Chag sameach! Parashat Haazinu

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Friday Night Shabbat Services, Tonight 9/25, at 7 PM. Join us for our awesome weekly song-filled kaballat shabbat.

Saturday morning services are THIS Saturday September 26 at 9 am. We will have the Torah service at around 9:45 and a children’s story time at 10:30. And of course, a kidush following services.

Sunday September 27, at 10 AM sukkah building (please come help us if you can) followed by :

SPAGHETTI IN THE SUKKAH at 6:45 P M ! Please join us in this lovely Beth El tradition. We have a lulav and etrog too. Everyone is welcome and the event is free.

Another Kol Ha Kavod/ amazing job to our wonderful Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe for leading one of the most uplifting and meaningful High Holidays. What a treat to have his voice fill the sanctuary; to have heard a wonderful speaker Mark Lit talk about and challenge us to do deeds of kindness; to have so many people helping with readings, the break the fast and all the behind the scenes work that goes into preparing the shul for Yom Tov. The lovely shofar blasts from Gabbai Bam were truly special as were all our members and guests who made this Yom Kippur the most beautiful experience at Beth El.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Haazinu, is the penultimate parshah of the Torah, in which Moshe lays his final charge on the People of Israel in the form of a song. And why a song? Because he wanted it to be remembered. Anyone who has tried to memorize a prose text as opposed to a song can attest to the fact that words are much more memorable when set to music. This is why we chant the Torah, why we sing our liturgy-the music helps us remember by implanting the words in our right brain, where creative thought lies, and not only in our rational left brain. Singing the words of Torah, or of the service, or even a popular song, helps us engage all of our faculties. May we, in this New Year of 5776 use our voices to sing out, engaging our hearts and our minds in the service of what is right and true. And next week, with the beginning of the Festival of Sukkoth, may we be, in the words of the Torah, “only joyful”. Shabbat Shalom v’Hag Sameah, a Joyous Festival.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Hebrew School this Sunday September 27 at 10 AM. The children will be helping to decorate the sukkah, while the adults will be building it.

We will have some great guests at Hebrew school in October – including local children’s author Jan Hart, author of Hanna the Immigrant, who will come on October 4th dressed in costume and tell us all about her great grandmother, Hanna. Also on October 11th, we will have a visit from the mashgiach of HEB, Reuven, who will talk to the children about his work at the kosher store. You don’t have to be in Sunday school or even a kid to attend these events. Watch this space.

JOIN Team “BETH EL BANDITS” for the Turkey Trot this year.
On Thanksgiving day, November 26, Beth El will be entering its own team of runners, merry makers and cheerers. Please let us know if you would like to enter the Turkey Trot with us. It promises to be a lot of fun.
info@bethelaustin.org to save your spot on the team.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday November 15th, join Beth El in a special evening honoring our very own Chazzan, Cantor Ben-Moshe. More details to follow, but mark it in your calendars.

Community News:
At the J – 7300 Hart Lane – Thursday October 1 Sukkahfest 5:30-7:30 Music; food; PJ Library fun; Wild things Zoofari; lots of activities, and a Shofar Blowing contest! Bring your shofar or borrow ours.

Shannah Tova to our Israeli friends in Austin

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משפחות יקרות וחברים מקסימים!!
חגי תשרי מתקרבים אלינו ובית הכנסת “בית אל” מזמין את כולם להגיע ולחגוג את החגים עם הקהילה החמה, המשפחתית והאוהבת.
בית הכנסת פתוח לכולם ואין דמי חברות או תשלום עבור החגים.
בברכת שנה טובה ומתוקה לכולם!
לפרטים נוספים:

 

Parashat Ki Tavo and Slichot

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 9/4, at 7 PM. Join us for our weekly song-filled kabbalat shabbat.

This Saturday, September 5th, at 9:30 PM, we will be gathering for a beautiful and meaningful Selichot service, as well as Havdallah.

The next Saturday morning services are Saturday, September 12, at 9 am.

And of course, Rosh Hashanah starts Sunday, September 13, at 7 PM.

Please check out the High Holiday schedule on our website: www.bethelaustin.org. We hope that you and your family can come and celebrate with us.

Hebrew School off to a great start! Next class is September 20
This Sunday morning, the BERS started off the year on the right note. We welcomed several new students including Eli G., Sean, Mary and Tamar. Sunday was really a Funday with their morot Shiry, Bev and Anat! Huge thank you to Cantor Ben-Moshe for sounding the SHOFAR and teaching the kiddos all about the meaning of this ancient instrument and rituals around it. For more information, go to info@bethelaustin.org It’s not too late to join the fun.

The Kiddish Crew will be busy next week! We will gather next Thursday, September 10, both in the morning at 11:30 AM and in the evening at 7PM to cook for shabbat and the lovely Rosh Hashanah kiddushes. Please help by cooking, donating needed items and of course, sponsorships.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, November 15th. (PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTED DATE) Join Beth El in a special evening honoring our very own Chazzan, Cantor Ben-Moshe. SUNDAY, 15 NOVEMBER. More details to follow.

