5101 US-42 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40241 • (502) 423-1818

Bernheim Rabbis’ Shabbat Dinner and Services

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Thank you to all that attended our Bernheim Rabbis’ Shabbat Dinner and Services last week! What a great time was had by all!

Isaac Bernheim (1848-1945) was a Reform Jew, devoted member of The Temple, a Louisville distiller, and philanthropist who, in 1929, bequeathed 14,000 acres of land – the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum – to the people of Kentucky. To celebrate the man and his legacy, we have an Annual Sabbath service in the Classical Reform style led by Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport, and featuring a professional choir under the direction of Dr. Louie Bailey.

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life; it is observed as a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. In the home and synagogue, blessings are made and candles are lit to welcome Shabbat and signify the start of the festival. The Kiddush prayer is recited to represent the holiness of the day. Blessings are made over wine and challah. (See information on Shabbat services with our new Guide to Jewish Services.)

CLASSICAL

Classical Services are held on special occasions throughout the year, celebrating our History as a founding congregation of American Reform Judaism, Founders’ Day, Isaac Mayer Wise’s birthday, and Bernheim Shabbat. They are led from the Sinai Edition of the old Union Prayer Book. Music from the Classical Age of Reform Judaism, is performed by The Temple professional choir.

B’hukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’hukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

This final part of Leviticus has always troubled me for its juxtaposition of beautifully poetic language on the subject of the most primitive of beliefs of Divine reward and punishment. In a modern world defined by the Holocaust and untold acts of senseless destruction and loss of life since then, it is hard to view the world in so simple of terms as “good people are rewarded and bad people are punished.”

But perhaps the problem lies not simply in the text of the Torah alone, but in the way we understand it as well. It never says here that our every righteous deed will surely be rewarded, or that every evil act will be instantly or inevitably punished. In this context, what the Torah teaches us in Behukotai is simply this. We are responsible for our actions – our lives and the world will be better or worse for our efforts. And while we may not receive in full measure the blessing or the curse that we or others might justly deserve, we will have earned it, and received it in some measure. And that, for the modern world, may be just enough.

B’har (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’har (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)

Leviticus 25:46 says “you shall fear your God.” 

That’s not a very good translation. We are not supposed to be afraid of God. But English doesn’t have a very good word for the Hebrew “yirah.”

Think of it like our relationship with the ocean. The ocean can be a source of great beauty, joy, inspiration and even love. But the ocean can be an uncontrollable and powerfully destructive force too. Standing between those two realities, we start to understand what it means to see God with a sense of “yirah.”

Growing up on the shore of Lake Superior, I learned to appreciate the majesty of its vastness: there is greatness, and there is power, and there is beauty, but above all there is an affirmation of life.

“God is like the ocean and we are like the waves…”

This Week’s Torah Portion: B’har (Leviticus 25:1-26:2)Leviticus 25:46 says “you shall fear your God.” 

That’s not a very good translation. We are not supposed to be afraid of God. But English doesn’t have a very good word for the Hebrew “yirah.”

Think of it like our relationship with the ocean. The ocean can be a source of great beauty, joy, inspiration and even love. But the ocean can be an uncontrollable and powerfully destructive force too. Standing between those two realities, we start to understand what it means to see God with a sense of “yirah.”

Growing up on the shore of Lake Superior, I learned to appreciate the majesty of its vastness: there is greatness, and there is power, and there is beauty, but above all there is an affirmation of life.

“God is like the ocean and we are like the waves…”

Blue Jean, Grandparent, and Great Grandparent Shabbat Service

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Blue Jean, Grandparent, and Great Grandparent Shabbat Service

Thank you for coming to our annual Blue Jean, Grandparent, and Great Grandparent Shabbat Service!  We had an amazing time enjoy dinner from Goose Creek Diner and our little ones enjoyed being on the bima for Tot Shabbat.

Family Services are held during the school year when our Religious School classes take turns leading services. These “Family Services” are usually held on the second Friday of the month and take place after a Family Shabbat Dinner. Led by the older students, only one service is held for the entire congregation. Twice a year, usually at the beginning and end of the school year, we hold a more relaxed and informal “Blue Jean Shabbat”.

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life; it is observed as a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. In the home and synagogue, blessings are made and candles are lit to welcome Shabbat and signify the start of the festival. The Kiddush prayer is recited to represent the holiness of the day. Blessings are made over wine and challah.

SUMMER SERVICES

***Shavuot through Rosh Hashanah

MONDAY

7:30 am Morning Minyan


FRIDAY

6:00 pm Yahrzeit Service & Oneg Shabbat

6:30 pm Shabbat Service

***We host one Friday night Shabbat service, including any guests or events.

SATURDAY

9:00 am Torah Study

10:30 am Shabbat Service

***Friday and Saturday services remain at the scheduled times, regardless of weather.

Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)

Do. Say. Stand.

Last week’s Torah Portion is called Kedoshim, “Holiness”, and it is all about what we can do to be holy. This week’s portion is called Emor, “Say”, and it teaches a lesson on how the words we say matter. Next week’s portion is called Behar, “At the Mountain”, which reminds us of where we stood when first we heard God’s call.

Do. Say. Stand.

Together these three words form a simple but eloquent sermon on living a life of blessing. Do the right things. Say the right words. Stand for righteousness in this world.

Do. Say. Stand.

“And you shall be a blessing.” Amen.

Have you ever wanted to get the inside scoop about the weekly Torah portion? You can now sign up for a weekly text message from the Rabbis and be in the loop. Just text @shabbat123 to 81010 to start receiving this weekly message.

Have you ever wanted to get the inside scoop about the weekly Torah portion? You can now sign up for a weekly text message from the Rabbis and be in the loop. Just text @shabbat123 to 81010 to start receiving this weekly message.

Achrei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Achrei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30):

Can we let go of our fears and traumas and move on?

Remembering the death of the sons of Aaron, the Torah reminds us how hard it is to move on, to let go!

It also instructs us and teaches us, how important it is, to try and let go of the past and move on to create a better future for ourselves and our people.