WEEKLY. PARASHAT DEVARIM SHABBAT CHAZON July 27 - August 6, Av - 15 Av Synagogue. Boca Raton GET CONNECTED FRIEND FOLLOW SHARE

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1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY PARASHAT DEVARIM SHABBAT CHAZON July 27 - August 6, Av - 15 Av 5772 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 Friday Night Plag Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat Earliest Candle Lighting Early Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm 6:47 pm 7:00 pm 7:52 pm 7:55 pm Shabbat Day Short class immediately following 9:00 am Minyan The Jewish View of Revenge: Taking Out the Munich Murderers with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Early Shabbat Mincha Shabbat Mincha Fast Begins Ma ariv / Eichah 6:00 pm 7:45 pm 8:09 pm 9:10 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 HAHN JUDAIC CAMPUS 7900 MONTOYA CIRCLE N. BOCA RATON, FLORIDA (561) FAX (561) OFFICE@BRSONLINE.ORG Check out Jewish Pride Films for our latest videos

2 FROM THE RABBI S DESK Page 2 If unity were easy, everyone would be practicing it. If it didn t require compromise, concession or cooperation, it wouldn t be such a big deal to call for unity. Unity, achdus, is difficult and challenging, and practicing it can sometimes feel lonely. Our tradition states clearly that the main cause of God s withdrawal from His Beis Ha Mikdash and the source of the harsh exile we have suffered is the divisiveness and discord found among our people. For close to two thousand years, we have experienced pogroms, persecution, oppression, hatred, relentless anti-semitism and a systematic attempt to exterminate our entire nation. Throughout those two millennia, we have been reminded over and over again that the main barrier and obstacle to finally ending all of our suffering and heralding a Messianic era characterized by peace and tranquility is simply our inability to learn how to get along and be respectful of one another. Can we really blame Hashem for retreating from being around us, His children, when we can t get along with one another Do we as parents not demand from our children that they practice loyalty towards one another, and be minimally respectful and accepting of each other, despite any differences they may have? God Himself provided us with the tool that is to be the solution. Torah was given as a great unifier, a vision and set of values that we can all rally behind and embrace as one united community. We, as a nation of 2 to 3 million, received the Torah k ish echad b leiv echad, as one person with one heart. We recite in birchas ha Torah asher bachar banu mi kol ha amim, v nasan lanu es Toraso, God chose us from among all the nations and gave us His Torah. Becoming a nation and feeling a sense of peoplehood and community preceded receiving the Torah and, indeed, was a prerequisite to it. Authentic and genuine Torah in our time must be learned, observed and practiced with a deep sense of commitment to the wholeness, unity, health and well being of our people. Therefore, it is a great comfort that as we mournfully count down the remaining few hours to Tisha B av, we can eagerly anticipate a monumental milestone event that will follow it closely, namely the Siyum Ha Shas. Ninety thousand men, women and children will fill Met Life Stadium in New York and hundreds of thousands more will join via internet to celebrate around the world in a great display of kavod ha Torah, respect and honor for our sacred tradition as Shas, the six orders of Talmud, is completed. Before Shabbos Nachamu, the Shabbos of consolation even arrives, the Siyum Ha Shas should be just the soothing salve we need to heal the wounds and aches of Tisha B av. As my friend and colleague, Rabbi Shalom Baum, pointed out to me, on Tisha B av we will sit on the floor mourning the public burning of hundreds of volumes of the Talmud in France and in Italy centuries ago. Just a few days later, we will affirm the vibrancy, vitality and relevancy of that same Talmud at the completion of its study in a similarly very public manner. There is so much to celebrate and take pride in regarding the Siyum Ha Shas. Jews of varied backgrounds, levels of observance and world outlook will attend the siyum together. Diverse Roshei Yeshiva and Talmidei Chachamim will sit on the dais, and a video that includes OU (Orthodox Union) Rabbis Steven Weil and Moshe Elephant will be shown. Thousands will gain entry into the exclusive club of shas yidden, those who have completed every single folio page of Talmud. Thousands more will be finishing shas for a second or third time, and yet thousands more will begin the marathon of the next seven and a half year journey through the sea of Talmud. To be sure, there are wonderful stories and profiles surrounding the Siyum Ha Shas. But sadly, other stories are emerging that, rather than reflect the spirit of unity and togetherness that we desperately need, tell the continued tale of the divisiveness and conflict that caused Tisha B av to begin with. A prominent Chassidishe Rebbe has forbidden his flock from attending the siyum at MetLife since Zionist Rabbis, such as former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, will address the audience. Admirably, a mechitza that costs six figures is being built for this three hour event to make sure that all segments of the Torah community feel comfortable attending. But, in contrast, how much energy and how many resources have been allocated to market and explain this monumental event to the unaffiliated and to help the uninitiated feel invited and welcome as well? In addition, an alternative Modern Orthodox