All are invited to join us for our Pre-Simchat Torah Dinner.
Online registration is required - Deadline to register is this Monday!
ClickHEREto register.
This Week's Torah Portion is
Ha'Azinu
Shabbat Service Schedule
& Candlelighting Times
Shabbat Candlelighting:
Friday, September 17 at 6:49 pm
Havdallah, Saturday, September 18 at 7:35 pm
Streaming for this Shabbat
We are returning this Shabbat to our regular streaming process.
Unfortunately, due to an update to Apple Devices, many iPads are no longer capable of streaming our Services using our BA Livestream Page. We are diligently working to solve this issue; however until then, those with this issue will only be able to view our Chapel through the Kosher Zoom Link.
We will continue to offer virtual Services in the Sanctuary on our Facebook Page and Website.
Friday, September 17 Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm In-Person, Livestream, FB Live, and Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)
Saturday, September 18 Tefillah with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham in the Main Sanctuary: 9:00 am
D'var Torah From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
- Ha'Azinu- Please note that Rabbi Rose will be out of town this Shabbat and looks forward to seeing everyone next week.
Shalom and Shanah Tovah!
In this week’s Torah portion, we read:
“Remember the days of old; think about the years of the past generations. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will explain to you.”
(Devarim 32:7)
I believe this verse can be understood as providing us with some insight on how to maintain a vibrant Judaism, one that maintains the delicate balance between 3 religious tendencies which can best be categorized as conservative, restorative and utopian.
“Remember the days of old…”: Tradition is vital to our individual and communal wellbeing. By rooting ourselves in our ancestral traditions and teachings, we maintain continuity with our past and we deepen our sense of rootedness and structure. This is the conservative tendency.
“Ask your father…”: Rashi comments that “father” in this context refers to our prophets. This is a nod to the restorative element. Sadly, we lack prophecy today but we still long for the “good old days” when we had Divinely Inspired prophets who could lead us, who could deliver direct messages from God. Lacking the presence of living prophets, we must depend on the words of the prophets as recorded in the TaNaKh.
“Your elders…”: Rashi comments that “elders” in this case refers to our Rabbis. The hallmark of a genuine Rabbinic Sage is the wisdom to apply ancient teachings to the needs of the current generation. Historically, our greatest Rabbis have also been those most tuned-in to the needs of the coming generations of the Jewish people and hence, focused on the utopian future.
A Judaism that is based primarily on the “conservative” tendency becomes dry and over-ritualized. A Judaism that is based primarily on the “restorative” element becomes impractical and irrelevant. And a Judaism that is based primarily on the “utopian” element becomes untethered, flailing about and disconnected from the wellsprings of Jewish tradition.
In the final analysis, we need all three elements and we need to balance them wisely. This was true in the Jewish past; it is true for the Jewish present; and it is the foundation of a successful Jewish future.
May we be wise enough to employ all three tendencies, in the right time and in the right measure!
Hannah & Branden Waters on the birth of their daughter Nora Joann Waters. Proud siblings are Liam and Layla. Nora is the niece of Rachel & James Spezia and the cousin of Wolfie Spezia.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF...
Regina D. Smith; beloved wife of Theodore Smith (Z"L); dear mother and mother-in-law of David L. (Michele) Smith and Robert A. Smith; loving grandmother of Michael (Miranda) Smith, Zachary (Julia) Smith, Melissa Smith, Lainey (Rich) Asadorian, and Olivia Smith; dear great-grandmother of Alexis and Nathan Smith, Mackenzie Smith, Theo and Benjamin Asadorian and Lila Smith; beloved sister and sister-in-law of Morris (Z"L) (Florence) Sokolik, David (Betty) Sokolik, and Joseph (Anita) Sokolik. Dear wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and sister-in-law and friend to many.
