It's Happening In Miami

Bows and Arrows of Love##

by Rabbi Moishe Kievman Chabad Chayil

Lag BaOmer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Also known as the Rashbi (an acronym for his name), he was the author of the Zohar, a foundational work of the Kabbalah, who requested that the day of his passing be celebrated, and not mourned.

It also commemorates another event. In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva and on Lag BaOmer the dying ceased. The Talmud tells us that the plague affected the students of Rabbi Akiva “because they did not act respectfully towards each other.” Thus, Lag BaOmer carries the theme of the imperative to love and respect one’s fellow (ahavat yisrael). Lag BaOmer teaches us that while working to help improve our fellow man, we must never allow these efforts to compromise our love and respect for him.

It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag BaOmer eve, commemorating the immense light that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai introduced into the world via his mystical teachings.

Children customarily go out into the fields and play with imitation bows and arrows. This commemorates the midrashic tradition that no rainbow was seen during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime.

Rainbows first appeared after Noah’s flood, when G‑d promised to never again devastate the world. When the world is deserving of punishment, G‑d sends a rainbow instead. Rabbi Shimon’s merit protected the world, rendering the rainbow superfluous.

But there’s a much deeper meaning behind the bow and arrow game, with a lesson not just for Lag BaOmer, but something we can apply every day of the year.

The first weapons devised by man were designed for hand-to-hand combat. But a person's enemy or prey is not always an arm's-length away, or even within sight. Soon the warrior and hunter felt the need for a weapon that could reach a target a great distance away, or which lies invisible and protected behind barriers of every sort.

With a bow and arrow, the tension in an arched bough of wood is exploited to propel a missile for great distances and slash through barriers. The inventor of this device first had to grasp the paradox that the deadly arrow must be pulled back toward one's own heart in order to strike the heart of the opponent, and that the more it is drawn toward oneself, the more distant an adversary it can reach.

Chassidut teaches us that the same rules that apply to tools of destruction, apply to tools of construction - the tools we use to help build each other. And this is the deeper theme and lesson of Lag BaOmer: In order to reach a friend or relative who is otherwise unreachable, we have to first dig deep within our own heart. The deeper place from within our heart this love comes from, the deeper it will penetrate in our loved ones heart. The more we work on our own character, the more our children will work on theirs.

The Rebbe writes in Hayom Yom “If you rebuke your brother and he does not listen, then it is you who is to blame. Words that come from the heart, enter the heart”. If you haven't penetrated their heart, dig deeper within your own heart.

This year, Lag BaOmer is Wednesday Night - Thursday, May 18-19, 2022. I encourage you to join a Lag BaOmer celebration taking place at any Chabad or synagogue near you. You are of course welcome to join us at Chabad Chayil in HIghland Lakes for a bonfire, bbq and kumzitz, to G-d willing take place Wednesday, May 18 at 8:30pm. There’s no charge and you can bring your own music instruments to join the kumzitz. For the complete history and more lessons you can learn from this fun and Kabbalistic holiday visit www.ChabadChayil.org/Lag.

About the author: Rabbi Kievman is the ambassador of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. He is founder of CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools, rabbi at The Family Shul & together with his wife directs Chabad Chayil. He can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or [email protected]

On May 26 at noon at the Miami Beach JCC, JPro Miami will have the great pleasure of honoring these two extraordinary colleagues.

Mark Baranek will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Jenine Simon will receive the Rabbi Solomon Schiff (z”l) Jewish Communal Professional of Excellence Award.

In addition to their professional achievements, each has contributed to the work of JPro Miami - the organization that connects, educates, inspires, and empowers professionals working in the Jewish community sector.

RSVP today to reserve your spot! And share with others who love and respect these two special members of our community.

RSVP: Members, click here

RSVP: Non-members, click here

Getting ready for college today requires much more than school supplies and textbooks. With the alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on many campuses, it is essential for Jewish high school seniors to be prepared for what's ahead.

Join the Greater Miami Jewish Federation International Division and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education for a special educational and social program, Sunday, May 15 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in Miami Beach.

