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The Israel museum in Jerusalem houses a wide variety of exhibits, drawn from almost every age, place and culture. But, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes in his commentary on this week's Torah portion, in many ways, the most remarkable exhibit is not a work of art, nor is it a piece of exquisite workmanship. It is not made of silver or gold or precious stones. It is a tiny fragment of parchment containing a mere fifteen words.
What makes it special is that it is the oldest surviving fragment of biblical literature, some 2700 years old. It comes from the era of the First Temple, built by King Solomon. It is so old that it is not written in the Hebrew alphabet as we recognize it today, which dates from the Babylonian exile, but rather in the ancient Semitic script, the first alphabet known to mankind.
Those fifteen words are what we refer to as the priestly benediction, and come from this week's Torah portion:
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
We said this blessing at least four times in the past week - as we blessed our graduates, our Confirmands, and our congregational family at Shabbat and Shavuot services. We recite this blessing at naming ceremonies and B'nai Mitzvah, when someone converts to Judaism, and at holiday and festival seasons. What do the fifteen words mean? What blessings are we seeking?
Our Kabbalat Shabbat service begins at 6:30 pm on Friday evening, and we will be celebrating our May birthdays. At our Shabbat morning service at 10:30 am, we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Bloom.
And, as we approach Memorial Day, may we all pause from our daily tasks and remember the ultimate sacrifice so many in our armed forces have made so that we can live in freedom. May their memories and their service forever be for a blessing.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Jennifer L. Frenkel
If you wish to have a Mi Shebeirach said during our Shabbat services, please let us know by noon each Friday so we can give the names to the rabbis.
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WE CELEBRATE
The Bat Mitzvah of
Samantha Bloom
daughter of Jonathan & Julie Bloom
granddaughter of Michel & Jane Bloom
The Marriage of
Maayan Simckes & Nadav Hirsh
son of Rabbi Richard & Barbara Hirsh
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Friday, May 25
6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Sanctuary)
We celebrate May birthdays.
Join us for pre-service refreshments starting at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, May 26
No Torah Study or Spice Up Your Judaism
10:30 am Shabbat Morning Service (Sanctuary)
Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Bloom
Monday, May 28
Offices Closed - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 29
7:30 pm Adult Education Committee Meeting (Boardroom)
Wednesday, May 30
7:30 pm House Committee Meeting (Bride's Room)
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please click on each event name for more information or to register for that event.
M'kor Or "Source of Light" Evening of Honors
Sunday, June 3, 5:00 pm
Celebrate four of M'kor Shalom's shining lights with cocktail hour, dinner & dessert, award presentations and a live performance by Nefesh Mountain.
Sponsorship opportunities with VIP perks remain. Click here to
RSVP, or contact the
synagogue office for ticket availability.
Ritual Object Burial
Sunday, June 3, 10:00 am (off-site)
Now through June 2, congregants are welcome to bring any damaged prayer books/ritual objects to the synagogue office, to be included in our ritual object burial at Crescent Memorial Park in Pennsauken.
First Thursdays: Exodus 1947
Thursday, June 7, 7:00 pm
M'korstock Unplugged: Karl Dentino
Friday, June 8, immediately following our 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat service
Book Discussion & Brown Bag Lunch: The Weight of Ink
Monday, June 11, 12:00 noon
M'kor Cares Potluck Dinner & Shabbat Service
Friday, June 15, 8:00 pm
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For late-breaking news, please visit our website at
www.mkorshalom.org.
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Michelle Bross
Executive Director
Congregation M'kor Shalom
850 Evesham Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 424-4220
(856) 424-2890 (fax)
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