Parashat Vayishlah

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Friday Night Kaballat Shabbat Services, Tonight, Friday, 11/27, at 7 PM.

Saturday morning services, TOMORROW, November 28, at 9 AM, with the Torah service at approximately 9:45.

Our kiddush this week is kindly sponsored by Lori and David Henderson in honor of their late parents, may their memories be a blessing. We also welcome to services tomorrow David Friedman, past President of Beth El, and his family.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Weekly message:
In our parshah this week, Vayishlah, our ancestor Ya’akov returns home to Canaan and faces his brother ‘Esav. He sends a very generous gift of livestock-sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys and camels-to propitiate his brother and perhaps as compensation for tricking ‘Esav out of his birthright and his blessing. When ‘Esav protests that the gift is too generous, Ya’akov urges him to accept, saying that God has blessed him and he is well able to afford it. Ya’akov is now Yisrael-the one who successfully strives with God and humans-and is no longer Ya’akov, the insecure younger brother who feels that he must resort to trickery to get his needs met. He is no longer focused on what he lacks, but is grateful for what he has. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let us remember to take that “attitude of gratitude” with us beyond the holiday. Let us be mindful of our blessings, and like our ancestor Yisrael, share those blessings freely. Happy Thanksgiving and Shabbat Shalom.

Save the date: Our annual Beth El Hanukkah party is Saturday evening , December 12 at 6 PM. Havdallah, candle lighting, food, fun, music, latkes, and more.

***Refua shlema to Fred Miller who is currently at Brookdale on Spicewood Springs and would welcome visitors during his recuperation.

Good run “BETH EL BANDITS!”
The 2015 Turkey Trot was so much fun despite the weather. The Beth El Bandits are already training for next year’s event. Pictured are some of our runners Arthur, Rinat, Kevin and Yosef.

Parashat Vayetze and many kudos

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Friday Night Kaballat Shabbat Services, Tonight Friday 11/20, at 7PM.

The Chazzan’s Tribute dinner was a huge success! We couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful and special evening, with family, congregants, and friends.
Simcha catering did a stellar job, the decorations were gorgeous, the silent auction super fun, (PLEASE SEE BELOW for items that you can still bid on!) the speeches were so moving and folks had a great time. Chazzan Ben-Moshe – you are truly appreciated. Stay tuned for an article and more photos coming soon.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Weekly message:
This week we read Parshat Vayetze, the story of Ya’akov’s twenty-year exile in Haran. At the beginning and the end of his exile, he has visions of angels, at Beith-El and at Mahanayyim. One tradition says that Ya’akov’s guardian angels were trading off-the angels of the Promised Land gave their place to a different group who would take watch outside the Land. Jewish Tradition teaches that God is always with us, no matter where on Earth we are. We could be in exile in Haran, in Babylonia or in Texas-but until we return home to Israel, God always watches over us, as God does all of Creation. In these times of horrible violence in Israel and in France, in Lebanon and Nigeria, may God continue to watch over all of humanity, and may the blasphemy of murder in the name of God soon disappear. Shabbat Shalom.

Save the date: Our annual Beth El Hanukkah party is Saturday evening, December 12 at 6 PM. Havdallah, candle lighting, food, fun, music, latkes, and more.

Join the Team! Team “BETH EL BANDITS”
PLEASE sign up for the Turkey trot with Beth El. On Thanksgiving day we have a team of runners. Please join the BETH EL BANDITS via the Thundercloud subs Turkey Trot website.
https://events.com/…/thundercloud-subs-turkey-trot-2015-aus…

We are very grateful to the following for helping with the Cantor’s dinner:

Elaine Jacobs, Gregg and Michelle Philipson, Barbara Cramer, Rachel Union, Juliette Meinstein, Keren Harvey, The Aguilar family, The Keoller family, Barry Mann, the Butler family, Bev Golden, Yesenia Soto and all the amazing members who came and who contributed to the evening. Thank you to Simcha Kosher Caterers of Dallas for the delicious food.

Please support the following amazing Silent Auction sponsors:
* David Walker of Oriental Rug Gallery in the Hill Country Galleria, Jacob and Esther Gilboa, Barbara Cramer Quickbooks, Bam Rubenstein – custom made tallises, Starbucks, Esther’s Follies, The Long Center, Ballet Austin, Benold’s Jewelers, David Kruger of Kruger’s Jewelers, Sandy Massman artwork, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Mom’s Best Friend babysitting, Froggin’ Spanish Immersion classes, Zach Scott Theatre, Sport Ball, Jessica Zimmerman nutrition therapy, Outrageous Gallery, Beth Israel Gift store, Lisa Feder of Being Well Yoga, Ron Lake hypnotherapy. Barry Mann for kosher Israeli wine, AND THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL on Mopac and Steck!

THESE ITEMS ARE STILL FOR SALE: Reply to this e-mail ASAP if you are interested.

