Beit Emanuel Bulletin for week ending 21 May 2022

Johannesburg (Parktown) Progressive Jewish Congregation
Affiliated to the SA Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ)

www.beitemanuel.co.za
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Friday, 20 May 2022 to Saturday, 21 May 2022

20 IYAR 5782, PARASHAT BEHAR (35th DAY OF THE OMER)

Friday, 20 May, 18h00 - Shabbat Evening Service, https://beiteman.link/evening

Saturday, 21 May, 09h30 - Shabbat Morning Service, https://beiteman.link/morning

Mishkan T’filah flipbook: https://beiteman.link/mishkan

Torah readings: Leviticus 25:1-26:2, https://beiteman.link/torah
https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.25.1-26.2

Haftarah readings: Jeremiah 32:6-27, https://beiteman.link/haftarah
https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.32.6-27

This Week's Torah Portion

B’har (On Mount [Sinai]) בְּהַר

The Eternal One spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: "Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign to you, the land shall observe a sabbath of the Eternal." - Leviticus 25:1-2

God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not be sown and vines should not be pruned. (25:1-7)
After forty-nine years, a jubilee year is to be celebrated when all the land that had been sold during that time should be returned to its original owners and slaves are to be freed. (25:8-55)
God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2)

Shabbat Evening Service

Shabbat Morning Service

Scenes from the ARZENU Beit Emanuel Yom Ha’Atzmaut festivities earlier this month.

Scenes from our Lag B’Omer Communal Bonfire last night.

BEIT EMANUEL MATTERS

Happening this Shabbat/Weekend

Our Shabbat Evening and Morning Services will take place as usual (times and venues unchanged), except that both services will be led by our superb lay readers. We trust that the rather chilly weather we’re expecting this weekend won’t put too many of you off! Our patio heaters have been serviced and the gas bottles refilled, so we’re ready for the Highveld winter. (One of the patio heaters (most of which were donated by the late Simon Hochschild) will need to be replaced, however, at a cost of +/- R2,500. Just saying…)

Governance

The advertised Special General Meeting (SGM) was held on Zoom last Thursday evening. Andrew Jacobs was duly elected the fourth member of the Board of Guardians (BOG), so our structures are now complete. Mazal Tov to Andrew, and our thanks for continuing to participate and contribute towards the governance of the Shul by taking on this role.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and made the event a huge success.
Thanks to members of Beit Luria and Beit Emanuel who participated in the joint celebration.
The food, décor and music were truly fantastic.
Greetings and congratulations were sent in by HE Mr Eliav Belotsercovsky, the Israeli Ambassador, Reeva Forman and Shuli Flint.
Our guest speaker, Tom Mofokeng, inspired everyone with his authenticity and his admiration for our beloved Israel.
Special thanks also to: Nimrod Shaked (MC), Ian West (Quiz), Irwin Manoim, Dancers, Chefs and Bakers, Staff of Beit Emanuel, Domestic Bliss and Sharon Shaked
The biggest shout-out of all to our musicians for the evening: Tulla, Brian and their amazing band.

Love and blessings,
Ruthy Challens, Judy Hodes, Bradley Goodson

Lag B’Omer

A warm welcome was extended by Lesley Hudson to the folk who braved the cold.
A special vote of thanks to Lael Bethlehem who delivered a deep and insightful Drash on this festival.
Thanks to all who came and enjoyed our hospitality, especially our guests from Temple Israel, as well as the members of Beit Emanuel.
Warm fire, great food, great company!

SAUPJ Biennial Conference

The SA Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) will be holding its Biennial Conference on 27-29 May 2022, at Bet Menorah in Pretoria. This will be the SAUPJ's first in-person national gathering in four years.

Please click on the links below to view the invitation to the Biennial and to register to attend, either in person or online.

We encourage all of our members and friends to participate, as the Biennial will set the way forward for the Progressive Movement in SA.

SAUPJ Biennial Conference - Bet Menorah, Pretoria - 27-29 May 2022

REGISTRATION FORM SAUPJ Biennial Conference 2022

Shavuot

Please click on the link below for our great Shavuot programme. Please pencil the dates in your diary: the evening of Sat, 4 Jun for Tikkun Leil Shavuot and Sun, 5 Jun for the Shavuot morning service in Shul.

Shavuot 5782 Programme

Shavuot Raffle

We’ll be holding a Shavuot Raffle this year. Tickets go on sale next Friday (the 27th). Ticket prices are R60 or R100 for two. Hampers and dinner for two are up for grabs.

Shabbat Shalom!
--
Russell Cohen (Executive Director)

HOUSEKEEPING

Leave Programme

Christine McIntosh, our Financial Administrator, will be on leave (visiting her family in the UK) from 6 to 22 May. We wish her a safe journey, and hope that she relaxes and enjoys time spent with loved ones!

Rabbi Saar will also be taking some time off from 15 to 25 May, to hang out at his happy place, Tlholego Ecovillage. Our superb team of lay readers have stepped in to conduct the services in his absence.

JKIDS/YOUTH PROGRAMMES

Jkids Club Shabbat Activity

Our next Jkids Club in-person Shabbat activity will be this week, Fri 20 May. We look forward to seeing you all in the Atrium (Courtyard) at 18h00 (6 PM).

BEIT EMANUEL PEOPLE

Our grateful thanks to the following for their generous donations:

Please note that any donations made over the period 6 - 26 May will be acknowledged in the Bulletin for 27/28 May 2022.

