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

Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11)

/in

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

Moses begs and pleads to Adonai, asking to enter the promised land, to achieve the goal of 40 years of wandering in the desert, to complete his task of leading our people to Israel. And God’s response is:

“But יהוה was wrathful with me on your account and would not listen to me. יהוה said to me, “Enough! Never speak to Me of this matter again!”

God does not want to hear Moses again on this matter, God says NO! Teaching us that one may never expect to fulfill all their goals in life, we hope to die at age 120 like Moses, while still able to continue, while still able to wish for more goals in our lives.

Parsha Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן Torah 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) Va-et’chanan – וָאֶתְחַנַּן

D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22)

/in

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

This Shabbat, we look ahead to the coming week, which holds the 9th of Av, T’sha B’av-the saddest day of our Jewish calendar. On this day we recall all of the crises that befell us as a Jewish nation and peoplehood. We call this Shabbat, Shabbat Hazon, in honor of the Haftarah selection we read from Isaiah. When we dwell in our sadness, as it lifts, it guides us forward. The only way forward is action toward healing. Our positive energy not only lifts us up but elevates the entire world. This is Isaiah’s Hazon-vision for a repaired and healed world.

“Learn to do good.

Devote yourselves to justice;

Aid the wronged.

Uphold the rights of the orphan;

Defend the cause of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

Parsha D’varim Torah 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

Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי (Numbers 30:2–36:13)

וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֵ֥לֶּה מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽם׃

Moses recorded the starting points of their various marches as directed by the LORD. Their marches, by starting points, were as follows:

This week we stand at the precipice of our journey’s destination, having reached the border of the Promised Land, Canaan, filled with milk and honey.

Can you imagine the anticipation? Excitement? Nervousness? What would you do at such a moment? Celebrate? Rest and prepare for the new life ahead, or jump into plans for the future?

Moses writes a reflection and offers it as a gift to his people. This weekend, in the midst of our running errands, getting kids to games and camp and play dates, stop for a moment and reflect on all of your comings and goings. What is the awe you find in that moment? How will you honor that awe and that growth and discovery that comes with it?

Parsha Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי Torah Summary:

Moses explains to the Israelites the laws concerning vows made by men and women. (30:2—17) Israel wages war against the Midianites. (31:1—18) The laws regarding the spoils of war are outlined. (31:19—54) The tribes of Reuben and Gad are granted permission to stay on the east bank of the Jordan River. (32:1—42) The itinerary of the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to Jordan is delineated. (33:1-49) Moses tells Israel to remove the current inhabitants of the land that God will give them and to destroy their gods. (33:50-56) The boundaries of the Land of Israel are defined, along with those of the Levitical cities and the cities of refuge. (34:1-35:15) God makes a precise distinction between murder and manslaughter. (35:16-34) The laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated. (36:1-13) Matot – Mas’ei – מַטּוֹת – מַסְעֵי

Pinchas – פִּינְחָס (Numbers 25:10−30:1)

/in

This Week’s Torah Portion: Pinchas – פִּינְחָס (Numbers 25:10−30:1)

Moses spoke to יהוה, saying,

“Let יהוה, Source of the breath of all flesh, appoint someone over the community who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that יהוה’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.”

Moses has learned that he will soon pass away. One of his chief concerns is the continuation of guidance and success for the Israelite people. He offers a prayer to God that the next leader might embody some of the defining characteristics of his leadership: his faith, his understanding of the Israelite’s needs, and his concern for their well-being.  

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky suggests that Moses was so entrenched in who the Israelites had been and where they had come from that he could not recognize the necessity for a new type of leadership. Moses prayed for a new leader who embodied the qualities the Israelites needed from Moses at the time.

God knew that more was required for the people to enter the promised land; thus, the next leader (Joshua, in this case) would have different tasks and leadership goals. New leadership, says Olitzky, was necessary to accomplish a new objective, and this leadership also needed to be leadership inspired by faith and concern.

Whenever there is a change in leadership, the transition is crucial. This vignette in the Torah presents one model for such a transition. However, every change in leadership — be it in the political, religious, or business arena — produces its own set of circumstances and needs. Our mission is to recognize this reality and act accordingly. The Torah provides models and principles to guide us in that endeavor.

Parsha Pinchas – פִּינְחָס Torah Summary:

Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman who cursed God. (25:10–15) Israel fights a war against the Midianites. (25:16-18) A second census is taken. (26:1–65) The daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of property inheritance. (27:1–11) Joshua is chosen to be Moses’ successor. (27:15–23) The sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. (28:1–30:1) Pinchas – פִּינְחָס

Strength in Marketing

/in
Follow this article series, “Strength In …,” to learn more about how our Temple’s faith leaders and operations team maintain and serve our Jewish community.

Did you know that The Temple marketing and communications team is working to improve how members receive information? Through a late 2022 survey of the membership, the team was able to gather crucial demographic data regarding how different people prefer to receive information unique to their specific interests: One member is most interested in social events, like Hiking with Rabbi David or joining our WRJ Book Club. Another member is moved to take a deep dive into the Torah, adding to the weekly discussion about the Torah portion of services. Someone else is committed to community service through our Social Action Committee volunteer work. Whatever a member’s interests, and however they prefer to receive information around those interests, the team is working to interact with them based solely on their “flavor” of Temple life.

