I don't always find it easy to focus on Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel's independence day, this Tuesday night and Wednesday). After Passover, and Yom HaShoah, and amidst the busy, beautiful time of spring, Israel can feel far away. Especially since I haven't been there in a few years now.
Israel has been much closer to my consciousness these last weeks though, for a few reasons. The proposed judicial reforms and the resulting protests were a huge story. It's Israel's 75th anniversary. Many friends and colleagues are in Israel now for conferences, trips and meetings, including students from Mirowitz's 8th grade class, and I'm seeing their pictures of sites, friends and food.
And a couple of weeks ago I had the delightful opportunity to spend a long (six-hour!) drive with Ayala Hendin, Israel Institute Postdoctoral Research Associate and Teaching Fellow at Washington University, getting to know her, asking her all my questions about what's happening in Israel, and hearing her perspectives.
I'm so glad that we at Kol Rinah will have the opportunity to hear from her tomorrow morning, first for a few minutes in the sermon slot at about 11:15am, and then after kiddush in a more extended conversation. Bring your questions and curiosity, and I hope to see you tomorrow.
I appreciate hearing new and different perspectives on things in Israel, and this article brings some deep humanity, challenge, and hope to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's just one perspective, one person's experiences, but it made me think, and feel.
Rabbi Shafrin will be leading Torah Talk on Zoom today at noon and at 10:15am tomorrow morning. He'll be looking at why there are so many different kinds of tzara'at.
At 6pm, we'll welcome Shabbat together--join us for some great music and singing.
Candle lighting is at 7:26pm.
Tomorrow morning we start at 9am, and we'll also celebrate Rosh Chodesh Iyyar with Hallel. There's also Tot Shabbat at 10:45am.
Mincha Saturday evening will be at 7:15pm, and Shabbat ends at 8:27pm.
Sunday is the community's Yom Haatzmaut celebration at the J. Also coming up are Kol Rinah's Mitzvah Day on May 7, and our Lag B'Omer celebration at Shaw Park May 9. All the details for everything are on the website.
Shabbat shalom and see you in shul,
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)
Morning Minyan on Zoom
Monday-Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7am; Sunday mornings and national holidays at 8am (not including Jewish holidays)
(Please note that Thursday morning minyan is now being held in-person and is not on Zoom)
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 and Shabbat mornings
Fridays, 6pm in the chapel (no streaming)
Saturdays, 9:00am (9:30am when we are doing our musical Kol Chadash service)
Click the link below, for the stream, as well as for additional instructions: https://www.kolrinahstl.org/kr-streaming
MISSION: Create a welcoming community that embraces Torah, meaningful worship, lifelong learning, music, Israel, and tikkun olam, guided by the tenets of Conservative Judaism.
Phone: 314-727-1747