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Okay, everyone! Most of the time spent in rabbinical school is devoted to learning the Torah, parsing its every word as it is interpreted and expounded in the Talmud and other great works. Dancing is most certainly not part of the curriculum. 
Yet once a year we close the books, pick up the Torah scroll and dance with it. The Previous Rebbe famously pointed out that the scroll we dance with is rolled tightly shut and covered in its mantle of velvet. On Simchat Torah, the most accomplished scholar and the freshest of neophytes are the same. The Torah is our gift from G-d, and we will revel in that special relationship. I’ll see you on the dance floor! |
| Volume 17 Number 3, 19th of Tishrei 5776, October 2 '15 | |
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Chabad Weekly Update - Simchat Torah Edition
Sukkot – The Time of Our Joy!
Kiddush this Shabbos
This week’s Kiddush is being sponsored by the Alter Family in honor of Aaron’s father’s, Menachem Dovid ben Shmuel (Milton Alter), Yarzeit. The Kiddush/luncheons on Sukkot are again being sponsored by the Alter Family. Everyone is invited to join us for this beautiful weekly gathering! If you have not sponsored a Kiddush for a while and/or if you have a birthday, anniversary, or perhaps a Yarzeit you wish to mark, please respond to this message. Kiddush sponsorship begins at $180. A Thought from the Rabbi The joy of the Sukkot holiday is energizing and intoxicating. Yet, amazingly enough, it is not the fullest joy we experience. That only comes following a week of fulfilling the special Mitzvot (commandments) of the holiday. We have shaken the Lulav and Etrog daily (other than Shabbat). We have dwelled in our Sukkot by eating, drinking, learning, and just hanging out together. But our joyousness doesn’t reach a crescendo until we come to the latter part of the holiday, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Imagine yourself climbing a mountain. Your climb began on Rosh Hashanah and you reached a very high plateau on Yom Kippur. However, you are not satisfied and cannot be satisfied until you have summited the mountain – reached the apex, the top. Once you have reached the top you will feel a euphoric joy as you are able to survey all of that surrounds you. In fact, you will have a ‘bird’s-eye’ view and this new perspective will help you realize just what is really important and what isn’t. From this lofty perch you will be able to discern all of the blessings in your life, which will in turn help you maintain your vaunted position. That highest height is the purest form of joy. It is a joy born of no exterior factors whatsoever, instead it is ‘homemade’ in the most profound interpretation of the word. It is based upon your connection to your Creator, your loving Father in Heaven. And so, once you have come to appreciate His greatness and how that reflects itself in you, you dance! It is a dance of pure, unadulterated happiness. Your partner is the Almightly Himself, as it were.
And that is the dance that we engage in on the holidays of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. It is certainly a dance none of us can afford to miss! You are invited/encouraged to join us at the dance of the year this coming Monday night. Don’t forget to bring your full heart (and your best dancing shoes, as this dance is about the ‘sole’, make that the ‘soul’)! Sukkot Schedule ‘15 Sukkot Shabbat, 10/3 – Shabbat Intermediate Day Services: 10am Sunday, 10/4 – Hoshanah Rabbah Services: 10am Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah Schedule Sunday, 10/4 – Shmini Atzeret Services: 6pm Monday, 10/5 – Shmini Atzeret Services: 10am Monday, 10/5 – Yizkor Memorial Services: 11:30am Monday, 10/5 – Simchat Torah Services & Banquet: 6pm Tuesday, 10/6 – Simchat Torah Services: 10am Tuesday, 10/6 – Simchat Torah Conclude Torah: 12pm Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah The High Holiday season comes to a climactic end with the duel holidays of Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. It is a time of limitless joy as we celebrate our favorable judgment from the Almighty. This type of happiness can only be celebrated in a community setting. The highlights of the holidays include completing the annual cycle of reading the Torah and dancing with the Torah (called Hakafot). Our community has a beautiful custom to share a lavish holiday banquet together on the night of Simchat Torah, to which everyone is invited. This annual event is sponsored by Elias and Rachel Perez. There are no words to adequately describe the joyous atmosphere, as we share this wonderful time together. This year’s grand Simchat Torah Celebration will take place on Monday, October 5th at 6pm. Everyone is invited to join. There is no cost to participate; all one must bring is a smile! Special Minyan Needed
Please be advised that we need a special Yarzeit Minyan on Thursday, October 8th at 5:45pm. The Minyan will take approximately 30 minutes. If you can help with this great Mitzvah so Kaddish may be recited please respond to this message.
