WEEKLY. PARSHAT TAZRIA/METZORA April 12 - April 19, Iyar - 9 Iyar 5773 PARTNERSHIP WEEKEND. Synagogue. Boca Raton GET CONNECTED

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1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY PARSHAT TAZRIA/METZORA April 12 - April 19, Iyar - 9 Iyar 5773 RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG Marah D asrah 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 PARTNERSHIP WEEKEND FRIDAY NIGHT Plag Mincha Earliest Candle Lighting Not Before Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat SHABBAT DAY Women s Class Appreciating Yom Haatzmaut Through the Prism of Zionist Literature Mrs. Vivian Kestenbaum Rabbi s Class 6:10 pm 6:23 pm 7:25 pm 7:30 pm 5:10 pm 6:10 pm Sharing the Burden: Drafting Yeshiva Students Into the IDF Part II Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Shabbat Mincha 7:10 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 8:19 pm RABBI KENNETH BRANDER Rabbi Emeritus MATTHEW HOCHERMAN Synagogue Administrator ALIZA PILICHOWSKI Youth Director KERRY PURCELL Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly FRIEND FOLLOW SHARE Friend us on Facebook Boca Raton Synagogue GET CONNECTED Follow us @MatthewJHoch 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 News of President Carter receiving an award from Yeshiva University s Cardozo School of Law broke last week and the Internet lit up immediately. Graduates of the law school, graduates of Yeshiva University, and concerned pro-israel advocates were outraged, incensed, and bewildered. How could the subsidiary of a Jewish University, the sister school of a Yeshiva, bestow an honor on a man who is blatantly and consistently anti-israel? Alan Dershowitz, upon hearing about the award, put it best. Carter has prevented peace, encouraged terrorism, and done more than anyone else to isolate and demonize the Middle East s only democracy, Israel. Say Little, Do Much After Cardozo made the official announcement, an uproar ensued. Some graduates reacted immediately to form the Coalition of Concerned Cardozo Alumni and even set up a Web site, shameoncardozo.com, declaring their outrage to the law school s board of overseers. The controversy grabbed headlines in every Jewish newspaper, on blogs, in Israel, and even in the New York Times. The pro-israel community expressed indignation, some going so far as to challenge YU s commitment to Israel. President Richard Joel soon after released a statement clarifying: President Carter s invitation to Cardozo represents solely the initiative of this student journal, not of Yeshiva University or the Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School. He continued, While he [Carter] has been properly lauded for his role in the Camp David Accords of 1978, I strongly disagree with many of President Carter s statements and actions in recent years which have mischaracterized the Middle East conflict and have served to alienate those of us who care about Israel. President Carter s presence at Cardozo in no way represents a university position on his views, nor does it indicate the slightest change in our steadfastly pro-israel stance. He concluded by saying that Yeshiva both celebrates and takes seriously its obligation as a university to thrive as a free marketplace of ideas, while remaining committed to its unique mission as a proud Jewish university. The Anti-Defamation League and The Simon Wiesenthal Center blasted the students decision and described it as the result of gross ignorance. When it became clear that the event would take place despite the opposition, the rhetoric escalated. The Forward quoted one alumnus as saying that a dozen or so alumni would attempt to block Carter physically from receiving the award. Dershowitz said it should be turned into an educational experience by students handing out leaflets challenging Carter s record or by having the University invite someone like myself to debate Carter. He should be made to regret that he ever agreed to accept the award, Dershowitz said. In the days before the award was to be given, tensions ran high as calls were issued for protests and rallies in opposition to Carter. Well, the award ceremony took place this past Wednesday. About 250 Cardozo students gathered as the Journal of Conflict Resolution bestowed its International Advocate for Peace prize on Carter. Did President Joel, Yeshiva University and Cardozo Law School do the right thing in allowing the award to go forward? To be honest, it s debatable. There is merit to both sides of the argument. On the one hand, as a University, it must honor academic freedom. On the other, every University will draw a line around the freedom they provide students before they run interference or even veto their decisions. While those things are debatable, there is one thing that is not. The greatest indictment and biggest source of shame for our Jewish community this week came, in my opinion, not from YU, but from the deafening silence from of all those who made blustering promises to make sure Carter knows how we feel about him and then failed to show up at all. Members of the media arrived at the event expecting to be greeted by hundreds or thousands of protesters carrying placards calling out Carter for his anti-israel positions or handing out leaflets. How many so called pro-israel