Beha'alotcha, Numbers 8:1-12:16 - Parashat ha Shavuah for Saturday, May 29, 2021
Moses is considered to be the Jewish people’s greatest leader and the model of leadership par excellence.
Yet, Moses is a strange ideal of a leader. He is not a great orator; he is, as he admits, slow of speech. Our sages of blessed memory suggested that he had a speech impediment. Further, he is profoundly humble. In fact, he does not want to lead the Israelites. He only takes the job because God forces him to do so.
Moses is called the most humble of all people and in this week’s Torah portion we have two examples. In Chapter 11, the Israelites complain that they miss the meat they used to eat in Egypt compared to the manna they now eat in freedom in the wilderness. Instead of enjoying their freedom they miss the comforts of slavery, such as they were.
In response, Moses cries out to God, “I cannot carry all this people by myself, for it is too much for me. If You would deal thus with me, kill me rather, I beg You, and let me see no more of my wretchedness!” (Numbers 11:14-15)
The burden of leadership is too much for him, so God responds, “Gather for Me seventy of Israel’s elders of whom you have experience as elders and officers of the people, and bring them to the Tent of Meeting and let them take their place there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will draw upon the spirit that is on you and put it upon them; they shall share the burden of the people with you, and you shall not bear it alone.” (Numbers 11:16-17)
Here we see Moses as a leader who knows his limits, who understands the job is too big for him and is willing to accept the help of others, to share power, in service of his people’s needs.
When two of these leaders, Eldad and Meldad, are so touched by God that they break out into ecstatic dance, Joshua worries they should be restrained, that they are an affront to Moses’ leadership. But Moses responds, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD put His spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)
Here again, Moses is happy to share his authority and even his access to God, so that the burden of service can be shared to benefit the people.
We should remember Moses’ example any time a politician tells us that they alone can solve our problems or that only they understand what is ailing us and how to fix it. Moses' humility, uncertainty and willingness to share power teach how a real leader should behave.
~Rabbi Dean Kertesz
Read last week's commentary
From the President
During a session of the URJ Scheidt Conference prior to my first term as TBH president, I was asked how I felt. I answered that I didn’t feel ready or even capable. I had only been a member of TBH for a short time and couldn’t completely comprehend why I was asked to serve as president. The reply I got was, “Neither did Moses.”
This week Rabbi Dean wrote about Moses who did not feel qualified to be and did not want to be a leader, and was “…the most humble of all people.” I do not dare to compare myself to Moses who is considered the Jewish people’s greatest leader. I do know that I am doing the best that I can as president and am unsure about whether that is good enough. However, I also know that I stepped up and took on the responsibility because of my love for this community and I know that there are others that are far more qualified than I am to do this job that have not.
We need you. Even if you don’t feel qualified, we need you. We need your knowledge, skill, talent and imagination. We need fresh perspectives on our board and as officers. I understand if you are reluctant, but we need you. It is a significant commitment of time and effort and you may feel that you are too busy to make that commitment, but we need you.
Once again, I am asking you to join our leadership team. 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
Join us for Community Candle Lighting this Friday, May 29 at 7:00 PM
Let’s begin Shabbat as a community by lighting Shabbat candles. Please
join us at 7:00 pm to light Shabbat candles together. In this way we can all be “virtually” together in this time of isolation.
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.
Join online
Nigel Weiss’ Bar Mitzvah/ Shabbat Morning Service Saturday, June 26 at 10:00 AM
Hannah Gilberg and David Weiss invite the congregation to join their family for Shabbat morning services for their son Nigel’s Bar Mitzvah. Services will be held on Zoom (link forthcoming). Please join us for this joyous occasion! Memories are made special when shared with friends and community!
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 appreciate donations. We are aiming to feed 600 families this year, instead of 400, since the need is so great. You can help us meet this ambitious goal by donating.
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, June 23
Wednesday, June 23 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