Weekly Update

March 24-30

A Message from Rabbi Eric

There is an Iraqi Jewish folktale about a country that chose a King in a very particular way:

When one King passed away, a bird known as ‘The Bird of Good Fortune’ was released and

whoever’s head it landed on became the new King. One time, the bird landed on the head of a slave. The slave was a musician who entertained everyone at his master’s parties. He always wore a feathered cap and belt made from the hooves of a sheep.

When he became King, he moved into the palace and wore royal robes. But he also ordered that a small, shack-like, structure be built next to the palace and that his hat, belt and drum be placed inside. The new king was known for his kindness and love for all people – no matter how much money they had or their status in society.

One day, he left the door open to the shack and several of his cabinet members saw him put on his hat and belt, pick up his drum and start playing. They were surprised and said to the King: ‘You are a King! What are you doing? You must maintain your dignity!’ The King replied: ‘Once I was a slave and now, I am a King. From time to time I want to remind myself of what my life used to be like so I do not grow so arrogant and treat others like slaves.’

As we get ever closer to Passover, let us never forget that we were once slaves as well. That we are now free and that we have a responsibility to treat others as equals, to cherish our freedom every day and to remember that there are so many others in this world who are still treated like slaves, who have no one to speak out for them and to act on their behalf – unless we do.

Our upcoming Religious School schedule is as follows:

Sunday March 26th :