Everyone loves summer—the warm weather, the barbecues, the sunshine, the longer days.  
This year, we usher in the summer with a celebration of the two-day festival of Shavuot, which begins the evening of June 4, and during which we enjoy foods like blintzes and cheesecake to remind us of the sweetness of the Torah.  
Next, on June 10, we mark the 270th anniversary of the time in 1752 that Benjamin Franklin flew his kite during a thunderstorm and collected an ambient electrical charge in a Leyden jar to demonstrate the link between lightening and electricity. 
On July 4, we celebrate Independence Day. We must remember that the Founding Fathers built the structural framework of the new government based on classical liberal policies. Let us never forget that representatives of the 13 colonies found a way to put their differences aside and join together to work towards a common goal. While proclaiming independence from Great Britain, they created interdependence between the colonies. We still remember the words of our Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, who said: “Well done is better than well said.”  
The refugees from the former Soviet Union are following closely the currently situation in Ukraine and we are deeply moved by the outpouring of generosity from our Jewish community. They have relatives and friends all around the world, including Ukraine and Israel, and we are thankful to our Jewish community for collecting donations and for the humanitarian aid mission to Poland and the Ukrainian border which they recently undertook. 
Jews all around the world know that they are not alone and that all possible help will be provided when they need it. Our Jewish American community has demonstrated that so many times before. Since ancient times, Jews have used their wits to survive. As a community, we are strongest when we stand together. 
The New American Acculturation Program continues to provide educational classes, programs and holiday celebrations. For more information about the program, including sponsorships of specific program, please contact Yelena Gerovich at 203 387-2424 x321, or email ygerovich@jewishnewhaven.org.