We Remember!

May 2019 - Nisan/Iyyar 5779

Open Your Heart, Quiet Your Mind, Renew Your Spirit

We Remember

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Eili Eili

Dear Friends,

My father, Marvin Lipco, fought with Patton’s army on D-day and marched into WWII as a gunner. He survived the Battle of the Bulge to liberate Birkenau concentration camp. Dad never spoke of his wartime trauma and it wasn’t until after his death that I learned of his service and subsequent PTSD and inability to share what he saw. Today, few survivors are still speaking about what they experienced. And yet those who are still able, tell their tale with dignity and grace, honoring those who were lost. We honor them, we remember and we pledge never to forget!

This month we mourn those who died at the hands of oppressors and those who fought to establish the land of Israel, a place of deep meaning and rebirth for the Jewish people. Even as I continue to feel the pain of hate and intolerance in our own country in recent days, I am not afraid. I know that if my father and others like him were able to risk their lives to right the wrongs of the world, so can I.

I'll be heading to the Holy Land later this month and I hope you'll follow my travels through the hills and valleys, sacred places and celebrated ancient wonders of history. I'm excited to return to my roots and visit family, friends and familiar haunts where much of my joy and Jewish identity was fanned into flame. I'd like to think that my father's service and sacrifice helped make that dream a reality.

May all of our flames be held in sacred memory for those who gave their lives to make ours better and may we cherish the freedoms and work for the day when everyone who calls this country their home will be at peace.

On that day, the world shall be One.

Namaste,

Reb Lisa

Poetry Corner

Yerushalayim of My Heart by Lisa Levine (also a song)

Yerushalayim of My Heart Lisa Levine 2000

I used to love to walk alone

Down your old city’s cobble lanes

Late at night when moon light shone

Upon your ancient holy gates

Then one night in front of me

I heard the ancient spirits call

They drew me to a balcony

Above the Kotel your Western Wall

Yerushalayim of my heart

City of gold city of God

You light the passion within my spirit

Even when we are apart

Yerushalayim of my dreams

City of hope city of kings

Give us the courage to light the future

With the promise of peace!

I saw the tears run down the wall

The wall that wails with cries of ones

Who gave their lives for the cause

So we could live and pray in freedom

And to this day I still recall

Their voices crying out to me

Telling me their tales of war

And praying us to live in peace!

Yerushalayim shel libi

Ir shel zahav V'Elohim

At mad’licha et ruch-i k’she ani lo itach

Yerushalayim shel cha-lomo-tayich

Ir shel tikva u’melachim

T’ni lanu koach lik’tzor shalom

L’ha-ir et ha’atid!

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Yerushalayim Shel Libi!

Lisa is in the studio creating her 10th album " Jospel Jam " It will feature old faves remixed and some new gospel anthems ready to be shared! Watch for more info here!