PARSHAT VAYECHI December 28, January 4, Tevet - 22 Tevet 5773 GET CONNECTED FRIEND FOLLOW SHARE

Transcription

1 Boca Raton Synagogue WEEKLY PARSHAT VAYECHI December 28, January 4, Tevet - 22 Tevet 5773 FRIDAY NIGHT Candle Lighting 5:19 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat 5:20 pm RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG Marah D asrah RABBI PHILIP MOSKOWITZ Assistant Rabbi DAVID WOLGIN, PhD President RABBI JOSH BROIDE Outreach Rabbi SHABBAT DAY Rabbi s Class 4:00 pm Abraham Lincoln and Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: Transforming Psychological Faults into Spiritual Strengths Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Shabbat Mincha Ma ariv/havdalah 5:05 pm 6:16 pm RABBI URI PILICHOWSKI Teen Rabbi RABBI MORDECHAI SMOLARCIK Rabbi, BRS West 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 Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to make good on an important promise, and in so doing, to follow in the footsteps of our forefathers. When Yaakov Avinu anticipated that he would soon leave this world, he summoned his beloved son Yosef, and asked him to make a promise: Vayikra livno l Yosef vayomer lo im na matzasi chein b einecha sim nah yadecha tachas yereichi, v asisa imadi chesed v emes, v al nah sikbereini b Mitzrayim. V Shachavti im avosai u nesasani mi Mitzrayim, u kevartani b kevurasam, va yomer anochi e eseh kidvarecha. Making Good on a Promise He (Yaakov) called to his son, to Yosef, and he said to him, If I find favor in your eyes, place your hand under my thigh and act with me in kindness and truth please do not bury me in Egypt. Rather, let me lie with my forefathers and carry me forth from Egypt to bury me among their graves, and he (Yosef) said, I will do what you asked. Yaakov asks Yosef to carry him up from Egypt and to insure his burial in the Land of Israel. The parsha ends in a similar manner to the way it began. This time it is Yosef who asks his brothers to make a promise, the very same promise that he himself made to his father. Vayomer Yosef el echav, anochi meis veilokim pakod yifkod eschem v heelah eschem min ha aretz ha zos el ha aretz asher nishbah l Avraham l Yitzchak u leyaakov. And Yosef said to his brothers, I am going to die, please swear that you will carry up my bones from this land (Egypt) to the land that God promised to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. Yosef, like his father Yaakov, did not want to be buried in Mitzrayim, a land of exile. Both of them make those with whom they are close promise to bring them to a permanent burial in the land of our forefathers, in Israel. Last Friday, our community suffered a great loss in the passing of our beloved and esteemed member, friend, and teacher Rabbi Gene Klein. Rabbi Klein led a life filled with challenges, suffering, tragedy, and disappointment and yet, he was one of the most optimistic, positive, and upbeat people any of us has ever met. Rav Yaakov Chaim, like his namesake Yaakov Avinu, did not want to be buried in exile, and instead insisted on being interred in the land of our forefathers, together with his cherished Rebbetzin, Elka. A few years ago, Rabbi Klein asked me to make him a promise. He asked that we escort him to burial in the land of Israel. Earlier this week, on behalf of our community, I made good on that promise, much sooner than any of us had hoped to. Though it was already dark and cold, close to 60 people attended Rabbi Klein s burial in the Eretz Ha Chaim Cemetery in Beit Shemesh on Monday night. Many of our teenagers studying in Israel for the year attended. Former BRS members came from all throughout Israel to pay their respects. Rabbi Klein s cousin whom he spoke about often, Rabbi Slezinger, the Rav of Gilo, spoke eloquently about his cousin. A great, great nephew of Rabbi Klein was there as well, and he, too, shared great memories of many beautiful yomim tovim with the rabbi. I recognized everyone in attendance, with the exception of three people. I had never seen them before, and even while I was looking out while delivering my eulogy, I wondered who they were and why they came. My curiosity was compounded when I noticed them growing emotional as the funeral and burial went on until they each had tears streaming down their cheeks. After the Kaddish was recited and the burial came to a close, the three mysterious individuals and I had an opportunity to meet. It turns out that these two brothers and a sister had grown up in Rabbi Klein s Shul in Englishtown, NJ. They described that their family had no Jewish background at all and they grew up in a totally non-observant environment. My new friends exclaimed proudly that they are religious today only because of the love, care, concern, and inspiration of one man: Rabbi Klein. They reflected nostalgically on what it was like to grow up as one of Rabbi Klein s children. He met with each of them a minimum of 12 times before for their Bat and Bar Mitzvahs. They learned to daven, to love Torah, to keep Kosher, and to value Judaism from this extraordinary man whom they had come to say goodbye to, all of these years later. Their stories of being inspired by the