WEEKLY PARSHAT SHEMOT. Synagogue FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT DAY GET CONNECTED FRIEND

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1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY PARSHAT SHEMOT Stone Chumash Page 292 December 20 December Tevet - 24 Tevet 5774 FRIDAY NIGHT RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG Marah D asrah Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat RABBI PHILIP MOSKOWITZ Assistant Rabbi DAVID WOLGIN, PhD President RABBI JOSH BROIDE Outreach Rabbi RABBI URI PILICHOWSKI Teen Rabbi RABBI MORDECHAI SMOLARCIK Rabbi, BRS West SHABBAT DAY Rabbi s Class 4:00 pm Shabbat Mincha Ma ariv/havdalah 5:00 pm 6:12 pm Unscripted and Unplugged: Questions and Answers with Your Rabbi Rabbi Efrem Goldberg RABBI KENNETH BRANDER Rabbi Emeritus MATTHEW HOCHERMAN Synagogue Administrator ALIZA PILICHOWSKI Youth Director KERRY PURCELL Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly GET CONNECTED Friend us on Facebook Boca Raton Synagogue Follow us FRIEND Check out Jewish Pride Films for our latest videos HAHN JUDAIC CAMPUS 7900 MONTOYA CIRCLE N. BOCA RATON, FLORIDA (561) FAX (561) OFFICE@BRSONLINE.ORG

2 FROM THE RABBI S DESK When King Solomon, the wisest of all men, said, It is better to go to a house of mourning than a house of celebration, he probably didn t have in mind three funerals in two days. All three funerals I participated in this week were of special individuals from whom we can learn so much as King Solomon intended. However, the juxtaposition of two in particular was incredibly powerful. Struggling With Intellectual Dishonesty A 19-year-old boy, son of members of our Sephardic Minyan, tragically died from a horrific motorcycle accident. His funeral on Monday was attended by hundreds of people, many of them his peers. Their outpouring of love and their palpable ache from the acute sense of loss of their friend was heartbreaking. The unspoken question that permeated the air was, simply, how? How and why would God do such a thing? Jeremy was a special person, a ball of energy who wasn t just the life of the party, he was the party. His friends described that he would engulf you in his hugs, he would shower you with his love, and lift your spirits every time you were with him. One could not leave his funeral without confronting the question and feeling a need to understand why? Perhaps the response had come a day earlier. On Sunday, our community said goodbye to an extraordinary individual, a beloved member and a man of remarkable faith, Chazzan Lazar Wax. Chazzan Wax had survived nine concentration camps, had witnessed the murder of his father, came to America by himself, learned a new language and made a new life, all without ever asking why. If anyone were entitled to challenge, doubt, wonder or even walk away, it would have been him. But he didn t. Not only did he not walk away, he walked closer and closer to God and His Torah throughout his life and held our hands as he brought us with him. It is impossible to believe that Chazzan Wax never thought about how the Holocaust could have happened. It is completely understandable that in the aftermath of a tragedy like the loss of a teenager we wrestle with God. But Chazzan Wax put one foot in front of the other and despite the questions or challenges he may have felt inside, he faithfully embraced a Torah way of life with fidelity to halacha and a desire to fulfill God s will as articulated by our sacred tradition. He may have suffered and at times struggled to see God, but you would never know it when you heard him daven or watched as he said every word slowly and with great concentration. Chazzan Wax s funeral was terribly sad not only for the loss of the individual, but because we are losing a generation, losing our connection to another world and an altogether different category of human beings called survivors. Holocaust survivors endured unfathomable suffering and incomprehensible conditions, and yet many of them maintained their belief. In losing our survivors, we are losing role models of simple faith, living examples of accepting God in our lives, even when what He wants from us or does to us seems incompatible with our understanding and comprehension. Paradoxically, the previous generation was entitled to demand answers and rarely, if ever, asked questions. Our generation, which has for the most part been blessed in so many ways, nevertheless seems plagued by questions and an insatiable appetite for answers. That is not a judgment, rather an observation, and one that demands a new approach to how we communicate a living, compelling Judaism. Many of our parents and grandparents, not just survivors but those that came from a less privileged and less assimilated time, certainly studied and searched for the reasons and deeper meaning of mitzvos. But ultimately, if asked why they observe, their answer was concise, simple and clear Because this is what my parents, grandparents and people has always done and how we have always lived. This is what Hashem wants from me and He knows best. For better or worse, the because God said so, of the past, or that s just the way it is, which may have worked in earlier times, clearly no longer suffice and we are going to need to do a better job of articulating the whys of a Torah way of life, if we want to retain our rank and file, let alone attract new people to an observant way of life. This week, Tablet magazine had an article entitled, Why One Orthodox Woman Stopped Covering Her Hair. While the article is interesting in its own right, it was the comments generated after