One of the most well-known phrases in Jewish Tradition is “Zecher Leyitziat Mitzrayim – a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt”.
The question we need to ask ourselves, especially as we prepare for Pesach, is why? Why does this event occupy such a central role in Jewish Liturgy and in the consciousness of every member of the House of Israel?
Years ago, while still a student at the University of Judaism, I read an article by City College of New York Professor, Dr. William Helmreich, in which he discussed the impact that survivors, Holocaust Survivors, have made on American Society.”
“Every such encounter (with a survivor), every life touched, every conscience activated, represents the contribution made by the survivors towards insuring that a Holocaust will never happen again. It is both their self-imposed duty and their opportunity to serve as the world’s conscience as long as they are alive. And, to the degree that they succeed in this endeavor, they affect the course of history. Inasmuch as the survivors tend to see everything through the prism of their unique background, they influence society’s thinking in other ways too.”
Helmreich goes on to argue that survivors – despite their limited numbers - have made a tremendous impact on our contemporary reality. They remain, for the most part, optimistic, life affirming, faithful and hopefully even in the face of the indescribable horrors and challenges they have faced.
Clearly, we Jews are a nation of ultimate survivors. We have transcended innumerable attempts on the part of dictators and madmen to eradicate us. From the diabolical Nazi, Adolf Hitler, the the villainous Haman of the Purim saga, and all the way back to the heartless Pharaoh of Egypt, we have survived, overcome, transcended, and flourished.
And perhaps this is why the phrase “Zecher Leyitziat Mitzrayim – a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt” is so very central and essential. After all, it does not come to simply remind us to be cognizant of past traumas. Rather, it serves as a call to call to action. A mandate to an Am Segulah, a treasured people, often beset and abused, to work towards a better day. A time when all people will be freed from oppression, domination, slavery, and plague.
At this time of great global uncertainty and anxiety, a time when we find ourselves in narrow straits (the literal meaning of the Hebrew word Mitzrayim), may we, the "ultimate survivors” be beacons of optimism, confidence and positivity! Amen!
With love and blessings for a sweet new Jewish month and a Shabbat Shalom,
What a week it has been. We have experienced sadness, disappointment, and anxiety. Yet we are finding ways to stay connected to each other and to the beauty in the world, finding light, laughter, and community. Thank you to the singers who braved the technology to create something beautiful. And thank you to all who submitted photos for our B'nai Amoona week in review. It is healing for me to work with you on such a heartwarming project. Enjoy the video and of course, the music. You will see smiles, acts of Chesed (kindness) being performed, and many heroes, big and small. Wishing everyone a meaningful and peaceful Shabbat.
Parshat Vayikra Candlelighting: Friday, March 27 at 7:03 pm
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, March 28 at 7:52 pm
All of our Shabbat Services and daily Minyanim will be livestreamed ONLY. CLICK HERE to view the streaming from our website. Our services will also all be available on our Facebook Page.
Friday, March 27
Friday Night Service with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 6:00 pm
Saturday, March 28
Shabbat Morning Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 9:00 am
Saturday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 7:15 pm
Sunday, March 29
Morning Minyan with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 9:00 am
Evening Minyan with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 6:15 pm
Monday, March 30
Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 7:00 am
Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm
Tuesday, March 31
Morning Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 7:00 am
Evening Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 6:15 pm
Wednesday, April 1
Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 7:00 am
Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm
Thursday, April 2
Morning Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 7:00 am
Evening Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 6:15 pm
Friday, April 3
Morning Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 7:00 am
Friday Night Service with Cantor Sharon Nathanson - 6:00 pm
In case you cannot get on the BA Livestream or the Facebook page,
our Klei Kodesh facilitator for the day (listed above) can be reached at the following number:
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose - 314-578-4115
Rabbi Josef Davidson - 314-477-5459
Cantor Sharon Nathanson - 314-495-3238
BA LEHRHAUS ADULT EDUCATION
We want to thank you for your patience as we are trying to find new and innovative ways to help everyone connect and learn in the coming weeks. Below is a list of classes for the week that will be available via Livestream on our website. Some classes that required pre-registration will be available via Zoom and the instructor will be in touch with more details.
Sunday, March 29
A Thinking Person's Judaism - 10:15 - 11:30 am Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
If you are unable to access our livestream or Facebook Page, Rabbi Neal Rose can be reached at 314-527-9888
Introduction to Judaism - 2:00 – 3:30 pm; Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Livestreamand our BA Facebook Page If you are unable to access our livestream or Facebook Page, Rabbi Neal Rose can be reached at 314-527-9888
Tuesday, March 31
Jane Rubin Torah Study Class - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Facilitated by Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration requred)
Encountering Mystery - 10:30 - 11:45 am Facilitated by Carol Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration required)
Wednesday, April 1
Kabbalistic and Mystical Insights into the Passover Seder
10:00 - 11:30 am and 7:00 - 8:30pm Facilitated by Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose via Livestream
If you are unable to access our livestream, Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose can be reached at 314-578-4115
Thursday, April 2
Yiddish Class - 10:00-11:00 am; Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
If you are unable to access our livestream or Facebook Page, Rabbi Neal Rose can be reached at 314-527-9888
HEBREW CLASSES (Pre-registration required)
Monday, March 30
Ulpan Ivrit - Advanced Modern Hebrew - 2:00 - 3:00pm
Ulpan Ivrit - Beginning Modern Hebrew - 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Ulpan Ivrit - Intermediate Modern Hebrew - 7:00 - 8:00 pm All facilitated by Ophira Nitzan-Melnick via Zoom
Tuesday, March 31
Advanced Hebrew Reading - 6:45 - 7:45 pm Facilitated by Chani Pinsberg via Zoom
Wednesday, April 1
Hebrew Reading for Tefillot and Blessings - 6:45 – 7:45pm All facilitated by Ophira Nitzan-Melnick via Zoom
For questions, please contact Liessa Alperin at 314-324-0936 or liessa@bnaiamoona.com
SCHOOL-AGE FAMILIES
Although our classes will not be meeting in person we will be sharing ideas and activities through the new Facebook Group BA Sharing Spot. Additionally, MKLC families will be receiving an email from Liessa Alperin about virtual opportunities for Hebrew tutoring.
