WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM RABBI TRACY NATHAN - ADJUNCT RABBI
Dear Friends,
The Book of Bemidbar continues to be most fruitful for exploration in this election year and in this time of political engagement through protest and other forms of activism. Parashat Korach tells the story of two rebellions: one against the religious authority of the priesthood under Aaron; the other against the political leadership of Moses. The Torah portion begins with Korach joining together with Datan, Aviram, On, and 250 leaders against Moses and Aaron, saying: “You have too much! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why do you raise yourselves above the Lord’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3).
Most commentators see Korach and his associates as demagogues, who speak with the populist’s tongue but seek power only for themselves. They challenge those who hold power and privilege, not for the sake of greater dignity, justice, and equity for the people, but only for the sake of raising themselves up to power.
The Torah tells us Moses’ response: He hears them - vayishma Moshe - וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע מֹשֶׁ֔ה - and he prostrates himself - literally, “he fell on his face” - וַיִּפֹּ֖ל עַל־פָּנָֽיו.
Moses does not react immediately. And he also does not ignore. First, he hears out those calling for a change. He listens. Then he takes a stance of humility and a stance of prayer.
There are many different understandings of Moses’ act of falling on his face but one that I appreciate is that of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad, who wrote in his commentary, the Tanya:
It would have been fitting for Moses to answer him immediately, so why did he fall on his face? Moses, our teacher, felt that perhaps he was being questioned from on high, and Korach was only a messenger. Therefore, he fell on his face to discern if truly there was within him arrogance. After he completely checked himself and found no speck of pride, then he discerned that he [Korach] was not a messenger from above, but rather Korach was a divider - a polarizing figure - and so he responded as he did. (Quoted in Itturei Torah, p. 101)
We know that the later supernatural response against the rebellious parties was harsh and conclusive but Moses did not know that at the time when the parties first stood before him. So he paused to hear and to discern; to listen to the grievance and to look within, questioning how his privilege, pride, arrogance, or defensiveness might be shaping how he heard the complaint and this rebellion against his leadership.
Moses here is Moshe Rabbeinu, our teacher, for he models for us how to receive with humility those who seek and demand equal status. And because this is a practice for him, he is able to discern with God’s help the legitimacy of the daughters of Tzelofchad’s claim to their father’s inheritance, an act that until then was disruptive to the status quo (Numbers 27: 1-5). He shows us how to take seriously a spiritual practice in which looking within may help us to become less reactive and to be more present to others and their legitimate claims.
Rabbi Tracy Nathan
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Parshat Korach Candlelighting: Friday, June 26 at 8:12 pm Shabbat Ends: Saturday, June 27 at 9:00 pm
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.
Recognition of Men's Club Medallion award recipient, Men's Club Youth of the Year and members of our Yad Squad: 5:15 pm Followed By Friday Evening Services: 6:00 pm Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/113973471 Meeting ID: 113 973 471 also via Livestream and FB Live
Shabbat, June 27 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
To join by phone: 312-626-6799 and enter the meeting ID above
Join Chef Jon Hoffman In The Kitchen TONIGHTat 7:00 pm. Chef Jon will be sharing step-by-step instructions to make a delicious Steak with Zucchini and Squash Latkes.
We welcome you to join Rabbi Neal Rose on Monday, June 29 at 5:00 pm for Ask The Rabbi. Rabbi Neal will be joined by special guest, Karen Aroesty from the Anti-Defamation League.
Please join us this Friday, June 26 at 5:15 pm as we honor our Men's Club Medallion award recipient, Men's Club Youth of the Year and members of our Yad Squad.
Our students have worked so hard and we look forward to recognizing their accomplishments.
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, 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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Tuesday, June 30 Encountering Mystery: 10:30 - 11:45 am Facilitated by Carol Rose via Zoom (Pre-registration required)
Wednesday, July 1 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, July 2 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
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
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MAZEL TOV TO... Cindy and David Schuval on the marriage of their daughter, Jaime Schuval to Joseph Zacher, son of Pam and Tom Zacher.
Laurie and Larry Badler and Sylvia (Z"L) and Sam (Z"L) Holtzman on the birth of their grandson and great-grandson, Kaden Eli Bielory. Proud parents are Jacqueline Badler and Keith Bielory.
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF... Harvey Hieken; beloved husband of Terry Hieken; loving father of Shelley (Bruce) Edwards and Andrea (Mike Jennings) Mintz; grandfather of Sara (Luis) Uribe, Julie (Fredric) Rosenberg, Lisa (Kevin) Spector and Charlie Mintz: great-grandfather of Oscar and Oliver Uribe, Hamilton, Harry, Felix and Solomon Rosenberg, and Jacob and Zoe Spector; beloved brother of Charles (Donna) Hieken (Z"L), Milton (Barbara) Hieken, and Suzanne (Paul) Cohan. Our dear uncle, cousin, friend.
To view and print our Misheberach List, please click HERE.
Please click HEREfor our Yahrzeit list for the week of
June 27 - July 3
Happy Birthday to:
June 27 - July 3
Alexander Alper Norton Beilenson David Blumenthal David Ciemnoczolowski Byron Crecelius Katherine Rose Ellenhorn Alan Fine Sheri Finkelstein Larry Goldenberg Jessica Greenstein Sara Haluf Raegan McLemore
Emily Nishi Lawrence Perlmutter Nathan Rubin Samuel Schaeffer Adam Schenberg Pearl Serota Harvey Serota Julia Stolker Lucy Valencia Sarah Wagner Stephanie Yusman
Happy Anniversary to: June 27 - July 3
Marc & Marilyn Abrams Murray & Cheryl Abrams Barry & Amy Abramson Norton & Benita Beilenson Fred Blumenthal & Patricia Powers Stanford & Mueriel Carp Alan & Nancy Charlson Sanford & Jo Linda Cohen Stewart & Lisa Deutsch Samuel & Judye Dubelman Steven & Marsha Funk Etai Goldenberg & Caroline Koenig
Gary & Marla Goldstein Michael & Lisa Greenstein Oskar & Margo Jakob Andy & Rachel Katzman Andrew Kichura & Jessica Tilson Kichura Barry & Janet Lutz Glenn & Carol Medwin Adam & Robin Moll Wally & Marcia Pankowsk Myles & Mindy Sosnoff Leonard & Carla Weintraub
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.
