This Coming Shabbat

Our Friday night service begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes around 7:00 p.m. Join us on ZOOM and log in early to say hello.  Our service includes Candle Lighting for Chanukah and Shabbat, blessing one another, kiddush, motzei and angel cards as we prepare to move from the work week to Shabbat as a day of rest and reflection.

Reb Lisa will lead the davening and offer our teaching: As we near the end of Genesis and of Joseph’s life, what can we learn by comparing his time in leadership with that of Moses (whose death ends the Torah)?

Click here for Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat​​​​​​ ​​​

During this holiday season, when many of us have been with other family members and friends, we continue to hold in-person services in the Sanctuary. We advise wearing a mask and making sure you are current in your booster shots. If you are feeling sick, please stay at home, we will miss you.

This shabbat Sam Evans will lead the davening. Marvin Wolfert will read torah and I will read the haftorah in honor of my bar mitzvah anniversary.

This week we read parshat Vayigash and relive the story of Joseph reconciling with his brothers. How far has Joseph come from the braggart teen of his youth? What has he learned from his father’s obvious preference for one of his children? How has living in the court of the Pharaoh influenced his thinking?

This past week, Israel swore in a new government. In introducing the prayer for Israel this week I will share some thoughts on what changes and what does not change with the new cabinet.

Finally, we will reflect together on the New Year. The turning of the secular year is a change to renew our hopes and promises on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. How are we doing in the midst of the Jewish annual cycle? What do we hope for ourselves? Our B’nai Tikvah community? Our nation? Israel? Our World?

Davening in the sanctuary begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes around noon with  kiddush luncheon. Join us for conversation, study and fellowship, or join us on-line.

My Winter lunch and learn resumes this week at a new time: Wednesday at noon.
New students are always welcome. In coming months we will explore texts on the building of community. What did the early rabbis teach about creating intimate Jewish communities in which the individual is nurtured and the communal is sustained. 
Class will be on Zoom.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year,

Rabbi Leonard Gordon

Simcha Shabbat - 1st Shabbat of each month. Share your family's celebratory moments with the congregation by helping sponsor kiddush. Join us for January!  More info

And we know that there are times when congregants and families simply want to sponsor kiddush outside of our montly Simcha Shabbat. To acknowledge a special occasion, such as a yahrzeit or other important event, simply go to our Donations webpage More info

Saturday, 10:00 AM: Shabbat Morning Services

Join us in person, if fully vaccinated; masking is optional but recommended;

and on these web/smart TV channel links.