A mere few days have passed since the holiday of Shavuot, when we re-experienced Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah. The powerful connection that we have with the Torah should still be felt potently. As such it is an appropriate time to strengthen our dedication to the study of this precious gift that we were just given. When a person gets a new car, computer or smart phone, they excitedly spend time checking out the various features. We need to do the same with the Torah while it still retains the “new car smell.”
There are many opportunities for Torah study in town and online. I would like to highlight some of the Torah study opportunities at Chabad. Of course there are the course series associated with Jewish Learning Institute and Rosh Chodesh Society presented by Chabad Metairie. At Chabad Uptown we offer three weekly classes. 1. A weekly Torah portion class on Tuesdays @ 8 PM by Rabbi Zelig Rivkin. 2. A Exploring Jewish Mysticism on Wednesdays @ 8 PM by Rabbi Mendel Rivkin. 3. Ladies’ Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) on Shabbat @ 5:30 PM. We also have several monthly offerings. Breakfast with Maimonides is held on the first Sunday of the month at 8:45 AM (this weekend). Lunch N Learn Downtown NOLA and Kabbala for Young Jewish Professionals are also offered each month.
Please take advantage of these opportunities by participating in some or all of the classes. The Torah is fresh and warm – just out of the oven. Taste and you will see that it is good.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin
P.S. Moish Pomeranc, who was in New Orleans last year for a liver transplant, asked me to share these words with the New Orleans Jewish community.
It's almost a year since I had my transplant, and over a year since we first came to New Orleans. At first, I was very hesitant to have my surgery away from home. I knew that it would take hours, and in Israel, we have our support system – family and friends who would look after Kohava during the ordeal.
However, after we arrived in New Orleans we became part of your community. Upon returning to Israel, my health started to deteriorate, I prayed that they would not find a donor here, enabling me to go back to N.O.
We were amazed at the friendliness and openness of the community and the doctors. We felt that we were part of a family and I told Kohava that I didn't worry that she would be alone for all those hours in the waiting room. We felt smothered with kindness and love. As soon as I was wheeled into the operation room, people started coming and didn't leave Kohava alone. I truly believe that my recovery with the help of Hashem, was also due to the people of the community and the doctors. When Shabbat came around and I had to stay in the hospital, Kohava saw that I missed being with you, as did she. You had come to be a large part of our lives.
We want to say now is, and I hope it isn't too late for this, thank you, to the doctors, and to all those people who helped us and made us feel at home. It's something that is never forgotten and we have told many people of the kind hearts that you all have.
We wish a good summer, Kayitz Tov as we say here and everyone should have a healthy and long life and a lot of nachas.
Kohava and Moish Pomeranc, Ofra, Israel