Friday Night Services, 7/03, at 7:00 pm

The next Saturday morning services will be next week, July 11 at 9am

Morah Shiry’s spoken Hebrew class, followed by Gabbai Bam’s davening class will resume Thursday July 23 at 7pm

Grandpa Abe’s Column: I miss my Friends
I got a call the other day from the Jewish War Veterans of which I am a proud member. They asked me if I could identify some of the people in the photographs as I might have remembered them. They are taking these photographs and are going to compile them and start the archives of Post 757. There was one picture I came to that contained approximately thirty-five people. I remember this picture very distinctly. We had an extremely well-attended meeting and thought it might be a good idea to get everyone in a group picture. Like everything that is done, that was not an easy task. We had five chiefs telling us where to stand and how to stand. Everyone talking at once, but by the grace of god it was completed. What was really sad about this picture that I was looking at today, over half the people are no longer with us. No, they didn’t move away. They’re all passed away and I miss them. These were all good people. They all believed in serving their country and the great Almighty. They are not the only people that I miss. There are people who I worked with. There are people who are acquaintances. And, of course, the greatest pain in my heart is obviously my beloved parents. Well, I need to extend that one more step and include my grandparents. As you all know, grandparents are very special. In my life, I was taught a lot by my Grandpa and Grandma. They taught me most of all to have values. You have to have values today if you want to be worth anything. It would be a mistake if I didn’t remember our four-legged friends. They always supplied us with unconditional love and lots and lots of kisses. My wife would say don’t forget all the work such as poop picking up. For some reason, it always seemed like it was worth it. It seems like I miss my neighbors who are no longer with us and people in the clubs that I belong to. In a lot of the clubs I hold a position or office. This was through attrition. It was just the other day, I lost a dear friend on a board I serve on. I remember years ago in a lot of these organizations I was the youngster. Now I’m now the senior participant. Oh, I miss my friends and family. Remember to enjoy your loved ones while they are here.
Dor ‘L Dor
Grandpa Abe

The Weekly Parashah from The Center for Latino-Jewish Relations
Rabbi Peter Tarlow
This week we read the section of the Torah called Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9). It is one of the more famous sections, and it is hard to think of a more appropriate section for the Fourth of July, The US Independence Day. In this parashah we find not only the tale of Balaam’s talking donkey but also Balaam’s curse that becomes a blessing. Both tales at first seem a bit odd. Yet when we read them with an open eye, it becomes clear that a common theme runs throughout them. Just as in this week’s parashah, many of us live lives of entitlement where we often choose not to see the blessings in our lives. We live in a land filled with blessings. Indeed, Jews throughout the world are safer and better off, not only because of the State of Israel, but also because of the lessons and examples given to the world by the US forefathers and mothers. No matter what its flaws, the US stands as a beacon of light symbolized by the Statue of Liberty for people throughout the world.
Like many of us, Balaam was in such a hurry that he failed to see both the opportunities and dangers that confronted him. It took a donkey to teach him that life is composed not only of actions but also of “appreciative reactions”. Balaam was so sure that he was in charge, that he became blind to the reality that surrounded him. In a like manner, the Children of Israel were so intent on leaving the desert that they squandered Balaam’s blessings by failing hear them. How often are we in a rush to get somewhere? How often are we so wrapped up in ourselves that we become blind to the blessings that life offers us? For those of us who live in the US, July Fourth should be more than merely a day of fireworks, hotdogs and watermelon. It is also a day to appreciate all that this nation represents, the idea of human equality, the concept that we judge a person not by his/her race, religion or nationality but by his/her abilities. Although as seen by the murders in Charlestown, not all of us live up to these ideas, the nation’s reaction proves that most Americans cherish these ideals.
This week’s section teaches us not to be so caught up in our own daily “problems” that we fail to appreciate the blessings that we have. On July Fourth we need to take the time to celebrate not only our independence from British tyranny, but also the fact that we have left the fears and prejudices of Europe behind, both physically and spiritually,
Balaam’s tale reminds us that we need each other; that we can learn from everyone, and that perhaps the greatest curse is to squander the many blessings that G’d gives us. These are important concepts to remember and to consider on this national Independence Day. A Glorious Fourth of July!

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Balak, contains the verse מה טובו אהליך יעקב משכנתיך ישראל “How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling-places O Israel”. We say this upon entering our synagogues in the morning, in appreciation of the sanctuary in which we worship. Like us, our African-American brothers and sisters appreciate their churches, their sanctuaries from a world that is all too often hostile. A week and a half ago, the sanctuary of Emanuel AME Church was violated by a young man with hatred in his heart and a gun in his hand. Since then, seven African-American churches have burned. While some of those fires may have been due to natural phenomena, “acts of God”, it strains credulity that all seven were accidents. I repeat the prayer which I have been saying since the terrorist attack on Emanuel AME-may their sanctuaries as well as ours be places of peace, not violence. If you are able, please consider helping one or all of these seven churches to rebuild from the ashes. And let us all continue to hold all of our brothers and sisters in our hearts and prayers. Shabbat Shalom and Happy July 4!.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Wishing our whole kehilah a wonderful and meaningful July 4