activists did they find? Not one. With hundreds of thousands of pro-israel Jews living in the tri-state area, absolutely no one showed up to protest Carter. Haaretz journalist Chemi Shalev was on the scene and tweeted, Anti-Carter protestors are a no-show at Cardozo award scene. Not even one. He followed up, Other than a few pro-carterites and one foul-mouthed anti-semite, all quiet as students fill into Cardozo hall for Carter ceremony. In a story following the event, Aryeh Younger quotes Ben Winter, a senior at Yeshiva College, who claims that YU s students are ultimately unwilling to physically volunteer themselves for pro-israel causes. While many students at YU feel strongly about their Zionism, few have the courage to publicly express their opinions, he said. I am shocked, stunned, and profoundly disappointed by the conclusion of this story. Sadly, it seems the postscript to the Carter event is that the Jewish community is much better at expressing criticism, condemnation, outrage, and castigation, than actually doing something about that which they bemoan. Apparently, that wasn t always the case. Yishai Fleisher recalled his time in Cardozo as a student when the very same journal awarded Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Holocaust denier, the same exact prize. We had an amazing protest in the lobby of the law school, with placards detailing Tutu s opinions. As Tutu walked by he was booed by many students who had joined CHAI s loud and proud protest. Tutu had egg on his face, and I am not certain that the prize he received from the Journal of Conflict Resolution was worth the embarrassment for him. He certainly did not look happy. Perhaps Cardozo was wrong not to rescind the invitation. But once that decision was made, a tremendous opportunity presented itself. Imagine the impact on Carter and his legacy if indeed he had to walk past thousands of protesters vocally challenging his anti- Israel positions. Imagine the debate that could have resulted in the secular media evaluating Carter s true legacy on Israel. Imagine how Carter might have been forced to think twice next time he was going to meet with the leadership of Hamas or describe Israel as an apartheid state. continued----> Page 2

3 Instead, because of our people s complacency, laziness, indifference, or busy-ness, Carter left the event with his head held high and the clear impression that his positions are not reprehensible enough to elicit even one protestor. Woody Allen once famously said, 80 percent of success is showing up. Unfortunately, 100 percent of the people failed to show up this past Wednesday outside of Cardozo Law School. Whether in NY, Florida or anywhere in the world, the likelihood is we will be called upon to show up in support of Israel, rather than simply criticize from the comfort of our couch. Our Rabbis teach us, emor m at, v asei harbeh, say little and do much. This sad, small chapter unfortunately displayed the opposite. Sefiras Ha Omer is a time to not only count days, but also to make sure our days count. Let s not just talk a big game; let s make a big difference. Good Shabbos, Follow the Rabbi at twitter.com/ rabbigoldberg Friend the Rabbi on facebook Efrem Goldberg HALACHIC QUESTION OF THE WEEK Q: My children insist on listening to music in the car. May I play it even though it is during sefira? A: Though early sources, including the Shulchan Aruch, do not explicitly prohibit music during sefirah, we refrain nonetheless as a display of sadness and mourning for the loss of Rabbi Akiva s students. There is a debate among authorities if the practice extends to recorded music or only to live music. Even those who require us to abstain from recorded music, permit it if it serves as background noise and not as a primary source of joy. Therefore, it would be permissible to play children s music, to be in places with music playing, to listen to music while driving or even to use appropriate music to connect spiritually. (Halichos Shlomo - Moadim 2:11, note 53) Please submit your question of the week on any topic to Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at reg@brsonline.org PARSHA Q & A Share the Rabbi s blog on QUESTIONS TAZRIA 1. Who determines whether a person is a Metzora Tamei (person with ritually impure Tzara at) or is Tahor? 2. What disqualifies a Kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of Tzara at? 3. Why is the appearance of Tzara at on the tip of one of the 24 limbs that project from the body usually unable to be examined? 4. Why must a Metzora call out, Tamei! Tamei!? 5. If, after washing a garment, the signs of Tzara at disappear entirely, how is the garment purified? METZORA 1. When may a Metzora not be pronounced Tahor? 2. How was having Tzara at in one s house sometimes advantageous? 3. When a house is suspected as having Tzara at, what is its status prior to the inspection by a Kohen? 4. What happens to the vessels that are in a house found to have Tzara at? 5. Which type of vessels cannot be made Tahor after they become Tamei? METZORA 1. When may a Metzora not be pronounced Tahor? 14:2 - At night. 2. How was having Tzara at in one s house sometimes advantageous? 14:34 - The Amorites concealed treasures in the walls of their houses. After the conquest of the Land, Tzara at would afflict these houses. The Jewish owner would tear down the house and find the treasures. 