Community News:
JCC Senior Rosh Hashanah Luncheon will be Wednesday September 9th at 11:30 AM and is open to all seniors in the Austin Jewish community. Please go to www.shalomaustin.org for more details and e.mail annie.skelton@shalomaustin.org to RSVP or with any questions.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Ki Tavo, begins with a description of the ceremony for bringing First Fruits, Bikkurim, to the Sanctuary. On Shavu’ot, farmers would bring the first of their crops to the altar, and ceremonially dedicate them to God. The first part of the dedication, “My father was a wandering Aramean who descended to Egypt…” is also found in the Passover Haggadah, by way of providing background to the story of the Exodus. We are now quickly approaching the fall Holiday Season, which culminates in Sukkoth, the harvest festival. At this time, we are also reminded of the other two Pilgrimage Festivals. The cycle of the Jewish year is incontrovertibly linked. May we go into this Holiday Season, inaugurated by the Slihoth Service on Saturday night, in the spirit not only of penitence, but also of joy for all of the blessings which God has bestowed upon us. Shabbat Shalom.Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Rabbi Peter Tarlow’s Weekly Parasha: From the Center for Latino Jewish relations
This week’s parashah is called “Ki Tavo’. You will find it in the Book of Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8. The parashah presents further constitutional provisions, which are to form the basis of Israel’s governing laws. The central theme of this week’s parashah, however, may be less in the specifics and more in the philosophical emotions surrounding the law. Although this week’s parashah at first glance, appears to emphasize the idea of reward and punishment for living within or outside of the law, a second and subtler lesson reveals a more philosophical bent.Starting in chapter 28:47 the reader notes a change in literary tone. This week’s parashah teaches us that pessimism and negative thinking result in a spiritual and ethical sense of hunger and thirst. On the other hand, positive thinking leads to joy and accomplishment. In other words, the parashah challenges us to ask ourselves if we often cause our own problems. Do we choose to see the world through negative or positive eyes? We may see this week’s section as a warning that if we spend so much energy on crises and are stuck in a never-ending decision making mode then in the end we accomplish little.This week’s parashah teaches us that people who serve G’d with joy and gladness find the tenacity to keep on working until in the end they succeed. Throughout this week’s parashah we see that there are two visions of the world: (1) to give up, to be self-centered and to expect the world to serve us or (2) to see the world as an unfolding drama with limitless opportunities in which we make life an ongoing adventure. The first option’s results are to bring failure and defeat upon ourselves; the second option’s results are to find joy and gladness in this world.These are important choices to make as we approach Rosh Hashanah 5776. Which lifestyle will be yours in the New Year?

Parashat Ekev – Shabbat shalom

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 8/28, at 7 PM. Join us in an uplifting, song filled kaballat shabbat service and leave your worries behind.

Saturday September 5th, at 9:30 PM we will be gathering for a beautiful and inspiring Slichot service, as well as Havdallah.

The next Saturday morning services are Saturday September 12 at 9 am. And of course, Rosh Hashanah starts Sunday September 13 at 7 PM at Beth El.

…

Yesher koach to all those who helped lead services while the Cantor was on vacation last weekend. Bam Rubenstein for Friday night and Saturday services and Dvar Torah; Jacob Gilboa for reading the Torah; David Lippa for the Torah service; Rafael Eizraelov for the haftorah and Arthur Gurney for leading Mussaf in memory of his beloved mother Lorraine Gurney, of blessed memory, whose yahrtzeit was this past week.

Thank you also to Arthur for the kind Tzedakah in sponsoring the kidush in his late mother’s memory.

We would also like to wish Arthur a refua shlema and speedy recovery on behalf of the whole congregation.

Finally, we would like to wish Bam a hearty Mazal Tov on his acceptance to Rabbinical School. We look forward to sharing this wonderful journey with him.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Ki Tetzeh, contains a large number of laws, both ritual and civil. By far, the majority of these laws are what we would call civil procedure-laws regarding debt, marriage and divorce, business ethics. As we approach the High Holidays and the Season of Penitence, we would do well to keep this proportion in mind. Our Tradition has always taught that mitzvot bein adam l’havero, between humans, are more important than those bein adam la-Makom, between humans and God. We are told that we cannot gain atonement on Yom Kippur until we have obtained forgiveness from our fellow humans. Similarly, the Sages taught that when one reaches one’s Final Judgement, the first questions asked will not be about ritual matters such as Shabbat or kashrut, but about business ethics. The synagogue, in other words, is important, but how we conduct ourselves outside the synagogue is even more important. Shabbat Shalom.

Hebrew School is finally starting THIS SUNDAY, 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 Shiry, Bev and Anat and sneaking in a whole lot of Jewish learning! For more information, go to info@bethelaustin.org

Community News:
JCC Senior Rosh Hashanah Luncheon will be Wednesday September 9th at 11:30 AM and is open to all seniors in the Austin Jewish community. Please go to www.shalomaustin.org for more details and e.mail annie.skelton@shalomaustin.org to RSVP or with any questions.

Grandpa Abe – “What would happen if G-d took a summer vacation?”

