Welcome to the Welcome to the DAT Minyan Parshat Noach October 25, PESACH 2014 DAYS 1 Marcheshvan 1 AND 2 5775 April 23-24, 2016 15-16 Nissan 5776 April 22 Erev Pesach שבת April 23 Pesach 1 Sun. April 24 Pesach 2 Mon. April 25 Tue. April 26 Wed. April 27 Candles (10/15): (4/22): 7:27 6:03 Candles (10/16): (4/23): 8:29 7:01 Candles Havdalah (10/17): (4/24): 8:30 6:00 Havdala Candles (10/18): (4/28): 7:33 6:58 Candles Candles (10/24): (4/29): 7:34 5:50 Thu. April 28 April 29 Pesach 7 Shacharit Shema before 9:29 am 6:35, 8:00 9:00 9:00 6:25, 8:00 6:25, 8:00 6:25, 8:00 6:25, 8:00 7:30, 9:00 Mincha 7:30 7:20 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:35 7:35 Maariv Shema/Omer after 8:36 pm 8:00 8:28 8:29 After Mincha After Mincha After Mincha After Mincha After Mincha At Night, Count... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NO KIDDUSH or SEUDAH SHELISHIT over Pesach. WELCOME to all of our guests joining us for Pesach! Pesach See the Pesach schedule above, at right, on Page 5, and on our website at DATMinyan.org/Pesach. We are happy to announce that SHAWL (for women only) will meet the first and last days of Pesach, featuring Dr. Terry Samuel the first day and Rabbi Avi Heller the final day. Youth Groups Over Pesach The first two days of Pesach (Shabbat and Sunday), groups begin at 10:00 am NO EARLY CARE! The last two days (Friday and Shabbat), early care begins at 9:00 and groups begin at 9:30. Annual Event Save the date for our Annual Event, May 29, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Skyline Ballroom in the Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek from. Pricing and further details coming soon. AIPAC 2017 Join the DAT Minyan delegation and pay just $399 (a $200 discount) to attend next year s AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., March 26-28, 2017. To join our delegation and receive this special discount, you must register now at DATMinyan.org/events. Shop for Wine, Support DAT Minyan We are now an affiliate member of JWines.com. Please visit our website to get the link to shop for fine wines for Pesach or any time of year. Scholar in Residence Shabbat May 14 we will be joined by Herb Keinon, a special coorespdondent for the Jerusalem Post, in honor of Yom Ha atzmaut. Walk for Israel Join the DAT community and many other community organizations at the annual Walk for Israel May 22, this year proceeding down Speer Blvd. and ending with a festival on the groups of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Walk leaves from Sculpture Part at 10:00 am and continues with the Celebrate Family Festival. Registration required save time by signing up online at www.israelcelebratefest.org/register. DAT MINYAN NEWS AND EVENTS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES DAY TIME TOPIC TEACHER PLACE שבת Sun. After Mincha D var Torah Rabbi Friedman MPR An Overview of the Laws of the Seder After Mussaf Derasha Rabbi Friedman MPR 5:20 pm SHAWL (women only) Dr. Terry Samuel 208 Shai Agnon s A Visit to My Father s House, Erev Pesach 6:05 pm HS Boys Gemara Nathan Rabinovitch Rabinovitch 151 S Olive 6:20 pm Pesach Shiur Rabbi Friedman MPR Bringing the Korban Pesach Today After Pesach Haggadah Tidbits Roundtable MPR Volunteer to share your Haggadah insights with us! After Mussaf Derasha Rabbi Friedman MPR 6:30 pm Pesach Shiur Aaron Brooks MPR Halachot of Sefirat HaOmer BESIDES Knowing How to Count! After Mincha Pesach Shiur Rabbi Friedman MPR You Say HatzLEEcha, I say HatzleeCHA, Let s Call the Whole Thing Hallel! After Mussaf Derasha Rabbi Friedman MPR 6:35 pm Pesach Shiur Yoni Rabinovitch MPR The Quinoa Controversy: Understanding Kitniyot Welcome to Dr. Brian and Klila Caplan (parents of Ilan Caplan) who are now permanent residents of Denver after 38 years in Texas. Their grandchildren (and kids) are excited to have them here! Share your happy news with the community at DATMinyan.org/Newsletter. Please note that the faculty lounge/kitchen is off limits all of Pesach. Please help make our Tefillot meaningful by refraining from talking during Davening. DAT Minyan Rabbi Joseph Friedman 6825 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80224 www.datminyan.org
