One Family's Pain

A Peaceful and better world is furthered more by memory than spectacle. One minute to remember massacred Israeli Olympians would have been mission-appropriate. A family's pain mustn't be isolated from fellow people, or each family's horrors will one day be every family's story. 

"The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised in accordance with Olympism and its values." (olympic.org) 

Updated Times & Information for Tisha Be'Av at Netivot Shalom 5772

Tisha Be'Av Resources Tisha Be'Av 101 The Book of Lamentations From Despair to Hope Quick Links CNS Homepage The CNS Blog CNS Preschool Religious School Rabbi Creditor's Blog Make a Donation! Tisha Be'Av @CNS 5772   Dear Chevreh,   Tisha Be'av (the Ninth of Av), which begins this Saturday Night July 28th at 8:17pm, and ends on Sunday, July 29th at 9:17pm, is the day during which we remember and mourn the lost Jerusalem Temples.   As has been our tradition for the past 5 years, Netivot Shalom, Beth El, and Beth Israel share in the commemoration of Tisha Be'av during the day, living testimony that Tisha Be'Av's lesson of Jewish unity is one we commit to learning as a whole Jewish community. Please see the detailed schedule below.   Tradition has suggested that the following tragedies also occurred on Tisha Be'av: the negative report of the spies in the desert, the fall of Betar (the last holdout of the Jewish people in the Bar Kochba Revolt), the edict for the Spanish expulsion of Jews was issued, and World War I began. Historicity is perhaps less important than meaning here. Tisha B'Av is a day of loss. It is, simply said, a very sad day for the Jewish people.  On Tisha Be'Av itself, it is traditional to refrain from eating, drinking, bathing, intimacy, wearing leather shoes, and learning Torah (except for topics pertaining to the day).     Tradition teaches us that those who remember the destruction of Jerusalem and feel the brokenness of the world will be part of their rebuilding.  May that be so, soon and in our days.   Kol Tuv, Rabbi Creditor   Tisha Be'Av Schedule   Saturday Night, July 28th @CNS   Fast Begins  8:17 pm Ma'ariv* & Recitation of Eicha 9:45 pm   *The Chazzan says: "Baruch ha'mavdil bein kodesh l'chol" without mentioning the Divine Names. Anyone who didn't yet pray Maariv and didn't say "Attah Chonantanu" should say "Baruch ha'mavdil bein kodesh l'chol" before performing any actions prohibited on Shabbat. When we see candle-light (before the reading of Lamentations) we make the full blessing of "Boreh meorei ha'eish." The rest of Havdalah is not said until Sunday night after the Fast, when we only use the wine and no spices.   People should bring flashlights, and prepare to sit on the floor (if possible), as it is a traditional sign of mourning, which Tisha B'Av is for the entire Jewish People.  We will say the service, not sing it.  The tone for this evening is unique in Jewish tradition - soft, sad, and somber.  There is an additional tradition to not reach out to those around us, not even to greet others, sequestering ourselves somehow to alone-ness despite gathering together.  It is both magic and painful.   Sunday, July 29 - morning and early afternoon at CBI  9:00 am Shacharit for Tisha B'Av @ *CBI (according to the custom of Beth Israel 10:00 am Kinnot at *CBI, 1630 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94703) 11:30 am Special Tisha B'Av community learning @ *CBI with teachers from the larger Berkeley Jewish Community (see schedule of teachers below)     1:15 pm Midday Chatzot @*CBI 7:50 pm Minchat with Tallit Tefillin @ CNS     Community Learning @ CBI   Sanctuary Library        11:30 am R. Menachem Creditor: Cultivating Fierce Love in the Face of Destruction: A Closer Reading of Metaphor in the Book of Eicha/Lamentations      Efrat Campagnano: As For Me, Nearness to God is Good   12:30 pm Noach Bittelman:  The Sages Teach Divinely-Inspired Evolution - Destruction of the Temples and the Process of Transformation Elishav Rabinovich: Perhaps this Destruction is Actually Good? An Exploration in the Torah of Rebbi Nachman of Breslov   1:30 pm Julie Seltzer: Magnetism and Manifestation: the Energetics of Time and Space   R. Yonatan Cohen: Laugh It Off  -   Post-Destruction Rabbinic Reinterpretations   2:30 pm R. Yehuda Ferris: Seeing the Glass Half Full - the Power of Positive Thinking FILM SHOWINGS @Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim   Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim will be showing two films on Tisha B'Av afternoon, beginning at 3:15 p.m.   3:15 pm The True View--How seeing the good in others will help rebuild the Beit Hamikdash     5:15 pm One Day in September- a film about the 1972 Munich Olympics and the massacre of Israeli athletes by Black September, a Palestinian terrorist group.    Community Sponsors: Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim, Chabad of the East Bay, Chochmat HaLev, Congregation Beth El, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Kevah, and Merkavah Torah Institute Locations of events: Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) 1630 Bancroft Way (corner of Jefferson & Bancroft) Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim 1380 Hopkins St., Berkeley Congregation Netivot Shalom (CNS) 1316 University Ave. Berkeley

