 SATURDAY NIGHT LIVEDINNER AND DANCE - SILENT AUCTION
All money raised will go to our BUILDING FUND.HELP US MAKE THIS EVENING A GREAT SUCCESS!! |
When you think about the significance of construction, everybody can imagine a process in which the effect of bringing together the materials and the appropriate labor work can end up with a new house, building, or any other project useful for mankind. We know that there are many disciplines that interlace in the conception and later materialization of a building, besides the supervision and permanent control needed to secure the future users the good working of the property and its long life lasting.
Particularly in our community project, we have been lucky to count with people willing to give of their knowledge, their time, or both, to help cover the diverse necessities inherent to this project. With certainty, I can affirm that each and every one of us knows that what we are building is not just another new place for our Jennifer Sossin School and our B'nei Israel Synagogue. Today we are building our future. We want to make sure that our children will be able to go on with their Jewish studies in the best premises, and that we all will enjoy a beautiful place where our spirits can rejoice, and in this way keep our wonderful community on the go.
We have presently ended the first entresol (entrepiso). Now we are demolishing the rest of the old building, so that from here on we can raise the whole project uniformly. Our goal is to have the building usable for Rosh Hashanah.
We rescued the bima's bricks from the demolition of the old building, thanks to Bill Fischer's idea. We are sure many of you are willing to acquire one at a very reasonable price, as a precious memory of our first temple. We have also rescued some other materials, some for recycling, others for sale. The staff that works in the construction site has learned to respect the Shabbats and is very attentive to the observations made by different members. Somehow, they have been influenced by our feelings, constantly demonstrating their worry and interest to carry out their work in the best way possible. The Building Committee meets every Friday at 7:30 a.m., no matter strikes or blockades, and each time we have more members visiting our building site. All of this fills us with satisfaction and encouragement.
In the book "La Sabiduría del Talmud" (The Wisdom of Talmud), written by Jaime Barylko, he refers to the collective responsibility by saying: "All the Israeli are responsible one for the other". Another one says : "To whom are they alike? To a boat. When the boat presents a gap, nobody talks about the gap, but about the boat as a whole; all the boat -- not only the gap -- is in danger." (Shevuot 39). And following this concept, today our community is a boat with one course and it is our responsibility to look after each other. Let's keep going.
Eduardo Keibel
Building Committee Chairman
Geri Voit, one of the founding members of our congregation who currently resides in California, and who has been in executive positions for many years both in Women in Reform Judaism and in the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, has sent us the following information (text in next page), which was used for a Dvar Torah at their Religious Practices meeting by their Rabbi.
Perhaps if we can all understand that which lies behind the desires and needs of each of our members in their choices for prayer, we can further enrich our spirituality. We have published our own tri-lingual Siddur in order to further and deepen the understanding and participation of all of our members. This reflection can hopefully lead us along the same path.
I can only hope that this may be done with utmost respect for the feelings of each of our members, and in gratitude and respect for each of the visiting Rabbis who have helped us along this path.
Jody Steiger de Bonilla
Selection from Harvey J. Fields, Bechol Levavcha
: With All Your Heart
New York, U.A.H.C., 1977
Help us in the construction of our new temple and win $3,000 at the
same time ! ! !.
The raffle will be held on Sunday, August
13, in combination with the drawing of the
National Lottery for Mother's Day.
Ticket value : $100
Whether you want to pay in one payment, or arrange a monthly quota,
please contact :
The verdict is all the more significant because, unlike United States libel defendants, U.K. defendants have to sustain the burden of proving that their statements are true. We salute Prof. Lipstadt and her co-defendants for their courage and determination in bringing Irving's abhorrent misdeeds to light and in standing their ground in the face of gross provocation and abuse. This historic verdict will make a lasting contribution to substantiating the truth of the Holocaust.
We are confident that our satisfaction at this
verdict is shared not just by other Jews throughout the world, but by a
substantial majority of non-Jews in the U.K., Europe, and elsewhere, who
reject racism and anti-Semitism, acknowledge the enormity of the Holocaust,
and support public and private efforts to heal the wounds of the past and
build a better future based on mutual respect, partnership, pluralism,
and inter-group understanding.