I shared it that really caught my attention. It was refreshing to see the honesty of those who commented publicly or wrote to me privately to share their own struggles with covering hair or observing some other Jewish law when it just doesn t make sense to them. One person even described feeling intellectually dishonest observing a mitzvah that they could not intellectually understand or explain. Blind faith and simple obedience seem to rapidly be becoming things of the past. The pendulum has swung so far that today s generation demands understanding and comprehension, and when they run into a wall or come up short from being satisfied, many feel more noble not observing that particular law, than continuing observance while being dishonest to their intellect. Assumptions of the past are far from givens in the present. Is that good or bad, progress or regress? Were our grandparents intellectually dishonest? Are we better off or worse off than them? I don t know. What I do know is that our explanations of mitzvos and Jewish outlook must be increasingly sophisticated, nuanced, and compelling if they are going to resonate with many of us and certainly with the next generation. A friend this week described an incident with his young daughter. Her teachers sent an saying she was tuning out in class and didn t seem interested. My friend and his wife confronted their young daughter asking why she was tuning out in her Judaic studies Page 2

3 when she seemed totally engaged in her secular subjects? Her answer was troubling and reassuring at the same time. She explained that what the teacher was saying just didn t make sense to her and so she had no interest in listening. My teacher said Rivkah got married at 3 years old, but that just doesn t make any sense. My teacher said that Hashem is always with me but I can t see Him or feel Him and never hear Him and so that makes no sense. My teacher said I need to be tzanuah, modest, and have my legs covered. But my face is much prettier than my legs and I don t have to cover it at all. It just doesn t make sense Mommy and Abba, and so I just tune out and start doodling. Her words are troubling, particularly for a young girl, as they indicate the beginning of a path that could lead to a very unwelcome destination. On the other hand, her questions are reassuring as they reflect a thoughtful, insightful and searching young mind looking to understand instead of following blindly without ever asking why. While it is helpful to draw from Chazzan Wax s faith when confronting the death of a 19 year old, I don t believe it to be an effective strategy in evading the genuine search for answers to difficult questions of the younger generation. Like Rav Hirsch and others before us, we need to adapt to a new language to communicate Torah and mitzvos if we are going to keep people engaged, enriched, and committed. Together we can strive and aspire for the unconditional faith of our ancestors while at the same time searching for a dialect and a language that will keep our Torah lifestyle relevant, compelling and inspiring. Our schools and our shuls must create opportunities to dialogue on this growing challenge, validate those struggling with it and provide an outlet for respectful questioning and inquiry. Towards that end, Rabbi Moskowitz will be speaking about this issue on Shabbos morning in his sermon in the 9:00am minyan and for the first time, I will be hosting a question and answer session at the Rabbis class welcoming questions on halacha, Jewish philosophy, contemporary issues or anything else on people s minds. I certainly won t have all the answers, but I will do my best to honor your questions and to create an environment where it is comfortable to ask. I hope you will join me for the first installment of Unscripted and Unplugged: You Bring the Questions, Together We Will Look for Answers at 4:00pm in the Rand Sanctuary of BRS. Follow the Rabbi at twitter.com/ rabbigoldberg Friend the Rabbi on facebook Efrem Goldberg Share the Rabbi s blog on Good Shabbos, PARSHAT SHEMOT SUMMARY Rabbi Efrem Goldberg A New Pharaoh Oppresses The Israelites. A new Pharaoh, fearful that the Israelites would join his enemies in overthrowing him, instituted a policy of oppression to reduce the Israelites to slaves. Moshe is Born and is Adopted by Pharaoh s Daughter. Amram and Yocheved, members of the tribe of Levi, gave birth to Moshe. After Yocheved could no longer keep Moshe s birth a secret, she placed him into an ark in the Nile. Pharaoh s daughter found the baby in the Nile and decided to adopt him. Moshe was taken to the palace, at which time he was named Moshe ( drawn out of the water ). Moshe Kills an Egyptian Overseer. After he had matured, Moshe went to be among his fellow Jews and observed their suffering. One day, he noticed an Egyptian overseer savagely beating an Israelite and, seeing no one else around, killed and buried the overseer. The next day, Moshe intervened in a quarrel between two Jews, during which one of them asked him who he was to judge them and whether he intended to kill them as he had killed the overseer. It now being clear that his act was known and he was in grave danger, Moshe fled to Midian. Moshe soon married one of Yitro s daughters, Zipporah, and they had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Moshe Sees the Burning Bush. While tending Yitro s sheep, Moshe saw an amazing sight -- a thorn bush which burned but wasn t consumed. As he gazed in wonder, Hashem spoke to him for the first time. Hashem Assures Moshe that He is Worthy to Lead the Israelites. Moshe told Hashem that he was unworthy