Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Friday, 11 June, 18:30-20:30
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, 12 June, 10:30-12:00
Shabbat Morning Service

Torah Weekly Portion
Korach
Numbers 16:1−18:32
Summary
Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15)
The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26)
The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/korach
Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14-12:22

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Wednesday, 2 June, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Basics of Hebrew: 19:00-19:30
Introduction to Judaism course

Friday, 4 June, 19:00 (external zoom)
A True European Shabbat
NO USUAL KABBALAT SHABBAT SERVICE
REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY

Saturday, 5 June, 10:30-12:30 (zoom)
Community Talk and Torah Brunch: Jewish views on surrogacy

Sunday, 6 June, 17:30
Annual General Meeting
Assemblée Générale

A TRUE EUROPEAN SHABBAT
Dear Friends,
Experience an exciting and different virtual Shabbat service led by aspiring prayer leaders from all over Europe – from Sweden and Finland in the North to Portugal and Italy in the South!

Luxembourg is represented by Eleanor Sharpston!

The EUPJ’s new Baalei Tefillah program has enabled more than 30 students to acquire lay-leadership skills in a year-long course led by Rabbi Nathan Alfred, Head of International Development and Community Building at WUPJ. 

The service will take place in Hebrew and English. Come and enjoy the variety of accents, get a taste of the different styles, and meet fellow EUPJ members!

Contact us to register for the event. Registration is mandatory to attend.

REMINDER: AGM SUNDAY, 6 JUNE, 17:30 CEST  Our Annual General Meeting is taking place on 6 June 2021!

Agenda for the AGM: 1) Our rabbi will be on a partial sabbatical leave from September 2021 until the end of March 2022. Just as we are told to let our land lay fallow in order to rest the land after six years of growth, we understand that a valued rabbi too should have the chance to revitalise after six years of harvesting his creative fruits. During his partial sabbatical leave our rabbi will be available for several hours a week, lead services and teach on one Shabbat a month. In the rest of the time our rabbi plans to study and further his doctoral research, as well as spend quality time with his family. 2) I would therefore like to call upon all members who are ready to help lead services to get in touch with us. During the rabbi’s absence we will have visiting rabbis for holidays and on special occasions, but the usual Shabbat service will be led by me and other volunteers. 3) Finally, while the current Committee has been elected for two years, if anyone would like to be more active in the everyday management of our community, we can always use more hands! I send you all my very best wishes of health and a speedy return to a sense of “normality”. David

Torah Weekly Portion
Sh’lach L’cha – Send [Notables to Scout the Land]
Numbers 13:1−15:41
Summary
Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, the people are frightened. (13:1–14:10)
God threatens to wipe out the Children of Israel but relents when Moses intercedes on their behalf. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb. (14:11–45)
Moses instructs the Israelites regarding setting aside challah, the observance of the Sabbath, how to treat strangers, and the laws of tzitzit. (15:1–41)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shlach-lcha
Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Friday, 28 May, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, 29 May, 10:30-12:00 (zoom)
Torah Brunch

Torah Weekly Portion
B’haalot’cha – When You Raise [the Lamps]
Numbers 8:1-12:16
Summary
God speaks to Moses, describing the menorah for the Tent of Meeting. The Levites are appointed to serve as assistants under Aaron and his sons. (8:1-26)
Those who are unable to celebrate Passover during Nisan are given a time in the month of Sivan to observe a “second Passover.” (9:1-14)
A cloud by day and fire by night show God’s Presence over the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle, the people leave Sinai, setting out on their journey, tribe by tribe. (9:15-10:36)
The Israelites complain about the lack of meat, and Moses becomes frustrated. God tells him to appoint a council of elders. God provides the people with meat and then strikes them with a very severe plague. (11:1-34)
Miriam and Aaron talk about the “Cushite woman” whom Moses has married. In addition, they complain that God speaks not only through Moses but also through them. Miriam is struck with leprosy, and Moses begs God to heal her. After her recovery, the people resume their journey. (12:1-16)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/bhaalotcha
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

NO WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER THIS WEEK

Sunday, 16 May, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Shavuot Evening Service

