Social Justice Speech by Sam Blau at the Migrant Family Justice Rally
KHL Social Justice chair Sam Blau spoke on behalf of Jews United for Justice this past Saturday at the rally in Patterson Park for migrant families. Here's the text of what she said, and a link to a video.
My name is Sam Blau, and I’m a member of Jews United for Justice Leadership Council. We are a local grassroots activist organization. And we stand in solidarity with migrant families. Something to know about Jews is that we have a section of Torah for each week of the year. This week’s Torah reading is about Balak, King of the Moabites, who sees the Israelites camping along his borders. They are still wandering after their flight from oppression in Egypt. Balak fears them. He fears their numbers, he fears their otherness, and so he calls upon the prophet Balaam to curse them. Balaam looks upon the camp of the Israelites and sees instead a people who travel with blessings. God opens Balaam’s eyes and he is able to see with “mochin d’gadlut”, a big mind or an open consciousness. From that moment of truly seeing the Israelites as they were, Balaam could only offer a praise so beloved we use it as a favorite prayer today:
Ma tovu ohalecha Ya’akov.
Mish’k’no’techa Yisrael.
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob.
Your dwelling places, O Israel.
Let us have our eyes unveiled as Balaam did. Let us look upon these asylum seekers as we would look upon the ancient Israelites: families fleeing violence and oppression in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico, people who walk with blessings. Let us look with “mochin d’gadlut”, an open consciousness, and offer them praise:
How lovely are you families, your culture, your heritage.
Come join us in a land where all should be free.
My name is Sam Blau, and I’m a member of Jews United for Justice Leadership Council. We are a local grassroots activist organization. And we stand in solidarity with migrant families. Something to know about Jews is that we have a section of Torah for each week of the year. This week’s Torah reading is about Balak, King of the Moabites, who sees the Israelites camping along his borders. They are still wandering after their flight from oppression in Egypt. Balak fears them. He fears their numbers, he fears their otherness, and so he calls upon the prophet Balaam to curse them. Balaam looks upon the camp of the Israelites and sees instead a people who travel with blessings. God opens Balaam’s eyes and he is able to see with “mochin d’gadlut”, a big mind or an open consciousness. From that moment of truly seeing the Israelites as they were, Balaam could only offer a praise so beloved we use it as a favorite prayer today:
Ma tovu ohalecha Ya’akov.
Mish’k’no’techa Yisrael.
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob.
Your dwelling places, O Israel.
Let us have our eyes unveiled as Balaam did. Let us look upon these asylum seekers as we would look upon the ancient Israelites: families fleeing violence and oppression in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico, people who walk with blessings. Let us look with “mochin d’gadlut”, an open consciousness, and offer them praise:
How lovely are you families, your culture, your heritage.
Come join us in a land where all should be free.
Sun, September 22 2019
22 Elul 5779
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Kol HaLev Welcomes You to High Holy Day 5780 Services
Come prepared to engage, participate, and reflect!
Due to space limitations, online registration is required for Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur morning services. Seats cannot be guaranteed unless you register. No tickets or cost involved. There is a 350 max capacity.
For the complete schedule and to register click here.Learn Hebrew for the High Holy Days!
As an entry point into Judaism and Jewish life, Hebrew language familiarity is the "Golden Gate." Those who have learned a little Hebrew can attest to how much more they can understand, access the wisdom, participate in and appreciate our communal services, celebrations and commemorations. KHL is offering a crash course on "Hebrew for the High Holy Days" at 6:00 p.m. for three Wednesday in September (9/11, 9/18, 9/25) leading up to Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Geoff and Cantor George have devised a little "curriculum" that includes all the main themes, the shofar calls, and maybe even a vital tune or two. All are welcome; no Hebrew required. This crash course might whet your appetite for more! Hebrew Literacy for adults is offered throughout the year on Wednesdays, (6:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and will begin again on October 16.
Rabbi Geoff and Cantor George have devised a little "curriculum" that includes all the main themes, the shofar calls, and maybe even a vital tune or two. All are welcome; no Hebrew required. This crash course might whet your appetite for more! Hebrew Literacy for adults is offered throughout the year on Wednesdays, (6:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and will begin again on October 16.
Shabbat Music
Kol HaLev, with the guidance of Cantor George has been introducing new, exciting, stimulating, joyful music to our services. Much of this music is for Friday nights and is played by Shabbat Unplugged on the fourth Friday night of the month. Shabbat Unplugged has made recordings so that the community can learn the melodies more easily. This link takes you to the recordings and the lyrics for the songs. (You can also access them from this home page under the Program tab above). Come and enjoy guitar, drum, voices and song!
KHL - Please Join Us
We are located in The Church of the Holy Comforter (CHC), 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville 21093. All Friday and Saturday Shabbat services will now be held at CHC in the chapel. The chapel is handicap accessible.
Weather Closing Policy
It is Kol HaLev's policy that if Baltimore County Schools are closed due to weather then any KHL service or event scheduled for that day will also be canceled and/or rescheduled.
Sun, September 22 2019 22 Elul 5779