Congregation Shalom Newsletter & Shabbat Message

www.shalomsa.org

Friday, January 6, 2023
14 Tevet 5783

Shabbat Evening Worship at 6:45 PM

Service Leader: Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
Musical Accompaniment: Rabbi Lisa Goldstein

Join us here on Zoom
or on YouTube

Josh and Mariana Alvarez - January 3 - 11 years!

Of Blessed Memory

Sh'loshim
Diana Samuels - dear friend of Wendy Drezek and many others
in our community
Yahrzeits
Bessie Sopher - mother of Sondra Singer

Sunday, January 8, 2023
15 Tevet 5783
Kesher resumes 9:30 AM

D'VAR TORAH
Torah Reading
Vayechi: Genesis 47:28-50:26

I think most of you who belong to the greatest club on earth – the Grandparents Club – would agree that grandchildren are the absolute BEST reward for having raised our children. We were privileged to have our daughter Missy, son-in-law Rob, and grandson AJ, visiting us for three weeks in December, and it was a little slice of heaven!

Our patriarch, Jacob, understood the importance of grandchildren also, as we learn in this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi – the concluding portion of the book of Genesis. Jacob, realizing he is about to die, gathers his twelve sons to receive a blessing. But first, Jacob calls upon two of his grandchildren ― Joseph's sons Ephraim and Menashe ― to receive blessings. Why would Jacob place priority on blessing grandchildren over children? You can read Parashat Vayechi here.

The commentators explain (and every grandparent knows) that even more than the joy of having children is the joy of having grandchildren. Why is this so?

Most creatures in the world have parent-child relationships ― whether it is a mother lion protecting her cubs or a mother bird feeding her young. But only the human being has a concept of grandchildren, of perpetuation beyond a single generation. This is an effect of our spiritual soul which is rooted in infinity. Being a grandparent therefore connects us deeply to our uniqueness as human beings.

There is further significance to Jacob's blessings.

One of the most beautiful customs in Jewish life is for parents to bless their children at the start of the Friday night Shabbat meal. Girls receive the blessing: "May God make you like the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah." Boys, meanwhile, are blessed "to be like Ephraim and Menashe."

What happened to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?! Why were Ephraim and Menashe chosen instead as the subjects of this important tradition?

Ephraim and Menashe were the first set of Jewish brothers who did not fight. Abraham's two sons ― Isaac and Ishmael ― could not get along, and their disagreement forms the basis of the Arab-Israeli conflict until today. The next generation of Isaac's two sons ― Jacob and Esau ― were so contentious that Esau repeatedly sought to kill Jacob and instructed his descendants to do the same. And even the next generation of Jacob's sons sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt.

Ephraim and Menashe represent a break from this pattern. This explains why Jacob purposely switched his hands, blessing the younger Ephraim before the older Menashe. And when he did, Menashe did not object. Jacob wished to emphasize the point that with these siblings, there was no rivalry.

To add or remove a name to/from our Mi Shebeirach (Prayer for Healing) list, visit our website at
https://shalomsa.org/mi-shebeirach-prayer-for-healing/

If you or a loved one is in the hospital or ill at home and would appreciate a call or a visit, please let Rabbi Lisa know.
Email: lisa@shalomsa.org or call: (210) 474-6082

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY!
We are hiring an Administrative Assistant.
This is a part-time, 12-15 hours/week,
contract (1099) position. It is mostly remote, with an occasional need to be on-site (i.e. High Holy Days).
For job description and application information, click here.

Introduction to Judaism
Class has started but you can still join us - REGISTER TODAY!
Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm, beginning January 4
Fee: $180 non-members, no charge for members

This 12-week course introduces the basics of Jewish thought through the study of holidays, theology, lifecycle events, prayer, Israel, and history. Anyone interested in exploring Jewish life, including interfaith couples, non-Jews considering conversion, and Jews looking for adult-level basics, will find it meaningful. Taught by Rabbi Lisa Goldstein, classes will include a mix of interactive study, discussion, and practical experiences.

