"The Wood River Jewish Community is a gathering place that strives to perpetuate
Jewish tradition through worship, fellowship and learning. Founded in 1976, we seek to provide a welcoming and caring community in the Wood River Valley
October 16, 2018
PARSHA OF THE WEEK
Parasha Lech Lecha (Go! Get out of here!)*
Genesis 12:1-17:27
God speaks to Abram, commanding him, "Go from your land, from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you." There, God says, he will be made into a great nation. Abram and his wife, Sarai, accompanied by his nephew Lot, journey to the land of Canaan, where Abram builds an altar and continues to spread the message of a one God.
A famine forces the first Jew to depart for Egypt, where beautiful Sarai is taken to Pharaoh's palace; Abram escapes death because they present themselves as brother and sister. A plague prevents the Egyptian king from touching her, and convinces him to return her to Abram and to compensate the brother-revealed-as-husband with gold, silver and cattle.
Back in the land of Canaan, Lot separates from Abram and settles in the evil city of Sodom, where he falls captive when the mighty armies conquer the five cities of the Sodom Valley. Abram sets out with a small band to rescue his nephew, defeats theagressors, and is blessed by the king of Jerusalem.
Still childless ten years after their arrival in the Land, Sarai tells Abram to marry her maidservant Hagar. Hagar conceives, becomes insolent toward her mistress, and then flees when Sarai treats her harshly; an angel convinces her to return, and tells her that her son will father a populous nation. Ishmael is born in Abram's eighty-sixth year.
Thirteen years later, God changes Abram's name to Abraham ("father of multitudes"), and Sarai's to Sarah ("princess"), and promises that a son will be born to them; from this child, whom they should call Isaac ("will laugh"), will create a great nation with which God will establish a special bond. Abraham is commanded to circumcise himself and his descendants as a "sign of the covenant between Me and you." Abraham immediately complies, circumcising himself and all the males of his household.
(*Paraphrased: Direct translation: "go for you")
Many wonderful contemporary songs have been written about Abram following God's commandment to leave his homeland and go across the river to "a land that I will show you." Here are two of my favorites: "Lechi Lach" by Debbie Friedman and "Across the River" by Sam Glaser.
Rabbi Robbi Sherwin will talk about the parsha of the week "Parasha Lech Lecha" .
OCTOBER PATRON OF THE MONTH'S SPONSORS
Daniel and Diane Feldman
Howard Banchik
Larry and Marlene Samuels
DONATIONS OF THE WEEK
Honor a special occasion, express sympathy, remember a loved one, or simply say "Thank You" with a donation to a WRJC fund of your choice.
HIGH HOLIDAYS SUPPORT
Lenny and Phyllys Schlessinger in memory of Mary Schlessinger
WHERE NEEDED MOST FUNDS
David Hoffman in memory of Ellen Hoffman
David Hoffman in memory of Susan Zucker
Ralph Fullerton and Myra Friedmanin memory of Debra Levin's mother
MUSIC
Woody and Margery Friedlander in memory of Debra Levin's mother
BE A BLESSING
Judy Greenstein
BACK TO SCHOOL
October 21st, 4pm-5:30pm
at the WRJC office in Ketchum
CONDOLENCES
The Wood River Jewish community expresses its sincere condolences to Arlene Bennett and family for the passing of Marshall Bennett.
YARZHEITS OF THE WEEK
A Yahrzeit donation allows you to honor the memory of the special people in your life. Your gift will memorialize your loved one during the anniversary of his or her passing.
Lilyan Brait, Mother of Kenneth Brait
Rozann Feldheim, Wife of Richard Feldheim
May Helman, Mother of Richard Feldheim
Ellen Hoffman, Wife of David Hoffman
Betty Karassik, Mother of Steven Karassik
Joseph A. Lorch, Father of Barbara Gettelman
Clement Molkner, Father of Kenneth Molkner
Leslie and Sophie Rosenthal, Friends of Rabbi Robbi Sherwin
To discuss leaving a legacy and providing support to our Wood River Jewish Community in perpetuity, please feel free to call 208-726-1183 or email claudie@wrjc.org to arrange a private and confidential meeting.
If you want to know more about our organization, please contact
Claudie Goldstein, Executive Director at claudie@wrjc.org or 208-726-1183
