“ SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES  7:00 a.m. Shacharit Minyan, Main Sanctuary  8:00 a.m. Shacharit Minyan, Upstairs Rooms 1 & 2

 8:45 a.m. Sephardic Minyan, Library  8:45 a.m. Minyan, House across the street  9:00 a.m. Shacharit Minyan, Main Sanctuary. YOUNG ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD-FT. LAUDERDALE  9:30 a.m. Youth Minyan, Modular Yosef Weinstock  9:30 a.m. Teen Minyan, Upstairs Room 5 Rabbi Edward Davis, Rabbi Emeritus Dr. P.J. Goldberg, President - For Weekday Daily Minyanim see below -

3291 Stirling Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 954-966-7877 email: [email protected] www.yih.org SHABBAT SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

SHABBAT SHALOM  8:15 a.m., Parsha Shiur with Rabbi Natan Brownstein. WE WELCOME ALL NEWCOMERS, VISITORS AND GUESTS  Parsha classes with Rabbi Yitzchak Salid: 9:15 a.m. in Rm. 6, 10:15 a.m. in Kiddush room in house across the street (access through glass door on north PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH side of house). 22 CHESHVAN 5778 NOVEMBER 11 2017  After 8:00 a.m. Minyan, Social Hall: The Rest of the Story: Understanding the READING Breishit 23:1 HAFTORAH KINGS I 1:1 Haftarah, Rabbi Yitzi Marmorstein. Nach Yomi : I Chronicles 19 Daf Yomi : Makkot 6  10:45 a.m., Beit following the Minyan: Open individual & group learning, as well as Shiur in Sefer Hamitzvot with Rabbi Moshe Parnes.  11:15 a.m. Shiur Boker for Teens with Rabbi Moshe Nachbar, Room 5.  3:55 p.m. Gemara Class (Hebrew) Tractate Gittin. Friday Night  4:10 p.m., Library: Daf Yomi. 5:15 p.m. Candle Lighting  4:30 p.m. Advanced Gemara Chabura with Rabbi Natan Brownstein (BMA 5:20 p.m. Minchah/Ma’ariv, Main Sanctuary Rebbe) for Middle School Students in Room 5.  After Minchah Shiur & Seudah Shlishit with Rabbi Grossman for Youth 5th-7th 5:20 p.m. Minchah/Ma’ariv Sephardic Minyan, Library Grade in rooms 3 & 4. 5:20 p.m. Minchah/Ma’ariv , house across the street  After Minchah Modern Halacha Shiur & Seudah Shlishit with Rabbi Nachbar for 8th-12th Grade in rooms 1 & 2. After Minchah in Ruach Kabbalat Shabbat in the Chapel  Between Minchah & Ma’ariv, in Beit Midrash: Class with Rabbi Jonathan Hirsch. Main Sanctuary Shabbat Afternoon 11th & 12th graders are invited to attend. 3:45 p.m. Sisterhood New Members’ Tea at Sheryl Dennis  7:30 p.m. Vishinantum L’Vanecha Parent Child Learning in the Beit Midrash  7:30 p.m. 4th-6th Grade Mishna Chabura with Rav James in the Beit Midrash 4:25 p.m. Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Doron Podlashuk: “Conversion Immediately after Ma’ariv, Library: Kitzur 5-minute class to start Post-Emancipation and in Medinat Yisrael”  your week off learning Torah. 5:10 p.m. Minchah, Main Sanctuary. Seudah Shlishit after Minchah Weekday Daily Minyanim—Nov. 12-17 6:12 p.m. Ma’ariv, Main Sanctuary Minchah/Ma’ariv: 5:20pm 6:12 p.m. Shabbat Ends Shacharit: Sun. 7:15, 8:00, 9:00am, Mon. & Thurs. 6:15, 7:15, 8:00am, Tues., Wed. & Fri. 6:15, 7:30, 8:00am.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SHABBAT SPONSORS OUR YIH FAMILY….  7:00 a.m. Minyan Kiddush: Larry & Tobi Reiss in shevach and hoda to Hashem for Mazel Tov: all the blessings in our life, and for a Siyyum Masechet Sanhedrin, and to  Rabbi Gavriel & Estee Grossman on the birth of their daughter Dafna Blima commemorate the yahrzeit of Tobi’s mother Sally Javits. Chava.  8:00 a.m. Minyan Kiddush: Joshua & Roberta Miller in honor of his 80th birthday and  Ephraim & Lauren Davis on the birth of their daughter Ellie Madison (Etty his Bar parsha anniversary; Barry & Lois Levontin in memory of her mother Miriam). Mazel Tov to great-uncle & aunt Rabbi Edward & Meira Davis, uncles Edith Greenberg Scher; David Harris to commemorate the yahrzeit of his father. & aunts Michael & Simi Davis and Ben & Vanessa Shamah.  Beit Midrash Minyan Kiddush: Marc & Ruth Kalton in honor of Marc’s Mother, Alice  Alan & Brenda Pritzker on the recent marriage of their daughter Shira to Maor Kalton – Feiga Chana bas Harav Menachem Mendel – who was nifter on Shabbos Danino. Chaya Sarah, 27th of Cheshvan 5737 (1976).  Roland & Anna Kaplan on the birth of their new grandson born to their children  Youth Minyan Kiddush: In honor of Rabbi Gavriel & Estee Grossman on the birth of Rachelli (Kaplan) & Shloimie Bochner in Israel. their daughter by David & Chava Berkower, Steve & Susu Danis, Josh & Dorie  Usher & Brenda Bryn on the engagement of their son Jonathan to Avigail Ehrenreich, David Goldis, Jonathan & Emma Hirsch, Doron & DV Kahn, Joel & Ronit Weinberger, of Scarsdale, NY. Mazel Tov to Avigail's parents, Penina & Tommy Weinberger, Jonathan's grandmother, Cynthia Becker of Richmond, Kornbluth, Dov & Racheli Lasry, Shimmy & Elana Lazar, Alex & Aliza Markovich, VA, and sister and brother-in-law, Alexa & Josh Micley. Kevin & Rebecca Ohayon, Abby Schochet, Sam & Heather Sered, Ilya & Hanna  Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe & Naama Parnes on the engagement of their daughter Shekhter, Oren & Danielle Stier, Benny & Clara Wainberg, Yaakov & Stacey Chaya Baila to Shlomo Briller, son of Rabbi & Mrs. Rafael & Fraidel Briller Waldman, Rabbi Yosef & Rebecca Weinstock, Rav James & Ann Williams from Lakewood, NJ.  Teen Minyan Kiddush: Barry & Jillian Galitzer in honor of Steven’s Bar Mitzvah Anniversary Welcome New Members:  All other Kiddushim and Seudah Shlishit: Shabbat Sponsors Group.  Yosie & Sharon Goldberger, Ivan & Phyllis Gluck, Arthur & Beth Hirshorn

