D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
- Parashat Balak-
Dangerous and harmful words can cause damage in our lives. Harmful words are the underlying theme of Parashat Balak (my Bar Mitzvah portion). The Moabite king, Balak, recognizing the futility of direct military confrontation, turns to the neighboring Midianites to join together with him to hire the prophet Balaam to curse the Jewish nation. In their proposal to Balaam they ask that the prophet, “Curse for me this people—for they are too mighty for me—perhaps I shall prevail that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land.” (22:6)
Rashi notes that during their consultations the Midianites determined that while they could not prevail over Moses and his people militarily, perhaps they could attack the Jews in a different manner. The Midianites told Balaam that, “Moses’ power lies only in his mouth.” The Moabites said: “We too will come against them with a man whose power lies in his mouth.” The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20) notes that Balak never imagined that the curse would totally destroy the entire Jewish nation. Rather, he only hoped that “we may smite them” — meaning “for every twenty-four thousand, we kill one thousand.” The hiring of Balaam represented an attempt to use the power of speech to weaken and harm the nation of Israel to the point where it would be vulnerable.
In today's world, we are in danger of letting our discourse become overly inflamed, both individually and from whatever we perceive as the "other side.” Initially, much of this felt like harmless internet and social media vitriol, but the “keyboard anger” has now all too often become malicious. No matter what “side” you find yourself on, do not let yourself sink into the morass. We must learn from our Parsha this week and be aware of our surroundings, most of all respecting each other's differences. It is time we start appealing to each other to quell the venom.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us during this difficult time after the passing of Lauren’s mother, Beverly Salasky (Z"L). Beverly always taught the importance of working through conflicts in our lives and would have appreciated the message from this week’s Parsha as well.
Shabbat Service Registration
& Our New Updates
Shalom B'nai Amoona Friends,
As our Shul beings to reopen it's physical doors, we will no longer require registration for in-person Friday Afternoon/Evening Services, Shabbat Morning Services, or Saturday Night Services beginning next Friday, July 2 (please note: you will need to register for Services happening this weekend). We are thrilled to welcome those who are able to attend Services in-person and kindly request that these health and safety protocols continue to be followed.
Masks must be worn for all Services in the Main Sanctuary and Guller Chapel.
Remain in your family pods and maintain a social distance of at least six feet from others.
If you feel sick, exhibit signs of sickness or are unable to properly wear a mask for any reason, please stream our Services virtually on Facebook or our BA Livestream page.
We also highly encourage all members of our Kehillah to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they are eligible to.
Additionally, beginning next Friday, July 2, we will no longer have Kosher Zoom available as a streaming option for Friday Afternoon/Evening Services, Saturday Night Services, or Holy Day Services. We will continue to have Services available on Facebook Live and our BA Livestream page.
For those wishing to attend Friday Afternoon/Evening Services tonight or Saturday Night Services tomorrow, we do request that you register using the button below. You will not need to register for in-person Services beginning next Friday, July 2.
This Shabbat we welcome Katerina Cornell to the Bimah for her Bat Mitzvah. Katerina is the daughter of Lisa and Scott Cornell and sister to Eliana. Katerina’s grandparents are Barry and Stephanie Yusman & Mary Susan and Raymond (Z”L) Cornell. Katerina’s parents both had their Bat and Bar Mitzvah at B’nai Amoona, as well as her uncle Scott Yusman.
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,FB Live, and in-person in the Guller Chapel beginning Thursday, July 1.
Virtual Evening Services and Minyanim
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm
via Zoom, Livestream,FB Live, and in-person in the Guller Chapel beginning Thursday, July 1.
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.
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.
