Shalom, and happy beginning of summer! Summer brings us welcome warm weather, the kids back from school, and, hopefully, time to relax, reflect and renew. For our SYVJC leadership, these will be anything but the “lazy days of summer”, as our board and committee members are already hard at work planning our activities for the coming year. We want you to be a part of that process!
So make your plans now to come to our Summer Shabbabeque Annual Meeting and Shabbat BBQ dinner and celebration on Friday, July 17, at 5pm at Maidy Dreyfuss’ “D Ranch”. You’ll have an opportunity to hear about the year that was and the year that will be, and to share your ideas as well. Details will be forthcoming, but save the date now, and be a part of continuing to build and energize our community.
While we look forward with hope and excitement to the year ahead, the recent tragic killings in Kansas and Washington DC continue to cast a pall over our nation’s consciousness. I’ll be reflecting on those terrible acts, and what they mean in the larger context of the life of our nation and the Jewish community, at our Shabbat evening services this Friday night, June 19, at 7pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church="2" 0in Los Olivos. I hope you can join us.
L’shalom - toward peace,
Rabbi Jerry Brown
Divrei Chachamim - Words of the Wise
The strongest and sweetest song remains to be sung. -Walt Whitman
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead
Remembering Officer Steven Johns
In the wake of the terrible tragedy at the United States Holocaust Museum, the American Jewish Committee and the Museum itself have set up separate memorial funds in honor of slain guard Stephen Johns. Checks payable to the American Jewish Committee, with "Holocaust Museum Memorial Fund" on the memo line, may be mailed to: American Jewish Committee Washington Chapter in care of Melanie Maron Pell, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 1201, Washington D.C. 20005. Donations will also be accepted at the AJC Web site. Checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW, Washington D.C. 20024. Contributions can also be made by calling 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m or going to the museum's Web site.
Housing Needed
A single, fem ale member of the community is in urgent need of living quarters. Do you have a guest house, apartment, etc., that she could rent at a modest price? Call or e-mail Rabbi Brown - riibeye@aol.com, 818-517-4102 - if you can help.
Celebrate food at its source
Join us for this unique dining experience in the agriculturally rich Santa Ynez Valley, located in Santa Barbara County. This multi-course meal is prepared by local organic farmers, chefs and winemakers as they share their bounty with us creating a unique artisan food event.
September 12, 2009 More information to follow