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June 7
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9:30 a.m. Lev Eisha Service in the Sanctuary
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June 8
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Erev Shavuot and Tikkun (all-night learning)
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June 9-10
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Shavuot and the Receiving of the Torah!
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June 12
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7:00 p.m. Lev Eisha General Meeting at Adat Shalom
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June 29
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4-6 p.m. Lev Eisha Drumming Madness with Chris Gacsi at Adat Shalom
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It's traditional to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. One of the reasons is that, until we received the Torah, we didn't know the details of keeping kosher. Another reason is that Israel is a land flowing with milk and honey. Hence, we eat dairy foods in honor of the Promised Land. Blintzes, cheesecake, and ice cream sundaes are all a part of Shavuot. Here's a personal favorite of mine.
Macaroni and Cheese
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk (I use the Lactaid brand)
3 1/2 cups (about 14 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar
Heat oven to 400° F. Butter a casserole or 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Cook the macaroni until almost tender but still firm, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. If the kitchen is too hot, drain and rinse yourself under the cold water.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley (if using), oil, only 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper; set aside.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stirring constantly, add the flour and cook for 3 minutes; the mixture will clump together. Still stirring constantly, add the milk sloooooooowly. Cook for 7 minutes.
Add the cheese and the remaining salt and cook it up, stirring, until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Don't get distracted by flying monkeys and let it burn or it will be yucky! Add the macaroni and mush it all together. Transfer to the baking dish and top with the breadcrumb mixture. Bake until golden and bubbling slightly around the edges, about 25 minutes. Freezes well, so you can make a big batch and put some away for another meal.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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Join us for an exciting, late afternoon drum circle with our own Chris Gacsi at Adat Shalom. That soulful and spirited drummer on Shabbat morning is a drum circle facilitator and ethnomusicologist. Chris will be bringing out all kinds of drums and percussion and leading us in a Jewish Jam that will rock the house. No experience is necessary. Just come and enjoy the scintillating rhythms we'll create together while sipping and dipping from South of the border.
Sunday, June 29th, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.
$18 for members of Lev Eisha - $20 for guests.
Not a member? Join up for next year and get in at the members' rate.
Your RSVP is a commitment to attend and pay at the event. Your RSVP is important so that we have enough drums for everyone. Click drumming@leveisha.org to RSVP.
June is the month of the sweetness of Torah. Shavuot is on June 9th & 10th and our sages maintain that when we received the 10 Commandments, we actually participated in a "wedding" - a marriage to God.
So let's go deeper. When we are "married" we are in a holy, covenantal relationship. We have obligations and expectations. But the love that emanates from a healthy relationship is more than "love." It is about loyalty, forgiveness, hope, and dreams, understanding compassion and laughter and joy!
Last month I spoke about "Kedoshim" - about Holiness - and taught that actions make us Holy. There are two main aspects of a human being. We have our physical bodies, our need for basic survival - for food and pleasure - and we have a soul, a spiritual side that transcends the physical. Our physical needs often bring out our more self-oriented and selfish side. Our spiritual needs help us to be like the angels!
Rabbi Simon Jacobson wrote, based on mystical teachings, "that through music, art, prayer or romance, the human yearning to reach beyond our survival needs, remains at the core of the human spirit---a yearning that can reach unimaginable heights."
At Lev Eisha, our service lifts us to spiritual heights - we crack open our jaded hearts. Many of us cry. There are moments of wonder and epiphany. Lev Eisha speaks to my heart, as it does to yours!
These extraordinary moments at Lev Eisha are moments of holiness when we go beyond our physical limitations and ourselves. We serve a higher purpose; we step out of our routines and habits. To serve God takes work, "Avodah" and to experience unconditional love and happiness means that we put in the time and the effort to transform and sanctify our deeds and ourselves. The work sometimes is just to get up and be there! But mostly it is about the efforts behind the scene.
Holiness is about actions and what we contribute back to the community. Holiness is about the balance between taking and giving. Some people are volunteers and dedicate their time and their efforts to keep our service alive. Other women are able to contribute financially and this too assures our continuity. It is important for us to understand that the vibrancy and spiritual heights of our service is a mutually supportive relationship with Adat Shalom.
Adat Shalom opens its doors, provides a comfortable facility, air conditioning, maintenance staff, and a rabbi, for an exquisite service. This costs money.
I personally want to thank Adat Shalom for supporting Lev Eisha, a service that infuses us with holiness, and with hope, courage, blessings, joy, and so much more.
I encourage each one of you reading these words today to become a paying member of Lev Eisha, and to give as generously as you are able. Lev Eisha gives back financially to Adat Shalom which enables Lev Eisha to thrive and to exist. One the eve of the holiday of Shavuot, let us remember the stirring words of Torah: Kedoshim Tehiyu -- Be Holy...do something holy...something new and unpredictable...something outside of your comfort zone. Let us be more than human, let us be Divine.
Let's keep Lev Eisha alive with our receptive, generous hearts and our giving souls.
Chag Shavuot Sameach,
L'Shalom, Rabbi August
Our annual General Meeting will be held at Adat Shalom on Thursday, June 12th at 7 p.m. At the meeting, we'll be electing our new Board Members. We look forward to having you join us and hearing about the wonderful year we have planned.
| Olivia Goodkin | President |
| Robin Winston | Vice President |
| Janis Cohen | Recording Secretary |
| Judy Cohen | Corresponding Secretary |
| Marla Osband | Treasurer |
| Julie London | Membership |
| (to be filled) | Catering Chair |
| Ruth Blonsky | Education Chair & Ritual Chair |
| Susie Yure | Fundraising Chair |
| Joan Spiegel | Hospitality Co-Chair |
| Sarah Barash | Hospitality Co-Chair |
| Mollie Wine | Marketing Co-Chair - Newsletter/Aspects |
| Lynda Malerstein | Marketing Co-Chair - Publicity |
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| Doreen Klee | Member at Large & Strategic Planning |
| Ruth Grossman | Member at Large |
| Pearl Councelbaum | Member at Large |
| Sandy Terranova | Member at Large |
| Sheryl Melendez | Member at Large |
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| Andrea Nitz* | Immediate Past President |
| Elaine Craig Segal* | Founding President |
* Ex-officio status (N.B., ex-officio board members are non-voting and are appointed by the board rather than elected. Your vote for them on this slate indicates your consent to their service as chairs.)
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Mazal Tov to Julie London on the birth of her niece, Allyson Kate London. She was born on Thursday, May 8 at 10:10 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds 10 1/2 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.
Mazal Tov as well to Barbara Axelband who is celebrating the birth of her twin granddaughters with us by sponsoring this month's kiddush.
If you have a milestone to share please send it to: editor@leveisha.org. Our newsletter gets printed about a week before each service. Please send the info ASAP.
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