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NEWSLETTER
Vol. 6, No. 73 June 22nd, 2017
shalomsanmiguel.org
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Saturday, June 24th
@ 9 am
Masorti/Conservative Shabbat Shacharit
Service
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Par’shat Korach
Numbers, chapters 16-18
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They assembled against Moses and Aaron and said to them: “You
have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why
then do you raise yourselves above the Lord’s congregation?”
[Num.
16:3]
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The story of Korach is certainly a cautionary tale for our time, and for all generations.
Although Korach makes a valid point—God is certainly in our midst, and within each
individual—he twists the facts to serve his own ulterior motives: to gain power. That is
essentially the definition of a demagogue, as confirmed by a quick perusal in the American
College Dictionary—n. a leader who uses the passions or prejudices of the populace for his
own interests; an unprincipled popular orator or agitator.
I cannot help but see the parallels with a certain American president, who rails against the
“failed Washington elite” and promises to return power to “the people”. Hey, who needs
professional politicians to run government? The president and “the people” know more than the
experts (global warming, evolution, fighting ISIS, healthcare…) How dare these egg-heads tell
us what is true? We have our own, alternative facts!
Torah reports that 250 chieftains of the community, “chosen in the assembly, men of repute”
joined Korach’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Interestingly, the Mishnah describes
illegitimate controversy (for personal gain, not ‘for the sake of Heaven’) as being ‘like the
dispute of Korach and his followers’ [Avot 5:17]. One interpreter understands this as
this as ‘the dispute of Korach with his followers’, because each
faction in the rebellion had its own agenda; they were united only in their opposition to the
leadership. In other words, like many demagogues they defined themselves by what they were
against, not by a vision of what they stood for [Etz Hayim chumash].
Moses and Korach have an incense showdown (I guess they didn’t have impeachment proceedings in
those days) and God accepts Moses’ offering and opens the earth to swallow Korach and his
followers; fire comes forth from the Lord (the Tabernacle) and consumes the 250 men of renown
offering incense on behalf of Korach. Ouch. Despite this rather clear display of true
authority, the people still revolt against Moses and Aaron (and still vote red in Georgia,
apparently). A plague breaks out, and Moses tells Aaron to run into the midst of the
congregation with incense to make expiation for the people; they eventually save the day, but
14,700 perish. As additional proof that the Levites are supposed to in charge of ritual stuff,
God tells Moses to have the chiefs of each tribe leave their staffs in the Tent of Meeting; the
next day, the staff of the house of Levi “sprouted and brought forth blossoms and almonds”. The
last section of the parashah reaffirms clearly the responsibilities and duties of the
Levites and Cohanim, as well as the perks and tithes. Order is maintained, and equilibrium
apparently reestablished—but at a great cost.
The last paragraph of chapter 17, however, is extremely telling. The people have been greatly
traumatized by all these shenanigans, and even after all the signs of Divine guidance, they cry
out to Moses: “Lo, we perish! We are lost, all of us lost! Everyone who so much as ventures
near the Lord’s Tabernacle must die. Alas, we are doomed to perish!” At first they presumed
that everyone had a right to perform the priestly duties, and now they are afraid to even walk
next to the Tabernacle. They still don’t trust authority, and they still don’t trust in God!
Let us all hope and pray that in next year’s Congressional elections the American people aren’t
overly traumatized and disheartened by the present political maelstrom and the consequences of
the present leaders’ actions. May we have continued faith in our system of government and
renewed trust in our elected officials to do what is truly in the best interests of the nation.
And may the US continue to lead the world towards a more just, peaceful, prosperous,
environmentally sound, and healthy future for all.
Shabbat shalom!
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NB: The opinion above is solely that of the author of this weekly
column, Dan Lessner, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of CHESMA, AC,
or anyone else for that matter. As we often say: “Two Jews, three opinions”.
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In Spanish, following Morning Services and
Kiddush. All are welcome.
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JC3 Film Series on Sunday,
June 25 @ 4 pm
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The Quest for Who we might be
Under our Civilized Fasade
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The Jungle Book is a film that is a visual marvel that cuts a path to the heart. Director Jan
Favreau conjures a magical place to get lost in, he has managed to blend what's best in the jungle
stories of Rudyard Kipling into something unique and unforgettable, Be prepared to be wowed. A real
feast for the eyes.
