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NEWSLETTER
Vol. 6, No. 77 July 27th, 2017
shalomsanmiguel.org
Saturday July
29th @ 9:00 am
Masorti/Conservative Shabbat Shacharit
Service
Parashat Devarim
Shabbat Chazon
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
We begin the last book of the Torah reading cycle this week with parashat Devarim, the first section of the Book of Deuteronomy. In Greek, that means “Second Law”, which reflects its Hebrew appellation Mishnei Torah, “repetition of the Torah. In reality however, although many events of the previous books are repeated in Deuteronomy, 70 of the 100 or so mitzvot in this book are in fact not found elsewhere in the Torah. (These laws deal mostly with arrangements for living in the Promised Land and with a new emphasis on a central sanctuary now that they were about to settle there, and Moses apparently didn’t need to tell them these details until this point.)
Our reading this week is a recap of the Israelites’ experience from the Exodus up until the point where they are now poised to cross the Jordan River and finally enter the Promised Land. Chapter 1 recounts the first 2 years of their journey, with special emphasis on the affair of the Twelve Spies sent by Moses to reconnoiter the Land and its aftermath. BTW, as a tie-in to explain why this section is read right around Tisha B’Av, the rabbis claim that the report of the majority of the scouts (that the Land was heavily fortified and peopled by giants) caused them to cry out in despair on the 9th day of Av. God, upset once again at their lack of faith, decreed that Tisha B’Av would become a day of weeping. (I hear my father’s voice here: “Oh, you want to cry? I’ll give you something to cry about!”) Chapter 2 and 3 fast-forward 38 years to the story of the Israelites entering the land east of the Jordan after skirting the Moabite territory and doing battle with the Amorite kings Og and Sihon. They are ready to cross into Canaan, and are encouraged “not to fear them, for it is the Lord your God who will battle for you.” (3:22)
So why was this repetition necessary? Deuteronomy/Devarim can be seen as one long “pep talk” by Moses to the new generation that will enter the Promised Land. Except for Joshua and Caleb, Moses is the last guy alive who personally experienced the miracles that God performed for the Jewish people in Egypt, at the Reed Sea, and at Mount Sinai. He knows he will die before entering the Land, and wants to make sure that the people understand and appreciate all that had transpired, and repetition is an important, tried-and-true learning tool!
From a more modern, ‘scientific-historical’ perspective, many biblical scholars believe that this fifth book of the Bible was initially written in the 8th century BCE, around the time of the destruction/absorption of the ten northern tribes of the Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians following their revolt in 722 BCE. According to this theory, people fleeing to Judea brought with them customs and beliefs that were “new” to the south, such as the central idea that YHVH wasn’t just the most important of the gods, but the only God to be worshipped! King Josiah initiated radical reforms to rid Jerusalem of idolatry, and as Assyrian power waned, ushered in a new nationalist agenda. This included the state theology of loyalty to YHVH alone: the covenant between God and Israel (Deut. Chapter 5) replaced and superseded the covenant between Israel and Assyria. According to these modern scholars, Deuteronomy took its final form during and after the Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BCE. The story about a people entering the Promised Land resonated greatly with a people about to return to rebuild their homeland; the legal sections of chapters 19–25 were expanded to meet new situations that had arisen, and chapters 31–34 were added as a new conclusion.
Regardless of your belief in who wrote the Bible or when, the Book of Deuteronomy/Devarim is a beautifully written, awe-inspiring work which greatly influenced later Jewish tradition. Much of the core of Jewish worship is found in Deuteronomy-- the reciting the Sh’ma (6:4); the public reading of the Torah (31:11); the Birkat Hamazon after meals (8:10); recitation of Kiddush on Shabbat (5:12); affixing mezzuzot and wearing tefillin (6:8-9, 11:18,20); the wearing of tzitzit (22:12); and charity to the poor/tzedakah (15:8) are prime examples. Dueteronomy is alsso the source of the concept that religious life should be based on a sacred book and its study; it urges all Israelites to study God’s laws and provides explanations and meanings to events and the purpose of laws to secure Israel’s willing, understanding assent [paraphrased from the Etz Hayim chumash].
Shabbat shalom u-m’vorach.
