Wood River Jewish Community

Newsletter February 7, 2023

Engaged families sing, dance, bless, eat and enjoy a seder for Tu Bishvat with Stav and Rabbi Robbi. 

NO SHABBAT SERVICES ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Torah Portion of the Week - Rabbi Robbi -

Parasha Yitro (Jethro)

Exodus 18:1–20:23


·      Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro) hears of the great miracles which God performed for the people of Israel, and comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses’ wife, Tziporah, and two sons. Yiteo advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administering justice to the people, as all the work is far too hard for one person to do.

 

·      The children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that God has chosen them to be God’s “kingdom of priests” and “holy nation.” The people respond by proclaiming, “All that God has spoken, we shall do.”

 

·      On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai. God descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to ascend.

 

·      God proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people of Israel to believe in God, not to worship idols or take God’s name in vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, not to murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal, and not to bear false witness or covet another’s property. In synagogue, we stand during the chanting of the Ten Commandments to commemorate that we were all standing at the foot Mt. Sinai when they were delivered.

 

There's no Torah portion named "Moses" but this week's portion is named for Moses's non-Israelite (non-Jewish/Israelite) father-in-law Yitro. He was a person of multiple talents and names, supporting the family while Moses was leading the people and off communicating with God. When Moses was overwhelmed adjudicating disputes among his congregants, Yitro didn't just criticize his workaholic son-in-law, but proposed a solution: the establishment of a judicial hierarchy. He's our model for being a parent-in-law. Yitro is further honored because we get the tenets of enlightened civilization, the Ten Commandments, in this Torah portion named for him.


Rabbi Robbi

Interested in our youth education program for your kids?


The WRJC has programs and events for ages 5 to 12. Please contact Mora Dana via email at danahenry17@gmail.com for more information.

Mount Hermon Ski Club

 

Until March 12 and Every Sunday and Thursday, meet at 10:15 at Lookout Restaurant-

10:30-Noon ski - Noon lunch (Thursdays at Apple’s; Sundays at Warm Springs Day Lodge)

 

Contact Jim Fabe - Daytime 208-721-3826- Evening 310-415-8554

Donations of the week

Patrons of the Month February

Lois Rosen

Lenny and Linda Cohen

James Fabe


Where Needed Most Fund

Richard and Sara Jean Cardozo


Yarzheits of the week

Betty Brod, Mother of David Brod

Lucille Klau Carothers, Mother-in-law of Gail Stern

Marjorie Goldstein, Mother of Susan Jansen

James Ralph Jordan, Father of Mark Jordan

Rita Krivel, Sister-in-Law of Valerie Diamond

Sara Pape, Mother of Margery Friedlander

Lewis Savage, Father of Fred Savage

Judith Smooke, Wife of Richard Smooke


BIRTHDAYS

Betsy Conovitz

Courtney Will

Ari Geffen

Robbi Sherwin

Jori Magidson


ANNIVERSARY

Fred and Eileen Prager

Ken and Ravona Molkner

Scott and Laura Jordan

Judy Meyer

Katy Jordan


Caring committee: Mila Lyon

mila9dpl@aol.com

208-721-7933

Board of Directors

Jeff Rose, President

Dana Berntson, Vice President

Noa Ries, Vice President

Judy Teller Kaye, Treasurer

Coni Foster, Secretary

Josh Kleinman, Past President

Susan Green, Past President 

Linda Cooper


Phil Goldstein

Ron Greenspan

Amy Kroll

Juli Roos

Bob Safron

 

Rabbi Robbi Sherwin

Claudie Goldstein, Executive Director


WRJC STANDS WITH ISRAEL