Temple Beth El of Williamsburg, VA
E-News
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Jill Hyman,
Synagogue Manager
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This week's parasha gives an interesting blend of the ritual and personal concerns of the people. The Israelites have been out of Egypt for two years and are well into their daily experience of wandering in the Wilderness. First, we read that Aaron is instructed to light the Menorah, and its construction is reviewed. The portion then continues with a description of the dedication of the Levites as assistants to the priests. The celebration of the second Pesach (Passover) is recounted, but with an interesting twist: some people can't bring the required sacrificial offering, due to ritual impurity, so God gives them a second chance a month later, with the introduction of Pesach Sheini. Then, the movements of the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night are explained, indicating God's presence among the people and the nature of divine leadership in the wilderness. As the central story of this portion, the Israelites take to complaining about the lack of variety in their diet. They are provided with Manna from heaven, but this is not enough - they want meat! Even though God is angered by the people's impudence, God agrees to satisfy the people's craving for meat and sends flocks of quail. To make a graphic point, God sends so much meat that it comes out the people's nostrils! Next, Moses expresses frustration as the leader of a difficult people. To help, Moses is instructed by God to appoint 70 Elders to help him govern and judge the nation. The Elders are divinely confirmed and given the gift of prophecy. In a final episode of dissention, Moses's own brother Aaron and sister Miriam speak slander against Moses. As a result, Miriam is stricken with Tzara'at, a scaly skin affliction, and is sent out of the camp. Moses pleads with God to heal her.
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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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Rabbi David's remarks at last Sunday's Community Rally
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One of my favorite interpretations of the Genesis story of Adam, the first human, comes from Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5, where we are told that “A single person was created in the world, to teach that if any man has caused a single life to perish, he is deemed by Scripture as if he had caused a whole world to perish...; a single person was created in the world for the sake of peace among humankind, that one should not say to another, ’My father was greater than your father.’”
Preamble:
Religious leaders belonging to Historic Area Religions Together (HART) lament and condemn the killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department on May 25, 2020.
As people of faith, we see all persons as sacred and of inherent worth and dignity. We cry out against centuries of violence and oppression against persons of color. We join our voices with all who denounce the evils of racism and white supremacy, even as we confess our own complicity in this heritage of injustice. Committing to a future where all persons can experience fullness of life, we pledge to work toward racial reconciliation, peace with justice, and a future with hope. We pray now for our community and the world.
Holy One of Blessing,
We pray for all who are beset with violence to be overcome with peace,
for all who are hurting to be healed,
for justice to dismantle the evils of racism and white supremacy,
and for compassion to supplant indifference and complacency.
In grief we remember George Floyd and others we now name aloud and in silence:
(Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner,
Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, …)
There are other many names we do not know. We pray that they, too, will not be forgotten.
Comfort their loved ones and their communities.
Forgive us for our chronic blindness to the suffering of others.
Energize us to pursue justice all the days of our lives.
Give us courage to resist the temptation to take refuge in platitudes without penitence,
apologies without action,
and pious pronouncements that offer no promise of peace.
Empower those in positions of public trust to rise above the willful indifference of partisan politics.
Guide law enforcement officials to seek justice, and the safety and well-being of those they serve.
Strip away the tendency of the privileged to self-righteous defensiveness.
Open our ears to listen to one another, and especially to the voices of the oppressed,
even when the truth we hear makes us uncomfortable.
Open our eyes to see clearly the tragic legacy of centuries of injustice.
Open our hearts to your love, alive in the world. Heal us by teaching us to love as you love.
Grateful for the moral arc of the universe that may be long but that bends toward justice,
we pray for courage for the facing of this hour.
May your love and justice and mercy rain down, in healing flowing waters,
to carve a new river of hope through our lives and through this land.
May this be Your will, Holy One,
And let us all say,
Amen.
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The Community Relations Council (CRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater educates the community on issues impacting the rights of Jews locally, in the United States, in Israel and around the world. The CRC transforms issues into action through the community, public officials and government, the media and other faith and ethnic communities.
The CRC has plans to launch a Combatting Hate Task Force in the coming months to provide opportunities for the Jewish community to reflect, learn, and discuss our individual and communal roles in dismantling systemic racism and antisemitism. They invite you to join them in this work. To learn more about the new Task Force please see the full article.
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Rabbi David will be on vacation and unavailable for the month of July. Friday night services will continue weekly, will be held on Zoom, and will be led by various various members of our community.
If you have a pastoral emergency in July, please contact Rabbi Emerita Sylvia Scholnick, who will be 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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Shabbat Kulanu
Friday, June 12
6:30 pm
LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/175881984?pwd=eU5jT1FnM2ZkTjFBRWJmbU9kNG5pdz09
Meeting ID: 175 881 984
Password: 009097
CPR and AED Awareness
CPR and AED Awareness ZOOM Meeting
Sunday, June 14
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
.
LINK:
R
eservations required for Zoom
Zoom and Schmooze
Monday, June 15
3:00 pm
Here's a chance to check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends. Rabbi David will not be participating in this session.
