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R’eih (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: R’eih (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)

For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, saying: “You shall surely open you hand unto your poor and needy kin, in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)

There is a legend in the Talmud about Rabbi Akiva who was challenged by a Roman General who said:
“If your God loves poor people, why doesn’t your God provide for their needs.” Rabbi Akiva replies: “So that we might be saved from hell by caring for their needs ourselves.”
The Roman General responds: “On the contrary, this is what makes you deserving of hell.
Let me demonstrate in a parable. A king is angry at a servant, locks him up in prison, and commands that he shall be given no food or drink. If someone went and fed him a gave him drink, wouldn’t the King be mad?”
Rabbi Akiva answers: “Let me tell you a parable. A king is angry at his son and locks him up in a prison. He commands that he shall have no food or drink. If someone went and fed his son and gave him something to drink, when the king heard of this, wouldn’t he give that person a reward?”

And, are we not all the children of God?

R’eih Summary:
God places both blessing and curse before the Israelites. They are taught that blessing will come through the observance of God’s laws. (11:26–32)
Moses’ third discourse includes laws about worship in a central place (12:1–28); injunctions against idolatry (12:29–13:19) and self-mutilation (14:1–2); dietary rules (14:3–21); and laws about tithes (14:22–25), debt remission (15:1–11), the release and treatment of Hebrew slaves (15:12–18), and firstlings (15:19–23).
Moses reviews the correct sacrifices to be offered during the Pilgrim Festivals—Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot. (16:1-17)

Teacher Training for Religious School

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Sarah Harlan, Principal of Religious School, and Lexie Beauchamp, Administrative Assistant, kicked off the school year by leading teacher training for our staff.

THE CHESTER B. DIAMOND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:
Our learning community strives to create a caring atmosphere of friendship while encouraging meaningful understanding and a dedicated commitment to Jewish life – in school and at home. The wonderful teaching faculty is diligent that all classroom experiences are valuable and nurture a positive Jewish identity. In addition, our goal is for each student to participate in enjoyable experiences that are part of Temple life, be exposed to and internalize our biblical stories, and to embrace Jewish culture as well as Reform ethical beliefs and values.

The Religious School curriculum encourages the understanding of:
Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and Jewish symbols
Blessings, customs, and life cycle events
Torah stories and their relevance in our lives today
Mitzvot (commandments, values, and good deeds)
Connections between Torah, worship, and our lives
An appreciation for the people and State of Israel
The history of the Jewish people
The Holocaust and anti-Semitism
Jewish music, arts & crafts, and children’s literature
Tzedakah projects and social action
teacher training
Components of our Hebrew curriculum:
Kindergarten through 3rd grade: reading readiness, basic vocabulary and daily prayers
4th through 7th grade: prayer-based Hebrew, reading fluency and comprehension of liturgy
Meets Sunday and Wednesday (4th-7th grade) Weekly student-led services with music

Special Religious School Programming:
Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur
Simchat Torah Consecration Service
Families Love Hebrew! – Parent / Student Learning
Parent and Grandparent Open House
Hanukkah Parties
Tu B’Shvat Seder
Purim – Megillah Reading and Celebration
Passover Experience and Model Seders
Open House for new students
teacher training
Family Programming
Monthly student-led Friday evening Shabbat Services followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
Each grade leads a Shabbat or other holiday Service on a specific month to enhance the student service-leading experience.
“Judaica to the Home” project honors participating students with a Jewish gift at the end of their service. These gifts include: Jewish star necklace, mezuzah, prayer book, Shabbat candlesticks, yad, and other Judaica items.
A traditional Jewish dinner and activities are offered each month prior to the Family Service.
The Blue Jean Family Shabbat (May and August) is an informal service and dinner that includes a Tot Shabbat for our pre-school age children.

Blue Jean Shabbat

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Thank you everyone for coming out to Blue Jean Shabbat!

Shabbat Services at The Temple

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.)

REGULAR

Regular Shabbat services are held using Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur – the newest prayer book of Reform Judaism. Music for the regular service ranges from pianist and soloist, or our volunteer choir – Shir Chadash. Our services feature many songs – familiar ones and some that may be new to you.

