Bulletin THE BETH TFILOH
Celebrating the Joy of Judaism, Embracing all Jews. TEVET-SHEVAT 5778 JANUARY 2018
Tweeting and Twittering on Shabbat Shira By Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe, Beth Tfiloh Community Educator Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #ShabbatShira #SongOfTheSea #TheJewsAreSaved Parshat Beshalach is always read on Shabbat Shira – the Shabbat of Song. This is when we read Shirat Hayam – the Song of the Sea – which the Jews joyously sang to God after crossing the sea safely during the Exodus from Egypt. This year Shabbat Shira falls out on the last Shabbat in January – and as always – just around the time of Tu B’Shvat, the celebrated Jewish New Year for fruit trees. Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #ShabbatShira #FeedTheBirds There is an ancient custom to feed the birds breadcrumbs on this Shabbat by shaking out our tablecloths outside after the meal. Well, we know that birds roost in (fruit) trees but are there more connections between Shabbat Shira and birds? Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #BirdsSangAtTheSea There was a popular local saying among the Jews: “Birds Sang At The Sea”. We are grateful to the birds and we feed them to remember the joy of our salvation and the birds’ singing to express that joy.
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #BirdsSingToGodEveryDay Birds tweet and twitter every day and they receive their reward on Shabbat Shira. When we recite Shirat Hayam, we remember their songs. Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #BirdsAteTheMannaOnShabbat Moshe gave strict instructions to the Jews: collect two portions of manna on Friday as there will be no manna on Shabbat. Two troublemakers put out some manna early Shabbat morning to disprove Moshe. The birds are our heroes – they ate up the manna before the other Jews were up! Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe @Brachanit #ShabbatShira @BethTfiloh #AllStarShabbat Join us on Shabbat morning, January 27 to share our tremendous nachat when BT will be twittering with pride as our High School students lead services in the Dahan Sanctuary as part of our annual All Star Shabbat, and featuring melodious songs of our own BT student a cappella group.
Continued on page 3
TOP WORKPLACE AWARD - Beth Tfiloh Congregation and Community School was recognized for the third consecutive year as one of Baltimore's Top Workplaces by the Baltimore Sun. BT was ranked 4th out of 25 in the midsize employer category, based on the results of an employee survey which addressed each organization's values, effectiveness, management, employee engagement, confidence in leadership, and the meaning associated with the employees’ work.
Saturday, January 6
WINTER WONDERFUL
SHABBAT
A warm & delicious Shabbat with special programs for children, families & adults of all ages!! SPECIAL ELABORATE MEAT
Simcha Kiddush
ALL ARE WELCOME! For more information, contact Holly Venick, hvenick@btfiloh.org 410-413-2244.
• • • • • • • • • • •
Meet other BT families and enjoy coffee 10am Fun interactive children’s activities for ages 1-3 and 4-6 10:45am Kid Cong Shabbat Fun for children in Grades 1-4 10am Shabbat games & contests for Grades 5-8 Boys 10am / Girls 10:30am Hebrew School family program 10am Bar/Bat Mitzvah family program High School Teen Service 9:32am Torah Insights for Women 10am Choice of two inspiring Shabbat services 9am-Noon Intriguing sermons by our rabbis 10:45 am Hot & delicious Simcha Kiddush