A Message From Liessa Alperin, Our Director of Innovative Learning, Engagement & Youth
One of my mentors died this past Fall. Although I miss him, his words continue to guide me. He once said:
"Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) starts with one person at a time."
~Avi West, PJLL Early Childhood Conference
I have held these words as a mantra for many years. In a world where there is so much repair needed, I look towards this quote as a guide each and every day.
We have the chance to help repair the world one person at a time - one day at a time. I hope you will join me this week in participating in acts of Tikkun Olam; repairing of the world. Each of the four opportunities below allow you to begin with “one person at a time.”
-Liessa Alperin Director of Innovative Learning, Engagement and Youth
Carver House: 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. PLEASE purchase by Tuesday evening to ensure we receive the gifts in time to share with Carver House and be sure to use our BA mailing address and we will send items to the Carver House community.
Carver House Wish List Link: https://a.co/cgmQaBO Shipping Address: Carver House c/o Liessa Alperin, 324 South Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Tornado Relief Efforts: In the aftermath of this past week’s Tornadoes, many are asking how to help victims who have lost their loved ones and their livlihoods. Here are a few options:
Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund: Gov. Andy Beshear has established a fund to assist tornado victims and begin rebuilding. Donate at secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief or by sending a check to Public Protection Cabinet, 500 Mero St., 218 NC, Frankfort, KY 40601.
American Red Cross: Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999.
CARE: The nonprofit based in Atlanta is partnering with Louisville's Change Today, Change Tomorrow to distribute food, water and cash vouchers to affected families. Donate to the tornado relief fund by clicking HERE.
Global Empowerment Mission: The disaster relief nonprofit based in Miami is sending trucks of supplies to western Kentucky, in partnership with Racing Louisville and Louisville City Football Club. Donate funds at globalempowermentmission.org/mission/kentucky-tornadoes/.
Kentucky Counseling Center: The organization is collecting donations that counselors and social workers in Graves County will distribute to affected families. Donate at kentuckycounselingcenter.com/mayfield-fund/.
LRECC: 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
Winter Outreach: 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.
Please note that Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose's Monday class, Fresh Eyes on Ancient Teachings, and his Wednesday class, Inyana DeYoma, are on break until the week of January 16, 2022.
Advanced Modern Hebrew: 2:00 - 3:00 pm Facilitated by Ophira Melnick Zoom (Zoom link provided upon registration) ClickHEREto register!
Beginning Modern Hebrew, Level Two: 5:00 - 6:00 pm Facilitated by Ophira Melnick Zoom (Zoom link provided upon registration) ClickHERE to register! Beginning Modern Hebrew, Level One: 6:45 - 7:45 pm Facilitated by Ophira Melnick Zoom (Zoom link provided upon registration) ClickHEREto register!
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew: Close Study of the Biblical Book of Jonah: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Book of Jonah, Chapter 2
Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose
Zoom (Zoom link provided upon registration) Click HERE to register!
Intermediate Modern Hebrew: 7:50 - 8:50 pm Facilitated by Ophira Melnick Zoom (Zoom link provided upon registration) Click HERE to register!
Men's Club Boys Night Out: 7:30 pm Boys Night Out returns! An opportunity for men to get together, schmooze, and socialize. We will meet at Uncle Julio's Mexican from Scratch in Frontenac (2011 South Lindbergh Blvd, Frontenac, MO 63131)
Limited to the first 30 guys that sign-up atTHIS LINK.
Tuesday, December 14
Israel and the Jewish People: Schmooze in the News about Current Events in Israel: 12:00 - 1:00 pm Facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87514230047 Meeting ID: 87514230047 ClickHEREto register.
Wednesday, December 15
Please note that Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose's Monday class, Fresh Eyes on Ancient Teachings, and his Wednesday class, Inyana DeYoma, are on break until the week of January 16, 2022.
JSC Game Day: 12:15 pm Lunch and 1:15 pm Game Time An afternoon of fun, interactive games like Bingo, Trivia, and a variety of other favorite board games set up at individual small tables. Snacks and prizes also available during the program.
BAUSY: B’nai Amoona Youth Group for 9th thru 12th Grade: 7:00 - 8:30 pm Programs planned by the teens for the teens! Questions? Contact Liessa atliessa@bnaiamoona.com.
Sex, War, and Betrayal: An Exploration of the Neviim Rishonim (The Early Prophets): 7:00 - 8:00 pm Facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89083763426 Meeting ID: 89083763426 ClickHERE to register.
Aleph Bet Hebrew: 7:00 - 8:00 pm Facilitated by Cantor Sharon Nathanson Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84733373216 Meeting ID: 84733373216 ClickHEREto register.
Introduction to Judaism: 8:00 - 9:00 pm Facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84891220218 Meeting ID: 84891220218 ClickHERE to register.
