B'nai David-Judea Congregation

BDJ Family, Is there a bracha to be recited upon receiving the vaccine? Absolutely. The bracha of is appropriate, as an expression of personal joy and gratitude. But the even more appropriate bracha is , in which we express joy and gratitude not only for our own good fortune at being vaccinated against Covid, but for the good fortune of everybody who will similarly be protected through the vaccine. There is a halachic and moral imperative for ...Continue reading

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Question of the Week! Why do you think the absence of chametz (leaven) is central to the story of our Exodus from Egypt? with Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn

Thank you to this past week's Tikkun Corona Lunch donors who supported our local community's essential, hard-working Ralph's employees: Avigayil Metal Beth & Alan Tarko... Diane Saltzberg Evvy & David Mankowitz Hetty & Gil Melmed Jenny & Billie Gelb Joy Goldstein Julie & Alex Fax Julie & Eric Weissman Maureen & Derek Krantz Orli Low & Jeffrey Feuer Sarah Chankin-Gould & Yonah Schmeidler Sheryl & Seth Goldman Susan Fink & Robert Smith in honor of Josh Kahn, Rena Selya and Joel Kosh Tobi Inlender Thank you to our delivery volunteers: Eliana Melmed & Avigayil Metal, and to Jeff's Gourmet Sausage Factory for providing the lunches!

BDJ Family, It is with a heavy heart this evening that we share the passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh . The former chief rabbi of the UK, he was a , one of the greatest rabbis, philosophers, and moral voices of our time. Those who learn with Rabbanit Alissa in her Parsha Shiur, regularly incorporate Rabbi Sacks' vision, light, and mussar into your deep discussions. He pushes us to be the holiest versions of ourselves, to have t...he courage to stand up for goodness and Godliness, and to look for connection in the face and heart of the stranger. We have and continue to need Rabbi Sacks' vision 'to healing a fractured world'. And while our world is undoubtedly darker without his light-- all we need to do is look to his divrei torah to find hope and resilience. In the coming days, we at BDJ encourage you to commit to learning at least one of his divrei torah from his Covenant and Conversation. Please do so in the merit of the aliyah of his neshama. Additionally, Rabbanit Alissa's Parsha Shiur this Tuesday night at 7:30pm will be dedicated to learning in his memory. We will share additional learning opportunities to honor his memory as they arise. We offer condolences and comfort to his wife, Elaine, and his entire family. If you would like to share memories of Rabbi Sacks and his teachings please share them here. The reflections will be shared directly with his family. Rabbi Sacks was committed to making Torah accessible, for everything is in it-- including our way to light in times of distance and darkness. May his memory be a source of blessing, chizuk, and comfort, Rav Yosef and Rabbanit Alissa

Pleased to share the news that BDJ has qualified as an American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Faith-Based Partner through our work with blood drives!

ICYMI... Shiur B'Ivrit with Nili Isenberg: To view recording, click here: https://bit.ly/369Nt57. Passcode: HDM33@n$

What was so bad about Lot’s wife looking back? B'nai David-Judea Congregation Parsha Question of the Week!!

New time! 3:45PM! Join us via Facebook Live or Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95466949154 Shabbat Meeting ID: 954 6694 9154 Password: 207636

Rabbanit Alissa ASKS: "What was so bad about Lot's wife looking back that it warranted her turning into a pillar of salt?" DISCUSS!

Pleased to share this important event!

"Whether a person wears tzitzit, a kippah, a ponytail or tattoo, it doesn’t matter because at the end of the day it’s a person."

ICYMI... and many thanks to all who participated in this meaningful conversation.

Our tradition has given us the tools, for better times, for worse times, for all times. https://www.facebook.com/bdj.losangeles/posts/2168378133307080