Last Sunday there was a wedding in shul. A WEDDING!!! Not just a chuppah (canopy) with a few people in the room, but a real wedding, with over 100 people in attendance, a band, dance floor, and a catered feast. Mazal tov! Obviously, everything was done safely, making sure that everyone was vaccinated and masked, keeping enough distance between people and families, and seating was by family bubbles at both the ceremony and meal.
Everything in the shul is really moment by moment. We are planning the High Holidays, and it is looking really exciting. There will be Family programming which includes meaningful services and programs for adults, kids, and teens. Each day will offer something slightly different so look out in the week ahead to see exactly what will be offered.
Also, we are releasing our yearly calendar, with programs for which you can already save the date. There is a lot happening. And all that said, we are living in the moment. We are planning as though everything will remain status-quo, knowing that the Covid situation is evolving moment by moment, and we will adjust accordingly, to make sure that we all have as meaningful a High Holiday season and year as possible.
Looking forward to sharing more in the days and weeks to come. If you would like to get involved and even to bring some new ideas to the table, or even to revisit old favorites, please reach out to let me know.
In the meantime, have a wonderful Shabbat everyone, be safe, and stay healthy!
We are open on Shabbat mornings again. I look forward to seeing you all back in shul soon! SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PROGRAMMING INFORMATION!
TORAH TALK FOR THE SHABBAT TABLE with Rabbi David
Parshat Shoftim – Torah for Today
The Torah reading this week is all about creating a healthy and productive society. The Torah makes a very powerful statement: when we are not sure how to behave, we should bring our questions “to the leaders who are there on that day”.
Often people think that Torah is an “old book” from thousands of years ago. Judaism understands though that the Torah is a book of guidance and wisdom that are eternal and it is our task to learn how to apply that wisdom to any situation. It is obvious to the Torah itself that the way to understand, approach, and apply Torah will have to grow and evolve as people grow and evolve.
One of the greatest things about Judaism is that we look to the past as something that grounds us and connects us to who we are and our amazing culture and history. Meanwhile, the Torah is telling us that we must live in the now, looking at the world today, looking to our leaders today, because only people who are part of the world today can truly understand how to find the appropriate guidance and wisdom of Torah, as it is needed for today.
What was has already happened; what will happen tomorrow we can’t know. All we have is this moment. So, what will you choose do to right now? Discussion Questions:
Why do we need to follow current leaders and not rely on great leaders from the past?
What do you think happens if modern leaders contradict leaders from the past?
How do we show respect to past opinions, even if modern leaders say something different?
What makes Torah so powerful and so eternal?
Shabbat Shalom!
Coming Soon from :
Upcoming Programs include:
Social action Family Shabbat Bnai Mitzvah Experience Guest Speakers Pizza and Parsha Kids Programming Holiday Parties Choose Your Own High Holiday Adventure....
AND MUCH MORE!
So, stay tuned for upcoming events and programs, which can be found at beby.org
BEBY NEXTgen Community Connection
Do know a Jewish student starting university in Ontario this fall?
Hillel Ontario, your home for Jewish campus life, will send them a welcome gift package! We will also enroll them in our newsletters so they don’t miss out on Jewish programming, opportunities to make new friends and other great events.
Let Hillel welcome your first year student to campus before they even arrive.
For more information about what is happening at Beth Emeth check out www.beby.org.
SHABBAT SHALOM!!!
Rabbi David, Director of Ritual and NEXTgen Community rabbidavid@beby.org
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue 100 Elder Street Toronto, ON M3H 5G7
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