The Shul B”H weekly magazine

Weekly Magazine Sponsored By Mr. & Mrs. Martin (OBM) and Ethel Sirotkin and Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz

Shabbos Parshas Yisro Shevat 17 - 18 February 2 - 3 CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:47 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:41 pm

CHOF BEIS SHEVAT YAHRZEIT OF REBBEZIN CHAYA MUSHKA WEDNESDAY, February 2

The Shul welcomes Rabbi Eckstein

Te Shul - Chabad Lubavitch - An institution of Te Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Tirty Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TeShul.org Email: [email protected] The Shul Weekly Magazine Everything you need for every day of the week Contents Nachas At A Glance Rabbi Zalman Lipskar accepting a certifcate of appreciation on behalf of Rabbi Sholom Lipskar from Miami-Dade County Mayor Weekly Message 3 Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Carlos Gimenez in recognition of his contributions to the community. Celebrating Shabbos 4 -5 Schedules, classes, articles and more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings 6-7 Sharing with your Shul Family

A Time to Pray 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week 9-15 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE 10-16 Get The Picture The full scoop on all the great events around town 17-21 French Connection Refexions sur la Paracha

Latin Link 22 Refexion Semanal In a woman’s world 23 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman The ABC’s of Aleph 24 Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments. 25-28 Networking Yud Shevat farbrengen with the kids Effective Advertising Numbers To Know 29 Contacts at The Shul Daily Study 30 A complete guide to all classes and courses offered at The Shul 31-32 Get The Picture The full scoop on all the great events around town

Quotable Quote Tu B’Shevat farbrengen at the home of Mordechai HAlperin

A leader must remember at all times and at every moment that he always stands on the threshold between being one of those who bring merit to the public and, G-d forbid, one of those who cause the public to sin - the threshold between the loftiest of heights and the most abysmal depth

– Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch Thoughts on the Parshah from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Shabbos Parshas Yisro First there must be unity and then an essential acceptance of Divine presence, providence and authority that the role-model orah is the pivotal center Jewish woman possesses. Only then do we receive the Torah and clear directive of the with all of its beauty and power. Traison d’être of the Jewish people and all of creation, Make sure you share not only the story of Revelation but the serving as our map for life and behavior in preparation for Revelation with your children, connection with Almighty G-d. grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone you know. This “Three are knotted together: will surely prepare the world to accept Moshiach. Israel, Torah and G-d”. Revelation gave meaning and purpose Have a good Shabbos and a great week! to creation and contains the mechanism to bring redemption.

As such, it is important to observe how our ancestors prepared to receive the Torah Rabbi S. Lipskar when it was initially revealed and to glean some insights from the manner with which G-d addressed the Jewish People during this revelationary experience. Bal Harbour Police Chief

“Israel “camped” facing the mountain” (Chapter 19, verse 2). Miguel de la Rosa The word “camped” is written in the singular rather than the grammatically appropriate plural form to tell us that all of Israel, every man, woman and child, dwelled in unity “like a single person with a single heart”. It was unity, togetherness, oneness, interaction, responsibility for each other, common sharing and brotherly love that were the necessary prerequisites to receiving this Divine gift of life, the actual blueprint of creation, the Torah.

“This is what you must say to the House of Jacob and speak to the Sons of Israel” (Chapter 19, verse 3). The “House” of Jacob refers to the women and the “Sons of Israel” refers to the men. The women merited the special honor to be addressed first during revelation.

The Jewish Woman, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Wife has the inborn, essential aspect of Jewishness and Faith that naturally accepts It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely and and connects with G-dliness. It is therefore the woman who sudden passing of Bal Harbour Police Chief Miguel De La Rosa, who was taken from us by an aggressive form of cancer. Chief determines the Jewishness of the child as she symbiotically De La Rosa was a dedicated public servant who spent his entire transmits the essence of a Jew with her special nurturing warmth, adult life serving others. He earned the respect and friendship love and caring. She relates much more openly and practically of the entire Bal Harbour Community through his leadership, to supra-rational faith and trust (Emunah and Bitachon) in G-d warmth and professionalism. Almighty. May his memory be a blessing. 3 Celebrating Shabbos with our Youth Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Weekly Riddle

Morah Malkie’s Elisheva Adouth's Tot Shabbat Aleph Wonder Girls Ages: 1 - 4 Grades: 1 - 3 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Montessori Classrooom 2 classrooom 2 Questions: 1) Besides Parshas Yisro, which other weekly parsha are named after an individual who is not descended from Avraham?

2) Where in this parsha do eagles appear?

3) Which two animals are mentioned in the Ten Commandments? Tehila's Basya's Pre Tween Girls Tween Girls Answers from last week: 1 ) The dwellers of Pleshes (Philistines), Edom, Moab and Canaan Grades: 4 - 5 Grades: 6 - 8 are mentioned in the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:14-15).

10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 2) The Torah states: “The water was to them a wall (chomah) to their right and to their left” (Exodus 14:22, 29). The Torah states: Classrooom 4 “Like a wall (neid) stood the running water” (Exodus 15:8).

3) Moshe raised his staff over the water to split the sea (Exodus 14:16). (The verse does not mention the staff when the sea came together.) Moshe used his staff to hit the rock and bring forth water (Exodus 17:5). When Moshe went up the hill during the war with Amalek, he took along his staff (Exodus 17:5, 7).

Mendy's RIDDLE RULES Sholom's Hebrew School Junior Boys Answers to the riddles can be given to Rabbi Grades: 4th - 8th Shaykee Farkash any time over Shabbos. The Grades: 1 - 4 first child to give a correct answer to each of 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm the questions will win an INSTANT prize! Classroom 1

Shaykee’s Debbie’s Shmuely's Davening With Dad Teen Girls Teen Boys Grades: 9th - 12th Grades: 7th - 8th Grades: 9th - 12th 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Teen Girls Room Montessori 3 Haime Library

4 Celebrating Shabbos Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience

Kiddush This Week: Kiddush this week is sponsored by Anonymous Shabbos Schedule in honor of his son’s birthday

Candle lighting 5:47 p.m. Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 5:50 p.m. Shalosh Seudos This Week: Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m. Shalosh Seudos this week is available for sponsorship. Tanya / Hayom Yom 8:50 a.m. Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m. Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m. Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m. the caterer for this week’s Kiddush 12:00 p.m. kiddush and Shalosh seudos is Daf Yomi 4:50 p.m. Men’s Shiur 4:50 p.m. Food Art Women's Shiur 4:50 p.m. Shalosh Seudos for Boys 4:50 p.m. Mincha 5:35 p.m. Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:41 p.m. Weekly Video of The Rebbe kiddushim at The Shul Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Bank Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 5:35 p.m. by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually)

Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m. Mincha 5:35 p.m. The following dates are available for sponsorship: Shabbos Ends / Arvit & Havdalah 6:41 p.m. Kiddush Shalosh Seudos February 10, 17, 24 February 3,10, 17,24

If you wish to become a sponsor, please speak with Stacy at 305-868-1411 ext 313 or email [email protected]

Lighting 5:52 p.m. Mincha 5:55 p.m.

Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

To pay your annual dues visit: www.miamibeacheruv.com 5 Community Happenings Sharing with your Shul Family

Birthdays Yahrtzeits 18 Shevat Ms. Michelle Freund 18 Shevat Yisroel ben Noach obm 18 Shevat Mr. Ivan Kaufman Brother of Mrs. Dorothy Failer 19 Shevat Mrs. Zelda Rochel Katz 18 Shevat Feivel ha Kohen Ben Reuven ha Kohen obm 19 Shevat Ms. Mikaela Saka Father of Dr. Gene Moteles 20 Shevat Mr. Michael Bouhnik 18 Shevat Celia obm 20 Shevat Mrs. Sof Davit Grandmother of Mrs. Suzan Garson 19 Shevat Shlomo Yitzchak ben Moshe obm 20 Shevat Mrs. Perla Gilinski Father of Mr. Yosef Schwartz 20 Shevat Mr. Daniel Zev Givner 19 Shevat Ida Dekelbaum obm 20 Shevat Ms. Esther Vlosky Mother of Mr. Max Dekelbaum 21 Shevat Mr. Shaul Eliezer Gheblikian 19 Shevat Elvira bas Raina obm 21 Shevat Ms. Sivana Levine Mother of Mrs. Loraine Rosengarten 22 Shevat Mrs. Raizel Marrus 19 Shevat Leah bas Baruch Leib obm 22 Shevat Mr. Jordan Alexander Mondshine Mother of Mr. Shabtai Plutno 22 Shevat Rabbi Shea Rubinstein 20 Shevat Yehuda obm 22 Shevat Ms. Pearl Schneider Husband of Mrs. Hermine Gewirtz 23 Shevat Mrs. Chaya Camissar 20 Shevat Krajundla obm 23 Shevat Mr. Barry Cohen Mother-in-law of Mrs. Raquel Grosfeld 23 Shevat Mr. Morris Mendal 20 Shevat Yitzchak bar Nedgmah obm 23 Shevat Ms. Chaya Tzivia Schneider Grandfather of Dr. Jean Jacques Edderai 20 Shevat Equteil ben Kawa obm 24 Shevat Mrs. Eva Saka Husband of Ms. Sonia Kawa 24 Shevat Rabbi Simeon Schreiber 21 Shevat Sara bas Eliyahu Chaim obm Wife of Mr. Irving Hoine Mother of Mrs. Geri F. Levine 21 Shevat Brina Gitel obm Kid’s Birthdays Grandmother of Mr. Arnold Lewis Cohen 18 Shevat Kaylee Ita Wolf 22 Shevat Henry obm 20 Shevat Noam Wasserman Husband of Ms. Nina Mack 21 Shevat Chana Katz 22 Shevat Cholom obm 22 Shevat Chaya Mushkah Lipskar Husband of Ms. Reine Fiss 23 Shevat Rafael Roller 23 Shevat Eliyahu ben Mordechai obm 24 Shevat Yechida Slomianski Father of Mrs. Bahee Salver 23 Shevat Abraham ben Sender obm Father of Mrs. Rosita Boruchin 24 Shevat David ben Isaac obm Father-in-law of Mrs. Rosita Boruchin Anniversaries Mr. & Mrs. Israel & Gabriela Rachel Kopel Mr. & Mrs. Max & Ginette Dekelbaum Mr. & Mrs. Fred & Judith Farbman Mr. & Mrs. Abe & Peggy Sreter Condolences Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Yosef Medalie, Mrs Tenny Chudaitov and Mrs. Malka Rappaport on the passing of their beloved mother and grandmother, Mrs. Devorah Leah bas Nachman Medalie obm. May her dear soul be bound with the Eternal Bond of Life. May Hashem comfort the family Welcome to New Members among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov and Nechama Mizrachi