Siyum Ha Shas has been arranged, and its organizers claim it will reflect a different perspective and approach than the one at Met Life Stadium. Like a lightening rod, this alternative Siyum has attracted immediate controversy, so much so that two prominent speakers who were to address the alternative Siyum have withdrawn from the program. As we approach the Siyum Ha Shas, the Torah community has much to be proud of. Deep appreciation and gratitude must be expressed to Agudas Yisroel and their leadership who have worked tirelessly to organize an incredible event that in so many ways is a great Kiddush Hashem. My words are not intended in any way as an indictment against them, God forbid. But, I believe that if we really long for the geulah, the redemption, and yearn for the Messianic era, the entire width and breadth of the Torah community must ask ourselves do the values of community, people hood and the unity of Torah not supersede our personal sensitivities and interests? Many may feel: The program is not designed specifically the way I would want it and it doesn t include exactly the speakers I would prefer. Attending and supporting it would take compromise and concession on my part. My response is simple - doesn t creating unity among diverse people always require conciliation, and isn t it well worth it? The Mishna in Pirkei Avos states, Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon omeir, shnayim she yoshvim v ein beineihem divrei Torah, harei zeh moshav leitzim, if two sit together and there are no words of Torah between them, it is a session of scorners. Rav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht z l, my revered Rosh Yeshiva at Kerem B Yavneh, explained this Mishna in a creative fashion. The two people the Mishna describes are chavrusos, study partners. They are engaged in Torah learning. So how can it be described as a moshav leitzim, a session of scorners? Rav Goldvicht explained because for these two people, the Torah is not beineihem, it doesn t bring them together and unify them. Yes, they are learning Torah, but the Torah is not transforming them into more thoughtful, caring people connected to one another. Rav Meir Shapiro z l introduced the idea of Daf Yomi so that all Jews, no matter where they are found in the world, would literally be on the same page. Celebration of the Daf in particular, and commitment to Torah in general should bring us together in a united fashion and help put us on the same page, not divide us, God forbid. As we approach yet another Tisha B av and bemoan the Jewish condition in the world, let s pledge to improve ourselves by doing more to care for our fellow Jews. Unity doesn t come easy. It takes work and it usually requires compromise. May the Siyum Ha Shas not only inspire us to learn more and, for those who can, strive to commit to go through the entire shas, But, even more importantly, let us strive to have shas go through us and bring about the unity for our people that is the necessary prerequisite for bringing Moshiach. Follow the Rabbi at twitter.com/ rabbigoldberg Friend the Rabbi on facebook Efrem Goldberg Shabbat Shalom, Share the Rabbi s blog on

3 HALACHIC QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Q: Is there a regular Seudah Hamafsekes like every erev Tisha B av or do we eat a normal Seudah Shlishit? A: Because it is Shabbos, the Seudah Hamafsekes is omitted this year; instead, a regular Shabbat meal is eaten (seudah shlisheit). Bentching may be said with a zimun (quorum of 3). However, there should not be a pervading mood of festivity during this meal. Q: When do I change in to my Tisha B av shoes? A: Because it is prohibited to do anything on Shabbos in preparation for after Shabbos, one must either carry their Tisha B av shoes to Shul before Shabbat and change them after Shabbat is over and before we daven Maariv, or one can change their shoes at home after Shabbat is over (recite Boruch Hamavdil first) and then come to Shul for Maariv. Please submit your question of the week on any topic to Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at reg@brsonline.org PARSHA Q & A QUESTIONS - PARASHAT DEVARIM 1. How do we see from the beginning of Parshat Devarim that Moshe was concerned for the Jewish Peoples honor? How much time elapsed between leaving Mt. Sinai and sending the spies? Moshe rebuked the Jewish People shortly before his death. From whom did he learn this? 4. Why does the Torah single out the names of the avot in connection with the giving of the Land? 5. Moshe was looking for several qualities in the judges he chose. Which quality couldn t he find? 6. Why did Moshe describe the desert as great and frightful? 7. Which tribe was not represented among the spies? 8. Why were the Jewish People not permitted to conquer the Philistines? 9. How did Hashem instill the dread of the Jewish People into the nations of the world? 10. Why did Moshe fear Og? ANSWERS - DEVARIM 1. 1:1 Moshe mentions only the names of the places where the Jewish People sinned, but does not mention the sins themselves. 2. 1:2-40 days. 3. 1:3 - From Yaakov, who rebuked his sons shortly before his death. 4. 1:8 - Each of the avot possessed sufficient merit for the Jewish People to inherit the Land. 5. 1:15 - Men of understanding. 6. 1:19 - Because the Jewish People saw huge, frightening snakes and scorpions in the desert. 7. 1:23 - Levi. 8. 2:23 - Because Avraham had made a peace treaty with Avimelech, King of the Philistines. 9. 