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 8/21, 7 PM

Saturday morning services are this week, 8/22 at 9 AM, with the Torah service at 9:45. Kiddush lunch is kindly sponsored by Arthur Gurney. Bagels, lox, ice cream and more will be served following services. There will also be a children’s story time. Please consider sponsoring an upcoming kiddush.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s weekly message:“One thing have I asked of the Lord, this I request-to dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life….”. We are now in the month of Elul, approaching the Days of Awe, and we read these words from Psalm 27 morning and evening. At this time of year, we become more aware that we do live in the Presence of the Holy One, and that we should conduct ourselves accordingly. The shofar sounds in the morning, reminding us to wake up and take heed of our actions.May this month of Elul be truly a time of heshbon nefesh, accounting of the soul, for us and for the entire House of Israel.

From Grandpa Abe:
What Would Happen if God Took A Summer Vacation?
The subject of this article is almost frightening. We depend so much on our faith and our trust in the Almighty. It’s most important to worship in our fine sanctuary and to attend as regularly as possible. Our congregation has been extremely attentive and responsible for showing up when services are held. It’s been quite a long time since we were not able to make a minyan. I, for one, consider it an obligation and a pleasure to be able to worship at my synagogue. It is one of my rights as a free American. It falls way ahead of the right to vote and the right to bear arms. The good Lord comes first in my mind. And I hope in your mind. Our synagogue is so special. When I sit in our new pews and worship, I feel so good. I feel that these pews and this house of worship is here for a purpose. This is a good time for me to impress on you about the high holidays coming up next month. For all of you, who are new to our congregation, that is the time of the year to meet all those members that only come out once a year. I am only somewhat joking about that, but a lot of our congregants come as the need arises for yarhrzeits, weddings, high holidays and when we have great food. This old man would be very happy to see all of you here as much as possible. It is a place to find peace, get recharged and remotivated, and hang out with some great people. Isn’t our synagogue really starting to look excellent? So much has happened in the last year. It really has taken on a new look under our current leadership. Dor ‘L Dor,Grandpa Abe

Hebrew School is re-starting 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

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

PLEASE note that the High Holiday schedule, updates from the shul and yearly dues statements were mailed out this week. Please let us know if you didn’t receive your copy. We appreciate everyone’s continued commitment to our special congregation and depend on donations and contributions to maintain this Jewel in the Austin Jewish community. Please note that you can make a donation online at our website www.bethelaustin.org/donate

Rabbi Tarlow’s weekly Parasha brought to you from the Center for Latino Jewish relations.
This week’s parashah’s name is “Shoftim.” You will find it in the Book of Deuteronomy: 16:17-21:9. The parashah presents us with the second part of Moses’ great third soliloquy. We began this speech last week. Now in part two of Moses’ speech he defines what it means to be a “holy people”. The text tells us that to be an “am kadosh/a holy nation” there must be a fair system of administrative justice. Furthermore this state must administer this equally and fairly to all of its citizens. The text argues for standardization of laws and a system in which both the judges (shoftim) and the administrators of justice (shotrim/law enforcement) work in unison. The state is to show no favoritism to any citizen simply because of his (her) social class, or wealth. Instead the person is to be judged merely on the merit of his (her) actions. It is not easy to translate the Bible’s idea of justice. The Hebrew word “tzedek” has no English equivalent. Tzedek is the point of encounter between justice and righteousness. Tzedek is not justice for the sake of vengeance, or simply for the sake of punishment, but rather justice for the sake of repairing the world (tikkun-olam). Although in the Western world we often associate the word justice closely with the word “punishment,” the Biblical text ties the concept of “tzedek” to the word “tzedakah,” meaning actions that allow another to stand on his/her own and be(come) a useful member of society.” Perhaps we may say that tzedek is closer to repairing a wrong then to taking vengeance for that wrong.This week’s parasha’s theme is best stated in its opening verses when it states: (16:20) “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof/Justice, Justice, you shall pursue.” The word is repeated twice to emphasize the concept that it is the pursuit of tzedek/justice upon which a legal system must be based. The rabbis understood that we must pursue tzedek even if it means that incurring financial loss or a loss of prestige. Instead the Halachah (Rabbinic law) insists that we pursue “tzedek” not for gain, but simply because the pursuit of justice/tzedek is the right thing to do.It is for this reason that the Halachah also recognizes that tzedek requires an element of mercy. It demands that we ask ourselves if punishments meted out meet the standard of pursuing “ zedek.” Later on in the chapter (Deut. 17:11) we read the phrase: “lo tasur min-ha’davar asher-yagidu l’chah yamin usmol: you shall not turn aside from this sentence (given by the judges) once it is pronounced, neither to the right nor to the left”. What does this phrase tell us about the role of judges? Is this simply a sentence upholding the rule of law? Yet the Halachah asks freely admits that judges too can err. What then if the judge’s verdict is wrong? The text challenges us to ask how we both uphold the law and at the same time seek tzedek when the law is either no longer valid or wrong?How do we face a judge that may be corrupt and makes a morally unacceptable judgment? These are questions that go to the heart of this week’s parashah and are as valid today as they were over three thousand year’s ago. What do you think? How do you pursue the idea of “tzedek”?