The Shema of Victor Frankl

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Chabad of Cary Jewish Center
Candle Lighting Times for
Cary Raleigh:
Friday, Jul 27
8:06 pm
Inside this Issue
  • A Thought from the Rabbi - A Shema Story and Reflection
  • Hebrew School Enrollment - Help Spread the Word about our Hebrew School!
  • Minyan this Sunday - And Shivah for the Heller Family
  • Do we Have your Correct Address - For Our Holiday Mailings
  • Teen Programing- New Expanded Monthly Teen Program Starts in the Fall
  • Lunch and Learn  - This Tuesday at 11:45
 
A Thought From Rabbi Yisroel

 

picture of self3.jpg Dear Friend,

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl has sold more than twelve million copies worldwide. Frankl describes his experiences in the Nazi concentration camps, but more than his travails, he writes as a psychologist about what provided him with the strength to survive.

His thesis? That the primary motivational force of every person is a search for meaning.

I had not known, however, that it was the SHEMA prayer, found in this week's Torah Portion, that played a role in this journey.

Shortly after arriving at Auschwitz, Frankl was stripped of his most precious possession—a manuscript that was his life's work, which he had hidden in his coat pocket. Realizing that the odds of his survival were small, "no more than one in twenty-eight," he had what he describes as "perhaps his deepest experience in the concentration camps."

"I had to undergo and overcome the loss of my mental child. And now it seemed as if nothing and no one would survive me; neither a physical nor a mental child of my own. So I found myself confronted with the question whether under such circumstances my life was ultimately void of meaning.

"Not yet did I notice that an answer to this question with which I was wrestling so passionately was already in store for me, and that soon thereafter this answer would be given to me. This was the case when I had to surrender my clothes and in turn inherited the worn-out rags of an inmate who had already been sent to the gas chamber...Instead of the many pages of my manuscript, I found in a pocket of the newly acquired coat one single page torn out of a Hebrew prayer book, containing the most important Jewish prayer, Shema Yisroel. How should I have interpreted such a "coincidence" other than as a challenge to live my thoughts instead of merely putting them on paper?"


What is it about the Shema Yisroel prayer that has inspired so many through the most trying of times and has provided such meaning and purpose to help us survive even the most despairing circumstances?

I think aside from its simple assertion of belief in a single Higher power and the deep mystical meaning hidden within the words of this special prayer, there are a few key psychological elements that have made it our bedrock of faith:

1) RelevanceListen, Israel—The Shema does not begin in the realm of ideology, in the heavens, with a depersonalized statement of faith. It speaks by addressing each and every one of us. Listen, Israel, listen to this message, and make it a part of your being, because this is not speaking above you, not at you, but calling to you.

2) Belonging: The Shema prayer is in plural ("our G‑d" and not "my G‑d"), spoken as a collective group, addressing us all as Israelites. We gain strength from one another and fortitude from being a part of something greater than ourselves. More attractive than ideology is a sense of belonging to one extended family – despite barriers. 

3) Personalization: G‑d is our G‑d. G‑d is "ours." G‑d who is transcendental and infinite is also our personal G‑d who is with us at every moment in time, holding our hand in times of celebration as well as times of despair. G‑d is not just an objective ruler, who created and regulates the cosmos. He is "ours," near to us, subjectively understanding the deepest part of ourselves, more than we do; 

Something to think about next time we say the Shema...

My thanks to Chana Weisberg for sharing this beautiful thought.

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Tomorrow morning, Davening at  4104 Grace Park Drive begins at 9:30 am with Torah Reading and discussion at 10:30 am, and a kiddush at around 12:30 pm. The Kiddush is sponsored by Herb Curkin in memory of his father

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Yisroel and Rebbetzin Chana  

Minyan and Shivah this Sunday Morning

The Chabad of Cary community joins together to mourn the loss of Nancy Heller.  This Sunday marks the end of Shivah and we will have a Shacharit Service at Chabad of Cary together. 

After the conclusion of the service (approximately 9:45) the Heller family will observe the final moments of Shivah as we reflect together on the life of Rivkah Tzvi Bat Avraham. All those wishing too attend can come at either 9 am or 9:45.

May the Omnipresent console you together with all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

 
Do we have your Correct Mailing Address?

