S S January 1-2 21 Tevet 5776 P S Torah Reading - Page 292 Haftorah - Page 1147
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Saturday, January 2 Shacharit... 9:00 a.m. Insights on the Weekly Parsha... 4:00 p.m. Mincha & Seudah Shlishit... 4:30 p.m. Havdalah... 5:53 p.m. Sunday, January 3 Shacharit... 9:00 a.m. Bagels & Beit Medrash... 9:45 a.m. Monday, January 4 Shacharit... 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5 Friday Dinner reservation deadline is at NOON Shacharit... 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 6 Shacharit... 7:00 a.m. Monthly Kids Learning... 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 7 Shacharit... 7:00 a.m. Women s Class... 9:30 a.m. Scholar s Club for 6th Grade... 3:30 p.m. Avot U-Banim... 7:00 p.m. Talmud Learning... 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 8 Shacharit... 9:00 a.m. Mincha/Maariv & Kabbalat Shabbat... 4:55 p.m. Candle Lighting... 4:55 p.m. Shabbat Dinner... 6:00 p.m. Followed by Rabbi Zohn Presention: Bridge to Eternity: Get a Life and an Afterlife Rabbi Weiss will be out of the office Dec 30 - January 4. If needed, he will be available at rabbiweiss@orthodoxomaha.org. to Donald Gerber for spreading additional salt before Shabbos to ensure everyone s safety. 2
Upcoming Scholar in Residence Rabbi Elchonon Zohn: Get An Afterlife January 8-10, 2016 Rabbi Zohn is a specialist and lectures nationally on matters pertaining to the work of the Chevra Kadisha. He is the Director of the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, NY and founder of the Association of Chevros Kadisha, and is considered to be one of the foremost experts on Halachic issues pertaining to end-of-life and the work of the Chevra Kadisha. He has traveled around the world speaking about and strengthening the important work of the many regional Chevra Kadisha groups. Friday, January 8 6 p.m. Shabbat Dinner followed by Rabbi Zohn Presentation: Bridge to Eternity: Get a Life and an Afterlife $12 adults, $6 children ages 4-12, free for children 3 and under Please register on the website, using Shabbos cards or calling the synagogue ofdice. Youth Programming and babysitting will be available during the Friday night presentation. Dinner reservation deadline is NOON, Tuesday, January 5. Saturday, January 9 Shabbat Sermon: The Power of Chessed (Kindness): The Greatest Investment Saturday, January 9 7 p.m. Reception and Presentation: Not Yet Gone but Already Forgotten Sunday, January 10 10 a.m. Tahara Training Seminar: Death In Jewish Life Cycle Laws and Customs through Procedures and Review On Sunday morning, Rabbi Zohn will deliver a Tahara Training Seminar (for all new and experienced Chevra Kadisha members and anyone interested in joining the Chevra Kadisha) in order to explain in detail the various aspects of Chevra Kadisha work and to take questions. Participants are invited to submit questions they have about Jewish burial or End of Life practices to be discussed through the weekend. Call in your questions to the synagogue ofdice or email them to rabbiweiss@orthodoxomaha.org. Many thanks to Shirley & David Goodman for sponsoring this Scholar-in-Residence weekend. 3
THE quintessential Shabbat food! Cholenta January 2 Cholent With Tribbles Shylent January 9 Classic Cholent Quarter Finalist 1 February 6 Quarter Finalist 2 Semi Finalist 1 TBA Beth Israel s Cholent Champion! Contestant 5 - TBA January 23 Contestant 6 - TBA Contestant 7 - TBA January 30 Contestant 8 - OPEN Quarter Finalist 3 February 13 Quarter Finalist 4 Semi Finalist 2 4 Voting Rules Only ONE (1) vote per person. You will receive one ticket from a designated person that will serve as your vote. You will drop the ticket into a container by your favorite cholent. Counting will be done on Monday morning by the synagogue staff and the weekly winner will be announced via email. ONE SPOT IS STILL AVAILABLE! Contact the synagogue office as soon as possible to reserve the final spot.