6 Community Happenings Sharing with your Shul Family

Shevat Light & Power Thanks To Our Donors Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul for donations received between 01/23/18 and 01/29/18 the month of Shevat is Kindly Sponsored by We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. & Mrs. Yankie Andrusier Ms. Nina Mack Mr. & Mrs. Maurice and Iris Egozi Mr. & Mrs. Allan Bisk Mr. Isaac (Itzik) Mamane Rabbi & Mrs. Henry and Evy Eichler Mr. & Mrs. Barry Cohen Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Mondshine Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Mr. Rahamin Mosseri Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Egozi Mr. & Mrs. Temuri Nanikashvili “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to Rabbi & Mrs. Henry Eichler Mr. & Mrs. Isser New pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Failer Mr. & Mrs. Rafael Peretz and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Feltenstein Mr. Jeffrey Pollack be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal their entire Mr. Ephraim Foonberg Mr. Ari Propis body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all their endeavors, Mr. & Mrs. Guido Fraiman Dr. & Mrs. Michael Salzhauer together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Gassner Mr. & Dr. Elchonon Shagalov Ambassador & Mrs. Isaac Gilinski Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov Mrs. Perla Gilinski Ms. Diana Sreter Refuah Shleimah If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to keep Mr. Chaim Shimon Goldstein Mr. & Ms. Azriel Wasserman the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Mr. Berel Golomb Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Woolf MEN WOMEN Mr. & Mrs. Mordechai Gottlieb Mr. Jose Yankelevitch Raphael Moshe ben Miriam Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat Chava Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Shlomo Herz Mr. & Mrs. Israel Zalmanov Yichael ben Layke Clara bat Corina Mr. & Mrs. Murray Huberfeld Mr. Benjamin Zand Meyer Yankev ben Chaya Etel Shoshanna bat Rivkah Alexander ben Esther Raizel Leah Rochel bat Sarah Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Laber Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer Chaim Moshe ben Clara Miriam bat Risha Raizel Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Shlomo Lerman Raphael Moshe ben Sarah Dana Ella bas Devorah Hinde Moshe ben Zoila Chana bas Shoshana Moshe Avraham ben Tziporah Riva Ilana bas Shaina Rochel Chaim ben Pnina Chava bas Elka Menucha Volunteers Needed Gabriel ben Esther Chaya bas Rachel After every Kiddush and event, The Shul donates the Eber Avraham ben Fruma Esther Fayge bas Chaya Shmuel ben Sarah Perl Miriam Leah bas Helen left over food to organizations or families in need. Yosef ben Edwina We are looking for volunteers to help collect and Avrohom ben Feigel wrap the food. Mordechai David ben Esther Raizel Yedidya Chaim Raphael ben Elana If you would like to help please contact the Yehuda ben Chaya Sara Mashgiach, Mordechai Olesky after the Kiddush. Shimon Yitzchak ben Leah Rochel Roi ben Orly Community service hours will be awarded. Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel

Learning with The Bochurim Community Notice Board: If you are interested in having your child If you have a new or slightly used Shaitel that you learn with one of our bochurim, would like to donate to The Shul Sisterhood or if you would like to arrange Please Contact a lunch and learn in your office, Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 Please contact Rabbi Shaykee Farkash [email protected] 7 A Time to Pray Davening schedules and locations throughout the week

Daily Learning Schedule at The Shul 6:20 -6:50 am The Rebbe’s Maamorim Chassidic Discourse R’ Zalman Lipskar 7:45 am Daf Yomi R’ Dov Schochet 8:45 am (approx) Halacha Sephardic Custom R’ Shimshon Tzubeli 10:15 - 11:00 am Maamorim Maamor of the Rebbe R’ Shea Rubinstein

Shacharis Minyanim (mon - Fri) Sunday Shacharis Minyanim Main Minyan 6:50 7:30 9:00 Main Minyan 8:00 am 9:00 am Sephardic Minyan 8:00 Sephardic Minyan 9:00 am

Daily Chumash & Tanya after every Minyan Sunday Mincha /Maariv mincha / Maariv Minyanim (mon - Thurs) Minyanim Main Minyan 2:00 pm Early Mincha 5:55 pm 10:00 pm Main Minyan 5:55 pm Following Sephardic Minyan 5:55 pm Late Maariv 10:00 pm

Evening Kolel Schedule - Monday and Thursday 8:45 -9:30 pm Mon & Thurs 8:45 - 10:00 pm Evening Community Kolel Chavrusah

To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces, Halachic Times courageously protecting and defending Eretz Yisroel. We pray Based on times for February 7 for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily. Hinda Clara bas Chana Guenendel Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:47 am Jonathan ben Aliza Sher Earliest Talit & Tefllin 6:19 am Michael Shmuel ben Eliezer Eliyahu Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:01 am Amir Herzel ben Dvora Dorry (Earliest Amidah) Eitan Gabriel ben Karine Cecile Latest Shema 9:46 am Zman Tfllah 10:42 am Chatzot / Midday 12:34 pm Earliest Mincha 1:03 pm Plag HaMincha 5:02 pm Shekiah / Sunset 6:08 pm (preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:33 pm (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv)

Times taken from www.chabad.org Please note that during the week times may vary by a minute or two. If anyone would like to send us the name of a soldier in the IDF we would love to add them. 8 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

Hayom Yom In the winter of 1942, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, of righteous memory, gave his son- in-law, the future Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, the task of compiling an anthology of Chasidic aphorisms and customs arranged according to the days of the year. The calendar was entitled Hayom Yom. In describing this work Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak wrote: …”A book that is small in format…but bursting with pearls and diamonds of choicest quality.” “A splendid palace of Chasidism.” True to these words, Hayom Yom has become a beloved classic work and a source of daily spiritual sustenance. Friday - Shevat 17 Rebbe heard the maamar from R. Mendel upbringing and education of children - as There is a custom of eating black buckwheat on Horodoker,1 author of Pri Haaretz, who had prevalent from time immemorial in chassidic this Shabbat. been present that Shavuot in 5521. However, homes. the Alter Rebbe expounded the maamar in his On Shabbat B’shalach 5621 (1861) the Tzemach own style. Wednesday - Shevat 22 Tzedek said the maamar R’u ki Hashem printed There are two sorts of statutes: a) statutes in Likutei Torah. Shortly afterward he said to that create life, and b) statutes created by life. his son, my grandfather: On Shabbat B’shalach Sunday - Shevat 19 Human laws are created by life so they vary 5565 (1805) my grandfather said this maamar. The frst positive mitzva is, in the words of from land to land according to circumstances. Afterwards he sent for me and told me that Rambam, “To know that there is a First Being, The A-lmighty’s Torah is a G-dly law that creates in 5529 (1769) when he was in Mezritch the who caused the existence of all beings... life. G-d’s Torah is the Torah of truth, the same in Maggid had summoned him to his room and The knowledge of this principle is a positive all places, at all times. Torah is eternal. had said: command, as it is said, I am the Eternal your G-d.”

On Shabbat B’shalach 5516 (1756) the This is a Mitzva relating to mind and intellect.* Thursday - Shevat 16 Baal Shem Tov said a Maamar on Vayashav True, every one of Israel believes in G-d with a Once, as the Alter Rebbe stepped out of his hayam...l’eitano, “The Red Sea returned to its simple faith, and his heart is whole with G-d; room, he overheard his wife remarking to strength,” quoting the Rabbinic play on the last still it is the duty of the mind and intellect to several women, “Mine says...” word, l’eitano - litnao, meaning to its condition or bring this faith to a level of knowledge and agreement. In 5521 (1761), a year after the Baal comprehension. This is the meaning of “To The Rebbe said: “With one mitzva I am yours; Shem Tov’s passing, my Rebbe (the Baal Shem know that there is a First Being;” the Mitzva with how many are we G-d’s!” With these Tov) came to me, said the maamar, and added specifes comprehension and intellectual grasp, words he fell onto the doorpost in dveikut. On an explanation of the subject “doing His will” as written in Torah: “Know the G-d of your father “awakening” from the dveikut he said: “Go out in contrast to “doing His word.” And today my and serve Him with a whole heart” and it is also and see” - to step out of self and perceive the Rebbe again came to me to repeat the maamar. written, “know this day etc.” Divine, comes from (the following words in that verse) “daughters of Zion,” Malchut arousing Then the Maggid repeated the maamar to the z’a. The Future will bring the fulfllment of “A Alter Rebbe, adding an interpretation of “River Monday - Shevat 20 valorous woman is her husband’s crown.” Ginai, part for me,” which is similar to k’riat yam My father wrote in one of his letters: According suf, the splitting of the Red Sea. to the glosses of Ashri, when laving the hands for a meal, pour water over each hand three Friday - Shevat 17 The Tzemach Tzedek concluded: Today the Baal times consecutively; this was the practice of my “The people saw and moved.” Simply perceiving Shem Tov, the Maggid and the Alter Rebbe came father (R. Shmuel). He would leave a little water G-dhood caused the people to move, a to me, each repeating the maamar in his own from the third pouring cupped in the palm of movement showing vitality, life. style. his left hand and, with this water, rub his hands Several hours later the Tzemach Tzedek together. * * * called my grandfather again and told him an interpretation of the maamar. If you only knew - The Tzemach Tzedek said - the Tuesday - Shevat 21 power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in It is the duty of Chassidic wives and daughters the highest Heavens, you would recite them Shabbos - Shevat 18 (may they live and be well) to stand in the frst The Tzemach Tzedek told his son, my grandfather, constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim rank of every activity dedicated to strengthening shatter all barriers, they ascend higher and still that the maamar Umareihem uma’asseihem in religion and Judaism in general, particularly Torah Or, Yitro, is the frst discourse the Maggid higher with no interference; they prostrate concerning taharat hamishpacha.1 They must themselves in supplication before the Master of delivered when he assumed leadership of the organize a Society of Chassidic Daughters to chassidim, on Shavuot 5521 (1761). The Alter all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with reinforce all the chassidic practices concerning kindness and compassion. 9 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

