|
There they were, a ragtag group of former slaves camped out somewhere in a vast desert. And what were they doing? Collecting gold and silver to construct a home for G-d. It was a transformational moment. Instead of being victims of fate, they were benefactors of the divine. Never again would they be enslaved in the same way. Sure, we Jews would have some terrible times during the millennia that followed. But even as our bodies were chained and beaten, our souls could not be enslaved. 
Because, somewhere inside, we knew that we were building a home for our creator. Yes, the process is rough and awfully painful, but we know that we are we are on a mission, and someday we will look back and laugh. May it be soon. |
| 3rd of Adar II 5776, February 12th '16 | |
 |
|
|
Chabad Weekly Update Yarzeit Minyan Needed A special Minyan is needed Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30pm, Wednesday February 17th at 8am and at 5:15pm. The Wednesday morning Minyan will be the toughest to make. If you can come to any/all of the Minyanim please respond to this message as soon as possible letting us know which Minay/Minyanim you can attend. As a reminder, it is a great Mitzvah to participate in the Minyan allowing Kaddish to be recited for a loved one. Please participate.
This week’s Kiddush is sponsored by Arnold Tubis in honor of his wife’s Yarzeit and his father’s Yarzeit (Chasiya bas Mordechai and Yosef ben Yisroel). May the merit of this Mitzvah cause their souls to ascend to a higher level of Heaven. Everyone is invited to join us for this beautiful weekly gathering! Kiddush Sponsorship 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. Upcoming JLI Course: “The Jewish Course of Why” Begins THIS Week!
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 16th 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. A Thought from the Rabbi This week’s thought is dedicated to the great Shliach (emissary of the Rebbe), Rabbi Yehoshua Binyamin Gordon, of blessed memory, who passed away this week. Rabbi Gordon, together with his many partners including Rabbi Mordechai Einbinder (may he live and be well), built a veritable Jewish empire in the San Fernando Valley. When Rabbi Gordon arrived there was very little in the way of an organized Jewish community. Today the San Fernando is flourishing with dozens of shuls, Jewish schools, Kosher restaurants, and a thriving and growing Jewish community. Not only has the number of observant Jews grown exponentially in that area, but the number of Jews observing Mitzvot has likewise grown exponentially. This phenomenon is a direct result of Rabbi Gordon and his team’s efforts. Their ability to accept their fellow Jews with love and understanding changed the Jewish landscape in a dramatic way. The amazing array of programs – perfect for bringing the relevance of Torah to those who maybe didn’t previously fully appreciate it - speaks volumes about his dedication and talent. The light he created is nothing less than spectacular, miraculous even. This week’s Torah portion is titled “Terumah,” which means donation. In it we see Moshe make an appeal to the Jewish people to donate the materials for the Tabernacle (the Mishkan, which was the mobile sanctuary used by the Jews to serve G-d until the building of the Holy Temple more than 400 years later). In addition to the Tabernacle itself they donated the materials needed for the furnishing of it. It was a building campaign of epic proportions. And how did the people respond to Moses’ appeal? The response was overwhelmingly positive! The Torah tells us that they gave everything necessary “and more.” Interestingly not everyone got in on the giving bonanza. The commentaries tell us that the Princes of the Tribes, who were fabulously wealthy, had planned to make-up whatever was lacking after the people responded to the appeal. They would fill in any gaps that remained. Next thing they knew there were no gaps to fill and they, despite their well-meaning approach, were left out in the cold. The Talmud tells us, “Zerizim Makdimin Li’Mitzvot,” that it is a positive attribute to respond to Mitzvah opportunities with alacrity. If we keep this approach in mind we can see that the Tribal Princes missed out on an opportunity to participate in perhaps the greatest building campaign in all of history, because they did not act with alacrity. Incidentally, the story has a happy ending, for ultimately the Almighty had ‘mercy’ on them, as they felt terrible having no tangible portion in the Tabernacle, and allowed them to donate the precious stones for the breastplate worn by the High Priest. They meant well! Nonetheless, their intentions do not change the fact that they did not hasten to actually participate in G-d’s building project. The moral of this story is something that informed the Rebbe’s, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, approach to Jewish activism. The Rebbe would point out a need and instruct his Chasidim to fill that need. The Rebbe said there is no time to undertake ‘studies of the problem’ and then form committees who through ponderous planning and analysis would then begin to start to maybe act to address the need if enough funding could be found. No indeed! The Rebbe used a powerful metaphor to illustrate his approach; if one sees someone drowning, G-d forbid, one immediately jumps in the water to save him! There is no time to do anything else. Do we feel the urgency to build G-d’s house in our wounded world? What are we doing to save millions of our fellow Jews from assimilating? What are we doing to save our own children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews/cousins etc. from assimilating!? No, we can’t count on being able to totally change someone’s entire life through one conversation or letter – though it has been known to happen. But what we can do, what we must do, is immediately encourage those we come in contact with to put on Tefilin, light Shabbat candles, send their children to Jewish schools, keep Kosher, etc. We must learn from the story of the Tribal Princes and act with alacrity! G-d’s palace will be built, one way or another. The question is what will our part be in the process? Bottom line: GET BUSY! Weekly Class Schedule Shabbat: During Mincha – Women’s Issues with the Rebbetzin Cancelled: Hebrew School – Sunday 9:30 – 12:05 Cancelled - Monday: Caffeine for the Soul – A Class for Women @ Target, Encinitas – 12pm Tuesday: JLI – The Jewish Course of Why – 7pm Wednesday: Torah Portion of the Week – 7:30pm. Special Wishes HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes go out to Nick Shirley, 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 Chasiya Tubis, Yosef Tubis, Feige Seigal, and all of those marking a Yarzeit this week. May Naomi Alter, Roz Mintz and Mel Bridge be blessed with a full and complete recovery! ###
Hebrew School - No school this week. 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!
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. 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 visithttp://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 atwww.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 |
|
Kiddush this Shabbos
Need a Minyan?
