Parashat Re-eh – shabbat shalom

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Friday Night Services, Tonight 8/14, 7 PM

The next Saturday morning services are next week, 8/22 at 9 AM

This Sunday August 16 from 10 am onwards, we are having a mini-workday getting the shul ready for the High Holidays. Please stop by and lend a hand; cleaning, sorting, touch up painting and general shul beautifying.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This Shabbat begins the month of Elul, and we read Parshat Re’eh. The parshah contains the words “…therefore choose life”. As we begin to enter the High Holiday season, and begin to blow the shofar to awaken us to examine our deeds, we need to see that our choices lead to life. We must live our lives in as positive a way as possible. Therefore choose life-not stagnation, but renewal. Shabbat Shalom v’Hodesh Tov-a peaceful Shabbat and a Good Month for us all.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

MORE SISTERHOOD SUMMER FUN!
THIS 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 concludes this Thursday August 20
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

PLEASE note that the High Holiday Schedule is up: http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/high-holidays/
Rabbi Tarlow’s weekly Parasha brought to you from the Center for Latino Jewish relations.
The name of this week’s parashah is: “Re’eh” (meaning “See”). You will find it in the Book of Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. The parashah seems to be one of continual challenges. It challenges us to make the right decisions. It challenges us to develop a sense of group cohesiveness. It challenges us to observe G’d’s festivals. It challenges us to be wise enough to distinguish between ‘false prophets’ (poor leaders/the trends of any particular time) and real prophets (people who place the national good before their own). It asks us to be discerning in what we see and how we interpret what we see. Perhaps its underlying question is: “Should you believe what you see?”This section revolves around two major themes: (1) Seeing is not necessarily believing and (2) too much freedom may lead to anarchy. The parashah seems to be stating that we must create a balance between the individual’s desires and the national good. We are free, but only to a certain point. Throughout this week’s parashah we learn that false leadership can make us believe (Re’eh = See) that good is evil and evil is good. The media’s often poor (or dishonest) coverage of the current events and especially the Middle East is an example of such a warning. How often have the media placed their own agendum ahead of truth or taken facts out of context so as to make good seem evil and evil appear as good? Perhaps what is even more tragic is that when facts get in the way of the media’s politics then facts are simply eliminated. How often do we need to worry more about what we do not see, then what we do see? How often do the media cover up inconvenient facts or issues that go against their narrative? Perhaps this ancient but very modern text is reminding us that what we see/read must be carefully scrutinized with a bit of rational skepticism. How often has Israel suffered due to the media’s falsification of facts? How often do the media simply repeat false ideas or publish misleading headlines and then quote each other? Re’eh is all about consequences. It teaches us that when we allow ourselves to be deceived, when we simply believe without questioning then in the end chaos reigns. Re’eh reminds us not simply to accept a political agendum but to think for ourselves, to ask if the statement is logical and if we are being propagandized by the way that so called facts are presented. Moses warns us of the consequences of believing all that one “sees”. He reminds us that when we allow group-think to overtake rational thought then a society faces an uncertain future. The way that we perceive reality leads to how we act, and those actions then touch not only our personal life, but also the lives of all those with whom we live. What do you think? Do you trust what you see in the media?

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!