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New BA Bulletin Delivery
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Jewish Light. Our Bulletin will be published monthly and sent as an insert in the Jewish Light. The first one should arrive in the next couple of days. Take a look and let us know what you think! You may email vickie@bnaiamoona.com.
Missy Waldman is currently the Mayor of Olivette and a healthcare advocate at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in health care access and compliance. In addition to Legal Services, Missy has enjoyed a role in public service. For 19 years, she has done "G-d's work doing Tanach" as an elected official in Olivette including four terms as the Mayor.
In addition to her role as B'nai Amoona's Communications Coordinator, Rachel Bray-Spezia is also a congregant and parent to a child in the Linda Rotskofff Early Childhood Center. Rachel will join us on the bimah to talk about the experience she and her husband had receiving donated embryos from a same sex female couple in order to have their son Wolfgang and how this has shaped their definition of family. While Rachel has always considered herself a friend and ally to the LGBTQIA community, her unique experience gives her a special perspective that she is eager to share with us this Shabbat.
We will also be joined by Richard Borg B'nai Amoona welcomes Richard Borg to our Bimah. Richard Borg joins us from Oklahoma and will be chanting Haftarah here on June 29. He has set a goal of chanting Haftarah in all 50 states. You can read more about him by clicking HERE.
Capital Campaign
Act now... Make a difference... Every dollar counts! Join the many B’nai Amoona families who are already helping to secure "Our Future…ATIDEYNU - עתידנו" - for generations to come.
Conservative/Masorti Movement Expresses Anger at Immigrant Detention Centers
Today, most Americans recognize the 1940’s internment of American citizens of Japanese descent as immoral, illegal, and certainly lamentable. How tragic that America is again on the verge of incarcerating a new generation, this time of would-be immigrants. Hundreds and thousands of people are so desperate for a better life that they flee to the United States of America – knowing that the country’s leader says they are not wanted – and once here are placed in pens, cages, jails and prisons. Our government is paying for-profit companies with arguably no supervision and no oversight to hold these human beings – for unlimited time in subhuman conditions.
Did you miss our amazing "choir" singing Adon Olam to the tune of Gloria at Shabbat Zimrah? No need to have the"Blues," just click the video to the right to watch it on Vimeo! Todah Rabbah to B'nai Amoona's Composer-in-Residence, Andy Curry for this special arrangement and to our gifted singers.
Adult Education
BA Sisterhood's Summer Wednesday Morning Continuing Education Series facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose Wednesdays, June 12 - August 21, 9:45 - 11:30 am in Banquet Hall - Gimmel Mysticism, Madonna and Modernity: A Study in Modern Day Kabbalists and Mysticism $18 for Sisterhood and Men's Club members and $36 for non-members Additional $24 book fee: The Kabbalah Reader: A Source of Visionary Judaism by Edward Hoffman Books can be purchased from Amy Maupin in the Rabbinic Suite or at the first class. Please make checks payable to Rabbi Rose's Discretionary Account. Please call Barb Hoffman at 314-691-0435 or email Mzbarb50850@aol.com for more information Click here to register.
Learn to Sing Torah with our Cantorial Intern, Mira Davis
Wednesdays, June 26 - August 28, 6:45 -7:45pm in Banquet Hall - Bet
Get a refresher on Torah trope, and learn Eicha Trope with our Cantorial Intern, Mira Davis
For more information and a full list of our Adult Education classes and programs, please click HERE to be directed to our Adult Education page.
Camp Ramot Amoona 2019
Camp Ramot Amoona is in full swing! It's not too late to join the Ruach! Click below to register! Questions about camp? Please contact Sarah at sarah@bnaiamoona.com . We are looking forward to a fabulous summer at Whitfield!
To contact either of our camps, please call 314-380-3090.
Please request to join our new Facebook Group "Camp Ramot Amoona" to see updates and pictures! CLICK HERE!
Taking on Tikkun Olam: A NEW 7th Grade Summer Camp Experience Open to the Greater Jewish Community!
We are thrilled to announce an exciting NEW 7th Grade Program to Camp this summer! Click here to read more!
Community Giving Garden
Calling all gardeners, green thumbs and black thumbs alike. BA is creating a raised bed garden to grow produce for Circle of Concern and we need your help! We're having our first session at 10:00 am on Sunday, June 30 with partners Gateway Greening to train our team. Please let us know if you can attend this initial meeting and help us get up and growing. Email Kelli at kelli@pixelpointpress.com
Credit Card Fees
We have been averaging a yearly expense of $36,000 for credit card fees for anything that you charge on a credit card. Effective July 1, 2019, all credit card charges will incur a 3.00% fee. You are always welcome to pay by check or ACH withdrawal. We truly appreciate your understanding.
Book Club B'nai Amoona's Sisterhood has a Book Club that we share with Kol Rinah's Sisterhood. Meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Lindbergh Blvd (across from Plaza Frontenac) from 10:00 - 11:30 am. New members are always welcome! You do not need to attend every month, just come when you can, nor is it required that you have read (or finished reading) the book selection for the month!
July 25 - Kaddish.com by Nathan Englander Aug 22 - The Wartime Sisters: A Novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman
For more information on the Book Group or author events, please call Enid Weisberg-Frank at 314-576-2864.
The next session of our ongoing Women’s League, Mishnah Berakhot, course will be Chapter Two: Shema - Listen, Part Two with Rabbi Cheryl Peretz on Thursday, July 11, at 7:00 pm.
