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The following people are assisting Saturday Morning, Jan. 20, 2018 this :

Parashat : Russ Fayer, President's Chair; Jayne Peister, Vice President’s Chair 10:1-13:16 pp. 374-394 Robyn Yairi, Gabbai; Marcia Assor and Haftarah: Stephanie Roth, Greeters; Marc Klee and 46:13-28 pp. pp. 396-398 Robert Patchen, Ushers

Men's Club Shabbat Mazal Tovs, Condolences, & NEW: 8:45am Shabbat Discussion Refuah Shleimah with Jack Gruenberg 9:00am Shabbat Morning Services CONDOLENCES TO: 9:30am Shabbat SPACE The family of our member 10:15am Pre-Service Oneg Shabbat Mally Diamant. 10:45am Family Kehillah Services 10:45am Tot Shabbat The family of our member 12:00pm Shabbat Tween Lounge Wendy (Barney) Troodler. 12:00pm Kiddush 12:30pm Daf Shevui Sondra (Carl) Goldenberg on the loss of her 4:40pm Mincha/ brother William Gordon. 5:40pm Havdalah 5:45pm Kulanu Havdalah Experience Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a 6:00pm Teen Havdalah and Karaoke Night loved one, or recovering from an illness have been delighted/comforted that their lifecycle event has inspired generosity. If you would like This week’s Kiddush is sponsored to make a donation to Beth El in honor or in by: memory, please click here. The Beth El Men’s Club in honor of Men’s Club Shabbat.

Minyan Times recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons' sons how I dealt harshly of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them in order that you may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 10:1-2). The Sunday 8:00am Shacharit; 4:50pm medieval French commentator, Rashi (1040- Mincha/Maariv 1105 CE), explains that the Hebrew phrase, Monday 6:55am Shacharit; 4:50pm translated above as, "I ",התעללתי במצרים" Mincha/Maariv dealt harshly with the Egyptians," should be Tuesday 7:00am Shacharit; 4:50pm meaning, "I have made a - "שחקתי" Mincha/Maariv read as Wednesday 7:00am Shacharit; 4:50pm mockery". Mincha/Maariv Thursday 7:00am Shacharit; 4:50pm So according to Rashi, God hardens Mincha/Maariv 's heart, and the heart of his Friday 6:55am Shacharit; 4:50pm courtiers, so that we can see God making a Mincha/Maariv mockery of the Egyptians? Could it be that God wants us to experience schadenfreude - A Word of to laugh, cheer, and take pleasure in the From Torah Sparks: suffering of our oppressors?

Matthew Nelson, Conservative Yeshiva Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapiro (1889- Student & Lishma Fellow 1943 CE), also known as the Piacezna Rebbe, takes issue with this in his book the This week's parasha tells the story of the last Aish Kodesh, written in the Warsaw Ghetto three plagues (locusts, darkness, and the during the horrors of the Shoah. Writing slaying of the first born), ' instructions under conditions reminiscent of the Egypt, regarding the sacrifice, and and facing Nazi oppressors as arrogant and Pharaoh ultimately granting permission for cruel as Pharaoh, the Piacezna Rebbe was the to leave. While some see this nevertheless bothered by the idea that God as Pharaoh and Egypt getting their just would make the punishment of the wicked desserts after the years of harsh and some kind of entertainment. child-murder imposed on the Israelites, I am nevertheless troubled. He brings a story from the Talmud that discusses the drowning of the Egyptians in The parasha opens with two verses that sum Sea of Reeds: "At that time the ministering up the story of the Exodus nicely: "Then angels requested to recite a song before the God said to Moses: 'Come to Pharoah for I Holy One, Blessed be God. The Holy One, have hardened his heart and the heart of his Blessed be God, Said to them: 'My courtiers, in order that I may display these handiwork are drowning in the sea, and you My signs among them. And that you may are reciting a song before Me?!'"(Sanhedrin 39b). The Piacezna Rebbe sees a Piacezna Rebbe's example and message. We contradiction: God makes a show of are all God's handiwork. punishing the Egyptians with the plagues, but then scolds the angels for enjoying the Shabbat Shalom. show when the Egyptians drown in the sea!