Rabbi Richard A. Block, President
Austin Beutel, Chairman
CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ISRAEL :
In addition to the IMPJ's usual efforts to form
new congregations (recent examples being in Modi'in, between Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem, and Zichron Ya'acov, between Tel Aviv and Haifa), emphasis is
also on renewal. According to Gusti Yehoshua-Braverman, Director of Community
Development for the Israeli movement, one example is in Rishon Lezion near
Tel Aviv, where the small but veteran congregation Achvat Yisrael now has
a community coordinator and offers a wide range of activities, including
a growing study group that boasts a variety of well known guest lecturers.
"We must establish new congregations," says Yehoshua-Braverman. "However,
we must also rejuvenate those that already exist but are struggling because
they lack a rabbi or are in the periphery." Another example of Movement
rejuvenation efforts is in Nahariya, near the Lebanese border; the city
has a large immigrant absorption center, and some 150 immigrants regularly
avail themselves of a congregational program offering lectures and field
trips. Efforts continue toward strengthening new congregations as well;
Modi'in's young Yozma congregation, for example, already has four kindergarten
classes, with plans to add a fifth, as well as a first grade.
IMPJ-AFFILIATED KIBBUTZ LAUNCHES "GREEN APPRENTICESHIPS":
Kibbutz Lotan, in Israel's southern Arava, is
offering a three-month work/study experience as part of its "Ecological
Projects," an official kibbutz work branch that includes an organic vegetable
garden, a bird reserve, alternative building construction, and a unique
desert ecological education center. Lotan members are committed to a modern,
liberal approach to Judaism, and base many of their endeavors on "Tikkun
Olam," the Jewish concept of repairing the world. The "Green Apprenticeship"
will integrate practical work and studies in such areas as organic
gardening, recycling, alternative construction, and the development and
upkeep of the kibbutz's bird reserve, with tours to local points of interest,
hikes, lectures, and other ecological projects. To find out more about
the program, e-mail the kibbutz at <lotan-ecoprojects@lotan.ardom.co.il>,
or go to its Web site at <http://www.kibbutzlotan.com>.
CONVERSION ISSUE BACK (SO FAR, BRIEFLY) IN HIGH COURT:
Lawyers representing Israel's Interior Ministry
recently argued before the country's Supreme Court that the Chief Rabbinate
must approve any conversion conducted in Israel before the convert can
be registered as a Jew on his or her government-issued ID card. The 11-justice
panel had convened to hear arguments concerning a number of non-Orthodox
conversions performed both in Israel and abroad, in which the converts
have yet to be registered as Jews. IRAC represents most of the petitioners.
The Interior Ministry attorneys cited a law dating back to the British
Mandatory period - and still in effect - that says Jews living in Palestine
(now Israel) are part of the "Jewish community," and that the Chief Rabbinate
leads the community. The 11 justices heard government arguments for three
hours before moving to reconvene at an unspecified date. Meanwhile, government
officials have reportedly said that the section dealing with the bearer's
nationality (religion) on Israeli ID cards may be scrapped in order to
avoid a potentially divisive legal battle over the authority of Israel's
Chief Rabbis.
BLOCK TRAVELS TO SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE:
Prior to his participation in the Hong Kong conference,
World Union President Rabbi Richard Block visited several WUPJ-affiliated
congregations in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, Australia. In addition
to delivering numerous sermons, meeting with leaders of Progressive Judaism
and the larger Jewish community, and giving newspaper, radio, and television
interviews, Block made a number of appearances on behalf of the Progressive
Trust of the United Israel Appeal of Australia. The Progressive Trust is
a vehicle for those who wish to support the World Union's work through
the UIA, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to eligible programs in
Israel and the FSU. Following the Hong Kong conference, Block visited Progressive
congregations in Johannesburg and made numerous community appearances there
as well.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVEDINNER AND DANCE - SILENT AUCTION
All money raised will go to our BUILDING FUND.HELP US MAKE THIS EVENING A GREAT SUCCESS!! |
Shoah is the Hebrew word for "whirlwind." It is the term used to describe the conflagration that swept up six million Jewish souls between 1938 and 1945. A war was waged against the Jews in which unspeakable atrocities were perpetrated against a defenseless people. Men and women, young and old alike, were butchered at the hands of the accursed Nazis, may their name be eradicated for all time. Every year, on Yom HaShoah, we remember the martyrs who sanctified the name of G-d in the camps, the ghettos, and in the gas chambers.
