Dear Friends,
20 years ago I would have never imagined that I would be like this. However, I find myself looking at boys that are in Yeshiva and thinking, “Seize the opportunity for undisturbed learning now, for when later comes you will wish you had.” As students in Yeshiva we always dismissed older people when they made those types of statements. Now I think back nostalgically to the days when we could spend all day studying without having the responsibilities of a family, a job, a house, a car etc. Back then we didn’t even have cell phones or email to bother us. Nowadays learning for just an hour without a care is not even something to dream about.
The advantages of youth are wasted on the young. Perhaps it is the way of the world, that we do not appreciate something fully until it is no longer available to us. This is why I am excited to have our visiting Yeshiva students in town for Project Talmud. If I can’t have the luxury at least let me enjoy the sight of those that are taking full advantage of this special time in their lives.
I encourage everyone to utilize the time our community has with these Yeshiva students and come participate in some or all of the Project Talmud sessions. A few of this week’s highlights: (See below for a schedule.)
· Sunday, August 14 9 AM – Breakfast and a class led by Yosef Rivkin on Resurrection in Jewish tradition. At 10 AM Levi Gerlitzki will discuss the Life and Legacy of Rabbi Akiva.
· Tuesday, August 16 12 PM – Lunch N Learn with Yosef Rivkin downtown at New York Camera – 705 Canal St. Topic: Seeing Double: Analyzing the two sets of 10 Commandments as they appear in Exodus and Deuteronomy.
· Wednesday, August 17 – Project Talmud travels to the Gulf Coast with two afternoon classes and an evening lecture.
All of the sessions are free and open to all. Please let us know which sessions you will be attending so we can prepare accordingly. To help sponsor Project Talmud – www.chabadneworleans.com/donate.
Three boys were born in the Chabad of Louisiana extended family this week. We wish warm Mazel Tovs to Hinda (Rivkin) and Sholom Pinson, Rachel and Eli Shoot, and Avigayil and Yechiam Cohen.
We also offer a farewell and good wishes to Sarah and Ilan Fuchs who departed from New Orleans this week on their way to their new home in Calgary.
Last but not least, this Sunday night @ 8:30 PM there will be a farbrengen at Chabad Uptown for the 15th of Av. We will be joining our good friend Yonatan Hodorov for a birthday celebration. We wish him a year of success and growth both materially and spiritually.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin