SHABBAT SHALOM, GESHER SHALOM!


 
November 16th 2018
 
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Shabbat Times: 
Candle Lighting
Italian Shabbat Dinner
Evening Service
Morning Service
Minha
4:18pm
6:00pm
7:15pm
9:30am
4:00pm
 
  Forecast: 46/ sunny

IN THIS ISSUE...
Shabbat Kiddush
Join us for Kiddush on Shabbat. This is the perfect opportunity for us to experience community and get to know each other better.

 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
 
Joan Alter
Esther Eisdorfer
Iris Coleman
Kristin Schulman
Franco Aguilar
Marvin Chertkoff
Jonathan Fox
Sharon Berman
 
Alma & William Katz
 
 
 
 
   UPCOMING EVENTS
         
Saturday 11/17
Morning Service 9:30 am
Minha, S'uda Shlishit (3rd Shabbat Meal), timely topic, Maariv and Havdalah 4:00 pm
Tuesday 11/20
Sisterhood Book Club "A Horse Walks Into a Bar" by David Grossman 1:00 pm
Thursday 11/22
Thanksgiving Day
Office Closed
Morning Service 9:00 am
Friday 11/23
Office Closed
Morning Service 9:00 am

 
This is quite a statement-inspiring-and I want to begin with it:
Artist Uses 100,000 Banned Books To Build A Full-Size Parthenon At Historic Nazi Book Burning Site                     

And in Pittsburgh:

Today was very humbling.
I was asked to create 3 window murals for the Starbucks in Squirrel Hill. This particular Starbucks is right down the street from the Tree of Life synagogue.
Starbucks manager, Melissa Lysaght, asked me to incorporate the words: love, kindness & hope into the design. She wanted the community to know that Starbucks loves & fully supports them. A huge thank you to Melissa for going above and beyond to show support of the community.
I was honored to be able to do that for people of Squirrel Hill & our entire Pittsburgh community. It was something I wanted to do right and with the utmost respect to my fellow Jewish friends & citizens.  I asked God for guidance during this entire process. From the creation of the designs to the strength I needed to complete them. He was there with me through it all just like I knew he would be.
I want to say a special thank you to Danny Shaw & Ivan for their help translating those words into Hebrew. That is something that I felt needed to be incorporated into the design & ultimately it became the most important part.
I can't tell you how many people came up to me as I was painting to share their stories & appreciation, to stop and reflect... the many who were waving or knocking on the window at me to give me a thumbs up. But, the most touching were the people who became emotional, who put their hands on their hearts, those who just needed a hug & reassured that their community loves and supports them.
Holding my composure was very difficult but I was so very honored to be there & do this for them.  Love, Kindness & Hope. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
 Meet ToHA: The Most Talked About New Building in Israel                  
  'We weren't out to build an icon. I firmly believe that aesthetics and functionality aren't enemies but rather friends, and I don't take part in contests over who's tallest and who's 

WE NEED YOUR HELP NEXT WEEKEND
Thanksgiving is always a tough time for our minyan. Please make some time for our minyan on this looooooong weekend:
Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m. (you wouldn't think this evening would be so difficult, but it always is)
Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday evening - and this is the toughest - at 7:45 p.m.
Friday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday evening at 7:45 p.m.
THANK YOU!



Torah Reading 181    Haftarah 189
VA-YETZEI
 
On route to his uncle's home in Haran, Jacob encamps in the open air near the city of Luz. That night he has a vision of angels ascending and descending a ladder from heaven. God appears to him and promises protection to Jacob, and the land to his descendants. In the morning Jacob erects a stele on the site, renames the place Beth El, and vows that if he returns home unharmed he will dedicate a tenth of his possessions to God.
 
On the outskirts of Haran, Jacob encounters his cousin Rachel, a shepherdess, at the local well. He is so taken with her that he single-handedly removes the stone covering the well and waters her flock. Jacob is welcomed cordially into his uncle Laban's household, and he agrees to work for seven years as a shepherd in order to gain his cousin Rachel's hand in marriage. Laban deceives him and he is wedded to Leah, Rachel's older sister. Jacob must now work an additional seven years to marry Rachel.
 
During the years in Haran, Leah and Rachel - and their handmaidens, Bilhah and Zilpah - bear Jacob eleven sons and one daughter. (Benjamin, the 12 th son, will be born near Bethlehem.)
 
Jacob works an additional six years for Laban in exchange for all the streaked and spotted animals born into the flock. Without any detriment to Laban's pure black and white animals, Jacob's flock becomes exceedingly numerous, arousing envy and hostility in Laban and his sons. Jacob decides that it is time to return home with his family and flock. He departs while Laban is away; Laban overtakes him and they have a brief confrontation before concluding a covenant of peace with each other. The journey home is resumed.





