Shabbat

This week we read Parashat Shoftim/פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Shoftim (“Judges”) discusses guidelines of leadership, including the laws of kings, priests, and prophets. It describes laws relating to cities of refuge, false witnesses and war. Norm will give the Dvar.

President's Message

Annual Dinner

Our Annual Dinner, celebrating our 25th year as a congregation, was both a happy and meaningful event. Everyone pitched in to make it a special evening and we are so very grateful.

At the end of the evening Howard Rock gave final remarks, reflecting on his nine years as president. This was followed by our president-elect Vance Reese who looked to the future with a wry sense of humor. For anyone who didn’t attend and would like to see these remarks, please click on the name of the person in this paragraph. The new team will take over on October 1 following the high holidays.

Auschwitz Women's Orchestra

Dr. Susan J. Eischeid, an author, musician, and teacher, specializing in the music of the Holocaust will speak about “The Women’s Orchestra at Auschwitz-Birkenau.” This orchestra was composed entirely of prisoners and was unique in the Nazi camp system. Dr. Eischeid, who spent decades researching the orchestra and interviewing survivors, will present a history of the ensemble. The Orchestra was founded by Maria Mandl, Head Overseer of the women's camp, and one of the worst perpetrators of the Holocaust. The Center for Jewish Studies is pleased to support this event. If you’re up for a trip to Asheville or live nearby I think you will find this lecture very worthwhile.

Saturday, August 30, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Pack Memorial Library Auditorium, 67 Haywood Street, Asheville

Transylvania Public Health

The Uncertainty of Health Care in Transylvania County

This Thursday, August 28, at 6:30 in the Rogow Room of the Transylvania Library, Transylvania Partners for Democracy, a nonpartisan organization on which I serve, will present a panel to discuss the state of healthcare in our county in the light of the new legislation recently passed. This is the critical issue for all of us. The panelists will include Dan Carter as well as Rik Emaus, a retired physician and healthcare executive, Dr. Richard W. Hudspeth, the current CEO of Blue Ridge Health (BRH), and Andrew R. Jones an investigative journalist with the Asheville Watchdog.

Torah Study Seminar: The Book of Jeremiah

A reminder that we have begun reading the Book of Jeremiah, a fascinating story of an unpopular prophet who spoke truth to power. If this interests you, please join us. No experience required. Contact Howard at rockh@fiu.edu

High holidays, 5786, 2025

High Holidays begin in four weeks. We are planning to make this a very meaningful experience for all of us. We will be sharing much more with you but here is the schedule:

Rosh Hashanah, September 22, 7:00 and September 23, 10:00

Yom Kippur, October 1, 7:00 and October 2, 10:00 and 4:30

Our Flyer is on the left. Feel free to invite friends.

Weekly Shabbat Service

It is good to enter into the spirit of the Sabbath, a time in which our personal concerns drop away for a few hours and we get a sense of the larger meaning of life and fellowship.

Our services last about an hour. They include interactive songs and readings, usually supplemented by a lively discussion on important subjects. Often we invite significant and challenging speakers from within and outside our community.

Friday Services

Friday nights at 7:30pm

Come join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (in Brevard, NC off the Asheville Highway at 100 Brian Berg Ln.) or via Zoom.