Chazak Chazak ve Nitchazek
Chazak Chazak Ve Nitchazek! Join us for Friday Night Shabbat Services. We’d love to see you, TONIGHT January 13, at the regular time of 7:00 PM.
Shabbat morning services are THIS Saturday January 14 at 9 AM. The kidish lunch is in honor of our beloved teacher Bev Golden who has taught Kita Gimmel for the last two years.
Sunday school THIS SUNDAY morning January 15 at 10 AM.
Check out all the Friday night melodies on our website:
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/education-2/kabbalat-shabbat-songs/
Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:33 PM
Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.
Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message
This week we conclude the Book of B’reshit, Genesis, with the reading of Parshat Vayehi. Our parshah takes place in Egypt, with Ya’akov/Yisrael blessing his children before his death, and with the promise that their descendants would one day return to their homeland. Interestingly, the Torah concludes on a similar note-Moshe blessing the Children of Israel before his death, as they are about to enter their homeland after centuries of exile. Moshe even echoes the language which Ya’akov uses in our parshah. The cycle is complete, and God has fulfilled His promise to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, even though the road to that fulfillment was a long one. We must never give up hope that things will get better-this faith is the essence of Jewish thought. Our Tradition has always taught us not to despair, but rather to have faith that God’s plan will ultimately unfold. As we always say at the end of a book of the Torah, חזק חזק ונתחזק-“Be strong, be strong and we will strengthen ourselves. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
HOLD THE DATES: Guest speakers at Beth El.
Friday January 20, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will be our guest speaker at Beth El.
On the first Friday of February, we welcome Rabbi/Cantor Marie Betcher who will talk about the great work she does as a Police Chaplain.
And the third Friday in February, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!
Also coming up in the Spring, Ami Pedhazur, UT Professor in Israel and Diaspora Studies will give a guest talk at Beth El on the 50th Anniversary of the Six Day War. Date to be confirmed.
SO GOOD TO HAVE OUR BERS (Beth El Religious School) BACK!!! Please see the website for the Spring calendar.
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/congregational-school/
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Did you see The Jewish Outlook article about Beth El’s sisterhood – it’s on page 55 in this month’s edition: “Congregation Beth El Sisterhood Builds and Nurtures Jewish Life”. Our sisterhood is truly inclusive and open to all. Please join us for any and all events. Thank you to our wonderful Shereen for writing the article.
https://etypeservices.com/…//Magazine151411/Full/index.aspx…
Sisterhood Book Club Event!
**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev. PLEASE come even if you haven’t finished the book or are just interested in reading the book. The discussion promises to be lively and inspiring.
Happy January birthdays to Sara Pollack, Javis Howeth, Daniel Freedman, Bev Golden, Idit Katz, Natalie and Shirley Koeller, Idan Nahum, Jay Rubin and Ira Shapiro!
Community News from the J:
* JCC Austin is sponsoring a trip to Spain and Israel October 2017, a Melton Travel Seminar with Dana Baruch and other educators leading the program. Learn more from Dana and Melton Travel Seminars Director Haim Aronovitz on Thursday, January 19 at 7 pm or Friday, January 20 at 9 am. Trip is open to all adults, not limited to Melton students or graduates. Itinerary and cost details at www.shalomaustin.org/MeltonSefarad
or contact Lisa Quay at 512-735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.
Register now to attend one, some or all of the sessions at this year’s Tapestry: A Day of Jewish Learning on January 29 at the JCC. Day features both morning and afternoon keynotes and 24 other sessions to choose from, including 4 live music performances, provocative speakers and scholars, compelling panel discussions and more! Pre-registration is $10 ($15 at the door). BBYO providing snack and lunch options for sale in the Tapestry Café (cash only please) or come-and-go throughout the day and attend what interests you the most. Full details at www.shalomaustin.org/tapestry
or contact Lisa Quay at 512-735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.
Please let me know if I can provide additional information and thank you for your assistance.
Lisa Cohen Quay, LMSW, MPA