Monday July 31th @ 10:00 pm
New Meditation Group / Meditation Class
A new meditation group and class is forming which will meet for the first time on Monday, July 31 at 10:00 AM at the Jewish Cultural and Community Center, the JC3, corner of Cinco de Mayo and Las Moras. Atendance is open to all interested meditators from first time beginners to those with a long standing regular meditation practice, regardless of religious background.
Some elements of Jewish Meditation will be included. Our intention is to form a group that will meet on a regular basis for sitting practice, guided as well as silent meditation, meditation discussion, and shared learning. If interested in atending please RSVP to Norman at nrfdmd@gmail.com before July 28.
Monday July 31th @ 8 pm
Erev Tisha B’Av Service
Please join us at our annual Erev Tisha B’Av commemoration at the JC3. Following a brief, somber Ma’ariv (evening) service, we will read the Book of Lamentations (in Hebrew, English and Spanish) and discuss the significance of this, considered to be the saddest day in the Jewish calendar by many.
Did you know that on or about the 9th of Av:
• according to midrash, the Twelve Spies sent by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan returned from their mission on this day; only two of the spies (Joshua and Caleb) brought a positive report, while the others spoke disparagingly about the land. The majority report caused the Children of Israel to cry, panic and despair of ever entering the Promised Land. For this, they were punished by God that their generation would not enter the land, and because of the Israelites' lack of faith, God decreed that for all generations this date would become a day of crying and misfortune for their descendants?
• Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE (Anno Mundi [AM] 3175) after a two-year siege and the Judeans were sent into the Babylonian exile. According to the Talmud in tractate Ta'anit, the actual destruction of the First Temple began on the Ninth of Av and the Temple continued to burn throughout the Tenth of Av?
• the Second Temple built by Nehemiah and Ezra (technically the Third, rebuilt by King Herod) was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE (AM 3830), scattering the people of Judea and commencing the Jewish exile?
• the Bar Kokhba Revolt was crushed in 135 CE with the destruction by the Romans of the last rebel stronghold at Betar, killing approximately 580,000 Jewish civilians on August 4, 135 CE (Av 9, AM 3895); subsequently, commander Turnus Rufus had the Temple Mount in Jerusalem plowed under (and removed meters of soil, so that the Temple couldn’t be rebuilt on the exact same site)?
• the First Crusade officially commenced on August 15, 1096 (Av 24, AM 4856), killing 10,000 Jews in its first month and destroying Jewish communities in France and the Rhineland?
• King Louis IX of France ordered the public burning of 24 cartloads (12,000 volumes) of priceless Hebrew manuscripts, including all the Talmuds in Paris, on the 9th of Av in 1242 (for which he was canonized “Saint Louis” in 1297)?
• the Jews were expelled from England on July 18, 1290 (Av 9, AM 5050)?
• the Jews were expelled from France on July 22, 1306 (Av 10, AM 5066)?
• the Jews were expelled from Spain on July 31, 1492 (Av 7, AM 5252)?
• Germany entered World War I on August 1–2, 1914 (Av 9-10, AM 5674), which caused massive upheaval in European Jewry and whose aftermath led to the Holocaust?
• on August 2, 1941 (Av 9, AM 5701), SS commander Heinrich Himmler formally received approval from the Nazi Party for "The Final Solution." As a result, the Holocaust began during which almost one third of the world's Jewish population perished?
• on July 23, 1942 (Av 9, AM 5702), began the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka?
• the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires (AMIA) was bombed, killing 85 and injuring 300 on 18 July 1994 (10 Av, AM 5754)?
And yet…midrash tells us that the messiah will be born on the 9th of Av! May we all live to see the day when peace and brotherhood prevails, and sinat chinam (‘baseless hatred’, the cause of the loss of the Second Temple according to the rabbis) is forever banished.
Wednesday August 2nd
@ 11:00
am
Workshop: The Art of
Living
San Miguel is privileged to have a talented and accomplished new resident with the arrival of Sylvia Kurian.
