L’chu n’ra’n’na La’Adonai : (Oh, go forth, let us express our joy) These are the first words of the traditional Kabbalat Shabbat Service. They are meant to move us out of our complacency and awaken us to the miracle of Shabbat which is just happening. What better place to do this then your very own shul, Beth El, where everybody knows your name and cares about you! Happening Friday night at 7 PM!

Shabbat morning services are also this weekend, February 10th, starting at 9 AM. Join us for beautiful davening, an inspiring drash, children’s services and a delicious lunch, shared with friends. By popular demand, Bob’s Israeli cholent and the Cantor’s famous lentil soup will be on the menu.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s weekly message:

This week’s parshah, Mishpatim, continues where last week’s left off – the continuation of Revelation at Mount Sinai. Mishpatim contains many laws, both civil and ritual in nature. One of the most significant is Chapter 23:9 – “And you shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger, since you were strangers in the Land of Egypt.” We know what it is like to be an oppressed minority, what it is like to be without a homeland. We have experienced this throughout our history, from ancient times until very recently. We are commanded to show empathy and to treat strangers kindly – in our own Land of Israel, and wherever we are in our dispersion. May we always be able to see ourselves in the faces of “the other”, and treat them as our Torah bids us. Shabbat Shalom.

Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Sunday School with the BERS
is THIS Sunday February 11

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:57 p.m.

Save the date for the Purim Party you won’t want to miss! Wednesday February 28 at 6:45 in the evening. Megillah reading, face painting, food, fun and quite a few L’Chaims!

Sisterhood Crochet Class!

Please join the sisterhood on Tuesday February 13 at 7PM as we learn the basics of crocheting and basically have an amazing time together. All are welcome. From beginner crocheters, to advanced, as well as those who just want to hang out. It will be at the home of Ruth Stavchansky, and we look forward to seeing you! RSVP to Shereen at
shereen@homewyrks.com. Don’t drive at night, no problem! Just give us a holler and we’ll find you a ride. Everyone’s welcome at the Sisterhood events.

Congregation Beth El Sisterhood Book Club

Join us as we read By Light of Hidden Candles by Daniella Levy.

We will be meeting at the home of Gail Ellenbogen on Wednesday, March 21 to discuss the book and socialize.

The Congregation Beth El Sisterhood invites all Jewish women to join us for any of our events. Please bring a friend. It is our hope to provide programming to bring us all together. For more information about our events and becoming more active, please contact Shereen Ben-Moshe at shereen@homewyrks.com.

COMMUNITY NEWS:

Save the dates in April for this very special month of remembrance and celebration at the Dell Jewish Community Campus.

April 8 at 7 p.m. Yom HaShoah
Holocaust Remembrance
April 17 at 7 p.m. Yom HaZikaron
Israel’s Memorial Day
April 22 at 11 a.m. Yom HaAtzmaut
Israel’s 70th Birthday Celebration.

The Weekly Parashah from the Center for Latino – Jewish Relations. Dr Peter Tarlow

Last week we studied Parashat Yitro. It is in that parashah that we read about the giving of the Ten Commandments. This week we turn to Parashat Mishpatim. If we see the Ten Commandments as the theory of law, then this week’s parashah is the text’s first attempt to fill out the law. From this parashah we derive not only many of Judaism’s basic legal principles but also the basis for much of Western law and civilization.

Mishpatim is the only ancient Middle Eastern code of law that begins with the topic of “avdut” meaning: “slavery” or “indenture servitude.”. Not only does this week’s code begin with the rights of the “eved/slave”, but also it quickly progresses to one of the stranger sections of the code. In chapter 21, verses 5-6, the reader learns that if the slave is set free but chooses not to accept his freedom, then his master is to “bring him to a door and pierce his ear with an awl..” How come? Such a position seems to be counter intuitive and even if the slave did not want to leave his wife and/or children, once free there was nothing from preventing him from earning the money to buy his loved ones out of slavery and give them their freedom.

Perhaps the answer is found in the fact that we ought not to read the word “avdut” too narrowly. In its broadest meaning, avedut may not only refer to bodily servitude but also to a state of mental stagnation. That is to say, there are those who fear freedom and the responsibilities of freedom. How many people seek eternal childhood rather than growing up and becoming adults?

To be free is not easy. It means judging oneself, facing the challenges of life, exploring the depths of our souls and not blaming others for our own failures. In that sense, the pursuit of ignorance is the desire to stay a slave. Is not our desire to hold back the clock a way in which we construct the walls of our mental imprisonment?

Our challenge then is not just to approach the door of freedom but also to make the leap of faith by walking through it and becoming free. Such a leap is not an easy task, either for those who lived in the Biblical period or for those who are alive today. Do you agree?

See you Friday January 26, at 7 PM for song and soul filled Kabbalat shabbat services. Stay for a chat after to catch up with friends old and new.

Shabbat morning services are THIS SHABBAT, Saturday January 27, and kindly sponsored by Bob Halperin. Happy birthday! Bob’s famous cholent will be served as well as other delicacies from the Shabbat chefs. Children’s story time will be at 10:30 and a traditional Sepharadic Haftarah will make for a unique, friendly, and inviting Shabbat morning that you won’t want to miss. We will be saying a special blessing for Barry and Bob and Kathy’s upcoming visit to Israel.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s weekly message:
The end of our parshah, B’shallah, finds B’nei Yisrael free of Egypt and beginners their trek through the desert. One of their first stops along the way is Marah, where the water is too bitter to drink. God shows Moshe a tree which, when thrown into the water , sweetens it. Trees are immensely useful to humanity-they provide food, shade, medicine and other necessities, and they hold soil together to prevent runoff. They are also worthwhile, of course, in their own right-they are the longest-lived of all living things and they are quite beautiful as rule. Rebbe Nahman of Bratslav used to recommend going off into the forest to find God’s Presence, a practice which the Japanese call “forest bathing”. As we celebrate Tu Be shevat, the New Year of Trees, next week (on Tuesday evening and Wednesday), let us emulate trees-firmly rooted in the Earth, but always reaching towards Heaven. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Sunday School with the BERS is THIS Sunday January 28 with the amazing Ms Carol at 10 AM.

Refua Shlema to our dear Fred. May you have a speedy recovery! The hole congregation sends you our love.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:45 p.m.

Please hold the date for Sunday January 28 from 2-4 PM and plan to attend an exciting Beth El meeting. All ideas welcome and we really hope to see you!

Sunday school resumes this Sunday January 28 at 10 AM. We will have special guest and friend Ms. Carol Rubin and continue celebrating Tu Be Shevat

Movie Night at Beth El
February 3, 7 P.M. The Band’s Visit!
Celebrate havdallah and watch the hilarious Israeli movie, The Band’s Visit on Saturday February 3rd, at 7 PM. We will also be screening a children’s movie. Popcorn, snacks, fun and laughs!

Sisterhood Crochet Class!
Please join the sisterhood on Tuesday February 13 at 7PM as we learn the basics of crocheting and basically have an amazing time together. All are welcome. From beginner crocheters, to advanced, as well as those who just want to hang out. It will be at the home of Ruth Stavchansky, and we look forward to seeing you!