WOOD RIVER JEWISH COMMUNITY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER July 6, 2021

ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK (Additional Summer Events Listed Below)

The Jewish Bike Brigade On Wednesday, we’ll depart from the Gimlet Rd crossing of the bike path at 9:30am, head south to McKercher Blvd, west to River St, south on River St to Broadford Rd and thence to Bellevue. On the return we’ll stop at the Black Owl (208 N River St, Hailey) for R&R.    Bring lots of hydration and sun block. The pace will be moderate. See you Wednesday 930am at Gimlet and the bike path, Marshall (meyer@upenn.edu)

Join them this summer on Thursday evenings, 5-6pm, in the park for lessons in conversational Hebrew.  All levels are welcome, you do not need to know how to read Hebrew. Take one lesson, take them all! Class Fee: Donation   Class Dates: July 8, 15, Aug 5, 12, 19, Sept 2, 9, 25 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE

ON FRIDAY, JULY 9th at 6:00PM at the Botanical Garden WELCOME OUR GUEST RABBI, RABBI FARKAS Oneg to follow sponsored by Flora Mason, Marshall and Judith Meyer, Naomi Sloan,  David Kaye and Judy Teller Kaye

Rabbi Farkas was just appointed as the new CEO & President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, starting in November 2021. Today, Rabbi Noah Zvi Farkas serves at Valley Beth Shalom, the largest Jewish congregation in the San Fernando Valley. Text Link

SUMMER EVENTS

Friday, July 16 at 6:00pm Led by Jo Schultz Friday, July 23 at 5:00pm: Family Service Led by Rabbi Robbi Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm Led by Rabbi Robbi Friday, July 30 at 5:30pm (Shabbat/Picnic) at Botanical Garden Friday, August 6 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi Friday, August 13 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi Friday, August 20 at 6:00pm at Botanical Garden Led by Rabbi Robbi

Annual Board Meeting on Sunday July 18th at 10am at the office Tea Knitting Party on July 20 at 2pm at Candice's garden Torah Study on July 21 at 7pm at the office Groundbreaking for new building on Sunday, July 25th  Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival on July 25, 26, 27 Summer Picnic and Shabbat on July 30th Ladies Lunch on Tuesday, August 17

Israel's 2021 Election and the New Israeli Government with Reuven Hazan Please join us for a special program with Hebrew University Professor Reuven Hazan, hosted by AFHU Western Region Vice-Chair, Patty L. Glaser on Tuesday, July 13th at 3pm ET, 2pm CT, and 12pm PT.  Professor Reuven Hazan holds the Chair in Israeli Democracy and Politics in the Department of Political Science, where he was formerly department chair. Professor Hazan was closely involved in reforming Israel’s electoral system and continues to advise Israel’s leading politicians on the restructuring of its legislative branch. REGISTER TO RECEIVE ZOOM LINK

Andrew Fradkin and Jill Grossman and their 5 children, Taylor, Chase, Connor, Becca and Jo. Part time San Carlos, CA and Ketchum, ID ___________________________________ Lowell and Julie Potiker Part time San Diego, CA and Ketchum, ID ___________________________________ Judy Townsend Sun Valley, ID ___________________________________

TORAH PORTION OF THE WEEK

Matot-Massei (Tribes and Journey) Numbers 30:2–36:13 The Israelites are exhausted after their wandering. In order to enter the land, there are tribes to fight and villages to build – more than one daunting task. Two tribes, Reuben and Gad, later joined by half of the Tribe of Manasseh, ask to stay on the east side of the Jordan river as they see great potential in the fields there. Moses agrees, but only if they will continue to fight the battles that lie ahead. Our Torah leaves us poised to enter into the Promised Land, encamped in the Plains of Moab, at the Jordan, by Jericho. The importance of making a vow is stressed in Matot. In Massei, a notable mitzvah is requiring two witnesses to a murder. The reason for two witnesses is to provide a safeguard, since one witness might have a bias in the case. As our next book of Torah, Deuteronomy, begins, we are meant to be lifted up -- inspired by the honest words of Moses, addressed to all of Israel. These words resound for us as well -- as our imperfect journey to this place is honored -- as a broader perspective is gained -- and as meaningful teshuvah -- transformation -- is worked for that can yet be a balm for our lives. Every step we take now is leading us out of the desert to be able to actually create a home for God of which we are proud. Beginning a new life in a new place is frightening, but this time is not a time for fear -- it is a time for strength, as our tradition teaches -- "only with strength can one pass through this world.” Massei is the final book in Bamidbar, known as Numbers. When we finish a book of the Torah we say: “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazeik!” Be strong, be strong, let us strengthen one another This Shabbat, I am delighted to welcome my colleague, Rabbi Noah Farkas, from Valley Beth Shalom in the San Fernando Valley to lead us in Shabbat services at the Botanical Gardens. I wish I could be there in person to also enjoy and learn from this remarkable scholar. You can find out more about Rabbi Farkas here: https://www.vbs.org/worship/meet-our-clergy/rabbi-noah-farka Rabbi Robbi

