We are Open for Services Tomorrow!!
Services are Inside OR Outside This Week! It is YOUR Choice!
Due to the updated guidelines issued by the Governor’s office and with the agreement from Rabbinic authorities we will be offering services this Shabbos INSIDE of the sanctuary AND outside in the breezeway. We will be keeping our occupancy at 25% of capacity inside – so please, if you wish to join us, respond to this email. Those who wish to sit in the breezeway for services are welcome to do so.
Please note that we have invested heavily so as to be able to open up safely and comfortably. In fact, we are exceeding the protocols called for by the governmental agencies. You might say that, “We answer to a Higher Authority.”
We have newly installed shade ‘sails’ over our patios enabling us to offer more covered seating outside. A sincere thank you to Jon and Julie Rozansky for sponsoring the sails!
We have also bought partitions so that the Torah reader is divided from the person called to the Torah for an Aliyah. Air purifiers / HEPA filters have also been bought. Masks are available for those attending services, which must be worn at all times while on campus, as well as gloves for those who wish to wear them.
All of these measures taken together with the procedures already established, which include the use of hand sanitizer and handwashing regularly, sanitized prayers books, sanitized restrooms and surfaces etc., will produce a safe experience. With that being said we remind everyone that those who have been exposed to anyone with the virus within the last 14 days, those with symptoms, or those whose doctors advise them not to participate, should not, under any circumstances, come to shul. But rather should pray at home.
If you plan on joining us on Shabbos please let us know by responding to this message.
Working Car (still) Needed
We are currently seeking a car in good mechanical condition. If you, or someone you know, has a car that you can donate please respond to this message. This request is time sensitive. Thank you in advance!
Weekly Sermon Friday @ 5pm on Facebook Live
Join Rabbi Eilfort this afternoon at 5pm as he gives his weekly sermon as a Facebook Live event. If you have not already done so, please send Rabbi Eilfort (Yeruchem Eilfort) a Friend Request on Facebook!
Naming Ceremony THIS Shabbos – Mazel Tov!
Mazel tov to our own Angela Chapman, one of our wonderful volunteers, who has decided it is time to get a Hebrew name! We will say a special blessing over the Torah on Shabbos in Angela’s honor, at which time her Hebrew name will be given. This is an extremely joyous occasion to which you are invited!
Special Selichot Services Saturday Night (Actually, Sunday EARLY Morning) at 12:15am
The week before Rosh Hashanah we recite special prayers asking G-d for His forgiveness. These prayers are called Selichot. Our custom is to recite these prayers at the earliest possible moment, which is just after midnight on the Saturday night / Sunday morning before Rosh Hashanah.
Pre Holiday Cantorial Concert THIS Sunday Featuring World Famous Dudu Fisher
Are you ready to get into the mood for the High Holidays? Join us on Sunday, September 13th at 5pm for a special online concert with world famous Broadway star and cantorial soloist Dudu Fisher! Simply log onto www.PreHighHolidayConcert.com and you will enjoy the inspiring and gorgeous melodies associated with this holy time of year. This will be a LIVE broadcast specially for our community and other Chabad communities throughout San Diego County! Our own Rabbi Eilfort will be introducing part of the program.
There is NO CHARGE to attend, though donations to the shul, which is cosponsoring the event, are GREATLY appreciated! Donations can be made securely online by following this link: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/donate.
We hope to see YOU!
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER - Tuition Free Hebrew School
Due to the economic hardships created by the pandemic we will be offering Tuition Free Hebrew School this year. Families are struggling to make ends meet, but we cannot allow the children to suffer. We are offering two options – In-person learning (outdoor and indoor classes, socially distant, masks on), and virtual learning. Please respond to this message for further information. We are the only synagogue in the county making such an offer! Morah Chaya has worked diligently to create an amazing curriculum that will educate and inspire our students. Our teachers will always offer lots of positive reinforcement to the students so that they will not only learn, but they will ENJOY the EXPERIENCE! Please get back to us and let your friends know.
