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Starting January, from 7:30 to 7:00. First Friday remains 6pm.

Newsflash:  The Surgeon General Has Prescribed Havdalah Socials and Mutual Caring for Healthy Jewish Communities;

or, What's a Shul for Anyway?

    There is a common misconception that a temple is just a house of worship, and, if you're just not into prayer services, then there is not much reason to be involved.  I'd like to propose instead that a temple is like a hub, and a hub is nothing without the spokes and wheel--it can't go anywhere, nor can it fulfill its purpose.  

    Rather, the real health of individuals and families is all about vibrant community, which, as Dr. Vivek Murthy, the outgoing Surgeon General in his final message explains, is "where we know each other, help each other, and find purpose in contributing to each other’s lives.”

    He goes on to say, "Building community creates fulfillment, and there are three key elements that make it possible: connection with others through relationships, acts of service to help others and a sense of purpose in life – all pursued through love, instead of fear or hate."

    In Jewish community, everything begins and grows through relationships, like those begun and deepened by such simple, lovely (and warm) events, such as the Havdalah Social, hosted by Suzanne and Adam Clark at their home this Saturday, Jan. 18th at 7.  Please come.  Be a part of the movement.  For more info, RSVP to Suzanne at suzannepclark@hotmail.com.

     Jewish community is about knowing and caring for one another.  I am gratified to say, with many persons struggling physically and emotionally in our congregation recently, there has also been a lot of befriending, listening, visiting and supporting happening as well.  There is a process afoot to get more organized around all this.  Stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks so you can be a part of this movement also.

     In the midst of the apocalypse of the LA fires, I was moved and heartened by a story of how two congregants rushed into a burning synagogue to save the Torahs.  It was a new and terrible aspect of the crisis I had not even considered, though, of course, I had known about the loss of temple buildings and Jewish centers which has been profound.  Yet, this particular article didn't end with the focus on the rescue of the holy scrolls or even the loss of the synagogue.  Rather, it concluded with the Rabbi saying even with their temple burned, the congregation was not destroyed.  That they were still together as a community.  Together, they were resilient and could survive anything.

    Together, we also can survive anything, individually, and as a community.

A Prayer for LA.

God of our Fathers and our Mothers,

    The City of Angels is burning.  We are horrified by the mounting loss of life, homes, communities, schools, public works and habitats; the destruction of families, neighborhoods, histories and vibrant cultures.  

    There are so many now homeless.  

    Bless the angels--the first responders, fire fighters and police, the governmental workers and leaders, the thousands of volunteers, persons and business who have opened their doors--for their strength and fortitude, their courage and commitment.  Rain down upon them your blessing of ever-renewing confidence that, even in the face of this titanic disaster, their labors are impactful and meaningful.

    Rain down now upon all of California.  

    Hold the survivors, the injured and the homeless and the bereaved, in the Palm of Your mighty, sheltering, healing Hand.  Give them hope and courage and succor.  

    Direct the feet of all who see and hear to run to their aid.

    Our feet as well.  We are horrified and in mourning--but not made immobile. 

      Guide our leaders toward compassion and insight and competence.  Stop the looters and silence the accusers.

    Guide all of us in our next steps.    

    Help us all to discern the way forward:  healing our communities, rebuilding our broken nation, saving our environment--in Tikkun Olam, healing our endangered world--earth and sky, the waters and hayabasha, the dry land.

    You created all.

    Help us now.

    Amen.

An Introduction to the Koran for Jews begins Jan. 16th for 6 Thursdays at 7pm

Participants should register with me by email, ravdawnrose@yahoo.com.

 Please get this text:  the Penguin edition of The Koran, translation by Dawood (available on Amazon).  It's essential we use the same translation, and this one is excellent.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prep Class starts, Tuesday 1/14, @6pm 

 Conversion Class (continues) Tuesday 1/14 @7pm.  Please register with me. 

Exciting things are happening here at CBS.  Come and be a part of it.

CBS Treasurer, Leah Grubb is from Asheville and has been there many times since the hurricane.  She reports that, while donations of food have been coming in, there is a terrible need for TENTS and other camping gear.  FEMA is just not responding fast enough and winter is soon upon the mountains.  Leah will return to Asheville at least twice in the next few weeks with camping gear donations.  

 Its our job to collect that camping gear. 

 Check your garages and storage spaces, ask your neighbors and coworkers, reach out to organizations or churches you have connections with, get on Amazon or go to Sam's Club. 

    Folks in Asheville need:

• tents
• new or freshly cleaned used sleeping bags
• camp stoves
• torches
• batteries
• tarps
• air mattresses
• air pumps
• camp cookery utensils
• new or freshly cleaned used winter coats
• warm hats, new gloves and scarves
• new socks in their unopened wrapping 
• ponchos

You can bring your donations during Service times on Friday or Sunday morning during Religious School.  If that doesn't fit your schedule, drop them on our back porch and let me know--ravdawnrose@yahoo,com, 917-673-2226 and I will make sure they are brought in shortly.  Please do not bring clothes.

All size gifts help to sustain the synagogue. Donations to the synagogue are always deeply appreciated. 

We gratefully accept credit card donations and dues payments using this link:
 https://baytshalom.shulcloud.com/payment.php

We also accept checks made out to Congregation Bayt Shalom and mailed to
Congregation Bayt Shalom, PO Box 2713, Greenville, 27836  – Attn Treasurer