Join us for a special Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Shari Joy Berman. To mark the 21st anniversary of her adult Bat Mitzvah, R. Shari will read from the same Torah portion she had in 2004: וַיִּשְׁלַח / Vayishlach, B'reisheet/Genesis 32:4-36:43, which includes Jacob's reconciliation with his estranged brother Esau, and the most famous (… the Continue Reading »
Join us on Zoom for the KBS Torah Study. This week's parashah is Vayeishev / וַיֵּשֶׁב (“He settled”), beginning the story of Joseph, describing his rivalry with his brothers, slavery in Egypt, and imprisonment after his master’s wife frames him for refusing her advances. It also includes the story of Tamar, her husbands, and her Continue Reading »
The KBS Book Club selection is “Drawing in the Dust,” the debut novel by Rabbi Zoë Klein, hailed as “a richly evocative and boundless love story that reverberates from biblical times to the modern world.” Publisher’s Weekly praises “Drawing in the Dust” for its “balanced, compassionate view of both Israeli and Arab traditions.” Join in Continue Reading »
Torah Study: Mikeitz Saturday, Dec 20, 10AM HST on Zoom Mikeitz (“After”) follows Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and rises to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He insists that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and later plants Continue Reading »
Torah Study: Vayigash Saturday, Dec 27, 10AM HST on Zoom Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ (“He Approached”) opens as Judah pleads with Joseph not to keep Benjamin as a prisoner. Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, crying and kissing them. The brothers bring Jacob from Canaan to Egypt, and Jacob and his children settle in Goshen. The Continue Reading »
"Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph" (1656) by Rembrandt Vayechi וַיְחִי (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. Jacob prepares for his death, making favorite son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s Continue Reading »
Please email info@konabethshalom.org for Zoom connection details. The discussion will also be live-streamed via the KBS YouTube channel.
The Burning Bush by Mayim Eliana Ebert Shemot שְׁמוֹת (“names”) is the first Torah portion in the Book of Exodus. It describes the bitter enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt; a royal decree that all Hebrew boy babies be killed; how the newborn Moses is rescued in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into Continue Reading »
"Vaera" ©Karin Foreman - Gratefully used with permission of the artist Vaera וָאֵרָא(“I Appeared”) opens as God promises to redeem the enslaved Israelites and bring them to the Promised Land. When Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to let the Israelites go, God sends a series of plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, death of livestock, Continue Reading »
Aviva Plaut & Una Greenaway will lead this month's service which will include readings from parashah Bo by Rabbi Shari Joy Berman. Aviva will deliver a d'rash inspired by themes in the Torah portion - a dramatic chapter that includes the last of the Ten Plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh agrees to let Continue Reading »
"Song of Miriam" - William Gale Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח (“When He Let Go”) describes the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Israelites sing upon crossing through. In the desert, God sweetens bitter water and provides manna and quail. The portion ends recounting the victory of the Israelites against an attack by the Amalekites. Continue Reading »
In parasahah Yitro / יִתְרוֹ (“Jethro”) as Moses reunites with his father-in-law Yitro and accepts his advice to appoint judges who will help govern the Israelites. The Israelites prepare to encounter God at Mount Sinai. God descends amidst fire, smoke, thunder, and the blast of a shofar and gives the Ten Commandments. Join in on Zoom this Continue Reading »
Please email info@konabethshalom.org for Zoom connection details. The discussion will also be live-streamed via the KBS YouTube channel.
Mishpatim/מִּשְׁפָּטִי (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. Join in on Zoom this Saturday to read and discuss Mishpatim, Sh'mot/Exodus 21:1-24:18, in the Continue Reading »
Terumah תְּרוּמָה(“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan - including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar - as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains. Join Continue Reading »
Join with KBS members, friends and guests for a Shabbat service at New Thought Center of Hawai`i in Kealakekua. Dr. Barry Blum leads the service, joined by Rabbi Shari Joy Berman who will read from this week's parashah, Tetzaveh / תְּצַוֶּה ("you shall command"), in which the Israelites are instructed to prepare for sacred rituals Continue Reading »