SHABBOS MESSAGES Skyscraper – Where Heaven 3328 years have passed since the sky was scraped Meets Earth at Sinai. During these years much has transpired. The Skyscraper - Where Heaven Abraham’s teachings, conveyed at Sinai, had reached not only the children of Jacob, but also began reaching Meets Earth the children of Esau and Ishmael. Christianity and -d came down on Mount Sinai, to the peak of the Islam were born. Great wars have been fought. mountain. He summoned Moses to the mountain Religious wars have been waged – all struggling to Gpeak, and Moses climbed up – Exodus (Yisro) make peace between G-d and the universe. Industry 19:20 and technology transformed this planet. We seemed to have conquered not just earth but the very skies, with Gazing at the glistening snowfakes foating down from may ascend to the higher realms, and the higher our air travel, spaceships and skyscrapers. heaven over the Manhattan skyline — fnally dropping realms may descend to the lower realms. And I, Myself, a whopping 30 inches of snow, which blanketed the will begin”—as it is written, “And G-d descended on Who is not in awe of the New York skyline which, city, concealing for the moment the grime and grit Mount Sinai,” and then it says, “And to Moses He said: among the many skylines around the world, is a tribute below — my thoughts drifted to the World Trade Center, Go up to G-d.” to mans’ tremendous power. whose two mighty towers were felled 15 years ago on, what has become known as, 9/11. Before Sinai, there existed a “decree” that split reality And then, 3313 years later, on September 11th the into two self-contained realms: the spiritual and the altered landscape of the New York skyline has rudely As spontaneous thoughts go, it’s diffcult to say material, the Divine and the mundane. Spirituality reminded us of the fragility of our manmade airplanes why our minds wander to different conscious or could have no real effect upon the physical world. and skyscrapers. unconscious memories. In this instance, perhaps my It remained relegated to the sublime reality of the mind was jolted by the glaring contrast between the “heavens.” The material on the other hand could not Isn’t it interesting that the Midrash uses “Rome” and pure white snow falling from the New York skies and be elevated—it could be improved and perfected to “Syria” as symbols of the two dichotomous worlds the still vivid memory of the smoking towers engulfed the limits of its potential, but it could not transcend of heaven and earth – each forbidden to travel to in fames framed against the background of the its inherent limitations and subjectivity. Nor could the other. Christian Rome and Muslim Syria – West very same New York skies. Or perhaps my synapses the spiritual be truly brought down to earth—its very and East – are now at war with each other. In the connected the skyscraping theme of this week’s Torah nature defed actualization. name of heaven (as distorted as it may be), Muslim portion — when heaven met earth — with the two twin fundamentalism is attacking the secular earthiness of skyscrapers that rose so mightily into the frmament This dichotomy was dissolved at Sinai. A fssure was Rome [Edom]. and then suddenly met their tragic demise. opened in the inviolable wall, a window from the inner world of the spirit to the external world of the material. Perhaps they have forgotten Mattan Torah. And this And as one thought leads to the other, a fow began Heaven and earth met. week’s Torah portion is here to remind them that to emerge… heaven and earth can be joined, that we can and No longer did the old rules apply, where what was must reach a balance between these seemingly In the early years of the Word Trade Center I remember inside was locked in and what was outside shut out. incompatible realities. It happened 3328 years ago at a great ad that always remained with me. It was The human was empowered to integrate the spiritual Sinai. And it can happen today. advertising the observation deck of the WTC. The ad and the dark, cold world of matter and imbue it with consisted of a photo showing a birds eye view of the warmth and light. Snow is also a dispatch from heaven, reminding us WTC observation deck. Above the picture were the of a purer reality than our own. Those white winged words: “The closest some of us will ever get to heaven.” The process that began with Abraham and continued crystals carry many messages for us (here are a few A sad smile came to me as I reminded myself of this with Isaac and Jacob, fnally reached fruition seven of them), offering new possibilities beyond our earthly ad while reading in this week’s Torah portion about generations later, with Moses climbing Mount Sinai plane. Offering transcendence one of the most if not the most momentous event in and G-d ‘descending.’ As discussed in my previous history: the giving of the Torah at Sinai. essays, Abraham and his children were primarily Until I reminded myself about Mattan Torah, I felt that concerned with the fundamental struggle between the WTC observation deck was the closest I would ever The Midrash offers the following parable to explain spirit and matter – how to integrate these two worlds. get to heaven. Hey, after all I am a man of this earth. I what happened at Sinai: At Sinai the marriage of heaven and earth was have my share of vices and failings. I was never very consummated. optimistic about my secure place in heaven. Of course, Once there was a king who decreed: “The people of we all want heaven for its climate, but hell seems so Rome are forbidden to journey to Syria, and the people Life ever since has not been the same. The window much more fun for its company. And let’s face it, it’s just of Syria are forbidden to journey to Rome.” Likewise, that opened at Sinai changed reality forever. Now it so much easier to live an undemanding life. when G-d created the world He decreed and said: “The became possible to not only scrape the sky but to heavens belong to G-d, and the earth is given to man.” actually reach it. Though physical skyscrapers were yet That was all till Mattan Torah. Sinai has given me – and But when He wished to give the Torah, He rescinded to come, the human race on earth was empowered to all of us – hope. Hope that we can get closer than we His original decree, and declared: “The lower realms touch heaven. ever have to heaven. 10 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