3. When a house is suspected as having Tzara at, what is its status prior to the inspection by a Kohen? 14:36 - It is Tahor. 4. What happens to the vessels that are in a house found to have Tzara at? 14:36 - they become Tamei. 5. Which type of vessels cannot be made Tahor after they become Tamei? 14:36 - earthenware vessels Rabbi Efrem Goldberg PARSHA SUMMARY TAZRIA The Mother of a Newborn. After giving birth to a child, a mother was not permitted to enter the Sanctuary for a specified period, at the termination of which she brought burnt and sin offerings to the Sanctuary and was then considered ritually clean once again. Tzara at: The bulk of this week s portion, Tazria, discusses various forms of Tzara at, skin maladies, which are contracted as a result of engaging in forbidden gossip. METZORA 1st and 2nd Aliyot: The purification process of the Metzora involving two Kosher birds, a piece of cedar, some crimson wool, a hyssop branch, fresh spring water, a clay bowl, a Kohen, the Mikvah, seven days, a haircut, and a Korban with its Mincha offering, is detailed. 3rd Aliya: The Korban of a poor Metzora is described. 4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th Aliyot: The laws dealing with blemishes that appear on a house are detailed. Following the laws of Tzara at, the Torah turns its attention to various laws dealing with bodily discharges that render the individual Tameh. TAZRIA 1. Who determines whether a person is a Metzora Tamei (person with ritually impure Tzara at) or is Tahor? 13:2 - A Kohen. 2. What disqualifies a Kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of Tzara at? 13:12 - Poor vision 3. Why is the appearance of Tzara at on the tip of one of the 24 limbs that project from the body usually unable to be examined? 13:14 - The Tzara at as a whole must be seen at one time. Since these parts are angular, they cannot be seen at one time. 4. Why must a Metzora call out, Tamei! Tamei!? 13:45 - So people will know to keep away from him. 5. If, after washing a garment, the signs of Tzara at disappear entirely, how is the garment purified? 13:58 - Through immersion in a Mikvah. Questions and Answers are courtesy of Ohr Somayach. Page 3

4 Page 4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Plag Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Social Hall) 6:10 pm Earliest Candle Lighting (Not Before) 6:23 pm Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:55 pm Candle Lighting 7:25 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:30 pm Count Sefira #18 SHABBAT DAY Neitz Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:15 am Hashkama Minyan (Social Hall) 7:25 am Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 9:00 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Remarks after davening: Chayal from FIDF Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:30 am Teen Minyan (Berdugo Beit Midrash - Room 104 & 105) 9:45 am Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Sof Zman Kriat Shema 10:10 am Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 4:00 pm Women s Class 5:10 pm Appreciating Yom Haatzmaut Through the Prism of Zionist Literature Mrs. Vivian Kestenbaum Rabbi s Class 6:10 pm Sharing the Burden: Drafting Yeshiva Students Into the IDF Part II Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Sephardic Mincha (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 7:05 pm Ashkenazi Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 7:10 pm Sh kiah 7:43 pm Daf Yomi between Mincha/Maariv Ma ariv/havdalah 8:19 pm Count Sefira #19 SHABBAT LEARNING Tefillah Insights with Stuart Silverman (Rand Sanctuary) 8:30 am Sichot of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with Rabbi Levine (Shtiebel Biet Mid) 8:30 am Teachings of the Ba al Shem Tov (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:00 am Parashat 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 (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 11:00 am Father & Son Learning (Senders Library) 5:00 pm PARSHAT ACHREI/KEDOSHIM Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Plag Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 6:10 pm Earliest Candle Lighting (Not Before) 6:25 pm Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:50 pm Early Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:00 pm Candle Lighting 7:28 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:30 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 8:23 pm DAILY MINYANIM ASHKENAZI SHACHARIT Daf Yomi (Sunday - Friday) 7:00 am Sunday (Social Hall) 6:25, 7:15, 8:00 & 9:00 am Monday & Thursday (Social Hall) 6:15, 7:00 & 8:00 am Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (Social Hall) 6:25, 7:00 & 8:00 am Monday - Friday (Senders Library) 7:45 am SEPHARDIC SHACHARIT Shacharit (Sunday - Friday) 6:30 & 8:00 am MINCHA/MA ARIV Early Mincha (Sunday) 2:00 pm Mishna Berura Yomi (Sunday - Thursday) 7:15 pm Sephardic Minyan (Sunday - Thursday) (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 7:25 pm Ashkenazi Minyan (Sunday - Thursday) (Social Hall) 7:30 pm Daf Yomi (Sunday - Thursday) (Board Room) 8:40-9:30 pm Late Ma ariv (Sunday - Thursday) 9:30 pm THE WEINBAUM YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL MINCHA SCHEDULE Mon 3:20 pm - Tues 3:05 pm - Wed 