PARSHAT TAZRIA SHABBAT HA CHODESH. Stone Chumash Page 608 March 28 - April 4 26 Adar II - 4 Nisan 5774

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1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY PARSHAT TAZRIA SHABBAT HA CHODESH Stone Chumash Page 608 March 28 - April 4 26 Adar II - 4 Nisan 5774 Generously sponsored by David & Maxine Wolgin in honor of their grandson, Sammy, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. 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 RABBI KENNETH BRANDER Rabbi Emeritus MATTHEW HOCHERMAN Executive Director ALIZA PILICHOWSKI Youth Director ESTHER LUPIN, MSW BRS/JFS Social Worker KERRY PURCELL Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly OU Partnership Weekend This Shabbat FRIDAY NIGHT Plag Mincha Earliest Candle Lighting Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat GET CONNECTED Friend us on Facebook Boca Raton Synagogue Follow us 6:05 pm 6:18 pm 7:17 pm SHABBAT DAY Rabbi s Class 6:05 pm Anatomy of the World s First BDS Movement Rabbi Steven Weil Shabbat Mincha 7:05 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 8:11 pm 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 This week we shared our BRS Annual Journal Dinner celebrating our 30th Anniversary. I share my remarks from the evening in the hope that you will join me in thanking those so worthy of our gratitude: Thank You! Fifty years ago, a very prominent and learned Rabbi attended the dinner of the institution he led only to learn that night of his impending retirement. As you can imagine he was shocked and outraged. When called upon to speak, he began as follows: Aleinu, Asher Yatzar and a Mamzer came to God to voice their grievances. Asher Yatzer said: Dear God, what will be with me. The only time people consider me is after they go to the bathroom. Hashem, with great compassion told him: Don t worry, you will not only be thought of in connection with the bathroom. For now on, you will be recited under every Chupa in celebration of the union of every Jewish bride and groom. Aleinu then chimed in with it s complaint. God, I have been placed at the very end of davening. People say me on their way out of Shul without paying any attention. Hashem responded with great compassion again and said: Don t worry, you will have an exalted place in Davening. For now on, Aleinu will be the centerpiece of the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Mussaf. The Mamzer was the only one left and said, God, what about me? I am the lowest of low. My status leaves me isolated, alone and rejected. Hashem turned to the Mamzer and said: Don t worry, I ll make you the Shul president. How fortunate are we that as we honor our Past Presidents on the occasion of our 30th anniversary, unlike the Rabbi that night, our feelings towards each and every one of them is only love, appreciation, affection, gratitude and tremendous admiration. In December, when we marked our actual birthday, I delivered a derasha about the significance of the number thirty. The mishna says ben sheloshim l ko ach, usually translated as thirty is the age of strength. I suggested then that perhaps ko ach can be understood in the context of the Ramban s expression, min ha koach el ha poel going from potential to real. Ben sheloshim l koach then means at thirty, one has enough life experience, knowledge and education to understand their potential and to set out to realize it fully. At thirty, one must begin to express the strengths that were hidden inside all along. For the first thirty years of our community we built infrastructure, governance, attracted members, created auxiliaries, built a campus and community created partnerships and alliances. Now that we have turned thirty, it is time to realize our ko ach, to fulfill our potential as a community and to unleash the collective energy that we as a community possess if we work together. At thirty, we are mature, developed and sophisticated enough to know who we are, what we stand for and what we can accomplish in the years ahead. In December, we marked our birthday by talking about the future. We shared a vision of where we can go from here. Tonight, I want to mark our 30th anniversary by talking not about our future, but about our past and giving hakaras ha tov, expressing deep gratitude and appreciation for our present. In this week s parsha we read about tzara as, spiritual leprosy. Our portion describes what takes place when this malady afflicts the skin or clothing. In next week s parsha we learn about what happens when we enter the Land of Israel and it afflicts a home nig ei batim. The law is the home must be emptied of its contents. It is traditionally understood to be a punishment of sorts. By having to bring everything outside, the neighbors will know the home was afflicted and the owner had been guilty of inappropriate