According to the Piacezna Rebbe, there are BESC Featured and New only two reasons to celebrate the downfall Announcements of the Egyptians, and the suffering of the (Please follow us on wicked in general. The first is that it leads to Facebook.com/bethelsynagoguecenter, and knowledge of God. The plagues were done spread the word about news, events, and so that WE would know God, as it says in information by “liking” or “sharing!” 10:2: "In order that you may know that I am Thank You!) the Lord." And the Egyptians were drowned in the so that THEY would know *Follow links to enlarge image or visit event God, as it says in Exodus 14:4: "and the page.* Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord". Evil and falsehood must be defeated so that FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENT: God and truth can be known. Don’t miss your chance to help others through the Beth El Purim Campaign! The second reason is to alleviate the suffering of the innocent. Presumably the Each year, Beth El helps our members to ministering angels were just as happy about fulfill an important mitzvah of Purim - Matanot Leevyonim, helping those whose the plagues as the drowning of the Egyptians needs are greater than our own by in the sea, but God only scolds them for contributing to major tzedakah organizations celebrating the drowning. The Piacezna and building our Youth Community. You Rebbe explains that: "in truth was not received an email with your username and suffering at that exact moment [when the sea password. ceased to part and the Egyptians were drowned] so the Holy One, Blessed be He Simply log on to www.purimproject.com to was not happy from their [the Egyptians] participate. If you have any questions, feel downfall" (Aish Kodesh). Celebrating the free to contact Jen at [email protected] or Egyptians' drowning was gratuitous. The 914-235-2700 ext.247. All orders must be suffering of some is often necessary to placed by Feb. 16. We thank you in advance for your participation! alleviate the suffering of others, but that makes it no less tragic.

As we look forward to the casting down of false idols and the defeat of wicked oppressors, may we all remember the

NIGGUN HALEV ~ MELODY OF THE HEART ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qehaJ E276pM

Beginning Saturday, January 27, 2018, join us for a new intimate, song-filled Shabbat morning service led by Deborah Sacks

Mintz, Jack Klebanow and Rabbi David A. https://images.shulcloud.com/985/uploads/Ja Schuck. Services will take place at 9:00am nuary-Scholar.jpg in the Wiener Lounge on the following Saturdays: Jan. 27, Feb. 10, March 10, April Our Open Beit (OBM) begins at 14, and May 5. For more details, contact 7:30pm with drinks and a nosh followed [email protected]. Click the image by learning promptly at 8:00pm. It is held above to get a taste of what the services will on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays with be like! Rabbis Schuck and Sitkin, and Rabbi Ethan Linden, the executive director of Ramah OPEN BEIT MIDRASH (OBM) Berkshires, simultaneously teaching on Our next scheduled OBM is this Tuesday, different areas of Jewish texts. On the last Jan. 23 with a scholar visit from Rabbi Eli week of each month a scholar will teach a Kaunfer, CEO of Mechon Hadar (more to specific topic in their field. Free and open to your right). Tradition teaches that we can the public. The OBM is subsidized by the honor a person's life by learning a text in Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner Fund for their memory. Our next OBM will be Jewish Inspiration and the Sylvia and Harry sponsored by Mark and Marjorie Seidenfeld Halpern Lecture Fund. For more information in memory of Mark’s parents Bernard and or to sponsor a night, visit Rella Seidenfeld as well as Esther Mildner bethelnr.org/openbeit or contact Rabbi in memory of her mother Rhoda Elkin. Sitkin at [email protected].

CASINO NIGHT Open Bar. Open to All. AIPAC CONFERENCE The American Play games, bid on hot items, and so much Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) more! Visit www.bethelnr.org/casinonight will hold their Policy Conference at the for more. Washington Convention Center from March 4-6. We are always appreciative to have a strong representation on-hand. AIPAC discount available January 23 only!

The conference is the pro-Israel community's preeminent annual gathering and attracts more than 18,000 community and student activists from all 50 states, members of Congress, and countless Israeli and American policymakers and intellectual leaders. For more information, visit www.policyconference.org or contact [email protected].

RABBI VISIT Rabbi Goldman will join us for services as Shabbat Scholar - in-Residence on Saturday, Feb. 3 and hold a special discussion following NURSERY SCHOOL Register now for the Kiddush called 2018-19 school year! There is no time to BESC: A Dementia- delay. Sign up now and save. Contact Friendly Synagogue. Director Ronnie Becher at 235.2700, x250 Responding to the or [email protected] for details. need he saw for a communal Jewish response to dementia, he DAY CAMP Best. Days. Ever. Our camp founded Seivah: Jewish Life Beyond doesn’t have the best reputation in Southern Memory. He is the creator of the Memory Westchester for nothing! Registration is Minyan we hold at Beth El. Ordained by the open now - take advantage of early bird Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in 2005. pricing. Visit, www.betheldaycamp.org. He serves as the Director of Senior Programs for WJCS.

