Dear Kol Rinah Family,
"See, this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin upon you this day; and curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn away from the path that I enjoin upon you this day" (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).
Every day, so many times a day, we face choices--about what and how to eat, about whether and how to speak, about how to spend our time, our money, our energy. We know that there are often (but not always) better, healthier choices for us and the world, and worse, less healthy choices for us and the world.
While it can be hard to break a habit, a pattern, there's a sense of hope here--that every moment can be a new start, an opportunity to do, to be, better.
I need this reminder every so often. Maybe you do too.
I was thinking about this in the context of Israel this week, where progress and signs of hope are feeling even more absent, at least to me. Amos Harel is the military affairs columnist for Ha'aretz, and here he offers here a sober, sobering report on the current "situation" in Israel. Sure, it's one perspective, but it's an Israeli perspective, a view that we in America may not hear much.
It feels like many in positions of leadership in that region are not choosing blessing. May that change, soon, and soon enough.
***
Tonight, Karen Kern will be here leading Kabbalat Shabbat services, starting at 6pm. Candle lighting is at 7:16pm.
Tomorrow morning, we'll celebrate the bat mitzvah of Vera Shmuylovich, daughter of Leo Shmuylovich and Ilana Rosman. Mazal tov to them all, to younger siblings Rose and Liza, to Vera's grandparents, our members Andy and Nancy Rosman, and to Vera's aunt, our member Daniele Rosman.
Services begin at 9am.
Shabbat ends at 8:13pm.
The following Saturday morning (9/7), the first Shabbat in Elul, we'll be having something new for us: Heirloom Shabbat.
Do you have a cherished wearable family heirloom? This is your chance to wear a grandparent's or parent's beloved jewelry, clothing, or accessory (a ring or bracelet, earrings, necklace, tie, scarf, handkerchief, or something else). Do you have an heirloom siddur or tallit? Bring it!
Join us for Heirloom Shabbat as we celebrate our ancestors by wearing and using these precious treasures. It’s for fun and to honor their memory. There will be a special drash by Rabbi Jessica Shafrin.
All of our High Holiday information is now online here.
Most urgently, Yizkor book ads must be in by 9am on Tuesday morning, September 3.
One question I and the Ritual Committee have for all of you is about services for several Friday nights over the course of the holiday season. There are three times this holiday season when a holiday ends and goes straight into Shabbat, as happens with Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of Sukkot, as well as Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah this year. Those holidays are Wednesday night, Thursday and Friday, and go seamlessly into Shabbat.
Those Friday nights (this year, it's 10/4, 10/18, and 10/25), we do not sing a full Kabbalat Shabbat, but only a very abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat. In the recent past years, for those kinds of services, amidst many other holiday and Shabbat services, we have not had many people attend.
This year, we are not currently planning to hold those services. However, if there is a critical mass (i.e. a minyan!) of people who would like to come, we will certainly have them. If you would like to come to any of those Friday night services, please email me, and we will add them back to the calendar if we get enough interest.
We also need lots of help in all ways on the holidays. If you would like to participate or help in any way, you can always just email me and I'll forward your interest to the appropriate folks.
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 and festival morning, we are still reciting a prayer for the State of Israel, a prayer for Israel Defense Forces soldiers, and a prayer for hostages, who have now been in captivity 329 days.
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.
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 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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Phone: 314-727-1747