behavior. However, perhaps this law can be understood not as a punishment, but as a part of the rehabilitation and therefore a blessing. By taking every single item out one by one, the homeowner will be reminded of furniture, fixtures and features that he or she had taken for granted. He or she will look at each of them and remember not to take them for granted again. Thank God, our home, our Shul and our community are not afflicted; we are blessed beyond words. However, we too must not take anything or anyone for granted. We enjoy all that we have on our campus, our programming, our youth activities, adult education, etc. only because of the hard work, selfless sacrifice, devotion and dedication of our founders, members of our Board of Directors, our generous donors, our committee chair people, volunteers, and especially, our Shul Presidents. There are few positions in Jewish communal life with less appreciation and more grief than a Shul President. The President is responsible ultimately for the fiscal wellbeing of the Shul, its governance, keeping members happy, resolving conflict, overseeing safety, and more. We think that Presidents have the luxury of spending their time discussing vision and big ideas and to a certain degree they do. However, they spend the bulk of their time listening to complaints about the toilet paper, not getting an aliyah, the brand of egg salad at shalosh seudos and the settings on the AC thermostat. We have been blessed with presidents who are patient, gracious, kind, sympathetic, generous and who consistently show up when called upon and even beforehand. In the early years, our presidents got their hands dirty literally with setting and cleaning up kiddushim. More recently our presidents have had to get their hands dirty with very difficult issues and impossible decisions. We are so grateful to each and every one of them for putting their unique and personal touch on our community. Thank you! We can t discuss the history of our community without thinking about Mike Senders and his beloved wife Peppy a h. Mike - Page 2

3 you have contributed enormously and I am not referring to the Senders library or your having helped start the Scholarship Fund or being part of the Pillar society. You contribute something infinitely more valuable on a daily basis. You are a role model of davening, of respect, of derech eretz, of how to be an amazing father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Your commitment to Torah and to the philosophy of deracheha darchei noam, the pleasantness of what it means to be an observant Jew, serves as a constant model for us. Yocheved and I feel so honored to spend so many Shabbos meals together. Your zemiros, divrei Torah and interest in our children greatly enhances every time we are together. Tonight, we not only thank you, but we want you to know how much we value you. Chazzan Moshe and Gali what can I say other than please stay! You have meant so much to our community over your years in Boca. You came here on shelichut and tonight we can emphatically say mission accomplished. You have enriched our Sefardic minyan davening, you have inspired the children of our community and you do so with such modesty, humility, goodness and true yiras shomayim. You are both incredible people with generous spirits and zest for life. While we are so sad that you are leaving, we know we will continue to spend time together in Eretz Yisrael. If tonight is about hakaras ha tov and not taking for granted the people who make our community so incredible, bear with me for another few moments while I thank our amazing BRS professional staff without whom our community would simply not function. Rabbi and Arielle Moskowitz your dedication, selfless efforts, incredible competency and genuine care for all make BRS better every day. Thank you both for all you do. Rabbi and Simone Broide We all constantly draw from your incredible energy. Your love of all Jews and commitment to the greater Jewish community mean so much. Thank you for your untiring efforts on behalf of our BRS community. Rabbi and Aliza Pilichowski many in this room, particularly those without children at home, don t begin to appreciate what you both contribute not only to the youth, but also to our community as a whole. Your open home, gracious hospitality, generosity and Israel advocacy set the standard. Thank you. Rabbi and Hadassah Smolarcik your leadership at our satellite, BRS West is invaluable. Thank you for your wisdom, partnership and leadership. Matthew and Tova Hocherman Though we didn t make this very public, based on a unanimous vote, Matthew s title recently was changed from BRS Administrator to Executive Director and he couldn t be more deserving. You work behind the scenes every single day to make sure our community functions flawlessly and you do so with a big heart and