PARSHAT SHEMOT Stone Chumash Page 292 January 5 January 12, Tevet 25 Tevet 5778

Transcription

1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG Marah D asrah reg@brsonline.org RABBI PHILIP MOSKOWITZ Associate rabbi rpm@brsonline.org DAVID KAY, MD President president@brsonline.org PARSHAT SHEMOT Stone Chumash Page 292 January 5 January 12, Tevet 25 Tevet 5778 The Weekly is sponsored by Sruly and Penina Landa in honor of Rabbi Eisenberger for all of his hard work and leadership as youth director JNF PARTNERSHIP WEEKEND This Shabbat, we show our commitment to Israel by celebrating our partnership with Jewish National Fund. To get involved in JNF, contact Lee Lebovich at llebovich@jnf.org or (561) RABBI DAVID SHABTAI, MD Rabbi, Sephardic Minyan rds@brsonline.org RABBI RAEL BLUMENTHAL Rabbi, BRS West rrb@brsonline.org RABBI JOSH BROIDE Outreach Rabbi rjb@brsonline.org RABBI SIMCHA SHABTAI Rosh Beis Medrash rss@brsonline.org RABBI KENNETH BRANDER, PHD Rabbi Emeritus rkb@brsonline.org MATTHEW HOCHERMAN Executive Director mjh@brsonline.org RABBI GERSHON EISENBERGER Youth Director rge@brsonline.org RABBI ELI ZIANS Teen Director rez@brsonline.org Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT DAY Rabbi's Class When Moshe went M.I.A: The Evolution of a Leader Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Shabbat Mincha Ma ariv/havdalah Avos U'Banim Veshinantem Levanecha 5:24 pm 5:25 pm 4:10 pm 5:10 pm 6:21 pm 7:00 pm 7:15 pm ALIZA BLUMENTHAL, LCSW BRS/JFS Social Worker alizab@brsonline.org KERRY PURCELL-STEWARD Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly kerry@brsonline.org Page 1 LIKE Like us on Facebook Boca Raton Synagogue FOLLOW Follow us @Broide SHARE Check out Jewish Pride Films for our latest videos HAHN JUDAIC CAMPUS 7900 MONTOYA CIRCLE N. BOCA RATON, FLORIDA (561) FAX Boca (561) Raton Synagogue Valuing Diversity Celebrating Unity OFFICE@BRSONLINE.ORG

2 FROM THE RABBI S DESK Coalition or Opposition: Lessons From My Week in Israel with Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Rabbinical Students Page 2 There is a large, flat monitor mounted in the lobby of Israel s Knesset that displays headshots of all the current members of Knesset. Interestingly, in an effort towards transparency, the screen indicates which members are present in the building at any given time. As I looked over the pictures, it occurred to me what a diverse group assembles and works together. Among the members are Chareidim and secular, Jews and Arabs, men and women, left wing and right wing. Many of these individuals are unlikely to interact socially or belong to the same community. And yet, here they appear as part of one united entity. Why? What brings them together? Whether in the coalition or in the opposition, these MK s who in many ways couldn t disagree more, all participate in the same body because they have a simple choice to make. They can sit on the sidelines as critics and antagonists, passive spectators to their own destiny, or they can work to have a seat at the table and collaborate alongside people with extremely different interests and lifestyles, so that they can contribute to shaping the future of their community and all of Israel. I have been to Israel countless times, but on the extraordinary trip I just returned from, I saw, heard and experienced things I had never before. My dear friends, R Kirshner, R Eger and I went on a journey with thirty students from reform, conservative and orthodox rabbinical schools as part of The Leffell Israel Fellows program. This AIPAC two-year fellowship, made possible by the Lisa and Michael Leffell Foundation, trains rabbinical students on Israel education and advocacy. For some, participating in an AIPAC mission was politically uncomfortable because of the perception that it leans politically to the right. For others, joining a group with rabbinical students from other denominations was complicated. Almost all the participants, though, shared the experience of leaving their comfort zone to be exposed to, and connect with, people with extraordinarily different religious and political views than their own. Together, through the people we met with and places we visited, we were reminded that as much as we all love and are devoted to Israel and focus on her beauty, there are complicated and difficult issues she faces going forward. Mohammad Darawshe challenged us on the rights of Israeli Arabs. A visit to south Tel Aviv forced us to confront the issue of migrants and refugees from other countries seeking asylum in Israel. A review of the IDF s code of ethics with one of its authors made us consider the ethical dilemmas our soldiers face daily. Brig. Gen. Assaf Orion briefed us on the state of Israel s security and Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin shared with us the nuances of Israeli politics. When we visited Kibbutz Nahal Oz and heard from Oshrit what life is like under the threat of rocket fire, we never imagined a mortar would land and explode the next day in the very spot that we stood. Aryeh Lightstone, senior advisor to Ambassador David Friedman, offered an inside look at the US-Israel relationship and Col. Gilad Eisin shared his perspectives on the future of Gaza. A panel discussion on the challenges of religion and state included diverse perspectives; a session with activists from the Ethiopian, Chareidi, LGBT and women s rights communities opened our eyes to their efforts and the obstacles they face. An early morning visit to a Palestinian crossing followed by a meeting with a high-level PLO official and a Palestinian survey researcher brought perspectives we rarely, if ever, are exposed to. A session with Ambassador Daniel Taub, a member of Israel s negotiating team, provided a behind-the-scenes look at negotiations. A panel comprised of Oded Revivi, the Mayor of Efrat and a leader of Yesha, and Yariv Oppenheimer, former CEO of Peace Now, modeled how two people with diametrically opposed views could debate rigorously and vociferously, while maintaining genuine warmth and friendship. We were briefed by an expert on Iran and better understood not only the JCPOA, but the real time protests happening in the streets. We toured the northern border with Lt. Col. Sarit Zehavi, who helped us understand the threat of Hezbollah and we learned about Israel s multi-layer missile defense from one of Iron Dome s engineers, Ari Sacher. We visited Syrians being treated in Ziv Hospital in Tzefat, and heard from Dr. Einat Wilf about different definitions of Zionism. In one week, we covered enormous ground and had the privilege of meeting with David Horovitz, Rabbi Dr. Danny Gordis, Yossi Klein Ha Levi, and Dr. Gil Troy as well. As one of the rabbis in residence of the trip, I spent time getting to know almost every student. I was specifically interested in their reactions to what we were seeing and experience. It was easy to shmooze with those who share similar positions to my own, but it was particularly eyeopening and startling to hear positions and perspectives I had never been exposed to and in some cases, didn t even know existed. Whether it was the students who described being embarrassed by Israel s egregious moral sin of the continued occupation, or the student who explained to me that intermarriage is not losing Jews, it is expanding the boundaries of Judaism, I found myself listening to positions and perspectives I never understood or considered before, and would usually simply dismiss. To be clear, none of my religious or political positions shifted or changed. My commitment to Torah, halacha, and mesorah are unshakeable. My conviction in our ancient ties to our homeland and my understanding of modern Israeli history and its implications on Israel s security needs are firmly held. These are my truths. They come from my teachers, my tradition, my family, and my own exploration and experience. Nevertheless, this trip forced me to confront, in ways I never have, the