Rabbi Wein RabbiWein.org Aside from the actual lessons and topics regarding freedom from bondage and the emergence of the national identity of the Jewish people, Pesach conveys to us the wonders of the natural seasons of the year here in Israel. The great Song of Songs of King Solomon occupies a place of honor in the synagogue service of the holiday and recorded in that most holy work are recorded colorful descriptions of the beauty and variety of nature here in the Holy Land. Pesach always falls in the spring months here in Israel, a natural symbol for the constant rebirth and vitality of our ancient and ever young nation. For many centuries a significant portion of the Jewish people - especially in Eastern and Central Europe - lived in climates and under weather conditions that were uncomfortable and even brutal. Frigid winters of snow and ice were followed by impassable mud and then dusty and hot summers. Even nature in Eastern Europe was not necessarily kind to the millions of Jews who lived there. In the United States, winter in the Midwest or the Northeast is usually quite cold and snowy, so spring is always a welcome arrival. But here in Israel it takes on a special meaning, more than just a change in weather. The season s beauty is highlighted by the reappearance of the flowers and the blossoming of the fruit trees. Jews search for blossoms in order to recite the blessing on the trees in this month when Pesach arrives. Nature s revival sparks a renewal within us as well. And that is a key ingredient in our Pesach celebration and commemoration, Unfortunately in our super-technologically oriented society many are too busy texting to notice the natural beauty that surrounds us now. In general, our educational systems and life styles do not emphasize the wonders of nature. The Torah and the Talmud are both very nature oriented. The prevalent custom here in Israel to take nature hikes is a manifestation of our attempt to reintroduce a knowledge and appreciation of the natural surroundings into our lives. There are entire sections and tractates of Mishna that are simply not understandable even to scholarly students of the Oral Law because of our ignorance of the botany and topography of Israel. My father told me that there were certain fruits that he never tasted or even saw until he came to study here in Israel in the middle 1920 s. Except for the ritually required cit- Cont d on page 3 Tefillah Corner Rabbi Friedman From Praying With Fire, by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman This week s column is dedicated to a Refuah Shleimah for Yaakov Roni ben Margalit and Moshe ben Sarah. The Gemara tells of a demonic spirit that frequented the Beit Midrash where Abaye taught. It was so brazen that it did not wait for the cover of night or seek out solitary individuals to attack. Even two people entering the Beit Midrash together in broad daylight were injured by this spirit. When Abaye heard that Rav Yaakov, the son of Rav Acha ben Yaakov, was coming to visit, he ordered, Let no one provide him lodging (thereby compelling him to lodge in the Beit Midrash). Perhaps a miracle will happen [the merit of Rav Yaakov's prayer would permanently banish the demon]. Rav Yaakov spent the night in the Beit Midrash, where the demon appeared to him as a sevenheaded serpent. Each time Rav Yaakov bowed his head in prayer, one of the heads fell off. The Maharsha questions how Abaye could place Rav Yaakov in danger by forcing him to remain overnight in the Beit Midrash. Why was he so sure that Rav Yaakov would merit this miracle? Furthermore, even if the miracle did occur, would it not diminish Rav Yaakov's merits in this world? He explains that any benefit derived from tefillah, no matter how incredible it appears, can be considered natural, since prayer has been an innate part of existence since the time of Creation. Furthermore, such benefit, since it is not considered a miracle, does not diminish a person's merits. Chazal teach that tefillah was woven into the very fabric of Creation and designed by Hashem to be a fundamental element of life. The Torah states, And all the plants of the field were not yet on the earth and all the herbs had not yet sprouted, for Hashem had not brought rain upon the earth and there was no man to work the soil. Rashi explains that the plants could not grow because rain had not yet fallen; and without man, there could be no rain. When Adam HaRishon was placed on the scene, Refuah Shleima Please include the following names in your prayers. May each be granted a Refuah Shleima. Names are kept on the list until the next Rosh