Temple Beth El of Williamsburg, VA
E-News
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Jill Hyman,
Synagogue Manager
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These two portions are combined into one longer portion every few years.
In Parashat Chukat, we find an overwhelming concern with death. At the beginning we read the mysterious laws of the Red Heifer, a very rare animal which is burnt in a special fire outside the camp. Its ashes are then used to ritually purify those who have become impure due to contact with a dead body.
The portion then jumps 38 years to the end of the Israelites' wandering in the desert. We read the brief description of the death of Miriam, the prophetess who was the older sister of Moses and Aaron, and then an incident about the people's need for water. These two events are in fact connected by the Rabbis, who notice that stories with Miriam are always associated with water. The people complain about thirst, and Moses is instructed by God to speak to a rock, which will then produce water. Seemingly frustrated and saddened by his sister's death, Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it. Water does flow, but Moses is chastized by God for his lack of trust, and he is told that he will not be allowed to lead the people into the Promised Land. We then read of Aaron's death, and the people's mourning for him for thirty days. The portion ends describing a number of battles the Israelites must fight as they travel through the wilderness.
Parashat Balak contains one of the most fully developed stories in the entire Torah. The story is really about Bil'am, a prophet who is hired to curse the Israelites by Balak, the Moabite king. Having heard the tales of their other battles, Balak perceives Israel as a threat. God makes it clear to Bil'am that he is not to curse Israel, whom God has blessed. But, after a number of approaches, Balak makes Bil'am an offer he cannot refuse. God permits Bil'am to go, but only with the knowledge that Bil'am will have no control over the words that will come out of his own mouth. On his way to curse Israel, Bil'am's donkey stops and refuses to move. The donkey can see an angel blocking the way which the man cannot see. A conversation results between man and donkey, one of only two talking animals in the Bible. Finally, Bil'am reaches his destination and opens his mouth to curse Israel. But instead of curses, words of blessing are spoken (this blessing is Mah Tovu, now part of the daily morning service). At the end of the parasha, the Israelites get in trouble by consorting with foreign women and worshipping a foreign deity. Pinchas, Aaron's grandson, known as a great zealot, appeases God's anger over this idolatry by killing an Israelite who was flaunting his salacious activities with a Midianite woman.
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Temple Beth El continues to be very active, online. Many services, programs, classes, and holiday observances continue to take place, primarily using Zoom.
Our synagogue building continues to be physically closed. Our facility has a number of issues that need to be addressed before we will be able to consider physically re-opening. Those issues are being worked on, and will continue to be in the coming months. People working on these physical issues, along with Synagogue Manager Jill Hyman, will be the only people entering the synagogue building in the coming months.
Rabbi David and the TBE Board are not supporting or sponsoring any in-person services at this time.
Recognizing our very successful virtual programming, we will continue to be a vital, relevant, meaningful congregation, using virtual technology for the immediate future.
We encourage you to observe physical distancing, to wear masks and wash your hands, to take COVID19 concerns seriously, and above all, to be safe.
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Plans for the upcoming High Holidays 5781
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As was announced in an Email to the congregation last week, after much consideration, Rabbi David, TBE’s Ritual Committee, and TBE’s Board of Directors, have decided that we will not hold in-person services for the High Holidays this year - instead, services will be held online, using Zoom. We have arrived at this decision based on concerns about community health and safety, in light of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic across the world. We are in the process of determining exactly what services will look like this year - if you have questions, or ideas, please contact Rabbi David, TBE President Mike Schulman, or Ritual Committee chair Steve Alter.
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There is a 10% discount on the Mahzor Leyamim Nora’im: Prayerbook for the Days of Awe to increase its availability to individuals and families who want to purchase it for their homes in light of the pandemic. This discount is not available in combination with any other discount.
A PDF of the Mahzor will also be available for free prior to the High Holidays for use during virtual services if people don't want to purchase a hardbound copy. More details to follow.
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Rabbi David is on vacation and unavailable for the month of July. Friday night services will continue to be held weekly on Zoom, and will be led by various members of our community.
If you have a pastoral emergency in July, please contact Rabbi Emerita Sylvia Scholnick, who is on call for Rabbi David in case of emergency. You can reach Rabbi Sylvi at 757-784-1632.
Please note:
The TBE building remains closed for in-person services and programs due to COVID19, therefore, there will be no in-person services in July.
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The Community Relations Council (CRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater presents
Israel and the Territories: Calculating the Risk/Reward Ratio
Israel is currently considering applying sovereignty over parts of the West Bank that could take place as early as July 1. The policy change is sure to be controversial. The following resources offer insight into the present issue and potential future challenges.
