Incredibly it is July already and that means we are all gearing up for the celebration of Independence Day. Both Israel and the United States celebrate independence days, and fought wars to secure that independence, but with a distinct difference. Israel had to fight its war the same day it declared its independence, making the 5th day of the month of Iyar the unquestioned date of Israeli Independence Day. The United States, on the other hand, had a more nuanced start to its war and so there are actually many different possible dates we can choose. One such date could be April 19, when in 1775 colonial militia fired the first shots against British troops, leading to near certain war. Another possibility is July 2, when in 1776 the Continental Congress took the formal vote that authorized dissolving the connection with Great Britain. Indeed, John Adams even wrote to his wife Abigail saying that July 2 would be celebrated for generations to come. A third possibility is July 4, because that is the date that appeared on the Declaration of Independence itself when it was officially adopted and printed in 1776. A fourth possibility is July 19, when the Continental Congress authorized the Declaration to be formally written on parchment and preserved as an historical document. There is even a fifth possibility, August 2, when the vast majority of the delegates actually signed the Declaration. Five possibilities, all potentially correct, but the 4th was chosen because that is the date everyone sees when they look at the Declaration. Just goes to show how one simple yet well placed date can create so much meaning for an entire nation.
Now that summer is in full swing, the Rabbi Search Committee continues in its efforts to search for a new rabbi for next year. We will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this year, with interviews scheduled for the fall and winter. The Board now plans to have a new rabbi selected by the spring of 2025, just before Rabbi Dean’s retirement. We will provide more updates as we start to hear from our candidates.
Also, this week Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a booth at the El Cerrito 4th of July festival on Thursday, July 4. Larry has a sign up sheet for those who would like to volunteer their time to help spread the word about our congregation. Please email me or Larry if you would like to help out. It is always a wonderful time to contribute our efforts to promote TBH and get to know more people in the community. Next week, TBH will be hosting an Adult Field Trip at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley on Saturday, July 13 to see the Actor’s Ensemble play Much Ado About Nothing. Anyone who is interested can RSVP with Jane Kemp. Everyone will meet at the TBH parking lot at 2:00 p.m. and carpool to the event. And please mark your calendars for Sunday, August 4, when the Oakland A’s will be hosting their final Jewish Heritage Night (and playing the Dodgers, which is a great bonus!). Please email Larry or Brandy to reserve your tickets. The cost is $36/ticket.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place this Friday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. Family shabbats have completed for the year but will resume in September. Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, although Religious School is completed for the year, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services once the kids come back for their classes in August. Thank you everyone!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna and David, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel
From the Presidents – July 5, 2024
July 5, 2024 by tbhrich • president
Shalom Everyone!
Incredibly it is July already and that means we are all gearing up for the celebration of Independence Day. Both Israel and the United States celebrate independence days, and fought wars to secure that independence, but with a distinct difference. Israel had to fight its war the same day it declared its independence, making the 5th day of the month of Iyar the unquestioned date of Israeli Independence Day. The United States, on the other hand, had a more nuanced start to its war and so there are actually many different possible dates we can choose. One such date could be April 19, when in 1775 colonial militia fired the first shots against British troops, leading to near certain war. Another possibility is July 2, when in 1776 the Continental Congress took the formal vote that authorized dissolving the connection with Great Britain. Indeed, John Adams even wrote to his wife Abigail saying that July 2 would be celebrated for generations to come. A third possibility is July 4, because that is the date that appeared on the Declaration of Independence itself when it was officially adopted and printed in 1776. A fourth possibility is July 19, when the Continental Congress authorized the Declaration to be formally written on parchment and preserved as an historical document. There is even a fifth possibility, August 2, when the vast majority of the delegates actually signed the Declaration. Five possibilities, all potentially correct, but the 4th was chosen because that is the date everyone sees when they look at the Declaration. Just goes to show how one simple yet well placed date can create so much meaning for an entire nation.
Now that summer is in full swing, the Rabbi Search Committee continues in its efforts to search for a new rabbi for next year. We will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this year, with interviews scheduled for the fall and winter. The Board now plans to have a new rabbi selected by the spring of 2025, just before Rabbi Dean’s retirement. We will provide more updates as we start to hear from our candidates.
Also, this week Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a booth at the El Cerrito 4th of July festival on Thursday, July 4. Larry has a sign up sheet for those who would like to volunteer their time to help spread the word about our congregation. Please email me or Larry if you would like to help out. It is always a wonderful time to contribute our efforts to promote TBH and get to know more people in the community. Next week, TBH will be hosting an Adult Field Trip at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley on Saturday, July 13 to see the Actor’s Ensemble play Much Ado About Nothing. Anyone who is interested can RSVP with Jane Kemp. Everyone will meet at the TBH parking lot at 2:00 p.m. and carpool to the event. And please mark your calendars for Sunday, August 4, when the Oakland A’s will be hosting their final Jewish Heritage Night (and playing the Dodgers, which is a great bonus!). Please email Larry or Brandy to reserve your tickets. The cost is $36/ticket.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place this Friday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. Family shabbats have completed for the year but will resume in September. Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, although Religious School is completed for the year, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services once the kids come back for their classes in August. Thank you everyone!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna and David, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel