February, 2009 Edition -- Special Information regarding upcoming Temple and Community events and projects

All Mitzvah Day volunteers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food for ECHO and gently used, clean clothes for Refuge House (please, no t-shirts).

April 19, 2009 Mitzvah Day Schedule

8:15 – 8:45 a.m. ALL Volunteers Arrive; Breakfast is provided

8:45 - 9:05 a.m. Worship Service in Sanctuary

9:15 a.m. Depart Temple for Project Sites

Examples of the most useful food donations to benefit our Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) include:

CANNED FISH (TUNA), CANNED FRUITS & VEGGIES, MEAT & STEW

PASTA & SAUCE, CEREAL & POWDERED MILK, CANNED JUICE

PEANUT BUTTER, BEANS, RICE, BABY FOOD

Yes, I know that this weekend is the July 4 weekend and many of you will be away, but just like the sun always sets in the west (actually, partly because the sun sets in the west) Shabbat arrives every week.  Please join me for a reflective Shabbat evening service this Friday at 7:30 PM.  We will probably also have a little   fun with this weeks parashah.

Shabbat morning services will be at 10:15 Saturday in the Gibbs chapel.  This week, as for many of the summer weeks, we have congregants doing the actual Torah readings.  They enjoy your support, so please join us.

Remember, there is no Torah study this Saturday.  Torah study will begin again on August 1.  Also, there is no lunch and learn until August 12.

Midweek minyan will not meet for the next two Wednesday mornings (July8,15) but will resume on July 22. 

Every evening as part of our evening prayers we say the "Haskiveinu," which asks God to see us safely through that night free of fear and harm.  Too often we Jews focus on our fears, that is we tarry too long on the thoughts of Hashkiveinu.  In this week's double Torah portion we find the story of Balak, the king who sent the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites as they rested in their tents.  But Balaam's heart is turned by God so that what he pronounces on Israel are the words, "Ma tovu ohalecha Ya'akov, mishkenotecha Yisra'el," "How good are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel."  What was a curse was changed into a blessing!  We say these words of blessing to open our morning prayers.  They should serve as a reminder that while Jews my oftentimes focus on their fear of the "curse," our tradition teaches to be ever hopeful for the blessing.  May all of you wake up only to blessings as we make our way through the upcoming summer and beyond.

Have a Shabbat of peace and blessing,

Jack Romberg
Rabbi

Be sure to stop by for Cafe Shalom.  We are open during religious school from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sundays and 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.  We'll follow the religious school calendar and will be closed during summers and vacations.

We've made this a warm, cozy place for people to relax, chat with other Temple members or just sit and read the paper.  We serve coffee, tea, bagels and sweets for a small donation.  We hope parents will take advantage of this great opportunity while their kids are in class. 

If you'd like to be a host at the cafe on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, contact Terry Kant-Rauch.  We are also looking for people to bake desserts.  If you are willing to whip up some cookies, muffins, or other treats, get in touch with Terry.

Thank you... the Cafe Shalom committee.