French Gourmet Cooking Class Part II
We are excited to announce that Franck Riffaud, Executive Pastry Chef at the Park Hyatt Aviara, a five-star resort hotel, will be offering another class to our community. The next class, titled “Everything Chocolate,” will take place at 7:30pm on Monday, October 12th in Chabad at La Costa. Each participant will receive the recipes as well as learn, in a step-by-step manner how to make the scrumptious creations. Participants will get to not only sample some of the delicious recipes but take some delicacies home! In order to insure maximum benefit to the students we are limiting enrollment to the first 12 people to respond. Please bear in mind that the last two classes were completely full and had to be closed. The cost of this class is $54. Only paid reservations will be considered confirmed. To reserve a place send an email to [email protected]. “There are two kinds of pastry chefs; the artist who creates elaborate dishes that are almost like sculptures and the passionate,” said Riffaud. “I fall into the latter category.”
New Membership Year: Time to Sign Up
Please note that our membership year ended on June 30th. If you made the commitment to be a member in the past year but have not yet paid your membership dues please come current immediately. You may contact the office to find out the status of your account or write to [email protected] Also, please note that the Chabad at La Costa Membership year began on July 1st. We are asking that all of our friends and supporters fill out and return the enclosed Membership Application Form as soon as possible. We rely on Membership as the single most important source of revenue for our Jewish Center. If our shul has helped you or if you believe in what we are doing, please “make it official,” and become a Member. Remember, “Membership has its privileges!” Those who are already Members please accept are most sincere appreciation, and please send in your forms. Hebrew School THIS Sunday Sukkah Hop Special Event!
Give your children the Jewish education that they deserve! Our Sunday Hebrew School offers lots of hands-on activities and positive reinforcement. Students learn Hebrew language skills, Jewish living and observance, Jewish history, and so much more! We include arts & crafts, field trips, and holiday programming to make their experience even more enjoyable. Your child will have fun as he or she gains an appreciation for the ‘why’s and ‘how’s of Judaism. Our students want to be here! Weekly Class Schedule Daily: Code of Jewish Law with Rabbi E – Following Minyan Shabbat: During Mincha – Women’s Issues with the Rebbetzin Cancelled - Tuesday: Chasidic Philosophy with Rabbi Eilfort – 7:30pm. Cancelled - Wednesday: Torah Portion of the Week – 7:30pm. Special Wishes HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes go out to Chaya Rochel Israel, Naomi Judith, Evelyn Lueker, Marita Coplan, and Jeff Stier! May Roz Mintz and Mel Bridge be blessed with a full and complete recovery! We remember Rudolph Falkinstein and Albert Walden on their Yarzeit. ### Building Dedication to be Held December 13th (Last light of Chanukah)
Dinner Committee Announced We are pleased to announce the members of the Dedication Dinner Committee. Rabbi Eilfort and Brenda Joseph are co-chairs. Others on the committee are Rebbetzin Eilfort, Naomi Alter, Arlene Fogel, Beverly Galperin, Channah Hale, Sheila Lebovitz, Edon Moyal, Lerut Moyal, Yehuda Moyal, Marianne Rack, Rusty Rack, and Jon Rozansky. The Dedication Dinner will be serving three purposes; 1. To formally dedicate the new building. 2. To honor those who made the new building possible. 3. To raise funds so that the new building can be fully utilized. During the first meeting the group formed sub committees including Advertising, Auction, Catering, Décor, Entertainment, Invitation, and Utility. The group also discussed looking for valuable new gifts for the auction, and has already started making inquiries. Everyone’s help is needed in this regard so if you have or can sponsor hotel/time-share getaways, tickets to sporting events or entertainment events, beauty/health products or experiences, jewelry, or electronics please respond to this message. It will be a great Mitzvah and deeply appreciated! Need a Minyan? If you need a Minyan to say Kaddish please give the office at least a few days notice. We are happy to provide this important service, but it takes time to arrange enough participants to assure the quorum is present. Please email [email protected] your request. Learn the Code of Jewish Law with Rabbi Eilfort A daily class in practical Jewish Law is held immediately following the Minyan taught by Rabbi Eilfort. Using the Code of Jewish Law, known in Hebrew as the Shulchan Aruch, participants are able to discuss the laws while learning about the ongoing opportunities one has to serve the Almighty on a moment-by-moment basis. The class begins at about 8:50am and lasts for about 20 minutes. There is no charge to attend. Memorial Plaques & Tree of Life Plaques Available Our beautiful Memorial Boards have been installed. We specifically designed our custom-built bookcases to ‘frame’ each of the boards. The first Memorial Board was dedicated by the Brunelle Family and the new Board was dedicated by the Alter Family. We are currently offering Memorial Plaques to those who wish to perpetually honor the memory of a loved one in a most dignified and permanent manner. Those who dedicate Memorial Plaques will also receive yearly reminders of the Yarzeit and the light on the Board will be illuminated each year on the Yarzeit. We also have a gorgeous Tree of Life dedicated by the Lieberman Family that will shortly be going up. The purpose of the plaques on the Tree of Life is to commemorate joyous occasions (like Bar/Bat Mitzvah, anniversaries, special birthdays, weddings etc.). The donation is only $360 per plaque for either the Memorial Board or the Tree of Life. Those who wish to participate should send an email to [email protected], or call Rabbi Eilfort at 760-943-8891. Cell Phones & Chatting During Services