Chodesh. Help us keep the list accurate by verifying the necessary details each month on the Cholim GoogleDoc. (Rabbi) Tzvi Gershon ben Shaindel Shaina Raizel Zev ben Yehudis Meira bat Sarah Raphael Asher ben Sarah Tziporah Amiriyahu Tzvi ben Esther Leah Carol Bat Katie Avraham Shalom ben Henna Chaya Chanah Elisheva Rivka bat Sarah Devorah Leah bat Chanah Dina bat Hyla and Shayla Dovid ben Ita Sheva Ida bat Esa Ita Sheiva bas Udyah Leah bat Sarah Leah Devora Kivitiya bat Chaya Miriam Tova Chaya bat Chanah Noa Shani bat Chaya Bracha Rabbi Ephraim Ben Henna Raphael Yotam ben Efrat rochel leah nechamah bat esther Sandra Miriam Shoshana bat Chanah Sarah Esther bat Faiyge Sarah Shoshanna bat Sarah Shashi bat Batya Baila Menachem Yitzchak ben Yisraela Shmuel Gedalya ben Batya Miriam Yosef ben Malka Yael Meira bas Yisraela Guy Chaim ben Rita Freidel bas Hinda Naftali Yisroel ben Yisraela Yaakov Roni ben Margalit Tirtza Chana bat Malka Carol bat Katie Miriam bat Liora Sarah Rivka bas Freidel Feivel Shalom ben Feigel Tzirrel Carmel ben Tirtza Shirley Hasia bat Devorah 2 babies bnei Neta Cont d on page 3 DAT Minyan Rabbi Joseph Friedman 6825 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80224 facebook.com/datminyan
Mincha 7:35p שבת Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. 4/24 Pesach 2 5/1 5/8 Rosh Chodesh Mincha 7:45p 5/15 Mincha 7:50p 4/25 1 5/9 Rosh Chodesh Shacharit 6:25a DAT MINYAN UPCOMING CALENDAR 4/26 2 5/2 5/3 Ciner Class 7:30p 5/10 Ciner Class 7:30p 5/16 5/17 Ciner Class 7:30p ron, citrus fruit was practically an unknown commodity in his native Lithuania. In extolling the virtues of the Land of Israel, the Torah dwells constantly on its natural beauty and abundant food variety and sustenance. The holiday of Pesach subtly carries with it this message of the wonders of nature, especially as they relate to the Land of Israel. So, wherever we find ourselves on this glorious holiday that falls in this month of such verdant natural beauty, we should pause to admire the world of beauty that God has placed us in. It will be a delight for the eyes and a blessing for the soul. 4/27 3 5/11 Yom Hazikaron 4/28 4 5/4 5/5 Yom Hashoah 5/12 Yom Ha atzmaut 4/29 Pesach 7 5/6 Mincha 6:20p, 7:40p 5/13 Mincha 6:25p, 7:50p 5/18 5/19 5/20 Mincha 6:30p, 7:55p D VAR TORAH (cont d from Page 2) TEFILLAH CORNER (cont d from Page 2) there was a being who had both the capacity to understand that the soil needed water in order for the vegetation to sprout, and the ability to call upon Hashem to provide the rain. His prayers were answered, and the world became lush and green. The entire Creation, everything on earth, was complete; all was in readiness. Yet the world remained barren and dry, awaiting Adam's prayers for the rain that would allow the natural world to spring to life and begin to function. Such is the paradoxical nature of prayer; nothing is more basic, and nothing is more powerful. Shabbat Shalom! Useful DAT Minyan Contact Info and Web Links Inquiry Personal Contact Email Address or Web Link Halachic questions & guidance Rabbi Joseph Friedman, Rabbi rabbifriedman@datminyan.org General Shul questions Rachel Rabinovitch, President president@datminyan.org Share feedback about the Shul Board of Directors feedback@datminyan.org Programs, classes, building use Rabbi Zalesch, Director of Operations office@datminyan.org Sponsored Kiddush Billing questions David Fishman, Treasurer treasurer@datminyan.org 4/30 Pesach 8 5/7 5/14 Herb Keinon SIR Khalepari Bar Mitzvah 5/21 Kibbudim/service questions Aryeh Fischer/David Zalkin, Gabbaim gabbai@datminyan.org Membership questions Miriam Mezer, Membership Secretary membership@datminyan.org Sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shelishit Dovid Lev, Kiddush Coordinator kiddush@datminyan.org datminyan.org/kiddush Youth group questions Mor Shapiro, Youth Director youth@datminyan.org Hospitality, meals, visitors Corina Zazulia, Hospitality Committee hospitality@datminyan.org Newsletter contributions, corrections, and sponsorship Rabbi Zalesch, Editor post@datminyan.org Youth snacks sponsorship Mor Shapiro, Youth Director DATMinyan.org/youth View the Latest Newsletter DATMinyan.org/newsletter DAT Minyan: A dynamic and friendly Modern Orthodox synagogue for all ages dedicated to meaningful prayer, personal spiritual development, community growth, youth involvement, Torah education and Religious Zionism.
