MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 25 Elul 5774 Nitsabim/Vayelekh September 19-20, 2014

SHABBAT SERVICES PARASHAH

In this week's parashah, Moses gathered the people and told them that they all stood that day before G-d to enter into the covenant with G-d as G-d's people. This covenant was both with those who were standing there that day and with those who were not there that day. Moses questioned whether there were among the people some whose hearts were even then turning away from G-d to go worship the gods of other nations. Moses warned of the dire consequences Candle Lighting Friday Night 6:46 PM which will befall the individual, family, or tribe, which would forsake their covenant with G-d. Friday Evening Services 6:45 PM Moses informed the people what would occur after they are exiled from their land due to their Shabbat Morning Service 9:00 A.M sins. Eventually they will wholeheartedly return to G-d, and G-d will gather them from the Torah Class 5:15 P.M. furthest reaches of the heavens and return them to the land of their forefathers. Then G-d would Shabbat Afternoon Service 6:15 P.M. open their hearts to love G-d with all their hearts and souls, in order that they might live. G-d Shabbat Ends: 7:46 P.M. would then inflict all those curses on the enemies who persecuted them, and would bless the people with abounding prosperity, fertility, and productivity. For G-d would again delight in their BIRTHDAY WISHES: wellbeing, as G-d had in that of their fathers, since they would be heeding G-d and keeping the commandments once they had returned to G-d with all their hearts and souls. Moses enjoined the people to follow the mitzvoth. Moses said that he set before them the choice

Mrs. Ruth Hoffman between life and prosperity on the one hand and death and adversity on the other. Their choice Mrs. Doris Levan will determine whether they are the beneficiaries of G-d's blessings or curses. Moses implored the people to choose life. Jonathon Vessal Moses informed the people that he is 120 years old, and he is not permitted to cross the Jordan Mrs. Nida Bernstein and River together with them. Instead, Joshua will lead them, and G-d will go before them and Joshua Vessal, 3 years old! destroy their enemies. Moses enjoined them to be strong and not fear their enemies. If we have missed your special date, please Moses summoned Joshua and told him to be strong and courageous, for G-d will not forsake him. call the office. Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests and to the elders of Israel, commanding them

REFUAH SHELEMAH TO: to read it before all Israel at the end of every seven years during Succot. Moses told them to assemble all the people - men, women, children, and strangers - that they might hear, learn, fear Ms. Victoria Rosin God, and observe the law as long as the people lived in the land. Mr. Maurice Sady G-d commanded Moses to enter the Tabernacle together with Joshua. G-d appeared to them Mervin Wilf, Esq. both and informed them that a time will come when the people will abandon G-d and stray after Mrs. Ruth Naness alien gods. At that time, G-d will hide His countenance from the nation, and they will be Rabbi Matthew Weinberg subjected to much evils and troubles. Moses then wrote the entire Torah and gave it to the Cohanim (priests) and the elders and instructed them to place it beside the Ark. Ms. Carol Marchand Parashat Nitsabim-Vayelekh has 110 verses.

Haftarah Nitsabim has 23 verses Phone calls and cards to wish someone a Sefer HaHinukh: Parashat Vayelekh contains 2 Mitzvot. Refuah Shelemah are appreciated. The Torah and the will be read by Jonathon Vessal in honor of the anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah... THANK YOU! FROM THE RABBI To Mr. Israel Roizman for the beautiful floral By Rabbi Albert Gabbai arrangements at the Hekhal. Rosh Hashanah is known by any of the following three names: To Mrs. Fran Levy for her weekly donations Yom Hadin (Day of Judgement) of the flowers on our Shabbat tables. Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance) Yom Teru'ah (Day of Shofar blast) To Caralyn and David Vessal for dedicating our in honor of their son, Jonathon, These three names are reflected in the three Musaf themes: who is reading the Haftarah in honor of the Malkhuyot, Zikhronot and Shofarot.The middle Blessing is made of three parts. anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah. Each part contains ten verses from the Jewish Bible. Yom Hadin is equivalent to Malkhuyot (Kingship). On Rosh Hashanah, we declare G-d the King who judges every creature that He created. MAZAL TOB! Yom Hazikaron, Day of Remembrance, we beseech G-d to remember the good To Hazzan Charles and Mrs. Shaina Garson deeds and traits of our forefathers in the hope of eliciting mercy and compassion on the birth of their daughter on Thursday, on their descendants (us). On the Day of Judgement, we pray to G-d that He will September 11! inscribe us in the Book of Life.