A story is told of a unique Chanukah in Aushwitz. It was December, and a group of Jews in Aushwitz desired greatly to have a candle lit on the upcoming holiday. Obviously, there was no way the Germans would allow this to happen, and candles were impossible to come by in the camp. However, this did not deter these Jews. They saved small portions of fatty butter every day until they had enough to make a small candle. On the eve of Chanukah, they gathered in secret, a group of emaciated bodies who had given up their sole sustenance, around one rabbi.
The rabbi then made the three blessings that one recites on the candles the first night of Chanukah. After the blessings were made and the candle was lit, one of the assembled approached the rabbi and asked, "How could you make the third blessing? In the third blessing, we thank Hashem for bringing us to this day! How can we thank G-d for bringing us to this day while we are standing amidst horrors, death, and torture! Aren't the dead better off than those alive?"
The rabbi responded that he too questioned as to whether this blessing should be made. "However," he said, "when I looked around at the assembled crowd, I saw the glow on everyone's face, and I perceived that faith was burning bright in their hearts. I, therefore, had to bless Hashem, for allowing me to live to see this assembly of martyrs who sanctify the name of G-d in public, who keep their faith amidst the flames."
As we mark the anniversary of the liberation of the camps, we must ask ourselves: If we could ask the six million for a final request, what would it have been? Certainly, they would have expressed a desire for the continuity of the Jewish people. They, who died as Jews, would have wanted us to live as Jews, to continue to grasp the faith to which they held so tightly. The proper way, then, to memorialize the six million is to strengthen our commitment to Judaism, and intensify our study of Judaic learning. With this effort, may we merit to link ourselves to them in the bond of everlasting life.
However, we find that many Rabbis, survivers of the Holocaust, do not refer to it as the "Shoah". Rather, they use the term "Churban Europa." In fact, they commemorate the destruction not on Yom HaShoah, but rather on Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av. Why do they do this?
The truth is that the use of "Shoah" to describe the tragedy of Europe is a modern invention, quite similar to the word "Holocaust" in English. This could be taken to imply that the Holocaust was a singular event, a tragedy without equal. From one perspective, this could be a great error.
While Hitler may have been the last great anti-Semite to plot to destroy us, he was hardly the first. As we read each Purim, Haman actually came just as close to genocide, but through a series of miracles no mass murder took place. Over the intervening millenia, thousands and millions have perished during two conquests of Israel and the destruction of two Holy Temples, the Inquisition, the Crusades, the Chimielnicki Cossack Pogroms - a series of one destruction (Churban) after another that have befallen the Jewish people.
If we look at the Holocaust as a singular event, we may be lulled into the belief that anti-Semitism is a passing phenomenon, and only a small remembrance is required in order to ensure that no other man arises who tries to kill "from the youth to the old man, babies and women, in one day..." as we read in Megillas Esther.
Therefore it is important that we recognize that events over the last 2000 years, though much further from our recollection, are just as much a part of the tragic element of Jewish history. When the Second Temple was destroyed, only swords were available - those who wished to murder us did not have modern tools of mass destruction at their disposal - and yet they still killed hundreds of thousands. In addition, that destruction reduced us from a sovereign nation to a scattered and lonely people, setting the stage for the other tragedies that followed. We still await restoration of a rebuilt Jerusalem, the City of Peace, may it come speedily in our days. None of this reduces the mind-bending tragedy of 50 years ago - but nor should we be guilty of forgetting those other tragedies that came before.
In this regard, our observances of "Yom HaShoah" should be united with our observance of Tisha B'Av - the day upon which we recall "all" of the great misfortunes that have befallen us. Just as there are poems recalling the destruction of two Temples, the massacres, Inquisitions and pogroms, so too must we incorporate readings on the destruction of Europe in this Century into our observance of that day (there is a particularly beautiful poem written for this purpose by Rabbi Shimon Schwab z"l, the recently-deceased leader of the relocated German Jewish community in Washington Heights. The Chassidic Rebbe of Bobov, and others, have also contributed to the tragic liturgy).
