Shabbat shalom – parashat vaet’hanan

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.