THIS PUBLICATION GOES TO THE PRINTER ON WEDNESDAYS. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE IN THE SHUL OFFICE BY WEDNESDAYS AT NOON. THIS INCLUDES EVENTS, THIS SHABBAT SPONSORSHIPS, NAMES FOR THE REFUAH SHLEIMAH LIST. We welcome Guest Speaker : Rav Doron Podlashuk (see flyer) Director, Manhigut Toranit Program at Eretz Hemdah Institute in Israel.  Friday night 8:30 p.m. at the home of Stephen & Susu Danis: “Between Human and G-dly Kindness—The Challenge of the Human Condition.” SHABBAT SAFETY & SECURITY  Shabbat morning in the Sanctuary following the 9:00 a.m. Minyan: “A “Safety & Security is everyone’s responsibility. If You See Something Say Vision for Spiritual Growth in the Thought of Rav Kook.” Something!” Talk to the President, , or Executive Director.  Shabbat afternoon in the Social Hall 4:25 p.m. “Conversion Post-  Safety Announcement Stirling Road at SW 33rd Avenue: Please cross Emancipation and in Medinat Yisrael.” Stirling Road in the crosswalk after all traffic has stopped. Crossing elsewhere is High School Freshmen Lunch at the Weinstocks dangerous and illegal. Police officer controls the light on Friday 5:00-10:00pm and Shabbat 7:45am-12:30pm & 3:30-6:30pm. A custodian will manually change the  After 9:00 a.m. Minyan at their home in The Woods of Emerald Hills. light between 6:50 & 7:10am. Sisterhood New Members’ Tea  Shmira is in need of men and women to serve as Shomrim for 1 hour on  3:45 p.m. at the home of Sheryl Dennis, 3336 SW 57th Place (Arapahoe). Shabbat every 2-3 months. To volunteer contact [email protected] The women of the community are invited to join us in welcoming our newest members.  AED (Automated External Defibrillator) along with other first aid equipment in closet next to Social Hall.

