1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

THE SNOOZE
*Jest in Time for Purim*
for Members and Friends of
Bais Abraham Congregation
Hyim Shafner, Rabbi
Rori Picker Neiss, Maharat
Purim
Shabbat - Parshat Ki Tisa
7 March 2015
Candle Lighting 5:41 p.m.
Shabbat Ends 6:40 p.m.
(according to www.myzmanim.com)
This Purim, Shabbat, and Bais Abe Events
Contacts
Shul Office
(314) 721-3030
[email protected]
Rabbi Hyim Shafner
[email protected]
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
[email protected]
Greg Storch, President
[email protected]
Kiddush Sponsorship
[email protected]
Shmooze Submissions
[email protected]
Davening Schedule
Shabbat
5:33 p.m. – Fri. Mincha/Maariv
9:00 a.m. – Sat. Shacharit
5:20 p.m. – Sat. Mincha, Maariv
Sunday
8:30 a.m. – Shacharit
Monday – Friday
6:30 a.m. – Shacharit
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Purim Schedule at Bais Abe
Wednesday, March 4 – Taanit Esther
 Fast begins at 5:11 am and ends at 6:23 pm
 Shacharit – 6:30 am
 Mincha – 5:30 pm
Wednesday night, March 4
 Maariv – 6:15 pm
 Megillah Reading – 6:30 pm
Thursday March 5
 Shacharit – 6:30 am
 Megillah Reading – 7:00 am
 Mincha – 5:00 pm
 Bais Abe-Torah MiTzion Festive Seudah Meal – 5:00-6:30 pm
See the flyer in the Shmooze for more details!
Purim 2015 Events – See Attached Flyers
17th Annual Women’s Megillah Reading
Women are invited to an expert and spirited Megillah reading on Thursday,
March 5 at 9:30 am at the home of Bonnie Goldmeier, 219 Topton Way.
Purim Reenactment Parade
Come one come all to a Purim parade on Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 pm at the
corner of Gay and Cornell, and ending at Saxony Court.
Shabbat
This weekend is the Bais Abe retreat. For those who will be at the synagogue
on Shabbat, there will be services and a cholent kiddush following morning
services.
This week’s Shmooze is sponsored by Barry & Martha Ginsburg in honor
of the birth of their grandson, Yonah Eliezer, born to Rabbi Josh & Andrea
Strosberg.
Shalom and Welcome!
We at Bais Abe pride ourselves on hospitality and openness to Jews of all backgrounds. We strive to build a community
rooted in mutual respect and commitment to Torah values and Halacha (Jewish law). Please feel free to contact Rabbi
Shafner at [email protected] for any information that may be helpful to you. If you would like a place for a Shabbat
meal, our eager hosts would love to welcome you. Please email [email protected].
Bais Anagrams
Board of Directors
Grr Hog Sect
President
Kudo Age Be
Vice President
Panicked Lire
Treasurer
Dazes Win
Secretary
Spirally Ship Oh
Immediate Past President
Directors:
Cue Ivy Baklava
Andban Briar
Rarely Fin Dram
Yonder Ergram
Grandest Ares
Briny Rugs Brag
Reflexed Far Align
Joy Handmuff
Inker Heavy
Jot Muff Hided
Manes Lean
Mazer Noun
Kilohm Cavecan
Chaff Darns
Churls Istartat
Chimes Altoa
Barrows Names
Waders Richi
Bais Abe Committees
We are currently recruiting members for Bais Abe’s committees. These
committees carry out essential work for the shul. The work of the committees is
done by volunteers and your help is needed. Working on a committee is a great
way to help the shul. It is also a great way to meet and get to know other
members of the congregation. Below is a list of committees with their chairs.
Please contact shul president Greg Storch, [email protected], if you are
interested in joining a committee or if you would like more information.
Finance – Greg Storch
Development – Dan Scharff
Membership – Aviva Buck-Yael
Programming – Barbra Danin and Phyllis Shapiro
Chesed – Fawn Chapel and Roberta Gutwein
Ritual – Alan Nemes
Building/Design – Barry Ginsburg and Tessa Gardner
"Why Yavneh? Archaeological Insights on the Second Jerusalem"-March 14
All are invited to a slide show and lecture by eminent archaeologist and scholar
Dr. Richard A. Freund on Saturday, March 14th at 8:30pm at Bais Abe. There is
a $5 suggested donation. Rabbi Dr. Richard A. Freund is the Maurice Greenberg
Professor of Jewish History and Director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for
Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford.