3 question of how to relate to other people s truths, even when to me they ring false. It was very clear to me that both in religion and politics, the students with whom I disagreed believe in their truths with similar conviction and confidence. We cannot simply will or wish other people s positions away. When we fail to respectfully persuade them, we cannot resort to trying to stifle or silence them. So what can we do? Rabbi Soloveitchik describes another Knesset, not the parliament of the modern State of Israel, but Knesset Yisrael, the Jewish people ( Community, Tradition XVII, Spring, 1978): The community in Judaism is not a functional-utilitarian, but an ontological one. The community is not just an assembly of people who work together for their mutual benefit, but a metaphysical entity, an individuality: I might say, a living whole. In particular, Judaism has stressed the wholeness and the unity of Knesset Israel, the Jewish community. The latter is not a conglomerate. It is an autonomous entity, endowed with a life of its own. We, for instance, lay claim to Eretz Israel. God granted the land to us as a gift. To whom did He pledge the land? Neither to an individual, nor to a partnership consisting of millions of people. He gave it to the Knesset Israel, to the community as an independent unity, as a distinct juridic metaphysical person. He did not promise the land to me, to you, to them; nor did He promise the land to all of us together. Abraham did not receive the land as an individual, but as the father of a future nation. The owner of the Promised Land is the Knesset Israel, which is a community persona. Imagine if Knesset Yisrael, the Jewish people, followed the model of the Knesset and found a way to work together, despite our diversity and strongly held opposing views. Being a Member of Knesset doesn t demand uniformity or embracing someone else s truth as your own. There are separate parties, and while some maintain their differences from within a coalition, others express their disagreement by being in the opposition. With the rhetoric and passionate debate Knesset is famous for, ultimately its members are bound by one shared destiny that is far stronger than the differences that separate them. The day we visited Israel s parliament, the members of Knesset we were meant to meet with had to cancel as they were attending the funeral of the wife of their colleague, Rabbi Yehuda Glick. It wasn t just members of Glick s Likud party that weren t available, but it was also members of Meretz, Israel s far left, and others who went to be with their friend in his time of grief. Several years ago, research showed that 65% of Israeli high school students expressed racist views against Arabs and 57% of Arab high school students held similar views of Israelis. In 1999, an effort was made to bring Israeli teachers into Arab schools and vice versa. While complicated, it is now being done in 840 schools with more than 100,000 students being exposed to a teacher from the other side. A more recent survey showed that racism dropped from 65% to 10% for Israeli kids and from 57% to 8% for their Arab counterparts. A similar phenomenon has occurred within the chareidi and secular segments of Israel. The more segregated, the greater the judgment and hostility. The more integration and exposure, the greater the affinity and affection. Rav Shlomo Wolbe zt l explains that someone is an achzar, cruel, when they see the other as ach zar, just a stranger, the other. The lesson is clear the less we engage with one another, the easier it is to draw hostile conclusions and take adversarial positions. By simply interacting professionally and socially, barriers are broken down and relationships are formed. Relationships don t deny the other person s truths, they enable us to transcend them, even while we debate them. I will forever cherish the week with my new friends and family from across the denominations. These students, including the ones I fervently disagree with, are smart, thoughtful and passionate. Amazingly, we never felt the need to be apologetic in our debates, but always felt responsible to be respectful. I think the most important factor in our incredible time together was that our conversations centered on policies and positions, never on people or personalities. On many topics I could not disagree with them more, but at the same time, on the whole, I could not be more excited about the relationships we formed and how they have enriched my thinking, perspective and ahavas yisroel. Like the screen in the lobby of Knesset, the tapestry of the Jewish people is a mosaic of very diverse faces from different backgrounds and embracing incredibly different practices, lifestyles and views. When it comes to the crucial need to work together for the good of the Jewish people, only some will show as present, while far too many will be absent. Which will you be? Good Shabbos, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Subscribe to receive the Rabbi's blog via at rabbisblog.brsonline.org Page 3

4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Sephardic Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Sephardic Beit Midrash) Candle Lighting Ashkenazi Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) Shteibel Minyan Kabbalat Shabbat (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) Friday Night Live (Berdugo Beit Midrash - Room 104/105) 5:20 pm 5:24 pm 5:25 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm SHABBAT DAY Neitz Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:25 am Hashkama Minyan () 7:30 am 8:15 Minyan (Room 205/206) 8:15 am Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 8:30 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Remarks: Russel F. Robinson, CEO of JNF Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:30 am Family Minyan () 9:45 am Teen Minyan (Berdugo Beit Midrash) 9:45 am Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:48 am Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Early Mincha (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 3:00 pm Rabbi's Class 4:10 pm When Moshe went M.I.A: The Evolution of a Leader Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Sephardic Mincha (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 5:10 pm Ashkenazi Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 5:10 pm Daf Yomi (Berdugo Beit Midrash) Between Mincha/Ma'ariv Sh kiah 5:43 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 6:21 pm SHABBAT LEARNING Tefillah Insights 8:30 am Advanced Gemara Chabura (Rabbi Shaul Opoczynski) after Hashkama Minyan Youth Groups (Drop-off begins at 10:00 am) 10:30 am Avos U Banim (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 7:00 pm Veshinantam Levanecha () 7:15 pm JANUARY 12 & 13 PARSHAT VA'EIRA SHABBAT MEVORCHIM Sephardic Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Sephardic Beit Midrash) Candle Lighting Ashkenazi Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) Shtiebel Minyan/Kabbalat Shabbat (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program Ma ariv/havdalah (Shabbat) (Rand Sanctuary) 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:35 pm 5:40 pm 6:00 pm 6:26 pm NEW BRS APP Boca Raton Synagogue is proud to unveil its new App! Search Boca Raton Synagogue in the IPhone App Store & Android Play Store to download it. Keep up to date with Minyan times, What s Happening Now, The BRS Weekly, Audio Classes, The Rabbi s Blog and much more! DAILY MINYAN TIMES Ashkenazi Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Early Ashkenazi Mincha Ashkenazi Mincha/Ma ariv Late Ashkenazi Ma ariv Page 4 SUNDAY 20 TEVET MONDAY 21 TEVET TUESDAY 22 TEVET WEDNESDAY 23 TEVET THURSDAY 24 TEVET 6:25 am 6:15 am 6:25 am 6:25 am 6:15 am 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:45 am 7:45 am 7:45 am 7:45 am 7:45 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 9:15 am 1:00 pm Senders Library 5:25 pm 5:25 pm 5:25 pm 5:25 pm 5:25 pm Rand Sanctuary Rand Sanctuary Rand Sanctuary 9:45 pm 9:45 pm 9:45 pm 9:45 pm 9:45 pm Senders Library Senders Library Senders Library Senders Library Senders Library FOR SEPHARDIC TIMES, PLEASE SEE PAGE 8 - FOR BRS WEST TIMES, PLEASE SEE PAGE 10 FRIDAY 25 TEVET 6:25 am 7:00 am 7:45 am 8:30 am

