From Scary to Dramatic

Dear Haverim,

*Tomorrow, Friday, October 31, 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat (6 pm happy hour). COME TRICK-OR-TREATING @ CBS (Costumes optional).  I have brought delicious snacks – all hegshered, some healthy, others Hershey, for all guests who come to services tonight. Sermon topic: Reconciling Halloween with Judaism: Scary Jewish texts provided. Also come celebrate the beginning of Kayla Saliman’s bat mitzvah.

*Saturday, November 1

-8:45 a.m. Rabbi-led Torah study in the chapel, as I introduce you to Midrashic texts and Rashi commentaries on Parshat Lech L’cha.

-9:30 a.m.  Shabbat services in the Sanctuary. We will continue Kayla Saliman’s bat mitzvah celebration.  Her topic: EMBRACING THE DRAMA: A Thespian’s Take on Lech L’cha.

*Sunday, November 2

-9 a.m. Morning Minyan & Family Ed Day @ Hebrew School

-10 a.m. Book club discusses A Jewish Feminine Mystique, by Dina Hasia, CBS Library.

Come join us for all the scares, thrills, drama, davening and intellectual stimulation this weekend at Congregation Beth Shalom!

--Rabbi Michael

Noah and Baseball

Dear Haverim:

     *Tomorrow, Friday, October 23:

         -7:30 a.m. - Please note that Rosh Hodesh Morning Minyan services will be held at Congregation Beth Shalom this week, NOT ASKE.

         -6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services (6 p.m. Happy Hour).  We will celebrate the beginning of Scott Lehrfeld's bar mitzvah.  My dvar Torah will link our recent Halina Preston Holocaust Education Committee's INTERFAITH VISIT to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum with Parshat Noah.  It was a remarkable visit and there was a real sense of alliance-building across religion and race which is filled with great promise.

     *Saturday, October 24:

       -8:45 a.m., Lay-led Torah study in the atrium with Michele Weiner.

       -9:30 a.m., Shabbat services as Scott Lehrfeld's bar mitzvah study continues! Scott's drash will be "A Baseball Fanatic's Guide to Parshat Noah."  Watch Scott hit a real home run (I couldn't resist).

         Shabbat shalom,

         Rabbi Michael

Yom Kippur 5775

Dear Haverim,

     It is with a full heart that I wish you all a meaningful, introspective fast.  I hope that the time we spend together over this Friday night and all day Saturday will elevate you and inspire you.  Cantor Elisa, the choir and I will provide the setting, but alas, only you can do the real soul-work.  I hope you will look back on your 25-hour fast with a sense of satisfaction and purpose, with real hope for self-improvement, and world-improvement in the year ahead.

*Tonight, Friday night, October 3, services start at 6:22 p.m.

*Tomorrow, Saturday, October 4, services start at 9:00 a.m.  The final tekiah gedolah will be sounded at 7:22 p.m.  BYOS – Bring Your Own Shofar, so you can echo my shofar blast with your own!

--Remember to bring your High Holy Day tickets with you for both services to your entrance into the building.

Please remember that you are all cordially invited to our Beals Family Sukkah for desserts, schmoozing and  guitar-led Israeli folk singing (and some 60’s folk songs too) on Sunday, October 12^th at 5 p.m. You will find our address in your beautiful new  Membership Directory.

`May God inscribe us all in the Book of Life for a Healthy, Happy, Peaceful New Year!

Gemar chatima tovah!

Rabbi Michael