3:15 pm - Thurs 3:20 pm BRS WEST (At the Hillel Day School, th Ave. (305) Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Note NEW time) Candle Lighting Shacharit (Shabbat) Youth Groups Mincha (Shabbat) Maariv/Havdalah 7:15 pm 7:25 pm 9:30 am 10:30 am 7:05 pm 8:19 pm BIRTHDAYS Josef Kaplan Zev Blum Linda Melcer LIFE CYCLE Donna Tripp Charles Griff WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY Family & Friends here in honor of the Wax Simcha CONDOLENCE TO Dr. Bennett Salamon on the passing of his beloved father, Moshe (Milton) Salamon. APPRECIATION Dr. Zorik Spektor extends a heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Goldberg, Rabbi Moskowitz, Rabbi Broide, the Chesed Committee and the Community for their outpouring of love and support during his family s recent bereavement. REFUAH SHLAYMAH For members of BRS Community. For all other Refuah Shlaymah needs, please see Tehillim Circle 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 Lian Sae Bloom Leah Sura bat Machla Feigela Beverly Kellman Baila Rus bat Sarah Shoshana bat Bella Devora Frayda bat Basya Chana Guta bat Rochel Ruth Malinowitz Rivka bat Freyda Rabbi Shmuel Jarashow Shmuel Tzvi ben Shayna Cantor Lazar Wax Eliezer ben Sara Golda Sol Feldman Shlomo Dov ben Chana Abraham Katzman Abraham Yehoshua Ha Cohen ben Chaia Merv Jacobs Meir ben Sarah Spencer Cohen Zalman Meyer ben Sarah Moshe Applebaum Moshe Zvi ben Rachel Leah Jacob Kazinec Yaakov Tzvi ben Leah Stewart Harris Shimon Gedalia ben Rachel Yosef Chaim ben Faiga Shlomo ben Tamara YAHRZEITS Rick Andron in memory of his father Rina Kotok in memory of her father Gloria Kaminetzky in memory of her mother Arthur Solomon in memory of his mother Donald Felder in memory of his mother Rhona Cogen in memory of her father Yocheved Judith Zemel in memory of her brother Dr. Stuart Levine in memory of his mother Rabbi Chaim Shulman in memory of his mother Rosa Golish in memory of her grandfather Evelyn Bernstein in memory of her father Israel Margolies in memory of his sister Malka Morris in memory of her mother Aaron Sued in memory of his mother Rachel Bensimon in memory of her mother Rabbi Samuel April in memory of his mother George Saks in memory of his uncle Jerry Kaminetzky in memory of his father Stuart Silverman in memory of his father Irving Falik in memory of his father Shirley Eschwege in memory of her mother Dr. Jack Mermelstein in memory of his mother Rosa Golish in memory of her grandmother Jean Cohen in memory of her father Jonathan Gritzman in memory of his sister Beth Plotkin in memory of her brother Ruth Bleiman in memory of her husband Tammy Clarke in memory of her father Dr. Stuart Levine in memory of his father Susan Kaskel in memory of her father Dr. Cynthia March in memory of her mother Benjamin Saketkhou in memory of his mother Jean Cohen in memory of her mother Rabbi Joel Morris in memory of his mother David Andron, 2 Iyar Hyman Brickman, 2 iyar Ida Galkin, 2 Iyar Marion Solomon, 2 Iyar Gussie Felder, 3 Iyar Joseph Joffe, 3 Iyar Mark Kamzan, 3 Iyar Ethel Levine, 3 Iyar Rochel Shulman, 3 Iyar Rahim Benhaim, 4 Iyar Sam Bernstein, 4 Iyar Rivka Pasik, 4 Iyar Marion Silver,4 Iyar Sarah Sued, 4 Iyar Emily Abikhzer, 5 Iyar Fanny April. 5 Iyar David Gluck.5 Iyar Morris Kaminetzky. 5 Iyar Orion Silverman. 5 Iyar Ben Falik. 6 Iyar Myrtle Hudes. 6 Iyar Margaret Mermelstein. 6 Iyar Heshmat Benhaim. 7 Iyar Arthur Cohen. 7 Iyar Carolynne Cohen. 7 Iyar Jay Pepose. 7 Iyar Michael Bleiman. 8 Iyar Michael Bleiman. 8 Iyar David Levine. 8 Iyar Sanford Levine. 8 Iyar Esther March 8 Iyar Molouk Saketkhou. 8 Iyar Miriam Cohen. 9 Iyar Anne Morris. 9 Iyar

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Stuart & Enny Wax on their son, Ari, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. AND to his proud sisters, Tova and Shira. AND grandparents, Cantor Lazar & Ida Wax and Slomo & Sara Ancselovics. Dr. Sid & Rhona Cohen on the engagement of their daughter, Alyssa, to Nachum Kaplan, son of Elya & Chana Kaplan of Baltimore, MD. AND to her siblings, Sarah, Meir & Daliah and Marcelle & Nick. Rabbi Moshe & Renee Mintz on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Akiva, son of Malkie & Chaim Kupferstein. AND on the birth of their great grandson, Sholom. Proud grandparents are, Rivkie &Yitchok Mermelstein. Dr. Barbara Barry on the publication of her 5th book Lebewohl: Reconstructions of Death and Leave - Taking in Music KIDDUSH Hashkoma Minyan Kiddush sponsored by the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush Fund Teen Minyan Seudah Shlishiet sponsored by the Kays in loving memory of Sharona Kay s father, Arieh Michael ben Chanan and Liese Seudah Shlishit co-sponsored by Paul & Tammy Clarke, Jonathan & Tamara Gritzman, Dr. Merv & Elaine Jacobs, Jerry & Gigi Kaminetzky, Dan & Sue Kaskel, Rabbi Joel & Malka Morris, Jacob & Beth Plotkin, George & Stephanie Saks, Ari & Mildred Sued Guest Speaker: IDF Soldier, Nechemya YOM HAZIKARON & YOM HA ATZMAUT The Memorial Day for Israel s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror. Join us for a Special Ceremony Monday, April 15 6:45 pm Mincha 7:00 pm Yom Hazikaron Ceremony in the Rand Sanctuary 7:45 pm Maariv Following Maariv, at 8:00 pm there will be a Yom Haatzmaut Chagigah celebrating Israel s Independence with light refreshments and music in the Social Hall. Tuesday Morning, April 16, Yom Iyun in Honor of Yom Haatzmaut 9:30-10:30 am with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg on Israel: Eye of the Universe. 