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Nissan & Channa Portal on the birth of their daughter. Dr. Daniel & Rachel Ettedgui on the birth of their grandson. His proud parents are Eli & Yehudit Baron. AND to his proud aunts and uncles, Michael, Shana, Aharon, Yosef, Dovi, and Moshe. Jill Putney on the birth of her grandson. Proud parents are Rabbi Eli and Shoshana Putney of Scottsdale, Arizona. And to his siblings Efraim, Avigail, Shulamis,and Shifra, to the extended Putney and Estrin families, and to Bubby Nettie Isler. Daniel & Liora Adler who are being honored at the Katz Hillel Day School Journal Dinner on Tuesday night. AND to Jill Kaminetzky, Rabbi Mordechai Smolarcik and Sari Vine recipients of the 13 Year Faculty Dedication Award. KIDDUSH Hashkama Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Dr. Michael & Dana Petrover in honor of their anniversary. Teen Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Dr. Herschel & Dvora Scher and Ari & Dr. Karin Blumofe in honor of their children, Yosef and Adin, laining their Bar Mitzvah Parsha. Sephardic Minyan Kiddush sponsored by the Sephardic Minyan Kiddush Fund. Veshinantam Levanecha sponsored by Sharon & Steven Langert for a Refuah Shleima for Aaron Tzvi Avigdor ben Shifra Rachel. Seudah Shlishiet sponsored by Saul & Eva Friedman in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of her beloved father, Salomon Gold. Guest Speaker: Saul Friedman BRS & JNF PARTNERSHIP WEEKEND Shabbat, January 6 with Russell Robinson. Russell F. Robinson is a tireless advocate for Israel and leader in Jewish philanthropy. Since being named CEO in 1997, he has been instrumental in making Jewish National Fund one of the most recognized non-profits for its work, business management, financial integrity, and volunteer involvement. Under his leadership, JNF has become a guiding force in creating successful programs for Israel s water crisis, community development, environmental work, and the sustainable development of the Negev, all of which are building a stronger, healthier, and more secure Israel. PARENTS OF KIDS IN ISRAEL Rabbi Goldberg will be in Israel in January and would love to spend time with our BRS kids studying in their gap year or serving in the IDF. Please send their WhatsApp information to linda@brsonline.org. NEEDLEWORK AND TORAH Inviting all women for a morning of Needlework and Torah, this Sunday, January 7 at 11:00am at Dorado Drive, Boca Raton. Please join us as we crochet beautiful blankets to be distributed to children in Israel. If you are able to attend, please RSVP Susan, (561) or susyr57@yahoo. com. Blanket kits available for purchase ($7). Please bring crochet hooks, if you have them! SUNRISE MINYAN AT THE BEACH Next Friday, January 12, at 6:50 am. Watch the sun rise over the ocean as you connect with God through prayer and inspiration. Meet at the Palmetto Park Gazebo for a special inspirational Minyan. Men and women are welcome. BRS FILM FESTIVAL Next Saturday night, January 13 at 8:00 pm in the Rand Sanctuary for a free showing of "Run Boy Run". A superlative saga of courage and compassion, RUN BOY RUN tells the extraordinary true story of a Polish boy who seeks the kindness of others in his solitary struggle to outlast the Nazi occupation and keep alive his Jewish faith. FORGOTTEN REFUGEES Next Sunday, January 14, 7:00 pm - Forgotten Refugees: The untold story of the nearly 1 million Jews living in Arab countries, who were forcibly expelled from or compelled to leave their homes between These forgotten refugees never received recognition or help from the international community or compensation for their great losses. Most of them were absorbed by the newly formed State of Israel. NEW SUPPORT GROUP Join us on Monday, January 22 at 7:00 pm in the Berdugo Beit Midrash (Room 104/105) for a new support group. The group focus will be developing healthy ways to navigate delicate relationships. If you have a child or spouse that is struggling with compulsive behaviors, you will have the opportunity to share with and learn from others practical ways to assist. A special focus will be placed on developing a roadmap to help them help themselves. This group dialogue will facilitated by Moshe A. Yachnes, LCSW who works with individuals and families struggling with addiction on many levels. SOFER TO VISIT BRS If you have Mezzuot or Tefillin to be checked or if you need to purchase new, Rabbi Shmuel Rosenfeld will be at BRS from Thursday, February 1, through Sunday, February 4. If you would like to contact Rabbi Rosenfeld prior to his visit, his if ravstam@yahoo.com. COMING ATTRACTION Save the Date: Avigail Rock will be in Boca February Details to follow! Page 5 SHALOM ZACHOR The Ettedgui family invites the entire community to a Shalom Zachor for their grandson tonight, Friday night, January 5, at 8:30 pm, at their home 7505 London Lane in Thornhill Estates. 8:15 AM MINYAN THIS SHABBAT The 8:15 am Shabbat morning Minyan will meet again this week, Shabbat, January 6, in room 205/206. Kiddush to follow the Minyan. FAMILY MINYAN THIS SHABBAT Join the BRS Youth department this Shabbat, January 6 at 9:45 am in the Social Hall for our Family Minyan. Parents and Children are encouraged to come together and participate in this incredible educational experience! BIBLICAL VILLAINS: RABBI MOSHE MILLER Rabbi Moshe Miller will begin a 4 part series on Biblical Villains this Sunday, January 7 at 10:00 am in the. Please see the back page of the weekly for the full list of classes. Sponsored by Nancy and Jonathan Charm INVITING ALL HAPPY GOLDEN GIRLS Mark your calendar for a get-together at Boca Bagel Factory, Powerline Road in Boca Raton. This Monday, January 8, 10:30 am. You can bring a friend or come to make new friends. No reservations required we will meet the first Monday of every month. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED COURSE The Moments That Mattered course will not take place this Tuesday, January 9 and will continue next Tuesday, January 16, with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz. Moments that Mattered class is generously sponsored by Debbie & Simcha Firestone. BRS SISTERHOOD BRS Sisterhood invites young mothers to the first of a series of monthly parenting workshops with Lori Landes, Wednesday night, January 10 at 8:30 pm at the home of Shira Menczer, Las Brisas Circle in Las Brisas. Sisterhood presents Jay Buchsbaum, Director of Wine Education for Royal Wine Corporation. He will speak on Pairing Wines with Food, Motzai Shabbat, January 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm. A sushi chef will be preparing a light dinner along with wines and cheese. Please join us for a fun and educational evening at the home of Michael and Risa Zimmerman, 7568 Chester Terrace in Thornhill Estates. The event is $75pp and is a fundraiser for the new kitchen. Space is limited. Register at GIRLS TALENT SHOW TRYOUTS The Boca Raton Synagogue is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Girls Talent Show in the spring of 2018! The Talent Show will give an opportunity for our local Jewish girls to share their talents with our BRS Community in a Kosher all-women event, by connecting to Hashem and Torah through the performing arts. We are inviting all Jewish girls ages 3 to 20 to come for tryouts on Sunday, February 18, 2018 in the Berdugo Beit Midrash from 3 :00-6:00 pm. Bring a 2-3 minute selection in any genre to perform: singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, storytelling, comedy, or drama! The chosen girls will get an opportunity to perform in our Showcase in the Spring, and the winner will receive a Grand Prize! We would love to see you on February 18! To sign up for a time, please the show's producer, Victoria Bukhover, orzachpro@gmail.com or call (224)

