IN THIS ISSUE: Message and Announcements from Rabbi David Torah Talk for your Table Upcoming Events for the BEBY NEXTgen Community - includes all age groups Teen Community Service opportunity BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection
Last week Rabbi David wrote about ups and downs. Sadly, yesterday he experienced a major "down" with the passing of his beloved father, Gidon z'l.
BEBY NextGen and the entire Beth Emeth Community extends its condolences to Rabbi David and his family as they mourn this tremendous loss.
As a community we are all here to support each other. If you need an ear to listen, help finding resources and other supports your families need, please don't hesitate. With the colder weather coming, it is so important that we all take care of our mental health and your Beth Emeth community is here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out. The ALL NEW B.E.B.Y. BNAI MITZVAH PROGRAM is underway!The whole program is focussing on enhancing and connecting to our unique Jewish identities. Join us by registering here:https://www.beby.org/myjewishid. For more information see the BNAI MITZVAH section below!
ALSO, check out the flyer below for an ALL NEW TEEN VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY!!! Learn while you earn your community service hours! In coming E-blasts watch for announcements about all new opportunities to be together with our community!
*FAMILY PIZZA AND PARSHA NIGHTS* *FAMILY SHABBAT/HAVDALLAH* *SING-ALONG WITH BRYNA* *TEEN SHABBAT TAKEOVERS*
We are also looking to create a NEXTgen Team of volunteers who are lookng to make things happen for the benefit of their friends, families, and our community in general. If you are interested in getting involved, pease let me know!
For more information about what is happening check out www.beby.org.
SHABBAT SHALOM!!!
Rabbi David, Director of Ritual and NEXTgen Community rabbidavid@beby.org
TORAH TALK FOR THE TABLE with Rabbi David
Vayishlach
In this parshah Yaakov is about to meet up with his brother Eisav. He makes camp with his family and then leaves because he forgot a few small pots. At that moment, the Torah tells us that Yaakov has a fight with an angel! Yaakov wins the fight and the angel gives him a new name – Yisrael. Yisrael means “success in struggling with God and humanity”.
Our sages teach us that those “little pots” are actually all the small things about ourselves and others that bother us. They’re small and we try to ignore them, but eventually we will have to deal with them too. And sometimes when we try to fix those “small thing” it can feel like the biggest challenge in the world – like fighting with an angel.
The Torah is teaching us that the small details are important. When we try to skip the details, we might think that we are taking a short cut, but really, it is in those details that we can become successful and become Yisrael.
Questions 1. What emotion was Yaakov struggling against when he fought the angel? 2. What are some “little pots” in your life? 3. What do you think it feels like to fight with an angel?
UNIT ONE, Connecting to Israel and how that impacts Jewish Identity, began last Sunday. It was an amazing program where we took a virtual tour of the old city of Jerusalem. Then the weekbefore last we learned what Zionism is about and the importance of Israel in Jewish life today. Find the recordings and sign up for the rest of the program here: https://www.beby.org/myjewishid
THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6th, at 10am is the fourth and final part of Unit 1 - Creating a Personal connection to Israel.
The flyer for the program is below. I'm really looking forward to the next two units as well, as there are some amazing presenters and programs being lined up.
If you have a child who recently had, or is about to have their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, this program is for you. It will be fun, experiencial, educational, engaging, thought provoking and will give your Bnai Mitzvah kids a real sense of connection to our local and broader Jewish community. Sign up here!
UPCOMING EVENTS
BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection
In this section we will be including programs, articles, links, and updates from our community members. It is one way we can all support each other - as a community!
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue 100 Elder Street Toronto, ON M3H 5G7