10:30-11:30 am with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz on Israel on a Silver Platter RABBI SHMUEL RABINOVICI Rabbi Rabinovici will be joining us this Shabbat. He will be giving a Chabura on Friday night at 9:30 pm at the home of Drs. Avi & Ahava Oppenheimer, Guadeloupe Street in Captiva. He will be giving Chabura Shabbat morning after Hashkama Minyan and will be continuing his series of Shiurim on Masechet Kiddushin on Sunday morning at 8:00 am. CPR CLASS On Tuesday, April 23, BRS will offer an opportunity for everyone to attend an American Heart Association Heart Saver class. After completing this class, you will become certified in basic CPR, first aid, and the Heimlich Maneuver. Learning these skills is crucial for anyone who has or cares for children, the elderly, or simply wants to be educated and prepared. Join us on Tuesday evening April 23, 7:00-10:00 pm. Cost is $25 person for the class and a certification card. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, contact the Shul office by April 15. For questions, please contact Arielle Moskowitz at rel612@aol.com. ANNUAL SIYUM HA TORAH Building on last year s phenomenal community-wide learning of Tanach and Mishnayot, this year in addition to completing that again, we are looking to learn all of the 613 Mitzvot as we count up to Kabbalat HaTorah. Don t be shy! Sign-up for as much learning as you feel you can complete by Shavuot. Make this a family learning event, and may we continue to build on our learning each year in good health and much Mazal. To sign up, go to our website at brsonline.org. KOL HANE ARIM TALLIT DEADLINE APPROACHING is working on creating a massive Tallit to be used for Kol Hane arim on Simchat Torah this upcoming year and for all future years. The cost to have a name embroidered on the Tallit will be $2 per letter. All names will be embroidered in English and will be spelled the same way they are submitted. There are forms available in the lobby. There are two sponsorship opportunities still available for $2,500 each. These sponsorships will include a dedicated corner of the tallis for your entire family. If you have any questions, please contact Simone in the Shul office at (561) The deadline to submit your form to the Shul office with payment is Wednesday, May 1. PLEASE NOTE Next Friday night, April 19 the 7:00 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat minyan will begin once again. THIRD ANNUAL SHABBAT HACHAYAL Join us for Shabbat Chayal honoring our brave soldiers with IDF commander, Nechemya, a living symbol of Zionism. This Shabbat, April 13 at 9:00 am. Nechemya serves in the IDF as a commander in the elite special forces (Sayeret) combat unit called Oketz, the only canine counter terrorism unit in the history of the State of Israel. Oketz is an elite counter terrorism unit, founded in 1939 as part of the Haganah, within the Israel Defense Forces. The unit specializes in training dogs for military and combat needs including detecting ammunition and weapons, detecting breaches of the borders of Israel, search and rescue and kidnappings. The unit often coordinates with other combat units in specialty counter terrorism missions. For information about FIDF please call Sherri Siskin, FIDF Executive Director at (561) , sherri.siskin@fidf.org. THE ROSH CHODESH WOMEN S INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE SERIES 5773 with Mrs. Rina Lanner, teacher at Hillel Day School of Boca Raton, this Sunday, April 14 at 8:00 pm. Hosted by Liat Ben-Simon, Guadeloupe Street in Captiva. TAHARAT HAMISHPACHA REFRESHER COURSE A 3 Part Series with Rebbetzin Yocheved Golbberg continues this Wednesday night, April 17 at 8:30 pm Mikvah: Calming Water for a Chaotic Life Hosted at the home of Keri Greenfield, Alyssum Way in Thornhill Green. Wednesday, night, April 24 at 8:30 pm The Secret Victoria Still Doesn t Know: The Torah s Prescription for Marital Intimacy Hosted at the home of Cara Beim, 7928 Chula Vista Crescent in Montoya Estates. THE RAV Commemorating the 20th Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik z l, join a world-wide webcast this Sunday, April 14, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm; it will be broadcast live at YUTorah.org. SALE Come to the this Sunday, April 14 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a sale of remaining items from Rabbi Klein s house. All proceeds from the sale benefit BRS. Page 5