2:25 - During the battle against Og, the sun stood still for the sake of the Jewish People, and the whole world saw this :2 - Og possessed merit for having once helped Avraham. Questions and Answers are courtesy of Ohr Somayach. PARSHA SUMMARY DEVARIM The Journey From Sinai; The Appointment of Judges and Administrators; The Meraglim (Spies). At Mt. Sinai, Hashem had commanded the Jews to break camp and journey to Israel. Moshe claimed that he was unable to bear the burden of leadership alone, judges and administrators were appointed to help him. On the verge of entering Israel, the Jews were dismayed by the Meraglim s pessimistic report and complained to Hashem; their lack of faith led to their extended wandering in the desert during which time almost all of the older generation died. The Jews Defeated Sichon and Og. After the Jews had encamped at Mt. Seir for a long period, they were told to continue their journey by passing through the land of Edom, although they were told not to engage in any hostilities since this territory had been promised to Esav s descendants. They were similarly told not to attack the residents of Moav, for their land was reserved for Lot s children. They did, however, defeat Kings Sichon and Og, and fear of the Jews began to spread amongst the neighboring nations. The Land Of Gilad. As discussed in Mattat, the land of Gilad had been given to the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and part of the tribe of Menasseh (with the proviso that they join their fellow Jews in the battle to conquer Israel). Moshe encouraged Yehoshua not to fear the nations living in Israel. BRS OUTREACH REVOLUTION - LIVE FROM TJJ From the moment we landed in Israel many of the teens asked us when we will be visiting Tel Aviv. The amazing thing about Israel is that every city has something special to offer. We started the day by going to Rabin Square and seeing the memorial that was built following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. We had a chance to discuss the issues surrounding intolerance and hate and how we are still suffering today from the effects of Sinat Chinam, baseless hatred. There is even a place that marks where the bullets were shot and helps the historical event come to life. As we get closer and closer to the holiday of Tisha B Av on Sunday, we need to focus more attention of valuing diversity and celebrating unity. After the memorial we went to the Carmel Shuk for a little shopping and free time. There were so many things to buy and many deals to be had. We also got together for a pizza lunch in the center of the big city. We ended the day with a trip to the Independence Hall, the building where the State of Israel was proclaimed for the first time. It s a very modest structure that has a small room where we saw a movie about the history of Tel Aviv and then got to sit in the actual room where 400 people gathered on a Friday afternoon in 1948 to hear the now famous declaration. We all heard the real audio replay and then concluded with the actual playing of the original Hatikvah, that was played for the very first time when the state was announced. It was a great moment that we will never forget. Josh Page 3

4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) Plag Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Social Hall) Earliest Candle Lighting Early Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Social Hall) SHABBAT DAY 6:00 pm 6:25 pm 6:30 pm 6:47 pm 7:00 pm 7:52 pm 7:55 pm Neitz Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 5:45 am Hashkama Minyan (Social Hall) 7:25 am Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 9:00 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Sermon: Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Short Class Immediately Following 9:00 am Minyan The Jewish View of Revenge: Taking Out the Munich Murderers with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash - 2nd floor) 9:30 am Teen Minyan summer recess Sof Zman Kriat Shema 10:05 am Lome Family Explanatory Service (WYHS Library) summer recess Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 6:00 pm Sephardic Mincha (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 7:40 pm Ashkenazi Mincha (Social Hall) 7:45 pm Sh kiah 8:09 pm Fast Begins 8:09 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 9:10 pm SHABBAT LEARNING Tefillah Insights (Rand Sanctuary) 8:30 am Teachings of the Ba al Shem Tov (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:00 am Parshat Ha shuva with Rabbi Zvi Yehuda (Board Room) 9:15 am Advanced Gemara Chabura 15 minutes after Hashkama Minyan Junior Congregation (Berdugo Beit Midrash - Room 104 & 105) 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) 6:00 pm Daf Yomi between Mincha/Maariv PARASHAT VA ETCHANAN Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:20 pm Plag Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Social Hall) 6:25 pm Earliest Candle Lighting 6:43 pm Early Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:00 pm Candle Lighting 7:47 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:50 pm Maariv/Havdalah (Shabbat) 8:42 pm DAILY MINYANIM Daf Yomi (Sunday - Friday) 7:00 am Sunday (Tisha B av) 6:30, 7:15 & 8:30 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 through Friday (Senders Library) 7:45 am SEPHARDIC SHACHARIT Shacharit (Sunday - Friday) 6:15 & 8:00 am MINCHA/MA ARIV Sephardic Minyan (Monday - Thursday) (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 7:45 pm Ashkenazi Minyan (Monday - Thursday) (Social Hall) 7:50 pm Late Maariv will resume at the end of August THE WEINBAUM YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL MINCHA SCHEDULE WYHS Mincha resumes at the end of August 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 Sunday Morning Shacharit Minyan Page 4 6:00 pm 7:52 pm 9:30 am 10:30 