This Shabbat is called Shabbat CHAZON - which means the Shabbat of Vision. It is based on the first word of the haftarah, which discusses the vision of Isaiah the prophet regarding the immenent destruction of Jerusalem. However, it concludes with another vision: The vision of destruction INCLUDES the vision of rebuilding.
The rabbis teach that this Shabbat is a time where we can each contemplate and recognize our individual and collective vision for what the world can and should look like.
Personally, I am taking advantage of the opportunity to reconnect to that inner vision. My family and I are looking forward to going camping next week, to spend some time in nature and reconnecting with the natural flow, as much as possible. I will be mostly offline, so please excuse any delay in replying to emails.
At Beth Emeth, EXACTLY in sync with this Shabbat, we are also taking this time to contemplate and recognize our vision for the upcoming High Holidays.
What will the High Holidays look like? What will we be doing in house and what will be virtual? How can we keep our community safe, while offering as much as possible.
BEBY NEXTgen is committed to making sure that there is meaningful programming IN SHUL for all of our members - from the youngest to the oldest. But, we need your help.
NEXTgen TOWN HALL We will be holding an open town hall meeting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12th at 7pm.
There, we will discuss different ideas of what will be most meaningful for you and your families, what you hope to get out of services for your kids, the limitations that we will face due to COVID, and how we, as a community, can come together to make it all happen.
Please mark the date and time in your calendar. Also, please let me know if you plan on attending or if there are challenges with the timing.
This will be an opportunity for adults and teens to help your community and get involved. TEENS, you can get community service hours out of it too! THANK YOU to everyone who reached out offering to help. There is a lot of work to be done and the dedication of our NEXTgen community is palpable. I look forward to being in touch in the next weeks with more information.
If you are interested in getting involved, email me for more information. _______________________________
Our pre-Shabbat Sing-Along is on hiatus. See below and check out www.beby.org for other links and programs, such as the #myUSYfisummer Teen Summer Experiences, and other opportunities. _______________________________
While Beth Emeth is working on plans for reopening, the health and well-being of our community come first, and so the process of re-opening will be gradual and deliberate.
Given restrictions for age and health conditions, we, BEBY NEXTgen, will likely have to step it up and be on the front line of re-opening attendance. I will be in touch more as next steps are formalized.
For the official reopening statement, check out the shul website, www.beby.org .
The shul is constantly creating more virtual opportunities for learning, praying and connecting. Check out www.beby.orgfor a full listing and follow us on Facebookto keep up on everything happening at the Virtual Beth Emeth.
We, both the shul, but also more personally, Shira Rachel and I, are here for you during this COVID-19 experience. Physical and mental health are primary and we need to do everything possible and utilize every resource available to ensure that we stay healthy. Please, do not hesitate to call or email, 24/7, for any reason:
Rabbi David, Director of Ritual and NEXTgen Community rabbidavid@beby.org
TORAH TALK FOR THE TABLE with Rabbi David
Parshat Devarim - Last words
Parshat Devarim is the first parsha of the last book of the Torah. The whole book takes place during the last month of Moshe's life. In it, he sums up everything good and bad that has taken place along the 40 year journey through the desert. He shares insight and gives direction for "how to make it" in the future.
Discussion Questions
How would you summarize your life from when you were born until now?
What messages can you learn from your life?
What do you learn that you can teach and convey to others?
In response to the COVID19 pandemic, all of our programs are going virtual!
YOUNG FAMILIES
ON HIATUS.
Have a wonderful Song-filled Shabbat with your own families and we will be back soon with more Songs and Stories in the weeks ahead!
TEENS
TEENS and Middle School (grade 5 - 12), I have been really feeling for you. For weeks I have been feeling the pain of camps being shut down. As we plan our own summer activities for our kids, USY has been planning #myUSYfisummer programs! There are so many unbelieveable programs being made available. Make sure you check out the site to see all the amazing things they are offering!
TEENS: we are looking to create a Senior's Line. Some of the elderly in our community need some more human engagement. Let me know if you'd be interested in speaking to an older member of our community, or even just reading to them over ZOOM.
We want to grow the program and need YOUR HELP! Email Rabbi David for more info.
NEXTgen
MONEY FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
POST SECONDARY STUDENTS, have you heard of the "I WANT TO HELP" Initiative?
It is a way for Canadian post-secondary students to get tuition grants of up to $5000.
The program is based on how you spend your summer months, especially now that most camps are closed for the summer.
It is a program being run by the TDSB (Toronto District School Board), but there are LIMITED SPACES available.
If you are interested in more information, email me at rabbidavid@beby.org.
YOUTH
ALL SHABBAT YOUTH PROGRAMMING IS CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Nursery (ages 0-6) Junior Congregation (7-11)
Here is the weekly Youth Program schedule. Come early for the most FUN available!
10 - 10:45 - Free play
10:45 - 10:50 - Clean up
10:50 - 11 - Tefillah
11 - 11:10 - Parshah Discussion/Story
11:10 - 11:20 - HEALTHY snack
11:20 - 11:45ish - Games/Activities
11:45ish - Go into main shul for Ein Keloheinu, Aleinu, Adon Olam
Beth Emeth's Youth Department is looking to hire energetic, engaging, and caring staff for weekly Shabbat morning youth programming. Positions are available for the Nursery (Kindergarten and younger) and Junior Congregation (Grades 1-6). These are paid positions.
Responsibilities include: -Welcoming all children into the programming space -Engaging with the children in play and other activities -Leading interactive and fun circle time (nursery) or prayers (junior congregation) -Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of participants at all times -Supervising volunteers and other Shabbat morning staff -Working together with the Youth Coordinator and other Shabbat morning Youth Department staff to execute all aspects of Shabbat morning youth programs -Attending staff training sessions as necessary (not on Saturday mornings)
Please send a cover letter and resume to Rabbi David, Director of Next-Gen at rabbidavid@beby.org. Please indicate which age group you are interested in working with in your cover letter. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON at the next NEXTgen EVENT!!!
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue 100 Elder Street Toronto, ON M3H 5G7
