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Achim Newsletter
Parshas Acharei mos - Kedoshim
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Picnic update
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Please note the wonderful Bar Mitzvah of Aharon Dovid Yablonovsky this week. See below.
Candle lighting time for Baltimore between 6:27 - 7:34
pm
Shabbos concludes
8:43 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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to print this as a web page click here
A loving thought
I wish to dedicate this week's Parsha thought to the memory
of my dear uncle, Rabbi Yehuda Elchonon Diskind, may his memory be a blessing,
who passed away this week.
Among the many mitzvos that are enumerated in this week's
double Parsha, Achrei Mos - Kedoshim, is the famous mitzvah to love your fellow
Jew as you love yourself. How can one fulfill this mitzvah properly? Can you
love another person the same way you love yourself? Perhaps an insight to my dear Uncle's behavior
might answer this question.
The Mishna asks why HaShem created Man differently than the
rest of creation. When creating the horses, He created Egyptian horses and
Dutch horses and all types of horses. The same with every species of animals as
well as plants; numerous sets of identical species were created around the
world. However, with the creation of Man He created only one man. Could He not
have created many Chinese people, French people and so on? The Mishna explains
that HaShem wanted to make the following point - the entire world was created
for one person. If there would be an entire population no single person would
be justified in saying that HaShem created the world for me. But now that there
was only one Man created, Man must recognize that entire world was created to
serve him and only him. The Mishna goes on to say that therefore, every Jew must
appreciate that the world was made to serve him!
At first glance, it appears to be a somewhat egoistic perspective;
however, a moment's contemplation will reveal that the reverse is true. If the
Mishna teaches me that I must perceive the world as being created to serve me
then that also implies that the entire was also created to serve my friend. The
implication of that statement is that I, as being part of the creation of this
world, was created to serve my friend! It implies that I was created to serve
every person who can make the claim that "the world was created to serve me".
Now that is a mighty tall order. How can a person fully
incorporate this notion into his life without becoming a total shmata (rag)? Actually,
once he becomes a shmata how can he serve anybody?
I contend that Uncle Yehuda Elchonon successfully
incorporated this lesson into his every breathing moment that he interacted
with other people as follows.
The value of any quality lies in the awareness of its owner.
Let us use the example of the man who has $10,000,000 in his name and is
accessible to him but he is not aware of it. Although he is a millionaire but
it has no value to him. Another example, my friend inherited an old book from
his father that appears to be quite valuable. He estimated its' value at about
$300. He showed it to a collector who told him that its value is actually
$40,000. It would be accurate to say that the collector gave my friend a
$40,000 gift. Even though my friend received the book from his father,
nevertheless, the collector is one who gave my friend the appreciation of what
he had.
Uncle Yehuda Elchonon gave an untold number of people gifts
of inestimable value. He was a master of identifying a positive quality in
every person. Upon identifying it he shared his discovery with the person. Even
if he met someone for just a short conversation he still found something that
was genuinely positive and share it. "I like the pattern of your suit", "Your
beard gives you a striking presence", "Your smile gives me so much joy". His
compliments were not empty, they were genuine and the recipient of these
comments knew that he meant it.
Consider the thousands of children that went through Uncle
Yehuda Elchonon's fourth grade during the 60 years of his teaching career. These
children spent an entire year at the feet of Uncle Yehuda Elchonon, under the
watchful loving eyes of a teacher who sought to find every quality that each
child possessed. Although these children were blessed with their qualities by HaShem
and their parents but for so many of them it was Uncle Yehuda Elchonon who made
them aware of these strengths and qualities.
If my beloved Uncle was driven by the abovementioned Mishna,
it would correct to say that he recognized in his love to the other Jew, a
fulfillment of his own mission. Perhaps he understood the Mishna's lesson as
follows: the entire world was created to serve me as a means for me to serve
them. He truly loved his fellow Jew the same way that he loved himself. His
love of his fellow Jew was the fulfillment of his self-love.
May Rabbi Yehuda Elchonon Diskind's memory continue serve us
all as an inspiration to live to serve others and to bring out the best in each
of us.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
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Mazel Tov!
On
the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Dovid Yablonovsky. Roman and Svetlana
will be hosting a kiddush in honor of this great moment.
The Kiddush will be next week (April 24)
at the Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh (BMR) at 10:45
Date: Saturday,
April 24
Time: 10:45 am
Location: Corner Deancroft and Smith
Who:
every member of Kehillas Achim and their friend
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Lag b'Omer Picnic
The Picnic is yet even closer
If you plan on coming please indicate so to paysach@achim.org
If you are not planning to participate - change your plans!
 Date:
Sunday, May 2
Time: 12:00 noon - 4:30 pm
Location: Gunpowder Falls State Park
7200
Graces Quarters, Chase, MD 21027
Hammer Shelter / Dogwood #2
What:
Lag b'Omer Picnic / Football
Hot dogs, Hamburgers,
salad, drinks, i takdali
Cost: $10 per person / $25 per family
Who:
YOU, of course, and that Jewish friend you wanted to introduce
to
Achim.