**************************************************************

Prayer: A 3-Part Series

Sundays, 1:30-3:00 pm
In-person at House of Prayer Lutheran Church
10226 Ironside Drive, 78230
Each session will stand on its own;
together, they form a cohesive series.
There is no fee for these classes

January 29 - Why Pray?

What is the purpose of prayer, according to Judaism? What can we hope to achieve? Is God listening? And if we can't know, why bother?

February 26 - Movement in Prayer

When do we bend and bow, stand and sit, go on tiptoes, cover our eyes, and all those other strange movements we see at services? What do they mean, and why do we do them?

March 26 - The Music of Prayer

How do you decide which music to use for each of the prayers or for each service? Why is the music for High Holy Days so different than for Shabbat? And what's with all the new melodies? Can't we just sing the ones we know already?

**************************************************************

Intermediate Hebrew Reading for Adults
Wednesdays from 6:00-6:55 pm
beginning January 11 for 12 sessions
Fee: $72 non-members, no charge for members

This is the continuation of Hebrew Reading for Beginners. You know the Hebrew letters and vowels and can read Hebrew words. You want to learn to read the prayers more fluently and understand what they mean. This is the class for you! In addition to getting lots of reading practice, we'll learn prayer vocabulary and the (VERY) basic building blocks of Hebrew grammar.

Textbook: Aleph Isn't Enough

REGISTER FOR
INTERMEDIATE HEBREW

The Wellness Institute invites you to join them for this parenting and mental health event:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
7:00-8:30 PM CST

We know that a parent's effectiveness in lovingly setting limits with their child directly impacts their child's overall well-being, yet most parents struggle with this.

Dr. Brenner is a leading parenting expert whose "connect before you correct" method has helped countless parents build a strong relationship with their children as a foundation of understanding and trust for effective connection and limit-setting with their child.

For questions and scholarships, email info@wellnessinstitute.org
Produced by the Wellness Institute, a division of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)

Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat!

Do you have a birthday or anniversary coming up in our family? Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat to celebrate your simcha (joyous occasion)! Your donation of $36 helps to cover the cost of wine, baked and paper goods, and soft drinks. If you prefer, bake or purchase brownies, cookies, or cake to donate. If you bring a large batch, we can store them in the freezer for a later date. Please let Sondra Singer know if you can bake.

Oneg Shabbat is a great way to shmooze with and get to know fellow members and guests on Friday nights!

We are Grateful to...

...Carrell Miller - for her gift in memory of Monroe Miller
...Kim Martinez - for her gift to Congregation Shalom
...Barbara Silverstein - for her gift in memory of Jane Prather

TO MAKE A DONATION

P.O. Box 700187
San Antonio, TX 78270

or use the link below to donate by credit card

NO FEES with Zelle!

We can now accept payments and donations through Zelle with no fees to either you or to Congregation Shalom! You can find us by scanning the QR code in this box or by searching Congregation Shalom of San Antonio at lisa@shalomsa.org.

Congregation Shalom of San Antonio
PO Box 700187
San Antonio, TX 78270

Congregation Shalom phone number:
(210) 474-6082

Invite a Friend to Join Congregation Shalom

NOW is always the perfect time to become a member of Congregation Shalom! Invite your friends to our joyful and friendly Shabbat services and extend a warm invitation to join our congregation.

Congregation Shalom Membership Applications

If you or someone you know would like to become a member of Congregation Shalom, please contact Rabbi Lisa at Lisa@shalomsa.org or (210) 474-6082 for an application or visit our website.

If you see or experience an act of antisemitism, report it:

Report to ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
Report to JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council of Jewish Federation of San Antonio)

COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE HELP SOMETIMES!

If you do, or if you know someone who does, please reach out to the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio. Donations are also very
welcome! Please click HERE for more information.

SAJSS SHABBAT DELIVERIES

This Week