Blog Test - WIP

Important Traffic Information: Road Closure This Shabbat Morning
A portion of North Mason road from Mason Manor to Executive Parkway will be closed on June 4th from 7:45am - approximately 9:30 am due to the Heart 2 Heart Run. The Creve Coeur Police Department advises drivers to find an alternate route.

A Message From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
Before He Departs For Israel

Yedidim/Yedidot - beloved B’nai Amoona friends - Shalom!
 
As you may know, after more than two years, I am heading back to Israel.  A good number of you have asked me about two unique and powerful Jewish customs associated with such Pilgrimages.  
 
Minhag (custom #1) Shaliach Mitzvah Gelt: There is a tradition to give money, in any denomination, to those traveling to Eretz Yisrael who then become emissaries of kindness, providing sustenance to our brothers and sisters in Israel who are in need of Tzedakah. If you would like me to serve as your emissary, please drop your cash donations off in my office in an envelope marked "Shaliach Mitzvah Gelt". I always make a visit to the Kotel - the Western Wall - a top priority upon my arrival in Israel. I would be delighted to share your generosity with those who wait patiently by the Wall knowing Jews from around the world yearn to support one another. Our Tradition also indicates that “emissaries of kindness are protected from harm”; so your kindness will also secure my safe return. Todah Rabbah!
 
Minhag (custom #2) Kvitelach for the Kotel: A Kvitel is a small, handwritten note with your name on it and, generally speaking, includes the name of your mother (as is the prevailing procedure for Prayers for Healing). It is my responsibility to deliver these secret thoughts (which I do not read) to the Kotel and pray on behalf of our community/congregation. I already have several such notes and I would be happy to collect even more such missives. These Kvitelach should include whatever is in your heart, and please feel free to petition God for whatever it is that you most deeply desire or require. Again, please place your notes in an envelope and indicate that a "Kvitel for the Kotel" is enclosed.
 
I will be collecting Shaliach Mitzvah Gelt & Kvitelach for the Kotel until Sunday AM, June 12th. I look forward to seeing you before we depart. If for any reason we do not have a chance to connect, I bless each of you with health, happiness and peace. And dear friends, I ask in return that you join me as we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and our beloved Homeland...
 
With deepest affection and appreciation,
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Senior Rabbinic Chair

D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham

This Week's Torah Portion is
Bamidbar

Growing up, my family would go camping.  My recollection of our camping experiences always brought discomfort, from bugs to the cold and the unforgiving “dirt bed.”  Our ancestors obviously had it much rougher than I, as amplified in the Torah’s 40 year journey.  While 40 years of camping could not have been pleasant, our ancestors did get to experience Revelation and were indoctrinated into their national mission.  The Book of Numbers begins with Parashat Bamidbar, in the wilderness, and finally on the bank of the Jordan River across from Jericho.  The Israelites are battle-hardened, with their spirits spanning every conceivable point on the spectrum.

Later books of the Bible present conflicting reports. Jeremiah (2:2) speaks fondly of the young love of Israel, like a bride following her groom.  Psalms (95:10) recalls the desert trek as 40 years of incessant complaining — think terror and grumbling combined with inspiration and love.  The desert was both.  I wish the thought were mine, but it is often said: “the challenges of the wilderness are a necessary discomfort for a revelation of the spirit.”

The wilderness is frightening, with dangerous animals, searing heat, punishing frost, and a scarcity of food and water.  The departure of the Israelites was regimented under colorful pennants, only to see them break ranks, betray one another and turn on their leaders over the 40 years.  The farther they got from Sinai, their inspiration waned, with fear and doubt increasing.  As one of the luminaries of the Conservative movement, Rabbi Robert Gordis, noted in his Judiasm for the Modern Age p. 158 (1955), “Sinai marked the commencement, not the conclusion of Revelation.”

