SHABBAT SHALOM

Shabbat Vayelech

Shabbat Shuvah

September 30- October 1, 2022 - 6 Tishrei 5782



Shanah Tovah Shaarei Kodesh!


What an incredible and ‘exciting’ new year it has already been! As we planned our High Holy Day services, and made the decision to return to our High Holy Day prayer space at Spanish River, I wondered to myself: would people return in person? I had my doubts at 10 am, but then, within just a couple of minutes, the sanctuary was as full as I remembered from past years. In addition to those who came in person, we had around sixty households log in to our service through Zoom. Whether we were in our temporary sanctuary, or on Zoom, we were together as a community again. 


The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are called the 10 Days of Teshuvah. Teshuvah is usually translated as repentance. It is during these days when we return to ourselves, when we engage in self-reflection on how we could be better in the coming year, before we come together again as a holy community for Yom Kippur. 


On Rosh Hashanah, I gave two sermons. 


On the first day, I focused on an issue that we as Americans struggled with for years before the pandemic: the epidemic of loneliness. Over these last two and half years, one of the sources of pride I felt about our congregation was our focus on reaching out to those who felt alone. In a sense, we all had moments of loneliness during these difficult years, and we helped each other. During my sermon, I spoke about ways that we can address the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ together as a congregation through a new initiative called Shabbat BaBayit, and a follow-up initiative to create new ‘pods’ to build community in a different way. You can read the sermon here: The Epidemic of Loneliness and the Cure: Making People Feel At Home In the World.


On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, I leaned into particularism, speaking about why I became a Conservative/Masorti Rabbi, and spoke about one of the unique aspects of Conservative Judaism: a commitment to Jewish pluralism and Klal Yisrael. I spoke about the importance of Jewish unity without uniformity, and how we can learn to appreciate the beauty of other movements in Judaism while also holding the beauty of what we share together as a Conservative movement congregation. It is fitting that the day after Rosh Hashanah is a minor fast day called Tzom Gedaliah. Gedaliah ben Aḥikam was a Jewish governor appointed by the Babylonians in the days following the destruction of Jerusalem in the sixth century B.C.E. He was subsequently assassinated by his own people and his death held dramatic implications for the Jews living under Babylonian rule. It is a reminder that we must work to resolve conflict between each other in peaceful ways. 


You can read the sermon here: Why I Chose To Be A Conservative Rabbi - Jewish Unity - Not Uniformity.


Just yesterday, Hurricane Ian created a massive amount of damage on the West Coast of Florida, and the full scope of destruction and loss of life is still unknown. I have reached out to my rabbinic colleagues and one of our households that live on the West Coast, and thankfully, they are all safe and weathered the storm. However, there are hundreds of thousands of our fellow Floridians who need our help. Over these ten days of Teshuvah, we can help them ‘return’ to a semblance of their lives before the storm with our Tzedakah. As we chanted during the Musaf service on Rosh Hashanah: 


וּתְשׁוּבָה וּתְפִלָּה וּצְדָקָה מַעֲבִירִין אֶת רעַ הַגְּזֵרָה


"But Tesuvah, Tefillah and Tzedakah avert the severity of the Decree!"


As I spoke about during one of my kavanot, hurricanes will come, there is nothing we can do to prevent them, but we can avert the severity of their destruction with our repentance, our prayers, and our Tzedakah, our monetary donations. If you feel moved, you can give tzedakah to help those who were most affected by Hurricane Ian through the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County (please see the link in the box below). 


I hope you can join us this Shabbat for a special Shabbat Shuvah service. Shabbat Shuvah is a special Shabbat held between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The name, Shuvah, is taken from the special haftarah from the Book of Hosea that begins “Return (shuvah), O Israel, to God” (Hosea 14:2), which focuses wholly on the intertwined holiday themes of regret, repentance, and return. On Shabbat Shuvah, I will lead our congregation in an interactive text teaching titled: Does Alex Jones Need to Atone? I was struck by the internet personality’s statement during his trial concerning his misleading his viewers about the massacre at Sandy Hook, leading to the harassment of the grieving families by his followers. His words were, “I’m done saying I’m sorry.” Together, we will look at the root of his ‘sin’ and how we struggle with the same sin. You can read more about this issue in the following article: ‘I’m Done Saying I’m Sorry,’ Alex Jones Tells Sandy Hook Families in Court.


I wish you all a Shanah Tovah, a Shabbat Shalom, and may God bring healing to those affected by Hurricane Ian. May we all be inscribed and sealed in The Book of Life. 