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D’var Torah : Rabbi Yosef Weinstock Reminders In Parshat Chayei Sarah, many miracles took place to help Yitzchak married.  Please return all Siddurim, Chumashim and Sefarim to their original location at the When Eliezer set out on his way, he experienced a miracle and he arrived in conclusion of each minyan or class. Kindly fold and return borrowed Talleisim to Charan in one day (see Rashi, 24:42). And as Yitzchak was still praying, Rivkah the Tallis rack in the lobby. arrived. Betuel, who wanted to sabotage the , died (see Rashi 24:55).  Please respect the property of the neighbors of Young Israel of Hollywood. Be Hashem's hand was obvious in this shidduch. mindful of your children. Use waste receptacles at shul. Don’t park on their grass However, when Yaakov Avinu sought to get married, miracles did not happen  Do not bring food or drink into the Sanctuary, Library or Modular. for him. When Yaakov was traveling to Charan for his shidduch, he met up with  To maintain proper decorum, the entry doors to the Main Sanctuary will be locked Esav's son, Elifaz, who took all of his money. Yaakov worked seven years for his while the Torah is being read, while the Rabbi(s) are speaking, during Mussaf shidduch, then was tricked, and had to work another seven years. He went Kedusha, and during the announcements prior to the conclusion of the service. through very hard times, until he was finally able to marry and establish his family. Please plan your exit/entry accordingly. Why did Yitzchak's shidduch come about so easily, while Yaakov's shidduch  Please contact Gerald Mayerhoff [email protected] or David Lasko confronted so many hardships? [email protected] for an aliyah or kibbud at any of the minyanim to mark a Perhaps the explanation is that when Avraham sent Eliezer to find a shidduch yahrzeit or special occasion. for Yitzchak, he didn't know whom to choose, and therefore he prayed and placed his trust in Hashem. Yaakov, however, knew whom he would marry. He went to Weekday Learning Lavan's house with the intention to marry Rachel. As everyone said, “The older  Daf Yomi in the Library. Weekdays: 5:30am & 8:00pm. Shabbat: 1 hour one [Esav] to the older one [Leah] and the younger one [Yaakov] to the younger before Minchah. Sundays: 6:30am. one [Rachel].” Yaakov didn’t feel the need to pray for his shidduch so intently, nor  Morning Learning Program with Rabbi Yossi Jankovits. Sun. (8-9am), the need to put his trust in Hashem. He thought it was obvious whom he would Mon.-Fri. (7-8am). Daily in the Beit Midrash 15 min. Mussar (Duties of the marry. This is the reason why he endured so many hardships, because he lacked Heart: Shaar Bitachon), 15 min. Chumash with Rashi (Parashah HaShavua), this total reliance on God. On the other hand, Eliezer prayed and he completely 30 min. Gemara (Taanit). placed his trust in Hashem, and therefore he found Yitzchak’s shidduch easily.  U’Vkumecha “And When You Awaken” with Rabbi Yitzi Marmorstein Parshat Chayei Sara is an opportune time to bring attention to the current Mon.-Fri. 30 minutes before the second Shacharit Minyan State of Shidduchim. Some people call it a crisis, but I do not believe that such  Sundays: alarmist terminology is necessarily helpful. We do need to be aware of the rising  9:45am Chidon HaTanach for Middle School with Rav James in Beit Midrash number of single Jewish men and women of marriageable age. We should teach  9:45am High School Sunday Mishmar joint with YHS in the Beit Midrash with our children from a young age what characteristics are most important when Rabbi Nachbar seeking a spouse. We should model proper marital behavior and demonstrate to  Mondays: them how a successful marriage takes hard work, commitment and dedication. We  7:30pm Middle School Mishmar in Beit Midrash & Modular need to dispel the myth of a perfect spouse or a perfect marriage.  8:30pm High School Learning in conjunction with Bnei Akiva & NCSY in Beit Second, we need to ensure that single individuals (including single parent Midrash families) feel welcome and supported in our community. This can be accomplished  8:30pm The Book of Devarim, Tobi Wolf for women, Room 5 in a number of ways, such as Shabbat/ Yom Tov meal invitations, neighbors  8:30pm Tractate Brachot, Rabbi Yitzchak Salid, at YIH. checking in on neighbors, etc.  Tuesdays: We also need to do what we can to facilitate introductions between men and  11:00am Women’s TaNaCh class, Lisa Baratz, Library women that could lead to marriage. Whether in the form of formal Shidduch  8:00pm Chaburah Night in the SOCIAL HALL coordinated by Rabbi Adam & groups and databases, or more informal settings such as mentioning a few names Sara Frieberg with multiple speakers and learning opportunities. of singles around the Shabbat table or other social setting, there are many ways to  Wednesdays: demonstrate our interest in helping others find their match.  8:15pm “Practical Jewish Living for Beginners” with Sara Frieberg, upstairs Shedding light on the Shidduch Situation and resolving to find ways to do our classroom. part is a step forward in our efforts to create a culture of caring in our synagogue  5-part monthly series with Rabbi Yosef Weinstock to begin November 15th at community and beyond. 8:00pm: Founding Fathers of Religious .

