In a Time of darkness, an Evening of Joy, a Ray of Hope, and a Cause for Celebration
Hello again everyone, and Shalom to all of you,
At this time of the year, I am accustomed to saying, “Well, we do need the rain,” as yet another downpour makes a house call on our community. It seems only fitting these days are downcast, as events in Gaza persist, with no end or resolution yet in view. Things are such in the Middle East that I suspect I will be saying much the same a month from now. We pray for our spiritual brothers and sisters in Israel, and hope for a just and lasting peace.
When people ask me if I’m from Napa, my usual reply is, “I’m not a Napan; I’m a New Yorker who lives in Napa.” Among other things, it means I am a daily reader of my hometown newspaper, The New York Times.
Last week there was a thoughtful, thorough, balanced story about the issue of antisemitism infiltrating California’s educational system. The situation in Gaza makes an article like this particularly timely and relevant, so much so I thought I would share it with all of you. If you’re curious and want to give it a read, here’s link that will take you to the story: California’s Push for Ethnic Studies Runs Into the Israel-Hamas War - The New York Times (nytimes.com).
That’s quite enough with gloomy matters; let’s turn to something joyful: last month’s Friday night celebration of Audrey Lieberstein’s 99th birthday! Here are a couple of photos from the festivities, with Audrey in burgundy jacket in photo that appears on left below, a veritable picture of Dorian Gray:
A very happy birthday to you, Audrey; here’s to celebrating the next 99 years!
Speaking of celebratory events, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Rabbi Niles is kicking of this year’s Faces of Faith series next Friday, March 1, where he will be joined at our Shabbat Service by Reverend Jay Lang, who for the past nine years has served as Minister at the Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living.
Rev Jay (as he likes to be called) and his Center’s mission is to help create a world that works for everyone by living intentionally, loving unconditionally, and seeing God in all people and all faiths. He also serves as Chair of the Napa Valley Interfaith Council, not to speak of being a good friend to our congregation, so please be sure to join us for what surely will be an evening of thoughtful conversation.
Hardly a month goes by without the celebration of one Jewish holiday or another, but February this year proved to be uncommonly wanting in this regard, so let’s turn our attention to March, where on Friday, March 22 we will celebrate a Family Purim Shabbat, including a service followed by a light dinner. Most important of all – children and parents take note – there will be costumes! Hurraayyy!!!!
Last point before I let you go, something important, requiring your attention: in the next week or two many of you will receive a letter – not an email, but instead an actual letter delivered through the mail – from me, appealing to your better selves to contribute to our main fundraising vehicle, L’dor V’dor. I urge you to read it, consider it, and if you can, contribute to helping our community. You have my eternal gratitude.
Robert and I will be in St. Helena Friday, March 1, to lead the Napa County Vote Center for this year’s primary elections, but if time and energy allows, we will join you that evening to hear Rev Jay and Rabbi Niles. I hope to see all of you there. Until then,
