This Shabbat has a special name, Shabbat Zachor (the Shabbat of Remembrance). At the end of the normal Torah reading we read an extra short paragraph about the infamous nation of Amalek and how it is a Mitzvah to obliterate their memory. As a reminder Amalek attacked the Jewish people after the triumphantly left Egypt. We read about this nefarious nation this Shabbat because the wicked Haman (villain of the Purim story), was a descendant of Amalek.
It is considered a very important commandment directly from the Torah to come to shul this Shabbat and listen to this Torah reading. We therefore urge everyone reading this to do just that (and bring your Jewish friends as well!)
G-d tells Moses to receive from the Children of Israel pure olive oil to feed the "everlasting flame" of the menorah, which Aaron is to kindle each day, "from evening till morning"...
Shabbat Begins
Friday, February 26th - Light Candles at 5:25pm
Shabbat Ends
Saturday, February 27th - Shabbat Ends at 6:21pm
Purim Schedule
Saturday Night, February 27 @ 7:00pm – Megillah Reading & Purim Masquerade Party (every child in costume gets a prize!) – 7:00pm. Graggers for all.
Sunday Morning, February 28 @ 8:30am – Morning Minyan with Megillah & Torah Reading (everyone welcome).
Sunday Afternoon, February 28 @ 4:00pm – Additional Megillah Reading (if you did not hear the Megillah in the morning listen to this reading in the afternoon).
Sunday Night, February 28 @ 5:00pm – GRAND PURIM BANQUET (Come in Costume!)
Purim Mitzvah
1. Machazis Hashekel (the Half Shekel Coin) - What You Do: Take the three half-dollar coins that are on the Bima in shul and put them down in the bowl. Do this three times. You must “redeem” the coins by giving at least the equivalent of their value to Tzedakah (place this in the bowl as well). Machatzis Hashekel is given to commemorate the thrice yearly gift given by every Jew to the Holy Temple. These monies were used for the construction of the Temple and for the daily sacrifices that were brought their in behalf of every Jew. Our Sages note that we give a Half Shekel to show that without one another we are all incomplete. We give it at any time from Erev Purim (the Fast of Esther) through Purim Day.
2. Megillas Esther (The Book of Esther) – It is a Mitzvah to listen to the Megillah reading twice during Purim, once at night and once during the day. During the reading it is critical to hear every word from the reader (who must read from a Kosher Megillah). If one misses even one word he/she has not completed. The more who attend a Megillah reading the better it is considered.
3. Matanos Li'evyonim (Gifts to the Poor) – Every person is required to give Tzedakah (Charity) to at least two different poor people are worthy institutions during Purim day. In fact, the Code of Jewish Law states that it is preferable to give extra charity even if that means one will give fewer food gifts (see next Mitzvah) or have a simpler banquet on Purim. We are taught that Tzedakah brings closer the redemption.
4. Shalach Manos (Food Gifts to Friends) – When the evil decree of Haman as turned into a joyous outcome for the Jews, they celebrated by sending food gifts to one another (they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat). We therefore have the Mitzvah to send at least two types of ready to eat Kosher food – like a fruit and a vegetable, to at least one friend. Men should give to men, and women should give to women.
5. Se'udas Purim (The Purim Feast) – To properly celebrate this great and joyous day we partake in a grand feast on Purim day in the afternoon. The more who participate, the better! There is a custom to say Lechaim during this meal. In fact, the Code of Jewish Law states that we should drink to the point of not being able to differentiate between the holy Mordechai and the evil Haman. However, we also know that if one drinks a little and goes to sleep he cannot differentiate between those two. Furthermore, one may not drink if it may lead to immoral or dangerous behavior (including drunk driving, G-d forbid). Underage drinking is certainly not condoned.
Purim Banquet - FULL
This year's Purim Banquet theme is "The Wild Wild West!" Yes indeed, we will be hosting a Hoe-Down featuring an all-you-can-eat, Tex/Mex, barbecue bonanza. We are hopeful that everyone will come in costume. Please note that if you ordered Shalach Manos for the entire shul list you are entitled to come to the Banquet at no additional charge. For the others we are sorry but the Purim Banquet is now completely full.