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THIS WEEK AT YIH

 Sunday Family Breakfast following 9:00 a.m. Shacharit, Social Hall.  Sunday Bat Mitzvah class chessed event at The Cupboard at 10:00 a.m.  Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. in the SOCIAL HALL, Chaburah Night coordinated by Rabbi Adam & Sara Frieberg with multiple speakers and learning opportunities.  Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. Tehillim Group will meet in the Chapel.  Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. Founding Fathers of Religious Zionism, new 5-part monthly series with Rabbi Yosef Weinstock. This month’s class is on Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai.

UPCOMING EVENTS & REMINDERS

 Teichman-Rosenblatt Shabbat Mevorchim lecture, next Shabbat afternoon, November 18th at 4:00 p.m. at the home of Jay & Chani Dennis, with guest speaker Lisa Baratz, sponsored by Chani & Jay Dennis, Nancy & Harold Zombek, Sharon & Jerry Ness—see flyer on Page 10.  Guest Speaker Atara Eis, next Sunday, November 19th at 8:30 p.m. in the Beit Midrash. Topic: “From the Case Files of a : Myths and Misconceptions.” Atara is Director of ’s Miriam Glaubach Center.  "Empty Nesters" planning meeting, Sunday, November 19th at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Yitz & Shelly Tuchman, 4901 N. 35 Street. RSVP to [email protected] or 646-337-0762.  Miami Dolphins Tailgate Party November 19th, at Hard Rock Stadium. Sign up at https://www.yih.org/tailgate  Bikur Cholim Blood Drive: November 19th at YIH 7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Card- making for grades K-8th 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Feed the Homeless Program: Sunday, November 26th. If you would like to volunteer please contact David Genet or Batzi Berman.  Adult Education Upcoming Programs:  December 8-9 Rav Gav Freedman.  December 22-23 Joseph Gitler, Leket Israel founder .  Bikur Cholim Kickoff Event, Saturday night, December 9th at 8:00 p.m. at the Sossin home. $36 minimum donation per person. Guest speaker Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton Synagogue. Chinese auction. Light fare and wine, plus a musical performance on piano (Dina Modlin) and flute (Ellie Nader).  PATCH Free Tutoring Program for YIH Middle School and High School students. If your child needs help, contact Larry Reiss 954-662-3128.  Alert: A number of Sara Lee bread products have recently discontinued their kosher certification. If you want these products recertified, call Sara Lee and let them know: 800-984-0989.

