Dear Friends,
Yesterday in Washington, a global icon of Western democracy and freedom was the latest setting for yet another tragic display of reckless hatred and loss of life.
"Big John", as the warm and friendly security guard Stephen T. Johns was affectionately known by his colleagues, gave his life to protect the lives of the men, women and children at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. Obviously missing the message of the very place he entered, a modern day Nazi aroused his evil instincts to fire up the flames of the sub-human nature that brought us the Holocaust almost 70 years ago.
But that inhumane nature if far from history. It is clearly alive today. How do we respond?
In addition to the security measures, infrastructure and promotion of mutual respect between all of humanity, incidents such as this, in the heart of our Capitol calls on our inner conscience to define the essence of our approach to hatred, racism and anti-Semitism, even as it rears its ugly head in the Capitol of one of the Jewish People's strongest allies.
The Kohen, the embodiment of absolute love for every one of G-d’s creation, raises the flames of peace, love and harmony through the kindling of the Menorah in the Holy Temple, may it be rebuilt. The seven branch Menorah was made of one mass of gold. He empowers us to focus on our golden similarities inasmuch, and surely more than, how we augment our differences; every one of us is a creation of G-d.
This harmony begins at home. “Two Jews, three opinions” unfortunately is beyond a mere joke; it has become an atmosphere we breath, and sadly, quite comfortably. Why is there such an urge to call one “less religious” a heretic, while one who may have (even a nuance) of greater observance, we are quick to label a fanatic?
“The candle of G-d is the soul of man”. Every one of us can find the Kohen within ourselves, to illuminate the world around us, one soul-candle at a time.
- Please join us as we kindle each and every one of our soul-candles this Shabbos, Parshas Behaalosecha at Chabad of Uptown.
Friday services (this week and every Summer week) at 7:30 pm (of course you are invited for dinner following - RSVP). Candle lighting is at 8:04 pm.
Shabbat morning Chassidus study, 9:00 am. Services at 10 am followed by Kiddush with best cholent this side of the Hudson.
Mincha at 8 pm, Ethics of our Father chapter 2, Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 9:04 pm.
- Special thanks to Ben Shamoolian of Houston Flowery for the beautiful flowers, brush and landscaping.
- We will be hosting the eighth grade gradute boys of TDS this Shabbos.
- Mazel tov to Hava Schultz on the occasion of her Bas Mitzvah this Sunday.
- The kids had their last day of school today. Welcome home for chaos, challah baking, coloring (on walls at times) and mommy camp until CGI starts up. Mendel graduated Kindergarten, see the slideshow shown there, here.
- Next week is Project Talmud. Among many of the amazing dinners, classes, courses and lectures, Rabbi Chaim will speak on Sunday evening on Torah's economics, Chanie will speak on Monday evening on relationships, and Rabbi Laibl Wolf will give a Kabbala workshop on Thursday. You do not want to miss this! Visit www.projecttalmud.com and register NOW!
We look forward to seeing you Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim, Chanie & Clan
