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Dear Kol Rinah Family,
וְכִֽי־יָמ֣וּךְ אָחִ֔יךָ וּמָ֥טָה יָד֖וֹ עִמָּ֑ךְ וְהֶֽחֱזַ֣קְתָּ בּ֔וֹ גֵּ֧ר וְתוֹשָׁ֛ב וָחַ֖י עִמָּֽךְ׃
If your fellow human being, being in dire straits, comes under your authority, and are held by you as though resident aliens, let them live by your side:
~ Leviticus 25:35
I have been thinking about this verse a lot this week. On it's surface, it's talking about people lapsing into poverty, not having the means to sustain themselves, and, in that case, people stepping up to let them live with them and care for them.
But our rabbis expand this to the broadest understanding of care. Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra maintains that this admonition to assist another in a precarious position applies to everyone, "for you are obligated to the one who is found with you (עִמָּ֑ךְ), meaning anyone that you see." He goes on to say that when the text says that you should "let them live by your side," it means not only give them a place to live, but INSURE that they are able to live as a full human being and a member of your community.
Sadly, this week we saw our state's leaders turn their backs on those who were already too often living in the margins, who were already vulnerable and targeted. As the Missouri House passed Senate Bills 39 and 49, which restricted trans minors from playing the sports teams aligned with their gender identity and also from accessing any gender-affirming care and which are likely to be signed into law by Governor Parson, we watched as our government decided not only to refuse to protect and care for the people of Missouri who need them most, but actively spurn and target them. Far from embodying this Biblical precept espoused in this week's Torah portion (Behar-Bechukotai) to view those around them as their siblings to whom they are obligated to give help and care, they have chosen instead to visit unthinkable harm on the lives of trans people in Missouri, their families, their doctors, and our entire community.
To all of our community members directly impacted by these bills, I am so sorry. I am heartbroken that these bills will likely become law. Even as challenges and lawsuits have already been promised, I know that the continued targeting of your lives and freedoms by our leaders is frightening, unjust, and heartbreaking. My heart breaks along with yours, and this Shabbat, I want to send you all my compassion and care. If you need us, if you need community, we are here, and will help in any ways we can.
In the meantime, know that you are seen, you are loved, you are holy, and you are cared for. Our community will continue to do everything in our power to support your lives and give you every avenue for success and freedom that we can muster. You are always welcome here at Kol Rinah, full stop.
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A few thank yous for this last week full of great events at Kol Rinah. Firstly, thank you so much to Denise Field, our Tzedek Team, and all of the many, many volunteers who helped out at our Mitzvah Day this past Sunday! The rain held off and an incredible amount of blankets, food baskets, soup packets, stress balls, greeting cards, flowers in pots, and life affirming messages were created and distributed to so many in need. We also well exceeded our blood donation goals thanks to so many thoughful people who showed up in force to give. Thank you to all of you and your incredible efforts.
Also a big thank you to everyone who was involved in creating a wonderful Lag B'Omer experience this past Tuesday night, especially Karen Kern and Stacey Hudson, as well as all of our volunteers who stepped up and took on a role to make the program run so smoothly! Thank you also to Rabbi Brad Horwitz and to Avital Kadosh and everyone at The J for partnering with us this year to make such a successful and fun celebration.
We also have a wonderful Shabbat in store for you this week!
Here is Rabbi Arnow's sermon from last week on Parashat Emor: https://images.shulcloud.com/7787/uploads/sermons/Emor20235783.pdf
We will NOT be having Torah Talk this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
We will be having regular Kabbalat Shabbat services this evening in our Chapel starting at 6:00pm sharp, and would love to have your voices join with ours in sacred song!
This Shabbat is once again the return of Kol Chadash, our fantastic, immersive, spiritual music experience. Please note that this Shabbat morning service will start promptly at 9:30 am. If you have never been before, we dive deep into our siddur, following the path of the traditional Shabbat morning service, but adding in new layers of melody, harmony, and thoughtful tunes to encourage everyone to be singing loudly and lovingly together. Come join us for thoughtful davening, soulful music, great community, and a powerful, spiritual experience!
Candle Lighting Friday night is at 7:46 pm.
Parshah: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
Torah Reading: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14
Mincha/Maariv: 7:35pm
Havdalah will be at 8:49 pm.
Kol tuv,
Rabbi Shafrin
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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.”
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Phone: 314-727-1747