LRECC
Our LRECC teachers are creating videos from our classroom and specialist teachers to be uploaded via Facebook, using Zoom to do virtual class activities with their students, and Face Timing students and/or parents as needed. Anyone is welcome to join our LRECC Facebook page . This page is where you can connect to other parents and view uploads, etc. If you are not a current LRECC family, but would like your child included in our virtual classes, please email Anita Kraus, anita@bnaiamoona.com, with your contact information.
The Rabbinical Assembly has issued these three important Halachik rulings in light of Passover 5780 and Covid-19: Please click each title below.
Jewish Family Services
We are proud to be partnering with the Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Services and all area congregations in a coordinated effort to help those hit hardest by this pandemic.
If you would like to volunteer with Jewish Family Services to help members of the community get needed groceries or medicine, please contact Jeremy Goldberg, JFS Volunteer Coordinator directly at 314-513-1679 or jgoldberg@jfcs-stl.org.
If you are 65 years of age or older and would like to reach out directly to Jewish Family Services for support, you can contact Lori Zimmerman with ElderLinks St. Louis at lzimmerman@jfsstl.org or 314-812-9300.
Be a Jewel & Pay it Forward! As an act of Chesed, BA Sisterhood invites you to participate in their annual Mitvah fundraiser. Your contribution will help Sisterhood in the many ways they support our congregation and community. Please click the image for more information.
All Sisterhood members are invited to put on their PJs and join us for Coffee Conversations, a weekly check-in and chat via Zoom. Our next session will take place Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 pm. Click HERE for more information.
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF
Vivian Cecile Gellman; beloved wife of Herman P. Gellman (Z"L); dear mother and mother in law of Bob (Nancy) Gellman, Dr. Steven (Elizabeth Sullivan) Gellman and Lauri Gellman Wallace; dear Nonnie of Tracy (Tim) Liebe, Lucy Gellman and Benji Gellman; dear sister and sister in law of Ruth (Z"L) (Morris) Kalmon and Leonard (Z"L) (Lois Lee) Bierman. Our dear aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend. The family greatly appreciates the love and care provided by Toni, Geneva and Denise along with the staff at BJC Hospice.
Gilberto Sanchez; devoted father of Omaira Rustemeyer, Sergio Sanchez, Juan Sanchez, Hugo Sanchez; loving grandfather of Nyvene Rustemeyer and Omily Rustemeyer; caring uncle and friend to many. He touched so many lives in his 82 years and will be truly missed.
To view and print our Misheberach List, please click HERE.
Please click HERE for our Yahrzeit list for the week of
Nisan 3 - Nisan 9 (March 28 - April 3)
Happy Birthday to:
Marilyn Abrams
Juliet Alpert
Shakked Armoza
Jon Baris
Rita Beckerman
Gabriel Bergmann
Jacob Bitterfield
Edward Chod
Jackie Chod
Shelby Cohen
Gene Cohen
Anna Dardick
Max Deutsch
Kay Diamant
Madison Ellis
Zeena Goldenberg
Ethan Goldfeder
Steven Goldman
Miriam Goldstein
Ricki Grossman
Dee Herrmann
Julie Hoffman
Samara Jacobs
Jennifer Jacobs
David Kalishman
Samantha Katzman
Ellen Kessler
Christine Laycob
Ronan Lev
Brian Lyss
Gabriel Maayan
Marilyn Manne
Betty Mendelson
Brayden Miederhoff
Dr. Aaron Miller
Ayden Nelson
Jerome Opinsky
Ilene Pokres
Lisa Ryan
Matthew Schuval
Gary Shank
Liam Shoghi
Annette Sklar
Tanya Spivey
Lynn Weintraub
Faye Zvibleman
Happy Anniversary to:
Brock & Amy Atchley
Howard Berry & Lori Kabrun-Berry
Maynard & Bev Chervitz
Mark & Belinda Dana
Fred & Susan Levko
Jackson & Nicole McLemore
Craig & Amy Neuman
Amy & Gary O'Grady
Edward Rosen & Sharon Kirsch
Gerald & Judy Zafft
B’nai Amoona
324 South Mason Rd
St. Louis, MO 63141
