What's the Spiel? - Parshat Vayishlach

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayishlach, we learn that Eisav, Yaakov’s estranged brother is coming to meet him with a band of four hundred men. Yaakov became petrified with fright, as it says, “Yaakov was very much afraid and distressed,” and so in response to what Yaakov perceived to be horrible news, “he divided the people who were with him, as well as the flocks, cattle and camels, into two camps. [Thinking to himself]: ‘If Eisav comes to one camp and smites it, then the remaining camp will escape’” (Bereshit 32:8-9). Yaakov then prays to God for protection, and instructs his servants to send out wave after wave of lavish tributes to his brother in the hopes of mollifying him. However, after Yaakov experiences his physical and spiritual transformation through wrestling with an angel at the Ma’avar Yabok, Yaakov arises the next day, only to see Eisav and his men swiftly approaching. As Eisav’s caravan draws closer to Yaakov’s camp, he “divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants. He placed the maidservants and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Yosef last. He, himself, went ahead of them and bowed to the ground seven times until he reached his brother. Eisav ran to meet him, embraced him, fell upon his neck and kissed him, and they [both] wept” (Ibid., 33:1-4).

According to Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, the fact that Eisav even appeared after everything Yaakov did to appease meant that at the end of the day, “Eisav was not mollified by the gifts; he had not dismissed his troops. And so Yaakov divided…” (Commentary on Bereshit 33:1). Even though Yaakov generously gave of his resources to Eisav and beseeched him with kind, humble words, even though Yaakov prepared his camp for war, he still understood that perhaps his efforts would not be met with success. Thus, when he sees that indeed, Eisav still intended to engage him, he positioned his family for the worst-case scenario- an actual confrontation with Eisav. One might think that after Yaakov prayed to God, after he struggled with an angel and lived, he would have nothing but pure faith that God would miraculously save him and his family, and yet, Yaakov continued to take action. Why? Rav Hirsch clarifies Yaakov behavior by teaching an essential principle of Judaism: “Even though we are filled with trust in God and His promises, we still must do all that we can to help ourselves, [because] ‘we do not rely on miracles [alone]’” (Ibid.).

Yaakov serves as an enduring example of the Jewish way of thinking. It is essential to pray, to hope and believe that God will save us in our hour of need. It is essential to fortify ourselves spiritually and believe that indeed, God can do anything, as it says, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?” (Yermiyahu 32:27). But at the same time, our faith is never an excuse for inaction, for not taking the proper precautions and doing everything within our power to ensure success, happiness and peace.

As we enter the festival of Chanukah, let us see how Yaakov’s example of faith and action is reflected in the story and the miracle of these eight, holy days. When Anitochus issued his crushing decrees against the Jews, the Maccabees took action and did all they could to actively ensure that the Jewish way of life would never cease. Only after they fought, only after they made dear sacrifices and stood up for their beliefs did God reveal Himself through the miracle of the oil.

May we always maintain the faith that God will provide for us, that God will protect us and save us, but may we also always maintain the faith in ourselves to act when human action is called for, and respond to the needs of our friends, family and community members in times of distress, so that all of us can fulfill that which is said, “This Book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather, you should contemplate it day and night in order to observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely…Be strong and courageous, do not fear and do not lose resolve, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you will go” (Yehoshua 1:8-9).

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha: "Growth Through Struggle: Moving from Yaakov to Yisrael"

Shiur After Mincha: "Yaakov and the Forefathers: Building an Altar of Difference"

‌

Schedule of Services

at B'nai Abraham

We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.

Come for Cholent!!!!

Thank you The Millner Family for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of the baby naming of their new daughter!

CTI Announcements

Mazel Tov to Yael and Rabbi Dan Millner

on the birth of their baby girl!

The Spiel Jr

I am excited to share the first edition of The Spiel Jr., a monthly newsletter sharing all of the youth programs and events at CTI. The Spiel Jr. includes information about CTI Scholars, Shabbat programs, holiday events, and social events. In the future, The Spiel Jr. will be delivered at the beginning of the month.

