Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Rabbi Evan Schultz wrote the following poem recently:
It was never about the four children,
but about seeing our children
for exactly who they are.
It was never about the four questions,
but about living with curiosity.
It was never about Dayenu,
but about going to sleep affirming
that today I was and I am enough.
It was never about the matzah,
but about acknowledging
the profound fragility of life.
It was never about the seder plate,
but about recognizing
the symbolism in everyday things.
It was never about the maggid,
but about asking our parents
to teach us their stories.
It was never about the saltwater,
but about giving space for tears.
It was never about the plagues,
but about recognizing where
our broken world needs us most.
It was never about the four cups,
but about embracing life's joys.
It was never about the seder,
but about seeking a sense
of order in a very chaotic world.
It was never about Elijah,
but about believing that
a better world is still possible.
It was never about the haggadah,
but about tradition telling us
that we each have a story to write.
It was, however, always about
the matzah ball soup.
Passover is this exercise in trying to get everything in order--clean, kosher, have the seder go perfectly, in good order. And then we do it again--with another seder, which we also try to have go just right, in perfect order. And then, we have six more days of Passover.
Mistakes, disorder--they are all inevitable, in Passover, in our lives, in our world. The question is not whether we can get everything right. The question is how we react and respond when the first, and then the second, and then various subsequent things go wrong. Do we throw in the towel and go out for donuts, or do we keep at the Seder, keep doing Passover, doing the best we can at each moment?
All the preparation is itself perhaps a lesson--that we should indeed do our darndest to prepare, but there is no perfect preparation.
Instead, or maybe, in addition, to focusing on the things that go wrong with seders and Passover this year, notice the things that go right, and the deeper meaning and importance of these rituals, which is exactly what Rabbi Evan Schultz in his poem reminds us of.
The full Passover schedule is here. Here's a link to a bunch of questions, supplements and resources for this Pesach, with a few new and updated links.
Tonight, we'll have Kabbalat Shabbat and ma'ariv (no instruments) at 6pm.
Candle lighting is at 7:18pm.
Tomorrow, services are at 9am. I'll be leading Torah Talk, where we'll look at some voices from Israel and that region about Passover.
Sunday morning, services are 9am, and again Monday morning.
And at the second seder, Sunday night, we start counting the Omer!
***
I have heard now from 29 members of Kol Rinah so far who have voted in the World Zionist Congress elections, up from 24 last week. If you have already voted, email me and let me know!
If you have not yet voted, vote, and reply to this email and let me know you've voted! If you've voted already, make sure everyone eligible in your household has voted too.
As a reminder, World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections are open now, through May 4. Voting costs $5. There are some restrictions--among them, you have to be 18 by June 30, 2025, not vote in Israeli elections, and live in the US.
The delegates and the bodies those elected form at the WZC determine the leadership and influence the policies of Israel’s National Institutions: the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet Leyisrael (JNF) and Keren Hayesod – which together allocate over $1 billion annually in funding in support of Israel and Jewish communities around the world. These organizations have real power and influence in Israel and Israeli society, as well as in organizations around the globe.
To vote, first you have to register, and then they'll email or text you (your choice) a pin #, which you enter with your email address to vote. (It may take a few minutes after you register for the text or email with your pin # to arrive.)
Then you have to choose which slate to vote for. There are 22 different slates, and you can read about each of them.
I voted for Mercaz-USA, the Conservative Movement's slate. I know many of the delegates, and you may recognize a few names too, including Hazzan Joanna Dulkin.
While I endorse and recommend voting for Mercaz-USA, there are many other slates too, some of which are wonderful, and some of which really do not share Kol Rinah's values.
Email me if you have already voted, or when you do vote. I'll let you know next Friday how many votes I've been told about.
***
One of the most impactful Jewish experiences a kid can have is Jewish overnight camp. It's also expensive. Camp Ben Frankel, an outstanding Jewish overnight camp in located in southern Illinois, has secured funding to make camp dramatically more affordable for kids attending for the first time. The flyer with info is here.
***
We don't know what the future will hold for the remaining hostages, who have been in captivity in Gaza now for 553 days. May they all come home soon.
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, may you have a sweet Pesach, 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