Rosh Hashanah Gift Bags – Volunteers Needed
Thanks to some very generous sponsors we are sending out gorgeous Rosh Hashanah gift bags. These will be delivered over the next several days. They include delicious honey cake, challahs, and Israeli honey. In addition there will be High Holiday guides, A Yizkor Memorial booklet, a Holiday Prayer Book for children, tea lights, and other brochures about upcoming programming. If you would like a gift bag please let us know (we don’t read minds).
If you are available to help pack the gift bags or deliver them please let us know right away! We will be having a Packing Party on Sunday at 10am.
We would like to thank our sponsors including Ilyse Loven, Angela Chapman, and Larry Gelberg for their generosity! Additional sponsors are still welcome: Donations can be made securely online by following this link: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/donate.
In-person High Holidays Services Planned – Please Reserve TODAY – VERY Limited Seating Available
Our High Holiday plans have been formulated. We will be sending out a form and brochure with all of the details in the near future. Please make sure to save the dates. As of now our plan is to hold services indoors and outdoors as per current governmental mandates. To make your reservations now follow this link: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/hhrsvp.
Be prepared for a different looking High Holiday experience. We know that masks are not fun. We also understand that up-tempo services are not what we are used to, especially on the High Holidays. But we also know that Judaism teaches us that the sanctity of life takes precedence over all other considerations.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented situation. We remain steadfastly committed to serving our community and doing so in a safe and secure manner.
If there is a program or if there is something that you need please do not hesitate to contact us!
Catered Meals Available
Sadly we are not able to offer community meals at shul this year. However, we are pleased to be able to offer delicious Rosh Hashanah meals to go. The menu includes beef brisket or honey glazed turkey breast, gefilte fish, homemade challah, tzimmis (sweet carrot salad), and much more. The cost is $65 per adult and $30 per child. Orders must be received by Sunday, September 13th.
Sponsored Lulavim & Esrogim
Rabbi and Mrs. Yeruchem and Nechama Eilfort, Rabbi and Mrs. Elia and Chaya Eilfort, together with Rabbi and Mrs. Rodal, and Esrogino will be sponsoring a Lulav and Esrog set for all members who want one. All you have to do is respond to this message and we will order one for you. It has been a difficult year, but people should not miss out on the beautiful Mitzvah of taking the Four Species for the Holiday of Sukkot. We particularly want to acknowledge Esrogino for working with us on this ambitious project! Check out Esrogino’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Esrogino/.
Additional sponsors are welcome and encouraged to participate. The estimated cost is $1800. Donations can be made securely online by following this link: www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/donate.
Membership – Will You Commit?
Dear Friends,
So far the year 2020 has been filled with opportunities. We have been presented with the opportunity to test ourselves as our country and our world has faced the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic. I know that I never thought that I would live in such times, and bet many of you feel the same. The health and wellbeing of each and every one of us has been severely threatened, the economy has undergone a tremendous shock, and a massive strain has been placed on our relationships and this community.
I learned in Yeshiva that tests are indeed opportunities, strange as that may sound. In Hebrew the same word for test, “Nisayon” is the root of the word for miracle, “Nes.” A Nes/miracle is when G-d suspends the rules of nature so as to reveal Himself in a supernatural way. Its root is to raise up. Therefore a test is an opportunity to raise ourselves up to a level otherwise inaccessible to us.
Our community, our beloved Chabad at La Costa, has not been immune to these opportunities. We have striven to rise to the occasion, and because of YOU we have risen to the occasion!
G-d bless all of you who have been instrumental in keeping us going. G-d bless those of you who despite (or perhaps because of) the coronavirus have stepped forward, dug deep, and made meaningful and ongoing contributions to our community.
What have your donations accomplished?
Your donations have fed many people spiritually and physically. Our lights are still on, spiritually and physically. We continue to be here for our community spiritually and physically. Our expenses have not decreased because of the pause in services. In fact, they have increased. Not only have many of our streams of income ceased (like catering and our barbecues, and Aliyah donations, and Hebrew school tuitions) but our expenses have increased as we continue to help people who face financial and spiritual crises. We are teaching more Torah, making more phone calls, counseling more people, and touching the lives of people in meaningful ways.
