Words From Rabbi White

Dear Chevra Shaas/Shearith Israel,  

I apologize for not having written last week. My intention had been to sit down on Wednesday after Yomtov, but I came down with a terrible chest cold. At least, the illness waited until after I read the aseret ha-dibrot and aqdamot for my shul on Tuesday morning, and then walked over to my grandchildren in the neighbouring town of Bergenfield for the Yom tov meal.

I was so pleased to learn of the great event that happened recently for Chevra Shaas: Louis Philippe Lafrance has officially joined Am Yisrael. Mazal Tov to Sharon Shenhav and the whole family!!!! “veyiqqarei beyisrael Ittay ben Avraham.”  We wish the family much good health and “nachat.”

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Michael Rubin and Leslie Rubin Orlinsky observe for their father Leonard on Friday 17 Sivan.

Robert Skolnik observes for his mother Katie on 24 Sivan. May the memories be for a blessing.

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I have often been asked to describe Teaneck, so here are some thoughts: Teaneck is a township in northern NJ. It is a diverse community, with a population of around 42,000. It is estimated that around 15,000 residents are Jewish. Living here is probably somewhat comparable to Cote St. Luc/Hampstead.  Many people commute to Manhattan, which is on the other side of the Hudson River. Other communities with large Jewish populations that are contiguous or close by are Bergenfield, New Milford, Fair Lawn, Englewood, Tenafly. Our communities are among the first exits after crossing the George Washington bridge, although I personally hate having to drive over the Bridge, as there is often much traffic.

We are blessed with many shuls and Jewish schools, and famous for our many restaurants.

Watch out for further installments in future weeks!

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This coming Sunday night and Monday is the 20th of Sivan, known in Hebrew as “kaf Sivan.” This day had been declared a fast day by the great rav Rabbeinu Tam, to remember the 30-50 Jews burned at the stake in Blois, France in 1171. The date was confirmed as a fast day to remember the thousands of Jews massacred by Chmielnicki’s troops in Poland, in 1648. Apparently, in light of all the “tsoros” that our people have experienced in recent years, the date has not been observed. [The date also happens to be the yahrzeit of my dear sister, Menucha Sara, Muriel Gerofsky a”h.]

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In the parasha, the people are marching to the Land of Israel. You might think that once in the Promised land, everything will be “hunky-dory.” HaShem says no, you must be prepared for problems. See chapter 10:9 at the end of aliya #4: sound the trumpets when the enemy tries to attack! We had a case this past week with that young lady Greta Thunberg. Whatever your attitude about Gaza, Israel responded as they had to. Greta and friends have been deported by Israel, for attempting to break Israel’s arms embargo against Hamas.  They were angry at Israel for having “kidnapped” them. But they had no problem with Hamas having killed and kidnapped on October 7. Thunberg had made a name for herself when she was a 15-year-old high schooler who was active in climate issues. We see here the dangers of “intersectionality,” as “liberal” causes tend to be intertwined.

Shabbat shalom, Shalom. `al Yisrael, Rabbi Menahem White, Chevra Shaas