Beit HaLev

Beit HaLev has decided to cancel the live, in-person High Holy Day services in September due to the rise of COVID-19 infections in Leisure World. However, it has not canceled the once-a-month Shabbat services that will begin in October as of this date. All services will be livestreamed. The schedule will be as follows: First Erev Rosh Hashanah: Monday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m.

First Day Rosh Hashanah: Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m.

Second Erev Rosh Hashanah: Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m.

Second Day Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Kol Nidrei: Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m.

Yom Kippur Day: Thursday, Sept. 17, at 10:30 a.m.

Ne’ilah: Thursday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m.

The schedule for Sukkot and Simchat Torah will be as follows:

Erev Sukkot: Monday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m.

Sukkot Day: Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 10:30 a.m.

Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah: Sept. 28, at 10:30 a.m.

The Sim Shalom Ma’ariv livestream service with Rabbi Galit-Shirah is every Thursday at 4 p.m. Beit HaLev/Shabbat Shalom LIVE! livestream services are every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

This week’s Torah reading is “Kee Tavo,” Deuteronomy 2:12-28:6. The highlight of the reading is a ritual in which half the tribes stand upon Mt. Gerizim and shout blessings for those who obey HaShem’s commandments while the other half of the tribes stand upon Mt. Ebal and shout curses for those who disobey the commandments. The curses are traditionally read in an undertone by the Torah reader to show that they do not want to disobey God’s Law. The Midrash says that Mt. Gerizim, where the blessings were read, was lush with grass and flowers and Mt. Ebal, where the curses were read, was barren and filled with rocks.

All services use the special prayerbooks, “Lev L’Lev,” which were adapted and abridged for the online services from the Reform Machzorim, “Mishkan HaNefesh,” and the Reform Siddur, “Mishkan HaT’filah.” Printed versions of the prayerbooks will be available at the in-person Shabbat services.

Live, in-person Shabbat services will be held once a month on the first Friday of the month, beginning on Friday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. It will be held in Clubhouse 3, Room 4.

To request a membership form, call Rabbi Galit-Shirah at (562) 715-0888 or email duets@icloud.com.