Flagler Teens Petition UN Secretary General, Lebanese Ambassador

A group of Flagler County teenagers, concerned about Israeli soldiers kidnapped by U. S. designated terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, have petitioned both United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Nations, Nouhad Mahmoud for action on Israeli soldiers kidnapped and held captive by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the autonomous Palestinian territories. The teens, part of Yad B’Yad, the youth group of Temple Beth Shalom, “respectfully ask that the officials do everything possible to effect the release of three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah and Hamas.” The Yad B’Yad members, all students in Flagler County Public Schools, also urged the leaders “to do everything in your power to help secure their release by implementing U.N. Security Counsel Resolution 1701 which requires Hezbollah and the Lebanese government to release Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev” and asked the diplomats to use their offices to “demand that Hamas unconditionally release Gilad Shalit.”According to the United Nations, Goldwasser and Regev were kidnapped in a battle that began at around 9 a.m. , July 12, 2006 when Hezbollah launched rockets on Israeli military positions along the Lebanese border, apparently as a diversion. A force then attacked two armored IDF Humvees patrolling the border near the Israeli village of Zar'it with anti-tank rockets, and captured the two soldiers. An Israeli Merkava Mk. II tank was damaged by a 200 kg improvised explosive device while attempting to give pursuit, killing all four crewmembers. "Fulfilling its pledge to liberate the Arab prisoners and detainees, the Islamic Resistance... captured two Israeli soldiers (Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev) at the border with occupied Palestine," Hezbollah said in a statement on the 14th of July, 2006.

Twenty year old Gilad Shalit was abducted on Sunday morning, June 25, 2006 by Palestinian terrorists who attacked an Israeli army post on the Israeli side of the southern Gaza Strip border after having crossed through an underground tunnel near the Kerem Shalom border crossing. During the morning attack, two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded, aside from Shalit, who himself suffered a broken left hand and a light shoulder wound after his tank was hit with a rocket propelled grenade.

Shalit’s captors issued a statement on Monday, June 26, 2006, offering information on Shalit if Israel agreed to release all female Palestinian prisoners and all Palestinian prisoners under the age of 18. The statement came from the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades (the military wing of the Palestinian governing party Hamas), the Popular Resistance Commitees (which includes members of Fatah, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas), and a previously unknown group calling itself the Army of Islam

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Yad B’Yad members are circulating similar petitions to all who wish to be heard on behalf of the missing soldiers. Postcards are available asking simply for “a sign of life” from the three missing soldiers. The young Flagler County students have also taken to wearing “dog tags” with the names of the missing soldiers until they are released.

Beth Shalom to Honor Jewish War Veterans , Friday, November 9th

Seymour Karns, Commander, Jewish War Veterans Post 300

Temple Beth Shalom, the center of Jewish life in Flagler County, will honor the members of Jewish War Veterans Post 300 and all veterans at regular Friday evening services, 8 p.m. on November 9th, the Sabbath that immediately precedes the traditional Veterans Day, November 11th. All are welcome to attend and recognize the sacrifices made by Veterans as well as those currently serving in the armed forces abroad and at home. The customary Oneg Shabbat refreshments follow the service. There is no charge and no advance arrangements are necessary.

Seymour Karns, Commander of the local Jewish War Veterans Post 300 will explain to those gathered tat the Jewish War Veterans, established in 1896 is compromised of citizens of the United States of America, of the Jewish faith, who served in the Wars of the United States of America, committed to being of greater service to country and to each other. For over a century, members have associated themselves together to maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; to foster and perpetuate true Americanism; to combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of America’s free institutions; to uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his or her battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women; to combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target; to preserve the spirit of comradeship by mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families; to cooperate with and support existing educational institutions and establish educational institutions, and to foster the education of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and our members in the ideals and principles of Americanism; to instill love of country and flag, and to promote sound minds and bodies in JWV members and our country’s youth; to preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by Jewish men and women and to honor their memory and shield from neglect the graves of our heroic dead.

The Jewish Community of Flagler County is especially proud of American servicemen and servicewomen past and present. The community regularly gathers at Temple Beth Shalom on Wellington Drive in Palm Coast to ask the Almighty to give those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States the courage to meet the chilling stare of death, to show compassion to them as they seek to make the world safer for all humankind.
The congregation asks Providence to ease the pain of our soldiers’ loneliness as they face the darkness of their daunting task and to let them feel the Divine presence as letting that presence warm the chill of their souls with the blanket of the sacred light.
Each Sabbath Beth Shalom’s worshippers as that those far from the comfort of home be helped to find value and meaning in their mission; that their sacrifice not be an empty act.Worshippers pray that those bearing arms sense the yearning of those who await their return and long for their presence –their loved ones, their parents, their children, that they be protected when they find themselves in harm's way and that the Almighty salve their wounds with Providence’s healing balm.
Finally, those assembled ask of Heaven above that the efforts of the men and women of our armed services further the cause of peace throughout the world and bring humanity closer to the day when "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn of war anymore."

