IN THIS ISSUE: Message and Announcements from Rabbi David Torah Talk for your Table - Beshalach - Leading the Way Upcoming Events for the BEBY NEXTgen Community (for all age groups): - THIS WEEK - Havdallah, Pizza and Parshah - THIS WEEK - Bnai Mitzvah Experience BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection - Kids Pre-Shabbat Party with Morah Debbie - EVERY FRIDAY! - FJMC World Wide Wrap - Teen Community Service opportunity - NEW: Bialik Parent Speaker Series - Challenges Families Face During Covid
Shalom Everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well and staying physically and mentally healthy. It is very easy to feel trapped in the reality in which we are all living. Even with positive new of vacinations on their way, there will still be a long road ahead.
The feelings of being trapped and isolated are hard to deal with. They can be pervasive in our lives and we can feel enslaved to them. Our kids are lacking the social interactions with their peers and are overwhelmed with too much screen time, even though most of it is for school.
It makes me feel sad and long for "normal" human intereactions, both for the kids and even for myself and everyone who is reading this. We are living in a challening time.
The parsha this week is all about leaving slavery behind for good and being reborn as an independant and united nation. While there is no GPS for how to navigate this situation, the way forward is by staying together and building our community, even virtually.
As a community, our goal is to strive to support each other in every way. 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.
Beyond that, we are working dilligently to provide as many social and educational opportunities as possible for the broadest demographic range possible.
FLYERS FOR ALL UPCOMING PROGRAMS BELOW! (For programs from the broader Beth Emeth Community, visit the Beth Emeth website: www.beby.org.)
THIS SUNDAY we continue with UNIT 2 of our all new BNAI MITZVAH EXPERIENCE!
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
Beshalach - Leading the Way
After leaving Slavery in Egypt, we were camping along the coast of the Reed Sea. We were newly free, and a little unsure of what a life of freedom would be like. We had spent so much time as slaves, freedom was a dream that we never expected to actually come true. Now that it had, what should we do?
Pharaoh had the same thought, but in reverse. He had always had slaves and now that the slaves had left, what was he to do? Pharaoh decided to go and get his slaves back.
Now, we were trapped. On one side, there was a massive body of water and on the other side there was Pharaoh and his army coming to get us. HaShem blocked them with a wall of fire, but they were still there trying to get us. Some people cried, some people prayed, some people wanted to go back to Egypt, and some people wanted to fight.
Nachshon, from the tribe of Judah (and Miriam's husband) decided to lead the way. HaShem blew a strong wind all night long, and when it seemed like nothing was happening Nachshon decided to walk into the Sea. According to this Midrashic teaching, when the water got to Nachshon's nose, it split, and we were able to cross through unharmed and escape from slavery, once and for all.
Questions for Discussion:
What would you do as a newly freed slave?
If you were trapped between a Sea and an enemy, how would you react?
Do you think Nachshon was being brave or reckless? Why?
UNIT ONE, Connecting to Israel and how that impacts Jewish Identity was amazing. 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
