Welcome to the latest edition of the Rabbi's Notebook.

Since joining the YIOM family in the summer of 2016, I've tried to publish these 'Rabbi's Notebook' emails on a regular basis. My goal has been to document much of what goes on at our Shul and my own Rabbinic experiences.

The last Rabbi's Notebook email I sent out was in mid-August. Layala & I had just returned from visiting our family in Israel, the new school year was about to begin, and the exhilarating whirlwind of the Yom Tovim would soon hit us. I haven't published another Rabbi's Notebook email since then, but it's not from a lack of exciting YI news to report.

Simply put, ever since the terrible events of October 7th, I've suffered from a serious case of writer's block. After so much suffering, pain, and upheaval was unleashed on our brothers and sisters in Israel, everything else just seemed so trivial and insignificant. Moreover, in light of the many daily sacrifices being made by so many members of our extended family in Israel, what right did I have to share good news of happy communal events and pictures of smiling congregants?

Yes, ever since that awful attack, we've all pitched in to support Israel in numerous different ways. In addition to contributing financially, we continue to Daven, learn Torah, and do Mitzvos in the merit of our fellow Jews who remain in captivity, the brave soldiers of the IDF, the thousands of Israeli families who have been displaced, and all who are living under the threat of salvos of rockets.

In short, wouldn't it be insensitive of me to publish an upbeat congregational e-newsletter? This is the dilemma I've been struggling with and explains why I haven't published a Rabbi's Notebook email over the past few months.

Layala & I recently took part in a Zoom meeting set up to support Shul Rabbis & Rebbitzens during these challenging times. In the course of this call, I brought this matter up with a seasoned Rabbi whom we greatly admire. After commending my sensitivities, he felt it was incumbent on me to continue publishing this e-newsletter for several reasons:

• These emails can be an important source of Chizuk to our Shul members -- as they remind us of all the positive Torah-themed experiences we've shared together.
• By recalling those meaningful happenings, we remind ourselves how important it is to ensure the continuity and transmission of Torah and Mitzvos.
• As we carry on in our lives and routines, we are not ignoring the situation in Israel -- G-d forbid. To the contrary, efforts are being made at every Shul program to unite us in some way with the challenges being experienced by our extended family in Israel.
• It is important to document the congregational life and activities of our Shul.

Truth be told, it has taken me some time to internalize this message, but he is most certainly correct. We will continue to support, Daven for, and think of our brothers and sisters in Israel. At the same time, I will do my best to publish this e-newsletter. There is a lot to catch up on, so there is certainly more to come.

ה' עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן ה' יְבָרֵךְ אֶת עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם -- Hashem shall grant strength to His people; Hashem shall bless His people with peace (Tehillim 29:11). May we merit seeing the fulfillment of this promise ASAP!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Akiva Males

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Sharing the Spirit of Rosh Hashanah With Local Seniors

On Friday, August 18th, I enjoyed visiting the Jewish residents of the Town Village Audubon Park senior living facility. We had a great discussion about my recent visit to Israel, the Jewish calendar, and the soon-to-be-celebrated Yom Tov of Rosh Hashanah. This meaningful get-together was made possible by the MJCC's Fogelman Jewish Family Service. An excerpt from a note I received from one of the JFS directors appears below:

Rabbi Males,

Thank you so much for a wonderful Shabbat program at Town Village last week. We all so enjoyed your funny and engaging stories about your recent Israel trip, and the clients loved singing with you.

THANK YOU for all you do! It is always a delight to work with you.  

With best regards,

Audrey J. May, MSSW, CRS

Wendy & Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service

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Mazel Tov!

YIOM wishes a great big Mazel Tov to Rabbi Yisroel & Suri Weiner on their daughter Dena Tova becoming a Bas Mitzvah towards the end of August! (Mazel Tov to proud grandparents Cantor Aryeh & Adina Samberg and Mordechai & Devorah Weiner!)

Dena Tova, you are bright, kind, and thoughtful. You are a good friend to all who know you. You also take your Yiddishkeit seriously and are an excellent role model for your family members and friends. We're certain that you will continue to bring much Nachas to your family. We also know that the beautiful new Chumash our Shul gave you will be put to good use!

Mazel Tov Dena Tova! YIOM is so happy for you and your family -- and we look forward to sharing many more Simchas together!

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A Chocolate Moose Sighting

at the MJCC

On Wednesday afternoon, August 30th, a great group of kids and parents gathered at the MJCC as part of their Snack & Story with PJ Library program. I enjoyed reading Shabbos with Our Chocolate Moose with those in attendance. A good time was had by all!