Updated Times & Information for Tisha Be'Av at Netivot Shalom 5772

Tisha Be'Av Resources Tisha Be'Av 101 The Book of Lamentations From Despair to Hope Quick Links CNS Homepage The CNS Blog CNS Preschool Religious School Rabbi Creditor's Blog Make a Donation! Tisha Be'Av @CNS 5772   Dear Chevreh,   Tisha Be'av (the Ninth of Av), which begins this Saturday Night July 28th at 8:17pm, and ends on Sunday, July 29th at 9:17pm, is the day during which we remember and mourn the lost Jerusalem Temples.   As has been our tradition for the past 5 years, Netivot Shalom, Beth El, and Beth Israel share in the commemoration of Tisha Be'av during the day, living testimony that Tisha Be'Av's lesson of Jewish unity is one we commit to learning as a whole Jewish community. Please see the detailed schedule below.   Tradition has suggested that the following tragedies also occurred on Tisha Be'av: the negative report of the spies in the desert, the fall of Betar (the last holdout of the Jewish people in the Bar Kochba Revolt), the edict for the Spanish expulsion of Jews was issued, and World War I began. Historicity is perhaps less important than meaning here. Tisha B'Av is a day of loss. It is, simply said, a very sad day for the Jewish people.  On Tisha Be'Av itself, it is traditional to refrain from eating, drinking, bathing, intimacy, wearing leather shoes, and learning Torah (except for topics pertaining to the day).     Tradition teaches us that those who remember the destruction of Jerusalem and feel the brokenness of the world will be part of their rebuilding.  May that be so, soon and in our days.   Kol Tuv, Rabbi Creditor   Tisha Be'Av Schedule   Saturday Night, July 28th @CNS   Fast Begins  8:17 pm Ma'ariv* & Recitation of Eicha 9:45 pm   *The Chazzan says: "Baruch ha'mavdil bein kodesh l'chol" without mentioning the Divine Names. Anyone who didn't yet pray Maariv and didn't say "Attah Chonantanu" should say "Baruch ha'mavdil bein kodesh l'chol" before performing any actions prohibited on Shabbat. When we see candle-light (before the reading of Lamentations) we make the full blessing of "Boreh meorei ha'eish." The rest of Havdalah is not said until Sunday night after the Fast, when we only use the wine and no spices.   People should bring flashlights, and prepare to sit on the floor (if possible), as it is a traditional sign of mourning, which Tisha B'Av is for the entire Jewish People.  We will say the service, not sing it.  The tone for this evening is unique in Jewish tradition - soft, sad, and somber.  There is an additional tradition to not reach out to those around us, not even to greet others, sequestering ourselves somehow to alone-ness despite gathering together.  It is both magic and painful.   Sunday, July 29 - morning and early afternoon at CBI  9:00 am Shacharit for Tisha B'Av @ *CBI (according to the custom of Beth Israel 10:00 am Kinnot at *CBI, 1630 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94703) 11:30 am Special Tisha B'Av community learning @ *CBI with teachers from the larger Berkeley Jewish Community (see schedule of teachers below)     1:15 pm Midday Chatzot @*CBI 7:50 pm Minchat with Tallit Tefillin @ CNS     Community Learning @ CBI   Sanctuary Library        11:30 am R. Menachem Creditor: Cultivating Fierce Love in the Face of Destruction: A Closer Reading of Metaphor in the Book of Eicha/Lamentations      Efrat Campagnano: As For Me, Nearness to God is Good   12:30 pm Noach Bittelman:  The Sages Teach Divinely-Inspired Evolution - Destruction of the Temples and the Process of Transformation Elishav Rabinovich: Perhaps this Destruction is Actually Good? An Exploration in the Torah of Rebbi Nachman of Breslov   1:30 pm Julie Seltzer: Magnetism and Manifestation: the Energetics of Time and Space   R. Yonatan Cohen: Laugh It Off  -   Post-Destruction Rabbinic Reinterpretations   2:30 pm R. Yehuda Ferris: Seeing the Glass Half Full - the Power of Positive Thinking FILM SHOWINGS @Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim   Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim will be showing two films on Tisha B'Av afternoon, beginning at 3:15 p.m.   3:15 pm The True View--How seeing the good in others will help rebuild the Beit Hamikdash     5:15 pm One Day in September- a film about the 1972 Munich Olympics and the massacre of Israeli athletes by Black September, a Palestinian terrorist group.    Community Sponsors: Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim, Chabad of the East Bay, Chochmat HaLev, Congregation Beth El, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Kevah, and Merkavah Torah Institute Locations of events: Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) 1630 Bancroft Way (corner of Jefferson & Bancroft) Beit Midrash Ohr HaChaim 1380 Hopkins St., Berkeley Congregation Netivot Shalom (CNS) 1316 University Ave. Berkeley

