August 2016
Tammuz / Av 5776
From the Rabbi’s Study… As I pen these words the world is in shock as we learn of an ambush that killed three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At least three others were injured. This tragic shooting takes place less than two weeks after a similar ambush killed five police officers in Dallas, Texas. The motives of the shooter are not yet known. There is speculation that the ambush may have been related to tensions after Alton Sterling was put to rest in Baton Rouge. The officers who were murdered in Dallas were part of a security detail assigned to a Black Lives Matter rally. It is important to note that the rally was a peaceful protest that was legally coordinated with city officials including the We need to address the Police Department. When a disparity of educational deranged gunman opened and economic opportufire on the police detail the nities available to Afriofficers placed themselves in harm's way to protect the can Americans. Our Black Lives Matter current reality must be protesters. With their lives, addressed by examining these brave officers demonthe socioeconomic roots strated that our men and women in uniform have of the crisis. chosen to protect and serve May we seek peace in because black lives matter, white lives matter, Asian our world by crying out lives matter, Jewish lives “bless us our parent all matter, Muslim lives matter as one.” and blue lives matter.
Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Share Saturday, August 6th, 9:30am, Sanctuary
Tisha B’av Service Saturday, August 13th, 8:30pm, Chapel
Sisterhood Girls Night Out Monday, August 15th, 6-7:30pm, Schmooze
Community Shabbat Dinner Saturday, August 19th, 6:15pm, Social Hall
Kiddush Honoring Marge & Bob Goldberg Saturday, August 20th, after Shabbat Services
Tuesday Afternoon 5:30pm Friday Night 6:15pm Saturday Morning 9:30am Followed by Kiddush Luncheon
One would hope that the supreme sacrifice of these dedicated officers would serve to unite Americans, as it did in the wake of 9/11. On that fateful day, we saw police officers running into the Twin Towers as others ran for their lives. We became cognizant of their dedication and revered their sacrifice. Somehow we have lost sight of the gift that we have in the men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis. They have chosen to protect and serve and for this we owe them a debt of gratitude. We would hope that this supreme sacrifice made by dedicated officers who placed themselves in harm’s way to protect Black Lives Matter protestors would serve to unite Americans. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if those shouting "black lives matter" and those shouting "blue lives matter" would come together to work on societal issues? Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. Rather than uniting as Americans to address societal issues, we Continued on Page 2