Shabbat Parashat Bo. January 23rd, Shevat 5770 Kiddush This Shabbat is sponsored by The Shul!

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1 YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD 2240 ALBANY AVENUE WEST HARTFORD, CT (860) Shabbat Bo 8:45 AM 9:37 AM 10:00 AM 4:25PM 5:36 PM Rabbi s Corner As many of you heard or read in my from Thursday, Elana and I are away this Shabbat because we are at the HHNE School Shabbaton in Newport, RI. While it means being absent from YIWH, it is nice as the rabbi of YIWH to be able to participate in a Shabbat experience of one of our other fine Jewish institutions in West Hartford, HHNE. It certainly shows how we can work together, join together, and share our resources and experiences. I am also particularly looking forward to being in the Touro Synagogue because of its historic significance for American Jewish History which is one of my areas of study and personal interest. I will miss seeing you in shul this Shabbat but I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and all the best!! Last Shabbat morning I spoke of the tragic earthquake in Haiti and the appropriate Jewish response. I spoke of how we should try to empathize with the plight of the Haitians even though they are so different than us and even though we have not, thank G-d, experienced what they are going through. This week was yet another devastating one with the discovery of more bodies and with the aftershocks of the earthquake wreaking further havoc upon the struggling city of Port au Prince. The Haitians lived through a nightmare and many of those that were so thankful to have survived are now dying because they have not received proper medical care. However, amidst the tragedy there was, for me, a tremendous moment of pride. I saw a report on CNN this week which some of you may have also seen about the Israeli doctors and relief workers sent to Haiti. The reporter said that the Israelis were more equipped, professional and helpful than any of the other rescuers. The Israelis came from the other side of the world and were able to set up a full field hospital with equipment such as ventilators and monitors. They established operating rooms to save the lives of those who are suffering. Other countries located much closer to Haiti have not done half as much as the Israelis. What a big Kiddush Hashem and what a proud moment for us. Not only have we, as Jews, empathized with their plight, but we have given of our time, effort, and resources to help those in need. Yasher Koach to our Israeli brothers and sisters as well as all those rescue workers and doctors who have gone to help. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Weinberg Editor: Judie Patel judiep@gmail.com Editors Emeritus: Sam Leichtberg & Moish Trencher Web Site: Shabbat Parashat Bo January 23rd, Shevat 5770 Kiddush This Shabbat is sponsored by The Shul! "TO G-D WE TURN: INSIGHTS INTO THE PHILOSOPHY OF TEFILLAH" Please join me for a new 4 PART SERIES in which we will study some of the fundamental aspects of Jewish Prayer and the philosophy behind it. The Class will take place Wednesday nights at 8:00PM at YIWH on: 2nd Class - This Wednesday, January 27th, February 3rd, February 10th מזל טוב to Rabbi Mordecai & D vorah מזל טוב Weiss on the birth of their granddaughter, born to their Elisheva & Eli Ben Zeev in Eretz Yisrael. to The entire Weiss & Ben Zeev מזל טוב families and may she grow L Torah, L Chupah u'l'maasim Tovim! YU SEFORIM SALE If anyone is interested in joining Rabbi Weinberg at the YU Seforim sale next Sunday, January 31st please let him know ASAP by writing to ברוך דין האמת It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Sylvia Rosenblum, beloved Grandmother of Elana Weinberg. May Hashem comfort Elana and her entire family during this difficult time. Rabbi Brahm Weinberg or rabbi@youngisraelwh.org Laura Miller, President or lauramiller6188@sbcglobal.net Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor of West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford, Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford (Hotline )