am 7:15 pm 9:10 pm 7:45 am BIRTHDAYS Judy Bruk Maya Firestone Sydney Freedman Sarah Kaminetsky Shani Matilsky Simon Mirsky Donna Von Samek Elizabeth Sides Sibyl Joan Silver Steven Peritzman 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 Rabbi Shmuel Jarashow Shmuel Tzvi ben Shayna Zoli Bernstein Azriel Ha Cohen ben Ruchel Cantor Lazar Wax Eliezer ben Sara Golda Sol Feldman Shlomo Dov ben Chana Abraham Katzman Abraham Yehoshua Ha Cohen ben Chaia Bernard Struhl Binyamin Eliyahu ben Chikah LIFE CYCLE WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY Rabbi Steven Weil Dr. Menachem & Beth Stuart and Ariella & Aaron Craig Lefkowitz APPRECIATION Lian Sae and Sammy Bloom send heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Goldberg, Rabbi Moskowitz, Rabbi Broide and the entire community for the outpouring of love and support during Lian s recent illness. They are extremely grateful to Hashem that she is now in remission, and most grateful that they live in such a warm, wonderful and caring community. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Avi & Ahava Oppenheimer YAHRZEITS Mrs. Susan Siedler in memory of her father Mr. Jeffrey Silkin in memory of his mother Dr. Avram Cooperman in memory of his mother Mrs. Enid Gil in memory of her father-in-law Mrs. Dorothy Perkins in memory of her mother Mr. Warren Shimoff in memory of his mother Mrs. Amy Schiffman in memory of her mother Mrs. Dorothy Perkins in memory of her aunt Mrs. Marvin Hirschhorn in memory of his father Mr. Gary Krasna in memory of his mother Mrs. Toby Albert in memory of her father Mr. Stanley Smith in memory of his son Mrs. Joy Smith in memory of her son Mr. Colin Stein in memory of his mother Mrs. Lois Schwartz in memory of her mother Mrs. Rachel Zvouloni in memory of her grandfather Mrs. Melissa Keehn in memory of her father Mr. Josh Herschberg in memory of his mother Mrs. Patti Lieber in memory of her father Mr. Marcus Witztum in memory of his father Mr. Sal Abady in memory of his uncle Mrs. Ann Arbeitman in memory of her father Mr. Ron Berman in memory of his grandmother Mrs. Evelyn Sauer in memory of her father Rabbi Gene Klein in memory of his mother Mr. Samuel Rubin in memory of his mother Joseph Black, 8 Av Jean Silkin, 8 Av Lillian Cooperman, 9 Av Shimon Gugel Reicher, 9 Av Rose Schneider, 9 Av Lynn Shimoff, 9 Av Susan Rubin, 10 Av Syd Edelman, 11 Av Max Hirschhorm, 11 Av Elaine Krasna, 11 Av Eugene Rutman, 11 Av Brian Smith, 11 Av Brian Smith, 11 Av Anne Stein, 11 Av Evelyn Domroe, 12 Av Lipa Kay, 12 Av Eli Gabel, 13 Av Judith Herschberg, 13 Av Harry Shein, 13 Av Nathan Witztum, 13 Av Abraham Abady, 14 Av Menachem Lipshitz, 14 Av Sylvia Wallberg, 14 Av Morris Horn, 15 Av Terezia Klein, 15 Av Fanny Rubin, 15 Av

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Dr. Stuart & Lila Lefkowitz on their son, Hillel s Auf Ruf. Ruda Berkowitz on the birth of her great granddaughter, Kayla Rae. Her proud parents, are Aryeh & Daniella Schwebel and grandparents are, Willy & Linda Lieberman. AND to Uncles, Michael and Benjy, AND Aunts, Sharona & Donna, AND to all the Loeffler and Tripp Cousins. Steven Peritzman on his 70th Birthday. KIDDUSH Hashkama Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Dr. Stuart & Lila Lefkowitz in honor of Hillel s Auf Ruf. SIYUM HASHAS Join BRS, Wednesday night, August 1st for a live broadcasting of the Siyum Hashas of Daf Yomi. Celebrate as a community the completion of the Talmud and our rich Torah tradition. BRS Social hall, 7:30 pm. WE NEED YOUR HELP BRS has the chance to receive more then $3,000 in free money and, in order to receive it, we need your help! If you currently have a personal or business account at TD Bank and are not already enrolled in the Affinity Program, please speak to any agent and ask them to enroll you into the Affinity Program for BRS. If you are not currently a TD Bank customer, please Susan Planas at Susan.Planas@td.com or David Hunik at davidhunik@td.com and let her know you would like to open up a free checking account and enroll in the Affinity Program. This must be done by Wednesday, August 1. Please don t be apathetic; we need everyone who can to sign up! PILLAR SOCIETY S CAMPAIGN Is underway, and BRS needs your help. Please consider joining Pillar Society to enable BRS to continue to offer the highest level of educational, religious, and social programming to our community. Brochures are in the lobby. Please contact Matthew Hocherman to join, or for more information, at mjh@brsonline.org or (561) LOST AND FOUND We have a collection of lost but not yet found items including many Tallisim and Tefillin Bags. On Monday, July 30, these items will be placed on a table in the Main Lobby. Hopefully you can re-connect with an item that you have lost. WOMEN S MIKVAH Women s Mikvah will be closed Saturday night, August 4, and will reopen an hour after fast ends on Sunday, August 5, at 9:45 pm. SATURDAY, JULY 28 Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) Mincha (Social Hall) Regular Seudah Shlisheit to be completed by Fast Begins Shabbat Ends Ma ariv (Rand Sanctuary) Eichah (Rand Sanctuary) 6:00 pm 7:45 pm 8:08 pm 8:09 pm 8:48 pm 9:10 pm 9:20 pm SUNDAY, JULY 29 (9TH OF AV OBSERVED) Shacharit and Kinot (Rand Sanctuary) 6:30 am Shacharit and Kinot with commentary from Rabbi Goldberg (Social Hall) 7:15-9:30 am Shacharit & Kinot (Rand Sanctuary) 8:30 am - 1:30 pm The third Minyan will be accompanied with commentary on Kinot by Rabbi Steve Weil, Executive Vice President of the OU. His comments will be broadcasted on the OU website Chatzot (Midday) 1:27 pm Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 2:00 pm FILM: MAKING TISHA