Pesach/Passover 2015
The festival of Passover, or Pesach, will begin on Friday as Jewish communities worldwide commemorate the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, in one of the important festivities in the Jewish calendar. According to the Book of Exodus in the Torah, Moses called for the Pharaoh to free the Israelites, warning that if he failed to do so, Egypt would be struck by terrible plagues – the last one of which would be the death of every Egyptian first-born male. The Pharaoh refused to do so, despite the onslaught of plagues of frogs, flies, the death of livestock and total darkness. To avoid...
Read MoreSpring 2015 Grapevine
The latest published and printed edition of our newsletter, The Grapevine, is now out! If you’re on our postal mailing list, you’ll be getting a copy delivered to your address within days, and if you’re not please contact us so we can add your address to our list. In the meantime, click here to read about what’s happening at His Branches and then stay in touch by coming back to our website often or, if you’re in the area, stopping by to visit...
Read MorePurim, the PM, and the President
Twenty-five hundred years ago Queen Esther violated protocol and appealed to the king to intervene against a threat to annihilate the Jewish people. This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu violated protocol and appealed to the United States Congress to intervene against a threat to annihilate the Jewish people. In both cases, the enemy threatening the people of Israel was Persia (today, Iran). In the days of Esther, the deliverance of the Jewish people led to the institution of the holiday known as Purim. Today, just one day after Netanyahu’s speech, it is Purim again. Truth...
Read MoreWinter Update
The Arnett Block Association has been active this winter! Thanks to your generosity we were able to provide warm jackets, gloves and hats to needy children at School #29. About 300 children walked to the Arnett Bird & Butterfly Park with handmade ornaments for our 15-foot community Christmas tree. Later in December, we also hosted a well-attended caroling event around the tree with hot cocoa, popcorn and Christmas Nativity coloring books for the kids. This winter we’ve helped organize a Music Series at the Arnett Library with music students from Eastman and other local talent – a great...
Read MoreIlluminating the Beloved Community
Join us for the Martin Luther King, Jr, Celebration and the 50th Anniversary of the 19th Ward Community Association. Celebration January 17, 2015 12 noon – 1:30 pm at Arnett Library Guest Speaker Rochester City Court Judge Stephen T. Miller Refreshments will be served RSVP by Jan 15, 2015 seating is limited MLK Luminary Night January 19, 2015, 5 pm – 8 pm Celebrate The Beloved Community by placing your luminary in front of your home and around your neighborhood on Monday Evening, Jan 19, 2015. Stroll around the neighborhood and visit a Hot Spot for refreshments. Visit www.luminaryevening.com...
Read MoreSt. Nicholas and Santa Claus
It’s been a long journey from the Fourth Century Bishop of Myra, St. Nicholas, who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary kindness and generosity to those in need, to America’s jolly Santa Claus, whose largesse often supplies luxuries to the affluent. However, if you peel back the accretions, he is still Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, whose caring surprises continue to model true giving and faithfulness. There is growing interest in reclaiming the original saint in the United States to help restore a spiritual dimension to this festive time. For indeed, St. Nicholas, lover of the...
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