Click here to see the PDF that includes everything coming up in the month of November.

Please share this information with any families you think might be interested! If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected].

Kindly,

Emily Yaffe

Youth Educator

Become a CTI Scholar! CTI's After-School Hebrew School Program is now open for enrollment. Classes start November 2, 2021. Click here for more information and to register your child(ren),

Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Based on the declining COVID-19 reported incidents, the CTI Medical Committee recommended a revised mask policy that was approved by the Board of Directors.

Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask. This applies for everyone ages two and up.
Children are welcome at shul, but all children ages two and up who are not vaccinated must be masked. Children under two do not need to wear a mask but must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
The committee recommended the resumption of a full Kiddush. The caveat being that the Kiddush must be held outside and we must continue to offer the option of pre-packaged snacks.
We will continue to monitor the local situation and may need to modify these policies as circumstances change.

Additionally, the Medical Committee strongly recommends that all members get vaccinated for the protection of everyone in our community and beyond.

Please bring your mask to synagogue.

Backup masks will be available if needed.

How Do I Know? Eliminating Stigma and Saving Lives

NOVEMBER 23 @ 10AM (CST)

How do I know if a loved one is struggling with substance use or addiction, and what can I do about it?
How can I offer support to that person or my extended family?
What should I do (or not do) when dealing with addiction?
How do I know if I am struggling with substance use?

This workshop will address these questions and more. We will discuss recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance misuse, current drug trends, understanding your role in supporting family members, the rising occurrence of misuse of pain medications, how you can get help, and other critical issues.

Presented by: Lianne Forman, Executive Director of Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction, and Sharon Darack, Associate Director of Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction

Lianne Forman, a 29+ year Teaneck resident and a corporate and employment lawyer by training, is the Executive Director of Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction (CCSA), the organization she and her husband, Etiel, founded in 2018. Through their own family’s struggles, they founded CCSA to create greater community awareness and education about substance misuse and addiction in the Jewish community. CCSA’s mission is to eliminate stigma around addiction in Jewish communities through awareness events and facilitating evidence-based educational programming in schools for students and parents. Visit www.JewishCCSA.org for more information.

Sharon Darack is a wife, the mother of two boys, and the Associate Director of Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction. Prior to joining CCSA, Sharon served as the North American Director for OU Israel Free Spirit Birthright. She also worked at the Jewish Board’s JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others) program for 15 years. As a graduate from Reading University in the United Kingdom in Social Work, Sharon has over 22 years of experience counseling families, and conducting educational programs in addiction and mental health, and is a leading contributor to raising awareness about substance use in the Jewish community.

Click HERE to register for the program.

As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.

CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes:

'Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat'

Sunday 7:00pm

In this class, we will not only explore how to keep Shabbat, but why we do so in the first place.

· Why is Shabbat so preciously unique to the Jewish people?

· Why did God make the observance of Shabbat so essential for a spiritual relationship with Him?

· How does Shabbat and its observance help us better understand ourselves as individuals and as a community?

· How do all of the laws and observances of Shabbat help us better understand and experience

· what spiritual freedom is really all about?

“Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat” will operate like a book club and will meet via Zoom on Sunday evenings, from 7:00-8:00, beginning on April 11th. With each new unit, a different book will be assigned, and we will work through each book according to scheduled readings and thought prompts. Individual members are responsible for obtaining the assigned books, all of which can be easily found on Amazon.com.

This class is free of charge. No prior background is required, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend!

For more information, please contact Rabbi Dan at [email protected], or (512) 410-0336 ex. 101.

TYT Tuesday Night

The Book of Ezekiel

Tuesday 7:00pm

The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most mysterious but essential books of the Tanakh. Who was Ezekiel? When was he prophesying? Were his prophecies meant for his time or the distant future? In this TYT series, we will take an in-depth look at the life, times and ageless message of the Prophet Ezekiel in a way which will make his contribution to Jewish texts, history and destiny truly come to life! A priest stuck in exile, dreaming of the perfect Temple in a perfect homeland - a man pinning for spiritual life, but only experiencing physical privation - what is his message really all about? God asks Ezekiel to do many strange things - things even contrary to Jewish law! Were they literally true, or were they merely metaphorical? Come and join the CTI Tuesday evening Take Your Tanakh class, as together, we learn about the Prophet Ezekiel!