great devotion. Thank you Matthew and Tova for all that you do. Linda You are my right hand and I couldn t function without you. Your dedication knows no bounds as you think about our community and its members constantly. Kerry Every day we ask you to do more and more and that s because you do it all so well. You are the most knowledgeably Irish Catholic girl about Judaism in the world. Thanks for everything and cheers! Amy - It isn t unusual to come in on a Sunday and find Amy sitting at her desk. Thanks for keeping our books in order and us in line. Jamie You are the newest member of our staff and you have added so much. Thank you for being such an important part of our team. Theo & Jr. You are the unsung heroes who turn over rooms, stack and unstack chairs, clean bathrooms, serve meals and clean up candy wrappers and do the work of at least a dozen men. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Wendell & AJ It is not an exaggeration to say you would both take a bullet for any of us. Thank you for making us more secure and thank you for becoming part of our family. Rabbeinu Bachya often emphasizes that hakaras ha tov, gratitude and appreciation are indispensable and critical values of Torah upon which all else is built. Please join me in thanking all of the people I mentioned and letting them know how much we appreciate all that they do. Good Shabbos Follow the Rabbi at twitter.com/ rabbigoldberg Friend the Rabbi on facebook Efrem Goldberg Share the Rabbi s blog on Rabbi Efrem Goldberg 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. In line with our recently published Derech Eretz Statement, we mention some examples of how we can be more sensitive towards others and create an even better community. Please do not ever exit the parking lot through the entrance. Please help reshelve Chumashim and Siddurim at the conclusion of all Minyanim. If you have a Mensch Message you would like us to promote, please us at office@brsonline.org Page 3

4 Page 4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Plag Sephardic Mincha () 6:00 pm Plag Mincha () 6:05 pm Earliest Candle Lighting 6:18 pm Sephardic Minyan () 7:15 pm Candle Lighting 7:17 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) SHABBAT DAY Neitz Minyan () 6:30 am Hashkama Minyan () 7:25 am Sephardic Minyan () 9:00 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Sermon: Rabbi Steven Weil Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:30 am Teen Minyan (Berdugo Beit Midrash) 9:45 am Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Sof Zman Kriat Shema 10:20 am Early Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 3:00 pm Rabbi s Class 6:05 pm Anatomy of the World s First BDS Movement Rabbi Steven Weil Sephardic Mincha () 7:00 pm Ashkenazi Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 7:05 pm Sh kiah 7:36 pm Daf Yomi (Berdugo Beit Midrash) between Mincha/Ma ariv Ma ariv/havdalah 8:11 pm SHABBAT LEARNING 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 - Rooms 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 (Senders Library) 5:00 pm PARSHAT METZORA Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Plag Sephardic Mincha () 6:00 pm Plag Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 6:05 pm Earliest Candle Lighting 6:20 pm Sephardic Minyan () Candle Lighting 7:21 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 7:25 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 8:15 pm 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 SUNDAY 6:25 am 6:45 am 7:15 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 2:00 pm Senders Library 7:15 pm 9:30 pm Senders Library MONDAY 6:15 am 6:45 am 7:00 am Rand Sanctuary 7:45 am 8:00 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:15 pm WYHS 7:15 pm 9:30 pm Senders Library BRS WEST (At the Hillel Day School, th Ave. (305) Mincha Candle lighting TUESDAY ROSH CHODESH 6:15 am 6:45 am 7:00 am Rand Sanctuary 7:45 am 8:00 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am Rand Sanctuary 3:05 pm WYHS 7:15 pm 9:30 pm Senders Library Shacharit Youth Groups Kiddush follows Davening Mincha (Shabbat) Shabbat Ends/ Maariv JOURNAL HONOREES 30TH ANNIVERSARY JOURNAL DINNER Mazal Tov once again to our honorees, Mike Senders, Chazzan Moshe and Gali Nadav and all of our Past Presidents. We would like to thank everyone who attended the dinner and everyone who placed an Ad in our Journal. By graciously and generously supporting BRS and our 30th Anniversary Journal Dinner, we are pleased to share with you that we have surpassed our budgeted fundraising goal for this year! To view the 30th Anniversary Tribute Video that was shown, at the dinner, go to and click on the featured video on our home page. To view a digital version of the Ad Journal, go to and click on the image of the Journal on our home page. FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT DAY 7:13 pm 7:17 pm 9:30 am 10:30 am 7:00 pm 8:11 pm WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 6:25 am 6:45 am 7:00 am 7:45 am 8:00 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:15 pm WYHS 7:15 pm 9:30 pm Senders Library 6:15 am 6:45 am 7:00 am 7:45 am 8:00 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am 3:15 pm WYHS 7:15 pm 9:30 pm Senders Library 6:25 am 6:45 am 7:00 am 7:45 am 8:00 am Berdugo Beit Midrash 8:30 am