DAT MINYAN YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Coming Sunday, April 24, the 2nd morning of Pesach: Interactive Pesach makkot and Yetziat Mitzrayim program! Help sponsor this exciting program at DATMinyan.org/youth. Partial ($50) or full ($100) sponsorships available for this program. Happy Birthday: Danya Caplan Tali Caplan Moshe Khalepari Lillie Shafran Moshe Nisim Werner Naama Merzer Eliana Dobro Is your child s birthday not listed? Email Mor Shapiro at youth@datminyan.org. Youth Snacks Sponsorship Youth Snacks sponsored by Amy, Ilan, and Devra Caplan in honor of Naftali, and Danya Caplan s 9th birthday! Amy and Ilan sponsored at DATMinyan.org/youth. Pesach Groups Schedule: Shabbat, april 23 Day 1 groups begin at 10:00 NO EARLY CARE! Sunday, April 24 Day 2 groups begin at 10:00 NO EARLY CARE! Friday, April 29 Day 7 Early care 9:00, groups begin at 9:30 Shabbat, April 30 Day 8 Early care 9:00, groups begin at 9:30 Youth Group Guidelines: Pick up for all groups (including 4 th -6 th graders) is indoors. Please bring your child s labeled water bottle, hat, and jacket to groups with them. Advisors and kids are not allowed to get these items from the coat rack or strollers during groups. A parent or guardian must be on shul premises when children are in groups. Children not attending groups must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Children not picked up within 5 minutes of the end of shul will be donated to the zoo. Scooters and other riding toys may not be ridden on the campus during Shul hours.
NEW MIKVAH UPDATE Dear New Community Mikvah supporters, With the announcement a couple of weeks ago about the contract to purchase land for the Mikvah, the MOED Board is working with the project management team and architect to re-launch the project with the new site (on the north end of the property next to the existing Mikvah) in mind, and bring the design to the community for feedback. In advance of those gatherings and conversations, we are excited to answer some of the questions that we anticipate you have. Can you describe the process that led to the decision to buy the land? At present, MOED sits on leased land. The new Mikvah was planned to sit on land with a new land lease. Last Fall, a Foundation came forward with an interest in investigating the possibility of purchasing land for the new Mikvah. Their intent was to alleviate some of the long-term risks associated with living on leased land, which could present MOED with significant uncertainty should the land owner ever decide to sell to another entity that may not be fully aligned with MOED s mission. Furthermore, our preliminary design exercises confirmed that the existing site cannot accommodate the growing needs of our community. Therefore, with the consent of the rabbinic leaders and the Architectural Task Force, the MOED Board supported the Foundation s plans to purchase not only the parcel upon which the Mikvah currently sits, but the two vacant parcels to the north, as well. This expanded footprint will ensure that the east Denver Jewish community has the flexibility to grow the MOED facility in concert with the growth of the community. What is the next step? There are several months of due diligence items to be completed before the contract for the land is closed