Nasso, Numbers 4:21-7:89 - Parashat ha Shavuah for Saturday, May 22, 2021
Every Friday evening, when we are having Shabbat dinner together and my (now grown) children join us, immediately after candle lighting I bless them as I have done since they were tiny. This is the blessing I say: “May God bless you and keep you! May God deal kindly and graciously with you! May God bestow favor upon you and grant you peace!” It is the blessing Aaron the High Priest used to bless Israel when the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, was dedicated to sacred service during the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, in this week’s Torah portion.
For our family it has always been a moment of deep love and connection to our family. But there is more. Our Torah portion concludes the blessing with these words (that we traditionally do not say when blessing our children),”Thus they shall link My name with the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
This phrase reminds me that the Priestly Blessing is more than just an expression of love. As we recite this blessing that has been repeated for thousands of years, we are reminded that our family, Carla, me and our children, stand together in a sacred chain of connection that began at Sinai and continues to the present day.
We all are part of the shared history and the shared destiny of the Jewish people. All of us can be blessed. All of us can bless others. All of us can be a blessing.
~Rabbi Dean Kertesz
Read last week's commentary
From the President
Rabbi Dean wrote that we “…stand together in a sacred chain of connection that began at Sinai and continues to the present day. We all are part of the shared history and the shared destiny of the Jewish people. All of us can be blessed. All of us can bless others. All of us can be a blessing.”
This sacred connection motivates me to strive to honor my parents, my grandparents, the generations that preceded them, and the people they were so proud to be part of, to sacrifice for, and even die for. When I hear or read or chant the same words that my parents prayed, I feel that connection and feel comforted and motivated to try my best to “…be a blessing.”
Growing up as part of the only Jewish family in our neighborhood east of Los Angeles, the synagogue was our only means to maintain that connection. Yes, as a teen and young adult I became disillusioned by synagogue life and politics. I saw nothing holy in the way synagogue boards and officers often treat their clergy, their membership, and each other, but my father insisted that in Southern California (and the Bay Area where there isn’t even a good Jewish deli) synagogues, as imperfect as they are, are the only means of maintaining our Jewish identity.
As I grew older it seemed that my father got smarter and wiser. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until after he died that I realized just how right he was about many things, including synagogues.
Temple Beth Hillel is our way to maintain our “…sacred chain of connection…[with] our shared history and…our shared destiny.”
This is why Mercedes and I joined this community. This is why I serve as president. It is an opportunity to give a little to the community that gives us so much.
Yes, once again I am asking you to step up and participate in the future of Temple Beth Hillel. We need your knowledge, skills and talents. We need to hear your voice. We need you on our board. We need you as officers. In a community as small as ours, we all have to contribute. Please contact Linda Rose or me (
president@tbhrichmond.org) and let’s talk.
We are Temple Beth Hillel.
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
~ Michael R Cohen, President, Temple Beth Hillel
Read last week's letter
Shabbat Evening Services Online Friday, May 21 at 7:00 PM
As we continue to shelter-in-place and cannot come to the synagogue, we are bringing our services to you with our Shelter-in-Shabbat. We celebrate our full Shabbat evening service and hope you can join us. All you need is a computer or a smartphone and internet access.
If you can’t join us for the entire service, join us
Friday at 7:00 to light Shabbat Candles. In this way we can all be “virtually” together in this time of isolation. You can stay online for the evening service if you wish.
Recurring Shabbat zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/517749891
You can also join by calling
1 (669)900-9128 Meeting ID: 517 749 891
One tap mobile: +16699009128,,517749891#
Online General Membership Meeting Sunday, June 13 at 11:30 AM
All TBH members are invited to our annual General Membership Meeting. This year, due to COVID 19, the meeting will be held online. Participate in our Temple governance as we review the past year and recognize those who have made special contributions to our community.
We will prepare for the coming year by voting on the proposed budget, new board members, and officers. Unfortunately, until Zoom figures out how to serve food over the internet, we will not be able to have our annual barbeque.
Notes from the Board - May 19, 2021
The Board is preparing for the General Membership Meeting on Sunday, June 13 at 11:30 AM. The Executive Committee has endorsed the recommendations of the Reopening Committee and hopes to reopen as soon as the recommendations can be implemented; the committee will meet again to deal with outstanding issues and questions.
We are operating at a deficit due to loss of rental income. Internet has been installed in the building and needs to be extended from the office to the rest of the property (anyone with expertise in this, contact Michael Cohen).
Contact Michael Cohen (president@tbhrichmond.org) or Linda Rose to contribute to shaping the Temple as Board member or Officer for next year.
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Donate to Food for Thought
Despite all the challenges last year, Food for Thought again successfully distributed boxes of food and turkeys to 400 families of WCCUSD-- elementary school children who are eligible for free school lunches, but who do not get them during winter break.
Thanks to everyone who donated and volunteered, from TBH and from our partner congregations and organizations. While many of us were vulnerable to COVID-19 and unable to participate this year, we welcomed new volunteers from Congregation Netivot Shalom and help from Nystrom School. We hope that next year we will all be able to get involved.
Meanwhile, we still appreciate donations in preparation for serving even more families in the coming year.
You can donate:
- By credit card
- By check - Write your check to Temple Beth Hillel with Food for Thought in the memo line, and mail your check to Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central Blvd., Richmond, CA 94803
Donate to Food for Thought
Amazon Smile Benefits Food for Thought
When you shop on Amazon, you can give to Food for Thought at the same time!Simply shop at
smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1196207 AmazonSmile will donate to Temple Beth Hillel and Richmond Jewish Community Center Inc, at no additional cost to you.
TBH Sandwich-Making for the GRIP Souper Center -- Wednesday, May 26
Wednesday, May 26 is our Temple's next day to make sandwiches for GRIP. We each make about forty sandwiches (your choice) and bring them to the Temple parking lot at about 9:45 AM. Please put the sandwiches in individual baggies, place them in a bag or box, and label the type of sandwiches made. If you can make sandwiches that day and/or if you have any questions, please contact Jane Kaasa (510)222-3221 or (510)421-7331.
Programs for Young People
Information about programs and scholarships, including JCC summer camp, URJ Camp Newman, Six Points Camps, West Contra Costa Public Education Fund scholarship program, and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Eisendrath Legislative Assistants fellowships available now.
Learn more