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV David & Logan Lorber on the birth of twin boys. Reid & Naomi Shapiro on their son, Isaac, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. AND to his proud siblings, Eliana and Samuel. Paul S. Pariser on his Aufruf and his forthcoming marriage to Lynn W. Hahn. KIDDUSH Main Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Paul S. Pariser and Lynn W. Hahn in honor of his Aufruf Hashkama Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Hashkama Minyan Kiddush Fund. Sephardic Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Dr. Jonathan Cutler & Susan Mussoffi and Ori, Ilan, Sivan and Liad in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Ovadia Mussoffi, a beloved husband and father. Teen Minyan Seudah Shlishiet sponsored by the Kays in loving memory of Sharona Kay s father, Arieh Michael ben Chanan and Liese. Sephardic Seudah Shlishiet sponsored by Ofer & Lior Amiel in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of his mother, Chasiba bat Hanna. Dr. Jaimy & Rachel Bensimon in commeroration of the Yahrzeit of his beloved father, Raphael Bensimon z l. Seudah Shlishiet co-sponsored by, Ralph & Gertrude Goldberg, Jerry & Gigi Kaminetzky and Norma Pollack. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Steven Weil PESACH ANNOUNCEMENTS SECOND NIGHT PESACH SEDER AT BRS Need a break from the kitchen? Want to experience a Pesach like you ve never experienced it before? Leave your 2nd Seder to us! We will provide delicious food, uplifting singing, and beautiful Divrei Torah to enhance your Seder. People of all ages and backgrounds will love the liveliness and spirit of the BRS Seder. Come join Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Shimmie Kaminetsky, and the entire Goldberg and Kaminetsky families for a Seder experience you won t forget! The cost to attend the Seder is $75 per person for BRS members and BRJE regulars and $90 per person for non-members. The cost for children ages 5 15 will be $35 per person. For more information or to sign up, visit www. brsonline.org/seder. The Seder is based on a first come, first served basis, and will be closed out at 120 participants. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday, April 8. THE SELLING OF CHAMETZ Rabbi Goldberg and Rabbi Moskowitz will be available to arrange the selling of Chametz at the times listed below. Unless otherwise noted, Rabbi Goldberg will sell Chametz in his office and Rabbi Moskowitz will sell Chametz in the main Shul office. Sunday through Thursday immediately following Mincha/Maariv for 10 minutes () Sunday, March 30 9:00 10:00 am Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Monday, March 31 8:00-9:00 pm Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Wednesday, April 2 8:30 9:30 am Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Sunday, April 6 8:00 9:00 pm Rabbi Philip Moskowitz PRE-PESACH WORKSHOP - THIS SUNDAY with Rabbi Goldberg this Sunday, March 30, 9:00 am. PESACH SEDER If you can host a family for either Seder, or you are in need of a Seder to attend, contact Linda at (561) or linda@brsonline.org. COMMUNITY KASHERING At the South Palm Beach County Jewish Federation on Sunday, April 6, 9:00 am 12:00 noon NPA NO PARENTS ALLOWED Sunday, April 6-10:00 am 1:00 pm Children join us at Shul for Pesach arts & crafts, movie, and lunch. Parents enjoy a quiet and productive day of cleaning and Pesach preparations. Cost - $10 per child, max per family $40. Pizza available at additional cost of $2 per slice. Very limited space available. Please contact Aliza at aliza@brsonline.org. GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Gerald Schroeder on Monday night, April 7 at 8:00 pm in the Social Hall The Wind That Split The Sea And Other Natural Miracles BRIT INFORMATION David & Logan Lorber announce the Brit of their twin boys Tuesday morning, April 1 after the 8:30 am Minyan at BRS. The celebration will continue with the seduah at the Lorbers home, Milburn Lane Apt. 410, Boca Raton. SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE THIS SHABBAT WITH RABBI STEVEN WEIL Shabbat morning: Not All is Lost Rabbi s Class: Anatomy of the World s First BDS Movement Seudah Shlishit: A Disingenuous Initiation Rabbi Steven Weil is the Executive Vice President of the OU. In that capacity, he has the responsibility of engaging Orthodox Jewry as well