The news of the week has certainly been the president's suggestion to move the inhabitants of Gaza to somewhere else. There's so much about this concept that is still unclear and unsure. Where would they go? What nation(s) would accept them? What about those who didn't want to leave? Who would pay for all of this? What exactly would America's role in all of this be? This is all to say, it's at a conceptual stage, and it's not at all clear it will or could come to fruition.
As an idea, it makes me wonder about how we and others prioritize our various commitments. How do we prioritize a commitment to a particular land versus safety, security and prosperity for ourselves and others, versus a commitment to our sense of peoplehood? How have we as Jews balanced these priorities? How have we seen others balance them? What about when there's not consensus about these questions? How is that handled, both internally and externally? Do we see a people as one people with one fate, or each person able to make their own decisions?
Amidst all these questions and uncertainties, I remain committed to Israelis being able to live with safety, security and dignity. I remain committed to seeing all the hostages come home. I also remain committed to Palestinians being able to live with safety, security, and dignity, both because they as humans deserve that, and because I don't think Israel will ever be "safe" until Palestinians are living with their own sense of safety and dignity.
What are your ongoing commitments, amidst all the uncertainty and chaos of the news?
As hostages continue (God-willing) to be released, we will continue each Shabbat morning to read this prayer by liturgist Alden Solovy. The hostages still in Gaza have been in captivity for 490 days. May they all come home soon.
Candle lighting tonight is at 5:14pm.
Karen Kern will be here tonight for Kabbalat Shabbat at 6pm. Come sing together with her to welcome Shabbat.
Tomorrow morning we'll start at 9am. It'll be Enchanting Shabbat, with congregants doing the Torah reading. And it's Parashat Beshallach, which includes the Song at the Sea, thus also giving this Shabbat the title "Shabbat Shirah," the Shabbat of song.
Cyndee Levy will be leading Torah Talk at 10:10am.
We'll have a mini-kiddush following services.
Shabbat ends at 6:14pm.
Our in-person Thursday morning minyan has been a bit thin the last few weeks, especially with people traveling. If you are able to make it at 7am on Thursday mornings, your presence will really be appreciated, especially by those saying Kaddish.
Beginning in March, our Israel Committee will be convening "Compassionate Conversations" around Israel, facilitated by Cyndee Levy. Details and signup (by February 21) are here. Among the goals are to foster a spirit of mutual respect for divergent perspectives and to serve as a model for how we, as a community, can comfortably engage in discussions when there is conflict. I'm really proud this is happening, and grateful to our Israel Committee and its chairs Shula Neuman and Rena Munster for their leadership.
Purim is coming! If you're interested in reading megillah, especially if you haven't done so before, whether ever or at Kol Rinah, respond to this email and I'll connect you to the megillah reading folks.
Also, if you're interested in helping with or being part of the Purim spiel, respond to this email and I'll connect you with those folks.
You may have heard that Kol Rinah is honoring me for my ten years of service to the synagogue on Sunday evening, March 2. I'm very grateful for this all. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support our entire community. Ads are due by February 10 and RSVPs by February 17. Details and signup are here.
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
MISSION: Create a welcoming community that embraces Torah, meaningful worship, lifelong learning, music, Israel, and tikkun olam, guided by the tenets of Conservative Judaism.
Phone: 314-727-1747