of this awesome task, but Hashem assured him that He would assist him. Moshe meets with the Israelites. Moshe met his brother Aharon at Mt. Chorev and told him what had happened. Upon reaching Egypt, they assembled the Elders of Israel and told them Hashem s words. Moshe and Aharon Meet with Pharaoh. Moshe and Aharon appeared before Pharaoh and asked him to let the Jews go and deliver offerings to Hashem in the wilderness. Not only did Pharaoh reject their request, but he imposed even harsher decrees against the Jews. BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE DERECH ERETZ STATEMENT In the spirit of our mission Valuing Diversity and Celebrating Unity, we believe that a community is built on the collective engagement of individuals representing differing perspectives, whether religious, political, or social. As is an environment where all of its members and visitors need to feel valued and welcomed, members are required to comport themselves in a manner which reflects mutual respect and a sense of inclusiveness. In our Synagogue, we value debate about pressing issues. This is consistent with the American democratic tradition. Our sages saw the value of arguments conducted L Shem Shamayim, for the sake of heaven, believing that great minds who engage in respectful debate will arrive at better solutions. They valued and welcomed alternate views, as do we. Derech Eretz, good and proper conduct, and mutually respectful dialogue are core values of the Synagogue community. These create a safe place for inspiration and spiritual growth, the central purpose of the Synagogue. It is a violation of Jewish law and ethics to use harsh language (vitriol) to demonize or to marginalize people with whom one may disagree. Uncivil expression reflects negatively on our Synagogue as well as on the individuals who engage in such behavior. expects its members to act and to speak with kindness and sensitivity to others. It is only in this fashion that a strong, vibrant, and harmonious community can be created and maintained. Adherence to this policy is a requirement for membership in good standing at the. Page 3

4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Sephardic Minyan () Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sancturay) Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm SHABBAT DAY Neitz Minyan () 6:20 am Hashkama Minyan () 7:25 am Sephardic Minyan () 8:30 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Sermon: Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:30 am Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:45 am Teen Minyan (Berdugo Beit Midrash) 9:45 am Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 3:00 pm Rabbi s Class 4:00 pm Unscripted and Unplugged: Questions and Answers with Your Rabbi Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Sephardic Mincha () Ashkenazi Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) Sh kiah Daf Yomi Ma ariv/havdalah SHABBAT LEARNING 4:55 pm 5:00 pm 5:33 pm between Mincha/Ma ariv 6:12 pm Sichot of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with Rabbi Levine (Shtiebel Biet Mid) 8:30 am Tefillah Insights with Rabbi Josh Broide (Rand Sanctuary) 8:30 am Teachings of the Ba al Shem Tov (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:00 am Parshat Hashavua with Rabbi Dr. Zvi Yehuda (Board Room) 9:15 am Advanced Gemara Chabura 15 minutes after Hashkama Minyan Junior Congregation (Shechet Beit Midrash - Room 205 & 206) 10:00 am Youth Groups (Drop-off begins at 10:00 am) 10:30 am Sephardic Roundtable () 11:00 am Father & Son Learning () 4:00 pm PARSHAT VA EIRA Sephardic Minyan () Candle Lighting 5:18 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctary) Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 6:15 pm MAIN MINYAN KIDDUSH CLUB NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The BRS Kiddush Club prepared an unbelievable Kiddush two weeks ago for BRS s birthday. In order to continue our monthly gala Kiddushim, we are in need of additional sponsorships. Please consider making a one-time donation for the year of either $1,000 as an Executive Chef sponsor or $500 as a Sous Chef sponsor. We look forward to future scheduled Kiddushim on January 18, February 22, and March 15. Simcha Sponsorships are available as follows: Bar Mitzvah or Aufruf $360 Bat Mitzvah or New Baby $250 Birthday or Anniversary $100 Grandchild or other occasion $100 Your sponsorship will be announced from the pulpit on Shabbat morning of the Kiddush and listed in the Weekly. If you would like to sponsor on any level, please contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org or our Kiddush Club chairs, Donny Cohen and Avi Greenbaum. We would like to thank our Executive Chef Sponsors. Joseph Bensmihen Donny & Dr. Freyda Cohen Martin & Ileana Flics Avi & Dr. Laura Greenbaum Yanki & Lauren Hofstatter Daniel & Caroline Katz Drs. Joseph & Seema Loskove We would like to thank our Sous Chef Sponsors. Neil & Rachel Greenbaum Dr. David Markowitz & Dr. Sara Levine List in formation BRS WEST (At the Hillel Day School, th Ave. (305) Mincha Candle lighting Shacharit Youth Groups Kiddush follows Davening Mincha (Shabbat) Shabbat Ends/ Maariv FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT DAY WEEKDAYS 5:00 pm 9:30 am 10:30 am 5:00 pm 6:12 pm Sunday Morning Minyan Breakfast is Sponsored by the D Var Torah Club DAILY MINYAN TIMES Ashkenazi Shacharit Sephardic Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Sephardic Shacharit Ashkenazi Shacharit Early Ashkenazi Mincha Sephardic Mincha/Ma ariv Ashkenazi Mincha/Ma ariv Late Ashkenazi Ma ariv 6:25 am SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 6:35 am 7:15 am 9:00 am 1:00 pm 9:30 pm 6:15 am 6:35 am 7:00 am 7:45 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:15 pm WYHS 9:30 pm 6:25 am 6:35 am 7:00 am 7:45 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:05 pm WYHS 9:30 pm 6:25 am 6:35 am 7:00 am 7:45 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 1:00 pm Rand Sanctuary 9:30 pm 6:15 am 6:35 am 7:00 am 7:45 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:15 pm WYHS 9:30 pm 6:25 am 6:35 am 7:00 am 7:45 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am Page 4