The Shnayder family invites the congregation to celebrate Orion Shnayder s Bar Mitzvah, January 16, 2016 Register online for all Beth Israel events directly from the website. You can also pay for events now via credit card or bill your account directly. If you have any questions or need help please contact the synagogue ofdice. www.orthodoxomaha.org Upcoming Events Tue, January 12, 12-1pm, Kripke Jewish Federation Library Eye on Israel with Eliad Looking at the Israeli Health Care System With special guest, Zoe Riekes Kripke Jewish Federation Library Wed, January 20, 10am, JCC Auditorium Intergenerational International Tu B Shevat Seder JCC Auditorium Sun, January 24, 10:15-11:45am, Beth El Synagogue Mitzvah Fair For Omaha s 3rd and 4th Grade Students Joint program of Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Center for Jewish Life, Friedel Jewish Academy, Temple Israel Mons, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 7-8:30pm, JCC Social Hall Klutznick Learning Series - Looking at Pirkei Avot Sats, February 6, 7:30pm, Beth El Synagouge Israeli Wine Tasting with Steve Kerbel Joint program of Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, the Center for Jewish Life and Temple Israel 5
& View the Star Wars trilogy at Beth Israel! Saturday, January 23, 2016 Then enjoy Star Wars: The Force Awakens Saturday, January 30, 2016 - Theater TBA followed by a short learning session Stay Tuned More details will be announced in the upcoming Shabbos Sheets as we are working on group or private screening prices. Be a part of the action! Super Bowl Dinner Sunday, February 7th Snacks at 5:00 p.m. ~ Dinner at 5:30 p.m. $8 adults, $4 children ages 4-12, free for children 3 and under Please register on the website, using Shabbos cards or calling the synagogue ofdice Shop Amazon and Help Beth Israel! Buy ANYTHING on Amazon - including Kindle books - and earn cash for Beth Israel Synagogue. Every purchase you make on Amazon that begins on the Beth Israel website will return a percentage of your purchase to the synagogue. The link is found on the Beth Israel website at www.orthodoxomaha.org. 6
Caffe Ivrit with Eliad Eliyahu Shaliach Do you have basic skills in Hebrew and want to improve upon them? We have just the class for you! Join this class every Sunday at 2:30 pm at Beth Israel. Shavua Tov Israel and Caffe Ivrit will NOT meet Jan 3rd 7
From the Synagogue Office The synagogue ofdice will be closed Friday, January 1st, Monday, January 18th If Omaha Public Schools closes due to winter weather conditions the synagogue ofdice will also be closed. All submissions for the Shabbos Sheet are due by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is in need of volunteers to lead Shabbat and holiday services. Please consider being a part of this program, providing this wonderful service for the residents. Contact the synagogue office for more info. Beth Israel Sisterhood Gift Shop The gift shop has games, toys, and other items for weddings, babies, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, or just for yourself. Visit the Gift Shop anytime during synagogue office hours Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. MINYAN UPDATE To assure the scheduling of mincha/maariv minyan times in advance, please contact the of1ice by the Wednesday of the week before the date. This allows the synagogue to include those times in the weekly schedule and also allow minyan attendees to adjust their schedules accordingly. Mikvah News For mikvah access, please contact Dani Shrago at (402) 333-6108. The community mikvah is located in the Blumkin Home on the JCC campus. Everyone is asked to please give as much notice as possible. 8
Monthly Kids Learning Chabura (Grades K-2) First Wednesday of the Month at 3:30 pm Next Session: January 6 Children in grades K-2 are invited to come learn with Rabbi Weiss on the Dirst Wednesday of each month at the Blumkin Home Chapel. In the monthly meeting, we will explore Jewish life, customs, and Torah. CEFG S MGEGI C SJFK The Youth of Beth Israel Part I Aleph Beit - All ages 10:00-10:30 in the Chapel Parsha and Midot - Ages 3-6 10:15-10:30 in the Social Hall Topics in Jewish Life - Boys, Ages 11 and older 10:00-11:00 in the Social Hall Junior Congregation - Grades 6 and younger 10:30-10:50 (Haftorah sermon) in the Youth Lounge During Haftorah and sermon, children sixth grade and younger will join Eliad and Rabbi Weiss for Junior Congregation. TeOillah & Parsha - Girls, Ages 5-12 10:50-11:25 in the Teen Lounge Parsha and Life Lessons - Ages 6 and older 11:00-11:25 in the Chapel Tot Shabbat - Ages 3-6 10:50-11:20 in the playroom Advanced Parsha - Boys, Ages 13 and older 11:00-11:30 in the Social Hall The Youth of Beth Israel Part II 12:00pm Mishna L Neshamah - All ages (children under age 5 must attend with a parent) in the Sanctuary Teen Class - Grades 6 and up in the Social Hall MGQ KEF CS GF C Sunday, January 24 Sunday, February 28 Share your crafting talents for these great events! 9
