Happy Father's Day & More

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

This weekend we'll be celebrating Father's Day. It's a big deal being a father. Of all the things that men get to do or have to do, being a father is the most important of all jobs. 

So, what does it take to be a good father?

We've got to listen. Listening is one of those great methods of truly connecting with our children.  Taking the time to listen, really listen to what is being said shows we care.  Sure, when the game is on and the kids come through asking a question or making a statement it's sometimes aggravating. But, the father who takes the time to listen is also doing this.

We've got to teach. Being a good father requires us to teach our children so many things.  Sure, when to cross the street and what to wear to a party are all part of it.  But we also teach skills.  How to talk, how to listen, how to interact with others.  The father who takes the time to teach is also doing this.

We've got to coach. Teaching is one thing but coaching is special. Coaching requires us to to encourage our children to grow and to learn. Encouragement is critical which leads us to.

Being a role model. If our young children see us acting out of anger or getting upset at the call of the umpire or using poor language we shouldn't be surprised if our children start to act in the same manner. If we model positive behavior.  If we are respectful of others. Those are ways in which we build character in our kids.

Being a father is pretty cool.  If we try our best and work at being a good father we'll be able to stand back and launch our children into the world confident of their success in life.

We wish each of you a Happy Father's Day! 

This Week's Torah Portion Beha'alosecha, Numbers 8:1 - 12:16

There is so much going on in this weeks Parsha:

Aaron is commanded in the lighting of the Menorah, the Levites purify themselves for service in the Tabernacle (they trained from age 25-30 and served from age 30-50). The first Passover is celebrated since leaving Egypt. The Almighty instructs the Jewish people to journey into the desert whenever the ever-present cloud lifts from above the Tabernacle and to camp where it rests. Moses is instructed to make two silver trumpets to be sounded before battle or to proclaim a yom tov (a holiday).

The people journey to the wilderness of Paran, during which time they rebelled twice against the Almighty’s leadership. The second time they complain about the boring taste of the maneh and the lack of meat in the desert. The Almighty sends a massive quantity of quail and those who rebelled died.

Moses asks his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro) to travel with them in the desert, but Yitro returns to Midian.

Miriam, Moses’ sister, speaks lashon hora (defaming words) about Moses. She is struck with tzora’as (the mystical skin disease which indicated that a person spoke improperly about another person) and is exiled from the camp for one week.

Take a few minutes this Shabbat and enjoy this amazing Parsha.

Remembering Peter Children

Last week, just after Shabbat, I learned that our friend Peter Children had died of a massive stroke. I had been to the Hospice House to see him on Friday and then again after our Midrash on Shabbat. At 86 Peter loved to work in his business, Universal Products. We would visit several times each week about what he was doing and who he was pitching. And, oh the stories. Peter would often tell me about his Jewish friends in Mason City from retailers to bankers to lawyers. He would tell me how they worked with him and for him and of his relationship with our benefactor Charles Wolf.  For many, many reasons Peter adopted Adas Israel as his congregation and we...him. I will dearly miss those chats and his stories during Midrash.  May his memory be a blessing. We'll keep you posted as to a memorial.

Service and Midrash

We've yet to set a date for July but as soon as we do...you'll know.  

Be well and Shabbat Shalom!

 

 

We've got to listen. Listening is one of those great methods of truly connecting with our children.  Taking the time to listen, really listen to what is being said shows we care.  Sure, when the game is on and the kids come through asking a question or making a statement it's sometimes aggravating. But, the father who takes the time to listen is also doing this.

We've got to teach. Being a good father requires us to teach our children so many things.  Sure, when to cross the street and what to wear to a party are all part of it.  But we also teach skills.  How to talk, how to listen, how to interact with others.  The father who takes the time to teach is also doing this.

We've got to coach. Teaching is one thing but coaching is special. Coaching requires us to to encourage our children to grow and to learn. Encouragement is critical which leads us to.

Being a role model. If our young children see us acting out of anger or getting upset at the call of the umpire or using poor language we shouldn't be surprised if our children start to act in the same manner. If we model positive behavior.  If we are respectful of others. Those are ways in which we build character in our kids.

Being a father is pretty cool.  If we try our best and work at being a good father we'll be able to stand back and launch our children into the world confident of their success in life.

We wish each of you a Happy Father's Day! 

This Week's Torah Portion Beha'alosecha, Numbers 8:1 - 12:16

There is so much going on in this weeks Parsha:

Aaron is commanded in the lighting of the Menorah, the Levites purify themselves for service in the Tabernacle (they trained from age 25-30 and served from age 30-50). The first Passover is celebrated since leaving Egypt. The Almighty instructs the Jewish people to journey into the desert whenever the ever-present cloud lifts from above the Tabernacle and to camp where it rests. Moses is instructed to make two silver trumpets to be sounded before battle or to proclaim a yom tov (a holiday).

The people journey to the wilderness of Paran, during which time they rebelled twice against the Almighty’s leadership. The second time they complain about the boring taste of the maneh and the lack of meat in the desert. The Almighty sends a massive quantity of quail and those who rebelled died.

Moses asks his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro) to travel with them in the desert, but Yitro returns to Midian.

Miriam, Moses’ sister, speaks lashon hora (defaming words) about Moses. She is struck with tzora’as (the mystical skin disease which indicated that a person spoke improperly about another person) and is exiled from the camp for one week.

Take a few minutes this Shabbat and enjoy this amazing Parsha.

Remembering Peter Children

Last week, just after Shabbat, I learned that our friend Peter Children had died of a massive stroke. I had been to the Hospice House to see him on Friday and then again after our Midrash on Shabbat. At 86 Peter loved to work in his business, Universal Products. We would visit several times each week about what he was doing and who he was pitching. And, oh the stories. Peter would often tell me about his Jewish friends in Mason City from retailers to bankers to lawyers. He would tell me how they worked with him and for him and of his relationship with our benefactor Charles Wolf.  For many, many reasons Peter adopted Adas Israel as his congregation and we...him. I will dearly miss those chats and his stories during Midrash.  May his memory be a blessing. We'll keep you posted as to a memorial.

Service and Midrash

We've yet to set a date for July but as soon as we do...you'll know.  

Be well and Shabbat Shalom!