special feature of KJ’s program is the The choir will resume Sunday, August Chaim Aryeh Yehuda ben Yocheved healthy & abundant kosher snacks we provide for 25th. We look forward to our kids, par- all the kids. Please contribute kosher, non- ents, & devoted volunteers enjoying Dear Congregants. due to allergies, we ask perishable food items to enable us to continue our learning and singing with Rabbi Batzri! that you refrain from wearing strong tradition of hospitality for our kids. Thank You! See you soon ! perfumes or colognes in the sanctuary (Continued from page 1) of intentions, he did nothing. The other A Piyut for Elul: Ben Adam congregant—who had far less ability to Selected and performed by Rabbi Batzri successful Wall Street investor, called me contribute—acted on his intentions and www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Ul0B_mBWc&feature=youtu.be בן אדם , מה לך נרדם ,(to urge that our Congregation take a lead- continues to be an inspiration to me after Ben Adam (son of man קום קרא בתחנונים ership role in this campaign. He expressed all these years. why do you slumber Arise שפוך שיחה , דרוש סליחה .heartfelt concern for the desperate Ethiopi- and call out in supplication an Jews and thought that this was a major When the Torah instructs us to do what is Pour out speech, seek for- מאדון האדונים giveness; from the Lord of רחץ וטהר , ואל תאחר -opportunity to mobilize our congregants to good and right in the eyes of the Lord, it is Lords. Run, and be puri בטרם ימים פונים action. I was pleased with this enthusiastic reminding us that words are empty—even fied, do not wait; before ומהרה , רוץ לעזרה response, and I asked him if he and his hypocritical—if not accompanied by appro- your days run out. And לפני שוכן מעונים wife would sponsor a parlor meeting at priate action. It is telling us not simply to quickly, run for help; from their home so that we could gather some profess friendship and concern—but to act before He who dwells in ומפשע וגם רשע Heaven. And from sin, and ברח ופחד מאסונים congregants together to raise funds for this like a friend and to demonstrate concern. It wickedness; flee and fear as אנא שעה campaign. He said he’d get back to me. is telling us not to engage in fluffy oratory from catastrophes. Please שמך יודעי He never did get back to me, even though but to act with integrity and sincerity. hear those who know your ישראל נאמנים לך ה ' הצדקה .I contacted him several more times to Name; the faithful of Israel For Yours, Lord, is justice. ולנו בושת פנים -move things forward. When the campaign Empty words are not only cheap; they are And ours is to be shame עמוד כגבר , והתגבר ,was concluded, this congregant—so elo- painful to hear. Good intentions without faced. Stand up as a man להתוודות על חטאים quent in his heartfelt concern for Ethiopian action are like dust in the wind. and overcome yourself; that יה אל דרוש , בכובד ראש .Jews—had contributed zero dollars! Shabbat Shalom you may confess your sins לכפר על פשעים Lord God seek, in dignified manner; that he may for- כי לעולם , לא נעלם .Another congregant—young and not pros- give your transgressions ממנו נפלאים -perous—brought me a check for $1200 to For never is any secret hid וכל מאמר -save an Ethiopian Jewish life. I knew that den from You; and every אשר יאמר thing that is said is heard this was more than he could afford. In- before You. The Merciful לפניו הם נקראים deed, he had taken an interest-bearing המרחם , הוא ירחם ;One, may he have mercy loan to make this contribution. I told him as a father has mercy on his עלינו כרחם אב על בנים that he wasn’t obligated to go into debt to children. For Yours, Lord, is justice. And ours is to be make a charitable contribution. He replied: shame-faced. if my life were at risk, I would want some- one to be willing to spend $1200 to save Women’s Gathering me! If we don’t all rise to the challenge to Celebrate Rosh Hodesh Elul Books on Iraqi Jewish Literature now, lives will be lost. This is no time to with Rabbanit Orly Batzri Written by UCLA Professor, Lev worry about going into a bit of debt. This is Hakak., these books offer analysis a time to act. Wednesday, August 7th at 10:30 am and refreshing insights into our Kahal Joseph Congregation heritage.