Democratic Party Chair Courtney to Address Teens at Beth Shalom, October

Democratic Party Chair Courtney to Address Teens at Beth Shalom, October 30th

The chairman of the Democratic Party United State Congressional District 7 and of the Flagler County Democratic Party, Douglas Courtney will address community teens at Temple Beth Shalom on Tuesday evening, October 30th from 7-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend the program in the synagogue’s sanctuary at 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast. There is no charge and no advance arrangements are necessary. Courtney is looking forward to interacting with the young people of the community, hearing their concerns and responding to their questions.
Douglas Courtney is the CEO and senior partner of Patient Practitioners, LLC where he develops software for portable medical records devices for patients. He was the first City Clerk for the City of Palm Coast and Town Clerk for Beverly Beach. He is the Chair of the 40 County Florida Democratic Party Small County Coalition and member
of the Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee and Central
Committee.


Empowering teens is what Temple Beth Shalom’s Yad B’Yad (Hand-in-Hand), the congregation’s teen group, is all about! There has been some remarkable success in letting adolescents know that they have power and influence, that they matter, that they are highly significant to the life of their community.

During the course a recent curricular elements relating to the Jewish point of view of homosexuality and then another on Jews and domestic violence, Yad B’Yad young people raised questions that belong to the realm of politics and legislation. They spoke of a murdered schoolmate, of discrimination against homosexuals and of murder, homosexuals and the Holocaust. Initially, the wanted to talk to Hillary, Rudy, Barack, Mitt, or their campaign representatives about their concerns!






Then, they discovered that these luminaries have no campaigns in Florida because of a dispute about Primary Election dates. Yet, these teens want to be heard! Hence the invitation to local Democrats and Republicans (Dr. Violet Drexler, Flagler County Representative to the past several Republican National Conventions will address the group on November 27th) to come and explain what’s happening.

Not only is the expectation of the meaning of Courtney’s appearance very high, but also of the importance of just what questions are on the minds of today’s teens. All are welcome to find out, Tuesday evening, October 30th from 7 until 8 p.m.

Temple Beth Shalom Youngsters Prepare for Simchat Torah Celebration

Temple Beth Shalom young people were well prepared with their flags for marching with the Torah Scrolls as the annual cycle of readings from the Five Books of Moses were completed in the synagogue's sanctuary.

Until sometime between the ninth and 12th centuries (depending on whose history you accept), different parts of the Jewish world followed different cycles of reading the Torah. Then the triennial system [of reading the entire Torah in three-year cycles] ending before Pesach used in Palestine was dropped in favor of Babylon's annual cycle, with the last portion of Deuteronomy assigned as the portion for the secondday of Shemini Atzeret.

In connection with the reading, it became customary to remove the Sifrei Torah from the Ark and circle around the bimah [pulpit], a ceremony for which hundreds of prayers were composed (also called hoshanahs, forthe last word of each prayer). Named Simchat Torah, Rejoicing of the Torah, the occasion was soon accompanied by vivacious dancing and hymn singing in synagogue and lavish festival meals at home.

The impetus for the exuberant support of and adherence to Torah was provided by persecutions of the 14th century, when expulsions, blood libels, and Crusades were directed against Jews who refused to forsake the text.

With symbols and activities of marriage, such as a service suggesting the wedding of Israel to the law, the celebrations demonstrated that the Jews' devotion was unflagging and their feeling insuppressible. (The British diarist Samuel Pepys noted, in rather disdainful terms, the carryings on in a London synagogue in 1663, in disbelief that he was watching a "decent" religious community. The congregation later regulated itself to display greater decorum.)

Soon it became customary to immediately turn to the beginning of the Torah and start the reading cycle again, expressing the desire to continually study the sacred guidebook. Due to its nature, the new holiday superseded the biblically ordained and much more subdued Shemini Atzeret.

Temple Beth Shalom young people made their own flags, joined in the singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls and were first in line for the candy following synagogue services, symbolizing the sweetness of the words of the Torah.

Lulav and Etrog: Using the Four Species at Beth Shalom

The students of the Temple Beth Shalom Religious School now have significant experience with the Lulav and the Etrog, fulfilling the commandment to take four species during the Festival of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, described in the Book of Leviticus. After discussing the week-long Sukkot festival, specific instructions for how to celebrate the holiday are given. Leviticus 23:40 instructs: “On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Adonai your God seven days." These are the four species that form the lulav and etrog. The four species are waved in the synagogue as part of the service during the holiday of Sukkot. Traditionally, they are not waved on Shabbat because bringing these items to the synagogue would violate the prohibition against carrying. Some liberal synagogues do wave the lulav and etrog on Shabbat. While it is customary for each individual to have a lulav and etrog, many synagogues leave some sets in the synagogue sukkah for the use of their members. The lulav and etrog may also be waved at home.


It is a positive commandment from the Torah [Leviticus 23:40] to gather together the Four Species during Sukkot:

"The first day" refers to the first day of Sukkot. "Fruit of goodly trees" refers to the etrog (citron). "Branches of palm trees" refers to the lulav. "Boughs of leafy trees" refers to the myrtle. "Willows of the brook" refers to the aravot or hoshanot.