B AV RELEVANT TO US TODAY AT 2:30 PM A joint video from the OU and YU. Featuring shiurim by Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dr. David Pelcovitz, Rabbi Steven Burg, Rabbi Yaacov Glasser, Mrs. Nechama Price, Rabbi Steven Weil and Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Weinreb. FILM: AGAINST THE TIDE AT 4:30 PM PROJECT INSPIRE S FILM FOR TISHA B AV SHOWING AT 6:00 PM JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM Mincha/Maariv (Rand Sanctuary) 7:40 pm Maariv 8:37 pm Fast Ends 8:47 pm SHABBAT IN MEMORY OF MUNICH VICTIMS Keyl Maleh in Memory of the 11 Victims of the Munich massacre on their 40th Yahrzeit at the 9:00 am Minyan Shabbat Morning Derasha: Deafening Silence: Lessons of the Munich Massacre by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Short Class Immediately Following 9:00 am Minyan: The Jewish View of Revenge: Taking Out the Munich Murderers with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Page 5

6 MITZVAH OF THE WEEK Destroying all objects of idolatry. Hashem commanded the Jewish people that if they find any idolatry in the land of Israel they must destroy it. This would include idols that people worshipped or even objects that people used to serve Hashem that were forbidden for use by Bnei Yisrael. Search the puzzle below for the words from our sedra! THINGS TO DO RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD SWAP SHOP O Y S N V R M T M X E E H E O E K I D A A F S A F I R S T E H C U O A A G S E H T P W Q V L R V W S J E Y E E W W Y Z A D V D C DEVARIM MOSHE TEACH TORAH SEFER FIRST SEDRA What an adventure! Be prepared for the unexpected! This has got to be the craziest place in Southern Florida. From outdoor pet stores to electronics and clothing, there is no telling what you will find in the outdoor flea market! My favorite part is the indoor arcade. Kids of all ages love playing the arcade games, ski ball, riding the go-carts and mini rides, and cashing in the tickets for fun prizes. Enjoy! 3291 West Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida Phone:(954) DON T MISS THE EXCITEMENT! Thanks to the efforts of the BRS summer Kollel and our Beit Medrash rejuvenation committee, the Senders Library has been hopping at nights with the vibrant sound of Torah study. Everyone is encouraged to come and learn together as a community. To set a Chavruta with one of the Kollel members or with a fellow community member, please contact either Rabbi Simmy Shabtai, Kollel Coordinator or Rabbi Ben Gonsher. NEW MEMBERS If you are new, or know someone who is new to the community, please let us know so we can extend a proper welcome. Contact Linda at linda@ brsonline.org, Orlie Cohen at orlielevy@hotmail.com, or Elana Belizon at elana.belizon@gmail.com. Did You Know? That 10 miracles regularly happened in the Beit Hamikdash? no woman got too sick from the odor of the flesh of the offerings; the meat of the korbonot never turned smelled; no fly was ever seen in the Beit Hamikdash; the high priest never suffered a an illness on the Day of Atonement; rain never quenched the fire of the wood arranged on the altar; no wind prevailed over the pillar of smoke; never was a defect found in the omer or in the two loaves or in the showbread; though the worshipers stood pressed together, they could freely bow down with enough space; never did serpent or scorpion do harm in Jerusalem; ANSWER THE QUESTION & YOU COULD WIN A PRIZE!!!! Which specific person was the land of Israel given to? Send in your answer to funletter613@gmail.com and you could win! NEW MEMBER BUDDY SYSTEM We are looking for volunteers to be buddies for new families who are moving to the community to help them feel welcome and acclimated. If you are interested, please contact Linda at linda@brsonline.org, Orlie Cohen at orlielevy@hotmail.com or Elana Belizon at elana.belizon@gmail.com. Page 6

7 ADULT EDUCATION CLASS UPDATES SICHOT OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE given by Rabbi Samuel Levine is on summer recess. TEACHINGS OF THE BA AL SHEM TOV Every Shabbat in the Shtiebel Beit Midrash, given by Bentzion Meltzer at 9:00 am. RABBINIC MIND with Rabbi Zvi Yehuda will be held this Monday through Friday, 7:45-8:45 am in the Board Room. ZUMBA CLASS for women will take place this Monday & Wednesday. For more information, please call (561) KABBALAH: THE INNER, SPIRITUAL WISDOM OF THE TORAH. Every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. Given by Shoshana Deakter MALKA MORRIS class on in-depth study of Sefer Yehoshua class will be held this Wednesday, August 1 at 9:30 am in the Board Room. PARSHAT HA SHAVUA Parsha class will NOT be held this week and will resume August 8, with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg. MAKE TIME FOR LEARNING Every Wednesday evening 8:00-9:30 pm, for Beit Midrash learning. To find a Chavruta, please contact Rabbi Ben Gonsher. RABBI ZVI YEHUDA weekly Parashat Ha shavua class will take place this Shabbat at 9:15 am in the Board Room. DAF YOMI class with Rabbi Ben Sugerman can be listened to any time of the day by visiting MISHNA BERURA YOMI Every day, 15 minutes prior to Mincha, there will be a brief class studying that day s portion of the Mishna Berura. KARATE CLASS with Sensei Allen Girnun will resume after Sukkot. WEDNESDAY MORNING LINE-UP THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 9:30 am in the Board Room Malka Morris - An In-Depth Study of Sefer Yehoshua Class SHABBAT AFTERNOON WOMEN S UPCOMING SHIURIM Parashat Va etchanan August 8 Ms. Maya Tsarfati Parashat Eikev August 11 Mrs. Aliza Pilichowski Sponsored by Andrea Tait & Elayna Weisel in commemoration of the 10th Yarhzeit of their beloved mother, Sunnie Tait. Parashat Re eh August 18 Mrs. Dannie Grajower SIDDUR DRIVE We are in need of Siddurim for the Shul. If you are interested in donating a Siddur in memory or in honor of someone, please contact Linda in the Shul office at linda@brsonline.org. The cost for each Siddur is $50; if you donate five or more you will receive a 10% discount. Thank you for your participation in this Siddur Drive. