Our Parsha this week, Va-yetzei, begins with Jacob fleeing from home as Esau is pursuing him for depriving him of the blessing from their father Isaac. Tired of evading Esau, Jacob lays down to sleep and has a vivid dream of angels going up and down on a stairway that reached to the top of the sky but also came down to the ground. God then speaks to Jacob and informs him that God will be with Jacob, and his descendants will become numerous and spread out all over the Earth.
Most importantly, God tells Jacob God will protect him. This is an important piece because Jacob is fearful for his life by virtue of what he has done. Jacob then awakes from his dream and says in 28:16-17, “Sure the Lord is present in this place, and I did not know it!...How awesome is this place!...this is the gateway to heaven!” This was our theme at B’nai Amoona a year ago as there are so many times in our lives when we do not realize that God was right there with us until after the fact, or we find ourselves in a situation and only upon later reflection realize how “awesome” it was.
While most commentaries choose to focus on Jacob’s reaction to the dream and this important reminder for us that any moment can be a “Godly” moment. I am most struck by the first part of the dream. As the angels are going up and down those stairs, the question is, “Why and what does it mean for us?” I believe it is a very important message. The angels are going up and down one stair at a time. So often in our society of needing instant gratification and wanting to accomplish our goals quickly, we forget that we have to take baby steps in order to reach the top.
The beginning of the dream is a reminder for us that while we all may seek to find moments with God or we want to do everything we can to make our lives better, it doesn’t just come instantaneously. Instead, we have to take one step at a time.
Last week, I was on a webinar with the famed college basketball analyst, Jay Bilas, led by Rabbi Erez Sherman in Los Angeles. In speaking about how the best players and coaches reach their top potential, he spoke about only focusing on one step up the ladder at a time. Little did Jay Bilas know he was speaking to this week’s parsha. To succeed at anything in life, we need to slow things down and take it just one step at a time. Only then can we truly accomplish our goals and hopefully find those moments with our God.
This Shabbat we come together to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Marni Rosen, daughter of Drs. Diane and David Rosen, and sister of Joshua Rosen. Marni is the granddaughter of Joyce Raskin of Brooklyn, New York; Ray Raskin and Rosary Morelli of Brooklyn, New York; Helene and John Graham of Brighton, Michigan; and Charles Rosen of Farmington Hills, Michigan; all of whom traveled to St. Louis to celebrate with her this weekend.
To read more about Marni Rosen, please click HERE.
Friday, November 12 Friday Evening Services with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
Don't miss these upcoming special Shabbat opportunities!
Mini Minyan, our new Shabbat experience for children in Pre-Kindergarten and younger, are invited to our first Service next Shabbat morning, November 20 at 10:15 am. Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham will lead us in age-appropriate activities, songs and traditions to celebrate Shabbat. No registration required, please contact Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham at rabbi.abraham@bnaiamoona.com or call 314-576-9990 x136 with any questions.
Students in K-8th grade will join us next Shabbat, November 20 for a meaningful morning of learning. Please contact Liessa Alperin at liessa@bnaiamoona.com or call 314-576-9990 x116 for more information.
A Weekend with Eitan Kantor, our BA Artist in Residence!
Eitan Kantor will join Cantor Nathanson and Friends on Friday, November 19 for Evening Services - it will be an inspirational and musical treat not to be missed!
Then, Eitan will join us in the Guller Chapel following Kiddush on Shabbat Morning, November 20 for another incredible Shabbat Song Circle.
You are also invited to join Eitan on Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 pm for the second Nature & Niggun program. We will meet at Longview Farm Park (13525 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141) for this engaging time with music and nature.
Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
We welcome you to join us for Chanukah!
Please be sure to click the button below to visit our Main Chanukah Page.
Updated Health & Safety Protocols Take Into Effect
This Monday, November 15
This Monday, November 15, B'nai Amoona's updated Health & Safety Protocols will take effect. Please remember to "B-Ma,"
Bring your Covid-19 Vaccination card or proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within the prior 48 hours and
Mask up while you are at B'nai Amoona.
For more information about our Health & Safety Protocols, please click HERE.
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Mark & Judy Hoffman and Ricardo & Irene Munster of Rockville, Maryland on the birth of their grandson, Ariel Elias Munster. Proud parents are Rena & Roberto Munster.
Lital Davidson Kichura & Dr. Danny Kichura on the birth of their son. Proud siblings are Osher and Ariel.
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.
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!
Congregation B’nai Amoona
324 South Mason Rd
St. Louis, MO 63141
