THIS Shabbat - A Celebration of Sephardic Jewish Life! Click on the images below for more information. Walk-ins welcome for both programs! The Lunch and Learn is sponsored in memory of Sassoon Isaac & Sarah Ezekiel. Thank you to our sponsors.
Learning Opportunities with Rabbi Finkelstein
Shemonah Perakim Shabbat afternoons at Seudah Shelishit
Join Rabbi Finkelstein for a study of Shemonah Perakim, Rambam’s introduction to Pirkei Avot, where he describes the important values through which we should live our lives.
Jewish History Through Its Great Religious Leaders Sundays at 9:15AM - in person and on Zoom
Every Sunday morning, join Rabbi Finkelstein as we journey through the great Done religious leaders of Jewish History, and look at how history shaped them, and was shaped by them. We will be learning in installments of four weeks for each figure. Find out more here.
Halachah with Chacham Ovadya Yosef Thursdays at 7:00PM - in person and on Zoom
Every Thursday night, join Rabbi Finkelstein as we learn halacha, Jewish law, by following the framework as set up by Rav Ovadya Yosef in his work of responsa, Yabia Omer. Find out more here.
Bais Abe Community News
Mazal Tov to Mark & Judy Hoffman on the recent birth of a grandson, Yona Baer, son of Rena & Roberto Münster and little brother to Ari!
Mike & Vicki Gothard with their artwork following the Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat. Thank you, Mike and Vicki, for all you do for Bais Abe!
Rabbi Finkelstein's Office Hours Rabbi Finkelstein will have open office hours on Mondays from 1-3pm, Wednesdays, from 9am-12pm, and Thursdays from 12-3pm. Come say hi and chat! If you have any questions, or would like to speak further, feel free to reach out, rabbifinkelstein@baisabe.com.
Shabbat Services on the First Floor To make Bais Abe's services more accessible to all, Shabbat services will be held downstairs on the second Shabbat of the month. The schedule for the remainder of 2024 is: December 14
Bais Abe Minyanim We need your help to strengthen Bais Abe's minyanim. For information on Friday night services, please be in touch with Greg Storch. For Monday and Thursday Shacharit minyanim (and to be added to a minyan WhatsApp group), please be in touch with Alan Nemes.
Update Your Info in the Bais Abe Directory Did you know that Bais Abe members have access to an online shul directory? View and edit your listing by singing in to your Bais Abe account; directions can be found here. After you log in, you can click on "My Account" and view and/or edit your directory entry. You can also upload a photo so that everyone can put faces with names. This will also help Rabbi Finkelstein as he gets to know everyone! Please be in touch with Ruth if you have any questions about logging in to your account and making updates.
Sign Up for Psalm of the Day WhatsApp Group In the aftermath of the attacks on October 7th, Rabbi Finkelstein started a Psalm of the Day WhatsApp group for his shul in Baltimore, so that people could find a time during the day to focus our minds and hearts into meaningful prayer through the Book of Psalms. The Whatsapp Group just began its third cycle of Psalms, so if you would like to join this group and learn more about the Book of Psalms, please joinhere.
Bais Abe Stands With Israel We are brokenhearted and devastated over current events in Israel. We stand with our brothers and sisters during these unprecedented times. We have created a page of some resources on our website. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis also has a comprehensive resource page here.
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. Thank you.
Please be sure to close any windows you open before you leave the building.
Join Connect Bais Abe to get the most up-to-date news from Bais Abe and your fellow Bais Abers. To join the conversation, just send an email to connectBaisAbe+subscribe@groups.io.
DAVENING (Praying) IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
A Mishna in Sota (32a) states, “The following may be said in any language . . . the Shemah, the Shmoneh Esrei, and Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals). The Talmud there explains, “Prayer is a matter of emotional feelings and therefore should be said in a language you understand.” The Talmud then cites a seemingly contrary opinion of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Yehudah, who said that a prayer should never be said in Aramaic (the spoken language at that time). The Talmud explains that there is no contradiction; when davening with a minyan, prayer may be said in any language, but private prayer should be done only in Hebrew.
The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law compiled in the 16th Century), in the section Orech Chayim (101:4), states, “It is permissible to pray in any language one desires. This is the rule when praying together with a congregation, however an individual praying alone should only pray in the Holy Language. However, some say that this only applies when praying for personal needs, such as for someone who is ill, whereas the regular prayers can also be recited by an individual in any language.”
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
PIES FOR PREVENTION St. Louis is once again participating in Sharsheret's national bake sale, Pies for Prevention. 100% of the money raised goes to support women battling ovarian cancer and their families. To purchase Pies, click here. General donations are also available through this link. While the deadline for ordering is Nov 18th, quantities are limited, so order now! Pickup will be Nov 27 or with other arrangements. For additional info or help, please contact Sabrina Gornish at 917-929-7146.
RIBBON-CUTTING AND DEDICATION - Sunday, November 17, 2-4pm It is with great joy and excitement that we invite you to the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the brand-new St. Louis JSU Staenberg house situated on the Weissman/Kerner Campus. This is the culmination of a dream come true, to provide a state-of-the-art programming facility to further enhance JSU's ability to execute its mission of inspiring today’s teens to take pride in their Jewish identity and connect to Israel in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. To learn more about the project or to participate in transforming the Jewish future, please visit stl.jsu.org/bricksor call Rabbi Rovinsky at 314-498-6279 or Alana at 314-303-0861.
MIKVAH CAMPAIGN The mikvah is in significant need of funds and must raise at least $75,000 to cover urgent repair expenses. We are currently a third of the way to our goal. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help sustain our mikvaot. Online at STLMikvah.org/donate or send a check payable to Taharath Israel of St. Louis, 4 Millstone Campus Drive, 63146.
Bais Abraham Congregation Office Hours: 6910 Delmar Blvd. Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm University City, MO 63130 Friday: Closed Phone: 314.721.3030 Email: office@baisabe.com