6 WEEK AT A GLANCE DAILY DAF YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) Rabbi Ben Sugerman 7:00 am Petrover Board Room MISHNA BERURA YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) 15 minutes before Mincha NIGHT BEIT MIDRASH (Sunday - Thursday) 8:00 pm Senders Library NIGHT TIME DAF YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) BRS Rabbinate at 8:40 pm Rooms 104/105 MONDAY HEBREW POETRY Hassia Yehuda 9:30 am Petrover Board Room MEN'S AFTERNOON KOLLEL 3:00 to 5:00 pm A TOUR OF TOSHBA (TORAH SHE'BEAL PEH) (FOR WOMEN) Rabbi Simmy Shabtai 7:45 pm NEW 3-PART SERIES - TREE'S A CROWD Mrs. Rina Lanner 8:30 pm TUESDAY PARSHA CLASS Rabbi Efrem Goldberg 9:30 am Rand Sanctuary Co-Sponsored by Gladys Sherman in honor of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. AND Cara Zimmerman in honor of the birthday of her dear sister, Suzi Baker. MELACHIM BET CLASS Rabbi Philip Moskowitz 10:30 am Rand Sanctuary MOMENTS THAT MATTERED will not take place WEDNESDAY CUP OF JOE & KNOW Rabbi Efrem Goldberg 8:15 am Sponsored by Elliot Allswang in memory of his beloved mother, Marilyn Allswang Eisenberg LIVING WITH EMUNAH Rabbi Efrem Goldberg will not take place IN-DEPTH STUDY OF BOOK OF SAMUEL II Malka Morris 9:30 am Petrover Board Room MEN'S AFTERNOON KOLLEL 3:00 to 5:00 pm NIGHT LEARNING PROGRAM WITH TTB 7:45 pm THURSDAY RABBANIT AVIGAIL ROCK CLASS VIA SKYPE 9:30 am Petrover Board Room MEN'S AFTERNOON KOLLEL 3:00 to 5:00 pm AMUD SHIUR 8:45-9:20 pm Senders Library IYUN CHABURA 9:20-9:45 pm Senders Library with Chulent WEEKLY MUSSAR SCHMOOZE 10:00 pm Senders Library with Chulent BRS AUXILIARIES, ETC. SAVE THE DATE: EMPTY NESTERS Sunday, February 4 at Sugar Sand Park. Musical Story. Garland: in Word and Song. A journey back to Judy s famous 1961 Carnegie Hall performance. Tickets are available for $30 and dinner at Century Grill is $29.00 per person. Make your reservations with the Shul office or go to For more information please call, Sylvia (561) or Rita (561) Save the Date: Purim, March 1, BIKUR CHOLIM Let your fingers do the walking. If you're interested in reserving the Shabbat Room at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, you have two simple options: 1. Call the hospital at (561) and ask for the patient advocate department, option 2. Call the patient advocate department directly at (561) All reservations are done on a first-come first-serve basis. BOCA RATON COMMUNITY ERUV The Boca Raton Community Eruv is in need of funds. Yearly membership remains at $100 per family. It is now possible to sponsor the Eruv for a particular Shabbat for $360. Donations can now also be made through our website or by contacting Chani Salamon at (561) for more information. Please help, as we ALL benefit from the Eruv. The Eruv is something we all rely on and often take for granted. If you have not yet contributed, please consider doing so in order to ensure that the Eruv can be checked and maintained. Page 6 LIFE CYCLE BIRTHDAYS Ariella Pinkis Yehudah Marcus Dov Blumenthal Eliana Applebaum Chana Kaminetsky Rabbi Eli Zians Meera Hofstatter Shoshana Stadlan ANNIVERASRY Dr. Ashi & Chava Weisstuch Dr. Akiva & Leorah Marcus WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Baruch & Natasha Len CONDOLENCES TO Shelley Senfeld on the passing of her beloved mother, Irva Senfeld. Marilynne Mechanic on the passing of her beloved husband, Chaim (Harold) Mechanic. IN APPRECIATION From Linda Struhl My heart and my home were filled with such an outpouring of love this week. My heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Moskowitz and the BRS and BRS West communities. REFUAH SHLAYMAH For members of BRS Community. For all other Refuah Shlaymah needs, please call Linda at (561) Moshe Applebaum Moshe Zvi ben Rochel Leah Yosef Chaim ben Faiga Merv Jacobs Meir ben Sarah Stuart Silverman Yeshaya Moshe ben Nacha Sarah Marcus Witztum Mordechai ben Malka Chayim ben Rashi Chaim ben Rachel Zev ben Levi HaLevi Yisroel Moshe ben Yocheved Arieh Leib ben Baila Rochel Isaac Shaya ben Taliya Levana Rabbi Dr. Brian Galbut Baruch Tzvi ben Rivka Batya Arnold Hordish Yosef Avraham ben Chana Yoel ben Etel Tzivia Yosef ben Rochel Rabbi Simcha Freedman Simcha Shemaryahu ben Itta Harvey Gordon Yechezkel ben Leah Helen Ijac Alta Haita bat Devorah Joan Noven Rochel Tova bat Malka YAHRZEITS Stephen Colman in memory of his mother Devora Goldwasser in memory of her father Judy Gelbart in memory of her brother Jeffrey Gerstin in memory of his grandmother Sylvia Pruzansky in memory of her mother Elaine Trachtenberg in memory of her sister Andrea Lieberman in memory of her aunt Judi Krasna in memory of her father Liz Karsh in memory of her father Eva Friedman in memory of her father George Berman in memory of his mother Malka Schyndel in memory of her brother Anna Cohen in memory of her father Rhoda Azar in memory of her mother Nancy Charm in memory of her father Gershon Schwadron in memory of his mother Jeffrey Gerstin in memory of his grandmother Arnold Bramnick in memory of his grandmother Barney Yukolis in memory of his mother Deanna Shulman in memory of her mother Betty Maikhor in memory of her father Ephraim Haimson in memory of his father Shira Menczer in memory of her grandfather Carol Smokler in memory of her mother Ira Berger in memory of his aunt Gloria Wolff in memory of her husband Dr. Larry Charme in memory of his wife Carlyn Mayer in memory of her father Bonnie Weinreb in memory of her grandfather Dr. Issy & Riwella Bruk Ariella Berman Ariella Sarah bat Elisheva Malka Chana Guta bat Rochel Noa Maya Carmel Noa Maya bat Devora Rachel Jacquie Padow Ya akova Chava Rus bat Beyla Or Ester bat Dina Rivka Wendy Wasserstrom Zehava bat Chaya Eden Malka bat Ravit Sara Leah bat Maya Elanit Jean Cohen Eta Chaya bat Rachel Chaya Yocheved Alexandra bat Chaviva Tova Yocheved bat Alta Sura Leah Ruth Malinowitz Rivka bat Freida Esther bat Doba Beverly Kellman Baila Rus bat Sara Marie Gosser Muna bat Salima Shulamit Olga Newman Liba Rivka bat Esther Malka Breindel Chanah bat Chaye Raizel Hannah Arielle bat Yehudit Gila Helen Cohan Chula bat Zissel Sonia Colman, 18 Tevet Jacob Saltzman, 18 Tevet Harvey Guttman, 18 Tevet Rachel Goldberg, 18 Tevet Lillian Schneider, 18 Tevet Linda Fund, 19 Tevet Linda Fund, 19 Tevet Herman Greenberg, 19 Tevet Yacov Shemesh,19 Tevet Salomon Gold, 19 Tevet Claire Berman, 20 Tevet Michael Schyndel, 20 Tevet Nathaniel Wasserman, 20 Tevet Frieda Miller, 20 Tevet Joseph Silverman, 21 Tevet Evelyn Schwadron, 21 Tevet Anna Goldberg, 21 Tevet Chana Leah Liberman, 22Tevet Rose Yukolis, 22 Tevet Serena Green, 23 Tevet Baruch Zabner, 23Tevet Moshe Uri Haimson, 23 Tevet Max Genuth, 24 Tevet Doris Sobin, 24 Tevet Rosalia Berger, 24 Tevet Solomon Wolff, 25 Tevet Phyllis Charme, 25 Tevet Michael Spitz, 25 Tevet Yosef Ber B Reb Chaim Klau, 25 Tevet

