TSSB NEWSLETTER 1/18/18
A MESSAGE FROM CANTOR LILY -
A Taste of Torah: Parshat Bo

In this week’s Torah portion, called Bo, we read about the last 3 plagues that God sends upon Egypt when Pharaoh does not agree to let the Jewish people free. The word “Bo” in Hebrew literally means “come” in the command form. In the opening verses of the portion, God commands Moses to appear before Pharaoh to plead for the freedom of the Jewish people. The last 3 plagues consist of locusts, darkness, and the slaying of the first born child. Finally, after Pharaoh’s son is killed, he allows Moses to lead the Jewish people out of bondage from Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart is now broken and his psyche cracks as he lets his slaves free.

This Monday, we celebrated and commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It would have been very easy for Dr. King to revert to anger and harden his heart during the Civil Rights movement. At such a dark time in our history, Dr. King and the people who stood with him highlight for us the fight that continues today and the work that still needs to be done. We must not harden our hearts. We must follow in his footsteps and force our hearts to remain open to those who are not like us and those who challenge us to become better human beings.

Phil and I just watched the incredibly disturbing, but also slightly comedic movie “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. Without revealing too much…the movie’s main character is faced with a difficult choice: to either harden her heart and seek revenge on those who have wronged her and her family OR to somehow overcome her unimaginable tragedy and move on with her life. Through struggle and tense interactions with others around her, Francis McDormand’s character fights the hardening of her heart. I highly recommend the film!

What factors or relationships in our lives harden our hearts? When do we succumb to anger and when do we emerge from the darkness? When do we allow ourselves to become comfortable with routine and when do we challenge ourselves to grow?

May we hear the calling when we are told to “come!” May we be so lucky to hear that voice when it beckons…and may we also challenge ourselves to fight the hardening of our hearts when the voice is silent.
UPCOMING EVENTS

SHABBAT IN JANUARY
SOCIAL ACTION/TIKKUN OLAM SHABBAT
Friday, January 19, 2018 at Temple Shalom
“The ultimate measure of a person is not where he/she stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he/she stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King King Jr. 

Please join us on Friday, January 19th at either our 6pm Young Family Shabbat service or our new 7pm Soulful Shabbat service. Both services will explore Social Action/Tikkun Olam Shabbat in honor of MLK Day. We are grateful to have each of you as part of our Temple Shalom community!

5:45pm – craft & nosh
6:00-6:30pm – Young Family Service: ages tot–3rd grade (enjoy our fun tot song and also introduce our 1st–3rd graders to the structure of our TSSB Friday Night Services)
6:30-7:00pm – Community Shabbat Dinner
7:15-8:15pm – “Social Action/Tikkun Olam Shabbat” service for teens and adults in the same Sanctuary where we celebrate High Holy Days (enjoy new melodies by our Cantor and a spiritual sermon by our Rabbi)
Oneg to follow
RSVP HERE .


ADULT WINTER SOCIAL EVENT: Erev Super Bowl Soirée
Saturday, February 3, 2018
7–10pm
Join us at The Parkers. (Location will be shared upon RSVP)
RSVP  HERE


TEMPLE SHALOM FAMILY CAMP AT THE SHALOM INSTITUTE IN MALIBU
Friday Feb 23 to Sunday Feb 25, 2018

Attention families with kids through 2nd grade... this is a great family camp! Don't miss out... Not sure if this is for you? Questions? Please contact Cantor Lily .
Click  HERE  to register.
Click  HERE  to view the flyer.
RABBI'S ADULT LEARNING SERIES:
(IMPORTANT UPDATE WITH NEW DATES & TOPICS)
New Torah Classes: Three Part Series
7pm Room 4 at TSSB

Thurs. Feb. 1 - The Twins: Jacob & Esau – What’s with the Birthright? Why is it So Important!? Jacob & his Wives: 12 Tribes (and Dinah)

Thurs. Feb. 15 - Worst Sibling Rivalry Ever! Joseph and his Brothers
Cat & Mouse Game: Sweet Revenge!

 **We have to Break for PURIM – Thurs night March 1 – Night for reading the Megillah

Thurs March 15 - Introduction to Exodus – Major Themes
Exploring the Passover Story – Choosing the Areas to Study for Next Torah Series
RSVP HERE .
TRANSITIONS
The TSSB community extends condolences to Rabbi August and Alan Klein for the recent death of Rabbi’s Uncle, William Davidowitz, Z”L, the patriarch of her family. He passed away Jan 2, 2018 at 90 years old. May his memory be a blessing.
IN THE COMMUNITY

THE JEWISH WOMEN'S THEATER
Sunday, January 28 at 1:30
Click  HERE  for more details.
RSVP HERE so Temple Shalom can organize this outing together.