Shabbat Vayetze November 27-28 Candle Lighting: 4:13 PM / Shabbat Ends: 5:16 PM Torah Reading: Genesis 28:10 - 32:3 Haftarah: Hosea 12:13 - 14:10 Vayetze A Teaching from Rabbi Weintraub--Your Whole Self As we completed last week’s Torah Portion, Toldot, Jacob was vulnerable, on the run, fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau to seek refuge with his Uncle Laban in Charan. In Parshat Vayetze, now in Charan, Laban becomes Jacob’s father-in-law and employer, and shamelessly deceives and exploits his nephew. Despite the abuse, Jacob makes it. He takes two wives and two concubines, fathers eleven children, and through relentless, backbreaking work,”grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, maidservants and menservants, camels and asses” (Genesis 30:43). Then, suddenly, at this height of success, Jacob becomes uncomfortable and decides to flee. “Jacob also saw the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not with him as in earlier days” (Genesis 31:2). What does it mean that Laban was “not with him as in earlier days”? Wasn’t Laban, always a crook, still a crook? Now, however, Jacob sees with new clarity his dependence on Laban. The dependence is not hard to understand. Jacob’s father, Isaac, had favored his brother Esau because Esau was able to hunt and provide: “Isaac loved Esau, because the hunt was in his mouth” (Genesis 25:28). So, displaced from his home but still longing for his father, Jacob struggles and establishes prosperous estates for his uncle, father-in-law, and substitute father, Laban. When he finally makes it, however, Jacob realizes that he has lost himself. Despite his success, he still functions passively. Just as he let his mother manipulate him earlier, so has he become compliant with Laban. His achievements are the result of internal emotional coercion, not an independent affirmation of himself. So, today, people who are gifted and accomplished often have an underlying discomfort with themselves. I have counseled men afflicted with workaholism (the “socially acceptable addiction”). I used to think that the way to go was to talk them down. “You are a completely competent physician (or contractor, banker, attorney, etc). You just need to relax and take pride in your work, not push yourself even harder”. Now I understand that, paradoxically, the problem with the workaholic is usually not his (or her) relationship to his work. Work is actually the one area where he feels worthwhile and positive about himself. The discomfort is with something else. There is strong inadequacy felt in other aspects of his personhood, as a husband, father, spiritual person, friend, etc. Like Jacob, he overvalues and over depends on one part of his personhood, and neglects other passions and claims. Jacob solves his dilemma by, literally and spiritually, returning home, to Canaan. He goes back and rediscovers his earlier self, the Ish Tam, the wholehearted man (Genesis 25:27), whose commitment to Torah and personal integrity were less complicated. Adults may gain inspiration and re-direction by returning to the innocence, self-confidence, and religious truths of childhood. That spiritual recovery brings a joy and self-esteem no one can take away, and gives us strength to meet the challenges later life brings. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Weintraub. Services Shabbat Evening Services: 6:00 PM Shabbat Morning Services: 9:30 AM Camp Shabbat: 10:00 AM There are no Family Services and no Learner’s Service this Shabbat Shacharit, Sunday: 9:00 AM Learner’s Service "I like the feeling at Shabbat services, but it's really hard to follow" If this sounds like you, then join us Shabbat morning from 11:00-12:15 for Kane Street's heralded "Learner's Service", Shabbat mornings, December 12 and 19. This informal, stimulating group explores the melodies, meanings and choreography of the prayer service. It's a terrific way to get a better hold of the Shabbat morning service of the Synagogue. There is no charge. Drop in at any time and come as often as you like. No prior Jewish or Hebrew knowledge is required. Learner's Services are led by adult education teachers David Grupper, Bob Marx and Jason Gitlin. On December 12 and 19, Bob Marx will teach about the Torah reading and Musaf. The Singing Service The popular, informal service uses the power of singing to build group spirit and to explore the deeper meaning of our prayers. This service meets in the Chapel and is led by our Musical Enrichment Director, Joey Weisenberg. Upcoming services will be December 5 and 19. For questions or comments, please contact Joey at [email protected] Mazal Tov! We congratulate the following 4 students who were selected from among several applicants for the Song leader Tutorials: Mollie Gordon (4th grade); Evan Lieberman (5th