One of my all-time favorite pictures in our Conservative Movement Passover Haggadah, Feast of Freedom (see the online version of this Haggadah here), is the one attached below. It, of course, is a depiction of the Four Children that are described as part of the Seder experience and which often engender much discussion and debate. In the end, I think we all realize that within us are elements of each of the aforementioned children. At times, each of us is wise, wicked, simple, and even so very overwhelmed that we are at a loss for words.
This year, as we find ourselves in the middle of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, maybe more than ever before, we realize that we constantly vacillate between the characteristics of each of these paradigmatic figures. Candidly, despite the fact that our Passover celebrations will be somewhat tamped down and muted by the current situation, this time of isolation parents also presents us with an opportunity for introspection and soul searching. It allows us to look at all the various and varied elements of our personalities and personas and imagine how Pesach can serve as a catalyst for growth, development and deepening. Passover 5780, with all of its limitation and constraints, with all of its Tzuris (a Yiddish word related to the Hebrew word Mitzrayim, Egypt!), and its necessary social distancing, nonetheless presents us with a unique opportunity for liberation from past, unhealthy and counterproductive behaviors, attitudes and orientations.
So as we prepare for the Feast of Freedom, let us ask ourselves the following questions: What might we learn about the various aspects of ourselves and our lives that need exploration, recalibration, and Tikkun, repair? Which elements of ourselves have we neglected and ignored and why? Which parts of ourselves are we hiding from and which might be of benefit not only to ourselves, but to our families, communities and the world at large? What do I need to liberate myself from in order to experience the main goal of Passover – the sense that we were once enslaved and now we are free?
As we enter this Shabbat, Shabbat Hagadol, the Great Shabbat right before Passover, may we heed the profound message of the picture we see below and take up the challenge to acknowledge, actuate, and elevate all the elements and forces within us.
With blessings for a Shabbat Shalom and a most meaningful Festival of Freedom,
Shabbat, Minyan and all other Services are livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking HEREor on our Facebook Page.Minyan Services are also available via Zoom, please see the links below for each Zoom link.
To join us on Zoom, click one of the meeting links above, or dial in via one of the following phone numbers and enter the meeting ID when prompted:
+1 312 626 6799
Please keep an eye on your inbox for our FULL Pesach Service Schedule
Be sure to check out this page LINKED HEREto keep you updated on all of our virtual prayer, education and social offerings. As always, your Klei Kodesh and Staff are here for you. We are just a phone, email, Zoom, Skype or Facetime - call away. We look forward to being BeKesher - connected - soon!
BA LEHRHAUS ADULT EDUCATION
Sunday, April 5
A Thinking Person's Judaism - 10:15 - 11:30 am Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
Introduction to Judaism - 2:00 – 3:30 pm; Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Livestreamand our BA Facebook Page
Tuesday, April 7
Encountering Mystery - 10:30 - 11:45 am Facilitated by Carol Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration required)
HEBREW CLASSES (Pre-registration required)
Monday, April 6
Ulpan Ivrit - Advanced Modern Hebrew - 2:00 - 3:00pm
Ulpan Ivrit - Beginning Modern Hebrew - 5:00 - 6:00 pm 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 with 3rd-6th graders should have been contacted by Morah Ophira or Morah Marci about virtual Hebrew experiences. Please let Liessa know if you have not been contacted.
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.
Virtual Seder Led by Rabbi Josef Davidson
Look for the fourteen parts of the Seder on our BA Passover Page on Monday.
This Seder will follow the BA Inclusive Haggadah, which can be found HERE.
Click HERE to download and print the Feast of Freedom Haggadah
Click HERE to download and print our BA "A Seat For All - Makom LeKulam" Haggadah
RABBINIC ASSEMBLY RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The Rabbinical Assembly has issued these three important Halachik rulings in light of Passover 5780 and Covid-19: Please click each title below.
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.
ELDERLINK
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.
KOSHER FOR PASSOVER COMMUNITY KITCHEN MEALS
The J's new kosher catering business, 613 Catering led by Chef Jon Rubin, has begun to serve Community Kitchen Meals to address several needs among our friends, colleagues and neighbors. This catering is supervised by the VAAD Hoeir of St. Louis.
Please also note that in addition to providing these meals for purchase, we wish to make meals available to those who are unable to afford them at this time. Information about donating and requesting gifted meals is included in the attached.
Please click HERE or more information and click HERE for the menu.
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.
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF
Barbara Mazur; daughter of Leon (Z"L) and Yetta (Z"L) Mazur; mother of Jennifer Lundqvist and Alisa Clifton; grandmother of Freya Lundqvist; brother and sister-in-law of Richard (Anne) Mazur; loving aunt of David (Alexis) Mazur, Benjamin Mazur, Joshua (Abbi Marks) Mazur; and cousin of Vivian Zvibleman and Faye Zvibleman. Dear mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to many.
To view and print our Misheberach List, please click HERE.
Please click HERE for our Yahrzeit list for the week of
Nisan 10 - Nisan 16 (April 4 - April 10)
Happy Birthday to:
Emma Barg
Leslie Becker
Elyssa Beilenson
Valerie Bergmann
Lynda Berkowitz
Ilana Boyer
Samuel Cohen
Samantha Cohen
Creighton Cohn
Tom Eidelman
Jessica Emery
Rachel Feinberg
Allan Feinberg
Rebecca Fink
Avery Fredman
Lester Goldman
Michael Greenstein
Daniel Greenstein
Melissa Guller
Joie Rose Hacker
Paulette Hanin
Arik Heffernan
Dahvian Huet
Ariel Isaacs
Andrea Meir
Beverly Nahm
Zachary Nathanson
Ellen Needles
Marc Packler
Liam Peters
Barbara Poger
Sheri Recoon
Nathan Rosenberg
Joshua Rosenfield
Madeleine Ryan
Jonathan Samuels
Ellen Schapiro
David Schenberg
Rebekah Sheinbein
Daniel Sheinbein
Mindy Sosnoff
Imari Winig
Barry Yusman
Happy Anniversary to:
Sheldon & Rochelle Enger
Michael & Leslie Litwack
Sara & Jonathan Schack
Join us this Sunday, April 5th at 11:00 am (and simultaneously across time zones), as Masorti/Conservative communities around the world convene for the Global Gathering for Healing.
Featuring clergy and musicians from Israel, England, Brazil, and the United States, we will come together to find hope and inspiration as we prepare for a Passover different from any we’ve experienced before. This virtual event is hosted by Masorti Olami, Masorti Israel, and USCJ, along with our partner organizations across the Movement.
The 30-minute broadcast on Facebook Live will feature internationally-known clergy and award-winning musicians, including David Broza, Rabbi Naomi Levy, and Joey Weisenberg. A full list of presenters can be found here. At a moment when we cannot be together, we will connect, rejoice, and celebrate our Judaism across continents and time zones.
It’s easy to join: Click HERE for the Facebook event and participation link.
We are looking for artists for this biannual show. You do not need to be Jewish to apply; this is a juried art fair. Mediums we accept include: ceramics, digital art, drawing, fibers, glass, jewelry, metalworks, mixed media, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and wood.
Sababa will take place Sunday, October 18. Apply online at sababastl.com. Submission deadline is April 30. Contact: Diane Maier at 314-442-3190 or email dmaier@jccstl.org with any questions.
B’nai Amoona
324 South Mason Rd
St. Louis, MO 63141
