WOOD RIVER JEWISH COMMUNITY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
July 6, 2021
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ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK (Additional Summer Events Listed Below)
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The Jewish Bike Brigade
On Wednesday, we’ll depart from the Gimlet Rd crossing of the bike path at 9:30am, head south to McKercher Blvd, west to River St, south on River St to Broadford Rd and thence to Bellevue. On the return we’ll stop at the Black Owl (208 N River St, Hailey) for R&R.
Bring lots of hydration and sun block. The pace will be moderate. See you Wednesday 930am at Gimlet and the bike path,
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Join them this summer on Thursday evenings, 5-6pm, in the park for lessons in conversational Hebrew.
All levels are welcome, you do not need to know how to read Hebrew. Take one lesson, take them all! Class Fee: Donation
Class Dates: July 8, 15, Aug 5, 12, 19, Sept 2, 9, 25
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ON FRIDAY, JULY 9th at 6:00PM at the Botanical Garden
WELCOME OUR GUEST RABBI, RABBI FARKAS
Oneg to follow
sponsored by Flora Mason, Marshall and Judith Meyer, Naomi Sloan,
David Kaye and Judy Teller Kaye
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Rabbi Farkas was just appointed as the new CEO & President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, starting in November 2021. Today, Rabbi Noah Zvi Farkas serves at Valley Beth Shalom, the largest Jewish congregation in the San Fernando Valley.
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- Friday, July 16 at 6:00pm Led by Jo Schultz
- Friday, July 23 at 5:00pm: Family Service Led by Rabbi Robbi
- Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm Led by Rabbi Robbi
- Friday, July 30 at 5:30pm (Shabbat/Picnic) at Botanical Garden
- Friday, August 6 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi
- Friday, August 13 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi
- Friday, August 20 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi
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- Annual Board Meeting on Sunday July 18th at 10am at the office
- Tea Knitting Party on July 20 at 2pm at Candice's garden
- Torah Study on July 21 at 7pm at the office
- Groundbreaking for new building on Sunday, July 25th
- Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival on July 25, 26, 27
- Summer Picnic and Shabbat on July 30th
- Ladies Lunch on Tuesday, August 17
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Israel's 2021 Election and the New Israeli Government with Reuven Hazan
Please join us for a special program with Hebrew University Professor Reuven Hazan, hosted by AFHU Western Region Vice-Chair, Patty L. Glaser on Tuesday, July 13th at 3pm ET, 2pm CT, and 12pm PT.
Professor Reuven Hazan holds the Chair in Israeli Democracy and Politics in the Department of Political Science, where he was formerly department chair. Professor Hazan was closely involved in reforming Israel’s electoral system and continues to advise Israel’s leading politicians on the restructuring of its legislative branch.
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Andrew Fradkin and Jill Grossman
and their 5 children, Taylor, Chase, Connor, Becca and Jo.
Part time San Carlos, CA and Ketchum, ID
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Lowell and Julie Potiker
Part time San Diego, CA and Ketchum, ID
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Judy Townsend
Sun Valley, ID
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TORAH PORTION OF THE WEEK
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Matot-Massei (Tribes and Journey) Numbers 30:2–36:13
The Israelites are exhausted after their wandering. In order to enter the land, there are tribes to fight and villages to build – more than one daunting task. Two tribes, Reuben and Gad, later joined by half of the Tribe of Manasseh, ask to stay on the east side of the Jordan river as they see great potential in the fields there. Moses agrees, but only if they will continue to fight the battles that lie ahead. Our Torah leaves us poised to enter into the Promised Land, encamped in the Plains of Moab, at the Jordan, by Jericho.
The importance of making a vow is stressed in Matot. In Massei, a notable mitzvah is requiring two witnesses to a murder. The reason for two witnesses is to provide a safeguard, since one witness might have a bias in the case.
As our next book of Torah, Deuteronomy, begins, we are meant to be lifted up -- inspired by the honest words of Moses, addressed to all of Israel. These words resound for us as well -- as our imperfect journey to this place is honored -- as a broader perspective is gained -- and as meaningful teshuvah -- transformation -- is worked for that can yet be a balm for our lives. Every step we take now is leading us out of the desert to be able to actually create a home for God of which we are proud. Beginning a new life in a new place is frightening, but this time is not a time for fear -- it is a time for strength, as our tradition teaches -- "only with strength can one pass through this world.”
