Etz Chaim Newsletter 
December 17, 2016
17 Kislev,  5777
Upcoming Events



December 22
Chanukah Chesed with Seniors at Federation Housing

December 23-24
The Mikdash Project comes to Etz Chaim
in preparation for Chanukah

January 17
Sisterhood Book Club Event
Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown
Welcome New Members
\

Etz Chaim welcomes our newest members 
Karen Wasserman & Michael Singer,
and their children 
Jason, Hailey &  Eliza Singer
K iddush Sponsor


Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by 
BatSheva & Murray  Halpern 
in honor of Nachum Segal's visit to the 
Etz Chaim community 
and
 Josh and Sharon Brickman to commemorate the 10th yahrzeit of Josh's father 
Rabbi Seymour Brickman, 
Harav Shmuel Zvi ben Yosef Halevi, ZL
Message from the Rabbi
Parshat Vayishlach
I have to admit that I am a big fan of Facebook.  I use it a lot.  Facebook allows me to keep in touch with a large family, gives me the news I want to see, and allows me to voice and share my opinion on the things that matter most to me.  I love to post pictures of my kids, stories about Israel, anything about the New York Rangers and absolutely NOTHING about the presidential election!
As many of you may have noticed, Facebook gives you a video of your year in review around this time of year.  It seems that I have amassed a few hundred (virtual) friends and reacted or liked over thirty-six hundred different posts over the last twelve months.  I am not sure what the metric is, so I don't know if I am a Facebook success or just a lightweight. 
How do we measure success in "Real" life?  In this week's Parsha, Yaakov Avinu prepares to meet his vengeful brother Esav after many years on the run.  Yaakov strategically prepares for the worst and we can't blame him.
When the meeting finally happens, it turns out to be rather anti-climactic.  The two brothers exchange pleasantries and Esav asks about the growing family and flock of Yaakov.  When Yaakov offers gifts to Esav, he refuses them saying, "Yesh Li Rav - I have a lot."  He tells Yaakov to keep the gifts.  Yaakov's response is telling.  "Yesh Li Kol - I have everything" is his retort.  In essence, Yaakov told his brother that he has everything he needs.
In the fast-paced, rapidly-changing digital world in which we live, we must always remember to measure success by being thankful for everything we have, and not by how many people "Like" what we say (or post) what we have.
"Eizeh Hu Ashir? Hasomeach B'Chelko!"  Our sages got it right by defining a rich person as one who is satisfied with his lot.
As our secular year comes to an end and we busy ourselves with tying up loose ends for 2016, take a moment and ask yourself how wealthy you really are.

And then post it on Facebook!

Shabbat Shalom
Etz Chaim Emergency Israel Campaign
Message from the Rabbi
I thank all of you who have already responded so generously to our campaign to purchase lifesaving equipment in Israel.  Many have asked about the ability to donate online.  
Our tribute page is now active and it can be accessed by clicking on this link for the
The page will be updated with the latest progress as we move forward.
If you would like to make a donation by check, please make it out to "JNF" and marked for "Etz Chaim Livingston Firetruck."

Yiyasher Kochachem and Tizku L'Mitzvot.
This Shabbat!
Nachum Segal 
Scholar-in-Residence 

We look to close out the 2016 season with an informative and exciting Shabbat.

Please join us for a
Scholar in Residence Shabbat
with Nachum Segal


Kabbalat Shabbat Services 
at 4:15

Main Service in the Main Sanctuary 
Women's Service in the Beit Midrash
 
After Davening, Nachum Segal will address the community on the topic of "Thirty Plus Years in Jewish Radio."  You will be able to hear about some of his best on-air experiences  and classic interviews.  
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend

On Shabbat morning, we will have our second installment of the Beginner Service led by Rabbi Bendory at 9:45am.

Following morning services, everyone is invited to join in the Main Sanctuary for a Nachum Segal interview.  You will learn all about his career, his latest switch to an all digital format and his initiative for Jewish Unity.

This is a Shabbat you don't want to miss!
 
