Shabbat Shalom to the Sha’are Shalom family,

This week is a week of contrasts.

Yesterday we observed the beginning of the Three Weeks – three weeks of mourning leading up to Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) the day that commemorates the destruction of the two Jerusalem Temples and other tragedies of Jewish history.  

This weekend we will celebrate July 4th and our country’s 250th birthday.

The Jewish calendar acknowledges destruction, exile, and foreign power over our ancestors.

The American calendar celebrates freedom, fighting back against oppression, and two and one half centuries of evolving as a sovereign nation.

While the 3 Weeks and Tisha B’Av remind us of dark times, Rabbi Alan Lew argues the dark time of the Jewish calendar leads directly to renewal and the New Year. There are 7 weeks from Tisha B’Av until Rosh Hashanah, and the number 7 takes us back to the creation of the world when everything was new, open, possible, and hopeful. 

Please join us for services tonight – online only – and in person tomorrow morning (in person and online). We’ll reflect on both the spirit of the Jewish calendar and the 250th celebration. 

On Shabbat morning we’ll read from this week’s portion Pinchas who is also the protagonist of the story. When the people violate their covenant with God, Pinchas steps in boldly and takes violent action. While Pinchas takes the action as an advocate for God, later writers clearly are troubled by a priestly individual eliminating perpetrators on his own. This Shabbat we’ll reflect on the ‘covenant of shalom’ God gives to Pinchas & what his zeal and the US founders’ passion can teach us about nation building.

As we celebrate July 4th weekend, first and foremost let’s make sure we all stay safe – including pets, neighbors, and others at risk -- with the excessive heat and humidity. 

From a historical perspective, let’s keep in mind how majestic numbers like 100, 200, 250 are symbolic. Every year is meaningful and impactful in the life of our country, and every year is meaningful and impactful in the life of the Jewish people all over the world. An example -- The Civil War began less than 100 years after 1776 and the Revolution. The Founders and Lincoln both were aware in their times of toxic polarization’s terrifying potential. My prayer this July 4th is that we reach out in dialogue and constructive engagement to re-knit together our fracturing society so that, as Lincoln so eloquently proclaimed at Gettysburg, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

And may God bless and protect Jewish people and communities here and around the world as we seek to infuse every day with mitzvot that lift us and others up in holiness and blessing.

Almost forgot…we will soon have information and registration available for the Israel trip (December 20 – 29). On this all-inclusive volunteer mission we will volunteer for 4-6 hours a day, visit significant sites in the south connected to October 7th, and much more. Our flight will leave from Dulles. If you are interested in the trip, please click the Google Form link here so I can share trip itinerary details as they become available.

Shabbat Shalom & Happy 4th,

Rabbi Tow

Dear Sha'are Shalom community,

In honor of Sue Aft's lifetime of giving love and filling the world with kindness, Rabbi Bruce and I talked about what she would want us to have as a lasting legacy to all she meant to Bruce, their family and friends, and all who knew her.

She would want all of you to receive a hug to remind you that there are caring people. So, I wanted to give each of you a hug and hope that 2026 will be a year of love and kindness for you and those you hold dear.

We started handing out one 'hug' per family on Sunday during the Chanukah party. We'll continue to hand them out as we see you in the near future.

Rabbi Bruce Aft & Rabbi Neil Tow