PARSHAT BO
Dr. Robert A. Harris, JTS.
Perhaps by now you have seen the animated feature, The Prince of Egypt. In one scene, the character of Moses is portrayed as being plagued(!) by his conscience immediately after killing the Egyptian who had been beating the Israelite (see Exodus 2:12). In fact, the movie eliminates the secretive nature of this act as the Biblical narrative presents it (look it up!), and instead depicts Moses as fleeing Egypt - not because the Egyptian authorities are seeking his life - but as a result of his moral abhorrence of his own act. The taking of a human life is judged by this animated pacifist as reason for self-exile from society. Unfortunately, the film does not take up the issue of the wholesale loss of Egyptian life in the ensuing plagues sequence and splitting of the sea. In the movie, Moses never questions God's fierce methods in freeing the Israelites from slavery. We shall return to this issue below.
The Torah portion of Bo is found in Exodus 10:1-13:16. It continues the plagues narrative that began last week in parashat Va'ayra, and also contains the first detailed legal section in the Pentateuch: the laws concerning the sacrifice of the paschal lamb and the first laws of the Passover holiday. The portion contains what is perhaps one of the most enthralling - and horrific - narratives in the entire Bible: the destruction of all the first-born of Egypt.
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Click here for Rabbi Robbins' recent D'var Torah on Va'era and French Jewry
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
1/22/2015 (2 Shevat)
Tillie Lantor
Edith Tucker
1/23/2015 (3 Shevat)
Marian Knoppow
Samuel Tron
1/24/2015 (4 Shevat)
Morris Fishman
Marie Garnick
Lisa Goldstone
Nancy Lynn Precour
1/26/2015 (6 Shevat)
Walter M. Stark
1/27/2015 (7 Shevat)
Rachel Orzach
1/29/2015 (9 Shevat)
Lois Shirley Pappas
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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SHABBAT SHALOM!
SHABBAT Bo
Friday, January 23
6 p.m. Services, Chapel
Saturday, January 24th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
10 a.m. Supervised Youth Room
Kiddush Lunch is sponsored by the Kiddush Lunch Fund.
Kiddush Lunch each week is sustained by the generosity of sponsors If you would like to become part of a sponsoring lunch group, please e-mail Mindy Shuback. Donations to the Kiddush Lunch Fund can also be made directly to the synagogue.
MAZEL TOV 
To Marlene Margolis on the recent birth of her grandson, Henry Weisberg. Henry is the son of Rachel and Benno Weisberg.
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Snacking and yakking . . .
Sunday, February 1, 2015
3:30 - 5:00 pm
TKA/BI Social Hall
Refreshments & Fun
Join other women from our congregation to hear about our upcoming plans as well as to add your support as we work together to create a stronger B'nai Israel community. RSVP yes or no by January 23rd: Cheryl Berlin 248-763-1121 acberlin_mi@yahoo.com or Sandy Lada 248-865-9290 lada.sandy@gmail.com
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UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
FAMILY CAMP 2015 RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 29-31st.
Teen D'var Torah Cafe (8-12 graders) and Shabbat Children's Workshop (ages 7-12) with Ramah Fellow, Sam Mellits.
Future dates: /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."
Future dates: 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23.
SATURDAY NIGHT LEARNING F EBRUARY 21ST: " After Haman's Death-The Megillah Chapters we Often Ignore," presented by Howard Friedman Location to be determined.
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Mazel Tov

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
25 Itzhak Elrom
29 Becky Benard
29 David Chudnow
31 Robin Pappas
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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Caring Community Information
Please submit any times you wish to place on the mishebeirach list to Michael Golob: e-mail Michael Golob.
HEBREW FREE LOAN: Providing loans, providing dignity. click here for more information on how Hebrew Free Loan can help you.
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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5085 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
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