The four are lumped together under the inclusive term lulav, since the lulav is the largest and most prominent. Thus, while the mitzvah is to wave the lulav, this actually refers to the four taken together as one.
How the Four Fit Together
The lulav is a single palm branch and occupies the central position in the grouping. It comes with a holder-like contraption (made from its own leaves) which has two extensions. With the backbone (the solid spine) of the lulav facing you and this holder in place near the bottom, two willow branches are placed in the left extension and three myrtle branches are placed in the right. The myrtle should extend to a greater height than the willows.

This whole cluster is held in the right hand, the etrog is held in the left, and the two should be touching one another. Some have the custom of picking up the etrog first and then the lulav--reversing the order when putting them down--because the etrog is referred to before the others in the biblical verse.

Sukkah Builders of All Ages Gather At Beth Shalom

The creation of the traditional Sukkah at Temple Beth Shalom was a "hands-on" experience for builders of every age! On the Sunday following Yom Kippur the faithful gathered to assemble the framework, complete the walls and cover the roof with sekhakh, the covering of vegetation that leaves Sukkah dwellers able to count the stars through the roof yet have half the floor in shade during the heat of the day.

The Torah tells us "You will dwell in booths for seven days; all natives of Israel shall dwell in booths" (Leviticus 23:42). In honor of the holiday's historical significance, we are commanded to dwell in temporary shelters, as our ancestors did in the wilderness. The temporary shelter is referred to as a sukkah (which is the singular form of the plural word "sukkot"). Like the word sukkot, it can be pronounced like Sue-KAH, or to rhyme with Book-a.

The sukkah is great fun for the children. Building the sukkah each year satisfies the common childhood fantasy of building a fort, and dwelling in the sukkah satisfies a child's desire to camp out in the backyard. The commandment to "dwell" in a sukkah can be fulfilled by simply eating all of one's meals there; however, if the weather, climate, and one's health permit, one should spend as much time in the sukkah as possible, including sleeping in it.

A sukkah must have at least two and a half walls covered with a material that will not blow away in the wind. Why two and a half walls? Look at the letters in the word "sukkah!" One letter has four sides, one has three sides and one has two and a half sides. The "walls" of the sukkah do not have to be solid; canvas covering tied or nailed down is acceptable and quite common in the United States. A sukkah may be any size, so long as it is large enough for you to fulfill the commandment of dwelling in it. The roof of the sukkah must be made of material referred to as sekhakh (literally, covering). To fulfill the commandment, sekhakh must be something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds, sticks, or two-by-fours. Sekhakh must be left loose, not tied together or tied down. Sekhakh must be placed sparsely enough that rain can get in, and preferably sparsely enough that the stars can be seen, but not so sparsely that more than ten inches is open at any point or that there is more light than shade. The sekhakh must be put on last. Note: You may put a water-proof cover over the top of the sukkah when it is raining to protect the contents of the sukkah, but you cannot use it as a sukkah while it is covered and you must remove the cover to fulfill the Mitzvah, the commandment, of dwelling in a sukkah.

It is common practice, and highly commendable, to decorate the sukkah. In the northeastern United States, Jews commonly hang dried squash and corn in the sukkah to decorate it, because these vegetables are readily available at that time for the American holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Many families hang artwork drawn by the children on the walls. Building and decorating a sukkah is a fun family project, much like decorating the Christmas tree is for Christians. It is a sad commentary on modern American Judaism that most of the assimilated Jews who complain about being deprived of the fun of having and decorating a Christmas tree have never even heard of Sukkot.

Many Americans, upon seeing a decorated sukkah for the first time, remark on how much the sukkah (and the holiday generally) reminds them of Thanksgiving. This may not be entirely coincidental: I was taught that our American pilgrims, who originated the Thanksgiving holiday, borrowed the idea from Sukkot. The pilgrims were deeply religious people. When they were trying to find a way to express their thanks for their survival and for the harvest, they looked to the Bible for an appropriate way of celebrating and found Sukkot. This is not the standard story taught in public schools today (that a Thanksgiving holiday is an English custom that the Pilgrims brought over), but the Sukkot explanation of Thanksgiving fits better with the meticulous research of Mayflower historian Caleb Johnson, who believes that the original Thanksgiving was a harvest festival (as is Sukkot), that it was observed in October (as Sukkot usually is), and that Pilgrims would not have celebrated a holiday that was not in the Bible (but Sukkot is in the Bible). Although Mr. Johnson claims that the first Thanksgiving was "not a religious holiday or observance," he apparently means this in a Christian sense, because he goes on to say that the first Thanksgiving was instead "a harvest festival that included feasts, sporting events, and other activities," concepts very much in keeping with the Jewish religious observance of Sukkot.

The Temple Beth Shalom Religious School endeavors to avoid separating students from the holidays of Jewish people. Religious School students were very much a part of the Sukkah building process.