7 ISRAEL UPDATE SOCIAL ACTION The U.S. and Israel have reached a joint strategic work plan to counter Iranian activity in the Middle East. American and Israeli officials said the joint understandings were reached in a secret meeting between senior Israeli and U.S. delegations at the White House on December 12. As part of the understandings that were reached, the U.S. and Israel decided to form several working groups according to the joint goals: Covert and diplomatic action to block Iran's path to nuclear weapons Countering Iranian activity in the region, especially the Iranian entrenchment efforts in Syria and the Iranian support for Hezbollah and other terror groups Countering Iranian ballistic missiles development Joint U.S.-Israeli preparation for different escalation scenarios in the region concerning Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza Save the Date Sunday, January 14, 7:00 pm - Forgotten Refugees: The untold story of the nearly 1 million Jews living in Arab countries, who were forcibly expelled from or compelled to leave their homes between These forgotten refugees never received recognition or help from the international community or compensation for their great losses. Most of them were absorbed by the newly formed State of Israel ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF IDF SOLDIERS Please have in mind children and grandchildren of members of our community currently serving in the IDF: Eliana Aiken, Matthew Albert, Avishai Augenbraun, Noam Bar Yakov, Shani Ben Zikry, Raz Ben-Zikry, David Borenstein, Maya Borzak, Rotem Bronfman, Jonathan Cohen, Aviad Halfon, Ron Hirschhorn, Rafael Nissim ben Moshe Israel, Avi Kahn, Menachem Kaplan, Shabtai Kaplan, Asher Kaplan, Shuli Klein, Seth Weiss Razi Katz, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS KATZ YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL OF SOUTH FLORIDA PRESENTS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. An event for women and girls of all ages. This Thursday, January 11 at 7:30pm at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach. You can purchase tickets through the following link: For more information, please contact Shira Englander at mse@yeshivahs.org. SHARSHERET SOUTH FLORIDA ANNUAL MAH JONGG EVENT Save the date! Sharsheret South Florida Annual Mah Jongg Event. February 11, Event will be held at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh Boca Raton. Questions call Robin Muller (954) or muller1986@yahoo.com Page 7 ROBERT ALAN BOB LEVINSON Is an American private investigator and retired DEA and CIA agent. He was taken hostage on March 9, 2007 when visiting Iran s Kish Island and is currently the longest held hostage in American history. Mikki Kowal, Ami Lieder, Noam Lowenstern, Shuli Mayer, Daniel Miller, Eitan Yitzchak ben Etel Rochel, Elad Shachar, Sarina Solomon, Akiva Strauss, Yehoshua Strauss, Dean Tansman, Amir Tsarfati, Joshua Weiss, Noah Weiss, and Eitan Wolfson. If you have PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS AVRAHAM BEN AGERNISH Avera (Avraham) Mengitsu is an Israeli civilian with a history of severe depression and mental illness. He crossed into Gaza in September Hamas has recently admitted that they are holding him captive but there is no additional information on his condition. children or grandchildren currently serving in the IDF, please let us know their names so we can include them. Please have in mind our missing-in-action Israeli Soldiers. DEAR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS, IF YOUR CHILD OR GRANDCHILD IS NO LONGER IN THE IDF, PLEASE LET KERRY KNOW SO THEIR NAME CAN BE REMOVED.

