05 April 2025 - 07 Nisan 5785 Shabbat Candle Lighting – 7:09 pm Shabbat Ends – 8:10 pm According to myzmanim.com Shabbat - Parshat Vayikra Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat - 7:00 pm Shabbat Morning Services followed by Kiddush – 9:00 am Mincha, Seudah Shelishit, and Maariv - 6:54 pm
Next Shabbat: Shabbat HaGadol Brunch and Learn with Rabbi Finkelstein (note: Shacharit will start at 8:30)
Bais Abe Community News
Pesach is Coming! The first seder will be on Saturday, April 12. Are you looking for a place for seders? Are you able to host people for seders? Please let us know at office@baisabe.com. Click on the links below to access other important information for the holiday.
Lost and Found: If you lost a ring recently, please be in touch with the shul office.
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 19 (Note: third week of the month) 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 signing 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)
Bais Abe Celebration and Rabbinic Installation
Mark your calendar now for a celebration of Bais Abe's past, present, and future, as well as the installation of Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein! Join us on Tuesday, June 17; stay tuned for more information!
Learning Opportunities with Rabbi Finkelstein
Weekly Haftarah Class Shabbat afternoons at Seudah Shelishit
Join Rabbi Finkelstein for a weekly study of the Haftarah.
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 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.
Shabbat Hagadol (The Great Shabbat)
Next Shabbat will be the day right before Pesach. It will also be Shabbat HaGadol, the name given to the Shabbat before Pesach. Many believe the name Shabbat Hagadol comes from the last line of the haftorah we will read, from Malakhi chapter 3: “Behold, I will send you Eliyahu the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of God.” However, even after the name Shabbat Hagadol was introduced, there was a debate on which haftorah to read on that Shabbat, with some reading this haftorah only when Shabbat HaGadol falls on the day before Pesach, as this year. Another view is that the name is related to the Pesach sacrifice – a lamb – which was brought in Egypt before the Israelites were set free. Rabbi Hezekiah Silva (1659–1698), in his book Peri Chadash, explains that eating the lamb was the first mitzvah of the Jewish people and by fulfilling this mitzvah they became gadol, a great nation. Another opinion is that the name comes from the phrase, nes gadol, great miracle. It was a great miracle that the Israelites were able to sacrifice a lamb, which was sacred to the Egyptians, without being punished for it.
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
Our dear friend, Berta Goldgaber, is selling lovely aprons for Pesach. The cost is $22.00 plus shipping and handling, and for each one sold, Berta will make a donation to Bais Abe. Please email her for more info: fabricart18@aol.com .
Kashering of Utensils Kashering utensils for Passover use will take place on the parking lot of the Vaad Hoeir office at 4 Millstone Campus Dr. on Sunday, April 6, 10 am to 1 pm. Only kiddush cups and cutlery necessary for Pesach will be koshered.
Special Trash Dumpster for Pesach Thank you to Rabbi Greenblatt for once again making arrangements with U. City for a roll off trash dumpster to be available for use from Sunday, April 6th—Tuesday, April 22nd at the Recycling Center at 975 Pennsylvania Ave. It will be located at the eastern side of the lot. Upon entering the facility turn left. The dumpster is intended for household trash only. SHEIMOS Notice Regarding Spring 2025 Issue of Jewish Action We are reaching out to share an important halachic notice regarding the Spring 2025 issue of Jewish Action. Page 27 of this issue contains Hashem's name, and we respectfully ask that this be taken into account when disposing of the magazine.
What to Do When Disposing of the Magazine: • Physical copies: Please remove page 27 and place it in genizah or bring it to your shul for proper disposal. • The rest of the magazine may be discarded respectfully, either by: • Double-wrapping it before disposal, or • Placing it in a recycling bin.
Download the Benjamin and Rose Berger Pesach To-Go 5785 The Benjamin and Rose Berger Pesach To-Go 5785 is available for download here.
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry Needs Our Help Please help the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry by donating money or donating food. Below are some suggestions for food items the pantry needs:
Canned Beef-Stew, Chili, and Protein-Rich Food Kosher Non-Perishable Foods Healthy Cereals (please avoid sugary cereals) Peanut Butter & Jelly Canned Vegetables (e.g. corn, green beans, peas, carrots) Canned Fruit Healthy, Hearty Soups Personal care items such as Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, and Feminine Care Products
Currently, the need is great so please help in any way you can. Thank you. For further information, please contact Louise Levine, 314 368 5902. Vaad Hoeir Pesach Guide The Vaad Hoeir's Pesach Guide is now available here.
Shaimos Collection - March 30 and April 6 The Torah Prep 8th grade boys are once again collecting shaimos ahead of Pesach. Drop off your shaimos at Torah Prep Boys' School March 30 and April 6 from 12:30-2:00pm. The cost is $10 per shopping bag or small box, $15 per medium box, or $20 per garbage bag or large box. For any questions or to arrange an alternate time, contact torahprep8thgradeboys@torahprep.com or 314-727-3335. 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
