A MESSAGE FROM CNT PRESIDENT

For those who recall, longtime Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Furman Bisher wrote an annual column around Thanksgiving listing the things for which he was thankful.

As I travel through Guatemala and Belize, I've had time to reflect on the amazing things our country has—and, in some cases, does not have—as we approach the 250th anniversary of our Independence Day.

In the spirit of Mr. Bisher, please humor me as I share a few of the things I'm thankful for as our nation prepares to celebrate July 4 for the 250th time.



You're welcome to agree or disagree, and I encourage you to share your own thoughts. With that, here's my list:

• I am thankful for the freedom to share my thoughts and opinions without fear of being thrown in prison for disagreeing with our government leaders. I'm also thankful that, despite today's often intense political polarization, we still have the ability to engage in civil conversations with those who see things differently.
• I am thankful for the incredible natural beauty of our country. Words and pictures simply don't do it justice. From the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, Crater Lake, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Rockies, the Everglades, Acadia National Park, and countless other breathtaking places, no other country offers such an incredible variety of natural wonders and national parks.
• I am thankful for Buc-ee's, Waffle House, ranch dressing, and Chick-fil-A. Social media is filled with Europeans and Asians marveling at the delicious—and perhaps just a little unhealthy—abundance of American food. Sometimes it's okay to celebrate the simple things.
• I am thankful for choices. Walk down the cereal aisle of your local grocery store and you'll find well over 100 options. Try that in much of Europe or many countries south of our border, and you're often lucky to find half a dozen.
• I am thankful to live in a country that is not surrounded by nations openly committed to its destruction, regardless of the faith or background of those who live here. 
• I am thankful for gasoline that costs less than $4.00 a gallon (at least here in Georgia). Currently you would pay the equivalent of nearly $8.00 per gallon in both Ireland and France. It certainly makes you appreciate filling up at home.
• I am thankful for presidential term limits. Russia's president has effectively been in power since 1999. Cameroon's president has served since 1982. Whether we like or dislike our elected leaders, our system ensures that there is eventually a transition of executive leadership.
• Finally, I am thankful for the opportunity to succeed in this country. Regardless of where you stand on today's immigration policies, countless Americans are descendants of grandparents or great-grandparents who arrived here with very little and worked hard for a better life. Generations later, their families are making meaningful contributions to their communities and our nation because they had the opportunity to pursue the American dream.

Feel free to agree or disagree with any of these thoughts. Better yet, feel free to respond to share a few things you're thankful for about our country.

That's one of the many freedoms we all enjoy.

Selah,

Matt Berenson

President, Congregation Ner Tamid

We invite you to join us for Shabbat Services

Friday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Our upcoming Shabbat services will be led by:

July 7 - Robert Simon

July 10 - Rabbi Prass (Board Installation Service)

Board Installation Service

Friday, July 10 at 7:30 pm

Join us for this special service!

Sisterhood Craft Night

Saturday, July 18 at 6:30 pm

Ladies, join the CNT Sisterhood on Saturday, July 18 for an evening of crafting, conversation, and noshes! For this summertime craft, we will transform ordinary seashells into beautiful keepsakes or trinket dishes through decoupage. Please bring a pack or assortment of decorative napkins with a random (not linear) pattern. This will allow everyone to make several shells with different designs.

The cost will be $18, which will go towards the cost of materials and the remainder will be donated to CNT. Feel free to bring a snack and/or beverage! Please RSVP to membership@mynertamid.org.

We hope to “seashell” you there! 🐚

Ice Cream Oneg

Friday, July 24

Join us Friday night, July 24, for our ice cream oneg after services! We'll have several flavors plus toppings. This is an opportunity to indulge your sweet tooth AND beat the heat!

Butterflies at Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 am

Join us at the Smith-Gilbert Gardens Butterfly House! Entry is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+, and $5 for youth through 17, with a an additional $3 admission fee to the Butterfly House. Tickets can be purchased independently here, or at the Gardens. Please let us know if you'll be joining us at so that we know to look out for you. Write to membership@mynertamid.org.

We look forward to seeing you!

Community Snapshots

The Men’s Group had a great time bowling

last Thursday night!

Saturday night was a fun evening in Marietta Square at a wine tasting at Marietta Wine Market, followed by dinner at Hamp and Harry's!