Shabbat Shalom ~ Beha’alotcha 2025

Shalom WJC Family,

It’s Friday the 13th – but don’t be nervous. For us Jews, Friday the 13th is a lucky day…or at least this one is. It’s June 13th, or 6/13, and 613 is a segulah for Jews. It is the number of mitzvot in the Torah – 248 positive mitzvot (do this!) and 365 negative mitzvot (don’t do this!) We often refer to these 613 mitzvot by the letters that equal 613 in numerical value – TaRYaG. So, happy TaRYaG Day! May we all merit to do many mitzvot today and everyday in honor of the occasion.

Speaking of mitzvot, I am getting very excited as the 2025 Ride for the Living is just two weeks from today! On Friday the 27th, 15 members of the synagogue and I will ride bicycles from Auschwitz-Birkenau to Krakow, tracing the footsteps of survivors who walked back to the city after being liberated only to find no other Jews remaining. Now, thanks in large part to the efforts of the JCC Krakow, that Jewish community is slowly rebuilding, bringing vibrant Jewish life back to this once grand Jewish city. As a Jew, to turn your back on the gates of Auschwitz and ride to a lively, festive Shabbat dinner in Krakow is one of the greatest privileges there is.

If you are not participating with us on bicycles this year, but would like to be part of the mitzvah you can do so by sponsoring our ride with a donation. Every cent of the funds raised will go to support JCC Krakow’s mission of supporting the 85 or so survivors that still reside in Krakow, providing the growing Jewish community with a rich tapestry of Jewish religious and cultural programming, and being a resource for the dozens of Poles who every year discover their hidden Jewish roots on their Jewish journeys. To donate and support our team, click here.

Some mitzvot are simple, like it’s a mitzvah to find reasons to be grateful and feel joy. That’s why this Shabbat morning we are celebrating all those who have a milestone birthday ending in a zero in 2025 with a special sponsored Kiddish. Join us to celebrate your new decade or to help celebrate with those who do!

Before that on Friday night we have a beautiful evening planned with two 7pm services, our regular, beautiful Friday night service without instruments and a Rhythm & Ruach service with the R&R band. The services will be preceded by a Community Shabbat dinner at 6pm, registration required, and followed by our Community Volunteer Recognition Reception and Installation of Officers. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor all those who make WJC so special by spending their volunteer hours on us, especially our outgoing president Larry Thaler and incoming president Yale Zoland. I look forward to seeing you there!

See you in shul,

RJA