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This week's Torah reading includes a local Delaware Valley connection, as it provides the verse found on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." (Leviticus 25:10) (For the story of how this biblical verse was chosen, click HERE.)
This familiar translation, however, is not a particularly good rendering of the original Hebrew. As the current edition of the Reform Torah commentary notes: "...to the modern reader, 'liberty' might refer to national autonomy or to civil rights - neither of which was on the [Torah's] author's mind."
This verse appears in the Torah in the context of the laws of the sabbatical (every seven) and Jubilee (every fifty) years. These laws were primarily agricultural, but also had economic and social imperatives, meant to reestablish a social balance - at a minimum, at least every fifty years. Debts would be forgiven, and those whose poverty had caused them to sell themselves into servitude would be released. What appears on the Liberty Bell as "Proclaim freedom throughout the land" is more accurately rendered "You shall proclaim release throughout the land (of Israel)...each of you shall return to your holding and to your family."
Sometimes, however, a mis-translation of a biblical verse becomes a help, rather than a hindrance, in advancing the moral vision both of the Torah and of our own American society. As Rabbi David Forman teaches in this VIDEO, the imperative to allow liberty for the land spills over into the imperative to provide liberty for the inhabitants of the land: what begins as an agricultural injunction becomes a transformative social teaching. The freedom of the land inevitably implies the freedom of the people who live in the land.
Join us this Friday evening for Kabbalat Shabbat services at 6:30 pm. During our service, we will share with the extended Kresloff family in the blessing of bestowing Hebrew middle names on P.J., Mason and Asher. I will be leading Torah study on Shabbat morning at 9:00 am, and at 10:30 am, Scott Kushner will lead Spice Up Your Judaism.
Religious school classes will meet on both Saturday and Sunday mornings for their final sessions this year, and next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the final meetings of our afternoon religious school classes.
On Monday night, May 14 at 7:30 pm, please join us in the sanctuary as our 12th grade students celebrate their graduation from our school, and share their memories, teachings, and insights in this sacred moment.
And on behalf of Rabbi Frenkel, Cantor Jenkins-Adelberg and Cantor Hochman, we extend our blessings to everyone who is celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Richard Hirsh
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 Birth of
Reese Gabrielle
daughter of Scott & Beth Fleischman
The Naming of
P.J. Kresloff, Mason Kresloff & Asher Kresloff
sons of Michael & Randi Kresloff
grandsons of Richard & Judith Kresloff
The Engagement of
Sarah Dinetz & Ari Levine
son of Neil & Jodi Levine
WE REMEMBER
Pearl Samodovitz
mother of Susan Herron
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Please join us for pre-service refreshments starting at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, May 12
Last Saturday of Religious School
9:00 am Torah Study, led by Rabbi Hirsh (Chapel)
10:30 am Spice Up Your Judaism, led by Scott Kushner (Social Hall)
Sunday, May 13
Mother's Day
Last Sunday of Religious School
Tuesday, May 15
Last Tuesday of Religious School
Wednesday, May 16
Last Wednesday of Religious School
7:00 pm
Annual Congregational Meeting &
Mega 50/50 Raffle (Oneg Room)
Review and vote on the annual operating budget.
Vote on officers and members of the Board of Trustees.
Honor this year's annual Service Award recipient, Celestine Berg. Win up to $12,000 with our Mega 50/50 Raffle! Click here to purchase raffle tickets.
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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
FINAL Deadline for Tribute Book Submissions: May 11
Event: 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.
Tickets,
Tribute Book &
Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you have not received your invitation, please contact the
synagogue office. Be sure to
RSVP your attendance and requests by May 18.
Erev Shavuot Study Session
Saturday, May 19, 7:00 pm (Yizkor)
Shavuot & Confirmation Service
Sunday, May 20, 10:00 am (Yizkor)
Installation Shabbat/Shabbat of Thanks
Friday, June 1, 8:00 pm
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
Book Discussion & Brown Bag Lunch: The Weight of Ink
Monday, June 11, 12:00 noon
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For late-breaking news, please visit our website at
www.mkorshalom.org.
Note: We hope you appreciate receiving this message. If you do not wish to receive these weekly messages, please
let us know and your name will be removed from the list, or click SafeUnsubscribe at the bottom of this email.
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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