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Achim Newsletter
Eikev
Thursday July 29, 2010
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Greetings!
I hope your summer is providing you some break in the routine.
Candle
lighting time for Baltimore
between 6:51 - 8:03 pm
Shabbos concludes
9:10 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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to print this as a web page click here
Homeward bound
There is a seven week period between Tisha b'Av and Rosh
Hashanah which is called The Seven weeks of Consolation. On the Shabbos of each
of these weeks we read one chapter from the Prophet Isaiah in which he consoles
the people of Israel, the
City of Jerusalem
and the Place of Zion who mourn over their tragic loss. This week as we read
the Parsha of Eikev we will the chapter 49 in Isaiah.
There is an added consolation when we read the prophet's
message and we see how part of the prophecy is already happening. I would like
to highlight one passage of Isaiah's message which I believe is in some way is
currently being fulfilled.
Isaiah tells Jerusalem
how she will be filled with her people once more instead of being bereaved of
her children who were sent to exile. "And
you (the City of Jerusalem) will say in your heart 'Who has begotten me
these? For I have been bereaved and alone so long who has reared these? Behold,
I had been left by myself; where are these (the returned people) from?' For thus says HaShem, Behold I will
raise My hand towards the nations and I will hoist my banner towards peoples
and they will bring you your children in their arms ..."
There are two parts to Jerusalem's
amazement. The first wonder is from where these people come; they could not
have come from me for I have been bereft of children for 2,000 years. Her
second wonder is who raised them to be Jews? How can the descendants of my
children 60 generations later still be identifiably Jewish? They were living
among the non-Jewish nations whose cultures have so often drawn people away
from their Judaism. How is it that after 2,000 years of exile I still have
Jewish children?
Isaiah responds to her wonder by telling her that although
your children were living far from you, nevertheless, HaShem will raise His
hand towards the nations and His banner towards peoples and they, the nations,
will bring your children back home.
I would like to share with you the following true story
which happened only a number of months ago. I have a dear couple that is very
close to me, Allen and Susie Fisher. I have known Allen and Susie for over 15
years and they were never observant in any significant way. They identified
themselves as Jews, they even put up mezzuzos on their house but there was no
level of kashrus or Shabbos observance. On one trip to Israel as the
Fisher's were returning home Susie was sitting next an American woman who was
not Jewish. The two of them struck up a conversation and after some time dinner
was served. When Susie's neighbor received a kosher meal, Susie asked her in
astonishment 'I thought you mentioned that you are not Jewish, why did you
order kosher?' The woman explained that by profession she is an artist that
specializes in Judaic arts. It was in this context that she was spending time
in Israel.
She continued, 'the more time I spend with the Jewish people, my admiration for
them grows. Although I am not about to convert to Judaism, nevertheless, I
wanted to adopt something of the ways of this people. I therefore decided to
accept on myself to restrict my diet to only kosher food.'
Susie, whose palate cherished crabs and shrimp, decided
right then and there never to eat shellfish again. "How can I, a Jew, a proud Jew, maintain a diet with no restriction on
non-kosher food when this non-Jew who out of admiration for the Jew abstains
from non-kosher food!" It has been many months since this story and Susie
is maintaining a shellfish free diet.
Perhaps this is the intention of HaShem's response to Jerusalem's amazement. "I will raise awareness among the non-Jewish
nations and they will bring your
children home". The process of that home-coming is by the nations recognizing
HaShem in their own experiences and they will in turn bring home Jerusalem's children by
example.
It is people like Allen and Susie who although they are
still far from Torah observance are nevertheless the paradigms of the return
home of Jerusalem's
children.
Who can witness such a story and not find consolation in the
exile? If HaShem arranged that Susie sit next to this American artist as she
leaves Israel
on her return home then we know that He will do whatever is necessary to bring
all the rest of His children home as well.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
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Tuesday Evening Learning Program
Featuring
1. Dr. Keidar's Parsha Class given in Russian.
2. Paysach Diskind in depth study of the 613 mitzvos (check out the blog for the current mitzvah)
3. Learn one-on-one with a study partner on the
matter of your choice.
4. Read, understand and speak Hebrew with Yakov Krug esq.
If you wish to have a study
partner please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org.
If you wish to attend the Hebew class contact Yakov Krug.
I encourage you to join us. Whether you
would like to learn or like to teach we need you.
The details are as follows:
Date:Every Tuesday evening
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 pm
Location:
Rabbi Berger's Shul (3209 Fallstaff Road, 21215) map
What: an
evening of Torah study -
your choice, your level
We are very grateful to Frank and Danielle Storch for providing their property for this program.
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Hebrew Reading Class
by Yakov Krug
 Yakov Krug has begun a new Hebrew reading class. The goal of this class to give the student a comfort level in reading and speaking classic Hebrew as well as common conversational Hebrew.
This curriculum is a 10 week course and he will be using Ha-Yesod as his foundation.
This Hebrew class will take place as part of our Tuesday Evening Learning Program.
If you are interested in learning more information contact Yakov at yakovkrug@yahoo.com or 410-274-5446.
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The Mitzvah Class / Attach yourself to G.D
Join me weekly at the Tuesday evening of learning in developing an appreciation for mitzvos of the Torah.
The class deals with practical applications as well as philosophical insights.
Our current mitzvah is the Mitzvah attaching ourselves to G.D
Please visit our Blog for a taste of the class.
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Mom's Workshop
Summer has arrived with all the changes that come with it. One of those changes is that Brocha Skulnik will not be continuing the workshop.
We are very grateful to Mrs. Skulnik for her dedication and time that she puts into her presentations and discussions.
There is a possibility that they will continue when school resumes. We will keep you posted.
In the meantime, if have any questions regarding the workshop you may contact me at 443.286.9338 or
paysach@achim.org.
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Mesilas Yeshorim / Path of the Just
This classic work on basic Jewish
philosophy is studied
depth by two groups of classes.
One group meets on alternate Mondays and the other meets on alternate Wednesdays.
We are currently up to page 23.
Our next sessions:
Date: Monday evening , August 9
Wednesday
evening, August 11.
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Location:
Monday at the Malachevskys (3002 Lightfoot) map
Wednesday at Kovalerchik (101 Clarendon Road) map
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Хасидская притча
Притча, которую рассказал раби Менахем Мендл из Коцка хасидам, смеявшимся
над просвещенцами и ассимиляторами.
В центре деревни, у колодца стоял местный
дурачок и забавлял мужиков Каждое его движение и каждое его слово вызывало
взрывы смеха.
Только один человек в веселой толпе стоял потупившись и не
разделял общего настроения.
-Уважаемый, у вас что, чувства юмора нет? Вам
что, не смешно?
-Я бы тоже смеялся с вами, если бы не одна мелочь, паренек,
над которым вы смеетесь - мой сын.
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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. | |
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 Kehilas Achim's Tuesday evening of Learning.
If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Dr. Keidar at keidar@gwu.edu. |
Employment Opportunities?
A new request has passed my desk.
If you know of a qualified tutor for Math, English grammar and reading for the summer months, please contact Yakov Krug or call 410-274-5446.
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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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. |
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