FAMILY

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”.

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.

SPECIAL

Special Shabbat Services are held throughout the year. Just a few of these services include: Brotherhood and Sisterhood Shabbats, Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat, Interfaith Shabbat, and a Yom Hashoah Shabbat service led by the Grade 6 class. These services often have a special guest who speaks in place of a sermon by one of our rabbis.

Saturday Morning Shabbat Services are always held at 10:30 am, after Torah Study which begins at 9:00 am. On many Saturdays of the year, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student leads the Shabbat service and a kiddish luncheon for everyone takes place following the service. On those occasions, there is usually a special table – the Rebbe’s Tisch – where congregants can continue studying the weekly Torah portion with the rabbi.

Several times a year when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah, The Temple Brotherhood celebrates the opening or closing of a Book of the Bible by having their choir perform at the Shabbat Service, and then hosting an oneg afterwards that features their handmade Sinai Matzo, gravlax, and Heaven Hill bourbon.

Friday Evening Shabbat Services usually take place in the Waller Chapel and are offered in several different styles of worship. During the fall, winter, and spring – between Rosh Hashanah and Shavuot – Erev Shabbat Services begin at 7:00 pm and last for about one hour. During the summer, Erev Shabbat Services begin at 6:30 pm.

Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25)

“Remember all the way that Adonai led you in the wilderness these forty years” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Can we imagine remembering everything that happened to us in the last 40 years? Try to remember what happened to you in the last 40 years? Hope we can be as thankful as the Israelites were, for the food we ate every day, for the clothes we wear, for our shoes, for all the miracles of every day!

Eikev Summary:
Moses tells the Israelites that if they follow God’s laws, the nations who now dwell across the Jordan River will not harm them. (7:12–26)
Moses reminds the people of the virtues of keeping God’s commandments. He also tells them that they will dispossess those who now live in the Land only because they are idolatrous, not because the Israelites are uncommonly virtuous. Thereupon, Moses reviews all of the trespasses of the Israelites against God. (8:1–10:11)
Moses says that the Land of Israel will overflow with milk and honey if the people obey God’s commandments and teach them to their children. (10:12–11:25)[And if You] Obey [These Rules]
Deuteronomy
7:12–11:25
And if you do obey these rules and observe them carefully, the Eternal your God will maintain faithfully for you the covenant made on oath with your fathers. – Deuteronomy 7:12

Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-et’chanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11)

“I pleaded with Adonai … and God did not hear me” Moses begs God to let him cross the Jordan into Israel, God answers: enough, I do not want to hear this no more.

From Moses we learn that not all our prayers can be answered. We always need to desire and want more, knowing that not everything we want to achieve in our lives, not everything we wish for will be answered.

Va-et’chanan Summary:
Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Land of Israel with the people, but God once more refuses his request. (3:23–28)
Moses orders the Children of Israel to pay attention and follow the laws given by God in order to be worthy of the land they are about to receive. (4:1–40)
Specific areas of the land are set aside to serve as cities of refuge. (4:41–43)
The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments are recalled. Once again, the people are exhorted to heed God’s commandments. (5:1–30)
Moses speaks the words of the Sh’ma, the credo of Judaism, and commands Israel to show their love for Adonai and keep God’s laws and ordinances. (6:1–25)
Moses warns the people not to commit idolatry by worshiping the gods of the nations they will conquer in Israel. (7:1–11)
I [Moses] Pleaded with the Eternal
Deuteronomy
3:23–7:11
I pleaded with the Eternal at that time, saying, “O Eternal God, You who let Your servant see the first works of Your greatness and Your mighty hand, You whose powerful deeds no god in heaven or on earth can equal! Let me, I pray, cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, and the Lebanon.” – Deuteronomy 3:23-25

Summer Intern Closing Reflection – Avery Curtis

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Summer Intern Closing Reflection- Avery Curtis

As my internship draws to a close, I want to thank everyone here at The Temple, both staff and congregants, for making me feel welcomed. I have had such an amazing summer here and I have learned so much about my faith and this wonderful community.