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Dr. Moshe & Shari Hirth on the birth of their granddaughter, Eliana Yaffa. Proud parents are Yael & Chaim Laufer. Proud uncles are Jacob and Josh. Proud great grandparents are Helen and Charles Samowitz and Shaindel and Leo Hirth z l. Natalie Silverman on the engagement of her grandson, Zachary Gold, to Kim Syvarth. AND the engagement of her grandson, Solly Silverman, to Arielle Birnbaum. Henry and Lois Schwartz on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Jack & Rhoda Azar on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Rabbi Samuel Levine and Dr. David & Sharona Kay who were honored at the Hillel Journal Dinner last Monday. KIDDUSH Friday Night Live sponsored by Dr. Jaime Alalu and Ms. Josie Newhouse in honor of the birthday of his daughter, Alicia Rosenberg. AND in honor of Rabbi Josh Broide s birthday. Hashkama Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Dimitry & Galina Feigin in honor of their return to Israel. Sephardic Minyan Kiddush Jack & Rhoda Azar in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Seudah Shlishiet sponsored by Moshe & Lori Applebaum in appreciation for everything the community has done for them over the last year. Guest Speaker: Moshe Applebaum Veshinantam Levanecha sponsored by Sruly and Penina Landa for a Refuah Shlaymah for Tzeluva bat Esther Malka and Yehudis bat Chana. SPECIAL LECTURE BY RABBI YAKOV HOROWITZ Raising Respectful and Inspired Teens this Wednesday night, December 25 at 8:00 pm at BRS. Following up on his inspiring Shabbat at BRS, Rabbi Horowitz has generously agreed to deliver another talk providing inspiration and practical tips for raising inspired teens. Cosponsored by BRS and Weinbaum Yeshiva High School. BRS AIPAC SOUTH FLORIDA ISRAEL WEEK Save the dates, January 11-16, for our annual Israel Week, this year in partnership with AIPAC. Featured lecturers will be Bret Stephens from the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Jonathan Schanzer from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Rabbi Ken Spiro from Aish HaTorah s Discovery Seminars and the Jerusalem Online University, and Jonathan Kessler, AIPAC s Leadership Development Director. For more information or to register for these incredible classes, visit brsonline. org/israelweek GLOW IN THE DARK NIGHT WITH AVI FRIER Saturday night, February 15. Cost is $7 per person for boys in Grades 6-8. Pizza dinner will be served. More information to follow. EMPTY NESTER PROGRAM Game Night & Dinner has been canceled. Please save the date for Sunday, March 16 for a Purim Seudah. More details to follow. WOMEN S SHIUR At the Women s Shiur on Simchat Torah morning, many women were inspired to begin or continue baking Challah each week with a deeper understanding of this beautiful Mitzvah. This Shiur for women with Rabbi Goldberg will focus each session on a different Mitzvah and its deeper meaning. The next Shiur will take place Monday, January 27 at 8:30 pm at the home of Farley & Jessica Weiss, 7633 Martinique Blvd (Captiva). SAVE THE DATES - FEBRUARY 6-13 A week of learning with Rabbinit Dr. Avigail Rock. Schedule to follow. This program is generously sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Zorik Spektor in loving memory of his beloved parents, Yocheved & Natan Spektor in commemoration of their 1st Yahrzeits. NEED YOUR HELP BRS Chesed committee is looking for volunteers who can donate minutes of their time a week. Please contact Michal Marcus at chesed@brsonline.org or (917) WINTER KOLLEL AT BRS BRS is thrilled to be hosting a weeklong winter Kollel the week of January 12th. If you are interested in setting up a nighttime chavruta with one of the Kollel members, contact Rabbi Simmy Shabtai at simmy.shabtai@gmail.com QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RABBI GOLDBERG The Rabbi s Class this Shabbat will be unscripted and unplugged. Rabbi Goldberg will entertain questions on topics from halacha, Jewish philosophy, or his opinion on contemporary issues. Don t miss this exciting, first time format! RABBI SHMUEL RABINOVICI Rabbi Rabinovici will be giving his Chabura this Friday night at 8:30 pm at the home of Chaim Davis & Dr. Deena Grant, Guadeloupe Street in Captiva. He will also be giving a Chabura on Shabbat morning after Hashkama Minyan. Rabbi Rabinovici will be continuing his series of Shiurim on Masechet Kidushin on Sunday morning at. SHABBAT PARTY IN THE PARK THIS SHABBAT After an extremely successful event a few weeks ago, we would like invite you to come join your friends of for our next Party in the Park! We will eat snacks, play some games, learn some great Torah, and have some good fun. Don t forget to bring your BLANKETS!!! Who: Families and children of all ages What: Party in the Park When: This Shabbat, December 21, 4:00-5:00 pm Where: Right before the lake, between the Shul, Lago, and Thornhill Green Why: Cause it s Shabbat. This event will not be held if it is raining at or after 2:00 pm VESHINANTAM LEVANECHA THIS MOTZAI