Beit HaLev
The Beit HaLev Zoom community has blossomed into a small but close-knit group; Rabbi Galit Shirah has instituted a brief “social hour” for members to interact with one another. The group is called “Coffee Chavurah” and it meets on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. as well as after Saturday morning services on Zoom. Services still begin at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
To join the Zoom meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/915 2434704?pwd=THJGTE1OUXI5VXFDTWtuZHF4K3VxUT09; the meeting ID is: 915 243 4704, and the passcode is RavGalit.
Beit HaLev continues to livestream on Facebook as well. Go to Rabbi Galit Shirah’s website at galityomtov.com, Facebook.com/galityomtov or YouTube.com on the “Shabbat Shalom LIVE!” channel. A link to the PDF version of each prayerbook, “Lev L’Lev,” is provided at each service.
The Torah reading, “Vayetzei,” Genesis 30:14-31:16, highlights a turning point in the relationship between Rachel and her sister Leah: Leah symbolically gives fertility (through mandrakes) to Rachel, who is barren, and in return Rachel asks Jacob to sleep with Leah, who longs to be loved by him. Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban, compete with each other with their flocks, with God giving Jacob the advantage of “besting” him at every turn. After years of constant conflict and abuse, Jacob readies his family and flocks to leave and return to an uneasy confrontation with his brother, Esau.
Rabbi Galit Shirah conducts a weekday Ma’ariv service every Thursday for Sim Shalom, the online synagogue. Sim Shalom presents livestream services Monday-Thursday, with a different rabbi each day. To say Kaddish, pray for healing and to hear a spiritual message, go to SimShalom.com.
Hebrew classes are starting. Conversational or Prayerbook Hebrew classes will begin the first week of December. A class in Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) will begin then as well. For information, contact the Rabbi at (562) 715-0888 or duets@icloud.com.
