This Week in Our Community

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer
(NOT on Monday 1 February)

Wednesday, 3 February, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Discussion with Bradley Caro Cook Ed.D. the author of ‘Choosing Judaism: 36 stories’

Friday, 5 February, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30
Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Adar

Torah Weekly Portion
Yitro – Jethro
Exodus 18:1–20:23

Summary
Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12)
Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27)
The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8)
After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25)
God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14)
Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18)
Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yitro

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6 or Isaiah 43:1-12 or Psalm 19 or Nehemiah 8:1-12

This Week in Our Community

Weekday Morning Prayer
Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30

Tuesday, 26 January, 19:00-20:00
Memorial Ceremony
International Day of Holocaust Remembrance

Friday, 29 January, 18:30-20:30
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat & Tu Bi Shvat Seder: 19:00-20:30

For the Tu Bi Shvat Seder you would need to have on your tables: 
– red and white wine or grape juice
– symbolic foods: 
1 round – inedible exterior, edible interior:
orange, banana, walnut, almond, pomegranate
2 round – edible exterior, inedible interior:
dates, olives, apricots, plums
3 round – entirely edible:
blueberries, strawberries, raspberries

Tu Bi Shvat Seder Haggadah: Tu Bi Shvat Haggadah (link)

Saturday, 30 January, 10:30-12:00
Torah Brunch: What is “Biblical Criticism” and how it impacts our religious views?

Torah Weekly Portion
B’shalach – Now When [Pharaoh] Let [the People] Go
Exodus 13:17−17:16

Summary
The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31)
Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21)
In the wilderness, God provides the grumbling Israelites with quails and manna. God instructs the Israelites to gather and prepare on the sixth day food needed for Shabbat. (15:22-16:36)
The people complain about the lack of water. Moses hits a rock with his rod and brings forth water. (17:1-7)
Israel defeats Amalek, Israel’s eternal enemy. God vows to blot out the memory of Amalek from the world. (17:8-16)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/bshalach
Haftarah: Judges 4:4-5:31 or Psalm 78:1-29

This Week in Our Community

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer (except Monday, 18 January)

Wednesday, 20 January, 19:00-21:00
Introduction to Judaism Course (19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Donnerstag, 21. Januar, 19:00-20:00 (zoom, external)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Moses Mendelsohn
Prof. Daniel Krochmalnik
(Potsdam)

Friday, 22 January, 18:30-20:30
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Torah Weekly Portion
Bo – Go [to Pharaoh]
Exodus 10:1−13:16
Summary
God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites leave Egypt. (10:1-11:10)
God commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover festival. (12:1-27)
God enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the House of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (12:29-42)
Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God repeats the commandments about Passover. (12:43-13:16)

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13 – 46:28

This Week in Our Community

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer

Wednesday, 13 January, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Course: Understanding Kashrut: Fish, Fruit & Vegetables, Bread, Eggs & Milk

Friday, 15 January, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Saturday, 16 January, 10:30-12:00 (zoom)
Torah Brunch: Discussion about the recent judgement of the European Court of Justice regarding the Kosher slaughter.

Torah Weekly Portion
Va-era – I [God] appeared [to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob] Exodus 6:2-9:35

Summary
Despite God’s message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites’ spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)
The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)
Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God’s message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)
The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/va-eira
Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Agenda – January & February 2021

Exciting months ahead in your community: stay online and stay safe!
Et stin ons interesséint Méint bevier an onser Synagog: bléift online an bléift gesond!
Des mois intéressants vous attendent dans votre communauté: restez en ligne et en bonne santé!