SHABBAT Veshinantam Levanecha Season XIV - This Motzai Shabbat, December 21 at 7:00 pm. Live from Boca Raton, it s Motzai Shabbat with Rabbi Broide, Big Dov, and YOUR family! Great Parent/Child Learning followed by an inspirational new Kumzits, prizes, and pizza. Please contact Simone to sponsor a week of Veshinantam Levanecha for $150 at (561) DAF YOMI IN MEMORY OF LOIS LUPIN SALZMAN With deep appreciation to the Lupin Foundation and Michael & Esti Lupin, we are very proud to announce that the Daily Daf Yomi class with Rabbi Ben Sugerman, will now be learned in memory of Lois Lupin Salzman for the remainder of the 2013/2014 fiscal year. DAF YOMI ON SHABBAT AFTERNOON We are proud to introduce Seudah Shlishiet in conjunction with the Shabbat Daf Yomi. The time for the Daf remains the same (between Mincha/Maariv) but we will meet in room 105. We will be able to both learn and fulfill the Mitzvah of Seudah Shlishiet. There are sponsorship opportunities available, for more information Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org. SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY ERUV The Eruv is a vital necessity to our Community and one that almost 100% of our members benefit from. If you carry keys, tissues, a Tallit or Siddur, push a stroller or wheelchair, you are benefitting from the Eruv. Of our 710 families, only 109 have contributed to the Eruv this year. Please send a donation as soon as you can. Checks should be made payable to Boca Community Eruv, Inc and sent to Boca Raton Community Eruv, Inc 7653 London Lane, Boca Raton, FL The Eruv needs your caring support JUST DO IT!! Page 5

6 Page 6 WEEK AT A GLANCE DAILY DAF YOMI (Sunday - Friday) with Rabbi Ben Sugerman at 7:00 am in Rooms MISHNA BERURA YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) with Stuart Silverman 15 minutes before Mincha NIGHT BEIT MIDRASH (Sunday - Thursday) community learning in the at 8:00 pm NIGHTTIME DAF YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) with BRS Rabbinate at 8:40 pm in the Board Room MONDAY MOMMY AND ME will take place at 9:30 am in the women s section of the Rand Sanctuary HEBREW POETRY CLASS with Hassia Yehuda at 9:30 am in the Board Room HEBREW READING with Rabbi Josh Broide at 7:30 pm in Room 101 ZUMBA FOR WOMEN with Hanna Cohen at 8:30 pm in Rooms 205 & 206 TUESDAY CAFFEINE FOR THE SOUL with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at 8:30 am at Hillel Day School PARSHAT HA SHAVUA with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at 9:30 am in the HAFTORAH CLASS with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at 10:30 am in the JEWISH HISTORY with Rabbi Josh Broide at 7:30 pm in Room 101 PEOPLE OF THE BOOK with Rabbi Yosef Kassorla at 8:00 pm in the WEDNESDAY CUP OF JOE & KNOW with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg after 7:45 am Minyan in the IN-DEPTH STUDY OF BOOK OF JUDGES with Malka Morris will resume January 8 KABBALAH & SPIRITUALITY: THE SOUL OF THE TORAH Level 1 with Shoshana Deakter will resume January 8 RAISING RESPECTFUL AND INSPIRED TEENS with Rabbi Horowitz at 8:00 pm in the KABBALAH & SPIRITUALITY: THE SOUL OF THE TORAH Advanced with Shoshana Deakter will resume January 8 THURSDAY THE BOOK OF BAMIDBAR with Rabbanit Dr. Avigail Rock at 9:30 am in the Board Room JUDAISM A-Z with Rabbi Josh Broide will not be taking place this week SATELLITE LECTURES with Rabbi Yissocher Frand at 9:00 pm in the Board Room WEEKLY SHMOOZE with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at 9:45 pm in the COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SINGLES, SUSHI, AND SONG EVENT Saturday night, December 21 at 7:30 pm. Join JPS for an acoustical evening and delight in the art of sushi making. Featured guest speaker Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson on How do I know I ve met the right one? Enjoy a social, interactive evening! Learn to prepare the perfect sushi, enjoy acoustic upbeat music and hear meaningful messages. Palm Beach Synagogue, 120 N. County Road, Palm Beach. RSVP required $30 in advance - $36 at the door. Call Palm Beach Synagogue (561) Ex. 4. AARP SAFETY DRIVER PROGRAM - NEW DATE The new date for the BRS AARP Safety Driver Program will be Thursday, March 6, 2014 that will give each participant a 3-year car insurance discount. The cost is $15 per person for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The maximum size of the class is 30 people. The class runs from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with breaks. You must have a valid Florida drivers license. Registration closes on Monday, February 17, To register, please bring a check (one check for each person) to the BRS office, made payable to AARP Safety Driver Program dated March 6, On the day of the class, you must present your Florida drivers license and your AARP membership card to get the $15 price. For any questions, please Lou Miller at lou@miller613.com Rabbi Shmuel Jarashow Shmuel Tzvi ben Shayna Merv Jacobs Meir ben Sarah Moshe Applebaum Moshe Zvi ben Rachel Leah Yosef Chaim ben Faiga Shlomo ben Tamara Bob Silver Reuvan Lieb ben Miriam George Saks Aron Asher Zelig ben Maymi LIFE CYCLE WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Yitz & Avrora Frid ANNIVERSARIES Patti & Gary Lieber Henry and Lois Schwartz Jack & Rhoda Azar BIRTHDAYS Lori Applebaum Lily Katz Rabbi Josh Broide Dana Petrover Rabbi Uri Pilichowski CONDOLENCES TO Ida and Stuart Wax on the passing of their beloved husband and father, Cantor Lazar Wax. Armond & Debbie Ouknine on the passing of their beloved son, Jeremy Ouknine. Nathan Zucker on the passing of his beloved