Weekly Bulletin. Inside: Brooklyn Union. Over 400 Attend Chabad ELC's Fall Shabbat Dinner! Hebrew School Alive!

Transcription

1 Shabbat Chayei Sarah MarCheshvan 26-27, 5767 November 17-18, 2006 Candle Lighting: 4:18 PM Shabbat Ends: 5:20 PM Chabad of the West Side & Chabad Early Learning Center Weekly Bulletin s xc V OLUME I FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, MARC HESHVAN, 5767 ISSUE IX Over 400 Attend Chabad ELC's Fall Shabbat Dinner! A view of some of the beautifuly laid out Shabbat tables ready to greet the Chabad ELC parents and students - taken just before Shabbat. After weeks of detailed planning, extensive PR and lots of hard work, the CELC Parents Association Fall Shabbat Dinner took place last Friday, November 10 at Manhattan Day School. The unforgettable evening ran perfectly from start to finish and beyond thanks to weeks of non-stop efforts on the part of Shabbat Dinner Chairs Iris Bikel and Brooklyn Union Tamar Ekstein and PA President Sarah Zitter Milstein and Vice President Deborah Shapira. Their attention to detail, superb organization and effective coordination was felt and appreciated every step of the way. With the approach of Shabbat, the excitement in the MDS lobby was palpable. Arriving families and staff members were excited to see their friends and morahs from school, as well as alumni families, and enthusiastically greeted each guest as they entered the building. Before the sun began to set, ELC morahs and moms lit Shabbat candles in the lobby of Manhattan Day School and welcomed in this once-a-year occasion. Following candle lighting, the crowds were directed upstairs to the Beit Midrash for services. Kabbalat Shabbat prayers were led by ELC parent Andrew Kaplan and much joyous singing accompanied continued on page 2 This weekend, a conference of the Rebbe s emissaries from around the world, known as the Kinus HaShluchim, will take place in Crown Heights. Over 2,000 Shluchim will come to Crown Heights for a four day conference including seminars, lectures and farbrengens, where people can share ideas and insights on how best to bring the Rebbe s message of Torah and Redemption to their various communities. Hebrew School Alive! The Chabad Hebrew School opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday, November 14. Catering to children from Kindergarten to 2nd Grade, the goal of the School is to provide a stimulating and friendly learning environment where children are instilled with a true sense of Jewish pride, a well-rounded appreciation of Judaism and a deep love for the land of Israel. We want our students to experience Judaism as a relevant and integral part of their lives and we believe that this is best accomplished in the warm and joyous setting of the Chabad Hebrew School. The weekly Torah portion, Shabbat, Jewish holidays and Hebrew reading are presented in a multi sensory manner, catering to the varied learning styles of our students. If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in a demo class, please feel free to contact Rivky at / rivky@chabadwestside.org for more information. 101 WEST 92ND STREET NEW YORK, NY chabad@chabadwestside.org Inside: Chabad ELC Chabad Shul Section Torah Fax: Just Doing My Job Upcoming Events Happy Birthdays Ads , 12

