- This event has passed.
Shabbat services and Torah study | Shemot 5785
January 18 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm PST
Shabbat Services and & Torah Study: Shemot
Saturday, January 18th
Emeryville, CA & online
9:30am Shabbat service // 10:30am Torah study
You can join us either in person or on Zoom for Shabbat services and/or Torah study. If you are in the Bay Area, we’d love to have you join us in person. After Torah study, we enjoy a vegetarian potluck meal together and have an opportunity to deepen our connection with one another. If you are able, please bring a vegetarian dish to share with others. For those joining us online, we invite you to also bring food to eat after the service. We will keep the room open so folks can connect with each other after the service.
A peek into Torah study with us and the parsha this week
This week we begin reading the book of Exodus, the foundational text of liberation theology, the seeds of which were planted in the book of Genesis. This parsha once again begins with naming all the sons of Israel (i.e., Jacob) who came to Egypt. The Israelites, we are told, are fertile and multiple in the land. Pharaoh expresses fear that they will become stronger than the Egyptians and join in solidarity with others and rise from the land.
The fear of the power of refugees to align with other oppressed and vulnerable peoples to challenge empire has a long history. Pharaoh, like modern tyrants today, chooses to respond to their presence and strength by stoking fear in the Egyptians and imposing slave masters over them to increase their oppression.
We will reflect on the similarities in our Torah to what we can expect under a Trump administration and how Israel has and continues to respond to and treat Palestinians today.
Accessibility & Covid Practices for this gathering:
The house has 5 stairs to enter. We will be sitting in a living and dining room, either on couches or the floor (cushions provided). Please feel free to bring a seat or cushion that is comfortable for you. The windows will be open and an air filter will be on. If you are able to wear a mask, we request that you do so. If you are sick, please join us on Zoom.