The Family Shul Wishes You a Shabbat Shalom!

September 25, 2015 – Tishrei 12, 5776 Flamingo E Weekly 659 Erev Shabbat Parshat Ha’azinu Shabbat Candles must be lit by: 6:51 pm Shabbat ends: 7:50 pm The Family Shul Wishes You a Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Parshat Ha’azinu – Weekend Schedule Friday, September 25 ~ Erev Shabbat (Saturday) September 26 ~ Shabbat Kodesh Sunday, September 27 ~ Erev Sukkot 6:30 am Maamer Moment 8:30 am The Chassidic Reader – Class in Lekutei Torah 8:00 am Early Minyan 6:40 am Early Minyan 9:15 am Main Sanctuary Shacharit Services 8:30 am The Hakhel Readings! 7:00 am Regular Minyan 9:30 am Parents n’ Kids Youth Minyan 9:15 am Regular Minyan 7:00 pm Mincha, Sefer HaMitzvot Express 10:30 am Youth Programming begins! 6:48 pm Yom Tov Candle Lighting accompanied by our freshly minted series: 6:00 pm Mincha followed by Seudah Shlisheet, 6:55 pm Mincha Service Hakhel Insights followed by Kabbalat Shabbat 7:45 pm Ma’ariv – The Living Torah video follows followed by brief Holiday Lecture Kiddush Honours Seudah Shlisheet 7:45pm Maariv Service Still Available Still Available followed by a Communal Kiddush in the Sukkah Women’s Mikvah Women’s Mikvah: by appt. only Women’s Mikvah: 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm by appt. only

From Awe to Joy – Our 18th Chai observance of the High Holidays (the Yamim Nora’im or Days of Awe) at Chabad Flamingo was truly memorable! As our capacity crowd generated a crescendo of energy in the beautiful Main Sanctuary peaking at Neila on Yom Kippur, the spirit of faithful unity was palpable. We all felt the power and inspiration of this experience. Adult services, Youth Programming and Teen Minyan - Baruch Hashem - were all better than ever. A hearty Yasher Koach to Youth Rabbis’ Danny Gerber and Avrumy Kagan for dynamically leading their respective youth services. A very special thank you for the dedication and hard work of our new Head Counselors/Program Directors Chana Crystal and Shterni Rosenfeld, and the amazing youth counselors, who along with the many teen volunteers ensured that this year’s High Holiday Youth Programming was a smashing success! We trust that Hashem is pleased with the giant crowds of children, women and men who come together in respectful and loving devotion to Aveinu Malkainu (our Heavenly Father and King) during this year’s Yamim Nora’im. We’re confident that He has heard our heartfelt prayers and will surely respond by granting us all a Shana Tova u’Metukah. Now we move on from the Tishrei High Holy Days-of-Awe to the Days-of-Joy and Holiday Happiness! Our sages teach us that the joyous part of this special month is even more powerful than its awe-inspiring beginning. Please make it your “New Year’s Resolution” to join us and transform that energy generated by our feelings of awe into vibrant joy that will project throughout the entire year!

Facing the Awesome Music – Occurring between Yom Kippur and the holiday of Sukkot, this Shabbat is a rarity. What makes it even more special is that we’ll be reading Parshat Ha’azinu - the last Parsha of the Torah to be read on a Shabbat morning. The greater part of Parshat Ha’azinu (“Listen In”) consists of the 70 - verse “song” delivered by Moses to the People of Israel on the last day of his earthly life. Our Rabbis have taught that reciting and knowing this Parsha with the proper ‘Trop’ (cantillation notes) can cultivate greater longevity and [financial] success. Please participate this week by listening to this very special song which was chanted by the Levites each Shabbat in our ancient Beit HaMikdash. We look forward to greeting you in Shul as we listen to the song and invoke long life and success together!

We’d Be So Blue Without You! – All the children and their parents are invited to Daven together at our delightful Shabbat morning Youth Minyan! Parents: please arrive on time to ensure your children start at 9:30 am. Children who do arrive on time will get a chance to receive additional Minyan coins. The one who receives the blue coin will have the chance to dip their hand into a special prize box and win big by multiplying their coin rewards ten times! On behalf of our entire community, we thank Rabbi Avrumi for the exceptional job he did over the High Holy Days; we look forward to his exciting creativity for Sukkot and the entire year to come! Of course, all of the prizes and rewards are simply incentives to help positively influence your children. But note that nothing influences them more than when their own parents join together with them in programs such as our Youth Minyan. This act certainly cultivates and inspires lifelong cherished values and a deep love for Judaism.