2 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 2 Continued from page 1 the mystical welcoming in of the Shabbat Queen. Seated by class with morahs and parents in attendance, the children participated in the Tefillah with a level of excitement that energized everyone's Kabbalat Shabbat even more. After reciting the Shema, the formal minyan moved to a room nearby and the classes spread out and formed a large circle. Equipped with Shabbat Songbooks; parents and children alike had fun singing Shabbat classics, listening to spiritual Shabbat tales, dancing joyously and even watching a dynamic rendition of the Talmudic tale The Secret Shabbat Spice. In the story, King Antoninus couldn't figure out what makes Shabbat food so delicious. Finally, as the children all learned, the king discovered that the secret spice was - Shabbat! The dining hall was filled to capacity with rows of beautifully set tables laden with delicious Shabbat food, distinctive centerpieces created by the children at school and Shabbat wine. Thanks to the high flying balloon centerpieces indicating class tables, it was easy to navigate the room and find familiar faces. Led by Rabbi Kugel, the harmonious notes of Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chayil filled the large space with Shabbat spirit and warmth. Following Kiddush and Challah, the children were served a kid-friendly dinner. each tired child out of the building and in the direction of home. With oranges, Twizzlers and lots of warm feelings towards Shabbat and the families of Chabad ELC; each family headed home at last. The work didn't end there. While the Morahs finally sat down to enjoy their dinner, our Shabbat Dinner team and their devoted assistants headed upstairs to restore order in the classrooms and hallways. Their efforts lasted well into the night and continued on Monday morning when many of the supplies were shuttled back to Chabad ELC. The effusive thanks, appreciative compliments and insistent requests for another Shabbat Dinner reflect the wonderful experience had by all. Without a doubt, the positive feelings engendered by the Shabbat Dinner will continue to be felt throughout the year. ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN Size of Ads and Rates Full Page $1,000 (min 4 $250 per week) Half Page $520 (min 4 $130 per week) 1/4 Page $910 (min 13 $70 per week) or $325 (min 4 $81.25 per week) Bus. Card $325 (min 13 $25 per week) Before long, Morahs went from table to table gathering their children together for the next part of the program. Organized by class, they headed upstairs to rooms that were well-stocked with toys, books and blocks. Not only were the ELC children entertained but their older siblings and other ELC alumni were kept well occupied as well. For the first time ever, two large groups of alumni and siblings enjoyed a Shabbat program designed especially for them. When it was time to return to the dining hall for dessert, each child was presented with a great goody bag filled with even more Shabbat fun. With their children happily entertained upstairs, the parents got busy enjoying one another's company and the delicious Shabbat fare. PA President Sarah Zitter Milstein shared a few words and Rabbi Ossey spoke about the weekly Torah portion. When everyone was back in their seats for a light dessert and Birkat Hamazon, the memorable evening sadly drew to a close. After spending such a warm and inspiring evening together, it was difficult to say good bye. As with every other detail in the course of the evening, the dedicated Shabbat Dinner Chairs thoughtfully prepared a selection of fruit, drinks and treats to help escort

3 Upcoming Events CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 3 Chabad Women s Circle A bundle of lulav, aravot and hadassim with an etrog, on the right, in the mosaic floor of the synagogue of Hamat Tveria, dated from the 6th century BCE. Would Moses Recognize Judaism Today? Discussing the chain of Jewish tradition and the development of Halacha with Rabbi Yisroel Fried A Chabad Shabbaton at Darna Shabbat Chanuka Friday, December 15, 2006 Kabbalat Shabbat at Chabad: 5:00 pm Shabbat Dinner at Darna: 5:30 pm Cost: $36 per person to reserve: or call x 14 Dinner Hosts Daniel & Leah Seliger Touching the Divine: Connecting Spirit, Matter and Me Shimonah Tzukernik, Writer, Artist & Acclaimed Lecturer *** Incredible, Edible Fruit Art Faya Lipskier, Co-Director, Chabad of the West Sixties ******* Hosted by Rebecca Lindenbaum * 14 West 83rd Street Tuesday, December 5, 2006 * 8:15-9:45pm * $5.00 couvert R.S.V.P. * cwc@chabadwestside.org * x10 Looking forward to seeing you there! Esther Miriam Fried * Rivka Kugel * Sarah Ossey JOIN OUR NEXT EVENT! Giant Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Give-and-Get TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 5:00-6:30 PM Ongoing Classes Please join us for one or more of our weekly classes. Monday Evenings 8:15 pm IN-DEPTH TANYA with Rabbi Meir Ossey AT THE CHABAD SHUL Tue., Wed. & Fri. Mornings 7:00 am PRE-MINYAN CHASSIDUS with Rabbi Shlomo Kugel AT THE CHABAD SHUL Rabbi Kugel night rsk@chabadwestside.org Wednesday Evenings 8:00 pm PRACTICAL HALACHA with Rabbi Yisroel Fried AT THE HOME OF NAAVA & DANNY ECKSTIEN 20 WEST 87TH ST. APT. #1B Shabbat Afternoons 1hour before Mincha RAMBAM SHIUR with Rabbi Yisroel Fried AT THE CHABAD SHUL Wednesday Mornings 10:45 11:30 PATHWAYS TO THE SOUL with Rabbi Shlomo Kugel Coffee & Discussion AT THE HOME OF DEBORAH & DAVID SHIMKO 500 WEST END AVE. APT. #8C In this class we will look at the complexities, doubts and struggles within us in the context of the struggle between our G-dly soul and our animal soul. We will explore the dilemmas of the human soul and offer solutions by arriving at the root causes of its struggles. Shabbat Mornings 9:00 am THE CHASSIDIC PARSHA with Rabbi Yisroel Fried AT THE CHABAD SHUL See you there!

