Tisha B’Av Services this Motzei Shabbat
Kaballat Shabbat services, TONIGHT, Friday July 20th at the regular time of 7 pm. We’d love you to join our song filled and heart filled Kaballat shabbat.
Saturday evening – at 9 PM, we will gather to have a lovely Havdallah service followed by Tisha B’Av services. This is one of the most touching services of the year. Come and experience this beautiful service with us at Beth El. We’ll be sitting on the floor, reading the book of Lamentations and having a meaningful discussion about this special holiday.
And for those that missed Sandy Kress’ amazing talk last Friday evening, here is a link. It was riveting and we look forward to welcoming him back to talk again soon.
https://sandykress.wordpress.com/…/can-there-be-hope-again…/
Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Weekly Message;
This week we begin the reading of Sefer D’varim with the parshah of the same name. This book is sometimes called “Mishneh Torah”, the Recapitulation of the Torah, since it goes over the events and even quotes some of the passages of the other four books. “D’varim” means either “things” or “words”, coming from the root DBR, to speak. One of the words in this parshah is especially evocative-the word “eichah”, “how”. Moshe says “How (eichah) can I bear alone your burden, and your toil and your quarrels?” The word “eichah” also begins the Book of Lamentations-“Eichah yashvah badad”, “How lonely she sits”, speaking of the desolation of Jerusalem. Parshat D’varim is always read on the Shabbat before Tish’ah B’Av, the day for mourning the destruction of Jerusalem and our long exile from our home in Israel. This is a time when we let a note of mourning enter even the joyous day of Shabbat, when we read Isaiah’s prophecy of the Destruction to the cantillation of Lamentations. That cantillation is he opposite (minor key versus major) of the cantillation of Megillath Esther. Esther talks about Purim being a day which switched from “grief to joy, and from mourning to celebration”. May this be true of Tish’ah B’Av as well-may this day someday soon mark not tragedy and exile, but redemption and repatriation. Shabbat Shalom, and may Jerusalem be at peace.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
Shabbat candle lighting times are at 8:14 p.m.
Enrolling now for Hebrew School.
Parents: Don’t let your children forget their Hebrew.
Beth El BERS is now enrolling for our one of a kind Hebrew immersion and regular Sunday school. We have classes for three year olds to teens. The children will continue to build on their Hebrew writing, reading and verbal skills, all while making friends in the friendliest congregation possible. Taught by experienced Israeli teachers – your children will learn through music, dance, cooking and most important, a whole lot of fun!
For more details, contact us at info@bethelaustin.org. Check out our website http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com
הורים ומשפחות יקרות, בית הספר של ימי ראשון ״בבית-אל״ פותח את
ההרשמה לשנת הלימודים הבאה עלינו לטובה 2018-2019.
אל תתנו לילדיכם לשכוח את העברית והצטרפו ללמידה משמעותית וחווייתית שמועברת על ידי מורים ישראלים מנוסים
לגילאי 3-16 בקהילה הכי ידידותית ומסבירת פנים.
הילדים ימשיכו לבנות את אוצר המילים , כתיבה, קריאה ודיבור והכל באווירה מהנה, וקלילה, בהמחשת סיפורים, שירים,
בישול, חגים והוואי ישראלי.
כמו כן הוקמה קבוצה מדהימה לבני העשרה עם תכנים מעשירים. קבוצת הנערים/ נערות (של אחר בר/בת מצווה) נפגשים פעם בחודש .
לפרטים :
Info@bethelaustin.org
Facebook: Beth El Austin
Save the Date Guys!
Bowling with my Buddies –
Join the Men’s Club August 19 for an afternoon of fun, bowling and camaraderie. Open to all!
ALSO ENROLLING FOR CHAI MITZVAH TEENS!
Teen Chai Mitzvah Program
Congregation Beth El
Shereen Ben-Moshe
info@bethelaustin.org
Come meet other teens in the Austin Jewish community, learn together and volunteer your time to do good!
The teen program includes texts to spark discussions, suggestions for increasing meaning in ritual observances, and examples of volunteer opportunities for each topic that can inspire the group towards creative ideas for social action.
Upon completion of the 9-month program, through our partnership with Jewish National Fund, participants will have trees planted in Israel in their honor. Each participant will receive a tree certificate.
Hands-on leadership program:
Social Action opportunities
Builds self-esteem
Builds Jewish identity
Builds Jewish Literacy
Connects with other Jewish teens and with the community
Provides opportunities for positive personal expression
Open to the Jewish community.
When?
Chai Mitzvah Study Sessions – 2nd & 4th Saturdays each month 10AM – 11AM
(Teens are welcome to join in on Shabbat morning services following our class. We also invite you to join us for a delicious Kiddush lunch. Teens may be dropped off as early at 9 AM and picked up by 1:00. Families are invited to come for services and lunch as well. If twice per month is too much for your teen’s schedule, we encourage one Shabbat per month and our Sunday mitzvah day!)
Mitzvah Project -1 Sunday per month 10AM – 1:00PM to participate in a monthly community service project.
(Subject to change based on our mitzvah project or trip of the month. Teens can earn volunteer hours for this day.)
Cost: $150
(Sibling discount and tuition assistance available.)
A Personal Journey to Share with Friends
Coming Soon – Join our
Chai Mitzvah Adult study group!
Chai Mitzvah combines study, ritual and social action, providing the framework for a meaningful Jewish journey.
There are five components to the nine-month Chai Mitzvah experience:
Group study – meet monthly with a set curriculum
Independent study – choose a Jewish topic you would like to explore
Ritual – choose a ritual or spiritual practice to incorporate into your life
Social Action – either individually or as a group, choose a local volunteer opportunity
Celebrate! At the end of the nine months, acknowledge the journey with a celebration, receive a certificate, and have a tree planted in Israel in your honor through Chai Mitzvah’s partnership with Jewish National Fund.
To learn more, or to join our Chai Mitzvah group, contact Shereen Ben-Moshe, info@bethelaustin.org.