Shabbat shalom – Parashat Ekev

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 8/7, 7 PM

Saturday morning services, this Saturday 8/8 at 9 AM, with the Torah service at around 9:45 and children’s story time at 11. A delicious kidush follows services.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This weeks parshah, ‘Ekev’, gives us the origin of one of the unique practices of Jewish Tradition-that of reciting Birkath Hamazon, the “Grace After Meals”. Many, if not most religious traditions incorporate a prayer before eating, to express gratitude for one’s meal. Our practice is to recite a prayer afterwards-“And you shall eat and be satisfied, and praise Hashem your God for the good Land which God gave you.” We are to say Birkath Hamazon after eating bread in the amount of an olive’s bulk or more. It has been pointed out that in so doing, we go above and beyond the Commandment-we praise God even if we are not satisfied by our meal. Quite possibly the most important religious attitude to take is one of gratitude, for everything that we receive in our lives. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

MORE SISTERHOOD SUMMER FUN!
Sunday August 16, at 1 PM at Beth El, Shiry will be showing us how to decorate a cake for special occasions or shabbat. Please bring your own undecorated cake – like a simple sponge cake, and get ready to turn it into an edible work of art. All are welcome! Please bring a healthy kosher nosh to share.

Morah Shiry’s Conversational Hebrew class continues Wednesday August 12 (new date)
Join us at 7:00 PM for another in the interactive, hands on class with our very own Morah Shiry. This class will feature an awesome ISRAELI Falafel meal from MAOZ ! Students will practice their Hebrew speaking skills as well as eating a yummy kosher meal! At 8 PM, Gabbai Bam will be davening mincha and give a short dvar! It is free and open to all and you will definitely learn something new.

New classes are forming in September so let us know if you are interested.

Hebrew School is gearing up to start on August 30!
We are so excited about the coming year with the BERS (Beth El Religious School). Sundays at 10am the children will be having Sunday Fundays with their morot and sneaking in a whole lot of Jewish learning! For more information, go to info@bethelaustin.org

 

Rabbi Tarlow’s weekly Parasha brought to you from the Center for Latino Jewish relations.
This week’s parashah (weekly section) is called “Ekev.” You will find it in the book of Deuteronomy 6:12-11:25. Like much of Deuteronomy, this parashah teaches us its lessons by means of farewell speeches. Moses continues his review of Israel’s history, emphasizing the rights of the people to the land, and their need to love the stranger. Deep within the text we find one of the most famous of all of Deuteronomy’s refrains. In Chapter 8:3 we read; “Lo al ha’lechem lvado yichey ha’adam/Humans do not live/survive by bread alone..” Read out of context it appears to be a text that preaches the need for spirituality. If we read the full text a different concept appears to emerge. The second half of the verse reads: “ki col-motzah fi Adoshem yechey ha’adam/for rather humans live/survive on whatever it may be that G’d decrees.” In other words, despite the fact that we might like to think that we control our lives, in reality we do not control the events of our lives, but rather we merely control the way we choose to face those events. Is this concept far removed from modern religious thought that is far less deterministic and argues that we are responsible for our actions? Linguistically, however, the text reinforces this dual notion The Hebrew reader cannot fail to connect the word “lechem/bread” to the word “milchamah/war,” and the word “motzah/product” to the word “motzie/he who brings forth nourishment.” Is the text reminding us that we have both a spiritual and pecuniary side? Our challenge then becomes: how do we balance the material and the spiritual? Do we control both aspects of our lives? Is the text teaching us to be humble and the same time it also provides us with a gentle reminder that all nations, and all creation, exist at the will of G’d? From this perspective, both war and bread come from G’d, and both good and evil are part of G’d’s plans. How do we combine this concept of G’d with a G’d who gives us “free will”? Taken as a whole, this entire parashah reminds us that it is dangerous to be too sure of oneself, and it is especially dangerous for a nation to believe too much in its leaders. When people are convinced of their total goodness they become both arrogant and failures. When nations refuse to see their leaders’ errors, and when nations turn their leaders into gods, tragedy follows. This week’s parashah argues that success in life is not determined so much by what we do as by what we do with the ”hand in life that we are dealt.” In other words, no one controls life, but we do control how we choose to react to life’s events. What do you think? As we in the US gear up for our almost continuous election cycle, how do we use these concepts to judge candidates from both parties? What does the text say to you about your life and any nation’s political life? Does the text make you uncomfortable or contemplative?

