SYNAGOGUE NEWS
May 2022
NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION
Federation Star
11A
www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239.431.3858
Learning available for all Charles Flum President
A
t a recent service at Naples Jewish Congregation, Rabbi Herman gave an impassioned sermon about Ukraine and Israel. His remarks about Israel are as follows: There is no country in the world more caught between a rock and a hard place than Israel. Let’s look at the facts. 1. There are Russian jets, and their army, right on Israel’s borders in Lebanon and Syria. 2. For Israel to strike at the Iranians when they move military assets near her border with Syria, she needs Russian
permission. It must be coordinated with Russia to avoid any accidental confrontation between Israeli and Russian jets, which would result in Israel shooting down a Russian jet. That can’t happen. Israel’s ability to control Iran on her borders is dependent on her relations with Putin. 3. There are 200,000 Jews in Ukraine, 1 million Jews in Russia, and their safety depends, to a great degree, on Putin. Israel needs a working relationship with Putin to keep them safe and that is Israel’s first responsibility. It is the reason Israel was created. It is her raison d’etre. There are those who will say, “America and the West will support you, Israel, if Russia begins to threaten you.” No, they won’t. What country in their right mind would trust America or the West to actually get involved other than with sanctions?
Israel’s relationship with Russia and Putin are so important that Prime Minister Bennett met with Putin last Shabbat for three hours of talks. Notice that everyone says that they understand that Europe and NATO, which we are part of, can’t join the war because they can’t risk a war with Russia. Well then, they need to understand that Israel can’t afford to alienate Putin too much either, because alienating Putin puts her and the Jews of the Ukraine in danger. It is very difficult as well for Israel to close its borders to Russians because there are 1 million Russians in Israel and many have family there. And what of Jews who want to go to Israel and get out of Russia and the Ukraine? Israel can’t risk having the iron curtain fall on them. Remember, no Jews can be denied entry into Israel, so how does Israel close its borders to Russia? Does it say except for Jews?
Putin would allow that? Would it not create strong antisemitic reactions in Russia and the Ukraine as well? It’s up to NATO to crush Russia economically. Israel has no real power here. We need to recognize that and explain it to those who are disappointed in Israel’s response thus far. Finally, there is a beautiful and powerful Hebrew Maxim – Et Laasot Lashem. It means it’s time to act for God — meaning to act in the name of God to save lives. This is just a small sample of the incredible amount of learning our rabbi shares with us. We have services every Friday night in April at 7 p.m. If you want more information about “The small Temple with a big heart,” please visit our website at www.naplesjewishcongregation.org. Come join us.
www.chabadnaples.com / 239.262.4474
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES
At Chabad Naples Rabbi Fishel Zaklos
Hebrew School graduation
On Wednesday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m., our Hebrew School graduates will come to the end of an amazing year of learning, friendship, knowledge and laughter, possibly surprising themselves as well as others with how they are becoming both conversant in and learning to read Hebrew. Their progress is truly proof of the effectiveness of the Aleph Champ program in addition to the excellent teaching and guidance they received.
The flying challah and kosher meals from the heart
Know someone in need of just a little extra love right now? Each week, we send out smiles with an uplifting message in the form of a tasty fresh challah. All you have to do is nominate a recipient by sending us an email and we will have it delivered. If you know someone who would appreciate a meal for Shabbat, or just in general, please let us know. We will be happy to arrange to have one sent to those who are really in need and without means to obtain help.
Every home needs a Mezuzah!
Lag B’Omer
On May 21, we will have a special event on Shabbat in honor of Lag B’Omer. Please call the office for more information.
Thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, here is an opportunity for you to have your first Mezuzah installed at your home. We have a limited number available. Rabbi Zaklos will be happy to correctly install it with special blessings and the Mezuzah ceremony. No home is complete without the protection of a Mezuzah! If you don’t have one, call Chabad.
Shavuot
Minyan
On Sunday, June 5 at noon, we will hold a Shavuot Party for the entire community. Come and bring the whole family to join the reading of The Ten Commandments, followed by an ice cream party. Please check with the office for details.
Chabad is here to help
Chabad Naples is meeting COVID surges with a surge of caring volunteers who are ready, willing and able to provide the elderly and homebound with the assistance they need. Shopping? Picking up prescriptions? Just ask! We are here for all of you.
If you have a yahrzeit or need to say Kaddish, we are always here to help make a minyan during the week. We are so grateful to those who help us with this minyan service when called. There have been so many minyan during the week, and it is amazing to see how the community comes together for each other.
always has a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message.
Hebrew school
We are currently offering in-person Hebrew school. Our Hebrew school classes are incredibly popular, providing the best in Hebrew language and religious education that is available.
Torah class
A Torah class is being offered on Wednesdays. If you wish to join, please RSVP to our office and we will send you the link. As the schedule changes at times, please reach out to confirm weekly.
Videos
Rabbi Fishel offers a video each week. If
you want to receive them, you can reach out to us at office@chabadnaples.com to be placed on the weekly email list. You can also view the past 12 months’ worth of videos at www.chabadnaples.com.
Preschool of the Arts
This is a very popular, amazing experience for your children and spaces may be limited, so early sign-up is recommended! Visit naplespreschoolofthearts.com.
Weekly email and mailing list
If you would like to be added to our weekly updates and mailing list, call 239-262-4474 or email office@ chabadnaples.com.
Are you in your forties or fifties, single and Jewish? Sign up now by emailing: rbialek@jewishnaples.org to meet other Jewish Singles
Shabbat services
Join us weekly for uplifting Shabbat services. Our warm and welcoming Shabbat services are held every Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. The Torah service begins at 11 a.m. and includes the rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading, which
Read our weekly eblast to learn when the next activity will be.
OF GREATER NAPLES