SHABBAT SHALOM! Mikveh Israel Record 1

MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD

WEEKDAY SERVICES CLASS FOR CHILDREN Daily morning services: (M-F) 7:00 A.M. The next 8-week session will begin on October 23 (after Sundays and Bank Holidays: 8:00 A.M the holidays) and will cost $36 per child. Please check your schedule and fit into it one morning a week, one week a month, twice a Please call the office to enroll your child or contact month, whatever you can, to attend morning Jessica Shklar. minyan. Go online to our website and sign up. We SHOP IN OUR GIFT SHOP need you! The gift shop has wonderful items for the house, for you, for SUNSHINE PROGRAM everyone! Come in and browse! (BIKUR HOLIM) We just received a new shipment of HONEY, DATES, WINE AND We have formed a support program for the ill CAKE for the holidays! and/or infirm. If you are willing to provide any Please call the office, 215-922-5446, for an appointment to shop or services for them such as taking them to medical stop in during office hours. appointments or tests, doing food shopping, preparing meals, running an errand, making a FOR THE CHILDREN ON THE HIGH phone call or home visit, please contact Loretta HOLIDAYS 5775 Tretina at 215-925-2226. A list will be compiled. When someone is ill or infirm and in need of any SPECIAL CHILDREN'S PROGRAM FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS 5775 assistance, he/she can call Loretta and she will put Rosh Hashanah: Thursday & Friday, September 25 and 26 him/her in contact with some of the volunteers. 10:30 A.M. to Noon Your assistance is appreciated. Shabbat Teshubah: Saturday, September 27 GOOD WISHES 10:15 A.M. to 11:15 A.M. Our good wishes for continued good health to our dear friend, Mrs. Lillian Tonkin. If you would Kal Nidre: Friday, October 3 like to call Mrs. Tonkin, she can be reached at 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. 215-564-0859. She would love to hear from you. Kippur: Saturday, October 4

CONTRIBUTION CARDS 10:30 A.M. to noon-6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Call the office to send out a contribution card for a Mikveh Israel Children's Committee welcomes every Jewish child to our Simha, such as a birthday, birth, anniversary, classes designed to instill a deeper love for Jewish heritage and pride for our graduation, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Berit Milah, for religion and tradition. We seek to enrich the High Holy days for our children condolence or for any other event or occasion. by providing an enjoyable education program and ensuring a positive The cost is $10 for a personalized message. experience for all who attend. We encourage parents to bring children to the THE classes on time. This year, there will be three classes : The Eruv in Philadelphia spans the area between Kitah Aleph: Ages: 0-4 years Teacher: Ms. Dorit Amos both rivers and goes from Washington Avenue to Dorit is our in-house children's teacher with a Master's Degree from Gratz Poplar Street. Unless further notification is College in Jewish Education. The program will include songs, stories and received, the Eruv is up on Shabbat. games relating to the High Holidays and Jewish tradition. A contribution to help maintain the Eruv may be Kitah Bet: Ages 5-7 years Teacher: Ms. Tzviya Ortiz made online at www.CenterCityEruv.org . Tzviya is an experienced teacher with over 10 years' experience working with MARK WOLFSON’S children including those with special needs with the Friendship Circle. Tzviya MIKVEH ISRAEL BLOG is trained in Montessori Education and currently works at Schwartz Preschool. Mr. Mark Wolfson has started an interesting blog Kitah Gimmel: Ages 8-11 years Teacher: Ms. Yael Nehama Ortiz called Mikveh Israel History. In it he explores the people and events in the history of Congregation Yael has 20 years' experience in teaching. Her recent experience City Mikveh Israel. You can see it at: Preschool. Yael is also trained in the Montessori styled education and www.mikvehisraelhistory.com. philosophy. DONATIONS TO JFCS MATCHING GIFTSMikveh Israel Record 2

THRIFT BOUTIQUE Did you know that you can double or even triple your donations to Congregation Mikveh Israel?! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that match charitable contributions made by their employees. Some companies may even match gifts made by retirees, spouses, and board members. Speak with a

MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 25 Elul 5774 Shabbat Nitsabim/Vayelekh September 19-20, 2014 FYI HAFTARAH AND : PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR EVENTS AND Do you wish to read the Haftarah and /or Zemirot in memory of a loved one? Or ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. in honor of a special occasion? Or just for the pleasure of it? Please call the EVERYONE IS WELCOME! office, 215-922-5446, and Rabbi Gabbai will be glad to meet with you. NEW MEALS PRAYER CLASS: ARE YOU READY TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE HIGH REGISTRATION ONLINE HOLIDAY SERVICE THIS YEAR? IF SO, THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU! We are happy to bring the congregation together WE HAVE 2 MORE SESSIONS-PLENTY OF TIME TO LEARN THE for meals after the Shabbat and holiday services. PRAYERS. COME TO THE NEXT CLASS, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, We now have a new meals registration online that FROM 5:30 TO 7:00 P.M.. makes it easy to register and pay for meals. Please go to our website www.mikvehisrael.org and check Call the office, 215-922-5446, to register. it out! Of course you may still contact the office to let us know if you will be attending the meals. BEGINNERS' HEBREW COURSE

