SHABBAT EIKEV
The Covenant of Fertility
Rabbi Lauren Eichler Berkun
Fertility of the womb and fertility of the land are divine gifts.
The themes of fertility and barrenness are central to the biblical narrative. It is striking how often we encounter barren women in the Bible. Sarah, the women of Abimelekh's household, Rebekah, Rachel, Manoah's wife, Hannah, and the Shunamite woman are all examples of barren women whose wombs are opened by God. Clearly, the process of reproduction holds a key to biblical theology. The very covenant of Israel is presented as a brit [covenant] of fertility. God promises Abram, "This is my covenant with you. You shall be the father of a multitude of nations...I will make you exceedingly fertile." (Genesis 17:4, 6). This week's parashah further emphasizes the connection between covenant and childbearing. Moses teaches: And if you do obey these rules and observe them carefully, the Lord your God will maintain faithfully for you the covenant that He made on oath with your fathers: He will favor you and bless you and multiply you; He will bless the issue of your womb...You shall be blessed above all other peoples: there shall be no sterile male or female among you or among your livestock... (Deuteronomy 7:12-14).
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
8/7/2015 (22 Av)
Joel D. Hamburger
Bennie Magy
8/8/2015 (23 Av)
Marilyn "Mike" Feigelson
8/9/2015 (24 Av)
Bertha Chitkin
8/11/2015 (26 Av)
Sarah Lewis
Ormond Sacks
8/13/2015 (28 Av)
Louis Jonah Lieberman
8/14/2015 (29 Av)
Edward Avadenka
Leonard Gaba
Robert Alan Kapetansky
8/16/2015 (1 Elul)
Moshe Buncel
Louis Silverstein
8/17/2015 (2 Elul)
Robert Keila
8/18/2015 (3 Elul)
Louis Rose
Sam Toby
8/19/2015 (4 Elul)
Jack Harold Kaufman
8/21/2015 (6 Elul)
Franka Charlupski
8/23/2015 (8 Elul)
John Eby
8/24/2015 (9 Elul)
Reinald Freedman
8/26/2015 (11 Elul)
Ernest Gans
Arthur Markowitz
8/27/2015 (12 Elul)
Alex Kuhn
8/28/2015 (13 Elul)
Pearl Leah Naimark
8/30/2015 (15 Elul)
Rabbi Carl L. Manello
To make a donation to commemorate a yahrtzeit, please click here. If you are a member of the synagogue and a yahrtzeit for your loved one is not on the list, please contact the synagogue office so we can update our records.
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
QUICK LINKS:
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Shabbat V'etchanan/Shabbat Nachamu
Friday, August 7th
Saturday, August 8th
9 a.m., Sanctuary
Kiddush Lunch is sponsored by the following Kiddush Lunch Bunch participants: Rita Goldstone, Hilda Hamburger, Rachel Kapen, Gail Kaye, Sheila and Marty Kurland, Marlene Margolis, Ilene Miles and Carol Wiseman.
To help sustain Kiddush Lunch, please consider joining a Kiddush Lunch Bunch group. E-mail Mindy Shuback for more information.
Donations to the Kiddush Lunch Fund can also be made online or mailed directly to the synagogue.
SATURDAY NIGHT LEARNING AUGUST 8th
8:00 p.m., at the home of Laurie and Robert Kimmel. Please rsvp to the Kimmels if you plan to attend: robert@kimmelscrap.com
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HIGH HOLIDAY INFORMATION
TODAH RABBAH/THANK YOU
To the following people for preparing our high holiday packets and our yizkor books: Debra Singer, Miles Singer, Stephanie Singer, Karen Gordon, Mark Kuhn, and Marlene Margolis. This is a tremendous undertaking each year, and their assistance is greatly appreciated.
Guest Tickets
Guest tickets for High Holiday Services may be ordered through the synagogue office. For order form, please click here. Please place order by August 31st to allow time for processing.
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UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Formal youth activities will resume in the fall.
COMING THIS FALL:
"PJ OUR WAY," a reading program for youth ages 9-11.
A unique book club for parents and children which will meet 10/18, 11/15, 1/31, 2/28, and 5/1. Please e-mail Rabbi Robbins if you wish to receive further information about this program.
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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Sisterhood Corner
Tuesday, August 25, 7 p.m.
Challah Baking and Demonstration
at the home of Nancy Benchell Eisman. Bakers of all levels, from aspiring to expert, are invited to attend. Mark your calendars and watch for further details coming soon!
Thank you to Lori Orel and Shelley Fenyes for organizing Book Club. Your suggestions are welcome.
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Saturday Night Learning
August 8th, 8 p.m., at the home of Laurie and Robert Kimmel.
SUMMER LOVING
Great Love Stories of the Tanach
FINAL SESSION: Mondays August 10
Time: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Mitch Parker
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Mazel Tov
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
9 Leonard Rosen
10 Julia Abramson
10 Betsy Wolf
11 Nancy Benchell-Eisman
11 Marybeth Rosen
11 Michael Soverinsky
13 Elizabeth Breitman
13 Cathy Graub
15 Andy Beider
15 Kayla Kapen
15 David Saperstein
16 Marlene Margolis
16 Marcia Seigerman
18 Melissa Berlin
19 Katie Rosen
19 Sally Soverinsky
21 Stefani Chudnow
21 Adam Gordon
22 Maya Rosenberg
23 Vernon Gordon
25 Rabbi Jonathan Berger
27 Noah Marcotte
27 Cary Rosen
27 Melvin Toby
29 Edward Chudnow
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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