Shabbat Candle Lighting – 5:35 pm Shabbat Ends – 6:35 pm According to myzmanim.com
Parshat Terumah/Rosh Chodesh Adar/Parshat Shekalim Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat - 5:35 pm Shabbat Morning Services followed by Lunch & Learn – 9:00 am Mincha, Seudah Shelishit, and Maariv - 5:20 pm Join us this Shabbat for a Lunch & Learn to commemorate the Shloshim of Sarijane Freiman z"l. Dan Reich will speak on "Sparks in the Darkness: Spiritual Resistance During the Holocaust".
Next Shabbat: Services on the First Floor and Lunch & Learn with Dr. Judah Isseroff
Bais Abe Community News
Thank you to the sponsors of this week's lunch and learn in loving memory of Sarijane Freiman z"l: Fawn Chapel & Alan Nemes, The Feuer Family, Randi Mozenter & Larry Friedman, Lisa Ring & Greg Storch, and Janet Weinberg.
Lost and Found: If you lost a ring recently, please be in touch with the shul office.
2025 Israel Mishloach Manot Initiative As we get ready to celebrate Purim, we continue to hold Israel in our hearts and minds.This year, instead of distributing mishloach manot locally to our community, we will be sending mishloach manot and helping to share the simcha with people living in Israel. There are different levels at which to donate, and we hope you will choose the one that works for you here. Your donation will benefit American Friends of the IDF Rabbinate who sponsors this project with Yisrael Hatzair/National Council of Young Israel. A percentage will also benefit Bais Abe. We must have your donation by March 7th.
Matanot L'Evyonim It is a mitzvah to give gifts of food or money to at least two different poor people on Purim. Even a poor person is obligated to give gifts to others. Ideally these gifts should be of a quantity of money sufficient to allow a person to buy a meal. It is preferable to spend less on one’s own Purim meal and Mishloach Manot, if necessary, in order to give more to the poor. While these gifts can be given directly to a poor person, you can also donate money to Bais Abe with a note that it is for Matanot L'evyonim. Please donate on the website, or by sending a check or cash to the shul office. We must receive donations by Thursday, March 13. Rabbi Finkelstein will distribute the Matanot La'evyonim on Purim.
Additionally, we would like to highlight the work of the organization Leket Israel, which provides fresh, nutritious food to Israelis in need. This year, the need is greater than ever. The outbreak of war on 7th October has created unprecedented challenges, with the demand for food assistance surging by 77% compared to pre-war levels. Leket Israel, which previously supported 234,000 people each week, is now reaching 415,000 individuals weekly. If you would like to donate to Leket Israel, you may do so here.
Time to Order Shmura Matza for Pesach Pesach is fast approaching and it is time to order your shmura matza! We will be purchasing our matza this year from the Lakewood Shmura Matzoh Bakery under the hasgacha of HaRav Shmuel Meir Katz. Additionally, they have available hand and machine spelt matza and hand machine gluten-free oat matza. Please see the options and prices here. If you have any questions about the items available, or have questions about ordering, please be in touch with Ruth, 314-721-3030 or office@baisabe.com. We MUST have all orders by the end of the day on Monday, March 3rd.
Matza orders are a service of Agudas Israel.
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)
THIS SHABBAT - Lunch & Learn with Dan Reich for the Shloshim of Sarijane Freiman Join us immediately following morning services for a light lunch and thoughts from Dan Reich on "Sparks in the Darkness: Spiritual Resistance During the Holocaust". While not everyone could take up arms or join a partisan group, many Jews found non-violent ways to resist the Nazis' attempts to dehumanize them.
This presentation will shed light on examples of spiritual or cultural resistance, including maintaining religious faith, creating supportive networks of self-help, creating art, and acting with human decency and compassion even in the most horrific conditions.
This event is sponsored in loving memory of Sarijane Freiman by Fawn Chapel & Alan Nemes, The Feuer Family, Randi Mozenter & Larry Friedman, Lisa Ring & Greg Storch, and Janet Weinberg.
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 CLASS IS CANCELLED THIS WEEK
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.
THREE TORAHS IN ONE DAY
This Shabbat, March 1, is the second Day of Rosh Chodesh Adar, which makes it the first day of the month of Adar, the month in which Purim falls. This will be followed by Nissan, the month in which Pesach falls (Yes! Pesach is around the corner). During this time there will be four special Maftir readings, called the Arba Parshiot. Two will be read on the Shabbatot before Purim, and the other two between Purim and Pesach. The first special Maftir, Parshat Shekalim (Exodus 30: 11-16), which will be read this Shabbat, is about an annual tax which had to be given by the first of Nissan for maintaining the Tabernacle (and then Temple). Besides being Parshat Shekalim, it is also, as noted, Rosh Chodesh Adar. This happens once every 13 years. It will require reading from three Torahs. From the first we read the weekly parsha, Parshat Terumah. The seventh aliyah will come from the second Torah, in honor of Rosh Chodesh (Numbers 28:9-15). The Maftir (Parshat Shekalim) will be read from the third Torah. Each switch of Torahs will require a hagbah/gelilah (raising and dressing).
This is one of the four times in the year when, if certain calendar variables fall in place, three different portions of the Torah are read on the same day. What are the other three? Answer will be in next week’s Shmooze.
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
Tomchei Shabbos: Purim Mishloach Manot cards are now available! Purchasing cards supports our local families. Cards are available for $3.00 each, 10 for $30 + 1 card free, and 20 for $60 + 2 cards free. Cards may be purchased from Jackie Oppenheimer at 314-954-7088, or Bryna Kandel at 314-616-5862.
Free Haggadot - For Anyone Who is Blind or Has Low Vision For over 90 years, JBI Library has helped people who have low vision, are blind, or have a print disability to participate in the most treasured of Jewish rituals, the Passover seder, by providing FREE large print, braille, and audio format Haggadot.
If you or someone you know needs a large print, braille, or audio format Haggadah this year, please visit JBI’s website at www.JBILibrary.org/haggadah or call JBI toll free at 1-800-999-6476 before March 28 and they will be happy to send you your Haggadah, completely free of charge. They have many different versions available—request yours today!
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
