Friday, May 6, 5 Iyyar 6:00 PM Please join Rabbi Plumb and Ellen Allard for a Hybrid "From Our Home to Yours" Kabbalat Shabbat Service.
Saturday, May 7, 6 Iyyar 9:30 AM Please join Rabbi Marcia Plumb and Cantor Marc Stober for a Hybrid "From Our Home to Yours" Shabbat Morning Service.
If you have a simcha, please share it with us and receive a special blessing from Rabbi Plumb during an upcoming Shabbat service. Sponsor a Kiddush by virtually inviting us to your home as you lead the community in KIddush and HaMotzi prayers. (we will provide challah and grape juice!) Please contect Rosalie Reszelbach, Janet Stein Calm or Toni Spitzer to arrange.
Please click here for the link to the new Conservative prayerbook, Siddur Lev Shalem: Shabbat Shaharit Siddur Lev Shalem The prayers will be the same as in our usual blue siddur, so feel free to use that instead if you wish.
Please click here for the link to the page numbers for Shabbat morning prayers in Sim Shalom (Blue) and in Lev Shalem Page Numbers for Shabbat Morning
If you are observing a yahrzeit or saying kaddish and need a minyan on a different evening, please let us know and we will make it happen - contact Toni.
We Remember: This week's upcoming Yahrzeit Observances
Saturday Max Rothstein
Sunday Dorothy Adelson Sonia Gordon Mindick Alfred''Al'' Cutter
Monday Paul Gilson
Tuesday Bertram Swerling Alan Freedman Jenneoi Clark Goldie Figler
Wednesday Abraham Goldstein Ethel Benjamin Robert Diamond
Thursday Arlene Kendell Goodstein Dexter Hyman Israel Kazis Max Feinberg Joseph Berman Joseph Schwartz
Friday Irene Gross Laura Finkielsztein
A Teaching From Our Rabbi
HAPPY 74TH
BIRTHDAY ISRAEL
The State of Israel is 74 years young this week! The number 74 is an auspicious one, according to Gematria. Gematria is the mystical practice of assigning each Hebrew letter a numerical value (aleph=1, bet=2, etc). The number 74 matches several significant Hebrew words–
Witness עד/Eid Foundation סוד' / yisod Compassion חוס / chus Small twig זלזל / zelzel
Each word has relevance for Israel. Among democratic nation states, Israel is a zelzel, a small twig, with ancient roots. The land of Israel has a long, stong foundation, yesod, within the monotheistic religions, particularly for Judaism. But 74 years is very young for a country as advanced technologically and militarily as Israel. The tension between being both very young and very old at the same time is revealed in many ways in Israeli society, such as via a chaotic Knesset, a non-existent bill of rights, secular needs in an halakhic framework, as well as the importance of the land for different religions. The fact that so many diverse peoples share the same passion and love for this land is both powerful and challenging.
The State of Israel, as a Jewish state, however serves as an Eid, a witness, for our people after the Holocaust. Israel reminds us of our resilience and strength as a people. Since her inception, she has provided chus, compassion, for displaced and persecuted Jews. Her arms are always open to welcome the B’nai Yisrael home.
As we approach Israel’s silver anniversary next year, we pray that chus, compassion, and justice, will grow within and outside Israel’s borders–for all regardless of skin colour, gender, Jewish observance, or religion. May peace continue to grow, from small shoots into strong cedar trees, between the nations of the Middle East and Israel, and between Palestinians and Israelis.
This week, we read parashat Kedoshim, which is one of our most powerful Torah portions. It defines our religious obligation to create a fair, just society that supports both the stranger and citizen alike. We are told to ensure that all in our gates, or borders, have what they need. Kedoshim acknowledges that societies are diverse, and all within it deserve respect and safety.
On Israel’s 74th birthday, we pledge our continuing love and support as she faces the challenges and opportunities of being a modern democracy guided by the Jewish values within parashat Kedoshim, of tzedek ( justice), Kavod (respect) and chus (compassion). We celebrate your successes and achievements, and we look forward to visiting again soon!
May this Shabbat fill your homes with pride and love for Israel, and the inspiration to bring justice and compassion to all who are in need.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Plumb
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