***Babysitting with Mom’s Best Friend: Four hours of babysitting date night with Mom’s Best Friend and a year’s membership. http://momsbestfriend.com/austin/

*** $50 gift certificate to Sportball for birthday party or classes.  Location of your choice

***Eight week Spanish immersion class at Froggin Spanish Immersion in Cedar park ($395 value). Includes registration, backpack and workbook. http://www.frogginlearning.com/

*** $50 gift certificate to Viva Day Spa!

 

 

Parashat Toldot

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Friday Night Kaballat Shabbat Services,Tonight 11/13, at 7PM.

Shabbat services are in the morning, 11/14 at 9 AM, with the Torah service at 9:45. The kiddish is being sponsored by Lori and David Henderson in honor of her late father, Frank Singer, who shared her birthday, and who upon hearing that his daughter was going to be born on his birthday, promptly fainted.

Mazal Tov to Chazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe, who, as well as being honored this weekend for his seven years of service to our shul, is celebrating his birthday and has a Parasha with his namesake! In addition to all this, Cantor Ben-Moshe is a guest speaker at this Sunday’s Global Day of Jewish Learning at the J at 2PM. The dinner on Sunday evening is at capacity and we are grateful for the outpouring of support.

Save the date: Our annual Beth El Hanukkah party is Saturday evening, December 12 at 6 PM. Havdallah, candle lighting, food, fun, music, latkes, and more.

We have a team! Team “BETH EL BANDITS”
PLEASE sign up for the Turkey trot with Beth El. On Thanksgiving Day we have a team of runners. Please join the BETH EL BANDITS via the Turkey Trot website.
https://events.com/…/thundercloud-subs-turkey-trot-2015-aus…

THANK YOU KIDDISH CREW: The Shabbat lunch is lovingly made by Claudia, Iris, Lori, Mary, Rachel, Sarah, Genevieve! Yesher koach and thank you all!
We are very grateful to the following for helping with the Cantor’s dinner:
Elaine Jacobs, Gregg and Michelle Philipson, Barbara Cramer, Rachel Union, Juliette Meinstein, Keren Harvey, Claudia, Sofia and Vania Aguilar, Kevin, Sara and Iris Keoller, Barry Mann, the Butler family, Bev Golden and all the amazing members who are coming for the evening. Thank you to Simcha Kosher Caterers of Dallas who are catering the event.

Please support the following amazing Silent Auction sponsors:

* David Walker of Oriental Rug Company,
Jacob and Esther Gilboa jewelry and hand made Israeli art work,
Barbara Cramer Quickbooks,
Bam Rubenstein for custom made tallises,
Starbucks,
Esther’s Follies,
The Long Center,
Ballet Austin,
Benold’s Jewelers,
David Kruger of Kruger’s Jewelers,
Sandy Massman artwork,
Maggiano’s Little Italy,
Mom’s Best Friend babysitting,
Froggin’ Spanish Immersion classes,
Zach Scott Theatre,
Sport Ball,
Jessica Zimmerman nutrition therapy,
Outrageous Gallery,
Beth Israel Gift store,
Lisa Feder of Being Well Yoga,
variety of donations from Barbara Cramer.
Barry Mann for kosher Israeli wine,
AND THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL on Mopac and Steck!

Rabbi Peter Tarlow’s weekly Parashah:
This week’s portion is called ‘Toldot”. You will find it in the Book of Genesis 25:19-28:9. Toldot is unique in that it is the only portion that is dedicated to the life of Isaac. From a literary perspective, Isaac is the least developed of the three patriarchs. The text is filled with lacunae. It seems to teach us about Isaac less by what it says than by what it does not say. It is a lesson is communication through silence and thus Isaac’s story is ripe for great midrash (tales developed from the information the text chooses not to reveal) literature. It could not have been easy to be Isaac. His father was perhaps the world’s most gifted leader, yet despite his father’s brilliance, Isaac had to deal with a man willing to sacrifice him. Was Isaac’s unique gift his ability to follow his charismatic father, hold the family together and accomplish the difficult task of transitioning from one generation to another and from one leader to another?Isaac’s personal story is about the first time in the Bible that we note the passing of one generation of leaders and the coming of another. The Hebrew Bible provides a clear path for the transfer of leadership. Leaders were to follow four basic steps. These were (1) the leaders had to seek acceptance by the people, (2) leaders were free to chart their own course as long as they did so with humility and an understanding that he who rules without the consent of G’d is bound to fail, (3) leaders were expected to develop a sense of continuity upon which the basic beliefs of Israel are based, (4) leaders were to act in a moral, ethical and fair manner in which they would symbolize G’d’s eternal pact with the people of Israel. At later points in the Biblical narrative we learn about some leaders chose not to follow these four principles, and the results were always tragic.Perhaps the text’s silence is its way to teach us that Isaac was not Abraham, nor could he be Abraham. Isaac had to be Isaac. The text paints Isaac as a good honest man, who knew suffering, faced adversity, refused to become bitter and with wisdom and laughter moved Israel on to the next stage in its national development. Isaac was not perfect, but his story has a lot to teach our nation and the world about smooth transitions of power. Isaac reminds us that if we choose victimization then laughter turns to tears and nations become vessels of anger. Isaac, whose name means, “He would laugh” teaches all of us that life is not perfect and when faced with problems it is better to turn tears into laughter and sadness into joy. What do you think?

