Shabbat & Adult Learning Announcements

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Dear Beth El Family and Friends,
Please note that we are having services as with every Friday night, at 7pm where we will welcome shabbat, parashat Va’et’hanan. 
This Sunday at 3 pm we continue our Intro to Judaism class for those who wish to refresh basics or are interested in choosing Judaism.
Cantor Ben- Moshe’s Message:
This week we read in Parshat Va’et’hanan two of the most important passages of the Torah-Moses’ recapitulation of the Ten Commandments, and the first paragraph of the Sh’ma. As we always read Va’et’hanan on the Shabbat after Tish’ah B’Av, it is interesting that so soon after mourning the day when “God turned against us” we once again reaffirm our loyalty to God. Just as we believe that God’s anger is temporary, so too our anger at God is (or should be) temporary. May all of us who mourn-individually over our own losses, or as a People-be comforted. Shabbat Shalom.

Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
8902 Mesa Drive
Austin,TX. 78759

Shabbat Korach

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Dear congregatnts and Friends,

Please note that Friday night services this week will be at the special time of 6:30, followed by a congregational dinner.  The following morning we will have Saturday morning services at our regular time of 9 am for Parashat Korach, where we will be celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of David, Son of Kevin and Iris.  Kiddush luncheon to follow.

We wish David’s family and friends a heart mazal tov on this joyous occasion.

David’s favorite Korach video:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnpkLycLUiQ]

Cantor’s message:

This week’s parshah, Korah, is the source of an idiomatic expression in Modern Hebrew.  In English, we draw upon Greek mythology to describe someone of incredible wealth-“as rich as Croesus”.  The equivalent in Hebrew is “ashir k’Korah“-“as rich as Korah“, drawing on the Rabbinic midrash of Korah as the wealthiest of the Israelites who left Egypt.  We will discuss Korah and his wealth this Shabbat, as we also celebrate David K becoming a Bar Mitzvah.  Shabbat Shalom and Mazal Tov to us all.

Announcements for Shabbat and Shavuot

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Dear Congregants and Friends,
Please join us tonight at 7pm for Kabbalat shabbat services.
Tomorrow, Saturday May 26 at 9:45 AM, we will join Congregation Agudas Achim on the Dell Jewish Community Campus for a service in memory and honor of Elaine Shapiro’s late father Jim Novy.
Sunday morning, May 27 starting at 9am, we will have Shavuot services at Beth El, followed by a light kiddush.  There will be a children’s program in the social hall, after the beginning of the Torah reading in the sanctuary.  We hope to see you all!
Cantor Ben-Moshe’s weekly message:
This Shabbat we begin the reading of Sefer B’midbar, the Book of Numbers.  After a year at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the People of Israel are to muster for the march to the Promised Land, a march that would end up taking a generation.  Ironically, the day after Shabbat we read of the arrival of the People of Israel at Sinai, and the Revelation of Torah, on the Festival of Shavuot.  We have been counting towards this day since the second night of Passover-to Z’man Mattan Toratenu, the Time of the Giving of our Torah.  This is after all the purpose of the Exodus-to be free to live the life of the spirit that was simply impossible for slaves.  And the purpose of Torah was so that it could be lived by our People in our Land.  May all of Israel repeat the promise of our ancestors at Sinai, “na’aseh v’nishmah“, “we will do it and we will hear it”.  And may all the People of Israel be privileged soon to live in the Land which was promised to us.  Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameah.

Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
8902 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
www.bethelaustin.org

Friday night services 5/18 at 7pm and two “hold the date” announcements

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Dear Congregants and Friends,
We hope to see tomorrow, Friday May 18  at 7pm for our weekly, song filled kaballat shabbat service.
Please note these two special events:
Saturday May 26, Congregation Agudas Achim at the Dell Campus is having a special service in memory of Elaine Shapiro’s late father Jim Novy (also Allene Novy’s grandfather) may his memory be a blessing.  We encourage our members to attend this special shabbat morning service which will start at 9:45 at Agudas Achim.  Jim Novy led a fascinating and philanthropic life, supporting the State of Israel, the Austin Jewish community and even receiving a Purple Heart certificate for his clandestine work during World War II.  His personal efforts even helped our very own dear Fred Grant (z”l).   A book has just been written about his life, titled The First Jews of Texas: The Life of Jim Novy, and the author David Chapin will be talking during the shabbat morning services.
Sunday May 27, at 9 am we will have our special Shavuot service.  Please plan to attend this wonderful holiday celebration of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.  Bring your whole family.
Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message:
This Shabbat we conclude the Book of Leviticus with the reading of the double parshah B’har/B’hukkotai. Parshat B’hukkotai include a tokhekhah, one of the two passages of rebuke found in the Torah. When these passages are read in the synagogue, they are read quickly and in an undertone. Unlike some other religious tradition, Judaism does not focus attention on punishments for disobedience. Rather, we focus on the performing of mitzvot for their own sake, for the purpose of bettering ourselves and the world. God doesn’t need to frighten us into following the Tradition. Judaism is a path of love, not of fear. I look forward to seeing everyone Friday night at 7:00 PM. Shabbat Shalom.
Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
8902 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
www.bethelaustin.org

Annual Meeting and Cookout

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Our annual “state of the shul” meeting  is this Sunday, May 6 at 4:15pm, followed by a cookout. We hope you can join us to see all the exciting things happening at Congregation Beth El.