Meeting ID: 758 424 002
Password: 016921
Meditation and Mindfulness
Tuesday, June 16
4:00 - 5:00 pm
TBE's MMG will have a regular session led by Rabbi David. Newcomers are welcome, but please be in touch with Rabbi David ahead of time if you haven't participated before.
LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/750545116
THIS ZOOM WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME
Password: 316776
Zoom and Schmooze
Tuesday, June 16
7:30 pm
New 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, June 17
11:00 am
Here's a chance to check in, say hi, and visit with Rabbi David and other TBE friends.
Meeting ID: 104 219 597
Password: 042870
Torah Study
Thursday, June 18
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
Kabbalat Shabbat
High School Senior Night
Friday, June 19
7:30 pm
LINK:
https://zoom.us/j/175881984?pwd=eU5jT1FnM2ZkTjFBRWJmbU9kNG5pdz09
Meeting ID: 175 881 984
Password: 009097
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. Just call the number
929-436-2866
, and when prompted, enter the meeting ID and password for the appropriate section.
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Program Committee, in partnership with the ISJL, presents two exciting programs - June 18 & June 25
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The Program Committee, in partnership with the ISJL, is offering two Zoom programs in June. On Thursday, June 18, join Batsheva as she takes us from Sinai to Statehood - How Did We Get Here. On Thursday, June 25, Dr. Joel Hoffman will present a class on the Mystery & Majesty of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Both programs will be at 8 pm. Zoom links will be sent in future E-News.
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Shabbat Kulanu - TONIGHT - June 12
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Rabbi David and Rich Roston will lead Online Shabbat Kulanu service, TONIGHT, Friday night, June 12. Shabbat Kulanu is TBE’s monthly, family-oriented service. Shabbat Kulanu starts at 6:30pm, and usually features dancing, guitar playing, and a puppet show. The Shabbat Kulanu service will be the only service TBE offered that Friday night.
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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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CPR and AED Awareness ZOOM Meeting
June 14, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
This event will provide instruction about hands-only CPR and proper AED use as well as guidance on the proper use of the PulsePoint mobile applications. This course is for awareness only and does not provide CPR certification. It is recommended that you also attend one of our live in-person courses as soon as we are able to offer them.
Please forward this email to your friends and family to get the word out about hands-only CPR! Together, we can save lives.
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High School Senior Night
June 19
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Please join us next Friday, June 19, during Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat services, when we will celebrate our High School Seniors. We hope you can join us to celebrate our students, as they help to lead services, and share some words of wisdom, as they prepare to head off to the next stage of their lives.
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Annual Congregational Meeting - June 24
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Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place via Zoom on June 24, the last Wednesday in June at 7 pm rather than on June 17. Please join the Zoom meeting and vote on our annual budget and Board of Directors for the new term.
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During online services Friday night, June 26, we’ll celebrate any Simcha that you’ve celebrated in your life during the month of June. If you’re able to, please send Rabbi David an Email prior to June 26 to let him know that you’d like to do this, but it’s also ok to just let him know when he asks for Simcha Celebrators at the start of services.
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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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Modern Hebrew, Virtual Beginners Class at TBE
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TBE is offering a
new online Modern Hebrew Class
, taught by TBE member Betty Ronnen. Biblical and modern Hebrew are two versions of the same language. The former ancient, the latter its ongoing adaptation in the present day. Participants in the class may choose their level of involvement - they can respond to home assignments, or just be casual listeners.
Please take a moment to answer the
For information, and/or to register for the class, please contact Betty at
bettybet@cox.net.
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Outerwear Lost and Found
Unclaimed items will be donated June 12
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We would like to help return lost items to their owners. Please call the office to make arrangements to collect "left" items. All items not collected by Friday, JUNE 12, will be donated.
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Child's North Face Jacket
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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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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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Zoom Links from a friend’s synagogue
If you’re interested in more Zoom-accessible Jewish programming, TBE members have been invited to participate online in the following programs at the SAJ (the Society for the Advancement of Judaism) - the first Reconstructionist synagogue, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, whose original rabbi was Mordechai Kaplan and whose current rabbi, Lauren Grabelle Hermann, is a friend of Rabbi David’s.
Every Tuesday at 2pm
Text Exploration with Rabbi Lauren or Guest Teachers TBD
Zoom ID: 790-811-981
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Every Wednesday at 2pm
Moments Musicaux": Notes on Music"
"Moments Musicaux": Notes on Music" 45 minute lectures with SAJ member-concert pianist, Dr. Claudia Knafo, who will present and perform (sometimes) anything and everything you wanted to know about classical music, the lives of composers, and the gossip of the greats. See Claudia’s bio here: https://www.claudiaknafo.com/
Zoom ID: 790-811-981
Every Thursday at 2pm
Philosophy of Prayer, with student Rabbi Sarah Brammar-Shlay
Zoom ID: 790-811-981
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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 Acting President Linda Maltz 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. This includes Shabbat Zakein, Ali Kaplan Memorial Blood Drive, Jewish Film Festival, and the in-person Community Seder at the WUU.
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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Educational Resources from the ISJL are an important tool for us to share. From a Taste of Torah to Special Resources for Passover and More. Southern Jewish Playlists are also in the works - coming soon! Please take a look!
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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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