A Thought From Rabbi Shafner
What are your thoughts about the following page, which is from an article by
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, a Rosh Yeshivah of Orayta, in the book "The Next
Generation of Modern Orthodoxy" which can be read
here: http://download.yutorah.org/2012/1053/777836.pdf
The problems of Modern Orthodox overexposure to this culture (of TV) extend beyond the barrage of
images of sex and violence; they also include a steady diet of mindlessness, passivity, and short
attention spans. Note how the medium of movies invariably negates the possibility of extended
conversation. The visual medium demands movement, and people stand still when they converse.
When Hollywood converts books such as The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter into movies,
interesting dialogue gets cut in the interest of longer action scenes.
In addition to the above, too many of our adolescents enter the culture of following the private lives of
movie stars, including divorce, dysfunctional families, and outrageous behavior geared toward
remaining in the headlines. Instead of disgust with this world, our high school students participate in
the voyeuristic following of the rich and famous, something antithetical to Torah u-Madda.
A summary of this tirade against television might state as follows: We could imagine saying to a
Ḥaredi interlocutor: “Modern Orthodoxy’s advantage is our ability to cull the wisdom found in
Bradley’s philosophy and Yeats’s poetry.” Could we imagine saying: “Modern Orthodoxy’s advantage
is our ability to watch Friends and Desperate Housewives?” The time has come for a widespread
communal effort to minimize intake of the vacuous elements of popular culture.
Bais Abraham Joins AmazonSmile
Every time you shop on Amazon, you can benefit Bais Abe. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of
your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. It's simple to
register. Just click on this link and designate Bais Abraham Synagogue as your charity of choice.
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/43-0782212 Make your Black Friday purchases really count! Contact
Phyllis Shapiro [email protected] with any questions.
Bais Abe Kitchen Update*
We are thrilled to announce the opening of the renovated Bais Abraham kitchen. Unfortunately due
to St. Louis County health codes the new kitchen will contain only sinks.
Time to Order Matza
Bais Abraham has hand-baked round Shmurah Matza for Passover available to its members at the
low subsidized price of $14 a pound for regular or whole wheat. Call or email the Shul office
by March 4th to place your order. The price for non-members is $20 a pound.
Our Weekly Shabbat "Tefilat Yeladim" (Children's Service)
Our weekly Tefilat Yeladim is a wonderful opportunity to introduce
your children (or grandchildren!) to the beauty of praying with a
community on Shabbat morning. We use a special colorful
children's siddur with illustrations (by Koren publishers) that
familiarizes the children with the prayers they will hear in shul as
they grow up. Spearheaded by Caley Chill and supported by the
Benot Sheirut, services will be at 10:30 every Shabbat in the Bais
Abe auditorium. Tefilat Yeladim is sponsored by the Feen family
and an anonymous donor.
Shul Announcements
Maharat Rori’s classes (with the exception of the Shalhevet Women’s Kollel) are on temporary
hiatus.
Baruch Dayan Emet
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Stewart Shilcrat, Paula Lemerman and their entire family on
the passing of their son, Micah Shilcrat. Shiva is at the Shilcrat-Lemerman residence, 4442 Arco
Ave.: Wednesday, March 4 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am with a morning service at 7:00 am and from
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Thursday, March 5 from 5:40 pm to 9:00 pm with an evening service at 5:40 pm;
Friday, March 6 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm with a morning service at 7:00 am; Saturday, March 7 from
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm; and Sunday, March 8 morning service at 8:30 am. May G-d comfort them
among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Passover Food Collection
There is now a blue food collection bin in the shul lobby. Please bring Kosher for Passover ONLY
items to place in this bin, which will then be donated to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.
Help others in the community celebrate Passover! See Marty Geller with any questions.
Bais Abe Board Meetings
Bais Abe board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesdays of each month. All Bais Abe members are
welcome. If you have any questions contact [email protected].
Bais Abe Committees
Have something to contribute? Want to make a difference here in your own community? Take
action and join one of Bais Abe's committees. To find out more about joining a committee please
contact [email protected]
Support the Shul While Shopping
Every time you shop at Schnucks, you can earn money for Bais Abraham.
Our shul participates in Schnucks’ "Scrip" program. It's easy. Just show
your Bais Abe scrip card when you check out and your purchases create
automatic contributions to the shul of up to 3% of your purchase price. Our mathematical consultant
ran the numbers and estimates that if we have full participation, the shul can make approximately
$6,000 a year. Email or call the office for a scrip wallet or key-chain card and begin earning money
for the shul on your next trip to Schnucks.
Do you “Like” Bais Abe on Facebook?