Followed by Tikkun Leil Shavuot – Shavout Leaning Night

English Programme:
20:15-21:00 Rabbi Barbara Borts: Food and Drink in Yiddish Song
Rabbi Dr Barbara Borts has worked in synagogues in the UK, Europe, and North America. Now, she spends her time going to Yiddish reading circles, walking her 2 rough collies, and working to finish up her learning in preparation for ordination as a chazzan

21:15-22:00 Ilana Bet-El: Responsibility and Privacy
Social media, mass communication and disinformation are the essence of our times. Remaining a private individual yet being part of cyber life is becoming increasingly difficult. This problem is unique not only because the digisphere is new but because the very idea of privacy is very modern: before the options of mass cheap lighting and heat, some 200 years ago, collective living was a necessity. We also see this reality in the many tales of the Bible, but more significantly, the idea of God is dependent on an almighty that sees right into each of us individuals. So why do we care about privacy and how do we reconcile ourselves to these different strands and remain responsible to ourselves and society? Ilana Bet-El is a senior strategic advisor, an historian and a writer. A former senior official in the UN, she holds a PhD in history and sociology. 

22:15-23:00 Ruth Friedman: The Revelation of Our Lives
This experiential session is about ongoing Revelation and what it can mean in our own lives. We also explore how our (human physical) body can support us to experience this revelation. Ruth Friedman is a Certified Professional Coach and Focusing Guide, and she supports her clients to gain new insights based on their own bodily awareness.  She is originally from London and lives in Belgium since 2004.

23:30-00:15 Yisrael Abir Mitra: United and Divided by the Torah?
Yisrael Abir Mitra is completing his PhD in Hebrew Bible at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and is currently on a Jewish Studies programme at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.

00:20-1:00 Student rabbi Brian Doyle-Du Breuil: Queering Boaz?
An exploration of gender stereotypes in reading the book of Ruth through a Queer lens. Brian Doyle-Du Breuil is a final year student rabbi at Abraham Geiger College in Potsdam, Germany. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and enjoys exploring alternative strategies for reading the Bible.

French Programme:
20:30 Dr Gérard Haddad, La Violence dans la Torah.
21:30 Les rabbins François Garaï et Gabriel Farhi en dialogue : LA Torah ou NOTRE Torah
22:30 Etudiant Rabbin Iris Ferreira,  Voyage de la Torah au Talmud (nous partirons de l’épisode de la révélation des dix paroles dans la Parachah Yitro, Exode chapitres 19 et 20)
23:30 Rabbin Marc Neiger, La Torah est-elle vraiment un don ?  La révélation du Sinaï est présentée comme un don, mais les Israélites ont-il vraiment eut le choix d’accepter la Torah, en étaient-ils dignes ?

German Programme:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6m5EJQu3x04EvapqMpG3vg 
Further details: https://www.jlg.ch/aktuell (Jüdische Libeale Gemeinde Zürich)
20:30 – 21:15 Machla bat Zelofchad und ihre Schwestern
21:15 – 22:00 Jüdisches Leben in zwei Deutschlands
22:15 – 22:30 Warum Milchigs an Schawuot?
22:30 – 23:15 Das Ende des Exils – eine Befreiung?
23:15 – 0:00 Jüdische Befreiungslieder
0:00 – 0:15 Musings. Gedichtlesung
0:15 – 1:00 Cherut al Haluchot, Charut al Haluchot

Monday, 17 May, 10:00-10:40 (zoom)
Shavuot Morning Service

Friday, 21 May, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat

Torah Weekly Portion
Naso – Take a Census
Numbers 4:21-7:89
Summary
A census of the Gershonites, Merarites, and Koathites between the ages of thirty and fifty is conducted and their duties in the Tabernacle are detailed. (4:21-49)
God speaks to Moses concerning what to do with ritually unclean people, repentant individuals, and those who are suspected of adultery. (5:1-31)
The obligations of a nazirite vow are explained. They include abstaining from alcohol and not cutting one’s hair. (6:1-21)
God tells Moses how to teach Aaron and his sons the Priestly Blessing. (6:22-27)
Moses consecrates the Sanctuary, and the tribal chieftains bring offerings. Moses then speaks with God inside the Tent of Meeting. (7:1-89)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/naso

Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 or Judges 16:4-21 or Psalm 67

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Friday, 14 May, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat

Sunday, 16 May, 19:00-20:30 (zoom)
Shavuot Evening Service & Learning

Torah Weekly Portion
B’midbar – In the Wilderness
Numbers 1:1-4:20
Summary
God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46)
The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51)
Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34)
The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39)
A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51)
God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/bmidbar

Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Wednesday, 5 May, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism course
Basics of Hebrew: 19:00-19:30

Friday, 7 May, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat – Europe Day Shabbat
Guest Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Elisa Klapheck

Saturday, 8 May, 10:30-11:30 (zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service

Torah Weekly Portion
B’har – B’chukotai
On Mount [Sinai] – My Laws
Leviticus 25:1-27:34
Summary
God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not be sown and vines should not be pruned. (25:1-7)
After forty-nine years, a jubilee year is to be celebrated when all the land that had been sold during that time should be returned to its original owners and slaves are to be freed. (25:8-55)
God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2)
God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow the law and warns about the curses that will befall the people if they do not observe God’s commandments. (26:1-46)
Gifts made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/bhar-bchukotai

Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer
NOT ON THURSDAY, 29 APRIL

Friday, 30 April, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, 1 May, 10:30-12:30 (zoom)
Torah Brunch

Torah Weekly Portion
Emor – Speak
Leviticus 21:1-24:23
Summary
Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are presented. (21:1-22:33)
The set times of the Jewish calendar are named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. (23:1-44)
God commands the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and placement of the displayed loaves of sanctuary bread are explained. (24:1-9)
Laws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of others are outlined. (24:10-23)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/emor
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

Monday-Friday 10:00-10:30 (zoom)
Weekday Morning Prayer

Wednesday, 21 April, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism Course
(19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Mittwoch, 21. April, 19:00-20:00 (zoom, extern)
Vortragsreihe Jüdische Philosophen:
Leo Baeck
Rabbiner Prof. Walter Homolka (Potsdam)

Friday, 23 April, 19:00-20:30 (synagogue & zoom)
Israeli Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat & Concert with Cantor Aviv Weinberg
Cosponsored by the Luxembourg Friends of Progressive Judaism in Israel & Arzenu Olami

N.B. If you would like to attend the service in the synagogue, please, register using the below online form. Pandemic restrictions do apply (wearing masks, physical distance, no singing).

REGISTRATION FORM

Saturday, 24 April, 11:00-12:30 (synagogue & zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service
with Cantor Aviv Weinberg

N.B. If you would like to attend the service in the synagogue, please, register using the below online form. Pandemic restrictions do apply (wearing masks, physical distance, no singing).

REGISTRATION FORM

Torah Weekly Portion
Acharey Mot-Kedoshim –
After the Death [of the Two Sons of Aaron] / [You Shall Be] Holy
Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Summary
The duties that the High Priest must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the ceremony of the scapegoat is outlined. (16:1-28)
Moses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34)
Warnings are issued against the offering of sacrifices outside the Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16)
Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30)
God issues a variety of commandments, instructing the Israelites on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37)
Various sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/acharei-mot-kdoshim

Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 or Ezekiel 22:1-15 or Psalm 15

No zoom Morning Prayer this week.

Friday, 16 April, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat & Rosh Hodesh Sivan

Torah Weekly Portion
 Tazria-Metzorah – Bearing Seed / A Leper
Leviticus 12:1-15:33
SummaryGod describes the rituals of purification for a woman after childbirth. (12:1-8)
God sets forth the methods for diagnosing and treating a variety of skin diseases, including tzara-at (a leprous affection), as well as those for purifying clothing. (13:1-59)
Priestly rituals to cure tzara-at when it afflicts humans are described. (14:1-32)
Rituals to rid dwelling places of tzara-at are presented. (14:33-57)
The parashah denotes male impurities resulting from a penile discharge or seminal emission. (15:1-18)
The parashah concludes with accounts of female impurities caused by a discharge of blood. (15:19-33)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/tazria-mtzora

Haftarah: 2 Kings 7:3-20 or 3 Kings 5:1-19