Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Arnow 5/6/2022
Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Over the last two-plus years, I have not been able to help but read Torah through the lens of a world living with Covid.
I remember the anxiety we had about being anywhere near anyone else. We found ways to gather virtually that were, for the time, satisfying.
This week, God's words to Moses that introduce the parasha have been echoing in my head: "Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel and say to them, 'Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am Holy.'" (Lev. 19:2).
The phrase "the entire congregation" is an unusual one, and Rashi comments that this section of Torah, about holiness, can only be proclaimed when all the people are assembled.
There is a certain holiness that can only be experienced, learned, taught, in full(er) community.
And that is what I find myself longing for now--for shul to feel like it's more than a few people showing up. Rather, I long for the sense of holiness that we have when the sanctuary feels fuller, when the voices overwhelm mine.
If you feel safe coming back to shul, then be here, on Friday nights, on Saturday mornings, for mincha on Shabbat afternoons. There is something irreplaceably powerful when you are present in person.
Last Shabbat we had a pretty fully room for the beautiful bar mitzvah of Aaron Abeles. Mazal tov to Aaron, his mother Stacy Abeles, his grandparents (our members) Bette and Ron Abeles, and his brother Jonah.
Today at noon on Zoom, Rabbi Shafrin will lead Torah Talk, where the conversation will focus on the question of the intrinsic holiness of people.
Tonight, we'll be restarting our family-friendly First Fridays Friday night services at 6pm. In the future we hope to have them outside, but given the weather, we'll be inside, in the sanctuary tonight, with grapejuice and challah to follow a shortened service.
Candle lighting is at 7:40pm.
Tomorrow morning Debbie Wohl will be celebrating the anniversary of her bat mitzvah, and we'll have a little kiddush.
Mincha Saturday afternoon will be at 7:30pm, and Shabbat ends at 8:43pm.
Looking ahead, next Shabbat we'll have Tot Shabbat and New Members Shabbat. Next Sunday (5/15) we'll be having an amazing Mitzvah Day. Details and sign up here.
And start getting excited for Lag BaOmer the eevening of Wednesday, May 18 at Shaw Park. Details on the website!
May we all stay safe and healthy, and I hope to see you soon.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Noah Arnow
ZOOM AND STREAMING LINKS
To join our Zoom Minyanim or classes, click on the desired meeting link, or call into either of the following numbers:
+1 312 626 6799
+1 646 558 8656
Then, when prompted, enter the Meeting ID of the desired minyan/class then press #. Then, when prompted, enter the password then press #.
Services (all times Central)
Evening Minyan on Zoom
Sunday-Thursday evenings at 6pm (but not on Jewish holidays)
Friday evenings when not in person one hour before candle lighting
Morning Minyan on Zoom
Monday-Friday mornings at 7am; Sunday mornings and national holidays at 8am (not including Jewish holidays)
Learning Opportunities
Torah Talk with Rabbi Arnow or Rabbi Shafrin
Every Friday at 12pm
Join us for study and discussion of the week's Torah portion.
Friday nights when in person and Shabbat mornings
Fridays, 6pm
Saturdays, 9:30am
Click the link below, then click the triangular "play" buttom:
tinyurl.com/KR-Streaming
You can also set your computer or device in advance so that this link will continue streaming continuously and you will not have to press any buttons on Shabbat. To make sure that your device will not shut itself down or do into sleep mode, follow the directions below to disable sleep mode:
For PC:
To disable automatic Sleep:
1. Open up Power Options in the Control Panel. In Windows 10 you can get there from right clicking on the start menu and going to Power Options
2. Click "change plan settings" next to your current power plan
3. Change "Put the computer to sleep" to never
4. Click "Save Changes"
For Apple Products:
1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click "Energy Saver."
2. Do either of the following:
a. Set the amount of time your computer or display should wait before going to sleep: Drag the “Computer sleep” and “Display sleep” sliders, or the “Turn display off after” slider.
b. Keep your Mac from going to sleep automatically: Select “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off.”
Over the last two-plus years, I have not been able to help but read Torah through the lens of a world living with Covid.
I remember the anxiety we had about being anywhere near anyone else. We found ways to gather virtually that were, for the time, satisfying.
This week, God's words to Moses that introduce the parasha have been echoing in my head: "Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel and say to them, 'Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am Holy.'" (Lev. 19:2).