Shabbat shalom – parashat vaet’hanan

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 7/31, 7 PM

Next Saturday morning services, 8/8 at 9 AM.

PLEASE note that the High Holiday Schedule is already up at …
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/high-holidays/

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah is Vaet’hanan, which is always read on the Shabbat after the Fast of Tish’ah B’Av. This Shabbat is usually called Shabbat Nahamu, after the first word of the haftarah-Nahamu, “be comforted”. This is the first of the seven haftarot of consolation read between Tish’ah B’Av and Rosh Hashanah. We move from the grief of losing the Temple to the hope represented by the New Year. We also read in our parshah two of the foundational texts of our Tradition-a recapitulation of the Ten Commandments and the Sh’ma’ Yisrael. At this time when we mourn the loss of the physical symbol of our relationship with God, we are reminded of the spiritual truths behind the symbol. May we always keep those truths in mind, and be comforted by them. Shabbat Shalom
. Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

SISTERHOOD SUMMER FUN!
THIS Sunday August 2nd, at 1 PM at Beth El, we will have another crafting afternoon making candles! Rachel will show us how to make candles and Patrice will have a lovely activity for the kiddos. All are welcome! Please bring a healthy kosher nosh to share.

Thursday August 13 at 6 PM, we will have a cake decorating class with Shiry Turjeman.

Please note, Rabbi Gisser’s conversion class will not be held this weekend. Classes on conversion will resume shortly.
Morah Shiry’s Conversational Hebrew class continues Thursday August 6

Join us at 7:00 PM for another in the interactive, hands on class with our very own Morah Shiry. At 8 PM, Gabbai Bam will give a short, but informative class on Judaism and you are invited to attend Bam’s class, even if you are not in the Hebrew class. It is free and open to all and you will definitely learn something new.

Hebrew School is gearing up to start on August 30!

We are so excited about the coming year with the BERS. Sundays at 10am the children will be having Sunday Fundays with their morot and sneaking in a whole lot of Jewish learning! For more information, go to info@bethelaustin.org

Kidush Crew – Ready, set, cook! Join us Thursday August 6th at 7pm as we cook up a storm of delicious food for the kidush on August 8th. Anyone can join, as long as you know how to chop, peel, joke around and generally have a great time. If you are interested in sponsoring a kidush, please let us know.

Special Tisha Be Av services

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 7/24, 7 PM
~ A special request from Gabbai Bam: Today is his father’s Yahrtzeit, so if we can get a minyon right at 7pm we can do Mincha and he can say Kaddish.

Saturday morning services, 7/25 at 9 AM with the Torah service at 9:45. There will be a children’s story time and parasha discussion as well as a lovely kiddish sponsored by Bev Golden in honor of Rachael and Jacob’s safe return from their travels.

Tisha B’Av evening service, this Saturday July 25 at 9 PM. We will have one of the most beautiful services of the year; a beautiful reading of the book of lamentations, led by Hazzan Ben-Moshe

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message:
This week we begin the reading of the Book of Deuteronomy, D’varim, with the parshah of the same name. Parshat D’varim is always read on the Shabbat before the fast of Tish’ah B’Av, the day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The parshah contains a verse beginning with the word “Eichah”-“how”, the first word of the Book of Lamentations. This verse is read to the cantillation of Lamentations, as is the haftarah. We let a note of mourning enter this Shabbat, unlike any other Shabbat. We mourn for the past, yet we hope for the future. May it be God’s will that soon this season be transformed from a time of mourning to a time of joy, and may we who weep for Jerusalem’s destruction rejoice at her complete rebuilding.
Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Morah Shiry’s Conversational Hebrew class continues Thursday July 30
Join us at 7:00 PM for another in the interactive, hands on class with our very own Morah Shiry. After class Gabbai Bam will give a short, but informative class on Judaism and you are invited to attend Bam’s class, even if you are not in the Hebrew class. It is free and open to all and you will definitely learn something new.

