This Shabbat, we join Synagogues across North America to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Bat Mitzvah, Judith Kaplan (Eisenstein) daughter of the late Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan. In honor of this milestone, our Shabbat Morning Service will include many female voices in our community.
We also welcome Dr. Eugene Logusch to our Bimah to speak on Loving God Through Worship and Service to Your Neighbor. Dr. Logusch is a beloved teacher at Whitfield School and Administrator of St. Mary’s Assumption Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO and St. Mary’s Protection Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Madison, IL. He will offer a unique look into the lives of the Ukrainian people and what we can do to support them at this challenging time. Join us for this important and timely presentation.
D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
This Week's Torah Portion is
Tzav
Turbulent times demand that we take action.
Parashat Tzav follows Purim by one day, both of which “demand action.”
In the Megillah, Haman reveals his diabolical plan and Mordechai instructs Esther to immediately visit the king and beseech him to rescind the wicked decree. Esther demurs and Mordechai reacts forcefully and tells her, “Do not imagine that you will be able to escape in the King’s palace any more than the rest of the Jews.” (Esther 4:13) Commentators have pondered, why is Mordechai so forceful? Why not wait for Esther to be summonded and then beg for the Jew’s salvation? Medieval commentator Rabbi Meir Leibush, known as the Malbim (1809-1879) explained that, “every affliction that comes upon Israel has a limited period, time and ‘Day of Judgment’ designated for deliverance through the preparations and causes that were prepared for salvation.” In other words, history offers us a window of opportunity—but only a brief one. We must seize that ephemeral window of opportunity when it opens.
Parashat Tzav begins with the instruction that Moses “command Aaron and his sons...” (6:2) about the laws of the sacrifices in the Tabernacle. Why the need to “command?” Why not “tell” Aaron, or “speak” to him? Rashi explains that the term “command” denotes alacrity, urgency and speed. In other words, as Aaron takes a position of importance, leadership and power, he must always be ready and willing to act with speed and urgency on their behalf. Commenting on the qualities of good leaders, Rabbi Moses Ben Nachman, known as The Ramban writes (on Exodus 18:21), “One who is appointed (as a leader) of the community must open his heart to communal matters with all of his heart and spirit...and he must be a person of alacrity, and quick in his service of heaven—that he is not silent nor does he rest until that matter is completed...”
Regardless of your politics, it is imperative that we find ways to unite during this time of unrest, while our antagonists try to divide. We can stand together and unite to find a way to make our world more secure, particularly right now with what we are seeing in Ukraine, in addition to both in America and in Israel. There are going to continue to be disagreements amongst us and in our society. We have many people in our midst who stand on opposite sides politically. Everyone has a right to support whom you want. Judaism, however, teaches us “Machlochet L'shem Shamayim, all disagreements should be for heaven’s sake.” We must be respectful of one another and work together. This is what Esther and Mordechai taught us in the Purim story and what Moses and Aaron teach us in our Parsha this week. We must continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and stand for what is right and just in our world.
Saturday, March 19 Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham: 9:00 am
This Shabbat, we join Synagogues across North America to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Bat Mitzvah, Judith Kaplan (Eisenstein). Our Service will include many female voices in our community.
We also welcome Dr. Eugene Logusch to our Bimah to speak on Loving God Through Worship and Service to Your Neighbor. Dr. Logusch is a beloved teacher at Whitfield School and Administrator of St. Mary’s Assumption Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO and St. Mary’s Protection Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Madison, IL. He will offer a unique look into the lives of the Ukrainian people and what we can do to support them at this challenging time. Join us for this important and timely presentation.
Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose in the Community Room:10:00 am
In-Person, Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat) Shabbat Song Circle with Eitan Kantor in the Library: Thirty minutes following the conclusion of Services (approximately 11:30 am)
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: 6:00 pm
Did you miss our 5782/2022 Purim Shpiel, Shrek in Shushan? Or, do you just want to relive the fun? Click the image below to watch our USYers perform this fantastic production!
We had a fantastic Purim, and now we look ahead to Pesach (Passover)! All are welcome to join us. Please click on the link below to visit our Passover Page.
Kid-Friendly Family Seder Friday, April 15 at 6:00 pm JCC Staenberg Family Complex:
2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
This year, B'nai Amoona is teaming up with the St. Louis Jewish Community Center to host a Kid-Friendly Family Seder on the First Night. Rabbi Brad Horowitz and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham will lead us in this interactive Seder - online registration is required.
We are so thankful to have had Eitan Kantor with us as our Artist in Residence this year. Join us for his Farewell Concert in our BA Pavilion on April 3, 2022 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Online registration is required.
Daniel Bryan Webster; son of Daniel William Webster and Sharon Paralie (Southard) Webster; father of Manny and Morgan Webster; sister of Daniela and companion Brooke Helbey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Julie and Shannon Doyle.
Janice Trachtman; beloved wife of Marshall Trachtman; mother of Alec and Seth Trachtman; sister of David (Janice) Rifkin; sister in law of Charlene and Larry Eidelman; loving grandmother to Bella and Liam Trachtman.
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
We Pray For Peace In Ukraine
Our hearts continue to be with the people of Ukraine and their loved ones. Please click the image below to be directed to our Ukraine Support Page where you will find tangible ways to support Ukraine, informative articles and webinars, and upcoming events.