Kurian is a Mexican psychotherapist who, until recently, ran her own institute (Instituto de Integration Desarrollo Humano AC) in Mexico City. Sylvia believes that “by teaching, [having] practical knowledge in behaviorism and sharing personal experiences, we learn from each other and obtain mutual benefits. I realize that it is impossible to go through life without something hurting, annoying or disappointing. No one is perfect; we learn by mistakes.” Kurian further embraces the philosophy that when we accept life as it presents itself instead of wishing it to be different from what it is, we start growing. It is necessary to understand the lessons that life gives us. It does not matter if the experience is positive or negative; this is the only way we can mature. We must “live by being alive,” attentive to what happens. We must take risks, diving into life to take advantage of the opportunities presented to us – to love, to enjoy, or to suffer. We must learn to communicate our ideas and opinions, express our emotions, and know how to put ourselves in each other’s shoes by understanding where they are coming from. We must strive to respect differences, approach similarities, and be open and spontaneous through it all. In other words, be your true self!
Sunday July
30th @ 4 pm
JC3 Film Series
presents:
"The Zookeeper's Wife"
War brews over Warsaw in 1939, and while life is still running its course, the Germans are slowly beginning to make their presence felt, with Hitler secretly preparing for the German invasion of Poland. Under those circumstances, the young couple of Jan and Antonina Zabinski continue their daily routine as owners and keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, but soon, as German Luftwaffe's Stukas hammer the Polish capital, their life's work together with the city, will turn to ashes. However, with the zoo liquidated for the war effort and many of its animals tragically perished, what was once an animals' zoo, will now serve as a sanctuary where Antonina, the humanist veterinarian, and Jan can hide the persecuted Polish Jews in plain sight until safe houses are found. That was Jan and Antonina's formidable, yet perilous plan, who regardless of the consequences, refused to wither before the Nazi menace, took matters into their own hands and sheltered 300 Jews under the Germans' noses. Written by Nick Riganas
Tickets available at the door. Cost 100 pesos.
Refreshments will be served.
Friday August 4th @ 5:30 pm
FIRST FRIDAY LIVE! is back
First Friday…Live!
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!
Thursday August 10th
@ 4:00
pm
Virtuosi Alfredo Muro and
James Bailey in Concert
Reservations are highly recommended!!
The August 10 concert will feature Alfredo Muro performing works for solo guitar and then in a duo with Dr. James Bailey. They will present works by Pixinguinha, Nazareth, Maguiña, J. S. Bach among others.
Alfredo Muro
Alfredo Muro is a virtuoso Peruvian guitarist whose repertoire embraces many genres and periods of music — from Bach to Piazzola, jazz, afro-samba and the music of Spain. Muro is also a composer, arranger as well as a soloist.
He has appeared in concert in many venues throughout the world. He was the featured artist at the Kennedy Center for the Millennium Concert Series and at The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C, at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. He and his group, “Oro del Peru,” performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
In 2005, Muro was awarded the Outstanding Musician Award, by the Jazz Society of Oregon.
Two of his CDs, “Alma Brasileira 1 & 2,” were produced by the great Brazilian composer and founder of the bossanova movement, Carlos Lyra, who said, “Alfredo Muro demonstrates that there are no frontiers between classical and popular music. He glides with elegance between them.” Muro has recorded over forty CDs and seven of which featured him as solo performer. His most recent release is called “The Passionate Guitar.”
In 2005, he was chosen the Outstanding Musician by the Jazz Society of Oregon. This month Alfredo traveled back to his native Peru to receive the Eureka Prize awarded by the Association of Latin American Artists and Poets.
Alfredo Muro and his wife Rosemarie have relocated to the city of Guanajuato where he teaches students at all levels of accomplishment and performs with the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guanajuato. He will also present a concert in The San Miguel Music Festival in August.
Alfredo has said, "The instrument played closest to the heart is the guitar. Therefore this music must reach the into the hearts of the audience.” That is what he aspires to do in every performance, so that people rise from their seats with an overflowing sense of joy.
James Bailey
Dr. James Bailey grew up in the world of jazz (saxophone) before gravitating to the cello and classical music. He has degrees in cello from the University of Colorado (Masters) and the University of Kansas (PhD). He has been both a professor of cello and orchestral conductor. Bailey’s love of music from around the world eventually led him to meet and form a friendship with guitarist Alfredo Muro. They formed a duo dedicated to Latin music of many countries. Dr. Bailey is also a music producer of classical, jazz, and world music at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, Colorado.
Reservations are highly recommended!!
Tickets will be available at the JC3 office located at:
Calle de las Moras #47 (esquina de Cinco de Mayo)
or Paypal
Tickets: Pre-paid for JC3 members - $200 pesos
Pre-paid non-members - $300 pesos
* Tickets sold at the door are $50 pesos higher.