Kids Program: From “I” to “We” – During the High Holy days culminating on Yom Kippur, we focus on personal needs and our own relationship with G-d: we engage in Teshuvah - the process of returning to G-d as we strive to strengthen our connection with Holiness. Now, we must move away from this goal of personal development as we head into the joyous holiday of Sukkot. We shift our focus from personal growth to the growth of greater communal unity of the entire Jewish people. The many mitzvot of Sukkot all express this theme; from the Sukkah hut that we sit in together with our friends and family, to the unity represented by the Lulav and Etrog, as the four different species symbolizing the many different kinds of Jewish people are held together to perform a Mitzvah. We explore this theme of unity this Shabbat through a variety of creative, fun and educational games. We invite all of our community youth to join us as we journey through this extraordinary holiday season together! The children will conclude as usual by leading the entire congregation in the spirited singing of Ein Kelokainu in the Main Sanctuary.

Scroll Up to Learn – This year is called Shnat Hakhel or our Jewish Year of Assembly. During ancient Temple times, on the second day of Sukkot, the King of the Jewish people would read publically from a Torah scroll to the entire nation. Join us this Sunday morning of Erev Sukkot as we explore: What exactly did the king read? Why were certain unique portions of Deuteronomy selected? What lessons can we learn from these precise selections? It’s a lively, informative and thoughtful session culled from a number of sichot - oral public addresses - delivered by our beloved Rebbe. He answered these questions in a way that will surprise, elevate and excite your heart, mind, and soul. The text -based class will begin this Sunday, September 27 at 8:30 am; Shacharit services will follow at 9:15 am.

We’re Only Humans (of Flamingo) – Although our stunning new Humans of Flamingo calendar has been getting rave reviews, it unfortunately contains an incorrect instruction. The calendar indicates for Sunday, September 27 that Eruv Tavshilin must be observed to properly honour the upcoming Yom Tov of Sukkot. This is incorrect, because this year no such Eruv is required, as it’s only needed when Shabbat immediately follows Yom Tov. We apologize for this printing error and ask you to please inform everyone who might be using our calendar. And please forgive our error – after all, we’re all only human!

Sukkot Pick Me Up – Starting Monday morning, we’ll all have the opportunity to perform the exceptional mitzvah of the Lulav & Etrog (the Four Species) for each day of the entire Sukkot holiday (except Shabbat!) The best way to meet the strict requirements of Halacha (Torah law) is to purchase your very own personal set of these natural yet sacred items. If you’ve placed an order with our office, please note that Sunday morning is the last day and time for you to pick them up. If you can’t make it by that time, please contact Rabbi Yossi who will be happy to make other arrangements for you.

Men in the Mikvah – Hey guys? Would you like to do some additional “spiritual grooming”? Then visit our Mikvah before Yom Tov. The Mikvah is available at no charge to all members of our Family Shul. Non-members are required to make a minimum donation of $20.00. For more info, please contact our Rabbis.

Howdy, Partner – We’re looking for kind and generous partners to help us sponsor one or more Festive Kiddushim on the additional days of this joyous Chag, which peak with the ultimate celebration of Simchat Torah! The available days for sponsorship are: • The First Day of Yom Tov in the Sukkah • Shabbat Chol HaMoed • Shmeini Atzeret in the Sukkah: the Pre-mini-Hakafot evening Kiddush, and/or the Grand Finale Yizkor and Kiddush following services • Simchat Torah in our stunning Ballroom: the Grand pre-Hakafot evening Kiddush, or the pre-Hakafot morning Kiddush

The Family Shul Members Bulletin • Mazal Tov to Larry & Nancy Brenner upon the recent birth and baby naming of their new granddaughter Naomi Malka born on Erev Yom Kippur! • Seeking a Sukkah? Contact [email protected] to receive a Wood Panel Sukkah including 6 to 7 panels at no charge! It's free but note that delivery isn’t included!

Our Shabbat Sponsors – We gratefully acknowledge and thank those who might generously assist in providing Shabbat refreshments for all! • The Congregational Kiddush this week has not been sponsored; to sponsor it, please contact Rabbi Yossi. • The Seudat Shlisheet sponsorship is still available; to sponsor, please contact Rabbi Yossi. Support Our E-Weekly Sponsor – “My wife Irit and I are proud to be part of our Community. As a pharmacist, I enjoy helping people fill their pharmaceutical needs in the most effective way possible. We've relocated to York Region and would deeply appreciate the opportunity to help with your prescriptions or over-the-counter pharmacy needs saving you as much as I can. Please allow me to become your service provider. Call me and see what I can do for you. I am happy to provide same-day delivery service anywhere in the Thornhill area, delivering your package to your door immediately after closing each day. I’m at Five Star Pharmacy, located in Aurora. Prescriptions can be called in or faxed. My phone is (905) 503-5100, and my fax is (905) 503-8700. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you in advance!” ~ Marty Iron

The Family Shul Wishes You a Chag Sameach!

