Shalom Congregants and Friends.....
 
Rabbi's Ramblings...... 
     
This Shabbat and next Shabbat are special ones for the Congregation. After that we go into a more relaxed "summer mode," although even then the office will be busy/ services will take place/ the library will be open/ personal meetings and support will take place/ and work will continue on preparing for the High Holy Days. I will be on vacation June 21 through July 4, and Iris and I will be visiting family in Israel the last week of my time away. We are looking forward to seeing some grandchildren that we haven't seen in four years! I have been sharing photos of our latest (Jasmine) -- personal thanks for indulging me! Next month you'll be able to see Tchelet, Rakia, Elal, and Larom as well!
 
It is the personal "good times" in our lives that give a person have strength to deal with the less pleasant events that are part of life. The news about Israel is not good. I share below a perceptive analysis sent by a friend in Israel, and the words that I wrote for the Jewish Ledger as they invited rabbis' comments. The ONLY good thing I can say about the oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico is that  it has kept the media from fixating on the flotilla situation.
 
Meanwhile, there are lots of good things going on (as always!) at Beth Hillel Synagogue. We are looking forward to a great group of people tomorrow evening at the annual Abe Morrison Memorial Dinner. Reservations are closed for dinner, but you are welcome to attend the service! Unfortunately, Rabbi Landau's father became seriously ill, down in Texas, and he needed to fly there at the last minute to be with family. We will be welcoming many members of Tikvoh Chadoshah to share at dinner and services.  I will give a brief d'var Torah Friday evening, and Saturday morning I will share thoughts and talk with those present about the "Flotilla Fiasco."
 
The United Synagogue has started a policy to display yellow balloons to draw attention to the plight of Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas in Gaza for over three years. We are seeing if we can get a supply of imprinted baloons to distribute. Stay tuned!
 
Sunday morning, Rabbi Lefkowitz and I will be presenting a program on Jewish funeral practices at Carmon Funeral Home in Windsor, starting at 10:15am. This will be a good opportunity to ask questions and learn about this "difficult side" of the life cycle.  
  
Shabbat Shalom -- look forward to coming to shul and being with your "synagogue family" here at Beth Hillel Synagogue!
 
 Rabbi Gary and Iris Atkins
"No one should leave services unmoved or unchanged...
 This Week  Shabbat Services & Candle Lighting
 CANDLE LIGHTING   
 
 Friday, June 11..... 8:05pm
 
SHABBAT  SERVICE TIMES:                               
Friday, June 11 - 6:15pm (EARLY SERVICE!!)
Saturday, June 12 - Shaharit 9:30am, Mincha/ Maariv/Havdalah 8:00pm  
 
Come enjoy the beautiful Havdalah ceremony that ends Shabbat... and THIS WEEK.... Saturday Sundaes as well!  
Congregational Announcements 
Synagogue Bulletin Board
There is a new bulletin board by the door to the rabbi's office. Take a look when you're in the building to read notices of community events and contemporary news articles!
And there are also good handouts on the racks by both the chapel and sanctuary.....
 
 Traveling in the weeks ahead?????
Ask Rabbi Atkins for "shaliach kesef" - messenger money - along with a prayer for a safe journey, it will "guarantee" you a safe trip.
It's one of my favorite  mitzvot!!
 
 Library Reminders
Lots of good new books in the Library - and interesting periodicals like Consumer Reports, The Jewish Week, and The Forward!.......  
 Music and videos, too!   Our subscription to the Jerusalem Post newspaper has resumed!
 
Beautify The Synagogue Grounds 
Call Tobie Neuwirth at 242-7084 to volunteer
 
The Tag Sale Is Coming...... 
This important fundraiser starts in July. Bring items to the shul or call Myrna Kahan if you have items that need to be picked up!
 
 Graduation congratulations 
If you have a graduate or simcha in your family, let the rabbi and the office know! We like to kvell at happy occasions - so share the good news!!!
 Upcoming  Special Events   - For more info see  Chai-lites!!    
 
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 10:15am .......
 PROGRAM ON JEWISH FUNERAL TRADITIONS AT CARMON FUNERAL HOME, WINDSOR 
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 18 - SPECIAL MINYANAIRE BREAKFAST IN CELEBRATION OF RABBI LAZOWSKI'S SPECIAL BIRTHDAY - 7:00AM  - MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW .   
 