grade); Nathaniel Chevan (7th grade); and Iliana Brodsky (10th grade.) Each of these students is musically talented, active in synagogue life and is interested in learning music and prayers to become more active in leadership in the years to come. They will receive 10 free lessons with Joey, custom-designed to their particular interests and skills. We look forward to these young leaders carrying on a great tradition of music at Kane Street Synagogue! This Tuesday marked the historic launching of Brooklyn United Jewish High School, a pan-denominational community program for post-b’nai mitzvah Jews from 7 congregations and unaffiliated students from Brooklyn. The program is in its first pilot year and will meet for 8 sessions in 2009-2010 at Hannah Senesh Community Day School on Tuesday evenings. Our weekly Bogrim program meets as part of BUJH during these weeks. We expect that the following Kane Street Synagogue students will be attending: Jhenna Vigrass, Jonah Nemetz, Alana Rettig, Eli Nass, Iliana Brodsky, Anton Sack, Daniel Bodenheim, Gabrielle Weintraub, Ben Levy, and Leah Chevan – If you have any questions about the program, please contact Rabbi Valerie Lieber who is one of two co-administrators of the program. [email protected]. Upcoming Shabbat Events Rapprochement, Wrestling, Renaming, Reconciliation, Return, Rape, Revenge…” Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, following Kiddush, around 1:00 P.M., Shabbat Vayishlach, December 5, 2009 The Torah Portion of Vayishlach is a phenomenally loaded Parsha, integrating a host of themes and experiences, among them: the challenges of brotherly conflict resolution, spiritual struggle and renewal, cycles of violence and abuse, profound losses and bereavement, incest and more. In this sea of provocative narratives, we will visit a few islands of inquiry and commentary, with the goal of identifying this year’s message of Vayishlach for us, individually and collectively. News and Events Chanukah Join us for two fun Chanukah events open to the whole congregation: 1) Havdalah, Dairy Dinner and Chanukah Candle Lighting. Saturday, December 12th at 5PM. 2) Shabbat Services, Dairy Chanukah Dinner, singing and Chanukah games. Friday, December 18th at 6PM. Each event is $12 for adults and $7 for kids. Please RSVP to Valerie Lieber at [email protected] and for more information call Valerie at 718-875-1550x117. Brooklyn Israel Film Festival at Kane Street Save the dates for the 6th Annual Brooklyn Israel Film Festival at Kane Street: Thursday, Jan. 28th at 8:00PM, Sat. Jan. 30th at 8:00PM and Sun. Jan. 31st at 7:00PM. As in previous years, the film festival will feature thought-provoking and award-winning Israeli films with noted speakers including the filmmakers. We'll be updating you in the coming months as we decide about the movies and speakers. If you would like to help out with the marketing or with the set-up of the festival, please contact [email protected] Save the Date for ShopHop The first night of Chanukah is just around the corner (December 11th)! You're probably thinking of presents for friends and family or a wish list for yourself. This year, why not benefit Kane Street Synagogue while shopping at the same time? On Sunday, December 6th, several neighborhood businesses will sponsor our First Annual ShopHop. For one day only, when you shop at selected local stores in Cobble Hill, they'll donate 10% of sales to Kane Street. The following merchants have generously joined this effort: BookCourt, Pizzazz, Providence Day Spa (329 Atlantic Avenue) www.providencedayspa.com/. (Services or gift certificates) Olga's on Smith, a kosher vegan restaurant at 407 Smith Street, will donate 10% of any Kane Street members' Dec 6th sales, either dining in or take out. www.olgasonsmith.com And we now have an on-line gift option, perfect for grandparents and relatives to order gifts and support Kane Street. Barefoot Books will return an amazing 24% of their sales to Kane Street members between November 30th and December 6th. Please take a look at their beautiful selection at www.barefootbooks.com/shop/ . A special code for ordering will be noted in a future announcement but there'll be more to come! SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 6TH. More Holiday Shopping You are invited to a Jewelry Party on Wednesday, December 2nd (Chanukah begins on December 12) at the home of Rachel Epstein, One Grace Court, 1A, Buzzer 11, in Brooklyn Heights, from 5-9 p.m. Wine and a light supper will be served. Please feel free to bring friends. The party is being run by Toby Shuster, who ran a party here a few years ago. It was fun then and I expect it to be fun this year also. Toby has generously offered to donate a percentage of her proceeds to a charity of my choice, and I have chosen the Kane Street Synagogue.