A New Year For Us

Erev Rosh
Hashanah
Wednesday
Sept 8th

Rosh
Hashanah
Thursday
Sept 9th

River Service
Rainey Park
Astoria, NY
10:30
(Directions)

Shabbat
Shuvah
Sept 11th

Erev
Yom Kippur
Friday
Sept 17

Yom Kippur
Shabbat
Sept 18th

Erev Sukkot
Wednesday
Sept 22

Sukkot
Thursday
Sept 23

Shemi
Atzeret
Thursday
Sept 30th

For over three generations Black rabbis have been leading their congregations to a body of living water at Rosh Hashanah where they could perform the traditional Tashlich service and blow the ancient rams horn called Shofar. For us these rivers connect us across time and space with our Israelite ancestors.

The Evil Tongue:
A Deadly Sin

Did you know that there are more commandments in Torah that forbid evil speech than there are against eating pork? The nineteenth century rabbi, Yisroel Kagan, better known as the “Chofetz Chayim,” identified thirty-one prohibitions against spreading gossip.  Perhaps there are more warnings about this sin than eating swine because when you violate dietary laws you harm only yourself, but when you convey hurtful or derogatory information about others you harm three people immediately: (1) you damage your own soul, (2) the person who listens becomes an accomplice to the act, and (3) the victim of the evil report is injured. If the damage were only limited to those three it would be serious enough, but each act of evil speech adds a little more poison to the relationships within any congregation, organization, or community that is not on guard against the evil tongue. This lesson on lashon harah (הרע לשן ) which literally means “evil tongue” is intended to educate our community about God’s laws on this subject. A thorough study of what constitutes evil speech and an understanding of the very limited circumstances under which you may convey negative information about any person will help you to “keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking deceitfully” (Psalm 34:13).  Once we understand that evil speech is a cancer that is spread mouth to mouth then we will be as careful about the words that come out of our mouths as we are about the foods that go into them. (read article)

"Prepare To Meet Your G-d"
Rabbi Baruch Yehudah

As the month of Ethanim, (Tishri), approaches it brings to my mind a few very important issues. My first consideration is why is this particular Rosh Chodesh, (New Moon), a Holy Day? It is certainly not the only month that contains Holy Days. In fact regarding the month Abib, (Nisan), The Most High has distinctly told us that Rosh Chodesh Abib, would be the beginning of months unto us (Exodus 12) . Although that may not seem a very significant statement consider what it would mean to the world if a convention of world leaders decided that the month of May would now be the new year as oppose to January 1^st, and that the new year in May would only be applicable to the United States; this would cause considerable difficulties. That was the situation that existed when the Most High changed our new year to be inconsistent with the rest of the known world; however The All Holy did not make it a Holy Day although Pesach and Chag Matzote would follow 14 days later. Pesach is the only Holy Day that is exclusive to the Israelite family and those who would be converts and citizens of Yisrael. With that in mind what is the purpose of the Holy Day of Yom Teruah, (Rosh HaShanah)? (Read Article)

"Mysteries of the New Year"
Rabbi Sholomo Levy

The shofar is a sacred instrument that produces sounds that we can hear. This midrash consists of words that we can see. Like musical notes these words attempt to convey a message, a meaning that is partly hidden and encoded so that only those with an open mind can hear it and those with open hearts can understand. It is said that when Moshe carved out the two tablets of stone upon which G-d wrote the Ten Commandments, that the process of chiseling inevitably produced chips.  Just as one who chops wood creates “chips off the old block” that are identical to the tree from which it was cut, so are these words as chips gathered from my study of the Torah and from the lips of my teachers.The prophet Daniel promised that Hashem  would give “ wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Dan 2:21-22   Many secret things are in plan view. It is only the blindness of the mind’s eye that make them appear hidden. Such is the truth in this case. My entire midrash revolves around the most obvious and repeatedly spoken word at this season. (Read Article)

Israelite Hebrew Calendar

For several years now the International Israelite Board of Rabbis has produced a truly unique calendar. It has the complete schedule of Torah parashot and Haftorah Readings for the entire year. It has the dates of all the High Holy Days as well as civic holidays so that you can also use it appointments. However, what truly makes our calendar so priceless is that each month is filled with historic pictures of people from our community. Hence, at Hanukkah you see our children, at Passover you see our festival observances, etc. In addition, only this calendar provides the Yarzheit dates of our leaders so that you may remember them in prayer. You may download it today for free, but if it is a blessing to you then we ask that you show your thanks by sending us a gift of support. (Downlaod Calendar)

 The Joyful Noise: A Poem

A shofar sounds
And fear abounds
For that familiar blast
Reminds each and every one of us that this year maybe our last.

 Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah.

White is worn
New hope is born
That the year which has arrived
Has in the Book of Life our names inscribed.

 Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah

At the river
Our petitions we deliver
Like precious little silver pearls
Floating on the waters like a universe of worlds.

 Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah

 Prayers are made,
Our souls are laid
Symbolically on an alter of sacrifice
On which they flicker and flutter like small glowing candle-lights.

 Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah

Oh solemn fast
Earn forgiveness for our past.
Oh Eternal let us live to hear
The coming of yet another year.

Tekiah, Teruah, Tekiah-Gedolah

                                                                       Rabbi Sholomo Levy

Black Jews at the White House

^“The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23  There was a time when Black Jews were not welcomed in the halls of power.  Those days are gone forever!  Today, Rabbi Shmuel Funnye travels the world meeting heads of state in Israel, Africa, and America.  Most recently he and Miriam went to the Whitehouse to visit his cousin, Michelle, and her husband, Barack, for their Hanukkah Party.  President Obama told the story of Hanukkah himself and explained to the assembled guests how much this celebration of freedom means to him. Rabbi Funnye, who attended a similar ceremony at the Whitehouse with President George W. Bush said the difference was “President Obama understands the Israelite Community because he has family members who are Black and Jewish. President Obama understands us because he understands the struggles of people who are marginalized because of their identity.” (Read full article)

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