‘The Chosen Island’: A Film the Jews of Cuba! - 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. Free. http://www.jcceastbay.org

David Tacher at the Holocaust memorial in Santa Clara, Cuba

'The Chosen Island'

Jews in Cuba have an elaborate history. They first arrived on the island to flee the Spanish Inquisition, and since then have assimilated, emigrated and endured. Through interviews with the Cuban Sephardic Jewish community, the film "The Chosen Island" takes viewers through the history and revival of the Cuban Jewish community. The film will have its Bay Area premiere at the JCC of the East Bay, followed by a talk by Maritza Corrales of Havana, an historian and authority on Cuban Jews.

4 p.m. Sunday, July 22 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. Free. http://www.jcceastbay.org

From the Rabbinical Assembly: "A Meditation on the Tragedies of Recent Days"

A Meditation on the Tragedies of Recent Days   July 2012 - Tammuz 5772 From RA President Gerry Skolnik:    Dear Colleagues,     The month of Av has come upon us in a manner true to historical form. Mishenikhnas Av, m'ma'atin b'simhah... When the month of Av begins, we are told, we are instructed to diminish our joy. Sadly, a week of violence and tragedy all over the world has done it for us.    With our heads still bowed low in sorrow over the murder of innocent Israeli tourists in Bulgaria earlier this week, we learned of yet another episode of horrific violence, this time in Aurora, Colorado. For reasons still unknown -- are there ever reasons for something like this? -- a gunman walked into a crowded movie theater, sprayed tear gas and opened fire on the stunned patrons. At least 12 are reported dead, some 50 wounded, and countless others traumatized.     It is not Aurora alone that has suffered this attack. We are all citizens of Aurora. We are all stunned and dismayed by the senseless violence, and the raging hatred that generated it. And, once again, we are reminded of the fragility of the fundamental social contract that binds us to each other in a civil society. Each and every assault on that unwritten contract erodes our sense of security, and in so doing, threatens to make us that much less trusting, and less compassionate.     Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this most recent episode and with their families. There are no words that can adequately convey the depth of our dismay and sadness at this senseless tragedy. We pray for strength and comfort for those who so desperately need it, and resilience of spirit to all of us who grieve along with them.      May the month of Av yet live up to its fuller, more hopeful name of Menaheim Av; may it bring comfort where there is now pain, and joy where there is sorrow ...   Download PDF     Note: The RA recently posted a prayer by Menachem Creditor in response to the terror attack in Bulgaria, which is available in English and Hebrew.

A Prayer in Response to the Terror Attack in Bulgaria

A Prayer in Response to the Terror Attack in Bulgaria Rabbi Menachem Creditor

July 2012 - Tammuz 5772

Dear God,

It is just too much. On the eighteenth anniversary of the attack that killed eighty-seven of our brothers and sisters in Buenos Aires, we have lost more of our family, this time in Bulgaria. Again. It is just too much.

So many people, on their way to enjoy Your world, Adonai... We know there is no sufficient answer, but we call out from the depths of our souls: Why? We cannot absorb the pain.

Today, we are made aware once more of the fragility of goodness and the urgency of peace. We are one family of many families, God. We are bound together with all families in a common life, in a dream of peace. And on days like this that dream shatters into almost irretrievable shards. We need You.

We mourn for our murdered sisters and brothers cut down today by evil. May their memories be a blessing, and may their souls be bound up in the bond of Life.

We pray for those injured. Merciful One, grant them the courage to continue their daily living.

We pray for the families of those who died today. Merciful One, we have no words, but we ask You to be a Comforting Presence with them.

We pray for the vigilance and care of emergency responders and medical professionals, tending to those local to the attack. God, guide their hands and hearts.

We pray that that our elected leaders respond with wisdom and justice, that this horrible event not hold us back - as the Jewish People and as citizens of the world - from helping each other to overcome the threat of terrorism.

Give us hope that one day terrorism will cease, Adonai. And give us the wisdom to do what is necessary to live in safety and peace until that day.

