Shmooze Blog

31 May 2025 - 04 Sivan 5785
Shabbat Candle Lighting – 8:00 pm
Shabbat Ends – 9:07 pm
According to  myzmanim.com

Shabbat - Parshat Bamidbar
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat - 7:00 pm
Shabbat Morning Services followed by Kiddush  – 9:00 am
Mincha, Seudah Shelishit and Maariv - 7:45 pm 

Note: The eruv is UP for this Shabbat. Please see below for a letter from the Eruv Committee.

Upcoming Events (click on the images to visit the website)

Celebrating 131 Years: Bais Abraham to Hold Installation of Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, in Conjunction with Annual Spring Fundraiser

RSVP and Donate here! 

Bais Abraham Congregation proudly announces the installation of its new spiritual leader, Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, at a penthouse reception in Clayton on Tuesday, June 17 as the culmination of its annual Spring Fundraiser taking place May 15 to June 15.

This year’s campaign marks two milestones as the synagogue commemorates its 131st anniversary and the installation. 

Throughout its more than a century of service to the St. Louis Jewish community, Bais Abe, as it is affectionately known by its congregants, has consistently rekindled its relevance by adapting to the evolving needs of modern Orthodox life while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. In keeping with the Congregation's name, Bais Abraham, a home open to all, all are welcome to attend the installation celebration. The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Yonah Berman, Dean of Rabbinic Initiatives at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Additionally, there will be a recorded greeting from Rabbi Avi Weiss, Founding President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah,  as well as remarks from Rabbi Joshua Finkelstein of Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael (and father of Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein). Heavy hors d’oeuvres (Vaad certified meat and pareve options) and drinks will be served.

“The Finkelstein family moved to St. Louis almost a year ago, and has already become an integral part of the Bais Abe community. We’re proud to celebrate our rich history and embrace an exciting future with Rabbi Finkelstein at the helm,” said Bais Abraham Executive Director Ruth Schachter-Cohen. “For generations, we’ve adapted and grown, remaining a meaningful part of the modern Orthodox community and this event is a powerful expression of that legacy.”

For the associated fundraiser campaign, themed “Spring Into Action,” members of the congregation will be reaching out by phone to encourage support from the community. 

“Spring Into Action” was the obvious theme, as we want to inspire ourselves and others to honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future together," said Judith Hoffman, fundraising co-chairperson. “This year, we’re encouraging everyone to match last year’s gift and to consider giving a little bit more as a meaningful gesture of welcome and appreciation for our new rabbi.”
Funds raised will support operations and growth under Rabbi Finkelstein’s leadership.

“I believe that Bais Abe is a special place, one that is committed to Jewish law as interpreted by our tradition, as well as one that welcomes all people of all backgrounds,”said Rabbi Finkelstein.  “Our commitment to God's teachings inspires us to be open to all Jews who are looking for a sense of community, and we hope to continue in that goal.”

RSVP and Donate here! 

Shavuot Schedule

Sunday, June 1

• 8:02 pm - Candlelighting and Mincha/Maariv   *a group will walk from Bais Abe to Kol Rinah for the Tikkun Leil Shavuot (see flyer below)
• After 9:08 pm - Kiddush

Monday, June 2

• 9:00 am - Shacharit
• 8:00 pm - Mincha/Maariv
• After 9:09 pm - Candlelighting

Tuesday, June 3

• 9:00 am - Shacharit (including Yizkor)
• 8:00 pm - Mincha/Maariv
• 9:10 pm - Yom Tov Concludes

Learning Opportunities with Rabbi Finkelstein

Pirkei Avot in the Park
Shabbat afternoons at 4:30pm at Lewis Park (if raining at 4:20 pm, meet at Bais Abe)

Join Rabbi Finkelstein for a Shabbat afternoon study of Pirkei Avot, using Rabbi Dr. Binyamin Lau's, The Sages, as a guide.