Bikur Cholim
Our Bikur Cholim committee is for all members needing help with health issues. We would deeply appreciate being informed of anyone critically ill, in serious treatment, hospitalized, or otherwise in dire need of health assistance by family, friends, neighbor, or personally by the shut-in or convalescent individual.
Do not hesitate to call Soli or Judith Cohen for any
kind of help.
Local phone numbers: 152 7311 and 152 1156
Cell 045 55 541 55221 or Gerardo Schwartz Cell 045 331 863 9730
To read more about Bikkur Cholim click here
Membership
Membership dues are a bargain at $180 USD individual or $250 USD/family: we purposely keep the dues
modest (approx. USD$3.50/$4.80 per week, 49/68 cents per day) to encourage everyone to join. Because of these obvious expenses involved in paying our obligations on our new building, all members
are also asked to please consider giving an additional donation to the Building Fund. For more info about how to pay your membership and/or make donations, please click
here.
Thank you-- your generosity is much
appreciated!
How to Pay?
You can pay the USD equivalent in Canadian dollars or in Mexican
pesos at the current local exchange rate, cash, check, bank deposit and very soon in our PayPal account.
BY CHECK
All checks must be made to CHESMA, A.C.
From abroad, kindly mail your dues and donations to:
CHESMA, AC/Shalom San Miguel
220 N. Zapata Hwy, #11 PMB 613A
Laredo, TX 78043
PAYPAL
CASH
If you are in town you can drop off cash or checks at the JC3 (Las Moras #47), if you like, you can call before coming at 415 185 9191.
For your convenience, dues may be left at La Conexion, box 613 A (checks only; please do not leave cash there).
BANK TRANSFER OR DEPOSIT
You may transfer funds from your Mexican bank account into our CIBanco account:
Beneficiario- CHESMA AC
Cuenta - 401323
Clabe- 143180000004013236
Two years ago, the Traditional/Egalitarian Minyan Group under the umbrella of CHESMA, AC was accepted for affiliation with the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and is now a new legal unincorporated religious entity known as "Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende", giving us international recognition and paving the way for greater acceptance by the mainstream Jewish communities in Mexico. All Jewish members of CHESMA, AC who would also like to enroll in the USCJ are asked to please add another $18 USD/about 360 pesos--single or family unit. Even if you don't necessarily consider yourself a Conservative Jew, please help us in this effort by enrolling in the USCJ when you renew your yearly membership to CHESMA, AC.
NB: CHESMA AC and the JC3 remain completely inter-/non-denominational; only the Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende group has affiliated. Enrolling in the USCJ is totally optional, but the more members who do join in, the more clout we have. Thank you.
Ads from our members
For
Sale
New book by
Henri Moyal
Consists of 13 collages each is complemented by an essay written by a different individual. (4 of the essays are in French; the other 9 are in English).
Clever Coitus: 13 Collages/13 Critical Looks.
$270 Mexican pesos or US $13.5
51+% of sales go the the JC3.
Copies available at the JC3 office or contact Henri at
Home: (+52) 415 155 8179
Cellular: (+52) 415 107 8347
Website: henrimoyal.com
For Sale
For Sale
Beautiful antique 14K gold Magen David pendant with diamond chip, approx. 10 mm tall. Appraised at $350 USD, but owner must sell quickly: asking price $250. Contact Edith for more information or to come see it: (415) 185-9191.
ANNOUNCING OXENBERG ART'S GUIDED TOUR OF MIAMI DURING ART WEEK DEC 6 - DEC 10, 2017
You are cordially invited to join a select group of art lovers and explorers from San Miguel to travel to Miami during Art Week in December 2017.
We will be including the following:
* Five Star hotel accommodations, five nights, breakfast included
* Visits to various satellite art fairs all over Miami, entrance fees included
* Lunches included all days
* Dinners included all nights except one to explore Miami on your own
* Guided tour of Art Basel with an experienced art guide exclusively for our guests, fee included
* Museum visits, entrance fees included
* Gallery visits to some of the most exciting exhibits during Art Week
* PRIVATE COLLECTION VISITS, exclusive only @ Oxenberg Art's tour
* Artist studio visits
* Van transportation provided for all tour activities
NOT INCLUDED ROUND TRIP AIR FARE FROM MEXICO TO MIAMI AND TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM AIRPORTS
If you are interested in joining please email us at hoxenberg@aol.com and we will provide detailed itinerary and pricing
for this fabulous trip.