Is G-d Religious? -a place that cannot be described, much less the By Simon Jacobson defned. By using this very precise, mathematical Halacha of The Week formula, the musician will create something that By Rabbi Dov Schochet transports the listener to a place high above the Reversing a Judgement confnes and fetters of everyday life, high above the strictures of physics and mathematics. isro, the father-in-law of Moses, was appalled at what he was seeing. From Imagine, then, a musical discipline whose laws morning until evening, throngs of Jews are dictated by the inventor and creator of life- Y were standing patiently waiting to be judged by --by the one who has intimate knowledge of Moses. All alone, as a singular judge, Moses had life’s every strength and every vulnerability, of the responsibility of adjudicating all matters its every potential and its every sensitivity. pertaining to the people. Understanding that The only question remaining is: but why so this was non-sustainable, Yisro proposed a many laws? Why must this discipline dictate system of judges that would alleviate the how we are to wake and how we are to sleep, burden on Moses and make it quicker for the and virtually everything in between? people to get judged. The portion that deals with the appointment of judges is a response Because life itself, in all its infnite complexity, to his proposal, therefore he was called Yeser is our instrument of connection with G-d. Every (addition) for a portion was added to the Torah “scale” on its “range” must be exploited to on his account. achieve the optimum connection. One of the complicated matters in Halacha is Music being our metaphor, we cannot but he polls are mixed on that count. Recent how to proceed when a judge makes a mistake. quote the famous anecdote in which Archduke surveys show that as much as 80-90% of Is the judge responsible? Can the case be Ferdinand of Austria reputedly says to Mozart, Americans will say that they believe in retried? How egregious does the mistake have T “Beautiful music, but far too many notes.” To G-d, but 40-50% will say they do not practice to be to reverse a previous ruling? which the composer replied, “Yes, your majesty, a religion. but not one more than necessary.” There are two types of mistakes that Halacha Indeed, if G‑d is all‑powerful and infnite, deals with. The obvious mistake which is clearly and religion is a set of laws and rituals and a contradicted by the original sources. This is list of things that one must or must not do, it Yitro...offered a burnt-offering regardless if the original source is a Mishna, would seem that G-d could hardly be described Talmudic ruling or even from the later codes. as “religious.” Nor would it seem that being and sacrifces to G-d, and Aaron religious will bring a person closer to G-d. If came with all the elders of Israel, There is another mistake where the codes or G‑d transcends all limitation and defnition, why to eat bread with Moses’ father-in- Talmud do not defnitively rule in a specifc would the way to relate to G-d be to impose law (Ex. 18:12) matter, rather leave the question debated. further restriction and defnition on our already However if the majority of judges historically fnite and constricted lives? rule like one of the positions, or a careful Why was Yitro the one to host the Yet this paradox is not confned to the reading of the Talmudic text shows a preference religious-spiritual aspect of the human festive meal? Why didn’t Aaron for one opinion, or even if the majority of judges experience. Throughout the ages, whenever and the elders prepare the meal prefer one opinion, if a judge rules differently it is considered to be a mistake in analysis. man has endeavored to escape the bounds of and invite Yitro, their guest, to the mundane and the everyday, he did so by partake? Yitro had sought Moses submitting to a structured, even rigid, code of In the frst case because the mistake is behavior. out in the middle of the desert obvious the original verdict is considered to be because of his desire to become worthless and the case must be retried. If the case cannot be retried e.g. the judge ruled for My favorite example for this is the discipline a Jew. As is customary, after his of music. There are just so many musical the plaintiff incorrectly and the plaintiff has notes on the scale, and no one—not even the brit, Yitro made a festive meal to left town with the money, the judge is exempt greatest musician—can create additional notes celebrate. Aaron and the elders from making restitution. Some commentaries or subtract any. Anyone who wishes to play or came to participate in the happy debate this ruling and argue that because the judge caused a loss he is responsible. However compose music must conform to this absolute, event. immutable system. normative Halacha rules that because the judge had no intent to cause damage, and the damage And yet, by submitting to this framework, the (Our Sages) he caused was indirect (he didn’t physically musician will create a piece of music that remove the money from one party to hand it to touches the deepest place in a person’s heart-- 11 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! the other) he is exempt from payment. Chof Beis Shevat never lived in an “Orthodox” community before and was quite new to such a lifestyle. But having If the judge makes a mistake in analysis, there Yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn just spent a year in Israel and learning in yeshiva are a few critical questions that must be asked. there, I felt like I had a pretty good idea as to Is the judge an expert? Does he have permission what I was in for, until I started roll call. to render judgments from the Jewish leadership? Chaya’le, Mushka, Mussie... Did the litigants come to the case willingly? If The Impact of Rebbetzin Chaya There were twelve girls registered in my class. I he was an expert and he either had permission Mushka began to read the names: Mushka, Chaya Mushka, or the litigants came willingly, the judge is By Sara Esther Crispe Mushkie, Moussia, Chaya Moussia, Mussie…I kid exempt from payment. There is a debate if the you not, all twelve girls had different versions of case can be retried. R Yosef Karo (the general the same name. At frst I thought that perhaps authority for Sephardim) rules that the case is there was some law or rule I hadn’t yet learned retried if possible, whereas R Moses Isserles about. I couldn’t possibly fathom how every (the general authority for Ashkenaz) rules that single girl had the same name. (And, needless to the verdict must stand as there is no clear error. say, we immediately decided to call the girls by their last names…) If only one of the three conditions were met (Either he was an expert, or had authority to When I asked them what their name meant, judge, or was judging with the consent of the why they had been given those names, they all litigants) the verdict stands and the judge must excitedly explained that they were named after pay for his mistake. According to R Yosef Karo if the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe’s wife. the judge did not physically transfer the money Even though they were only fve, they were flled from one party to the other, the case can be with beautiful stories of who this woman was retried. If it is not possible, the judge must pay. and why they were so proud to carry her name. As I watched these little kindergartners speak, The general rules for the judge are as follows. there was a pride and power that they had when In cases of monetary dispute, if there is some talking about her, and it was immediately clear doubt what the Halacha is he must rule for that this was a very special woman. the defendant. If it is question of ritual law in he year was 1994. I had recently moved to cases of doubt, if it is a question of Biblical law These girls were of the frst of thousands of girls Crown Heights, Brooklyn after graduating the judge must be strict, if it is a question of to be named after her. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka from college in San Diego, California. It was Rabbinic law he must be lenient. In general, we T had passed away the twenty second of the quite a change for me, the geographical shift follow the later authorities when they debate month of the Hebrew month of Shevat, in 1988. from the beaches of La Jolla to the noise and the earlier authorities, the exception being a cold of New York being the least of it. More so, case where the later authorities didn’t have the I was awe struck. I had heard little of the I had left my politically correct, and extremely earlier authorities positions available to them. “Rebbetzin,” as she was called, but clearly liberal college environment to immerse myself she was a woman whose infuence and spirit If a judge is not an expert and didn’t have in intensive Judaic studies and try to get a permeated all who knew her or knew of her. the consent of the litigants, his verdicts are glimpse of understanding into the life long While I hadn’t been fortunate enough to meet considered to be illegitimate. Therefore, all of question, “Who am I?” her in her life, I knew that my little group of his verdicts can be rejected by either side. If Chaya Mushka’s would be the beginning of my Although spiritual knowledge was something I for some reason the case cannot be retried, the learning process of discovering who she was was seeking, eating was also one of my needs, judge is responsible to pay for his mistakes for and what she embodied. so I immediately started to look for a job. I soon he is considered to be willfully damaging the heard that a woman was in need of a gymnastic property of another by involving himself in an The frst thing I was shown was her picture. teacher. Having done gymnastics for years and area where he has no expertise. Unquestionably, she was a very beautiful coached during college, I was thrilled to discover woman. She was stunning. And yet, there was that there was a small gym program being held The story of Yisro and Moshe is the perfect something about her that was so graceful, in this woman’s basement for little fve year anecdote to have real justice. Here was a so royal, so holy. It spoke to me through the old Chassidic girls. I was ecstatic. Granted, it foreigner who didn’t share the collective photograph as I stared at her face and looked was not a gym like I was used to, but I knew I experiences of the Jewish people offering advice into her eyes. She embodied the concept that is could improvise, and just wanted an opportunity to the leader. Instead of ignoring his advice and often attributed to her, Kol Kevuda Bat Melech to work with children and teach them the very rejecting any input from an outsider, Moshe took Penima, “All the honor of the daughter of the things I loved so much. it to heart. If we want to be effective judges in King is within.” This is not to say that externally she was not also beautiful, but that true beauty our own lives we cannot reject what we don’t Little did I know who would be teaching whom. like because of the source, rather we must be shines from within and illuminates all that is willing to learn about everything from anyone. My frst day teaching I was a bit nervous. I had outside of itself. Furthermore, those who don’t deserve honor often seek it. Those who are truly 12 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! honorable in the recesses of their souls, need And while she endured the test of biological nothing external to validate that. childlessness, she most certainly had and has Stories with Soul countless children who consider her their The Rebbetzin did not have an easy life and yet mother in so many ways. Not only those named Encounters with the she was not known to complain about it. Being in her memory and honor, but the numerous married to the Rebbe, the spiritual leader of educational institutions around the world that Rebbetzin hundreds of thousands of Jews throughout the proudly bear her name. It was known that when world, meant that her husband did not belong she would be asked if she had any children, she The following are excerpts from “My Encounter to her alone. would respond, “The Chassidim are my children.” with the Rebbe” by Zalmon Jaffe, culled from Mr. Sharing the man you love is never easy, and yet it Not only was this true then, but in some ways it Jaffe’s 24 years of diaries. Mr. Jaffe had a unique was something she chose to do and encouraged. is even more true now. relationship with the Rebbe and the Jaffe/Lew She recognized his potential, his role, his family had a special relationship with Rebbetzin Almost thirteen years have passed since I taught Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe’s wife. ability and the way his Chassidim needed him, that gymnastics class. And I am still seeking to and made that her focus. For many, when they understand on a deeper level, “Who am I?” I I asked the Rebbe for permission to invite his spoke with her or met her, they were completely hope to spend my life trying to know the answer. unaware of who she was. She wanted it that way. Rebbetzin - Chaya Mushka - to the wedding And those twelve little Chaya Mushkas are not of my daughter Hindy and son-in-law Rabbi She was also extremely intelligent, cultured and little girls anymore. They are now nineteen Shmuel Lew. The Rebbe said: “You can invite well read. She studied literature in university year old young women who are entering their her. She will be delighted; although, she will not after she married, at the same time when the adult lives as powerful women who can make a come physically. She does know of you, since you Rebbe was studying. And she was an avid reader. difference in this world. Young women who carry always ‘say it with fowers’.” (The Rebbetzin did To her many friends she was Chaya Mushka. To the responsibility of a name and the legacy of a not like appearing in public. However, we had for the rest of the world, she was the Rebbetzin, the woman who has helped me understand how I some time now been sending her and the Rebbe Lubavitcher Rebbe’s wife. want to answer my question. For the Rebbetzin fowers before Yom Tov). Chaya Mushka taught me, taught us all, that true And yet, she was careful not to abuse the power beauty stems from within, and that those most Just over a week before the wedding, the groom that title gave her. It was not faunted. She did worthy of respect, honor, acknowledgement and and bride and ourselves were granted the honor not seek special privileges or treatment. Rather, awe, are those that do not seek it nor want it. and privilege of meeting the Rebbetzin in her she was a very private and unassuming woman, home for the frst time. One incident comes to never desiring to draw attention to herself. When mind, illustrating the wonderful and perfect she would identify who she was, it was always And Mount Sinai was altogether hostess she was. as “Mrs. Schneersohn from President Street.” smoke (ashan) (Ex. 19:18) She would avoid shopping or going to public Shmuel accidentally knocked over a glass of red places. It is understandable given the reputation The three letters of the word ashan, fruit punch. Shmuel’s face turned the color of the now bright red table cloth. The Rebbetzin and status that she had. Yet what is most ayin-shin-nun, stand for olam (world fascinating, most powerful, was her reason for immediately assured him that it was a wonderful not going. Unlike the common situation where - the dimension of place); shana (year siman bracha (sign of blessing) and so on. She one would not want to deal with the attention - the dimension of time); and nefesh seemed so happy about it that I was tempted to and people pestering, for Rebbetzin Chaya (soul - the energy that animates the knock over my glass, too! Mushka the reason was quite the opposite. She physical plane). The revelation at didn’t want to make other people uncomfortable. Friday afternoon, Sivan 1 (June 5), at 3:00, She knew that people would want to please her Sinai signifed that from that point was one of the highlights of our trip to Crown and give her special attention, and not only on we were given the ability to refne Heights, a visit to our charming and gracious didn’t she want or need that, she didn’t want and elevate these two dimensions Rebbetzin, the Rebbe’s wife, Chaya Mushka. It anyone else to feel the need to attend to her. is something to which we always look forward (through Torah and mitzvot - and we always make certain that we are not one Though she didn’t want respect and commandments), and infuse them second late. acknowledgement, she most certainly received with a G-dly light and vitality. it. For all who knew her and knew of her, knew We were privileged and honored this year to be how much she deserved the utmost treatment. allowed to take with us Hindy, Shmuel and their She allowed the Rebbe to be Rebbe—someone (Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of fve children. (Yossi and Mendy were very shy, who infuenced and changed world Jewry on Chabad Chasidism) Golda Rivka and Pinchas were good, but Yenta a scale that we cannot possibly measure. The Chaya was terrifc. She was singing songs for the Rebbe was able to be who he was because of Rebbetzin all the time). We had nice fruit juice, who the Rebbetzin truly was. cream cake and so forth. After half an hour, Hindy and Shmuel left with the children. We stayed for 13 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! two hours altogether. without her husband (the Rebbe) at her table. politeness, she is obviously a real lady), and remarked that I had talent and a gift for writing. We had a very good, enjoyable and happy The Rebbetzin always asks about our She recommended that I have all my diaries afternoon, laughing and joking and occasionally grandchildren. Susan had sent photographs for printed in one volume. being serious, too. her, too, which were very much appreciated. On our second visit with the Rebbetzin, time The Rebbetzin talked about Susan and Avrohom The Rebbetzin told us (what the Rebbe had simply fed. The two hours seemed like 30 [Jaffe, Reb Zalmon’s son and daughter-in-law], already told us at the yechidut - private minutes and it was time for mincha (the who had visited her last Purim. She had “watched audience) that the Rebbe had brought Roselyn’s afternoon service). Susan waiting for Avrohom outside 770 for letter about the apartment home, to show her. hours!” She adored their “lovely children.” We The Rebbetzin said she was very pleased that The Rebbetzin confrmed that the Rebbe does informed the Rebbetzin how impressed Susan Roselyn had written such a nice letter to the enjoy seeing me and everyone at the davening had been with the friendliness and courtesy of Rebbe. (prayers). Although it did seem that the Rebbe the Rebbetzin, and how much “at home” one was does not notice anyone, the Rebbetzin assured made to feel. The time passed very quickly, but we had the me that he saw everybody and it made him very pleasure of visiting the Rebbetzin again for happy indeed. On Sunday, Sivan 3 (June 7), at three, we had the another hour or so before we left for home. delightful pleasure of visiting with our beloved Recently In The News Rebbetzin again. We went alone this time; so we Just before Shabbat, there was a knock on had tea instead of fruit juice. the downstairs door of our apartment. When Two Holocaust Miracles in I opened the door, there was Mr. Halbershtam We all agreed that it was a pity that the yeshiva with a parcel. It was a Shabbos gift from the Slovakia boys and the men did not take an example from Rebbetzin, a lovely cream cake. It looked A child survivor returns to open a the Rebbe in cleanliness, tidiness, punctuality delicious and as sweet as our dear Rebbetzin. building, and also reopens long- and doing everything with a “seder,” (orderly It was very gratifying to be reminded that forgotten memories manner). Also, the Rebbe was the perfect someone was thinking of us. It was delicious. By Dovid Margolin gentleman. He still greeted Roselyn with “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” and touched his We again had the zechut (privilege) to visit our hat whenever he met her in the street. We had a dear Rebbetzin at her home. Actually we had a jolly good time for two and a quarter hours and double zechut, because we were fortunate to the Rebbetzin asked us to come again next year, visit her on two separate occasions, as we did please G-d. last year.

