Shabbat Candle Lighting – 5:12 pm Shabbat Ends – 6:13 pm According to myzmanim.com
Shabbat Shira - Parshat Beshalach Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat - 5:12 pm Shabbat Morning Services followed by Kiddush – 9:00 am Mincha, Seudah Shelishit, and Maariv - 4:57 pm
This Shabbat: Services on the First Floor This Sunday: Rabbi Finkelstein's class is cancelled. Join us for Tu B'Shevat for Tots!
Bais Abe Community News
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 first half of 2025 is:
January 11 February 8 March 8 April 12 May 17 (Note: third week of the month) June 14
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.
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 Perek 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 group has now completed Psalms and has transitioned to the Book of Yeshayahu (Isaiah). If you would like to join this group and learn more about Yeshayahu, 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.
Upcoming Events (click on the images to visit the website)
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 CANCELLED THIS WEEK Sundays at 9:15AM - in person and on Zoom
Every Sunday morning, join Rabbi Finkelstein as we journey through the great 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 morehere.
Tu B’Shevat (15th of Shevat)
Last month was Tevet, a sad month, with the fast of the 10th of Tevet. This month, Shevat, is a happy month because in it we have the holiday Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of Shevat, which we will celebrate next Thursday, February 13. Tu in Hebrew is spelled with the letters tet vav. It is how the number 15 is represented by Hebrew letters, as tet is the ninth letter of the alphabet and vav is the sixth, together equaling 15. The first Mishnah in the tractate Rosh HaShana states that the New Year of Trees is in Shevat. There was a disagreement between the followers of Hillel and Shamai (sages in the 1st century) as to whether the holiday is on the 1st (as Shamai claimed) or the 15th (as Hillel claimed) day of the month. As usual, Hillel won and the New Year of Trees is celebrated on the 15th of Shevat. In the 16th century, the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Tzefat and his disciples instituted a Tu B’Shevat seder. Modeled on the Passover seder, the Tu B’Shevat seder included drinking four cups of wine. These cups had varying percentages of red and white wine, representing the shifting four seasons. The seder also included readings about trees and fruit from the Torah, the Talmud, and other Jewish sources. In recent years, this custom has been revived. It is also customary to eat dried fruits and nuts on Tu B’Shevat.
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
Assisting Those Impacted by Fires in California As you have probably seen on the news, Los Angeles has been greatly impacted by a series of devastating wildfires. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was completely destroyed, and many individuals lost their homes and belongings. To assist those affected by the wildfires, please consider donating here: https://www.pjtc.net/payment.php .
Important Eruv Update Dear Community Members,
For three decades, the Eruv has enhanced the lives of countless individuals and families in our community, enabling us to experience Shabbos with greater ease and connection. As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated individuals who laid the foundation for this incredible endeavor. The Eruv was initiated and managed for many years by Stuart Zimbalist, Joel Garbow, Mickey Ariel, and Alan Haber, whose vision and commitment made this essential resource a reality.
Additionally, we recognize the tireless work of our inspectors, Mr. Lewis Notowich, Rabbi Chona Muser, and Rabbi Daniel Kamins, as well as the years of unwavering dedication of "Lineman Emeritus", Pat Lorenson, and our current linemen, Brandon Duree and Matt Hackett, who really go above and beyond to ensure the Eruv remains operational every week. Our Eruv has profoundly impacted our lives, fostering a stronger sense of community and enhancing our observance of Shabbos. This would not have been possible without your ongoing support, and we thank you for your partnership in maintaining this vital part of our communal infrastructure.
May our community continue to flourish and may we continue to share many more milestones together. Best regards,
THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY ERUV COMMITTEE Daniel Z. Lefton, President Dr. Stan Biel Robyn Weiss Ephriam Abrams
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