Kashrut class and Field Trip Wednesday 7/29 7PM
Join us next Wednesday July 29 at 7PM at Beth El for our popular kashrut/ kosher food class, with Rabbi Gisser, which will be immediately followed by a field trip to the nearby Whole Foods at the Domain. All are welcome!

SISTERHOOD SUMMER FUN!
Hold the dates: Sunday August 2nd, at 1 PM at Beth El, we will have another crafting afternoon and Thursday August 13 at 6 PM, we will have a cake decorating class. Pencil it in, invite your friends and we’ll see you then!

Community News:
“You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind.” (Leviticus 19:14)
Are you passionate about ensuring that the Jewish community is inclusive of people with disabilities and special needs? If so, your ideas and energy are needed! Please join the us for a planning meeting of the Shalom Austin Inclusion Network, on Thursday evening, August 13th. The new Shalom Austin Inclusion Network will bring together Jewish community members from across the community, representing a range of congregations and organizations. The Shalom Austin Inclusion Network will help to identify community needs and recommended actions and will provide feedback to various branches of the Shalom Austin organization. The group will also promote community awareness and education on disability-related matters, including Jewish Disability Awareness Month. Please RSVP to Mike Hurewitz, LCSW at Jewish Family Service. Mike can be reached at 512-250-1043, ext. 12 or mike.hurewitz@shalomaustin.org. Please contact Mike if you are in need of sign language interpretation or other accommodations. Place: JCC – Room 150 C Time: 6:30-8 pm Date: Thursday, 8/13/15

Shabbat shalom – Parshot Mattot-Mas’ei

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 7/17, 7 PM

Next Saturday morning services, next week on 7/25 at 9 AM

Tisha B’Av evening service, Saturday July 25 at 9 PM. We will have one of the most beautiful services of the year; a soulful reading of the book of lamentations, led by Hazzan Ben-Moshe

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This Friday we begin the month of Av-the polar opposite of Adar and on Shabbat we conclude the Book of Numbers with Parshot Mattot-Mas’ei. “When Adar comes in, we increase joy”, but “when Av enters, we decrease joy”. Adar is the month of Purim, a day of complete celebration, while the 9th of Av is devoted entirely to mourning. During the first 9 days of Av, it is customary to refrain from wine and meat, which are associated with celebration, and to indulge in these things only on Shabbat. Some will refrain from concerts and from swimming as well. Of course, the day of Tish’ah B’Av is a 24-hour fast, similar to Yom Kippur (though work is permitted). Still, our Tradition never emphasizes the negative without looking towards the positive. Tish’ah B’Av is of course a day of tragedy, according to some traditions from the Torah itself, but some traditions also say that it will be the day on which the Mashiah arrives. May that day come speedily and soon, and may we all be comforted. Shabbat Shalom.
Morah Shiry’s Conversational Hebrew class  continues Thursday July 23

Join us at 7:00 PM for another in the interactive, hands on class with our very own Morah Shiry.  At 8 PM, Gabbai Bam will give a short, but informative class on Judaism and you are invited to attend Bam’s class, even if you are not in the Hebrew class. It is free and open to all and you will definitely learn something new.
SISTERHOOD SUMMER FUN!
 
Hold the dates: Sunday August 2nd, at 1 PM at Beth El, we will have another crafting afternoon and Thursday August 13 at 6 PM, we will have a cake decorating class. Pencil it in, invite your friends and we’ll see you then!

Happy July 4th!

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Friday Night Services, 7/03, at 7:00 pm

The next Saturday morning services will be next week, July 11 at 9am

Morah Shiry’s spoken Hebrew class, followed by Gabbai Bam’s davening class will resume Thursday July 23 at 7pm