as representing Orthodox Jewry to the greater society. He has created a network of lay and professional leaders who have transformed the Jewish world and greater society. Previously, Rabbi Weil served as the Rabbi of Young Israel of Oak Park, Michigan for six years and for ten years as the senior Rabbi of Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills, California. He has an MBA from New York University in Finance and Rabbinical Semicha from Yeshiva University. He and his wife, Yael, and their seven children, reside in Teaneck, NJ. THE ROSH CHODESH WOMEN S INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE SERIES This Sunday, March 30 at 8:00 pm by Mrs. Sandra Lillianthal on The Women s Role in the Pesach Narrative isn t Just Cleaning!. Hosted by Margo Rosman, 7320 Andorra Place in Captiva. WINE TASTING The Pre-Pesach Wine Tasting and sale will take place this Tuesday night, April 1, 7:00 pm -9:30 pm. Sample outstanding wines from around the world. All wine will be available for purchase and delivery for Pesach. There is no charge for wine sampling. This tasting is sponsored by Prince Distributor. These prices are lower then what is available anywhere else! A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to BRS! THE J-STREET CHALLENGE Join us this Tuesday, April 1, at 8:00 pm at. To view The J-Street Challenge: The Seductive Allure of Peace in our Time. There will be a discussion with the producer following the film. This event is free to attend. JOG OR WALK THE CIRCLE, FOR MEN Come get in shape by walking or jogging around the circle. Sunday night, March 30 at 8:30 pm, followed by Maariv. We will meet at the front entrance of BRS. SUPER SUNDAY Join Rabbis Goldberg, Moskowitz, Broide, and countless other BRS members for the annual Super Sunday Phone-A-Thon. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County is counting on the Jewish community to once again answer the call on this Sunday, March 30. The annual Super Sunday Phone-A-Thon is taking place at Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Boulevard, Boca Raton from 9:30 am-6:30 pm. PASSOVER N DONATE Due to the amazing success of Shake N Donate, with over 500 items donated, we are continuing it until this Thursday, April 3 as Passover N Donate : Passover your Chametz and Kosher for Passover food to Tomchei Shabbat to help those families not as fortunate. All donations will go to these families to give them a Passover filled with joy. Boxes are in the main lobby. Page 5

6 Page 6 WEEK AT A GLANCE DAILY DAF YOMI (Sunday - Friday) with Rabbi Ben Sugerman at 7:00 am in Rooms Daf Yomi Sponsored this Shabbat by Lily, Eytan and Coby Greenfield in loving memory of our great-grandmother Regina Razel Bat Tova Gittel MISHNA BERURA YOMI (Sunday - Thursday) 15 minutes before Mincha NIGHT BEIT MIDRASH (Sunday - Thursday) community learning in the Senders Library 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 TUESDAY PARSHAT HA SHAVUA with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg will not be held this week PESACH HAGGADAH with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at 10:30 am 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 at 9:30 am in the Sender s Library KABBALAH & SPIRITUALITY: THE SOUL OF THE TORAH Level 1-2 with Shoshana Deakter at 7:30 pm in Room 101 THURSDAY THE BOOK OF BAMIDBAR with Rabbanit Dr. Avigail at 9:30 am in the Board Room SATELLITE LECTURES with Rabbi Yissocher Frand at 9:00 pm in the Board Room WEEKLY SHMOOZE will take place at 9:45 pm in the Senders Library COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS FUTURE LEADERS FOR ISRAEL You are invited to the closing ceremonies of the future leaders for israel conference. This Sunday, March 30, 12:00-2:30 pm at Florida Atlantic University in the grand palm room of the student union. $18 suggested donation, limited seating with light refreshments. Please RSVP at faufli2014@gamil.com. SINGLES EVENT Jewish singles s to an event Monday, March 31, 7:00 pm at Euro Cafe 6877 SW 18th Ave. The event is a Pre-Pesach dinner that is $25 per person all inclusive. The meal includes some dips and pita on the table, a choice of main course from our Specialized Menu made just for us that includes several choices from the Pizza, Salad or Pasta entrees and a beverage. The price also includes tax and tip. ANNUAL PRE-PASSOVER BOUTIQUE The annual pre-passover boutique and vendor show, sponsored by the Hillel Day School PTA, will be held at on Wednesday April 2, 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Bring your friends and come shop for all of your holiday needs! Cash and checks only! WYHS DRAMA DEPARTMENT Neil Simon s Rumors will be performed by the WYHS Drama Department on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:30pm at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach. The humorous comedy is set in 1990 when big hair, big politics, and even bigger egos were the standard of the times. Adults and older children will enjoy the roller coaster of a farce that is Neil Simon s RUMORS put on by this talented cast. For more information or to purchase tickets, call or mmp@wyhs.net. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF The Levis JCC in cooperation with Chicken Coop Theatre is putting on the musical Fiddler on the Roof on Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 PM and Sunday, April 6 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available by calling (561) or ordering online at chickencooptheatre.com/tickets. Performances are at Zinman Hall at 9901 Donna Klein Blvd. on Federation Campus. 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 Stuart Silverman Yeshaya Moshe ben Nacha Sarah LIFE CYCLE WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS Leah & Sarah Weintraub WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY Rabbi Steven Weil, Scholar-In-Residence BIRTHDAYS Amanda Hoffman Adira Kinberg Reesa Hofstatter Margo Rosman Jordana Kaminetsky Betty Maikhor Jonathan Winograd TEHILLIM CIRCLE Monday night, March 31, Rosh Chodesh Nisan, please rotate to the next 3 Psalms. ROSH CHODESH NISAN Will be celebrated this Tuesday, April 1. CONDOLENCES TO Fortunee Cohen, Dr. Meyer Cohen and Dr. Eli Cohen on the passing of their beloved mother and grandmother, Esther Setton. REFUAH SHLAYMAH For members of BRS Community. For all other Refuah Shlaymah needs, please see Tehillim Circle YAHRZEITS Isaac Jacob in memory of his brother Hensha Gansbourg in memory of her mother Ralph Goldberg in memory of his mother Janet Berg in memory of her mother Dr. Jaimy Bensimon in memory of his father Rabbi Samuel Levine in memory of his mother Chani Salamon in memory of her father Stanley Smith in memory of his father Martin Wasserstrom in memory of his father Jerry Kaminetzky in memory of his mother Frances Band in memory of her mother Marion Roth in memory of her mother Esther Ohayon in memory of her father Rabbi Josh Broide in memory of his grandfather Michael Kazinec in memory of his brother Barry Okoskin in memory of his mother Norman Pollack in memory of his father Dr. Sydney Abramson in memory of his father Helen Ijac Alta Haita bat Devorah 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 Noa Maya Carmel Noa Maya bat Devora Rachel Jean Cohen Ita Chaya bat Yocheved Rachel Yeshaya Jacob, 26 Adar II Beatrice Stone, 26 Adar II Irene Goldberg, 28 Adar II Carol Marks, 28 Adar II Raphael Bensimon, 29 Adar II Tzirel Levine, 1 Nisan Alvin Lipschitz, 1 Nisan Meyer Smith, 1 Nisan Harry Wasserstrom, 1 Nisan Zehuva Kaminetzky, 2 Nisan Sarah Shulman, 2 Nisan Anna Weiss, 2 Nisan Miguel Benadiba, 3 Nisan Benjamin Broide, 3 Nisan Barry Kazinec, 3 Nisan Gertrude Okoskin, 3 Nisan Hymen Pollack, 3 Nisan Ben Abramson, 4 Nisan BRS AUXILIARIES, ETC. BIKUR CHOLIM Bikur Cholim will be Kashering the Jewish Hospitality Suite and Shabbat Room at Boca Raton Regional Hospital for Pesach. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Stan at (561) 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 org 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. Dr. Bennett & Chani Salamon in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Chani s father, Alvin Lipschitz, on 1 Nissan,

7 Six Boca rabbis inspire unaffiliated Jews By Randall P. Lieberman, Staff Writer, Jewish Journal Holly Landau and her husband, Joe McIver, were exactly the kind of people the Boca Raton Jewish Experience s A Night of Inspiration was held for. The Boca Raton couple, in their thirties and forties, moved to South Florida 10 months ago from Pennsylvania and are looking for a local temple to call home. At A Night of Inspiration, the couple got to hear from rabbis of six of the largest and most influential synagogues in Boca Raton. The rabbis each told the audience of almost 500 people what inspires them at the Olympic Heights High School Theater in Boca Raton on Monday, March 24. The event was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. It was like a car show of shul-shopping, joked McIver, who said he had just been to a car show to explain his choice of imagery. But, seriously, each of the rabbis was compelling and gave us a good feeling that we might want to try their congregations. Added Landau: I liked all the rabbis. They each had their unique perspective. It was nice to have them all in one space. It definitely was a helpful evening in our search to find the right temple. Matt Silver, of Coconut Creek, is a friend of the couple. Silver is also unaffiliated and looking for a temple. Silver said: It was a very comfortable evening. Each of the rabbis had a story to share. You realize that rabbis are great public speakers and amazing storytellers. I think this format should be repeated. The