4 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 4 Parshah Roundup Chayei Sarah - The Life of Sarah By Chani Benjaminson This week s parshah begins with a sad event: Sarah dies at the age of 127. Abraham is very sad and mourns her passing. He buys a piece of land on which to bury her which is called the Cave of Machpelah in the city of Hebron. He pays 400 silver shekels. This is the place where all of our patriarchs (Adam, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and Matriarchs (Eve, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah) are buried. Isaac is now forty years old and not married. Abraham asks his trusted servant Eliezer to go to Charan, Abraham s city of birth, and find a wife for Isaac. Eliezer brings lots of beautiful jewelry and gifts for the future wife. But how will he find her? There were many girls in Charan! So he asks G-d for a sign to let him know which girl is the right one for Isaac. The sign is that when he will ask a girl for water to drink from the well, she will offer to give water to the camels as well. Well, along comes Rebecca (remember she was born in last week s parshah?) who offers water to Eliezer and the camels and invites him to her father s house. When Eliezer asks for her hand in marriage on behalf of Rebecca s great uncle Abraham, Rebecca says yes. She was happy to marry a righteous and kind person such as Isaac and get away from her family who were not very honest nor righteous. Rebecca travels to the land of Canaan with Eliezer and marries Isaac. When Isaac marries her he understands that she is the right wife for him and feels a bit better after losing his mother Sarah. How is that? When Sarah was alive there were three great miracles which happened every week: the challah she baked for Shabbat stayed fresh from one week to the next; the candles she lit on Friday night stayed lit the whole week; and there was a cloud on her tent which was a sign that G-d was present all the time. When she passed away these miracles stopped; after Isaac and Rebecca got married they returned. That was Isaac s sign that she was the right one for him--that Rebecca was pious and righteous just like Sarah was! Abraham also remarries Keturah who is actually Hagar, the wife Abraham married before he and Sarah had Isaac. Why the new name? Because she repented from her not good ways and started a new life as a better person. At the end of the Parshah we learn that Abraham dies at age 175 and is buried next to Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. New at Chabad! Happy Birthday to the children of CELC! Name Hebrew Date Occurs On Eliana Cepelowicz 27 Cheshvan November 18 Danielle Gantcher 29 Cheshvan November 20 Avigail Kleinman 26 Cheshvan November 17 Liat Levy 28 Cheshvan November 19 Samuel Littmann 28 Cheshvan November 19 Matthew Muro 30 Cheshvan November 21 Sarah Nerenberg 1 Kislev November 22 Julia Rothman 2 Kislev November 23 Samantha Spector 2 Kislev November 23 Keren Stulbach 26 Cheshvan November 17 Moshe Tambor 28 Cheshvan November 19

5 Chabad ELC Chabad ELC 101 West 92nd Street 166 West 97th Street Phone: Fax: Coffee & Class Jumpstart your day! Join ELC moms and staffers for a post-drop off coffee and Parsha discussion. Tuesday Mornings 9:45 am 97th Street Library Tuesday, November 21 Next Week at CELC Monday, November 20 Music 92 Tuesday, November 21 Rabbi Ossey will share thoughts on this week s Torah portion - Toldot Save the date, because you don t want to miss the... Chabad Chanukah Celebration! Monday, December 18 Wednesday, November 22 Thursday, November 23 - Friday, November 24 Moms Coffee & Class 97 Music 97 12:30 dismissal for all classes Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL

6 From the PA Desk What a fabulous time we had at the Fall Shabbat Dinner! We are thrilled that so many of us could join together as a community for a very special evening. An event of this magnitude could not have happened without the help of so many people, and you all truly came out in full force to make this event successful. The Morahs and staff of CELC, as always, went above and beyond the call of duty. Having you there was a highlight not just for our children but for the parents as well. We recognize the effort and time you put into making the dinner such a special event - from helping our children create beautiful centerpieces, to providing thoughtful and meaningful family services, to entertaining our children while we enjoy our dinner - and we thank you for it! Thank you to the families who opened up your homes to our Morahs. Without you, they would not have been able to spend Shabbat with us, and your warm hospitality made the Morahs feel so comfortable. Thank you to the many parents who volunteered their time and energy towards the numerous tasks that needed to be done both before and after the dinner. Many thanks also to each of the class parents, whose phone calls helped to spread the word about the Dinner. Thanks to each of you that brought a bottle of wine for your class table, and a special thank you to an anonymous donor who contributed several extra bottles, and second anonymous donor who contributed a case of wine. This addition to dinner was enjoyed by so many of the parents! Ami, Akira and Shoshana (PN3) We would like to express our deep appreciation for the many families who chose to make an additional financial contribution towards the dinner. As you know, the Fall Shabbat Dinner is not a fundraiser for the PA, and there are many costs associated with the dinner that are not covered by the perperson charge. The number of families who chose to sponsor a Morah s meal or to be a Shabbat Angel overwhelmed us! Because of the tremendous generosity of the CELC families, we were able to cover all the costs of the dinner. Finally, we would like to thank our Dinner Co-Chairs, Iris Bikel and Tamar Ekstein. Your attention to every aspect of the planning, from considering the smallest detail to looking at the big picture, truly made the Dinner the success that it was. The time and effort you put in are appreciated by the entire CELC community! Thank you all for participating and contributing in so many ways it really made the night! Shabbat Shalom, Sarah and Deborah CHABAD ELC

7 Calling all Shoppers! We ve already submitted over 500 boxtops and we want to keep up the momentum! The handy Boxtop Bag you ve received will keep your boxtops organized until they re ready to be dropped off at the school office. And of course remember that is your portal to online shopping. Begin your shopping at the Boxtops website and a percentage of your purchase goes right to Chabad ELC. Those extra few seconds means lots of $$$ for our kids! Condolences The families and staff of Chabad ELC offer sincere condolences to the Federbush family upon the passing of Miriam Federbush, grandmother of ELC moms Judy and Yael Federbush, and great-grandmother of ELC students and alum Ariel (alum) and Jacob (PK) Greenwald and Maya Lebowitz (N1). Hamakom yenachem etchem betoch sha ar aveley tzion v Yerushalayim. May you be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Class Happenings PK Despite being within days of delivering, Morah Chava (and mom in our class) presented an evening of appetizers to Pre-K moms on Tuesday at the home of Lorna Schamrot (Morgan, PK; Miles, PN97). The moms were treated to a hands-on demonstration of making sun-dried tomato and ricotta cheese pinwheels and a wonderful tasting of kosher Italian cheeses. In addition, the moms enjoyed making the appetizer themselves, shmoozing, laughing and trading funny stories. Thanks are extended to the hostess, presenter and class parents Beverly Nerenberg and Abigail Lindenbaum Tambor. PN97 After dropping their children off this Thursday morning, PN97 moms hung around and enjoyed a relaxing cup of coffee together. They plan to continue to enjoy this time on the first Thursday of each month.

