Shabbat Bemidbar / Mevarchim
May 22-23, 2020
IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS MESSAGE:
Please continue social distancing. The last thing we want is a second outbreak of this disease. Even while outdoors, please be sure to keep a safe distance from people who do not live with you. Not only is this the safest thing for you to do from a medical standpoint, but it prevents the perception among others that the Jewish community does not take these precautions and public safety seriously. On the contrary, Judaism takes them extraordinarily seriously.
Please be aware that due to the overriding Jewish value of Pikuah Nefesh, saving lives, Synagogues may remain closed for a prolonged period after other businesses have been opened due to economic or other considerations, and even after the government has officially permitted "religious gatherings." The government considers factors that Halakha does not, and Jewish Law continues to value saving lives over other consideratons.
Please reach out to us if you need help with anything at all, or even if you just need to talk, during this prolonged difficult period.
TORAH READING
Numbers 1:1 - 4:20, Artscroll p. 726
Haftarah for Erev Rosh Chodesh: 1 Samuel 20:18-42
The Torah reading can be found and printed here.
CBAJ YOUTH FAMILY PARSHA PAGE
Click here to print a one-sheet (double sided) Parsha Page with a summary of the Parsha, a story with a Parsha-related Message, some discussion questions, and a Shabbat-friendly activity.
ROSH CHODESH SIVAN
Rosh Chodesh is Saturday Night and Sunday. On Sunday, please remember to include Ya'ael Veyavo, Half Hallel after the Shacharit Amidah, Mussaf for Rosh Chodesh.
VIRTUAL SHABBAT PROGRAMMING
Friday
5 pm: Tot Shabbat on Zoom
6 pm: Join Rabbi Feldman on his Facebook page for some pre-Shabbat singing, a short Dvar Torah, and a Prayer for those who are ill.
Saturday Night
Tune into our Zoom Meeting at 9:25 pm for Musical Havdalah and some post-Shabbat singing (one should still recite Havdalah at home).
SHAVUOT PROGRAMMING
Wednesday, May 27, Late Night Learning
Starts with Rabbi Feldman's lecture on Zoom at 8 pm, and continues with speakers from Yeshiva University and RIETS.
Thursday, May 28, Ice Cream Truck
Ice Cream Truck at CBAJ Parking Lot from 4 pm to 6 pm before Yom Tov. Get ice cream and Shavuot learning materials. Please wear masks and maintain social distancing. CBAJ Members will receive a voucher for free ice cream next week.
Sunday, May 31, Virtual Yizkor
The day after Yom Tov from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, virtual Yizkor service on Zoom.
More information and materials in next week's e-mail.
CBAJ BOOK CLUB
The CBAJ Book Club will next meet on Wednesday June 10. We will be reading The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe . For more information, e-mail Laura Segal .
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Rabbi Feldman and the CBAJ Family is available to speak with you. Please e-mail him at rabbi@cbaj.org or call the CBAJ Office to leave a message. CBAJ President Artie Brenner is reachable at president@cbaj.org . The Chesed committee can be reached through the form below.
CHESED AT CBAJ
If you would like help with shopping, errands, or other things since you are remaining home as much as possible, or conversely, if you would like to volunteer to help people in the community who may need help, please fill out the form at this link . Please be in touch with Rabbi Feldman with any needs.
ACCESS INFORMATION FOR OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
For Facebook programming, visit facebook.com/rabbifeldman
YOU SEND IT, WE PRINT IT
Please be sure to send the CBAJ office information about celebrations or other achievements to be mentioned in the weekly e-mail and printed notes.
DAILY SERVICES
Sunday to Thursday at 8:15 pm on Zoom
Friday morning, May 22 is Yom Yerushalayim. Full Hallel after Shacharit Amidah.
Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Sivan
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FULL VIRTUAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Daily
Monday to Friday at 1 pm: Orthodox Union Communal Tehillim and Words of Inspiration, call (773) 249-0370
Sunday to Thursday: Mincha, Mishna study in memory of our loved ones (for mourners and Yahrzeit), a prayer for the ill, and Ma'ariv, on Zoom Conference.