behavior and modeling of one man sat in great contrast to what I had witnessed just a few hours earlier. As I m sure many of you can attest to, airplane travel seems to bring out the worst of some people. True, there are many who exhibit virtuous conduct by giving up a superior seat to help a married couple sit together, or get up to help someone load his suitcase into the overhead space, or hold a baby so that her mother traveling alone can go to the restroom. However, the kindness of some at times seems to be outweighed and muted by the gross inappropriateness and offensiveness of others, often with a yarmulke on top of their head. Somehow there is a moment on every flight to Israel when I cringe and recoil watching and listening to a visibly observant passenger carry on in a manner that can only be described as an egregious Chillul Hashem. During those episodes, the look on the faces of those not yet observant says it all I want nothing to do with Torah and Mitzvos if this is the kind of behavior those who are observant could exhibit. As I flew home, I sat in my seat reflecting on the contrast between Rabbi Klein s love, affection, derech eretz, and fine middos, with the crassness, obnoxiousness, and insensitivity of some others. This journey served as a reminder that our very behavior and conduct is pregnant with the potential to leave transformational impressions on others that will either draw them closer to our tradition, or God forbid drive them far away. Rabbi Klein s greatest legacy is the thousands of families who were beneficiaries of his kindness and who were inspired by his actions, even more than his words, to live richly Jewish lives. The greatest honor we can show his memory is to remember our responsibility and obligation to always act with righteousness towards others, and to seek to create a Kiddush Hashem with everyone we come across. Shabbat Shalom, Follow the Rabbi at twitter.com/ rabbigoldberg Friend the Rabbi on facebook Efrem Goldberg Share the Rabbi s blog on Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Page 2

3 HALACHIC QUESTION OF THE WEEK Q: I am flying on a plane and will need to daven while in the air. What do I need to know? A: Firstly, though davening with a minyan is of great value, halachic authorities including R. Moshe, R. Shlomo Zalman, R. Schachter and others say it is preferable not to participate in a minyan on the plane if it will disturb others at all. Secondly, while the amidah is to be said standing, the halacha states that while traveling, it can be said while sitting. If the amidah is said sitting, one should nevertheless have their feet together as they would while standing and bow at the appropriate places to the best of one s ability. Please submit your question of the week on any topic to Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at reg@brsonline.org PARSHA QUESTIONS QUESTIONS - VAYECHI 1. Why is kindness towards the dead called chesed shel emet kindness of truth? 2. Give three reasons Yaakov didn t want to be buried in Egypt. 3. How do you treat a fox in his time (i.e., a commoner who rules)? 4. When I was coming from Padan, Rachel died on me... I buried her there on the way to Efrat... Why did Yaakov say all this to Yosef? 5. Initially, why was Yaakov unable to bless Efraim and Menashe? 6. What does pillalti mean? 7. What does Shechem mean as used in this week s parsha? (two answers) 8. Which individual is called the Emori? Why? Give two reasons. 9. What did Yaakov want to tell his sons but was unable to? 10. What privileges did Reuven lose due to his rash actions? 11. What congregation from Yaakov s offspring did Yaakov not want to be associated with? 12. What did Yehuda do after he heard Yaakov rebuke Reuven, Shimon and Levi? Why? 13. What does milk do to teeth? 14. Why is Yissachar like a strong-boned donkey? 15. With what resource did both Yaakov and Moshe bless Asher? 16. In Yosef s blessing, Yaakov said, They embittered him... Who are they? 17. Which descendants of Binyamin will divide the spoils in the evening? 18. From whom did Yaakov buy his burial place? 19. What oath did Yosef make to Pharaoh? 20. Which two sons of Yaakov did not carry his coffin? Why not? PARSHA SUMMARY VAYECHI Yoseph s Promise; Yoseph visits Yaakov on his deathbed and promises that he would bury him in Canaan rather than in Egypt. Yaakov Blesses Ephrayim and Menasheh. Yaakov told Yoseph that Ephrayim and Menasheh would be counted among Yaakov s own sons and would each head a Tribe. The Blessings of Yaakov. Yaakov called each of his sons to his bedside, blessed them, prophesized about each Tribe s future, and described each Tribe s special attributes and characteristics. Yaakov Dies and Is Buried. After instructing his sons to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah, Yaakov went to his bed and returned to his people. Yoseph, along with his brothers, returned to Canaan to bury Yaakov. Yoseph Reassures His Brothers. On the return trip to Egypt, Yoseph reassured them that he would not seek revenge. Yoseph Dies. Yoseph died at 110. ANSWERS - VAYECHI 1. 