This year Shalom Sherman, "The Jewish Cowboy of Tokyo, Japan," will entertain. Shalom is a comedian and a musician – the perfect combination for Purim. He has been performing for years and is very popular all over Southern California.
Remember it is considered a Mitzvah to partake of a joyous meal on Purim. Likewise, it is a Mitzvah to send food gifts to your friends on Purim.
Purim Banquet Menu - THIS SUNDAY 5:00pm (Megillah Reading at 4:00pm) Green Salad with Dressing, Black Bean & Corn Salad, Cole Slaw | Corn Bread | Chili with Meat, Vegetarian Chili | Oven Roasted Potatoes | Hot Dogs, Burgers, Chicken, Skirt Steaks | Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Apple Pan Dowdy, Cookies
Make a Commitment to Our Twice Daily Minyan
During weekdays the Morning Minyan begins at 7:30am. On Sundays and secular holidays the Minyan starts at 8:30am. On Shabbat and Jewish Holidays the Minyan begins at 10am. Our evening Minyan begins at 7pm on Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays the evening Minyan begins at 5pm. On Saturdays it begins at 6:30pm. On Sundays it begins at 5:00pm.
We are asking all of our members to make a once or twice weekly (at least) commitment to the Minyan. Please contact Martin Fogel mbfogel007@gmail.com to sign-up.
Hebrew School Prepares for Purim
The Hebrew school has prepared for the Purim Holiday. There is so much to learn about this joyous holiday. Students learned about the special Mitzvot associated with Purim as they learned the story. Of course they also engaged in a project to help bring the holiday to life, as they baked Hamentashen. They also learned songs and made special Purim costumes.
The children in our Hebrew School want to be here. Contact Rabbi Shapiro at RabbiShapiro@Gmail.com for further information.
It's Circle Time at Reading Readiness!
Reading Readiness continues to grow (the class is almost full) with enthusiastic young scholars (ages 3 – 5) and their outstanding teacher (Morah Nechama). The children learn through song, arts-n-crafts, stories, and play. The LOVE it. Please contact Rabbi Shapiro, the Director of Education at RabbiShapiro@gmail.com for further information.
Kiddush Sponsor
This week's beautiful Kiddush is sponsored by Rabbi Michoel Shapiro.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to join us for a beautiful gathering.
If you would like to sponsor an upcoming Kiddush please call Rhonda or Naomi (Rhonda at 760-943-1726 or Naomi at 760-436-3687).
Weekly Class Schedule
Daily after Minyan – Daily Torah Portion with Rabbi Shapiro
Monday at 12:00pm - Lunch and Learn at the Place in San Diego (includes a free lunch)
Tuesday at 7:30pm – JLI Portraits in Leadership
Wednesday at 7:30pm – Torah Portion of the Week
Special Wishes
MAZEL TOV to Miriam Coplan, David Tobias, Daniel Reh, Runya Eilfort, Beverly Stier, and Sherri Sibiski on their Birthdays!
WE REMEMBER Howard Plant on his Yarzeit.
IMPORTANT - Re-Link Your Albertson's Community Partners Card
We have been advised by Albertsons that we must relink our Community Partners Cards to our Preferred Savings cards in order to continue receiving rebates from Albertsons to benefit the shul in 2009.
To do so log onto www.Albertsonscp.com. You will need your Preferred Savings Card Number (if you don’t know it call 877-932-7948) and our Organization ID#, which is 49000129207.
Thanks to all of you who have been using your Albertsons Community Partners Card at any Albertsons store. The shul has earned thousands of dollars in rebates from Albertsons, thus far! If you do not have a Community Partners Card please contact the shul immediately and we will get one out to you right away.
Parking Update
Please remember to avoid parking in the small lot below the shul, as they have said they will tow cars parked there. As an alternative parking option please be advised that the people in La Costa have said that the employee lot (at the bottom of the long driveway) is available for our members to use. They would rather have us park there than block the driveway.