Thursday, July 9 12:00 pm. Registration is required for this free Zoom event.
Featuring:
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Senior Fellow, Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel, Strategic Relationship at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
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Senior Vice President for Research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Israel Today visiting expert
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Even in these trying times, the ISJL is here for you, to support, connect, and celebrate Jewish life. Implement Jewish learning and engagement by following ISJL on social media for livestreams and more.
https://www.isjl.org/connection-in-the-time-of-coronavirus.html
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Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, July 3
7:30 pm
Meeting ID: 844 8604 9431
Password: 685054
Unable to join services via the internet? Call
(929) 205-6099
, and when prompted, enter the meeting ID and password listed above.
Zoom and Schmooze
Monday, July 6
3:00 pm
Here's a chance to check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends. Rabbi David will not attend Zoom and Schmooze sessions for a while. Please enjoy visiting with each other during these times.
Meeting ID: 758 424 002
Password: 016921
Meditation and Mindfulness
Tuesday, July 7
4:00 - 5:00 pm
MMG participant Diana Freedman will lead the group’s sessions during the month of July, while Rabbi David is on vacation.
LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/750545116
THIS ZOOM WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME
Password: 316776
Zoom and Schmooze
Tuesday, July 7
7:30 pm
Evening opportunity, for those otherwise unable to attend a day session, to visit with TBE friends.
Meeting ID: 831 5173 0077
Password: 748573
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Zoom and Schmooze
Wednesday, July 8
11:00 am
Here's a chance to check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends. Rabbi David will not attend Zoom and Schmooze sessions for a while. Please enjoy visiting with each other during these times.
Meeting ID: 104 219 597
Password: 042870
Board Meeting
Wednesday, July 8
7:00 pm
Torah Study
Thursday, July 9
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Torah Study by Zoom
Please join us for TBE's always-lively Torah Study session
LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/104488948
THIS ZOOM WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME
Password:
978192
Israel and the Territories: Calculating the Risk/Reward Ratio
Thursday, July 9
12:00 pm
Registration Required
(See article above)
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, July 10
7:30 pm
Meeting ID: 844 8604 9431
Password: 685054
Unable to join services via the internet? Call
(929) 205-6099
, and when prompted, enter the meeting ID and password listed above.
Passwords for our Zoom sessions are in response to concerns about security. Please do NOT share Zoom passwords with anyone you don’t know.
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All Zoom sessions can be accessed by phone, if you’re unable to join us on the internet for Zoom and Schmooze, Meditation and Mindfulness, or Torah Study, just call the number
929-436-2866
, and when prompted, enter the meeting ID and password for the appropriate section. The number to call for Friday night services is
929-205-6099
.
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Congratulations to Our Newly Elected & Returning Board Members
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At the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 24th, the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 was approved and the following people were elected to the TBE Board of Directors:
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Mike Schulman - President
Fred Levy - Executive Vice President
Lois Ullman - Financial Vice President
Neil Portnoff - Treasurer
Joel Kirsch - Recording Secretary
Chris Freiman - Member at Large
David Janoff - Member at Large
Karlyn Owens - Member at Large
Brenda Roston - Member at Large
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Membership packages were mailed late June. There are 3 parts: welcome letter, membership data form, and the dues schedule. Please verify the information on the data sheet is correct. There is no need to return that sheet, unless corrections or additions are made. Please complete the dues commitment and return by Friday, July 31.
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Please use this link to download a PDF copy of our prayerbook, Kol HaNeshamah:
https://rrc0.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/comm/ERDCpHBFXoxGhxt7pXGFG5gBknXW6LjVJw95_HZMvZN4eA?e=2EujCH
This page guide includes the many different prayers, songs, and readings that are used in most of TBE’s Friday night services. The exact prayers, songs, and readings in each service will vary each week.
Please click here for the:
Also attached to is a sheet with the words to Debbie Friedman’s Mi Shebeirach prayer, which is not in our prayerbook.
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Mi Shebeirach by Debbie Friedman
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Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M'kor hab'racha l'imoteinu
May the source of strength,
Who blessed the ones before us,
Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing,
And let us say, Amen.
Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M'kor habrachah l'avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with r'fuah sh'leimah,
The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit,
And let us say, Amen
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This week’s Shabbat Box from the Reconstructionist movement
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Masks
are effective when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water. We continue to social distance, staying home as much as possible and staying safe. Please enjoy this special blessing for the mitzvah of putting on a mask.