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REFUAH SHLEIMAH

Bahor ben Merhai (Boris Yusupov-Roman Yusupov’s father), Baruch Zvi ben Rivka Batya (Rabbi Dr. Brian Galbut-Daniel Galbut’s cousin), Binyamin ben Chemla (Binyamin Israel), David HaKohen ben Esther (Lev Kandinov’s father), Eliezer HaLevi ben Chana (Leon Brauser-Joel Brauser’s father), Solomon ben Israel’s Iron Dome Technology Protects New York Power Solika (Solomon Perez-Ilana Melnitsky’s father), Yaakov ben Mira (Jacques Vogel Plants -Michel Vogel’s father), Yehuda Arieh ben Mindla (Philippe Leiberman’s father), Using Israeli technology, three power plants under the auspices of the New York Yitzchak Chanoch ben Chana (nephew of Vanessa Shamah and Lauren Davis). Power Authority (NYPA) will now be able to prevent power outages before they begin. The technology will be expanded to 50 plants statewide in the coming Bracha Etl bat Chana Nehorah (Ettie Langer), Chaya Mariam bat Blima (Harriet Bloom-Wendy Goldsmith’s mother), Devora bat Sheina Baila, Elka bat Tova (Leona months. NYPA turned to Israeli start-up mPrest—which developed the command- Brauser-Joel Brauser’s mother), Feiga Necha bat Pessel (Fay Lerner), Masha bat and-control software behind the Iron Dome missile defense system—following Ruth (Marcia Chonchol-Craig Barany’s mother), Sara Leah bat Rochel (Cynthia failures of two of its largest transformers in 2012 and 2014, costing upward of $5 Lynn Haber-Cheryl Hamburg’s sister), Sara Leah bat Bracha (Stacey Deutsch), million in repairs. Using mPrest’s Asset Health Management application, New Shira Raizel Esther bat Mina Zosha (Ruth Messer’s granddaughter), Tzirel York can now examine the “health” of a transformer utilizing data derived from the Libah bat Frimed Mindel (Sylvia Lieberman-Philippe Lieberman’s mother), Vickia bat Fruma (Vivian Honig-Susan Chusid’s mother), Yocheved bat Tzril (Joan Niad) transformer itself, sensors, complex algorithms, historical performance data and lab reports. According to Alan Ettlinger, NYPA’s director for research, technology, If you know of a shul member in the hospital or who might appreciate a home visit, development and innovation, “the system automatically shuts down and reroutes please let the Rabbis know by contacting the shul office. Please contact the office if power if a problem is detected. That means the lights stay on, field workers are someone on this list has, Baruch Hashem, recovered. protected from the dangers of an explosion, and NYPA can save money.” In 2015, the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation COMMUNITY NEWS (BIRD) invested $900,000 in the joint NYPA and mPrest project to cultivate the software.

 YIH Late Ma’ariv 9:30 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and Early Minchah 2:00 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. Our synagogue partners with AIPAC, America’s pro-Israel lobby, in educating our community on issues at Hollywood Community Kollel, at Bnei Sephardim, 3670 Stirling Rd. Entry affecting the U.S.-Israel relationship. We encourage you to learn more by contacting AIPAC at (202) 639- through the back of the building. 5200 or by visiting www.aipac.org  Sharsheret’s Pies for Prevention Thanksgiving Bake Sale. Order online at AIPAC Policy Conference 2018: March 4-6, 2018. Join Rabbi Weinstock, YIH members, and over 18,000 http://www.sharsheret.org/pies-for-prevention/hollywoodfl Pickup Wednesday, pro-Israel citizen activists for 3 of the most important days for exploring and strengthening the US-Israel November 22nd at the home of Risa Chopp & Hersh Taubenfeld. All pies are relationship. Register at www.aipac.org/pc. pareve and baked by YIH community members. Please note that this project is We have a block of registrations that may be purchased directly from the shul. A few more seats are not under the rabbinic supervision of the shul. available. Please contact the shul office if you would like to join the YIH delegation.  Toras Chaim Toras Emes Dr. Abe Chames High School Open House: Sunday, November 12th at 10:30 a.m. at the Klurman campus: 1025 NE Miami Gardens Drive, North Miami Beach 33179  Moshava Camp Stone Open House: Wednesday night November 15th, 7:30pm at the Lewinger home.  NCSY Summer Info Session (Teens in grades 8-12), Tuesday, November 14th Sunday, December 10th, 2017 at 8:30 p.m. at the home of Barry & Jillian Galitzer. LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST with our elected officials who are making a  Shidduch meeting December 10th, 8:00 p.m. at 4021 N 41 Ct. Hollywood hosted difference. 9:00AM-10:30AM. by Meirav Kravetz and Devorah Schwartz. Come present and talk about singles Lavan Catering and Events 3861 Stirling Road, Hollywood, 33312 you know and let's try to make some matches. For more information call Meirav Teach Florida is bringing Jewish schools, families and community together for Kravetz 954-512-7457 safer, stronger and more affordable Jewish schools.