47:29 - Because the giver expects no reward from the recipient :29 - a) Egypt s ground was to be plagued with lice; b) At the time of the resurrection, those buried outside Israel will suffer; c) So the Egyptians wouldn t make him into an idol :31 - Bow to him :7 - Yaakov thought Yosef harbored resentment since Yaakov had not buried Yosef s mother, Rachel, in the Ma arat HaMachpela :8 - The Shechina departed from him :11 - I thought :22 - a) The actual city of Shechem; b) A portion :22 - Esav. a) He acted like an Emorite; b) He trapped his father with words (imrei pi) :1 - When mashiach will come :3 - Priesthood and Kingship :6 - Korach and his congregation :8 - He drew back. He was afraid that Yaakov would rebuke him for the incident with Tamar :12 - It makes them white :14 - Just as a donkey bears a heavy burden, so the tribe of Yissachar bears the yoke of Torah :20 - Oil-rich land :23 - Yosef s brothers, Potifar and his wife :27 - Mordechai and Esther :5 - From Esav :6 - Yosef swore not to reveal Pharaoh s ignorance of Hebrew :13 - Levi, because he would carry the aron (holy ark). Yosef, because he was a king. Questions and Answers are courtesy of Ohr Somayach. Page 3

4 SHABBAT SCHEDULE FRIDAY NIGHT Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program SHABBAT DAY 5:15 pm 5:19 pm 5:20 pm 6:00 pm Neitz Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 6:25 am Hashkama Minyan (Social Hall) 7:25 am Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 8:30 am Ashkenazi Minyan (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am Lecture Following Davening: Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Shtiebel Minyan (Shtiebel Beit Midrash) 9:30 am Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:45 am Teen Minyan (Berdugo Beit Midrash - Room 104 & 105) 9:45 am Explanatory Service (Katz Library) 10:00 am Youth Tefillah Groups (Jacobs and Rubin Youth & Senior Center) 10:00 am Rabbi s Class 4:00 pm Abraham Lincoln and Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: Transforming Psychological Faults into Spiritual Strengths Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Sephardic Mincha (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 5:00 pm Ashkenazi Mincha (Rand Sanctuary) 5:05 pm Sh kiah 5:38 pm Ma ariv/havdalah 6:16 pm SHABBAT LEARNING Tefillah Insights with Rabbi Josh Broide (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) 4:00 pm Daf Yomi between Mincha Ma ariv PARASHAT SHEMOT SHABBAT MEVARCHIM Sephardic Minyan (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 5:20 pm Candle Lighting 5:24 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Rand Sanctuary) 5:25 pm Friday Night Live: Please invite someone to this Outreach Program 6:00 pm Maariv/Havdalah (Shabbat) 6:21 pm Page 4 DAILY MINYANIM ASHKENAZI SHACHARIT Daf Yomi (Sunday - Friday) 7:00 am Sunday (Rand Sanctuary) 6:25, 7:15, 8:00 & 9:00 am Monday & Thursday (Social Hall) 6:15, 7:00 & 8:00 am Tuesday (Social Hall) (New Years Day) 6:25, 7:15, 8:00 & 9:00 am Wednesday & Friday (Social Hall) 6:25, 7:00 & 8:00 am Monday - Friday (Senders Library) 7:45 am SEPHARDIC SHACHARIT Shacharit (Sunday - Friday) 6:35 & 8:00 am MINCHA/MA ARIV Early Mincha (Sunday) 1:00 pm Mishna Berura Yomi (Sunday - Thursday) 5:10 pm Sephardic Minyan (Sunday - Thursday) (Sephardic Beit Midrash) 5:20 pm Ashkenazi Minyan (Sunday - Thursday) (Social Hall) 5:25 pm Daf Yomi (Sunday - Thursday) (Social Hall) 8:40-9:30 pm Late Ma ariv (Sunday - Thursday) 9:30 pm THE WEINBAUM YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL MINCHA SCHEDULE Mon 3:20 pm - Wed 3:15 pm - Thurs 3:20 pm BRS WEST (At the Hillel Day School, th Ave. (305) Candle Lighting Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat (Note NEW time) Morning Class with Rabbi Smolarcik Shacharit (Shabbat) Youth Groups Mincha (Shabbat) Maariv 5:19 pm 5:20 pm 8:45 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 5:00 pm 6:16 pm BIRTHDAYS Daniella Bard Boaz Groman Menachem Kaplan Michael Matilsky ANNIVERSARY Simon & Cheryl Mirsky LIFE CYCLE WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh & Chavi Weinreb - Scholar-In-Residence Harvey & Elaine Seaton from the UK Simon & Michael Seaton from Israel Dave & Wendy Tuzewski from Australia Rabbi Josh & Rena Einzig, Orly, Ne ema, and Yakir REFUAH SHLAYMAH For members of BRS Community. Howard Noven Joshua Stadlan Melinda Tansman CONDOLENCES To Alice Struhl, Teddy Struhl & Warren Struhl on the passing of their beloved husband and father, Bernard Struhl. Shiva will take place at the home of Alice Struhl, Saturday night, December 29 through Tuesday morning, January 1 at Boca Pointe Country Club 7572 Regency lake drive, Building C. Unit 501. (Ask guard at gate where to park next to Alice Struhl s home.) Shacharit will be held at 8 am Sunday through Tuesday and Mincha/Maariv will be held at 5:20 pm Sunday and Monday. The family kindly requests no visitors between 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For all other Refuah Shlaymah needs, please see Tehillim Circle Rabbi Shmuel Jarashow Helen Ijac Shmuel Tzvi ben Shayna Alta Haita bat Devorah Cantor Lazar Wax Ruth Sherman Eliezer ben Sara Golda Rochel bat Batsheva Sol Feldman Joan Noven Shlomo Dov ben Chana Rochel Tova bat Malka Abraham Katzman Beverly