INVOCATION: Mike Allen

FLAG SALUTE:  Dave Wheldon

SONG: Ken Secor, God Bless America

GREETER: Steve Sanders

ROVING MICS: Shawn Shambaugh and Andy Barkate

 

 

Win Eaton indicated that he would be traveling to Oregon for the entire month of July.  The club wishes him safe travels and we will see him after Labor Day!

 

If you are interested in involvement with the Bakersfield Built Exhibit, please see the BMOA staff at the front for additional details.

 

In the “How’s Business?” segment, Toni Harper Dougherty shared that Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield is doing great as the fiscal year looks as though it will end well.  Most importantly, the capital campaign for the Southwest Tower Expansion is silently underway with early success, including receipt of 2 lead gifts of $1,000,000 – an indication of the support the community has for this project.  Outside of work, Toni loves traveling with her husband and 2 teenage girls.  Additionally, she has caught the Peloton fever and loves riding daily with her new found friends (the instructors who don’t even know she exists). 

 

Joe Sampson introduced the Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger of The Chabad of Bakersfield.  Chabad is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization. It is considered to be the most dynamic force in Jewish life today.  The movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders (“Rebbes”), over 250 years ago. These leaders expounded upon aspects of Jewish mysticism, creating a body of knowledge thousands of books strong. Their focus is on the totality of Jewish life, spiritual and physical. No person or detail is too small or insignificant for their love and dedication. Everyone, including those who are not educated, or the “simple ones,” deserves to grow in their faith through wisdom, understanding and knowledge.  They spread loving goodness and kindness to all backgrounds, and all faiths.  Today over 4,500 full-time emissary families apply the  principles and philosophy to direct more than 3,500 institutions dedicated to the welfare of the Jewish people worldwide.

 

The Chabad of Bakersfield synagogue serves more than 150 families.  The Center has an array of services that are ever changing based on the needs of the community, including outreach and nutrition services during holiday seasons.  There is an upcoming camp, Camp Kind, made possible through the Ira and Carol Cohen Trust, to focus on children, teens and adults and volunteerism.  There are other educational programs including the Jewish Learning Institute, which features courses on Judaism.  The facility is also used by other organizations (free of charge) that need a space for their programming, as long it aligns with the Chabad’s tolerance and kindness for all faiths.

 

Rabbi Shlanger described his journey to Bakersfield with his wife and child.  They originally were hoping to be located in Monterey.  However, seventeen years later and the addition of five more children to his family has demonstrated that he and his ministry are exactly where they should be.  He generously praised the entire Bakersfield community for their support of the Chabad and its mission.  The Rabbi ended with a lovely blessing of peace for the entire club.

 

 

Samantha Cardenas guest of Toni Harper

Liam and Ethan Taft guest of their father Ben Taft

V. Harper guest of Lynette Zelezny

Michael Lukens guest of Lynette Zelezny