Health and Safety Protocol Update Effective Tomorrow, Saturday, January 8, 2022
As we continue to navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic, we remain committed to the health and well-being of our members, community, and the world at large.
We believe that upholding this commitment begins by taking the recommendations made by public health organizations as well as our own Doctors of B’nai Amoona (DOBA) Committee to heart and adjusting our health and safety protocols as needed.
It is with this in mind, that we have once again updated our Health and Wellness Protocols to include the following:
Effective Tomorrow, January 8, 2022:
Individuals 5 years and older must be fully vaccinated to attend activities at B'nai Amoona. Fully vaccinated includes proof of two vaccines with a booster shot after 5-6 months. Individuals who received the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine must have an additional shot 5-6 months after the original was given. -OR-
Unvaccinated individuals can bring proof of a negative Covid-19 test result administered within the preceding twenty-four hours. We will accept a negative PCR, antigen or rapid Covid-19 test result.
Individuals two and older, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask while on the B’nai Amoona campus.
During Kiddush and when there are other opportunities to eat, we ask that you wear your mask except when seated and eating.
We ask that you maintain a minimum social distance of six feet from anyone outside of your pod.
When To Stay Home:
If you have any symptoms at all.
If you have been diagnosed with a positive Covid-19 result. Please quarantine for a minimum of 5 days and if your symptoms have subsided, wear a mask for an additional 5 days if going out.
If you have been exposed to anyone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Please quarantine for 3-5 days if you are fully vaccinated or 5-7 days if you are not fully vaccinated before taking a Covid-19 test. Once you have a negative test result, you may attend activities at B'nai Amoona.
You are welcome to stream services or Zoom in (if your service or class is being Zoomed) and we hope you feel better soon.
We are happy to continue to offer both in-person and virtual ways to connect with one another and appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Along with our DOBA Committee, we value the input of our Kehillah and welcome your feedback and any questions you have.
Todah Rabbah, Jeff Singer, President
This Week's Torah Portion is
Bo
D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
Moses relates the different commandments the Israelites must fulfill on the fateful eve of Passover in Egypt in our parsha this week, Bo. Can you imagine their fear and trepidation? This includes the consumption of the paschal lamb. Moses is then told to give the nation an additional instruction. Before the people finally leave Egypt, they must ask the Egyptians for “gifts”. “Tell the people to borrow, each man from his neighbor and each woman from hers, objects of silver and gold.” (11:2) Commentators ponder this request. The nation was slated to travel to Sinai to receive the Torah. Why would they need Egyptian finery? Modern scholar Dr. Michael Kanovsky explains that asking the Egyptians for aid represented a crucial step along the Israelites’ path to freedom.
Later in the Torah, we will read in Leviticus (26:13) that: “I the Lord am your God who brought you out from the land of the Egyptians to be their slaves no more, who broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.” Walking upright implies a sense of pride and self-worth. In other words, physical freedom would not have been enough had the people continued to think of themselves as slaves. In order for the Israelites to become a great nation, they needed to leave Egypt walking “upright” as proud people with a sense of importance and self-worth.
Dr. Kanovsky notes that, “The commandment to request items from the Egyptians was in order to upright the stance of the Children of Israel. No longer were the Egyptians the masters and the Israelites the slaves. Rather, the people of Israel were now peers (with the Egyptians as they were instructed to ask) ‘man from his neighbor, and woman from her neighbor.’… Now the Israelite would be required to walk with a head held high and ask—or even demand—the most expensive items in the house.” Kanovsky makes an important insight about asking for assistance. Asking for help requires a sense of self-worth and an understanding that both asking for, and receiving, assistance represents an understanding of worth and value.
Far too often we are “too proud” to ask for help from those around us. Whether it is in the workplace, with our families, or even in just growing our own spiritual selves, we constantly shy away from asking others to help us on our journeys in our lives. We can even ask help from those we have had previous conflicts with as the Israelites do with the Egyptians. Our parsha is a good reminder that we are only as good as those with whom we surround ourselves. We are stronger together!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham rabbi.abraham@bnaiamoona.com
314-576-9990 x136
Shabbat Service Schedule & Candle Lighting Times
Shabbat Candlelighting:
Friday, January 7 at 4:38 pm
Havdallah, Saturday, January 8 at 5:27 pm
Friday, January 7 Musical Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson, Eitan Kantor and other BA Friends in the Main Sanctuary: 6:00 pm In-Person, Livestream, FB Live,Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)
Saturday, January 8 Tefillah with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Eitan Kantor in the Main Sanctuary: 9:00 am
Shabbat Song Circle with Eitan Kantor in the Mendelson Library The Shabbat Song Circle will begin thirty minutes after the conclusion of Shabbat Morning Services, approximately 11:30 am In-Person andKosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat) Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and David Kantor in the Main Sanctuary: 4:00 pm
MERCAZ USA, MERCAZ-Masorti Canada, and The Cantors Assembly present … Tu B’Shevat 5782: A Celebration will be presented live on Sunday, January 16, 2022 | 6:30 pm CST In collaboration with the Cantors Assembly, MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ-Masorti Canada are delighted to celebrate this Zionist chag (holiday) – which draws our attention to the land of Israel and our connections to it, with all of you!
To join, please complete the registration form. Zoom information will be displayed and emailed to you after you click "Register Now."
Our Tu B’Shevat Seder packet and other resources will be available to download from this page on the website the week prior to our celebration.
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Michael & Marta Goldberg and Howard & Lilly Hellman on the birth of their grandson, Avi Lior Goldberg. Proud parents are Dahlia & Kevin Goldberg. Great-grandfather is Oscar Goldberg.
Emily & Scott Kalishman on the birth of their son, Isaac Alexander Kalishman. Proud big brother is Nolan Kalishman. Grandparents are Susan & Neal Kalishman and Janet and Paul Ritter. WE MOURN THE LOSS OF...
Janet Rae Goldenberg. daughter of Shirley (Z"L) and Marvin (Z"L) Goldenberg. Sister of Debra (Joel) Spigel; Malka (Roni) Lilienthal; Irvin (Jeanne) Goldenberg; Bayla (Michael) Paynor; Anna Rose (Victor) Tendler; Marilyn (Geoffrey) Lampel; and Larry Goldenberg. Aunt of Pamela Reynolds; Chad and Mia Spigel; and Sarah & Jeremy Klaven. Great Aunt of Austin, Samantha, Brenden and Brittany Reynolds; and Gabriella, Hailie and Zachari Klaven.
Weekday Minyan Information Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live
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
