This week we were all distraught day in day out with the kidnapping of the three Israeli teenagers, Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach. Each one is a well-rounded teenager, involved in activities both mundane and lofty. They have such futures ahead of them.
We take life for granted until we can take it for granted no more. We joined together last night after Maariv for an extended Tefillah service to pray for their safe return. I shared the idea from Rabbi Yochanan Zweig that in addition to the power of communal prayer, the additional element of joining together in unity for prayer means that it’s as if we’re praying for ourselves, for our own families.
כאיש אחד בלב אחד, Like one person with one heart (Rashi on Shemot 19:2). You can hear Rabbi Zweig’s remarks here http://new.livestream.com/
I wanted to provide some other resources for everyone to help us focus our efforts. OU/NCSY has coordinated a “Virtual Vigil” where you can sign up for a slot of learning or davening around the clock.
There was a song composed by Shmueli in honor of the missing boys, called Bring Back our Boys
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This has been a difficult span for the Jewish people and our own Kehilla as well. I’d also like to suggest that we join another broad based initiative, Bringing in Shabbos early… usher in Shabbos 15 minutes early.
We can not start mincha earlier than 7pm (Plag Mincha, the earliest time to start Shabbat, is 7:15pm). However please consider coming a few minutes early to daven, recite Shir Hashirim, or Tehilim. And if you are accepting Shabbat at home later, you can light candles fifteen minutes early, by 8:15pm.
Meanwhile, switching gears to local programming news, we are just completing our third week of the Yeshiva University Kansas City Summer Experience Program. If you can believe it this is already our fifth summer running this program!
Once again we’ve had a wonderful group of students. You can follow them on a great photo blog they set up
Many of you have been so gracious in hosting them, and I know they have already developed wonderful relationships during their time here. Thank you to the Robinow and Katzman families for housing them, to Adam Kaye for coordinating their meals, and to so many of you who have fed them and welcomed them.
Heading into the last week of the program, this Shabbat continues with a Friday night Oneg at the Gonsher’s, and Shabbat afternoon Shiurim. Sunday morning they will lead a new special Lox and Learn learning program and work project at the Mitzvah Garden. During the week there will once again be Wednesday night Chavruta learning and Thursday night Mishmar.
And to cap things off for their last Shabbat, they will lead a “Shabbat Yeshiva University” learning session on Shabbat morning, June 28th immediately after services.
I also wanted to acknowledge the great energy they brought our youth program in leading Shabbat morning youth groups during their time here!
Don’t hesitate to encourage them to move back to Kansas City and join our community!
This Shabbat we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Avi Brudoley, who will read Torah, Haftarah, and lead services. Mazel tov to the whole family!
We will also have a special siyyum at Seuda Shlishit led by Frankie Sachs. Frankie, in addition to serving as Secretary on the Executive Board and on the security committee, also rotated in learning Mishna on Shabbat morning with our fourth and fifth graders. We wish the Sachs family much success on their move!