8 Message from Pearl Strollers rolling toward MDS Shining faces dressed their best Rows of tables decked in white Whispered prayers. at candlelight Time for shul, follow the crowd Children singing shema out loud Incredible Morahs lead us in song As the children's sweet voices join along Now down we go to the dining room Hear Rabbi Kugel sing a familiar tune Shalom Aleichem with so many voices A wonderful meal with so many choices Our dedicated Morahs "pied piper" the children away But all the adults get to stay Relaxing with good company and great food Listening to Torah thoughts, befitting the Shabbat mood Dessert and Birkat Hamazon bring the children back Time to go home and hit the sack Before you leave, take a drink and something sweet Each sleepy child clutching a special treat A few months ago, when this was but a dream A group of women came together to form the "Shabbaton team" The magic and the splendor of this amazing night Was the result of lots of work and incredible foresight They worked and discussed, they made calls and LOTS of lists Careful to cover each detail so that nothing would be missed Iris, Deborah, Tamar and Sarah, how can we show enough appreciation For giving our Chabad community such a special celebration May the joy and goodwill that resounded from this Shabbaton Bring heaps and heaps of blessings upon each one of your homes! Shabbat Shalom from all of us at CELC December Dates Follow-up Child Development Q&A - Wednesday, December 6 Anna and Marlene have visited all the classrooms in our school. Join us for follow-up discussion in the home of Jeannie & Scott Fisher (Sophie, N1) 150 West 95th Street #4B Visit to the Jewish Home for the Aged - Monday, December 11 Our children will bring Chanukah spirit and joy to the seniors. Lifesaving Skills for Infants and Children-Thursday, December 14 Get American Red Cross certification in Infant & Child CPR. Following drop off at 97th Street Chanukah Olive Press - Monday, Tuesday, December Watch and participate in the from olive to oil process. Chabad Chanukah Celebration - Monday, December 18 Grand Menorah lighting, Chanukah puppet show and holiday sngalong 4:30-6:00 pm Winter Break - Wednesday, December 20 There will be 12:30 dismissal for all classes on Wednesday, December 20 Winter Break-Thursday, December 21- Monday, January 1 There will be no sessions beginning Thursday, December 21 - Monday, January 1 School Resumes-Tuesday, January 2 Regular sessions for all classes resume on Tuesday, January 2

9 When Eliezer, Abraham's servant, was sent to find a suitable match for Isaac, Abraham's son, Eliezer employed a rather unusual method to help him find a proper wife. "Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water. So let it come to pass, that the maiden to whom I shall say: Let down your pitcher, that I may drink; and she shall say: 'Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.' Let her be the one that You have appointed for Your servant, for Isaac..." Eliezer made his determination as to who should be Isaac's match on the basis of her trait of kindness, the trait which was the hallmark of Abraham and his family. After all, it wasn't easy to carry water from the well to the city in the first place. To be willing to empty one's entire jug to give drink to a stranger and his camels as well shows that such a person has an extraordinary amount of kindness. But wouldn't it have sufficed if the girl had acceded to his request for some water? Why did he have to add on the provision that she would also offer to provide water for his camels? Also, if Eliezer truly wanted to see the true extent of her kindness, he should have said, "which ever maiden will offer to give me something to drink." Why did he say that he would first ask her for a drink - isn't unsolicited kindness a more meaningful form of kindness? To answer these questions we must discern between two opposite motivations of kindness. On the surface they may appear identical, but when we probe beneath the surface, we will realize that there are truly two distinct forms of this trait. TORAH FAX Two Kinds The first form of compassion is motivated by seeing the needs of another. When we see another person's suffering we are moved and we respond by doing something to help remove the other's pain. This form of compassion, however noble it may be, is not compassion in its truest form. If one were never to have seen the other's suffering, it would never have occurred to him to look and find someone who might be in need and help them. Only when their pain comes to our attention do we then react. In fact, it might be argued that this form of reactive kindness is actually not an expression of compassion for others, but really a way of allaying one's own pain and discom- Moshiach Matters... fort. CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 9 A deeper form of compassion is when one feels the need to bestow kindness on others regardless of whether he sees a needy person or not. To use a Talmudic metaphor: "A cow wants to nurse its offspring more than the offspring wants to be nursed." A truly kind person's need to give prompts him to become a pro-active giver who seeks out needy people. It is not his own pain that he is trying to assuage, but he is in pain when he cannot assuage another s pain. This was the type of kindness that Abraham possessed. When he was recovering from circumcision, he sat outside his tent hoping to be able to invite some hapless wayfarer into his tent. His pain at not being able to help another human being was greater than the physical pain that followed his surgery. If the person that was to become the Isaac s wife was to prove that she was a pro-active giver, it would not have sufficed for her to have volunteered to give Eliezer something to drink. Her generosity might have been aroused by her seeing the famished condition of Eliezer and not by a pure desire to help others. Eliezer therefore stipulated that the maiden who would offer to go beyond compassion for the tired traveler, but would want to do even more acts of kindness, is the one who is endowed with the Abrahamic trait of pure, unadulterated kindness. G-d also displays two modes of kindness. Creation of the world, we are told, is a product of G-d's kindness. But that kindness existed even before there was a need for it; it was pro-active. On the other hand, during the time of exile, we are in need of G-d's kindness. At this time, all of the kindness we receive from G-d might be from the first category. It is a kindness that comes from G-d seeing His children suffering. Moshiach will usher in a new age of Divine revelation when there will be no more poverty or suffering. At that time, G-d's benevolence will once more not merely be of the reactive mode, but - as in the beginning of creation - it will be proactive: pure, unadulterated kindness. G-d will give not because we need, but because He desires to give. Our and proactive acts of goodness are the catalysts that will usher in the Messianic Age of unrestricted G-dly goodness and kindness. The all-encompassing job of the Shluchim (the Rebbe s emissaries) - the pivotal point which sets the tone for every detail of the Shluchim s activities - is to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach. Everything a Shliach does in the way of furthering Judaism must be permeated with this goal. Moshiach is not another detail in the Shliach s work, but rather its very core and foundation. (The Rebbe at the opening of the Shluchim convention, 5752) Moshiach - It s a Jewish issue. For more info, visit