A limited number of copies of the book are available in my office. Please let me know if you'd like one for your kids / grandkids!

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Starting Off the CYHSB School Year

At the beginning of the school year, I had the pleasure of joining the CYHSB on their much-anticipated canoe trip (8/27-8/28). This annual adventure fosters a true spirit of Achdus (unity) among all who participate.

Over the course of the outing, the staff and I were greatly impressed by how well the students worked together to complete their pre-assigned tasks. We also observed a tremendous amount of sportsmanship among the boys, and an eagerness to assist one another. 

On Sunday evening, after enjoying a great cookout dinner, we gathered around a bonfire for an enjoyable Kumsitz with heartfelt singing. In between songs, several students volunteered to stand up and share some of their meaningful summer experiences. 

On Monday morning, we Davened Shacharis, prepared lunches, were joined by Rabbi Weiner, and boarded the bus which took us to the canoe launching area. Between the actual canoeing, some swimming, and exploring the nooks and crannies of Arkansas' Spring River, the students all had a marvelous time. 

I'm certain that this special out-of-school experience will go a long way towards creating an atmosphere of learning and camaraderie in school and our classrooms!

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Two New Mezuzos Donated to the MHA

Following the events of this past summer, the MHA enhanced the campus' security by installing two additional fences. Upon noticing that the entranceway in each fence was a complete Tzuras HaPesach (doorway), YI Rabbi's Discretionary Fund (RDF) promptly donated two waterproof Mezuzah cases & Mezuzah Klafin (scrolls) to the entrance ways of those fences.

I thank CYHSB senior Aiden Bieber (pictured above) for helping me affix those new Mezuzos to their respective doorframes. May Hashem continue to watch over the MHA and all its students!

Are you interested in sponsoring these Mezuzah cases and Klafin in honor / memory of someone at just $65 each? If so, please contact me ASAP at rabbi@yiom.org

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YI's Labor Day BBQ

YI's Labor Day Family & Fun BBQ took place on Monday, September 4th at Shelby Farms – Hyde Lake Pavilion. Although I had to sit this one out (I had a sinus infection), I was assured that a good time was had by all!

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Recently Published Online Article

In January of 2017, Rav Nota Greenblatt, zt"l, told me an incredible story about a heroic Jewish woman who had lived in Clarksdale, MS. This past summer, I found time to research and write up an article about her, and I remain fascinated by what I learned about the life and times of Mrs. Ethel Abrams, a"h.  

On September 4th, this article was published online at The Seforim Blog, and I think you'll enjoy it. Please click HERE to read "Mrs. Ethel Abrams – Ettel Ha’Ivriya of Clarksdale, Mississippi".

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The Bee Whisperer Pre-Rosh Hashana Children’s Event

On Sunday, September 10th, YI welcomed the Bee Whisperer, who shared a fascinating presentation about bees and honey. This was followed by lots of hands-on Rosh Hashanah crafts, candle making from bee's wax, and decorating honey jars.

The kids all had a blast! Yasher Koach to Sarah Ardestani for arranging the very successful Pre-Rosh Hashana children’s event!

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YI's Beautiful Lulav / Esrog Sets  

On Monday, September 11th, I spent a whirlwind day traveling to/from Brooklyn, NY. While there, I selected close to 150 beautiful Lulav and Esrog sets for our Shul. After all the items arrived in Memphis, I realized that in the rush of the day, I had mistakenly left nearly 20 of our Esrogim in Brooklyn! Thankfully, our supplier was able to overnight us an additional 25 Esrogim via FedEx, and everything worked out just fine!

It felt great seeing so many beautiful sets of Lulavim and Esrogim being used at YI again this year! Below are some pictures taken at the 2nd Minyan on Hoshanah Rabbah morning at YI.

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Young Israel of Memphis Shares Rosh Hashanah

Care Packages with US Air Force Academy Cadets

For the sixth year in a row, Young Israel (YI) of Memphis played a role in lifting the spirits of some of our country's brave Jewish troops, who were far away from a normal Yom Tov setting.

Just prior to Rosh Hashanah 5784 / 2023, in partnership with Memphis' own Ricki's Cookie Corner, YI sent 36 Rosh Hashanah care packages of Ricki’s signature cookies and Challah rolls (along with other sweet treats and YI Shanah Tovah cards) to the Jewish cadets at the US Air Force Academy.