Community News:
The Global Day of Jewish Learning is this Sunday afternoon from 1-4 PM and Cantor Ben-Moshe is a guest speaker.
2 -2:50 PM Loving the Ger: Who is the Stranger in our Midst? Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe.
Being commanded to love is unusual, yet the Bible clearly instructs us to love the stranger/convert. Our experience as strangers in Egypt helps us to appreciate the importance of this commandment and the moral imperative that underlies it. What does it mean to be commanded to love a category of people? Who are the strangers? Location: Library, Second floor education building.

Hayyei Sarah

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Friday Night Kaballat Shabbat Services, Tonight 11/6, at 7:00PM. Join us for a soulful, song filled prayer service to end your week.

Our Shabbat morning services are the second and fourth Saturdays. The next two are November 14 and 28. Both kiddushes have been kindly sponsored by Lori and David Henderson.

TEN DAYS AWAY FROM THE CANTOR’S DINNER:
*The Cantor’s dinner is almost full! What a lovely response so far. PLEASE RSVP ASAP if you have not done so yet. Thank you to everyone who has already done so! Catered kosher dinner, silent auction and entertainment. Included in the silent auction are tickets to Ballet Austin, Zach Scott Theatre, Mom’s Best Friend babysitting, Nutrition Therapy session, Esther’s Follies tickets, a variety of amazing pieces of artwork, Judaica, personal Yoga session, personal training, handcrafted Jewelry and amazing silver and glass ornaments from Israel donated by Jacob Gilboa, an 18 carat gold ring from Kruger’s, a custom made tallit by Bam and much, much more.*
We want everyone to come! It will be a special and meaningful night. Thank you to the many volunteers, spearheaded by our very own Elaine Jacobs, who are working to make this absolutely magnificent!

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
Our parshah this week, Hayyei Sarah, deals with the death and burial of our Ancestress Sarah, but curiously begins with the words “And this was Sarah’s life….” Death is not the focus, but rather life. This is of course characteristic of Jewish tradition-to focus on and to revere life. While our tradition does not shrink from death, and our customs regarding death and mourning deal squarely with the reality of death and do not try to sanitize it, we do not fetishize death. Hebrew has no special word equivalent to “martyr”, and our greatest heroes are not those who died for Judaism, but those who lived for it. We are saddened by death, not inspired by it. Our enemies-Hamas, Hizbullah and others-like to boast that they will win because we celebrate life while they celebrate death. The opposite is true-we will ultimately prevail because of the imperative in our Torah “Therefore choose life”. Along with all others who choose life over death, we will win over the forces of violence and destruction. We believe that God desires life and not death, and while we accept death as inevitable, we do not seek it out. Let us always affirm life, even in the face of death. Then we may merit to be like our Mother Sarah-“as beautiful at 100 as she was at 20, and as pure at 20 as she was at 7”. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Hebrew school Sunday Funday, November 8 continues this Sunday at 10 am! Check out all the cool photos on our Facebook group! Always something new. Join the BethElAustin FACEBOOK group if you’re not on there already.

LOVE TO RUN? JOIN Team “BETH EL BANDITS” for the Turkey Trot this year. On Thanksgiving day, November 26, Beth El will be entering its own team of runners, merry makers and cheerers. Please let us know if you would like to enter the Turkey Trot with us. It promises to be a lot of fun. info@bethelaustin.org to save your spot on the team.

BETH EL’S ANNUAL CHANUKAH BASH!
SATURDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 12 at 6PM, come celebrate with us as we do Havdallah followed by our super fun annual Chanukah party. Activities for kids, live music and more. Bring your menorah!

Community News:
Snout by Snout West this Sunday at the J!
Family-friendly community dog festival• groups & local shelters will display dogs in need• $5 for Adults, FREE for Kids and Dogs

Jewish Austin Men Dinner & Speakers Forum
Texas Politics: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
Wed, 9 Dec, 2015 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Featuring Harvey Kronenberg; For more info contact: Amanda Tofflemire: 512-735-8014 amanda.tofflemire@shalomaustin.orgCalendar

Austin Jewish Business Network’s monthly networking & educational meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:30pm at Frisco Diner 6801 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX in the glass atrium on the Burnet Rd. side of the building. On Tuesday, November 17th Deb Gabor will host an “Elevator Pitch Clinic”!Learn how to talk about yourself and the value you bring to employers and clients in a compelling and polished way.To RSVP and for complete details of all AJBN Meetings and Events go to: http://www.meetup.com/Austin-Jewish-Business-Network/