This week’s parashah is Mas’ei, the last of the Book of Numbers, Sefer Bemidbar. The parashah begins with a list of the way stations during the journey of the People of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. Why give such an accounting? If we travel from Austin to Dallas, we’re unlikely to tell people that we went from Austin to Pflugerville, from Pflugerville to Round Rock, from Round Rock to Georgetown, etc. We’re more likely to mention only our final destination. I believe though, that the Torah is teaching us a lesson. While our destination matters, our route matters as well. We need to pay attention to the process by which we arrive at our destinations, whatever they may be. The People of Israel may have been bound for the Land of Israel, but it was the journey in the wilderness that made them into worthy inheritors of the Land. So too, our journeys are what make us who we are, before we arrive at our final destination. Shabbat Shalom.
Shabbat Service tonight at 7
29 JulShabbat Matot – Services Tonight & Tomorrow
22 JulServices Friday at 7pm & Saturday & 9AM, with a light kiddush lunch.
From the Cantor:
8902 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
Shabbat Pinhas – Services tonight at 7pm
15 JulThis week’s parshah, Pinhas, is familiar to those who know the Musaph, the Additional Service on Shabbat and Holidays. Parshat Pinhas details the additional offerings in the Temple Service for Shabbat, the New Month and all of the major holidays. As such, it is also the source of maftir readings for Rosh Hodesh and the Holidays. While we no longer offer sacrifices in the Temple, may we always remember the spirit of thanksgiving to God which inspired those sacrifices. Wishing a Shabbat Shalom to all.Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
www.bethelaustin.org
55 Greeting Card Designs!
6 Julclick to enlarge
The kids have been busy, and so have I. Here are 55 designs we have created, and there will be samples available at shul this weekend. No cards will be sold on Shabbat, but we will begin taking orders by phone, email or in person, beginning next week. Remember also that we can custom paint, draw, or create a collage. More info and order forms are here.
—Betsy
The Kids are Painting and Fundraising!
2 JulThe much-anticipated children’s services fundraiser is here. The children of the congregation got together this week with Morah Betsy to draw, paint and color artwork for a new set of greeting cards. We are selling kid-designed holiday and Shabbat cards, with envelopes. Many of the designs are here, but more are coming. We’re also happy to take custom orders for a small fee. The cards we’ve printed are only $15 if you purchase 5! And it goes to a good cause.
Beth El fundraiser announcement
Children’s Services Fundraiser Purchase Order
The kids have assembled a wish list for Shabbat/holiday children’s services:
WISH LIST:
- child-size ark & Torah scroll
- child-size tallitot
- costumes for kids & puppets
- materials for holiday crafts
- Torah books & stories
For more info, contact Morah Betsy at BethElAustin@gmail.com, or MorahBetsy@gmail.com.
Shabbat Chukat and Museum Announcement
1 JulCongregants and Friends,
We look forward to seeing you tonight, 7/1 for Friday night services. Please note that our next Saturday morning services are in one week’s time, July 9th.
Last week we proudly hosted the Jewish War Veterans at Beth El. One of our congregants, Gregg Phillipson mentioned that there are two wonderful Jewish Military exhibits in Houston . Gregg will be speaking at the opening of the exhibits in Houston Holocaust Museum. Please see links below.
“Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War”
“We Fought, Too – Jewish Soldiers in America’s Wars”
Cantor’s Weekly Message:
This week’s parshah, Hukkat, is a very rich one in terms of both law and narrative. One point of interest is the passage which gives rise to the legend of Miriam’s well. According to the Torah, Miriam dies and is buried. Immediately afterwards in the text, the people complain that they have no water. This led the Rabbis to come up with the idea that while Miriam was alive, a well followed the people around during their wanderings, providing water for the People of Israel.
Some have the custom of placing a goblet of water on the Seder table to commemorate Miriam’s Well. Shabbat Shalom, Hodesh Tov and a Happy Fourth of July to all.
Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe