Am Kolel

Weekly News

May 31, 2023 I 11 Sivan 5783

Issue 546

Dear Am Kolel,

This week we read Parshat Naso.


Who carries the debt, the responsibility, of the nation? “And G!d spoke to Moses saying ‘lift up each of the descendants of Gershon’…”. And later “V’Nasu, they shall 'carry' the Tabernacle’s tapestries, the skin cloths, and drapes…etc”.


The value, the worth of the nation is “lifted up” by the people and they “carry “ the responsibility for nation.”


The Parsha goes on to talk about defaulting in morality. While focusing on the Sotah, the adulterous wife, it misses the mark by also not pointing the finger at adulterous men. In our own times we see how the immorality of all segments of the population, the private, public and corporate, has contributed to an ongoing social, moral and economic crisis.


Perceptively, our Parsha, tried to confront this. We see in the Parsha a step toward correcting gender inequality in the discussion of the Nazirites, men and women who have equal access to God. It’s not just the Levitical Kohanic patriarchy.


The Parsha then narrates the ancient priestly blessing and how it is bestowed upon each individual. Everyone receives the Kohanic blessing: “May God bless you and protect you. May God’s light shine upon you and grant you graciousness. May God’s light be upon you and grant you Shalom.”


We depend on each other. We need each other to be lifted up by our community and our loved ones, and, sometimes, we need to carry each other.


Naso, as it is, is the Parsha coming out as we launch our June Appeal. Am Kolel exists in order to help us all lift up our heads and support each other in carrying the tapestries and drapery that make for a more beautiful world.


Brachot, with blessings,


Reb David

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June Appeal 2023!!!


Am Kolel's June Appeal has begun! We depend on your generosity to continue our unique work in the community. Please take a look at our Annual Report, Reb David’s letter to the community, and the donation form to go with your check if you need one. You can contribute with a check made out to Am Kolel sent to 1729 Wilmart Street, Rockville, MD or online via amkolel.org/donate.

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June 2023 Annual Report

June 2023 Letter from Reb David

June 2023 Donation Form

Todah Rabah for donations this past month from...


Leonard Schuchman; Leonard Schreiber; Claire Schuster and Haroot Hakopian in honor of Isaiah's Bar Mitzvah; Emily Schuster and David Baukham in honor of Liana's B Mitzvah; Claire Shapiro, Eric Eisen, Melissa Eisen, & Jeremy Reid in honor of Melissa & Jeremy's wedding; Lauryn Beltz in honor of Reb David

Shabbat Services in Person & on Zoom with Reb David & Chevre

June 3, 2023

10:00AM - 12:00PM

Parsha Naso

Numbers 4:21 - 7:89

WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU IN PERSON!

Shabbat services will be at 1729 Wilmart Street. Bring a vegetarian/dairy dish to share.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86828891853?pwd=dU9OUDJYOW5tM0dWTFBrRVRPS0pCZz09


Meeting ID: 868 2889 1853

Passcode: 998301

For Zoom Services:
Members already receive an email with call-in/video attendance instructions. If you do not receive the member email please send your email address to admin@amkolel.org to be included.

Our Healing Prayers For...


Esther Siegel, Michael Yaich, Billie Yaich, Paul Levine, Ralph Tryon, Dr. Barry Alpert, Cherie Brown, Julie Keefer, Ira Levine, Natan Yosef ben Yitta Ruchama, Zwe Yosef Ben Sheindel, Rey Bauckham, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Merrill Leffler, Joan Schwartz, Rabbi Marcia Prager, Alan Oresky, HaRav Miriam Yael bat Sara, Judy Beltz, Betsy Combs, Joy Esterlitz, Lou Gould, Lauren Gurevitz, Austin Heyman, Daniel Lev ben Shoshana Klara, Julie Litten, Sandra Vagins, Irving Vagins, Margalit Hannah Bat Gilah Leora, Lazar Moshe bas Zvia

If you want your name or a loved ones name on the healing list, please let us know by clicking here.

Condolences


Condolences to the family of Florence Kamm, a longtime friend of Am Kolel, on her recent passing at the age of 97.

Am Kolel Community News

Am Kolel is seeking a Program Director. Are you interested or know of someone who may be interested? Details can be found at https://www.amkolel.org/professions.

