Weekly E-News 2022/5783
November 4 - November 11
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Rabbi's Message
Shabbat Shalom!
In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, we witness the birth of the Jewish people. God appears to a man named Avram and gives him the simple command: “לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ,” “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” And so Avram indeed goes forth, until he finally reaches the Negev desert near the south of Canaan. But then what happens next? Almost immediately, we are told “וַיְהִ֥י רָעָ֖ב בָּאָ֑רֶץ וַיֵּ֨רֶד אַבְרָ֤ם מִצְרַ֙יְמָה֙ לָג֣וּר שָׁ֔ם כִּֽי־כָבֵ֥ד הָרָעָ֖ב בָּאָֽרֶץ׃,” “There was a famine in the land, and Avram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” What sense does this make? Abraham was just commanded to dwell in the land of Canaan, and yet has to leave almost as soon as he arrives!
The rabbis understood that the famine in the land was meant as a test for Avram, to see whether or not he would listen to God, who, in Rashi’s words, “told him to go to the land of Canaan and now forced him to leave it.” But what was the test? Did Avram pass it or fail it? Was the test that Avram should have remained in the land of Canaan, or that he needed to realize he should make a temporary home in Egypt?
The rabbis say that Avram passed his test, meaning that in their view, Avram succeeded. The test was whether he could weather his time in Egypt, despite God having promised him a land in Canaan. There is something to be said about Avram’s faith, and what we can learn from it. Even when it seemed like God’s promise must be wrong, Avram still believed and hoped in that better future. And yet, at the same time, he was not hopelessly naïve. Avram moved to Egypt, but prepared to come back to Canaan. He adapted to the times, but always held onto his ideals. He passed the test. And that is an example that we, his descendants, can learn from.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Gelman
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Join us for Kiddush after services. On the menu is lox bagels and more. Kiddush is prepared by Eva Locker. It is sponsored by Kronowitz Kiddush Fund.
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Service Leader Sign Up
Are you interested in leading services? Reading Torah? You can sign up on our service leader sign up sheet! We now have 2 sheets-one through the end of October, and the other from November to February. If you are interested in learning how to read Torah or lead services, contact Rabbi Gelman at rabbishgelman@gmail.com
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We are excited to announce the beginning of a rotation of different theme Friday night Shabbat Services! This week we have Pajama Shabbat! Come in your PJs, and join us for a fun, cozy night! All ages welcome!
Our full rotation of Friday Night services is as follows:
1. Intergenerational service/PJ Shabbat
2. Classic Friday Night service
3. Learner's service
4. Musical service
More information on the rotation and other services are coming soon! Make sure to check the E-News or our website each week to see what service is coming up!
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Sunday: 9:00 AM
Monday: 8:00
Tuesday: 7:30 AM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM
Thursday: 8:00 AM
Friday: 8:00 AM & 6:00 PM
Shabbat: 9:45 AM
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Given the increase in COVID cases, AA is back to "mask optional" for services. |
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This Shabbat:
2022 | 5783
Lech Lecha
Candle Lighting: 6:14pm
Havdalah: 7:09 pm
(all times are for Savannah)
Annual Torah reading: Genesis 12:1-17:27
Triennial Torah reading: Genesis 12:1-13:18
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
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Your Online Siddur
A Siddur is here so you can pray
with fellow Jews at the AA
Click the button below!
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Talmud Torah K'Neged Kulam - Torah Study for Everyone
We are excited to begin offering classes with Rabbi Gelman! We will start with one class a week (Talmud Page of the Week) and expand from there. Come and see what we have to offer!
1. Daf Shevui/Talmud Page of the Week:
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Always wanted a chance to learn a bit of Talmud? In this class we will be going through the first tractate of the Talmud, Berachot (Blessings). We will get a good variety of rabbinic legends, Jewish law, wit, and arguments. Lots and lots of arguments. Class will be held Wednesdays at 6 PM in person and on Zoom. The ZOOM link can be found below... |
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2. Learn to Lead: Have you always wanted to lead a service, but never quite got the melody? Always wanted a second shot at reading Torah after your Bat Mitzvah, but never seemed to have the time? Well, now is your chance to learn! Join Rabbi Gelman as he takes you through Kabbalat Shabbat, Torah trop, Haftarah Trop, and more. Please email Rabbi Gelman for more information!