Tonight at 7:15 p.m. (after our Italian Shabbat Dinner)
Tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.
Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.:
Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Ma'ariv & Havdalah
We will begin reading Dennis Ross'  Did Camp David Doom the Palestinians? 
A new diplomatic history argues that the United States, Egypt, and Israel prevented a Palestinian state from emerging. But leaders such as Yasser Arafat bear much of the blame


This Week's Yahrzeit Observances
We hope that our weekly listing of yahrzeit observances will serve 2 purposes:
1)     To remind those who ha ve the yahrzeit for a second time, much closer to the date of the actual observance
2)     To alert friends and acquaintances that someone they know is observing a yahrzeit. We hope that you will show them your support by joining them at our minyanim, and helping to assure that Kaddish can be recited with a minyan 
   
Irwin Berger will be observing yahrzeit for his mother, Dorothy Berger on Saturday evening, November 17th
Ann Hurwitz will be observing yahrzeit for her husband, Prof. Marshall Hurwitz on Saturday evening, November 17th
Gloria Singer will be observing yahrzeit for her mother, Pauline Pickholz on Saturday evening, November 17th
Joseph Lempel will be observing yahrzeit for his wife, Claire Lempel on Monday evening, November 19th
Robert Mohl will be observing yahrzeit for his mother, Anna Mohl on Monday evening, November 19th
Mary Rettig will be observing yahrzeit for her grandmother, Fanny Frohlich on Tuesday evening, November 20th 
Milton Breit will be observing yahrzeit for his sister, Dora Planchard on Wednesday evening, November 21st
Ann Oster will be observing yahrzeit for her father, Solomon Weisleder on Wednesday evening, November 21st
Norman & Ann Schaer will be observing yahrzeit for their daughter , Mrs. Stacey Yore on Wednesday evening, November 21st
Irwin Berger will be observing yahrzeit for his sister, Barbara Backer on Thursday evening, November 22nd




 
Important Reads
 
and another talit
In the Wake of Pittsburgh, the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht is a Somber Reminder 
Merkel Warns Against Anti-Semitism on 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht Amid Worrying Hike in France 
U.S. Changes Vote on Anti-Israel UN Resolution on Golan Heights from Abstain to No     
November 30 is World Refugee Day. This is the story of The Jewish Miss Iraq (1947) and her displacement, along with almost the entire Iraqi Jewish Community:

How We Got the New Massachusetts House Rep. Ayanna Pressley Wrong on Israel                          
Often lumped in with other women of color elected to the House, the Massachusetts lawmaker has her own supportive views on Israel   
 


Gaza
I was initially shocked that Israel would jeopardize (perhaps on purpose????) the fragile ceasefire that was being implemented by launching such a daring abduction or assassination raid at this time. Unbeknownst to me, this type of operation is pretty close to "routine". That Israel runs furtive operations inside Gaza will only shock those who think it an easy thing to protect civilian lives against the imminent threat of carnage. This time, however, the operation's wheels came off, and unleashed a barrage from Gaza and Israeli counter-strikes. Now it appears that the communities in the south, who, just days ago, were clamoring for an end to the incendiary terror kites, and supported the agreement to supply fuel and cash in exchange for quiet, have changed their minds. They want a devastating blow dealt to Gaza after this week's near-unceasing rocket launches, which have kept them holed up in, or close to, their shelters.
You should know that in debating options, Israel considered assassinating senior Hamas leaders in Gaza,   but as soon as the latest round of fighting began, those Hamas leaders went underground, and the element of surprise was lost.
This first piece is not a bad article except for UNWRA official, Christopher Gunness', bold-faced lie that "There's more than a decade of an illegal blockade." The UN itself found that Israel was within its legal right to impose the blockade. Gunness should be fired.

What to Know About Gaza's Latest Flare-Up      
Cost of Botched Gaza Spy Mission? Israel's Back on Brink of War                                                    

