Dear Friends, “Not by bread alone do human beings live,” declares this week’s Torah Portion. Some of the world’s greatest minds have been nourished by this Torah teaching. Helen Todd (1870 – 1953) an American suffragist and worker’s rights activist wrote “Hearts starve as well as bodies. Give us bread, but give us roses.” She understood we need to not only nourish our bodies, but also our spirit. Nietzsche wrote “He who has a why to live can endure any how.” Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and Psychiatrist wrote about his experience in Auschwitz, “People died less from lack of food than, a lack of something to live for.” Moses Schreiber (Rabbi in Bratislava, Slovakia in the 19th century) said “To live, humans need more than bread, we need kehila (community.)” In 2022 in Westchester, we know that we must not only feed our bodies, we must also nourish our souls. In our Temple community we strive to do both. With enthusiasm, I invite you to come to the Temple Friday August 26th for a BBQ. This meal is sponsored by Dr. Joe Grossman in honor of his 90th Birthday. Joe wants to celebrate this great milestone in his life by “Breaking Bread,” and celebrating with his community. Please come add your spirit to this very happy once-in-a life-time occasion. On this Shabbat there will also be a special “Welcome Back Home from Camp” Blessing for children. If your children attended any camp this summer please come on August 26th for this joyful moment when we will invite all the children up onto the bima for joyful moment of blessing. During this same Shabbat Service, we will share a very brief ceremony of saying “Shalom,” (Good bye) to our Interim Executive Director Leslie Lichter, and we will also say “Shalom,” (Hello) to our new Executive Director, Howard Greenstein. Both Leslie and Howard will be present. Please join us to warmly thank Leslie and to warmly welcome Howard. We are blessed with Simcha (happy) moments. We need more than just bread to live, we need moments of celebrating birthdays, children coming home, and hope in the future of our community. Thank you Dr. Joe Grossman for sponsoring our BBQ. Please come for a feast for body and soul as we create sacred community together. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi David Wilfond |