evening was the brainchild of Rabbi Josh Broide and his wife, Simone, who founded the BRJE three years ago. A miracle happened here tonight, Josh Broide said. Six prominent rabbis talked about Judaism, and what inspires them, without pushing their own shuls. We had such a deep sense of unity in our community. People all over the country are calling me and asking how we put this together. While a few people were disappointed the rabbis didn t discuss what denominations of Judaism they were from, most understood that the idea was to stress commonalities rather than differences. We just want unaffiliated Jews to link to the Jewish organizations that already exist in the community, Josh Broide said. We don t need to re-invent the wheel. In Boca, there are so many different options to practice Judaism. Yet, it still has one of the largest populations of unaffiliated Jews in the world. We started the BRJE to reach out to these unaffiliated Jews. Added attendee Joe Samet of Boca Raton: I am a member of Congregation B nai Israel, but I know three of the rabbis here tonight really well. It s good that we brought together Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbis. We are all one community and need to stick together. The rabbis involved included Rabbi David Baum, who spoke about how selfies (the current trend of taking your own photo) and self-reflection have long been part of Judaism; Rabbi Yaakov Gibber, who spoke about Facebook and how everything people do on that website matters to their friends (and to God, as well); and Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, who told an inspiring story about skydiving in Israel and being incredibly frightened until he realized it was an opportunity to exercise his faith in God. Also speaking were Rabbi Dan Levin, who spoke about the love he has for his wife and children, and how God s love for us is just like our love of our family members; Rabbi Robert Silvers, who spoke about the influence of his childhood rabbi on him and the importance of finding the fun in Judaism; and Rabbi David Steinhardt, who talked about how the study of Torah can teach you about life, and how the study of life can teach you about Torah. For more information about the Boca Raton Jewish Experience, or about any of the rabbis of the synagogues in Boca Raton, visit www. myjewishexperience.org, or call Broide at Page 7

8 ISRAEL UPDATE SOCIAL ACTION On Sunday, March 30, Buy Israel Goods Day, the Social Action Committee is joining Stand With Us to host a special event at BRS. Yishai Fleisher, a young Israeli living in East Jerusalem and Israel s only English language broadcast radio talk show host will be our special guest at 11:00 am. Yishai served as a paratrooper in the IDF and continues to participate in an active battlefield reserve unit. He holds degrees from Yeshiva University and its Cardozo School of Law. Yishai has appeared as a guest on CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, NPR, JLTV, and Shalom TV. He is published widely in international and Jewish media. After Yishai s presention, there will be an opportunity to taste some Israeli food products compliments of Kosher Marketplace and Winn Dixie. Other vendors of Israeli products will also display their wares. Show your support for Israel. Join us at the launch of our campaign to buy made in Israel products and counter the anti-israel boycott. Then, go to the stores and Buy Israeli Goods!! PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS 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 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 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 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 WARREN WEINSTEIN The 72-year-old Weinstein, Yisrael Yitzchak ben Hannah Faygel, was a consultant for the US Agency for International Development in Pakistan when terrorists broke into his home in 2011 and dragged him away. Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-zawahiri has since claimed to be holding him. Weinstein made news in a justreleased video in which he pleads for President Obama to help. No Jew should ever feel abandoned or forgotten. Please add him to your prayers. 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 your child or grandchild is 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, Daniella Borenstein, Yosef Brander, Stav Gare, Menachem Kaplan, Shabtai Kaplan, Jeremy Siegman, Daniel Louis, Noam Ivri (Makover), Arie Hizkiya, Daniel Makover, Charlie Pollack, Yakov Simcha ben Moshe Yisroel, Yehuda Strauss, Elad Shachar, Liel Reinfeld, Ron Hirschhorn, Yehoshua Strauss, Amichai Berman, Matt Firestone, Dov Lieber, Chanan Wolfson, 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. Please have in mind our missing in action Israeli Soldiers LANDSCAPER AVAILABLE Lawn Maintenance Landscaping Clean-Up Tree Service Hurricane Prep Sprinkler Repair Sod Installation Mulch Walks & Patios Flower Beds Shrub Designs And so much more! Many recommendations available from people living on the Circle CALL VAZQUEZ & SONS (561) Page 8

