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Prvw 4 Shbt Vayeshes 5772

December 14th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shabbat Preview

Thursday, December 15, 2011 – 19 Kislev 5772
Preview for Shabbat Vayeshev
MINYAN ASSURANCE NEEDED

Friday morning, December 16th, 7 AM, the Yahrzeit of Rosalie Millman, Joel is requesting your assurance for the minyan your help to assure a minyan
Leslie Adler has her mother’s Yahrzeit, your help to assure a minyan on Tuesday, December 20th @ 7:45 PM is requested
PLEASE, DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL RESPOND AND COME HELP OUT – YOUR HELP IS REALLY NEEDED
NEXT CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR

1. Depart EWR: December 18, 2012

2. Return to EWR: January 1, 2013

3. The itinerary & application is available: www.israeltours.com/rmallach2012.php

Torah on Tap – TONIGHT!

UPCOMING EVENT REMINDERS:

A. Sunday, December 18: Religious School

1. 9 AM: Morning Minyan

2. 7 PM: Step Up For Israel – Documentary film #4 of 5 followed by discussion

3. 7:45 PM: evening minyan

B. Tuesday, December 20th, 5:45 PM (meet in Sanctuary to begin) Temple Hanukkah Hasmonean Hotdog Feast

C. Morning Minyan times for Hanukkah: 6:45 AM on 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/27 & 12/28

D. NOTE: MONDAY, December 26TH = FEDERAL HOLIDAY – MORNING MINYAN WILL START AT 9 AM

E. Monday, January 2, 2012: NOTE morning minyan will be at 9 AM on this day

F. Thursday, January 5, 2012 @ 8 PM: Coffee & Clergy Corner at Barnes & Noble session

G. Friday, January 6 @ 6:30 PM: SHABBATis4U – Services led by Nitzanim & Kohavim, January Birthday blessing, Yahrzeit list is read, dinner by prior RSVP to follow services – NO LATE SERVICE Monday,

H. Monday, January 16th, 10 – 11 AM: Springfield Interfaith Clergy Association Martin Luther King Day Commemoration, Townhall, 2nd Floor

I. Sunday, January 15th, 7 PM: Step Up for Israel concluding film & discussion

J. Thursday, January 19th @ 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap

K. Sunday, February 5th @ 9 AM: World Wide Wrap – Come RAP with us with Tefillin, Talit, special breakfast & guest speaker – all sponsored by your Men’s Club – open to all, male & FEMALE, Teffilin help and practice pairs are available

L. Sunday, February 19th @ 8 PM: TBAY 3rd Annual A Night of Comedy, featuring Rabbi Rob Alper & Rev. Susan Sparks

You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/

II. December 16, 2011 – 21 Kislev: Shabbat Vayeshev on

Candle Lighting Time: 4:12 PM
8 PM Shabbat Services –
1. Kiddush Soloist: Cantor Nadel

2. Sermon Theme: Tim Tebow A Humbler Yosef?

3. L`kavod Shabbat – Special Honors

a. Responsive Readings:

b. Open Ark for Aleinu:

4. Bima Officers: Nate Rajs & Laurie Gerstein

5. Oneg Shabbat: Sponsored by Women’s League

II. Saturday, December 17, 2011 – 21 Kislev: Shabbat Vayeshev

A. 9:30 AM: Shaharit L`Shabbat in the Sanctuary:

1. Shabbat Coordinator: Karen Levine

2. Baal Tefillah Preliminary Service (Prayer Leader): Larry Horwitz

3. Baal Tefillah Shaharit: Cantor

4. Dvar Torah: Rabbi

5. Baal Koreh (Torah Readers): Ken Melman

6. Baal Maftir (Haftorah Reader): Karen Levine

7. Gabbayim (Torah Proctors):

8. Baal Tefillah Musaf: Cantor

9. Special Aliyot

IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ALIYAH, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!!!

a. Congregational Aliyah:

b. B`nai Mitzvah Anniversary Aliyah:

10. Bima Officers Scheduled: Nate Rajs & Laurie Gerstein

11. The Kiddush luncheon following services is sponsored by EAC

B. 10:30 AM: Youth Services ARE in session

1. Grades 4 – 6 are in the Chapel

2. Mini-Minyan, grades K – 3 are in the Youth Lounge

C. 10:30 AM: “BABYSITTING & BLESSINGS” IS IN SESSION

Next Shabbat: Shabbat Miketz

Shabbat Shalom!