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS GEMACH The Boca Raton Simcha Gemach is up and running. Please contact us if you are making a Simcha and are in need of centerpieces or vases, etc. for your Simcha. Also, we welcome any gently used or new table centerpieces, tablecloths, etc. that could be contributed to this worthy cause. We would like to be able to provide all members of our community with the accessories to make their Simchas elegant and special. All proceeds from this Gemach will be donated to Tzedakah. Please contact, Baila Kaplan at (917) or Michal Marcus at (917) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC AND SECULAR SCHOOL STUDENTS Fantastic Torah, Israeli culture and Hebrew education opportunity for children in grades JconnecT is an online supplemental Hebrew school for grades 6-12 that harnesses the power of technology to provide new opportunities for both Jewish education and Jewish socialization. JconnecT offers two dynamic, live, weekly study sessions with an experienced teacher in Jerusalem via a web based online platform that provides full audio and video conferencing for up to 15 students per group sessions analyze Hip Hop Hebraics, and Contemporary Jewish Issues that impact the global Jewish community and society at large. These discussion based sessions, along with two Shabbatons held in Memphis, TN, create a vibrant social, educational community of Jewish learning. We will be honored to have Rabbi Gil Perl join us for a live presentation and Mrs. Smadar Goldstein via the internet with her virtual class from around the globe. Please RSVP for this informational event at Aliza@brsonline.org. More info: bit.ly/jconnect Page 7

8 BRS OUTREACH REVOLUTION PILLAR SOCIETY THE PILLAR SOCIETY CAMPAIGN IS NOW UNDERWAY launched Pillar Society four years ago to enable our synagogue to continue to offer the highest possible educational, religious, and social programming to our community. Your support of Pillar Society will enable BRS to continue to offer these outstanding programs and services to our community and beyond. In these difficult economic times, when many of our members are struggling to even pay basic dues to the synagogue, your help is more critical than ever. PILLAR SOCIETY EMERALD Lynn Hahn Daniel & Caroline Katz PLATINUM Stanley & Ana Haar Bernie & Melanie Kaminetsky Lothar & Carlyn Mayer Michael & Jill Rose Larry & Deborah Silver ENHANCED GOLD Joseph & Lisa Bensmihen Howard & Bonnie Block Dr. Ben & Cara Freedman Michael & Barbara Frenkel Drs. Charles & Simone Griff Rabbi Efrem & Yocheved Goldberg Glen & Rosa Golish Dr. Mervin & Elaine Jacobs Dr. David & Sharona Kay Drs. Joseph & Seema Loskove Robert & Penny Pearlman Zorik & Ellen Spektor Teddy & Linda Struhl Anonymous Anonymous GOLD Nachman & Jaime Feig Hensha Gansbourg Gary & Judi Krasna Lenoff Family Michael & Sharona Loeffler Mike Senders SILVER Dr. Avraham & Elana Belizon Dr. Hillel & Chayi Cohen Dr. Chanoch & Rachel Harow List in formation Pillar Society information brochures with additional information are available in the lobby. Please contact Matthew Hocherman at or (561) Page 8

9 SISTERHOOD Thank you to Gila Stern and Shira Englander for their service to the BRS community as Sisterhood Presidents. The BRS Sisterhood is proud to announce that Rachel Harow and Lysee Stein will be co-presidents for the year. If you would like more information about or to become involved with the Sisterhood, please BRS AUXILIARIES, ETC. MAIMONIDES SOCIETY The Caring Doctors Project aims to pair medically uninsured people of South Palm Beach County with doctors who have agreed to care for them free of charge. Created by Jewish Family Services and sponsored by Project Access of the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the BRS Maimonides Society, it offers participating doctors sovereign immunity for their work. SOCIAL ACTION The Olympic Games have become mired in controversy. In spite of appeals by government institutions and online petitions signed by hundreds of thousands asking for a minute of silence in memory of Israeli athletes brutally murdered in Munich forty years ago, the International Olympic Committee has stubbornly denied the requests. Kudos to Bob Costas, the NBC commentator who will broadcast the games for American viewers, who has refused to buckle to the IOC and will include a minute of silence for the slain athletes during the opening ceremonies. Call NBC ( or ) to thank Costas for his decency and humanity. You can also at: nbcolympicsfeedback@nbcuni.com. Adding insult to injury, the BBC initially left out any reference to an Israeli capital while simultaneously listing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. In response to public outrage, the text was changed replacing the word capital with seat of government in Jerusalem, while adding that most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv. It made a parallel change to the listing for Palestine, listing East Jerusalem as the intended seat of government. This is clear discrimination against Israel by treating it differently than every other country competing in the London Olympics. YOUNG BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS The Young Business Professionals (YBP) is a new initiative for young members of our community ages 25-35, who are looking to grow in their professional and business skills, and for a chance to participate in community leadership opportunities. For more information and registration, please contact Gil Stein at Gil@ Herculesroofing.com. WOMEN S MIKVAH Women s Mikvah will be closed Saturday night, August 4th and will reopen an hour after fast ends on Sunday, August 5th at 9:45 pm. BOCA RATON COMMUNITY ERUV The Boca Raton Community Eruv is in need of funds. 