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer

Friday, 1 January
NO SERVICE

Wednesday, 6 January, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism Course
(19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Mittwoch, 6. Januar, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Baruch Spinoza,
Prof. José Maria Sanchez de Leon (Hamburg, Bogota)

Friday, 8 January, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Saturday, 9 January, 10:30-11:30 (zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service

Wednesday, 13 January, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Understanding Kashrut course: Fish, Fruit & Vegetables, Bread, Eggs and Milk

Friday, 15 January, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Saturday, 16 January, 10:30-12:00 (zoom)
Torah Brunch

Wednesday, 20 January, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism Course
(19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Donnerstag, 21. Januar, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Moses Mendelssohn
Prof. Daniel Krochmalnik (Potsdam)

Friday, 22 January, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Tuesday, 26 January, 19:00-20:00
Memorial Ceremony at Place de la Synagogue
International Day of Holocaust Remembrance
(broadcasted by Uelzechtkanal)

Friday, 29 January, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

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

Wednesday, 3 February, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism Course
(19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Friday, 5 February, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Mittwoch, 10. Februar, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Nachman Krochmal
Prof. Andreas Lehnhardt (Mainz)

Friday, 12 February, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat &Rosh Hodesh: 19:00-20:30

Saturday, 13 February, 10:30-11:30 (zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service

Wednesday, 17 February, 19:00-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism Course
(19:00-19:30 Basics of Hebrew)

Friday, 19 February, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Saturday, 20 February, 10:30-12:00 (zoom)
Torah Brunch

Wednesday, 24 February, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Understanding Kashrut course: Pessach (Passover)

Mittwoch, 24. Februar, 19:00-20:00 (zoom)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Samson Rafael Hirsch
Prof. Matthias Morgenstern (Tübingen)

Thursday, 25 February, 19:00-20:30 (zoom)
Purim Evening Service

Friday, 26 February, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
Community Talk: 18:30-19:00
Kabbalat Shabbat: 19:00-20:30

Sunday, 28 February, 10:30-12:00 (zoom)
Purim Family Celebration

This Week in Our Community

All events continue via zoom (contact us to participate).

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer, followed by a 5-minute-study of Mishnah Tractate Berakhot (except for Monday, 21 December)

Wednesday, 23 December, 19:00-20:00 (external, zoom)
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Simone Simhah Luzzatto
von Prof. Giuseppe Veltri (Hamburg)

Friday, 25 December, 18:30-20:30
18:30-19:00 Community Talk
19:00-20:30 Kabbalat Shabbat

Torah Weekly Portion
Vayigash – And [Judah] Approached [Joseph]
Genesis 44:18-47:27

Summary
• Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34)
• Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15)
• Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph’s family to “live off the fat of the land.” (45:16-24)
• Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God’s blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33)
• Pharaoh permits Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12)
• With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/vayigash
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

This Week in Our Community

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer (zoom)
Followed by a 5-minute-study of Mishnah Tractate Berakhot

Sunday, 13 December, 19:00-19:30 (zoom)
4 Candles of Hanukkah

Monday, 14 December, 19:00 (external, zoom)
WUPJ Hanukkah Gala

Tuesday, 15 December, 19:00-19:30 (zoom)
6 Candles of Hanukkah

Wednesday, 16 December, 19:00-19:30 – in RUSSIAN
Candles of Hanukkah Online event organised by the WUPJ
р. Гроденский: Универсальные уроки в музыкальном
сопровождении
Дмитрия Карпенко, Кантора Московской либеральной общины

Wednesday, 16 December, 19:40-21:00 (zoom)
Introduction to Judaism: Hanukkah Stories

Mittwoch, 16 Dezember, 19:00-20:00 (zoom) – in GERMAN
Vortragsreihe: Jüdische Philosophen
Hillel ben Samuel von Veronavon Prof. Yossef Schwartz (Tel Aviv, München)

Thursday, 17 December, 19:00 (external, zoom) – in FRENCH
8 Candles of Hanukkah
La Fédération du judaïsme libéral vous invite à l’allumage de la 8ème bougie avec le rabbin Tom Cohen (Kehilat Gesher, Paris), suivi d’une conférence de Iannis Roder: «Pourquoi la laïcité en France et à l’école?» animée par le rabbin Daniela Touati (Keren Or, Lyon)

Friday, 18 December, 18:30-20:30 (zoom)
18:30-19:00 Community Talk
19:00-20:30 Kabbalat Shabbat

Torah Weekly Portion
Miketz – After [Two Years]
Genesis 41:1−44:17

Summary
• Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32)
• Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49)
• Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52)
• When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38)
• The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/mikeitz
Haftarah: I Kings 3:15 – 4:1

This Week in Our Community

Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Weekday Morning Prayer
Followed by a 5-minute-study of Mishnah Tractate Berakhot

Wednesday, 9 December, 19:00-20:30
NEW course: Kashrut. 2nd Session:
Meat, Shechita (kosher slaughter), Milk & Meat mixtures & “kosherisation” of pots and kitchen utensils.

