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HAPPY THANKSGIVING
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On behalf of the Clergy, Presidents, Officers, Board Members and Staff of Etz Chaim, we wish each and every one of you a festive and Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy your time with family and friends.
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Upcoming Events
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Dec. 16-17
Scholar in Residence with Nachum Segal &
Community Friday Night Dinner
Women's Kabbalat Shabbat
Dec. 23-24
The Mikdash Project comes to Etz Chaim in Preparation
for Chanukah
Jan. 17
Sisterhood Book Club Event
Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown
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Mazal Tov!
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Mazal tov to Chavi & Yisroel Rosenblum
on the birth of a baby girl!
Mazal tov to siblings
Menachem Mendel, Fraidy, Moshele, Mushka, Rikel, Leah, Schneur, Bassy, Shaina, Batsheva and Raizy
If you would like to contribute towards meals for the Rosenblum family, please contact Maggie Newman at maggie.a.newman@gmail.com, or 201-618-5208
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K
iddush Sponsor
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Kiddush and Seudat Shlishit are sponsored by
Caryl Hirsch and Jay Feingold
in commemoration of the 5th Yahrtzeit of Caryl's father, Yitzchak Reuven ben Simcha,
may his memory be for a blessing.
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Message from the Rabbi
Parshat Chayei Sarah
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There is a concept in Judaism that is hard for many to grasp even though we are quite used to it. For instance, when I sit at the Shabbat table, I make Kiddush and Hamotzi. Just me, not anyone else, (unless they want to - and we always ask). Everyone at the table dutifully listens to my rendition and answers "Amen" at the conclusion. In the eyes of Halacha, each and every person has fulfilled his or her obligation simply by answering "Amen." In fact, some view the mechanics of this situation as if each and every person has recited the Kiddush/Hamotzi for himself or herself.
Those who are new to Jewish rituals find this particularly vexing. The mere phrase "Can you have me in mind?" is troublesome to many. After all, how can someone do a commandment for you?
Let's complicate this a little more. In this week's Torah reading, Avraham sends an agent, yes an agent, to find a wife for his son Yitzchak. He does not solicit Yitzchak's advice or tastes. Avraham just sends the Shliach to find what Avraham is looking for. Father knows best. Of course, no one can marry a girl for Yitzchak, but this is about as close as you can get.
When it comes to communal responsibilities, there are often times when we can act on behalf of our fellow Jew. On the other hand, there are certain personal responsibilities that we are unable to pawn off to anyone else, no matter how hard we try. It is up to us to discern when we need to take responsibility for ourselves and when we need to take responsibility for others. Too often we get those values mixed up.
Shabbat Shalom
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Save the Date and Start Reading!
January 17
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Tuesday, January 17
Etz Chaim Sisterhood
Book Club Event
Modern Girls
by Jennifer S. Brown
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Baby Bop Shabbat Music Class
4th Class - December 2
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Brigadier General Nechemaya Sokal
I.D.F. Technology & Logistics Branch
Chief of Staff
Speaking November 28
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Brigadier General Nechemaya Sokal
will be speaking at the home of
Avivah & Michael Gottlieb
18 Rainbow Ridge Drive, Livingston, NJ 07039
on November 28 at 8:00 PM
Brigadier-General Sokal is touring the US on behalf of
Our Soldiers Speak
Our Soldiers Speak brings elite, active officers of the IDF and the Israeli National police to present substantive policy briefings at key college campuses, select professional venues and before the United States Congress.
General Sokal is
currently
leading the effort to stop the infiltration tunnels from Gaza into Israel and will provide a briefing on his efforts to use New Age Technologies to Defeat Age Old Threats.
He is also responsible for the logistics branch of the IDF in war and peace and will also talk about his efforts to use modern technologies to support IDF troops during combat or on humanitarian efforts like the mission to Haiti.
There is limited space, so please RSVP as soon as possible to
gottlieb@landmarkcompanies.net
Please see the attached flier which provides some basic information and click on the link to the trailer which will give you a small preview on the topics Brigadier-General Sokal will discuss.
There is no fee for attending, you will learn about the efforts of Our Soldiers Speak, and it will be your choice as to whether you make a donation to the organization.
Fruit, desserts, and refreshments will be served.
Please have dinner before arriving.
We look forward to a fascinating evening!
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Updating
Cholim list
Prayer for the Ill
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