We were again privileged and honored to be Her house had just been redecorated. It was very received by our dear Rebbetzin at the Rebbe and nice and bright. Our Rebbetzin also looked very Rebbetzin’s home on President Street. We spent nice and bright; she seemed much younger than over two and half hours with the Rebbetzin. The last year. She oozes charm and graciousness. To Rebbe is generally not at home during those quote an expression often used by the Rebbetzin omewhere in northeastern Slovakia sits the visits; he is hard at work in 770. herself, which translates as exceptional, village of Kurima; at least, that’s what it’s “umberuffen.” We feel proud and privileged to Scalled. For centuries, Kurima was in the Austro- The Rebbetzin seems to gain in stature and again be in her company. Hungarian Empire before fnding itself a part of the charm every year. She receives regular letters newly birthed Czechoslovakia in 1918. At the dawn of from our daughter-in-law, Susan. She said, She inquired about our children and World War II, it was in a part of the country sawed off “Susan is a very wonderful, wonderful girl.” (She grandchildren, especially regarding Susan, by Hitler to create the puppet state of Slovakia, led by once referred to her as a “wonderful kid” and for whom we delivered another letter to the Roman Catholic priest-turned-dictator Jozef Tiso, who explained to me that this is an American term!) Rebbetzin. In her letters, Susan describes the happily collaborated with his Nazi overlords. Then, daily happenings which occur at home in in 1942, its Jews were shipped away and the place I told the Rebbetzin how disappointed I was Manchester. that was Kurima disappeared, leaving behind a very that the Rebbe had discontinued having his different village bearing the same name. Yom Tov (holiday) meals with his chasidim. I We spent a very pleasant couple of hours These days, the original Kurima is accessible only via missed those “private and homely gatherings.” together. I read out excerpts from last year’s memory. On the other hand, I was extremely delighted diary, my Israel diary and parts of this Shavuos for the Rebbetzin’s sake: after all those years trip’s diaries, which I am writing now (I had brief There was a time when Rabbi Nissen Mangel, 84, she, fnally, had her husband with her for Yom notes). knew that place well. His maternal grandparents, Tov. It must have been a real mesirat nefesh the Sterns, were important members of the village’s (self‑sacrifce) for her all those years, all alone The Rebbetzin praised my work (it was not just Jewish community, and each summer of his pre-war youth he’d travel 80 kilometers from his hometown of 14 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

Kosice, now Slovakia’s second-largest city, and spend “I remember our preschool had a Chanukah a few blissful months there. His grandparents were performance, and I notice this older woman, a child’s well‑to‑do, their yard flled with ducks and chickens, grandmother, in the corner sobbing,” recalls Chanie. and Mangel and his cousins would play with them in a “I got worried that something was wrong, and asked stream near the house. her if she was alright. She tells me, ‘When I got out of Auschwitz, I didn’t imagine I’d have Jewish Of course, the village synagogue is long gone. Mangel’s grandchildren, let alone singing Jewish songs openly ancestors’ graves have also been destroyed along with here in Slovakia!’ ” much of the Jewish cemetery, the headstones taken by locals to serve as foundations for the new Kurima they After some time, the Myerses rented space in the city were building, the one barren of Jews. center to house the Chabad preschool and varied other At the end of 2017, Mangel—who as a child survived activities, where they remained for 10 years. About the Holocaust in six different concentration camps— eight years ago, Chabad of Slovakia ran into serious Birkenau, Mauthausen, Melk and Gunskirchen, from returned to the country of his birth to speak at the fnancial trouble, forcing them to eventually evacuate which he was liberated in 1945. dedication of the new Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish their premises. It was a sad day for the family, who had Educational Center of Slovakia, located in the heart of poured all of their efforts into creating vibrant Jewish After the war he returned to Czechoslovakia, reuniting life at their center. the capital city of Bratislava. Mangel, a noted New York- with his mother and sister; but the Nazis had done based author, editor, teacher and scholar who, among their work. His father had managed to survive “It was heartbreaking,” says Chanie. “I remember other works, translated the Tehilat Hashem prayerbook Auschwitz, and as the Germans retreated he was taken standing with one of my children in the empty Chabad into English, had been back for brief visits before, to further and further into Germany, only to be murdered House after the movers fnished and sobbing, telling Kosice and Bratislava, the places of his childhood, and trying to save a fellow inmate at the moment when her about all the good deeds that had taken place to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where that childhood ended. he himself had a chance to escape. His paternal there. My husband and I just couldn’t get over it.” But he travels less frequently these days, and since the grandparents had been taken away in 1941, for they purpose of this journey was to highlight the miracle of still held Polish citizenship, and were sent to Nazi- Still, every Saturday night after Shabbat, she would Jewish rebirth in 21st-century Slovakia, he wanted to occupied Ukraine, where they were executed at Babi scour listings for potential new spaces for their Chabad fnd Kurima, the place of his fondest pre‑war memories. Yar. Along with the rest of Kurima’s Jews, his maternal center. There was just one problem: They didn’t have grandparents were deported in 1942, most likely to the funds for it. There is a tzadik buried in Kurima, Reb Mechele either the Treblinka or Maidanek death camps, and Twerski—a grandson of the legendary Reb Zusha of “I just couldn’t believe,” she says, “this was how the dozens more members of his extended family had Anipoli—who passed away in 1856, and for some story would end.” likewise been murdered. reason his grave was never destroyed. Mangel’s great- great-grandfather had given Reb Mechele aid and In 1948, just as Czechoslovakia came under the boot Elijah the Prophet Makes an shelter when the great rabbi escaped there from the of Soviet domination, Mangel’s mother managed Appearance Russian Empire, ending up over the border in Kurima, to send her two children abroad, herself remaining With their preschool now in their home, and the school and Mangel wanted to take the opportunity to pray at stuck behind the newly drawn Iron Curtain until and camp staff housed in rented apartments, things the gravesite. 1951. Smuggled out of the country of his birth, Nissen were getting desperate. Eventually, Chanie came up Mangel didn’t dream of ever seeing Jewish life there Mangel expected to recognize nothing beyond the with a plan. again. great tzadik’s grave. But to his surprise, he found one The rabbi had always been responsible for raising more thing . . . the stream, right where he had left it. Forty-six years later, in 1993, Rabbi Baruch and Chanie the necessary funds for them to operate, but now Myers arrived in newly independent Slovakia to found “He was very happy when he saw it,” says Rabbi Chanie asked if he was alright with her approaching the country’s frst Chabad center. With the blessings Mangel’s grandson, Ari Herson, 21, who accompanied three potential donors with a pitch that they fund of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of his grandfather on the trip. “The rest of the time he a new building. The rabbi readily, if skeptically, righteous memory—the couple began working to was educating: pointing things out to me, addressing agreed. The frst two donors she solicited demurred; rebuild Jewish life in the country. In addition to his audiences. When he saw the stream was still there and however, the third yielded results. A string of leads led Chabad work, Myers was appointed rabbi of the local started remembering, it took him back.” Chanie to representatives of an anonymous Jewish Jewish community, a position he continues to hold philanthropist who seemed willing to help. For a brief moment, the survivor, who has spent today. decades speaking and teaching on general Jewish She developed a strong rapport with the Slovakia’s Jews are a hardy bunch. Nearly everyone is topics in addition to the Holocaust, caught a glimpse representatives, one of whom soon showed up the child or grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, and of his childhood—a time, as he put it in an interview unannounced in Bratislava to inspect Chabad’s when the Myerses arrived, they were greeted by a earlier this month, before “my youth was snatched local operation, arriving on the eve of Sukkot. After Jewish community that had also experienced a half- away.” witnessing the whirlwind of activity bursting out of century of Communist rule. Their message those frst the Myers home, the representative agreed to fund A Building in Bratislava years, says Chanie Myers, was “it’s OK to be Jewish.” a new building, the necessary renovations associated In 1944, together with his father, mother and elder with it, and top-of-the-line children’s furniture for the The couple opened a Jewish preschool, then a school preschool. sister, 11-year-old Nissen Mangel was caught, arrested and then a Gan Israel summer camp, all in addition and deported from Bratislava. He was frst sent to the to numerous adult-education classes and holiday The fnal donation would amount to 2.6 million Euro. Sereď labor camp near Bratislava, then on to Auschwitz, programs. 15 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

humbling.” In one spot, he showed his grandson how many meters he and his fellow inmates had to run naked in the snow. In another, he marked the spot where he witnessed a commandant’s teenage son gun down 15 Jews for target practice, a gift for his 15th birthday. At Melk, a subcamp of Mauthausen in the Austrian mountains, he pointed out the towering height of the crematoria’s smokestacks, designed that way so that the noxious smells emanating from them would not bother the SS “This was literally a blessing that fell from heaven,” guards manning the death factory. grew rapidly. says Chanie. “G-d sent us Elijah the Prophet.” Feeling a responsibility to witness and recall for “It was a very frum [religious] city,” explains Mangel. The Chabad couple promptly purchased the former himself before speaking at the grand opening, Mangel While the community felt the effects of the Hotel President at Drevená St. No. 4, a seven‑foor wanted to visit all of the camps before his speech. So enlightenment and efforts to modernize Judaism, structure in the heart of Bratislava. In the last two on Tuesday morning—the very day of the event—he, his “we were much closer to Poland, and so it was much years, they have renovated it and brought the building grandson and Rabbi Myers traveled to Sered’, about an more of a Chassidic place. There were Munkatcher up to code. Today, it houses a preschool, kindergarten, hour from Bratislava, where Mangel was interviewed Chassidim, Belzer Chassidim. My family was affliated Hebrew school, classrooms, event space, tourist about his experience by a camp historian. more with the Stropkover Chassidim, [the Rebbe of accommodations, industrial kitchen and the family’s whom] came from one of the sons of the Sanzer, the home. “The goal of this trip was to help perpetuate Jewish life in Slovakia,” says Herson, “and visiting these places Divrei Chaim [Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, 1793- 1876].” As construction and renovation moved along, Chanie was a way for him to tell his story of the war and the would keep the philanthropist, whom to this day years that followed.” While some of the big synagogues and many of the she has not met, apprised of the progress via email. Later that day, Dec. 19, a ribbon was cut, and Mangel city’s Jews affliated with the Neolog movement and Finally, as the fnishing touches were being made and a more traditional strain called Status-Quo, Mangel a grand opening planned, she wrote to him suggesting spoke in front of a spellbound crowd of 200 politicians, notables, and Jewish community leaders and members. says that nevertheless, the vast majority of these Jews that perhaps they dedicate the building with the would be categorized as strictly observant today. “The name of the philanthropist’s mother, grandmother or Among others present who addressed the crowd were Slovakia’s minister of culture, Marek Maďarič; whole standard of Yiddishkeit was on a whole other another relative, which no one could track back to the level.” anonymous donor. Bratislava regional governor Juraj Droba; president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Slovakia Eliezer Mangel was in the textile business, and owned Chanie had, over a period of about two years, emailed Igor Rintel; and president of the Jewish Community of a large store. He was a scholar in his own right and had the donor roughly every six weeks describing their Bratislava Tomas Stern. That evening, the eighth night been a student of Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (1867- progress, yet never receiving a response. But this time, of Chanukah, a menorah was lit by Rabbi Zeev Stiefel, 1948) at the latter’s famed Galanta Yeshivah. When she did, a simple one-liner: “God knows who I am.” director of Chabad of Central Slovakia. Dushinsky decided to leave for Palestine in 1930, he With the organized mind of an editor, Mangel works asked Mangel’s father to come along with him to help In the Place Where It All Happened form his new yeshivah in Jerusalem. If there’s one person who believes in miracles, it’s Rabbi to separate his role as an educator from the emotions Nissen Mangel, who in the story of his survival sees such harrowing events naturally summon. When “My father was already engaged to my mother, so he the Hand of G-d at play time after time. When Myers during his speech he choked up for a moment, he did not go, but this was the caliber of my father,” says invited Mangel to be guest speaker at the dedication paused, took a sip of water, composed himself and only Mangel. of Chabad’s new building, sharing the tale of its then continued. They prayed at the large Chassidic kloyz adjacent to providential provenance, Mangel agreed. While he has “I think he feels there is a time and place for raw slowed his pace of talks in recent years, speaking in the big central synagogue, which although Orthodox, emotions, but when he’s speaking and educating, that’s was considered a bit more modern. When it came time Bratislava presented him with a unique opportunity not the place,” observes his grandson. “His message is: for his own story of Jewish survival, coupled with the to go to cheder, Mangel’s father did not send him to Yes, this happened and we must know about it, but we the city’s large Talmud Torah but to a small private one post-war story of Jewish rebirth, to meet in the place also have a mission now and need to look forward.” of their occurrence. run by a learned melamed, with maybe 30 to 40 young students. Mangel arrived on Dec. 15 with his grandson, and for ‘Miracles, I Saw Miracles’ the next week traveled to the concentration camps Nissen Mangel was born on Oct. 31, 1933 (11 Cheshvan “It was more personal, private attention, that’s why where he had spent time: Mauthausen, Melk and 5694) to Eliezer (Leizer) and Faiga (Freida) Mangel in my father wanted me to learn in this cheder,” explains Gunskirchen. With the exception of Auschwitz, which Kosice, then Czechoslovakia. His paternal grandfather Mangel. “The Rebbe [teacher] was so effcient, so he did not visit on this trip but has been back to before, had been born in Sanz (historically a Polish city, but at capable, he imbued in us yiras shomayim, fear of Mangel had not seen the camps since the war. the time in Hungary; today, it is Nowy Sącz, Poland) heaven. When we learned well, he tested us, and if we and moved to Kosice, where Mangel’s father was born. learned chumash well, or a Rashi, or a piece of Gemara, “He started telling me stories I heard from him my Jewish life in Kosice was a relatively new affair, Jews he would take us . . . he had a big garden with a lot of whole life, but suddenly, you’re standing in the place having been banned from settling there until 1839- trees . . . he would hang on the branches of the tree where it all happened,” says Herson. “It was surreal and 40. Once Jews began moving there, their population cherries, connected by a stem, and hanging down. 16 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!