The story is told of Napoleon Bonaparte, travelling through the Jewish section of a city on Tisha B'Av. He rode by a synagogue, and as he did he heard people wailing and crying. He sent an officer to investigate, and he returned with word that the Jews were bemoaning the destruction of their Temple, some 1650 years before. When he heard this, Napoleon was astonished - and he said that any people that recalled the destruction of a Temple for so long, would certainly merit to see it rebuilt.
May the merits of six million martyrs rise before
G-d, and may their merits - and those of the survivors - succeed in bringing
an end to our long dispersion. May we see the building of the Third Temple,
speedily in our days, Amen.
Students of the Jewish Day School of the North Peninsula
Parents of the Students
Director and Teachers of the School
Please receive a very heartfelt thank you from
all of us in Congregation B'nei Israel in San Jose, Costa Rica. We were
very moved when, at our Seder, the Simke Family gave us the check for the
collection you made in our behalf in your School.
B'nei Israel is a small Liberal Congregation. For thirteen years we have been working for a Judaism that respects everyone and tries to keep alive our traditions. When we were born, we didn't have a Temple, we met at the home of our members; afterwards, we rented a small house for our Synagogue and School. Now, we are fulfilling our dream of building a small but functional place where our children can learn more comfortably and where we can pray together.
Your donation is the first that we have received through our web page in the Internet, so you are our first electronic friend. Costa Rica is a small but beautiful country and we hope that in the future many of you visit us.
With your gesture you have become part of us. Now you all have a Congregation in this part of the world. You, in Foster City, California, and us, in San Jose, Costa Rica, are bound as true members of Klal Israel. You have given us a hand and with this strength we will go forth to gain more strength in our work.
With warmest regards, todah rabah,
Hilda ten Brink
President
B'nei Israel Congregation
San Jose, Costa Rica
 |
Hello !
My name is Ida. I have short blond hair and blue
eyes. I like berries and spaghetti. I like running and playing the piano.
Here in America the weather is always changing
but there isn't any snow. Hamburgers (sandwiches with meat, onions and
tomatoes and other things) and hot dogs (a bun with meat and ketchup or
mustard) are really popular.
I go to the Jewish Day School of the North Peninsula.
We learn Hebrew and English, too.
I have a few questions to ask you (please answer
them if you write a letter back). Do you have stores ? What are your houses
made of ? What kind of clothes do you wear ? If you have any questions
about me please ask them in your letter, if you send one.
Sincerely, I.P.
P.S. We are collecting money for Costa Rica to
build a Jewish synagogue.
Hello,
My name is Paul L. I live in San Francisco. I
go to the Jewish Day School.
We have lots of things in San Francisco. The
weather changes fast. We have lots of parks. We have a bay. We almost have
all the styles of food.
These are some questions. What are the most dangerous
animals you've ever seen ? Do you have electricity ?
From, P.L.
P.S. I wrote you this letter because you need
a new school and we're giving you money.
Hello,
My name is Nikki and I enjoy sports, playing
and new things. We live in the Bay Area. We have pets like dogs and cats.
What games do you play ? What animals do you
have there ? Do you win things ?
Hello,
My name is Hannah G. I am 8 years old. I have
dirty brown hair and hazel eyes. I do not like pokemon. I do like gameboy
and soccer. The weather changes every day, first hot then cold then hot
then cold. It's very weird. We have parks and cities. Do you and what do
yours look like ?
We are doing this because it is a Mitzvah. We
want to help you. What is your schools name and your friends and your principal
? We are happy to meet you. Our school feels that if someone is Jewish
and another Jew needs help, it is like family because we are both Jews
and a lot of Jews make a big family. It is just how Jews are when they
meet a new Jewish friend. It just occurs that then they are friends. There
are two families coming to see you....
Hello,
My name is Adam. I have curly brown hair and
hazel eyes. I'm funny and good at math, reading, and hula-hooping. I collect
coins and pez dispensers. Do you collect anything ? If you do, what ?
Hope you write back.
From, A.
Hello,
My name is Ariel. I have blondish brown hair.
My favorite food is sushi.
I live in Foster City. My school is called the
Jewish Day School of the North Peninsula. I learn Hebrew and all that kinds
of stuff. It is really fun.
I have a few questions for you. What is your
school like ? Where do you live ? Do you have electricity ? What is it
like living in the rainforest ? Thank you.
