Dear Kol Rinah Family,
There's a way in which I struggle with this week's Torah portion, Vayera: it goes too fast.
It's the second half of the story of Abraham. So much is packed in. Abraham is visited by and hosts God/three men/three angels (it's unclear), and Abraham and Sarah are told they will have a child. Abraham and God debate destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot (Abraham's nephew) is run out of Sodom, and his wife is turned into a pillar of salt for looking back. Abraham has a long encounter with King Avimelech of Gerar, again pretending Sarah is his sister. Sarah gives birth to Isaac, and then has Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael, who are saved by an angel. There's another encounter with Avimelech. And then, the whole story of Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac. (And I'm leaving things out.)
So much happens, so much changes, and it all happens and changes so fast. There are other Torah portions (I'm thinking of most of the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and parts of Exodus too, and even the long Joseph narrative), where the pacing is much slower, with lots of detail, whether about the narrative or about law.
But here, the amount of action is dizzying. It's almost too much to handle, too much to process, and too intense.
Maybe it's just me, but it does feel like the pace of change in our world too is dizzying. From politics in America and Israel to births, deaths, new members and people moving here at Kol Rinah, to my own kids growing up, this feels like one of those moments where life and the world, and changes in them, are moving very, very fast.
When the pace feels especially fast, I am all the more grateful for Shabbat, which is a slowing down.
We have three great opportunities over Shabbat to take some time together. I hope they won't "feel long," but rather, will provide an opportunity to be at a less frenetic pace.
Candle lighting tonight is at 4:29pm.
We'll have Kabbalat Shabbat and ma'ariv tonight at 6pm--join me to sing together and welcome Shabbat.
Tomorrow morning we'll begin at 9:30am, and we'll have our last Kol Chadash of 2024. It's a great two and a half hours of singing, with a little Torah study thrown in. Every minute of it is precious, if you ask me--and some of the best parts are at the beginning, so if you can, come at 9:30!
At 3:30pm we'll have our monthly (third Shabbat of the month) Shabbat mincha, Seudah Shelisheet (food) with some learning, ma'ariv and havdalah. I'll be dedicating the learning we do to the memory of Marshall Myers, a longtime member, past president and Shabbat mincha regular.
Shabbat ends at 5:28pm.
On Sunday from 11am-3pm is our second Hanukkah Pop-up Craft Fair! It's going to be fabulous--I look forward to seeing you there!
Our Grief Havurah with Rabbi Jessica Shafrin will meet this Wednesday evening at 6:30pm.
Also Wednesday evening, please join Moishe House South City from 6:15-6:45pm in the CRC Library, and on Zoom, as they hold a minyan to say Kaddish and read the names of all those who have passed since last Trans Day Of Remembrance.
Central Reform Congregation is located at 5020 Waterman Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108
They ask everyone attending to RSVP here:
https://forms.gle/DAuTR66RSmjoACBv8
And mark your calendars for Friday night November 22, when STAAM, Wash U's Jewish a cappella group, will be back, joining us for services at 6pm, followed by dinner and then a concert. Details and sign up here. RSVPs are due Tuesday 11/19.
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 406 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