There are all different flavors of gratitude. Mine definitely has the scent of poultry seasoning.
This week, we read the story of Jacob's dream, aka Jacob's ladder. Jacob wakes up from this dream and says, "God was in this place and I did not know it" (Gen 28:16). Rashi on this says that Jacob means that if he had known God were there, he would not have gone to sleep. Jacob was literally, and also spiritually alseep--asleep to the reality of God's presence in that place, and maybe even in every place.
This move from lack of awareness to sudden awareness occurs too, I think, and probably more commonly, with gratitude. It's very hard to move through the world with a constant sense of gratitude. But there are moments that remind us to feel gratitude or that inspire gratitude. Sometimes it's appreciating the bounty of a delicious seasonal meal, or the people we're blessed to be with. Often it's a brush with something scary that reminds us of our gratitude for what we had until moments before taken for granted.
There's a song Karen Kern sings (and I sing along with) every Friday with our Monica Lynne Neidorff Early Childhood Center kids as we do "Shabbat" with them: "What are you thankful for today? Share with us the blessings that have come your way."
I love doing this every Friday, thinking about what I'm thankful for, each week. What are you thankful for this week, this post-Thanksgiving Friday?
Tonight, we'll gather at 6pm for Kabbalat Shabbat (no instruments). We had such a nice crowd last Friday night. Come join us!
Candle lighting is at 4:23pm.
Tomorrow morning, we'll start at 9am. I'll be leading Torah Talk at about 10:10am, where we'll look at some different ways of understanding what God means when God says to Jacob, "The land upon which you are lying I will give to you and your offspring" (Gen. 28:13).
Shabbat ends at 5:26pm.
Coming up early in December: Monday night December 1 will be our monthly Short Story Discussion Group, at 7pm on Zoom. This month's story is "The Gittel" by Marjorie Sender.
Tuesday, December 2 at 2pm we'll be featuring an in-person program here at the synagogue on "Art and Humanity in Peril: The Story of Degenerate Art."
Bill Sitzer, docent and educator at the St. Louis Art Museum, will provide an illustrated introduction to art labeled 'degenerate' by the Nazi party. Bill is a fascinating lecturer with deep experience in guiding discussion and promoting visual literacy. RSVP here.
Hanukkah is coming!
Tuesday, December 9 at 7pm in person at Kol Rinah, will be "Eight Nights": Music/Poetry/Sources by Rabbi James Stone Goodman, joined by Rabbi Susan Talve. Prepare for Hanukkah with this single-session journey integrating poetry, music, piyyutim (liturgical poetry), and more. RSVPs appreciated here.
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings December 16 and 17, we'll be trying a new way of celebrating Hanukkah for Kol Rinah--"Hanukkah at Home." A number of Kol Rinah members have opened up their homes to host Hanukkah celebrations, and you are welcome to sign up to attend one (or more!). This is a lovely way to get to know some Kol Rinah people in a more relaxed environment. Details and signup here.
Our Annual Meetingwill be on Sunday, December 14 at 10am.
Finally, as a reminder, if you or someone you know is sick or ailing and could use a call, a text, a visit, a card, or to be added to the mishebeirach list (the list of people for whose healing we are praying), whether from me or from our dedicated Chesed (caring) Committee, email me or call and let the office know.
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