8 The Sephardic Minyan of Boca Raton Synagogue המנין הספרדי של ק"ק בוקה רטון שבת SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY פרשת שמות Parshat Shemot January 5 January 6 טבת 18 טבת 19 שמות 6:50am Ha-Netz Shaharit 6:25am Ha-Netz Minyan 5:20pm Minhah 8:10am Hilkhot Shabbat Shiur 5:24pm Latest Candle Lighting 8:30am Main Minyan 5:57pm Earliest Shema 4:15pm Rabbi s Class 5:10pm Minhah 6:21pm Arvit/Havdalah 6:57pm Rabbenu Tam 7:00pm Avot u-banim 7:00pm Veshinantam January 7 January 8 טבת 20 January 9 טבת 21 January 10 טבת 22 January 11 טבת 23 January 12 טבת 24 January 13 טבת 25 טבת 26 וארא 6:50am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:25pm Minhah / Arvit 5:59pm Earliest Shema 9:30pm Ladies Shiur 6:51am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:25pm Minhah / Arvit 5:59pm Earliest Shema 6:51am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:25pm Minhah / Arvit 6:00pm Earliest Shema 8:00pm Hilkhot Shabbat Shiur 6:51am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:25pm Minhah / Arvit 6:01pm Earliest Shema 8:30pm Halakhah Shiur 6:51am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:25pm Minhah / Arvit 6:01pm Earliest Shema 6:51am Ha-Netz Shaharit 5:30pm Minhah 5:30pm Latest Candle Lighting 6:02pm Earliest Shema 6:26am Ha-Netz Minyan 8:10am Hilkhot Shabbat Shiur 8:30am Main Minyan 4:20pm Rabbi s Class 5:15pm Minhah 6:26pm Arvit/Havdalah 7:02pm Rabbenu Tam 7:00pm Avot u-banim 7:00pm Veshinantam Parshah Thought Moshe is concerned that Bnei Yisrael will not believe that Hashem really spoke to him. Hashem instructs him to tell Bnei Yisrael that Hashem has פקד פקדתי את בני ישראל surely remembered them. Rashi explains that the terminology פקד פקדתי will serve as a sure sign to Bnei Yisrael that Moshe is telling the truth, since this is the same language that Yosef used when he told his brothers and children that Hashem will eventually redeem them from Mitzrayim. Ramban wonders why this would be effective, since anybody even a charlatan who was not sent by Hashem would know about the language. Why then would Bnei Yisrael automatically believe such a person? Maharal explains that Ramban is indeed correct; Bnei Yisrael would not automatically believe a message from somebody using this language. However, it would peak their attention to listen more carefully. This was actually Hashem s intent. Moshe was to use the phrase פקד פקדתי since Bnei Yisrael knew that it was associated with the redemption and then would be able to prove it to them otherwise. In life as well, we know that Hashem runs the world and is behind everything that happens. Sometimes though, it is hard to see. It is our job to look for the little hints that Hashem is sending our way to pay attention and look more closely, to see the truth behind them. Rabbi David Shabtai, MD Rabbi, Sephardic Minyan rds@brsonline.org Page 8

9 Tune in for the FIRST SHOW THIS SUNDAY!! Every Sunday at 3:00pm 850 WFTL Call Josh for special sponsorship info (561) THIS SUNDAY NIGHT!! To register: Page 9

10 במערבא NEWS FROM THE WEST פרשת שמות HILLEL DAY SCHOOL TH AVE BRSWEST.NET (561) מגדולי המחשבה שבפרשנינו commentary Of the great thinkers in COMING SOON! NEW KIDDUSH OPTIONS! FRIDAY SHABBAT SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 6 JANUARY 7 JANUARY 5:25PM MINCHA / KABBALAT SHABBAT 5:24PM CANDLE LIGHTING 8:30AM SEFORNO SHIUR 9:00AM SHACHARIT 10:00AM MACHANEH SHABBAT 11:00AM TEEN SICHA 4:15PM SHIUR 5:15PM MINCHA / SEUDA 6:21PM MA ARIV / HAVDALAH 8:00AM SHACHARIT 5:30PM MINCHA KIDDUSH IS SPONSORED BY THE KATZ HILLEL DAY SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL SHABBATON Page 10

11 NEXT WEEK! Rav Aharon Kahn Rav Aharon Kahn studied under the Rav for 20 years, served as the founding Rosh Kollel of the Gruss Kollel Elyon, and is currently a Rosh Yeshiva at YU and Rav of Knesseth Bais Avigdor in Brooklyn, NY Thursday Night Iyun Chabura - 9:00 pm Mussar Schmooze - 10:00pm Friday Night Chabura at 8:30 pm at the home of Dr. Eytan and Devorah Marcus AMUD SHAVUI Mazel tov to the Amud Shavui Chevra for competing the 1st perek of Masechet Makkot! Join the bandwagon as we begin the 2nd perek this week. Contact Dr. Oppenheimer for more information - aviopp@gmail.com. Amud Shavui Chevra Rabbi Adam Englander Dr. Ashi Weisstuch Rabbi Dr. Avi Oppenheimer Dr. Mordy Goldenberg Jordan Herman Seth Frohlich Evan Landau Rotem Carmel Stephen Melcer Dr. Harry Bloom Dr. Danny Aghion Sender Oppenheimer Dr. Avraham Belizon Shmuel Belizon Rabbi Eli Zians Rabbi Dr. Moshe Winograd Richard Ehrlich Steven Berkley Daniel Adler Elliot Allswang Dr. Judah Beck Rabbi Ben Gonsher NIGGUNIM & CHASSIDUS Join Rabbi Mirzoeff and the Chevra at 9:00 pm, this week taking place at Wednesday Night, in the Berdugo BM. 15 MINUTE SHIUR Join Rabbi Flug on Monday Nights at 9:30 pm for Contemporary Halacha From the Parsha Page 11

12 UPCOMING EVENTS BRS TEEN DEPARTMENT PLANET AIR All High School teens are invited to Planet Air Sports Day, Sunday, January 14, at 2:00 pm! Cost is $20, food included! TEEN MINYAN Join us every Shabbat at 9:45am in the Teen Minyan for a beautiful and inspirational Davening! All are welcomed! Followed by a delicious kiddush! TEFILLAH WORKSHOP Learn how to lead a Minyan and navigate your way through the Suddur! All teens are welcomed to join us as we learn how to Daven for the Amud! *New times* Every Tuesday at 7:30pm in the Senders Library. Rabbi Eli Zians, Teen Rabbi rez@brsonline.org. Page 12

13 Map out your month of JANUARY 2018 MON 01 FRIDAY 05 SHABBAT 06 MOTZEI SHABBAT Page 13 SUNRISE DAVEN & 5K DASH 6:15 AM GAZEBO AT THE END OF PALMETTO PK ROAD BRS YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FONT LAWN JNF-BRS PARTNERSHIP FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER BRS & JNF PARTNERSHIP WEEKEND RUSSEL ROBINSON, CEO OF JNF 07 G.LA.M ICE SKATING EVENT 7:15 AM REGISTER AT SUN 07 WED 10 SAT 13 MOTZEI SHABBAT 13 BIBLICAL VILLAINS (4 PART SERIES) RABBI MOSHE MILLER BEGINS 10:00 AM JWRP FOUNDING DIRECTOR LORI PALATNIK - DISCOVERING THE REAL YOU: UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF AND APPRECIATING OTHERS 5:00 PM BRS SISTERHOOD YOUNG MOTHERS SERIES 8:30 PM DR. YITZCHAK BELIZON Z L BEIS MEDRASH VISITING RABBI : RABBI AHARON KAHN BRS EMTZA EVENT 8:00 PM SHABBAT MOTZEI 13 FILM FESTIVAL RUN BOY RUN 8:00 PM BRS SISTERHOOD WINE EVENT SUN 14 MON 15 TUES 16 THUR 18 SAT 27 SUN 28 WED 31 THE FORGOTTEN REFUGEES 7:00 PM BRS SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE & STAND WITH US HILCHOT SHABBAT SERIES FOR WOMEN CONTINUES WITH RABBI DAVID SHABTAI, MD DAF YOMI SIYUM ON MASECHET SHEVUOS RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS SOLD OUT DR. YITZCHAK BELIZON Z L BEIS MEDRASH VISITING RABBI - RABBI ELI BELIZON SEMINAR WITH JOHN GOTTMAN, PHD REGISTER AT UNDERSTANDING EATING DISORDERS IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WITH TEMIMAH ZUCKER

