Congregation Beth Israel Bulletin, Volume 139, Number 7, November 1992 Page: 1 of 8
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CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
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November 15, 1992
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THE THANKSGIVING SEASON
SABBATH SERVICE SCHEDULE
TORAH PORTIONS
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(713) 771-6221
Organized 1854
5600 North Braeswood Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77096
November 27, Toledot
Gen.: 25:19-28:9
The ancestral narrative continues. Isaac
and Rebecca give birth to twins, Jacob and
Esau, who begin their lifelong struggle in
the womb. The narrative covers several
crucial incidents: Esau sells Jacob his
birthright, Isaac passes off Rebecca as his
sister to avoid danger, Rebecca arranges
for the younger son, Jacob to receive
Isaac’s final blessing, in place of the older
son, Esau, the rightful heir. Jacob flies
from Esau’s anger and goes to stay with
Rebecca’s brother Laban in Haran.
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that this holiday did not belong to me. Christmas day was the
time we went to the movies and discovered many of our
people there.
My compensations for being an outsider at Christmas
were ample. The Jewish festivals, including Shabbat, were
palpably felt and enjoyed in our home. Still the ambiguity of
the Jewish relation to Christmas (especially among friends
whose families were in the retail business) made me cherish
Thanksgiving with special fervor.
That day began with the tantalizing aromas from the
kitchen - the scent of culinary works in progress. I would stop
torturing myself by running across the street to be diverted by
the annual football game. My absorption in the game
heightened as I rooted for one of the teams. But whether my
Friday, November 20, 8:15 p.m.
Dr. Allen Verhey
Friday, November 27, 8:15 p.m.
Rabbi Samuel E. Karff
November 20, Chaye Sarah
Gen.: 23:1 -25:18
Abraham and Sarah arrive in the town
of Hebron where Sarah dies. Abraham
acquires the Cave of Machpelah where he
buries Sarah. Abraham is eager to find a
wife for Isaac. Therefore, Abraham sends
his servant to find a suitable bride for Isaac
from among his own people. Isaac marries
Rebekah. Soon thereafter, Abraham dies.
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Saturday Mornings
Early Shabbat Worship Service, 8:45a.m.
Brotherhood Torah Seminar, 9:45 a.m.
Sabbath Morning Service, 11:00 a.m.
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Vol. 139 No. 7
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As a child, I discovered that being
Jewish meant feeling like an outsider
at Christmas time. Visiting a
neighbor’s home and admiring the
Christmas tree was fine. So was
enjoying the panoply of lights along
the main boulevards. Although
Christmas assumed a commanding
presence in the culture at large
however, I was taught to recognize
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team won or lost, I could be comforted by the assurance
of a bountiful and delicious Thanksgiving dinner when I
returned home.
As I look back, the most precious part of Thanksgiving was
its inclusiveness. Here was truly a national holiday with
religious overtones that I could fully share. When I learned
that the pilgrims may have been inspired to establish
Thanksgiving by their familiarity with the biblical account of
the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, my delight was even
enhanced.
In my adult life, one of the pleasant hallmarks of this
season has been participation in Interfaith Thanksgiving
Services. This year, Beth Israel is hosting the churches and
synagogues that are part of the Braes-Interfaith Ministries.
The service will be held in our Sanctuary on Sunday,
November 22nd at 7:00 p.m. A number of choirs will be
featured, including our own; Cantor Gerber will sing; and, I
will be offering a Thanksgiving message. If your schedule
permits, do plan to join us.
In any case, enjoy the season. It is a time to give thanks for
the many blessings we cherish as American Jews.
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Congregation Beth Israel (Houston, Tex.). Congregation Beth Israel Bulletin, Volume 139, Number 7, November 1992, periodical, November 15, 1992; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1417310/m1/1/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.