From Rabbi David Goodman
Nafshenu this week, from Rabbi David Goodman
This is an action-packed time in the American holiday calendar. We just had Thanksgiving, and the whole world seems to be about end-of-year events, deadlines, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Oh, and there is Hanukkah in the mix: Our eight-day Festival of Freedom starts the night of Sunday, December
18: Just two weeks away.
Pearl and I are just back from a heartwarming visit to my dad in Cincinnati, and I’m in Washington, DC, through Tuesday at the annual J Street Conference. J Street is one of the two leading Jewish advocacy groups on Israel, along with AIPAC. The two groups take different approaches on how best to support Israel and Israeli democracy – they just had a big election, too – while promoting peace and justice for
all inhabitants of the Holy Land.
Today, I heard Secretary of State Antony Blinken tell thousands of American Jews of the US government’s strong commitment to Israel, and to the wellbeing and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. I’d love a chance to share my experiences after I get back later this
week.
Nafshenu’s next Shabbat service and lunch is this Saturday, December 10, at Prince of Peace. I hope we can get a good turnout, like we did when Deb Ferguson so kindly hosted us at her home on
November 19. Thank you, Deb!
Before that, we’re holding our regular Thursday evening Torah study on December 8. It’s at 7 p.m. on Zoom, using the recurring
Zoom link https://bit.ly/NafTorah. We’ll be reading the portion Va-yishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), which centers on the reconciliation between Jacob and his brother Esau, whose inheritance he
stole. It should lead to a great discussion!
Look for details very soon on:
- Friday night services December 16.
- Justice Sunday – this month falling on the Monday after Christmas.
This week’s portion, Va-yishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43) and talks about Jacob’s deep fears about his reunion with his estranged brother Esau – the brother whose inheritance he stole. In the end, Esau is ready to forgive. The two brothers embrace. The ultimate test of their reconciliation comes when their
father Isaac dies: “He was gathered to his kin in rope old age, and he was buried by his sons – Esau and Jacob.”
My blessing to you is this: May your family tensions big and small end in
peace.
Have a great week/shavua tov!
Rabbi David