TYT Wednesday Mornings

The Book of Second Samuel

Wednesday 8:15am

Come and join the TYT community and learn about the life and times of King David! II Samuel explores how a young David establishes both his kingdom and his kingship. Despite great promise, potential and ability, David is nevertheless beset by external and internal enemies, fighting both physical and spiritual wars. Come and see how David struggles to unite a broken and battered kingdom, establish a capital city and win the support of his people, while at the same time, striving to remain true to God’s Torah and lead a righteous life. No longer the ruddy youth, playing the harp and running for his life, II Samuel takes us through the long journey of David’s maturation process, omitting nothing, all the while exploring larger questions of morality, repentance, power and politics. While we extol David as one of the greatest Jewish heroes and leaders of all time, this book will frame his life and story in its proper context, look under the surface, and examine the complex personality of King David! This class meets each Wednesday morning, except of Jewish holidays, at 8:15am.

Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings

Mishne Torah k'Seder

Friday 8:15am

Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.

Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons.

Finance Committee: Gary Gerstenhaber

Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro

Membership Committee: Sarah Wander

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, November 10 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking here.

For those new to the community, check out this introductory video

featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!

Birthdays

Melanie Lewis on November 23

Austen Portnoy on November 24

Ilana Stromberg on November 25

Rosemary Klein-Robbins on November 25

Jeffrey Kane on November 26

Larry Smith on November 26

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Theresa Wrubel, Mother of Betty Glosser, on Monday 18 Kislev

Marjorie Lazarus, Mother of Katie Price, on Monday 18 Kislev

Sarah Tragerman Rosenberg, Mother of Daniel Rosenberg,

on Tuesday 19 Kislev

Hirsch Orent, Father of Amnon Orent, on Thursday 21 Kislev

If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.

DONATIONS

Thank you to Anonymous donors.

Thank you to Arthur Altman for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Michelle Berry for her donation in Honor of Rabbi Millner’s teaching.

Thank you to Jeffrey David for his donation as a former congregant to express gratitude to CTI.

Thank you to Rick Goldberg for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Walter Hernandez for his donation to the Torah Fund.

_________________

We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community.

***

Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details.

Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for.

Refuah Shelayma to:

Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat
Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa
Cindy Newman
Debbie Tendler; Devorah Rachel bat Rivka Leah
Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina
Ken Friedman
Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana
Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah
Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda
Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha
Sulta bat Nedgma
Zvi Aharon ben Bayla
Yaira bat Sarah
Shimon ben Sarah
Hinda bat Yehudit
Tamar bat Chaya
Ilana bat Gheita
Joel Tendler; Yehoshua Mordechai ben Tziporah Perel
HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, Ha Rav Chaim Alter ben Necha.
Baruch Akiva Ben Rivka
Miriam bat Helen
Rivka Michal bat Sarah Chana

Shoshana bat Yocheved
Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai
Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit
Meir Psachia ben Tziril
Geni Berman Abitbol
Beilya Golda bat Leah
Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah
Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha)
Bowie Alarcon
Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
Adam ben Chanah
Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza
Esther Reva bat Malka
Avraham ben Rut
Peter Janson, Faival ben Tzur
Sheva Eva bat Bella.
Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah
Moshe ben Rut
Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
Yehudit bat Sara
Chandal bat Basia
Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
Anthony Ben Devorah

Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma.

Dear Tiferet Friends,

If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well,

please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs

prayers for healing, again please let us know at [email protected]

Online Shopping that Benefits CTI

Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!

AmazonSmile Info

To Get Started with AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.

ArtScroll

Using the CTI Website

Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address.

Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on.

But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory, the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time!

If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster Joel Tendler at [email protected].