Purim Pix!

 

Betsy’s Beth El  Purim photos are here.  Please send your photos from the megilla reading to Beth El and we will add them to the album.

 

 

Shabbat Zachor & The Weekend Schedule

This Shabbat is Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim.  The special maftir is from the Book of Deuteronomy, and commands us to remember what ‘Amalek did to us on our way out of Egypt, attacking the defenseless, showing a complete lack of basic morality.  Unfortunately, last Shabbat we were given a reminder that the spirit of  ‘Amalek is still with us.  The horrible atrocity in Itamar was nothing less than the spirit of hatred and senseless violence that typified ‘Amalek.  Our hearts go out to the orphans and the other members of the Fogel family.  Let us not, however, let the spirit of ‘Amalek infect our souls with hatred.  Our maftir also commands us to blot out ‘Amalek-not only physically, as was done thousands of years ago, but spiritually.  Hatred and vengeance will not bring back the precious souls that we lost.  The Sages taught us that the only remedy for causeless hatred is causeless love.  Let us be inspired by the Israeli grocer who committed to supplying the survivors of the Fogel family with food until the children are grown.  Let us blot out ‘Amalek with lovingkindness.
Shabbat Shalom, and may it indeed be a Shabbat of peace, for us, for all Israel, and for all of humanity.
— Cantor Ben Moshe

Shabbat & Purim Schedule:

  • Shabbat Services tonight at 7pm
  • Havdallah & Purim Services Saturday evening at 8PM (including hamentashen & drinks)
  • Megilla Reading, Sunday 9AM
  • Purim Puppet Show by our older kids, presented to the younger kids, Sunday 10 AM
  • Brunch follows the puppet show
  • Prizes for the best costumes.
Throughout the weekend, we are collecting money to help a few Jewish families buy Passover food and meet some essentials.  Please consider fulfilling the tzedakah mitzvah on Purim by donating to our congregation to enable us to help these families.  Contact Cantor Ben Moshe or Kevin & Iris Koeller to help.

Purim!!!!

Come celebrate Purim with Congregation Beth El.


Fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the megilla on Saturday night, March 19th, at 8pm, starting with a fun havdallah, hamentashen deserts and drinks.   Prizes for best Dress ups – adults and kids!


From Beth El photos

Sunday morning, March 20, at 9 am, we will again read Megillat Esther, dress up, have a puppet show at 10 am for the kids, followed by a light brunch.


We look forward to seeing everyone!

Shabbat Services Tonight and Tomorrow

Dear Congregants and Guests,

Please join us as we welcome Shabbat tonight at 7pm, and Saturday morning starting at 9 am, light kidush lunch to follow.  We look forward to seeing everyone.
We welcome any visitors, including those who are in town for South by Southwest SxSW, the basketball tournaments, or even Austin-based guests.


Cantor’s message:

This week we begin the reading of Sefer Vayikra’, the Book of Leviticus.  This book is also called “Torat Hakohanim”, the Torah of the Priests, as it mainly deals with the sacrificial rituals and the rules of purity that were especially incumbent upon the priests.  It is interesting that the prevailing custom in Eastern Europe was for children to learn Sefer Vayikra’ at the beginning of their education in heder, at about age six.  The reasoning was “let those who are pure learn about that which required purity” ie, the Temple service.   We hope to see you this Friday night at 7 PM, and Saturday morning at 9.  Shabbat Shalom.

Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Cantor’s Message

image via http://vortlach.blogspot.com

This week’s parshah is P’kudei, the last parshah of the Book of Exodus. The reading describes the building of the mishkan, the Tabernacle in the desert. It is notable that the mishkan was built only through the efforts of all of the People of Israel-those who donated the materials, the skilled craftspeople who made all of the component parts, and the laborers who assembled the Tabernacle. Unity of purpose was essential to bringing God’s presence among the People. May we too find such commonality of purpose, and bring the Divine into our own lives, the life of our congregation, of the Jewish People and of all humanity.  Shabbat Shalom.

Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Shabbat service: 7pm Friday