April 16, 2024
Light a Candle - Preserve a Memory

Last week Rabbi Michael Klein of Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach sent me a letter that made me stop, think and remember. Remember the six million; the mothers and fathers, children and grandparents, teachers, artists and countless others that perished in the Shoah.

As time marches forward, it is our task to remember the Shoah and teach our youth about the horrible destruction of our people during World War II. What was destroyed were not only human lives but human potential, not merely Jewish culture but new possibilities for Jewish creativity, not simply six-million Jews but the generations that might have come from them.

It is incumbent upon the Jewish people to remember what we lost. May the lighting of a Shoah Yellow Candle allow us to bring the memory of our loss into our hearts and homes. Please remember to light a candle at sundown on erev Yom Ha’Shoah, Wednesday April 27, 2022. 


,אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף וְהִצִּית לֶהָבוֹת

.אַשְׁרֵי הַלְּהָבָה שֶׁבָּעֲרָה בְּסִתְרֵי לְבָבוֹת

אַשְׁרֵי הַלְבָבוֹת שֶׁיָדְעוּ לַחְדוֹל בְּכָבוֹד

.אַשְׁרֵי הַגַּפְרוּר שֶׁנִּשְׂרַף וְהִצִּית לֶהָבוֹת

Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.

Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.

Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor’s sake.

Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.

 – Hannah Szenes (executed November 7, 1944)

“The Men’s Club Yellow Candle Program achieves its greatest impact when also supported by the Pulpit and Congregational Board,” says FJMC International Board of Directors member Ed Kochman.  A past president of the Middle Atlantic Region, Ed and his wife Susan have relocated to sunny Florida where he serves on the Temple Torat Emet Men’s Club Board. Yasher Koach to Ed for all you have done for Men’s Club and the greater Jewish Community through the years.

Rabbi Michael Klein, Ed Kochman and I are proud members of the Men’s Club of Temple Torat Emet; we consist of almost a hundred cool Jewish dudes from all walks of life. Join us and be part of the future. Get to know more about the Temple Torat Emet Men’s Club of Boynton Beach, Florida and our vibrant and growing Jewish community on our website www.templetoratemet.org/mens-club/ and please visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/TTEMC.

Temple Torat Emet Men’s Club is part of the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. We serve the needs of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods across the State of Florida from the Panhandle to Miami.  If you are not yet affiliated with the Federation, then today is the day to join us.  Get to know more about the Florida Region of FJMC and our growing statewide network of dynamic Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods on our website www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.

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