14 Pillar Society Seven years ago, Boca Raton Synagogue launched the Pillar Society for those members that wish to help our synagogue continue to offer the highest possible level of educational, religious, and social programming to our community. The Pillar Society provides a backbone to our community, and your commitment enables the Shul to provide for the needs of all our members, regardless of their ability to pay. Boca Raton Synagogue would like to thank the families that have already committed to the 2017/2018 Pillar Society. We appeal to you and others to become members of The Pillar Society to be the leaders of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim in our community. Emerald Pillar $25,000 Diamond Pillar $18,000 Platinum Pillar $12,000 Gold Pillar $6,000 EMERALD Lynn W. Hahn Larry & Deborah Silver DIAMOND Yaakov Kronfeld Dr. William & Debbie Rand PLATINUM Leo & Heni Ehrlich Murray & Basheva Goldberg Dr. Bernie & Melanie Kaminetsky Michael & Jill Rose Lewis & Helene Stahl Elaine Trachtenberg Skipper & Sari Vine Sapphire Pillar $4,000 (for Families age 70 and over) Silver Pillar $3,600 (for Families ages 36 and under) q THE PILLAR SOCIETY q CAMPAIGN IS NOW UNDERWAY GOLD Daniel & Dr. Liora Adler Dr. Albert & Evelyn Begas Lisa Kaufman Bensmihen Steven Berkeley & Dr. Rebecca Stern Dr. Harry & Shelly Bloom Eli & Amy Buzaglo Donny & Dr. Freyda Cohen Drs. Eli & Orlie Cohen Dr. Meyer & Laura Cohen Dr. Hillel & Chayi Cohen Dr. Mark & Tilda Fisher Dr. Ben & Cara Freedman Michael & Barbara Frenkel Seth & Esther Entin Hensha Gansbourg Rabbi Efrem & Yocheved Goldberg Daniel Rosenthal & Sara Goldberg* Glen & Rosa Golish Drs. Charles & Simone Griff Dr. Larry & Debra Halperin Dr. Chanoch & Rachel Harow Dr. Moshe & Shari Hirth Yanki & Lauren Hofstatter Dr. Mervin & Elaine Jacobs Daniel & Susan Kaskel Dr. David & Sharona Kay Gary & Judi Krasna Philip & Jennifer Landau Drs. Joseph & Seema Loskove Dr. David & Reena Makover Dr. Akiva & Leorah Marcus Dr. David Markowitz & Dr. Sara Levine Lothar & Carlyn Mayer Stephen & Linda Melcer David & Joyce Muller Dr. Daniel & Rachel Rudensky Mike Senders Rony and Hagit Shachar* Dr. Leor & Gabriela Skoczylas Drs. Todd Slesinger & Michelle Fox-Slesinger* Dr. Zorik & Ellen Spektor Dr. Josh & Stephanie Stern Teddy & Linda Struhl Dr. Jackie & Rachel Tripp* Dr. Jonathan & Suri Winograd Dr. David & Maxine Wolgin Michael & Risa Zimmerman Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous* General Membership Family Membership $2,000 Single Membership $1,200 SAPPHIRE Dr. Mark & Helen Cohan Rabbi Simcha & Anna Freedman Jeffrey & Carla Klein Bob & Penny Pearlman Lowell Rabinowitz* George & Stephanie Saks Rabbi Leonard & Molly Small Dr. Neal & Bonnie Weinreb Anonymous SILVER Dr. Danny & Emely Aghion Rick & Dr. Penina Dorfman David & Jennifer Epstein* Ayal & Deena Frist Naftali & Shani Herrmann - New Dr. Evan & Ilana Landau Dr. Elie & Reina Mendelson - New Drs. Elan & Juliana Rosenblat Aron & Penina Schoenfeld Dr. Jared & Sara Shulman* Gil & Lysee Stein Dr. Ashi & Chava Weisstuch Anonymous To join the Pillar Society for 2017/2018 campaign, please contact Mattthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org or (561) Page 14 * BRS West

15 OVER 525 PEOPLE ALREADY REGISTERED! RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW. How to Make Relationships Work Building Trust, Love & Loyalty A seminar you won t want to miss with John Gottman, Ph.D A pioneer in relationship science, Dr. John Gottman has revolutionized our understanding of marriage, relationships, and couples therapy. He draws upon nearly four decades of breakthrough research and clinical practice with more than 3,000 couples. Dr. Gottman shares his findings and insights about predicting whether couples will stay together or separate, and will teach you the tools that couples need to build strong and enduring relationships. Sunday, January 28 7:00 9:00 pm, followed by Q & A Boca Raton Synagogue 7900 Montoya Circle, Boca Raton, FL Dr. John Gottman World-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction, John Gottman has conducted 40 years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples. His work on marriage and parenting has earned him numerous major awards. Dr. Gottman was named one of the Top 10 Most Infl uential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker. He is the author or co-author of over 200 published academic articles and more than 40 books, including the best-selling The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work; What Makes Love Last; The Relationship Cure; Why Marriages Succeed or Fail; and Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child, among many others. Dr. Gottman s media appearances include Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News, and Oprah, as well articles in The New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Glamour, Woman s Day, People, Self, Reader s Digest, and Psychology Today. Co-founder of the Gottman Institute with his wife, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, John was also the Executive Director of the Relationship Research Institute. He is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington, where he founded The Love Lab, where much of his research on couples interactions was conducted. His style of presentation is clear, informative, and fi lled with humor, and he is beloved by his audiences everywhere. Co-sponsored by Cost is $10 per person, $15 per couple. Space is limited. To register for this can t-miss seminar, visit This event is generously sponsored in memory of June Rose Silverman A H by her loving family. Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle N. Boca Raton, Fl (561) Page 15

16 BRS Social Action Committee and Stand With Us invite you to an exclusive showing of The Forgotten Refugees Sunday, January 7:00 pm The Forgotten Refugees, an award-winning documentary about the plight of nearly one million Jewish refugees from Arab lands, explores the history and destruction of the Middle Eastern Jewish communities they fled, some of which had existed for over 2,500 years. As Israel struggled economically in her early days of statehood, more than 650,000 of these refugees were absorbed. The Forgotten Refugees features testimony from those who fled Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco and Yemen. Their personal stories are interspersed with dramatic archival footage. Following the screening, Shahar Azani, Executive Director for Stand With Us Northeast Region, will share his personal story as a child of forgotten refugees from Yemen and contemporize current events. Page 16