I have had the pleasure of performing for Chavurat Shalom and the congregation as a service song leader and Shir Chadash choir member these last few weeks. I feel so honored that you all have been so kind and encouraging towards me. As any artist will tell you, sharing one’s art can be scary, and nothing feels better than when those we share it with are eager to experience it and give positive feedback.

I started learning Hebrew at the beginning of my internship and have made great progress with the wonderful resources that Benji Berlow and Rabbi Rapport gave to me. I have also learned so much about Jewish holidays, traditions, and rituals and Judaica in general. I hope to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in the near future.

Although my time as an intern has come to an end, I promise that I will still be around. I will be working with Trager ECEC during the week and on weekends I will be coming to services, participating in the choir, and teaching in the religious school. I will also be working with Rabbi Rapport on leading the youth and contemporary High Holy Day services later in the fall.

Thank you once again to everyone here at The Temple for making this summer a wonderful experience; one I am excited to continue!

Shalom,
Avery Curtis

Summer Intern Closing Reflection- Avery Curtis

As my internship draws to a close, I want to thank everyone here at The Temple, both staff and congregants, for making me feel welcomed. I have had such an amazing summer here and I have learned so much about my faith and this wonderful community.

I have had the pleasure of performing for Chavurat Shalom and the congregation as a service song leader and Shir Chadash choir member these last few weeks. I feel so honored that you all have been so kind and encouraging towards me. As any artist will tell you, sharing one’s art can be scary, and nothing feels better than when those we share it with are eager to experience it and give positive feedback.

I started learning Hebrew at the beginning of my internship and have made great progress with the wonderful resources that Benji Berlow and Rabbi Rapport gave to me. I have also learned so much about Jewish holidays, traditions, and rituals and Judaica in general. I hope to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in the near future.

Although my time as an intern has come to an end, I promise that I will still be around. I will be working with Trager ECEC during the week and on weekends I will be coming to services, participating in the choir, and teaching in the religious school. I will also be working with Rabbi Rapport on leading the youth and contemporary High Holy Day services later in the fall.

Thank you once again to everyone here at The Temple for making this summer a wonderful experience; one I am excited to continue!

Shalom,
Avery Curtis

Chavvah Goodbye Party

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The Temple Staff honored Chavvah Penner Johnson as we celebrated at Chavvah’s Goodbye Party.

The Temple in Louisville is Kentucky’s oldest and largest Jewish congregation. Established in 1843 as K.K. Adas Israel, The Temple was a founding member of Reform Judaism’s Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now Union for Reform Judaism) and an early proponent of Reform in American Jewish life. When Reform Judaism began in 1873, The Temple in Louisville was the second largest congregation in the movement.

By the 1880’s Congregation Brith Sholom was formed for the next generation of Jews to settle here in Louisville who separated from Adath Israel, where services were held in English instead of their native German. Brith Sholom joined the Reform movement in 1920. The two congregations enjoyed cordial relations for nearly a century before reuniting in 1977 to become The Temple of today.

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Throughout its long history, The Temple has stood as an active and vocal proponent for the cause of Reform which is now the largest branch of American Judaism with over 1.5 million members and 900 member congregations throughout the United States and Canada.

From its earliest beginnings in Louisville, The Temple has taken pride in its commitment to instill in each generation of our congregation, the essential values of our Jewish faith, the deeper understanding of our heritage and our future, and the involvement of our people toward the betterment of our community as a whole. For over 175 years, the rabbis and lay leaders of The Temple have brought strength, vision, and insight into the lives of our members, the broader Jewish community and the city of Louisville at large.

D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

“Moses began to expound this Torah” (Deuteronomy 1:5)
Already in the Torah, we see Moses giving commentary to the words of the Torah.
Since the days of Moses till our time, it is up to us, it is our duty to make sure that the Torah stays relevant to our lives by continuing to expound it and make the teachings and laws of the Torah meaningful for our lives.