• Learn about campus resources that support Jewish life
• Gain knowledge and access tools to advocate for Israel
• Dine, dance and mingle with other incoming freshmen

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit JewishMiami.org/college Address will be provided upon registration.

Space is limited. Dietary laws observed.

If you, a family member or friend require special accommodations to attend this program, please let us know. We will do our best to assist you.

*For more information, contact Jessica Meiler-Tangir at [email protected] or 305.705.0800."

Women's Philanthropy invites you to a special program on Wednesday, May 11th from 10:30am-Noon at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125th St. North Miami.

Please join us for a guided private tour of the exhibit My Name is Maryan. The exhibit is a monographic presentation of four decades of paintings, sculptures, drawings & film by the iconoclastic, ground-breaking Polish-born artist Maryan. To learn about the exhibit, visit mocanomi.org.

We are honored to have Dr. Helen Sachs Chaset as our docent. Dr. Chaset is a long-time educator & daughter of two Holocaust survivors who was born in a displaced persons camp in Hannover, Germany.

Free parking available immediately east, west & south of museum. Handicapped parking is behind museum.

LIMITED space available & RSVP is required to participate. Please RSVP to [email protected]

We respectfully request that only those who are fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours in advance of this event attend. We thank you for your understanding & cooperation.

CommUNITY Event for Israel

Commemorate Yom HaZikaron & Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut

On Wednesday, May 4th will be Hebrew Academy's incredible Community for Israel event at Hebrew Academy Miami, 2400 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach. We have many exciting festivities planned including a meaningful program at 6:45 pm, music, face painting, delicious food for purchase and fireworks! Doors open at 5:30 pm and raffle tickets for The Warrior Auction for Education are available for purchase now through May 4th! Check out our amazing prizes today (app.galabid.com/thewarriorauction) and good luck. Please join us and bring your family members to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with Hebrew Academy!

ANTISEMITISM TODAY: A PAGE OUT OF AN AGE-OLD PLAYBOOK

Wednesday, May 11 | 7 PM (EST) Featuring Scholar & Historian Dr. Robert Watson

Dr. Robert Watson will offer meaningful insight into the rise of Antisemitism today and the long history of hate that has followed the Jewish people throughout history. He will address the rise of micro-aggressions on college campuses and will include resources for how to engage in dialogue with your children and grandchildren about the rise of Antisemitism and ways to combat the vitriol and hatred.

Due to the generosity of The Lynn & David Russin Family Foundation, this program is free and open to the community.

Lynn Dumas Russin treasured her Melton & More Adult Learning experience and was passionate about Jewish learning. She is fondly remembered for her vibrant personality, her dedication to family and her love of Judaism.

This program will take place virtually.

Registration is required to receive the ZOOM link. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Visit caje-miami.org/adults/Watson for more information.

Watch JBS on Comcast X-1 Box Ch 1684, Atlantic Broadband 168, Hotwire Ch 269, DirecTV Ch 388, Blue Stream Ch 110, streamed on Roku under "educational", Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and jbstv.org. For a complete and timely schedule and other television providers, go to www.jbstv.org

Tekkes Ma'avar: From Memorial to Celebration

Mark the transition from Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Remembrance Day, to Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's 74th Independence Day, in this outstanding program that includes moving personal testimonies, words of inspiration, songs and messages from Israel’s President Herzog, Rabbis, mentalist Lior Suchard, Israeli music sensation Eli Huli and so much more. A program of JBS in partnership with AIPAC and the UES synagogues of KJ, Park Avenue Synagogue and Central Synagogue. Wednesday - 8:00pm & 1:00am
Thursday - 1:00pm

Rabbi on the Sidelines: Tamir Goodman

Former American-Israeli pro basketball player Tamir Goodman, known as the "Jewish Jordan," describes his love of the game, love of Torah, and how faith has carried him through his sports journey from Baltimore to college basketball to making Aliyah. Follow on Twitter @RabbiESherman, Instagram @rabbi_erez_sherman,and Facebook @SinaiTempleLA Sunday - 7:00pm & 2:00am Monday - 1:00pm Tuesday - 10:15am Thursday - 5:00am & 10:00pm

