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This week another tragic shooting occurred, this time at the Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, TX, where nineteen young children and two adults were massacred. Again, we as a country mourn the unimaginable loss of these precious lives and wonder when will it end? 

This Thursday, at 7:00pm, I will be holding a special edition of the Rabbi’s Table, where we can share and discuss our feelings about the epidemic of shootings, hatred and racism in the United States, as well as the growing amount of antisemitism around the world. Additionally, where does the issue of mental illness fit in and how should it be addressed? Please join us on Zoom this Thursday for this opportunity for discussion and healing. 

I would like to share with you a portion of a poem that my colleague, Rabbi Jonathan Aaron penned regarding the Uvalde shooting:

My heart aches

Once again

For more souls

Who will never know

who they could have been

For the laughter

And the sadness

And the joy

And the love

That will never be felt...

We mourn for the families

Whose lives have been forever changed

and our prayers reach towards their hearts

broken and tattered

from the weapon of hate and darkness...

Be our guide

And show us the way

To love and heal

Be our strength

And gird us

With the power for goodness...

Let the world be filled with light

To overcome the evil

That wants to tear us from each other

And leave a swath of dust and ashes

Enlighten us all with hearts so full

That we rise above the noise of hatred

And fill us with compassion for all living beings...

May their memories be for a blessing, now and always. 

Please join us this Friday night, May 27th at 7:30pm for Shabbat services, followed by a wonderful Oneg. 

Our wine and cheese Shabbat Happy Hour begins on Friday night at 7:00pm. 

My Friday night topic:

At the end of each book of Torah we recite:

Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik — “Be strong, be strong, and together we will be strengthened,”Words we truly need to say and hear during these difficult times. 

No matter how bleak things sometimes seem, we still need to plant the seeds of hope. 

Nosh and Drash Torah Study begins at 10:00am every Saturday morning, followed by joyous Shabbat services. Join us for this Saturday morning’s Nosh and Drash, as we look at the Torah’s view of freedom and liberty, as well as how humanity has interpreted those important words. 

It is indeed our community that sustains and nourishes us. Let us continue to be there for each other both in times of joy and sorrow. Now, more than ever, as we have safely opened our Temple to in-person services and events, let’s make every effort to be present and engaged, for that is how we keep our congregation strong and vital.

In this edition of the Shabbat-O-Gram, you will find information on some upcoming great events, programs and special Friday night Shabbat services. This an exciting time at Temple Isaiah as we continue to be a vital center of Jewish life for the Coachella Valley. 

Dates to save:

Erev Shavuot and cheesecake extravaganza Saturday night June 4th at 8:00pm

First day of Shavuot June 5th 10:30am

Shavuot Afternoon of Learning, sponsored by Temple Isaiah and the Federation, June 5th, 2:00pm. Scheduled presenters: Rabbi Rosenberg, Alan Potash and Rabbi Zionts. 

2nd day of Shavuot/Yizkor, June 6th 10:30am

June 18th B'nai mitzvah service Saturday morning at 10:00am

We are blessed with such a special community here at Temple Isaiah, may we continue to be the vital Center for Jewish Life throughout the Coachella Valley for many years to come. 

Our beloved friend Doug Morton truly appreciates the tremendous amount of get well wishes he and the Temple have received. We wish him Refuah Shelaymah, may God bless Doug with strength and health, both of body and spirit.

I am always available, if you would just would like to visit for a while, either in person or by phone, video chat or text/email. Please feel free to get in touch with me. 

Take care,

Rabbi Steven Rosenberg 

rabbisteven.rosenberg@gmail.com

956.566.9328