- Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
…om the ola (burnt offering), made “a sweet savor unto the Lord”; the Jews knew that God was pleased, that is to say, because they knew that they had made a true offering of something of value that came from their hearts. Perhaps it is an ethical advance, as Maimonides suggests, to have put an end to the slaughter of animals; but it is no ethical advance if the sacrifice is not matched by an equivalent commitment of our hearts, our hands, our subst…
…imself off not only from them but from his father as well, even though he knew how deeply this would hurt him. He had even named one of his sons Menashe, which means “God has made me forget my father’s house.” As he stares down at the men bowed before him, Joseph has certainly has not forgiven them. Quite likely, he wants to avenge himself on them for what they did to him. What they did was terrible. And yet he probably also would like to see his…
…Job says, “Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” The New JPS translation says: “Therefore, I recant and relent, being but dust and ashes.” The poet Stephen Mitchell strikes a very different tone: “Therefore I will be quiet,” Job says, “comforted that I am dust.” Repent. Recant and relent. Comforted. All of these choices are puzzling and disturbing, as is the entire story of Job. Why does God impose suffering on an upright and…
…h concerns commandments for special sacrifices and rituals relating to the new moon and Passover. But at the very end of the haftarah, which is from Ezekiel, it is written in 46:16, “Thus saith the Lord God: If the prince makes a gift to any of his sons it shall become the latter’s inheritance; it shall pass on to his sons; it is their holding by inheritance. But if he makes a gift from his inheritance to any of his subjects, it shall only belong…
…16 Jan Tu Bishvat Seder via Zoom January 16, 2022 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm BEKI Kids page Home Page Interior Page Tu Bishvat Seder: An online celebration of the New Year for Trees on Sunday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. To fully participate, have […] More Info…
…ntern (pastoral field worker) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. During my nineteen and three-quarters years serving congregations in Connecticut, I have counseled hundreds of families facing death or grieving a loved one, have attended numerous individuals at their hour of death, and have prepared the dead for burial. I have experience in guiding families and medical workers in deciding whether to “pull the plug” and in the co…
…as the greatest friend of our Congregat ion and a most admirable leader of New Haven. Phil was part of the BEKI community, and we were proud of his good works and appreciative of his co ntribution. In my heart, we are honoring Phil tonight, as well. It is not only right that we honor Carl, Ina and Susie for their leadership at BEKI and the civic community; it seems almost urgent . 4 We feel angry at some of our civic leaders – present com pany exc…
…29 Aug Back to Shul Day August 29, 2021 9:00 am – 4:00 pm BEKI Kids page Home Page Interior Page Sunday, August 29 is a work and fun day to prepare the shul for High Holy Days. Our goal is to prepare the synagogue, inside and […] More Info…
…19 Aug Processing our Return to the Building: Our Hopes & Fears w/Rabbi Woodward (in-person) August 19, 2021 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Home Page Interior Page We’re told that when we walk into a synagogue, we should say, “Mah Tovu” – how beautiful! But the reality is, returning to “a new […] More Info…
…“no” to an invitation to do a mitzva. And so, for the benefit of the many new members who might not yet know what to expect, and for those already suffering mitzva indigestion, I want suggest the following perspective. At BEKI you will be offered more mitzva opportunities than you can possibly accept. You will have to choose which calls you can answer. So please do not feel guilty that you can not do everything, and please do not feel annoyed tha…