[When] we’d learn well, he’d take us to the garden, with my sister—why during a time of danger would I pick us up by our fselach [feet] and say, ‘G‑d sends go with my slightly older sister and not stay with my you these cherries because you learned so well.’ This father? Then that my father convinced them to let him inspired in us such yiras shomayim, awe of heaven, hire help, and like that we were out,” says Mangel. “But that G-d is sending us these cherries, that we are in it was all miracles.” contact with Him. That was the difference between a cheder and a Talmud Torah . . . ” That very day the family headed to a relative’s home in the suburbs, where roundups had not yet taken place, Mangel is frst and foremost a teacher, and so he and soon thereafter, they escaped over the border into continues the lesson his melamed taught him more the Slovak Republic, taking cover in Bratislava until than 70 years ago in Kosice. “It wasn’t even a cherry they were caught. tree, so was this a deception? No, not at all. G-d made Mangel says that in returning to these places, he feels our Rebbe his emissary to send us these cherries for fetch your mother!’ I jumped out of bed at the same learning well; it was all true!” an obligation to recite the Kaddish prayer on behalf time and told them I’m going with her. They pushed of the millions of souls who perished there, but at the The Kosice he was born in had been in Czechoslovakia, me down and told me to go back to sleep. I jumped same time to pronounce: “Blessed are You, G-d, our but in 1938, as the world stood by and watched, back up again, and they pushed me down, and then I Lord, King of the universe, who wrought a miracle for Hitler annexed Czech Sudetenland, and sliced off started crying. My father told them, ‘Why don’t you let me in this place,” a blessing made not only on his own the country’s eastern end, where Kosice is located. him go? Can’t you see they’re always together?’ So the behalf, but on that of his children and descendants. Hoping to entice them on to the Nazi side in the Nazi yelled at us to get out of there.” But it is the renewal of Jewish life in Slovakia that coming war, he handed it to Hungary. A year later, The two siblings searched for their mother through moves him most—the work that the Myers have done the Nazi puppet Slovak Republic was established the entire marketplace, which was teeming with to bring Judaism to a place where he had seen it under Tiso’s ostensible rule, and the remainder of thousands of Jews doing their Shabbat shopping. Just almost entirely eradicated. Czechoslovakia was swallowed up by Germany. as they prepared to give up, telling each other she had Thus, from 1939 until 1944, the Mangel family probably headed home already, they saw her emerge “When I was incarcerated in Auschwitz as a boy, I did lived in Hungary. In a way, this complicated bit of from the crowd holding baskets flled with fruits and not think I would ever leave there—if not through the geopolitical maneuvering saved them, at least vegetables, fsh and meat. Her surprise at seeing her chimney,” Mangel told the audience at the ribbon- for a time, for in 1942, Slovakia became the children turned to fear when they informed her that cutting. “I did not I think that I would one day return frst Axis partner to consent for its Jews to be the Gestapo was in their home with their father, and to the country of my birth, and I certainly never deported as part of Hitler’s Final Solution—Tiso she urged them to all run home together. dreamed that in the city of Bratislava I would fnd an going so far as to pay Nazi Germany per Jewish active Jewish community. That I would be in Bratislava “I told her, ‘What’s the haste? You’re out, we’re out, speaking to a room full of people at the dedication head deported. The Holocaust did not come to maybe Tatty [father] will come out?” remembers of a new Chabad center, for that I can only say: Hodu Hungary until 1944. Mangel. “She said, ‘If Tatty goes to Auschwitz, I’m going LeHashem ki tov ki le’olam chasdo—‘Offer praise to the with him.’” Life during those two years continued almost as L-rd for He is good.’ ” usual for the little boy; he went to cheder, went to Eliezer Mangel owned the multi-apartment building Back in New York, the rabbi adds: synagogue with his father on Shabbat, and while in which he and his family lived, and his tenants were he knew there was a war on—he watched his father all Jews except the property custodian. The custodian’s “The world builds museums, edifces to memorialize raising money to assist Jewish refugees who had daughter, named Ivanka, worked at a tavern not far the Holocaust. These are very important and can be escaped into Hungary—it did not affect him much. from the Mangel home, and so there they ran, hoping very inspiring, and I don’t want to take away at all from Then came the Friday morning in April 1944, when she could go to the house to see what’s going on in that work. But they are still dead edifces. The Rebbe dark uniforms, glinting bayonets and shouting German their stead. “The tavern was flled with drunkards, and wanted to build human edifces and not just focus soldiers suddenly came into his young life. He survived, she tells my mother, please let me serve them all and on the past, on what Hitler did, but on the future, to he attests, due to “miracles; I saw miracles.” then I’ll go,” he says. “We waited there for half an hour; build living museums, living edifces, flled with active my mother was on shpilkes [Yiddish for needles.]” Jewish life.” It was early, maybe 7 a.m., when several SS and Gestapo offcers entered the Mangel home. Before Finally, Ivanka went to check, but at the corner, even the Nazis had come into town, his father had prayed before she had the chance to turn onto the Mangel’s in the synagogue every morning, but after their arrival street, she sees Eliezer Mangel. While the Gestapo he dared go only on Shabbat, and so was in the midst waited for the rest of the family to return, they ordered of his prayers at home when they entered. Mangel the senior Mangel to consolidate his heavy, carved was asleep, as was his older sister. Their mother had wooden furniture into one room. Protesting that he gone to the market to shop for Shabbat, following the could not do it alone, they permitted him to go out and halachic precept that it is worthy to begin Shabbat hire some extra hands to help him, which he had every preparations earlier than usual. Accounting for three intention of doing. Then he realized his entire family of the four Jews living in the home, one offcer shouted was out, so why should he return to the waiting Nazis, asking where Frau Mangel was. and that’s when he saw Ivanka on the street corner. “My father told them that she went out to shop,” says “There were miracles throughout this story. My mother Mangel. “So they woke up my sister and yelled, ‘Go went early to shop for Shabbos. I insisted on going 17 Meyer Youth Center The full scoop on all the Youth events and classes

Sponsored by Rabbi Ezzy & Malka Rappaport & In honor of the Salzhauer family

18 Meyer Youth Center The full scoop on all the Youth events and classes

19 Meyer Youth Center The full scoop on all the Youth events and classes

20 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

ב”ה

With Rabbi Dov Schochet

A NEW SIX-WEEK COURSE BY THE ROHR JEWISH LEARNING INSTITUTE CAN YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF The rise of the Internet, mobile phones, and social media EFFECTIVELY has completely changed the way we relate, interact, and communicate with one another—and it’s high time we reclaim IN 140 this lost art. CHARACTERS LOCATION FEE The Shul Fee: $79 (Textbook included) OR LESS? 9540 Collins Ave Couples discount $135 Surfside Fl 33154 Scholarships available upon request

WHEN MORE INFO/ Six Wednesday Evenings REGISTER Beginning Wednesday, Jan 24 Please call 305.868.1411 Should you? 8:00pm - 9:30pm or email: [email protected]

21 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

22 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

23 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE THE SHUL ANNUAL DINNER HONORING GRAND BENEFACTOR AND LEADERSHIP AWARD: MR. & DR. ALBERT AND MARILYN POLLANS FAMILY OF CLASSIC BAAL TEHSHUVA: RABBI & MRS. HENRY AND EVY EICHLER L’DOR V’DOR GENERATION TO GENERATION: MR. & MRS.NADAV AND SARI BEN-CHITRIT 03.18.2018 2 NISSAN5778

24 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

25 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

KKeevveerr RRaacchheell With Mrs. Miriam Adani Miriam Adani is the founder of the Kever Rachel Heritage Fund. She is singlehandedly responsible for making Kever Rachel accessible for visits.

Learn about the exciting projects that are Beautiful, original artwork will be on happening now at Kever Rachel display and for sale! and how you can be a part of it! At The Home of Mrs. Shena Dominitz 194 Park Drive, Bal Harbour

26 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town

ב"ה THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR!

