Etz Chaim Newsletter 
January 14, 2017
16 Tevet,  5777
Upcoming Events


 
January 17
Sisterhood Book Club Event
Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown

February 1
Men's Club Steak and Scotch at Bison & Bourbon
Welcome New Members

Welcome to our newest members 
Lindsey & Jared Hutter and Family
 
Mazal Tov

Mazal Tov to Etz Chaim's newest members, Lindsey & Jared Hutter 
on the birth of a baby boy!  
Mazal Tov to new big brother Robert
 Mazal Tov to grandparents Barbara & Andy Hutter


There will be a Shalom Zachar this Friday night at the 
Hutter residence, 
14 Chelsea Drive at 8 pm

The Bris will be held at Etz Chaim on 
Tuesday, Jan 17th at 11 am. 

K iddush Sponsor


Kiddush this Shabbat is  being sponsored by 
Etz Chaim Community
Message from the Rabbi
Parshat Vayechi
As we ready ourselves to conclude the book of Bereishit and the story of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs, we have the final Parsha of Vayechi. This title which takes its root from the word "Life," is about death.  Yaakov Avinu dies in this Parsha.  In fact, Yoseif's death is recorded as well.
This reminds us of a different Parsha where the title is rooted in life and deals with death.  I refer of course to Chayei Sarah.
The rabbis teach us that "Tzaddikim Bemitatan Keruim Chaim."  Righteous people are considered alive even as they die.  This is not some sort of supernatural description.   It means that  when we leave a legacy of tradition and a code of observance in our wake, then we truly never die.
My Rebbe always told me that when he sees his grandchildren (and now great grandchildren, he can see beyond the grave). 
Yaakov Avinu gives over his dying words to the twelve tribes of Israel.  He blesses his two grandchildren who were raised outside of the family bubble.  He sees beyond his own mortal life.  It is no secret that it is this very blessing that  is recited in so many homes each and every Friday night at the Shabbat table.  
We think a lot about what it means to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. Yaakov Avinu teaches us that it means taking a long hard look at what is yet to come long after you are gone.  That may be the key to finding the path to follow.

Shabbat Shalom 
Men's Club Steak & Scotch 2017
February 1

T he Etz Chaim Men's Club invites you to 
Bison & Bourbon on February 1, 2017 
for dinner and drinks.

Join us for great food, great friends, and a great schmooze.

Transportation will leave Etz Chaim at 6pm sharp. For those who decide to drive on their own, dinner is scheduled for 7:30pm.

Price includes transportation to and from the dinner.


Sponsorships are Available

Coin Toss - $72

First Turnover of the Game - $180

Best Commercial - $360

Halftime Show (No Wardrobe Malfunction) - $500

Vince Lombardi Trophy - $1,000


Click HERE to register



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.
Sisterhood Book Club
January 17

 Etz Chaim Sisterhood
Book Club Event

Modern Girls  
by Jennifer S. Brown

Tuesday, January 17 
7:15pm 


at the home of Frema Sobel
20 Prospect Road, Livingston

Moderated by Chana Krasnjanski
dynamic Kushner high school teacher
Although there is no cost for this event, please let us know if you are coming by dropping a quick note to Barbara Berger at bberger227@aol.com  
 
Etz Chaim Israel Mission
May 22-28


 
This coming May,  we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. 
Congregation Etz Chaim is proud to announce that we will be in Jerusalem to mark this historic event with a Shul mission. 
Highlights of the trip include:

The dedication of the new Ammunition Hill Museum with the Prime Minister of Israel;
A march to the Old City of Jerusalem with hundreds of thousands of people;
A guided tour of Mt. Herzl cemetery to pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Jerusalem;
Day trip to the Negev to witness the revitalization and growth in the region;
A unique Shabbat Yerushalayim experience;
Memories to last a lifetime 
-and so much more.

We are planning to leave Monday, May 22nd and return Sunday morning, May 28th.  
The anticipated cost of the mission per person (including regular airfare and based on double occupancy) is approximately $2500.
This will be an  opportunity  of a lifetime to visit Israel with your friends from Shul to mark this historic Milestone.

For more information, or to sign up, 
please contact 
Rabbi Klibanoff

In light of most recent events at the UN Security Council, it is now more important than ever that we visit Israel, 
OUR HOMELAND!

           Community Events

Baby Bop Shabbat Music Class
January 13
"Being Mortal" 
Film Screening & Discussion
January 30
Community Challah Bake
February 7

 
Metrowest NCSY/JSU Mission to Houston
February 22-26

          
Houston Chessed Mission 
February 22nd-26th, 
priority to juniors and seniors. 

Only 12 spots available, so apply ASAP! 

Use  THIS FORM  to determine your eligibility to attend. 
Once it is filled out and you are accepted, 
we will send you the official application. 

See flyer below for more information



Davening Schedule
Parshat Vayechi

  SHABBAT 
 Davening Times

Friday 
 
Candle Lighting
4:34pm

Mincha 4:35pm


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
   9:43am  

Mincha 
4:30pm

Shabbat Ends
5:38pm


  Weekday Services
       Jan. 15-20 
 
 

 
Sunday
Shacharit -8:30am
Mincha/Ma'ariv - 4:40pm

Monday-Friday
Shacharit - 6:45am

MA'ARIV ONLY-    6:45PM.

MINCHA/MA'ARIV SERVICES AT SUBURBAN TORAH ARE AT 4:35PM

Please note that the "Yeshiva Week" vacation begins this coming week and many of our regulars will be away.  Please help the daily morning and/or evening minyanim if you can.

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


 

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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