Chanukkah Chesed with the Seniors 
at Federation Housing
December 22

Mark your calendars
for our annual Chanukkah program with the seniors at Federation Housing in West Orange

Thursday, December 22

This is a program we know the seniors look forward to and we hope you will join us this year.
Chanukkah Program
December 24

Join us for the First Night of Chanukkah!

Save the Date and Start Reading!
January 17

Tuesday, January 17

 Etz Chaim Sisterhood
Book Club Event

Modern Girls  
by Jennifer S. Brown



Moderated by Chana Krasnjanski
dynamic high school teacher
           Community Events

Baby Bop Shabbat Music Class
December 16
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest
  Family Havdalah on Ice
December 17

Join your friends from Greater MetroWest for Family Havdalah on Ice at Clary Anderson Arena in Montclair on December 17. 

Everyone with a shoe size of toddler 8 and up is invited to skate. 
The ice will be ours from 
7 until 8:45 p.m.

 Join us and bring your friends to skate.

In addition to skating, activities in advance of Hanukah will be brought to you by NJY Camps, Camp Harlam, Camp Young Judea Sprout Lake, Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, Eden Village Camp, and 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy. 

Come have a mini-reunion with friends. 
It'll be a great time for all.

Refreshments and skates are included with your registration below. 

Please register each child. 
Did we mention that this event is FREE?!



Questions? 
Contact Justin Sakofs, 
Director of Empowerment for Families of School Age Children 
at  Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, at  jsakofs@jfedgmw.org  or 
(973) 929-2980.

RKYHS
Seventh Annual Rikudiah Tzedaka Fundraiser
December 17

Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School 
8th Grade 
Community Informational Meetings
December 18 & December 20

The Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School invites 8th graders and their parents to Community Informational Meetings:

Sunday, December 18th at 8pm hosted by the Klibanoff Family, 339 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston.

Tuesday, December 20th at 8pm hosted by the Rutner Family, 24 Curtis Avenue, West Orange.


Please join RKYHS administration, teachers, and students as they share the RKYHS difference.  Learn about the first-rate academic and Judaic programs, innovated educational initiatives and vast co-curricular opportunities. 

For more information contact the RKYHS Admissions Office at 
862-437-8064 or starzik@jkha.org
RKYHS Drama Club Presentation
High School Musical
December 19

Festival of Laser Lights
December 26

Davening Schedule
Parshat Vayishlach

  SHABBAT 
 Davening Times

Friday 
 
Candle Lighting
4:13pm

Mincha 
 4:15pm

SHABBAT DAY 
 
Shiur - 8:30am

Shacharit 
9:00am
Beginner Service - 9:45am
Led by Rabbi Bendory in the Beit Midrash

Teen Minyan
9:45am

Z'man Kriat Shema
   9:35am  

Mincha 
4:10pm

Shabbat Ends
5:17pm


  Weekday Services
   Dec. 18 - Dec. 23

Sunday

Shacharit 
8:30am

Mincha/Ma'ariv
4:15pm

Mon-Fri
Shacharit - 6:45am
 
 
WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR WINTER SCHEDULE. 
WE WILL HAVE MA'ARIV ONLY ON
 MONDAY-
THURSDAY EVENINGS AT 6:45PM.

MINCHA/MA'ARIV SERVICES AT SUBURBAN TORAH ARE AT 4:20PM

Rabbi's Classes
Women's class
with Rabbi Klibanoff

Study of the 
weekly Haftorah

Tuesday mornings
10:30 - 11:30

Talmud Shiur in 
Masechet Sotah

Tuesday evening after Mincha/Maariv
Kiddush Sponsorship

  Sponsoring a kiddush is wonderful way to commemorate a loved one's yahrzeit or celebrate a simcha.  

If you would like to sponsor please 

Etz Chaim Youth


Parshat Vayishlach
Youth Happenings

Updating
Cholim list
Prayer for the Ill
To add or remove a name from the cholim list, please contact Shelley Paradis at shel4p@aol.com. 

 

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