Yaakov & FDR

December 8th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Sermons

Shabbat Shalom.
Some of you may remember hearing the speech that I am about to quote from; or, at least all should be familiar with its most famous line. I quote:
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by … the Empire of Japan.
President Roosevelt concluded with the following words:
As Commander-in-Chief … I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense…I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
With confidence in our armed forces—with the un-bounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
Yes, 70 years ago, the Japanese’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded.
This Shabbat, parashat Vayishlakh, our ancestor, Yaakov, is about to confront his sworn enemy, Esav. What does Yaakov do in anticipation?
First, Gen. 37:4: Vayishlakh Yaakov malachiim – Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esav.” Yaakov attempts to negotiate with his brother.
Second, Yaakov’s negotiators return with the report, v. 7: “we came to your brother Esav, he himself is coming to meet you, and there are 400 hundred men with him.” We understand those 400 men to be a powerful military troop.
Third, upon this perceived threat of military action against, Yaakov (v.8) “was greatly frightened…he divided the people…into two camps (v.9) thinking if Esav comes to 1 camp and attacks it, the other camp may yet escape.”
In comparison, what did President Roosevelt do in a somewhat similar situation, a perceived threat of military action?
First, he attempted to negotiate with the Japanese government.
Second, he was advised by his messengers that there was an imminent threat.
Third, like Yaakov, he divided his defensive resources into 2 camps pending such an attack.
Where the comparison ends is, Roosevelt, unlike Yaakov, did not learn in time of the full extent of the Japanese military plans, and based upon which proved to be not fully accurate intelligence assessment, he ordered the Philippines to be the more fortified, never thinking that the Japanese would attack Hawaii.
The heinous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized this county and led to our entry into WWII. To note, on December 7, 1941, the 1st transports to Chelno death camp began. In hindsight, Pearl Harbor for the descendents of Yaakov, probably prevented the entire annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany.
Yes, Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy, and, we all well know the other infamous date that came to be associated with December 7th, the day upon which another sneak attack, successful due a failure of communication within the intelligence agencies, took over as the highest single day toll of American lives lost: September 11, 2001 – 9/11!
Indeed, I see a clear link over the span of time between Yaakov and Roosevelt, and, I fear that B`nai Yaakov, which became B`nai Yisrael, faces an ever more ominous threat from a sworn enemy – a nuclear holocaust coming from Iran.
What will our modern day Yaakov do? Split his camps or launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran? And what will Yaakov’s ally, Roosevelt do? Be a true ally, or wait once again until 6 million Jews are murdered? In this case, correct that number to the current Jewish population of Israel – 7 million Jews!
God forbid! And, may the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt ring true once again: “with the un-bounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.”
ALUASA

Preview for Shabbat Vayishlakh – 12/10/11

December 8th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shabbat Preview

Thursday, December 8, 2011 – 12 Kislev 5772
Preview for Shabbat Vayishlakh
MINYAN ASSURANCE NEEDED
1. Marlene Freeman has her father’s Yahrzeit, your help to assure a minyan on Sunday, December 11th @ 7:45 PM is requested
2. Friday morning, December 16th, 7 AM, the Yahrzeit of Rosalie Millman, Joel is requesting your assurance for the minyan
3. Leslie Adler has her mother’s Yahrzeit, your help to assure a minyan on Tuesday, December 20th @ 7:45 PM is requested
4. PLEASE, DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL RESPOND AND COME HELP OUT – YOUR HELP IS REALLY NEEDED

UPCOMING EVENT REMINDERS:

A. Sunday, December 11: Religious School
1. 9 AM: Morning Minyan
2. 7:45 PM: evening minyan

B. Thursday, December 15th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
C. Sunday, December 18th, 7 PM: Step Up For Israel – Documentary film #4 of 5 followed by discussion
D. Tuesday, December 20th, 5:45 PM (meet in Sanctuary to begin) Temple Hanukkah Hasmonean Hotdog Feast
E. Morning Minyan times for Hanukkah: 6:45 AM on 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27 & 12/28
F. January 2, 2012: NOTE morning minyan will be at 9 AM on this day Thursday,
G. January 5, 2012 @ 8PM: Coffee & Clergy Corner at Barnses & Noble session
H. Friday, January 6 @ 6:30 PM: ShabbatTis4U – Services led by Nitzanim & Kohavim, January Birthday blessing, Yahrzeit list is read, dinner by prior RSVP to follow services – NO LATE SERVICE Monday,
I. Monday, January 16th, 10 – 11 AM: Springfield Interfaith Clergy Association Martin Luther King Day Commemoration, Townhall, 2nd Floor
J. Sunday, January 15th, 7 PM: Step Up for Israel concluding film & discussion
K. Thursday, January 19th @ 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
L. Sunday, February 5th @ 9 AM: World Wide Wrap – Come RAP with us with Tefillin, Talit, special breakfast & guest speaker – all sponsored by your Men’s Club – open to all, male & FEMALE, Teffilin help and practice pairs are available