6 DAILY DAF YOMI (Sunday - Friday) with Rabbi Ben Sugerman at 7:00 am in Room RABBINIC MIND with Rabbi Zvi Yehuda at 7:45 am in the Board Room HALACHA YOMI with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg 15 minutes before Mincha NIGHT BEIT MIDRASH community learning in the Senders Library at 8:00 pm NIGHTTIME DAF YOMI (Monday - Thursday) with BRS Rabbinate at 8:40 pm in the Board Room MONDAY ZUMBA CLASS (for women) will take place at 8:00 pm in Room 211/212 TUESDAY CAFFEINE FOR THE SOUL with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at 8:30 am will not be held this week YOM IYUN IN HONOR OF YOM HAATZMAUT 9:30 am in the Social Hall Israel: Eye of the Universe with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg 10:30 am in the Social hall Israel on a Silver Platter with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz WEDNESDAY CUP OF JOE & KNOW with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg after 7:45 am Minyan in the Senders Library IN-DEPTH STUDY OF BOOK OF JUDGES with Malka Morris at 9:30 am in the Social Hall KABBALAH: LEVEL 2 with Shoshana Deakter at 7:30 pm in the Room 101 THURSDAY 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 Senders Library Page 6 WEEK AT A GLANCE ADULT EDUCATION ISRAELI DANCE CLASS The class will resume this Sunday, April 14 at 5:00 pm in room 211/212. In the Israeli dance class with Maynu Peter, you will learn common steps, which are combined elements from different dance cultures with the music and themes of modern Israel. The movements involve roots from the Hora, the Yemenite step, and the Klezmer music and dance, which come from different parts of the world, such as the Mizrachi and Sephardic cultures. All women ages 14 and up are invited to attend. The fee for the class is $8 per class. FAY GREENE S CLASS Next class will take place this Tuesday, April 16, at 1:00 p.m. at the home of Shoshana Masory, Marbella Circle in Marbella Lakes. The topic is: Survived Pesach? Thrived on Pesach? Now What? Directions: Take Powerline South and turn left on Canary Palm Drive (before 18th street). Take fourth right, to Marbella Lakes, non-gated subdivision. Half way around circle is Masory home on right. RSVP to Sue Lowenkron: bubbesue@att.net. All women are invited to attend and bring a friend. SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE - APRIL 20 RABBI DR. JEFFREY WOOLF Jeffrey R. Woolf, is a Senior Lecturer in the Talmud Department at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, specializing in the History of Halachah and the inter-action between Judaism and other cultures and religions. For the past four years, he has directed the University s Institute for the Study of Post-Talmudic Halachah. Rabbi Dr. Woolf is active in the public arena where he has been a leading advocate and spokesman for the development of Modern Orthodoxy, in both the United States and Israel. Sponsored by Bar Ilan University. BRS ANNUAL GOLF & TENNIS TOURNAMENT Monday, June 3, 2013 VIA MIZNER Golf & Country Club Registration/Breakfast 8:00 am Shotgun Golf Start 9:00 am Women s Tennis Tournament 9:00 am Men s Tennis Tournament 11:00 am Lunch (Open to the Community) 1:00 pm Costs: Golf Tournament & Lunch $180 Tennis Tournament & Lunch $90 Lunch Only (Open to the Community) $30 GREAT GIVEAWAYS Gifts for Everyone Rain or Shine Golf Format Scramble Golf Awards First & Second Place Net & Gross Foursomes Golf Contests Hole-in-One Contest Longest Drive Closest to the Pin Putting Contest Tennis Awards: First & Second Place Men & Women PRESENTING SPONSOR - $10,000 Company Name incorporated into the name of the event Eight Reservations for Golf or Tennis AWARD LUNCH SPONSOR - $5,000 Six Reservations for Golf or Tennis GOLF SHIRT SPONSORED BY Kosher Marketplace HAT SPONSOR - $3,600 Four Reservations for Golf or Tennis BAG SPONSOR - $3,600 Four Reservations for Golf or Tennis BEVERAGE CART SPONSOR - $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis on Beverage Cart TOWEL SPONSOR - $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis BREAKFAST SPONSOR $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis CIGAR SPONSOR $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis SUNDRIES SPONSOR - $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis WATER BOTTLE SPONSOR - $2,500 Two Reservations for Golf or Tennis CONTESTS/OTHER SPONSORSHIPS Two Reservations for Golf Hole in One - $1,800 Closest to the Pin - $1,800 Longest Drive - $1,800 Putting Contest - $1,800 TENNIS COURT SPONSOR (6) - $1,500 Two Reservations for Tennis TEE SPONSOR (18) - $1,250 One Reservation for Golf Martin & Ileana Flics Stanley & Ana Haar Lynn Hahn Bernie & Melanie Kaminetsky Daniel & Caroline Katz Lothar & Carlyn Mayer Michael & Jill Rose Larry & Deborah Silver TENNIS CO-CHAIRS Leslie Abady, Zev Herman & Gary Krasna GOLF CO-CHAIRS Mark Kotok, Bob Silver & Alan Veingrad For more information: contact Matthew Hocherman (561) or mjh@brsonline.org

7 It is almost midnight on Thursday and we just boarded the El Al Charter flight that will take us from Warsaw, Poland to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Everyone on this March of the Living is singing right now and we are all so eager to finally arrive in Israel. What a day it s been. We began our day in the city of Lublin, a city that was considered the Torah capital of Poland where we visited the famous Yeshiva called Chachmei Lublin. Each year they have continued to with their extensive renovations on the building and it is an incredible experience having the Teenagers see what it was like to study in a world class house of learning. For some of the participants this was their first time being exposed to formal Jewish learning and that s just what occurred when students from the Yeshiva in Dallas got up and taught us all. We then headed for the final Concentration Camp of our journey, a camp in the city of Lublin called Maidonick. It s really difficult to describe the images we encountered. We walked through a gas chamber, which is almost impossible to explain to someone what that is like. There