IN THIS ISSUE: Message and Announcements from Rabbi David Torah Talk for your Table - Va'era: Living with Plagues Upcoming Events for the BEBY NEXTgen Community (for all age groups): - Toronto Community Havdallah Service - January 16, 2021 -RIVKA CAMPBELL and THE EXPERIENCE OF JEWS OF COLOUR - BNAI MITZVAH PROGRAM UPDATE!!! BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection - NEW: Kids Pre-Shabbat Party with Morah Debbie - NEW: Bialik Parent Speaker Series - Challenges Families Face During Covid - Teen Community Service opportunity - Virtual Tu BiShvat Tours of Israel with Betzalel Steinhartz from Ramah Israel
Shalom Everyone,
I don't know about you, but I am feeling pretty far behind the 8-ball. Between school taking place at home, working from home, making sure that we all get enough exercise (we don't) and trying to stay healthy, even the most basic tasks can seem daunting.
I'm doing my best to live the mantra "one day at a time; one step at a time". Even if things are moving slowly and the world around feels out of control, I just keep taking that next step, doing one thing at a time, and try to be patient, kind and compassionate with myself and others. I'm not always successful, but then I take another step or try again the next day.
As a community, our goal is to strive to support each other. If you need an ear to listen, help finding resources or other support your family needs, please don't hesitate to reach out. It is so important that we take care of our mental and physical health and your Beth Emeth community is here for you.
FLYERS FOR ALL UPCOMING PROGRAMS BELOW! (For programs from the broader Beth Emeth Community, visit the Beth Emeth website: www.beby.org.)
Last week's Havdalah, Pizza, and Parshah was so much fun! We're going to do it again soon. Watch for the updated flyer.
AFTER SHABBAT there is a Community Havdalah and Kumzitz. See the flyer below (and check out who one of the "guest performers" is... hint: he's writing this message to you now!)
THIS WEEK on Tuesday!!! We have the pleasure of hosting Rivka Campbell for a special program about what it is like to be a person-of-colour in the Jewish community. See the flyer below for details!
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
Va'era - Living With Plagues
"When Israel was in Egypt land Let my people go Oppressed so hard they could not stand Let My people go
So the God sayeth, “Go down, Moses way down in Egypt land Tell old Pharaoh to let My people go” - Louis Armstrong (if you don't know the song, check this out! https://youtu.be/rp2WdyeAHIM )
Well, Pharaoh didn't listen to Moshe and our parshah describes the first 7 plagues that came down on Egypt. At the fourth plague - the wild animals - HaShem makes clear that the plagues would no longer affect the Israelite nation at all. As long as we kept living in our community we were kept separate and safe by God.
While we currently have to stay physically distant from each other, having opportunities to connect (virtually) as a community has always been such an important part of living through plagues - even today.
Questions for Discussion:
1. If you saw people around you who kept doing the wrong things and kept having bad things happen back to them, what would you think?
2. Do you think HaShem wanted to punish Pharaoh with plagues? Why?
3. How many of the 10 plagues can you list?
4. Which of the first 7 plagues do you think was the worst?
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. Mark the following dates in your calendar for Unit 2 NOW!
January 24, 10am - Protecting Our World January 31, 10am - All about Shabbat February 7, 10am - Take a Trip Inside a Torah Scroll and Inside Tefillin Boxes February 14, 10am - Everything you need to know about Jewish History in 20 minutes
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, experiential, 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