Directions: From I-95 take exit 67A
for Route
43 east (White Marsh
Boulevard). Follow 43 to route 40 east. After turning onto Route 40,
turn right at the first light onto Ebenezer Road and follow it for 4.5
miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
For a Google map
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Mom's Workshop
The
focus of the past workshop centered on raising children and
allowing
yourself some space. Being able to just be you.
Our next session will be Monday May 3,
and will be
dealing with more children-raising issues.
Date: Monday evening, May 3
Time: 8:45 - 9:45 (real
time not Jewish or Russian time)
Location: the home of Leah Mikeladze (6807 Park Heights Ave.
The Canterbury House, Apt.
3-I, 21215) To reach
Leah call 410-358-1450.
Moderator: Mrs. Brocha Skulnik
Parking
instructions; there is much parking behind
the building. However, only park around the perimeter not
underneath the
building itself. Those spots are reserved for the tenants only.)
If you have any questions call me at 443.286.9338 or
paysach@achim.org.
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Хасидская притча
Однажды хасиды собрались на праздничную трапезу в ту-бишват у раби
Менахем-Мендла из Коцка. Стол был уставлен серебряными подносами с плодами и
каждый, кто пробовал один из плодов, говорил: Райский вкус.
Только раби
рассказывал о Святой земле и вздыхал всякий раз, когда откусывал кусочек от
экзотического плода.
За столом сидел гость из Эрец-Исраэль и удивлялся:
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Откуда раби знает, что эти же плоды в Эрец-Исраэль куда вкуснее?!
Усмехнулся
раби и сказал:
- Это же так просто: в каждом плоде есть целый букет вкусов. В
этих есть почти все: сладость, терпкость, нежность. Не хватает только одного -
вкуса Святой земли
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Gemara Class
Weekly class in Russian language
The Talmud is the exposition and clarification of the Oral Torah. Talmud and Gemara are interchangeable terms for this work. So much of classic Jewish literature is built on the teachings of the Talmud. Children 13 years old as well 80-year rabbis study this ancient text. It engages the mind and activates the thinking process in a very deep way.
Monday evenings from 8:00 - 9:00 Dr. Michael Keidar gives a class on Gemara (Talmud) in Russian. This class is designed to accommodate people with limited background in Torah study.
Dr. Keidar gives the class at the Baltimore Community Kollel (3800 Labyrinth Road 21215)
If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Dr. Keidar at keidar@gwu.edu. |
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Parsha Class
Weekly Class in Russian Language
The Torah carries within it many messages. Every Shabbos is assigned its own special portion that is read in the synagogue. This weekly portion is called the Parsha. The lessons and insights that are packed with the Parsha are timeless as they are profound.
Tuesday evenings 8:00 - 9:00 Dr. Michael Keidar presents insights on the weekly Parsha in the Russian language. Participation does not require any background in Jewish education.
Dr. Keidar gives the class at the Baltimore Community Kollel (3800 Labyrinth Road 21215)
If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Dr. Keidar at keidar@gwu.edu. |
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Sunday morning @ Milbrook
Shachris service
Every Sunday morning we have a morning prayer service followed by tasty donuts with coffee and lively discussions with insights on the weekly Parsha dealing with relevant applications.
People who need to recite kaddish but are embarrassed to do so will feel comfortable at our service. We provide help and support in reciting kaddish in a friendly atmosphere.
Sunday morning schedule
Service 8:00 - 9:00
For kaddish be there no later than 8:45
Donuts, coffee and discussion 9:00 - 9:45
Everyone is welcome
Special prayers are recited by the minyan for sick members of the community. If you have someone you wish to be mentioned contact me at paysach@achim.org .
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Weekly Women's Class
Continuing professional education
The Jewish woman has many responsibilities, each of which is critical to their family and to their people as whole. We can define the position of Jewish womanhood as requiring a degree in culinary arts, psychology, clinical social work, business management, human resources and education. In addition to this list, a comprehensive background in Jewish law comes in handy.
As with every profession, Jewish womanhood requires Continuing Professional Education. Achim is very fortunate to have Mrs. Tamar Englander who is an outstanding member of this elite class of Jewish Women. Tamar conducts a weekly class that provides motivational and educational approaches to practical Jewish womanhood. A sampling of the areas that are covered in her classes include perspectives on Shabbat, dealing with the challenges of stress that find themselves in life, cooking with a touch of spirituality, child rearing, marital relationships and many more.
Every Wednesday evening from 8:30 - 9:30 Tamar conducts this class at her home, 6307 Wirt Avenue 21215. All women are invited to participate in this group.
Please contact paysach@achim.org if you wish to join. | |
Mesilas Yeshorim / Path of the Just
We have concluded the second chapter and hope to begin the third chapter at our next meeting.
This class meets Wednesday's twice a month.
Our next session:
Date:Wednesday evening,
April 21.
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Location: Home of Alla and Joseph Kovalerchik (101 Clarendon Road 21208)
If you wish to join contact me at
paysach@achim.org.
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Hebrew Literacy Level II
This class ran its six sessions
and is currently not running.
If you are interested in creating a new class
please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org
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Employment Opportunities?
Do you know of any opportunities that perhaps someone in our group might benefit? Or perhaps you are looking for an opportunity and you wish to include other people in your search. Please contact me at paysach@achim.org.
We will be posting such opportunities on our website at Employment Opportunities
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