"The Wood River Jewish Community is a gathering place that strives to perpetuate
Jewish tradition through worship, fellowship and learning. Founded in 1976, we seek to provide a welcoming and caring community in the Wood River Valley
April 10, 2018
April 11-12, 2018
Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day
Yom HaShoah occurs on the 27th of Nisan. Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II. This is a memorial day for those who died in the Shoah.
PARSHA OF THE WEEK
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar
The Month of Healing
This Saturday, April 14, at sundown, we bring in the New Moon of the 2nd month of the year, Iyyar.
Rosh Chodesh (or "head of the month") is celebrated at the beginning of each month, at the sighting of the new moon. This is how our ancestors were able to tell time, especially when it came to celebrating festivals and holy days. In synagogue on Rosh Chodesh, a special blessing is given at services and each month carries a theme. The month ofIyyar has a theme of "healing." Kabbalah teaches us that it's spelling:
אייר aleph, yud, yud, (an abbreviation for "God") and resh-corresponds to the first letters of the words "Ani Adonai Rofecha," "I am God your Healer." (Exodus 15:26)
The announcement of the new month can be sung in a tune of a holiday or celebration that may be happening that month. For example, in Rosh ChodeshNisan, the month in which Passover falls, the announcement may be sung to the tune of "Dayeinu" or another traditional tune. In the last few decades, Rosh Chodesh celebrations have become a monthly opportunity for women and girls to study and join together to welcome the themes and cycles in the year.
Modern (post-Torah) holy days that take place in the month of Iyyar: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day); Yom Ha'Zikaron (Memorial Day for Israeli soldiers); Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Israel Independence Day) - all of which may require some personal or collective healing to appreciate. As we continue to count the Omer (see last week's newsletter) and go from redemption in Egypt to the revelation of the Torah at Mt. Sinai, may we pray and work together for healing for the world and all her inhabitants.
Rabbi Cantor Robbi Sherwin
rabbirobbi@wrjc.org
1-512-947-7270
ASK THE RABBI
As we begin to get to know each other, each week I will happily answer questions you may have about me or about a topic that piques your interest. Feel free to email me: rabbirobbi@wrjc.org or drop a note in "Ask the Robbi" blue teapot at the office.
Q: Why is guitar or other instruments not allowed during services in some Conservative and all Orthodox synagogues?
A: Two reasons are often given for the prohibition of instruments on Shabbat and holy days: One is that when the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of our religious life, instruments were played regularly to enhance the joy of praising God. Since we no longer have the Temple, that privilege is not allowed. The other reason is that if a string on the instrument were to break, and we would fix it, it would be breaking Shabbat to do so, as it is considered work. Although Orthodox worship forbids the use of instruments on Shabbat and holy days, almost all Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal and many Conservative Jewish synagogues allow and encourage the use of instruments to enhance worship. Some allow them only in alterative or family services that are being held in spaces other than the sanctuary; others allow them before official "sundown" on Shabbat or before the evening service begins with the Barechu - the call to prayer.
RABBI'S FUND CAMPAIGN
The WRJC Development Committee has asked five of our members to kick off our campaign with a $5,000 to be matched donation. Five came forward in the first 24 hours of the ask .
Please consider carefully your support to the best of your financial ability and make a donation today in order to match their generous donations. We now have 170 family memberships and it is our hope that we will have 100% participation from our membership as a show of commitment to our community.
Anonymous: $5,000
Anonymous: $5,000
Anonymous: $ 5,000
Jay and Debra Platt: $ 5,000
David Kaye and Judy Teller Kaye: $5,000
Let's grow this list:
Paul Wolff and Rhea Schwartz
Carol Nie
in memory of Norman Nie
Buzz and Penny Coe
Myrna Oliver
Fred and Eileen Prager Bob and Bonnie Zalkowitz Barreet and Laura Freedlander Barry and Candice Peterson
John and Debbie Aronson
in memory of Marlene Rosenberg
Jan Aronson in honor of Juli Roos
Larry and Rebekah Helzel
Fred and Eileen Prager
Elliott and Joanne Mercer
Ron and Susan Green
Larry and Bunker Frank
Josh and Rowena Kleinman
Jay and Linda Cooper
Ron and Susan green
Ken and Joyce Lewis
Jonathan Schwartz and Jaymie Neiman Kimel
Larry and Marlene Samuels Lenny and Linda Cohen
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Claudie Goldstein: Director of Development
Development Committee:
Penny Coe. Susan Green. Joanne Mercer. Eileen Prager.
Carlyn Ring. Robert Safron. Rhea Schwartz. Judith Teller Kaye.
Rabbi will be at Ketchum Starbucks on Friday, April 14 between 8:30am and 10:30am
Rabbi will be at Black Owl in Hailey on Saturday, April 15
between 8:30am and 10:30am
ADULT EDUCATION
Rabbi Robbi will lead a class on Saturday, April 14at the office.
Yom HaAtzma-ut - a joyful service with readings, poetry and song. (B'nai Mitzvah candidates especially encouraged to attend!)
CHILDREN EDUCATION
Sunday School and BBMP Class will be led by Rabbi Robbi on April 15th from 4-5:15pm
APRIL PATRONS
Ken and Joyce Lewis
Marty and Mila Lyon
DONATIONS OF THE WEEK
Honor a special occasion, express sympathy, remember a loved one, or simply say "Thank You" with a donation to a WRJC fund of your choice.
WHERE NEEDED MOST FUNDS
Larry and Bunker Frank
in honor of the excellent , consistent work of the Development committee along with Claudie and Marshall
Larry and Bunker Frank
for the outstanding, written publication and distribution work associated with the Spring 2018 Shofar Bob and Claudie Goldstein in memory of Joan Feldman Jerry and Sheila Mells in memory of Joan Feldman
Alan and Wendy Peskyin memory of Joan Feldman
Carlyn Ring wishing a special happy Birthday to Dora Levin
in memory of Joan Feldman
Jerry and Sheila Mells in memory of Joan Feldman
IN SYMPATHY
The Wood River Jewish Community would like to express its sincere condolences to Bill Feldman and family for the passing of his wife Joan Feldman.
CELEBRATION OF THE WEEK
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Dora Levin
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Stan and Harriet Joseph
YARZHEITS OF THE WEEK
A Yahrzeit donation allows you to honor the memory of the special people in your life. Your gift will memorialize
your loved one during the anniversary of his or her passing.
Charlotte Falk, Mother of Susan Green
Geraldine Kalnick Feldbaum, Mother of Carl Feldbaum Maurice Littman, Father of Irv Littman Sarah Louise Gurrentz, Mother of Leslie Luray Leon Mendelsohn, Uncle of Darrel Mendelsohn Marc Oliver, Husband of Myrna Oliver Frances S. Rypp, Mother of Joanne Firstenberg Robert Wilonsky, Father of Marilyn Rubin
CARING COMMITTEE
Al and Brenda Hackel are covering our caring chair for the month of April.
To discuss leaving a legacy and providing support to our Wood River Jewish Community in perpetuity, please feel free to call 208-726-1183 or email claudie@wrjc.org to arrange a private and confidential meeting.
If you want to know more about our organization, please contact
Claudie Goldstein, Executive Director at claudie@wrjc.org or 208-726-1183