You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/

II. December 9, 2011 – 14 Kislev: Shabbat Vayishlakh – LEN IS IN THE HAUS – Len Hausman will be accompanying cantor on acoustic guitar

A. Candle Lighting Time: 4:11 PM
B. 8 PM Shabbat Services –
1. Kiddush Soloist: Cantor Nadel
2. Sermon Theme: Yaakov & President Roosevelt

3. L`kavod Shabbat – Special Honors
a. Responsive Readings:
b. Open Ark for Aleinu:
4. Bima Officers: Steven Yoselovich & Roberta Gersh
5. Oneg Shabbat: Sponsored by Women’s League

II. Saturday, December 10, 2011 – 14 Kislev: Shabbat Vayishlakh

A. 9:30 AM: Shaharit L`Shabbat in the Sanctuary:

1. Shabbat Coordinator: Nate Rajs
2. Baal Tefillah Preliminary Service (Prayer Leader): Larry Horwitz
3. Baal Tefillah Shaharit: Cantor
4. Dvar Torah: Rabbi
5. Baal Koreh (Torah Readers): Ken Melman
6. Baal Maftir (Haftorah Reader):
7. Gabbayim (Torah Proctors):
8. Baal Tefillah Musaf: Cantor
9. Special Aliyot

IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ALIYAH, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!!!
a. Congregational Aliyah:
b. B`nai Mitzvah Anniversary Aliyah:

10. Bima Officers Scheduled: Steven Yoselovich & Roberta Gersh
11. The Kiddush luncheon following services is sponsored by EAC
B. 10:30 AM: Youth Services ARE in session
1. Grades 4 – 6 are in the Chapel
2. Mini-Minyan, grades K – 3 are in the Youth Lounge
C. 10:30 AM: “BABYSITTING & BLESSINGS” IS IN SESSION

Next Shabbat: Shabbat Vayeshev

NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. Currently exploring departure dates for the end of December, 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN MANY RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING… it is looking better & better, but REALLY do need a chairman…)

Shabbat Shalom!

TTT: Vayishlakh 5772

December 7th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in TTT

Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat Vayishlakh 5772
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ

MINYAN ASSURANCE NEEDED
1. Martha Flashberg has her father’s Yahrzeit, your help to assure a minyan on Tuesday, December 6th @ 7:45 PM is requested
2. Marlene Freeman has her father’s Yahrzeit, your help to assure a minyan on Sunday, December 11th @ 7:45 PM is requested
3. Friday morning, December 16th, 7 AM, the Yahrzeit of Rosalie Millman, Joel is requesting your assurance for the minyan PLEASE, DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL RESPOND AND COME HELP OUT – YOUR HELP IS REALLY NEEDED