ADL Never Is Now: Confronting Antisemitism on Campus

Explore how to identify and respond to antisemitism and how the campus community can unite in fostering safer learning environments for young people in this discussion from Hillel International and ADL with panelists Jasmine Beroukhim (UCLA Student), Debbi Yunker Kail (Executive Director, Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University), Jordan Robinson (Hillel International Student Cabinet and Michigan State University Student) and Varun Soni (Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Southern California), with moderator Adam Lehman (President and CEO, Hillel International). Monday - 8:00pm & 1:00am Tuesday - 11:00am Wednesday - 2:00pm Friday - 2:00pm

Rabbi Hirsch: Tel Aviv Terro

In a sermon delivered the day after a recent terror attack in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Hirsch reaffirms his congregation’s partisan stance on Israel, and its position to always support Israel’s right and moral obligation to defend itself against all attacks. Tuesday- 7:00pm & 2:00am Wednesday - 10:00am Friday - 11:00am Saturday - 4:00pm

Top Story: Chaim Silberstein

JNS editor-in-chief Jonathan Tobin discusses the plague of media disinformation and hypocrisy that is eroding democracy and fueling anti-Semitism, and is then joined by Chaim Silberstein, (KeepJerusalem.org), who discusses his efforts to reclaim Jewish property in Jerusalem neighborhoods, recounts the history of the dispute, and warns against what he says could happen if Israel fails to defend its sovereignty. Thursday - 8:00pm & 1:00am Friday - 9:00am Saturday - 7pm

In The News: The Temple Mount

Dr. Eran Tzidkiyahu of The Paris institute of Political Studies & The Forum for Regional Thinking, discusses the current violence at the Temple Mount, its history, and what if anything can be done to change the pattern of escalation at the site, holy to Jews and Muslims. With Teisha Bader. Today (Sunday) - 5:30pm

In The News: Rockets Fired at Israel

Mannie Fabian, military correspondent for the Times of Israel, discusses the rockets fired at Israel from Gaza and from Lebanon in April, and hopes for maintaining calm for the conclusion of Ramadan. WIth Teisha Bader. Monday - 6:30pm & 11:30pm Tuesday - 3:30am, 8:30am & 12:30pm Saturday - 11:30pm

Thinking Out Loud: Israeli Security Services

Micah analyzes the recent trend of Israeli security services revealing the number of thwarted terror attacks in Israel, and how this practice, meant to soothe jangled nerves, could end up doing exactly the opposite. He also highlights the fact that many foreign policy commentators are (somehow) managing to make the Russia-Ukraine war about Israel; why should Israel's publicly-stated stance on the war be so disproportionately important compared to that of other nations of the world? Wednesday - 6:30pm & 11:30pm Thursday - 3:30am, 8:30am & 12:30pm Saturday - 5:30pm

On L’Chayim:

Yehuda Sarna

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, (NYU Chaplain, Executive Director at the Bronfman Center, and Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of the Emirates), discusses his experiences with right-wing Orthodoxy, his assessment of Jewish college students today and more. Today (Sunday) - 6:00pm

Deborah Lipstadt

Holocaust historian, author, and President Biden’s newly confirmed special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt discusses the dangers of contemporary antisemitism, which she addresses in her book Antisemitism: Here and Now. Monday - 3:00pm

Charles Jacobs - Campus Hate

Charles Jacobs, President of Americans for Peace and Tolerance, discusses Avi Goldwasser’ s documentary “Hate Spaces – The Politics of Intolerance on Campus” and the increasing bigotry and antisemitism in American universities. Monday - 9:00pm & Midnight Tuesday - 3:00pm

Miriam Peretz - Israel Sorrow/Heroism

Miriam Peretz, author of Miriam’s Song, describes her experience as a mother who lost two sons in the war with Palestinians while each was serving in the IDF’s elite Golani Brigade – and how she has transcended her sorrow. Tuesday - 9:00pm & Midnight Wednesday - 3:00pm

Rochelle Etingin - Witness To Statehood

For Israel's independence day, fifth generation Sabra Rochelle Etingin recounts her experience as a young girl growing up in Israel during the birth of the Jewish State of Israel. Wednesday - 9:00pm & & Midnight Thursday - 3:00pm Saturday - 6:00pm

