INSIDE THIS ISSUE Candle Lighting and Service Times ....... 2 President’s Message .................................. 3 Dear Susan .................................................. 4 CBS Happenings ........................................ 5 L’Shana Tovah ............................................ 6 StandStrong ................................................. 7 Religious School ......................................... 8 Youth/Young Family Programming/ B’nai Mitzvah ........................................... 9 CBS U/ Adult Education/Programming ... 10-11 Sisterhood .......................................... 12-13 Men’s Club ......................................... 14-16 Social Action ............................................ 17 Calendar ............................................. 18-19 Shabbat Mornings ................................... 20 Birthdays and Anniversaries ................ 21 Milestones ................................................ 22 Yahrzeits ................................................... 23 Donations ........................................... 24-25 Ads ....................................................... 26-27 “See” What’s Happening ...................... 28 Head Rabbi ......................................... Aaron Melman Senior Cantor ..................................... Steven Stoehr Rabbi ............................................... Warner Ferratier Rabbi Emeritus....................................... Carl Wolkin Executive Director .......................... Susan Karlinsky Director of Jewish Life and Learning .............................................. Leann Blue Director of Education .......................... Stacy Ybarra Director of Youth and Young Family Engagement……..Eric Golberg President ................................................. Bob Spector Sisterhood President ..................... Jackie Zelkowtiz Men’s Club Co-Presidents.... Dr. Andrew Wagner & Steven Lessman USY President ............................................. Paige Star Shalom Designer/Editor...............Deanne Friedman
SHALOM INFO Shalom is published monthly by Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-3298 for the exclusive use of its members and staff. All material contained herein is the property of Congregation Beth Shalom.
SEPTEMBER 2021• VOLUME 94 ISSUE 64
ELUL/TISHREI 5781/5782| SEPTEMBER 2021| VOLUME 94 ISSUE 64
RABBI MELMAN’S MINUTES We learn about the shmita, or sabbatical year, from the Book of Vayikra, Leviticus, where we read about the promises of bountiful harvests to those who observe this practice. “God spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai, telling him to speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land must be given a rest period, a Sabbath to God. For six years you may plant your fields, prune your vineyards, and harvest your crops, but the seventh year is a sabbath of sabbaths for the land. It is God's sabbath during which you may not plant your fields, nor prune your vineyards. Do not harvest crops that grow on their own and do not gather the grapes on your unpruned vines, since it is a year of rest for the land. What grows while the land is resting may be eaten by you, by your male and female slaves, and by the employees and resident hands who live with you. All the crops shall be eaten by the domestic and wild animals that are in your land.” Every seven years the land was to lie fallow in the Land of Israel – a practice that is followed to this day and will take place with the upcoming year of 5782. Rabbi Melman
During shmita, which literally means release, the land is left alone and all agricultural activity, including plowing, planting, pruning, and harvesting is forbidden by halacha, Jewish law. Other cultivation techniques such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, spraying, trimming, and mowing may be performed as a preventive measure only, not to improve the growth of trees or other plants. Additionally, any fruits or herbs which grow of their own accord and where
no watch is kept over them are deemed hefker, ownerless, and may be picked by anyone. The concept of a Sabbatical period is not unique to the Land of Israel, but it is unique. I can’t think of too many professions outside of university professors and clergy who are fortunate enough to be able to arrange for sabbatical time. Just as the land is meant to recharge, so too is the time away for a clergy person. In April, I shared with you my new venture into the world of the military through the Illinois Army National Guard. What a blessing it has been for the last several months and what an honor it has been to put on the uniform of the United States Army. I have completed my first of three months of CHBOLC (Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course) and will return to the Army’s Chaplain Schoolhouse at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC in mid-October. I will be in residence there for two months, using my sabbatical time. While one might not think it will be relaxing and rejuvenating – the first would be true, the second not. While waking up at 0400 (4:00 am) may not sound rejuvenating, the skills I have acquired and will continue to acquire as an Army Chaplain will make me a better rabbi. The additional tools gained will help me to serve all of you better. The reality is, I am somewhere near the middle of my career as a rabbi. Just as the land needs time to refresh and renew itself, so do many of us. The opportunity to grow myself, my abilities, and my resources will only ensure greater support and fulfillment for our entire CBS family. I look forward to sharing more of my adventures with you in the future. Shanah Tovah.