Chag HaSukkot: Yom Tov & Chol Hamo’ed Schedule

Monday, September 28 ~ Sukkot – Yom Tov Day 1 Tuesday, September 29 ~ Sukkot – Yom Tov Day 2

9:15 am Morning Services Kiddush Honours: 9:15am Morning Services Kiddush Honours: 9:30 am Youth Minyan Still Available! 9:30 am Youth Minyan Anonymous 10:30 am All Youth Programs 10:30 am All Youth Programs Services are followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah Services are followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah Light candles after 7:46 pm 6:55 pm Evening Services 6:55 pm Evening Services 7:44 pm Yom Tov Ends Women’s Mikvah: by appt. only Women’s Mikvah: 8:45 -10:45 pm

Wednesday, September 30 ~ Chol Hamoed Day 1 Thursday, October 1 ~ Chol Hamoed Day 2 6:30 am Holiday Insights 6:35 am Early Minyan Youth Events: 6:30 am Holiday Insights Our Shul Members Only 6:50 am Regular Minyan Sukkah Hops 6:35 am Early Minyan “Meet & Greet” 5:00pm Grades JK-4 6:50 am Regular Minyan A joyous festive Hakhel 7:00 pm Mincha and Sefer 8:00pm Grades 5 -8 6:00 pm Mincha and Sefer get-together in the Shul HaMitzvot Express Sukkah at no charge! 7:25 pm Ma’ariv HaMitzvot Express 6:25 pm Ma’ariv 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Women’s Mikvah: 8:00 -10:00 pm Women’s Mikvah: 8:00 -10:00 pm

Sukkot: It’s All In the Family – On Sunday evening, we welcome the exuberant and joyous outdoor holiday of Sukkot, also known as Chag and Zman Simchatainu: the Season of our Rejoicing. Our Sages taught us that the joy and celebration of Yiddishkeit empowers us to transcend all our obstacles. Please join us on Monday or Tuesday (or both!) to celebrate these incredible Yom Tov days which have the power to release us from all our limitations and bring good things to all of us. Celebrate your Judaism on these extraordinary days to realize G-d’s blessings for our loved ones, our community and our brothers and sisters living in Eretz Yisrael. Ensure that in 5776, we all move forward together, as one big and united Flamingo Family!

King For A Day – We are pleased to announce that Rabbi Avrumi will be here during the Sukkot holiday mornings to lead the Youth Minyan. We ask that all parents please make every effort to arrive there with the children on time. Honouring the special first day of Sukkot, the children will have a grand Sushi in the Sukkah Kiddush following their dynamic holiday davening. On the second day of Yom Tov, the day that the Grand Jewish Assembly was held in the Beit HaMikdash (see below), the children will perform a grand Re-Enactment. Each child get the chance to wear a crown and royal robes and stand on a platform pretending that they are the King of Israel and read from a miniature Torah scroll or share a few words of Torah teaching with the other children and parents who will assemble around them!

Kids Shake Up Sukkah! – We’ve got some amazing programs for the kids this Sukkot! The action starts each day of Yom Tov at 10:30 am. On the First Day of Sukkot (Monday, September 28), we’ll focus on the special mitzvah of the Arba Minim as the kids play Shake Like a Lulav and Pass the Esrog. The kids will also get a chance to spend time in our Grand Shul Sukkah and shake a real lulav and esrog to ensure they fulfill the mitzvah of making a bracha on the Arba Minim. On the Second Day of Sukkot (Tuesday, September 29), the kids will build their own edible Sukkah and through trivia and games further explore the holiday. On both days, the children will enjoy many fascinating stories highlighting the Sukkah and the importance of hosting guests in it. Every day, the children will lead the entire congregation in the singing of Ein Kelokeinu in the Main Sanctuary! Our youth programming directors wish everybody a very happy and joyful Sukkot!

Celebrate “Bring a Friend to Sukkot” Day – As mentioned above, this is Shnat Hakhel, the year the Grand Septennial Jewish Assembly would be held in the Beit HaMikdash. This magnificent assembly would be held in the year following Shemitah on the second day of Sukkot as the entire nation would gather to listen to the King read from the Torah. Although the Beit HaMikdash hasn't yet been restored to us, the Rebbe still urged us to commemorate this special event throughout the year. We hope to have a grander than usual crowd assembling on the actual Hakhel day this year and therefore ask you to treat the second day of Sukkot as Bring a Friend Day! We hope to fill the Shul and then the Sukkah by increasing attendance at least 50%! Please do your part and help us make it a successful Hakhel-Sukkot!