Emanuel Aronson Rund

Filmmaker, journalist and historian Emanuel Aronson Rund shares personal memories of growing up in Israel during the 1948 War of Independence and discusses contemporary issues challenging the Jewish State today. Thursday - 9:00pm & Midnight Friday - 3:00pm

Jewish Studies

Hebrew: From The Aleph Bet: Lesson 17

New vowel sounds and rules of the Sh'vah. Download Lessons and Worksheets free on the JBS website by Clicking Here. Monday - 9:00am & 5:00pm Thursday - 10:00am Friday - 4:00am

Talmud Study: Our Historic Homeland

Rabbi Mordechai Becher explores evidence of how the Jewish people have had a connection to the Land of Israel for thousands of years. Today (Sunday) - 9:00am Monday - 4:00am Tuesday - 9:00am Wednesday - 7:00pm

Talmud Study: Promise of Aliyah

Three Oaths, Aliyah, and the State Of Israel (based on Kesuvos 96a and 96b) Today (Sunday) - 9:40am Tuesday - 9:40am & 5:00pm Thursday - 7:00pm

Jewish 101: Torah As Response

Rabbi Mark S. Golub looks at Abraham Joshua Heschel's notion that the Torah is the Jewish People's “Response” to revelation. Sunday (Today) - 10:00am Wednesday - 9:00am & 5:00pm Thursday - 4:00am & 11:00am Friday - 5:00am & 1:00pm

92nd Street Y: David Ben-Gurion

Israeli author Anita Shapira discusses her biography about Zionist icon and founder of the modern state of Israel David Ben-Gurion, with The New Yorker’s David Remnick and Stanford professor Steven Zipperstein, in a program of the 92nd Street Y. Sunday - 8:00pm Monday - 5:00am & 10:00pm
Wednesday - 1:00pm Saturday - 10:00pm

FRIDAY EVENING SHABBAT SERVICES

REFORM: CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE 6:00pm, 11:30pm & 2:00am

ORTHODOX: HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE With Hebrew, transliteration and English subtitles 7:30pm & 10:30pm

SATURDAY MORNING SHABBAT SERVICES

REFORM: CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE 9:30am & 1:00pm

ORTHODOX: HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE With Hebrew, transliteration and English subtitles 11:00am & 2:30pm

Edith Samers Vice President 203.536.6914 (cell phone) JBS Jewish Broadcasting Service, a 501c3 fulltime television channel Website: jbstv.org

A street adjacent to the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach will be renamed Elie Wiesel Way in memory of the late Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Holocaust Survivor. The unveiling of the official street sign will take place Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the northeast corner of Pride Park, 1700 Convention Center Drive, with City and County officials in attendance, including Miami Beach Commissioner David Richardson, who led the renaming effort. Wiesel was a Romanian-born Jewish American political activist, professor and author of 57 books, including his memoir, Night, which was based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. He was a frequent speaker in Miami-Dade County and died in 2016.

Federation’s holy work is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our volunteer leaders. Join us as we reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of the year, recognize leaders and elect the slate of officers for the coming year.

We look forward to honoring our Greater Miami Jewish Federation Outgoing Board Chair, Isaac K. "Ike" Fisher, and prior Board Chair, Jeffrey Scheck. We will also welcome Federation Board Chair-Elect Ariel Bentata and the officers, board of directors, trustees, and leadership council.

Additionally, the following emerging leaders will be honored for their outstanding commitment to the Federation:

Stanley C. Myers Presidents' Leadership Award: Jaclyn Bergman and Keith Ginsburg

Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award: Lecia Rothman and Yosef Shwedel

Robert Russell Fellowship Award Dr. Jaime Ghitelman

June 2, 2022 6 pm Hilton Miami Downtown 1601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

RSVP: 84th Greater Miami Jewish Federation Annual Meeting:

Click Here to RSVP

Under 40? Click Here to RSVP

Yodeah will be presenting a one hour virtual program for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its affiliated organizations on hereditary cancers in men and women in the Jewish, Black and Caribbean communities. Please join us for this life saving program for you and your family and find out how you can be tested. The program will include time for questions and answers. Friday, May 13 from 11:00am until 12:00pm.