father, Berton Zucker. REFUAH SHLAYMAH For members of BRS Community. For all other Refuah Shlaymah needs, please see Tehillim Circle Helene Amar in memory of her father Dave Grunberg in memory of his daughter Faigie Grunberg in memory of her daughter Dr. Michael Galer in memory of his father Bonnie Weinreb in memory of her father Marcia Feldman in memory of her father Susan Berkowitz in memory of her mother July Gelbart in memory of her brother Yehudah Hoffman in memory of his father Devora Goldwasser in memory of her father Sylvia Pruzansky in memory of her mother Eva Friedman in memory of her father Judi Krasna in memory of her father George Berman in memory of his mother Rhoda Azar in memory of her mother Malka Schyndel in memory of her brother Anna Cohen in memory of her father Nancy Charm in memory of her father Jeff Herman in memory of his father Gershon Schwadron in memory of his mother Barnett Yukolis in memory of his mother Deanna Shulman in memory of her mother Ephraim Haimson in memory of his father David Lieber in memory of his father Lily Levontin in memory of her brother Betty Maikhor in memory of her father Ira Berger in memory of his aunt Joel Greene in memory of his mother Helen Ijac Alta Haita bat Devorah Ruth Sherman Rochel bat Batsheva Joan Noven Rochel Tova bat Malka Beverly Kassirer Briendle bat Pessel Ariella Berman Ariella Sarah bat Elisheva Malka Beverly Kellman Baila Rus bat Sarah Chana Guta bat Rochel Ruth Malinowitz Rivka bat Freyda Carolynn Jarashow Chaya bat Gussie Noa Maya Carmel Noa Maya bat Devora Rachel Jean Cohen Ita Chaya bat Yocheved Rachel YAHRZEITS Prosper Messod Amar, 16 Tevet Daniella Fastag, 16 Tevet Daniella Fastag, 16 Tevet Moishe Galer, 16 Tevet Jack Riesel, 16 Tevet Irving Konick, 17 Tevet Ceil Schlesinger, 17 Tevet Harvey Guttman, 18 Tevet Simon Hoffman, 18 Tevet Jacob Saltzman, 18 Tevet Lillian Schneider, 18 Tevet Salomon Gold, 19 Tevet Herman Greenberg, 19 Tevet Claire Berman, 20 Tevet Frieda Miller, 20 Tevet Michael Schyndel, 20 Tevet Nathaniel Wasserman, 20 Tevet Joseph Silverman, 21 Tevet Richard Herman, 22 Tevet Evelyn Schwadron, 22 Tevet Rose Yukolis, 22 Tevet Serena Green, 23 Tevet Moshe Haimson, 23 Tevet Joseph Leiber, 23 Tevet Moshe Manis, 23 Tevet Baruch Zabner, 23 Tevet Rosalia Berger, 24 Tevet Pauline Greene, 24 Tevet

7 ISRAEL UPDATE A TRIBUTE TO THE BIKUR CHOLIM OF BOCA REGIONAL HOSPITAL To the hospital we hurried from Boca Raton. Three frightened people, who felt so alone. Little did we know what Chesed us awaited. With such warmth and kindness, Our fears soon abated. The cupboards were filled with food galore. Who could have asked for anything more? Every amenity one could imagine was there. Prepared with such thoughtfulness and care. May Hashem bless Stanley Smith with continued good health and strength. To continue his noble deed,to serve the many people, so many in need. With Deep Gratitude, The Wax Family SOCIAL ACTION In his talk Sunday evening, Reclaiming the Word Zionism, Boston Globe award winning journalist, Jeff Jacoby, exhorted those in attendance to respond to the big lie with the BIG TRUTH. Zionism is Jewish sovereignty, Zionism is self defense, Zionism is an indigenous population, Zionism is the answer to Jewish powerlessness, Zionism is home! Sitting quietly by as Israel is demonized, and the word Zionism evolves into a derogatory epithet, is not an option. In an event co-sponsored by the SAC and CAMERA, Jacoby urged the audience to call or write letters to the media, those elected to represent us, and campus officials, to protest lies, misrepresentations, and half-truths about our homeland. He warned that the next generation of American leaders is currently being fed anti-israel propaganda at colleges and universities across the country. These young people will likely not be great friends of Israel when they are called upon to lead, if we do not act now. Parents must become educated and engaged in order to counteract this serious threat. PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Aba Chonah ben Hava Chana - Alan Gross American Jew Alan Gross has been wrongly held in a Cuban prison since December Since that time, Alan s physical and emotional state has deteriorated. He has lost over one hundred pounds and has suffered partial paralysis. Join us to call upon the Cuban government and the international community for the immediate release of Alan on humanitarian grounds. For more information and to get involved, visit WRITE TO ALAN GROSS Alan Gross has been in prison for over 1400 days. Now you are able to write to him via his website Yehonatan ben Malka - Jonathan Pollard Jonathan Pollard has been imprisoned in the United States since While working as an American civilian intelligence analyst, Pollard has admitted to passing classified information to Israel. Although even his most ardent supporters agree that he was in the wrong and guilty, the nature and length of his imprisonment is disproportionate and unparalleled. Join a multitude of prominent politicians, officials from the national intelligence world, and the legal world who have called for Pollard s sentence to be commuted. For more information and to sign a petition, visit WRITE TO JONATHAN POLLARD Your letters - the only ray of light in Jonathan s dreary cell. Write to him today: Jonathan Pollard # , c/o FCI Butner, P.O. Box 1000, Butner, North Carolina, U.S.A ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF IDF SOLDIERS The Emek Learning Center in Baka has a program that offers support to IDF Soldiers without families in Israel. If you a child or grandchild in the IDF and would like the center