Special Guest D'var Torah
From Rabbi Josef Davidson
-Tazria-Metzora-
The Blessing of Birth
In Denver, Colorado, I was based in the community’s nominally Jewish hospital and spent half of my time there delivering pastoral care to a wide variety of people and families. One of the areas in which I was called to specialize came as a result a need identified by a particular support group. This group consisted of parents who had experienced the tragedy of fetal demise or a newborn death. The
childbirth experience for them was not what they expected at all. What should have been a joyous moment in their lives was a lifelong grief. As if to compound the grief, no one had thought to compile a list of resources for these parents, because everyone takes for granted that pregnancies are going to end with the birth of a healthy child, with all ten fingers and toes, and an entire future of possibilities. I became that resource for the hospital and cared for all parents who faced this, regardless of religious identification.
Throughout my years in the rabbinate I have been with couples who desperately wish even to conceive, or who experience multiple miscarriages. I have ministered to those parents who have made the most difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy rather than to deliver a child with a fatal condition or genetic disease, as well as with those who chose to deliver such a child. Over those years and
continuing throughout my career, I came to realize that not everyone who wished to do so was blessed to take home a bundle of joy.
Our double Torah portion for this week, Tazri`a/Metzora, begins with the assumption that most people have: “When a woman delivers...” The text continues with the assumption that she bears either a male or a female child and prescribes a period of separation from the community that follows, the length of which is determined by the sex of the baby. After this time has elapsed, she was to bring
offerings to the Sanctuary, signifying and celebrating, perhaps, her re-entry.
Underlining this ritual and its mention in the Torah is an assumption that she delivers a healthy, living child.
Most people are able to have the desired outcome, and childbirth for most is an exciting, joyous, anxious, miraculous experience. Even for those couples who have difficulty conceiving, there are medical methods available to enable them to do so, though they are costly and may not always be successful. With the amazing knowledge available about the genetic code, there are tests that can be run to determine carriers of some forty or more Jewish genetic diseases, so that potential parents can plan accordingly. Intrauterine surgeries can be performed in some cases to relieve swelling or other conditions that might otherwise be fatal to the fetus. All of these advances enable more and more women to give birth to a healthy child. And yet, there is still no guarantee.
My experience as hospital chaplain and as a rabbi for over four decades has sensitized me to the fact that despite all of the advances humankind has made in medicine and science, giving birth continues to be a miracle, not to be taken for granted. As we read the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, “When a woman delivers...” may we also recall and embrace those women who do not, or whose babies are ill, either temporarily or for their entire lifetime, or whose babies die before, during, or after delivery.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Josef Davidson
Shabbat Spotlight
Shabbat Candlelighting:
Friday, April 16 at 7:21 pm
Havdallah, Saturday, April 17 at 8:10 pm
Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
This Shabbat, we welcome Shayna Bennett Smith to the Bimah for her Bat Mitzvah. Shayna is the daughter of Rachael Green-Smith & Brian J. Smith (Z"L) and granddaughter of Ron & Linda Green and Paul Bennett Smith (Z”L) & Marge Smith.
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, April 16
Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
Outdoor Family Shabbat Experience to Celebrate Israel: Beginning at 10:30 am
with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, Lauren Abraham, and Morah Brandi Roach
Join us in-person to celebrate Shabbat and Yom Haatzmaut! We'll wish Israel a "Happy Birthday" together in song, dance and learning! This program is geared towards families with children 9 and younger.
Online registration is required, please call Vickie Shuchart at 314-576-9990 x122 by 4:00 pm if you would like to come but have not yet registered.
Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose: Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion: Dis-ease and Spirituality: 11:00 am
Torah read by Lily Rosenzweig
via Zoom (only)
Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services: Special learning session with Rabbi Neal Rose and Minchah and Ma'ariv led by David Kantor: 7:00 pm
The Spiritual Dimensions of Counting the Omer with Rabbi Neal Rose
Pre-Bn'ai Mitzvah participation of Katherine Rose Ellenhorn
Please Join Us For These Special Events
Happening This Sunday, April 18!
