Blog Test - WIP

Congregation B'nai Amoona join with the Rabbinical Assembly, and all peace-loving people, in Condemning the Recent Terror Attacks in Israel

In response to the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Israel, the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international association of Conservative/Masorti movement rabbis, issued the following statement:

"The Rabbinical Assembly is appalled by the violence perpetrated against eleven innocent individuals in Israel, who among them reflect the richness and diversity of Israel’s population: Jews, Druze and Christians, immigrants and Israel-born natives. Every one of these people should have simply returned home to their families and friends after an unremarkable day.

"We share a conviction that there is a way for the region’s diverse populations to live in proximity with mutual respect. Those living in the region must commit to pursuing peace and security for all. We join with all those groups in condemning these terror attacks and call on others in the region who have not yet done so to do the same and reject all acts of violence.

"Especially on the eve of major religious holy days for each of the three monotheistic religions in our holy land, we urge everyone to support the grieving families and to resist calls for revenge. As we learn in the weekday liturgy, Hashkiveinu, 'May You, God, spread the shelter of Your peace over all the residents of Your land...'"

Amen!

D'var Torah From Rabbi Neal Rose

This Week's Torah Portion is

Metzora

The Shabbat before Pesach is known as Shabbat Hagadol, the Great Shabbat. 
For me, this particular Shabbat HaGadol will be a time to recall and celebrate the (all too often overlooked) great women mentioned in the Passover story. What these women all had in common was that each, in her own way, participated in the birth and the nurturance of young Moses. And in no small part each acted in what I’m calling "godly ways”.

Under their tender and watchful care Moses thrived and ultimately became the leader and teacher of his people. His birth occurred against the backstory of a power-hungry Pharaoh who attempted to wipe out the Israelite nation.

The five great women who assisted in his birth and nurtured Moses were Shiphrah and Puah, Jochebed (Moses’ birth-mother), Miriam (his older sister), and Pharaoh's daughter (his adoptive mother) known as Bithya or Batya.  Each woman refused to participate in Pharoah’s horrendous crime, even at the risk of losing their own lives. Their behavior can best be referred to what I called previously “godly" - or acting in ways that we associate with the notion of God - ie, generous, compassionate, courageous and strong.   

Who was the Pharaoh of our narrative? Some historians believe that he might very well have been Thutmose, whose reign began in 1526 B.C.E. These same sources suggest that he had a daughter, named Hatshepsut, and I will return to explore this later.

Pharaoh began his attacks by spreading rumors that the people of Israel had grown so rapidly that they were about to outnumber 'real ‘Egyptians, threatening to obliterate their culture. Rather than destroy them in a bloody massacre (that might incur displeasure among others in his court), this despot attempts to enlist the aid of local midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. He demands that they quietly murder each newborn Hebrew male infant. These godly women ignore Pharoah's command. They assist the birthing women and allow the male children to be born and safely returned to their mothers. When confronted by Pharoah they exclaim  “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women: they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives can come to them.” A clever answer; one that used stereotypical images to feed the racially biased leader’s imagination.

Thereafter, Pharoah becomes even angrier and he declares, "Every boy born you shall throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” Immediately after this murderous rant, we read that "a certain man of the house of Levi went and took a daughter of the house of Levi...who then gave birth to a son".  

The ancient Rabbis wondered what happened that motivated this particular couple to defy Pharaoh's decree. An elderly scholar or preacher created the following possible scenario "The young daughter of the couple came to her parents (who had separated in order to prevent conception) and she scolded them saying  unless you reunite, and resume having children, you will be complicit in the King's attempt to wipe out the people of Israel. The young women's tactic achieves its goal. The couple reunites and, as a result, a great leader is born. It is believed that this wise and courageous young daughter was Miriam. 

Moses' birth mother, Jochebed, hid her child for three months and she realized that he was getting older and therefore he was no longer safe. Rather than despair, she hatches a plan whereby her infant would be placed in a waterproof basket and set afloat on the Nile River. The older sister was sent to hide among the bulrushes to watch and see what would become of the infant. The mother's courage, faith, and strategic thinking as well as the daughter’s observational skills, helped save the child.

The poet Carol Rose speculates that the birth mother understood that Egyptian women came to the Nile to seek the blessing of fertility. Therefore, when a basket with a newborn child suddenly appeared and seemed to be  floating in their direction, they understood this as a supernatural event. In so doing, they answered Jochebed's prayers. Her strategic thinking as well as her courage and faith saved the child, and ultimately saved the nation’s future leader. 

As I mentioned earlier, historians identify the Pharaoh's daughter with a vaguely identifiable person known as Princess Hatshepsut, daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I.
According to these scholars, using part of Thutmose’s name might explain why the Princess calls him Mose/Moshe. The use of her father's name may have been a ritual form of adoption into the royal family.

