Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, Cold Spring Harbor-Huntington

Rabbi's Message: This week's Torah portion includes the Holiness Code, elucidating ethical and ritual laws that will make the Israelites "holy," and in which reads: "You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your kin fairly." Before yesterday, I don't remember waiting with such hope and anxiety for a judgment. As I listened to Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict, I rejoiced, was relieved, and tears came to my eyes. Yet..., the basic fairness of this decision, its alignment with this ancient commandment, is too often not carried out. My daughter is an officer in the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department (North Carolina). Her chief of police spoke shortly after the verdict was delivered, and said: "We respect the jury's decision and their commitment to justice....This doesn't mean we stop. We have a lot of work to do, and we know that....In the end, justice prevailed." Chief Jennings's words echoed those of the people gathered in front of the courthouse in Minneapolis, who chanted: "let the healing begin." Similarly, President Biden said, "this can be a moment of significant change." The Rev. Bernice King wrote: Oh, that George Floyd were still alive. But I’m thankful for accountability. The work continues. Justice is a continuum. And America must bend with the moral arc of the universe, which bends toward justice. But justice does not happen without our involvement. This is the origin of the term "tikkun olam" - humans were created to repair a broken world. There is much work to be done to address societal inequities in many arenas, including that of criminal justice, even here in our own community. A number of KSS members attended the NAACP meeting on Thursday and look forward to working with them to bend the arc of justice. The guilty verdict does not bring George Floyd back to his family. His death is a tragedy. His daughter Gianna said: "my daddy changed the world." And he did, but I'm sure he would have preferred to be alive with her and that she would prefer to grow up with a father. May George Floyd's memory be a blessing, and may her words, and her loss, inspire us to live up to the teaching of our tradition: "You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your kin fairly."

The first Challah after Passover is special - it's called schissel (key) challah. It's seen as an amulet to unlock the gates of livelihood - especially needed for many at this time. Join Rabbi Lina to bake some blessings into your bread. ... Friday, April 9 9:30 am - make the dough 4 pm - shape it at our usual link - call Rabbi Lina if you need info! Here's the new recipe I've been using - it's yummy! https://www.countyourcolors.com//crispy-soft-vegan-whole-w Use it, or any recipe you like.

We mourn. We remember. We rise.

Well, this would be something! "an earlier version of Leviticus, rather than forbidding sex between men, had actually permitted it." Is a Long-Dismissed Forgery Actually the Oldest Known Biblical Manuscript? https://nyti.ms/3qzzUnZ

Seder together! Next year in person!!!