Find Bais Abe on Facebook at www.tinyurl.com/BaisAbeFacebook.
Sponsoring a Kiddush at Bais Abe
Sponsoring a Kiddush or "Lunchish" is a wonderful way to mark a simcha or yahrzeit. Or you can
honor a loved one by sponsoring one of our monthly Lunch & Learns. Now, you can also sponsor
seudah shlishit for just $54! If you would like to sponsor (or co-sponsor) any of the above, please
contact Alayne in the office or Kiddush Chair, Judy Hoffman ([email protected]). They will go
over costs and help you plan the Kiddush or lunch you want. Please help shul members plan ahead
by letting us know about your wish to sponsor at least 10 days in advance. Thank you!
Reminder: No perfume/cologne in the synagogue
Please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne in the synagogue because some of our members are
highly allergic. If you inadvertently arrive at the shul wearing any scents, please wash them off.
Attention: people with nut allergies
If you have a nut allergy, for your safety please assume that any foods or beverages served at Bais
Abe may contain nuts or have been prepared on equipment that processes nuts. Please feel
comfortable asking those in charge of food or beverages about their nut content and they will try to
provide it if possible.
Upcoming Kiddush and Shabbat Calendar
March 14
Cholent Kiddush
Sponsor Invited
March 21
Cholent Kiddush
Sponsor Invited
March 28
Lunch & Learn
Sponsor Invited
To RSVP for an event email [email protected] or call 721-3030.
Halacha Lolight
On Purim day, Israelis living in the Diaspora will be allowed to vote in the upcoming elections in
Israel. Our sages teach us that Am Yisrael should span the gamut of the political spectrum. This is
based on the pasuk (verse) that we read in Lecha Dodi “yomin u’simol tifrotzi,” to the Right and the
Left shall you soared out. This explains why even Mordechai was only “ratzui l’rov achav,” liked by
most of his brethren (Esther 9, and not “l’chol echav,” by all his brethren.
-Jack Shapiro
Bais Abraham Learning-at-a-Glance
Class
Instructor
Basics of Judaism
Rabbi Shafner
“Torah on Tap”
Rabbi Shafner
Women’s Class:
Book of Shoftim (Judges)
Alternating between Rabbi
Shafner and Maharat Rori Picker
Neiss
Midrash Tehillim
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
Parshat Hashavua
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
Women’s Torah Learning
Group
Beit Midrash Chevruta
(Partner) Study
Deepen Your
Davening/Explanatory
Prayer Class
Time & Place
Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
at Bais Abe
Periodic Monday nights
see Shmooze for exact dates and times
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.
Gardner Beit Midrash
Wednesdays, 9:15 a.m.
Home of Leslie Litwack
Wednesday, 1:00 p.m.
Home of Adinah Raskas
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. at Bais Abe
You and your chevruta (partner)
Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
in the Bais Abe Auditorium
Rabbi Shafner
Each Shabbat, approx. 10:15 a.m.
in the Gardner Beit Midrash
Shalhevet Women’s Kollel
Partnered learning + shiur with
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 pm
at Bais Abe
Hinenu Shabbat Study
Group
Stuart Klamen
Each Shabbat, 1 hour before the printed mincha time
Purim Fun
Purim Puns
How do we know there were phones in Haman's times?
Achashveirosh told Haman he'll give him a "ring."
How do we know the king thought of Esther as being an angel?
Because he called her "Mah Lach Esther."
How do we know the king kept a kosher kitchen?
Because Esther assured him, "Vakashair hadavar lifnay hamelech."
In which month did the Purim story take place?
In May, as it is written "Vayehee b’Yemay.
Basic Dough for Crispy Humantashen (makes about 55)
Beat:
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Add:
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix in:
5 1/2 cups flour
Follow directions for making humantashen, using filling of your choice. Bake at 350 degrees for
approximately 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!
Purim Puzzle
by Daniel and Noah Weisz
Purim is a holiday in which we celebrate the reversal of the fate of the Jews in the Persian Empire, and the
phrase “v’nahafoch hu,” or “it was reversed,” encapsulates this central theme of the Purim story. In the spirit
of “v’nahafoch hu,” this puzzle asks you to find words which remain words when their letters are reversed. In
the triangle below, made up of three hamantashen, there are six vertices, each marked by one letter. Your
task is to fill in all the blanks connecting the vertices (using each letter from the letter bank exactly once) such
that every two adjacent vertices are connected by a set of letters that forms a word, whether you read it
starting from the first vertex’s letter or the second. For example, if two adjacent vertices showed the letters P
and T, with two blanks between them, you might fill in the blanks with the letters A and R, to create the
reversible words “part” and “trap.” In the giving spirit of Purim, we’ve given you five important letters in the
blanks already: G, I, V, E, N.
