August 2, 2025 - 08 Av 5785 Shabbat Candle Lighting–7:53 pm Shabbat Ends–8:55 pm According to myzmanim.com Shabbat - Parshat Devarim Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat-7:00 pm Shabbat Morning Services followed by Kiddush–9:00 am Mincha-2:00 pm *Fast of Tisha B'Av begins at 8:10 pm* Maariv-9:10 pm
Sunday, August 3 - Tisha B'Av Shacharit-8:30 am End of Fast: One who finds fasting difficult may eat at 8:46 PM One who does not find fasting difficult should wait until the time for מוצאי שבת at 8:54 PM
For Laws of Tisha B'Av, including when Shabbat is the day before Tisha B'Av, see hereor contact Rabbi Finkelstein with any questions.
Next Shabbat: Services on the first floor
Upcoming Events (click on the images to visit the website)
Learning Opportunities with Rabbi Finkelstein - SUMMER SCHEDULE Weekly Haftarah Class Shabbat afternoons at Seudah Shelishit
Join Rabbi Finkelstein for a weekly study of the Haftarah.
*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
Condolences We again extend heartfelt condolences to Hillel Kieval & Deborah Katz and their family on the loss of their son-in-law, Vardaan (Dan) Chawla. The funeral and shiva were held in Denver this past week.
I hope you are all finding ways to stay comfortable during this hot summer. In preparation for the coming year, I wanted to share a survey to gather the community's preference for learning at Bais Abe this year. If you are interested in particular topics, or if there are any specific times in the week that you are able to come, please let us know in the survey.
Volunteers Needed! Bais Abe Garden Are you a master gardener? Or a novice to the gardening world who would like to learn more? Either way, we need your help! All you need is an interest in jumping in to help with weeding, trimming, and planting in the Bais Abe garden. No prior experience is necessary, and we can help everyone interested in finding a task that suits them. Please be in touch with Rebecca Swartz or the Bais Abe office if you would like to help!
Cooking: Do you like to cook or bake? Or are you interested in learning more? Come help prep, cook, and bake for Kiddushes and events at shul! Be in touch with Abbyfor more information.
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 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.
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.
Reminders
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.
Tisha B’Av
This Sunday is the fast of Tisha B’Av. Similar to Yom Kippur, the fast will begin the evening before, Saturday night. All other fasts begin at daybreak. Also similar to Yom Kippur, we don’t wear leather shoes. At Shacharit on Tisha B’Av, we don’t put on Tefillin or say Tachanun, but at Mincha, we make up for this by doing both. Usually, the final meal before the fast, called the seudah hamafseket, is subject to some restrictions, but with Tisha B'Av on Sunday, this meal is on Shabbat, and may include meat and wine. Note that it must be finished before sunset, which is earlier than the end of Shabbat. Also, Havdalah will be put off until Sunday night, before the meal after the fast, and is said without the blessings for the spices and candle. We also use a drink other than wine (e.g. orange juice).
The limitations of the Nine Days continue until midday of the 10th of Av, which is this Monday. This includes the prohibition of haircuts, meat, wine, and new clothes. These laws and customs are to help us express sorrow due to the sad events that happened to our people through the years, on Tisha B’Av.
Don’t despair! Consolation is on the way. On the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av, we read a Haftorah of consolation, as we will do for the following six weeks, leading up to Rosh Hashana.
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
Neshama Carlebach in Concert - Sunday, August 17 at 5:30pm Come join us for a soulful time with the incredible Neshama Carlebach at SummerFest 2025! Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with uplifting music and inspiring melodies. This concert is a chance to connect with beautiful tunes in person. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a magical musical afternoon. The event will be at Clayton High School and is sponsored by Kol Rinah. For more information about the concert and tickets, visit the website.
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 Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy) Any Kind of Canned Vegetables (e.g. corn, green beans, peas, and carrots) Healthy Cereals (please avoid sugary cereals) Tomato Sauce and Pastas Healthy Snacks Personal care items such as: Toothpaste, Dental Floss, and Sunscreen
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.
Modest Hospital Gowns Now Available A limited quantity of modest hospital gowns are now available. These gowns are designed to ensure tznius while still allowing hospital staff access for IVs, etc. A small donation is requested, as is a deposit. Please contact Rivka Dushoff-Tobin for more information or to borrow a gown, 314-397-3931.
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
