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Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for dawn is breaking." But he answered, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." Said the other, "What is your name?" He replied, "Jacob." Said he, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed."
[Genesis 32:25-29]
Our Torah portion this week includes the well-known biblical wrestling match that ends with Jacob's name being changed to "Israel." It is a name with particular importance as we are still known as "B'nai Yisrael" (the children of Israel), rather than "the children of Jacob." And it's noteworthy that the name Israel means "to wrestle with God." While so much in Torah and in Judaism can be seen as black and white, Jacob's name-change here reminds us of how much "gray" there really is in our lives and in the world. Being "Israel" reminds us what a blessing it is to be able to "wrestle with God;" for it to be okay that the beliefs and theology we held ten, twenty, fifty years ago have changed and evolved with time and life-experience. Being "Israel" calls our attention to the tension between that which we know "for certain," and that which is ever-changing.
This Friday evening, our Kabbalat Shabbat service begins at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
Shabbat morning, Cantor Harrison and I will be leading a Healing Service at 10:00 am in the Chapel. Just as our Mi Shebeirach prayer reminds us that there are multiple levels of healing we may find ourselves in need of, our Healing Service is designed for those facing life's circumstances who are seeking spiritual, emotional or physical healing, a sense of wholeness and peace, for those supporting others, and/or for those navigating their role as caregivers. Grounded in Jewish prayer and ritual, the service will include moments of liturgy, song, meditation, and learning to build a community of compassion, comfort, and strength, as we all seek to access places of support and resilience.
Shabbat afternoon, our service begins at 5:45 pm, during which we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Sofie Sakaleros.
And, on Sunday, we welcome our guests from IHOC (the Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council) who will be staying with us at M'kor Shalom for the next couple of weeks as we celebrate the holiday season together.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Jennifer L. Frenkel
If you have the name of someone you would like to have included in our Healing Prayer (Mi Shebeirach) that is recited at our Shabbat services, please let us know by noon each Friday so we can give the name to our clergy.
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WE CELEBRATE
The Bat Mitzvah of
Sofie Sakaleros
daughter of Nickolas & Jennifer Sakaleros
The Engagement of
Mara Gordon & Mark Robinson
son of Larry & Linda Robinson
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Volunteers Needed to Secure Vendors for
Our Home Improvement Meet & Greet!
Volunteer Meeting: Sunday, December 15, 10:30 am
Event Date: Sunday, January 12, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Can you spare a short amount of time to help contact prospective vendors either by phone, email, through their website, or text? We have a script you can use.
Volunteers are asked to come to a brief meeting at the synagogue on Sunday, December 15 (10:30 am). If you can't make the meeting, we would still love your help! Please let event chairperson
Merle Steinberg know ASAP if you can attend or want to be involved!
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