Rabbi and Rebbetzin’s Corner June 2025
Shalom Mishpocah,
June, the sixth month of the year and the first month of summer is here! June has 30 days and is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of youth and protection. Her name (Latin Iūnō) comes from the root word for “young” (Iuuen) and goes back to the idea of vital energy and fertility. Shavuot begins Saturday evening May 31st, 2025 at sunset through Sunday June 1st, 2025 at sunset. Shavuot in Hebrew literally translates “weeks” in English or “Feast of Weeks”. The Greek term for Shavuot is “Pentecost”, which translates to 50, or 50 days after Passover. Shavuot is celebrated after seven weeks (49 days) and one day. The counting begins after the first Shabbat during Pesach or Passover, hence 50 days! At Mt Sinai on the first Shavuot after departing slavery in Egypt where the Torah was given then two thousand years ago the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit was given on Shavuot!
The Summer solstice, the longest day of the year, occurs on Friday, June 20th, 2025, at 10:43 pm EDT. In the Southern Hemisphere, June is the start of winter and contains the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of daylight out of the year. North of the Arctic Circle, the June solstice is when the midnight sun occurs, during which the Sun remains visible even at midnight. Multiple meteor showers occur annually in June, including the Arietids, which are among the most intense daylight meteor showers of the year; they last between 22 May and 2 July, peaking in intensity on 8 June.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, is Flag Day! Flag Day is a celebration of the adoption of the American flag by Continental Congress in the First Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. Flag Day wasn’t officially recognized until President Harry Truman signed it into law in 1949. To observe Flag Day, fly your American flag! Sunday June 15th, 2025 is Fathers Day!
Thursday June 19th celebrates Juneteenth! Juneteenth commemorates the dates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the Confederate state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865, while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
This day has since become known as Juneteenth, a name coming from a portmanteau of the words June and teenth like nineteenth and other numbers ending with –teenth. The North’s victory brought an end to both the Civil war and the scourge of slavery. This national conflict resulted in three addendums to the Freedom document, the Bill of Rights. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment gave equal citizenship to every human being born in this country regardless of race, granting the full rights and protection of the U.S. Constitution, and the 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote for all citizens regardless of race or previous condition of servitude. May we truly live and worship together as one!
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on 1 June and lasts until 30 November. The following is a basic list for preparedness for hurricanes or any disaster or emergency.
James 2:15-17. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, 16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? 17 Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.
As Believers, we should always be prepared, aware of our surroundings, and paying attention to what is happening in the world around us. Remember, acts of kindness open eyes of blindness!
Shalom and Blessings,
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Carlson
June, the sixth month of the year and the first month of summer is here! June has 30 days and is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of youth and protection. Her name (Latin Iūnō) comes from the root word for “young” (Iuuen) and goes back to the idea of vital energy and fertility. Shavuot begins Saturday evening May 31st, 2025 at sunset through Sunday June 1st, 2025 at sunset. Shavuot in Hebrew literally translates “weeks” in English or “Feast of Weeks”. The Greek term for Shavuot is “Pentecost”, which translates to 50, or 50 days after Passover. Shavuot is celebrated after seven weeks (49 days) and one day. The counting begins after the first Shabbat during Pesach or Passover, hence 50 days! At Mt Sinai on the first Shavuot after departing slavery in Egypt where the Torah was given then two thousand years ago the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit was given on Shavuot!
The Summer solstice, the longest day of the year, occurs on Friday, June 20th, 2025, at 10:43 pm EDT. In the Southern Hemisphere, June is the start of winter and contains the winter solstice, the day with the fewest hours of daylight out of the year. North of the Arctic Circle, the June solstice is when the midnight sun occurs, during which the Sun remains visible even at midnight. Multiple meteor showers occur annually in June, including the Arietids, which are among the most intense daylight meteor showers of the year; they last between 22 May and 2 July, peaking in intensity on 8 June.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, is Flag Day! Flag Day is a celebration of the adoption of the American flag by Continental Congress in the First Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. Flag Day wasn’t officially recognized until President Harry Truman signed it into law in 1949. To observe Flag Day, fly your American flag! Sunday June 15th, 2025 is Fathers Day!
Thursday June 19th celebrates Juneteenth! Juneteenth commemorates the dates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the Confederate state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865, while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
This day has since become known as Juneteenth, a name coming from a portmanteau of the words June and teenth like nineteenth and other numbers ending with –teenth. The North’s victory brought an end to both the Civil war and the scourge of slavery. This national conflict resulted in three addendums to the Freedom document, the Bill of Rights. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment gave equal citizenship to every human being born in this country regardless of race, granting the full rights and protection of the U.S. Constitution, and the 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote for all citizens regardless of race or previous condition of servitude. May we truly live and worship together as one!
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on 1 June and lasts until 30 November. The following is a basic list for preparedness for hurricanes or any disaster or emergency.
- Several Flashlights.
- An ample supply of Lithium batteries (lithium lasts longer).
- A good first aid kit.
- Water, One gallon per person per day.
- Candles with matches/lighters.
- Emergency canned food that is high in protein such as Beans, Peanut Butter, Beef stew. Items that have a long shelf life, are ready to eat, and need no preparation. At least a three-day supply per person (I recommend a 30-day supply).
- An emergency self-powered radio that can be charged with a hand crank or solar charged.
- Make sure you have any prescription medicines you need on hand!
- A whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Manual can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- Infant formula and diapers.
- Pet food, water, and supplies for your pet.
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a portable waterproof container.
- Cash and change – ATM machines will not be functioning without electricity.
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Fire Extinguisher.
- Feminine supplies, personal hygiene items and hand sanitizer.
- Mess kits, Paper cups, plates and disposable utensils, paper towels.
- Paper and pencil.
- Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children.
- VHF/UHF Two-way Radio
James 2:15-17. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, 16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? 17 Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.
As Believers, we should always be prepared, aware of our surroundings, and paying attention to what is happening in the world around us. Remember, acts of kindness open eyes of blindness!
Shalom and Blessings,
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Carlson