Mittwoch, 9. Dezember, 19:00-20:00
Vortragsreihe Jüdische Philosophen (Synagoge Pestalozzi Straße Berlin)
RaMBaM (Maimonides) mit Prof. Frederek Musal (Heidelberg)

Thursday, 10 December, 19:00-19:30
Lighting the First Hanukkah Candle

Friday, 11 December, 19:00-20:30
Lighting 2 Hanukkah Candles & Kabbalat Shabbat
18:30-19:00 Community Zoom Talk

Saturday, 12 December, 10:30-12:00
Torah Brunch – Book Club
Diskussion über das Buch von Rabbinerin Delphine Horvilleur
“Überlegungen zur Frage des Antisemitismus” (German/English)

Saturday, 12 December, 19:00-19:30
Havdalah & Lighting 3 Hanukkah Candles

This Week in Our Community

Morning Prayer
Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:30
Followed by a 5-minute-study of Mishnah Tractate Berakhot

Wednesday, 2 December, 19:00-21:00
Introduction to Judaism Course: Key Bible Stories: Abraham

Friday, 4 December, 19:00-20:30
Kabbalat Shabbat
Community Zoom Talk 18:30-19:00

Torah Weekly Portion : Vayishlach – [Jacob]
Genesis 32:4–36:43
• Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He wrestles with a “man,” who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. (32:4-33)
• Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully, each going his separate way. (33:1-17)
• Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the country. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi take revenge by murdering all the males of Shechem, and Jacob’s other sons join them in plundering the city. (34:1-31)
• Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried in Ephrah, which is present-day Bethlehem. (35:16-21)
• Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron. Jacob’s and Esau’s progeny are listed. (35:22-36:43)

Commentary: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/vayishlach
Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12

Hanukkah is approaching!
We will light the first candle on 10 December evening. Due to the pandemic, we will probably not be able to meet in person for our traditional community celebration. Instead we invite you to light the candles every evening of Hanukkah over zoom. We invite you all to make Hanukkah greeting cards at home, alone or as a family. Send your cards to the community address (until December 7) and we will send them out randomly to the community members and associates, as a sign of solidarity. Please, make as many cards as you can, so that every community member and associate could get at least one card.

This Weekend in Our Community

Kabbalat Shabbat
Tonight at 7pm.
Community talk from 6.30-7pm (Zoom).

Torah Brunch
Saturday at 10.30 am. We will talk about the Torah portion “Vayetze”.

Summary of the Parasha
Jacob dreams of angels going up and down a ladder. God blesses him. Jacob names the place Bethel. (28:10-22) Jacob works seven years in order to marry Rachel, but Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah, Rachel’s older sister. (29:16-25) Jacob marries Rachel but only after having to commit himself to seven more years of working for Laban. (29:26-30) Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, give birth to eleven sons and one daughter. (29:31-30:24) Jacob and his family leave Laban’s household with great wealth. (31:1-32:3)


Cette semaine,
Office de Kabbalat Shabbat à 19h00 avec une discussion entre membres auparavant (18h30-19h00, sur zoom).
Samedi : Torah brunch autour de la Parachah (Vayetze) à 10h30 (zoom).


Dës Woch,
Kabbalat Shabbat
Freides: um 19 Auer. Do virdrun eng open Diskussioun tëschent den Memberen (18.30-19.00, iwwert zoom).
Samsdes: Torah Brunch iwwert d’Parashat haShavua (Vayetze) um 10.30 (och iwwert zoom).