February 27, 2021
15 Adar 5781
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Shalom AKSE Congregants and Friends of AKSE:
We are sending out our newsletter a bit early this week, so that it can also serve as a reminder for Purim, which takes place tonight and tomorrow. We offer several virtual Purim events (more details below):
- This evening at 7 p.m., put on that costume if you'd like and have your grogger ready via Zoom for the chanting of Megillat Esther by our readers Mel Zussman, Scott Slomowitz, Sam Romirowsky, and Neil Lattin (see below for options for following the reading). After the full Megillah reading, there will be a Purim Shpiel and virtual costume parade.
- On Friday morning at 8 a.m., Shacharit will be followed by a second full reading of the Megillah at approx. 8:30 a.m.
- On Friday at noon, join us for a virtual Seudah and study session.
In his Shabbat sermon, Rabbi Saks asks "Isn't it enough to just be spiritual?"
We are continuing our outdoor Mincha services in March, every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the JCC parking lot (weather permitting). Please contact Rabbi Saks as usual to let him know you will be there.
The Chug Ivri (Hebrew speaking club) meets via Zoom this Wednesday at 3 p.m. All are welcome (details below).
Rabbi Saks' history class on the Dead Sea Scrolls takes a break this evening for Purim, but will pick up again next Thursday. Links to videos of past lectures are below.
See the note below from Rabbi Saks regarding the antisemitic "joke" on last weekend's Saturday Night Live. Please consider emailing a message of protest--a link is provided for this purpose.
Congregants will soon be receiving the March issue of the Shofar, and it is already available online here. Believe it or not, Passover begins in March--the March Shofar is full of useful Passover information. |
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Chag Purim Sameach v'Shabbat Shalom!
Alan
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VIRTUAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
Thursday, February 25 at 5:15 p.m. -- Mincha (Fast of Esther)
Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. -- Ma'ariv, Megillah reading, Shpiel, virtual costume parade (PURIM)
Friday, February 26 at 8 a.m. -- Shacharit, Megillah reading (PURIM)
Friday, February 26 at 12 noon -- Virtual Seudah with study session (PURIM)
Friday, February 26 at 4:30 p.m. -- Kabbalat Shabbat, Torah reading by Cantor Redfern (1st Aliyah), D'var Torah
Saturday, February 27 at 6:45 p.m. -- Ma'ariv, Havdalah
Wednesday, March 3 at 3 p.m. -- Chug Ivri (Hebrew speaking club)
Wednesday, March 3 -- Parsha & Pizza, class at 6 p.m., Ma'ariv at 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, March 4 -- History class--Dead Sea Scrolls - class 6 p.m., Ma'ariv 6:45 p.m.
Connection to all AKSE events is the same - either of two options:
1) Video and Audio on PC, tablet, or smartphone
Click on this link to join Zoom meeting:
2) Phone
Dial in to +1 646-558-8656 and input Meeting ID: 628 081 3362
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There are three options for following the Megillah reading on Thursday night and Friday morning:
1) Have your own Megillat Esther available
3) Follow the reading that will be displayed using share screen on Zoom
Please note that Rabbi Saks has added a Purim Shpiel to the Thursday evening festivities following the Megillah reading.
If you missed Cantor Redfern's lecture and performance on the unique chanting of Megillat Esther and the singing of Purim songs, you can view a video of it here. |
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OUTDOOR MINCHA SERVICE
Tuesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a socially distanced outdoor Mincha service at the Siegel JCC. We will be gathering in the area near the parking lot past the swimming pool (the same place we gathered for the Shofar blowing in September).
If you would like to sit during the service, please bring a lawn chair or other portable chair; also, please bring a siddur. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and mask wearing will be enforced.
If you plan to attend, please let Rabbi Saks know by texting or phoning him at 302-494-7928 or emailing him at stevensaks5@gmail.com. That way we can ensure a minyan and also inform you of any changes due to weather. A decision will be made by 12 noon on the day of the service in case of inclement weather.
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SHABBAT - FEB. 26 & 27, 2021 15 ADAR 5781
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Candle lighting 5:30 P.M. |
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Sidrah of the Week
TETZAVEH
Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
Stone - p. 464
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Haftorah
Ezekiel 43:10 - 27
Stone - p. 1159
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SHABBAT SERMON FROM RABBI SAKS
Isn't It Enough to Just Be Spiritual?
Why does God emphasize action over belief? View Rabbi Saks' sermon here.
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YAHRZEIT OBSERVANCES
This week we observe the Yahrzeit of the following individuals:
February 26 - Charles Arsht, Aaron Concors, Johanna Heimann, Dorothy Zagha
February 27 - Anita Drescher, Robert Howard, Rachel Kirshner, Valerie Marrero,
Berta Weintraub
February 28 - Gertrude Ruth Greenwald, Morris Levine
March 1 - Jacob Abramowitz, Sam Goodman, Anna Wolf Newman,
Sarah Berman Rothstein, Mollie Weiner
March 2 - Leah Cheitlin, Gloria Gross, Louis Grossman, Dvorah Kramper,
Elmer S. Kaufman
March 3 - Molly Miller, Bessie Sandell
March 4 - Florence Goldstein, Morton Stiefel
May their memory be for a blessing.
