MIKVEH ISRAEL SHABBAT NEWS 9 Adar 5772 Shabbat Tetsaveh/Zachor March 2-3, 2012

Parashah: In this week's parashah, G-d instructed the Israelites to bring Shabbat Services Moses clear olive oil, so that and his descendants as High Priest could kindle lamps regularly in the . G-d then instructed Moses to make holy Candlelighting: 5:36 P.M.

vestments for Aaron: a choshen , an , a robe, a tunic of checker work, a Friday Night Service: 5:30 P.M.

Shabbat Morning Service: 9:00 A.M. cap, and a sash. G-d tells Moses to place the Urim and Thummim (which had the 12 stones signifying the twelve tribes) inside the choshen so that they will be Shabbat Afternoon Service: 5:00 P.M. over Aaron's heart when he comes before G-d. G-d directed Moses to place Shabbat Ends: 6:36 P.M. pomegranates and gold bells around the robe's hem, that would make a sound FROM THE RABBI when the High Priest entered and exited the sanctuary, so that he not die. G-d further told Moses to make a showplate of pure gold, with the engraving: Holy to By Rabbi Albert E. Gabbai the Lord. G-d set out the procedure for consecrating Aaron and his sons as On Purim, we are required to be happy. One manifestation of this is priests. Aaron and his sons were brought to the door of the sanctuary, they were to have a festive meal (banquet) including the drinking of wine. We bathed in water and dressed in the priestly garments. G-d told Moses to lead the are supposed to drink until we cannot distinguish between "Blessed bull to the front of the Tabernacle, let Aaron and his sons lay their hands upon be Mordekhai" and "Cursed be Haman." How can we accomplish this? the bull's head, slaughter the bull at the entrance of the Tent, and put some of the bull's blood on the horns of the altar. Moses was to take one of the rams, Some say, "Until we become drunk." Surely, that is not allowed since let Aaron and his sons lay their hands upon the ram's head, slaughter the ram, Jewish law does not allow us to be drunk to the point that we lose

and put some of its blood and on the ridges of Aaron's right ear and his sons' control of our faculties Certainly if we do lose control, we may fall into commiting sins. tells us that, at this point, we should right ears, and on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their go to bed and sleep it off. Unfortunately, a popular myth goes around right feet. G-d commanded Moses to repeat this service for a seven day period, that says on Purim we should be drunk. It is only a myth and should after which the consecration would be complete. G-d also told Moses the not be practiced. sacrifices that are to be conducted on a daily basis. G-d promised to dwell in Nevertheless, we should drink wine, be happy and, most importantly, the Tabernacle. G-d also told Moses to make an incense altar of acacia wood overlaid with gold, which the priests were commanded to burn incense upon twice share our blessings with those who are unfortunate while certainly daily. giving praise to G-d in gratitude for His salvation. Maftir -On the Shabbat that precedes Purim, two Torah scrolls are taken from the Happy Purim! Purim Allegra! ark; one for the regular parashah and one for the Maftir - 'Remember what Wednesday, March 7, 2012: Megillah Reading & Association Purim Party Amalek did to you' (Devarim 25). Because of this reading, it is called, Shabbat Mikveh Israel Association’s annual Purim Celebration is Wednesday Zachor (Remember). evening, March 7th, following services at 5:00 p.m. and the reading of This week's Haftarah is from I Samuel and will be read by Prof. Steven the Megillah at 6:00 p.m. We want to see everyone there! Arrive in Friedell.______costume! First 18 children receive a pink or blue Mikveh Israel T-shirt Dinner*Face Painting*Arm wrestling*Beer*Piñata*Kid Games LUNCH DEDICATION *Adult Darts*Musical Chairs*Candy  Lunch is sponsored by Fran and Leon L. Levy in honor of the 4th birthday of $18.00 for adults ~kids under 13 FREE their niece, Isabella Schwartz, daughter of Mirit and Louis Schwartz. Thank you, Fran and Leon and Happy Birthday, Isabella. Baruch Dayan HaEmet: We are sad to announce the passing this SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA morning of Mrs. Virginia K. Solis-Cohen, wife of our late D. Hays Solis-Cohen and long time member of our congregation. The graveside This Friday evening, March 2nd, we will celebrate Shabbat Across America with funeral service will take place Sunday March 4, 2012 at 12:00 noon at hundreds of synagogues across the continent. Services will begin at 5:30 P.M. Mt. Sinai Cemetery (Bridge & Cottage Streets, Philadelphia). We offer LECTURE BY ETHAN ROTENBERG our condolences to the Solis-Cohen family. Please mark your calendars for Thursday evening, March 27 at 7:00P.M. when we will welcome Ethan Rotenberg. Mr. Rotenberg will speak on "Otiyot UNVEILING. Please join the Levy family for the unveiling of Berthold Meshunot" (Unusual Letters in Torah Scrolls). Free admission. Please call the Levy's tombstone on Sunday, March 11th, 11:00 AM, Mt. Sinai Cemetery, office, 215-922-5446, and let us know if you will be attending. Bridge & Cottage Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19124.

