We light our Shabbat candles this week at 7:03 pm. Friday night
services will begin at 8 pm, and Saturday morning services will
begin at 9 am. On Friday evening we will celebrate all
September birthdays and anniversaries; please join us for a
special blessing and song.
I want to wish our students, teachers, administrators, and
parents a happy and healthy beginning to the school year.
We are going to read from parshat Shoftim this Shabbat from
Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy.
The word “Wow!” a “natural expression of amazement”, was first
recorded in early 16th century Scotland. In this week’s Torah
portion, however, we read the following “Wow!” type statement
from our ancient Torah:
“When any legal matter is too extraordinary for you…you are to
arise and go up to the place that Ado—nai your God chooses, you
are to come to the priests and to the judge that there is in
those days; you are to inquire, and they are to tell you the
word of judgment.”(Deut. 17:8-9)
In other words, if there was a thorny legal issue that made the
ancient Israelites say, “Wow! This is extradordinary! We have
no idea what to do about this!” they were to seek out those who
could help resolve the problem.
The “Wow!” moment for me, though, was thinking about how the
Torah itself suggests that there may be issues that the Torah
itself cannot address. This situation appears to be a
theological quandary, but in the development of the literature
of the Rabbis, the Mishnah and Talmud, and all of later Jewish
thinking we see that the message of the Torah has grown into a
sea of teaching and insight. Even earlier in the Torah, we have
seen how Moses could not answer all the questions the people
asked, and Moses asked God what to do.
The Constitution of the United States does something similar to
what we find in Shofetim. In Article I, Section 8, after
listing the various powers of the Congress, the final statement
is, “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers…” In other words,
the Congress has the ability to develop new laws to carry out
its responsibilities to the country. The wisdom of the founders
was that they left open the possibility that the country’s needs
would change.
We also find ourselves faced with issues and problems that we
cannot resolve. When we encounter one of these, we can look for
guidance and help to learn more and to find the resources we
need. At the same time, we should also try to appreciate the
Wow! Moment. A wow-moment can help us remember to be humble,
and it can help remind us that we cannot always function on our
own.
Can you think of a time when you received helpful guidance from
someone on a challenging issue or situation? How did that
individual help you to move to the next step?
We also send our thoughts and prayers to the Gulf Coast region
as they recover from the effects of the Gustav storm and prepare
to face others that may be coming toward them. We wish them
Chizku ve’imtzu, be strong and of good courage.
With prayers for a Shabbat of quiet and reflection,
Rabbi Tow
ANNOUNCEMENTS
All members will receive our annual High Holiday mailing early
next week. The envelope will contain members’ High Holiday
tickets and an order form to purchase guest tickets for family
members (including children over 21). The mailing will also
include a cover letter from our ritual chairs; the entire
schedule of holiday services (from Selichot on Sept. 20 through
Shimini Atzertet on October ); a babysitting reservation form
for the High Holidays; and information on Rabbi Tow’s pre-high
holiday class, our Selichot program, the Religious School’s
children’s services and programs on Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur, purchasing a lulav and etrog for Sukkot, and our annual
dinner in the GRJC Sukkah.
The deadline for Book of Remembrance entries has been extended
to Wednesday, September 10, which will be the last day Book of
Remembrance entries will be accepted.
The first day of the 2008-09 Religious School year is this
Sunday, Sept 7 from 9:00 am –1:00 pm. (Hay Class first day:
Monday, Sept. 8) Our Membership Committee is sponsoring an Open
House for prospective members and/or school families also on
Sunday, from 9:00 - 11:30 am. Please spread the word to friends
and neighbors who may be looking to affiliate with a synagogue.
The next meeting of our Women's Rosh Chodesh Group will welcome
the months of Elul and Tishrei on Sunday, Sept. 7, 6:00-7:30
pm. There is still time to RSVP to Ornit Michael,
ornitmichael@yahoo.com.
Our Youth Lounge will be the new home this year for Melton II
Adult Ed students. First class is Monday evening, Sept. 8,
7:30 pm.
Mommy & Me begins its Tuesday and Wednesday fall sessions next
week, Sept. 9 and 10, 9:30-10:45 in our Social Hall.
Movin’ On, our support group for widows and widowers, is holding
its monthly meeting next Thursday, Sept. 11 at 11:45 am.
Pianist Pat Lobacio will entertain. $5 for light lunch offering.
9/11 Memorial Service – 7:30 pm, at the park on Main St.
Deadline for October Bulletin submissions is Friday, September
12.
Looking ahead:
The Adult Education Committee is sponsoring a Hebrew Literacy
Class on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm, beginning September 18.
The 10-week course is aimed at intermediate learners, and, like
the beginner's course offered last year, is taught by Ritual
Committee co-chair Michael Goodman. Contact Michael at
mgood831@optonline.net if you are interested in
signing up or have any questions about the course.
Please refer to our website calendar (www.grjc.org
--click on calendar link) or the September GRJC Bulletin for
times, locations and other details on the following September
programs and events:
Sept 14 - Whitewater Rafting (off-site)
Religious School Parents Orientation
50+ Club "Hidden Child" presentation and
discussion
Art from the Heart
Sept 18 - Hebrew Literacy Class begins
Sept 20 - Selichot Program and Service with Cantor Freedman and
Rabbi Tow
Sept. 21 – Men’s Club breakfast 9:00 am
Sept. 21 – annual Memorial Service at Cedar Park Cemetery
Sept 22 - Men's Club Golf Outing (off-site)
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