Weekly Adult Education -
NOTE DIFFERENCES THIS WEEK
Sundays at 8:30 pm on Zoom: In Depth Talmud: Megilah
Mondays at 8:30 pm on Zoom: No Class this Monday - Memorial Day
Thursdays: Tanakh Class on Summer Hiatus
More special programs and guest speakers to be announced
Youth Programming
Friday at 5 pm on Zoom: Tot Shabbat
Sundays at 10:30 am on Zoom: CBAJ Kid's Club for grades 2-5 with Youth Director Jory
CORONA-VIRUS INFORMATION
If you have health related questions, concerns, or needs regarding COVID-19, St. Peters Health Partners has social workers and nurses available to speak with you at 518-525-1132. If you need more emotional support during this difficult time, the NY State COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline is 844-863-9314.
When it comes to possibly saving lives, Jewish law always follows the most stringent opinion that will save the most lives. Let us be part of the solution by staying safe and following protocols suggested by public health experts. Keep social distancing guidelines:
Do not be within 6 feet of anyone else, except the people with whom you live.
If you can, work from home; if you cannot, maintain the social distancing protocols.
Playdates should not take place between children.
If you experience symptoms, contact your doctor.
Do not invite guests for Shabbat or Yom Tov meals, and make Shiva and Bikkur Cholim visits by phone.
If you are High Risk due to age or other conditions, please stay home as much as possible and take advantage of our Chesed Committee's generous offers.
The Mikva is open by appointment and is following protocols suggested by the Orthodox Union in consultation with public health experts.
The Utensil Mikvah is also open. Please bring gloves to use, and wash your hands with soap before and after using the Utensil Mikvah. If you cannot follow these sanitary protocols, or if you have personal concerns about using the Utensil Mikvah for current health-related reasons, you may use this form to have the Beth Din of America arrange to sell your new utensils to someone who is not Jewish. They will arrange to buy those utensils back at a later date (which will be shared with you), at which point your utensils must be "toveled" in the Mikvah. This solution is only to be used in cases of great need, such as ours.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
JFS is helping with Kosher food and grocery delivery, and soon will be offering support groups during this difficult time. See here for more information.
TEFILAH AT HOME
Use this opportunity to take extra time and read the Tefilot meaningfully (and learn their meaning), sing with new melodies (if you have others at home, sing together).
Aside from not reciting Bar'chu, Kaddish, Kedusha, or the repetition in any services:
Friday Night: Recite Vayechulu paragraph following the Amidah, then skip to Aleinu. If starting Shabbat early, daven Mincha before Plag Hamincha (the time labeled "Earliest Shabbat" on this e-mail's time-bar), candles may be lit and Ma'ariv may be davened after Plag Hamincha.
Shabbat Morning: Start davening in time to recite Shema before the latest time for Shema. After Shacharit Amidah, read the Torah Portion and special Maftir without any of the blessings. Yekum Purkan is not recited, then Ashrei and the Mussaf Amidah should be recited, and the concluding prayers (if you have children at home, ask them to lead Ein Kelokeinu, Aleinu, Shir Shel Yom, and Adon Olam). Shir HaKavod is not recited.
Ma'ariv and general: One may daven Ma'ariv 15 minutes before the end of Shabbat and include Atah Chonantanu in the Amidah. It is Rabbi Feldman's opinion that one does not say the three words "E-l Melech Ne'eman" before Shema in Ma'ariv or Shacharit, contrary to the instructions in many Siddurim. It is also his opinion that one who usually recites the paragraph at weekday Ma'ariv that begins ברוך ה' לעולם אמן ואמן does not recite this paragraph when praying without a Minyan. Remember to count the Omer after nightfall each night.
LIFE & LEGACY *
We are excited and honored to be partnering with 10 other local organizations in the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY™ program. We completed a successful first year! Please help us pay it forward and leave a legacy for future Capital District Jews. Please speak to a Life & Legacy committee member about partnering on this crucial initiative to ensure the vitality of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob for the next 200 years. Please consider completing a Letter of Intent. For more information, contact office@cbaj.org.Your text goes here!
