WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM RABBI TRACY NATHAN - ADJUNCT RABBI
Dear Friends,
We are living through turbulent times, and many of us are thinking about the future we hope to step into. The stories we read in the book of B’midbar indicate an earlier time of turbulence in the lives of our ancestors.
Parashat Shelach-lecha tells the story of the twelve tribal leaders who are sent to explore the land of Canaan. They return and report that the land is bountiful and lush. It is everything they ever dreamed of….but…..efes, they say. This is a word of negation. It all means “nothing” because the land is full of powerful giants.
Caleb insists on the people’s ability to possess the land but he is unable to prevail against the majority voice, the ten leaders who bring back this fearful and hopeless report. The people are paralyzed with fear and insist on returning to Egypt. They give up and want to go back to zero - to negate everything: leaving slavery, coming to Sinai and receiving the Torah, all they have learned, in order to go back to the life they had before they met God. The consequence is that they will remain in the wilderness, and only the next generation will enter the land of promise.
Was God too hard on these recently enslaved people who lacked the courage to go forward into this new, uncertain land and face the unknown? Why did this create the consequence of remaining in the wilderness for forty years?
The respected leaders of the community come back and do not say this is daunting but we will figure out a way. Instead, they declare: We can’t. Their fear even transforms their own perception of what they saw: the land that they reported was bountiful and nourishing becomes “a land that devours its inhabitants.”
God has no problem with doubt and protest; God does have a problem with giving up and with the spreading of fear because this leads to an impoverishment of possibility. This is the message the leaders spread, and the Israelites received that message and took it right into their anxious hearts.
I think most of us can relate to those who scouted out the land. Many of our societal and personal challenges seem frightening and insurmountable to us. And so we are tempted to stay where we are rather than attempt something bold and new and possibly fail. But the problem is, if we stay in that place of safety - which is really a place of fear - we risk staying in the wilderness for far too long and losing the opportunity to step into a land of great possibility.
We have choices as we envision the future we want to build out of these turbulent times, one that can better meet the need and demand for equity and justice. Shelach-lecha reminds us that frequently, the obstacles we perceive are not, in fact, insurmountable but require a different kind of vision. We know they are not insurmountable because forty years later, the people march into the land (see this week’s Haftarah). What is required of us is to realize our power and not continue to see ourselves as grasshoppers, or worse, in using our power to maintain the status quo. The promised land is not a place for the status quo.
This is what God has been trying to do since liberating us from Egypt. To help shape our power of perception so we can see what can be and not only what is. May we with courage, will, and anticipation jump forward on these strong grasshopper legs out of this wilderness.
Rabbi Tracy Nathan
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 Sh'lach Candlelighting: Friday, June 19 at 8:11 pm Shabbat Ends: Saturday, June 20 at 8:59 pm
Please join us this Friday, June 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
We will recognize Juneteenth with guest speaker Monique Parasram Levy and celebrate Pride Month with guest speakers *Stephen Eisele, Samantha Thal and Sarah Silverberg Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/113973471 Meeting ID: 113 973 471 also via Livestream and FB Live
*Stephen Eisele is the Executive Director of PROMO, Missouri's statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ equality through legislative action, electoral politics, grassroots organizing, and community education.
Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
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.
Friday Evening Services We will recognize Juneteenth with special guest speaker Monique Parasram Levy and celebrate Pride Month with special guest speakers Stephen Eisele, Executive Director of PROMO, Samantha Thal and Sarah Silverberg: 6:00 pm Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/113973471 Meeting ID: 113 973 471 also via Livestream and FB Live
Shabbat, June 20 Tefilah with Cantor Sharon Nathanson: 9:00 - 10:30 am
D'var Torah with Rabbi Neal Rose: 10:30 am via Livestream and FB Live only
Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and Zakai: 8:00 pm via Livestream and FB Live only
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Neal and Karen Aroesty: 5:00 pm Evening Minyan with Rabbi Tracy Nathan: 6:15 pm Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014 Meeting ID: 979 2471 5014 also via Livestream and FB Live
To join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above
We welcome you to join Rabbi Neal Rose on Monday, June 22 at 5:00 pm for Ask The Rabbi. Rabbi Neal will be joined by special guest, Karen Aroesty from the Anti-Defamation League.
The Beat Goes On! Cantor Sharon's Sweet 16 Concert has been postponed, but this exciting event will happen when we are able to safely gather and enjoy live music and entertainment from our beloved Hazzan!
Kayitz B'Yachad
The Linda Rotskoff Early Childhood Center is officially open and students are enjoying their Kayitz B'yachad - Summer Together experience. Families are encouraged to become familiar with all of the new protocols and procedures. Feel free to email anita@bnaiamoona.com with any questions and be sure to join our LRECC Facebook page.
Kindergarten - 6th Grade
Limited Spots Remain! For more information, please contact director Kyla Gersten at kyla@bnaiamoona.com.
B'nai Amoona's Sisterhood has a Book Group that we share with Kol Rinah's Sisterhood. Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month from 10:00 - 11:30 am. We are currently using a Zoom format. Reminders and Zoom information will be sent out prior to each meeting. New members are always welcome! You do not need to attend every month nor is it required that you have read (or finished reading) the book selection for the month. Just come when you can!
Thurs, June 25 - Green: A Novel - Sam Graham-Felsen (320 pages) Thurs, July 23- Windy City Blues - Renee Rosen (476 pages) Thurs, Aug 27 - Mrs. Everything: A Novel - Jennifer Weiner (480 pages)
For more information on the Book Group and author events, please call Enid Weisberg-Frank at 314-576-2864.