D’VARIM SUMMARY:
Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21)
Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45)
Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11)
Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22)
D’varim
The Words
Deuteronomy
1:1−3:22
These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan. – Deuteronomy 1:1D’VARIM SUMMARY:
Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. (1:1–21)
Moses reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. (1:22–45)
Moses recounts that all of the Israelite warriors who left Egypt died, as God had intended, and the people continued their wanderings and defeated their enemies. (2:14–3:11)
Moses reiterates that the Land of Israel was allocated to the Israelite tribes. (3:12–22)
D’varim
The Words
Deuteronomy
1:1−3:22
These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan. – Deuteronomy 1:1
Gift Shop Items

New items in the Gift Shop!

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Check out our new items at the WRJ Gift Shop!  All 3 pieces are handmade originals by a Florida artist. You may order any of these through the Gift Shop in colors you may prefer.

WRJ/Temple Sisterhood is a very active part of our Temple Family. We are responsible for our beautiful Oneg Shabbats. We run and manage our gorgeous Temple Gift Shop, which is entirely volunteer and helps support our many charitable contributions, including our own Temple. The Gift Shop our main fundraiser. We also give toward GUCI camp scholarships, support Religious School faculty, and help with College Outreach.

Our annual events include:

Interfaith Coffee every February
Sisterhood Shabbat
Gilda’s Club Dinner Benefit / West End School
Mother’s Day Card Fundraiser
Religious School Support
Camp GUCI Support
Weekly Friday Oneg Shabbats
Game Days
Blankets and Blessings
Hanukkah Brighteners
Women’s Passover Seder
Annual dues are $36/year, and cover local and national Sisterhood dues. We welcome all new members and would be happy to have you join one of our many committees. All new female Temple members are offered free membership for their first year.

WRJ/Temple Sisterhood is a very active part of our Temple Family. We are responsible for our beautiful Oneg Shabbats. We run and manage our gorgeous Temple Gift Shop, which is entirely volunteer and helps support our many charitable contributions, including our own Temple. The Gift Shop our main fundraiser. We also give toward GUCI camp scholarships, support Religious School faculty, and help with College Outreach.

Our annual events include:

Interfaith Coffee every February
Sisterhood Shabbat
Gilda’s Club Dinner Benefit / West End School
Mother’s Day Card Fundraiser
Religious School Support
Camp GUCI Support
Weekly Friday Oneg Shabbats
Game Days
Blankets and Blessings
Hanukkah Brighteners
Women’s Passover Seder
Annual dues are $36/year, and cover local and national Sisterhood dues. We welcome all new members and would be happy to have you join one of our many committees. All new female Temple members are offered free membership for their first year.

Summer Intern Update – HHD

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Summer Intern Update – HHD with Clayton Oppenheimer

For the past couple weeks, we’ve been doing several things to get ready for the High Holy Days. Each year these are the most attended services by far, so there are many things to prep. We counted each of the prayer books to ensure we have enough, we helped The Brotherhood with their Book of Remembrance project, and the Yahrzeit database and plaques are freshly updated.

As a Jew, we put loads of emphasis on community because repairing the world, Tikkun Olam, it is much easier to make an impact when we come together instead of standing alone. These services not only are helping people atone and bringing in the new year, but they also help people come to terms with their spirituality and refresh or tighten their relationship to G-d. As you atone and take in the new year, you should look to the future and this fresh year to see what changes you need to be the best you. These days can be looked at as a moral self-assessment. The sense of community is also there for moral support to the many participating congregants.

Summer Intern Update – HHD with Clayton OppenheimerFor the past couple weeks, we’ve been doing several things to get ready for the High Holy Days. Each year these are the most attended services by far, so there are many things to prep. We counted each of the prayer books to ensure we have enough, we helped The Brotherhood with their Book of Remembrance project, and the Yahrzeit database and plaques are freshly updated.

As a Jew, we put loads of emphasis on community because repairing the world, Tikkun Olam, it is much easier to make an impact when we come together instead of standing alone. These services not only are helping people atone and bringing in the new year, but they also help people come to terms with their spirituality and refresh or tighten their relationship to G-d. As you atone and take in the new year, you should look to the future and this fresh year to see what changes you need to be the best you. These days can be looked at as a moral self-assessment. The sense of community is also there for moral support to the many participating congregants.