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: - SPECIAL LECTURE by RABBI DAVID - FAMILY HAVDALLAH, PIZZA, and PARSHA - RIVKA CAMPBELL and THE EXPERIENCE OF JEWS OF COLOUR BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection - Teen Community Service opportunity - Chanukah Toy Drive
Shalom Everyone,
Winter break is here. This year though, we are all probably staying closer to home than usual. The Covid restrictions has made it harder for us to be together physically, but there are still many virtual opportunities to be together and support each other.
One thing I want to mention specifically is a special lecture I will be giving on Sunday, January 3rd at 10:30am, to mark the Shloshim (30 days since the passing) of my father, Gidon Grundland, z"l.
My father really loved shul and really loved the prayers. I wanted to do something to honour that part of him, but I also recognize that many (most?) of us have a very hard time connecting to prayer in general and the words of the siddur (prayer book) specifically. Using stories of how he came to love shul and the siddur, I will be offering a window to help make Jewish prayer accessible to us all.
What is Jewish prayer, beyond the prayer book, beyond the shul experience, and beyond the Hebrew language? Join me in a tribute to my father and learn about the essense, practice, and effects of Jewish prayer, on the world and on our individual psyches.
The lecture is entitled In Conversation with God: Connecting to Jewish Prayer. There is a flyer below and I really hope to see you there.
While we are on a programming hiatus for the next couple of weeks, be sure to check out the flyers below to see what is coming up!
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 outside, it is so important that we all take care of our mental and physical health and your Beth Emeth community is here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
In coming E-blasts watch for announcements about all new opportunities to be together with our community! *KIDS 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
Vayigash - Taking Initiative
Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob's 12 sons has been thrown in an Egyptian jail for, allegedly, stealing a silver goblet. We know it was by Joseph, but the other brothers didn't. What could they do?
Yehuda, steps up - literally. Even though it might have cost him his life, it was so important for him to defend his baby brother, he ran up to the King of Egypt (Joseph) and begged for his brother's life. He told Joseph the whole story, including that there was another brother who was no longer alive (speaking about Joseph), and that Jacob was still so sad and broken from that first loss, that a second one would be too much.
Yehuda's tears and pleading were too much for Joseph to handle, and he revealed his true identity to his brothers. "Ani Yosef - I am Joseph."
Sometimes, it is scary to do the right thing. Sometimes, what we need to do seems really hard and even maybe dangerous, but deep down, we know the right thing. Yehuda, in parshat Vayigash is giving us all courage to step up and take action when there is injustice in the world. He gives us the courage to do what we can to heal the world.
Questions for Discussion: 1. Have you every had to stand up against an injustice? What was happening and how did you handle it? 2. Why do you think Yehuda was willing to risk his life to save Benjamin? 3. How do you think Joseph felt when his brothers, who sold him into slavery, stood up for each other and protected each other? 4. What are some ways that your parents and siblings support you?
UNIT ONE, Connecting to Israel and how that impacts Jewish Identity is now complete. You can watch the recorded programs here . UNIT TWO - The Mitzvah in Bnai Mitzvah will be starting at the end of January. Watch for the full program description and flyer, coming soon.
You can still register your kids for the rest of this year's Bnai Mitzvah Experience.
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
