THIS MONTH HaHodesh
AT CHIZUK AMUNO CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS Engaging Jewish Life & Learning OCTOBER 2018 | Tishrei / Heshvan 5779
RABBI’S COLUMN
SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMHAT TORAH SCHEDULE
I would like to share two urban legends with you. An urban legend is a story or an event that has been transmitted by many people for RABBI JOSHUA GRUENBERG some time. There is no discernible way to determine the veracity of the legend, but for all intents and purposes it does not really matter. What does matter is the message behind the story, or the lesson which the carefully crafted story or actual event aims to teach.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - EREV SHEMINI ATZERET Erev Shemini Atzeret Evening Service – 6:15 p.m.
The first story is one that could have taken place anywhere or at any time. Here is the version that I was told some time ago. A group of second-year medical students enter a lecture hall for what promises to be a most difficult final examination on anatomy. They suffer through the three-hour exam only to come to the final question which has a note above it that tells them that if they do not answer that question correctly they will fail the entire examination. You are probably thinking that it was some detailed question about the heart or the like. The question simply read, “What is the name of the custodian who cleans the anatomy lab after your class?” All of the students thought to themselves that they had seen this man a thousand times if they had seen him once. Yet none of them knew his name. The professor, of course, did not fail the students, but a valuable lesson had been learned. The second story happened on a country road, in the middle of a dark rain-soaked Alabama night during the 1960’s. An African-American woman was stuck on the side of the road with great car troubles, and she feared for her safety during those turbulent times Continued on Page 2
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 SHEMINI ATZERET & EREV SIMHAT TORAH Shemini Atzeret Morning Service – 9:15 a.m. Yizkor – 10:15 a.m. Traditional Erev Simhat Torah Minhah - 6:15 p.m. Hoffberger Chapel Family & Congregational Erev Simhat Torah Service – 7 p.m. Krieger Auditorium Please join us for a "lite fare" dinner at 6:15 p.m. RSVP at tinyurl.com/CACS-simhattorah TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2- SIMHAT TORAH This year we honor three special individuals on Simhat Torah morning, who represent the essence of our mission and purpose as a sacred congregational community. These three pillars of our community represent the three pillars of our mission – Torah (study), Avodah (Shabbat Prayer), and Gemilut Hasadim (Mitzvot).
Helen Lewis (Kallat Torah)
Bill Lewis (Hatan Torah)
Phil Nochomowitz (Hatan B'reishit)
Simhat Torah Morning Service – 9:15 a.m. (with our students leading/reading) Torah Torah Torah Parade & Activities - 10 a.m. Ages preschoolers thru 1st grade Young families will come together at 10 a.m. to prepare for the candy parade in the sanctuary, celebrate the Torah in a brief service and participate in a variety of holiday activities. Congregational lunch following program. Join us for this joyous service followed by a Kiddush luncheon in honor of our honorees. Minhah - 6:45 p.m.