Beth Shalom Synagogue

Your Jewish Home in South Carolina

January 19, 2024

Parashat Bo

Izzy and Duncan Lourie

Will become B’nai Mitzvah

Saturday, January 27

9:45 a.m.

Izzy and Duncan Lourie are the sons of Robin & Neal Lourie and the grandsons of Susan & Isadore (obm) Lourie and Tobie & Sarah Drucker. They are in the seventh grade in the Leadership Academy Academic Magnet at E.L. Wright Middle School. Both are on the A honor roll, members of the National Junior Beta Club Honor Society and play violin in the Madrigal Honors Orchestra. Prior to enrolling at E.L. Wright, they graduated from the Cutler Jewish Day School where their love of Torah and Jewish identity were nourished.

In his spare time, Izzy enjoys playing basketball for the JCC and his AAU team. He also enjoys fishing, swimming, and cheering for all Gamecock and Tulane sports. Izzy’s goal for his Bar Mitzvah project was to make the world safer for people with life threatening allergies. Therefore, he wrote to the S.C. General Assembly requesting legislation be passed mandating all ambulances to stock epinephrine. Currently, there is no such requirement in South Carolina.

Duncan spends his spare time focusing on soccer and golf. He also enjoys kayaking and creative writing. Duncan was disheartened by the events of October 7th in Israel and was moved to help those affected. Therefore, for his Bar Mitzvah project, Duncan held a soccer tournament to raise money for an Israeli family that was misplaced due to the war for his Mitzvah Project. He also enjoys fishing, playing Minecraft with his friends, and watching Gamecock and Tulane sports.

Izzy and Duncan are proud to follow both of their parents on the bema at Beth Shalom as they continue the tradition and become B’nai Mitzvah.

The Lourie family joyfully invites the congregation to join them in this Simcha. The kiddush luncheon is graciously hosted by Izzy & Duncan’s aunts and uncles: Joel & Becky Lourie, Lance & Robin Lourie, Katie & Lee Freedman and Leslie Drucker.

Plus: Learn More About Tu Bishvat

with This Class

Wednesday January 24

10:00 am ET

Before the seder begins, join us for "Forbidden Fruit: Ancient Origins of Tu Bishvat." In this interactive text study with Kohenet Sarah Chandler, we'll explore the ancient origins and modern implications of "orlah," a Torah commandment that prohibits consuming fruit produced by a tree in the first three years after planting.

SIGN ME UP

Celebrate This Upcoming Jewish Holiday

with Our Online Tu Bishvat Seder

Wednesday January 24

7:30 pm ET

Tu Bishvat — known as the new year of the trees — is next week. Did you know that many people celebrate Tu Bishvat with a seder, similar to a Passover seder? The Tu Bishvat seder involves special readings for the holiday, wine, symbolic foods, and blessings.

You're invited to join My Jewish Learning's festive online Tu Bishvat Seder, led by teacher Rahel Musleah. Inspired by her Baghdadi-Indian heritage, Rahel will use customs from Jewish communities around the world to guide you through this fruit-centered tradition and help you uncover the deeper significance of Tu Bishvat. Don't miss it!

SIGN UP FOR THE SEDER

PREMIERES JANUARY 23, 2024

Nazi Town, USA

THE UNTOLD STORY OF NAZI SYMPATHIZERS ON AMERICAN SOIL

Film Description

In February 1939, more than 20,000 Americans filled Madison Square Garden for an event billed as a “Pro-American Rally.” Images of George Washington hung next to swastikas and speakers railed against the “Jewish controlled media” and called for a return to a racially “pure” America. The keynote speaker was Fritz Kuhn, head of the German American Bund. Nazi Town, USA tells the largely unknown story of the Bund, which had scores of chapters in suburbs and big cities across the country and represented what many believe was a real threat of fascist subversion in the United States. The Bund held joint rallies with the Ku Klux Klan and ran dozens of summer camps for children centered around Nazi ideology and imagery. Its melding of patriotic values with virulent anti-Semitism raised thorny issues that we continue to wrestle with today.

Link to trailer for "Nazi Town, USA"

Joshua Nelson Concert Flyer at Beth Shalom -March 1-3, 2024

Candle Lighting Times

Friday, January 19

5:23 p.m.

Saturday, January 20

6:22 p.m.