Adas Yehuda v'Shoshana

From Rabbi Sherbill
This spring, while the experience of Passover is still new, participate in the singular offerings of our
community shul.
Seasons come and seasons pass. These seasons of spring and summer also encompass the time frame found
within the Book of Ruth. The story opens with the ripening of the barley and concludes with the harvesting of
the wheat. Somewhere between ten and twelve weeks. In between, there was sufficient time for Ruth to be
brought under the wings of Divine Providence and for Jewish history to be propelled forward to the generation
of David.
The same time frame, approximately, exists for our community synagogue’s fiscal year. The wheat we all
enjoyed in the matza, the wheat of Pesach, and the wheat in Bethlehem (House of Bread) represents all the
bread we need to sustain us all the days of our life.
The synagogue is the place where Jewish community is built and lives. The shul provides a spiritual place
dedicated to prayer, a physical place, desired by all, to conduct the rhythmic events of life.
AYSH continues building and remains the one institution available for significant Jewish future growth
opportunities. This is because of who we are as a Havura, but also due to the elegant property we occupy. We
now need your financial help and your moral support. Pledge today to speak well of your Havura, your Rabbi,
your leadership, your fellow co-religionists and of Israel.
On Passover we said, “All who are hungry, let them come and eat.” Our synagogue provides spiritual support
and pastoral services to all who are hungry. Too many families cannot fully afford being here without subsidy.
Your membership could only be said to pay for a fraction of the maintenance of the building.
The Torah says that receiving a blessing requires the heart to give freely if the blessing is to be sealed. If your
family received a blessing through me or others at AYSH, complete the blessing process. The wheel of favor
and fortune continually turns. The hour of need is now. The time of blessing will be heard again on the balance
sheets of our synagogue.
Remember the symbol of spring at the Seder? The paltry parsley gets remembered as the only food likely to be
eaten for a long while. To what may this be compared? Of particular mention is AYSH’s “Season’s Pass.”
Your children, family, neighbors or friends can be members of AYSH this spring and summer for a ‘Jubilee’
price of fifty dollars (US). Folks who are supporting of the religious educational and cultural goals of our
Havura can now take advantage of our programs and classes, as well as the rich spiritual life that exists with
the walls of Northbrook’s Community Synagogue.
People may wish to indicate their affiliation with our community. This is a perfect opportunity. You can
demonstrate your solidarity with your community by recommending a “Seasons Pass” for your friend or
family. This spring they may have heard, or you have heard, that Northbrook Community Synagogue had
foundered in deep waters of debt. AYSH wants to emerge from the current bitter waters as a synagogue strong
enough to achieve our aims and objectives: to worship in a way meaningful to us personally; to celebrate with
each other joyfully; to teach all who want to learn ‘Yiddishkeit’
Our Havura has a roster of families that is the reason for our endurance. In these times of transition, of
paradigms shifting, the heavenly source that blesses our community with an exquisite structure to accomplish
our mission will not falter.
The parsley, or what could be another food, determined our custom of tasting spring’s renewal. We dip parsley
in salt water on Passover. It is not as tasty as apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah. Transmitting the promise
of freedom, somehow, requires tasting the tears.
At this time, your trust and confidence in AYSH will restore the fundamental soundness of the congregation.
With all Blessings,
Rabbi Daniel Sherbill

Adas Yehuda v'Shoshana

Read this week's d'var Torah.

When should I light candles?

The Cheder @AYSH

Let your child learn about and be proud of his or her Jewish heritage!

Small, individualized classes, warm, loving, qualified staff.Traditionally based Jewish education, including:

*reading and writing Hebrew, Torah, prayers,

*holidays, and history.

*Hebrew school meets Sunday mornings,and Tuesday afternoons, in our modern synagogue in Northbrook.

*Reasonable Tuition, taking registration now for the 2009 / 2010 school year.

Although membership is encouraged and welcome, you need not be a member to enroll your child.

Please call 847-509-9204, or send e-mail to ayshcheder@hotmail.com