to reach out to them, please send Linda their name and contact information and it will be forwarded to the center. If you want to learn more about the center, the website is emeklearningcenter.com. Linda can be reached at linda@brsonline.org or by calling (561) Please have in mind children and grandchildren of members of our community currently serving in the IDF: Amiel Abir, Ben Weiss, Asher Kaplan, Adam Barel, Orelia Elkaim, Stav Gare, Menachem Kaplan, Shabtai Kaplan, Jeremy Siegman, Noam Ivri (Makover), Arie Hizkiya, Daniel Makover, Charlie Pollack, Yakov Simcha ben Moshe Yisroel, Yehuda Strauss, Elad Shachar, Liel Reinfeld, Amichai Berman, Matt Firestone, Dov Lieber, Isaac Marco Romano, Yuchiel Shlomo Lowenstern, Amir Tsarfati Reuben Gladstone and Mordechai Wolfson. If you have children or grandchildren currently serving in the IDF, please let us know their names so we can include them. Page 7

8 Please Support Boca Raton Jewish academy The BRJE 2013 Year-End Annual Campaign!! For more information, please contact Rabbi Josh Broide (561) Join us for the SECOND semester Monday 5th & 6th Grade ~ 4:30-6:00 pm with Rabbi Josh Broide Tuesday 7th & 8th Grade ~ 4:30-6:00 pm with Rabbi Josh Broide Wednesday 1st - 4th Grade ~ 5:00-6:30 pm Friday Night Live Explanatory Service Judaism A - Z Hebrew Reading Jewish History Basic Judaism Kabbalah Partners in Torah Chai Mitzvah Lunch n Learn Rosh Hashana Explanatory Service Yom Kippur Explanatory Service Sukkot Dinner Trip to Israel Chanukah Program Purim BBQ Passover Seder Boca Raton Jewish Academy March of the Living Life Cycle Events Children & Teenage Programs All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service regulations Tax ID # (c)(3) with Mrs. Tova Hocherman & Ms. Tziona Rantz Thursday 9th - 12th grade ~ 4:30-6:00 pm with Rabbi Josh Broide Each night there are 2 back to back 45 minute classes. Please call Simone at or simonebroide@yahoo.com for more information. ISRAEL 2014 e eopl 20 p lready a have ed up! sign May 18-30, 2014 Memorable. Meaningful. Magical. TAKE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME WITH RABBI JOSH & SIMONE BROIDE BE THERE TO ENJOY A PERSONALLY FULFILLING JOURNEY, TO OUR SPIRITUAL HOMELAND. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Simone Broide (561) simonebroide@yahoo.com

9 -BRS YOUTH NEWS- WEEKLY AND COMING EVENTS * Shabbat Morning Youth Chabura after Hashkama Minyan in Room 103 with Rabbi Eisenberger. * Shabbat Morning Groups for children ages Groups take place in the classrooms every Shabbat and start at 10:00 AM *Shabbat Morning Teen Minyan each Shabbat in room , starts at 9:45 AM. * Once a month Shabbat in the Park, in the park adjacent to the Shul on Shabbat afternoons. Check the Weekly if SITP is on this week. * Nursing Home Visits for girls in 4 th -5 th grade. Every Shabbat afternoon leaving from the Pilichowski home. Check with Aliza or Gila Pilichowski for the exact time the group is leaving this Shabbat. * Once a month 5 th Grade Girls Seudat Shlishit at various homes. Stay tuned for the next great Seudat Shlishit. * Teen Seduat Shlishit, each Shabbat in the BRS board room after Mincha. Listen to various speakers and enjoy great food. * Teen Mincha takeover. Once a month teenagers take over the main BRS Ashkenaz Mincha. *Pro-Israel Advocacy classes for teens. Each Friday at 3:00 PM in the BRS Board Room. * 8 th grade boys Shabbat Kiddush and lunch. This Shabbat at the Pilichowskis. * February 7-8 National Teen Pro-Israel Advocacy Shabbaton at BRS. *Saturday Night, February 15 Glow in the Dark Night For grades 6-8 boys with Avi Frier. $7 per person, a pizza dinner will be served. * February 28-March 3 Teen Policy Conference in Washington, DC. BRS BRS TEEN TEEN BOYS BOYS BBQ BBQ WITH WITH RABBI RABBI DOVID DOVID ASHER, ASHER, RAV RAV IN IN RICHMOND, RICHMOND, VA VA BY SENDER GALBUT Rabbi Dovid Asher, the Morah D'asrah, of Richmond, Virginia, and his wife Aliza were visiting family in Miami this past week and came to Boca Raton to speak to a group of BRS teenagers. Besides the incredible Dvar Torah, we enjoyed an amazing BBQ while he spoke. He was gracious in his opening remarks, speaking about the wonderful BRS community and the unique opportunity teens have in this community with all of its resources. Rabbi Asher spoke to us about the great responsibility we have to spread wisdom throughout our community and the world at large. He drew his remarks from last week's Parsha where we are told that seventy Jews came up from Mitzraim. Having been the targets of the Egyptians, you would think they'd be diminished; instead they grew in their numbers. Rabbi Asher questioned how they grew under persecution. PRO-ISRAEL TEENS MEET WITH MINORITY WHIP STENY HOYER By Avi Schneider My name is Avi Schneider, I am a Boca Raton Synagogue teen member. Part of being a BRS teen means I am an Israel advocate and have has a love of Israel always instilled within me which leads me to be involved in Israel advocacy. I have gone to AIPAC's High School Summit and attend Rabbi Pilichowski's weekly Israel advocacy meetings on Friday afternoons. Through my Israel Advocacy efforts at BRS, I have met many members of Congress and people influential in advocating for Israel. On Sunday, December 15, I had the chance along with other teens to go to the house of AIPAC board members and Pillars of the BRS community Carlyn and Lothar Mayer who hosted Congressman and Minority Youth Whip Steny Hoyer for a Pro-Israel event. It was a real privilege for our group to be invited, and we are grateful to the Mayers for the opportunity. Congressman Hoyer spoke about his many