Community Corner

It's a New World

“It's a new world, Tevye, it's a new world." I always thought those words only pertained to the times in Fiddler on the Roof. Over the years, I continually am surprised to see once again, It's a new world.

Based on our generation, each one of us has our stories to tell. For me, the new world really started in 1980. The Israeli flag was raised over the newly opened Embassy in Cairo. Whoever would have though this could be possible. Then, the Jews of Eastern Europe were free to emigrate and later to practice their religion. No longer did our federations need to pay ransoms to Romania or our government pressure the Soviet Union. No longer would I need to go down to the Music Center to protest outside the performance of the Moscow ballet. The Berlin Wall comes down, the Soviet Union breaks apart and Eastern Europe with differing results experiment with capitalism and democracy. The great leader of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, as his first act as President reestablishes diplomatic relations with Israel.

Wars were less prevalent, even peace talks became serious between Israel and the Palestinians. There was a new normal going on, and we were in the middle of history, of the new world. So, now with my children at the same age as I was in the 1980's, what happened. Was it all a dream? Nuclear weapons being used and tested by North Korea and Iran. Wars going on all over the place. Coalitions in this country between the founders of the civil rights movement no longer work together.

I hope and pray that this new world is very temporary. It is not realistic to believe there ever will be complete peace in the world. But we take baby steps to go forward. This last week, there was and is an absolute disaster going on in Houston. We in our community are doing our best to show those in Houston that they are not alone. We will do our best to support them as shown by the letter sent out on Tuesday by Rabbi Feinstein. It is with great pride that I read Israel was one of the first foreign countries on the ground in Houston helping out with their knowledge of disaster recovery.

We are there for the Jews in Uganda. The tiny tribe of Rabbi Gershon Sizouma who is experiencing the worst famine in their history and were down to one meal a day. In a matter of two weeks, our community right here, through two emails and not a whole lot more raised close to $15,000 to send to the Abayudava tribe. The funds which are being sent through the Be'chol Lashon non profit are what is needed to get them through their next harvest.

We are there for Israel, through our involvement in AIPAC and having Donna Bender as a Board member. We are there for Jewish National Fund, and now Alyse Berkley has just been named to their National Board. We have Janice Reznick, who cofounded Jewish World Watch with Rabbi Schulweis [z"l] and has done incredible work for the people of Darfur and surrounding areas. We have numerous other leaders in Federation, in Jewish charities and charities that help the overall community. We have Rabbi Farkas who has taken a leadership position in this State for his work on the homeless. I can go on and on, and it shows how blessed I feel I am to belong to a Shul that cares like Valley Beth Shalom. I hope my feelings are shared by all who are part of our community.

So, it is a new world, and we need to continue on the path we are going. Difficult times will get better, and the one constant is that we will all be here together.

So, after one year of serving as President, when I say it is an honor, it is from the bottom of my heart. Between our clergy, professional staff, schools of Valley Beth Shalom, and all the incredible lay leaders and volunteers, my job has not been difficult.

I hope you have gotten to the end of my message for my one last request. On Friday evening, September 8, we are having a Community Shabbat. After our Rimmonim service, we will be having Shabbat dinner catered by Starlite. The important part of the evening for me, is we are honoring two well-deserved accomplishments. In May of this year, Rabbi Edward Feinstein participated in the graduation at the Jewish Theological Seminary where after many years of work, he received his Doctorate in Education. It was a special day and I know how the community is so proud to have him be our spiritual leader. We will also be honoring Rabbi Noah Farkas on his becoming the Chairman of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission. One gets appointed to this position only after a lot of hard work and leadership.  

I hope you will be able to join us, and if you can, please reserve your dinner by calling the VBS office at (818) 530-4009 or register online.

Shabbat Shalom,

Scott Howard
President of Valley Beth Shalom