Chavurah Members at the Save Darfur Rally

Making Time Sacred

“In a place where there is no one of moral courage, strive to be courageous.” (Pirke Avot)

At the end of April, tens of thousands went to Washington to try to galvanize the government to take action. Among them were several members of our Chavurah: Carolyn Enger, Laraine and Hilary Fergenson and Harriet Schwartz.

The immensity of the tragedy happening now in Darfur and spilling over into neighboring Chad is mind-boggling. There is so much suffering. So many have been raped, tortured, mutilated.

The rally may have had some effect in galvanizing the government to encourage more peace talks. However, right after a partial truce seemed at hand, it collapsed because some factions refused to sign. The African Union has soldiers in Darfur trying to protect people, but they are ill-equipped and overwhelmed by the forces against them. They need help from the UN and/or a coalition of nations.

The crowd in Washington was multi-ethnic and multi-racial. One speaker from the NAACP called it “this rainbow sea of humanity.” The energy level was high, but the rally was completely peaceful. A sampling of the signs people carried showed what the issues are: Stop Genocide. Save Darfur.
A call to your conscience -- Save Darfur. We are responsible.

Call the White House at (202) 456-1414. Ask the President to protect the civilians, increase humanitarian aid, and hold the perpetrators responsible. Help those who cannot help themselves.
Never Again is happening right now. New Yorkers against genocide. Take action Now. Say NO to the rape of women and young girls as a weapon of war. Silence = Death.

Here are a few facts:
*For over three years Sudan’s government-backed Janjaweed Arab-Muslim militia has had free reign to slaughter innocent civilians in Darfur. Thousands of villages and their inhabitants are being systematically wiped off the face of the Earth. Most of the victims are themselves Muslims and all of them are black Africans.
*As many as 400,000 people have been killed
* 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes
* 3.5 million are starving

As Jews we have a sacred obligation to ensure that genocide is never ignored. For 60 years the rallying cry of our community has been, "Never again!" Now we have the opportunity to put our commitment into action.
Darfur needs your help! Join the Million Voices for Darfur and send an e-mail to President Bush calling on him to mobilize an effective multinational force to protect the civilians of Darfur. The lives of innocent people are well worth the minute of your time it takes to send Mr. Bush a message.
ADL has united with over 100 other organizations in the Save Darfur Coalition. This Sunday we will join the Rally to Stop Genocide in Washington, DC to urge an end to the violence.

We learned a long time ago that all it takes for evil to flourish if for good people not to act. Please add your voice to this important campaign and spread the word by sharing this message today.

Consider making a donation to the Chavurah Beth Shalom SAVE DARFUR campaign:

How?  Simply mail your donation to Chavurah Beth Shalom, P. O. Box 417, Tenafly, NJ  07670.  Please put Save Darfur! in the memo line!

Chavurah Monthly Youth Activities Forum

Our Youth Program for our teen age members will feature non classroom activities such as field trips, social activites, dramatic presentations and guest speakers which will meet monthly. The group will be lead by Shiri Gall, who teaches in our Wednesday afternoon religious school and her husband Robbie, both of whom have considerable experience with high school youth group activities. Our youth leaders are Ryan Greiss and Elizabeth Greenberg.

Part of this monthly program will include meeting in the homes of our participating families. If you wish to host one of these events for our young people please let us know and if you are a High School student who wishes to participate, please contact us:

Rabbi Nat Benjamin
201-294-8028
201-567-7806
e-mail: RabbiNatBenjamin@aol.com

The Spirit of Chavurah Beth Shalom

A chaver or haver is a companion or friend

The early rabbis used the term to refer to one's study partner. In the 1960's young Jewish adults began to look for alternatives to the large urban and suburban synagogues.

In time, Chavurot were organized within synagogues. There are numerous varieties, but they are people who can learn and celebrate together, and be with one another in times of joy and sorrow.

New forms continue to develop, but in a time when extended families are often distant and synagogues are so large that people don't know each other, theneed and benefits are clear.

Although Chavurah Beth Shalom is a congregation of nearly 250 families, we are always striving to maintain the character and spirit of our beginnings fifteen years ago. This is clearly evident on Shabbat morning at The Alpine Community House, where we meet for our 9:30 AM minyan and 10:30 AM Judaic Studies Class. The Wednesday afternoon religious School community can be seen as a chavurah in that families build relationships built on the friendship of their respective children. Also our monthly Havdallah happenings held in diferent homes combines, prayer, study and socialization which has inspired many deep friendships.