Chag sameach! Parashat Haazinu
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.