Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / Aug. 1, 1985, edition 1 / Page 7
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Page 7-THE NEWS-August, 1985 Thoughts From The Lubavitcher Rebbe The King In The Field Camp Gan Israel By Rabbi Yossi Groner We are soon entering the month of Elul — a particular ly auspicious mark in the Jewish calendar. Elul is the month when we take stock of the year which is rapidly passing, for it is the last month of the year. We must make an accounting of how we have lived during the past year including also our words and even our thoughts. In order to illustrate the dif ference between Elul and the other months of the yeeu”, Chassidus provides us with a parable. Elul represents the time when a king leaves his palace and the city and goes out into the fields. There everyone can meet him, talk to him, greet him and even con front him. Anyone who wants to can approach the king and can be sure that the king will receive him with a pleasant countenance. This, then, is also the opportunity to pre sent the king with any petition which lists the individual’s desires and expectations from the king. After the visit to the field, when the king returns to his ci ty and palace, anyone who wants to can follow him and accompany him. However, as soon as he enters his private chambers, gaining an au dience, talking to him and meeting him become com plicated and difficult pro cedures; to do so involves much preparation and red tape which not everyone can over come completely. This em phasizes even further the dif ference between Elul and the other months. The parable is, of course per tinent to us, and we can learn something from every detail. For example, even if we feel as though we are in a field — not only out of the king’s palace but away from his capital altogether; even if we are away from any city with its system amd its organization and are truly in a field doing lowly field work; even if we are plow ing and sowing and reaping — activities which discourage fancy clothes and scrupulous grooming (the normal prepara tions for meeting royalty) — the Almighty gives us the special privilege, once each year, during the month of Elul, to meet Him informaUy. We can meet the King just as we are dressed and just as we are LEASE! Nobody Beats Our Prices Or Our Terms. All Makes & Models! CALL 398-4230 Ask for Hardy Spatz or Donna Loving Where Car Leasing Costs Less! are. Even if a moment before we were engaged in the lowly work of the fields, we c£m in the very next moment address the Almighty with personal, private requests about ourselves and those dear to us. Disregarding our dress and our occupation — our spiritual level of attainment, the Almighty displays His plea sant manner, His smiling countenance and His loving kindness, while He accepts the requests graciously and willingly. In Elul the Almighty ap pears in a happy and elevated spirit, willing to grant all blessings; when we present him with the request for a good year not only is our peti tion accepted, but we are able to accompany Him back to the ‘capital’ and even to the ‘palace’. We may be sure that He will grant our request and will give us a good and sweet year. What do you do in June for fun? Over 40 Charlotte youngsters found the answer at the 2 week Gan Israel day camp, operated by Lubavitch of NC. Each morning began with Jewish songs, exercise and a short learning period. Campers participated in sports, games and field trips. They toured the Arnold Bakery in Gastonia and the Coca Cola factory. Creativity was used in specieil projects 2ind contests: “Space Day,” home-made space outfits; “Hat Day,” most innovative hats; races at the roller rink; Talmudic verses were memorized. Prizes were awarded for all of these. Counselors, Chanie, Miriam, Sara and Chanie, recent graduates of Beth Rivkah Teachers Seminary, did a superb job. The tiny tots, led by Peggy Davis and Debra Swanson, received the care and warmth they needed. Campers swam almost Campers enjoying one of their many field trips supervised by their competent counselors. every day: girls at Walter and Elizabeth Klein’s pool; boys at Simon and Mary Wojnowich’s pool. Trained life guards were at both pools. We greatly ap preciate the generosity of the Klein and Wojnowich families for the use of their pools. Trips were made to Carowinds, Riverbanks Zoo, the petting zoo, miniature golf and sircade games, boating. Each day “Mr. Pushke” walked around collecting tzedakah as the children sang “I am a little hunk of tin.” Campers learned many things: mezuzah, Shabbat, and even to bake their own Challa, which they took home. Phil’s Deli Cotswold Mall 366-5405 Monday — Saturday 8 a.m. — 6 p.m. Eat In Take Out Party Trays Catering Call Phil For Your Break-the-Fast Trays at 366-5405 We carry a full line of fish including: • Lex »Nova •Kippered Salmon ‘Sable •Whitefish •Whitefish Salad •Chopped Herring ‘Lox & Cream Cheese Spread •Herring in Cream Sauce •Herring in Wine Sauce
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Aug. 1, 1985, edition 1
7
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