Massei is the final book in Bamidbar, known as Numbers. When we finish a book of the Torah we say: “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazeik!” Be strong, be strong, let us strengthen one another
This Shabbat, I am delighted to welcome my colleague, Rabbi Noah Farkas, from Valley Beth Shalom in the San Fernando Valley to lead us in Shabbat services at the Botanical Gardens. I wish I could be there in person to also enjoy and learn from this remarkable scholar. You can find out more about Rabbi Farkas here: https://www.vbs.org/worship/meet-our-clergy/rabbi-noah-farka
Rabbi Robbi
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Additional Limud (Learning): Tisha B’av
Tisha B’Av, the ninth of Av, is a full day of fasting and mourning. The month of Av usually falls in the height of the summer – this year on July 17th/18th. Even with regard to climate, it was the driest time of the year, and thus a time of sadness and uncertainty until the rains came again.
Although the festival commemorates the destruction of both Temples, the main historical sources are in dispute about exactly when the Temples were destroyed. Some say the first Temple was destroyed either on the seventh or the 10th of Av in 586 B.C.E. by Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylonia), and the second Temple was destroyed on the 10th (70 C.E. by Titus). The rabbinic authorities decided to mark the ninth as the official date of remembering their destruction.
Tisha B’Av is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, and over the centuries many tragic events happened — or were traditionally said to have happened on this date. These include the capture of Bethar, which marked the final defeat of Bar Kochba‘s rebellion against the Romans, and the razing of
Jerusalem by the Romans. The edict of King Edward I compelling the Jews of England to leave the country was signed on the ninth of Av in 1290, the Jews were expelled from Spain on that day in 1492, and World War I broke out in 1914. The sadness and mourning that Jews feel on this day are reflected in the various practices of Tisha B’Av, including abstaining from joyous activities like study of Torah, from eating and drinking, from sexual activity, and from wearing leather, which indicates a certain social status.
PS: Rabbi Robbi in the Valley July 19-October 12:
Rabbi Robbi would love to get together with you for a cup of coffee, a schmooze or a walk/hike. Please contact her: [email protected]. Looking forward to an exciting summer!
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THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS OF THE WEEK
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PATRONS OF THE MONTH
Ron and Susan Green
Paul Wolff and Rhea Schwartz
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SUN VALLEYJEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Ron and Sylvia Hartman
Fred Friedman in honor of Jay and Lynda Cooper
Joyce Friedman in memory of Norman
WHERE NEEDED MOST FUND
Myrna Oliver
BE A BLESSING
Andrew Fradkin and Jill Grossman
Richard and Candice Stark
Ron and Sylvia Hartman
Ari and Kristen Geffen
Scott Molinaroli and Lyn Aborn
BUILDING FUNDS
Jan Aronson
The Albert Parvin Foundation/ Stanley Parvin and Selma Moutchou
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Edwin Fradkin, Father of Andrew Fradkin
Mendel Carp, Father of Bunker Frank
Herbert Frankel, Father of Caren Frankel
David Freeman, Father of Coni Foster
Hyman G. Levy, Father-in-Law of Judith Levy
Jules Gilman, Husband of Joy Siegel
Dr. Saul I. Firtel, Father in Law of Judy Firtel
Edward L. Johnson, Father of Lynda Maybruck
George Kent, Father of Terry Murphy
Sonja Schultz, Mother of Joseph Schultz
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Al and Brenda Hackel
Marlene Samuels
Susanne Marx
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Board of Directors 2020-2021
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Josh Kleinman, Co-President
Susan Green, Co-President
Jeff Rose, Vice-President
Dana Berntson, Co-Vice President
Noa Ries, Co-Vice President
Judy Teller Kaye, Treasurer
Coni Foster, Secretary
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Linda Cooper
Jami Delgado
Phil Goldstein
Ron Greenspan
Marshall Meyer
Juli Roos
Bob Safron
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Rabbi Robbi Sherwin
Claudie Goldstein, Executive Director
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