We therefore turn to you with the following requests: if you need help, let us know! We will do our utmost to help. If you can help others, let us know! If you can find your way to make a monthly contribution to our joint endeavor please demonstrate your commitment by becoming a member now.
We are asking all of those who can – please make a monthly financial commitment to us, to the Jewish community of this area, so that we can continue to serve the Jewish community of this area. We have always been and must always be self-supportive. That means we need you to step forward at this time of great opportunity!
Despite our increased budget we are not increasing our membership rates. Please note that our membership rates are lower than other communities’. It is not that we offer less. In fact, we offer more than we ever have. Those who can afford it and want to give more than the minimum are our heroes!
Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. I will send you this year’s membership form or you can fill it out online here. You can also securely donate immediately by following the link found below. You can choose to make your gift monthly, which is deeply appreciated!
G-d bless you and thank you so much for your friendship and support!
Rabbi Eilfort
Heartfelt Condolences
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Hughes family upon the passing of Clara Hughes last night. Peter and Clara were members of our synagogue and moved back East some years ago. Clara’s son is Dan and daughter is Deborah. Condolences can be emailed to Dan at [email protected].
May the Almighty comfort the family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Article of the Week
Living with the Times
Nitzavim/Va’Yailech – (You are) Standing/And When You Go
By: Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
This week we read the double portions of Nitzavim and Va’Yailech, which translate as (You are) “Standing” and, “And When You Go.” This portion is always read immediately preceding Rosh Hashanah, the New Year. When we read the beginning of the portion it is readily understood, as it talks about the totality of the Jewish people, listed by category and what may be considered a hierarchy, standing together.
There is a story in the Talmud where a great sage’s son was deathly ill. A huge prayer vigil was established and, thank G-d, the situation improved. Upon regaining his health the Rabbi asked his son what he had seen, “on the other side”? The reply was astonishing. “Everything was upside down!”
What does that mean, our sages ask? It means that those who are viewed as the top of the heap are not necessarily so in the World of Truth. A person may engage in manual, even menial labor in this world. He may be very poor. But because one is poor in material wealth does not mean that he is poor in spiritual wealth. In fact, this world is upside down. In this crass material world our values are confused. We hold as precious things that are not precious and we, G-d forbid, undervalue or neglect to value altogether those things that truly are precious.
It is something that as a rabbi, I see with great regularity. I see people push their children to achieve scholastic greatness in their secular studies while completely (or almost completely) ignoring their Jewish studies. It is true! A good secular education could well lead to a very productive and enriching life. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, and CEOs all make a good living. But what is the point of making a good living if one doesn’t know the point of life?! What if one is a very successful professional but is not a decent human being? What if one makes tons of money but doesn’t give a dime to Tzedakah?
We live in a society that honors those who can run fast, jump high, sing beautifully, and are good at acting out parts. Are these Jewish ideals? No, they are not. In Judaism we honor those who devote themselves to the service of G-d and the service of our fellow human beings, irrespective of which tax bracket they may be in.
It is wholly appropriate and important for us to remember that the world is upside down. Now is the time to set our values, morals, and ethics on the path of the Almighty! This is the time when the alarm clock is ringing (no more hitting the snooze button), as we will be standing before the King of Kings next week, beseeching the Almighty for good health, nachas from our children, a good marriage, a healthy income, a vibrant community, and peace for ourselves and all humankind. We need to show up in the right frame of mind – certainly with our moral compass pointing in the correct direction. May G-d bless our efforts with the ultimate blessing; the immediate arrival of our righteous Moshiach!
So let us stand together (Nitzavim), and once we do and recognize the essential nature of each of us, go (Va’Yailech)! Now we are ready to move forward into a blessed New Year.
Wishing everyone an uplifting, joyous, and HEALTHY Shabbos!
Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at [email protected].
Chicken Soup & Challah
We are extraordinarily proud of the fact that we have provided chicken soup and challah from the beginning of the pandemic. During this time we have distributed thousands of challahs and servings of soup, at no cost, to our community and those in need. We have been able to do this due to the generosity of our sponsors (best in the world!) and our outstanding volunteers. Let’s face it; we are blessed to have such a beautiful community!
