Temple Beth El of Williamsburg, VA
E-News
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August 21, 2020 Issue 399
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Jill Hyman, Synagogue Manager
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The Hebrew word shoftim - meaning 'judges' or 'magistrates' - defines the theme of this important portion. Issues of jurisprudence and social ethics predominate, including guidelines for judges and courts of law, elders, kings, prophets, and priests, all of whom have a role in maintaining a just society. Right up front, the text identifies the most important characteristic of a shofet (a judge): the ability to remain impartial and objective. The shofet must not play favorites, and must always resist bribes and other forms of influence.
The Torah again prohibits any forms of idolatrous practices, which are seen as the greatest perversion of God's justice. The notion of a Monarch is discussed as a possibility upon entering into the Promised Land. The Israelites can only appoint a King who has been selected by God, and the King must have an unyielding commitment to God, Torah, and the people of Israel. He also must not be distracted by material wealth or foreign influence, which might cloud his judgment.
Moses next addresses the Levites, and emphasizes their special place among the people. They have both privilege and responsibility. Moses then turns from the priests to the notion of prophecy, and discusses how to distinguish between a true prophet and a false prophet. No other forms of divination or sorcery can be used to determine God's will, and all false prophets and methods of divination must be wiped out. Cities of refuge and the importance of proper witnesses are discussed. The parasha ends with a discussion of proper approaches to warfare. Justice is to be maintained at all times, even in times of war.
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Membership packages were mailed late June. There are 3 parts: welcome letter, membership data form, and the dues schedule. Please verify the information on the data sheet is correct. There is no need to return that sheet, unless corrections or additions are made. The requested July 31 due date has passed. Please complete and return the dues commitment as soon as possible. |
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Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, all Temple Beth El programs, services, and classes are currently taking place online. This will continue until TBE’s Reopening Committee and Board of Directors determine that it is safe and appropriate for those activities to return to the building - a decision that will be reached based on health statistics, and on recommendations from local and national organizations. In the meantime, the synagogue building is open by appointment only for maintenance and essential services, as we prepare it for the eventual return of the community. |
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Shabbat Kulanu - TONIGHT, August 21 |
TONIGHT:
Shabbat Kulanu, TBE's family-oriented service, will take place tonight, Friday, August 21 at 6:30 pm.
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Simcha Shabbat - August 28 |
Please join us next Friday night, August 28 during services to commemorate Simcha Shabbat. We will recognize and celebrate anyone with simchas in August and receive blessings!
In advance of August 28, please email the office with who's celebrating and the occasion.
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Plans for the upcoming High Holidays 5781 |
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After much consideration, Rabbi David, TBE’s Ritual Committee, and TBE’s Board of Directors, have decided that we will not hold in-person services for the High Holidays this year - instead, services will be held online, using Zoom. We have arrived at this decision based on concerns about community health and safety, in light of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic across the world. We are in the process of determining exactly what services will look like this year - if you have questions, or ideas, please contact Rabbi David, TBE President Mike Schulman, or Ritual Committee chair Steve Alter. |
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Shabbat Kulanu
Friday, August 21
6:30 pm
Meeting ID: 858 0539 0033
Passcode: 339485
Zoom and Schmooze
Monday, August 24
3:00 pm
Check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends.
Meeting ID: 758 424 002
Password: 016921
Meditation and Mindfulness
Tuesday, August 25
4:00 - 5:00 pm
LINK: https://zoom.us/j/750545116
THIS ZOOM WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME
Password: 316776
Zoom and Schmooze
Tuesday, August 25
7:30 pm
Check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends.
Meeting ID: 831 5173 0077
Password: 748573
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Zoom and Schmooze
Wednesday, August 26
11:00 am
Check in, say hi, and visit with other TBE friends.
Meeting ID: 104 219 597
Password: 042870
Torah Study
Thursday, August 27
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
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
Simcha Shabbat
Friday, August 28
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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Please use this link to download a PDF copy of our prayerbook, Kol HaNeshamah:
https://rrc0.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/comm/ERDCpHBFXoxGhxt7pXGFG5gBknXW6LjVJw95_HZMvZN4eA?e=2EujCH
This page guide includes the many different prayers, songs, and readings that are used in most of TBE’s Friday night services. The exact prayers, songs, and readings in each service will vary each week.
Please click here for the:
Also attached to is a sheet with the words to Debbie Friedman’s Mi Shebeirach prayer, which is not in our prayerbook.
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Mi Shebeirach by Debbie Friedman |
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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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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For any wishing the honor of blowing the shofar and learning the order of the shofar sounds during the High Holy Days, please contact Terry Lieber at (757) 345-9381.
Whether you are already proficient, or would like to learn, the summer months are a perfect time to prepare! Call as soon as possible - Erev Rosh Hashanah, the 29th of Elul, is September 18 this year.
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There is a 10% discount on the Mahzor Leyamim Nora’im: Prayerbook for the Days of Awe to increase its availability to individuals and families who want to purchase it for their homes in light of the pandemic. This discount is not available in combination with any other discount.
A PDF of the Mahzor will also be available for free prior to the High Holidays for use during virtual services if people don't want to purchase a hardbound copy. More details to follow.
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Selichot Program - September 12 |
This year's Selichot Program will be hosted by Temple Sinai on Saturday night, September 12. Last year's Selichot Program was hosted by Temple Beth El. The Selichot service is presented by a different Peninsula congregation each year on a rotating basis. It should be a meaningful and moving evening. More details regarding the start time and Zoom information will follow. |
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Program Committee Book Club
September 13
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The TBE Program Committee Book Club will Zoom on Sunday, September 13, at 3:00 pm to discuss Once We Were Brothers by Ronald H. Balson. “It is the compelling tale of two boys and a family who fight to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.” |
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Social Action Committee Tzedakah Project |
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.
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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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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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.
Please visit the Jewish Tidewater Virtual Community Resources to connect to many community events.
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Even in these trying times, the ISJL is here for you, to support, connect, and celebrate Jewish life. Implement Jewish learning and engagement by following ISJL on social media for livestreams and more.
https://www.isjl.org/connection-in-the-time-of-coronavirus.html
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If you’re feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, the sooner you act the better. Start with these resources to help protect yourself, your family, and your friends as we all work to stop the spread. |
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There are many locations providing testing for COVID-19. The Virginia Peninsula Health District Office has compiled a list for our convenience.
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Community Information and Resources |
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As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, many community resources are available for assistance with shopping, errands, unemployment, housing, domestic difficulties and many other areas. If we can help in any way, please reach out to Rabbi David, Jill Hyman, or any TBE Board member. |
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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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