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CHUG IVRI (Hebrew Speaking Club)
Wednesday, March 3 at 3 PM
The Chug Ivri has started with a successful first meeting and we now expect to meet monthly. Please join us on March 3 at 3:00 p.m. for a Hebrew speaking-reading-understanding session. The members are at different levels of Hebrew and we help each other. See Zoom connection info above.
L'hitraot!
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THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
History Course via Zoom by Rabbi Saks
Thursdays at 6 PM
If you missed previous lectures, you can view them here:
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide us with an invaluable window into the Judaism of the latter Second Temple Period. This is the Judaism from which modern Judaism and Christianity were born.
Based on the lecture series of Professor Lawrence Schiffman:
The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Truth Behind the Mystique.
Regularly on Thursdays at 6 PM. Lecture subjects are:
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The Qumran Library
Scandal and Publication
Sects of the Second Temple
The Halachic letter and the Sect’s
Founding
The Qumran Sect
Women and the Dead Sea Sect
Beliefs of the Sect
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Biblical Interpretation
The Torah During the Second Temple
The Messiah and the End of Time
The Temple Scroll
The Scrolls, Judaism and Christianity
Controversial Messianic Text
The Scrolls Today
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ACTION ALERT: PROTEST ANTISEMITIC SNL "JOKE"
Shalom Chaverim,
Please find below a note from the Israeli American Council regarding an antisemitic "joke" made last weekend on Saturday Night Live. By clicking on the link at the bottom of the note, you can send an email protesting the remark. I encourage you to do so. You can also view the problematic Saturday Night Live segment embedded in an article from The Times Of Israel by clicking on this link.
Shabbat Shalom & Purim Sameach,
Rabbi Saks
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Dear IAC Community,
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) adamantly condemns the antisemitic remarks made by Saturday Night Live cast member Michael Che and broadcast on NBC last Saturday.
In the show, Che, the co-host of the “Weekend Update” segment, said that “Israel is reporting that they’ve vaccinated half of their population, and I’m going to guess it’s the Jewish half.” This is a pure libel. Israel is vaccinating all its citizens, regardless of ethnic background or religion.
In a letter penned by IAC to Jeff Shell, Chief Executive Officer of NBC, and Steve Burke, Chairman of NBC, the organization states that “The dangerous and false spreading of lies under the pretense of humor reflects serious misjudgment and irresponsibility on the part of SNL producers, especially at a time when a surging wave of antisemitism is sweeping through the USA, Europe and around the globe."
The IAC calls on NBC to retract the libelous statement and issue an apology and clarification on the next episode of SNL. Entertainment platforms such as SNL, which have an immense influence on the shaping of public opinion, should not incite or inspire hatred or serve to fuel trends of polarization and extremism of any kind.
The IAC also offers NBC a free online course for their entire staff, on the history of antisemitism, the dangers associated with it and how to be an ally in the fight against antisemitism and hate.
We call on the public to send a clear message to NBCUniversal by clicking here.
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COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ARE UNDERWAY IN DELAWARE FOR THOSE OVER 65
In the interest of trying to keep us all as safe and as healthy as possible, we are passing the following information on to you. As the State of Delaware is now in Phase 1b, you can go to Delaware (COVID-19) Vaccination Info for information about where to get a vaccine.
There are three possible places to get the vaccine in Delaware: public vaccination events, pharmacies, and doctors. You can sign up for a vaccination event here. Signing up places you on a waiting list. You will then receive an invitation when an appointment is available.
Here are the links for several pharmacies currently giving COVID vaccines:
See other pharmacy options here. Please know that you may need to try several times to find available appointments, so please be patient.
You can also contact your doctor to ask whether he/she is offering vaccinations or can help direct you to where to get vaccinated.
If any of you become aware of other vaccination sites, please reply to enews@akse.org and we will forward this information to the congregation.
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The March 2021 SHOFAR is now available online.
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Office Hours
Our office hours are 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Thursday. During these times at least one of our office staff will be in the office and respond promptly to emails (office@AKSE.org and bookkeeper@AKSE.org) and phone calls (302-762-2705).
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Shop at Amazon and Earn Money for AKSE
Visit the AKSE website and scroll down to the "Shop at Amazon" link. Once this link is clicked, any purchases you make from Amazon will earn AKSE 4%-10% of your purchase total! See the AKSE website for further instruction. Let your friends and family know how easily they too can raise funds for AKSE!
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Purchase Gift Cards and Support AKSE
It's FAST ..... It's FUN ..... It's EASY. AKSE receives 5% of the face value of the gift card and it does not cost you a penny extra!
Gift Cards Available:
ShopRite, ACME, Super G ($50, $100 denominations),
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ADAS KODESCH SHEL EMETH
P.O. Box 7305.
Wilmington, DE 19803-7305
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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