JUNE 18 - BOARD INSTALLATION AND VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION SERVICE - COME BE RECOGNIZED IF YOU"VE HELPED AROUND BETH HILLEL SYNAGOGUE THIS PAST YEAR!!
The Gaza Flotilla ....... My input to the Jewish Ledger 
 
       
In last week's Torah portion, we read about "good spies" versus "bad spies." The bad spies - the pessimistic ones - returned to Moses with what the Sidrah calls "Dibat Haaretz", a lot of negative talk about the Land of Israel. This past week we have heard a lot of "Dibat Haaretz" about Israel's actions on seas off Gaza. Most of you have probably read and seen the same accounts that I have. 

       I believe that Israel was totally justified to intercept the ships. At the same time, I think that the specific tactics Israel used were poorly thought out and, because of that, the situation became a fiasco. We all agree that the goal of the flotilla was to provoke Israel... but Israel then fell into the trap!

            The blockade of Gaza, introduced after the Hamas takeover and the kidnap of Gilad Shalit, has not worked. Gilad is still held captive.  Hamas gets massive amounts of everything smuggled in via Egypt.The attack ended up as a blot on Israel's image and damage to our diplomatic relations with other countries as well. Unfortunately, to insist that "we are justified" while the rest of the world sees us otherewise does not do Israel's cause any good. We all know that the Israeli soldiers were attacked first, and there is the right to self-defense. And I know that intercepting such ships is a permissible act under "international law," however amorphous that concept is.... but this means "bupkes" in the court of public opinion.

Israelis always judged under a magnifying glass. Turkey itself is guilty of the Armenian genocide and slaughtering the separatist Kurds -- but the United States and other countries avoid that issue!

       I remember the whole world condemning Israel for destroying the Iraqi nuclear site in Osiris a generation ago. But, as one of my teachers, Rabbi Daniel Gordis, now living in Israel, said, "For me, global criticism is preferable to annihilation."

     Yet we need support in the world as well, and so I hope that the State of Israel will do a better job of planning its future responses! From what I read recently, I believe that it has.

Torah Portion -- Commentary of the Week 
 
This week written by my colleague Rabbi Michael Gold of Tamarac Florida...
 
        Let me share another classic Hassidic story.  The rebbe was lecturing his students.  "Everything God made in this world God made for a purpose."  The students were surprised.  "Everything," one of them asked.  "What about atheism?  For what possible purpose did God make atheism?"  The rebbe replied, "That is simple.  You should always be ready to say that there is no God.  For example, when your fellow comes to you and says he or she is in trouble, never say `don't worry.  God will help you.'  Perhaps there is no God.  Therefore you should be prepared to help."
       I thought of that story as I thought of a commentary I read on this week's portion.  The portion is centered on a major confrontation between Moses and a number of rebels, led by Korach.  Several of the rebels bring firepans (censors) with a false offering to the Lord.  At the end of the confrontation Moses' leadership is reaffirmed.  The ground opens up and swallows the rebels. 
       Then something strange happens.  God tells Moses to take the firepans used for the false offering and make them into a covering for the altar.  Something that was used for an unholy purpose was now to be used for the holiest purpose.  The ritual object used in the rebellion would now be consecrated to the ongoing service of God.  Why would God possibly want to use these firepans?
       The great mystic and chief rabbi of Palestine (before Israel became a state) Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook came up with an answer.  Heretics and rebels can also be holy.  They play a key role in the development of any religious faith.  To be a true believer, one needs to interact with those who do not believe.  Those of us who believe in God and Torah find our faith strengthened by our interactions with those who deny God and Torah.  Kook went out of his way to develop a relationship with the secular pioneers in the land.  Often deeply religious Jews criticized Kook for his outreach efforts.  He would respond that although they do not believe, they are doing God's work. 
       Atheism, skepticism, and doubt have roles to play in any religion.   The Talmud tells a number of stories about Elisha ben Abulya, the former rabbi who became a heretic.  One Shabbat he was riding a horse and Rabbi Meir, one of the greatest Talmudic teachers, was walking besides him.  (It is forbidden by Jewish law to ride on a horse on Shabbat.)  They came to end of the Sabbath boundary, and Elisha told Rabbi Meir, "You have to stop here.  You cannot go any further."  Then Elisha kept riding.  Rabbi Meir's students challenged him, "How can you talk to such a man?"  Rabbi Meir replied, "It is like a pomegranate.  I keep the seeds and throw away the rind."  Even a heretic has something to teach us.
       I believe doubt and skepticism have a role in religion.  Have you ever met someone so sure of their faith that they never have a moment of doubt?   Often such people are impossible to live with.  Perhaps a little bit of doubt is like the leavening that stirs up the dough.  It keeps religious people honest.  It gives them room to question what they believe.  And perhaps the very act of questioning can help strengthen their faith.
       I suppose God could have created a world where everything was so upfront and obvious that no one could ever doubt.  But I believe a world without doubt would be a much less exciting place.
Israel in the News ....
 
