The past few weeks we’ve been reading about Joseph‘s life in the land of Egypt. Joseph’s Egypt might be described as a land of liberty and love.
At that period of time, Joseph and his family actually lived an affluent life. Their Egypt was very different from that of their descendants, who become slaves and were oppressed by taskmasters.
Today we would probably say that Joseph was an illegal immigrant who was trafficked into Egypt by “coyotes.” His appearance and his charisma stood him in good stead, and he quickly rose above his original status as an illegal alien. One might even say that he achieved a “technicolor” style of life. This former slave, who became “second only to Pharaoh”, married an Egyptian noblewoman, and like him, their two children were given Egyptian names.
In the midst of his growing prosperity and power, his family of origin suddenly appears (literally at his doorstep) and in a dramatic scene, he meets his siblings… ten Canaanite shepherds in need of rations. The princely Joseph had an ambiguous response to their arrival. At first he hides behind the mask of privilege. Then, ever so carefully, he plays cat and mouse with them, seemingly choosing to cause them pain. His better self, however, allows him to have a tearful reunion with his brothers and eventually with his aged father, Jacob/Israel.
When the entire family arrives Joseph alerts his boss (the Pharaoh) regarding their presence in Egypt, and their status is suddenly elevated. They receive official status from the Egyptian hierarchy in an audience between the family patriarch Jacob and the Pharaoh himself. They are no longer illegal aliens but respected members of Egyptian society.
In response to Pharaoh's largesse, the patriarch, Jacob, blesses his new king. In doing so, he acknowledges his appreciation and loyalty to the monarch. For the time being all is well!
Earlier I referred to Egypt as a land of love. What did I mean? Archaeological evidence (particularly the art work and poetry of that era) indicate that marriage was highly regarded in Egyptian culture. Often marriages were arranged, but there is evidence that Egypt also valued romantic love, especially from these archeological discoveries. So therefore, what could be better for our ancestors than living in a place of guaranteed prosperity, political connections, and romantic love? Yet as we say, “things turned on a dime," and then "there arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph." Consequently, our ancestors became slaves to one of the descendants of the Pharaoh who knew Joseph.
Many students of Jewish history would say that the ups and downs experienced by our ancestors in Egypt are a model of how Jews have fared in the diaspora: always at the mercy or the whims of their overlords. Are we, who live in the American democracy, in the same vulnerable position as our ancestors? I would like to think not.
We have certainly achieved a level of life and love that probably exceeds anything known in ancient Egypt. But beyond our prosperity are the rights extended to us by the Framers of the Constitution. These rights need to be protected and, when necessary, actively defended, especially against those who seek to put others in a secondary or subservient class.
At this stage in world history we need to realize that the suppression of one group of citizens endangers the rights of all. It is our obligation, as Jews, to declare and defend the rights of all groups lest it be said of us that there “arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph.” Shabbat Shalom, may we be blessed with courage.
This Shabbat we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Lior Birka, son of Eli Birka and Dina Haviv. Lior is the younger brother of Liron Mazaki, Ori Birka, and Noam Birka. Lior follows his brother, Noam, in becoming a Bar Mitzvah at B’nai Amoona.
Friday, December 10 Musical Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson, Eitan Kantor and other B'nai Amoona members in the Main Sanctuary: 6:00 pm
B'nai Amoona is teaming up with the Carver House once again to help ensure families in the St. Louis area have all they need this winter season. Help us to help them by purchasing items off of the Carver House Wish List.
Be sure to use our BA mailing address and we will send items to the Carver House community.
Carver House Wishlist Link: https://a.co/cgmQaBO Shipping Address: Carver House c/o Liessa Alperin, 324 South Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
The LRECC is an integral part of our B'nai Amoona Kehillah and the St. Louis Jewish Community. Each day, our teachers and staff lovingly welcome and enrich the lives of our preschoolers through play-based learning activities. You can be part of the LRECC impact by viewing and choosing to purchase items from the LRECC wish list. Be sure to send a note through Amazon or by email so we know who to thank!
LRECC Wish List Link:https://a.co/d9Cstlu Shipping Address: LRECC, 324 South Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
As temperatures drop, the unhoused in St. Louis are faced with bitterly cold winter weather.To keep our neighbors warm, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is organizing its 4th annual Winter Outreach. In partnership with St. Louis Jewish organizations and State Representative Kimberly Ann Collins, we will be collecting donations of new and gently used winter winter and wellness items. You can drop off donations at B’nai Amoona.
Faith & Bruce Waxman, Robin Harvey, and Mitchell Cohen on the birth of their grandson, Yonah Lev Waxman. Proud parents are Rebecca Waxman & Noah Cohen. Big brother is Caleb Cohen Waxman. Proud great-grandparents are Marvin & Sandy Greenberg. Yonah is the nephew of Sarah Beth & Gavriel Matt and Leah & Brayan Marin.
Beverly Stuhlman on the marriage of her son, Daniel Stuhlman, to Carol Amsterdam.
WE MOURN THE LOSS OF...
Howard Kane; brother-in-law of Marcia and Joel Levy
Deborah “Debbie” Poslosky; beloved wife of Dale Poslosky; dear mother and mother-in-law of Jamie (Michael Buchwald) Poslosky and Nikki (Andrew) Goldfeder; dear grandmother of Ilana and Ethan Goldfeder and Eleanor and Amelia Buchwald; dear sister and sister-in-law of Nancy (Aaron) Rubin, Scot Poslosky, Ron Poslosky, Keven Poslosky, and Beth Poslosky.
Weekday Minyan Information Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live
Special note about Minyan: Our Guller Chapel is still closed. Morning and Evening Minyan will take place in-person in the Main Sanctuary. Additionally, we will continue to offer virtual options on Zoom, Facebook Live and our BA Livestream Page.
Regular Morning Minyanim Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am Monday - Friday Morning Minyan: 7:00 am In-Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201 Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201 This Zoom link is for all morning Minyan Services
Regular Evening Minyanim
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan: 6:15 pm via Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live Zoom Link:https://zoom.us/j/97924715014 Meeting ID: 979 2471 5014 This Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services
