KOL YISRAEL Weekly SHABBAT 21 - 22 November 2014 / 29 Cheshvan 5775 The President, Robert Hershan, on behalf of the Board and staff of Temple Beth Israel welcomes you to our community. SHABBAT PARASHAT TOLDOT Parashah: Haftarah: Genesis 26:30 - 27:27 (page 181) 1 Samuel 20:18 - 42 (page 1687) KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICE MAIN SYNAGOGUE 6.15pm Friday Night Shabbat Service Board members: Shammash: Music: Baby naming: Robert Hershan Rhonda Nirens Galit Klas Poppy Mimi Eckhaus SHABBAT SHACHARIT MAIN SYNAGOGUE 10am Saturday Morning Shabbat Service Board members: Shammashim: Music: Torah readers: Bar mitzvah: Kiddush: Robert Hershan Aviv Palti and Denise Joyner Galit Klas Simon Morawetz and Ashley Roth Ashley Roth Kindly sponsored by the Roth family TBI Book Club Wedneday 3 December 7.30pm DRASH FOR SHABBAT TOLDOT BY RABBI RABBI ALLISON RH CONYER, ETZ CHAYIM PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE This parashat begins informing us that Rebecca was barren. Isaac “pleaded with God on behalf of his wife (Gen. 25:21)”, and Rebecca conceived twins. Any of us who have had the privilege and discomfort of carrying a child in our bodies, can relate to Rebecca’s torment when she screams out “Why do I exist?!” In response to the turmoil inside her body, God responded with an incredible message, which we often forget as we read the rest of the story. God said, “Two nations are in your womb, two separate peoples shall issue from your body; one shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:23).” Then the story continues with the classic problems of parental favourites, sibling rivalry, and the anticipation of payback in next week’s parashat. Isaac favours Esau, the burly brute; while Rebecca favours Jacob, the sensitive type. Each worked with the skills and circumstances God gave them. Esau was a hunter, and Jacob was a cook, and used his strength to trick Esau out of his birthright for a bowl of red lentil stew. Later following his mother Rebecca’s direction, Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing traditionally given to the first born (Esau). He said that he should take a wife from among his kinsmen and be blessed by “El Shaddai… and become fertile and numerous… and possess the land… which God assigned to Abraham (Gen. 28:3-4).” These are the parts with which many of us are already familiar. This saga begs the question, Was Jacob wrong in his actions or was he just fulfilling his destiny as expressed by God to Rebecca when he was still in her womb? A closer read of the text, carefully guided by our rabbinic commentators, suggests that indeed, Jacob was fulfilling his destiny. Rav Soloveitchik claims that Esau was famished not only for food, but for purpose and meaning which Jacob provided for him. Many commentators suggest that Isaac was not fooled by Jacob‘s disguise, but knew instinctively that Jacob was the one to follow in his grandfather, Abraham’s footsteps, as his blessing to Jacob echoes the blessing God gave to Abraham. On his deathbed, Isaac realised that he had been blind to Esau’s shortcomings, and overlooked Jacob’s strength of character. Were these commentaries justifications after the fact or does the Divine plan indeed have reasons that are only revealed after the fact? Can we change our fate, or do we just think we can? Justification or faith – are they just two different terms for the same concept? For those of us with probing minds, this begs yet another question: If this was all part of the plan, where is there space for free will? I’ll conclude with something good to chew on - Rabbi Akiva’s famous quote: “All is foreseen, yet free will is given (Pirkei Avot 3:19).” Make sure to thank Jacob for this fun food for thought. yet another question: If this was all part of the plan, where is there space for free will? I’ll conclude with something good to chew on - Rabbi Akiva’s famous quote: “All is foreseen, yet free will is given (Pirkei Avot 3:19).” Make sure to thank Jacob for this fun food for thought. WHAT’S ON ROSH CHODESH WOMEN’S GROUP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 7.30PM (PRIVATE HOME) CALENDAR Creating Friendship: presented by Kathy Kaplan. Explore friendships in the Torah, the Talmud and the ancient world, and see what insights they offer to questions. Contact Aliza factor 9510 1488 or [email protected] for