Israeli Expert: Gaza Ceasefire Was No Hamas Victory    
 
Israel's Hawkish Defense Minister Resigns and Calls for Early Elections    
From the Jewish Agency and its New Chair, Isaac (Bougie) Herzog):
#CodeRed: Responding to Rocket Fire from Gaza
Air-raid sirens have been blaring across southern Israel since yesterday. Terrorists have fired more than 400 rockets and mortar rounds from Gaza, in what is considered one of the largest-ever barrages on southern Israel. Thousands of families stayed in bomb shelters last night. There has been at least one death, and several people have been injured.
As we do every time an emergency arises in Israel, The Jewish Agency for Israel has acted swiftly and effectively, as the representative of global Jewry, to take an active leadership role. Our security department is working with every one of our programs to assess and ensure the safety of our participants. In coordination with national and municipal agencies, we are working to keep residents of southern Israel safe and to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
Since yesterday, The Jewish Agency's employees on the ground have been distributing financial aid from our Fund for Victims of Terror. So far 17 people have already received emergency grants. Amigour's staff and construction crews are on the ground right now, restoring apartments and homes. Our Youth Futures mentors are contacting each of the individual children in their charge and identifying ways they can help the families.
The Jewish Agency's Chairman of the Executive, Isaac Herzog, is currently in the south to show support for the communities in rocket range, and visiting those who were injured. Herzog is also meeting with participants of Masa Israel Journey programs and new immigrants in our Absorption Centers.
Our Absorption Centers for new immigrants and Amigour residences for the elderly serve some of the most vulnerable members of Israeli society, including new immigrants from Ethiopia who do not yet speak Hebrew and Holocaust survivors with severe mobility issues. In all our facilities, Jewish Agency staff have ensured that all beneficiaries understand what to do when they hear an air-raid siren, and teams are available to help those with mobility problems to reach bomb shelters as quickly as possible. Staff are also working to address signs of trauma among the residents, and the Security Unit stands ready to bring more guards to any Jewish Agency facilities if indicated.
We are able to provide all these essential services thanks to The Jewish Federations of North America and all our supporters worldwide. We cannot stress enough the importance of the emotional support provided by Jewish communities around the world to their Partnership regions in southern Israel.
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Biting the hand that feeds them:

Palestinians in Gaza Attack Qatari Envoy with Stones after $15 Million Payment 
How things can change in a day or 2! This was in last Sundays' Times:



Israel
George Deek is quite a celebrity for a speech he gave some years ago in support of Israel while Deputy Ambassador in Norway. I met him at AIPAC. Contact me for a copy of his speech; everyone should read it!


Commanders Who Lead from the Front               
Israeli Researchers Develop Technology for 3D Printing of Drugs  



Anti-Semitism / BDS      

Rifts Deepen Over Women's March Ties To Farrakhan
Farrakhan's Hate Speech Leads to Actual Abuse of Jews. I Just Experienced It on the Subway
Newly Elected Palestinian-American Congresswoman Dons Palestinian Flag at Victory Party
"They would have called anyone that donned an Israeli flag a traitor or someone with dual loyalty. This woman shows how far to the left the Democratic part has drifted..."
"The bigger question is, is this now an acceptable position to take in the democratic party - to advocate for the dissolution of the Jewish state. Any Republican who would take such a position would be marginalized by there Party. The official position of every president - Republican or Democrat - has been to support a two state solution. But that has been the official position of the Democratic Party and they need to reaffirm that."      
FBI: Jews Subject to 60 Percent of Religiously Motivated Hate Crimes in 2017, Despite Being Just 2 Percent of U.S. Population  Jews continue to be the most targeted religious group in America 

How Jewish Groups Are Perpetuating A Myth About Trump And Anti-Semitism 
Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) in Buenos Aires   (and the network/channel posting this clip is funded by the Iranian government)    
Roger Waters pide presión a Israel desde Argentina
Roger Waters pide presión a Israel desde Argentina

Spanish VIPs Visit Israel and See Draw Their Own Conclusions about BDS and Anti-Semitism 
Countering certain high-profile elements within Spanish society have become BDS leaders in Europe...    
 



Pop Culture

Farewell to Stan Lee    
 Stanley Martin Lieber was born on December 28, 1922, in Manhattan, New York City, in the apartment of his Romanian-born Jewish immigrant parents, Celia (née Solomon) and Jack Lieber, at the corner of West 98th Street and West End Avenue in Manhattan 
Fauda Event in the City                      

As Pickles Conquer the Mainstream, Are They Still a Jewish Food? 
A festival in Philadelphia highlighted how crazy picklemania has become in 2018      

How a Gay Jewish Latino Playwright Ended Up Restaging a Harvey Fierstein Classic       
 In "Torch Song," veteran playwright Moises Kaufman is directing a streamlined revival of Fierstein's seminal saga   

25 Years of Loving "The Nanny"  
Fran Drescher's legendary character has been leaving high-heel marks on our hearts since 1993                              






 


 

Music
Inbal Segev Cellist
November 17 | 7:30 pm
Washington Irving High School New York City
Wu Han, piano- Paul Huang, violin- Arnaud Sussmann, violin- Paul Neubauer, viola- Inbal Segev, cello
The Mann Series of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will present Beethoven's Trio in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 1, No. 1 Kodály's Serenade for Two Violins and Viola, Op. 12 and Dvorák's Quintet in A Major for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello, B. 155, Op. 81.


 

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