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. 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 helping new moms, rides to doctors, and meals for the bereaved. BIKUR CHOLIM The next time you re at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, stop in South Palm Beach County s only Jewish hospitality suite and Shabbat room and have a cup of coffee and some snacks on us. MUSICAL CHEVRA The Musical Chevra meets monthly to listen and enjoy classical and popular music. For details, please contact Moshe Leib or Ruth Stuart at Ruthandmlstuart@gmail.com 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, Menachem Kaplan, Jeremy Siegman, Noam Ivri (Makover), Evan Pelz, Charlie Pollack, Yakov Simcha Ben Moshe Yisroel, Yehuda Strauss, Liel Reinfeld, Amichai Berman Matt Firestone 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 MAJDI HALABI Page 9

10 -BRS KIDS & TEENS- Celebrating Our Teens by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski This summer I have spent this column highlighting the amazing programs our teens attended this summer. In my last column I gave the wrong impression of one wonderful program, I was careless in my writing, and I regret that I might have given the wrong impression about one particular program and I would like to correct those impressions in this column. Founded in Netanya in 1969, Bet Elazraki Children's Home is the warm and loving home for over 200 "children at risk." Their families are unable to provide their children's basic needs and tools for development and growth. They supply their physiological demands, and enable them to grow in a supportive, warm and loving environment. They receive therapeutic and academic aid, in addition to educational and social assistance. BRS teens Jonah Stein, Rebecca Muller, and Aaron Zimmerman all volunteered at Bet Elazraki this summer. One participant exclaimed, My experience at Bet Elazraki was unforgettable because by the end of the summer I truly saw how much our happiness and enthusiasm impacted the kids. Aaron Zimmerman added, Only after my time at Bet Elezraki could I truly comprehend their motto - Always Happy. Bet Elezraki is a place rife with hope and the promise of a future. We should celebrate our BRS teens' involvement in this stellar program! A Summer Shabbaton? The summer is generally a time when all programs come to a halt. That doesn t mean that everything has to go on break. A group of teens have spent their summer days (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) at BRS everyday studying many things, including Torah. These teens will gather for an end of summer shabbaton next Shabbat. For more info, please speak to R Pilicohwski. FOCUS ON OUR LEADERS DO YOU KNOW. Becky Shachter? Group: JUCO Girls Group leader since: 2009 School: Senior at WYHS Every single week I look forward to coming and seeing my girls in junior congregation. I have had the privilege to watch these girls grow into special children Do you remember last Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur davening? Did it look like the picture below? Would you like to have a better experience this year? Would you like your davening to last from 9:30-12:30 instead of 8:00-2:00 PM? Would you like a tefila that you actually understand? This coming Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur will be different. We re going to have the first BRS High Holiday Teen Minyan GEMARA FOR BEGINNERS WITH RABBI YAAKOV DRANG Rabbi Yaakov Drang gives a Gemara Brachot Shiur after Shabbat Mincha for boys in grades 5 7. On summer break! 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! Pro-Israel Teens Classes off for the summer Every week teens have two chances to attend a Pro Israel advocacy meeting. Teens learn how to best advocate for Israel at the highest levels of our government. Classes will resume in the Fall. BRS Fellows meeting with Rep. Ileana Ros Leitman Page 10

11 15off% HAMSPOTS CONSULTING Websites Event Prints Graphics Business Cards Brochures / Menus Web Design Bar/Bat Mitvah Brit Milah Weddings $14.95 Oil Change & Tire Rotation. $99.95 Any 2 Flushes Brake, Coolant or Power Steering Call Hank or Jacob at KING DAVID CATERING Brisim Bar Mitzvahs Weddings Dinners Any Simcha Any Occasion KING DAVID HALL AT TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 201 S. Military Trail Deerfield Beach, FL Michael Hess, Gabrielle, David and Paul want to thank the BRS community for their support and for Rabbi Efrem Goldberg for his guidance during our bereavement for Beth Hess. We would like to thank Nancy Markovitch and her family for the gracious use of their house for the week of shiva and their warm hospitality. We would like to thank those who took precious time to cook and provide meals: Evelyn Begas, Robin Struhl, Leslie Abady, Sharona Loffler,Melanie Kaminetsky. We want to thank Jackie Markovitch for all of the last minute details he took care for us. Thank you all. * Age Management Medicine * HCG Weight Loss Program * Bio-Identical Hormones Merna Matilsky, MD Matilsky and Morris Medical Associates 2900 N. Military Trail, Suite 245 Boca Raton, FL Ph: Fax: BRS is once again putting together an incredible and creative Adult Education Brochure. We are opening up space for 5 business card size ads for $400 each. Ad space is available on a first come first served basis. We will be printing over 3,500 color copies of the Adult Ed Brochure, it will be sent to every member of the shul and to communities around the country, and it will be distributed throughout South Florida. The brochure will also be a prominent feature on our website. If you are interested in placing an ad, please contact Matthew at or via at mjh@brsonline.org. All ads need to be in by Monday, August 13th. 