10 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 10 Halachic Times Week of - November Earliest Tefillin (latest of the week) :58 AM Latest Shma (earliest of the week) :12 AM Torah Reading:...Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18) Haftorah I Kings 1:1-31 Molad for the New Moon..Mon., 11/20, 9:05 & 8/18 PM Rosh Chodesh Kislev is Tuesday and Wednesday, 11/21 & 22 Shabbat Parshat VaYera FRIDAY, November 17 Candle Lighting :18 pm Mincha :30 pm Dvar Torah Rabbi Ossey Kabbalat Shabbat :00 pm SHABBAT, November 18 Tehillim (for Shabbat Mevarchim) :15 am Shacharit :45 am Dvar Torah Rabbi Fried ***Kids Shul & Junior Minyan :00-12:15*** Kiddush: approx. 12:30 PM Kiddush is sponsored by Yitzchok Barber in honor of his move to the West Side. Beruchim Habaim! And by Jeremy Sanders in honor of his father s yahrzeit, HaRav Yisroel Ben Moshe Eliezer Rambam :20 pm Mincha :20 pm Ma ariv & Havdallah :20 pm Each week, a Video of the Rebbe is shown after Havdallah. Daily Minyan: Sunday: AM Monday & Thursday: :15 AM Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: :30 AM Rosh Chodesh: AM Learn Rambam everyday at NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE Shabbat Parshat Toldot...NOVEMBER Friday, November 17 Candle Lighting...4:13 PM Saturday, November 18 Shabbat ends...5:16 PM Thank you - Brand New Gutnick Chumashim Thank you Alex and Sigal Greenberg for donating 5 brand new editions of the Gutnick Chumash. The Chumash, which incorporates over 1200 talks of the Rebbe, had been available previously in 5 individual volumes. Now, with many additions and improvements, the entire Torah has been incorporated in one beautifully bound volume. The Chumashim were donated in memory of Alex s father, Reuven Ben Avrohom. To learn more about the Chumash, visit kolmenachem.com. If you would like to make a donation of Seforim or goods to the Chabad Shul - in honor of any occasion - please contact our office. Wanted: Torah Readers Chabad is looking for volunteer Ba al Korehs. If you or someone you know can layn a Parshah - we would love to have you layn at Chabad. Whether you want to refresh your Bar Mitzvah Parshah and want to prepare a new one, please call our office. The following Parshahs are already reserved: VaYera, November 11 Rabbi Naftali Kleinman VaYeshev (first Shabbat of Chanukah), December 16 Ilan Nordmann VaYigash, December 30 Jeremy Sanders Shemot, January 13 Avi Friedman Mishpatim, February 17 Jeremy Sanders

