Is Thanksgiving Kosher? to Giving Thanks-A Jewish Pasttime

Dear Haverim:

*Tomorrow, Thursday, November 27,

9 am, Thanksgiving Day Morning Minyan.  Note late start time.  If you suspect any difficulties with the roads tomorrow making it necessary to cancel services, please call the “chai” line, 302-654-4462 EXT. 18, or consult radio station WDEL, for clarification.  Assume we WILL need a minyan, so all being safe, please attend.  We will conclude with a special Thanksgiving Day prayer.

*Friday, November 28

-7:30 a.m., Community Morning Minyan @ AKSE. Please help them achieve a minyan.

-6:30 p.m., Kabbalat Shabbat @ Congregation Beth Shalom (no Happy Hour).  Sermon topic: A Historical Look at Thanksgiving from Washington to Lincoln to the Practices of “Ha Rav” – Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik – or, “IS Thanksgiving Kosher?”

*Saturday, November 29

-8:45 a.m., Torah study in the atrium

-9:30 a.m., Shabbat services.  We celebrate President Ralph Downard and Lori Barbanel’s birthdays with a festive Kiddush lunch.  Sermon topic: Parshat VaYeitzei-A Thanksgiving Connection or GRATITUDE is our Middle Name.

Wishing you a happy and kosher Thanksgiving!

Rabbi Michael

From New Member Celebrations to Thanksgiving Celebrations

Dear Haverim:

*Tomorrow, Friday, November 21

-6:30 p.m. New Members Shabbat (following 5:30 pm for those who reserved for dinner). D’var Torah: Parshat Toldot: Lessons from a Jewish Mother: Learning to Ask the Right Questions. Dessert oneg following services, OPEN TO ALL, so you can begin asking fellow congregants those “right questions.”

*Saturday, November 22

-8:45 a.m. Torah Study led by Nelly Forwood.  This is Nelly’s first time leading so come join her in the CBS Conference Room. Coffee cake, tea and coffee will be on hand.

-9 a.m. Shabbat Buddy Meet-and-Greet in Atrium.

-9:45 a.m. Shabbat Buddy Shabbat.  In an effort to implement a third part of our Strategic Plan, we are launching a new program to create stronger bridges between our Hebrew School and Shabbat Worship communities.  Today’s service will feature our Hebrew School students sitting side-by-side with Shabbat regulars, in a prayer and learning atmosphere, with brief divrei tefillah accompanying the key prayers students are learning this semester.  Cantor Elisa will be our darshanit.  Her topic: The Purpose of Prayer.

*Sunday, November 23

-9 a.m. – Morning Minyan (No Hebrew School this Sunday or next, so please make a point of attending Morning Minyan so we achieve a quorum of ten).

*Tuesday, November 25 – Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration

@ Hanover Church (across the street from Congregation Beth Shalom)

-5:30 p.m. – Veggie/Dairy Potluck (to accommodate Jewish and Muslim participants)

-6:30 p.m. – Interfaith Musical Service

*Thursday, November 27, 9 a.m. – Thanksgiving Morning Minyan (note later start time for Federal Holiday)

Come for the learning, singing and fellowship this Shabbat at Congregation Beth Shalom!

Rabbi Michael

From Jazz Concert to Cantor's Concert:Making Jewish Music Cool

Dear Haverim:

*Tomorrow, Friday, November 7,

-6:30 p.m., Kabbalat Shabbat, (6 p.m. Happy Hour).  We begin the celebration of Samantha Lipson’s bat mitzvah.  Sermon topic: OPEN YOUR EYES TO HAPPINESS.

-8:00 p.m., JazzPhest2014/Shabbat services, a cooperative venture between the Kraft Education Foundation, the Consulate of Israel, and Congregation Beth Emeth AT Congregation Beth Emeth, 300 W. Lea Blvd. We have designed CBS’ Shabbat service so you can celebrate with Samantha and still make this Israeli Jazz musical Shabbat experience.

*Saturday, November 8

-8:45 a.m., Lay-Led Torah study with Jerry Simonowitz, atrium.

-9:30 a.m., Shabbat services. Samantha  Lipson’s bat mitzvah celebration continues.  Her drash: Vayera: Say Little Do Much-WHY Don’t We Live By This Rule? The Lipson’s will host Shabbat Lunch following services – all are invited.

*Sunday, November 9

-9 a.m., Morning Minyan & Hebrew School

-10 a.m., Men’s Club brunch featuring published couples specialist Debra Laino.

Looking ahead . . .

*Sunday, November 16, 3:30 p.m., CANTOR’S CONCERT featuring our own beloved cantor in concert with her beloved sister, Cantor Shoshana Abrams Kaikov of Congregation Ahava Shalom of Ft. Worth, Texas., with guest appearance by Cantor Mark Stanton of Congregation Beth Emeth.

Enjoy the sweet sounds of Shabbat this weekend and beyond – both at Congregation Beth Shalom, at Congregation Beth Emeth, and back at Congregation Beth Shalom once again.

Shabbat shalom !

Rabbi Michael