My sermon from last Shabbat is on the website. It's about the balance betwen fighting for what we believe and resting, and also has a fascinating oddly current parable from a chasidic rebbe about a country where the richest person in the country automatically becomes king. Check it out.
There are two things that I want to highlight this week.
1. 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 so grateful to our Israel Committee and its chairs Shula Neuman and Rena Munster for their leadership.
This is going to be an amazing experience, and I'm really proud of our shul for offering this. There is space left--if you're considering signing up, please do so ASAP!!!
2. This week, I want to take a moment to mention Kol Rinah's Chesed Committee, led by Barbara Bianco and Debbie Igielnik. They and their team are able to help coordinate visits, calls, food and more for congregants who need some temporary support--whether around a loss, a sickness or surgery, or some other issue. I'm so grateful to them for helping to enact the some of the ways our Kol Rinah community can be caring and supportive.
If you or someone close to you is in the hospital or sick, anticipating a surgery, or anything else, let me know. I can pass it on to the Chesed Committee, and also call and/or visit myself.
Let me say something about confidentiality. Sometimes people want they're going through to remain private and I appreciate and understand that too. You can be in touch with me confidentially, and I'll only pass on what's going on with your permission.
We can also put people on the Mishebeirach List--the list of people for whose healing we are praying--with their English name, their Jewish name, or both. If it's just their Jewish name, chances are they'll be pretty anonymous.
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As hostages thankfully 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 497 days. May they all come home soon.
Candle lighting tonight is at 5:22pm.
Join me tonight for Kabbalat Shabbat at 6pm, no instruments. I know a couple of regulars won't be able to make it, so so your presence will be especially appreciated!
Tomorrow morning we'll start at 9am. It's Parashat Yitro, which includes the Ten Commandments.
I will be leading Torah Talk at 10:10am, and we'll look at some of the connections between the Ten Commandments and creation.
Please note that there is not Tot Shabbat this week.
Kiddush will follow services.
Saturday afternoon we'll have mincha at 4:20pm, followed by a little food, some learning, ma'ariv and havdalah.
Shabbat ends at 6:21pm.
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.
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. RSVPs are due by February 17. Details and signup are here. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, there are a very limited number of $36 tickets still available for those who would like to come but for whom the regular ticket price is an obstacle. Please call the office for information about those tickets.
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