Elwood Shule

1 week ago

💐Shabbat Shalom!
📩 Enjoy this week’s Newsletter:
www.elwoodshule.org/newsletter/shabbat-shalom-17-6-22/
🕍 Shule tonight 5:00pm | 9:30am tomorrow
💥 Shabbat begins 4:49pm | Ends 5:51pm
✡️ Parshat Beha'alotcha

I recently read some fascinating research about complaining. Studies show that complaining or listening to somebody else complain for more than 30 minutes can damage our brains! Complaining actually shrinks our brain, specifically our hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for problem solving, intelligent thought and memory.

Complaining also releases the stress hormone cortisol, raising our blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and can impair our immune system as well.

If that's not enough, the accumulative effect of complaining also impacts our mental health, our mood and self esteem.

So kvetching is bad for our brain, bad for our physical health and bad for our mental health, yet we do it and we do it well and we do it often... Apparently the average person complains anywhere between 15 and 30 times a day.

In this week's Parsha our ancestors were taken to task by Gd, for 'being complainers' during their time in the desert.

The commentaries explain, the reason they bore the brunt of Gd's anger was because of their lack of gratitude. If they had only shifted their perspective and recognised the extraordinary miracles they were experiencing, they would have been overwhelmed with gratitude. Yet, they chose to focus on what they didn't have and it brought them down.

Science agrees. Gratitude is a conscious decision we get to make every moment of every day. By focusing on the good, on the blessings that surrounds us, we fill our heart and minds with happiness and positivity. And we're healthier for it!

Shabbat Shalom and a healthy and positive week ahead.

Rabbi Shmuel ... See MoreSee Less

Elwood Shule

2 weeks ago

💐Shabbat Shalom!
📩 Enjoy this week’s Newsletter:
www.elwoodshule.org/newsletter/shabbat-shalom-10-6-22/
🕍 Shule tonight 5:00pm | 9:30am tomorrow
💥 Shabbat begins 4:49pm | Ends 5:50pm
✡️ Parshat Naso

What a week this has been. The response to our resignation announcement has been overwhelming and emotional.

Over the last two days Rivki and I have received hundreds of calls, messages and emails (I'm doing my best to get to the ones I have missed). Please know that we are immensely grateful for your graciousness and well wishes, deeply understanding of your disappointment and sadness, and incredibly humbled to hear the impact we've had on your lives.

We've also been delighted to receive many warm welcomes and Mazal Tovs from very excited and elated members of the next stage in our journey, Central Shule.

We recognise that our significant personal life change and decision has resulted in personal and communal heavy-heartedness on the one hand and exhilaration on the other. And as we all have do at certain times in life, we make space for all the feelings and emotions that come with an experience like this and we grow from it and because of it.

We know that this is for the best, and that things will work out for the best for us all. We also know that the deep and strong relationships we have built at Elwood over the course of 14 and a half years will endure. Our friendships are borderless and will always be treasured.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ob'm, says regarding the Birchat Kohanim, the timeless priestly blessings, which we read in this week's Parsha, that a society whose members seek one another’s welfare is holy and blessed.

Our community is blessed and will continue to be blessed, because we genuinely care for each other's welfare.

May G-d bless you and safeguard you.
May G-d illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you.
May G-d lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you.

Now and always.

Shabbat Shalom! May we all enjoy a restful and enjoyable Shabbat and a healthy week ahead.

Rabbi Shmuel ... See MoreSee Less