Torah Study | Shemot 5784

We hope you will join our Celebration of the Universe and Torah Study on Saturday, January 6th with Rabbi Cat Zavis and Dr. Ami Goodman. We will begin our Shabbat service with meaningful prayers, balancing the awe of being alive with the call in our tradition for radical transformation of our world.

Then we will turn to our Torah study. Last week we finished the book of Genesis (Bereshit) with Jacob/Israel blessing his own sons as well as Joseph’s sons. Jacob offers the “first-born” blessing to Ephraim (the second born son). Jacob explains that while the first-born will be blessed with many nations and shall be great, the second-born shall be even greater. The legacy of scarcity continues to pass from generation to generation. How might the fear of scarcity impact our worldview even today?

This week we begin the book of Exodus, the foundation for liberation theology and inspiration for many liberation struggles throughout history. We will read parshat Shemot and explore together what it means to say ‘no’ to imperial power. In the midwives’ refusal to kill the firstborn Hebrew sons, what are they embracing? What are they saying ‘yes’ to? We are in a historical moment when the U.S. is funding and backing gross atrocities in the name of the Jewish people. What is our role as people who have a legacy of opposing imperial power and violence? In addition to saying no to imperial violence, what might we be saying ‘yes’ to?

Please register here (for FREE) to receive the Zoom link. We’d love to have you join us!

9:30 am Pacific Time (12:30 pm Eastern Time)
Shabbat morning prayers and celebration of the universe

10:30 am Pacific Time (1:30 pm Eastern Time)
Torah Study | Exodus.1.1-6.1

12:00 pm Pacific Time (3:00 pm Eastern Time)
Kaddish, Kiddush, and schmoozing