In the coming weeks, Chabad of Cary will be sending out our High Holiday information and Candle Lighting Time magnet for the upcoming year.  Please help us make sure our records are accurate.

Have you moved? Are you not sure if you are on Chabad of Cary's mailing list? If so, please email  [email protected] with your updated address so we can be sure you receive this important mailing.  Thank you!

 
Hebrew School Enrollment

Know a child looking for Hebrew School next year?

Register now for a wonderful year of learning! We just finished our largest year to date and we are already preparing for our new school year in the fall. Slideshow from last year at this link.  Our early bird discount ends today!  

RELEVANT. MEANINGFUL. JOYFUL

Imagine a Hebrew School where kids don't want to miss a day. They come in with a smile and leave humming a Hebrew song. Walking through the classes, you can hear the sounds of lively discussion, of singing, laughter and prayer. Imagine a child who feels the warmth and spirit of Judaism. 

Enrollment is now open for our 2018-2019 School Year! More information here

 

 
New Teen Program Beginning in August

Chabad of Cary is happy to announce an expanded teen program for the coming year! While we launched a few teen events this past year, we hope to take that to the next level in the coming year as we hire a new member dedicated specifically to teen programming.

Rabbi Zalmy and Rebbetzin Mushka Dubinsky, the new Chabad couple moving to downtown Raleigh to service Young Jewish Professionals will be coordinating these programs. We look forward to sharing further details in the coming months.

This new initiative is being done in the memory of Debby Bruck. To make a donation in Debby's memory towards this new program, please click here.

 
Lunch and Learn this Week

TUESDAY AT 11:45 AM

Our Lunch and Learn is a wonderful way to infuse the week with meaning. Each class is a stand-alone subject, so you can benefit from each one even if you cannot make the next one. RSVP at  [email protected]

 
Video of the Week

Each week, JLI puts out a quick 1-2 uplifting video on the theme of the Torah Portion or time of year.  They're packed with meaning and will give you a powerful idea to dwell upon.

Please click here to view this video and consider how it can change your perspective on viewing people who act differently then we do.

 
This week @ www.ChabadofCary.org
This Week @ www.ChabadofCary.org
  
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By the Numbers
10 Facts Every Jew Should Know About the Shema Prayer
The Shema prayer is not simply the Jewish declaration of faith that G‑d exists. It is an affirmation that G‑d is the only true existence.
  
Video
What Happens at a Jewish Wedding?
  
Parshah
Who’s Gonna Know?
While we hope that someone, somewhere, takes notice whenever we “do the right thing,” as long as we are driven by the need for that external recognition, we are vulnerable and can be inconsistent.
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 

 

Thank you all for participating in our second annual JFS School Supply drive to benefit Read and Feed of Wake county. The drive will run from July 15th to August 15th. JFS volunteers will be distributing collection bins within the next few days to all participating locations. Please help spread the word to your community! For ideas and materials, or for more information please contact Debbie Ross 919 676 2200 ext 129.

The  Israeli Scouts – Tzofim Friendship Caravan is coming on August 5th at 4:30 PM.  Join the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary as we welcome the Israeli Scouts – The Tsofim Friendship Caravan to our community!  All are welcome to come see their wonderful show and meet these amazing young people!  Great show for all ages!  Event is FREE but please RSVP, Click Here  so we have an idea of how many people are coming.

 

Knishes Are Here!
Knish-a-licious, owned by Jamie and Michael Eliahu, are producing Classic Potato, Sweet Potato, and Kasha knishes out of Sha’arei Israel’s kosher kitchen.  If you’re interested in purchasing knishes, you can place your order by visiting the website www.knish-a-licious.com (click on “Contact Us”) or you can call (919)473-6080.

Please consider a gift to JFS.  Donate Click Here ! 

Save the date for Federation Feeds- 10/4/2018. Learn more HERE.

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Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF)- Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services is the local administrator of the JELF loan. JELF grants interest-free loans to Jewish students from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for post-secondary study at accredited institutions. JELF’s Loans are “last dollar” — they supply the final funds that a student needs to attend school. These loans can be used for study at a college or university, graduate school or professional/vocational school that leads to a degree or certificate. For more information or to apply Click Here !










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