YI also sent a special gift of Challahs and cookies for Mrs. Michal Rappeport and her children to enjoy over the Yom Tovim. (Her husband -- USAF Chaplain Rabbi Shaul Rappeport was unexpectedly deployed overseas for this year's Yom Tovim.)

At a special pre-Rosh Hashanah gathering, Mrs. Rapperport distributed all the care packages to the very appreciative Jewish USAF Academy cadets. In a subsequent email to me (from Qatar), Captain Rappeport wrote:

“Cadets, Airmen and families joined together for a festive Yom Tov meal. Everyone absolutely loved the packages from Ricki’s, and each recipient was so touched and grateful to know that a far away Shul cares about – and was thinking about – them on Rosh Hashanah.”

Young Israel of Memphis thanks Ricki’s Cookie Corner and each of the generous sponsors who brought this heart-warming project to fruition. 

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On Friday, September 22nd, I was happy to visit once again with the Jewish residents of Plough Towers. We enjoyed a special pre-Shabbos Shuvah program -- complete with selected Shabbos Tefilos, a discussion about Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, and even a taste of a Shabbos Kiddush!

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Yasher Koach to everyone who helped make the 5784 / 2023 Yom Tovim at Young Israel so beautiful and meaningful!

To all the Rabbanim who assisted me in delivering Divrei Torah over Yom Tov – Rabbi Yosef Braha, Rabbi Shmuel Fromowitz, Rabbi Ilai Grunwald, Rabbi Uriel Nashofer, Rabbi Yehoshua Nissan, and Rabbi Naftali Zions.

To our Gabbaim and all of the Baalei Kriya and Baalei Tefilah.

Layala & I were happy to host the Second Day Kiddush & Open Sukkah at their home.

To everyone who made possible the Shul’s Sukkah – Mrs. Chana Lederman and the GMSG students for building the Sukkah, Yitzi Ryp for helping me put on the S’chach and finishing the Sukkah, and Noam & Ezra Davidovics, Steven Schwartzberg, and Eileen Segal for helping me take it down.

To Shifra & Rabbi Uriel Nashoferfor sponsoring Shabbos Sukkos Kiddush for the Yartzeit of Shifra’s mother Robin Niman – liluy nishmas Tzippora bas Avraham Tzvi a’h.

To Sarah Bracha & Jon Wogan for hosting the annual Hoshanah Rabbah Shiur in their Sukkah -- and to Rabbi Yaakov Ehrenkranz for preparing and presenting such an engaging Shiur.

To Rabbi Yehoshua & Talia Nissan for sponsoring Shabbos Shemini Atzeres Kiddush in honor of the birth of their daughter Rus Malka.

To Cindy & Bart Ehrenkranz for sponsoring the Simchas Torah morning Kiddush.

To the sponsors of the Simchas Torah toy raffle – Mordi Klein and Chaya Miriam & Zechariah Steiner.

To the sponsors of the Simchas Torah candy Bracha & Frank Udelsohn and several anonymous sponsors.

To the sponsors of the Simchas Torah Seudos – Deena & Noam Davidovics for the Yartzeit of their grandfather – liluy nishmas David ben Avraham Abish z’l who passed away 12 years ago on Simchas Torah, Tom Ernst in loving memory of Tom’s wife Lillian (Lee) Ernst a’h, and Elaine Witty-Komito in memory of her parents Rachel Jean Witty – Rochel Gittel bas HaRav Ephraim v’Sarah a’h and Rabbi Abraham B. Witty – HaRav Avraham Baruch ben Reb Noach HaLevi v’Fayga z’l.

To everyone who helped plan, arrange, cook, serve, set-up, and clean up the Simchas Torah Seudos – Akiva Braverman, Sarah Bauer, Michael Burnham, Deena & Noam Davidovics, Moshe Davidovics, Jamie Gibber, Tova Hauser, Abbe Kaplan, Shelley Kutliroff, Esther Katz, Pesi Katz, Rebbetzin Layala Males, Lea Sanders, Eileen Segal, Ruthie Rashkin, Hirsch Serman, and Steven Schwartzberg.

To everyone who bid on Kibudim at the Simchas Torah Auction.

A special thanks to Chris Edens, Veterans Security, and the Shul’s security team – Rabbi Brett Oxman, Ben Ryp, Hirsch Serman, and Yechezkel Valeriano – for keeping us all safe.

We apologize if we inadvertently omitted anyone who helped make our Yom Tovim so uplifting. Thank you!

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