Kassirer Abraham Yehoshua Ha Cohen ben Chaia Briendle bat Pessel Merv Jacobs Ariella Berman Meir ben Sarah Ariella Sarah bat Elisheva Malka Robert Strauss Lian Sae Bloom Chayim ben Tzippora Leah Sura bat Machla Feigela Spencer Cohen Beverly Kellman Zalman Meyer ben Sarah Baila Rus bat Sarah Lillian Cooper Leah bat Sara YAHRZEITS Mr. Ira Berger in memory of his father Mrs. Stacia Konstam in memory of her father Mr. Morton Zemel in memory of his mother Mrs. Helene Amar in memory of her father Mrs. Bonnie Weinreb in memory of her father Mrs. Marcia Feldman in memory of her father Mrs. Susan Berkowitz in memory of her mother Mrs. Judy Gelbart in memory of her brother Mr. Yehudah Hoffman in memory of his father Mrs. Devora Goldwasser in memory of her father Mrs. Sylvia Pruzansky in memory of her mother Mrs. Judi Krasna in memory of her father Mr. George Berman in memory of his mother Mrs. Rhoda Azar in memory of her mother Ms. Malka Schyndel in memory of her brother Mrs. Anna Cohen in memory of her father Mrs. Nancy Charm in memory of her father Mr. Jeff Herman in memory of his father Mr. David Lieber in memory of his father Mr. Barnett Yukolis in memory of his mother Alex Berger, 15 Tevet Bernard Shapiro, 15 Tevet Rena Zemel, 15 Tevet Prosper Messod Amar, 16 Tevet Jack Riesel, 16 Tevet Irving Konick, 17 Tevet Ceil Schlesinger, 17 Tevet Harvey Guttman, 18 Tevet Simon Hoffman, 18 Tevet Jacob Saltzman, 18 Tevet Lillian Schneider, 18 Tevet Herman Greenberg, 19 Tevet Claire Berman, 20 Tevet Frieda Miller, 20 Tevet Michael Schyndel, 20 Tevet Nathaniel Wasserman, 20 Tevet Joesph Silverman, 21 Tevet Richard Herman, 22 Tevet Joseph Lieber, 22 Tevet Rose Yukolis, 22 Tevet

5 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Yossi & Lori Landes on their son, Jordan, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. AND to his proud siblings, Esther & Zachary. AND grandparent s Stephen & Elizabeth Landes and David & Judy Introligator. Nancy Markovitch and Jackie Markovitch on the engagement of their daughter, Amanda, to Isaac Benishai of Englewood. AND to her happy siblings, Gabrielle, Elizabeth, Simon and Noah. Jack & Rhoda Azar on the marriage of their granddaughter, Esther, to Yaakov Hafif. Proud parents are Rabbi David & Galit Azar of Lakewood, NJ and Abe & Adrianne Hafif of Deal, NJ Dr. Issy & Riwella Bruk on their 50th Wedding Anniversary KIDDUSH Hashkama 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. Veshinantam Levanecha sponsored by Max & Chanie Mergui in honor of their wonderful children, Dassy, Ari, Chavie and Eli Seudah Shlishiet co-sponsored by Jack & Rhoda Azar, Anna Cohen, Saul & Eva Friedman, and Gary & Judi Krasna Guest Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President Emeritus of the OU. MAIMONIDES SOCIETY FRIDAY NIGHT ONEG Join us this Friday night for an oneg at the home of Dr. Neil & Annette Shachter Hollyhock Trail in Thornhill Green at 8:00 pm and hear from Rabbi Dr. Judah Goldberg and Dr. Noam Stadlan as they discuss the topic of Defining death in Halacha and Medicine- Bringing the Discussion into the 21st Century RABBI SHMUEL RABINOVICI Rabbi Rabinovici is here this Shabbat. He will be giving a Chabura Friday Night at the home of Rabbi Moshe & Michal Shochet, 7950 Lago Del Mar Dr. Apt. 117 in Lago at 8:30 pm. Rabbi Rabinovici will continue his Shiur on Kiddushin Sunday morning at 8:00 am. BRS FILM SERIES - THIS SATURDAY NIGHT INVENTING OUR LIFE: THE KIBBUTZ EXPERIMENT This Saturday night, December 29 at 8:15 pm at Boca Raton Synagogue. This film examines the 100 year history of Israel s Kibbutz movement, one of the world s longest running and most successful experiments in pure socialism. Recreating its glorious past and chronicling its recent decline, Inventing Our Life focuses on the heartbreak and hope of the modern Kibbutz, as a new generation struggles to ensure its survival. (Cost is $5 per person). BRS SISTERHOOD GOES TO THE MOVIES Join BRS Sisterhood for a private screening of the new Oscar nominated movie, Les Miserables, on Sunday December 30 (opening weekend!) at 8:00 p.m. The showing will take place at the Paragon Deerfield 8, 3984 Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. $10 for Sisterhood members/ $15 for non-members. Refreshments included. Don t miss this amazing opportunity to avoid the crowds that this movie promises to attract! Contact Lysee Stein (561) or Rachel Harow (561) or brssisterhood@gmail.com to reserve your seats today! SUNRISE MINYAN AT THE BEACH This Friday, January 4 at 6:45 am - Men & Women welcome. Watch the sun rise over the ocean as you connect with God through prayer and inspiration. Meet at the Palmetto Park Gazebo for a special inspirational Minyan. Please call the Shul office (561) to confirm your attendance. ULPAN WITH MRS. GILA PAYEVSKY Classes will begin next Monday, January 7, at 7:30 pm. There will be a total of ten classes and will cost $10 each. To register, please call Simone at (561) or her at simone@brsonline.org. BRS PRESENTS ZUMBA FOR GIRLS! With certified Zumba instructor: Mrs. Hanna Cohen. This class will take place on Tuesdays 4:15-5:00 pm for grades 1-3 and on Thursdays 4:15-5:00 pm for grades 