Lou Anne Soffer Winters; loving daughter of Frances Wolff Soffer (Z"L) and Benjamin Brandt Soffer (Z"L); beloved sister of Anita Kopp (Z"L); beloved wife of Morley Winters; mother of Bradley (Jill) Winters and Lori (Ted) Samuels; grandmother of Jeffrey (Katie) Winters, Doug (Amanda) Winters, Jimmy Winters, Ben Samuels, Bobby Samuels, Leigh Samuels; great-grandmother of 5, along with her beloved niece and nephew Gary (Susie) Kopp and Susan (Bill) Townsley. Dear daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.
Norman Stanley Fott, beloved father of Lori (David) Sheinbein.
Yontiff tea light candles will be available to light at Shul in our beautiful Chod Family Gallery
6:15 pm: Erev Sukkot Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
Sukkot I – Tuesday, September 21
9:00 am: Shacharit followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
10:15 am: Family Sukkot Experience with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham &
Morah Brandi Roach followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
6:15 pm: Minchah and Ma'ariv followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
Sukkot II – Wednesday, September 22
9:00 am: Shacharit followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
3:00 pm:Snacks in the Sukkah: Sukkot Playdate for Young Families atRabbi Jeffrey & Lauren Abraham’s Home
6:15 pm: Minchah & Ma'ariv followed Havdallah in the Sukkah
7:00 pm: Havdallah and BAUSY Pizza in the Hut
Sukkot III – Thursday, September 23
7:00 pm: Virtual Sisterhood Sukkot Program
Sukkot IV – Friday, September 24
5:15 pm: Early Kabbalat Shabbat (EKS) in the Sukkah with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Morah Brandi Roach in the Sukkah. Each family will receive a Shabbat box with candles, Challah and grape juice. Online registration is required, please clickHERE to register.
6:00 pm: Friday Afternoon/Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson
Sukkot V – Saturday September 25
9:00 am: Shabbat & Sukkot Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Shabbat Play @ BA in the Sukkah
6:30 pm: Minchah, Ma'ariv & Sukkot Services followed by Havdallah in the Sukkah
7:30 pm: Men’s Club Scotch in the Sukkah In addition to bourbons, scotches, wines, liqueurs, and other libations, we will also be having mixers from Schenny's Syrups created by BA Men's Club Member David Schenberg. ClickHERE to register
Hoshanah Rabbah – Monday, September 27
7:00 am: Shacharit followed by a Festive Breakfast
Shemini Atzeret
Monday, September 27:
6:15 pm: Shemini Atzeret Evening Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
Tuesday, September 28
9:00 am: Morning Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah
10:30 am (approximately): Yizkor
Simchat Torah Tuesday, September 28
4:45 pm: Minchah
5:15 pm: Pre-Simchat Torah Dinner Flags and candy apples for everyone! Online registration is required. Please click HERE to reserve your spot
5:45 pm: Ma’ariv & Hakafot
Wednesday, September 29
9:00 am: Simchat Torah Services, Hakafot & Special Kiddush
On this day, we will honor Anne & Rick Mazur, our Bride & Groom of the Torah
6:15 pm: Minchah & Ma’ariv
7:17 pm Havdallah
A Special Thanks To Our Generous Sponsors:
Sukkot is sponsored by Sanford and Gloria Spitzer
in memory of all their loved ones.
Simchat Torah is sponsored by Michael, Laura, Samuel,
and Katherine Rose Ellenhorn.
Kiddush and select events will take place in the
Goldberg/Dalin Sukkah located in the Spitzer Sukkah Garden.
Todah Rabbah To The Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Grants from the St. Louis Jewish Federation have helped Congregation B'nai Amoona in a wide variety of ways. In 2020-21, we received grant funding for the Chesed Fund, support from the Staenberg Family Foundation for both our Seder and necessary technology, support for older adults, closed captioning from the Joslin Fund, and COVID assistance including technology, two food investments, and additional Chesed Funds. We are deeply appreciative of the support and necessary assistance these Grants provided. Todah Rabbah!
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.