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 

This coming Thursday, we will start a new teshuva, discussing whether or not one can brush our teeth on Shabbat (don't worry, you can).
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.

*If you would like to study a different topic, or in a smaller group, please feel free to reach out to set up an individual chevruta.*

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 remainder of 2025 is: 

June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Security at Bais Abe 
We are in regular communication with Scott Biondo, Community Security Director at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, as well as with University City Police and other resources to make sure our security protocols are up to date. 

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.

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 join here. 

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.   

Opportunities to Support Bais Abe

Let Your Old Car Benefit Bais Abe! 
Do you have an old car that you thinking about donating? Let your donation benefit Bais Abe! Contact Ruth in the office or visit the website, https://careasy.org/bais-abraham-congregation, to find out more information.

• 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.

St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages

Message from the Eruv Committee - May 29, 2025
DEAR COMMUNITY,

WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE THE NEWS THAT, THANKS TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF 'TEAM ERUV', THE ERUV HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND WILL BE UP AND KOSHER FOR THIS SHABBOS (PARSHAS BAMIDBAR, MAY 31–JUNE 1).

HOWEVER, DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE STORM DAMAGE AND ONGOING UTILITY WORK, WE WERE REQUIRED TO MAKE TEMPORARY BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE ERUV IN A HALACHICALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.

ACCORDINGLY, PLEASE NOTE THAT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, FOREST PARK PARKWAY,  FROM SKINKER BLVD. TO HWY. 170, IS THE NEW TEMPORARY SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE ERUV .

THIS MEANS THAT EVERYTHING SOUTH OF FOREST PARK PARKWAY IS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE ERUV.

THIS INCLUDES:
    *THE WASH U. CAMPUS
    *THE NEIGHBORHOODS WEST OF THE CAMPUS
    *MUCH OF SOUTHERN CLAYTON

PLEASE NOTE: THE ERUV LINE ALONG FOREST PARK PARKWAY RUNS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET, WHICH MEANS THAT IN SOME PLACES THE SIDEWALKS ON FPP ARE INSIDE THE ERUV AND IN SOME PLACES THEY ARE NOT. THEREFORE, IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFUSION OR ACCIDENTAL ISSUES, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT CARRYING ON EITHER SIDE OF FOREST PARK PARKWAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

ALL OTHER BOUNDARIES OF THE ERUV, INCLUDING THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY ON THE WEST SIDE OF HWY. 170, REMAIN INTACT AND UNCHANGED.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE WASH U. MINYANIM, ALL THE SHULS THAT WERE INSIDE THE OLD BOUNDARIES WILL REMAIN INSIDE THE ERUV.  THAT SAID, SOME SHULS MAY HAVE MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN THE NEWLY EXCLUDED AREA. IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE AFFECTED, PLEASE HELP ENSURE THEY ARE MADE AWARE OF THIS UPDATE.

WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A TEMPORARY CONFIGURATION. OVER THE COMING WEEKS, WE WILL BE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO REBUILD THE ERUV TO, ONCE AGAIN, INCLUDE THE WASH U. CAMPUS AND OTHER AFFECTED AREAS. PLEASE BE PATIENT, AS IT INVOLVES BOTH HALACHIC AND LOGISTICAL PLANNING.

WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS AND WEEKS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AND WE ARE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY'S CONTINUED PATIENCE, SUPPORT, AND UNDERSTANDING AS WE NAVIGATE THIS CHALLENGING SITUATION.

AN UPDATED ERUV MAP WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SHORTLY.

WISHING EVERYONE A GOOD SHABBOS AND GOOD YOM TOV.

BEST REGARDS,

THE ERUV COMMITTEE

שבת שלום
Submit articles and announcements for publication by Tuesday morning to   shmooze@baisabe.com . Advertise in the Shmooze Classified section and on Bais Abraham’s website for two weeks for $18.  For further news and general information about our shul please check out our website at  www.baisabe.com. The Shmooze© is a community publication of Bais Abraham Congregation.