May our world be blessed with peace.

Amen. 

Don't Wear Your Tallit Like A Prayer Shawl! WOW Rosh Hodesh Av Newsletter

Coming to Israel? Join us for a unique WOW prayer service! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.  להרשמה לידיעון בעברית, נא ללחוץ כאן July 20, 2012 Rosh Hodesh Av WOW Prayer Service:  Join Women Of the Wall for our unique Rosh Hodesh (New Moon) Prayer Services that take place monthly at the Western Wall. This month we are celebrating the Jewish Month of Av. Join us on July 20, 2012 at 7am at the women's section of the Western Wall. There we will pray as a group of women, out loud. We welcome everyone. We know it's an early hour, but we can't think of a better way to start your day! We will have our Torah reading at 8am at Robinson's Arch. Hope to see you there or have you join us in spirit wherever you are! You can join our Facebook event too! To see videos from our previous service click here. For pictures click here. הנכן מוזמנות לתפילת ראש חודש אב, ה 20 ביולי 2012 הצטרפו אל נשות הכותל בתפילת ראש חודש בעזרת הנשים בכותל. החודש, ראש חודש אב ניפגש בשעה 7:00 בבוקר ונתפלל שחרית והלל כקבוצת נשים, לאחר מכן נצעד יחד לקשת רובינזון לקריאה בתורה. אנו מזמינות את כולכן. למרות השעה המוקדמת זו דרך נהדרת להתחיל את היום. בסיום קריאת התורה נקיים עונג עם כיבוד קל. נשמח לראותכן.     The Women Of the Wall Rosh Hodesh Siddur! We are excited to announce the second edition of the Women Of the Wall Rosh Hodesh Siddur. The siddur has been edited specifically for our Rosh Hodesh Prayer Service that we hold monthly at the Western Wall. We welcome your support and invite you to bring it to our service in Israel or share it with you Rosh Hodesh group anywhere in the world. This beautiful prayer book will give you the opportunity to share in our unique services with your Rosh Hodesh group, wherever you are. You can purchase the siddur online now.  A big thank you to Cheryl Birkner Mack and Vivian Singer for making this siddur a reality and investing your time and support into every page. The Tallit Campaign: For the second month in a row, a Women Of the Wall supporter was detained for wearing a tallit. Deb Houben was detained and investigated for over three hours because she wore a tallit at the Western Wall, a criminal act in Israel. To watch the video click here. Join Women Of the Wall in their stand for the right to wear a Tallit as a prayer shawl at the Western Wall. Sign our statement of support and have your voice be heard.  Make a Statement Now! For media coverage of the event click here For videos of the event, interviews and footage of our service click here To read blog posts sharing the personal experience click here   If you would like to lead a part of the service or hold our Sefer Torah, please contact us. We will provide our WOW Rosh Hodesh Siddur for prayer service.  To sponsor next month's Oneg (Kiddush), please contact us. For inquriues email media@womenofthewall.org.il   אם את מעוניינת להיות חזנית, לקרוא בתורה או להחזיק בספר התורה, אנא כתבי אלינו אם ברצונך לקחת חלק במימון הכיבוד שלאחר התפילה, אנא כתבי אלינו  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 *Women Of the Wall*, All rights reserved. www.womenofthewall.org.il

Sign Up for Jewels of Elul!

Chevreh - 

I can't recommend this project, "jewels of ellul" highly enough. see below for the details, but know that there is no better way to prepare your soul than reading and growing with these daily gems, these jewels, each day leading up to Rosh HaShannah. Our teacher Craig Taubman has convened incredible authors for this project each year, and Jewels 5773 features some incredible voices. Don't miss your chance - sign up below! 

kol tuv, 

menachem

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Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Congregation Netivot Shalom | 

menachemcreditor.org

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Greetings! The month of Elul, proceeding High Holy Days, is set aside for contemplation and self-assessment.   Collected by noted national Jewish musician Craig Taubman of Craig N Co., the "Jewels of Elul" is a collection of stories, experiences, and inspiration from rabbis, teachers, and contemporary thinkers who share their insight on thought provoking topics.   In the past, your support of Jewels has helped us to inspire hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You've received Jewels online, now get the books.   The 8th annual "Jewels of Elul" is available now!   We will make the books available in bulk quantities to Synagogues and organizations for a small contribution to help offset print costs. Print the form below to place your order.   Proceeds will benefit Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. Vista Del Mar is a community of fully integrated services providing a range of exceptional programs in education, mental health, autism, adoption, residential care, prevention and early intervention to over 5,000 children and families annually.     Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services