Rabbi David Baum

The Epidemic of Loneliness and the Cure: Making People Feel At Home In the World©

(Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@davehoefler) First Day of Rosh Hashanah Sermon - September 26, 2022/1st of Tishrei 5783 Once upon a time, there were three guys stuck on a deserted island - let's call them Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to make it easier. One day, they were having a conversation: what do you miss the most about home?

Read More

Why I Chose To Be A Conservative Rabbi - Jewish Unity - Not Uniformity©

People often ask me, why did you become a rabbi? To answer that question, I want to take you all back to my rabbinical school interview which happened in Israel. I sat in front of three rabbis, in a suit that I hadn't worn in years that was a lot tighter than I remembered.

Read More

Please join our Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s

coordinated effort to aid fellow Floridians!


Hurricane Ian barreled through our state with sustained winds gusting at over

150 mph – plunging large parts of the state into darkness, and cutting off water to millions of residents. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced or stranded. People are in critical need of shelter and aid. And it’s only just begun. 


This immense storm surge resulted in catastrophic flooding and disastrous tornadoes that have caused billions of dollars of damage to houses and businesses throughout Florida’s West Coast and beyond. 


The needs are urgent, and so is the need for your support. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is uniquely positioned to help at times such as these. 


Please give now to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund here: https://jewishboca.org/ianrelief


100% of your donation for Hurricane Ian relief

will go to help those affected by this devastating storm. 

CSK COVID UPDATE

As Covid transmission rates resurge in Palm Beach County, CSK continues to be vigilant by strongly encouraging the wearing of masks when inside the sanctuary and in other areas of the building when people are present. Social distancing is also recommended. We will once again provide for aliyot away from the Torah table for those who prefer. While we invite everyone to join us for Shabbat and activities, we want to be mindful of gathering in a safe and respectful way. Regarding our transition from Zoom to streaming services, we are in the process of implementing this change and anticipate conversion to streaming soon. We will continue to assess the situation and provide further updates. 

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Friday Morning Minyan

with Rabbi Baum


In-Person

Friday, September 30, 2022

8:00 am


Followed by a class taught by Rabbi Baum:

Community and Responsibility

KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday, October 1, 2022

6:15 PM ET

In-Person & on Zoom

Vaccination and Masks Strongly Encouraged but Not Required

Join Zoom Services

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES

Shabbat Vayelech

Shabbat Shuvah


Saturday, October 1, 2022

9:30 AM ET


In-Person and on Zoom

Vaccination and Masks Strongly Encouraged but Not Required

Cantor Hadash - Deuteronomy 31:1-31:3

Matt Weiss- Deuteronomy 31:4-31:6

Matt Weiss - Deuteronomy 31:7-31:9

Matt Weiss - Deuteronomy 31:10-31:13

Geil Bilu - Deuteronomy 31:14-31:19

Geil Bilu - Deuteronomy 31:20-31:24

Lenny Berkowitz - Deuteronomy 31:25-31:30

Lenny Berkowitz - (M) Deuteronomy 31:28-31:30

(H) Hosea 14:2-14:10, Micah 7:18-7:20, Joel 2:15-2:27

Join Zoom Services
Meeting ID: 882 0065 3129 Passcode: 910086

Shiva Minyan

for Regina Wetizman, z''l

Sunday, October 2 | 6:00 pm

at the Weitzman Home

7088 Mandarin Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33433

SPONSORS FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER


KEMACH TORAH NADIV SPONSORS 5782

Alexander & Rachel Baum

Nan Berkowitz

Stacie & Jeff Brody

Sue and Ben Eisenberg

Bernard and Ann Grossman

Kol Isha Sisterhood of CSK

Scott Reiter

Judy & Gary Richman

Diane and Robert Salamon


Challah & Wine Sponsor

Sirce Giveon in Memory of Jak Micah Giveon

Nachshon Carmi in Honor of the 40th Anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah

Click Here to Sponsor a Torah Portion for our Holocaust Torah Campaign in 5783
Yahrzeit and Refuah Shlema List
Siddur Lev Shalem - Maariv for Shabbat & Festivals
Siddur Lev Shalem - Shabbat & Festivals Morning
*Thank you to Bagel Twins for donating bagels for our Kiddush!
*Please note that ONLY the bagels, bialys, and pocket rolls from Bagel Twins at 5130 Linton Blvd are considered kosher (dairy) and are under the supervision of Rabbi Lester Herring. 
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