CBT Nu'z. Nisan-Iyar 5776 ~ May 2016 Congregation B nai Torah, Olympia, WA, USA. Exhalations from the Ex-President

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1 CBT Nu'z Nisan-Iyar 5776 ~ May 2016 Congregation B nai Torah, Olympia, WA, USA Exhalations from the Ex-President A s I write this we are in a time of semi-mourning, the sefirat haomer, the counting of the omer. This is the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. It is a time of mourning because during the Roman occupation of Israel 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva's died in a plague. Only five of his disciples survived, the most preeminent being Rabbi Simon Bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar, the fundamental book of Kaballa. It is said that the plague occurred because the disciples did not respect each other. They knew each other very well and understood they were all knowledgeable. They were, however, dismissive to each other, and as happens often in political campaigns, they denigrated each other to others who did not know them so well. We know from experience that negative campaign ads work much better than promoting positive programs for the future. We run on Fear and Greed. Our problem today, and our job as Jews, is reverse this trend. We must have faith and teach that God is good. With this wisdom we can create a better future because with this wisdom comes optimism, and with optimism comes energy to plan and to work for a better future. The 33rd day of the, known as Lag Ba omer is the day the plague against Rabbi Akiva's disciples stopped. It is also the day of Simon Bar Yochai's death. He is buried in Meron where as many as 300,000 people come from all over the world to celebrate his yahrzeit, in accordance with his wishes. They make bonfires, they feast and dance, and they shoot bows and arrows!

2 Those who try to re-create history from these customs feel that it was a time of initial success of the Bar Kochba revolt against Rome. The bonfires represented signal fires that the Israeli soldiers would use to communicate the intelligence of Roman Army movements. The bows and arrows represent military drills of the Israeli army. Torah study at that time was forbidden under pain of death. People would pretend to be practicing archery so when the Roman soldiers came, they could say they were practicing archery and not studying Torah. It is interesting that the Romans would allow such military exercises while forbidding Torah. In fact, however, this makes a great deal of sense. You can defeat armies, but you cannot defeat ideas. The Romans understood that Torah was the real danger. With dictators and autocrats everywhere, ideas are the greatest threat. Whenever Stalins or Hitlers conquer a territory, the first thing they do is round up all the intellectuals and put them in prison. Inquisitions are instituted to stifle free thought. Our job as Jews is to spread ideas of Torah, to be a light to the nations. This is the salvation of mankind. Len Albert Shalom Sisterhood of Olympia For current information contact Joan Wirth, L' shalom, Shalom Sisterhood of Olympia "To foster camaraderie and promote community involvement"

3 Tea & Tsoras We are next meeting on 5/10/16 at 6 pm at: Cascadia Grill 200 4th Ave. W., Olympia WA (360) We will be eating and discussing a name change for this group. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. Also let me know if you are planning to come. Sue Cordas, slcordas@yahoo.com May Birthdays & Anniversaries May 2 nd : Len Albert s Birthday May 8 th : Lois Roselle s Birthday May 30 th : Jon Auster s Birthday May 31 st : Rabbi Rona and Susan Matlow Anniversary

4 May Yahrzeits 6 Iyar ~ May 14 th : Sheldon Leo Matlow, father of Rabbi Rona Matlow 17 Iyar ~ May 25 th : Frank Arnol Echols, brother of Eleanor Gibson 18 Iyar ~ May 26 th : Chaya bat Shmuel halevi, mother of Len Albert 18 Iyar ~ May 26 th : Barry P. Aronovitch 18 Iyar ~ May 26 th : Ida Albert, Len Albert's mother Donations Donations are always needed and appreciated. Thank you all donors. Checks should be made out and mailed to: Congregation B'nai Torah CBT Treasurer, P.O. Box Olympia, WA Current funds include: Adult Education Fund, Building Fund, Pump house Fund, Kiddush Fund, Loan Fund, Memorial Book Fund, Morris Belling Leadership Fund, Newsletter Fund, Prayer Book Fund, Youth Education. If you make a donation, please let the editors at CBTnuz@live.com know so that we can make sure you are acknowledged promptly.

5 May 2016 ~ Nisan-Iyar, 5776 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 8 th day of 2 9 th day of 3 10 th day of 4 11 th day of 5 12 th day of 6 13 th day of 7 14 th day of 2:00pm Yom Shul Parshat Acherei HaShoah Cleanup 8:11 pm First Friday Service with Hazzan Smith 7:30 pm 8 15 th day of 9 16 th day of th day of Tea & Tsoras, 6pm, Cascadia Grill th day of Yom HaZikaron th day of th day of 2:00pm Shul Cleanup 8:20 pm Rosh Chodesh st day of 9:30 am Morning Service With Hazzan Smith Parshat Kedoshim nd day of th day of Pesach Sheni th day of rd day of th day of DEAD -LINE for NUZ th day of th day of Tea & Tsoras 6pm, Fajita Grill st day of th day of th day of nd day of CBT Congregation B nai Torah th day of rd day of Lag B th day of 2:00 pm Shul Cleanup 8:29 pm th day of 2:00 pm Shul Cleanup 8:37 pm June services: June 3 rd, 7:30 pm; June 11 th, 9:30 am; June 18th, 9:30 am; June 25 th,11:00 am th day of 9:30 am Morning Service Parshat Emor th day of 11:00 am Nosh & Drash Parshat Behar Please submit your articles, photos and information to: cbtnuz@live.com To view more CBT calendars, visit

6 Congregation B nai Torah (CBT) Affiliated with the Conservative (Masorti) Movement Contact Information: President: Stan Finkelstein stan.finkelstein@comcast.net CBT Mailing Address: P.O. Box Olympia, WA Phone: (360) WEB site: To be placed on our mailing list please cbtnuz@live.com If you have Calendar details (or other newsletter info) please cbtnuz@live.com Congregation B nai Torah P.O. Box Olympia WA