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Did you know B'nai Amoona gets a donation every time you shop on Amazon Smile? This quarter, we've earned $68.75 and $1,129.69 to date. Thank you for shopping Amazon Smile!
Please note: to use Amazon Smile, you must shop on Smile.Amazon.com and search "Bnai Amoona" (without the apostrophe). You may use your regular Amazon account information.
Tuesday, June 23 Encountering Mystery: 10:30 - 11:45 am Facilitated by Carol Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration required)
Wednesday, June 24 Comparative Religions: An Exploration of Faiths: 10:00 - 11:30 am Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose via Zoom and FB Live Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/96450058878 Meeting ID: 964 5005 8878 Thursday, June 25 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 FB Live Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/93550205147 Meeting ID: 935 5020 5147
In the Kitchen with Chef Jon: 7:00 - 8:00 pm Facilitated by Chef Jon Hoffman via Zoom (Link Coming Soon), Livestream and FB Live
You may also join via Zoom by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above Questions? Please contact Liessa Alperin at 314-324-0936 or liessa@bnaiamoona.com
Did you know B'nai Amoona has an app??? You can download it from either the Apple IOS or Android Google Play store. Just search your store for "B'nai Amoona." The app gives a quick view of some highlights of our website including calendar of events, Shul directory, candle lighting times, and a link to our livestream. Once downloaded you will need to log into your ShulCloud account to access the Directory, as it is for members only. Please contact Tanya Spivey at tanya@bnaiamoona.com if you have any questions.
MAZEL TOV TO... Joan & Alan Wolchansky and Denese & Don Odermann on the birth of their grandson, Odin William Wolchansky. Proud parents are Danny and Gina Wolchansky. Odin is the little brother of Joss, Sienna and Aria.
Dotty & Jim Ellis and Alan & Sandy Londe on the engagement of their granddaughter, Megan Palmer to Benny Amnuel. Mazel Tov to the parents, Greg Palmer, Kathy Palmer (Z"L) and Valeria & Sima Amnuel.
Laurie & Edward Chod, Ellen & Robert Brin, and Stuart Davis (Z"L), on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Halperin Davis. Proud parents are Allison and Andrew Davis. Great-grandparents are Rosalie & Leonard (Z"L) Chod, Pola (Z"L) & Lawrence (Z"L) Halperin, Natalie & Neil Handelman, Doris (Z"L) & Stuart (Z"L) Davis, and Eleanor & Irving (Z"L) Brin. Theodore is the baby brother to Isabelle (Izzy) Davis.
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF... Norman I. “Digger” Roth; beloved husband of Michele “Mickey” Silverman Roth, father of Craig B. (fiancé, Lesley Loebner) Roth and Candice S. (fiancé, Michael Guyton) Roth. Loving grandfather of Rachel L. Roth and Heather S. (Lucas Lobo) Roth and soon to be great grandfather. Dear son of the Clarence (Z"L) and Gertrude (Z"L) Rosenberg Roth. Dear nephew, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Dr. Stanley L. London; beloved husband of Jacqueline (Garrell); devoted father to James, Cindy Krelle (Jim), and David; brother -in-law of Michelle London and loving grandfather and great-grandfather.
To view and print our Misheberach List, please click HERE.
Please click HEREfor our Yahrzeit list for the week of
June 20 - June 26
Happy Birthday to:
June 20 - June 26
Nathaniel Arbeit Brock Atchley Anastasia Averbukh Esther Banashek Nancy Charlson Ryan Cohen Leetal Cohn Meryl Halpern Joan Hoffman Phillip Korenblat Roy Kramer Emily Lapp Joshua Lay Aya Marmor Carol Medwin Daniel Meir Benjamin Miller Howard Morse Amy Neuman Amy O'Grady
Allison Palmer Caleb Pultman Mark Roberts Jennifer Rosen Brandon Rosen Kenneth Rubin Michael Samis Michael Schmitz Jan Schultz Liam Simckes Naava Simckes Ayden Simckes Beverly Stuhlman Emma Warticovschi Alan Weber Judith Weisenberg Lori Wishne Susan Zimmerman Harold Zinn
Happy Anniversary to: June 20 - June 26
Richard & Judith Abrams Andrew & Judy Ackerman Ronald & Leslie Becker Sean & Sonia Breit Dr. David & Celia Ciemnoczolowski Albert & Pamela Cohen Steven & Jennifer Edele Guy & Noa Hazan Jeremy & Sarah Klaven Roy & Lisa Kramer Alan & Christine Lyss
Tim & Arlene O'Connell Rabbi Carnie & Paulie Rose Rabbi Neal & Carol Rose Joshua & Michelle Rosenfield David & Cindy Schuval William & Florence Shultz Joel & Debra Spigel Richard & Linda Stein Jacob & Megan Zimmerman Harold & Doris Zinn
MIROWITZ CENTER VIRTUAL SUMMER CLASSES
The Mirowitz Center is excited to offer free, virtual programming to the STL community! Click HERE for our classes June and July classes. Please help spread the word!
VIRTUAL TRIP TO ISRAEL WITH THE FEDERATION
Every Sunday from July 12 through August 2, take in Israel’s rich history, modern culture, and natural beauty with interactive Street View technology and family-friendly activities.
Take a tour of Jerusalem, including a visit to the Western Wall and to all four quarters of the Old City, “Hike” through the Negev desert and Masada, Hang out on a kibbutz and make some Israeli friends in our sister community of Yokneam/Megiddo, and much more!
No need to pack a suitcase, but reservations are required. Click HEREto reserve your spot
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
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.
ELDER LINK
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.