4-6. The class will meet in the BRS Kiddush Room. The cost is $80 for ten classes. Please bring payment to the first class. Classes begin January 8 and 10. Don t forget to bring a water bottle and wear sneakers. To RSVP please simone@brsonline.org. THE SOFER COMETH... Rabbi Shmuel Rosenfeld will be in Boca from Friday, January 11th, through Wednesday, January 16th. If you would like to contact him prior to his arrival, his is ravstam@yahoo.com. OU WEEKEND - THIS WEEKEND WITH RABBI DR. TZVI HERSCH WEINREB EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF THE OU RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB Shabbat Morning Chaburah (9:30 am in Senders Library for Men): Mikvah Shenimdad V Nimtza Chaser: The December 29 Retroactive Status of A Mikvah Found Wanting Shabbat morning following the 9:00 am Minyan: Fathering : A Neglected Skill Rabbi s Class, 4:00 p.m: Abraham Lincoln and Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: Transforming Psychological Faults into Spiritual Strengths Seudah Shlishit: My Visit with Pope Benedict: What He Said and What I Said. Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, one of the foremost leaders in Jewish life in North America and worldwide, is Executive Vice President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union, following more than seven years as Executive Vice President. In that role, he combined the skills of pulpit rabbi, scholar, and clinical psychologist to provide extraordinary leadership to the organization and to Orthodox Judaism worldwide. Rabbi Weinreb served as spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore for 13 years, building the congregation from 160 to more than 400 families, before coming to the OU. In addition, he has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland and served as a psychotherapist for mental health organizations for many years while also maintaining a private practice. VESHINANTAM LEVANECHA SEASON XIII Continues this Saturday night, December 29, at 7:00 pm. The program enables parents to spend quality time with their children engaging in Torah study. Following the learning, all of the children sing together with a live band and participate in a raffle for great prizes while enjoying snacks and refreshments. SHUL OFFICE CLOSED The Shul office will be closed this Tuesday, January 1. DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR SERIES - FREE LUNCH This Wednesday, January 2 with Rabbi Avrohom Stolik. Jerusalem Uncovered The Archaeological Claim to Jerusalem This series is completely free of charge and open to the public. The Distinguished Scholars Series takes place at on Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm. A small lunch will be provided free of charge to participants. Hidden under thousands of years of dust and debris lies a treasure trove of relics containing the biblical secrets of our nation and the claim to our homeland. In recent years, archaeological discoveries in the ancient city of Jerusalem and throughout the Land of Israel have uncovered key findings that present a powerful and convincing case for the biblical story and for the Jewish claim to Israel--even for those who have a hard time believing. Journey back in time to discover your Israelite roots in the land of our ancestors with this transformative audio-visual presentation. Page 5

6 CHAI LIFELINE JOINS VESHINANTAM LEVANECHA PILLAR SOCIETY THE PILLAR SOCIETY CAMPAIGN IS NOW UNDERWAY launched the 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 the 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 Martin & Ileana Flics Lothar & Carlyn Mayer Michael & Jill Rose Larry & Deborah Silver ENHANCED GOLD Dr. Albert & Evelyn Begas Joseph & Lisa Bensmihen Steven Berkeley & Dr. Rebecca Stern Howard & Bonnie Block Dr. Meyer & Laura Cohen Leo & Heni Ehrlich Mark & Tilda Fisher 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 Rabbi Tsvi & Shaindle Kilstein Drs. Joseph & Seema Loskove Stephen & Linda Melcer David & Joyce Muller Robert & Penny Pearlman Dr. Daniel & Rachel Rudensky Zorik & Ellen Spektor Teddy & Linda Struhl Michael & Risa Zimmerman Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous GOLD SHALSHELET BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM Dr. Steven & Yael Charlap Nachman & Jaime Feig Hensha Gansbourg Gary & Judi Krasna Lenoff Family Dr. Michael & Dana Petrover Dr. Harold & Donna Richter Mike Senders This past Monday night was the siyum party for the annual BRS Shalshelet Bat Mitzvah Program. As always it was a big success and a great time was had by all the participants. A tremendous yasher koach and thanks goes out to the wonderful teachers Mrs. Rina Lanner and Mrs. Michal Schochet and to the Bensmihen family for the special photographer & sushi they sponsored to further enhance the program. Looking forward to another great bat mitzvah program next year! SILVER Dr. Avraham & Elana Belizon Dr. Hillel & Chayi Cohen Dr. Chanoch & Rachel Harow Dr. Yehuda & Michal Marcus Pillar Society information brochures with additional information are available in the lobby. Please contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org or (561) Page 6

