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AN that the name implies."'
Draperies
Bedspreads
Blankets (cleaned or laundered)
Window Shades
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Knoll ur
1940s-1970s
(w) 398-0646
(h) 661-4236
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44
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
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354-5959
Success, Failure
Continued from preceding page
ceed his grasp, or what's a
Heaven for?" The unfinished
work of one man may be in-
finitely greater and more
beneficial to humanity than
the completed agenda of
another.
Reflection on the life and
death of Moses also helps us
to understand the meaning of
the terms of "success" and
"failure" from the Jewish
perspective. To have ac-
complished all that was
undertaken is not the
criterion for success; if it
were, the most honored men
in our history would be con-
sidered failures. Not only did
Moses fail, but David failed to
carry out his dream to build
the Temple in Jerusalem; Eli-
jah failed to bring reforma-
tion of Israel; Maimonides
planned several works which
he did not live to write; Herzl
died long before the realiza-
tion of the Zionist dream.
Their names live on in the ad-
miration of our people, but
they all failed in that they did
not realize their goal.
That, however, is not the
Jewish way of evaluating a
career. The criterion which
our tradition proposes is
rather: "It is not your duty to
complete the task, but
neither are you free to desist
from it." (Avot 2:16). If before
undertaking a worthy task
we stop to ask ourselves
whether we can fully ac-
complish it, we shall never
even begin to attempt it. The
proper course to adopt is to
start and do our very best, to
make as much progress as we
can and leave the end to take
care of itself.
From this perspective we
can appreciate the real suc-
Shabbat Pinchas
Num. 25:10-30:1
Jeri. 1:1-2:3
cess of Moses' career. Yes, it
was an unfinished life, but
not a failure. He lived to see
the Promised Land from a
distance and his efforts had
brought the goal appreciably
nearer. That is all one should
hope for and labor for in life.
Very few are allowed to enter
the land of their dreams; most
of us must be content with a
far-off glimpse. But if we end
our lives with our eyes turn-
ed to the Promised Land as
did Moses, the sight which we
observe will be a full and
satisfying reward for our
labor and dedication. ❑
SYNAGOGUES
Temple Beth El
Cites Gerenraich
Laurence Deitch, president
of Temple Beth El, awarded
the President's Cup to Lois
Gerenraich at the annual
meeting of the congregation.
Mrs. Gerenraich, an 11-year
member of the temple board
of trustees, has served as
chair of numerous commit-
tees including worship and
ritual, philanthropic, educa-
tion fund and catering. An ac-
tive member of the
Sisterhood, she is past
sisterhood treasurer, ad-
ministrative vice president
and president. She is on the
national board of the Na-
tional Federation of Temple
Sisterhoods. Her community
involvement extends to the
Jewish Community Council,
the Jewish Home For Aged,
Harper Hospital and Channel
56.
The President's Cup
recognizes length of service,
initiative and innovation in
leadership.
Beth Shalom Has
School Openings
Congregation Beth Shalom
Religious School is now accep-
ting registration for the
1991-92 school year. Beth
Shalom is an independent
Conservative religious school
offering a variety of activities
for youth in kindergarten
through 7th grade. Classes
are held on Monday and
Wednesday at Avery School in
Oak Park or at the Doherty
School in West Bloomfield on
Tuesday and Thursday. All
classes meet at Avery on
Sunday.
In addition, bar/bat mitzvah
programs and training are
available.
There are separate Junior
Congregation services each
Sabbath morning for various
grade levels. Kadima and
United Synagogue Youth pro-
vide activities for youngsters.
The children's choir, led by
Cantor Samuel Greenbaum,
participates both in
synagogue and community
functions.
For information, call the
school office, 547-7972.
Beth Achim
Plans Picnic
Congregation Beth Achim
will host a Shabbat picnic 7
p.m. July 12. The program
will follow a traditional Kab-
balat Shabbat service at 6
p.m. For reservations, call the
synagogue, 352-8670.