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 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Rabbi s Shabbat Afternoon Class ($25,000) This prominent class takes places every Shabbat of the year as well as Yom Tov afternoons. It is taught by the BRS Rabbinate or the distinguished Scholars in Residence who visit our community. Sponsorship in honor or in memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, weekly in the bulletin, and on the cover sheet of all handouts for the class. Daf Yomi ($18,000) Daf Yomi, the study of the Talmud page by page, is taught at BRS 365 days a year by our own Rabbi Ben Sugerman. Sponsorship in honor or in memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, weekly in the bulletin, and at the beginning of the Shiur each day. Scholar in Residence Series ($18,000) BRS is proud to host a robust Scholar in Residence program that has featured many of the most prominent Scholars, Rabbis, and speakers in the world. Sponsorship of the overall series in honor or memory of a loved one will be featured in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the weekly bulletin before each Scholar in Residence, will be announced over each weekend of a S.I.R., and on the cover sheet of S.I.R. s handouts. Women s Programming ($18,000) BRS provides an array of Women s programming throughout the year, including weekly Skype classes with Dr. Avigayil Rock, the Women s Class series throughout the summer, Women s Rosh Chodesh lecture series, and more. Sponsorship will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the weekly bulletin, at each class or event, and on all source material. BRS Jewish Film Festival ($10,000) BRS shows 5 films each year that attract a large audience beyond just our membership. Film subjects range from Holocaust interest, Israel, social issues, inspiration, and more. Sponsorship in honor or in memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the weekly bulletin before each film is shown, and will be announced before each film. BRS Teen Pro Israel Advocacy Group ($10,000) Each week, dozens of teens get together with Rabbi Uri Pilichowski to learn about contemporary issues Israel faces and learn how to become pro-israel advocates. Participants meet members of Congress, attend AIPAC gatherings and Policy Conference, and have even been invited to the White House. Sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in our annual Adult Ed brochure, weekly in the teen page of the bulletin, and at each class or event. Veshinantam Levanecha ($10,000) This nationally renowned youth program takes place weekly on Saturday nights throughout the winter and includes parent child learning, singing, raffles, prizes, and food. Sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one will be acknowledge in the annual Adult Ed brochure, weekly in the winter in the bulletin, and before each Veshinantam program. Teen Minyan ($5,000) BRS teens gather each Shabbat morning for their own Minyan that is followed by a Kiddush and learning with Rabbi Uri Pilichowski. Sponsorship will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed Brochure, weekly in the bulletin, and at the Teen Minyan. Shavuot All Night Learning Program ($3,600) Shavuot night at BRS features classes through the night, individual learning, and youth and teen programs. Sponsorship will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the Shavuot brochure, in the bulletin over Shavuot, and on the cover sheet of all classes over Shavuot. Purim Carnival ($2,500) One of the most exciting events of the year, the BRS Purim Carnival attracts hundreds of families who enjoy a day of rides, contests, BBQ, and more. Sponsorship in honor or in memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the carnival promotion in the bulletin, and at the event itself. Yom Ha Shoah Program ($2,500) Each year, the BRS community gathers to honor our survivors and memorialize the 6 million martyrs of the Holocaust. Sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the bulletin before the program, and at the program itself. Yom Yerushalayim Program ($2,500) Each year, the BRS community gathers to celebrate the reunification of Yerushalayim. Sponsorship in honor or memory of a loved one will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the bulletin before the program, and at the program itself. Shabbat Ha gadol Derasha & Shabbat Shuva Derasha ($5,000) is sponsored by Dr. Avraham and Elana Belizon as a יצחק יעקב בן בתיה שרה Belizon, Zechus for a Refuah Shlaymah for Avraham s beloved father, Dr. Yitzchak Pre-Pesach Workshop ($1,800) Before Pesach, Rabbi Efrem Goldberg holds his annual workshop to review the laws, practices and, details of preparing for Pesach. Sponsorship will be acknowledged in the annual Adult Ed brochure, in the Pesach brochure, in the bulletin, at the workshop, and on the cover page of all handouts. For more information or to sponsor one of the above items for the upcoming year, please contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org.