Chicken Soup, Challah Available THIS Week
Those who live near Chabad at La Costa are welcome to let us know if you want some delicious Challah and/or Chicken Soup delivered to you on Friday to help you celebrate Shabbat in the most delicious way possible.
Please note that all food is prepared and delivered using recommended safeguards.
Sponsors Appreciated (And Needed)
This week’s chicken soup and challos are sponsored by the Mintz family. THANK YOU!
These are extraordinary times. Many people are reaching out for help and, Baruch Hashem / thank G-d, we are HERE to help! ‘We’ means YOU and US, TOGETHER. It is an amazing partnership that we have!
We are extremely grateful to those who have reached out to help fund us, enabling us to serve others.
We would like to specifically acknowledge at this time:
Channah Hale for her generous sponsorship of the Challahs. Channah has been absolutely phenomenal in her generous sponsorships! We thank her for her kindness and love.
We are seeking additional sponsors for the following dedications:
Next week’s Loaves of Love.
Next week’s Chicken soup.
Next week’s Torah classes.
Note About Sponsorships
You may have noticed that we seek multiple sponsors for the Challah, Soup, and Torah classes. We do this because we need to find ways to cover our budgetary shortfall that has been caused by the coronavirus. The donations coming to the shul have been dramatically reduced. We greatly appreciate those of you who are still supporting us! G-d bless you! We greatly appreciate your understanding as we seek ways of propping up the income necessary to keep things afloat. Your ideas about additional income streams are likewise greatly appreciated!
Ways to Give
We would be nowhere without the generous support of our community. Please know that your support is profoundly appreciated!
There are many ways to donate besides for checks and cash. Following please find a list of the various other ‘platforms’ that are available for secure donations that go directly and entirely into the synagogue account.
1. PayPal [email protected] or PayPal.me/Neilfort
2. Venmo @Nechama-Eilfort
3. Cashapp $nechamae
4. Zelle (Bank of America) [email protected]
5. Personal credit card chabadatlacosta.com/donate
Easy Fundraising Opportunity
First, let us take this opportunity to thank all of those who have had Facebook Birthday Fundraisers for Chabad at La Costa! I cannot tell you how much Nechama & I appreciate it! The money we have received through these fundraisers has helped our shul continue with programming, delivering soup and challah as well as other activities.
Do you have a birthday coming up? We would be honored if you would consider making our shul the recipient of your birthday fundraiser. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to celebrate your birthday and do a wonderful Mitzvah at the same time? Thank you for your consideration and Happy Birthday!
Havdala Live with Rabbi Yossi
Join Rabbi Yossi Rodal on Facebook Live on Saturday night at 8:30pm for a meaningful Havdalah service. Following Havdalah Rabbi Yossi will share an uplifting Chasidic story as is traditional on Saturday night.
Haftarah Thought From: Chabad.org
Isaiah 61:10-63:9
This week's haftorah is the seventh and final installment of a series of seven "Haftarot of Consolation." These seven haftarot commence on the Shabbat following Tisha b'Av and continue until Rosh Hashanah.
The prophet begins on a high note, describing the great joy that we will experience with the Final Redemption, comparing it to the joy of a newly married couple.
Isaiah than declares his refusal to passively await the Redemption: "For Zion's sake I will not remain silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be still, until her righteousness emerges like shining light..." He implores the stones of Jerusalem not to be silent, day or night, until G‑d restores Jerusalem and establishes it in glory.
The haftorah then recounts G‑d's oath to eventually redeem Zion, when the Jews will praise G‑d in Jerusalem. The haftorah also contains a description of the punishment G‑d will mete out to Edom and the enemies of Israel.
Isaiah concludes with the famous statement:
"In all [Israel's] afflictions, He, too, is afflicted, and the angel of His presence redeemed them..."
Like a loving father who shares the pain of his child, G‑d, too, shares the pain of His people, and awaits the redemption along with them.