locations, and to go onto our mailing list for future Rosh Chodesh women’s group meetings. LIVING WITH DEMENTIA CARERS GROUP MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER 7.30PM A Jewish support group for family carers of a person with dementia. This is the final session for the year, and will discuss the many varied levels you may face as a carer of a family member with dementia. JEWISH REFLECTIONS ON THE PROBLEM OF EVIL SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER, 7 & 14 DECEMBER 10.30AM This three–part series presented by Rabbi Fred Morgan, follows on from our extremely successful session in Jewish theology which took place earlier this year. The existence of evil resulting in human suffering has probably been the biggest stumbling block to religious faith in every age, not least for the post–Holocaust Jewish Community. In this series we shall look at how Jewish understanding of ‘theodicy’, the problem of evil, has changed over time in response to changing historical experiences and thoughts. What do we mean when we speak of evil? How can God of goodness be reconciled with an apparently uncaring creation? Where was God in Auschwitz? Where is God in human sufferings today? TBI FRIENDSHIP CLUB WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 11AM We welcome back our musical entertainers Emily Wang and Andrew Kolb. $10 includes entry, lunch, entertainment and a raffle ticket. BOOK LAUNCH - A POETRY TRIBUTE TO RABBI FRED MORGAN BY SUZI GHENT SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2.30PM The book celebrates his recent retirement, acknowledges the impact of his time at TBI and recognises the significant impact his teachings and leadership have had on our community. Sunday 23 November 7.30pm Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group (private home) Monday 24 November 10am Jewish Care Holocaust Survivors Group 7.30pm Living with Dementia Tuesday 25 November 10am English Classes (Russian Speaking) 4pm TBI Tamid 7.30pm Introduction to Judaism 7.30pm Parashat Hashavua Wednesday 26 November 10.30am Drop in and Chat Thursday 27 November 10am Jewish Care Holocaust Survivors Group – Russian Speaking 7.30pm Aleph isn’t Enough Friday 28 November NEXT SHABBAT 27 Kislev 5775 6.15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service Saturday 29 November 9.45am Gesher Service 10am Shabbat Vayeitzei Service Save the Date Saturday 6 December, 10am Volunteers Shabbat REMEMBRANCE SHLOSHIM • Judith Dubiner • Jack Frid • Hadassah Komesaroff • Liselotte Koopman • Maurie Leigh • Henry Levin • David Poznaski • Bob Sell • Herbert Stein YAHRZEITS OBSERVED THIS SHABBAT Aunt of David Freedman Husband of Lyn, father of Natalie, Ben and Jess Mother of Ilona, Ruth and Paul Mother of Ronnie, Lorraine, Michael and Elizabeth Father of Jeffrey and Philip Friend of Michael Aufgang and Family Husband of Mary, father of Anna and Henry Uncle of Len Shenker Father of Ruth Silberman and Dorit Harvery • Benjamin Aarons • Alexander Cummings • Henry Cymbalist • Lucian Cozens • Sarah Davis • Graeme Emanuel • Alfred Fleischer • Phyllis Fradkin • Bronia Freshman • Dave Friedman • Aaron Zemach Hoffman • Chloe Howard • Moshe Katz • Henry Krindler • Solomon Kruss • Sheila Layton • Francis Edward Levy • Julian Lewit • Franz Berthold Lippmann • Leo Phillips • Helen Shaw • Otto Sherwin • Harry Silver • Frances Slonim • Toni Spitz • Martha Yates In the event of a bereavement please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda Nirens on 9883 6237 or 0438 464 909 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MISSION: Temple Beth Israel is a kehilla kedosha (spiritual community) bringing innovation and creativity to Jewish traditions. We provide multiple pathways for our members and friends to enjoy an engagement with Progressive Judaism that enhances their lives through spiritual enrichment, learning and community. We are guided by principles of egalitarianism and respect for others. We are inspired to continually develop and grow and to provide a spiritual home for all who wish to embrace our values. Temple Beth Israel acknowledges that we are assembled on land whose traditional custodians are the people of the Kulin Nation. Contact TBI Ph: 613 9510 1488 Fax: 613 9521 1229 PO Box 128 / 76-82 Alma Rd, St Kilda Vic 3182 tbi.org.au Twitter: @TBIMelbourne Please take this news sheet with you