Rabbi's Message

Temple Sisterhood Happy April, Tifereth Israel,

As we begin this month in the midst of our Passover liberation story, let us cautiously look forward to a month of somber remembrance, mixed with overwhelming joy. During the festival of matzah, we commemorate our new found freedom. However, the exodus was a life-long journey which only began on Pesach for the Israelites born into captivity. In reality, the Israelites’ personal growth was not always linear, and often it was mired in painful lessons learned along the way.

In April, we also recognize the more recent traumatic events in our people’s history, as we pause to honor the memory and experience of those who suffered in the Holocaust, on Yom Hashoah. This year marks the 76th anniversary since the liberation of the Concentration Camps and the end of World War II. Exactly a week later, Israelis, and as an extension world Jewry, acknowledge the human sacrifice Israel has had to endure as she elevates her fallen soldiers and civilian victims of terrorism on Yom HaZikron. And the very next day, we rejoice over Israel’s Independence - a true modern-day miracle and an emotionally exhausting encounter.

Please pay close attention to the following information as our upcoming events are tentative and subject to change:

  • Kabbalat Shabbat Services on Friday, April 2nd at 7pm ONLINE.
  • 8th Day of Passover Festival Services, with Yizkor, on Sunday, April 4th at 10am ONLINE.
  • Yom HaShoah Service and Program on Wednesday, April 7th at 7pm ONLINE.
  • Kabbalat Shabbat Services on Friday, April 9th at 7pm ONLINE.
  • Israeli Independence Day, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, on Wednesday, April 14th at 7pm ONLINE.
  • Shabbat Morning Services, on Saturday, April 17th at 10am in PERSON!
  • Kabbalat Shabbat Services on Friday, April 23rd at 7pm in PERSON!
Feel free to share all our exciting news with friends and family. If your family has a Yarzheit this month, please notify the shul, and as always, if you have any questions, needs, or good news to share, let us know!

Chag Pesach Samaech, Happy Passover, and Chodesh tov,

Student Rabbi David Joslin
603-508-1958
benyisraeldavid@gmail.com
ttiwinthrop@gmail.com


A Bit of Israel - The “Grand Canyon” of Israel

     In Hebrew, the word Kanyon means shopping mall. So in a play on words, a very large shopping mall, located at 54 Derech Simha Golan Street in the southeast area of Haifa is named the “Grand Canyon”.

     This lovely mall has a variety of both upscale and more affordable stores. It offers many kinds of shops, various restaurants and activities for all ages. The mall has free underground parking. On Thursdays and Fridays there are artists with tables of wares outside the large number of mall stores.

     This mall is four stories high and has an interesting variety of retailers. An Aroma Coffee House is on the 2nd floor, but on the 4th floor, there is a gourmet grocery and food court. What an incredible selection - dozens of vendors selling wine and cheese, delicatessen delicacies, cakes, various pastries, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and much more. There is even home-cooked hot pasta and goulash to go.

     One outstanding feature of this mall is the gargantuan 3-story playhouse for children of all ages. This children’s area looks like it could easily accommodate 100 children and it is sturdy enough for parents to accompany the little ones. Mary Poppins dangles with her umbrella from the mall ceiling, keeping an eye on the activity.

     I had first visited the Grand Canyon Mall back in 2007, shortly after the 2006 war with Lebanon, when Haifa had been the target of multiple rockets fired into northern Israel from southern Lebanon. At the Grand Canyon Mall, I visited the broadcast studios of FM station Radio Haifa, which was located there. At the radio station, the group I was with was shown around the broadcast studios.

     Because Haifa had not been attacked in any of Israel’s previous wars, it was not adequately prepared for those rocket attacks. Some areas of the city could not hear the air raid warning sirens and authorities had no way to communicate with people in the air raid shelters scattered around the city. Radio Haifa filled the void by broadcasting rocket attack warnings and transmitting vital information over the FM airwaves to the citizens of Haifa while they were in their shelters or elsewhere.

     During the attacks on Haifa, a Jewish reporter, Eli Levy, and an Arab cameraman Nassar Nasser, combined to make an on-the-scene video documentary of life and events in Haifa. Support to make and produce the video, titled, “Eli and Nassar, a War Journal” was provided by Radio Haifa. Our visiting group was shown this award-winning documentary that had been made the previous summer.

The Grand Canyon Mall


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