It’s Not Business, It’s Personal – The Torah states that “you must rejoice in your Festival.” The Alter Rebbe explained this nuanced Biblical expression as follows: Hashem wants you to internalize the inner message of the festivals. Doing so will infuse joy into your observance of the [specific Mitzvot performed on the] Chag; these will thereby become your own personal celebrations. Even if you aren't a regular, please consider joining us Wednesday and/or Thursday mornings at 6:30 am for brief yet insightful lessons into the meaning and majesty of the Sukkah and the Lulav & Etrog respectively. The special Chol HaMo’ed Shacharit service - including the melodious recitation of Hallel and a special holiday Torah reading - follows on both days at 6:50 am.

Kids’ 1-Horsepower Sukkah Hop – Our fantastic Kids’ Sukkah Hop for grades JK through 4 will again travel through the neighbourhood with an awesome horse-drawn carriage! No rain date is necessary because we'll be in a canopy-style buggy! All children in JK to grade 4 are invited to join the Chabad Flamingo Youth Sukkah Hop on Wednesday, September 30. Parents: Please be sure to drop off your children no later than 4:45 pm. The carriage leaves the Shul parking lot at 5 pm sharp. Please RSVP by Sunday, September 27 - note that space is extremely limited! The price for Shul members is $20 and $25 for non-Shul members. To RSVP or to sponsor a Sukkah Stop, please email Chana and Shterni: [email protected]

The Super-Sized Sukkah Limo is Back – Back by popular demand, the kids of grades 5-8 are Sukkah-hopping in a decked-out limo bus! If you’re in grades 5-8, join your friends on an awesome Sukkah Hop Wednesday, September 30! We'll meet at the Shul Sukkah at 7:45 pm and leave at 8:00 pm sharp. Please RSVP by Sunday, September 27, because even a stretch limo has limited space! The price for Shul members is $20 and $25 for non-Shul members. To RSVP or to sponsor a Sukkah Stop, please email Chana and Shterni: [email protected]

Time Shift Into Mincha – Starting Thursday, October 1, because of the shorter days, our weekday Mincha services shifts back from 7 pm to 6 pm daily. Each evening Mincha is followed by our Sefer HaMitzvot Express class; followed soon after by Ma’ariv. Please time shift your schedule with us and help ensure that we have a Minyan as regularly possible. Join us on time so that we can adhere to the schedule. Please consider the many individuals in our community currently saying Kaddish and do your part to help them fulfill their sacred duty of honour and respect for their parents’ Neshamot!

The Sushi Might Lead to Dancing – Although each year we host an annual evening of appreciation to recognize and acknowledge our dedicated Shul membership, this year we're trying to do something larger and more meaningful in honour of the Hakhel (Assembly) Year theme. On Thursday, October 1, we’ll be hosting a grand Sushi & Scotch in the Sukkah event featuring all-you-can-eat fresh sushi being made before your very eyes along with a selection fine scotches and whiskeys! It's customary to sing and dance in commemoration of the joyous celebrations that were held in the Beit HaMikdash each night of the festival of Sukkot, so we’ll also be featuring live music and entertainment too! If you are a member of our Family Shul in good standing please make an effort to join us for the continuous stream of sushi washed down by as many hearty L’chaims as you please. If you're planning to drink, walk or make sure you have a designated driver and don’t forget your dancing shoes !

Super Sukkot Sponsors – Naturally, all our special Sukkot events will take place in the Grand Flamingo Sukkah. The Congregational Kiddush for the first day Yom Tov has not yet been sponsored. To acquire this awesome Zechut (entirely or partially), please contact Rabbi Yossi. On the Second Day of Yom Tov, the Congregational Kiddush has been sponsored by dedicated Shul members, wishing to remain anonymous, to celebrate their eleventh “anniversary” at Flamingo and to honour Rabbi Yossi & Rivki Sandhaus who arrived at the very same time!

Learn the Language that Created the World – Are you struggling to read Hebrew? Check out our New Hebrew Reading Crash Course based on the famous Read It In Hebrew program. This cutting-edge five-week course builds on decades of professional Hebrew teaching that transforms it into a lively, modern experience that has helped thousands return and reconnect with the language of our heritage. Rebbetzin Faygie Kaplan will teach these courses, which will begin soon after the Holidays with evening or daytime options available. Please email the Rebbetzin and let her know which time you prefer. Soon, you’ll feel comfortable reading Lashon HaKodesh (our sacred tongue) –in which the Torah was written, and which G-d used to create the universe and communicate with our Prophets!