For more information email [email protected]

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BROTHERHOOD PARENTING TIP Shabbat Chayei Sarah Ten Guidelines for Healthy Discipline by Rabbi Shimon Gruen (continued) Time Program Age/Grade Location

9. Cushion any discipline with love Your general attitude toward your child or student should be a loving and caring Shabbat one. When there is enough love in advance, the discipline and consequence will 9:00am Game Room Pre K - 4th Grade Room 3&4 not arouse intense negative feelings. Right after a consequence or rebuke is given, try to lift the negative energy right away by moving straight back into 9:00am Babysitting 18months - Nursery 3 House positive, loving mode. Don’t be afraid that by doing this the child will think you’re 9:30am Youth Minyan 5th - 7th Grade Modular just kidding. If you made yourself clear, your message was heard, but now your job is to make sure that there are no residual negative feelings that can erode the 9:30am Teen Minyan 8th-12th Grade Room 5 relationship and trust. Without retracting from the punishment or warning in any way, win back your child with loving words and behavior. 10:00am Shabbat Groups Pre K - 2nd Grade Rooms 2-4 &6 10:00am Minyanaires 3rd & 4th Grade Room 1 To be continued …. 4:00pm Bnei Akiva 2nd-8th Grade Rooms 1-6 . 4:30pm Advanced Gemara Middle School Room 5 ———————————————————————————————————-- Chebura with Rabbi Natan Brownstein 5:10pm Teen Mincha Chapel 5:40pm Youth Seuda Shlishit and 5th-7th Grade Room 3-4 Shiur with Rabbi Gross- man 5:40pm Teen Seuda Shlishit and 8th-12th Grade Room 1-2 Modern Halacha Shiur with Rabbi Nachbar 6:12pm Teen Maariv Chapel

Happening This Week

V’Shinantam Starts - November 11 2017, 7:00-8:00pm in Beit Midrash 2-3 3-2 Mishna Chabura - November 11 2017, 7:00-8:00pm in Back room of Beit Midrash for 4th- 6th Grades Motzi Shabbat Madness - November 11 2017, 8:00-9:30pm in Social Hall 2-2 3-2 Global Day of Learning Brunch - November 12, 2017, 10:00-11:30am in Social Hall JNF Youth Conference - November 12, 2017, 1:00-6:00pm in Diplomat Hotel NCSY Emtza Program - November 12, 2017 speak to Jason Segalbaum for details 3-2 0-5 NCSY Summer Info Session - November 14, 2017, 8:30 p.m. at the Galitzerhome. Bnei Akiva Moshava Camp Stone Open House - November 15, 2017 at the Lewinger 4-1 home 5th Grade Oneg - November 17, 2017, 8:30-10:00pm at the Eichenholz home

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Weekly Youth Shiurim & Programs

Shabbat After Teen Kiddush- Shiur with Rabbi Nachbar 4:00pm Bnei Akiva 4:30pm Middle School Advanced Gemara Chabura with Rabbi Brownstein 5:40pm Youth Seuda Shlishit & Shiur with Rabbi Grossman 5:40pm Teen Seuda Shlishit & Shiur with Rabbi Nachbar 7:30pm Vishinantum L’Vanecha - Parent Child learning 7:30pm Mishna Chabura for 4th-6th Grade with Rav James Sunday 9:30am Chidon HaTanach Study Group 9:30am High School Sunday Mishmar joint with YHS in the Beit Midrash with Rabbi Nachbar Monday 7:30pm Middle School Mishmar

Parsha Quiz

Mazal Tov to last week’s winner—Uriel Williams & Hadas Lasry The first person to email [email protected] on Motzi Shabbat with the correct answer to the following question will win a prize! Elementary School How much did Avraham pay for the Maharat HaMachpelah? Middle School If Sarah had lived eight more years, how old would she have been when she died? Where did Sarah die? According to midrash, what caused Sarah’s death?

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

High School Chabura Night Open Beit Midrah Learning & Chabura Learning Every Monday Night 8:30-9:30pm In The YIH Beit Midrash