Grandpa Abe’s Column: I miss my Friends
I got a call the other day from the Jewish War Veterans of which I am a proud member. They asked me if I could identify some of the people in the photographs as I might have remembered them. They are taking these photographs and are going to compile them and start the archives of Post 757. There was one picture I came to that contained approximately thirty-five people. I remember this picture very distinctly. We had an extremely well-attended meeting and thought it might be a good idea to get everyone in a group picture. Like everything that is done, that was not an easy task. We had five chiefs telling us where to stand and how to stand. Everyone talking at once, but by the grace of god it was completed. What was really sad about this picture that I was looking at today, over half the people are no longer with us. No, they didn’t move away. They’re all passed away and I miss them. These were all good people. They all believed in serving their country and the great Almighty. They are not the only people that I miss. There are people who I worked with. There are people who are acquaintances. And, of course, the greatest pain in my heart is obviously my beloved parents. Well, I need to extend that one more step and include my grandparents. As you all know, grandparents are very special. In my life, I was taught a lot by my Grandpa and Grandma. They taught me most of all to have values. You have to have values today if you want to be worth anything. It would be a mistake if I didn’t remember our four-legged friends. They always supplied us with unconditional love and lots and lots of kisses. My wife would say don’t forget all the work such as poop picking up. For some reason, it always seemed like it was worth it. It seems like I miss my neighbors who are no longer with us and people in the clubs that I belong to. In a lot of the clubs I hold a position or office. This was through attrition. It was just the other day, I lost a dear friend on a board I serve on. I remember years ago in a lot of these organizations I was the youngster. Now I’m now the senior participant. Oh, I miss my friends and family. Remember to enjoy your loved ones while they are here.
Dor ‘L Dor
Grandpa Abe

The Weekly Parashah from The Center for Latino-Jewish Relations
Rabbi Peter Tarlow
This week we read the section of the Torah called Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9). It is one of the more famous sections, and it is hard to think of a more appropriate section for the Fourth of July, The US Independence Day. In this parashah we find not only the tale of Balaam’s talking donkey but also Balaam’s curse that becomes a blessing. Both tales at first seem a bit odd. Yet when we read them with an open eye, it becomes clear that a common theme runs throughout them. Just as in this week’s parashah, many of us live lives of entitlement where we often choose not to see the blessings in our lives. We live in a land filled with blessings. Indeed, Jews throughout the world are safer and better off, not only because of the State of Israel, but also because of the lessons and examples given to the world by the US forefathers and mothers. No matter what its flaws, the US stands as a beacon of light symbolized by the Statue of Liberty for people throughout the world.
Like many of us, Balaam was in such a hurry that he failed to see both the opportunities and dangers that confronted him. It took a donkey to teach him that life is composed not only of actions but also of “appreciative reactions”. Balaam was so sure that he was in charge, that he became blind to the reality that surrounded him. In a like manner, the Children of Israel were so intent on leaving the desert that they squandered Balaam’s blessings by failing hear them. How often are we in a rush to get somewhere? How often are we so wrapped up in ourselves that we become blind to the blessings that life offers us? For those of us who live in the US, July Fourth should be more than merely a day of fireworks, hotdogs and watermelon. It is also a day to appreciate all that this nation represents, the idea of human equality, the concept that we judge a person not by his/her race, religion or nationality but by his/her abilities. Although as seen by the murders in Charlestown, not all of us live up to these ideas, the nation’s reaction proves that most Americans cherish these ideals.
This week’s section teaches us not to be so caught up in our own daily “problems” that we fail to appreciate the blessings that we have. On July Fourth we need to take the time to celebrate not only our independence from British tyranny, but also the fact that we have left the fears and prejudices of Europe behind, both physically and spiritually,
Balaam’s tale reminds us that we need each other; that we can learn from everyone, and that perhaps the greatest curse is to squander the many blessings that G’d gives us. These are important concepts to remember and to consider on this national Independence Day. A Glorious Fourth of July!

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Balak, contains the verse מה טובו אהליך יעקב משכנתיך ישראל “How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling-places O Israel”. We say this upon entering our synagogues in the morning, in appreciation of the sanctuary in which we worship. Like us, our African-American brothers and sisters appreciate their churches, their sanctuaries from a world that is all too often hostile. A week and a half ago, the sanctuary of Emanuel AME Church was violated by a young man with hatred in his heart and a gun in his hand. Since then, seven African-American churches have burned. While some of those fires may have been due to natural phenomena, “acts of God”, it strains credulity that all seven were accidents. I repeat the prayer which I have been saying since the terrorist attack on Emanuel AME-may their sanctuaries as well as ours be places of peace, not violence. If you are able, please consider helping one or all of these seven churches to rebuild from the ashes. And let us all continue to hold all of our brothers and sisters in our hearts and prayers. Shabbat Shalom and Happy July 4!.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Wishing our whole kehilah a wonderful and meaningful July 4