April 26, 2024

Candle-lighting 7:16 p.m. (Sunday 7:18 p.m., Monday after 8:16 p.m.)

Dear Friends,

Shabbat Pesach begins tonight, which means tomorrow we daven Hallel and do our once-a-year reading of Shir Ha-Shirim (Song of Songs). So make sure not to miss that.

Then you have almost a full day off before chag starts again on Sunday night. Don't forget that services start tomorow, Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. (15 minutes earlier than usual).

Moadim L'simcha and shabbat shalom!

Also in this week's Update:

• Shabbat Services - 9:30 a.m.
• No Mishnah Study
• Last call to Honor Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum
• Upcoming Calendar
• Donations This Week
• Dear Libby
• Haftarah Plethora
• Jewish Trivia

If you have questions, suggestions, or want to include something in a future Weekly Update, please email Joel Elkins at joel.elkins@gmail.com.

Shabbat Shalom

Services

Services for Shabbat Chol Hamoed will begin at 9:30 a.m. (15 minutes earlier than usual) in the Dorff-Nelson Chapel, followed by a simple kasher la-pesach kiddush.

On Monday, the entire shul will join us for a joint service in the Chapel beginning at 9:30 a.m. This service will not be livestreamed. On Tuesday, because of yizkor, services will be separate. Library Minyan will again be in the Chapel and will again begin at 9:30 a.m.

No Mishna Study

Due to the early start time of services, there will be no Mishna study this week. Mishna study returns next week.

Last Call to Honor Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum

One more reminder that American Jewish University will be honoring Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum on Sunday, June 2nd. For more information on the event, including tickets and sponsorship, click here. If you would like to serve on the Honorary Committee for the event, please contact Suzy Bookbinder.

Upcoming Calendar

Below is a list of upcoming special kiddushes and events. If you would like to contribute to any of these (or to add another kiddush-worthy occasion), please click here and indicate the event in the notes.

5/18 - Torah Club end of year celebration

6/2 - AJU Gala honoring Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum

6/15 - Graduation Shabbat

Donations This Week

Fran Malina

-in memory of stepmother Adele Michaels

Mara Roshal

-in memory of Aron Wolf on his second yahrtzeit and in honor of Pesach

Deborah Chariton

-in honor of Ariel Hopenstand's Bar Mitzvah

The following people donated this week in honor of Elliot Dorff and Michael Berenbaum:

-Lisa Feldman & Brian Greene

-David Cohen & Alisa Shudofsky

-Renalee Pflug

-Henry Morgen & Suzanne Weiss Morgen

-Larry & Diane Herman

-Robert Braun

Dear Libby

(ChatLib continues to fill in for Libby, who is on vacation.)

Dear ChatLib:

Can you summarize Shir Hashirim in verse?

NO TIME TO READ THE WHOLE THING

Dear No Time:

I would be happy to:

In Shir Hashirim's pages, a beautiful tale is told,

Of two passionate lovers, wild and bold.

They speak of desire, in language so racy

That drives Art Scroll's translators totally crazy.

He is her beloved, an adonis-like macher.

She is his dove, with grapefruit-sized knockers.

They romp and they frolic, but as Art Scroll describes them

It's all just a metaphor for the Jews and Hashem.

So as you sit in shul and read the salacious imagery

Remember not to take it too literally.

CHATLIB

If you would like Libby to answer your questions or solve your problems, submit your questions and/or kvetches to dearlibby@libraryminyan.org

Haftarah Plethora

Once again we have a trio of episodes for you. The first is for Shabbat Hol haMoed Pesah (above), and then one for each of the last two days of the festival (here and here). Rick and Larry delight in discussing the wonderful Dry Bones vision of Ezekiel for Shabbat Pesah. Then Larry explains why we read the same Haftarah for the seventh day as we do for Ha'azinu. The boys decide that the Haftarah for the eighth day has something for everyone. We hope that you'll enjoy them all. Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameach. 

You can see all of Larry and Rick's recordings here.

Jewish Trivia

Last week's question: The capital of what land-locked country, a popular destination for budget-conscious Israeli backpackers, boasts the largest seder each year? (Hint: It is the only country that does not have a rectangular flag.) Answer: Nepal, where the Chabad of Katmandu hosts close to 2000 people each Pesach. Chabad of Bangkok is soon threatening to break that record.

This week's questions: Today is the third day of the omer. What other thirds do you know?

1. Who was Israel's third prime minister?
2. Who was the third president of the United States?
3. Who has hit the third most HRs in MLB history?
4. What is the third most populous city in Israel?
5. What is the third most populous city in the United States?
6. What is the third amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
7. What is the third letter in the Greek alphabet?
8. What is the third most spoken language in the world?

(Answers next week.)