Am Kolel Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, June 11th at 7pm. Meeting will be at 1729 Wilmart St, Rockville, MD and on Zoom. Light Mediterranean supper provided at 6:30PM. This is our 33rd anniversary! If you are interested in serving on the board please get in touch with Reb David at amkolel@aol.com.

Community Actions & Links

On Wednesday, June 7, 7:00 – 8:15pm, we will have our next JUFJ Congregation Rep Meeting over Zoom!


This is a great opportunity to share what your congregation has been working on, hear from other congregations, and discuss what's coming up next for congregations to work on with JUFJ. Discussion topics will include the campaign for rent stabilization and incorporating advocacy and taking action during the fall holidays. Clergy, lay leaders, and committee chairs are all encouraged to attend!


Please RSVP here: https://secure.everyaction.com/3hwk2HKYKk-zy2fQnfAdUw2

Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville, Maryland is in critical need of many items. They can use

Donations can be dropped off at cases of bottled water, paper towels, Lysol/disinfectant spray, paper plates, plastic flatware, laundry detergent pods, tall kitchen trash bags, bath towels, hand towels, bedding sets, pillows, hand and body lotion, mattress encasements, multipurpose cleaner, comet, Softscrub, kitchen sponges, Lysol wipes, and dishwashing liquid. Stepping Stones Shelter, 1070 Copperstone Court, Rockville. You can also find their Amazon Wishlist here if you'd like to make a donation online.

Manna Food Center: Monetary donations preferred. www.mannafood.org
Bend the Arc Click here.
Americans for Peace Now Click here.
Learning Opportunities & Spiritual Resources

Licking Bend Creek Farm will host its annual farm open house, Sunday, June 4, at 11:00am, attended by many of market and CSA customers in the DC/MD area, as well as neighbors in Fulton County, with a special appearance by the Tri-State Ukelectic Orchestra. No RSVP necessary but email info@lickingcreekbendfarm.com for questions.

From our friends at P'nai Or of Portland: Essential Teachings of Reb Zalman on Thursday, June 8th at 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST(Duration: 40 Minutes), Online (Zoom), hosted by Rabbi Hannah Laner. Register here.

You can purchase tickets for the Kolot HaLev Annual Concert 2023, Buena Semana – a New Week Jewish Music Across the Americas, Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 4:00PM at Ohr Kodesh Congregation. Kolot HaLev is offering group rates for groups of 5 people or more. Learn more and get tickets at https://kolothalev.org/concert/.

National Havurah Committee Summer Institute 2023, Friday August 4 - Tuesday August 8, Pearlstone Retreat Center, Reisertown MD. Here's the registration link: https://cvent.me/DK7nbZ. Am Kolel will provide up to $250 subsidy to our members.

ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal is a trans-denominational approach to revitalizing Judaism. Learn more here.


The bi-annual Aleph Kallah is taking place in West Chester, Pennsylvania this July. Am Kolel is offering subsidies to members. Learn more and register here: https://aleph.org/kallah/

Yahrtzeit Reminders
If you'd like a reminder, please fill and send us a Yahrtzeit reminder form. Download the form here.
Have you made arrangements yet?
Am Kolel Pardes is our dedicated section at the Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, Maryland. 

Please note, fees will be increasing
after the first of the year.

The Garden of Remembrance is the region's only non-profit cemetery owned and operated by a board of Jewish community leaders. For more information about Am Kolel Pardes, please visit the Life Cycle page on our website, visit the Garden of Remembrance website or email the office at admin@amkolel.org.
Am Kolel Board of Directors 2022 - 2023

President - Sandy Hoffman

Vice President - Frank Silberstein

Secretary - Hanna Weissberger

Treasurer - Hal Rogoff

Trustees at Large

Miles Goldstein & Audrey Shane - Chesed Committee

Bobbie Goldman - Membership Chair

Ralph Ibson

Immediate Past President - Anne Schwartz Delibert

Director - R. David Shneyer

Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center


Rabbi David Shneyer, Director

Melissa Eisen, Administrative Assistant

Office: (301) 770 - 4648    

Email: admin@amkolel.org

www.amkolel.org


1729 Wilmart St.

Rockville, MD 20852


19520 Darnestown Road

Beallsville, MD 20839