Carnegie Shul Chatter – October 27. 2012

 

Shabbos

This weeks parshah is Lech Lecha, a very interesting parshah that factors heavily into the future of the Jewish people and the world.  In Lech Lecha, God promises for the first time to make of Abram a great nation. The first of the Jewish people’s forays into Egypt is also recounted as Abram and Sarai, are forced by a famine to travel to Egypt, where they pose as brother and sister in order to protect Sarai from Pharoah.  And, in another precursor of a fateful event, Abram’s nephew, Lot, journeys to the evil city of Sodom.

We also learn of the birth of Ishmael to Abram’s concubine, Hagar and, most interestingly,  we learn that the angel of the Lord tells Hagar that ,”he shall be a wild ass of a man: his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.”

Thirteen years later, God, as part of his covenant with Abram, changes our forefather’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah, instructs Abraham, at age 99, to circumcise himself as a  sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, and promises that Sarah, even at her advanced age, will bear a son to Abraham.

Come to services this Saturday at 9:20 to learn more about this parshah that is a precursor to so many important events in our history.

 

Birnbaum Siddurs

If you attended services on the High Holy Days you know that we were fortunate to be able to pray with Birnbaum Machzors donated to us by Congregation Poale Zedeck in Squirrel Hill.  Now we have also acquired approximately 125 Birnbaum Siddurs gifted to us by Congregation B’nai Emunah in Squirrel Hill and Gemilas Chesed in White Oak.

 

Friday Evening Services

The Religious committee is considering scheduling periodic Friday evening services as a supplement to our regular Saturday morning service.  These services will be family oriented, will include several English readings, and will be much shorter than a normal Saturday morning service.  We will also be welcoming the Sabbath by singing traditional favorites like Lecho Dodi and Shalom Aleichem, followed by a celebratory Oneg Shabbat. The service promises to be a meaningful religious experience as well as an enjoyable social event for the entire family.

 

We Need to Grow

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Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but our congregation is showing an abundance of gray hair these days.  Yes, we have a maturing membership, and like any organization we need fresh, new blood and new ideas to survive and to grow.

We recently welcomed Dr. Evan Dreyer, his wife Melissa, son Justin, and daughters  Samantha and Rebecca, as well as  Carl and Roni Schiffman, as new members of our congregation, and we would love to have even more new members.

Yes, we need to grow even more!  The Carnegie Shul is a real bargain –  a hamish congregation with incredibly low dues and no need to purchase High Holy Days tickets.

Help us to grow by introducing a friend to the Shul.  They will be glad you did!

 

 

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