Rabbi David Wilfond’s Message – Friday, June 30, 2023
June 29, 2023A Message from Rabbi Greenberg, July 14, 2023
July 13, 2023Rabbi David Wilfond’s Message – Friday, July 7th, 2023. Dear Friends, “God Bless America,” wrote Irving Berlin as a soldier during World War I. Berlin wrote this as a prayer for his new homeland, after having fled political and economic turmoil in Europe. Berlin prayed his new “Country of immigrants” would be a haven of peace and blessings. (continues here) Exactly three years ago my children arrived in this country as immigrants, unable to read and write in English. Three years on, we realize it takes years to get settled in a new county. Emigration is more than geographical relocation. It is a complex process of social and economic integration that takes years. I want to acknowledge the beautiful work of “Reset,” and its leaders from our congregation Gary Cohn, Richard Leroy, Judy Fensterman and Adam Barnett. Most immigrants struggle to find a place to stay, secure a job, learn English and develop a network of support. Reset helps new immigrants settle in our area. May I ask you to reach out to the leaders of Reset in our congregation to explore how you could make a difference? It is a mitzvah “To Welcome the Stranger.” (Exodus). Reset is expecting two new families from Ukraine in the coming weeks. They need our help and kindness. We can make a difference. Our Torah Portion, Pinchas envisions a “Brit Shalom, A Covenant of Peace” as a goal for society. “From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam,” may all new immigrants in this land that we love find “My home sweet home.” Shabbat Shalom, R. David Wilfond |