are no words to really capture what that feels like. As we were all standing together listening to our educators and guides, I found myself leaning against one of the cold concrete walls listening to those silent screams of all the men, women and children who lost their lives in this room. I was touching the wall, while placing my fingers over the areas that you could still see the fingernail scratch marks. All I could think about was the contrast that was about to take place. The following day we would be traveling to visit another wall, the famous Kotel in Jerusalem. We are scheduled to arrive there on Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat and pray together with Jews from all over the world. For many on this trip it will be a very emotional experience, for some it will even be their first time at the holiest place in the world. We will all sing and we will all dance and inevitably each one of will find ourselves drawn to The Wall. All of this was going through my head as I was standing next to the cold, dark concrete wall of the Gas Chamber. I was thinking of the people who stood here in my exact spot. I continued to imagine for a moment the types of prayers that were said at this wall in the gas chamber. These people were praying for their lives. It is unimaginable and heart wrenching to think what the men, women and children were experiencing in this gas chamber. Words cannot express how choked up and sick to my stomach I became. However, I realized how now we had the chance to do something they never had the chance to do... walk away from that wall of the gas chamber and board a plane where we would get the chance to travel to another wall - The Kotel. How fortunate we all are to be here and to be the Jews that will write that next chapter in Jewish history. As I stand at the Kotel I will remember those that yearned to be here. I can t wait for that moment when we touch down and board the bus that will take us to Jerusalem. With all that we experienced this past week in Poland I know that this Shabbat at The Kotel will be a very special experience for all of us. Inspire yourself to inspire others... Josh Page 7

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9 -BRS KIDS & TEENS- BRS teen Jonah Stein at Buchenwald this week JUNIOR CONGREGATION Make sure to come on time this week to JuCo. The fun begins every Shabbat at 10:00 am. Get ready for amazing Davening, Parsha, guest speakers, games, talent, and of course great prizes. KIDS HASHKAMA CHABURA Rabbi Gershon Eisenberger, Boca s new star Rebbe, will be conducting a post Hashkama Minyan Chabura for boys at 9:30 am in Room 102 in the Jacobs and Rubin Youth and Senior Center. Make sure to come on time for the special kids Kiddush! NCSY * BOCA & HOLLYWOOD SHABBATON! Friday, May 3-4 Boca Raton Community, Details to Follow! * SPRING REGIONAL SHABBATON! Friday, May 31 Marco Polo Beach Resort, Miami, FL Cost is $225. Sign up now for your discounted price! * BOCA LATTE & LEARN - FREE! Every Thursday at 8:00pm NCSY office, 7200 W Camino Real, Suite 104 * NCSY LATTE & LEARN - FREE! Every Wednesday 8:00pm Yo-Le Frozen Yogurt, 9641 Westview Dr, Coral Springs * FOR MORE INFORMATION: Rabbi Eli Zians at zianse@ncsy.org or or visit Celebrating Our Teens & Youth by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski This Week We Celebrate our March of the Living Participants It was a powerful phone call, one of the most simultaneously depressing and inspiring calls I d ever participated in. On Sunday, Rabbis Goldberg, Moskowitz and Matthew had arranged with Rabbi Broide, who is in Poland with our teens, to have our BRS March of the Living participants call a Yom Hashoah gathering in BRS from Poland. After Rabbis Goldberg and Broide explained what our teens were experiencing and how important it was, each of our teens in Poland took the phone for two to three minutes to share their feelings and impressions. That day they had been to Auschwitz and Buchenwald and the words they shared were unprocessed and raw. Evan Dolgow explained how he had yet to be able to sort out his feelings, but one thought kept coming to him that no matter what challenges our people must endure, Am Yisrael Chai, the Jewish people live on. Scott Halperin s words put us into the gas chambers, as he slowly told us of feeling the scratch marks on the walls of the gas chambers where Jews had tried to escape their death. Join me this week in celebrating the courageous teens of BRS who are facing our most tragic history. Page 9

10 SISTERHOOD 4TH ANNUAL JEWISH WOMEN S STUDY DAY Please join JWSD 2013 as Jewish women from the entire Boca Raton Community come together for a day of learning by women for women, on Thursday April 25, 8:45 am- 2:00 pm at Congregation B nai Israel. The theme for the day is Judaism and Intimacy: Building Relationships. Lunch and Learn with keynote speaker Jennie Rosenfeld PhD, on the topic of Contemporary Jewish Sexual Ethics. Dr. Rosenfeld is a Talmudic scholar who specializes in applying educational resources from the Talmud and Jewish Law to the realms of current-day intimacy and sexuality. Price for the entire event, two classes including breakfast and lunch is $49. Lunch & Learn only for $39. Dietary laws observed. For a full list of classes and registration visit Contact: Hinda Bramnick (561) SOCIAL