Sincerely, A.L.
Hello,
My name is Jared. I love sports. I have blond
hair and blond skin. We are giving you money because it is a mitzvah to
give money.
Here the weather changes so quickly we don't
know what's next. Like when it is sunny the next day some times it rains.
I have some questions for you. Do you have T.V.
? Where do you live in the rainforest ? What kind of beds do you have ?
From J.C.B.
Dear L:
I must start by wishing you a long and healthy life and that "the time does not come" anytime soon ... unless you are talking about donating blood marrow or one of your kidneys! But I am glad you have asked such an important question.
There is a widespread misconception held by many Jews that organ transplantation is prohibited by Jewish law. In a study done in the Toronto Jewish community, the most often cited reason for not signing an organ donation card was that the Jewish religion forbids such an act.
Guess what? They are wrong. There are requirements within Judaism about showing respect to the body after death. Specifically not to mutilate the body, benefit from the body and to bury the body as soon as possible. But this has not stopped Conservative, Orthodox and Reform rabbis from endorsing the concept of organ transplant. For the most part, the rationale is based on the Jewish law of pekuach nefesh...the saving of a life.
The law of pekuach nefesh REQUIRES that almost all Jewish law MUST be violated if necessary to save a life! Obviously transplanting an organ can save a life. The main question is when does death occur according to Jewish law. The Jewish definition of death "is the absence of spontaneous respiration in patients with no other signs of life." A person who is brain dead and kept alive only by machines fits the Jewish definition of dead.
Two sad but inspiring Jewish donors are Joseph Kroot z'l of Kentucky and Alisa Flatow z'l of New Jersey. I use the present tense because although Joseph and Alisa have passed away, they and their families continue to give in the form of teaching other Jews about organ transplants. Both Joseph and Alisa were young when their lives ended and both of their parents consulted with rabbis before making the decision to donate parts of their children's bodies so that others might benefit and live.
The Kroots have used the loss of their son, their decision and the fact that 6 living people benefited from donations from Joseph as an opportunity to teach other Jews about Judaism's positions on organ transplant. On the Internet they have posted pages in memory of their son with a wealth of information. To read more, on the web, go to: http//transweb.org/reference/articles/religion/shalomarticle.html
On one such page, they write: "We know that Joseph did not live a long life, but his life was full. He was kind, generous, a little impish, and Jewish. He could not read well, but his corneas are now reading. He didn't find the cure to cancer, but he did follow the Jewish mitzvah of pekuach nefesh and 'saved lives.' We are reminded of... the Talmudic saying, 'He, who saves a life, saves the world.' What an honor for our Joseph."
Similarly, the parents of Alisa made the decision to donate tissue from her body. In the process they educated the entire State of Israel and many others elsewhere about Jewish teaching about organ transplantation.
Alisa was an American student studying in Israel when she became the victim of a terrorist attack in 1995. Like Joseph, tissue from Alisa was donated to six people on the transplant waiting list. "People have called it a brave decision, a righteous decision, a courageous decision. To us it was simply the right thing to do at the time," said her father. Their decision had a huge emotional and educational impact on a grieving Israel. Personally, I was also deeply moved especially upon hearing the words of tribute spoken by Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin's 6 months after her death when he said "Alisa Flatow's heart beats in Jerusalem."
When a person dies, Jews often say "may their memory be as a blessing." To me, the memories of Joseph Kroot and Alisa Flatow are blessings. I hope learning about them, their parents and Judaism's attitude about transplants, will motivate you and everyone else who reads these words, to talk to your family and then do as I have done: designate yourself as a donor on your driver's license or a donor card. Thanks for writing.
Gil
Gil Mann is the Author of: How to Get More Out of Being Jewish Even If: A. You are not sure you believe in God ; B. You think going to synagogue is a waste of time ; C. You think keeping kosher is stupid ; D. You hated Hebrew School ; or E. All of the above! He makes no money from book sales, his work on America Online or this column. You are invited to his area of AOL (Keyword: Judaism Today,) for a free download of the first 2 chapters of his book and other Q & A with Gil. He welcomes your E-Mail comments and questions about this column or any subject. Write to DearGil@aol.com. To order the book call: 800-304-9925.
Found in Synagogue Bulletins:
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April 2000
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