From the desk of student (and almost) rabbi, David Goodman

From the desk of student (and almost) rabbi, David Goodman - Parashat Pekudei

Published: Mon, 02/28/22

Nafshenu Newsletter - Parashat Pekudei

From the desk of the Rabbi...

A modern-day exodus is under way in Eastern Europe today. At least half a million Ukrainians have fled their homeland – and more have been driven from their homes – as a result of the Russian invasion. The hearts of all decent people cry out against this pointless, human-made disaster. As many as 200,000 of Ukraine’s 44 million people are descendants of the European Jewish heartland where most American Jews find their roots.

We can pray for their safety and their peace. We can press our president and Congress to support them. And we can take concrete steps to help. HIAS (the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) has been at work for years in Ukraine, helping victims of past Russian aggression. The agency that once helped thousands of newly arrived Jewish immigrants to America is again coming to the aid of refugees of all backgrounds. Please take the time to read two pieces about HIAS’s work in Ukraine: https://bit.ly/NafHIAS and https://bit.ly/NafHIASstory

THEN, please click here to make a donation, large or small, to its critical work:

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This Week - No Weekly Torah Study

We are taking a break from Torah study this week and will resume next week with the opening of Leviticus. Stay tuned for registration and more information.

This Friday - Kabbalat Shabbat Services

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At Nafshenu, we mark the end of another Exodus this week as we complete the reading of the second book of the Torah. The Israelites’ 40-year journey to freedom continues in Leviticus. This week’s portion, Pikudei (Exodus 38:41-40:38), reads like a business report. It lists all the gold, silver, bronze, and luxury fabrics that went into building the Tabernacle. It ends with God’s presence settling in the Tabernacle. A cloud then filled the Israelites’ other structure – the Tent of Meeting. God would lift that cloud whenever it was time for the people to move to their next temporary resting place.

How do you know it’s time to move on? For some people, it’s the explosions from an attacking army. For others, it’s a feeling that a better life lies elsewhere. We will explore the push-and-pull of migrations, then and now, at our Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6:30 p.m. Friday night on Zoom.

- student (and almost) rabbi, David Goodman

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