Our new campaign, “A Taste of The Temple– Find Your Flavor,” focuses on reaching congregants where they are. Here are the channels members can access for current information about their interests:

  • The printed monthly Bulletin goes out to members via the postal service
  • Three weekly emails
  • The Temple App includes a link for uploading photos
  • The Temple Web Portal has a secure login for members to update their membership information and pay dues online. Coming soon, a membership directory will be added
  • Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow members to interact on social media

New communications tools include a digital sign visible from heavily traveled Lime Kiln Lane and Brownsboro Road. Seven different messages rotate every 15 seconds for drivers passing by. The team also launched the new portal app for members to use on the go. The marketing team’s goal was to get 250 members to download the app– but 1,373 members made actual downloads!

The team drafted a strategic communications plan that included findings from the survey. We hear your requests for creating step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial for the Member Portal on the app or website. The team will also capture screen views of each step to publish in the weekly newsletter. In-person group instructions with Benji Berlow, IT and Communications Manager, are also in the works to teach portal access and navigation, which can be simulcast on the big screen during Chavurat Shalom.

Survey Findings:

  • Most members access The Temple communications from the printed Bulletin, event emails from The Temple, weekly newsletter email, and the website
  • The Event Calendar is why most members go to the website
  • While the most commonly used social network for members is Facebook, the least preferred channel for receiving regular communications is through any social media channel

Survey feedback will also be reflected in updated communications including:

  • Concise messaging
  • Advance notice for services scheduling and leadership
  • A continuation of traditional forms of communication for those not on social media / not using the app
  • A refresh of The Temple branding
  • More frequent feature stories about members, volunteer opportunities, member connections and recruitment for membership/Sisterhood/Brotherhood, Temple history, cemetery maintenance reports, and foundation funding– members will be able to submit photos through the portal, app, and website that will be linked under a new section of the weekly newsletter, “Member Happenings”
  • Digital access to prayer books
  • Contact information for staff that includes photos and responsibilities
  • Addition of a form allowing members to select their preference to opt-in or out of communications
  • If possible, allow members to “build” their communication preferences by selecting the content they want to receive
  • Explore ways to categorize The Temple events calendar for users to filter based on their interests
  • Focus on Facebook as the primary social media channel with “notice” tags for submitted photos and shares, ongoing promotions for special events and members’ life cycles, campaign for The Temple’s 180th anniversary, and other historical and “Temple Trivia” posts

To request help using the Portal or for downloading the app and creating a user login, call The Temple Team at (502) 423-1818.

Strength in Marketing

/in
Follow this article series, “Strength In …,” to learn more about how our Temple’s faith leaders and operations team maintain and serve our Jewish community.

Did you know that The Temple marketing and communications team is working to improve how members receive information? Through a late 2022 survey of the membership, the team was able to gather crucial demographic data regarding how different people prefer to receive information unique to their specific interests: One member is most interested in social events, like Hiking with Rabbi David or joining our WRJ Book Club. Another member is moved to take a deep dive into the Torah, adding to the weekly discussion about the Torah portion of services. Someone else is committed to community service through our Social Action Committee volunteer work. Whatever a member’s interests, and however they prefer to receive information around those interests, the team is working to interact with them based solely on their “flavor” of Temple life.

Our new campaign, “A Taste of The Temple– Find Your Flavor,” focuses on reaching congregants where they are. Here are the channels members can access for current information about their interests:

  • The printed monthly Bulletin goes out to members via the postal service
  • Three weekly emails
  • The Temple App includes a link for uploading photos
  • The Temple Web Portal has a secure login for members to update their membership information and pay dues online. Coming soon, a membership directory will be added
  • Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow members to interact on social media

New communications tools include a digital sign visible from heavily traveled Lime Kiln Lane and Brownsboro Road. Seven different messages rotate every 15 seconds for drivers passing by. The team also launched the new portal app for members to use on the go. The marketing team’s goal was to get 250 members to download the app– but 1,373 members made actual downloads!

The team drafted a strategic communications plan that included findings from the survey. We hear your requests for creating step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial for the Member Portal on the app or website. The team will also capture screen views of each step to publish in the weekly newsletter. In-person group instructions with Benji Berlow, IT and Communications Manager, are also in the works to teach portal access and navigation, which can be simulcast on the big screen during Chavurat Shalom.

Survey Findings:

  • Most members access The Temple communications from the printed Bulletin, event emails from The Temple, weekly newsletter email, and the website
  • The Event Calendar is why most members go to the website
  • While the most commonly used social network for members is Facebook, the least preferred channel for receiving regular communications is through any social media channel

Survey feedback will also be reflected in updated communications including:

  • Concise messaging
  • Advance notice for services scheduling and leadership
  • A continuation of traditional forms of communication for those not on social media / not using the app
  • A refresh of The Temple branding
  • More frequent feature stories about members, volunteer opportunities, member connections and recruitment for membership/Sisterhood/Brotherhood, Temple history, cemetery maintenance reports, and foundation funding– members will be able to submit photos through the portal, app, and website that will be linked under a new section of the weekly newsletter, “Member Happenings”
  • Digital access to prayer books
  • Contact information for staff that includes photos and responsibilities
  • Addition of a form allowing members to select their preference to opt-in or out of communications
  • If possible, allow members to “build” their communication preferences by selecting the content they want to receive
  • Explore ways to categorize The Temple events calendar for users to filter based on their interests
  • Focus on Facebook as the primary social media channel with “notice” tags for submitted photos and shares, ongoing promotions for special events and members’ life cycles, campaign for The Temple’s 180th anniversary, and other historical and “Temple Trivia” posts

To request help using the Portal or for downloading the app and creating a user login, call The Temple Team at (502) 423-1818.