We appreciate your contributions toward the Are you ready to learn to read Hebrew in five easy lessons? Do you need to Kiddush or the meals. We need your participation brush up on your Hebrew? Join Rabbi Gabbai for the next Beginners' in order to continue this program. Hebrew class which will begin on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. No prerequisites! To register, call the office, 215-922-5446. DIFFERENT WAYS TO PAY Congregation Mikveh Israel now offers additional ways CLASS WITH RABBI GABBAI for members and guests to make donations and The next session of Rabbi Gabbai's Evening class will begin Tuesday, payments. Your options are: September 30, 2014. Please note corrected date and that the class will be 1. Pay by check, cash or money order mailed or hand delivered to the office. held on TUESDAY evenings. If you wish to enroll, please contact the office 2. Pay by credit card online through PayPal-there at 215-922-5446 or contact Carol Marchand. is a Donate button on the home page of our website (www.mikvehisrael.org) which will TEXT STUDY GROUP take you to PayPal's website where you can The Jewish texts study group that Dan Cohen has been leading for thirty enter your credit card information safely and years is now meeting at KKMI. Anyone interested is invited to join. The next securely. session is Monday September 22, 2014 from 12:30 to 1:45. The schedule

3. Pay by electronic fund transfer-Congregation through October 2014 is as follows: September 22, & 29, 2014, October 6 & Mikveh Israel now offers the opportunity to make an electronic funds transfer through IPN. 22, 2014. Anyone interested in participating should call the office at 215- This can be a one-time payment/donation or a 922-5446 or call Dan at 215-635-3168 recurring payment/donation. There is no cost to you to use it. To take advantage of this SHABBAT TESHUBAH option please go here and click on "Pay by IPN". Please join us on Shabbat Teshubah, If you have any questions or comments regarding the 3 Tishri 5775 - September 27, 2014, at 8:45 A.M. above, please call the Office at 215-922-5446 CONTACT US Dr. Herman Prins Salomon will read the Zemirot We are delighted to share news of all happy and sponsor "A Special Adafina Lunch" occasions, accomplishments and events of our in honor of our caterer and her family congregants. Email your information by Wednesday afternoon to our email address: Francine (Deborah) and Simon Mellul, Yael, Maya, [email protected] and we will publish your Leah and Sarah. news. You may also reach the Office at 215-922- 5446 Monday- Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 During lunch, Dr.Salomon will deliver a brief lecture. p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with any questions or check out our website Everyone is welcome!! www.mikvehisrael.org

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(2004) 30 Minutes

MIKVEH ISRAEL RECORD 25 Elul 5774 Shabbat Nitsabim/Vayelekh September 19-20, 2014 HIGH HOLIDAYS INFORMATION CONTRIBUTIONS The High Holidays begin in 5 days. Thank you to the following people who made a contribution this week: Information pertaining to the High Holidays 5775 has been sent out Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Berry by email (and regular mail to those who do not have email) and is Mrs. Rachel Chasin available on the website. Daniel C. Cohen, Esq. Please read everything carefully. Mr. Carlos Duec If you are planning to join us for the HOLIDAY MEALS, please Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Eizen Ms. Liliana Elkouss send in your reservations with your check or pay on-line as soon Robert Franklin, Esq. as possible. Eli Gabay, Esq. SUCCOT INFORMATION Mr. Hannan Gafny Ms. Sharon Geller Information pertaining to Succot 5775 is being sent out by email Mr. Hannan Harif (and regular mail to those who do not have email) and is available Mr. Norman Heyden on the website. Mr. and Mrs. Leon L. Levy If you are planning to join us for the SUCCOT MEALS, please Mr. Michael Meyer send in your reservations with your check or pay on-line as soon Mr. Jacob Oslick as possible. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Polikoff Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Refah OUR VISTING HAZZAN Dr. David Shklar We are happy to inform you that Rabbi Jonathan Cohen will join us Mr. David Vessal in leading the High Holiday services on Rosh Hashanah and Kippur. Mr. William Vessal Mr. David Wundohl Rabbi Cohen comes to us from our sister congregation in London, The Spanish and Portuguese ' Congregation.

SERVICE AT THE CEMETERY Services for the Fast of Gedaliah will be held on Sunday morning, September 27, at 8:00 A.M. Following services, at 10:30 A.M. , Rabbi Gabbai will conduct the annual service at the cemetery at 55th & Market Streets. FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR As some of you know, I will be leaving the position of Executive Director at Congregation Mikveh Israel this week after four years to go back to practicing law. Although I am leaving the position of Executive Director, I am not leaving the community but will continue to help out at KKMI as much as possible. It has been a privilege and an honor serving the Board, the members, the community, and this great historic institution. I want to take this opportunity to thank Parnas Lewis Berry, former Parnas Mark Wolfson and Parnas Emeritus Leon Levy all of whom I had the privilege of serving under. I also want to thank Rabbi Gabbai for all he has done and the Board members, volunteers, and all the members of the synagogue who have contributed so much to help make KKMI such a wonderful institution. Lastly, but not least, I want to thank Ida Pomerantz, Gail Lindo, and Jamille Talley who worked day in and day out with me and without whom Congregation Mikveh Israel would not function. Thank you!!! I wish all of you a Shanah Toba Umtukah! Lea Alvo-Sadiky, ExecutiveMikveh Israel Director Record 4

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