7 WEEK AT A GLANCE 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 HEBREW POETRY CLASS with Hassiya Yehuda at 7:30 pm in the Board Room ZUMBA CLASS (for women) 8:00 pm in room 205/206 TUESDAY CAFFEINE FOR THE SOUL with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at Hillel Day School will not take place this week. PARSHAT HA SHAVUA with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at 9:00 am in the Social Hall THE HAFTORA CLUB with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz at 10:00 am in the Social Hall LUNCH N LEARN with Rabbi Josh Broide at 12 noon at Asia PEOPLE OF THE BOOK with Rabbi Yosef Kassorla at 8:00 pm in the Social Hall WEDNESDAY IN-DEPTH STUDY OF SEFER YEHOSHUA with Malka Morris at 9:30 am in the Social Hall DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR LUNCH N LEARN SERIES with Rabbi Avrohom Stolik at 12 noon in the Social Hall THURSDAY IN-DEPTH STUDY OF BAMIDBAR (via Satellite) with Rabbanit Avigail Rock at 9:30 am in the Board Room LUNCH & LEARN with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg at 12:30 pm at Asia. JUDAISM A-Z with Rabbi Josh Broide at 7:30 pm in the Board Room SATELLITE LECTURES with Rabbi Yissocher Frand at 9:00 pm in the Board Room ADULT EDUCATION PEOPLE OF THE BOOK People of the Book classes take place at on Tuesday evenings from November 20 March 19 at 8:00 9:30 pm in the Social Hall. This Tuesday, January 1 Kli Yakar/Seforno with Rabbi Yosef Kassorla Next Tuesday, January 8 Hirsch/Malbim with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR LUNCH SERIES January 2 January 9 Rabbi Avrohom Stolik Dr. Henry Abramson Jerusalem Uncovered Touro College The Archaeological Claim to Two Jews, Three Opinions: The Jerusalem Eastern European Origins of Modern Jewish Politics GUEST SPEAKER NEXT SHABBAT, JANUARY 5 AMBASSADOR BRAD GORDON AIPAC Director of Policy and Government Affairs. Ambassador Gordon has been AIPAC s Director of Policy and Government Affairs since 2005, and was previously AIPAC s Legislative Director from 1995 through Before working at AIPAC, Brad was Staff Director of the International Operations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was the Assistant Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency for Nonproliferation Policy and was also U.S. Ambassador to the Fourth Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) held in Geneva in AROUND THE WORLD IN JEWISH HISTORY WITH KOSHER WINES AND BEERS Back by popular demand, BRS is excited to once again host three exciting classes exploring the richness of Jewish life around the globe. Each class will feature a lecture examining the major events and personalities that took place in that location together with a sampling of Kosher wines or beers from that region. Wednesday, January 16 at 8:00 pm in the Social Hall with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg The Jews of Germany COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS JEWISH RECOVERY CENTER Join JRC for their 2nd annual Jewish Recovery Center Retreat and Shabbaton. It will be taking place from Friday, February 8 - Sunday, February 10 at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center. For more information and to register for the retreat visit Page 7

8 Boca Raton Jewish Experience The BRJE has been in business now for almost two years and during that time, we haven t run ANY fundraisers. In order to maximize my time in the field and make sure that every dollar goes to great use, I want to spend as little time as possible fundraising and as much time as possible doing what I do best, inspiring Jews in our community. We are now reaching out to everyone to help support this unique and inspirational local program. Thank you, Josh Broide Daniel & Dr. Liora Adler JB & Lisa Bensmihen Sylvia Broide Dr. Brian & Dr. Sharon Ferber Dr. Mark & Tilda Fisher Martin & Ileana Flics BRJE FOUNDERS CIRCLE* Seymour Flics Rabbi Efrem & Yocheved Goldberg Bernie & Melanie Kaminetsky Daniel & Caroline Katz Elliot & Naomi Katz Rosa Polen Michael & Jill Rose Reid & Naomi Shapiro Larry & Deborah Silver Eric & Loren Stein Dr. Benji & Donna Tripp Anonymous (1) Sal & Leslie Abady Dr. Prosper & Pamela Abitbol Dr. Jaime Alalu Ari & Cara Beim Dr. Al & Evelyn Begas Steven & Dr. Rebecca Berkley Howard & Bonnie Block Arnold & Hinda Bramnick Martin & Renee Brown Donny & Freyda Cohen Drs. Eli & Orlie Cohen Dr. Meyer & Laura Cohen Evan Dukofsky Richard & Julie Ehrlich Alan & Mona Fisher Hensha Gansbourg BRJE FOUNDERS SOCIETY* Murray & Basheva Goldberg Roger & Lisa Gladstone Dr. Russel & Lauren Glaun Ronald & Rivka Gross Stanley & Ana Haar Dr. Chanoch & Rachel Harrow Lynn Hahn Rabbi Tsvi & Shaindle Kilstein Philip & Jennifer Landau Dr. Steven & Gina Lemberg Irwin & Natalie Levine Rabbi Samuel & Beatrice Levine David & Logan Lorber Dr. Pesach & Leah Louis Shari Matz David & Joyce Muller Joe Persky Simon Portnoy Warren & Paula Robbins George & Stephanie Saks Dr. Bennett & Chani Salamon Dr. Barry & Dana Schechter Mitchell & Beth Shadowitz Evan & Orly Shapiro Dr. Zorik & Ellen Spektor Ted & Linda Struhl Warren & Robin Struhl Dr. Norman & Estelle Wald Deborah & Evan Young Michael & Risa Zimmerman