The Moses we know and deeply respect is described as the most humble of people (Numbers 12:3). Yet, he spent the first 40 years of his life as a “Prince in Training.” His adoptive relatives were not only regarded as royals, but also as divine beings. So how did Moses become, as we say in Yiddish, Der Richteker Onev, the most humble of humans?
This week’s Torah reading, I believe, gives us some insight into his transformation. Before turning to our reading however, let’s discuss Jewish wisdom literature’s understanding of Anavah (humility).
Dr. Greg Marcus, “a modern Mussar maven,” writes that Anavah (humility) is definded as “knowing your right place in the world and not having too big a head… but not having too small a head.” Marcus makes it clear that “humility excludes arrogance, but precludes self-debasement.”
Rabbi Michal Berger, another modern wisdom teacher, says that self-interest is a natural human instinct implanted in us by God. Therefore, Berger says we have an obligation to place our own welfare first. Most importantly, proper self-love allows us to love and care for others.
Now, to our original question: how did Moses, a Prince of Egypt, become the paradigm of an Anav? The short answer is through a series of life changing experiences! By the way, one of which is found in this week’s Torah reading. The story opens in the Israelite encampment near Mt. Sinai. Moses is awaiting the arrival of Yitro, his father-in-law and his mentor.
Yitro is welcomed with pomp and circumstance. Once the formalities are over, the two men sit down for a chat, as they had done many times before. The elder Yitro quickly moves to the nature of Moses’ leadership. He candidly tells the younger man that he is overworked and poorly organized and is headed for a “burnout.” The solution, says Yitro, is to create a leadership pyramid with Moses at the top and many well trained subordinates playing specific roles. In short, Moses needs to learn to delegate and coordinate. Moses realizes that Yitro is correct and he implements a new leadership model.
Moses comes to understand that he has been “playing” God instead of “serving” God which was the model of leadership that he saw enacted in Egypt. Yitro shares with Moses the “wisdom of the desert” where mere survival (finding water, food, and shelter) occupies so much time and energy. Instead, Yitro helps Moses learn to delegate and conserve his own energy – to care of self – as he has so dutifully cared for others.
The take away for me is that Moses’ encounter with Yitro changed the model of leadership as well as the attitude of the leader. Moses learns that self-care and self-limitation (Tzimtzum) lead to a sense of humility which becomes the basis for the next stage of Moses’ ministry… Standing as a “humble Servant of God,” he is then able to receive and then share the Torah.
When we have Congregants participating in Services from their homes via Zoom on Friday and Saturday Evenings, we recognize that the audio may be difficult to hear on our Livestream or Facebook Live. To insure you hear all of our wonderful participants, we highly encourage you to join our services via Zoom. The links to join in on Zoom are provided in the schedule below.
If you need help connecting to our services or classes via Zoom, please contact Liessa Alperin atliessa@bnaiamoona.com. Todah Rabbah!
Friday, February 5
Friday Afternoon & Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
Our B’nai Amoona’s Minyan Program consists of our amazing, dedicated Minyannaires who assure warm and welcoming ongoing daily Minyanim, morning and evening. These services support those in our community who have lost loved ones and may be feeling lonely and isolated. Our BA virtual Minyanim are a constant source of strength and comfort for those who wish to recite the Kaddish. Moreover, our Minyanim are a wonderful opportunity for spiritual uplift, social connection, community building, and the ability to fulfill one's daily Chiyuv, duty, to thank God for all that we have. This combination of Kehillah and Kibbitzing allows up to remain spiritually connected despite being socially distant. All are warmly welcomed! Please join us!
Virtual Morning Minyan
This Sunday, February 7, we will celebrate the World Wide Wrap during Morning Minyan. All are invited to participate! Please see below for more information.
Sunday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 7:00 am via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live
Virtual Evening Minyan
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm via Zoom,Livestream and FB Live
“You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes.” (Deut. 6:8).
One of the most beautiful aspects of Judaism is the opportunity to participate in rituals which are observed all over the world. Once a year, our B'nai Amoona Men's Club invites EVERYONE to learn about and experience the Mitzvah of Tefillin.
This year, the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs' World Wide Wrap will take place virtually during our Sunday Morning Minyan on February 7 at 9:00 am. The first ten minutes will include instructions on how to lay Tefillin. Additionally, President Kevin Litt and Past President Mark Givarz will be available for virtual one-on-one tutorials. Our Service will begin at approximately 9:10 am.
