Jews of the Olympics/Jews of Aleppo: Looking at Current Events through a Historical Lense

Dear Chaverim,

     During the summer months it becomes more challenging to attract people to Shabbat services, so I ask you to make an extra effort to come if you are in town, knowing that your presence makes a difference.

·        Tonight, July 27, 6:30 p.m. (happy hour begins at 6 p.m.).  Sermonic topic: Jews of the Olympics & Jews of Aleppo: Looking at Current Events Through the Lens of History.

·        Tomorrow, July 28, 9:30 a.m.  Sermonic topic:

Making Tisha B’Av Meaningful TODAY

·        Tomorrow evening, July 28, 9 p.m. Erev Tisha B’Av services.  The ark is opened, bereft of our Torah, the chapel is lit with yarhzeit candles, we listen to congregants chant from Eicheh (the Book of Lamentations) and remember the destruction of the Temple some 2,000 years ago. Twenty-four fast begins at sundown.

·         Sunday morning, July 29, 9 a.m. Tisha B’ Av services with a special Torah and Haftarah service to make this sad day.

Note: During Shabbat services, you will be able to greet Cantor Elisa Abrams (and her visiting mother, Vicky) for the first time since she accepted our new position as Cantor/Education Director -- Yet another reason to come to Shabbat services.  Also, beginning on Monday, I am going to take a two-week opportunity to visit my parents and celebrate a wedding in Southern California.  Cantor Elisa begins on August 1^st. Please make a special effort to attend her first solo service, Shabbat under the Stars, next Friday night, 6:30 pm., at the JCC Picnic Area. Merrill is preparing a meat bbq Shabbat dinner.  Mark your calendars now.

Violence: From Aurora to Bulgaria--A Jewish Pespective

Dear Congregants,

I am so sorry to be writing you to you later than usual. I have been helping our former Beth Shalom President, Bruce Stargatt, of blessed memory, and his family with their needs. Please join us this Sunday, at Beth Shalom, at 11:30 a.m., as we say farewell to a real giant in our legal and Jewish community.

*Tonight, Friday Kabbalat Shabbat services, 6:30 p.m. I had hoped for better weather this evening, but we will throw a garden Shabbat party in our enclosed atrium instead of outside. We will still have Sangrias and Shirley Temples on tap, I will still be accompanying services on guitar, and we still welcome you to bring a dairy or vegetarian dish for a community Shabbat dinner down in the lower level at the end of services. My sermon topic tonight: Trying to Make Sense of Violence: From Aurora to Bulgaria.

*Tomorrow, Saturday Services, July 21, 9:30 a.m. My sermon topic: Kill All the Midianites: GENOCIDE - A Mitzvah?

Sunday, July 22, 11:30 a.m. Funeral Services for Bruce Stargatt.

Wednesday, July 25, 9 pm. CBS Screening of National Geographic Channel's America's Lost Treasures. Shot on location at Congregation Beth Shalom and featuring me as an expert on Rev. Isaac Leeser's 19th century Kiddush Cup -- will it be awarded the status of one of America's Lost Treasures. Come and find out!

Be relevant! Stay informed! Be moved! Attend Shabbat services, life cycle events, and programs at Congregation Beth Shalom!

-- Rabbi Michael