Category Archives: Upcoming Event

Men’s Club and Sisterhood Present “Nicky’s Family”, Sun., Feb. 22nd at 9 A.M.

We will first have minyan at 9am, followed by a light morning brunch, followed by the showing of the documentary Nicky’s Family.

Nicholas Winton, an Englishman organized the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II. Winton, now 100+ years old, did not speak about these events with anyone for more than half a century. His exploits would have probably been forgotten if his wife, fifty years later, hadn’t found a suitcase in the attic, full of documents and transport plans. Today the story of this rescue is known all over the world. He was knighted by Queen Elisabeth II and the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 583 recognizing his remarkable deed. 120,000 children in the Czech Republic signed a petition to award Nicholas Winton the Nobel Prize for Peace. Dozens of Winton’s “children” have been found and to this day his family has grown to almost 6,000 people, many of whom have gone on to achieve great things themselves. It is incredible that all these people live due to the heroic deeds of one man – Sir Nicholas Winton.

Nicky’s Family is a gripping documentary from the International Emmy Award winning film director Matej Minac about this incredible story. The film features dramatic reenactments and never before seen archival footage as well as interviews with a number of rescued children, Sir Nicholas Winton himself, the Dalai Lama and Nobel Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel. Nicholas Winton´s fascinating story, even 70 years after the events, continues to inspire people to make this world a better place.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1961438/?ref_=nv_sr_1

We will rejoice again

Yesterday on Facebook, Rabbi Goldstein shared his thoughts about what is going on in the world. His words echo how many of us feel but also remind us to continue to hope, to continue to have faith.

Thank you Rabbi Goldstein for sharing.

In the past 24 hours, the AP has reported that Israeli’s killed a Palestinian (ignoring the fact that he purposely drove into a crowd), and Qatar has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council.

To say that I am saddened by these events is to ignore the anger, the rage that I feel. Time and again this world has illustrated it’s hatred against Israel (and yes, Jews).

I know that I am not alone in feeling helpless and angry. I know that my job as a rabbi is to try to give hope to people. But there are days when rabbis feel hopeless as well.

I know that I am unable to fix this problem. I hope and pray that this world will come to its senses; that some day good will win out. For now, all I can do is express my solidarity with those feeling frustrated and angry. While I may tilt at windmills, I know that i cannot move mountains. All I can do is to try to increase God’s presence in this world by helping those around me, and by trying to improve my corner of the world.

To all those feeling similarly today, you are not alone. Don’t give up; we can never give up.

The people that walked in darkness
Have seen a brilliant light;
On those who dwelt in a land of gloom
Light has dawned.
You have magnified that nation,
Have given it great joy.
Isaiah 9:1-2

We have known dark times before, but we have seen great joy as well. We will rejoice again.

Rabbi Benjamin Golstein

October 23, 2014