March 31-April 1, 2023
10 Nisan 5783
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Shalom AKSE Congregants and Friends of AKSE: | |
The Torah portion this Shabbat is Tzav. It is Shabbat Hagadol, the Shabbat preceding Pesach. We hope to welcome you at our in-person Shabbat services. Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday start at 6 p.m. Shabbat morning services are at 9 a.m. Saturday. Shabbat afternoon services (Mincha/Ma'ariv) are at 7 p.m. Saturday this week. Cantor Redfern is officiating at Shabbat services.
The Torah Talk this Shabbat is being given by Max Rosenberg. His topic is "Sacrificial Offerings -- The Good Old Days."
At Kiddush Saturday morning, we will celebrate April Birthdays (with cake and ice cream). All those with April birthdays will receive a special blessing.
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, and this week's condolences and Yahrzeits there.
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Last chance to sell your chametz before Passover--the deadline is this Monday. Cantor Redfern is acting as our agent for the sale this year. We have chosen two worthy charities for the Passover appeal connected to the Mechirat Chametz (sale of chametz) process. See details and a form here.
Passover begins this Wednesday evening. See the complete Passover schedule below. On Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., especially for the benefit of the first born, there will be a Shacharit service followed by a Siyum via Zoom. Please also note that, since Shabbat immediately follows the first two days of Passover on Thursday and Friday, expect an early Yom Tov and Shabbat newsletter this Tuesday night.
IT'S OFFICIAL!!! -- GET READY TO WELCOME RABBI ABE.
The congregation overwhelmingly approved the hiring of Rabbi Abe Rabinovich, and we have reached agreement on a contract for three years beginning this July 1. See more details in my President’s Message on page 2 of the April Shofar.
AKSE congregants (and friends) do not have to wait until July to see (or meet) Rabbi Abe, as he will be visiting Wilmington on the Shabbat of April 14-15, immediately after Passover, and will officiate at our services. He will also visit for Shavuot May 25-27 and remain for Cafe Tamar on May 29.
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Shabbat Shalom v'Chag Pesach Sameach!
Martin
Martin Cohn
AKSE President
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SALE OF CHAMETZ AND
PASSOVER APPEAL
Click here for a description of this year's sale of chametz and Passover appeal, as well as a form for appointing Cantor Redfern as your agent for selling chametz before Passover. The deadline for submitting the form is Monday, April 3.
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THIS WEEK'S VIRTUAL EVENTS
Wednesday, April 5 at 8 AM--Shacharit followed by Siyum for First Born (EREV PESACH)
Connection to all AKSE virtual events is the same (unless otherwise indicated) - either of two options:
1) Video and Audio on PC, tablet, or smartphone
Click on this link to join Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6280813362
2) Phone
Dial in to +1 646-558-8656 and input Meeting ID: 628 081 3362
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IN-PERSON SHABBAT SERVICES -
SHABBAT HAGADOL
This Friday & Saturday, Mar. 31 & Apr. 1
PLACE: Our home at 2412 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806. Find it on Google Maps here. Our building entrance faces the parking lot behind Immanuel Church. Park on the side of the lot in front of our building. In the rare instance that there are no available parking spots there, use overflow parking nearby in the areas described here.
SERVICE TIMES:
Friday at 6 PM - Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat, Ma'ariv
Saturday at 9 AM - Shacharit, Torah reading, Musaf
Followed by April Birthday Kiddush
Saturday at 7 PM - Mincha, Study, Ma'ariv
Saturday at 8:07 PM - Havdalah
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IN-PERSON MINCHA SERVICE
Tuesdays at 3:30 PM
Join us for a weekly Mincha service. The services are in the Siegel JCC Kehillah Lounge (to the left of the JCC Lobby--formerly called the Senior Lounge). 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 Kehillah Lounge. Please note that face masks are now recommended but not required.
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The AKSE Education Committee is continuing a new program on Shabbat mornings. Torah Talks are taking the place of sermons or Divrei Torah. These talks are being led by members of the AKSE community, as well as by members of the wider Jewish community.
A variety of formats are available to those who volunteer to lead Torah Talks: traditional Divrei Torah, short discussions of ethical or historical questions raised by the text, reflections on seasonal holidays and traditions, and talks that connect with the speakers’ personal interests and expertise in Jewish culture. Our goal is to bring variety, innovation, and creativity to Shabbat learning. Look for announcements of the speakers and topics for upcoming Torah Talks in future Shofars and email newsletters.
Read more about the Torah Talk program in this article published in the March issue of Jewish Living Delaware.
If you have wisdom to share, a favorite parsha to delve into, or a special interest to showcase, please get in touch with Lisa Elliott (lelliott50@comcast.net) or Harriet Ainbinder (haza@verizon.net) to schedule your Torah Talk.
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NEW FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY FOR AKSE AND SAVINGS FOR YOU
House of Kosher at 9806 Bustleton Ave.
in Philadelphia, 215-677-8100
House of Kosher is a kosher supermarket in northeast Philly. They offer a complete line of kosher foods--meat, dairy, prepared foods, pizza, sushi, baked goods, and packaged foods. Several of our congregants already shop there.
Here's the win-win opportunity:
1) Just mention our Shopper Code 2705 when you check out--2% of your purchase will be credited to AKSE. Applies each time you shop on any amount.
2) Any first-time customer who mentions our Shopper Code will receive a 10% discount on their shopping over $100.
They also deliver (for a fee) and offer catering. We will let everyone know if they begin regular deliveries to Delaware.
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Jewish Federation of Delaware has released the results of the 2022 Community Study of Jewish Delaware & the Brandywine Valley. The Study, a socio-demographic portrait of the Jewish community in Delaware and the Brandywine Valley, was prepared by an independent professional team from Brandeis University.
Highlights of the study were presented in a Town Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The presentation was recorded and is posted on the Federation website. The Executive Summary, Full Report, and Appendices are also available to download on the Federation website. Access them here.
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Office Hours
Our office hours are 10 AM to 2 PM Monday to Thursday (except holidays). During these times our Office Manager 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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Bring Your Shoes to Shul
Our successful shoe recycling project continues. C lean 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.
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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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