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This past week the United States learned that two American's were captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan today (Sunday) we learned that one has been killed. Here is the story from CNN.
Imagine the pain of the parents of these young men. Imagine the pain and the fear and the hurt.
Imagine...
And, while there, consider the pain the family and friends of Gilad Shalit have experienced for four very long years as this young IDF soldier sits in some filth hole in Gaza held by the cowards of Hamas. Hamas who denies even a visit by the "noble" International Red Cross.
I am sorry for the families and friends of all these brave soldiers who are trying to do their job there...and here.
The pain...continues.
One of the things I enjoy is having the ability to learn with and teach with my friend and rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum. That's exactly what we did with students from Mercy College of Health Sciences and their instructor Dr. Joe Moravec this past week. Here is a quick video of our visit:
This makes the third year that Dr. Moravec has called on us asking for us to present to his students about the reality of caring for and treating for people who are Jewish. Sharing with them the issues of that impact Jews across the spectrum when it comes to things like advance directives, the sanctity of life, dealing with family members who may be Jewish but not Orthodox, dietary laws and the laws of Shabbos and holidays. Because of my ten years in long-term health care and Rabbi Schwarzbaum's years of teaching and ministry...it's a great fit and a pretty good "tag team".
Aaron is OK...he was in the wheel chair for a foot injury...just so you know.
It's said that every Jew should find for themselves a rabbi and that of course means that even every rabbi should have a rabbi. It's the way we learn and build on the knowledge of each other. Joe, thanks for coming by and helping us teach and learn with you.
In Torah....
This week I got an e-mail from one of the folks at the Jewish Congregation in Mason City, Iowa. (I'll get to that in just a minute.) The author, Ruth, has been coming to Adas Israelfor many years and her mother before her. In fact, the new kitchen that graces the social hall was a gift from Ruth and her family. Ruth is, you might say, active at the shul. Every time the door is open she's there and we treasure her.
About a year ago we learned that Ruth had a serious health issue. Tests confirmed she had Stage Three breast cancer. Over the past year Ruth has been in our minds and our prayers. Even here in Des Moines each Shabbos we have said a Mi She'Berakh, a prayer for healing, on her behalf.
The note I received this week told me, and other members of Adas Israel, that Ruth's decision to mix some traditional treatments with non-traditional treatments seems to be working. She said, "Because of all the prayers from everyone, the entire immersing of health related practices, and the wonderful support of my family and friends, I can now report that I have been told from test results that I no longer have abnormal tissue in either breast. G-D has given us a wonderful human body that will heal itself if nourished and disposing of toxins properly."
Ruth went on to tell us, "May G-d bless each of you for the many, many prayers you have offered on my behalf. Today is the anniversary of my diagnosis. What a gift it is that I am in the position I am...today."
I cried and wondered out loud why we continue to doubt...
With Torah thoughts...
Thanks for coming by Jewish - Des Moines. This is an on-going story line about life in the Midwest for those of us who are Jewish. At the same time it's for those of you who are not Jewish but wondering what the heck we're all about. We'll mix politics and religion. Oy!!!
At one time this blog was part of Beth El Jacob and you'll see in the archives posts about the shul. Moving forward I've decided to write about the entire "Jewish Experience" in the Capital of Iowa. Yes...there are Jews west of the Hudson and we come in all types, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. Our link is Israel and Torah some more than others but it's still a link. Ready? Let's go...
Yesterday (Shabbat) my rabbi, Aaron Schwarzbaum, told of an interesting story regarding Gilid Shalit the IDF solder who was captured by Hammas on June 25, 2006. To date the terrorists have refused to allow the International Red Cross access to him because they such a visit would betray the location where Shalit is being held. (I know, all they want is "peace".)
If you have ever been to Israel you know the traffic is NOT like Des Moines where we are all pretty much polite drivers. When the light turns green and the car in front of you doesn't move...few honk. That's not the case in Israel where even if you are moving people are honking their car horns. It must be cultural.
The connection between honking horns and Gilid Shalit is that his family has been joined by thousands in a protest march from their hometown to Tel Aviv and then to Jerusalem. Here is the article from the BBC. You won't find much of this reported in the US Media... The 20,000 people stopped traffic along the route but nobody sounded their car horns. Drivers joined the walkers and out of respect to the effort kept silent.
Listen to your people Bibi...
Today is the Fourth of July! When I think of the holiday I celebrate the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
It is THAT which allows THIS to be possible.
Happy Birthday America!
