Rabbi's Blog - The Shul of Bellaire

Why a Torah?

Friday, October 25, 2013 - 4:12 PM

Why a Torah?

As we approach the 3rd anniversary since ‘The Shul’ has opened in Bellaire, we are very excited to have launched the Torah Campaign to mark this milestone.

As a community, we have grown and matured over the past three years, and the time is now ripe for us to write a Torah of our own!

But why a Torah?

The Jewish people are compared to the letters of the Torah. In our tradition, no letter is more important than the next. Each letter is dependent upon the other for it to be a Kosher (fit for use) Torah. Similarly, every Jew is linked to all other Jews and if even one Jew is ‘uninvolved’ the rest are incomplete.

As the Jewish community scrambles for ‘the way’ to ensure its vibrant future, now is the time for us to come together - united- to reaffirm our dedication to that which has sustained us as a people throughout our history until today.

Thanks to a lead gift from Susy and Steven Kurewosky we are thrilled to launch- The Chana Kurzon - Bellaire Community Torah. Please participate generously in writing history for our bright Jewish future, so we can complete the Torah for the upcoming three year celebration - this winter. (Further details regarding Torah Dedication Ceremony TBI.)

Please visit the 'Participate' page to make your selection, honoring yourself and your family or to eternalize the memory of a loved one.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky

Proactive Kindness!

Friday, October 18, 2013 - 2:43 PM

Proactive Kindness!

Three angels walk into an inn and ask for a drink.

Sounds like the beginning of a joke. But that is actually the opening of tomorrow’s Torah reading. Besides for the drink part, they didn’t ask for one, they were offered one by the innkeeper, Abraham.

He was so anxious to host people, that only three days after his circumcision, he was already outside looking for people to wine and dine.

We can all take a lesson from Abraham.

Let’s not wait for people to come begging by our door step. Get out there and offer. When it comes to kindness, even a little proactivity can go a very long way.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky

Pew Schmoo!

Friday, October 11, 2013 - 5:14 PM

Pew Schmoo!

What a blessing it is to be a Jew. "Pew" notwithstanding, "Jew" is everlasting!

They can spend millions on population studies - after all, that is what the Pew Research Center's mandate is, to study and analyze social statistics. But what's omitted from the study is that the Jewish People have been beating statistics for thousands of years.

The Research Centers of Abraham's time laughed so hard at the notion that he would become a father of a great nation, but they too missed the point. Abraham is "The Hebrew", literally translated "the Guy from the Other Side".

The world allows itself to be governed by the laws of nature. Abraham - the first Jew - is the one who flouts the statistics and simply forges on, heeding the call of G-d to "Go Forth!". Those are the first words of G-d to Abraham and they remain the clarion call to all his descendants.

If you get worried looking at Pew’s depressing figures of younger generations’ increasing lack of identification with Jewish life, here is the answer. We can sit here and kvetch, or we can be Abrahams, and do something about it. We can, like Noah, build beautiful Arks that will protect us and maybe our families; or we can be Abrahams—go on the offensive! Reach out and make a difference around us.

This must be our calling today. Introduce other Jews to the depth and majesty of Yidishkeit. To arrange conferences contemplating how to change the tide will not get us too far. Abraham did not sit by meetings, he went out and touched souls. Let you and I do the same. Instead of “saving the Jewish world,” let us influence one person, a second person, a third person, and then a fourth. Bring one more Jew to a class or to a Shabbat dinner.

This week 75 women gathered for an inspiring evening of Jewish discovery at the Kickoff Event for the all-new Rosh Chodesh Society. More than ever, Jews are thirsty to discover the depth and richness of their heritage.

The excitement and energy in the air on Tuesday evening, was very encouraging and promising, for a bright Jewish future for our people.

As in our past, the women will be the ones in the lead towards a renewed Jewish renaissance.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky

Awesome month!

Friday, October 4, 2013 - 2:03 PM

Awesome month!

A man once had four sons who never stopped fighting with each other. He was always telling them how much better life would be if they worked together, but they took absolutely no notice of him.

One day he decided to show them what he meant. He called the sons together and put a tightly tied bundle of sticks on the floor in front of them. "Can you break that?" he asked the youngest son. The boy put his knee on the bundle, but though he pressed and pulled with his arms he could not bend the wood. The father asked each son to try to break the bundle, but none of them could do it.

Then he untied the string and scattered the sticks. "Now try," he said. The boys broke the sticks easily.

"Do you see what I mean?" asked the father. "If only you stand together no one can hurt you. If you all disagree the whole time and insist on going your separate ways, the first enemy you meet will be able to destroy you."

This story sums up my feelings of this past month of Holidays. Wow! It sure has been a whirlwind of inspiration, celebration and community growth. What was most inspiring was the coming together of hundreds of people over this holiday season, forming a strong united community.

May this unity and togetherness spill over to the rest of the year!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky