Dear Kol Rinah Family,
I am always suprised, and a little distressed, when my children complain about how cold it is in January. In the middle of winter. I try to explain to them that it is supposed to be cold in the winter, that if it was hot in January, something would be very wrong. But, being that they are five and seven years old, that argument is not very persuasive.
I realize that they are not trying to say that winter shouldn't be cold; what they are really trying to say is that it feels too cold for them and they are physically uncomfortable. It's a valid and understandable feeling to be uncomfortable and to wish things were other than they actually are. And while there are many things we can and should work to change, there are some things that are out of our control.
Yesterday was sunny and temperatures were near fifty degrees. Three days before, the roads were iced over and nearly impassable in many places. There is so much that is outside our control, and yet we are part of a miraculous world filled with natural wonder.
Our tradition has been trying to instill this sense of awe and humility in us for thousands of years. So many of our major holidays are tied to the seasons of the year, to the harvest and the natural workings of the land. They give us a chance to make the natural sacred, to imbue the cycle of the year with spiritual waypoints charged with possibility.
This coming Monday night/Tuesday, we will celebrate the holiday of Tu BiSh'vat, often called the "birthday of the trees." While in St. Louis, it is still firmly winter, and our trees are bare, the middle of the month of Sh'vat is typically when the first blossoms begin to open on the olive trees that are native to the Land of Israel. When these delicate white blossoms open, they add light and warmth to the whole landscape, reminding us that spring, renewal, growth, and opportunity are right around the corner. This holiday is a chance for us both to connect with nature but also with our own inner life, to take stock of where we are and find our own growing edges where we can make changes.
And so, in honor of the upcoming holiday, we have prepared and amazing Shabbat experience for all of you! Our
Kol HaMishpacha service will be running in paralell to our main service and will start at 10:30 am.
After services, we invite you to
join us this Shabbat morning for an incredible Tu BiSh'vat-themed kiddush. We will have everything you need for a self-guided Tu BiSh'vat seder at the tables, as well as information about how to do more for our environment locally, interactive activities for families, and delicious treats to nosh on. I hope to celebrate together with you at kiddush!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Scott Shafrin
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There is a lot to talk about this Shabbat at Kol Rinah!
First off, this Shabbat marks the
return of Torah Talk to Shabbat mornings starting in the Community Hall at 10:15 am! For the next month, we will also continue having Torah Talk on Fridays at noon, with the same session also being led by either myself or Rabbi Arnow on Saturday mornings. We would love to have your feedback and input as we determine how this timing may enhance your Shabbat experience. So, today at noon AND Saturday at 10:15 am, Rabbi Arnow will be leading our Torah Talk on Parashat Beshallach, in which B'nai Yisrael navigate the tricky business of embracing their newfound freedom.
Our AMAZING Kol Hamishpacha Family Service returns this Shabbat at 10:30 am in the chapel and is geared toward our families with elementary aged children. Morah Karen will be taking families on a journey through the Shabbat service, diving into Torah, and creating a community of spiritual learners! We have been so blessed to have filled up the chapel the last several months for this service, so come early and schmooze with friends!
Tonight, we will have Kabbalat Shabbat in person Kol Rinah starting at 6:00 pm in our chapel.
Tomorrow, we will be meeting in the sanctuary for our Shabbat morning services starting at 9:00 am (livestream link below).
Mincha/Ma'ariv services this Shabbat will be at 5:00 pm this Saturday afternoon.
Candle Lighting Friday night is at 5:07 pm.
Parshah: Beshalach
Torah Reading: Exodus 13:17 - 17:16
Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31
Havdalah will be at 6:12 pm.
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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 ( tinyurl.com/KR-EveningMinyan )
Sunday-Thursday evenings at 6pm
Morning Minyan on Zoom ( tinyurl.com/KR-MorningMinyan )
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 7am;
Thursday mornings are in person only at Kol Rinah starting at 7:00 am. Sunday mornings and national holidays at 8am (not including Jewish holidays)
Learning Opportunities
Torah Talk with Rabbi Arnow or Rabbi Shafrin ( tinyurl.com/KR-TorahTalk )
Every Friday at 12pm
Join us for study and discussion of the week's Torah portion.
Kabbalat Shabbat/Shabbat morning
(https://www.kolrinahstl.org/kr-streaming)
Fridays at 6:00pm, Saturdays at 9:00am, as well as the first day, seventh and eighth days of Passover
Click the link below, then click the triangular "play" buttom:
https://www.kolrinahstl.org/kr-streaming
Until shortly before the service officially begins, there will a filler screen, but livestreamed video and sound will both start before the start of the service.
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.”