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
PARASHAT VAYISHLAKH
December 10, 2011 – 14 Kislev 5772
Annual: Genesis 37:1-40:23 (Etz Hayim p. 226; Hertz p. 141)
Triennial: Genesis 38:1-38:30 (Etz Hayim p. 233; Hertz p. 145)
Haftarah: Amos 2:6 – 3:8 (Etz Hayim p. 247; Hertz p. 152)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
Summary
Jacob shows marked favoritism toward his beloved son Joseph, provoking his other sons’ bitter resentment. Joseph compounds their hatred for him with his habit of reporting unfavorably on them to their father. Jacob presents Joseph with a “coat of many colors.” Joseph describes his dreams to his brothers: their sheaves of grain bowing to his; the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him. The brothers’ disdain for their privileged and ambitious brother is inflamed further. Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers, who are pasturing flocks at Shechem. As Joseph approaches they conspire to kill him, but at Reuben’s behest they modify their plan, agreeing to throw him into a pit instead. Reuben intends to return to the pit to rescue him.
Before he can help Joseph escape, however, the brothers modify the conspiracy further. They sell him to a caravan of traders, variously identified as Ishmaelites and Midianites, and the traders sell him into Egyptian slavery. To conceal their crime, the brothers dip the tunic, the symbol of Joseph’s favored status, in animal blood, and show it to Jacob as evidence of his beloved son’s death. Jacob mourns Joseph’s violent end: “A savage beast has devoured him!” In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chief steward. The Joseph narrative is interrupted by the story of Judah and Tamar. Judah’s son, Er, dies after displeasing God through an unspecified offense. Judah instructs a second son, Onan, to enter into a levirate marriage with his widowed sister-in-law, Tamar. Under this arrangement, Onan’s children by Tamar would be counted as Er’s offspring. Onan impedes conception of an heir to his brother, giving rise to the term “onanism.” Onan also dies for his sin. Judah procrastinates in arranging a union between Tamar and his youngest son, Shelah, fearing for Shelah’s life. Some time later, Judah is widowed. He travels to Timnah, where Tamar contrives to meet him. Disguised as a prostitute, and veiled to conceal her identity, Tamar arranges a liaison with her father-in-law, and Judah leaves a staff and signet with her as promise of payment. Tamar, still incognito, disappears with Judah’s collateral before being paid, and she conceives Judah’s twins. When her pregnancy becomes apparent, Judah assumes she has had an illicit affair and orders her killed. When she produces his staff and signet, he understands that he has been duped into a levirate marriage of sorts: “She is more righteous than I!” Perez and Zerah are born of their union.
The narrative returns to Egypt, where Joseph rises to high position as major domo in Potiphar’s household. Joseph repeatedly repels sexual advances by Potiphar’s wife, who claims Joseph has assaulted her, showing a garment she seized from him as evidence. (This claim is a striking parallel to the false evidence used by Joseph’s brothers to document his alleged death.) Joseph is imprisoned by a furious Potiphar. In prison, Joseph interprets dreams for the imprisoned royal cupbearer and baker. He accurately foretells their restoration to office and execution, respectively – fates meted out at a celebration of Pharaoh’s birthday – but despite Joseph’s pleas for his intervention and advocacy, the cupbearer, restored to his position, forgets Joseph’s cause.
Halachah L’Maaseh – Practical Legal Aspects
While the period of mourning for close relatives (sibling, spouse, child) normally is 30 days, we mourn for a parent for a full 12 months (Talmud Moed Katan 22B, Gesher Ha-Chayim 1:249), reciting Mourner’s Kaddish through the eleventh month (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 376:4). It is appropriate to offer formal condolences to someone bereaved of a parent throughout the year of mourning (Yoreh Deah 385:2). Rabbi Beryl Wein explains that we officially mourn for a parent longer than for a child not because grief at the death of a child is less intense – quite the contrary. At the death of a parent, we may be tempted to rationalize, to accept the loss as an expected part of life inherent in the natural order. Mourning for a full year is intended to assure that we do not minimalize or dismiss the loss. No such danger attends the tragedy of a child’s death: no parent would or could minimalize or dismiss such an event as “natural.” The longer mourning period is not required under such tragic circumstances because like Jacob the bereaved parent will fully and intensely grieve as a matter of course, as a result of her or his emotional devastation. “Parents expect to see their children grow and mature. Ultimately, parents expect to die and leave their children behind. The death of a child signifies the loss of the future, of hopes and dreams, of new strength, and of perfection” (see Arnold & Gemma, above). May we see Scripture fulfilled: “God will swallow up death forever; and the Lord will wipe away tears from every face.” (Isaiah 25:8)

Your thoughts as always are welcome…

REMINDERS:

A. Sunday, December 11:
1. 9 AM:
a. Religious School
b. Morning Minyan
2. 7:45 PM: evening minyan

B. Thursday, December 15th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
C. Friday, December 16th
1. 6:30 PM: Kids’ Kabbalat Shabbat Program
2. 8 PM: Shabbat Services

D. Sunday, December 18th, 7 PM: Step Up for Israel Film/Discussion #4 of 5
E. Tuesday, December 20th, 5:45 PM: Temple Hanukkiah Lighting Ceremony followed by Hasmonean Hotdog Feast
F. Morning Minyan times for Hanukkah: 6:45 AM on 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27 & 12/28

NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. Currently exploring departure dates for the end of June, 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN MANY RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING…)

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/

You can also visit my website at http://ridinrebbe.com/

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