17 Page 17

18 20th Century Moment that Ma ered The Moments that Mattered course will take place at Boca Raton Synagogue on Tuesday evenings, November 21 February 27 from 7:30 9:00 pm If you enjoyed Tanach B Shana and People of the Book, you ll love this course! Tuesday, November 21, 2017 The Daf Yomi Movement Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Tuesday, November 28, 2017 The Balfour Declaration Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Women's Learning: Bais Yaakov and the Rav Rabbi Rael Blumenthal Sponsored by Alegrina Bensmihen & Joseph Bensmihen in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of her beloved husband and his beloved father, David Bensmihen. Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Maimonides School and Co-Education Rabbi Yosef Kassorla Tuesday, December 26, 2017 The Kollel Movement in America Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Tuesday, January 2, 2018 Do the Ends Justify the Means: Driving to Shabbat Services Rabbi Yosef Kassorla Tuesday, January 16, 2018 The Mechitza Controversy Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Tuesday, January 30, 2018 Brother Daniel - Who is a Jew? Rabbi Rael Blumenthal 1993 BRS Women Midrasha 4-Part Hilchot Shabbat Series for Women November 13 Hilchot Shabbat and Children with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg December 4 Hilchot Shabbat and Food Preparation with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Tuesday, February 6, 2018 The Fight for Soviet Jewry Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Oslo and Land for Peace Rabbi Rael Blumenthal Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Patrilineal Descent and Reform Jewry January 15 To listen to the first class given by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg on Caring for Children While Caring for Shabbos, visit audioclasses Hilchot Shabbat and Medical Issues with Rabbi David Shabtai, MD Rabbi Yosef Kassorla Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Establishing Yom Hashoah as a Day of Mourning Rabbi Efrem Goldberg March 5 Hilchot Shabbat and the Shabbos Goy with Rabbi Moshe Schochet This course is free and open to the public. To sponsor an individual class in honor or in memory of someone, contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org All shiurim will take place in the at 8:30 pm For more information, please contact Rabbi Simcha Shabtai at rss@brsonline.org or Moments that Mattered class is generously sponsored by Debbie & Simcha Firestone. HAHN JUDAIC CAMPUS 7900 MONTOYA CIRCLE N. BOCA RATON, FL (561) FAX (561) Boca Raton Synagogue Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle North, Boca Raton, FL tel fax office@brsonline.org Page 18

19 MOTZEI SHABBAT LEARNING at BRS AVOS U BANIM LEARNING PROGRAM The Avos U Banim learning program will continue this Motzei Shabbat. This program, designed for Chavrusa learning between fathers and their sons, takes place in the Sephardic Beit Midrash from 7:00 8:00 pm and includes a child s Dvar Torah, pizza (sponsored by Mozart Café), and raffles. Please contact Rabbi Simmy Shabtai at rss@brsonline.org for more information. Something for Everyone! VESHINANTAM LEVANECHA SEASON XVIII Veshinantam Levanecha continues this Saturday night at 7:15 pm in the. This incredible parent child learning program is designed for children under 8 years old. Come join us for learning, singing, raffles, pizza and so much more! It s already the best season EVER and we have many more big surprises waiting for you! Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle N. Boca Raton, Fl (561) Page 19

20 thank you to our coaches Donny Cohen, Hillel Cohen, Rich Ehrlich, Rabbi Avi Hochman, Dov Hochner, Rabbi Moshe Schochet, and Avi Zwelling thank you to our sponsors We are already looking forward to next season! Page 20

21 PAID ADVERTISEMENTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN AD, PLEASE GO TO Page 21 PAID ADVERTISEMENTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN AD, PLEASE GO TO

22 PAID ADVERTISEMENTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE AN AD, PLEASE GO TO DONATE A CAR TO BRS For more information contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org FAMILY MINYAN This Week at 9:45 am in the Join The BRS Youth department! Shabbat, January 6 in the Parents and Children participate in this incredible educational experience! Full Tefillah! Parsha Questions! Kids Kiddush! Prizes! EVERYONE WELCOME THANK YOU TO Daniel & Ellen Averbook, Joseph & Sarah Blumenthal, Zev & Estelle Bari, Noah & Leslie Davis, Ephraim & Dvora Haimson - New, Dr. Tomer & Shari Haik, Michael & Sharona Loeffer, Yechiel & Margo Rosman, Rabbi Gershon & Stephanie Eisenberger, Joe & Shira Sharp, Stuart & Enny Wax, and Janet Zwiebel for donating their cars to BRS! Boca Raton Synagogue Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle, Boca Raton, Florida (561) Page 22

23 DO YOU SHOP AT? THE GROVE WILL DONATE 10% OF EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND TO BRS There is no cost to you, no catch, no gimmick. Simply purchase your Grove Gift Cards from BRS, in person or on-line at We will even deliver the cards to your home. If you are reading this ad, you care about BRS. We ask for your help in making this extraordinary, significant fundraising opportunity a success. PURCHASE. USE. REPEAT. would like to thank GIFT CARD $50We GIFT CARD $100 GIFT CARD $500 The Grove for the program they have put in place to help raise money for our Shul. HOW MANY GROVE CARDS ARE IN YOUR WALLET? ONE TIME 1ST OF EVERY MONTH 15TH OF EVERY MONTH Pick ups are made during business hours in the Shul office. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm). and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you have any questions, please call the Shul offi ce (561) Deliveries will be made to those living ON THE CIRCLE ONLY. Deliveries will be scheduled twice a month, on the 2nd and 16th. If you miss your delivery date, you will automatically rollover to the next scheduled delivery date. If you need your cards sooner, you may pick them up in the Shul office. Name Delivery Address Name on Card Phone # Card Number Exp CVV Billing Address: Signature: Date How many $50 $100 $500 = Total The card you use will be charged monthly on the date of you select, for the amounts you pick. If at anytime, you wish to cancel or make changes, please call the Shul office at (561) Boca Raton Synagogue Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle N. Boca Raton, Florida (561) Page 23

24 BIBLICAL VILLAINS with Rabbi Moshe Miller CLASS SCHEDULE: Sunday, January 7: Og, King of Bashan Sunday, January 14: Nimrod, King of Bavel Sunday, January 21: Korach Sunday, January 28: Bilaam For the past thirty five years, Rabbi Moshe Miller has served as a premier Jewish educator. He has held the position of principal in schools in Santa Clara, California; Providence, Rhode Island where he earned an MA from the department of philosophy at Brown University; Atlanta, Georgia; and Miami Beach, Florida. He has also lectured at Michlalah Jerusalem College and was the Rosh Kollel of the Boca Raton Community Kollel. Rising Moon: Unraveling the Book of Ruth is his first book. Sponsored by Nancy and Jonathan Charm ALL CLASSES WILL BE AT 10:00 AM IN THE BRS SOCIAL HALL IN CONJUNCTION WITH BOCA JEWISH CENTER Page 24