Anonymous (1) Andrea Alpern Preston & Sandra Augenbaum Linda Beck Nancy Ben-Hamu Nikki & Avri Ben-Hamu Talyah Vargas Ben-Yossef Andrew Block Joseph & Sarah Blumenthal Rabbi Tully & Hindy Bryks Jane Burlant Susan Bussel Susan & Jose Cristina Esther Farber Joseph & Diane Feldman Michael & Barbara Frenkel Raymond & Shirley Galant Lori Geiger Yael & Uri Goffin Rabbi & Mrs. Gottdiener Jeff Greenman Lily Helft Dr. Mervin & Elaine Jacobs Jeff & Beth Janock Carolynn Jarashow Alicia Kalish Daniel & Susan Kaskel Susan King Yaakov Kronfeld Dr. David & Marissa Levinson Alan & Carri Schiff Levy Dr. Michael & Sharona Loeffler Martin & Myrna Miller Joel Mirsky Simon & Cheryl Mirsky BRJE SUPPORTERS* Dr. Steven Morris Rabbi Philip & Arielle Moskowitz Larry & Fay Nightingale Bruce & Cindy Nimhauser Joan & Howard Noven Sally Oken Theo Klewansky & Jacquie Padow Mort & Astrid Palmer Jill Putney Tova Rabunski Jeffrey & Merle Ringer Jack & Hinda Rosenbaum Sam & Rita Rubin Cindy Schaeffer Liz Serra Dr. Neil & Annette Shachter Astra Shraybman Rick Shuster Robert & Sibyl Silver Jay Springer Gil & Lysee Stein Dr. Josh & Stephanie Stern Bob & Sheryl Strauss Arthur Unger Hanna Wagner Bill and Carolyn Weil Dr. Neal & Bonnie Weinreb Mordechai Weinschneider Alvin Wolk Dr. Jeffrey & Fay Wolkowicz Philip & Peggy Zimmerman Robert & Marni Zuckerman Anonymous (2) *THIS LIST IS IN FORmaTION For more information about the BRJE or if you would like to join our Founders Circle / Society or become a Supporter, please contact Rabbi Josh Broide (561) or joshbroide@yahoo.com Boca Raton Jewish Experience, Inc. 501(c)3 - All contributions are tax deductible in accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service regulations - Tax ID# ONLY 3 DAYS UNTIL THE END OF THE 2012 TAX YEAR & AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A MATCHING GRANT!! BRJE UPCOmING EVENTS Crash Course in Hebrew Reading - January 2013 Kabbalah Class - January 2013 Purim BBQ - February 2013 Shabbat Across America - March 2013 Trip to Israel - March 2013 BRJE WEEKLY PROGRamS Friday Night Live - Friday 6:00pm Explanatory Service - Saturday Lunch n Learn - Tuesday s at Latte n Learn - Friday s at Federation Boca Raton Jewish Academy - Second Semester PLEaSE SUPPORT THE BRJE PaRTNER PROGRamS Please join the BRJE as we support our local Jewish community institutions and organizations & help spread the word! HILLEL DAY SCHOOL - Inaugural Journal Dinner Dine-Out FRIENDS OF THE IDF Boca Solidarity Gala - January 13, 2013 at the Boca West Country Club THE EVENT - The Federation of South Palm Beach County: Featuring Josh Malina (West Wing & Scandal) - January 29, 2013 at the Boca West Country Club AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE /03/2013-3/05/2013 in Washington, DC Page 8

9 SISTERHOOD Join BRS Sisterhood for a private screening of the new Oscar nominated movie, Les Miserables, on Sunday December 30 (opening weekend!) at 8:00 p.m. The showing will take place at the Paragon Deerfield 8, 3984 Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. $10 for Sisterhood members/ $15 for non-members. Refreshments included. Don t miss this amazing opportunity to avoid the crowds that this movie promises to attract! Contact Lysee Stein (561) or Rachel Harow (561) or brssisterhood@gmail.com to reserve your seats today! SOCIAL ACTION A 1987 study ordered by the CIA recently made public found that Jonathan Pollard, convicted in the U.S. of spying for Israel, never sought to obtain information about U.S. activities. Rather, he was instructed by his Israeli handlers to obtain information about Israel s enemies. According to the report, Pollard s handlers asked him to provide information about: Arab (and Pakistani) nuclear intelligence; Arab exotic weaponry, including chemical weapons; Soviet aircraft; Soviet air defenses; Soviet air-to-air missiles and air-tosurface missiles; Arab order-of-battle, deployments, readiness. No one else in the history of the United States has ever received a life sentence for passing classified information to an ally. The median sentence for this offense is two to four years. Even agents who have committed far more serious offenses on behalf of hostile nations have not received such a harsh sentence. On November 21, 2012, Jonathan Pollard began his 28th year of incarceration. Please write or call President Obama urging the release of Jonathan Pollard. President Barack Obama (202) www. whitehouse.gov. BIKUR CHOLIM Are you feeling a little down? Do you believe you re over the hill or not appreciated - well think again. Bikur Cholim has many volunteer opportunities available. Let s talk, call Stan - (561) We are an equal opportunity organization and proud of it! 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. EMPTY NESTERS SAVE-THE-DATE: BRS Friday Night dinner on January 11 is $35.00 per person. Call Simone to place your reservation! MAIMONIDES SOCIETY The Maimonides Society wishes to remind our Shul membership that we are now in Flu season. Please use the hand sanitizers (there are dispensers throughout the building) after shaking hands with others in order to reduce spread of potential infection. WOMEN S MIKVAH The hours for the Women s Mikvah are Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm (last appointment is at 9:30 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) 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. 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 FAY GREENE S CLASS Fay Greene s next class will be held on Tuesday, January 8th, 12:30 pm at the home of Helen Cohan, 4885 Hunters Way, in the Woodfield Hunt Club II (entrance on Jog Road, on the SW corner of Jog and Yamato.) RSVP with bubbesue@att.net If you need a ride, call Fay at 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, Menachem Kaplan, Shabtai Kaplan, Jeremy Siegman, Noam Ivri (Makover), Daniel Makover, 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 Page 9