Again, there has been no shortage of news analysis on the Gaza flotilla situation this past week. A number of items are posted on the bulletin board by my office if you are by the synagogue. Below is a well-written analysis from a friend of mine, Rabbi Daniel Goldfarb, in Israel...... 
 
"I  write from Mitspe Ramon, a great place to imagine it's still the 5th day of Breishit and man has not been created yet and started screwing up the world and causing tsores.  As this painful week comes to an end I take the "fountain pen" I became 53 years ago this Shabbat to address Mark Cooper's question - what are the boundary lines for criticizing Israel? 
 
The matter is addressed in parshas this week and in several weeks.  The majority of the spies give a relatively truth presentation of the facts, but then color their report with their own feelings.  Efes, but....(Num 13:28)  So we must be careful in addressing our flocks.  It is not only what we say, but how we say it that counts.  My guiding principle would be - don't give a push or a terutz to those Jews who are, consciously or unconsciously, looking to turn off to Israel.  Any criticism should be tempered by your loyalty to the Jewish state and its citizenry, and remind them that they should feel that too, even more so in the dark hours.
 
The events this week raise issues at three levels - the tactical, the strategic and the larger context.  On the tactical level, the operation clearly suffered from deficiencies in planning and execution.  You can emphasize that these derived from optimistic or even na�ve assumptions about the activists on the Marmera, and the desire to avoid injury to them.  We now know that they included blood thirsty anti-Semites hired and paid by IHH, a Hamas affiliate.  It is disingenuous to call this an innocent passenger liner.  We know its goal was to cause provocation, and unfortunately, Israel allowed it to achieve that goal.  It will be Israel's job to examine what went wrong in the decisions made by the government and the IDF, and hopefully improve itself for the future.  On this level there is indeed a difference between those living in Israel and those not.  Much of the criticism here relates to whether the IDF and especially the Government followed or ignored recommendations of the Winograd Commission made after the Second Lebanon War in 2006, and I doubt many colleagues outside of Israel, let alone congregants, are conversant in these matters.
 
On the strategic level, Israel has every right to prevent the shipment of armaments to Gaza, from which hostile activity continues, including the firing of thousands of mortars and rockets at Israel civilian population.  No nation in the world would tolerate such aggression against it and therefore the international criticism of Israel on this is absolutely hypocritical.  The call for an international investigation is also another trap.  Israel should indeed examine itself in a thorough and objective manner, but any UN-created investigation is a kangaroo court intended to delegitimatize Israel from the outset.  "And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites," Num 22:2 tells us, the first international investigation of Israel's conduct.  And even then the deck was stacked against us.  Why didn't Balak see, or investigate, what the Amori had done to Israel first, that provoked Israel's reaction?  Nothing has changed.  The Free World, and especially the US and Europe, should not give sanction to efforts, whose goal is to make Israel the world's pariah state.  This is where Jews in the Diaspora can be particularly helpful.
 
And then there is the larger context, and here I suggest you read Amos Oz's piece on the front page of Wednesday's Haaretz, On the Limits of Force.  He describes how post-Six Day War Israel has been characterized by a certain shikaron koach, a belief that problems can be solved by the use of force, and something that cannot be accomplished by force will be accomplished by more force.  Oz says that Hamas will not be beaten by force because the Hamas is not only a terror organization but also an idea, one born out of the poverty and frustration to which Israel has contributed.  The time has come to realize that neither Israel nor the Palestinians are the sole residents of this land, that we must reach a settlement through negotiation that will mean two states, with Jerusalem/East Jerusalem as their capitals. 
 
The purpose of force, Oz says, is to prevent - to prevent the conquest and destruction of the State of Israel and the injury of its citizens and their freedom, but it will never solve the larger problem or eliminate the Hamas.  "Every use of force not for deterrence or self-defence, but to eliminate problems or suppress ideas, will lead to more and more tragedies, of the type we brought upon ourselves in international waters off the coast of Gaza."  If we don't learn these lessons, Oz writes, "we will be living with eternal blockades - Israeli against Gaza; Arab and international against Israel."  Tough words to share with congregants in the Disapora, perhaps, but worthy, IMHO, for the Nobel Prize that has eluded Oz up to now."