3. Rotating Class with Rabbi Gelman: Fall Semester: We’re going to try something new this year at Agudath Achim. Each season, Rabbi Gelman will teach a different class of 6-10 sessions each on various topics. In the fall it might be on the history of Jewish characters in plays, while in the winter it might be on Jewish humor or Rashi’s commentary. To start things off, we want to hear from you what you want to learn. If you’re interested in learning with Rabbi Gelman, please fill out form below, or contact Rabbi Gelman at rabbishgelman@gmail.com or 912-521-7225.
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4. Rabbis of the Mishnah Class will take a deep look into the Rabbis of the Mishnah; who they were and what they were thinking. Our next class will be November 9th at 10:30am. Please contact Motti for class link or email mottilocker@gmail.com
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Deadline to order is Friday, January 27, 2023 |
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Birthdays
November 5
Charna Cweibel
Paul Kulbersh
Prof. Cathy Skidmore-Hess
November 8
Julius Davidson
November 9
Marc Gilenson
Roberta Kamine-Haysman
November 10
Julian Miller
November 11
Stuart Kluger
Richard Meier
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Anniversaries
November 9
Adam and Amy Kaminksy
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If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please email the office with the information so we can update your account. We apologize for the omission. |
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Yahrzeits For:
November 4 - November 11, 2022
11 Heshvan - 17 Heshvan 5783
Saturday, November 5/Sunday, November 6 - 12 Heshvan
Shirley Robin - mother of Sherwin Robin
Sunday, November 6/Monday, November 7 -13 Heshvan
Yetta Mayo - mother of Jeffrey Mayo
Monday, November 7/Tuesday, November 8 - 14 Heshvan
Anna Elman - grandmother of Brenda Salter
Tuesday, November 8/Wednesday, November 9 - 15 Heshvan
Patricia Barber - great aunt of Sidney Karp & Sheryl Kreh
Morris Nathan - great grandfather of Richard Bodziner
May Smalheiser - grandmother of Kenneth Sadler
Wednesday, November 9/Thursday, November 10 - 16 Heshvan
Sol Neidich - father of Linda Hoffman
Thursday, November 10/Friday, November 11 - 17 Heshvan
Pearl Baker - mother of Sandra Seligman
Maurine Wiener - mother of Meredith Bodziner &
mother in law of Buddy Metzger
Commemoration of the Yahrzeit begins the evening of the first noted date.
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Promoting Justice in Savannah
Help advance the cause of justice in Savannah! Congregation Agudath Achim is a member of JUST (Justice Unites Savannah Together) an interfaith alliance of 22 Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations. The purpose of JUST is to bring together people of faith to advance justice in Savannah and Chatham County. Every year, the member congregations agree on two critical areas in which to advance justice and work together to make progress through dialogue, research and advocacy. AA congregants are invited and encouraged to participate.
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Please come out on Sunday December 11th at to watch Savannah’s new Hockey Team the Ghost Pirates. The Ghost Pirates will give the Shalom School $5 back for each ticket sold. The goal is to sell 200 tickets. Please follow the link to purchase your tickets.
Hope to see you there,
Bryan Guthrie
President, Shalom School Board
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JWV Service Appreciation Week
Please contact Stanley Rosenberg if you have any questions. You can also RSVP to all four events with Stanley Rosenberg.
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Dear Community Leadership,
While we know that Summer just began, we are well in to planning for the New Year (school year, Jewish year, etc). Towards that end, the JEA is offering CPR/First Aid training. This is part of a series of preparation courses offered to the community.
If you have staff members, or organization members (feel free to share broadly) who want to get certified/recertified in CPR and basic first aid we are offering the following:
Join us for this community class to learn how to confidently intervene in life-threatening emergencies.
This course is held through the American Health & Safety Institute (ASHI) by an approved instructor.
This is a blended learning course, meaning that you will have to complete an online course prior to attending the in-person skills session. Classes will be limited to ten (10) people. Adult, child and infant CPR/AED/First Aid will all be covered in this course.
Class Dates:
November 6, 2022 - 12:30 pm
December 10, 2022 - 12:30 pm
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