This blessing was written by Rabbi David’s friend Rabbi Michael Knopf of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, which is the synagogue whose Mikvah we use for conversions. Rabbi Knopf introduced the blessing a few weeks ago in this column in TheForward:
https://forward.com/opinion/443804/wearing-a-face-mask-youre-doing-a-mitzvah-make-a-brachah/
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Social Action Committee Tzedakah Project
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TBE member Steve Alter is 3D-printing face shields for use by the Virginia Department of Health. He needs help in making deliveries to the VDH and to the Virginia Oncology Associates, as well as to retrieve visors to be made into face shields from a NASA colleague in Poquoson. If you can help out, please contact Steve directly at
altertalk@gmail.com
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If you would like to help with the material costs of the face shields, please make checks payable to Temple Beth El, with Social Action/Mask Project in the memo field. This will be a tzedakah project for the Social Action Committee.
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Shabbat Morning Service on Zoom - August 15
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Shabbat morning services on Zoom will take place on Saturday, August 15, starting at 10:30 am. This first online morning service, which Rabbi David will be leading from his home, will be experimental in nature.
LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81585494429?pwd=Y1FucTlncnpqR0RmS2w2MWk2SDhaZz09
Meeting ID: 815 8549 4429
Password: 333438
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Rosh Chodesh Elul with Sisterhood - August 20
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Celebrate the distinctly women's holiday of Rosh Chodesh as women of TBE Sisterhood welcome the new moon and month of Elul. Join us for a unique, enjoyable VIRTUAL experience consisting of a brief participatory service and fellowship, August 20 at 7 pm. Zoom link to follow.
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Shabbat Kulanu - August 21
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Save-the-date:
Shabbat Kulanu, TBE's family-oriented service, will take place Friday, August 21 at 6:30 pm. Please stay tuned for further information.
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Something To Watch To Prepare For The High Holidays
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Rabbi David's Yom Kippur talk this year will use the recently ended TV show "The Good Place" as a way to talk about mortality. During that talk, Rabbi David will specifically talk about the last few episodes of the show (the end of the fourth season).
The Good Place is a sitcom that aired on NBC, which imagines the afterlife. While the first season can seem like it continually mines the same joke, there is a major twist at the end of the season that sets up the next three seasons, which explore philosophy and eschatology in ways that are incredibly creative and unusually imaginative. If you're looking for something to watch while you're at home during the pandemic, Rabbi David highly encourages you to watch the entire show. There are four seasons, each composed of 13 half-hour episodes. The first three seasons are currently streaming on Netflix, and the fourth season can be watched on NBC's website, and is expected to come to Netflix later this summer. Please let Rabbi David know if you have any questions, and happy watching!
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For any wishing the honor of blowing the shofar and learning the order of the shofar sounds during the High Holy Days, please contact Terry Lieber at (757) 345-9381.
Whether you are already proficient, or would like to learn, the summer months are a perfect time to prepare! Call as soon as possible - Erev Rosh Hashanah, the 29th of Elul, is September 18 this year.
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New Building Keys and Codes
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The Safety & Security Committee is disabling ALL PIN codes and asking for a fresh start. During the period that the building remains closed only essential people will have access. If you feel you need access to the building, please contact the office. As the assigned Lock & Key custodian, all PIN codes and keys will be issued by Mitch Billings after clearance to enter is granted. Once the building is re-keyed with new locks, keys will be issued to authorized PIN holders only.
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There are many locations providing testing for COVID-19. The Virginia Peninsula Health District Office has compiled a list for our convenience.
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Community Information and Resources
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This is an extraordinary time, when most everyday routines and services have been disrupted, and procedures and recommendations are frequently in flux. We are doing our best to keep in touch with the situation as it develops, and to respond accordingly.
Rabbi David and President Mike Schulman are in regular contact with area social service agencies, and both participated in a statewide conference call for faith community leaders this past week.
If you are in need of any kind of assistance during this crisis, please be in touch with Rabbi David, and he will do his best to find you the help that you need. Help with food, errands, unemployment, housing, domestic difficulties, and many other areas is available in the community. Please reach out if you need help. Similarly, if you’d like to volunteer to help in some way, please also be in touch with Rabbi David.
For the moment, the Temple Beth El synagogue building remains closed until further notice, and our congregation is not organizing, planning, or endorsing any in-person gatherings.
All in-person events are cancelled.
Rabbi David and Jill are working from home, and are available by phone or Email, as are our many volunteer leaders.
