Happy Birthday Ella!

Dear Friend,

If you missed our amazing Tisha b’av program, here’s a link. Grant Gochin & Silvia Foti told an incredible tale of their post-Holocaust fight for truth & justice. Click here to watch the event 

https://tinyurl.com/y6g6k8yn.

And if last week’s ‘revenge’ of the birth of a great grandson wasn’t enough, our honorary life member Ella Blumenthal strikes again with her 99th birthday this Shabbat Nachamu! 

As a friend from Johannesburg told me yesterday- after hearing Ella tell her survival story on a Zoom meet Wednesday night- our community is privileged to count Ella as a proud member. May the Aibershter continue to bentch her & her family with gezunt & Yiddishe nachas!

Mazel Tov to Berel Lewis on his 80th Birthday, many healthy nachas filled years ahead! 

Mazel Tov to Adv Michael Donen on his 70th Birthday. Michael has been a staunch advocate for the Jewish community & we wish him many happy, healthy, productive years. 

Mazel Tov to Howard & Eleanore Sarembock on their 30th Wedding Anniversary! 

The Temple has been destroyed yet there’s another Temple that still stands- but is teetering. On Sunday 8pm, I will present ‘Inner Space’: an exploration of our home as a Temple. Https://Zoom.us/j/9739958482. Password: 925980. This talk is in memory of my cousin’s pure infant child Shmuel Shneur Zalmen a”h Wineberg. 

Condolences to Arthur Gillis, his mom Daphne & brothers Kevin & Glenn on the passing of their father & husband, Harry Gillis. We wish the family long life and strength in this difficult time.

Condolences to Simeon, Illana & Debra on the loss of their mother, Rose Korber. Rose Korber’s parents, Max & Hannah Stoch are deeply connected to our Shul as former leaders and contributors of the Shul Hall. Rose was always proud of ‘her’ Shul and we wish the family comfort & strength. 

Condolences to Michael Mande & Doryce Sher on the loss of their mother, Sylvia Mande. May the family have comfort & strength.

Condolences to Robert Sussman, Alex Fanaroff, Laurian Theron and Shimon Yudelowitz on the sudden loss of their mother and beloved companion, Dawn Sussman. Dawn had become a shul regular in recent years and her sudden death has shocked our community. May HaShem grant the family strength & comfort. 

On Wednesday we are partnering with Linksfield Shul in Joburg for a talk on reincarnation. I’ll be answering the question: “Is reincarnation Jewish?” And explaining a bit about the journey of the soul. Wednesday August 5, 8pm. Https://zoom.us/j/279229120. Password: 4321

Yesterday’s visit to the Kotel really hit home. Daven e caffe did a tisha b’av special of Tefillin and prayers in the afternoon. Rabbi Shmuel Weiss is a personal friend who mans the Tefillin booth at the Kotel. Yesterday, he “plugged” us right in with his heartfelt message- and then he walked over to the Kotel stones and led us in prayer. I don’t think their was a dry Zoom eye at that moment. May all those who need healing, be blessed immediately with good health!

The Zervice will be at 5pm & Cantor Joffe has promised us some musical treats now that we’re out of the mournful three weeks! Https://zoom.us/j/4545201917. 

Shabbat Shalom & happy reading