Dear Kol Rinah Family,
The sounds, images, and stories of hostages freed and families reunited have been indelible this last week.
And yet my heart still aches for all those hostages still in captivity, and for their families. My heart aches for the families who have been learning that their loved ones who were taken hostage are no longer alive.
As I read of the conditions the hostages describe being kept in, they remind me of some aspects of the situation of many Gazans--scared, without much food or medical care, moving frequently, crowded into small spaces.
There are important differences too, but Hamas is the common enemy, inflicting this suffering, with the ability to make it stop immediately.
There are many perspectives about the best way to bring peace and security to Israel and Gaza (not to mention the West Bank). So when you hear people asking for a ceasefire now, until you know otherwise, assume they want the same thing as you, just see a different path than you. And when you hear people saying "no ceasefire," until you know otherwise, assume they want the same thing as you, just see a different path than you.
The Shalom Hartman Institute's longform writing is always thoughtful, nuanced and complex. Their Sources Journal has a new issue out devoted to the war in Israel and Gaza. I haven't had a chance to read most of the articles yet, but I recommend them nonetheless.
This past Monday night, we had a very helpful panel here, convened by Jordan Kadosh, our member and the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League and featuring Jay Greenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis Field Office for the FBI, Sayler Flemming, United States Attorney and Scott Biondo, Community Security Director for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. For a short summary of the comments made, see our Executive Director Stacey Hudson's blog post.
For more and collected Israel information, see this page on our website, as well as the Jewish Federation of St. Louis's Israel Resources page.
Every Shabbat morning, we are still reciting a prayer for the State of Israel, a prayer for Israel Defense Forces soldiers, and a prayer for hostages.
Tonight, candle lighting is at 4:22pm, the earliest it will get here in St. Louis this year.
We'll gather for an a cappella Kabbalat Shabbat and maariv at 6pm in the chapel.
Saturday morning, starting at 9:30am we'll have our Kol Chadash musical service this week. The music is great, the kavvanah (intention) is strong, and it's not super long. Join us!
Shabbat ends at 5:24pm.
Hanukkah begins Thursday night! Here's a reminder about the details of how to light Hanukkah candles. Most important--make sure you're being safe.
Next Saturday, we'll have a Hanukkah-themed Tot Shabbat and Hanukkah-themed kiddush.
Next Sunday (12/10), there's a march for Israel being planned by the St. Louis Jewish community for 1pm. Details coming shortly.
And also that afternoon and evening, join Kol Rinah and the whole communiy for Hanukkah at Garden Glow at the Botanical Gardens.
May the one who makes peace in the heavens make peace over us, and over all Israel, and over all who dwell in the world.
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 at 7am (8am on national holidays) and is not on Zoom)
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
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