Shabbat Shalom from TBE

Shabbat Shalom

from

Temple Beth El

Friday, April 14, 2017 / 18 Nisan, 5777

Parashat Hol HaMo-eid Pesah Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Dear Friends,

On the Shabbat that falls during Hol Ha'moed Pesah, the intermediate days between the first and last days of Passover, we read a special selection of Torah verses taken from Exodus chapter 33:12 through 34:34. In one episode, Moses asks God to behold God's presence. God responds, "I will make all my goodness pass before you." (33:19).

Rabbi Harold Kushner suggests that "we encounter the reality of God when we experience goodness in the world, from the gift of life itself to the discovery of the capacity to do good in our own souls, and the love and generosity of people around us whom God has inspired to do good." (Etz Hayim Commentary p.539)

It is very easy to be consumed by the bad in this world. Every time we turn on the news we see another act of war, poverty, hatred violence that makes us ill; whether in our own community or halfway across the world, there is no shortage of terrible things happening to dispirit us.

All the more so we need to experience goodness in the world. It's there if we open our eyes and ears to it. I heard a story on the PRI's The World this week which shared the story of a Jewish family in Boston that is hosting a Syrian refugee family in their home for a year. The story was how this refugee family celebrated Passover with this Jewish family and how they have come to better understand one another, connecting the story of the Israelites Exodus from Egypt with this family's escape from Syria. Another story on the same program contained an interview with a woman who is believed to be the oldest woman in Africa-117 years old! The story featured interviews with several generations of her descendants and many pearls of her wisdom. I hope I can find the transcript as there was a sermon or two in that interview.

Perhaps we experienced that goodness around our Seder tables earlier this week. We gathered to share this special, central ritual in which we share a core narrative of our people's experience. We were slaves and now we are free. It is even more special when discussion around our Seder tables takes time to consider ways that we, who are blessed to live in comfort and peace, can connect our ancient story to the present day stories of people who feel threatened or psychologically enslaved and who yearn to be free. Even more so if this season of being liberated from bondage inspires us to act and to do good.

As you conclude the final few days of Passover, may you experience goodness in our world, may you do good things for our world, and may God inspire you in all your goodness.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Charles Briskin

Refuah Sh'leimah

For those recovering from an illness:

Barbara Mozlin

Vivian Rigler

Jack Lebental

Irene Tyson

Elaine Grove

Beth Wahba
David Shneer
Andy Kauffman
Howard Uller
Wendy Waterman

To add a name to this list, please contact the TBE Office. We will not add names until we are notified by the family. Thank you.

Upcoming Services

Can't make it to services? Watch from the comfort of your own home!

Temple Beth El now offers LIVE STREAM of our services.

Live streaming is available through www.youtube.com and then search: TempleBethElSanPedroLiveStream
or click here to go directly to the link.

Friday, April 14

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with Torah reading

Please join us as we celebrate Shabbat. Rabbi Briskin will speak and Rabbi Catherine Mummert will read Torah.

Saturday, April 15

10:00 a.m. Meditation Service

Monday, April 17

5:00 p.m. Pesah Yizkor Service at TBE
6:00 p.m. Hametz Dinner off-site at Lamppost Pizza
Celebrate the end of Passover with your TBE family. Bring your friends and family to Lamppost Pizza and 20% of your purchase goes to TBE. Individuals will order food for themselves. Lamppost Pizza: 2955 Rolling Hills Road (at Crenshaw) in Torrance.

Friday, April 21

6:30 p.m. Musical Shabbat Service

Join us for our musical service featuring the Moody Jews.

Saturday, April 22

10:00 a.m. Shabbat morning service during which
Ezra Briskin becomes a bar mitzvah
All are welcome to attend.
If you are joining us this morning, please RSVP to Carrie so we can be sure to have enough seating for all.

Friday, April 28
7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with Torah reading

Celebrating adult birthdays and anniversaries with an aliyah to the Torah. Rabbi Briskin will speak.

Saturday, April 29

10:00 a.m. Torah on the Trails walking George F. Canyon Preserve

Meet in the parking lot of the nature center, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, (south-west corner at Palos Verdes Drive North), Rolling Hills Estates.

Also on Saturday, April 29

4:30 p.m. Shabbat afternoon service during which Sarah Wagner becomes a bat mitzvah

All are welcome to attend.

Shoe Drive going on NOW through May 31!

We are collecting any lightly used men's, women's, and/or children's shoes and NEW (unworn) socks to benefit Shoes for the Homeless, Inc., a 501 (c)3 charitable corporation, whose mission is to provide shoes, free of charge, to the homeless and those in need in our local community.

Donation Bins are located in the lobby
next to the elevator.

We hope to see you soon at Temple Beth El.

Find us on the web at: www.bethelsp.org

Call the office for more information: 310-833-2467
Or drop by for a visit: 1435 W. 7th Street, San Pedro 90732