Trip limited to 15 guests so hurry!
Harvey Oxenberg
and Nory Contractor
NEWSLETTER
Vol. 6, No. 75 July 6th, 2017
shalomsanmiguel.org
Friday July 7th @ 7:00 pm
Meditation and Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Yossi Mousalli, an Argentinian/Israeli who regularly comes to SMA to help lead services at the JC3, will lead a meditation to begin the process of ushering in the Sabbath at 7:00 pm (19:00 h). At about 7:45 pm (19:45 h) he will delight us with a musical Kabbalat Shabbat Hebrew Service, to be followed by a potluck dinner and Torah learning.
Saturday July 8th @ 9:00 am
Masorti/Conservative Shabbat Shacharit Service
Turning Curses into Blessings
Balak, the king of Moab, heard about the Israelites’ defeat of the Amorites and he was afraid of this massive hoard coming out of Egypt. Figuring that he could not defeat them militarily, he did what any self-respecting king would do: he sent for Bilaam, a famous witch doctor, to curse them. (One might ask why Balak didn’t ask Bilaam to bless his own people instead of cursing the Israelites, but hey, that’s the tactic he chose.) Messengers are sent to Bilaam to entice him, but God appears to him in a dream and tells him not to go. When they return empty-handed to Balak, he sends more numerous and distinguished emissaries, and this time when he sleeps on it, Bilaam gets a provisional green light from God: he can go if he wants to, but can do only what God commands him. Freewill being what it is, he decides to take the job.
Like Abraham, he gets up early in the morning and saddles his donkey. On the road, an angel tries to foil the journey, but only the donkey sees the apparition (and not this ‘great’ prophet!) He continues on to Moab and goes out 3 times to curse the Israelites, but each time he opens his mouth, only blessings come forth (including the famous “Ma tovu/How goodly are your tents, your dwelling places, O Israel!” that many Jews say when first entering a synagogue.) King Balak isn’t happy, and sends Bilaam packing. He then goes with ‘plan B’, and sends Moabite women out to whore around with the Israelite men. This attempt is met with much more success, and God sends a plague (not HIV) that decimates the tribe until Pinchas, (son of Eleazer, the Kohen Gadol) takes matters into his own hands and makes shishkabab out of an Israelite guy and Midianite woman who were apparently found in flagrante delicto in the midst of the Israelite camp.
And so ends the parashah. There’s a lot to comment on, but I want to concentrate on Bilaam’s character a bit here. Who was this guy? From the text, it appears that he was a gentile prophet who enjoyed a rather close relationship with God. Most classical rabbis believe that either he was a fraud, or that his powers of prophesy were considerably inferior to that of the Hebrew prophets. Talmud paints him as a man whose claim to fame was that he lone knew when to capitalize on the times God’s anger could be channeled (i.e., “at the moment of the crowing of a rooster”) and he is often labeled ha-rasha/the evil one; Bilaam ha-rasha is depicted as being blind in one eye and lame in one foot. Not PC. On the other hand (no pun intended), he is included in the list of persons born circumcised, along with Moses, in the book Abbot De-Rabbi Natan. Midrash is similarly conflicted about Bilaam, and one point of view is that he was as great (if not greater) than Moses. Why? So that the nations of the earth couldn’t say “Well, if only we had a prophet like Moses, we too would follow the Torah!”
Another aspect worth thinking about is Bilaam’s freewill in this story. God obviously does not want him to go to curse the Israelites, and tells him so in the first dream. After all, who really has the power to curse and bless? Can a human being cause bad or good to happen to another without God? Then God says he may go if her really wants to in the second dream, but he can only do God’s will--as Midrash Rabbah 20:12 puts it: “I desire not the destruction of the wicked, but since you are bent on following this path that will lead to your destruction, I will not prevent you from doing so”. Yes, we have freewill, one of our Creator’s most precious and precarious gifts. If we choose wisely, we can all turn curses into blessings.
Shabbat shalom u-m’vorach.
Saturday July 8th
@ 12:45 pm aprox.
