First, I want to thank everyone who contributed to our June Appeal.

 

First, I want to thank everyone who contributed to our June Appeal. While we didn’t quite reach our goal, we did well. Though it’s still a bit of struggle to cover expenses, the retreat center has come back to life. We are still exploring how we can continue some use of Sanctuary Retreat Center and also recreate our Center in the lower part of the County to better meet our community’s needs.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in helping to manage Am Kolel, part time or full time, please let me know. Also, please engage with us in exploring our future and partaking in our programs, both online and in person. Our new membership chairperson, Bobbie Goldman, welcomes your ideas. We are on the journey to the Land of Promise together.

The Torah journey this week is also quite challenging. This week’s Parsha, Balak, is named for the Moabite king that wants to destroy the Israelites. He solicits the help of a desert monotheistic prophet named Bilaam and bribes him to curse the Israelites. It is a fascinating story and certainly resonates with the countless stories we have been hearing of individuals who succumb to unethical behavior, falsehood and violence to destroy the lives of others.

In the end, Bilaam, does not curse the people. He changes his mind after he has a conversation with his donkey! His donkey kicks a__!

What do we learn from this Parsha? Can we be like that donkey?

Come for Shabbes,

Reb David