The phrase "the entire congregation" is an unusual one, and Rashi comments that this section of Torah, about holiness, can only be proclaimed when all the people are assembled.
There is a certain holiness that can only be experienced, learned, taught, in full(er) community.
And that is what I find myself longing for now--for shul to feel like it's more than a few people showing up. Rather, I long for the sense of holiness that we have when the sanctuary feels fuller, when the voices overwhelm mine.
If you feel safe coming back to shul, then be here, on Friday nights, on Saturday mornings, for mincha on Shabbat afternoons. There is something irreplaceably powerful when you are present in person.
Last Shabbat we had a pretty fully room for the beautiful bar mitzvah of Aaron Abeles. Mazal tov to Aaron, his mother Stacy Abeles, his grandparents (our members) Bette and Ron Abeles, and his brother Jonah.
Today at noon on Zoom, Rabbi Shafrin will lead Torah Talk, where the conversation will focus on the question of the intrinsic holiness of people.
Tonight, we'll be restarting our family-friendly First Fridays Friday night services at 6pm. In the future we hope to have them outside, but given the weather, we'll be inside, in the sanctuary tonight, with grapejuice and challah to follow a shortened service.
Candle lighting is at 7:40pm.
Tomorrow morning Debbie Wohl will be celebrating the anniversary of her bat mitzvah, and we'll have a little kiddush.
Mincha Saturday afternoon will be at 7:30pm, and Shabbat ends at 8:43pm.
Looking ahead, next Shabbat we'll have Tot Shabbat and New Members Shabbat. Next Sunday (5/15) we'll be having an amazing Mitzvah Day. Details and sign up here.
And start getting excited for Lag BaOmer the eevening of Wednesday, May 18 at Shaw Park. Details on the website!
May we all stay safe and healthy, and I hope to see you soon.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Noah Arnow
ZOOM AND STREAMING LINKS
To join our Zoom Minyanim or classes, click on the desired meeting link, or call into either of the following numbers:
+1 312 626 6799
+1 646 558 8656
Then, when prompted, enter the Meeting ID of the desired minyan/class then press #. Then, when prompted, enter the password then press #.
Services (all times Central)
Evening Minyan on Zoom
Sunday-Thursday evenings at 6pm (but not on Jewish holidays)
Friday evenings when not in person one hour before candle lighting
Morning Minyan on Zoom
Monday-Friday mornings at 7am; Sunday mornings and national holidays at 8am (not including Jewish holidays)
Learning Opportunities
Torah Talk with Rabbi Arnow or Rabbi Shafrin
Every Friday at 12pm
Join us for study and discussion of the week's Torah portion.
Friday nights when in person and Shabbat mornings
Fridays, 6pm
Saturdays, 9:30am
Click the link below, then click the triangular "play" buttom:
tinyurl.com/KR-Streaming
You can also set your computer or device in advance so that this link will continue streaming continuously and you will not have to press any buttons on Shabbat. To make sure that your device will not shut itself down or do into sleep mode, follow the directions below to disable sleep mode:
For PC:
To disable automatic Sleep:
1. Open up Power Options in the Control Panel. In Windows 10 you can get there from right clicking on the start menu and going to Power Options
2. Click "change plan settings" next to your current power plan
3. Change "Put the computer to sleep" to never
4. Click "Save Changes"
For Apple Products:
1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click "Energy Saver."
2. Do either of the following:
a. Set the amount of time your computer or display should wait before going to sleep: Drag the “Computer sleep” and “Display sleep” sliders, or the “Turn display off after” slider.
b. Keep your Mac from going to sleep automatically: Select “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off.”
Mon, May 5 2025
7 Iyyar 5785
MISSION: Create a welcoming community that embraces Torah, meaningful worship, lifelong learning, music, Israel, and tikkun olam, guided by the tenets of Conservative Judaism.
Find it at Kol Rinah
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Weekday Services
Minyans on Zoom:
Mornings- M, T, W, F 7am & Sun 8am.
Evenings- Sun-Th 6pm.
Log in to view the Zoom Links page.
Thursday mornings 7am are in-person only.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am – 3pm
Phone: 314-727-1747
Friday 9am – 3pm
Phone: 314-727-1747
Mon, May 5 2025 7 Iyyar 5785