11 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 11 KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Sponsoring a Kiddush is a great way to share you Simchah or special family event with the community! Kiddushim can be sponsored to celebrate a birthday, graduation or to commemorate the Yahrzeit of a loved one. Kiddush sponsors are encouraged to share some words of Torah at their Kiddush. Kiddushim cost $300, $400 or $500. To sponsor a kiddush, please Rabbi Fried at ryf@chabadwestside.org, or call at x 14. Kiddush Schedule: Shabbat Chaye Sarah, November 18,... Kiddush is sponsored by Yitzchok Barber in honor of his move to the West Side. Beruchim Habaim! Shabbat Toldot, November 25,... Kiddush is sponsored by Daniel Rubinoff in honor of his Ufruf and his upcoming marriage to Ronit Klein Shabbat VaYetzei, December 2,... Kiddush is sponsored by Moshe and Levana Kirschenbaum in honor of the wedding of their daughter Bella to Meir Pliskin. Shabbat VaYishlach, December 9,... Kiddush is sponsored by Shelly Leibenstern in honor of the Yahrzeit of his father Rubin Leibenstern, Reuven Natan ben Aryeh Leib, 19 Kislev Shabbat VaYeshev, December 16,... Kiddush is sponsored by Ilan Nordmann in honor of his Bar Mitzvah Parshah and with thanks to Hashem. Thank you - Brand New Gutnick Chumashim Thank you Alex and Sigal Greenberg for donating 5 brand new editions of the Gutnick Chumash. The Chumash, which incorporates over 1200 talks of the Rebbe, had been available previously in 5 in dividual volumes. Now, with many additions and improvements, the entire Torah has been incorporated in one beautifully bound volume. The Chumashim were donated in memory of Alex s father, Reuven Ben Avrohom. To learn more about the Chumash, visit kolmenachem.com. If you would like to make a donation of Seforim or goods to the Chabad Shul - in honor of any occasion - please contact our office. SUGGESTIONS FOR TEHILLIM ON SHABBAT MEVARCHIM As we wrote in the Shul Bulletin last month, there is a holy custom, established by the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, to recite the entire book of Tehillim on Shabbat Mevarchim, the Shabbat we bless a New Month (occurring on this Shabbat, Parshat Chayei Sarah, 11/18). This is an important way to bring blessing to oneself, one s family and the entire Jewish people. If reading the entire Book of 150 Psalms seems a bit overwhelming, you can start by reading a few Psalms this month, and try to do more next Shabbat Mevarchim. Before long, saying the whole book will not seem like such a daunting task. CHABAD CUSTOMS - Take Your Time On Friday Night Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law, discusses the custom of many not to make Kiddush between 6 and 7 PM on Friday night. Kaballisticly, that is an hour associated with Gevurah, with harsh judgement from On High - and it is not considered an auspicious time to make Kiddush. This custom has been accepted in Chabad and many other Chassidic circles. On a practical level, many people like the idea of having a cushion of time between services and the Shabbat meal because it affords them a few free moments on the long winter Friday nights to spend a some more time davening or learning some extra Torah with one s family. WHAT TIME IS SHABBAT OVER? Virtually all calendars that print candle lighting times compute the time as 18 minutes prior to sunset. Interestingly, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light Shabbat candles 40 minutes before sunset. Calculating the end of Shabbat, however, is not as simple. Shabbat ends at nightfall, or when when three small stars appear, which unlike sunset, is not a clearly defined time. Many have the custom of waiting a full 72 minutes after sunset before they end Shabbat and make Havdallah. Others wait 50 minutes after sunset to end Shabbat. The custom of others, including Chabad, is to wait less time after sunset. The exact time when Chabad ends Shabbat varies greatly throughout the year. It is based on the number of degrees the sun has fallen below the horizon. And, since the sun moves (or at least appears to move) slower in the summer, the time between sunset and nightfall will increase. In the winter, the time might be closer to 42 minutes after sunset. In all cases, it is best to consult a reliable calendar. The time printed in our Halachic times calendar (on page 10) for the end of Shabbat follows the Chabad custom.

12 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 12