Needless to say the sanctuary on Shabbat or holidays is a place that must be conducive to reflective prayers and serenity. To help keep it this way, please refrain from engaging in any conversations during services and please do not bring in your cell phone. Thank you for your cooperation. Shul Etiquette Those who join us regularly for Shabbat services will agree that we have something very special going. The family-friendly atmosphere is unique and most inviting. We welcome everyone as though he/she is a long time member of the family. At the same time it is important to remember that we are a synagogue. Our sanctuary is meant to be a place where it is conducive to finding inner peace and tranquility. That is why the Rabbis have many laws concerning the decorum of a shul. It is appropriate to dress modestly and to dress somewhat formally in shul. Men should wear button down shirts, slacks (no jeans or shorts), with jackets and even ties when possible. Of course the head is to be kept covered at all times. Women should wear skirts that go past the knees and blouses with high neck lines and sleeves that cover the elbows. Married women should wear hats and the like. Children must be supervised at all times by the parents except during Junior Congregation (11:30am). While we want the children to have a great time together it is also important that they do not become so wild and/or boisterous that they disturb those of us who are participating in the services. We must remember that we should walk to shul and never park in the parking lot if there already eight cars parked. Finally, and we fully realize this goes against Jewish DNA, it is appropriate to come to shul ON TIME. While we know everyone is vying to be counted as the 10th, we are equally sure Hashem will give extra credit to those who come ON TIME at 10am (not to be confused with 11:30). We look forward to seeing you here! Please Patronize Our Sponsors Your Chabad Real Estate Agent & Mortgage Broker Jonathan Rozansky is a licensed realtor and mortgage professional. Whether you are Selling, Buying or Refinancing your home, do not proceed without calling Jonathan Rozansky first. Jonathan will look out for your best interest and can answer all your real estate and financing questions. Call for a free market analysis report today. Jonathan Rozansky Direct (619) 392-1234 DRE. # 01754457 NMLS ID : 315987 Ron Lewis Insurance Services 760.525.5769 / [email protected] Specializing in Medicare Supplements, Long-term care (LTC) plans, Individual health plans, Dental, and Term life insurance. Need health or life insurance or know someone who does? If so, please visit http://InsuranceProductQuotes.com and get plan and rate comparisons INSTANTLY from the major insurance carriers in California and Washington. Apply directly online or call for more information. There is no charge for this service! Interested in having long-term care insurance WITHOUT purchasing an expensive LTC insurance plan? Watch this 10 minute video: http://www.westlandinc.com/downloads/10MinMG/player.html Neal Sperling Business Development Highly talented, highly experienced business development/marketing consultant to wide range of businesses and non-profits can help you to find innovative new ways to raise money, launch, brand, market, sell, merchandise, and promote your products, services, and organization. Has written and improved wide variety of business plans, marketing plans, obtained major grants/new funding for a wide variety of ventures. Has unique ability to study most any business, quickly and creatively identify new sources of potential revenue, reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and drive more sales in the quickest time frames. Recognized expert on how to drive new sales via the internet. Acclaimed speaker to Southern California business groups, and particularly known for being a great “connector” with ability to introduce you to a wide variety of hard-to-reach decision-makers in various fields. Strong background in consumer products, medical products, high tech, "clean tech," "green" products, non-profits, much more. Call for details: cell: 818-219-9585. Dream Home Cinema *Family Room Surround *Wholesale House Audio *Home Automation Joseph Markowitz: 760-415-8742 Energy, Health, Weight Loss I help people get resultswith having more energy, losing weightand improving their health with safe, natural, guaranteed kosher products along with free coaching. Leah/Linda Buckner 760-63+5-3405. 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. Cost Effective Advertising Available HERE 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 |
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