This talk is sponsored by JTS Seeds of Innovation Grant to Seivah and WJCS.

NEW BETH EL TORAH AND HAFTARAH SIGN-UP SHEET! Joining our rotation of Torah and Haftarah readers is now easier than ever. We launched a new online sign up sheet that allows you to sign up to read from the Torah or chant the Haftarah at Beth El on Shabbat and holidays. Simply click on the link that follows and you will be taken to a list of available aliyot and Haftarot: www.bethelnr.org/torahsignup.

All you have to do is select the aliyah (or aliyot) you want to read and enter your name and email address. That is all it takes. Cantor Aqua will reach out to you to confirm your sign up and offer any assistance you may need.We hope this new tool will enable everyone to take an active role in the Torah LISTENING FORUMS As you know, service. Beth El has embarked on Journey: Building a Vibrant Future Together, which will Whether you are an experienced reader or engage all of us in a creative reimagining of want to learn how to read for the first time, what it means to be a vibrant congregation – we encourage you to check out the sign up relevant to the lives of its members, to the sheet and get involved.If you have any Jewish future, and to the wider community. questions about the sign up process or our (To learn more about our Journey, click Torah reading initiative in general, please here.) contact Cantor Aqua ([email protected]) or Alan Kellman ([email protected]). The first two Listening Forums have been for Sunday, Feb. 11 (see above - Open *OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL THE Discussion from 9:15am-12:15pm and MITZVAH OF READING TORAH If you wish to read in honor of your Specific Discussion: Multi-Faith Families birthday, anniversary, or just to fulfill a from 6:45-9:45pm). Listening Forums mitzvah on any Shabbat, please contact provide an opportunity for us to discuss our Cantor Aqua at [email protected] , or future and listen closely to the crucial 914-235-2700, ext. 222. He will be happy to questions we face as a congregation and work with you or e-mail you a recording. within our community.

PARENTING MINDFULNESS - “In each group, we explore some challenging aspect of parenting, provide mindfulness parenting tools and skills, and conclude with a mindfulness exercise to allow for openness, flexibility, and generosity in our parenting. “ - Dr. Michelle Maideberg

TRIVIA NIGHT Show off your smarts, win prizes, and so much more on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Trivia Night! For more details, visit www.bethelnr.org/trivianight.

CARD ROOM The weekly Sisterhood Canasta group plays at 12:45pm on Mondays while the Mah Jongg group plays on Tuesdays at the same time. Beginners, as well as experienced players, are always welcome. Contact Arlene Salman at www.bethelnr.org/mindfulness [email protected] or 914.235.2485. GIFT SHOP Visit the Beth El Sisterhood PHOTO EXHIBIT Jonathan Gotian, 15, is Baum Judaica Gift Shop for ALL your the youngest artist to ever have an exhibit in Judaica needs. Open by appointment. Email the Kanner-Kurzon Museum. His exhibit [email protected], or call Erica Epstein includes some of his favorite sights, (914.633.3161), Carole Graham including national parks, scenes of nature, (914.576.6617), and/or Ellen Hollander and breathtaking landscapes. This is his first (914.632.4658). photography exhibit. His work will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going toward Beth El and USY.

