December 3-4, 2021
30 Kislev 5782

Shalom AKSE Congregants and Friends of AKSE:

This week's Torah portion is Miketz. This Shabbat is also Rosh Chodesh Tevet and the 6th day of Chanukah. We hope to welcome you at our in-person Shabbat services. Kabbalat Shabbat services are at 6 p.m. Friday. Shabbat morning services are at 9 a.m. Saturday. And Shabbat afternoon services (Mincha/Ma'ariv) are at 4:15 p.m. Saturday. See details below.

This Shabbat's printed newsletter, which will be available at services, may also be viewed online here. You will find candle lighting, service and Havdalah times, service leaders, Torah and Haftorah readings, condolences and this week's Yahrzeits there.

We hope you are having a joyous Chanukah. Some of you have connected with AKSE friends via Zoom each night to light candles together. These Zoom events will continue for the remaining days of Chanukah: Friday we will light Chanukah and then Shabbat candles at 4:15 p.m.; Saturday we will recite Havdalah and then light candles at 5:19 p.m.; and Sunday we will light candles for the last night of Chanukah at 7:30 p.m.

Please note that the 7:30 p.m. time on Sunday for the candle lighting Zoom is different than originally publicized. We moved the time to avoid a conflict with a community-wide Chanukah Zoom program "Light Unto Darkness." The program includes participation by many of Delaware's clergy, including Rabbi Saks and Cantor Redfern. The program begins at 6 p.m. Sunday and requires registration. See details below.
The Hebrew month of Kislev always ends, and the month of Tevet always begins, towards the end of Chanukah. Just as the sky darkens with the new moon, the lights of the Chanukah menorah grow brighter.

This year Rosh Chodesh Tevet covers two days, Saturday and Sunday (because Kislev is sometimes 29 days and sometimes 30 days, Rosh Chodesh Tevet can last 1 or 2 days in different years). On Shabbat, the Torah reading will include 3 parts, read from 3 scrolls--the regular Parsha Miketz, a short reading for Rosh Chodesh, and a short reading for Chanukah. And, of course, Hallel will be recited. On Sunday, there will be a Rosh Chodesh Shacharit service via Zoom at 9 a.m. The service will include what is certain to be a melodious Hallel, led by Sam Romirowsky.

We are sorry that, due to slow postal delivery, many congregants have still not received the December Shofar in the mail. Until it arrives, please view the Shofar online here.

Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov v'Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Alan


A BUSY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5
3 Zoom Events

Complete Chanukah and bring in the month of Tevet with 3 Zoom events this Sunday:
  • 9 AM -- Shacharit for Rosh Chodesh Tevet (with Hallel chanted by Sam Romirowsky)
  • 6 PM -- "Light Unto Darkness" community-wide Chanukah program, including the participation of Rabbi Saks and Cantor Redfern (see flyer below)
  • 7:30 PM -- Ma'ariv and Chanukah candle lighting for Day 8

The 9 AM and 7:30 PM programs are AKSE events--connect via the usual AKSE Zoom link (see below). The 6 PM program is sponsored by DERECH, Jewish Federation of Delaware, and Jewish Family Services of Delaware. Register here to receive Zoom link.

VIRTUAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Friday, December 3 at 4:15 p.m. -- Chanukah and Shabbat candle lighting (Day 6)

Saturday, December 4 at 5:19 p.m. -- Havdalah and Chanukah candle lighting together with in-person service (Day 7)

Sunday, December 5 at 9 a.m. -- Shacharit/Hallel (Rosh Chodesh TEVET); Hallel led by Sam Romirowsky

Sunday, December 5 at 6 p.m. -- Community Chanukah program "Light Unto Darkness" presented by DERECH, Jewish Federation of Delaware, and Jewish Family Services of Delaware (REGISTER here to receive Zoom link)

Sunday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. -- Ma'ariv and Chanukah candle lighting (Day 8)

Wednesday, December 8 -- "History of Jewish Thought" class taught by Rabbi Saks - class 6 p.m.Ma'ariv 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 9 -- Parsha & Pizza (with in-person): class 6 p.m.Ma'ariv 7 p.m.


Connection to all AKSE virtual 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


IN-PERSON SHABBAT SERVICES
This Friday and Saturday, December 3-4

PLACE: Our home at 2412 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806. Find it on Google Maps here. Park in the parking lot behind Immanuel Church. Our building entrance faces the parking lot.

SERVICE TIMES:
Friday at 6 PM - Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma'ariv
Saturday at 9 AM - Shacharit, Hallel, Torah reading, Musaf
Saturday at 4:15 PM - Mincha, Torah reading, Ma'ariv
Saturday at 5:19 PM - Havdalah and Chanukah candle lighting
Please note that indoor Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit are suspended due to the masking mandate. Weather permitting, there will be a small Kiddush outside on Saturday morning.

IN-PERSON MINCHA SERVICE - RAIN OR SHINE!
Tuesdays, December 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 3:30 PM

Join us for a weekly Mincha service. The services are indoors in the Siegel JCC Senior Lounge (to the left of the JCC Lobby). Thank you to our friends at the JCC for making this space available to us.

If the weather is nice, we will hold services outside in the courtyard adjacent to the Senior Lounge. Please note that face masks are required for indoor services.

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 so that we can ensure a minyan.

HISTORY OF JEWISH THOUGHT
Wednesdays - Class 6 PM; Ma'ariv 7 PM

Rabbi Saks’ Zoom history class is based on the lecture series “Jewish Intellectual History” by David Ruderman of the University of Pennsylvania.

An examination of how leading Jewish thinkers have attempted to reconcile Jewish belief with the reality of Jewish life.
See Zoom connection info above.

If you missed any previous lectures, you can link to recordings of them here:
Lecture 3 The Italian Ghetto
Lecture 5 Baruch Spinoza
Lecture 7 Heinrich Graetz

IN-PERSON SHACHARIT SERVICE
Thursday, December 9 at 9 AM

We have restarted Shacharit services with Torah reading on Thursday mornings, in our building at 2412 Pennsylvania Ave. By popular demand, the start time is the more snooze-friendly hour of 9 AM. Please plan to join us.

To sign up for in-person attendance, contact the AKSE office at 302-762-2705 or office@AKSE.org by Wednesday, the day before the class.

Shofar header
The December 2021 SHOFAR is available online.

The Kol Nidre supplement for 5782 is available online.

Office Hours

Our office hours are 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Thursday (except holidays). 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).
Rabbi Saks Available for In-Person Meetings

Rabbi Saks welcomes meetings in our new building. To schedule a meeting, please contact him at stevensaks5@gmail.com or 302-494-7928 or through the shul office.
Bring Your Shoes to Shul

Our successful shoe recycling project continues at our new location. Clean out your closets and start looking under your bed for gently used shoes. Every pair you recycle means shoes for those in need, extra funds for us, and less landfill waste. A triple mitzvah! See details here.
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!
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), 
 
Please see details here.
ADAS KODESCH SHEL EMETH
email:  enews@AKSE.org
web site:  http://www.AKSE.org
2412 Pennsylvania Ave.
Wilmington, DE 19806

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