Torah Study / Discussion Groups
Following the Morning Services and Kiddush (approx. 12:15 pm give or take 15 minutes).
All are welcome.
Saturday July
8th @ 9:00 pm
Havdala and Film
Please join us for a brief Havdalah ceremony to formally end the Sabbath, and then a fascinating film and discussion:
The forbidden education (Spanish title La Educación Prohibida) is an independent film released in 2012. It describes a variety of alternative education practices and unconventional schools in
Latin America and Spain, and includes educational approaches such as popular culture, the Montessori system, progressive education the Valntorf education, at home
teaching.
English subtitles.
Sunday July 9th
@ 4:30 pm
Ruth Behar- “Many Migrations: My Story as a Cuban Jew”
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 acknowledgment 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.
Her most recent book, a young adult novel, "Lucky Broken Girl" is the story of a young girl from Cuba who migrates with her family to New York City. As an immigrant in a new country, she must learn a new language and adapt to a new culture. Then at age 11, she is in a terrible car accident. She spends the next year in a body-cast and then must learn the hard lessons of loss, including relearning how to walk and making sense of her now imperfect body. The story of her creativity flowering while in a body-cast is reminiscent of Frida Kahlo.
Ms. Behar says, “I was an immigrant child and grew up to be a traveler, a professional nomad living with a suitcase by my bed.” As an anthropologist she spends long periods of time getting to know people and cultures. She has focused on Spanish-speaking countries. She has traveled back and forth to Mexico, Spain and her native Cuba.
Her talk will include a power point presentation. She will also read from her new book which will be available for purchase at the event.
This presentation is open to the public.
Members pay $100 pesos, non members $120 pesos.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet and hear this remarkable woman, author, and cultural anthropologist
Tickets for sale at the JC3 at the day of the event
Phone 185 9191
Wednesday July 26th
@ 11:00 am
Workshop: The Art of Living
San Miguel is privileged to have a talented and accomplished new resident with the arrival of Sylvia Kurian.
Kurian is a Mexican psychotherapist who, until recently, ran her own institute (Instituto de Integration Desarrollo Humano AC) in Mexico City. Sylvia believes that “by teaching, [having] practical knowledge in behaviorism and sharing personal experiences, we learn from each other and obtain mutual benefits. I realize that it is impossible to go through life without something hurting, annoying or disappointing. No one is perfect; we learn by mistakes.” Kurian further embraces the philosophy that when we accept life as it presents itself instead of wishing it to be different from what it is, we start growing. It is necessary to understand the lessons that life gives us. It does not matter if the experience is positive or negative; this is the only way we can mature. We must “live by being alive,” attentive to what happens. We must take risks, diving into life to take advantage of the opportunities presented to us – to love, to enjoy, or to suffer. We must learn to communicate our ideas and opinions, express our emotions, and know how to put ourselves in each other’s shoes by understanding where they are coming from. We must strive to respect differences, approach similarities, and be open and spontaneous through it all. In other words, be your true self!
All are welcome. Cost 100 pesos.
Sunday July 30th @ 4:00 pm
JC3 Film Series presents:
"The Zookeeper's Wife"
Tickets available at the door. Cost 100 pesos.
Refreshments will be served.
Monday July 31th @ 10:00 pm
New Meditation Group / Meditation Class
A new meditation group and class is forming which will meet for the first time on Monday, July 31 at 10:00 AM at the Jewish Cultural and Community Center, the JC3, corner of Cinco de Mayo and Las Moras. Atendance is open to all interested meditators from first time beginners to those with a long standing regular meditation practice, regardless of religious background.
Some elements of Jewish Meditation will be included. Our intention is to form a group that will meet on a regular basis for sitting practice, guided as well as silent meditation, meditation discussion, and shared learning. If interested in atending please RSVP to Norman at nrfdmd@gmail.com before July 28.
Friday August 4th @ 5:30 pm
FIRST FRIDAY LIVE! is back
First Friday…Live!
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!
Bikur Cholim
Our Bikur Cholim committee is for all members needing help with health issues. We would deeply appreciate being informed of anyone critically ill, in serious treatment, hospitalized, or otherwise in dire need of health assistance by family, friends, neighbor, or personally by the shut-in or convalescent individual.
Do not hesitate to call Soli or Judith Cohen for any
kind of help.
