Friay, May 27, 26 Iyyar 9:30 AM Please join Rabbi Marcia Plumb and Ellen Allard, for a virtual "From Our Home to Yours" Kabbalat Shabbat evening Service.
Saturday, May 28, 27 Iyyar 9:30 AM Please join Cantor Ellen Band, for a virtual "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
Please note, due to the increase in COVID rates, rather than a full Shabbat dinner, we will have Nosh, Nibbles and Dessert in the Social Hall following services.
Please R.S.V.P. below to let us know if you will be joining us in-person or on Zoom.
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
Shloshim Bernice 'Sis' Kazis Harvey Lewin
Saturday Bertram Lank Susan Garber-Bishop Sidney Magid Herbert M. Carle Frances Diamond
Sunday Henrietta Jacobs
Monday Paul Sienkiewicz Miriam Bresler Carole Silberstein Perry Krentzman
Tuesday Milton S. Hoffman Leo Wexler
Wednesday Philip Mansdorf
Thursday
Friday
A Teaching From Our Rabbi
Our hearts break for the families whose precious children were killed or injured in Uvalde, Texas. It is a parent’s worst nightmare. It is tragic that so many children have been murdered by gun violence in this country in the past years, again and again. Our children trust us to keep them safe, and our society fails them over and over.
Once again, the ease of buying guns gave a young man, a child himself, to murder innocents.
We are the only major nation in the world that does not protect its citizens from rampant, uncontrolled gun use.
Judaism is very clear about the cost of gun violence. The Talmud teaches us that "one who takes a life, it is as though they have destroyed the universe and one who saves a life, it is as though they have saved the universe" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5).
One of our most famous texts tells us: ‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.’
At the same time, Judaism is not against having weapons during a time of war. We are allowed to defend ourselves if actively attacked, but we are told there is no need to carry weapons out of the house unless at war.
Studying in a school classroom, watching TV in one’s home, jogging on a quiet afternoon, sleeping in your car (all examples of gun violence victims)—none of these constitute being at war.
Leviticus commands that "You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14). People, like the shooter in Uvalde, or Parkland, Colombine, or Buffalo were all blinded by hatred, prejudice, or anger. The stumbling block, the thing that causes them to stumble and fall into sin, is the availability of guns. If they had no access to the guns, they would not be able to go into classrooms and murder children. By allowing people to buy guns unchecked, carry them hidden wherever and whenever they like, we are putting stumbling blocks before the blind. Easy access to guns is letting the shooters down, as well as the victims. We are not protecting them from their thoughts or inclinations. The opposite is true–we are handing them the means to commit heinous crimes.
Judaism commands us to preserve life above all. Just because we may have the right to ‘bear arms’ doesn’t mean we should.
Take action. Help preserve the next childs life. Call your local box stores that sell guns and tell them you hope they will help save lives by ensuring strong background checks. Write your representatives and remind them how important our Massachusetts gun laws are to you.
May our children be safe. May we all remember that we carry responsibility for each other. May strength come to the bereaved parents, and healing to the injured children. May God give all lawmakers the fortitude to pass laws that take guns out of the hands of those who are blinded by rage and prejudice. This Shabbat, may our homes be filled with gevurah, strength, and yesod, a belief in the connections between us all.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Plumb
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
