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Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

Joseph is a dreamer of dreams – always was, always will be.

In his youth, Joseph’s dreams all revolve around himself. And when he shares them with others, he seems either unaware or unconcerned about the impact they will have on the lives of those around him.

As Joseph grows, there grows within him a recognition of the significance of other people’s dreams. He listens to their words and interprets there meanings, but still he lacks the empathy to understand how these interpretations will affect the lives of others.

Through Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph learns to enter into the dreams of others for good: seeing what others must see, saying what others fear to say. Joseph learns that the dreams and fears of others matter to his life, and that through our lives we can make a difference in fulfilling the best of our dreams together.

We are all Joseph, still dreaming of a better world and sharing such dreams with others, but still needing to enter those dreams to bring them to fruition, still believing in a greater redemption which awaits us and all the world. It says in the Talmud: “May the world we live in be the world of your dreams.” (Talmud Berachot 17a) May this be our blessing. Amen.

Mikeitz Summary:

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32)
Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49)
Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52)
When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38)
The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17)

Sandwich Making 2019

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Sandwich Making at The Temple!  On Christmas Day, dozens of volunteers made over 1500 sandwiches for St. Vincent DePaul Men’s Shelter. What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Day? Help others

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee, we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with the sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week, this is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!


Sandwich Making at The Temple!  On Christmas Day, dozens of volunteers made over 1500 sandwiches for St. Vincent DePaul Men’s Shelter. What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Day? Help others

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee, we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with the sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week, this is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!

Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)

God’s name never appears in the entire opening chapter of Parashat Vayeishev. That is a pretty rare thing in the Torah, most Torah portions begin with God’s name, you would think God’s name would be mentioned, particularly because Vayeishev marks the beginning of the Joseph tales, his journey from slavery to redemption which will parallel the story of Exodus soon to come. Where is God in the story of Joseph?

God is there, just not in name. God is there in the hard times so it is sometimes difficult to see. Joseph’s brothers throw him into a pit and plot to kill him, but then a caravan just happens to pass by, so they sell him into slavery instead. Joseph becomes a slave, but then Potiphar buys him and raises him to rule over his entire household. Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses Joseph and he is sent to prison, but there he meets the cupbearer to Pharaoh and miraculously finds himself standing before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams. Pharaoh places him in charge of all Egypt and most miraculously, his brothers somehow find their way down to Egypt seeking life giving food from the brother they once threw in a pit and sold as a slave.

Where is God in the story of Joseph? God is there in every difficult step along the way.

Vayeishev Summary:

Jacob is shown to favor his son Joseph, whom the other brothers resent. Joseph has dreams of grandeur. (Genesis 37:1-11)
After Joseph’s brothers had gone to tend the flocks in Shechem, Jacob sends Joseph to report on them. The brothers decide against murdering Joseph but instead sell him into slavery. After he is shown Joseph’s coat of many colors, which had been dipped in the blood of a kid, Jacob is led to believe that Joseph has been killed by a beast. (Genesis 37:12-35)
Tamar successively marries two of Judah’s sons, each of whom dies. Judah does not permit her levirate marriage to his youngest son. She deceives Judah into impregnating her. (Genesis 38:1-30)
God is with Joseph in Egypt until the wife of his master, Potiphar, accuses him of rape, whereupon Joseph is imprisoned. (Genesis 39:1-40:23)

Religious School goes to Main Event

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Religious School goes to Main Event

The Temple Religious School joined with LBSY to go to Main Event for a day of fun and games!  Fun was had by all!

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

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
  • Travel to fun places like Main Event

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

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
  • Travel to fun places like Main Event

Bourbon Barrel Painting

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Thank you everyone for coming out to Bourbon Barrel Painting.  And thank you Hue Louisville for leading us in this great program!

The Temple Young Adult Group offers fun social outings for adults age 22-36. Past events included Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Pottery Painting, Bourbon Barrel Painting, Young Adult Seder, Pumpkin Picking, Hanukkah Party, Axe Throwing, and Painting Event. For more information, please contact Benji Berlow.  Join the Facebook Group to find out about upcoming events!

If you are new to Louisville, we invite you to look around our website and join us for some of our upcoming events, learn more about our Religious School and top-rated Pre-school, meet our rabbis, and worship with us. For more information about The Temple or the Jewish Community in Louisville, please fill out this form.  We hope to see you soon!

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.

Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28)
We are called Israel because we continue to struggle with the Divine. Trying to understand what God wants us to be! Trying to become what we ought to be! Trying to understand our sacred texts that our tradition bestowed us with!

Vayishlach Summary:

Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He wrestles with a “man,” who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. (32:4-33)
Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully, each going his separate way. (33:1-17)
Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the country. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi take revenge by murdering all the males of Shechem, and Jacob’s other sons join them in plundering the city. (34:1-31)
Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried in Ephrah, which is present-day Bethlehem. (35:16-21)
Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron. Jacob’s and Esau’s progeny are listed. (35:22-36:43)

“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28)
We are called Israel because we continue to struggle with the Divine. Trying to understand what God wants us to be! Trying to become what we ought to be! Trying to understand our sacred texts that our tradition bestowed us with!

Fill the Freezer 2019

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Thank you to everyone that came out and volunteered for our Fill the Freezer 2019 Mitzvah event! #merrymitzvah #thetemplelouky

Social Action Committee

After many years of a Social Action Committee we streamlined some annual volunteer opportunities into the Merry Mitzvah Project. These are advertised throughout the Jewish Community and we get several non-Jewish participants.  The Merry Mitzvah Project was initiated by Rabbi David Ariel-Joel to offer Jewish volunteers on December 25 to local agencies to assist their clients; it has expanded to about 6 weeks of diverse Holiday volunteer options.

Merry Mitzvah Project

Usually starts in November with sponsorship of dinner at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter during Hunger Awareness Week. This is when we also start collecting warm weather items. We serve meals with St Vincent DePaul, Cathedral of the Assumption and Volunteers of America; play music at Hosparus, and deliver gloves, scarves, and coats to Coalition for the Homeless, Family Scholar House and Volunteers of America. We make and deliver sandwiches to shelters (especially important on holidays when you are given only one meal a day), and curate packages of baked goods for the rabbis to take on their visiting trips. We are making a difference in the lives of our community. Please come join us for a worthwhile mitzvah opportunity!

For more information about Fill the Freezer 2019 or the Social Action Committee, contact Mary Jane Baker or Bonnie McCullagh.

Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10−32:3)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10−32:3)

“Surely Adonai is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16)
True knowledge can be acquired only when we realize that we do not know. True encounter with the Divine can happen when we realize we do not know.

Vayeitzei Summary:

Jacob dreams of angels going up and down a ladder. God blesses him. Jacob names the place Bethel. (28:10-22)
Jacob works seven years in order to marry Rachel, but Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister. (29:16-25)
Jacob marries Rachel but only after having to commit himself to seven more years of working for Laban. (29:26-30)
Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, give birth to eleven sons and one daughter. (29:31-30:24)
Jacob and his family leave Laban’s household with great wealth. (31:1-32:3)

“Surely Adonai is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16)
True knowledge can be acquired only when we realize that we do not know. True encounter with the Divine can happen when we realize we do not know.

Jacob dreams of angels going up and down a ladder. God blesses him. Jacob names the place Bethel. (28:10-22)
Jacob works seven years in order to marry Rachel, but Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister. (29:16-25)
Jacob marries Rachel but only after having to commit himself to seven more years of working for Laban. (29:26-30)
Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, give birth to eleven sons and one daughter. (29:31-30:24)
Jacob and his family leave Laban’s household with great wealth. (31:1-32:3)