Dear Kol Rinah Family,
I got home on Sunday from about six days in Israel, mostly in Jerusalem. I'll have more to say about my experiences in my sermon tomorrow morning.
Here's the greatly abbreviated summary though in four points:
1. It feels safe being in Israel.
2. There are amazing people doing inspiring work in Israel.
3. Israel has a lot of problems.
4. Visiting Israel, and seeing with one's own eyes, hearing for one's self--is powerful, inspiring, depressing, and so, so appreciated.
As I said, I'll have more to say about this tomorrow.
Most Torah portions don't end on a cliffhanger, but this week's, Parashat Vayeshev, sort of does: "Yet the chief cupbearer did not think of Joseph; he forgot him" (Genesis 40:23).
For a bit of context, this comes after Joseph has been sold into slavery by his brothers, has been falsely accused of being intimate with his employer's wife, thrown in jail, and interpreted Pharaoh's butler's (aka chief cupbearer's) and baker's dreams accurately.
Joseph is languishing in jail, forgotten and abandoned, seemingly, by everyone.
Most of us are not so low, so lonely. But a visit, more than just a text (although even that), can be so nice. Isn't it nice to hear from a friend you haven't seen in a while, just because they wanted to say hi, to hear how you are?
Seeing Israel, seeing some old friends there, not to mention seeing colleagues there together with me at the Rabbinical Assembly's convention--reminded me of how good it feels to connect with people in meaningful ways.
The holidays can be a great time, but also a lonely time. If you're feeling lonely, call or visit a friend, or acquaintance. If you're not feeling lonely, call or visit a friend or acquaintance.
A chanukiyah (aka menorah) is literally a lamp increasing light, but it's also a symbol of light, hope, victory, God's presence--it's a symbol that does a lot work.
Each of us too can light up someone's day, someone's life, just a little, by our presence, our taking the time to connect with them.
Who do you want to be in touch with over the next couple of weeks?
Candle lighting tonight is at 4:23pm.
We'll have Kabbalat Shabbat and ma'ariv tonight at 6pm--join me for a non-instrumental welcome to Shabbat with lots of singing.
Tomorrow morning we'll begin at 9am. It's an Enchanting Shabbat, so look forward to a bunch of different congregants reading Torah. There will not be Torah Talk tomorrow or next Shabbat.
Karen Kern will lead Tot Shabbat at 10:45am. Kiddush will follow services.
We'll have our monthly Shabbat mincha this Saturday afternoon at 3:25pm. After mincha, we'll eat a little, and then study together a little bit. I'll be teaching something to get us in the mood for Hanukkah. We'll daven ma'ariv, make havdalah, and shabbat ends at 5:25pm.
Ongoing is be our Winter Clothing Drive. See here for a list of the items that are needed.
We'll be having a blood drive this Sunday, December 22 from 11:30am-2:30pm. Details and signup are here.
Also on Sunday, December 22 will be "A Fond Look Back/Ethnic Potluck," which will combine some history about the roots of Kol Rinah as well as its legacy congregations BSKI and Shaare Zedek, along with a potluck. Details and signup here.
Also on Sunday! Our Gift Bar will be open from 11am-2pm and 5:30-6:30pm for last minute Hanukkah shopping!
I'll be away next Shabbat. Our member Jordan Kadosh, the Regional Director of the ADL Heartland Region, will be speaking Shabbat morning December 28.
Here's his topic:
Powering Through, Together
There is only one way through this moment of peak antisemitic sentiment and incidents, onward. ADL Heartland Regional Director Jordan Kadosh will speak about how we talk about antisemitism, whom we speak about it with and working together to overcome discrimination and hate.
With people away over the holidays, weekday minyanim can be a bit sparse. If you are around and can join our Zoom minyanim over the next weeks, and/or come Thursday morning or Friday night in person, your presence will be really appreciated by everyone else there, and especially by people saying kaddish.
One other note for after New Year's: we have a class to learn how to read Hebrew starting on Saturday, January 4. It'll meet six Saturdays from 9:15-10am, and be taught by the wonderful Joyce Olshan. Details and RSVP here.
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 441 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
|
|
Phone: 314-727-1747