Vayeilech, Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30 - Parashat ha Shavuah for Saturday, September 11, 2021
This Shabbat, falling between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is called Shabbat Shuvah - the Sabbath of Return.
We are deep into the High Holy Days, the time that human beings draw closest to God, according to our tradition. In this week’s Torah portion Moses instructs the Israelites to come together every seventh year to reread the Torah and recommit to the covenant, “Gather the people—men, women, children, and the strangers in your communities—that they may hear and so learn to revere the LORD your God and to observe faithfully every word of this Teaching.” (Deuteronomy 31:12)
In last week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim, we read that all Israel stood at Sinai, including those not yet born, so why do the Israelites need to recommit to the covenant every seven years? For a tradition to live we must turn to it with our needs and the problems of our times. It is not enough to hear it once, we must continue to reinvigorate with a new commitment and this is what we can do during the High Holy Days. To recommit ourselves to living authentic Jewish lives and acting as Jews to help build the world that God imagined during creation, but left incomplete. See you on Kol Nidre.
May we all be inscribed for a good year.
~Rabbi Dean Kertesz
Read last week's commentary
From the President
We are a strong and resilient community and together we are facing the challenges of these very difficult times. For the first time in two years we observed Rosh Hashanah together and in person. We had to be masked and everyone had to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, but we did it. We even made it a hybrid event with an online option. It took a lot of hard work from many dedicated and creative people, but we did it. Thank you Rabbi Dean, Cantor Shayndel, the Ritual Committee (Jane Durango, Maggie Jacobs, Alan Marks, Carl Nelson, Michelle Husby) and our Reopening Committee (Linda Rose, Lucinda Casson, Louise Snitz). And a special thank you to Michelle Husby who has been navigating confusing and often contradictory information.
Unfortunately, our challenges persist. COVID-19 is not magically going away. We must continue to adapt to ever changing conditions. Climate change is real. We have witnessed wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. And that is just in the past week. Here in Richmond we have to prepare for hotter temperatures and longer more intense wildfire seasons. We need to protect ourselves from smoke and viruses and that requires improved air circulation and filtration in our sanctuary. To accomplish that we need to replace the circa 1964 heating system.
Our recent High Holy Days appeals have consistently been for others. I think this year we can do something for ourselves. Since, for health and safety reasons, we need to replace our sanctuary heaters, let's do something nice for ourselves and add air conditioning. We deserve it.
Please use the links provided below to make your donations to help insure both our safety and our comfort.
or
click here
See you in person or online for Kol Nidre. Shanah tovah u’metukah (a good and sweet year). שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה
We are Temple Beth Hillel.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?
-Rabbi Hillel
~ Michael R Cohen, President, Temple Beth Hillel
Read last week's letter
TBH In Person Events and Services
Our synagogue has reopened! We had lovely Rosh Hashanah services on Monday night and Tuesday in the courtyard. About 50 people joined us in person and another 50 opted for the online option.
Yom Kippur services begin next Wednesday evening, September 15 at 7:00 PM, followed by services on Yom Kippur day at 10:00 AM and at 5:00 PM. We hope you will join us either in-person or online.
If members are planning to join us online and would like to have a hard copy of our mahzor you can pick one up at the synagogue this Sunday, September 12 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. An online version is available here:
https://www.ccarnet.org/publications/hhd-2021/#
To join us in person you must be vaccinated if you are 12 years old or older. If you have not done so already, please send an image of your vaccination record to Louise Snitz via email to llsnitz@gmail.com, or text her at 510-224–0345, or mail a photo to 1202 Evelyn Ave., Berkeley, CA 94706 and you will be added to the TBH vaccination registry. She will record your status, delete your image, and not retain a copy of your vaccination data. If you forget to do that be sure to bring proof of vaccination with you to services.
For any non-vaccinated children, under age 12, who wish to participate, parents must provide a negative COVID test 3 days in advance. They must also wear masks and socially distance. Please contact us at least five days in advance so that we can plan seating arrangements.
We were blessed with lovely weather and pretty good air quality for Rosh Hashanah. However, our plans for outdoor services could change again if air quality becomes unhealthy. We will keep you updated. We will continue to be flexible and adapt to changing conditions in these uncertain times.
Join us for Community Candle Lighting this Friday, September 10 at 7:00 PM
Let’s begin Shabbat as a community by lighting Shabbat candles. Please join us at 7:00 PM to light Shabbat candles together. In this way we can all be “virtually” together in this time of isolation.
Recurring Shabbat and candle lighting zoom
https://zoom.us/j/517749891
You can also join by calling
1 (669)900-9128 Meeting ID: 517 749 891
One tap mobile: +16699009128,,517749891#
TBH Sandwich-Making for the GRIP Souper Center -- Wednesday September 22, 2021
Wednesday, August 22, is our Temple's next day to make sandwiches for GRIP. We each make about forty sandwiches (your choice) and bring them to the Temple parking lot by 9:45 am. Please put the sandwiches in individual baggies, place them in a bag or box, and label the type of sandwiches made. If you can make sandwiches that day and/or if you have any questions, please contact
Jane Kaasa (510)222-3221 or (510)421-7331.
Donate to Food for Thought
For over a decade, Food for Thought has been distributing food over winter break to families of local elementary school children who do not get free school lunches then. We have regularly expanded the number of families we serve, but we still do not reach all who are in need. In this year of exceptional need, we are aiming to provide food for 600 families, a 50% increase over last year. This will require a great increase in dedication and resources. You can help by volunteering and by donating.
You can donate:
- By credit card
- By check - Write your check to Temple Beth Hillel with Food for Thought in the memo line, and mail your check to Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central Blvd., Richmond, CA 94803
Donate to Food for Thought