2 SAVE THE DATES UPCOMING SHUL & COMMUNITY EVENTS L DOR L DOR Parent & Child Learning Sessions At Chabad House At 7:00 PM On Motzaei Shabbat Every Two Weeks January 23rd Parashat Bo Grades 2-8 Rabbi Jaffee - Coordinator CRAFT CIRCLE Monday evenings at 7:30 PM except 2/1/10 Do you knit? crochet? embroider? or just bring your mending! whatever... Further info call Debbie Luger or Laura Miller: DAVID & BATSHEVA Class Taught by Elisha Rosensweig Tuesday nights, Next Class - January 26th - at 8:00 PM At the Home of Judie & Lal Patel Lawler Road TRADING SPACES: A COMMUNITY SHABBAT EXPERIENCE AT YIWH Shabbat, February 5/6 YI BOOK CLUB Currently reading Sarah s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay Meeting date early FebruaryTBA. Anyone interested in joining the group Contact Debbie Luger: COMMUNITY HAVDALAH February 13 at 7:00 PM Congregation Beth Israel 701 Farmington Avenue A joyous Havdalah followed by Music, Singing and Dancing. Kosher snacks & desserts. Participating Congregations: Agudas Achim, Beth Ahm, Beth David, Beth El, Beth Hillel, Beth Israel, Bnai Sholom Cong. Or LaOlam, Emanuel, Emek Shalom, Temple Beth Hillel, Temple Sinai, Tikvoh Chadoshoh, YIWH NEXT ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP Sunday, February 14th at 7:30 PM At the home of Vera Schwarcz THE WOMEN S SEDER WITH DEBBIE FRIEDMAN Tuesday, March 2nd at 5:00 PM - More info to come! IT'S NOT A BAR/BAT MITZVAH. IT'S A CHAI MITZVAH. Turn your 31st, 49th, 67th or 80th plus birthday into a uniquely Jewish lifetime event. If you are interested or have questions please contact : Vivian Zablotsky at Please visit ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS David & Susanne Gelb In memory of Elana Weinberg's grandmother Sylvia Rosenblum Debbie & Steven Luger In memory of Elana Weinberg's grandmother Sylvia Rosenblum Page 2 "TRADING SPACES: A COMMUNITY SHABBAT EXPERIENCE AT YIWH" Please come and join your friends and neighbors from Young Israel in a "community Shabbat" beginning on Friday, February 5th and continuing through its conclusion on Saturday, February 6th. To begin Shabbat as a community, on Friday night, families will share meals together in homes of other families. We encourage everyone in our shul to participate. All you have to do is write back to us and tell us whether you would like to be a "host family" or a "guest in someone else's home". If you will be hosting tell us how many people you can accommodate. If you are going to be a guest family then tell us how many people will be joining you. We will coordinate who goes to which homes and let you know where you will be eating or who you will be hosting. The idea is to get as many people from our shul to be eating together people as possible. This is a great way to get to know your neighbors and fellow congregants on a deeper level. To conclude this communal Shabbat, Saturday's events will include a communal seudah shlishit, maariv and family havdallah service at YIWH. Teens and 'tweens will be on hand to help with young children during this time. It would be very helpful for planning purposes if we could get responses from those who would like to attend the seudah shlishit. A wonderful committee of people has been working very hard to coordinate this Shabbat. While having everyone participate in all the parts of this program would be fantastic, we understand that you may be able to attend only some of these activities on either day. If you have not yet responded please do so ASAP so we may plan accordingly for each portion of this event. Please or call the shul office and leave a message: or yihospitality@gmail.com ADULT HAGH TRIP TO ISRAEL Rabbi Mordechai Weiss is planning an exciting 12 Day Trip to Israel From June 20 - July 2, 2010 Log on to HAGH website to see the complete itinerary. If you have any questions, please feel free to call: Rabbi Weiss at the school (860) or at home (860)

