Mazal Tov

  Mazal Tov Carson Scott Goodman (Chaim) on your Virtual Bar Mitzvah

Carlson is the son of Glenn Goodman zl” and Dr. Debbie Goodman and brother of Connor Goodman. Carson is the All American boy excelling in the classroom, sports and the community. Carson attends Miami Country Day School as a seventh grader. He is the recipient of the academic directors list. Carson and his brother established two programs which have been assisting the community for many years.

The first program is in partnership with the Miami Marlins Foundation called Marlins MVP’s. Carson and his family host families who have lost a parent to enjoy a game and a meal at the restaurant at the ballpark. The second program is in partnership with South Florida’s Boys and Girls Club called “Connor and Carson’s Championships- Choose Gloves Not Drugs. Each summer Carson and his brother distribute thousands of dollars of donated baseball equipment including bats, gloves, cleats etc. to kids at the Boys and Girls Club to enjoy summer baseball activities. On Thanksgiving and Christmas morning Carson distributes stuff animals to homeless children to bring smiles and cheer to the kids in the shelter.

 By Professor Raul Moncarz 

Jose Marti ~ La Patria no es Ara, si no, pedestal. Significando que la patria no se le doblega, si no, que se le sirve.

This year we are proud and happy to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of Cuban Independence. Since the middle of the 19thcentury, Cubans yearned to be free and establish their own identity. It finally cae to fruition on May 20, 1902 which is Cuban Independence Day. Absent from the celebrations were two of the heroes of Cuba’s war for Independence, Jose Marti and Antonio Maceo. Present at the celebrations was another hero of Cuban independence, Maximo Gomez a native of the Dominican Republic. Like many other non-Cubans, he played an instrumental role in its independence.

We Cuban Jews also played an important role in Cuban independence. We always remember “el polaco” General Carlos Roloff, as well as many of our ancestors that contributed with their lives to the vision of making Cuban a better place to live and their permanent homes. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the heroes of Cuba’s Independence.

For your family and the world

It is traditional to light a minimum of two candles for Shabbat. The pair of Shabbat candles is one of the most iconic images. Many reasons are given for the number two. It is said that candles are special, holding a purpose one candle alone cannot. Some say it represents the two instances of the 10 commandments of keeping Shabbat given in the Torah.  “Zachoir (remember) the Sabbath,” and “Shamor (keep) the Sabbath.” There are those that hold that the number two underlines the two major themes of Shabbat; creation and revelation.

However, Many household have a tradition of lighting more candles, often one for each member of the family, to honor the memory of those who have passed on and for many creative reasons. 

We ask you to light a candle for the coronavirus pandemic. To wish a speedy recovery to all those affected by the illness, to pray for comfort for those who have lost loves ones and for Hashem to bring this pandemic to an end.

The Blessing

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light Shabbat candles.

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melek ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’ mitzvotav I’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Let’s continue to bring in the Shabbat light into our home, into our lives and into the world.     

Shabbat Shalom

Becky Kobrowski

On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, on Yom Hashoah, we remember the victims of the greatest crime against man-kind – the young, the old, the innocent, the million and a half children, starved, shot, given lethal injections, gassed, burned and turned to ash, because they were deemed guilty of a crime of being different – a JEW.

We remember what happens when hate takes hold of the human heart and turns it to stone; what happens with victims cry for help and there is no one listening; what happens when humanity fails to recognize that those who are not in our image are none the less in God’s image.

We remember and pay tribute to the survivors, who bore witness to what happened, and to the victims, so that robbed of their lives, they would not be robbed also of their deaths. We remember and give thanks for the righteous of nations who saved lives, often at risk of their own, teaching us how in the darkest night we can light a candle of hope.

“WE SHALL NEVER FORGET“

On Tom Hashoah, we call on You, Almighty God, to help us hear Your voice that says in every generation:

Do not murder. Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. Do not oppress the stranger. We know that while we do not have the ability to change the past, we can change the future. We know while we cannot bring the dead back to life, we can ensure their memories live on and that their deaths were not in vain. And on this Yom Hashoah, we commit ourselves to one simple act – Yizkor, Remember. May the souls of the victims be bound in bond of everlasting life AMEN 

This Shabbat, March 21, 2020 will be the first time in the 71 year history of the State of Israel which will not have transportation, theater, sports, restaurants, and malls open on the holy Shabbat everything will be closed.

Whats the first topic of this week Parashat? Moshe assembles all of Israel and talks to them about keeping Shabbat. This Shabbat is not only special in Israel but ALL over the world.

Take a moment this Shabbat to pray or meditate for healing. With our ever abiding faith in G-d, who is our healer, we pray that we, as well as our fellow Americans and the people of the world will conquer the coronavirus disease.

Tonight at candle lighting all Jews around the world are called to their gardens, porches,windows and balcony's to sing Lecha Dodi and Shalom Alechem.

Becky Kobrowski Cohen

Women's League President