Thursday, December 16
Please note that Rabbi Neal Rose's Thursday Classes, Ulpan Yiddish and Midtown Midrash will not meet this week.
Friday, December 17
For more information regarding Friday Evening, Shabbat Morning Services and Saturday Evening Services, please keep an eye out for Friday's "Shabbat Shalom email."
Saturday, December 18
Consecration Ceremony: 10:00 am Arrival and 10:50 am Ceremony All Kindergarten and First Grade students (as well as any other students who have begun their formal Jewish learning in the last two years) to join us in commemoration of this educational landmark.
Students should arrive at 10:00 am and adults will go to the Main Sanctuary. Students will come to the main Sanctuary at 10:50 am for the ceremony.
Torah for Today in the Mendelsohn Library: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Judah and Joseph: Two Distinctive Spiritual Types Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose
Mini Minyan: 10:15 am Facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham Children in Pre-Kindergarten and younger are invited to our Mini Minyan Service! 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.
Theatre Ariel's Virtual Production of The Sabbath Girl: 7:00 pm The Sabbath Girl tells the story of Angie Mastrantoni who has everything going for her—a job at a hip art gallery and a new apartment on the Upper West Side—but doesn't have the time or hope for relationships. Then her neighbor Seth, a divorced Orthodox Jew with a knish store on the Lower East Side, knocks on her door. The Sabbath Girl is a contemporary romantic comedy about the loneliness of big-city life and the possibility of finding love next door.
We are offering two COMPLIMENTARY virtual viewing options: Option 1: Sign up and get the Zoom link to watch the production at home.
Option 2: Please join us to watch the Zoom Link together at B’nai Amoona.
For more information regarding Friday Evening, Shabbat Morning Services and Saturday Evening Services, please keep an eye out for Friday's "Shabbat Shalom email."
Sunday, December 19
There are no MKLC classes this Sunday - we hope to see everyone at Shabbat Services and our Consecration Ceremony!
Thinking Person's Judaism: Makers of Modern Judaism: 10:15 - 11:30 am Martin Buber on the Eichmann Trial Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose Zoom Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81289051611 Meeting ID: 81289051611 ClickHEREto register!
By Appointment
Haftarah Chanting Tutorial: By Appointment Only Facilitated by Cantor Sharon Nathanson All are welcome to learn Haftarah chanting with Cantor Sharon Nathanson! Please contact sharon.nathanson@bnaiamoona.com to set up an appointment.
Join us for Minyan
Special note about Minyan this week: 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.
Please click HERE for more details about Services this week.
What's Happening at BA
Our BA Artist in Residence, Eitan Kantor, continues to host inspirational music-infused events. For a list of Eitan's musical offerings, please click HERE.
We also ask that you Save The Date for
Shabbat Shirah taking place on Shabbat Morning, January 15 at 9:00 am
It's Time To Order Your Mahj Cards! Simply fill out the 2022 order form foundHEREand send your form with your cash or check payment to:
Congregation B'nai Amoona attn: Mahj Cards 324 South Mason Road, Creve Coeur, MO 63141 Please make checks payable to B'nai Amoona
Order deadline is January 10, 2022. Please Contact Robin Shulman at robnshul@gmail.com or
314-369-8599 with any questions.
AM YISRAEL CHAI Plan to join us for B’nai Amoona’s upcoming Fundraiser – as we welcome Max Levin & his mother, Judy Levin, to St. Louis for a special homecoming weekend January 29 & 30, 2022!
JOIN US AS A SPONSOR! Sponsors are invited for Havdalah on Saturday, January 29, at Congregation B’nai Amoona, followed by a safely Covid-distanced Sponsor’s Dinner where Max will entertain your questions about his experiences. Sponsors will also receive a signed book and complimentary ticket(s) to Max’s community-wide talk on Sunday, January 30, at 1:00 pm in the B'nai Amoona Sanctuary.
Deadlines to receive your 2021 tax deductibility from B'nai Amoona:
CREDIT CARDS: If you plan to make your donation using a credit card, please note that we cannot adjust the processing dates. For tax-deductible donations to be included in 2021 records, we must receive your information in time for processing this year. Credit Card payments may be made through our secure website, https://www.bnaiamoona.com/donations. Online payments should be made no later than noon, December 29, in order to ensure processing in 2021. Please do not send us credit card information via email, which is not secure.
MAIL-IN FUNDS: All mail-in funds must be dated and postmarked by December 30 and received by the end of the business day on January 10, 2022. IN-PERSON FUNDS: Any in-person funds must be received in our office by noon on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.
Please contact Claudia Millonas with any questions at 314-576-9990 x113 or claudia@bnaiamoona.com.
Congregation B’nai Amoona 324 South Mason Rd St. Louis, MO 63141
