4 Weeks of Elul - 5764
Week Three: Communal Lives

A key principle of Jewish life teaches us that "Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh Ba Zeh," -- All Israel is responsible for one another. We are not content, however, to merely see our responsibility in particularistic terms. Indeed, we are responsible, not only for the welfare of our own community – but also for working to improve the entire world. The Concept of Tikkun Olam – repairing our world -- guides and commands us to strive to work in partnership with our creator in perfecting all of Creation.

The past few weeks have been filled with conflict. In Israel, terrorists have once again struck with deadly force – killing innocent men, women and children on busses in Beer Sheva. War and terror are brutal realities all over the globe. On a political level, in the Presidential campaign, we have seen an unprecedented level of personal attacks on candidates and their character that serve to divide our nation and belittle the political process. This is a time for us to look inward – at our words, our actions, our tolerance of such conflict. How do each of us contribute to the conflicts that surround us? How does this tolerance impact our community?

The following questions will help you focus your Elul preparations on how you can make a difference for good in your congregation, community and, indeed, the world itself. Again, this is by no means a complete list. There are many other areas that can be explored. Hopefully, this will provide you with a starting place for a much longer process.

  1. Have I been generous enough in my support - financially or otherwise - of the institutions and charities that I find important?
  2. Regardless of political perspective, have I been vocal in my support of the State of Israel during her time of need?
  3. Have I taken my own comfort for granted and “looked the other way" when I saw poverty or despair in my community?
  4. Have I been too tolerant of political or personal hate speech?
  5. Have I spoken out when I perceived discrimination or inequity based on economics, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation in our community?
  6. Have I been ecologically responsible in my use of materials and resources?
  7. When I am at synagogue, have I done all that I can to make others feel welcomed in the same way that I want to feel welcome?

Listed below are the names and ages of the 15 victims of the recent terrorist attack in Beer Sheva. Zikhronam Livracha – may their memories be for a blessing:

Tamara Bebrashivilli, 70, Or Yehuda
Emanuel Yosefov, 28, Beer Sheva
Karin Malka, 23, Beer Sheva
Denise Hadad, 40, Beer Sheva
Aviel Atash, 3, Beer Sheva
Tiruaint Tekala, 33, Beer Sheva
Shoshana Amos, 64, Beer Sheva
Tatiana Korotchenko, Beer Sheva
Rosita Leiman, 45, Beer Sheva
Maria Sololov, 57, Beer Sheva
Vitaly Brodsky, 52
Larisa Gomanenko, 48
Roman Sololovsky, 51, Beer Sheva
Nargiza Sotrovsky, 54
Eliyahu Uzan, 58

Again, I want to hear from you regarding these messages. I welcome your comments and suggestions. I can be reached by phone (883-1818) or e-mail (Rabbi_at_ca). These questions will also be available in hard copy at the Temple Office. If you know of anyone else who might want to receive these messages, contact our list administrator, .

L'shanah Tovah U'metukah – May you have a good and sweet new year,

Rabbi Joseph R. Black
Email: Rabbi_at_ca

It is customary to listen to the sound of the Shofar during the month of Elul. We recently came across this website and thought you might like to have it for your own preparation for the Yamim Noraim:

http://www.ujc.org/flashplayer.html?id=143

Messages From the Rabbi