Rabbi's Week in Review
We are taking a bit of a hiatus at Kol Ami. We have so many volunteers who have been giving so much of their time, passion and energy to strengthen and grow this very special and different Jewish community. They need a break — some time to rest, reflect and come back with renewed energy.
The truth is that I could use a bit of a break as well. After our Shabbat picnic this Friday, I will be taking some time away from Kol Ami ... Click here to read the rest of Rabbi Doug's blog post.
This Week's Torah Portion
This week’s Torah portion is Beha’alotecha (Bamidbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16). Joshua goes to Moses seeking to restrain Eldad and Medad from acting on their own initiative in taking prophetic roles with the community. Moses defends them, telling Joshua that it would be his wish that more of the people took such leadership initiative.
As part of our Clergy Leadership Initiative, we are engaging in adaptive leadership. Part of adaptive leadership is understanding that everyone can lead and everyone can have a voice. As we understand ourselves to be a “kingdom of priests,” we understand that we all, each in our own way, have leadership roles to play in the community.
Worship Event of the Week
Shabbat Picnic
This Friday, June 10, at 6:45 p.m., we celebrate Shabbat together in Loose Park with a short, informal service, followed by a Shabbat picnic dinner. We ask everyone to bring their own picnic dinner for the celebratory Shabbat meal. We have reserved the pavilion on the east side of Loose Park. The weather is predicted to be perfect (sunny and 75 degrees). This should be a great night to be together.
Weekly Feature
A Monthlong Sabbath
By Wynne Begun
When I thought of my eventual retirement, I had visions of lazy days of reading, long walks and going to movies. Then it happened — I retired from a highly stressful career, but all the supposed open-ended time I had was not quite so free and leisurely.
I found myself getting involved with boards, fighting for causes and even walking dogs at Wayside Waifs. The ultimate commitment I made was serving as president of Kol Ami. I have come to believe that retirement mirrors our work lives. If you are committed to a career, that commitment morphs into a commitment to volunteerism. Granted, I can now choose what I want to work on, but it is still “work”!
Several board members and volunteers involved at Kol Ami are working at real jobs and giving their time to Kol Ami. Others are retired and find that Kol Ami is not their only commitment. And, frankly, these last two years have been tough for everyone. We need a break. We at the Kol Ami newsletter are taking a kind of vacation the rest of this month, so that we can bring renewed energy to Kol Ami.
Even the Torah commands some leisure time. “Six days shall you labor and do all your work” is as much of a commandment as “the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God [on which] you shall not do any work.” I am considering these next few weeks an extended Sabbath.
Watch for the “Rabbi’s Friday Reminder” coming out each Friday this month, and enjoy the beginning of summer. See you in July!
Upcoming Kol Ami Events
Friday, June 17 — Zoom Shabbat Blessings, 6:45 p.m. Zoom link to come in the Rabbi’s Friday Reminder.
Friday, June 24 — Zoom Shabbat Blessings, 6:45 p.m. Zoom link to come.
Friday, July 1 — Zoom Shabbat Blessings, 6:45 p.m. Zoom link to come.
Friday, July 8 — Informal service and Shabbat blessings, 6:45 p.m., on the patio at All Souls. Bring a Shabbat picnic dinner so we can all celebrate together with the festive meal