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Tickets available at the door. Cost 100 pesos.
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Sunday, July 2 @
11am-1pm
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The Improv People are
organizing a special 2 hour improv workshop this coming July
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The maximum # of students is 20 people, the minimum is 8 people. $200 pesos per
person.
Join Eli and Joseph, co-founders of San Miguel's favorite - and only- improv troupe "The Improv
People" for a fun and engaging improv workshop! Reconnect to your playful self, learn to say YES to
life and become more spontaneous, as we explore the fundamentals of this fun and freeing artform
through theater games. Discover the secrets of improv theater and witness them in action a week
later at the next show by The Improv People (Tickets for "We Got Nothin'" will be on sale at
Santa Ana theater box office in late June.)
This workshop is open to all levels, and group size is limited. Please sign up early if you want to
join in the fun!
BIOS:
Eli Hans
Mexico City, MX
Eli is an actor, director, and acting coach. He has worked in TV, film and video, musical and theatrical
productions and has enjoyed a successful voice-over career for nearly two decades. He spent a few
years at San Diego's Old Globe Theater as director of a renowned bilingual theater education program. Eli is the artistic director of The
Improv People, co-founder of Sublime Design Interiors and is passionate about helping others
discover their own passions and life purpose, through transformational workshops and one-on-one
coaching at RediscoverYourPassions.com
Joseph Bennett
San Diego, CA
Joseph is the founder and managing director of The Improv People. He began working in the
theater in elementary school and has studied acting,
ballet, jazz dance, stand-up comedy, and improv. He has been teaching people to 'make stuff up' for the past
five years. Joseph is also an accomplished assemblage artist
(www.artbybennett.com/) and a life-coach and practicing hypnotherapist.
(josephbennett.org)
Please call 415 103 8027 if you have any questions. Gracias!
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Sunday, July 9 @ 4-5:30
pm
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Ruth Behar- “The Fascination of Jewish Cuba”
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Ruth Behar is a writer, anthropologist, and a Jewish
Cuban-American. Her work includes academic studies, poetry, memoir, filmmaking and literary
fiction. She is a highly sought after speaker
As an anthropologist, she argues for the open acceptance and acknowledgement of the subjective
nature of research and participant-observers. Consistent with her views, she writes from a personal
perspective.
Ms Behar is the first Latina to receive a MacArthur genius grant. She has also received a
Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Fellowship and many other awards. She writes about, and leads
tours to Cuba and Jewish Cuba, where she lived until age 5, when her family moved to New York City.
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Ruth Behar book
presentation.
Members 100 pesos, non-members 120 pesos.
Tickets for sale at the JC3 at the day of the event or at office hours
Mon - Thu 9 to 5 pm, Fri 9 to 3 pm
Phone 185 9191
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FIRST FRIDAY LIVE! is back
Friday, August 4 @ 5:30
pm
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Join us for a short, lively celebratory musical Shabbat service. We will honor the traditions
of Judaism by using familiar and contemporary poetry, songs, stories and other readings. You
will be invited to join in the singing and share in the readings.
We will begin each Shabbat gathering with a “meet and greet Oneg" at 5:30 pm. The Service
itself will begin at 5:45 and conclude by 7:00 pm (in time for your evening plans.)
Services will be led by Maxine Graboyes, formerly the Cantorial Soloist for B’nai Vail
Congregation in Vail, Colorado for the past 23 years. She brings grace and enthusiasm to the
music - that makes people want to join in, raise their voices and experience the joy of
Shabbat. Maxine has also had a long career as a professional singer appearing on Broadway,
television, and recordings.
Joining Maxine in leadership will be Judith Jenya, a life-long explorer of various Jewish
paths. She has received awards for her work with international humanitarian programs and Jewish
philanthropies. Judith also served as a former director of a large Reform synagogue in northern
California and has led various types of services.
We look forward to your heartfelt participation. We want to build a community and make a
spiritual home for non-traditional Jews and those who may not have participated in other Jewish
observances in San Miguel.
If you are celebrating a special event, wish to honor someone dear to you, or simply want to
help our growing spiritual community, perhaps you would like to consider sponsoring a First
Friday Live! Oneg Shabbat.
First Friday..Live will happen each first
Friday of the month.
Please join us! All are welcome!
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