ACTION To counter anti-israel activity, STAND WITH US has designed and produced a series of large panels that respond to and discredit lies perpetrated by Students for Justice in Palestine and other groups on college campuses across America that seek to delegitimize Israel. Join the South Florida Umbrella Group and Hillel for the dedication of the PATHWAY TO PEACE PANELS at FAU (open area off the Breezeway near Starbucks and Hillel) on Monday, April 15, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm. Students, dignitaries, community leaders, Jewish and Christian Clergy will be present. Show your support for Israel by attending. The April meeting of the Social Action Committee will be Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. We will begin planning for our next event when BRS members will learn how to effectively respond to anti-israel discrimination in the general media. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting. CHESED If you are in need or would like to volunteer for our Chesed Committee, please contact Michal Marcus at (917) Many volunteer opportunities are available, including help for new moms, rides to doctors, and meals for the bereaved. BRS AUXILIARIES, ETC. 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. WOMEN S MIKVAH The hours for the Women s Mikvah are Sunday through Thursday, 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm (last appointment is at 10:00 pm). For Friday and Yom Tov appointments, please call three days in advance. On Saturday and Fast Days, open an hour after Havadalah, for only 1 hour thereafter. In order to better assist you every day, appointments are strongly advised. Please call (561) MEN S MIKVAH HOURS The Men s Mikvah is open daily 5:00 am 9:30 am and then again 2:00 pm 6:00 pm. BIKUR CHOLIM If you re the type of person who has a good Neshama that yearns to comfort patients and their families who are facing a variety of medical issues, then Bikur Cholim can provide you with an opportunity to perform this Mitzvah. You must be able to commit yourself to one day per week for approximately two hours. Only serious people need apply. Call Stan at (561) to set up an appointment. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS WYHS ANNUAL JOURNAL DINNER The Weinbaum Yeshiva High School will be holding its Annual Journal Dinner on May 22, The guests of honor will be Shimmie & Beth Kaminetsky. Yogev Berdugo (Class of 01) will be awarded WYHS Inaugural Young Leadership Award. We invite you to join us in celebrating together with our well deserving honorees. An ad journal will be produced in conjunction with the dinner. For more information, please contact Program Director Shira Englander at (561) or mse@wyhs.net YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP AWARD Rabbi Josh Broide will be receiving the Young adult Leadership Award from the Federation on April 30, at 6:30 pm at Zinman Hall. Everyone is invited to attend. There is no cost for this program. 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 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 ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) Please have in mind children and grandchildren of members of our community currently serving in the IDF: Amiel Abir, Julian Gordon, Ben Weiss, Asher Kaplan, 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, Liel Reinfeld, Amichai Berman, Matt Firestone, Dov Lieber, Isaac Marco Romano, Yuchiel Shlomo Lowenstern 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. Please have in mind our missing in action Israeli Soldiers Page 10

11 I ve Got Your Back! Alan Shlomo Veingrad Financial & Insurance Strategies Announcing an Exciting New Camp RUACH ADVENTURES Travel Camp OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, APRIL 14 AT 8 PM AT THE HOME OF CARA & BEN FREEDMAN 7558 CHESTER TERRACE, BOCA RATON Who: Campers Entering Sixth Through Eighth Grade When: Wednesday, July 10th- Friday, August 2nd. (There will not be camp on Tuesday, July 16 Tisha B Av) Where: Exciting trips leaving from Hillel daily and there will be three fabulous overnight trips. Ruach Adventures will be directed by Mrs. Lori Landes and Mrs. Ranana Berger. Please RSVP at RuachAdventures@gmail.com if you plan to attend the open house or with any questions. Shlomo Randall Your Local Combined Insurance Agent I have a plan for you SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE Health Accident Disability Life STP-AD-0113 Combined Insurance Company of America, Chicago, IL 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 and Half page Ad s are also available. Call Kerry in the Shul office (561)

12 YOM HAZIKARON The Memorial Day for Israel s Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror Join for a Special Ceremony Monday, April 15 6:45 pm Mincha 7:00 pm Yom Hazikaron Ceremony (Rand Sanctuary) 7:45 pm Maariv Following Maariv, at 8:00pm there will be a Yom Haatzmaut Chagigah celebrating Israel s Independence with light refreshments and music in the Social Hall Tuesday Morning, April 16th Yom Iyun in Honor of Yom Haatzmaut 9:30-10:30 am Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Israel: Eye of the Universe 10:30-11:30 am Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Israel on a Silver Platter Hahn Judaic Campus 7900 Montoya Circle N. Boca Raton, Florida (561)