Rabbis' Weekly Message

Dear Kol Rinah Family,

There is so much happening in the next few weeks that I almost don't know where to begin!

We are currently looking for exciting, qualified individuals to join our amazing staff team. Specifically, we are looking for a new Youth Advisor, as well as a new teacher for our ever-expanding Kol Rinah Education Hub. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Barbara Shamir, our Co-Executive Director ( directors@kolrinahstl.org ) or call the office 314-727-1747. Details and job descriptions can be found here .

Beginning August 20, Rabbi Arnow and I will be teaching an Introduction to Judaism class.  We already have a great group of learners from all backgrounds and experience levels signed up to learned with us, and we would love for you to join in too! The schedule for the class and the registration link to sign up can be found by clicking here.  The class is appropriate for people who are Jewish, people interested in conversion, and people are just interested in learning more about Judaism. 

Also, in preparation for the High Holidays, Rabbi Arnow and I will be holding a series of classes during Elul focusing on a number of essential High Holiday skills, traditions, and prayer choreography:

 

On August 18, at 6:30 pm, we will be having a congregational meeting to discuss the state of the shul, our future, and the incredible and exciting progress we are making. Please join us to discuss our future of growing together and to hear answers to all the questions you didn't even know you had.

Kabbalat Shabbat services this evening will be upstairs in the chapel beginning at 6:00 pm this evening.  Because tonight is erev Tisha b'Av, the night preceding the fast of the 9th of Av, our service tonight willb be a little more subdued and feature some thematic melodies from the holiday. Candle lighting is at 7:45 pm. 
 
Tomorrow morning, services will be in the lower auditorium at 9:00 am.  I will be leading Torah Talk at 10:10 am and Rabbi Arnow will be giving the sermon, each taking different looks at the begining of Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy. We will also be davenning mincha (the afternoon service) at about 12:30 pm following our kiddush luncheon. I want to wish a hearty mazal tov to Burton & Benita Boxerman, as well as Phil and Sima Needleman, who we will be honoring to mark their anniversaries this week. We wish both happy couples many more joyous years together!
 
This Saturday is also Tisha b'Av, the 9th day of the month of Av which commemorates the destruction of both the 1st and 2nd Temples in Jerusalem as well as being a day of mourning for the numerous tragedies the Jewish People have suffered throughout the ages.  Because we do not hold fast days on Shabbat (except when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat) our observance of Tisha b'Av begins Saturday evening after Havdallah, and continues through Sunday evening.

Tisha b'Av is one of only two full day (25-hour) fasts on the Jewish calendar. Just as on Yom Kippur, it is customary to refrain from eating and drinking, as well as bathing, annointing oneself (adding perfume or pleasant odors), and intimate relations. Because of the sorrowful nature of the holiday, many choose to sit low to the ground and also to refrain from greeting one another joyfully. So, if you see me on Tisha b'Av and I don't greet you warmly, I apologize in advance.

The fast for Tisha b'Av begins at 8:02 pm and Shabbat ends at 8:45pm. At 9:00 pm, we will gather together for Ma'ariv, which will include the reading of Megillat Eicha, the Book of Lamentations. On Sunday morning, services for Tisha b'Av will begin at 8:00 am. Mincha for Tisha b'Av will be at 6:00 pm. The fast ends at 8:30 pm and Havdallah is at 8:45 pm.

In addition to these services, Heartland for Human Justice will be holding study sessions and learning opportunities connecting the historic sorrow of this holiday with tragedies going on right now in our country and our world. They will be taking place at Central Reform Congregation, with the main program on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm, and a study session with Rabbi Daniel Bogard from 12:00-2:00 pm.  The event is free, and details and a link to RSVP can be found here .

And now, some for a little bit of Torah, which I wrote for the St. Louis Jewish Light this week:

https://www.stljewishlight.com/opinion/commentaries/in-holding-ourselves-others-accountable-words-matter/article_b31f4b6e-b9f6-11e9-be74-1780eb4b5b0d.html

Shabbat Shalom and see you in shul,
Rabbi Scott Shafrin