B'nai Amoona has a few sets of Tefillin that can be borrowed for the event. Please feel free to reach out to Vickie Shuchart at 314-576-9990 x122 or by emailing vickie@bnaiamoona.com to arrange a time to pick up a set. We also have a few sets of Tefillin for purchase. Please contact Amy Maupin at 314-576-9990 x131 or email amy@bnaiamoona.com if you are interested in acquiring a set. To Participate in the World Wide Wrap, please use the link below.
Virtual Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live
A special note about the World Wide Wrap: We encourage you to participate using our Zoom link. By using Zoom, you will have the ability to communicate with other World Wide Wrap and Minyan participants and receive assistance or offer assistance to others. The World Wide Wrap is celebrated by congregations and Jews all over the world and Zoom offers us a chance to participate B'Yachad (together) and interactively.
In-Person Shabbat Service Registration
We are now offering the opportunity to attend Shabbat Services "in-person." Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please click the image below to reserve your spot - see you in Shul!
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Marcia Evers Levy & Joel Levy and Rhonda & Michael Kupin of Rye Brook, New York on the engagement of their children, Hayley Levy and Jacob Kupin. Haley is the granddaughter of William (Z"L) & Anita Evers and Leonard & Mildred (Z"L) Levy. Jacob is the grandson of Errol (Z"L) & Evelyn Kupin and Lenny (Z"L) & Sandy (Z"L) Kaplan. WE MOURN THE LOSS OF...
Dr. Gerald Teller; husband of Judy Teller; father of our past B'nai Amoona Assistant Rabbi Ranon (Vicki) Teller, Shira (Bezalel) Borstein, and Aliza (Ari) Steinberg; grandfather of Ariella, Maya, Jake, and Nava Teller, Yochanan (Dora) Borstein, Hadassah (Shlomo) Dahan, Joshua Steinberg, Liora (Avi) Sebbag, and Yonah Steinberg; great-grandfather of Rinatya and Tohar Borstein and Yitzhak and Hila Dahan.
B'nai Amoona is proud to join congregations nationwide and the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to celebrate Repro Shabbat: The Shabbat of Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Health Access, and Reproductive Justice on Saturday Morning, February 13, 2021. We will be joined by two guest speakers: Jennifer Bernstein and Rachel Bray Spezia.
Jennifer Bernstein currently serves as the advocacy manager at NCJW St. Louis. She grew up in Denver and moved to St. Louis with her family the summer before her senior year in high school. After graduating from George Washington University, Jennifer spent a year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem in a non-degree graduate studies program. Upon her return to St. Louis, she obtained a Masters in Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University.
Jennifer, her husband Scott and their son Ari (a sixth grader at Mirowitz) love being members of B’nai Amoona. In her spare time, you will find her either walking her rescue dog, Scout, listening to music, needlepointing, volunteering as a programming liaison for Alpha Epsilon Phi and spending time with her family.
Rachel Bray Spezia grew up in Belleville, IL, but has lived in the St. Louis area for the past seven years. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL (SIUE) with a degree in studio art. While at SIUE, Rachel learned she had a medical condition that affected her reproductive system - she later used her diagnosis as the theme for her final art show in college.
Years later, Rachel received various treatments and procedures to get pregnant. During this time, she became familiar with topics like the lack of insurance coverage for fertility treatments, the dangers of Personhood Legislation, and the challenges minorities and marginalized groups often face when looking into Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Rachel also hosts periodic Zoom classes for individuals newly diagnosed with infertility. In 2020, Rachel exercised her right to "choose" by donating her remaining two frozen embryos to science.
Rachel, her husband James, and their son Wolfie are members of B'nai Amoona. Rachel is also B'nai Amoona's Communications Coordinator.
Together in Song with Cantor Sharon & Friends Sunday, February 21
Todah Rabbah to Cantor Sharon Nathanson and the members of our Congregation who provided their musical talents during Shabbat Shirah last weekend. Our Winter Concert Series with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Friends continues this month on Sunday, February 21, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Keep an eye on your inbox for the private concert link, it will be sent in an email closer to the performance date.
This will NOT be replacing Cantor Sharon's Sweet 16 Concert! This is an addition to the future in-person Sweet 16 concert with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Friends (date TBD).
Our virtual “Together in Song” Concert has been generously underwritten by these sponsors: Anonymous Donor Goldberg/Dalin Families & Oscar and Elaine Goldberg New Idea Fund
Covid-19 Vaccine Prayers
As more people receive the Covid-19 vaccine, we encourage you to download and print the prayers below. We recommend you say them when you receive your vaccination.