FREE Life Insurance Benefits Shul - PLEASE ACT NOW
You read that correctly. We learned during the After-Life seminar of an available program that is only legal in California that offers participants free life insurance.
This is how it works: Participant calls Alan Green, a reputable insurance broker who is a friend of the shul. Alan signs the person up over the phone (it takes about 15 minutes). Alan arranges for free medical exam taken at participant’s home (takes about 30 minutes). Assuming the participant is insurable a new policy is written. The premium for the policy is paid for by Alan using his commission. The excess from the commission check is divided between Alan and the shul. The participant then has life insurance for about two years. When it comes time to renew the policy the participant may simply let it lapse (there is nothing wrong with allowing it to lapse – it does not affect ones credit score), or choose to keep the policy in force by paying the premium.
To summarize the participant gets free life insurance for about two years (naming anyone he/she likes as the beneficiary), and Chabad at La Costa gets part of the commission as a donation. It costs nothing and everyone wins.
Why do the insurance companies offer this program? They are betting that most people will keep the policy in force long enough for them to make some money but short enough to cancel it before they have to pay the benefits.
Please help the shul while helping yourself by calling Alan Green at 619-265-8181. Alan will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS
John Shirley for Your Home Improvement Needs
Many of the ongoing projects necessary to keep our facility up and running are completed by John Shirley. John has many years of experience in all areas of building. From dry-wall work to painting, from carpentry to plumbing John can help you get the job done right. Call John Shirley at 619-980-2706. Rabbi E gives John his highest recommendation!
Dream Home Cinema
*Family Room Surround
*Whole House Audio
*Home Automation
Joseph Markowitz Phone 760-415-8742
eMail joseph@dreamhomecinema.com
Websitewww.DreamHomeCinema.com
Face and Body Painting
My name is William Goldman. I am a talented artist with over twenty years of face painting experience. I can transform children or adults into wild tigers, beautiful princesses, deadly dragons, delicate butterflies. Use your imagination! Make your party special!
tigerwill58@yahoo.com - 760-672-3942
Energy, Health, Weight Loss
I help people get results with having more energy, losing weight and improving their health with safe, natural, guaranteed kosher products along with free coaching. Leah/Linda Buckner 760-635-3405. For free samples, including Power Breakfast, call me or fill out contact info at www.FeelGreatSamples.com. For Skin Care samples, www.MySkinCareSurvey.com. Your referrals are appreciated.
D-Tac (Defense Tactics)
D-TAC ( Defensive Tactics ) is dedicated to maximizing your defense skills and fitness shape. D-TAC uses a variety of the most current up-to-date defensive tactics and utilizes Israeli Tactical Krav Maga. This program stays ahead of the market with new, innovative concepts and programs that anticipate emerging threats.
"D-TAC is phenomenal! It offers a level of training not available anywhere else in the USA. Instructor Ray Reynaga has been a long time friend and fantastic teacher - I HIGHLY recommend him!" - Rabbi Michoel Shapiro, Certified Krav Maga/Haganah Instructor.
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Hundreds of people see Chabad at La Costa's Weekly Email Update. Those who are looking to effectively promote their business and at the same time support this important community resource are invited to become sponsors for only $50 per month (that's per MONTH, not per week). Call Rabbi Eilfort at 760-943-8891 to get your message out there.
D-TAC ( Defensive Tactics ) is dedicated to maximizing your defense skills and fitness shape. D-TAC uses a variety of the most current up-to-date defensive tactics and utilizes Israeli Tactical Krav Maga. This program stays ahead of the market with new, innovative concepts and programs that anticipate emerging threats.
"D-TAC is phenomenal! It offers a level of training not available anywhere else in the USA. Instructor Ray Reynaga has been a long time friend and fantastic teacher - I HIGHLY recommend him!" - Rabbi Michoel Shapiro, Certified Krav Maga/Haganah Instructor.