3 Dvar Torah of the Week By Rabbi Abraham Stolzenberg, YI of Ocean Parkway Page 3 The only plague carried out by Hashem Himself was Makas Bechoros. Chazal tell us that no angel or emissary was involved in its execution, only Hashem Himself. Why was this Maka so different that it could not be meted out through a Shliach? The pasuk tells us that the killing of all firstborn also included firstborn barnyard animals. Rashi, quoting the Mechilta, explains that the reason for this is that the Egyptians worshipped their firstborn livestock. Since, when punishing a nation, HaShem destroys the false gods and deities they worship as well, these animals were to be eradicated. This would seem to contradict the Gemara Sanhedrin s ruling (according to many Rishonim) that animals worshipped by non-jews need not be destroyed (55 a). In fact, here we see that Chazal went to great lengths to explain the destruction of animals during the Mabul (the Great Flood), since they had no free will and were incapable and innocent of sin. The Or HaChaim ZT L as well as the Leket Oni (by R Moshe of Kossiv ZY A) among others, explain that the manner in which Makas Bechoros was carried out was proactive rather than reactive. This means as follows: every creation of Hashem, without exception, can only exist as long as it contains some element of Kedusha, or divine holiness, however miniscule. In the case of Makas Bechoros, Hashem caused the holiness of the Shechina (divine presence), to come into close proximity of the Egyptian firstborn. The sheer intensity of the Shechina s holiness caused the Kedusha found within the Egyptian firstborn to yearn for its Shoresh (source) and leap towards the Shechina, automatically rendering the firstborn lifeless. (Similar to the concept of Yahiv bey Einey found in Masechta Brachos and Yevamos). This could not be accomplished through a Shliach since the very essence of the Shechina was needed. The Bais HaLevi ZT L in Parshas Noach quotes the Zohar HaKadosh to explain why it was that even animal life was to be destroyed by the Mabul. Whenever man sins he pollutes his surroundings, leaving in his wake a spiritual carbon footprint. If sin reaches a certain level, it can defile all that exists in its vicinity. In the case of the Mabul the sin of mankind was so acute that it resulted in warping behavior even among animals. It was thus necessary for a Mabul to destroy the polluted physical world, to facilitate restoration to its former state of purity. The Bais HaLevi concludes, that although the sin of man will never bring about another Mabul, man s behavior still spiritually affects the world around him. Using the explanations of the Or HaChaim and the Bais HaLevi, we can now understand that although the firstborn animals in Egypt were not at fault for their designated role in Avoda Zara, as idols to be worshipped, they were, however, defiled by the sin. Thus, the intrinsic holiness within them, when exposed to the Shechina, sprang forth from its impure environment to join the holiness of Hashem, leaving the animals lifeless. This was not as much a punitive act as it was a natural spiritual reaction. When considering the power of a connection to HaShem in all life forms, one can only imagine the power of the Neshama that we all possess as Jews. The Jewish soul is described as being a Chelek Elokai, a veritable extension of HaShem himself. The holy Sefarim tell us that this level of holiness is far superior to that possessed by any other creature in the universe, including angels! What a source of strength and encouragement this can be for all of us. By just appreciating who we are at the core and what holiness we possess, we can be spurred on to accomplish that which we never dreamed possible. Banim Atem LaShem Elokeichem! Shabbat Shalom This Month's Designated Hospitality Family: New to town? New in shul? Unexpectedly in the community and need a meal? Please see the KESLER FAMILY who have graciously agreed to be this month's hospitality family and who will be glad to host you this Shabbat. If you do not know who they are see the Rabbi and he will direct you to them. If you are interested in being one of the Hospitality Families please see Rabbi Weinberg. BUY SCRIP Are you buying gift cards for staff or friends? Buy them at Waldbaum s using your existing Waldbaum s gift card and everyone wins! Please remember to continue to use scrip. It costs nothing additional to you - yet it helps the Shul. Remember, if you can not come and get the cards we can bring it to you! Let's support our Shul by buying scrip! Every dollar counts! Contact: Judith Hessing ( ) at 18 Grenhart Street Batsheva & Zvi Goldfischer ( )

4 Friday, January 22nd January 22nd - 29th, 2010 Shabbat Parashat Bo Shabbat, January 23rd Sunday, January 24th - Thursday, January 28th followed by Rabbi Weinberg s Gemara Shiur on Masechet Chulin Perek 8 Monday Agudas Achim Friday, January 22nd 4:34 p.m. 4:39 p.m. 9:37 a.m. 4:25 p.m. 5:36p.m. 6:17 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 4:40 p.m. 4:43 p.m. 4:48 p.m.

5 Friday, January 29th January 29th - February 5th, 2010 Shabbat Tu B Shvat Parashat B shalach Shabbat, January 30th - Tu B Shvat Rabbi Weinberg s Shabbat Afternoon Shiur Sunday, January 31st - Thursday, February 4th followed by Rabbi Weinberg s Gemara Shiur on Masechet Chulin Perek 8 Monday Agudas Achim Friday, February 5th 4:43 p.m. 4:48 p.m. 9:36 a.m. 3:35 p.m. 4:35 p.m. 5:44 p.m. 6:12 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 4:50 p.m. 4:52 p.m. 4:57 p.m.

6 Friday, February 5th February 5th - 12th, 2010 Shabbat Parashat Yitro Shabbat, February 6th Rabbi Weinberg s Shabbat Afternoon Shiur Sunday, February 7th - Thursday, February 11th followed by Rabbi Weinberg s Gemara Shiur on Masechet Chulin Perek 8 Monday Agudas Achim Friday, February 12th 4:52 p.m. 4:57 p.m. 9:32 a.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:53 p.m. 6:06 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:01 p.m. 5:06 p.m.

7 February 12th - 19th, 2010 Shabbat Mevorchim Shekalim Parashat Mishpatim Friday, February 12th Shabbat, February 13th Rabbi Weinberg s Shabbat Afternoon Shiur Sunday, February 14th - Thursday, February 18th Rosh Chodesh Adar followed by Rabbi Weinberg s Gemara Shiur Monday Rosh Chodesh Adar Tuesday Agudas Achim Friday, February 19th 5:01 p.m. 5:06 p.m. 9:28 a.m. 3:50 p.m. 4:50 p.m. 6:02 p.m. 5:58 a.m. 6:15 a.m.(yih) & 6:30 a.m. 5:05 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:15 p.m.