Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
The closing benediction,
"I can't breathe!"

The past almost three months have drastically changed our lives, shut our worlds, closed our doors, opened opportunities, allowed us to introspect, and meditate with deeper breaths. And speaking of breaths, perhaps over the past few days, we ourselves have said more than once “I can’t breathe”.

Not only has the Coronavirus taken the last breaths from so many of the world’s population, it seems as George Floyd’ s last words of “I can’t breathe” have turned into a symbolic cry for justice in our society. We hear breathless cries extending far beyond the Minneapolis epicenter, all the way to Buffalo, across the oceans, even beyond London and Tel Aviv. Be it in the form of riots, anger, protests, rallies, signage, black profiles on social media, or cries, our society as a whole has stopped its breath. 

“May the Lord bless and protect you. 
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord turn His face toward you and grant you peace.”  (Bamidbar 6:23-27)

These concluding words of this week’s Torah portion, Nasso, brings us, Klal Israel , much needed hope. The words are a Priestly blessing which our Rabbi, Rabbi Lachtman , recites to us, as his congregation, in his closing benediction. With his hands held high, as in this illustration (Nasso means lifted up), Rabbi Lachtman asks us to bow our heads as he protects, graces and brings peace upon us. This is the exact divine original blessing that 3000 years ago, was instructed to the Priests to deliver to our nation, with love . No other blessing, over a command, other than the Priestly blessing, specifies that it be done with love. 

Rabbi Lord Johnathan Sacks affirms “when you bless someone, you demonstrate that you wish the best for them, as this is what loving them means.” When the Priests, or today’s Clergy bless their congregants, they too show what love of one’s fellow looks like. They model, and teach, and set forth by example, hopefully enabling us to breath again!. 

Written as a tribute to George Floyd OBM, and in honor of those who stand for justice, in recognition of peaceful protestors, and to those who lost their breath to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

Shabbat Shalom,
- Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director

(Image of Art in Clay of Priestly Blessing hands, found here .)
I Can't Breathe, by Rabbi Lance J. Sussman
I can’t breathe,
The knee of oppression
Is on my neck.

I can’t breathe,
The air of my city
Is filled with tear gas.

I can’t breathe,
I am filled with rage
And the smoke of burning buildings.

I can’t breathe
Because the air is filled with contempt for people of different colors.

I can’t breathe
Because my country is suffocating
And the air of democracy is getting thinner and thinner.

I can’t breathe
Because I am grieving for America
And praying its dreams aren’t dying
In the streets of our nation tonight.
Story time and craft about perspectives and acceptance, tonight at 5pm
I spy with my little eye something very different to what my friend spies. And yet, despite our unique perspectives of the world, we can be best of friends, LeDor VaDor.

Join us as we read The All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel , a story about visions of a cat, which are all through the lense of different eyes. The reading will be accompanied by a craft, I spy game, and child friendly dialogue about compassion, visions, perspectives, and getting along as friends with a multitude of visions.
A word from our Clergy about the world's current affairs
From Rabbi Lachtman
We pray for the families of George Floyd, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Arbery, and all those whose lives have been so cruelly and violently taken from our communities., Let us renew our commitment to working to achieve a nation that exemplifies compassion and justice for all. 
May we stand in solidarity with communities that are peacefully protesting the loss of life, and we condemn the vandalism, looting, and rioting that tears our nation apart. We seek solidarity with good, noble, anti-racist law enforcement officials whose good names have been tarnished by these horrific crimes. And we commit ourselves anew to working to bring closer the day when the policies and systems governing the citizens of our nation treat every person equally—regardless of the color of their skin. May that day come soon. 
Please join us for Shabbat services tonight as we console and strengthen each other with the music and with the highest tenets of our faith.
Rabbi Alan R Lachtman DHL, MFCT, LtCol USAR 
From Cantor Orly
Our world has been turned upside down these past few months. We were just about to begin this new normal, opening our lives up again slowly, and then the killing of George Floyd . How do we teach our children about everything going on in our world, as it is also their world?
My kids used to wake up in the morning asking, “when can I play with my friends,” to now asking me, “why can’t we play outside?” 
“Chazzak, chazzak, chazzak, v’nithazaek. “ (Be strong, be strong, be strong and we will strengthen each other).
I know one day we shall overcome all of this, but right now more then ever we need to come together as one nation, under G-d , with liberty and justice for all. 
Cantor Orly ( Temple Beth David, Temple City)

"Black and White, the racial unity cookie" President Barak Obama
Vista Del Mar appeal for helping children in need
Useful Resources, reading material and upcoming events
"May the Lord protect and defend you"
Shabbat musical excerpt from Fiddler on the Roof