Once a year, the people of Israel orientate themselves toward the Mountain of God.  This Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday we will celebrate Shavuot, the holiday of our Revelation.  On Erev Shavuot tomorrow night, during our Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (our evening study session) let us each aspire and listen closely, anticipating once more to hear the voice of our God.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
314-576-9990 x136
rabbi.abraham@bnaiamoona.com

Shabbat & Shavuot Schedule

Shavuot at B'nai Amoona is generously sponosored by
Sue Barad & Ed Barad
Laura & Michael Ellenhorn and Family
Linda & Michael Rosenblatt and Family

Friday, June 3
6:00 pm: Friday Evening Services with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham in the Main Sanctuary
In Person, Kosher Zoom, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream

Saturday, June 4, 2022
9:00 am: Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham in the Main Sanctuary

In Person, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream
10:00 am: Torah for Today with Rabbi Neal Rose in the President's Conference Room

In Person, Kosher Zoom

Shabbat Afternoon/Evening - Erev Shavuot Services In the Guller Chapel
7:00 – 7:45 pm: Shabbat Minchah
7:45 – 8:45 pm: Seudah Shlishit & Special Study Session with Rabbi Abraham
8:45 pm: Ma’ariv & Transition to Shavuot
8:53 pm: Candle Lighting

In Person, Kosher Zoom, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream 

Sunday, June 5, 2022 - Shavuot Day 1
9:00 am: Shavuot 1 Services in the Main Sanctuary

In Person, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream 

10:00 am: “Sweet Shavuot Spectacular” Family Service

 • Families with Preschool and Elementary school aged children will gather from

10:00 - 11:00 am. The morning will include interactive Shavuot activities and

be followed by a Shavuot kid-friendly Kiddush with an ice cream sundae bar
 • Bring your Cereal boxes! We will be building "Mount Sinai." Cereal boxes will be donated to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry following Shavuot
 • Sweet Shavuot Spectacular will be facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, Liessa Alperin, and Anita Kraus

In Person (only)
8:00 pm: Shavuot Minchah & Ma'ariv in the Guller Chapel
8:53 pm: Candle Lighting
In Person, Kosher Zoom, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream 

Monday, June 6, 2022 - Shavuot Day 2
9:00 am: Shavuot 2 Services in the Main Sanctuary
10:45 am: (approximately): Yizkor
In Person, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream
8:00 pm: Minchah for Shavuot, Ma'ariv & Havdalah as we end the Festival of Shavuot in the Guller Chapel 
8:54 pm: Shavuot Ends
In Person, Kosher Zoom, Facebook Live, and BA Livestream 

Kosher Zoom Information:

Kosher Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/113973471?pwd=OThFbDdQcmI5UWpnc2pEaEJBV0lmUT09Meeting ID: 113 973 471
Password: Shabbat

Ketubah Between God &
The People of Congregation B'nai Amoona

On the sixth day of the month of Sivan, the first day of Shavuot, in the year Five Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Two since the creation of the world according to our accustomed reckoning, corresponding to June 5, Creve Coeur in the State of Missouri, in these United States of America…

We, the extended family of Congregation B’nai Amoona, promise to... (click to read more) ​​​​​​​

Conservative/Masorti Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Operation Max Levin: A St. Louis Homecoming

Operation Max Levin:
A St. Louis Homecoming
June 11 & June 12, 2022
AM YISRAEL CHAI

Max will recount, in person, his experience in the 2014 “Operation Protective Edge,” the latest of the Gaza-Israeli conflicts as an American-born Israeli soldier who immigrated in 2012 to join the Israeli army. He will share his personal stories as a soldier who joined an elite paratrooper unit as an American-raised boy, with American values, serving in the modern Israeli army. His story is recounted in his book, Under the Stretcher... 
click here to continue reading...

In Our Community

Minyan at B'nai Amoona

Regular Morning Minyanim

Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan:

​​​​​​​7:00 am
In-Person, Zoom, and Livestream 
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
In Person, Zoom, and Livestream,
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID: 979 2471 5014
This Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services

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