Our local Jewish Federation will be initiating an emergency campaign to support the community in the Ukraine in the coming hours. Please stay tuned for updated information and kindly donate generously.
-Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
If Not Now, When? Uplifting Uyghur Voices
We also invite you to view, If Not Now, When? Uplifting Uyghur Voices, a special program featuring: Rabbi David Saperstein, former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Director Emeritus of the RAC ; Tursunay Ziyawudun, survivor; Kuzzat Altay, President of the Uyghur American Association; Enes Kanter Freedom, NBA player and activist; Barbara Weinstein, Director of the Commission on Social Action; Moderator: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the RAC. Click HERE to watch on Youtube.
Additional resources and ways to support Uyghur individuals, please click HERE.
This Week's Torah Portion is
Vayakhel
D'var Torah From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
Shalom Chaverim!
This year, we have something of an anomaly on the Jewish calendar. In most years, the Torah portions of Vayakhel and Pekudei are read in tandem with one another; meaning that we have a double selection chanted in our Synagogues on Shabbat from the Book of Shemot.
Ostensibly, this practice is set in place in order to ensure that the reading of our Five Books of Moses can take place in a one year cycle. However, from time to time and due to the somewhat complex and nuanced intricacies of the Jewish calendar (including this being a leap year), we need to read two selections in order to complete the reading of our lectionary in a single year.
Regardless of the rationale for why this practice was instituted, having just one Torah portion to focus on this year gives us an opportunity to spend some additional time examining the details of this particular Parashat HaShavua of Vayakhel.
Our Torah Portion opens with the words:
“And Moses then gathered together the whole Israelite community and said to them: These are the things/behaviors/attitudes that the LORD has commanded you to abide by.” (Shemot 35:1)
The Rashbam, commenting on this verse in his medieval exegetical work, notes that Moses our great teacher gathered the entire people in order to: …collect the half Shekel from all those who were of age and simultaneously warn the people concerning the building of the Tabernacle.
To my mind, the Rashbam perfectly summarizes both the genius and the challenge of living a sustainable and flourishing Judaism in this postmodern era.
On the one hand, we have a need for the grist for the mill, the Shekels to support our religious/spiritual/ educational and communal institutions and initiatives. On the other hand, when we focus exclusively on our material needs, we easily become mired in the material and lose track of our mission and inevitably give short-shrift to the elevated purpose for which we as a people were birthed.
It is for this reason that the opening line of the Parashah with its command to collect coins for the upkeep of the Tabernacle and the maintenance of religious life, is followed by the command to observe Shabbat, the day of rest, respite and reflection:
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a Sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD; whosoever does any work on this day shall be put to death. (Shemot 35:2)
Jewish life in this era, as in every era, is a balancing act. We must find a way to follow the “golden mean”, the center path between fiscal responsibility and accountability while still concerning ourselves with creativity, innovation and profoundly moving spiritual experiences. Only when we integrate the two will we be able to live out our truest and deepest desires, dreams and visions. May the words of Parashat Vayakhel inspire us to continue questing for this all too often elusive integration.
Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathansonin the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm In-Person, Livestream, FB Live,Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)
Saturday, February 26 - Shabbat of Hope and Action Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham: 9:00 am
Other exciting Shabbat details and programs:
Dr. Shenita Mayes joins us on the Bimah as our guest speaker for our Shabbat of Hope and Action. As we continue to explore ways that we can be inclusive as individuals and as a community, Dr. Mayes will share her reflections on how to be actively anti-biased and anti-racist. While her visit happens to fall during Black History Month, we know that this is an ongoing priority and conversation. Dr. Mayes' words will be a continuation of the learning she facilitated with our community in July of 2020, and it will be a reminder of what we can do to move from reflection to action in our daily lives.
MKLC and Day School Students At 10:00 am, students that attend MKLC or Day School classes will have their own special youth Shabbat programming beginning at 10:00 am.
Consecration Consecration is a ceremony celebrating the beginning of a student’s Formal Jewish Education. Traditionally this is for Kindergarten students, however, due to the Pandemic, we did not hold a Consecration ceremony last year. Therefore, any students in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Beyond are welcome to join us for the ceremony.
Kabbalat HaSiddur Kabbalat HaSiddur is a celebration when a student receives their very own Siddur. It often is given when they have completed their Aleph Bet learning. We invite all students in third, fourth grade or older who have not yet received their own Siddur to join us!
Mini Minyan Beginning at 10:15 am in the Kikar Families with young children are invited to join Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, his puppets, and other children for a morning of Shabbat fun! We will enjoy activities, games and music. No registration necessary - come as you are!
All Families are welcome to join the rest of our Shul for a delicious Kiddush luncheon in our Weissman Simchah Center (Banquet Hall) following Services.
Students in 9th-12th grade are invited for their own special Kiddush and program in the Kikar with Nikki Goldfeder.
Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose in the Community Room:10:00 am
Shabbat Song Circle: Thirty minutes following the conclusion of Services (approximately 11:30 am) in the Library
Our BA Artist in Residence, Eitan Kantor, leads another musical and meaningful Song Circle.
Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and David Kantor: 5:00 pm
Torah read by David Kantor
We will once again offer Seudah Shlishit, the joyous third meal of Shabbat. As a reminder, please wear your mask any time you are not sitting down and eating.
The Wanderers Presented By Theatre Ariel Saturday, February 26 at 7:00 pm on Zoom
Esther and Schmuli, Satmar Hasidic Jews, embark on an arranged marriage, despite barely knowing each other. Secular Jewish Abe & Sophie’s marriage grew from a childhood friendship. Two seemingly disparate marriages. Yet, there is much that binds these two couples...
This program is generously sponsored by Betsy Enger and Barbara & Harry Shechter.
Active Attacker and Situational Awareness Training at B'nai Amoona Sunday, February 27 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm All are invited for an interactive security training session at B'nai Amoona with St. Louis Jewish Community Security Director, Scott Biondo. Scott will walk us through the steps we can take before, during, and after an emergency situation.
This training is highly recommended for everyone who volunteers in our building, our Board of Trustees, and all who want to build their awareness.
While we certainly hope to never need these skills, we are thankful to Scott for all he does to empower and protect our community.
Interested in joining? Please let Anita Kraus know by calling 314-576-9990 x127 or emailing anita@bnaiamoona.com.
Weekday Minyan Information Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live
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