and the building permit is issued. The exact time line is being revised based on the contract to purchase, and we expect to have a time line to share with the community in the early part of May. In the meantime, we are excited to re-launch the design process, and are planning a Denverwide community engagement process so that everyone will know about the spiritual beauty of Mikvah. We expect the community s new Mikvah to be a spiritual beacon and a symbol of pride in our Judaism. You can expect regular updates from us as well as regular community briefings. We ll have a meeting for the community to meet the architects, and you ll be seeing updates at all our community institutions. We are working expeditiously to build a sound mikvah for the Denver community. Want to help? You can contact us through the website, www.mikvahofeastdenver.org. Chag kasher v sameach! Laura Abramson-Pritchard President
Pesach Schedule 2016 Thursday, April 21 7:20 pm Mincha/Maariv After 8:28 pm Bedikat Chametz Friday, April 22 Erev Yom Tov 6:35 am Shacharit After Shacharit Siyum 9:30 am Late Siyum at Brooklyn Pizza 10:42 am Latest time to eat Chametz 11:50 am Latest time to burn Chametz 7:27 pm Candle Lighting 7:30 pm Mincha Between Mincha and Maariv, Rabbi Friedman will give an overview of the laws of the Seder 8:00 pm Maariv 8:28 pm Earliest time for Kiddush 12:58 am Chatzot (Midnight) Shabbat, April 23 Pesach Day 1 10:00 am Groups Begin NO EARLY CARE After Mussaf DERASHA: Rabbi Friedman One should eat Seudah Shlishit before Mincha 5:20 pm SHAWL: Terry Samuel (women only) Shai Agnon s A Visit to My Father s House, Erev Pesach 6:20 pm SHIUR: Rabbi Friedman Bringing the Korban Pesach Today 7:20 pm Mincha HAGGADAH TIDBITS ROUNDTABLE Volunteer to Share Your Seder Insights With Us 8:28 pm Maariv 8:29 pm Candle Lighting 8:29 pm Earliest time for Kiddush 12:58 am Chatzot (Midnight) Sunday, April 24 Pesach Day 2 10:00 am Groups Begin NO EARLY CARE After Mussaf DERASHA: Rabbi Friedman 6:30 pm SHIUR: Aaron Brooks Halachot of Sefirat HaOmer Besides Knowing How to Count!" 7:30 pm Mincha After Mincha SHIUR: Rabbi Friedman You Say HatzLEEcha, I say HatzleeCHA, Let s call the Whole Thing Hallel! 8:29 pm Maariv 8:29 pm Havdalah Monday, April 25 7:30 pm Mincha/Maariv Tuesday, April 26 7:30 pm Mincha/Maariv Wednesday, April 27 7:30 pm Mincha/Maariv Thursday, April 28 Erev Yom Tov 7:33 pm Candle Lighting 7:35 pm Mincha/Maariv Friday, April 29 Pesach Day 7 7:30 am Hashkama Shacharit 9:00 am Early care (Groups start 9:30 am) After Mussaf DERASHA Rabbi Friedman 6:35 pm SHIUR: Yoni Rabbinovich The Quinoa Controversy: Understanding Kitniyot 7:34 pm Candle Lighting 7:35 pm Mincha/Maariv Shabbat, April 30 Pesach Day 8 7:30 am Hashkama Shacharit 9:00 am Early care (Groups start 9:30 am) Before Yizkor DERASHA: Rabbi Friedman 10:30 am (approx.) Yizkor One should eat Seudah Shlishit before Mincha 5:25 pm SHAWL: R Avi Heller (women only) One More Day: The Meaning of the Last Day of Pesach 6:25 pm SHIUR: Rabbi Friedman Are We REALLY Waiting for Mashiach? 7:25 pm Mincha After Mincha SHIUR: Rabbi Gitler Flying Back from Israel on the 8th Day of Pesach? 8:36 pm Maariv 8:37 pm Havdalah 9:30 pm Earliest time to eat Chametz As of 4/14/16. Schedule subject to change without notice, including speakers and class topics.