News Posts

Shalom friends!
 
How often have you heard me say from the Bimah or in classes, “Somehow or another, often miraculously, every year, the weekly Torah portion finds a way to speak directly to our hearts, our spirits, and our contemporary realities?!”
 
This week, as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parashiot of Tazria and Metzora - with their focus on illness, quarantine, and healing - feel eerily au-currant and profoundly existential. Interestingly, the ailments described in our lectionary are diagnosed not by a physician, but rather by the Kohen, the religious functionary, who we refer to in English as the Priest. The obvious question is – why? Why assign such a task to the one person who is bidden by the Torah to live his entire life on a spiritually elevated plane? Why must this holy man who is duty bound to maintain ritual purity inspect skin rashes,  blemishes, and blood and puss infused eruptions on the human body? Could not this task have been assigned to someone else, someone less engaged in the transcendent spiritual life of the ancient Israelite community?

Of course, there is a deep lesson to be learned from the role modeling of our ancient Kohanim. Despite their elevated status, no leader should live an existence that is so disconnected from the reality of the community she/he ministers to that she/he cannot commiserate with her/his community. The great Chassidic Master, Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk, once referred to a particular leader as Ah Tzaddik in Peltz— "a righteous person in a fur coat." The Kotzker went on to explain: When it is winter and it is freezing cold, there are two things one can do. One can build a fire, or one can wrap oneself in a fur coat. In both cases, the person is warm. But when one builds a fire, all who gather round will also be warmed. With the fur coat, the only one who is warmed is the one who wears the coat. The Kohan, as a religious exemplar, must go out and see, with her/his own eyes, what is happening with the average member of her/his Kehillah.
 
At this time in our history, we can surely not be Tzaddikim in Peltzin, righteous people wrapped in fur coats. We must, following in the footsteps of our great spiritual ancestors, the ancient priests of Israel, see and perceive, feel and experience, what is going on all around us. We cannot hide from the challenges, the sickness, the disease, and the discomfort that surround us at this juncture. In fact, in the words of the Psalms, like the Almighty, we must be “Imo Anochi Imo Betzarah, be with those who are suffering mired in the midst of their struggles, sufferings, and their sorrow”. To do anything less, would be an abdication of our responsibility and an utter rejection of our calling as a “Mamlechet Kohaim VeGoy Kadosh - a nation of priests and a holy people”.
 
I hope each of us will do what we can to support those in our families, friendship groups, communities, countries, and throughout the world face and hopefully soon overcome the challenges present before us at this unprecedented moment in human history.
 
 With blessings for courage, strength and conviction,

Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose,
RavRoseBA@bnaiamoona.com

314-578-4115

For safety and security reasons, please remember to use this "Members Only" page of our website to access Zoom links for our Services, classes and programs. You will be required you to use your ShulCloud account login for access. Click HERE for a refresher on how to reset your password. If you need help accessing your ShulCloud account, please contact Tanya Spivey at 314-576-9990 x142 or by emailing tanya@bnaiamoona.com. ​​​​​​​

Parshat Tazria-Metzora & Rosh Chodesh Iyyar
Candlelighting: Friday, April 24 at 7:30 pm
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, April 25 at 8:19 pm

Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary

B'nai Amoona Torah For Today Video Commentary with Rabbi Neal Rose

USCJ Torah and Haftarah Commentary, TORAH SPARKS

JTS Torah Commentary Podcast

AJU Ziegler School Rabbinic Studies Weekly Torah Portion Commentary

Friday, April 24

Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 6:00 pm

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/113973471
Meeting ID: 113 973 471
also via Livestream and FB Live 

Candle Lighting: 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 25
Shabbat Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 9:00 am

via Livestream and FB Live 

Saturday Evening Services with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose and Family: 7:30 pm
via Livestream and FB Live 

Sunday, April 26

Morning Minyan with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 9:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live 

Evening Minyan with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 6:15 pm

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID:  979 2471 5014

also via Livestream and FB Live 

Monday, April 27

Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 8:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live

Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm

Join us as we initiate Yom Hazikaron
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID:  979 2471 5014

also via Livestream and FB Live 

Tuesday, April 28 - Yom Hazikaron

Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 8:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live

Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm

Join us as we welcome Yom Ha'Atzmaut

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID:  979 2471 5014

also via Livestream and FB Live 

Wednesday, April 29 - Yom Ha'Atzmaut

Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 8:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live 

Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm

Join us as we conclude Yom Ha'Atzmaut

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID:  979 2471 5014

also via Livestream and FB Live 

Thursday, April 30

Morning Minyan with Rabbi Josef Davidson: 8:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live 

Evening Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 6:15 pm

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID:  979 2471 5014

also via Livestream and FB Live 

Friday, May 1

Morning Minyan with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose: 8:00 am

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
also via Livestream and FB Live 

To join us on Zoom, click one of the meeting links above, or dial  +1 312 626 6799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted

Please join us Tuesday, April 28 at 5:00 pm for a program to both remember our fallen soldiers as we commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and also celebrate Israel’s Birthday. A celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day will be our conclusion to this wonderful program. Together, as Israelis and Americans, we will share poems, stories, insights, and songs! We look forward to “seeing” you there! You may join on Zoom, Livestream or our BA Facebook Page. 

To Join On Zoom:

Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97785531137
Meeting ID: 977 8553 1137

or join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above

BA LEHRHAUS ADULT EDUCATION

Sunday, April 26
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 Zoom, Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/96231858144
Meeting ID: 962 3185 8144
or join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above

Tuesday, April 28
Encountering Mystery - 10:30 - 11:45 am
Facilitated by Carol Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration required)

Wednesday, April 29

Comparative Religions: An Exploration of Faiths 10:00 - 11:30 am
Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Zoom, Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/96450058878
Meeting ID: 964 5005 8878

or join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above

Thursday, April 30
Yiddish Class: A Class for Beginners and All Who Enjoy a Bissel of Yiddish!

10:00-11:00 am
Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Zoom, Livestream and our BA Facebook Page
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/93550205147​​​​​​​
Meeting ID: 935 5020 5147

or join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above

HEBREW CLASSES (Pre-registration required)
 
Monday, April 27
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, April 28
Advanced Hebrew Reading - 6:45 - 7:45 pm
Facilitated by Chani Pinsberg via Zoom
 
Wednesday, April 29
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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

MAZEL TOV TO...
Keith and Cindi Guller and Tony Luckett on the birth of their granddaughter, Lola June Guller.  Proud parents are Zachary and Alexis Guller.  Lola is the little sister to Avry, Olivia and Archer.

Our B'nai Amoona Emtza Regional Board members for 2020-2021:
Ellior Rose - Religious Education Vice President

Ellior is the daughter of Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose and Paulie Rose

David Smith - Social Action/Tikkun Olam Vice President

David is the son of Matthew and Jennifer Smith

Halle Wasserman - Membership Kadima Vice President

Halle is the daughter of Rob and Renee Wasserman

WE MOURN THE LOSS OF...
Miriam Goldchain; beloved wife of William Goldchain (Z"L); mother and mother-in-law of Doris (Todd) Wiener; cherished grandmother of Cheryl (Michael) Perlmutter and Jodi Wiener; great-grandmother of two.

To view and print our Misheberach List, please click HERE.

Please click HERE for our Yahrzeit list for the week of

Iyyar 1 - Iyyar 7 (April 25 - May 1)

Happy Birthday to:

April 25 - May 1

Happy Anniversary to:
April 25 - May 1

Risa Alper & Joan Ettman
Richard & Stacy Goldberg
Marc & Anne Schoenfeld