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 PM in the BRS Board Room. The next BRS Teen Israel advocates meeting will be this Friday. What a Minyan! A discussion with Tani Englander This week, BRS hosted its first Family Minyan, where families, Parents and children can come together and pray as one. It was a huge hit, led by our own famed Rabbi Eisenberger. We sat down with Tani Englander, who joined this fantastic Minyan, to hear what he thought. BRS WEEKLY: Tani, what did you like about the Minyan? TANI: I liked the whole thing, but especially the raffle. I liked Davening next to my Abba, I liked Rabbi Eisenberger, and I liked that he was so much fun and exciting. BRS WEEKLY: What were the prizes that you wanted? Did you win? TANI: My favorite prize was the football, but I didn t win it. If you Daven well and answer Parsha questions, you get tickets that you win prizes with. BRS WEEKLY: Did you answer any Parsha questions? TANI: I knew the answers because I learned them in school, but I didn t get called on. They were easy questions I knew them! BRS WEEKLY: What were some of the Tefilot that you said? TANI: We said Kadish, Ashrei and Shema. we sang some Tefilot like Aleinu. We knew the Tefilot from school and groups. BRS WEEKLY: Would you suggest that other kids and families Daven at the next family Minyan? TANI: Yes, they should go, because you can Daven with your parents and win awesome prizes. BRS WEEKLY: Do you think Rabbi Goldberg should ask Parsha questions, and give out tickets and prizes in the main minyan? TANI: Yes, he should! It would make Davening in the main Minyan so much better! YOUTH DEPARMENT APPRECIATION THANK YOU FOR THE CARNIVAL Maurice Bensmihen for spearheading all of the carnival games, volunteers, and hours of planning to ensure a successful Purim Carnival. Cara Beim and the Beim team for their incredible support and help creating booths and volunteering. The BRS Rabbis and Staff for their support always to ensure that the youth of our community have amazing experiences on Chagim. All of the volunteers who donated their time and energy to the Carnival. THANK YOU FOR THE PURIM EXTRAVAGANZA Lori Landes for chairing, spearheading, and implementing the Purim Night Extravaganza. All of the volunteers who donated their time and energy to the Purim Night Extravaganza. And to our sponsors who made an incredible night possible. THANK YOU FOR THE FIRST FAMILY SHABBAT MINYAN Thank you to Rabbi Gershon Eisenberger who once again hit a home run with another incredibly successful educational experience. Thank you to the Beim Family for co-sponsoring the Family Minyan. Thank you to all of the families for helping to create a great first minyan. Page 9

10 Michael J. Bock Senior Vice President Wealth Management Senior Financial Advisor BRS MEMBER SINCE YEARS EXPERIENCE ALLCPA.NET - ALLCPA@AOL.COM (877) Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. AD ARJ241F PM-07/2013 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 Celebrating 20 years of serving South Florida! Stuart A. Rubin, M.D. Board Certified: Rehab Medicine / Pain Boynton Beach Deerfield Beach Musculoskeletal Medicine Epidural and Joint Injections Balance and Fall Clinic Stroke and Cancer Recovery Sports Medicine EMG-Disability Acupuncture Prestige completely renovated townhouse with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms in Lago Del Mar is available for rent. Brand new stainless steel kitchen appliances with Shabbat mode, granite countertops, modern bathrooms and a new air conditioner. The townhouse is located close to the. It is available April 1st or for Pesach. Please call

11 Why should Jewish knowledge be a core part of every Israeli student s higher education? Bar-Ilan University believes that Jewish and Zionist values demand it. Bar-Ilan is Israel s only university where every student is required to take 20 percent of his/her coursework in Jewish Studies. Activities that affirm Jewish and Zionist values include: Bringing scientists back to Israel to form a hub in the Galilee for superior research at BIU s Medical School. Offering BIU Lookstein Center for Jewish Education programs that enhance the skills of educators. Fostering tikkun olam by enhancing post-traumatic stress treatment of U.S. soldiers and disaster victims. Promoting environmental justice by leading the way in renewable energy research. To learn more about BIU s partnership opportunities to strengthen Israel and Jewish identity go to: or call Jayne Kaplan at or jayne.kaplan@afbiu.org. Strengthening Jewish & Zionist Values

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