Lynn Myers Congregation-Wide Mitzvah Day:
9:00 am - 11:00 am Drive Thru Mitzvah Day Drop Off!
We are accepting donations for nine different local organizations. PleaseCLICK HEREfor more information about each organization and what items they need. Participate from Home! CLICK HERE for a list of ways to “Do a MItzvah” from your own home! AND…Our MKLC students will also be participating in lessons and projects in their classes on Sunday.
Mitzvah Day is generously sponsored by Dr. Gary Myers in memory of his beloved wife, Lynn.
Jewish National Fund-USA Breakfast for Israel:
12:30 - 1:30 pm You, Me, & Israel at 73
Join us for an engaging, impactful, and informative virtual Breakfast for Israel! Gather together with your community members to hear how your local efforts ensure a bright, prosperous future for the land and people of Israel. Then join Jewish National Fund-USA supporters from coast to coast in a vibrant celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Login information will be sent prior to the event.
ClickHEREto register.
From the Mediterranean to St. Louis and Beyond: Sephardic Jews, Migration, and Race in the United States with Devin E. Naar, PhD: 5:00 pm
Sephardic Jews from the Muslim world of the Ottoman Empire who came to the United States during the early twentieth century stood apart from the vast majority of American Jews, not only due to their relatively small numbers, but also because of how immigration authorities and established Ashkenazi Jewish institutions (mis)classified and racialized the newcomers due to their distinctive places of origin, languages, cultures, customs, and appearance. This lecture tells the little known story of Ottoman Jews in the United States, including their efforts to navigate an American immigration system profoundly shaped by racial hierarchies, antisemitism, and Islamophobia; their attempts to evade deportation; and their initial forays into establishing new communities, institutions, and cultural initiatives across the country--including in St. Louis.
Click HERE for more information and to register.
Leaves From The Garden, A Virtual Salon:
Beginning at 7:00 pm
For those who enjoyed the last performance from Theatre Ariel, we are blessed to have them present once again! Based on the stories of St. Louisan Howard Schwartz, you will not want to miss this production! A virtual salon facilitated by Theatre Ariel. Join us for a story theatre performance of eight classic Jewish stories that will take you on a journey through time and place. Encounter witches, demons, haunted trees, a magical oud, wise Rabbis, and discover the Story of Us!
Based on the stories of St. Louisan Howard Schwartz, you will not want to miss this production! Theatre Ariel is a professional theatre dedicated to creating work that illuminates the social, cultural, and spiritual heritage of the Jewish people.
Special Zoom Performance for Congregation B’nai Amoona. Zoom link will be sent closer to the event. Registration is free, however, required to receive the zoom link.CLICK HEREto register.
Weekday Minyan Information
Join Us For Minyan!
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 Services and Minyanim
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 Services and Minyanim
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm
via Zoom,Livestream and FB Live
Congregation B'nai Amoona's
"Lehrhaus" - Adult Education Institute
Please click the button below for a list of our Adult Education Opportunities including class schedules, descriptions, registration information, and Zoom links. Please note our newest classes.
Registration for in-person Shabbat Morning Services is open to the congregation when there is NOT a Bar or Bat Mitzvah taking place. We are currently allowing up to 100 people in our Sanctuary and those spots are reserved initially for the families of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. If we should have space available on a particular Shabbat morning, after confirming with the family, we will post that information via our website and registration will be available. Currently, we have B'nai Mitzvah scheduled each Shabbat morning through mid June. As always, we encourage everyone to join Services virtually on Facebook Live and Livestream.
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Kevin Litt and Shannon Talton on their engagement. Kevin is the father of Ari and Shannon is the mother of Phoenix and Rory.
Jewish tradition teaches “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh,” meaning that we are all
responsible for each other (B.Talmud Shevuot 39a).
Our B'nai Amoona Klei Kodesh is proud to join other local Jewish spiritual leaders in issuingTHIS STATEMENTin favor of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, continuing to wear a mask and practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC and other medical and other public health authorities.
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.
