Chad Spigel is an Associate Professor of Religion at Trinity University in San Antonio, where he teaches courses in Hebrew Bible, Judaism, and archaeology. He is also the Director of the Mellon Initiative for Undergraduate Research in the Arts and Humanities at Trinity University and a co-founder of the Texas Jewish Studies Triangle, a consortium of Jewish Studies scholars in Texas. Chad earned his B.A. from Brandeis University (1997), spent a year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1995-1996), and earned an M.A. and PhD. in Ancient Jewish History from Duke University (2008). His research interests include ancient synagogues and their roles in ancient Jewish communities, Jews living in the ancient Diaspora, and the use of archaeology and the Bible in popular television documentaries. Chad has worked on several archaeological excavations, including the excavations of ancient synagogues in Huqoq (Israel), Khirbet Wadi Hamam (Israel), and Ostia (Italy). In addition to teaching and digging, Chad is the author of several scholarly publications, including Ancient Synagogue Seating Capacities: Methodology, Analysis and Limits (Mohr Siebeck, 2012), “Reconsidering the Question of Separate Seating in Ancient Synagogues” (Journal of Jewish Studies, 2012), and “Debating Ancient Synagogue Dating: The Implications of Deteriorating Data” (BASOR, 2016). Dr. Spigel is the son of B'nai Amoona members, Joel and Debra Spigel.
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.
Arie Hasit is the founding Rabbi of the Masorti community in Mazkeret Batya, a community designed to promote meaningful Jewish engagement for Jews of all beliefs and practices, and a member of the law committee of the Israeli branch of the Rabbinical Assembly. Prior to his current position, Hasit served in a number of Rabbinical positions around Israel, including as acting Rabbi for the NOAM Masorti Youth Movement. Please click the image below for more information about Rabbi Arie Hasit and our Tishah B'Av schedule.
You are also invited to join us for Friday evening Service and a complimentary dinner before Rabbi Arie Hasit speaks on Friday, August 9. We ask that you kindly RSVP by clicking HERE.
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.
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
It's not too late to join the fun!
Click below to register for the final weeks of Camp Ramot Amoona! 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!
We invite you to be a part of Sisterhood! 2019 - 2020 Membership sign-up is LIVE and online.
Come be a part of the group!
Click HERE to join online OR you may mail in your membership payment OR call the B'nai Amoona office.
First Rosh Chodesh Circle You are invited to join with B'nai Amoona Sisterhood to celebrate Rosh Chodesh Av through music and text study with Cantorial Intern Mira Davis on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Banquet Hall. Please click HEREto RSVP.
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.
Sisterhood - High Holy Day Memorial Book
By now you should have received a letter regarding the Yizkor Memorial Book. Your response and check should be sent to: Robin Shulman, c/o Congregation B'nai Amoona 324 S. Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141
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.
Jewish Light Highlights Minyannaires at B'nai Amoona
This week's St. Louis Jewish Light features our faithful B'nai Amoona Minyanniares while highlighting the ongoing challenge of securing a Minyan. Please click HERE to read the article.
Please keep an eye out for next week's Jewish Light publication which will include our August B'nai Amoona Bulletin.
About B'nai Amoona Minyannaires: B'nai Amoona Minyannaires have a strong tradition at BA! For years, our Minyannaires have provided support to those who are in mourning or observing a Yahrzeit and have ensured daily services.
The National Council of Jewish Women's Back to School! Store is Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Temple Israel! Volunteer registration is currently open and we need over 600 volunteers during set-up, break-down and the day of the store to make sure that the event runs flawlessly. With many opportunities from set-up to personal shopping, there is a job perfect for you!
The Sponsor A Child Campaign is also in full swing. When you sponsor a child for $180, you are helping each one start the school year confident and prepared by providing the essentials for positive self-esteem and success in school. At the Back To School! Store, each child will receive brand new:
Shaving Israel Presents A Movie - Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 1:00 pm The Holocaust Museum & Learning Center 12 Millstone Campus Drive St. Louis, MO 63146 This Documentary tells a coming--of-age story highlighting five young Israelis from High School to the Home Front. There are about 7,000 or more lone soldiers serving, with roughly 40% in combat units. This movie event is free, but contributions to Shaving Israel are welcome. All donations (100%) are going to IDF soldiers and are tax deductible - as permitted by law.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities at Covenant Place Next week, the last of 102 senior residents will move into the new Covenant Place II! We are still in need of volunteers to help pack and unpack the residents along their move. We have added additional volunteer time slots -- both weekdays and weekends, mornings and afternoons. We have also added a volunteer opportunity to help residents hang artwork in their new homes. We are in the final stretch; thank you for helping us make it to the finish line!
How to navigate the site: 1. Under the Volunteering box, click on “Opportunities-Help Wanted.” 2. Sign into the system with your phone number. Click on “add yourself” to input your name and contact information, if you are not already in the system. 3. Click on the month that you want to volunteer to find available dates, times, and roles.
Calling All Writers, Illustrators & Thinkers
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.
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose joins with Karen Sher and Randi Schenberg
