PARSHAT NOACH
Abraham is the Tower of Babel. With this episode theTorah turns its attention from the universal to the particular, from the history of humanity to the descendants of Shem, Noah's firstborn son.
As preserved, the story is but nine verses--brief, insignificant and unedifying, not much more than a dismissive satire on Babylon. At best, we try to connect this fragment to the mystery of human language. If we are all progeny of Noah, how did we come to speak so many different languages?
But that question has a slightly academic ring to it. What is really missing at this juncture in the narrative of the Torah is an etiology of polytheism. Given that the polemic against polytheism plays such a central role in the Canon of ancient Israel, why is there no speculation in narrative form as to how humanity strayed from monotheism to polytheism?
How Humanity Lost Its Way
Indeed, the early chapters of Genesis assume that our first ancestors were monotheists. They sensed intuitively that the built-in multiplicity of reality emanated from a single supreme deity with whom they could readily communicate. Adam and Eve "heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of day" (3:8). Cain and Abel and Noah after them offered sacrifices spontaneously to express their thanksgiving to God (4:3-4, 8:20). In short, we are left in the dark by the Torah as to how humanity lost its way theologically.
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Caring Community Information
Refuah Sh'leimah/Wishing a Speedy Recovery.
Please e-mail Michael Golob or call the synagogue: 248-432-2729 to add a name to our communal mishebeirach list.
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5085 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
248-432-2729 |
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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SHABBAT SHALOM
SHABBAT NOACH
Friday, October 24th
6 p.m. Services, Chapel
Saturday, October 25th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
10 a.m. Supervised Youth Room
11 a.m. Children's Workshop (ages 7-12), lower level
11 a.m. Teen D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe, Social Hall
Kiddush is sponsored by Sandy and Warren Lada in honor of Warren's birthday and their anniversary. Kiddush Lunch is also sponsored by the Im Tirtzu Campaign.
This Shabbat, we are pleased to welcome our Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Jason Rubenstein
Rabbi Rubenstein will teach on Friday 
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B'rucheem Ha Ba'eem
We warmly welcome new members,
Howard and Sharon Friedman, to our synagogue family.
Mazel Tov to Linda and Murray Baruch on the recent engagement of their son, Adam, to Tali Ribnick. Mazel Tov to the entire Baruch family, and to Tali's parents, Jerry and Louise Ribnick. |
UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe (8-12 graders) and Shabbat Children's Workshop (ages 7-12) have returned!
Future dates: 10/25, 11/8, 12/76, 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11, 5/9 PLEASE WATCH THE WEEKLY SHABBAT BULLETIN FOR DETAILS.
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
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ADULT EDUCATION
Shabbat morning study with Dr. Mitch Parker:
"Reflections on the Siddur: Hallel, Birkat Hamazon and Beyond."
10:30-11:15 a.m. Future dates: 11/8, 11/22, 12/6, 12/20, 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23.
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Mazel Tov

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
23 Jerome Beale
23 Carrie Roth
24 Steven Dines
25 Ruby Robinson
29 Libby Beider
29 Adina Robbins
30 Jeremy Baruch
30 Philip Epstein
31 Benjamin Chudnow
31 Yael Duer
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
OCTOBER YAHRTZEITS
Milt Fishman
Isaac Knoppow
Anna Murray
Alfred Benkoff
Aaron Soverinsky
10/26/2014 (2 Heshvan)
Sam Thomas Balkin
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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