Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Voting for the World Zionist Congress elections closes on Sunday, May 4. These are your last days to vote!!!
I have heard now from 76 members of Kol Rinah so far who have voted in the World Zionist Congress elections. 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.
***
Last week was Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), and yesterday was Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. Rabbi Ebn Leader, who grew up in Israel and now lives in the Boston area, wrote this week about the theology of these two days. If you're looking for something, long-ish, theological and thoughtful, I recommend it.
Mazal tov to Zev VanLinn, who celebrated his bar mitzvah last Shabbat. Mazal tov also to his parents, Sara and Peter VanLinn, to his brothers Asher and Emmet, and to his whole extended family.
Services tonight to welcome Shabbat will be at 6pm in the chapel, with Karen Kern and Will Soll.
Candle lighting is at 7:38pm.
Saturday morning, we'll start at 9am. We'll be honoring our graduating high school seniors, who will be participating in the Torah service. We'll also be celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) with some special additions to the service.
There will not be Torah Talk.
Tot Shabbat will be at 10:45am.
It's going to be a great day in shul, with some special kiddush food too!
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:41pm.
On Sunday, Mitzvah Day is from 11:30am-1:30pm, with great stuff for people of all ages to do. Make sure to stop by! As part of Mitzvah Day, we'll be having a blood drive--sign up here!
Thursday afternoon/evening May 15 from 5-7:30pm we'll have our annual Lag Ba'Omer gathering at Shaw Park. There'll be an ice cream truck (from 5:30-6:30pm), a bonfire (6pm), minyan (6:15pm) and lots of great people to hang out with. Hope to see you then! Details here.
We don't know what the future will hold for the remaining hostages, who have been in captivity in Gaza now for 574 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 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