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My family is finally all together. For the last time.
It's been an emotional 24 hours since our son Mendel came home from yeshiva and joined all his sisters, who
have been back from high school for a few weeks now.
Reflecting on the dynamics of the past few weeks, it hit me that
we are in a historic week in our family. Our Sara has graduated eighth grade in Online School and will be joining her sister Esther in Chicago for the upcoming school year. Rivka has graduated high school in Chicago and will be traveling to Israel for Teachers
Seminary. And, of course, Mussi is getting married and moving out next week.
Sara graduates eighth grade!
This is the last Shabbat that our family will be together in this configuration.
Of course, this is all for the good. The children are growing up. Half of them will be experiencing even more independence—away from home, out of the country, and starting their own family—and
independence and growth brings out the deeper resources and energies of the soul.
But I can't say there is no pain. Our home is alive with the laughter and joy of siblings preparing for the most joyous occasion - their
sister's marriage. We would all love to freeze time and just take it all in for another few weeks, or months, or eternity.
Rivka graduates high school! |
But there's a mission to accomplish. We are all working on making the world a better, G-dly place, by studying, personal growth, and helping others. The world is in urgent need of redemption with Moshiach and we each need to do our part to bring it closer.
I
can feel the pain of the Jews in the Desert. As we read in this week's Torah reading,
they panicked when they were poised to go into the Holy Land. They were enjoying the most sublime, spiritual experience being embraced by G-d Himself with Clouds of Glory and Manna from heaven.
They were afraid of what dealing in a material world would do for their soul.
Unfortunately, their fear translated into reality when G-d didn't allow them to enter the beautiful land. How wonderful it would
have been had the very same people who left Egypt and received the Torah on Mt. Sinai entered the Holy Land and brought their experiences with
them!
Next Shabbat marks the
22nd yartzait of our beloved Rebbe. The Rebbe, with his infinite love for every Jew, inspired a generation of Shluchim, men, women and children, who dedicate their lives to helping other Jews, and non-Jews, find their inner-light and inspire themselves and others to make the
world a better place.
Our family has been fortunate to be part of this great movement, to help perpetuate Judaism, goodness and kindness in Santa Fe. I am very proud of how my children carry this, sometimes challenging, task with such joy and dedication.
To have fifty Chassidic rabbis dancing and celebrating together with the local Jewish community - on an Indian Reservation - and marrying off a Chassidic girl who calls Santa Fe home is truly the Rebbe's vision of a Global Jewish community!
Thank you
Manuel Quintana, Sharon Samuels and Damien Pretto for the landscaping work!
It takes a village to marry off a child and this wonderful community has really come together to make it happen! Thank you
Crystal Latimer, Brooke Remmert, Rosa Pretto, Bob Whittet, Yaszmina Nedboy, Mary Greening, Deborah Newman, Cherie Hughes, Ron Duncan Hart, Raya Albin, Kristina Harrigan, Martha Schlenger, Pauina Robinson, Janie Siskin, Ann Morrison and Diane Miller
for all your help in the wedding preparations!
We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to
Steve and Jane Hochberg on the upcoming wedding of their daughter
Sophye!
The construction sign for the Jewish Center renovation and expansion is going up! |
We wish a Happy Brithday to
Mendel Levertov, Ann Morrison, and Elliot Bernstein!
Thank you
Bob Sacks for your steadfast support and your generous gift to Chabad!
Thank you
Drs. Halley Faust, Edgar Billowitz, Paul Walsky and Stephanie Rosen and Marvin Schneider for your kind recent donations to Chabad!
Thank you
Brake Masters and the
Laytin Family for your ongoing support!
Special thanks to all the monthly Parnas Hachodesh donors:
Anon., Stephanie Rosen, Brake Masters, Dan and Carol Pava, Martha Schlenger, Steven and Camille Ovitsky, Phyllis Kapp, Judy Moore Kraichnen, Wendy Henry, Ron and Gloria Hart, Willa Shalit, Beverly Berger, Gennifer Goldy, Lisa Levine, and Ginger Sawyer.
Have a Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Berel and Devorah Leah Levertov
 Next week we will be traveling to New York to pray and reflect on the Rebbe's yartzait.
If you wish for us to take along your prayers, please send us your name and mother's name, as well as anyone else you wish to pray for, and we will mention your request at the Rebbe's resting place. |