TUESDAY 2/13/2018 28 SHVAT 5778 7:30 PM MIZNER PARK AMPITHEATER MUSICAL DIRECTOR: YUVAL STUPEL A MULTI MEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA

DOORS & FOOD TICKETS CONCESSIONS OPEN 5:30 PM $20 • $40 • $60

TRIBUTES TO IDF SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO SERVED IN 1967.

To purchase tckets call 866-636-0069

or go to: WWW.5018CONCERT.COM Ezagui Boruch Credit: Photo

SPONSORED BY LEONARDO FARKAS

27 Construction Updates Keeping you up to date on our exciting progress

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

We are continuing with the dewatering process described in our last update. This continues to be a focus for the construction taking place.

By the time you read this update, our site will be ready for the land surveyor company to layout the auger piles which is a necessary process in dealing with our property which has a high-water table.

This process will take about two weeks to install, and that brings us to the end of January. Once that’s completed our Pumping company will be mobilizing to set up the well points. Soon after that the grade beam and pile cap forming will take place.

By our next report we will have made much progress to get to the next stage of construction.

As always, if you have any questions regarding the construction process, please don’t hesitate to contact Mitch Feldman, Maurice Egozi or Yankie Andrusier

28 In A Woman’s World Issues of relevance to the Jewish Woman

WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Monday Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an Women’s Study Group Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 8:30 - 10:00 pm At the home of : Class This week will take place on TUESDAY NIGHT appointment: 305-866 1492 or please see page 24 for details. 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid Tuesday Prayer Class Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 9:15 - 10:15 am 1111 Kane Concourse Suite 618 The Shul Sisterhood Tanya Class In Spanish Mrs. Vivian Perez 10:45 - 12:00 pm

198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village Who we are... Wednesday The Shul Sisterhood organizes all of The Shul’s programming Morning Torah Class Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 10:00 - 11:00 am and classes geared toward women in the community. Our The weekly portion - Women’s Perspective objective is to bring women of all ages and backgrounds Haime Library together to learn, laugh, experience, and rejuvenate their mind, Tanya Class in English Mrs. Vivian Perez 1:15 - 2:50 pm body and soul. Meet new friends, 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village relax and get inspired! Thursday If you would like to be a part of The Shul Sisterhood, Women’s Tanya Class – Spanish – Mrs. Vivian Perez please call 305. 868.1411 Call Vivian for details – 305.213.3202

WARM MUSHROOM SALAD PREPARATION by Beth Warren Saute shallots in a large saute pan, generously coated INGREDIENTS with evoo, over medium heat, until the edges are just Extra virgin olive oil, such as beginning to caramelize and turn golden brown. Colavita 2 shallots, sliced thinly Add mushrooms and continue cooking, stirring ½ pound cremini mushrooms, occasionally until mushrooms are deep golden brown and have crispy edges, about 10 minutes. wiped with a damp cloth and sliced in quarters Add garlic and stir for just another minute to soften ½ pound shiitake mushrooms, garlic a bit. Add balsamic and stir to coat mushrooms. caps only, coarsely chopped Divide arugula between 5 to 6 plates, top with warm 1 garlic clove, minced mushrooms and drizzle with pan juices. ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 3 cups arugula NOTES FROM THE TEST KITCHEN: Turn the delicious salad into a WOW by adding: toasted Kosher salt hazelnuts, pistachios, or pine nuts, sundried tomatoes, Freshly ground black pepper shaved parmesan and Asiago cheeses (for dairy meals)

29 French Connection Reflexions sur la Paracha

Vivre avec la paracha Créateur ou libérateur? toujours la force divine personnelle de chaque Comprendre la révélation du Sinaï homme, femme et enfant juif. par Yaakov Paley Pour répondre à notre question initiale : orsqu’Il Se présenta au peuple juif au grand Quand D.ieu mentionna l’Exode d’Égypte dans événement du Sinaï, pourquoi D.ieu choisit-Il Ses propos introductifs au Sinaï, Il négligea Lde sous-estimer Ses propres réalisations ? délibérément Son rôle en tant que Créateur. Non, Car, c’est vrai, en se présentant, D.ieu aurait pu le « Je suis » du Sinaï n’était assurément pas annoncer : simplement le Créateur. Je suis le Créateur de toute la réalité ! Au contraire, en entrant dans une alliance 2) Le Tétragramme, l’essentiel et ineffable nom éternelle avec D.ieu fondée sur Sa Torah et Ses J’ai amené à l’existence ce gigantesque et complexe de D.ieu dont les lettres décrivent le processus commandements, le Juif allait commencer là où univers ! par lequel D.ieu crée un « espace » pour que Ses toute existence s’arrête ! créations existent, puis les crée et les vivife. J’ai mis en place des galaxies à couper le souffe ! Les réalités spirituelle et physique sont de simples 3) La « réputation » de ce nom, son rayonnement refets de la divinité, des sous‑produits des Je suis Celui qui recrée à chaque instant toute la et sa propagation, qui est la puissance et la lumière diffusions secondaires des émanations primaires création à partir du néant ! divine dont émane concrètement l’univers et qui le de D.ieu, pour ainsi dire. La Sagesse et la Loi de maintient constamment en existence. Au lieu de cela, Il a simplement annoncé : « Je suis D.ieu, en revanche, connectent le Juif directement l’Éternel ton D.ieu qui t’a sorti d’Égypte... » Certes, Donc la somme du cosmos, des gigantesques avec Son essence même, avec l’absolu « Je suis ». l’Exode fut un événement impressionnant qui a galaxies et de la symphonie du chaos sidéral, « Je suis l’Éternel ton D.ieu qui t’a sorti d’Égypte démontré la toute-puissance de D.ieu, mais il ne l’ordre incroyable qui règne dans le monde de ! » Le nom hébraïque de l’Égypte, Mitsrayim, s’agit essentiellement que du déplacement d’une l’infniment petit de cet univers, avec ses mystères, signife également frontières, limitation, fnitude toute petite nation de quelques kilomètres vers ses merveilles et sa beauté, y compris les formes : meitsarim. L’âme juive est née de la divulgation l’est dans les dunes de sable, pas de façonner un de vie complexes recelées dans ses océans, son de l’Essence au Sinaï, qui a déclenché un pouvoir ahurissant univers. atmosphère et ses terres – tout ceci n’existe qu’en qui transcende la création, une force qui lutte avec conséquence d’un lointain rayonnement du nom Sans vouloir sembler blasphématoire, cette des anges et des manifestations divines et qui divin, qui n’est lui-même que le simple écho de triomphe, et un peuple qui défe à la fois l’histoire, omission fagrante au Sinaï suggèrerait presque l’essence de D.ieu. que le Donneur de la Torah au Sinaï n’était en fait le vieillissement et tout ce que la création peut pas le Créateur du ciel et de la terre... En d’autres termes, le nom divin lui-même est lui jeter à la fgure. Bien au contraire, cette nation infniment éloigné de la création, ne laissant redéfnit l’univers lentement mais sûrement, Imaginez un monarque de l’ancien temps, émaner sa gloire que pour générer et vivifer. S’il en conformément à la révélation au Sinaï du « Je suis redoutable et célèbre, avec une puissante armée est ainsi, alors D.ieu Lui‑même doit être infniment » qui est devenu pour chaque Juif « ton D.ieu qui t’a et un vaste empire sous sa férule. Nous pouvons plus loin ! sorti de la fnitude » de toute existence. diviser la scène en trois parties, comme le font les mystiques : Puis ce fut le Sinaï. L’étude et l’observance de la Torah élève une personne au-delà de la terre, au-delà du ciel, et 1) Le roi en personne. D.ieu choisit d’« abaisser » Son essence, contractant même au-delà de leur origine divine, qui est le et condensant l’infni au sein des innombrables niveau qui peut être décrit comme « D.ieu, le 2) Le titre grandiose par lequel est dénommé détails de Sa loi. La Torah émane non pas d’un Créateur du ciel et de la terre ». Il ou elle s’unit à cet auguste personnage, par exemple « Glorius rayonnement du nom de D.ieu, ni du nom lui- l’Essence suprême. DCCLXX ». même, mais de l’Essence divine Elle-même. Le Sinaï relie le « je suis » du Juif avec l’absolu 3) L’extension de ce nom : la réputation du roi qui Le premier mot de la révélation du Sinaï dit tout : Anokhi. se propage bien au-delà des frontières de son Anokhi. Je suis. royaume, suscitant les échanges commerciaux, les traités et les tributs. Non, ce n’était pas là « simplement » le Créateur Classes de l’univers qui s’exprimait en lumières réfractées à Thursdays at 12.00 in the Haime Library Les dirigeants terrestres ne sont que des paraboles travers le voile de la création. Car le ciel et la terre Classes alternate between the following teachers: pour le Souverain Céleste, nos disent nos sages. Et sombrent dans l’insignifance face à la révélation entre D.ieu et le monde existent trois éléments Dr. Hanna Barouk du Sinaï ! C’était là une démarche « personnelle ». Rabbi Amar correspondants : Rabbi Frankforter « Je suis l’Éternel votre D.ieu ! » À ce moment Rabbi Gansburg 1) D.ieu Lui‑même, l’absolue, indéfnissable et incroyable, le protocole de l’existence lui-même infnie Essence. fut suspendu, et l’absolu « Je suis » devint pour FOR WOMEN ONLY 30 Latin Link Reflexion Semanal