Local phone numbers: 152 7311 and 152 1156
Cell 045 55 541 55221 or Gerardo Schwartz Cell 045 331 863 9730
To read more about Bikkur Cholim click here
Membership dues are a bargain at $180 USD individual or $250 USD/family: we purposely keep the dues
modest (approx. USD$3.50/$4.80 per week, 49/68 cents per day) to encourage everyone to join. Because of these obvious expenses involved in paying our obligations on our new building, all members
are also asked to please consider giving an additional donation to the Building Fund. For more info about how to pay your membership and/or make donations, please click here.
Thank you-- your generosity is much appreciated!
How to Pay?
You can pay the USD equivalent in Canadian dollars or in Mexican
pesos at the current local exchange rate, cash, check, bank deposit and very soon in our PayPal account.
BY CHECK
All checks must be made to CHESMA, A.C.
From abroad, kindly mail your dues and donations to:
CHESMA, AC/Shalom San Miguel
220 N. Zapata Hwy, #11 PMB 613A
Laredo, TX 78043
PAYPAL
CASH
If you are in town you can drop off cash or checks at the JC3 (Las Moras #47), if you like, you can call before coming at 415 185 9191.
For your convenience, dues may be left at La Conexion, box 613 A (checks only; please do not leave cash there).
BANK TRANSFER OR DEPOSIT
You may transfer funds from your Mexican bank account into our CIBanco account:
Beneficiario- CHESMA AC
Cuenta - 401323
Clabe- 143180000004013236
Two years ago, the Traditional/Egalitarian Minyan Group under the umbrella of CHESMA, AC was accepted for affiliation with the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and is now a new legal unincorporated religious entity known as "Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende", giving us international recognition and paving the way for greater acceptance by the mainstream Jewish communities in Mexico. All Jewish members of CHESMA, AC who would also like to enroll in the USCJ are asked to please add another $18 USD/about 360 pesos--single or family unit. Even if you don't necessarily consider yourself a Conservative Jew, please help us in this effort by enrolling in the USCJ when you renew your yearly membership to CHESMA, AC.
NB: CHESMA AC and the JC3 remain completely inter-/non-denominational; only the Kehilla Shalom San Miguel de Allende group has affiliated. Enrolling in the USCJ is totally optional, but the more members who do join in, the more clout we have. Thank you.
Mi Shebeirach
Included among our many prayers for a speedy and complete healing, we would like to mention those for members Laib Hirsh ben Sura v’Mechel, Devorah Gadit bat Sara, Avram ben
Elaine, Itke bat Olga, Yitzchak ben Gucha v’Aron, Ya'acov ben Gershon v’Lea, Batya Chaya bat Sura, Zahava bat Shula, Batya bat Sura, Gershon ben
Malka Ziporah bat Khisha; Avroom Zissa bat Beti, Orlie bat Sarah, Yonatan David ben Miriam, Nejamá Flores Mercado; Leslie Cohen, Rita Salander, Rivka Leah bat
Rucha, Liora Elisheba bat Sarah, Yehudit bat Naomi, Miriam Sa’arah bet Naomi, Eliyahu Arazi ben Avraham, Michelle Andrea Elías Castro, Rhonda Barron, Alan Gann, Albert Holtz, Yosef
Nachman Ben Yochevet Ashna.
May the Source of Life bring strength and healing to all who are ill. Amen.
If anyone would like to have the names of their loved ones included here in the newsletter, please write us at shalomsanmiguel@yahoo.com.mx
Yitgadal
If anyone would like to have the names of their loved ones included here in the newsletter, please write us at shalomsanmiguel@yahoo.com.mx
Tribute Cards are available in the office to honor/commemorate your loveones, or for any occasion. Please contact the office for more information: (415)
185-9191
Ads from our members
Dear dear Friends of all times and places,
Ana Victoria Aenlle, resident in San Miguel for over 14 years and a friend, needs our community help due to an
urgent cancer operation she must get in the United States. Please read the annexed document, where she explains the situation.
You are cordially invited to the benefit concert "Songs of Love & Life" that I will give in benefit of Victoria in MuvArte (Next to SAPASMA, in front of
Liverpool) Prolongación Alcocer32, Friday, 14th of July, 7:00 pm.
