Rabbi & Rebbetzin Corner

Shalom Mishpocha,

        May is here! May is likely named after the Roman goddess Maia in Latin, who oversaw the growth of plants. May marks spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, May in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa. Late May typically marks the start of the summer vacation season in the United States (Memorial Day). May acts as the bridge between spring and summer, hinting at warmer weather for those still stuck in spring’s grasp while heating things up for those already well on their way.

May is A.A.P.I Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jewish American Heritage month! Monday, May 5th, 2025, is Cinco de Mayo, an annual celebration held on May 5th to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Zaragoza died months after the battle from an illness, however, and a larger French force ultimately defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla and then occupied Mexico City. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, a popular misconception.

May 10th is Mother’s Day, don’t forget! Make plans to show your love and appreciation for your mother! May 16 is Armed Forces Day, which honors those who serve in all branches of the United States military.

        At the end of this month, we celebrate Memorial Day on Monday May 25th, 2026. Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

        Memorial Day is the start of summer for some, time to picnic for others, a three day weekend for all but it is a day to remember those who have fallen for freedom, those who have given their life, who have spilled their blood upon the roots of the of the Patriot Tree to defend and preserve this Republic and liberate oppressed people around the world! The Patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree,” penned by Revolutionary War era poet Thomas Campbell, pays tribute to the soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War with these powerful words that serve as reminders for us today that we would not have the freedoms we hold dear were it not for the sacrifice of our country’s patriots.

What we remember—and honor—on Memorial Day is heroic sacrifice. We acknowledge those who nobly gave of themselves, even unto death, for a purpose they believed was greater than themselves. Since the days just following the end of the Civil War, Americans have gathered in late May to honor those who died in military service to their country. In the spirit of the day, we can also recall, honor, and pray for all those we know who have lived lives of service and sacrifice for the good of others. As President Ronald Reagan once said:
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.   –President Ronald Reagan in an address to the annual meeting of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, (30 March 1961)

We pray you have a meaningful and blessed month of May!

Blessings!
 
Rabbi & Rebbetzin Carlson