Community Corner

My Lone Soldier, you’ll always be

The dearest thing in life to me.

I blinked to find, that you had grown,

Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.

David ben Shima

Rabbi Yaakov Eliyahu Menashe ben Rachel

On Tuesday, the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in matters of public policy, expressed support for Israeli self-determination regarding extension of Israeli civil sovereignty over communities in Judea and Samaria. In particular, the rabbis deplored objection to Israeli sovereignty as “tainted with ugly bias.”

Emet and Events. The two words have been synonymous for over 16 years, since Emet Outreach is known for hosting multiple events and Shabbatons each week. In the Women’s Division, these have included incredible experiences and trips, from Shabbat spent overlooking the Kotel to Shavuot in Lakewood and mother-daughter challah bakes in Queens. These memorable moments were in addition to daily classes and one-on-one learning sessions where relationships blossomed and connections with Torah and Judaism were made. Then came COVID-19, and the in-person dynamic that is the foundation of the organization, shifted to Zoom.

In this week’s parshah, when describing the 42 locations that B’nei Yisrael camped, Moshe Rabbeinu states, “These are the journeys of the Children of Israel.” If the subject matter is a list of encampments, why are they titled journeys? Why is there a need for the Torah to emphasize the journeys?

Usually, June is that whirlwind time where the end of the school year looms large and weddings and graduations dot the calendar, the entire month awash in the excitement of sleepaway camp, beckoning enticingly in very near future.