As of now, we expect this status to continue indefinitely (although that is certainly not our hope). We are regularly evaluating how to offer Jewish religious, cultural, and communal programming at this unprecedented moment, and we anticipate offering more options to you as we move forward.
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Greater Williamsburg Basic Needs Map
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As a COVID Community Response, please familiarize yourself with the valuable resources available in our area,
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1D7dA5JZQUH9ELoaoZ4TiuvLvkZZPmHJB&usp=sharing
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TBE member Deanna Marroletti is available to pick up and deliver groceries to any TBE member who can't or shouldn't go out to stores on their own. She is currently doing deliveries on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you'd like Deanna's help please contact her directly at
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GROCERY DELIVERY OPTIONS
Instacart delivery: instacart.com
Delivery from stores in zip codes 23185: Aldi, Publix, CVS, Petco, Food Lion, The Fresh Market and Target. Zero dollar delivery fees on orders of $35 or more with Instacart Express membership available monthly or annually. One time delivery without membership ranges between $3.99 and $7.99. Pickup also available.
Harris Teeter: harristeeter.com
Same day delivery or pickup depending on demand. In addition to $4.95 shopping fee, same day delivery is $9.95 on orders over $50. Same day delivery for orders under $50 is $11.95 in addition to $4.95 shopping fee. Express Lane pickup delayed due to high demand.
Harris Teeter is designating Thursdays from 9am to 2pm as ExpressLane Senior Day. To further enhance our commitment to protecting our senior shoppers, Harris Teeter will designate ExpressLane Online Shopping *pick-up times from 9am - 2pm for seniors only every Thursday until further notice AND will waive the **$4.95 fee & offer $5 delivery for seniors during these times.
ExpressLane Senior Day Promotion Codes
Waive the Fee - SD60
$5 Delivery - SDDEL
This will allow our senior shoppers to take advantage of their 5% Senior Club discount every Thursday, and it will provide a genuine opportunity for our senior shoppers to purchase what they need while practicing the CDC's recommended social distancing guidelines.
Publix: Publix.com
Delivery and curbside pickup by Instacart.
Instore pickup: Due to limited product availability, some online orderable items may not be available. This includes some cake flavors and other orderable items. The store associate will call you if an item or option you selected is not available and offer a replacement.
Food Lion: Foodlion.com
For pickup or delivery of orders over $35, pickup fee is $1.99 and delivery fee is $3.99. There is an additional delivery service fee of 5% of the total order. Food Lion delivery hours are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m - 10 p.m.
Walmart: Walmart.com
Free pickup. Delivery fee varies and is based on time slot you book. No monthly or annual subscription fees.
Target: Target.com
Free four week trial membership to Shipt, you will be billed for a $99 nonrefundable annual membership when four week trial ends. Same day or next day delivery if item is eligible. Prime Pantry delivery includes fresh and frozen foods and essentials.
Amazon available to Prime members: Amazon.com
Free grocery delivery from Whole Foods with membership. Two hour delivery may not be available due to high demand, free shipping on all orders over $35, flat fee of $5.99 if under $35.
PHARMACY OPTIONS
Williamsburg Drug Company:
McLaws Cir., M-F 9-6, Sat. 9-4, 229-1041, free delivery and curbside service
CVS:
Jamestown Rd/199, 564-1005, M-F 8-8, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-6, free shipping, drive-thru
Walgreens:
229-0962, 1309 Richmond Rd, has drive-thru, free shipping
updated our hours to allow for extra cleaning and stocking.
open 9am-9pm weekdays
24-hour stores are drive-thru only overnight 9pm-9am
Seniors-only shopping: 8am-9am every Tuesday
Target: Williamsburg East store
200 Marquis Parkway, pharmacy hours: M-F 10am-7pm, Sat. 11am-5pm, Sun. 12pm-5pm, 259-3021
Pickup and shipping available
OTHER SERVICES OPTIONS
Library Services:
Offering digital library cards if you don't have one already
https://wrl.org/
https://wrl.org/temporary-library-card-signup/
Pet Services:
Petco:
https://stores.petco.com/va/williamsburg/pet-supplies-williamsburg-va-2877.html
4600 Casey Boulevard Suite 100, Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 259-1980
Order online and pick up in store or drive up for curbside service
Petsmart
: https://www.petsmart.com/
4900 Monticello Ave,Williamsburg, VA 23188, 259-1630
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Jill Hyman
Synagogue Manager
757-220-1205
Rabbi David Katz
757-206-1633
mobile 757-634-6407
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Temple Beth El, A Welcoming Synagogue In Williamsburg, Virginia
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