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D’var Torah : Rav James

In the years since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, approximately 3-3.5 thousand people per year have made Aliyah from Western, English speaking countries around the world. This number is less than 0.1% of their Jewish population. In comparison Aliyah from Arab, African and Eastern European coun- tries totals around 3.5 million and average of 60,000 per year. This difference is more than staggering. What is the reason behind these numbers? It appears that based purely on these statistics the fact is that the principal cause of Aliyah has been the discomfort felt by and other persecutions. It has not been as a result of the Zionist dream to fulfill great nationalistic aspirations or even religious dreams that have brought the home, rather it has been our enemies. Therefore the the big question is, what is the motivation to make Aliyah from a country in which the Jews enjoy equal rights, tolerance, and are not threatened by antisemitism? Why should someone risk lowering their standard of living and sacrifice a generally comfortable lifestyle by making Aliyah? Maybe we should conclude that Aliyah from the western world is irrelevant, and despite all the Zionist propaganda we grow up on it is really nothing more than just a nice thing to do. Maybe it is good just for certain individuals but does not represent an ideal for most Jews? What lies at the root of the ideal of Aliyah and is it relevant for every single ? It is interesting to note that in the years preceding the completion of the second Beit Hamikdash a simi- lar phenomenon occurred. The doors of Aliyah to the were opened by King Cyrus, and the prophets called out across the diaspora pleading for Jews to make Aliyah. Despite this, only a frac- tion of Jews answered the call; most of them were from thelowest rungs of the social-economic hierarchy. Those who didn’t return were sidelined from the continuation of the Jewish story, and with time were for- gotten in the pages of . So, why make Aliyah? What opportunity does life in Israel present, which is not available for a Jew any- where else? In this weeks Parsha we read a story that maybe should change our focus on the whole concept of Aliyah, and provides profound insight to its benefit. Sarah Imanu has passed-away and Avraham is looking for the most desirable plot of land to serve as the family burial site. Upon finding it he goes ahead and purchases the Me’arat HaMachpelah and the field that surrounds it. The Torah states - “VaYakam – So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that werein the field, that were in all the border thereof round about, were uplifted unto Avraham ” What is the meaning of the strange wording, “vayakam” – “were uplifted” – regarding the field and the cave, could it not have simply stated that they were “acquired” by Avraham? Also, why is it neces- sary to stipulate who the buyer and seller were? These details are already known from the story. Additional- ly, why stress that Avraham acquired the field and the trees, when really was it not only the cave that he needed to serve as a burial plot? With the transfer of the land into Avraham’s possession, its function became transformed. No longer was it merely a corner of land belonging to a simple person, it now became part of the story of Jewish History and an integral component in the unique message that story tells to mankind. While physically it remained just as it was before – dirt, trees and stone – spiritually the land was transformed. With Avraham’s acquisi- tion, the story of the field of Machpelah became intertwined with that of Avraham and his descendants; it became Eretz Yisrael, the home of Am Yisrael. It was more than a land purchase, the land in fact made Aliyah. In the twentieth century, the focal-point of Jewish history shifted. No longer was it centered around an exiled people attempting to preserve its identity, rather it became focused on a nation rebuilding its historic homeland in order to offer its ultimate message to the world. We are born into this epoch, this time of rebuilding and “uplifting” the land. This process did not terminate in 1948 when our independence was sealed; the resurrection of our nation and land continues today, and each new oleh is another brick in this incredible edifice. Am Yisrael has an incredible message to deliver to the world. It tells of the divinity of every individual and all of creation, every tree and every rock. This is the story of the Aliyah – uplifting – of the world, and is told by each person who chooses to take part in it. The decision to make Aliyah is to choose not to remain on the sidelines of Jewish history. It is the choice to embrace the opportunity to be an active participant in this resurrection, a key player in the greatest story the world has ever known.

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Upcoming Events

Chai Lifeline Channuka Gift Drive Launch November 19, 2017 drop box in Young Israel Mommy & Me with Morah Sonia November 25, 2017, 10:30-11:15am in Modular Middle School Youth Council November 28, 2017, 7:30-8:30pm in Room 1-2 Bnei Akiva High School Shabbaton in Philly December 1-3, 2017, speak to Rav James or Adina Hirsch for details NCSY Emtza Shabbaton December 1-3, 2017 speak to Jason Segelbaum for details Cub Scout Cubbie College December 3, 2017 speak to Alex Hochberger for details HS Youth Council December 5, 2017, 7:30-8:30pm at Rav James’ High School Guest Speaker - Rav Gav December 8, 2017 High School Israeli Film Night December 9, 2017, 7:30-9:30pm Latke Night December 10, 4:00-6:30pm in Social Hall Middle School Boys Oneg December 15, 2017, 8:30-9:30pm Motzi Shabbat Madness December 31, 2017, 8:30-9:30pm in Social Hall Youth Family Shabbat Dinner December 22, 2017 9th Grade Oneg December 22, 2017, 8:30-9:30pm at the Rhein Home

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