Another version of the adoption story is more powerful, namely the one found in Midrashic literature. This version begins as the previous one did, but it goes on to say that, "The daughter of the Pharaoh stretched out her arms to retrieve the baby from the marshes, but she could not grasp him. At that precise moment the Holy One extended her reach and the Princess took the baby's basket in her arms. She, the Biblical storyteller informs us, understood that this was a Hebrew child. Nevertheless, she adopts him. The Midrashic narrator says that at that moment, God adopts her and her name changes from the Daughter of Pharaoh (Bat Pharaoh) to Batyah, the Daughter of God.

In a sense, two adoptions occur simultaneously; Pharaoh's daughter adopts Moses and God adopts the daughter of Pharoah.
 
The stories of these remarkable women have become an inspiration for me on this Shabbat HaGadol. As we approach Passover of 5782, I hope that the five mothers of Moses inspire us all to become the godly and courageous people we were created to become.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Dr. Neal Rose
314-576-9990 x110
neal@bnaiamoona.com

Shabbat Service Schedule
& Candle Lighting Times

Shabbat Candlelighting:

Friday, April 8, at 7:13 pm

Havdalah, Saturday, April 9 at 8:02 pm 

This Shabbat we welcome Zachary Nathanson to the Bimah for his Bar Mitzvah. Zachary Nathanson is the son of Cantor Sharon and Michael Nathanson.  He is the younger brother of Mollie Nathanson. Zachary is the grandson of Lester (Judy, Z”L) Goldman and Susan (Sanford, Z”L) Nathanson.

Zachary is following several family members became either a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at B’nai Amoona, including his sister, Mollie Nathanson, his mother, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, his grandfather, Lester Goldman and many others.

To read more about Zachary, please click HERE.

Zachary is thrilled to share his Bar Mitzvah date with his grandfather, Lester Goldman, who will have his Second Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat as well.

Friday, April 8
Friday Evening Services with Rabbi Carnie Shalom, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm

• Pre-Bar Mitzvah Participation of Zachary Nathanson and Lester Goldman

Saturday, April 9
Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham: 9:00 am

• Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Nathanson
• Second Bar Mitzvah of Lester Goldman
• Ufruf of Jeremy Feldstein and Aria Bredt

Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose in the President's Conference Room: 10:00 - 11:30 am

Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and Jay Englander in the Guller Chapel: 6:30 pm

• Yad Squad Participation of Alyssa Weisenberg
• Torah read by Jay Englander

In-Person, Livestream, FB Live, Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)

Havdalah: 7:56 pm

Kosher Zoom Information:

Kosher Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/113973471?pwd=OThFbDdQcmI5UWpnc2pEaEJBV0lmUT09
Meeting ID: 113 973 471
Password: Shabbat

Celebrate Pesach with B'nai Amoona

*REGISTRATION ENDS TOMORROW*

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 Horwitz and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham will lead us in this interactive Seder - online registration is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Thursday, April 14
7:00 pm: Search for the Chametz: Join Rabbi Rose & Family as we search for our Chametz - Zoom and FB Live 

• Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87299165061

Friday, April 15 - Erev Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel- In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:45 am: Siyyum for the First Born with Rabbi Neal Rose in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
9:30 am: Chametz Happenings: join us for playtime, bagels and then we will burn our Chametz together

• Online registration is requested but not required. Click HERE to register. 

1:30 pm: Minchah in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:00 pm: First Seder - Family Style at the St. Louis JCC Staenberg Family Complex with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Rabbi Brad Horwitz

• Click HERE to register.

7:20 pm: Candle Lighting

Saturday, April 16 - 1st Day of Pesach
9:00 am: Shabbat & Passover Day 1 Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
10:00 am: Torah for Today in the Community Room - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
12:00 pm: Shabbat Minchah in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Enjoy your Second Seder at home with you family
8:09 pm: Candle Lighting

Sunday, April 17 - 2nd Day of Pesach
9:00 am: 2nd Day of Passover Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and Facebook Live
7:15 pm: Minchah & Ma’ariv in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
8:10 pm: Havdalah

Monday, April 18 - 3rd Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Tuesday, April 19 - 4th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
4:00-6:00 pm: Matzah Pizza Making at Rabbi Abraham’s Home. This program is for young children and their families.

• Online registration is requested but not required. Click HERE to register. 

6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Wednesday, April 20 - 5th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Thursday, April 21 - 6th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan as we welcome the 7th Day of Pesach in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live  
7:26 pm: Candle Lighting

Friday, April 22 - 7th Day of Pesach
9:00 am: 7th Day of Pesach Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:00 pm: Afternoon and Evening Services for Shabbat & the 8th Day of Pesach in the Guller Chapel -  In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:27 pm: Candle Lighting

Saturday, April 23 - 8th Day of Pesach
9:00 am: Shabbat and 8th Day of Pesach Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
10:15 am: Mini Minyan with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham (location TBA)
10:30 am: Yizkor in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:15 pm: Minchah & Ma’ariv in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
8:15 pm: Havdalah
8:17 pm: Chametz may be consumed

In Our Community

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.

Additional Torah Commentary Resources

Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
USCJ Torah and Haftarah Commentary, TORAH SPARKS
JTS Torah Commentary Podcast
AJU Ziegler School Rabbinic Studies Weekly Torah Portion Commentary