WHEREVER WE STAND, WE STAND SISTERHOOD BAGELS AND BOOKS WITH ISRAEL The next discussion will be Monday, Feb. Beth El's Israel Affairs Committee would 26 at 9:30am regarding Cathedral of the Sea like to share interesting and exciting news by Ildefonso Falcones. Books are available regarding the week's developments in at the New Rochelle Public Library - business, culture, technology, agriculture, mention that you are a member of Beth El sports and the environment in Israel. Sisterhood’s Bagels & Books Group. Questions? Contact Arlene Salman at Jerusalem-Tel high-speed rail to [email protected] or 914.235.2485. open on March 30 http://www.jpost.com/Israel- Limmud and Other Learning News/Jerusalem-Tel-Aviv-high-speed- Opportunities rail-to-open-on-March-30-533375 FUTURE TENSE Rabbi Molly Karp has Team Israel leaps in baseball world started Future Tense: , , and rankings Israel in the 21st Century; A Vision for http://www.jpost.com/Israel- Jews and Judaism in the Global Culture. News/Sports/Team-Israel-leaps-in- The class, which focuses on the book written baseball-world-rankings-533548 by Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, meets Wednesday mornings from 10:00am- TEEN LEARNING AND 12:15pm Classes are Jan. 24, 31; Feb. 7, 14, ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21. Cost: $350, which includes audio recordings of all class This options-based model for our teen sessions. To learn more about Rabbi Karp, population creates a menu of choices for visit rabbimollykarp.com. Contact Rabbi Jewish learning and engagement, including Karp at [email protected] for niche-specific opportunities as well as more information. opportunities for social engagement. In this way, we will be able to address the varied TALMUD FROM INSIDE OUT Join interests and schedules of our teens in a Rabbi David Hojda for a class for “the manner that allows us to reach each of them inquiring mind” on Thursday Jan. 25 from personally. Sign up now for our Israeli 10:00am-12:15pm. Using Talmud Gittin, culture program. Questions? Visit presented in English translation, this class www.bethelnr.org/teens or contact discusses Baseless Hatred and Visionless Rebekkah Gold at [email protected]. Leadership - The Talmud’s and Midrash’s take on why Jerusalem was destroyed. All ISRAELI DANCING Held Sundays 10:00- levels welcomed. For more information, 11:00 am with Cantor Aqua. $10/class. contact Sam Berger, 914-494-6079 or Wear comfy clothes and sneakers. [email protected]. Questions? E-mail [email protected].

ZUMBA is back at Beth El Sundays from LGBTQ ROUNDTABLE The Westchester 9:30-10:30 am through March 25, except on Jewish Council will hold its next Mosaic Feb. 18. Drop in rate is $10 per class. No LGBTQ Roudtable on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at need to RSVP. For more information, Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains from contact Carrie Fox at [email protected]. 7:15-9:00pm. As a way to help your community become more LGBTQ inclusive, LEARN HEBREW IN OUR ULPAN they will be discussing different CLASSES Classes with Miri Ben Avi are ongoing Mondays and Wednesdays - classes programming ideas and resources you can are for all learners of all levels. Beginners: use for Purim, Passover and Pride month. 6:30pm-7:30pm/ Intermediate: 7:30-8:30pm/ For more information, contact Pam Advanced: 8:30-9:30pm Questions? Goldstein at [email protected]. | Contact [email protected] or 914.602.1503. AIDE AVAILABLE Our wonderful part- time aide is seeking additional work hours in All classes are at Beth El unless otherwise indicated. the Wykagyl area. If you are looking for someone (live out) to assist your loved one, Additional Beth El and Community please contact Andrew Wallach at Events and Information [email protected] or 917.539.4610.

JCC TALK A Holocaust & Human Rights SEEKING JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR Education Center and JCC Mid Westchester NEWLY-ARRIVED AFGHAN Book Talk will take place on Wednesday, REFUGEE This family has settled in White Jan. 24 at 7:30pm at the JCC at 999 Wilmot Plains under the auspices of HIAS-NY and Road in Scarsdale featuring Yvette Manessis is sponsored by a consortium of local Corporon. She will discuss her book synagogues and churches. (Fully authorized Something Beautiful Happened: A Story of for permanent work in the US.) Survival and Courage in the Face of Evil Qualifications: fluent in English; skilled in with moderator Steve Goldberg, co- use of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, educational director of the Holocaust & PowerPoint, Access, Outlook). Some Human Rights Education Center. $20 per experience with QuickBooks; extensive ticket. call (914) 472-3300 for more managerial, administrative and logistical information/buy tickets visit jccmw.org/at. experience in projects with the American military, United Nations and Afghan NEW ROCHELLE CHAPTER OF government. HADASSAH Library Director Tracy Wright will review recent works of Jewish If you have or know of an available position, fiction by authors such as Nathan Englander, please contact Jeff Swarz at Allegra Goodman, and Nicole Krauss at [email protected] or Gene Tozzi at Eastchester Public Library on Monday, Jan. [email protected] or 914-672-1088. 22. Dessert: 12:30pm. Program: 1:00pm.

Beth El is a one of the proud sponsors of the event below, providing a few kosher meals for those who would like to attend the beloved community dinner: global.AJC.org/westfair/racism

More announcements can be found at www.bethelnr.org/ongoing.