פרשת משפטים Parashat Mishpatim Torah: Exodus 21:1 - 24:18 Haftarah: II Kings:12:1 - 12:17
Friday, February 21 6:30 PM Hor d'oeuvres 7:00 PM Shabbat Hallelu Uplifing musical Shabbat featuring our Temple Beth-El musicans and a short d'var Torah.
Oneg sponsored by Ruth Ben-Artzi and Andrew Lund in honor of their son, Tomer, becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Saturday, February 22 9:00 AM Torah Study 10:30 AM Shabbat Service and Bar Mitzvah of Tomer Ben-Artzi
Message from Rabbi Sarah Mack
While very few of us own an ox to be concerned about the ramifications of it wandering off our property, the verses on the topic form the foundation for umpteen laws about damages that remain pertinent today. The cases outlined in this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, are so central, in fact, that the Talmud states “one striving for piety should study these very laws.”
One commentator points out that the foundation of these statutes is actually “love your neighbor as yourself.” Our tradition reminds us, in no uncertain terms, that laws affect human lives. It is no coincidence that this portion goes on to remind us of our responsibility to care for the stranger, the widow and the orphan. Our holiest text demands that we consider the human quotient in legislation. Mishpatim reminds us that, above all, laws should safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.
Let the words of our tradition inspire us to continue to work for a just society that honors the humanity of all. Let its words nourish us when we feel depleted and provide us with hope for a future made bright by the work of our hands.
February 23, 2020- March 1, 2020 Click on flyers for more information
Mussar Living Wednesday, February 26, 2020 10-week session
Join us a we delve into this deep and meaningful Jewish practice that provides a road map for meaningful living.
Temple Beth-El of Providence Jewish Roots Trip to Spain Led by Rabbi Sarah Mack & Cantor Judy Seplowin April 3-13, 2021 Optional Barcelona Extension April 13-16, 2021
A locally produced short film, “Providence Lost” chronicles the plight of an elderly couple and their disabled son who have been evicted from their apartment. This powerful documentary highlights the injustice of our city’s landlord-tenant laws and how they impact those most in need. For more information about the screening, click on the link below.
Many of you participated last year; some of you may be hearing about this for the first time. Mitzvah Matzos (www.mitzvahmatzos.org) is a Pawtucket based non-profit, the first to send all profits to fight human trafficking. This radical realignment of matzo with its inherent value, promoting freedom from slavery, is powered by volunteers like you. Last year, 53 volunteer bakers helped us bake thousands of matzos. This year, we're expanding with buying clubs from Philadelphia to Boston.
We've got our phenomenal organic shmura flour from Maine Grains and a streamlined process to make things run even more smoothly. Baking starts this Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening, with shifts through March. How can you help? The best way is by signing up to bake and/or sharing with friends. No, you don't need to be Jewish to take part in this process. Anyone who supports the cause can help! Also, baking is fun, a great way to meet other folks of diverse backgrounds who want to do good, and also a tactile way to do something productive, get out some energy, and relieve stress. Also, some employers offer community service days - this is a great way to use them in a way that matters.
Brown University's Program in Judaic Studies invites you to join us for a lecture
“The Agency of Images: Anti-Jewish Iconography, Prejudice, and Violence” by Professor Sara Lipton (Stony Brook University) on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 2:30-3:20 PM , 171 Meeting Street, BioMed 202 (Purple Palace). This lecture is part of the lecture series entitled “Antisemitism: A History” . Sponsored by the Program in Judaic Studies, Arthur B. and David B. Jacobson Fund
