We returned from Camp Ramah Darom on Sunday afternoon and it’s great to be back. We love our time at Camp each summer and reconnecting with friends and a place that’s a second home to us. We love the opportunity to witness the future of the Jewish people unfolding right in front of us. We love seeing our daughters smiling from ear to ear as they’re immersed in a Jewish environment and given so many meaningful and fun opportunities. I thank all of you for affording me this annual opportunity to reinvigorate my soul and my spirit and my passion.
Now onto the Parsha. Who was Korach? He was a Levite. He had an uncle named Amram (who had a son named Moses) and thus his cousins were Aaron, Miriam and Moses. He was a member of the leadership class of the Israelite people. He was a persuasive man who led other leaders in a rebellion against the leadership of the people (his own family members). We should attempt to understand the psychology of Korach to better understand where his actions came from. Why would someone who’s so close to the leaders act in such a way? Why would someone who’s related to the other people in charge behave like this? What’s behind his demands and what’s behind his drive? Is it merely a thirst for power? Is it merely his need to be in charge of all other people? Both of these might be true of him but they’re not at the core of his actions. Korach was power hungry and was unable to live in a world where he wasn’t all powerful. Beneath this thirst/hunger for power, was a man who couldn’t be content with what he had and who he was.
We learn in פרקי אבות/Pirkei Avot 4:1 איזהו עשיר? השמח בחלקו./Who is wealthy/happy? The one who is happy with their portion. True wealth or happiness comes from contentment. It comes from a person being able to close their eyes at night without worrying about other people having something that they don’t have. Too few of us have this ability. Too many of us look in the mirror and see what we’re not rather than seeing what we are. Too many of us look in the mirror and see what we don’t have rather than what we do have. Contentment is a gift and something we need to pursue with all we have. We need to be able to see we’re blessed with so many gifts and so many treasures. It’s a sad truth about the world we live in when we constantly look at our lives as lacking so much.
Each of us needs to open ourselves up to being happy with all we have. Each of us needs to recognize there’s so much wealth available to us. Each of us needs to be able to look at our lives and be able to simply say the words: thank you. When more and more of us are able to be content, fewer of us will recognize Korach and his psychology. When more of us are able to smile at the person in the mirror, we’ll be more like Moses, Aaron and Miriam and share in all they achieved in their lifetimes.
FunRaising Trivia Night Motzei Shabbat, Nov 23rd 7:00p to 9:00p Hosted by Michelle Rich, Debbie Cohen Sobel & Leah Kaplan. Featuring NYC Trivia Host Gabe Rich. An Italian vegetarian dinner will be served. All proceeds to benefit Congregation Or VeShalom.
Community Service Projects Thanksgiving 2024 Sunday, Nov 24th 9:00a to 1:00p OVS is partnering with JF&CS to prepare Thanksgiving meals for people living in group housing and care packages for care givers.
Learn to Chant the Torah Wednesday, Dec 4th 7:00p to 9:00p Learn to chant the Torah with Rabbi Gutierrez. This series begins on Tuesday, November 12 through January. There will be no classes Thanksgiving week or during winter break. RSVP requested. Class is offered free of charge.
Town Brookhaven Holiday Kickoff Thursday, Dec 5th 6:00p to 8:30p Join Rabbi Hearshen, friends & family from OVS and the greater community of Brookhaven for this special event. There will be a Giant Hanukkiah, Dance & Musical Performances, Merchant Specials, Character Meet & Greet, and More. No RSVP necessary. Be sure to stop by the OVS table for some goodies!
Cash Raffle 2024 Sunday, Dec 8th 11:00a to 4:00p Enter to win our 50/50 cash raffle. Winner will be drawn at the end of the Sisterhood Bazaar on Sunday, December 8. You do not have to be present to win.
Hanukkah Bazaar and Food Festival Sunday, Dec 8th 11:00a to 4:00p The OVS Sisterhood Hanukkah Bazaar & Food Festival will feature food, shopping and lots of games and activities for children.
Comedy Night FunRaiser Motzei Shabbat, Dec 14th 7:30p to 10:30p Join us for a fun night of comedy featuring our very own Louis Galanti & Lily Maslia providing opening comedy sets for Atlanta legend Jerry Farber. All proceeds to benefit OVS.
Annual General Membership Meeting Sunday, Dec 15th 10:00a to 11:30a The meeting this year is being offered in person and on Zoom. We need a quorum to vote at the Meeting. Please make every effort to attend.