Contribution: 500 pesos. The tickets will be for sale in Bacco Restaurant (Inside Hotel Sautto), Mixta Boutique (Pila Seca #3, Centro) and
in MuvArte before the concert.
Please share this email with your contacts and thank you very, very much!!! I will be happy to see you in the concert and sing for you.
Alicia Rappoport.
For Sale
New book by Henri Moyal
Consists of 13 collages each is complemented by an essay written by a different individual. (4 of the essays are in French; the other 9 are in English).
Clever Coitus: 13 Collages/13 Critical
Looks.
$270 Mexican pesos or US $13.5
51+% of sales go the the
JC3.
Copies available at the JC3 office or contact Henri at
Home: (+52) 415 155 8179
Cellular: (+52) 415 107 8347
Website: henrimoyal.com
For Sale
For Sale
Beautiful antique 14K gold Magen David pendant with diamond chip, approx. 10 mm tall. Appraised at $350 USD, but owner must sell quickly: asking price $250. Contact Edith for more information or to come see it: (415) 185-9191.
Saturday, July 1st
@ 9 am
Masorti/Conservative Shabbat Shacharit Service
Par’shat Chukkat
Num 19:1-22:1
Zot chukkot ha-Torah asher tzivah Adonai lemor:
This is thechok of
the Torah that Adonai has commanded--Instruct the Israelites to bring you a red cow without blemish…some of its ashes shall be taken for the impure person, and ‘living’ water shall be added to
them in a vessel…and sprinkle it upon the impure person…thus purifying him.
This week’s parashah begins
with a perfect example of a chok (hence, the name of this section, Chukkot), which is a
Torah law that makes no earthly sense to us. How the heck does sprinkling a cow’s ashes mixed with water purify someone who has been in contact with a corpse, exactly? And even more oddly, the
person who sprinkles these “waters of lustration” to purify someone himself becomes ritually impure. Huh?! Yes, of course generations of rabbis have tried to explain why God chose a cow (the
Golden Calf episode), why it’s red (kabbalistically, red represents the “left column” of the sefirot, or God’s
attribute of stern justice), why the water must be ‘living”/mayyim chayyim (that one’s pretty obvious, actually), etc., etc.
Despite searching for deep meanings underlying a rather bizarre and obscure ritual that ceased to have
any utility whatsoever after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the bottom line is a chok is
a chok. Sure, it’s much easier to understand why we aren’t supposed to kill, or steal, or commit adultery. These “logical”
laws are called mishpatim in Hebrew. They make perfect sense to us, and we probably could have figured those out on our own in trying to
make a more perfect society. But the kosher laws, for another example, or the laws of shatnetz (don’t
wear a garment made of mixed linen and wool) are not easily empirically derived. We are asked to perform chukkim out of
sense of obedience, of reverence, of tradition. And because of this, some rabbis believe that following these rather arcane rules out of duty and love for our Creator are perhaps more praiseworthy than following our own sense of morality and, say, not murdering
someone!
While this may be highly debatable, an interesting point is made: doing even what we might consider the
“minor” mitzvot with the proper kavannah (intention) and for the right reasons may have profound spiritual consequences; for instance, in nourishing a
sense of true humility and reverence for God. Are we really so arrogant and self-important to assume we know more than the Holy One (not to mention countless generations of rabbis, sages and
scholars)? How do we really know how God “grades” us, and what is more important to the Infinite One? The whole body of halacha, Jewish law,
is meant to be followed as closely as possible (as interpreted by our rabbis in each generation, according to the Conservative movement)—chukkim as well
as mishpatim, the positive and the negative commandments, the easy and the hard ones. I find it particularly challenging being a
Conservative Jew, with one foot in the modern world and the other in the halachic one. How to avoid “menu Judaism”, picking and choosing which parts we choose to assimilate into our own
lifestyles, while trying to maintain Jewish tradition and adherence to laws that sometimes don’t speak to our 21st century souls?
We truly are Isra-El, we
“struggle with the Divine”.
As my zayde used to
say: “Tsiz shver zayn a Yid”/It ain’t easy being Jewish!
Shabbat shalom u-m’vorach.
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Torah Study / Discussion Groups
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Following the Morning Services and Kiddush (approx. 12:15 pm give or take 15 minutes).
The English-language group will be led by David Lieberman; the Spanish-language group led by Dan Lessner.
All are welcome.
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