Once you’ve correctly filled in all the letters in the triangle, read the numbered letters in numerical order to
discover the solution to the Purim riddle below!
St. Louis Jewish Community News
Megillah Readings in St. Louis
St. Louis blogger Rachael Kornblum has compiled a list of Megillah readings in the Orthodox
community. See her post here: http://survivingonatightbudget.com/2015/03/01/st-louis-jewishorthodox-community-purim-megillah-readings-2015/
Dr. Dan Ariely Talk, “(Dis)honesty,” – March 6th
New York Times bestselling author Dr. Dan Ariely will give a talk, “(Dis)honesty,” on March 6 th at
12:00 at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Refreshments will be
served. A $10 donation is suggested to support Israeli scout group, Shevet Keshet. The talk is
sponsored by the JCC and Shevet Keshet.
Boaz Shachak is Coming! – March 8th
Boaz Shachak, the former Torah MiTzion shaliach to St. Louis, will be in town and will lead a
discussion at the home of Ellen and Zalman Stein, 926 Albey Lane on March 8th at 10:00 am. He will
address the question, “Does Israel look the same after two years of shlichut?” All are invited for a
discussion and yummy food.
JSU Annual Gala-March 8th
JSU will be honoring Milton & Galia Movitz, Dan & Melanie Winograd and Sean Rochester, JSU
Faculty Advisor at Parkway Central High School, on March 8th, 5:30 pm, at Clayton High School.
Honorary Chairs are Alvin and June Wolff, Paul and Diane Gallant, Michael and Leslie Litwack,
Howard and Phyllis Loiterstein and Stanley and Rhonnie Goldfader. JSU of St. Louis connects and
engages more than 750 Jewish high school students to their heritage and Israel in fun and
meaningful ways. For more info or to RSVP, go to www.jsustl.org or call 314-498-6279.
Nishmah Pre-Passover Journey – March 10th
Nishmah is privileged to be able to honor Karen Sher, the co-founder and past President of Nishmah
as well as celebrating Nishmah’s 10th Anniversary during Nishmah’s Journey, our signature prePassover event, to be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex. We
are thrilled to welcome musical artist, Michelle Citrin. Registration for the event is open till March
2nd (earlybird deadline is this Friday February 9th). Deadline for tributes is February 25. Register
Online with Tribute payments can be sent with copy of form from the attached invitation to Nishmah,
2 Millstone Campus Dr, St. Louis MO 63146 or you can email tributes to [email protected].
and pay online at www.nishmah.org
Block Yeshiva Musical for Women – March 11th
Block Yeshiva High School presents: HAIRshpritz -a musical production on Wednesday, March 11,
2015. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show begins promptly at 7:00pm It will be held at the West
County Family YMCA, 16464 Burkhardt Place, Chesterfield, MO. TICKETS: Advance purchase-$18
Adult/ $15 Age 14 and under; At the Door-$20/ $17. Women and girls only. For more information,
tickets, and sponsorship opportunities call Rachel Zimand at 872-8701 or email [email protected].
Community ListServe
The St. Louis Jewish Community has an active ListServe where members can offer items for sale,
ask for items or services, read about community events, and more. The ListServ is a perfect place to
offer items that you no longer need that someone else may enjoy. Many people benefit from such
posts. To become a member of the community ListServe just email [email protected] Posting is easy! Just email your post to [email protected].
Shmooze Classified
Wise & Scott, LLC
Certified Public Accountants
2333 Grissom Drive, Suite 106
St. Louis, MO 63146-3322
Phone: (314)569.0301 Fax: (314)569.0878
We are a full service CPA firm providing traditional
financial reporting, taxation and management advisory
services, including estate planning and real estate, tax
controversy and litigation services.
Richard M. Wise, CPA, JD
Kenneth Scott, CPA
Advertising in Shmooze Classified
You can advertise in Shmooze Classified for two weeks for $18. We have a readership of about
200. Please send text to [email protected] and a check to the shul office.
‫שלום שבת‬
Submit articles and announcements for publication by Thursday morning to [email protected].
Advertise in the Shmooze Classified section and on Bais Abraham’s website for two weeks for $18. For
further news and general information about our shul please check out our website at www.baisabe.com.
The Shmooze© is a community publication of Bais Abraham Congregation, 6910 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis,
Missouri, 63130.
Hyim Shafner, Rabbi.