The Rabbi's Thoughts Following Events in Boston

BOSTON AND PRAYER

Alexander Solzhenitsyn has remarked: “Where once violence was the last resort, alas, today it is the
first resort.” Once again a major city of our nation has been rocked by violence. Senseless death and
bloodshed have become all commonplace in our world. Patriots’ Day in Boston was meant to mark the battles of Lexington and Concord. Sadly, the struggle for safety and freedom never is concluded.

Our prayers go out to the victims and their families, to all who have been touched by this evil action. 

At the same time we celebrate the selfless compassion of the bystanders and responders who rushed into the fray to help.

After 2011, after Columbine, after Newtown, and after Boston we realize that the enemy is not this
or that religion, this or that community: the real enemy is the hatred. How do we battle hatred?

It’s everyone’s responsibility. What the world needs is a unified religious voice preaching loudly and
constantly for tolerance, peace and compassion. All faiths, without exception, need to proclaim the
simple truth that all people are created in the image of God, each and every life is of infinite worth.

To quote the Talmud and the Koran: “To destroy one life is as if one destroyed an entire world. To save one life is as if one saved an entire world.”

And so we pray the words of the Bratslaver Rebbe,

May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease
when a great peace will embrace the whole world
Then nation shall not threaten nation
and humankind will not again know war.
For all who live on earth shall realize
we have not come into being to hate or destroy
We have come into being
to praise, to labor and to love.
Compassionate God, bless all the leaders of all nations
with the power of compassion.
Fulfill the promise conveyed in Scripture:
"I will bring peace to the land,
and you shall lie down and no one shall terrify you.
I will rid the land of vicious beasts
and it shall not be ravaged by war."
Let love and justice flow like a mighty stream.
Let peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea.
And let us say: Amen

In prayer,
Rabbi Arthur L. Schwartz

Safety and Security in our Houses of Worship

Safety and Security in our

Houses of Worship

A significant and timely Friday Night Forum

Do you belong to a house of worship in our area? If so, DO NOT MISS this forum. What are the realities in our area? How can we best protect ourselves from violence before it happens?

This panel of experts will discuss the troubling real issue of safety and security in our faith communities.

• Inspector Edward Brady – Commanding Officer, Suffolk County Second Precinct

• Frank Petrone, Supervisor – Town of Huntington

• William R. ("Doc") Spencer, M.D. – Legislator, 18th

District, Suffolk County

 

• Lisa Jamison, LMSW – Division Director for Family Services, Family Service League

Friday, May 3, 2013

Forum is at 8:15 p.m.

Please join us for Friday night services at 7:30 p.m.

 

Kehillath Shalom Synagogue

58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Sponsored by the Kehillath Shalom Social Action Committee.

Open to the entire concerned community.

All are welcome!

Reminder: no services Friday and special forum Saturday

Just a reminder:  There will be no Friday Night Services this week.

Saturday Morning services will include...

Forum: She is Beautiful, Share your Feelings about Israel's Beauty

When:  Sat, April 20, 12pm – 1pm

Description:  You are welcome to bring a photo, artifact, or anything that represents your personal feeelings about Israel

 

 

Art Salon, An Afternoon in celebration of the Arts

Art Salon

An Afternoon in celebration of the Arts

 

Sunday, April 28th, 2013

 

Sharing our artistic talents with the community.

Congregationsal Meeting Wednesday

Important Reminder:

Congregational Meeting Tonight
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
7:30pm

Kehillath Shalom's Kids Production: Willie Wonka!

 

Come and support the KehillathShalom Kids Players with tickets to this year's performance!

 

Contact Carolyn Mufson at 631-470-3551

 

And if you'd like to go the extra step and put an add in the playbill please call Deborah Globus at 631-935-2777 for prices and options.

Kehillath Shalom Trip to Philidelphia

Did you know that Kehillath Shalom Synagogue has a mysterious secret benefactor that sponsors a bus trip once a year in order for us to bond and learn about new places in that special way you can only do when traveling with people?

 

This year's trip was to Philidelphia where we visited Beth Shalom Synagogue - the only shul designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright; Mikva Israel - the onldest congregation (though not the oldest building) in the United States; and the National Museum of American Jewish History.

 

Below are pictures of some of the things we saw on our wonderful trip!

 

The floor plan of Beth Shalom is based on the Rabbi's hands

The Bimah at Beth Shalom.  Kadosh - meant to be said three times is done in three levels.

 The vaulted ceilings sweep up from behind the bimah - the building itself is meant to evoke Mt. Sinai, with elements of the tents of Jacob and the sands of the desert.

 the chandalier of G_d's light divided into color so that it may be beheld.

 The ark at Mikva Israel and their Torahs (minus the finials made by Meyer Myerson [who was the friend of Paul Revere] because they were recently valued at 7.2 million dollars...)

 

a chair as old as Mikva Israel, established in 1740 (36 years before the Revolution - double chi!  Very lucky for the Patriots!)