10 -BRS KIDS & TEENS- Amanda Wilkerson Inspires Teens Amanda Wilkerson talks to our Pro Israel Teens 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! Boca Raton, FL - Amanda Wilkerson is not your average campus Israel activist. The African-American daughter of a Pastor, Amanda attended Florida A & M University. While there, her interest of politics attracted her to the US-Israel relationship and naturally to AIPAC. Recognizing the jewel that they had found, AIPAC trained Amanda to advocate for Israel on her campus and in the halls of Congress. Amanda trav- elled to Israel and fell in love with the shuk. She recreated the shuk on her campus and drew 80 students to enjoy an Israeli experience at her traditionally African-American campus. Amanda has spoken in front of 10,000 people at AIPAC s Policy Conference. Amanda spoke to a select group of BRS Pro-Israel teens at the Pilichowski house. NCSY EVENTS *Every Thursday night 8-9pm Boca Latte & Learn! Location TBA *Dec 30, Extreme Rage Paintball Park, 6401 Sheridan St. Hollywood, FL 33024, cost is $30. *Coming soon, the annual JSU Shabbaton will held on Jan 18 in NMB. For all high school students in a public school, this is YOUR shabbaton!! Sign up now on our website, *For more information about NCSY or our programs, please feel free to speak with R' Eli Zians at Sixth Grade Girls Seudah Shlishit This month s 6 th grade girls seudat shlishit will take place soon on a Shabbat Afternoon. Stay tuned for information about the next one! Ninth Grade Boys Seudah Shlishit This week s 9 th grade boys seudat shlishit will take place today after Mincha in the board room. Save the Date: Shabbat February 2 nd National Teen Israel Advocacy Shabbaton This year BRS is privileged to host the National Teen Israel Advocacy Shabbaton. Sign up fast: rup@brsonline.org Celebrating Our Teens by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski This Week We Celebrate our Teens Sensitivity Each week after an inspiring davening, our teens put away their Siddurim and Chumashim and quickly sit back down to hear a short Dvar Torah on the Torah s take on an event in the news. Once the Dvar Torah is finished, we recite kaddish, and sit down for an amazing Kiddush. Of all of the events on Shabbat morning, I cannot honestly say that the shiur is the highlight and most anticipated part of the morning. For the most part, the teens are respectful and even interested in the shiur. Yet it is clear that the smell of hot chicken wafting over their heads throughout the room is a great draw of attention away from the shiur. A few weeks ago I saw our teens completely transform from hunger starved kids (ignore that they had breakfast at home a mere ninety minutes beforehand) to sensitive and transfixed teens who wouldn t even know a kiddush was soon to be at hand. A few weeks ago was the Yachad Shabbaton, and a special adult named Josh rose to give the Dvar Torah in my place. The room was riveted as he slowly arose from his chair, made his way up to the podium, unfolded his speech and delivered a beautiful Dvar Torah. You could ve heard a pin drop as every teen concentrated on his words. This week I celebrate our teens sensitivity. Page 10

11 2500 Quantum Lakes Dr, #212 Boynton Beach, FL www2.mda.org/palmbeachfl Michael Selig has returned from Israel Superior Care Physical Therapy is now open for the Winter season (November April). Michael is accepting all Medicare Patients for: *Balance Training & Fall Prevention * Gait Training *Strengthening & Conditioning * Post-operative Rehabilitation *Treatment of Back, Neck, Shoulder, Ankle, Knee Pain & Injury Call Superior Care Physical Therapy, Inc for an appointment. 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 (561) MOSHE BEN BARUCH Those of you who attended our Israel seminar, know how passionate, knowledgeable, and entertaining Moshe ben Baruch is. Please note that Moshe is a full service tour guide in Israel. He can be helpful in arranging all hotels, itinerary, transportation and actual tours. If you are interested in using Moshe s services for an upcoming trip, contact him at moshetour@gmail.com. SEE YOUR AD HERE 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 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. It is not to late to sponsor one of the above items. For more information or to sponsor one of the above items, please contact Matthew Hocherman at mjh@brsonline.org.