DINOWITZ DISTRIBUTES FREE TOTE BAGS BY MARY JANE MUSANO
Is there such a thing as
healing prayer? You may be
surprised to know that there
is actual scientifi c evidence
supporting the health benefi ts
of prayer, meditation and spirituality.
We are now seeing results
from many clinical studies
that show spirituality is a tool
that can help strengthen the
mind-body connection and
immune function. Yes! Our
thoughts can actually infl uence
our physical state of
health.
According to a very large
study reported on in the Indian
Journal of Psychiatry,
meditation and prayer have
found to produce signifi cant
health benefi ts including a
clinical reduction in resting
as well as ambulatory blood
pressure, reduced heart rate,
ability to alter serotonin and
melatonin levels, ability to
boost immune response, ability
to decrease the levels of
reactive oxygen species, ability
to reduce stress and promote
a positive mood, ability
to reduce pain and anxiety,
ability to suppress cortisol
neurotransmission, ability to
enhance self-esteem and have
a favorable infl uence on overall
health and spiritual quality
of life even in late-stage
disease. So, from this report
we must conclude that spiritual
people are healthier people.
Recently, the heroic Rabbi
Goldstein, who had his index
fi nger shot off by an anti-semitic
gunman as he stood up
to protect his congregation,
suggested that we bring back a
moment of silence in schools.
A moment of silence is akin to
a moment of meditation. I believe
this is sensible and very
much needed.
So many of our youth have
lost their way and some have
resorted to unspeakable violence.
A moment of silence
gives our students a moment
to pause and refl ect on the
good in the world. They may
even be inspired to learn meditation
and therefore they
would become healthier as
they strive to be better individuals.
If Rabbi Goldstein’s suggestion
is implemented, it just
may have the power to change
our nation for the better.
Thank you, Rabbi, for your
wise words.
Starting in March 2020, New Yorkers will no longer be able to get
single-use plastic bags when they go to their local grocery store
or other retailer. To help residents of the Northwest Bronx prepare
for this change, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz spent Earth
Week distributing reusable tote bags provided by Citizens Committee
for New York City. Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’s Offi ce
Temple Hatikva Shabbat Service and Adult Education
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse, New York
law allows you to take action against the perpetrator
and institution that protected him or her.
BRONX TIMES R 70 EPORTER, MAY 10-16, 2019 BTR
Next Membership
Meeting
Our May meeting will be on
Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.at
the First Lutheran Church
on Hollywood and Baisley avenues.
We have not confi rmed a
guest speaker but we are working
on getting the NYC Department
of Buildings, the NYC Department
of City Planning and
speakers that could inform us
on the latest movement on the
proposed counseling drug and
alcohol treatment program
at 2800 Bruckner Boulevard.
Please read our next column
for an update.
Health, Human
Services Meeting
Community Board 10’s
HHS committee will be having
two very interesting
speakers. Dr. Madeline, who is
Montefi ore’s infection control
specialist, will be speaking
about the extremely critical
issue of controlling the rate of
infection at our local hospital.
As you know, hospital born infections
can be deadly. They
are becoming more and more
common and more and more
resistant to the antibiotics
that we have to control them.
We must become knowledgeable
on what we can do to prevent
infection if we are hospitalized
and we must know
what our local hospital is doing
to keep us safe.
There will also be a speaker
from Catholic Charities discussing
their service offerings.
Please try to attend this
meeting on Thursday, May 23
at 7 p.m. at the board offi ce at
3165 E. Tremont Avenue, between
Waterbury and LaSalle
avenues.
Remember: Be the change
you wish to see in the world.
It’s easier and more fun than
you might think and it is the
best thing you can do not only
for yourself but for your children
and grandchildren.
See you at the next community
meeting.
Temple Hatikva will hold its next
Shabbat service on Friday, May 17,
at 7:30 p.m., continuing its regu-
lar monthly schedule. The service,
which will follow Mother’s Day weekend,
will include a celebration of
mothers, past and present.
The synagogue begins all Friday
evening services at 7:30 p.m. Every
service is followed by a free Oneg
Shabbat, an opportunity to unwind
from the fast pace of your work week
and commence the Shabbat with
some challah, wine and other light
refreshments, while relaxing with
your area neighbors.
All are welcome to our traditional,
yet modern services in English and
Hebrew, offering a meaningful experience
to all, even those with no synagogue
background.
“During this time we have a
chance to relax and refl ect as we
count down the days to Shavuot,”
said the temple’s Cantor Kyle Cherry.
“It is a perfect time to honor and celebrate
those who have made it possible
for us to be here: Mothers! As
I have been well known to highlight
the importance women have played
in the history of our people, I always
look forward to any opportunity to
give thanks to those women in our
own community for the efforts and
sacrifi ces that they have made for us
all.”
The concluding session of the
free Adult Education series for this
year will meet at 10 a.m. on Sunday,
May 19. As always, the bagel breakfast
preceding the discussion will be
sponsored by Shalom Jewish Funeral
Home. This year’s Adult Ed theme
has highlighted Jewish rites and
traditions of major life cycle events.
Following previous sessions covering
Birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Confi rmation,
and Marriage/Divorce, this
month’s session will complete the
cycle with discussion of, Jewish Endof
Life Customs and Rituals, will be
led by Cantor Cherry and George
Farr, Director of the Shalom Jewish
Funeral Home. Mr. Farr will be honored
at the breakfast.
“While we are giving thanks
to those who have made it possible
for us to be here,” continued Cantor
Cherry;, “I am equally excited to
honor George Farr, Director of the
Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, for
his continuing support of our Adult
Education program! George has been
with us from the beginning and has
always been a great friend to Temple
Hatikva and the entire community.
Now we can toast him properly and
show him how much this has meant
to us all!”
The Adult Ed series will resume
from its summer hiatus after the
High Holidays.
Temple Hatikva is located at
Bronx House, 990 Pelham Parkway
South. The synagogue can be reached
at (917) 819-2456, by email at Temple-
Hatikva@aol.com, or on the web at
www.TempleHatikva.com.
/www.TempleHatikva.com
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