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“Happy New Year,” sings the lady behind the checkout. “Happy New Year,” chime in the people on the radio, the nice fellow jogging by my house, and just about every other person I met this week. When I hear this, I think to myself: this is what the world is going to sound like in the days before Rosh Hashanah when Moshiach comes. Everyone will recognize that G-d is King, and that it is He who decides what the coming year will bring for them on Rosh Hashanah. “Leshanah Tovah” (“Happy New Year”), everyone will wish each other then. So when I return the wishes offered, I think: May this year indeed be a happy one for you. Not just because of the parties you attended or because of the nice bonus you got from work, but because G-d will have granted you another precious year in which to serve Him and make His world a better place. Happy New Year!
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| Volume 17 Number 16, 20th of Tevet 5776, January 1 '16 | |
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Chabad Weekly Update
This week’s Kiddush is being co-sponsored by Sheila Lebovitz in honor of Isadore Stern’s (Yitzchak ben Shlomo) Yarzeit, and by the Alter Family in honor of Sam and Meghan who are visiting. Everyone is invited to join us for this beautiful weekly gathering! Kiddush Sponsors Needed 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 Happy New Year! Wait a minute. This is not the Jewish New Year, which is marked on Rosh Hashanah, it is the secular New Year, so why do we even acknowledge it as a special day at all? And to strengthen the question we can compare and contrast how the two New Years are generally observed. Let’s begin with Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a day spent in deep thought and meditation. It is an extremely serious time when we are judged for the coming year. As the Machzor (holiday prayer book) states, “Who will live and who will die?” It is a time when we try to extract a year’s worth of spiritual inspiration out of a 48-hour period. Now let’s examine the secular New Year. For many it is a time of wild parties, often times involving public drunkenness, and sometimes devolving into raunchy debauchery. Many wake up January 1st not remembering what happened the night before, and thankful for the blackout! However, there is a redeeming quality associated with the secular New Year (and no, I am not alluding to the college bowl games or the Rose Parade – though many consider those outstandingly great). It generally is a time when almost everyone makes positive resolutions for the New Year. Don’t believe me? Go and check out your local gym to view positive resolutions at work. And so, my dear friends, I wish all of you a very happy New Year! May this year be a year of not only positive resolutions but positive results from the positive resolutions! Let us all resolve to make this year a year of peace, happiness, good deeds, Torah study, and pulling together to bring our Righteous Moshiach NOW! Upcoming JLI Course: “The Jewish Course of Why”
Chabad at La Costa is a proud part of the world-wide Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), which has become known as the preeminent Jewish Adult Education provider. There are hundreds of JLI chapters around the world, all of which study the same course at the same time. The next scheduled six-part course, “The Jewish Course of Why,” is particularly intriguing as it will answer some of the most important practical questions regarding Judaism. Some of the questions included are: “Why are there no more miracles of Biblical proportions?” “Why doesn’t G-d respond to my requests?” “Why is slavery sanctioned in the Torah?” Why do we place pebbles on a headstone?” “Why are Jews singled out for persecution?” And everyone’s favorite, “Why do we say Mazel Tov and L’Chaim?” This promises to be a fun and dynamic learning experience with rational insights into the most intriguing aspects of Judaism. This is everyone’s opportunity to expand his/her Jewish knowledge in an open and safe environment where questions and discussions are not only tolerated, they are encouraged! “The Jewish Course of Why” begins Tuesday, February 9th at 7pm and continues for six Tuesdays. The cost to attend is $100, which includes the text book. However, if two sign up together the total is $150 including the two books. To take advantage of this saving both must sign up at the same time. For further information log onto www.myjli.com, or visit our website; www.ChabadatLaCosta.com. Southern- Style Friday Night Dinner & Community Board Games
Tu BiShvat Seder for Women in Lieu of Doris Markus Rosh Chodesh Gathering When the sin of the Golden Calf occurred the women realized the gravity of the error and stayed away from being involved. Because of this wisdom it has become a custom for women to join together for a special event each month – on Rosh Chodesh (the Jewish new month). Each month different events are scheduled that are both educational and entertaining. This month’s event will take place on Sunday, January 24th at 7pm, which is actually Tu BiShvat, considered the New Year for Trees. We hold a Seder, a special meal where delicious fruit is served and blessings recited. Contact Rebbetzin Nechama for further information at [email protected]. Ladies, be sure to come and bring your friends! Ladies, please mark your calendars now for next month’s Rosh Chodesh event – wine and cheese tasting! That will take place on Monday, February 8th at 7pm at the shul. Weekly Class Schedule Daily: Code of Jewish Law with Rabbi E – Following Minyan Shabbat: During Mincha – Women’s Issues with the Rebbetzin Monday: Caffeine for the Soul – A Class for Women @ Target, Encinitas – 12pm Cancelled - Tuesday: Jewish Mysticism – 7:30pm Wednesday: Torah Portion of the Week – 7:30pm. Special Wishes HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes go out to Elia Eilfort, Chana Levy, Chaim Israel, Joan Markovitz and all of those celebrating their birthdays this week! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY wishes go out to all of those celebrating their anniversaries this week! We remember Isadore Stern and all those observing Yarzeit this week. May Roz Mintz and Mel Bridge be blessed with a full and complete recovery! ### Hebrew School 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! 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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Kiddush this Shabbos