trips to Israel and the critical need for Israel's existence. Turning to our group, he spoke about the importance for youth to get involved in advocacy. Congressman Hoyer talked about America's shared values with Israel and the current threats that Israel faces. He spoke about Israel's need for a two state solution. Congressman Hoyer wrote a resolution to further sanctions on Iran but backed out just a few days ago. He explained that he trusts current inspections on Iran and there's no reason to take any further steps now because we can enact new sanctions right away. If Iran "continues doing the ropey dope" and delaying steps to stopping their nuclear program, there will be further sanctions taken and military actions will always be on the table. He explained that their growth seems to be proof that the Deracha that Hashem gave the Jews has come to fruition. One of the Derachot given to Bnei Yisrael was that the Jews would be as plentiful as the dust of the Earth. Of all the things to bless Bnei Yisrael with, why did Hashem chose dirt? Rabbi Asher quoted Rav Moshe Feinstein who explained that the Gemara in Ervin says that dust and dirt are a source of life. He explains, animals eat from the ground-animals that we eat in a BBQ (we were in the middle of a naming BBQ) eat from the ground, so dust is an integral part of our life. There is nothing great about having a lot of people, rather we should be a people who give life so that the world can tap into the truth that we hold so dear. That's what Rav Moshe Feinstein explained, the significance of dirt is, we should have a significant part in this world spreading wisdom and we should have the merit of living to give this contribution to the world. INSIDE INTERVIEW With Ettie Sharp Ettie, a BRS all-star, goes to Veshinantam every Motzie Shabbat with her father Joe. We had an opportunity to chat with Ettie after Veshinantam this week. BRSYN: Did you have fun this week? Ettie: Alot of fun! BRSYN: What did you learn? Ettie: I learned about the Parsha, and that Yaakov died, and that he gave a Brachah to Ephraim and Menashe. BRSYN: What did you love about it? Etie: The raffle, the prizes, and the singing Page 10

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11 BRS MEMBER SINCE YEARS EXPERIENCE ALLCPA.NET - ALLCPA@AOL.COM BRS Members receive $15 Off any package. Tax Prep & Planning Corporate, Partnership, Individual & Trust Returns (All States) Financial Statements Business Start-up, Consulting & Incorporation QuickBooks & Payroll Services Healthcare Accounting Outsourced CFO services Complimentary Initial Consultation F L O R I D A S F I N E S T Glatt Kosher Supermarket M O R E T H A N J U S T O N E S T O P K O S H E R S H O P, A UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE P O W E R L I N E R D., B O C A R AT O N, F L CATERING BY CIRCLE CATERERS W W W. K O S H E R M A R K E T. C O M ב ה First Class Event PLANNING & DESIGN Moria Adar/Julie Ehrlich: fcevent@yahoo.com Weddings, Engagement party, Bar/ Wedding, Engagement, Bar/bat Bat Mitzvah, Baby Naming, mitzvah, Bris,Brit BabyMila, naming,birthday Birthday Party, Corporate party's, corporate events... Events.. Sponsor the BRS Weekly in honor of a special Simcha, or in memory of a loved one. The cost is only $54. Business card size ads Only $50 a week or $180 for a month. Full, Half and quarter page Ad s are also available. Contact Kerry in the Shul office (561) or kerry@brsonline.org.

12 AIPAC & BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE INVITE YOU TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA ISRAEL WEEK JANUARY 11-16, 2014 Open to the entire community! Join us for this week long seminar hosted at that will focus on contemporary Israel in the context of Jewish history and the broader Middle East. Each class will be preceded by a short film. Opening lecture: January 11 Bret Stephens will speak at 11:15 a.m. at the conclusion of Shabbat services. Free and open to the public. Monday January 13 9:00am Tuesday January 14 Wednesday January 15 Thursday January 16 Movie: Israel in the Bible Movie: From Abraham to Modern Zionism Movie: History of the State Rabbi Ken Spiro - The Holy Rabbi Ken Spiro - The Holy Rabbi Efrem Goldberg - The Land of Israel: An Overview Land of Israel: An Overview Religious Significance of of the Last 3,300 Years of the Last 3,300 Years Israel Part I Part II 9:45am 11:15 AM Film Series: A State is Born *Lunch Seminar: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer 12:00 PM Analysis of the PalestinianIsraeli Conflict: Past, Present & Future 7:15pm 8:00pm Movie: A State is Born Movie: Israel in the Bible Movie: From Abraham to Modern Zionism Movie: History of the State Evening Seminar: Dr. Rabbi Ken Spiro - The Holy Rabbi Ken Spiro - The Holy Reception & Briefing Jonathan Schanzer Land of Israel: An Overview Land of Israel: An Overview Jonathan Kessler "Now that Analysis of the Palestinianof the Last 3,300 Years of the Last 3,300 Years you know, what can you Israeli Conflict: Past, Part I Part II do?" Present & Future Course Fee & Registration: The seminar fee is $10 per class or $35 for the entire week long seminar series. To register or for more information visit brsonline.org/israelweek or Jamie@brsonline.org. Advance reservation required. The morning and evening presentations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will cover the same topic and information. *Lunch seminar on Monday, January 13 is an additional charge of $10 per lunch. These events are off the record and closed to the press. Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle Boca Raton, Florida (561)