A hearty Mazal Tov on your birthday:

Margaret Auerbach, Julian Cole, Jeffrey Goldberg, Steven Hanauer, Saul Levin, Lee Comaroff, David Fienberg, Stephen Jaff, Toni-Ann Joffe, Gavin Toubkin, Andreas Bertoldi, Jenna Gelman, Keneilwe van Niekerk, Leigh Ten Tusscher, Alice Vinnik.

And to our children up to 18 years:

Matteo Levitt, Noah Basche.

Refuah Shlema and a Speedy Recovery to:

Jens Andersen, Sylvia Favis, David Hodes, Giddy Lief, Cecily Rootenberg, Jessica Sherman, Lance Wolov.

Please contact the Shul Office to have a loved one included on (or taken off) the list for a Refuah Shlema.

In Memoriam

(Yahrzeit, relationship, observed by)

Joan Alexander, grandmother of David Alexander
Jacques Appelbaum, remembered by Freda Appelbaum
Irene Burchell, mother of Ruth Challens
Dan Flint, father of Sharon Shaked
Gerald Gundle, father of Clifford Gundle
Sarah Herscovitz, mother of Nate Herscovitz
Lewis Horwitz, father of Simonne Horwitz
Vera Jones, mother of Willie Jones
Morris Kaplan, grandfather of David Bilchitz
Isaac Levin, father of Jenny Henning
Ernest Lewis, father of Herb Lewis
Tracy Martins, niece of Allistair Balutto
Raphael Nell, brother of Barbara Nell
Enid Shapiro, mother of Rob Shapiro
Janie Solomons, mother of Megan Lipschitz
Ida Vogelman, mother of Gail Behrmann
Rozelle Vogelman, sister of Gail Behrmann

May their memory be for blessing.

Please inform the Shamas on duty if you are observing a Yahrzeit.

"A bisl un a bisl, vert a fule shisl - a little and a little, becomes a full bowl."

It's customary to make a donation (however large or small) to the Shul when observing a Yahrzeit. See our banking details below.

BANKING DETAILS

Temple Emanuel
FNB Killarney Branch, C/C 256 205
Account Number 5486 0049 352

When making payments via electronic funds transfer (EFT), please use a your surname as a beneficiary reference.

We’re now registered for SnapScan. Feel free to make a random donation using our unique QR code! Please use a your surname as a payment reference.

Please insist on an official receipt when making a cash payment!

The link below will take you to all the payment mechanisms for which we are registered:

https://beiteman.link/donate

PROGRESSIVE NEWS AND VIEWS

Wall of Remembrance Westpark

The Wall of Remembrance at Westpark Jewish Cemetery is in need of some significant repairs, as well as more ongoing maintenance than it currently receives. This all takes money, of course. If you have family members interred at the Wall of Remembrance (WOR), please consider making a small (or large!) donation to the upkeep of the structure, if at all possible on a monthly basis. The WOR’s bank details are as follows:

Wall of Remembrance Westpark
Nedbank
Clearing Code 191605
Account Number 1916100538

Please send Proof of Payment (PoP) to email address admin@beitemanuel.co.za.

GENERAL COMMUNITY NOTICES

Limmud 2022: Registration is Open

Limmud 2022 at Limmud 2019 Prices

After 2 years of online events, Limmud Johannesburg is so proud to be together again, in person at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways.

Whether you are into history, politics and society, Torah and text, leadership and entrepreneurship, arts and culture, spirituality and wellness, or just connecting with others, Limmud has something for everyone on their Jewish journey. Our programme promises an incredible line-up of local favourites, new faces and international presenters for an unforgettable weekend of learning, engagement, and community.

https://limmudjhb.paperform.co/

CLASSIFIEDS

'Between you and me: four models in the studio’ is the title of an exhibition by Joni Brenner at SMAC Gallery, Johannesburg. It opens at 11.00 on Saturday May 21. Everyone is welcome.
Since the mid 1990s, Joni Brenner has worked with four long term models. Common to all four experiences is a specific relational act of producing portraits: two people in a room, engaged in an encounter rooted in looking and being looked at. Each sitting lasts a few hours, once or twice a week and over many months or years.
Gallery hours: Monday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Address: 25 7th Street corner 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, 2193

Marketplace

In these tough times, we’re always looking for ways to help our members promote their businesses, whether small or large, informal or formal, part or full-time.

Click on the link below to be taken to our Facebook Group, where you can post (as a Comment) to promote your business, goods, practice or service to our members and friends. Images can also be used.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/beitemanuel/permalink/4319988238011359/

(Hat tip to Kathryn Henning for setting this up.)

Affordable spaces to let

Beit Emanuel has a number of vacant spaces to let, suitable for use as offices, classrooms or consulting rooms, and all at affordable rates.

Please contact Morgana Segel on 087 188 9000 or office@beitemanuel.org.za .

ENGAGE WITH US

Morgana Segel, Receptionist & Admin Assistant
087 188 9000 | office@beitemanuel.org.za

Rabbi Sa'ar Shaked
087 188 9001 | rabbi@beitemanuel.co.za

Christine Mcintosh, Financial Administrator
087 188 9003 | admin@beitemanuel.co.za

Russell Cohen, Executive Director
087 188 9005 | director@beitemanuel.co.za