Sefer Vayikra
Friday Night Shabbat Services Tonight 3/18, at 7:00 PM.
Candle lighting in Austin is at 7:23 PM
Our next Shabbat morning services are March 26 at 9AM.
PURIM- THIS Wednesday March 23 at 7:30 PM – Klezmer Music with Los Klezmeros, costumes, hamentaschen, fun and much more! Less than a week away- we are gonna rock the house. Special treats in store. Entertaining Megilla reading, music, delicious hamentaschen, some L’ Chaims and a few surprises!
Save the date and get your RSVP’s in! Saturday April 23 at 6:30 PM is our famous 2nd night Seder at Beth El. This event is just beautiful and we fill up fast.
Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week we begin the reading of Sefer Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus. The name “Leviticus” comes from the fact that much of the book deals with the laws of sacrifices and other duties of the Cohanim, who were of the Tribe of Levi. Those who look at Vayikra as merely an instruction manual for sacrifices overlook the other main job of the Cohanim-in ancient times, the Cohanim were the main teachers of the People of Israel. Therefore, Sefer Vayikra contains the Holiness Code (“You shall be holy, for I Hashem am Holy”). Vayikra gives us rules of ethical conduct as well as methods of sacrificing animals. While the order of sacrifices is no longer a part of our lives, we are all called upon to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation”. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
Next sisterhood event: March 27! 12: 00 noon. Passover baking with THE CHEMIST IN THE KITCHEN. We will have a hands on baking class with Tamar Wiener, blogger at “Chemist in the Kitchen”,
http://chemistinthekitchen.com/ who will be sharing her culinary skills with the sisterhood and Beth El Sunday school. Tamar is a biochemist by day and food enthusiast by night. Event is open to all!
BERS, Sunday school class is off for Spring Break. We will see you all March 27. Don’t miss the Purim party though.
Our very own Alex Freeman performed this week at SXSW with his band Charlie Belle. Yesher Koach Alex!
What My Dog Has Taught Me
There have been many articles and stories about “what I’ve learned from my dog”. In my house, my dog is on the same plane as anyone else. She sleeps in the bed with me, and I might add, where she wants on the bed. One of the most important things I have learned from her is patience. She is always so patient. No matter what she wants she has patience in waiting for it to happen. If it’s going outside for a walk or to sniff the flowers, she can wait. And forgiveness? My gosh, how many times have I stepped on her and said I’m sorry and she just looked at me like that’s ok. She never remembers what had taken place. The other day I was watching the Westminster Dog Show on television. She sat next to me watching the television as attentive as I was. Every now and then I would turn to her and ask her, “do you see someone there you would like to meet?” and, of course, her ears would perk up. Let’s not forget the wonderful feeling I get when I return home and she meets me at the driveway. I open the door, she jumps in, and gives me a kiss and snuggles right next to me for her ride the rest of the way. You might be asking what has this taught me? This has taught me what unconditional love is. In a special way, she and I speak the same language. It doesn’t come from our mouth. It comes from our heart and our eyes. This can be related to my time in synagogue. The feeling I get from worshiping in our small sanctuary is unexplainable. I might also add that the words of wisdom we learn from the Hazzan reflects in my life each and every day. As my dog or better know as my “little girl” teaches me to be kind and understanding, so does my spiritual leader. I am so lucky to have a fine dog to love on and to love me back. This can be related to my Hazzan also. He teaches me to be loving and to love people and things. In philosophical terms, this is known as growing. On behalf of myself and my little girl, we thank you for reading this article. Dor L’Dor,
Grandpa Abe
Pictured below our own Alex playing a concert at SXSW!