Additional Limud (Learning): Tisha B’av Tisha B’Av, the ninth of Av, is a full day of fasting and mourning. The month of Av usually falls in the height of the summer – this year on July 17th/18th. Even with regard to climate, it was the driest time of the year, and thus a time of sadness and uncertainty until the rains came again. Although the festival commemorates the destruction of both Temples, the main historical sources are in dispute about exactly when the Temples were destroyed. Some say the first Temple was destroyed either on the seventh or the 10th of Av in 586 B.C.E. by Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylonia), and the second Temple was destroyed on the 10th (70 C.E. by Titus). The rabbinic authorities decided to mark the ninth as the official date of remembering their destruction. Tisha B’Av is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, and over the centuries many tragic events happened — or were traditionally said to have happened on this date. These include the capture of Bethar, which marked the final defeat of Bar Kochba‘s rebellion against the Romans, and the razing of Jerusalem by the Romans. The edict of King Edward I compelling the Jews of England to leave the country was signed on the ninth of Av in 1290, the Jews were expelled from Spain on that day in 1492, and World War I broke out in 1914. The sadness and mourning that Jews feel on this day are reflected in the various practices of Tisha B’Av, including abstaining from joyous activities like study of Torah, from eating and drinking, from sexual activity, and from wearing leather, which indicates a certain social status.  PS: Rabbi Robbi in the Valley July 19-October 12: Rabbi Robbi would love to get together with you for a cup of coffee, a schmooze or a walk/hike. Please contact her: rabbirobbi@wrjc.org. Looking forward to an exciting summer!

THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS OF THE WEEK

PATRONS OF THE MONTH Ron and Susan Green Paul Wolff and Rhea Schwartz

SUN VALLEYJEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Ron and Sylvia Hartman Fred Friedman in honor of Jay and Lynda Cooper Joyce Friedman in memory of Norman WHERE NEEDED MOST FUND Myrna Oliver BE A BLESSING Andrew Fradkin and Jill Grossman Richard and Candice Stark Ron and Sylvia Hartman Ari and Kristen Geffen Scott Molinaroli and Lyn Aborn BUILDING FUNDS Jan Aronson  The Albert Parvin Foundation/ Stanley Parvin and Selma Moutchou

DONATE ON LINE

Edwin Fradkin, Father of Andrew Fradkin Mendel Carp, Father of Bunker Frank Herbert Frankel, Father of Caren Frankel David Freeman, Father of Coni Foster Hyman G. Levy, Father-in-Law of Judith Levy Jules Gilman, Husband of Joy Siegel Dr. Saul I. Firtel, Father in Law of Judy Firtel Edward L. Johnson, Father of Lynda Maybruck George Kent, Father of Terry Murphy Sonja Schultz, Mother  of Joseph Schultz

Al and Brenda Hackel  Marlene Samuels Susanne Marx

Board of Directors 2020-2021

Josh Kleinman, Co-President Susan Green, Co-President Jeff Rose, Vice-President Dana Berntson, Co-Vice President Noa Ries, Co-Vice President Judy Teller Kaye, Treasurer Coni Foster, Secretary Linda Cooper Jami Delgado Phil Goldstein Ron Greenspan Marshall Meyer Juli Roos Bob Safron

Rabbi Robbi Sherwin Claudie Goldstein, Executive Director

WRJC STANDS WITH ISRAEL