Parasha de la Semana Ecos penetraban a una coyuntura de mi personalidad la demanda de mi propio trabajo. El tesoro Por Jay Litvin que era completamente impersonal, y al mismo estaba lleno con el conocimiento y sabiduría tiempo tan profundamente personal, que mi más sublimes —pero fnalmente yo tendría que a pequeña habitación verde podía albergar corazón se entibiaba mientras escuchaba y a trabajar para poseerlas. tres, tal vez cuatro personas. Había un menudo brotaban lágrimas de mis ojos. Lescritorio, algunas sillas, un rabino y una Entusiasmado con este despertar de Arriba, Di-s colección de libros apoyados en el umbral de El Midrash nos dice que cuando Di-s habló los había sembrado alrededor de mi cinismo, mi una ventana de vidrio, que daba a una calle Diez Mandamientos en el Sinai, no había eco desconfanza, y todas las actitudes contrarias, muy transitada. Fue aquí que me puse teflin por de la voz Divina. El Rebe de Lubavitch explica valores y juicios que me habían formado durante primera vez hace veinte años. Y por los siguientes que esto era porque no había resistencia a mi vida. Pero Él no estaba satisfecho. Él exigía dos años, era aquí, una vez por semana, los las palabras de Di-s. Los Diez Mandamientos ahora que yo vuelva atrás y refne cada uno de martes en la tarde, que experimentaba el más penetraron tan profundamente en cada éstos. Ahora dependía de mí asegurar que la luz profundo y transformador despertar espiritual. hendidura de la creación que no había superfcie que Él había puesto tan brillante dentro de mí, alguna para que las palabras rebotaran para fuera usada para iluminar cada rincón restante Era la clase de Tania. crear un eco. de oscuridad. El rabino leía el texto en voz alta con una tonada De la misma manera, sentía que las palabras del Y así, empecé a escuchar Sus palabras, sin los magnética. Su monólogo era tan hermético y Omnipotente entraban en mí durante aquellas ecos de las muchas capas que constituían la cohesivo que nadie lo interrumpía. Para mí era sesiones de martes por la tarde. Era como si totalidad del ser en que me había convertido. pura revelación. el Omnipotente hubiera llenado de revelación y verdad dentro de mí. Parecía que Él había Después de haber oído sin estas resonancias, Cuando lo escuchaba, las palabras parecían simplemente sorteado todas mis barreras —mis estos ecos ahora son inequívocos. Como una entrar a través de la totalidad de mi cuerpo, no oídos tapados, mi mente cínica y defensiva—y trompeta, cada eco se ha vuelto una llamada a la sólo por mis oídos. Ellas entraban y se alojaban puesto Sus joyas en mi corazón. acción; como un candil, cada eco ilumina un área en un lugar reservado para ellas, como piezas de mi vida que requiere transformación; como diminutas de un rompecabezas que encuentran No había ecos en ese pequeño cuarto verde. una señal, cada eco indica otra senda hacia mi el justo espacio tallado para encajar en las alma interior. En el murmullo más suave, cada dimensiones exactas de la palabra. Luego las Más tarde, luego de que dejaba ese cuarto y eco anuncia la puerta al lugar dentro de mí, palabras se amoldarían como pequeñas piezas volvía a mi estado normal, refexionaba sobre donde siempre he oído sin ecos, donde el tesoro de lego formando frases, párrafos y conceptos. las palabras y conceptos que había escuchado siempre ha sido mío. Y cuando lo hacían, ocurrían mini-explosiones, allí. Repasaba, con mis facultades intelectuales pequeñas descargas de energía que estremecían intactas, lo que había aprendido. Pero algo en mi mente y mi cuerpo. mi proceso de pensamiento había cambiado. Antes, yo me acercaba a ideas e información Mi concentración a las palabras del rabino era nuevas con cierto grado de escepticismo y Clases y Eventos tan absoluta, tan visceral, que mi mente no tenía cinismo. Aprendía desde una actitud de “¿a ver Clases en Espanol ninguna chance de hablar. Preguntas, análisis, las pruebas?” que había desarrollado durante Porcion Semanal desafíos —todo parecía irrelevante. Había una años de palabras vacuas y revelaciones falsas, y Rabbi Shea Rubinstein aceptación completa y una experiencia del haber leído tantos libros llenos de experiencias Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm tipo “¡ahhhhhh!” —momento mágico en el cual ilusorias de descubrimiento personal. Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha todas las contradicciones interiores hallan simplemente un punto de unidad que hasta ese Pero ahora, abría los libros con una simple meta: Rabbi Shlomi Halsband entender mejor. La verdad de lo que se estaba Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm momento parecía imposible. Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm diciendo no estaba en cuestión. El único desafío Mi comprensión creció a tal profundidad que yo era entender bien la verdad, permitirle llegar (Para Mujeres) entendía lo que hablaba y simultáneamente me más profundo en mi ser, y encontrar el valor para Sra. Vivian Perez sentía entendido por completo. Yo raramente transformar mi vida de acuerdo con ella. Martes 10:45 am - 12:00 pm hablaba, sin embargo me sentía escuchado. Miércoles: 1:15pm - 2:50 pm Aunque los conceptos eran nuevos y el idioma Yo sé ahora que escuchar las palabras de Di-s, Jueves: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm extraño, las palabras refejaban algo que de manera tan incondicional, es un raro regalo 198 Park Dr. Bal Harbour parecía que siempre había sabido, pero nunca —una demostración momentánea de bondad Por favor llamar al 305.213.3202 supe que sabía. Sin tener que revelar quién Divina. Como tantos otros, antes y después de para confrmar era, las palabras me describían enteramente. mí, recibí durante esos dos años eso que el El resultado era un sentido de fusión en una jasidismo llama “un despertar de Arriba”. El conciencia mayor, un sentimiento de que poseía Omnipotente me había dado un vislumbre — una individualidad y, a un nivel más profundo, no aunque profundo —de un tesoro que era mío. tenía individualidad en absoluto. Las palabras Pero a continuación de este despertar vino 31 The Aleph Institute Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments

To contribute to The Aleph Institute’s programs, or to volunteer your time, please call 305.864.5553 www.alephinstitute.org 32 The Aleph Institute Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments

To contribute to The Aleph Institute’s programs, or to volunteer your time, please call 305.864.5553 www.alephinstitute.org 33 PLEASE READ ONLY Networking AFTER SHABBOS Effective Advertising

PAID ADVERTISEMEnTS DO NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENTS BY ANY RABBIS OR THE SHUL. THE SHUL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REjECT ANY AD SUBMITTED.

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34 PLEASE READ ONLY Networking AFTER SHABBOS Effective Advertising

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35 PLEASE READ ONLY Networking AFTER SHABBOS Effective Advertising

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36 Numbers to know

Contacts at The Shul 305.868.1411 Rabbi Rabbi Sholom Lipskar Ext 311 Associate Rabbi Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Ext 345 Rabbi’s Executive Assistant Ms. Lydia Hasson Ext 311 Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 305.992.8363 JLAC / Adult Ed/ Singles Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Ext 342 CYS College / Kolel Rabbi Dov Schochet 305.790.8294 Accounting Mrs. Geri Kelly Ext 341 Controller Mrs. Janice Barney Ext 318 Offce Manager Ms. Stacy Waxman Ext 313 Events / Offce Assistant Ms. Milena Liascovitz Ext 328 Youth Director / Dinner Mrs Devorah Leah Andrusier Ext 329 Shul Gaboim Youth Director Rabbi Shaykee Farkash Ext 329 Mr. Andrew Roth Operations / Maintenance Rabbi Shlomi Katan Ext 319 Reception / Accounts Payable Mrs. Mindy Natoli Ext 0 Mr. David Portnoy Mikvah Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 Rabbi Henry Eichler Pre-School Mrs. Chana Lipskar Ext 325 Mr. Ettai Einhorn Sephardic Minyan Chazan Shimshon Tzubeli 305.865.4205 Mr. David Ben-Arie Hebrew School / Editor Mrs. Aurit Katan 786.382.9006 Mr. Seth Salver Hashkama Minyan Mr. Lazer Milstein 305.349.3040 Mashgiach Mr. Mordechai Olesky 786.262.9115 Board of Trustees Foundation Trustees Ambassador Isaac Gilinski - Chairman Alberto Kamhazi Albert Pollans - President Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. Jaime Gilinski Sidney Feltenstein Leo Kryss David Lichter Matias Garfunkel Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein Monroe Milstein - Treasurer Max Gilinski Michael Perez Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Board of Directors Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Steven M. Dunn - President Jerrod M. Levine Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic Mitchell Feldman - Vice President Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mike Izak Rabbi Zalman Lipskar VP Development Alexander Matz Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Lazer Milstein Joel Baum - Associate Treasurer Ezzy Rappaport Executive Committee Steven M. Dunn - Chair Evelyn Katz Dovid Duchman - Secretary Eliott Rimon Carolyn Baumel Brian Roller Devorah Leah Andrusier Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Max Benoliel Seth Salver Janice Barney Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Eli Dominitz Daniel Shapiro Joel Baum Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Boruch Duchman Ryan Shapiro Maurice Egozi Orit Osman Velvel Freedman Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler Marc Sheridan Eli Freund David Wolf Mitchell Feldman Daniel Sragowicz Bruce Gelb Jose Yankelevitch Daniel Gielchinsky Cynthia Stein Ighal Goldfarb Jacob J. Givner Eric P. Stein Sam Greenwald 37 Daily Study A complete guide to all classes and courses offered at The Shul

DAILY CLASSES SUNDAY MONDAY

Derech Mitzvosecha 6:20 - 6:50 am Daf Yomi 9:00 am In Depth Chumash 1:30 pm PHL 101 PHL-301 PHL-501 Rabbi Z. Lipskar TXT 220 Rabbi Dov Schochet TXT-110 Rabbi Dov Schochet Daf Yomi 7:45 - 8:45 am Tanya - Sichos 8:00 - 10:00 pm Insights to our Torah Portion TXT-220 Rabbi Dov Schochet PHL-322 Rabbi Shlomo Haltzband (Spanish) 8:45 - 9:45 pm PHL-120 Rabbi S. Rubinstien Chok L’Yisrael - Sephardic 8:45 am Reb Shimshon Tzubeli Women’s Study Group 8:30 - 10:00 pm TXT-110 Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Chassisdic Discourses 10:15 - 11:00 am At the home of: Class This week will take PHL-322 PHL-510 Rabbi S. Rubinstien place on TUESDAY NIGHT Community Kollel (Men) 8:00 - 9:30 pm please see page 24 for details. (Monday & Thursday) LAW-154 Shul Rabbis & Kolel

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Women’s Morning Torah Class Parsha (Men & Women) Senior Torah Academy 12:00 - 1:00 pm 11:15 am - 12:00 pm Pirkei Avot ETH-101 Rabbi Dov Schochet 10:00 - 11:30 am TXT-110 Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar i TXT-501 Rabbi S. Rubinstien Women’s Torah Portion Class In Depth Tanya Class (Men & Women) Senior Torah Academy (Men & Women) (Spanish) 10:45 am - 12:00 pm 11:30 - 12:30 pm 12:00 - 1:00 pm TXT-110 Mrs. Vivian Perez PHL-320 PHL-501 Rabbi Sholom Lipskar TXT-120 Rabbi Dov Schochet (Main Sanctuary) Book of Judges - Years 2780 -2835 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village Tanya Class - English 1:15 - 2:50 pm PHL-120 Mrs. Vivian Perez French Class Women’s Kever Rachel Event 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village 12:00 pm Haime Library At the home of: Mrs. Shena Dominitz Women’s Tanya Class (Spanish) 194 Park Drive Bal Harbour Spanish Kolel - Chassidus 8:00 - 10:00 pm 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PHL-301 Rabbi Shlomo Haltzband PHL-320 Mrs. Vivian Perez Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202

NUMERIC CODES INDICATE ALL CLASSES LOCATED CYS COLLEGE COURSES AT THE SHUL VISIT WWW.CYS-COLLEGE.ORG UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

38 The Shul Chopped - New Member event was a wonderful evening. Many of the new members stood up and introduced themselves and explained why they loved being a part of our exceptional community. Hidden talents were revealed as the cooking competitors began preparing their dishes and the judges were really impressed by the results.