We often glide over the yukoom poorkan prayer after Haftarah reading, but it actually contains a pretty nice checklist of the things a good Jew should do. How many of these can you check off?

• Establish synagogues
• Enter them to pray and study
• Give funds for their operation & kiddush
• Give charity to the poor
• Involve yourself with the needs of the community and of Israel

When we do a good job on these, we make it more likely that the blessings of Heaven will descend on us, our families, and our community.

— Carl Sunshine

Is there a Jew in LA who does not know that Rabbi Schulweis (may his memory be for a blessing) founded Jewish World Watch to draw attention to human rights abuses in Sudan? It's not enough to never forget, one must never sit idly by while others are in pain.

 

I’ve forgotten how many years it has been since the LA JWW Walk was in the Valley, nearer to VBS. The organizers made the (generous) decision to move the event to Pan Pacific Park. I’m glad the Walk is scheduled to coincide with Yom HaShoah. It makes me feel that I can do something — even if it is just symbolic — against global forces far away.

 

9:30AM: Sign-in and pick up a T-shirt. The TBA Team is assembling in our usual spot on the hillside. Diane says 70 people signed up. (It doesn’t look like that many.) The shofar blasts, and off we go, at a snail’s pace. Over the ensuing years, the route around Pan Pacific Park has been extended and improved, all under the watchful eyes of LAPD. I must remember to thank them for working on a Sunday morning. It is such a nice day.

 

It is good to see the TBA Team “regulars” and to schmooze with a few new folks. The Pressman kids break into song as we walk through a residential neighborhood. I wonder whether the residents know what all these Jews are doing wandering through their streets. Too bad we can’t do this everywhere. Step carefully. The path can be uneven.

 

We file by someone sleeping (or passed out) on the sidewalk. Do I wake the guy to hand him a couple of bucks, or let him sleep? Thank Heaven, someone had an unopened bottle of water to leave for him. How do we reshape our laws to rescue the mentally ill from themselves, without risking the compromise our personal and political freedom?

 

In some ways, the Walk is more a relief than a challenge. It can be easier to raise awareness of problems far away than to deal with those close at hand. Of course it is important to fund “solar cookers” for women in the Sudan so they don’t have to risk wandering outside their encampments in search of firewood. But, Sudan is not the only place where it is dangerous for women to walk.

 

11:30AM: Return to Pan Pacific Park, a few kids join the drum circle; but, most of the participants disperse and go their separate ways. Will I see them back here next year? So much to do today. One more thing checked off my list.

 

We do live in interesting times. We do need to wake up. We have much to do. Today.

 

—Anita Happel

I approach my daughter Hannah as she plays in the sandbox. “Adon Olam,” I say, and she comes running full speed, down the stairs and across the hall to line up and get ready to lead the prayer. As I walk behind her, I smile.

I remember how my brother and I would lead this prayer as children, competing to get closer to the microphone. I also remember our beloved Candyman, Al Blanco of blessed memory, and his wife, who we called Mrs. Candyman, who always made us feel welcomed at services. After the Candyman died, a bowl of candy was attached to his seat, so that he could still be our Candyman.

 

When I think of my formative synagogue experiences, these two images stand out. Together they taught me that synagogue was a place where we children were loved, where we could take on leadership from a young age — a place of sweetness and joy. As I watch Hannah run to take her place, I am grateful that she too will have these sweet memories, thanks to the Library Minyan.

 

As Hannah runs to line up, little does she know that “Adon Olam” was her theme song, even before she was born. During my twenty-week ultrasound for Hannah, Jeremy (who was then two years old) kept singing Adon Olam. His song encapsulated perfectly the meaning of the moment — as I felt awed by the creative power of Adon Olam, the Master of the Universe.  

 

In the broadest sense, perhaps we all had Adon Olam as our theme song before we were born. By coming to synagogue, we take part in this relationship with God which was developed thousands of years ago, and handed down from generation to generation. What better slogan could we possibly teach our children!

 

My hope for all the children is that throughout their lives, whenever they hear the call of Adon Olam they will come running. And may the rewards for their efforts always taste sweet.

 

— Ilana Grinblat

Please join us after services for this annual family-friendly synagogue-wide picnic on Monday, May 25 — the second day of Shavuot (which is also the Memorial Day holiday) — beginning at about 12:30 pm.

 

Bring a dairy lunch for your family, dessert to share (optional), blanket and/or beach chairs, and softball/sports equipment. Childcare will be provided.

 

The picnic takes place at La Cienega Park (east side of La Cienega Blvd., between Olympic Blvd. & Gregory Way).

 

If you have questions, please contact the co-chairs at (janetrich@aol.com) & julieweissman@gmail.com).

— Janet Weissman & Julie Weissman

Please note the following dates for celebrations in Library Minyan revolving around our young people.

 

Contact the designated person if your family wishes to participate, help sponsor, or get more info about:

 

May 23: Torah Club end-of-year celebration — Nina Golden

 

May 30: Middle School grad Shabbat — Sandra Lepson & Nina Golden

 

June 6: High School grad Shabbat — Sandra Lepson

 

You can reach Nina at ninagg@sbcglobal.net.

and Sandra at sandralepson@yahoo.com.

 

— Nina Golden & Sandra Lepson

 

The idea behind Big Sunday is that everyone has some way that they can help somebody else.

 

One good, convenient way to participate in Big Sunday is to work at the public school very close to Temple Beth Am: Carthay Center Elementary on Olympic at La Jolla.

 

There's lots going on at Carthay Center Elementary, including a garden and chickens. It's Big Sunday's 9th year at this great school.

 

Big Sunday work activities include building, gardening, painting, classroom clean-up and much more — all to ensure that the school continues looking amazing for students and staff.

 

So sign up now for Project #197 at Carthay Elementary School by clicking here:

 

— Tyson Roberts

Mishna study 9:20

Tefillot begin 9:45

Temple Beth Am

Dorff-Nelson Chapel

1039 S. La Cienega Blvd, 90035