To participate with B’nai Amoona Sisterhood, RSVP to Sheryl Kalman at sheryl@kalman.net or call 636-537-2538.
Social Action Committee
Volunteers Needed for Camp The Jewish Coalition for New Americans is looking for healthy snacks for kids enrolled in their summer camp for new Americans. It is recommended that donations be delivered by 7/8, but they will be accepted until 7/29, the last week of camp. Click HERE to sign up.
They are also looking for volunteers for their summer camp for new Americans. Volunteers should be at least 13 years old. Camp will be from 7/8-8/1 Monday through Thursday between 8:00 am and 12:30 pm. It is held at the International Institute while the parents of campers learn English. A training session of 1.5 hours will be held.
In preparation for the High Holy Days, Rabbi Rose recommends reading Beyond Survival: How Judaism Can Thrive in the 21st Century by Rabbi Terry Bookman.
Please contact Amy Mauping to purchase at 314-576-9990 x131 or amy@bnaiamoona.com . The cost is $22 - cash or checks made payable to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund.
High Holy Day 5780 - Children's Choir
Todah Rabbah to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis for their generous grant of $2,500 from the Rabbinical Chesed fund for 2019-2020. This grant is intended to be used by the Senior Rabbi of the congregation to address emergency financial needs of congregants.
In our BA Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Leslie Rickard, whose daughter, Zoe Farmingdale, will be starring in Indecent, June 20 – 30 at the Grandel Theatre. Indecent revolves around a controversial Yiddish play from 100 years ago by Sholem Asch, that involves a lesbian relationship and the resulting anti-Semitism, homophobia, and xenophobia; themes relevant in today’s world. For tickets, please clickHERE.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF...
Officer Michael Langsdorf; father of a thirteen year old daughter and eighteen year old son.
Barbara Belle Heligman; beloved wife of Martin Heligman; dear mother and mother-in-law of Keith, Craig (Donetta), Cory and Todd (Suzanne); dear grandmother of Jillian, Zoe, Nicole and Joshua; great grandmother of Jake and Hunter; beloved sister and sister-in-law of Marvin (Sandy) Greenberg, Sandra Greene, and the late Gerald Greenberg (Betty); sister-in-law of JackHeligman (Marsha) and the late Florine Kay (late Irwin); dear daughter of the late Anne and late Samuel Greenberg; daughter-in-law of the late Anna and late Nathan Heligman; loving aunt of Faith (Bruce) Waxman; great-aunt of Sarah Beth (Gavriel) Matt. Dear aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Good News from Israel
We are excited to include this section into our weekly newsletter that will include links to good news coming out of Israel!
ClickHERE to read the Weekly Newsletter from the Israel21
www.thenewjewishthinker.org is a developing ezine looking for volunteers to write, illustrate, and share ideals. This online publication has a Jewish theme in its expression. Contact Berta Hyken, the volunteer coordinator at hyken.bb@gmail.com if you are interested in joining The New Jewish Thinker.
Seeking Community Gatekeepers
Jewish Family & Children’s Service is seeking “community connectors” to serve as Gatekeepers for vulnerable seniors. A Gatekeeper helps keep an eye out for relatives, neighbors, or friends who may be struggling with the challenges of aging. The JF&CS team will reach out to and work with these identified seniors one-on-one to develop a plan that helps them maintain independence, confidence, and a sense of connection to the local community. If you are interested in learning more about how you can serve as a gatekeeper, or if know of someone who could benefit from senior support, please reach out to Ken Schwartz at 314-812-9320 or kschwartz@jfcs-stl.org .
JProStl Debuts Series Focusing on Career by Age and Stage JProStl, the professional association for staff who work throughout the St. Louis Jewish community, is launching a new series, Sharing the Journey. Throughout the summer, staff are invited to choose a session that best fits with their age and career stage. Each discussion will be led by a Rabbi/Jewish educator and one or more professional colleagues.
All programs will take place at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Kaplan Feldman Complex, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, from Noon to 1:30 pm.
Future sessions will include Reimaging What’s Possible, for late 30s to 50, Sharing Your Wisdom for late 40s to 50, and Creating a Legacy for 55+.
Volunteers Needed at Covenant Place Covenant Place seeks volunteers for our new dinner program. Volunteers are needed Monday - Friday between 4:00-6:00 pm to help set up, serve and clear dinner. The Kosher dinner is catered by Kohn’s. Volunteering on an ongoing basis is preferred, however sporadic volunteers are welcome too. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for individuals or groups, and children age 10-15 are invited with an adult. In addition, Covenant Place hosts a monthly Sunday lunch that is perfect for a small group to volunteer together. Groups typically arrive around 11:30 am to set up and prep the food, and lunch is served at 12:30 pm. Ideally the group plans and prepares the food, and Covenant Place reimburses the cost. If the group has entertainment (playing an instrument, singing, dancing, etc.) that is wonderful. Some months have entertainment already scheduled.
Please contact Covenant Place for more information or to volunteer by calling 314-432-1610.
Subscribe to the Jewish Light You can now receive the Jewish Light for free: delivered to your home or office, or online. Subscribe online by clicking HERE.
Congregation B’nai Amoona 324 South Mason Rd St. Louis, MO 63141 314-576-9990 www.bnaiamoona.com
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