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Continued from Page 1 Birthday Wishes Happy Birthday this week to: FROM THE PARNAS:

Ms. Isabella Schwartz By Mark I. Wolfson Mr. Constantin Raducan I received an exciting piece of news this week! Leah Douglas, the director of Exhibits

Refuah Shelemah at the Philadelphia International Airport, is designing a new exhibit on the "Faces of We wish a Refuah Shelamah to: Mrs. Sonia Schwartz the Constitution", and will feature 48 photos of 48 individuals who are recognized in Dr. George Ehrlich the permanent exhibition at the Constitution Center. She is going to include our very Mr. Richard Marcus own Jonas Phillips (1736-1803) in her exhibit and of course credit KKMI. Mrs. Myrna Marcus Mr. Seth Bloom, Phillips is included in the exhibit because after serving in the Continental Army Mrs. Gilda Silver Mrs. Nancy Shomer during the revolution, he wrote to the delegates to the constitutional convention Mrs. Charlotte Sady protesting a provision that would require officials to swear an oath of Christian belief Mrs. Liliana Elkouss Ms. Victoria Rosin and as a condition for holding office. Phillips was concerned that Jewish citizens would Rabbi Michael Tayvah have "bravely fought for liberty which they can not enjoy". The framers agreed and Phone calls and cards to wish someone a Refuah Shelemah are appreciated. Article 6 of the Constitution forbids requiring any religious test as a qualification for office.

Phillips was one of many Jews who first joined in the protests against the British, KKMI 3rd Annual Sephardic Film Festival then fought in, provided supplies for, and financed the revolution, and then helped establish the principles upon which this country was created. Others included Michael This year our Film Festival will have 5 films over 4 nights. Join us! and Bernard Gratz, Haym Solomon, Mathias Bush, Joseph Simon, and Aaron Levy. Wed., March 14: The Optimists: The Story of the Rescue of the Bulgarian Jews. Also, by way of Shasha's newsletter, I was directed to a new article just

( The dramatic story of how people of all ethnic backgrounds and religions at released by our good friend Arthur Kiron on the Jews of Philadelphia in the Victorian the eleventh hour, secured the safety of their Jewish neighbors.) Period, 1840s-1890s. Kiron notes by way of background that Jews made up a very Thurs., March 15: Expulsion & Memory: Descendants of the Hidden Jews (The tiny percentage of the population of Philadelphia during that time. In 1840, there story of the Conversos and the memories that still haunt their descendants.)& were fewer than 2,000 Jews in Philadelphia. By the eve of the Civil War, there were (2 Films) The Sephardic Legacy of Segovia Pentimento of the Past (The long- about 10,000; and by 1880, only about 15,000, always representing around .5% of term influence of the Jewish community on the ancient city of Segovia.) the general population of the city. Mon., March 19: Moshe Safdie: The Power of Architecture (A film portrait of the dynamic, Canadian-Israeli architect.) He writes, "Despite their relatively small numbers, those Jews who were active in Tues., March 20: The Impossible Spy (A spy film based on the life and career communal affairs gave birth to a remarkable set of pioneering educational institutions." He lists many Jewish firsts established by the Jewish leaders during this of Israeli undercover agent Elie Cohen.) period, all of them members of Mikveh Israel. They include the first Hebrew Sunday All screenings start at 7:00 P.M Doors open at 6:30 p.m. School, established in 1838, the first American Jewish monthly journal, the Occident Tickets At the Door: $12 ($10 members); All 4 nights for $40 and American Jewish Advocate started in 1843, the first American Jewish Publication Early Bird Special—Purchase Tickets Now Until March 5 Society, founded in 1845, the first Hebrew Education Society (Jewish High School), For Substantial Savings: $10 ($9 members); All 4 nights for $32! instituted in 1849, and the first Jewish Theological Seminary began holding classes in Purchase online at http://mikvehisrael.moonfruit.com/ or call or email the 1867. Later came Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning and Gratz office.______College. Thoughts on Prayer All of these institutions and more were started and led by members of the Mikveh by Daniel C. Cohen Israel community who were rabbis, educators, teachers, scholars, legal professionals, There are two changes in the prayers associated with Purim. First, a lengthy administrators and businessmen: Isaac Leeser, Sabato Morais, Mayer Sulzberger, Cyrus poem by Jehudah Halevi, telling the story of Esther beginning "Ammonai, mi Adler, Rebecca Gratz, Hyman Gratz, Solomon Solis, and Moses Aaron Dropsie, just to kamokha" ("Lord, who is like Thee") (Prayerbook, p. 368) is inserted, on the name a few. Shabbat morning before Purim, after the words "Ammonai mi Kamokha" toward the bottom of page 184. The poem ends with the quotation "Mi kamokha I will to invite Arthur Kiron to speak to Mikveh Israel as he is one of the foremost ba'elim, Ammonai". scholars on our history. The other change consists of a short summary of the miracle of Purim (p. 384) which begins "Al hanissim" ("for the miracles") which is inserted in Modim of From its very beginnings in the mid-1700's, Mikveh Israel has always been a leader each Amidah of Purim, completing the idea "We thank You...for our lives...and for in Jewish life in Philadelphia and has been influential in Jewish and civil affairs our souls...and for Your miracles...and for Your wonderful goodness" and which is nationwide. With this proud heritage, we move forward and continue our role as an followed by "For all this You are blessed." important cornerstone to the Philadelphia Jewish community. Thus, each insertion is tightly anchored by word and context.

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