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Did you know that we recently celebrated a birthday? Yes, it was the birthday of Moses, the wise and faithful shepherd who led our people out of Egypt and gave us the Torah. It’s also the day that he passed away—exactly 120 years later. In fact, it’s because Moses lived that long that we Jews customarily wish each other to live 120 years.
Like Moses, let us make sure that we make the most of our time on earth, regardless of our age and stage. |
But longevity alone is not enough. Like cash, time must be well spent. Think of Moses. He began his career as national leader at the ripe old age of 80. When his peers were deep into retirement (and possibly zipping around the pyramids in golf carts), Moses knew that there was so much more for him to do.| Volume 17 Number 23, 10th of Adar I 5776, February 19th '16 | |
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Chabad Weekly Update
This week’s Kiddush is sponsored by Steve and Linda Rivkin in loving memory of Irving Rivkin, whose Yarzeit we observed this week. 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. Current JLI Course: “The Jewish Course of Why” Off to a GREAT Start!
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. A Thought from the Rabbi This week we read the portion of ‘Titzaveh’, which means “And you shall command.” In it the Jewish people were commanded to fashion the ‘Bigdei Kehuna’, the Priestly garments. We find that the regular priests wore four garments while the High Priest wore eight. Each of the garments not only had very specific requirements as far as materials used in fashioning them, but each even had specific areas of life where they were meant to bring atonement to the nation. During this week’s Torah portion class (Wednesdays at 7:30pm) we asked the question, “How can the High Priest wearing a certain garment bring an atonement to the people?” For instance, the turban was meant as an atonement for haughtiness/arrogance. How can the High Priest wearing a special turban bring atonement for the sin of arrogance? Are we so shallow as to think that by doing something so superficial as wearing a specific garment we can influence the Almighty, like by pushing certain buttons on a computer we can complete certain tasks? Of course this question can be extended to apply to all of the commandments that we do – do we actually believe that by doing ‘A’ we can influence G-d to do ‘B’? There are probably several valid answers to our question, but first things first; Yes! We in fact believe that by following the commandments we do indeed affect Hashem’s dealings with this world. This is a monumental concept – I find it to be the ultimate empowerment for us. It is Hashem’s definitive statement that we and our actions make a difference! We and our actions matter! We are here for a divine purpose. For some reason (His kindness and love), Hashem chose to allow us to influence Him. I think, however, there is something more subtle also going on here. Perhaps the High Priest’s wardrobe is meant to influence us. In other words, we should be mindful that human hands fashioned the garments in fulfillment of a divine mandate. And that when something is man-made and worn by man it too serves a divine purpose. It reflects the mode of creation chosen by the Creator – a partnership as it were – where despite Hashem being perfect and complete in all ways He chose/chooses to allow us to partner with Him. Why? For our benefit, of course. Imagine the inspiration felt by the nation when they were able to see the High Priest dressed in the ultimate of royal garb and their concurrent knowledge that his good offices were representing them. Visual reminders are extremely powerful and held in high esteem in our tradition. How does this apply to us today, after all, we have no High Priest in our midst? While it is true we don’t have the Kohen Gadol, or the Holy Temple where he served, we do have a royal dress code that still applies. We have the laws of modesty that, our rabbis tell us, reveal that even a layman is of royal birth. Our Portion tells us that what we wear matters. It behooves each and every one of us, men, women, and children to abide carefully to the laws of modesty. Our bodies are sacred vessels that contain “A portion of living G-dliness,” our souls. It is therefore to be treated with respect and dignity, never flaunted or abused. Instead of allowing a very secular industry – modern fashion design – to influence us, we should seek to influence it and our neighbors. When we dress appropriately/modestly we serve as a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world. People can see through our wardrobe that we have a higher purpose than purely animalistic pursuits. We can see even when it comes to what we wear on a given day, our choices make a difference! Weekly Class Schedule Shabbat: During Mincha – Women’s Issues with the Rebbetzin Hebrew School – Sunday 9:30 – 12:05 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 all of those celebrating their birthdays this week! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY wishes go out to all of those celebrating their anniversaries this week! We remember Bluma Glovsky, Avraham Markus, 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
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. 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
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!