The Sisterhood Gift Shop has Gift CertiDicates available for purchase that can be made for any dollar amount. Please contact Lynne Saltzman or the synagogue ofdice with any questions or if you would like to purchase one. Celebrating a Simcha in January? Be a part of the Simcha Kiddush on Shabbat, January 23, 2016 A sponsorship is just $25. Call the synagogue office at (402) 556-6288 to be included. Questions for the Torah Reading Answered before the Haftorah Reading 1. What was the Dirst thing that the Egyptians did to afdlict the Jewish people? 2. What reward did the midwives receive for saving the children? 3. What did Moshe do before hitting the Egyptian taskmaster? 4. What was the second thing Hashem said to Moshe by the burning bush? 5. How did Hashem convince Moshe to assume the leadership role of the Jewish people? 6. Where was Moshe going when Hashem [or the angel] try to kill Moshe? 10
1st Aliya: The Jews had been in Mitzrayim since 2238. The Parsha begins as Pharaoh orchestrated the oppression of the Bnai Yisroel. Starting in 2362, with the birth of Miriam, the oppression began in earnest as newborn males were drowned in the Nile. The heroism of the two Midwives was rewarded. 2nd Aliya: Moshe's birth and "basket river cruise" is detailed. He was adopted by Basya, the daughter of Pharaoh, and raised by his own mother, Yocheved. 3rd Aliya: Moshe killed the Egyptian but was turned in by his own people. Forced to Dlee, he ended up in the house of Yisro. Moshe married Tziporah, Yisro's daughter, and Gershon, his Dirst son, was born. The year was approximately 2428, and Moshe was 60. 4th & 5th Aliyot: Moshe received his mission at the Burning Bush. The Medresh says that the entire conversation lasted 7 days. At its conclusion, Moshe, armed with the power of Hashem's promise and the three "signs", was prepared to confront Pharaoh. 6th Aliya: Moshe asked Yisro for permission to go on his mission. Along the way, Hashem attempted to kill Moshe, but Tziporah saves him by giving their son a Bris Milah. Aharon went to greet Moshe, as per G-d's commandment. Moshe and Aharon met with the Elders and received their support. 7th Aliya: Moshe and Aharon unsuccessfully confronted Pharaoh. Pharaoh punished the Jews by refusing to supply straw for the making of bricks. The Jewish ofdicers were held responsible and were beaten by the Egyptian overseers. The Jewish ofdicers confronted Moshe and Moshe then confronted G-d. Hashem reassured Moshe that his mission would be successful. (Source: www.torah.org) 11
WELCOME TO BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE We are delighted to welcome you to Beth Israel Synagogue. A passage from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 inspired the art work in the sanctuary. For this commandment that I command you today - it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in heaven, [for you] to say, Who can ascend to the heaven for us and take it for us so that we can listen to it and perform it? Nor is it across the seas, [for you] to say, Who can cross to the other side of the sea for us and take it for us, so that we can listen to it and perform it? Rather, the matter is very near to you - in your mouth and your heart - to perform it. The focal point of the sanctuary is the Menorah Window, which frames the Ark and is shaped in the form of the six branched candelabrum. To the right, brilliantly colored window has forms that redlect the heavens, while the left side depicts the seas. The message is completed in a frieze, the horizontal painting on wood mounted on the wall. The background of the frieze symbolically and abstractly represents the relationship between G-d and the people of Israel through the Covenant. The perochet, or curtain over the Ark, completes the symbolic composition, with an expression that intertwines the Torah and the letter Aleph, the Dirst letter of the Hebrew alphabet, of the Ten Commandments, and of G-d s name in Hebrew. As is traditional, the sanctuary has 12 windows, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. These windows contain the name of each tribe in Dlowing, organic letters. The windows are located above the continued frieze, which includes two central texts of the revelation at Sinai - If you will keep my Covenant, you shall be precious to me, and You shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This composition expresses the unity of Israel as the people stood together at Sinai and accepted the Torah. Beth Israel Synagogue strives to perpetuate the legacy of Torah Judaism in the modern world. Beth Israel welcomes all persons of the Jewish faith to join and accepts the diversity of practice and thought among its members. Toba Cohen-Dunning, President Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, Senior Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Weiss, Assistant Rabbi Jeannie Nickels, OfDice Manager Leo Fettman, Cantor Emeritus 12604 PaciDic Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 (402) 556-6288 / www.orthodoxomaha.org