YOUNG ISRAEL OF MONTREAL BULLETIN email: [email protected] Vol. 72 - No. 2 Feb. - Sept. 2021 Purim and Pesach are on the horizon and it is time to craft and share a message in preparation. It is the nature of matters in Spirituality that future events already inform the present. Al- though it is winter outside, we are already aware of and antici- pating spring and rebirth. Purim is a multifaceted celebration of redemption from grave and sweeping dan- ger. A Klal Yisroel in exile succumbed to an ideology of assimilation and enabled a scion of the evil paradigm Amalek to plot their destruction. There arose a great man Mordechai who led them back to their creator and allegiance to his Torah. The resulting series of miraculous interventions serve us for posterity as an unwa- vering source of knowledge that Hashem’s providence is always amongst us. Nissan begins a new year in the festival cycle building on the close of the last years cycle Adar. We see circles connecting and then rising higher and await the devel- opment of the final Geulah from the collected total of our Avodas Hashem in all generations. Times are challenging, it should be very clear to all that our understanding is limited as is our capacity to protect ourselves. The message of Pesach is Emunah to affirm that we recognize Hashem’s omnipotence and his loving care for his chosen people. We recline as royalty and relate in wonder and awe the miracles wrought to set us free and educate us for posterity. Contemplating Geulah past and future gives us a sense of being anchored in an unfolding reality beyond us as individuals. There will come a time when all of mankind will come to recognize their creator and join forces to serve him. Al- though it may be difficult to see this develop amidst the decaence permeating soci- ety around us, the events of the past inform us that nothing is impossible. May the Ribono Shel Olam bestow upon us health and prosperity, and all our other needs. Let us turn our eyes towards the divine love which is constantly poured out to us and train ourselves to appreciate it. Our Tefilah is that we experience the final stage of Geulah and we all celebrate Pesach in Yerushalayim at the rebuilt Bais Hamikdosh speedily in our times. Rabbi Menachem Willig 6235 HILLSDALE ROAD - MONTREAL, QUE. H3S 2M8 TEL.: (514) 737-6589 FAX: (514) 737-5488 THIS PUBLICATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC , FREE OF CHARGE. President’s Message Dear Members: Montreal winters are always long and challenging and this year has been no dif- ferent in that respect...except for the unprecedented (at least in recent history) addition of a pandemic that has swept through the entire world over the past twelve months. As with everything in life, we can choose to focus on the positive or the negative. I will choose the former, to try to look for the good, even during this difficult time. After almost a full year of cycles of our shuls being closed, then opened, then closed again, we, the Young Israel community, have had to learn to adapt to the new COVID reality. We were fortunate to have the shul open for Tisha B’av, the Yamim Noraim, Succot and Chanukah. We came together virtually for Chanukah and Tu B’shvat. We continue to hold daily Zoom minyanim and Rabbi Willig gives three Torah classes a week over Zoom. My duty as President is to ensure that we have as safe a space as possible to daven in. That means adhering to the government regulations and making sure everyone in shul is following the COVID safety guidelines. I am pleased to say that everyone who joins our in person minyanim is on board with this understanding that the continuing health and safety of our members is our overriding concern. Although it is very difficult for many of us not to attend shul on a regular basis, it is not something new in Jewish history. Over the centuries many communitioes had to endure widespread plagues and Rabbis in each of those generations found halachic ways to ensure the safety and health of their communities, while trying to continue to daven b’tzibbur when possible. Today we are blessed with technology that permits us to connect with loved ones and friends, even when we cannot be together physically - something not available to previous generations - as well as provide us with a plathora of Torah classes and lectures at our fingertips any hour of the day or night. Every day we need to look at the positive and thank Hashem for all our blessings. I look forward to being able to greet all of you in shul again as soon as it is safe to do so. A Freilichin Purim and Chag Pesach Kasher v’Sameach, Shalom Diamond HOLIDAY SCHEDULES THE YOUNG ISRAEL MAOT CHITIM FUND For many years, we have This year, 2021, as we prepare this bulletin in made it possible for the needy mid-January, the Covid-19 Pandemic is still to celebrate a traditional Pesach very active in our community and worldwide, and by way of your generous donations. our Montreal Community is struggling to maintain However , this year presents unprecedented our health services. Our local Jewish Community circumstances. We have lost a number of has been heavily effected by the disease. recipients over the past year and those left are either aged or ill and the thought of sending You will note that our Bulletin contains what would them a cheque, in these troubled times, makes be normal schedules for celebrations and services, no sense. For these people to go to a bank and however please bear in mind the following. then to a store just adds to their risk factors so we have made the following change. It is possible, during the weeks ahead, , we We have arranged with MADA will still be in a similar position and the schedules whereby they will provide assistance to we are proposing may not be viable. the few people left on our list. Young Israel will continue to follow all They will assist all these people with a GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES proper food basket with all the necessities and during these most trying times will not for Pesach. We, in turn, are enclosing a disobey the community wide rules. We self-addressed envelope from MADA and implore all our readers to do the same, we hope you will find it in your heart to WEAR A MASK; .make your annual donation to them. WASH YOUR HANDS OR SANITIZE; In reality, these recipients will probably DISTANCE; receive much more than our normal cheque STAY IN YOUR “FAMILY BUBBLE” would buy as MADA purchases in bulk, at PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY reduced costs, and can provide greater provisions for each person. CHAAG PURIM WE LOOK TO YOUR CONTINUED ASSISTANCE IN HELPING THE NEEDY, YOU WILL RECEIVE This year, we celebrate the Fast of Esther and A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT Purim Night on Thursday, February 25, 2021. DIRECTLY FROM MADA. The Primary Commandment, to hear the READ- ING OF THE MEGILAH; THE GIVING OF SHALACH MANOS; THE GIFTS TO THE NEEDY AND THE SEUDAT PURIM, THE FOR IT IS WRITTEN IN THE SHULCHAN ARUCH TRADITIONAL FEAST, elaborated upon in all (CODE OF JEWISH LAWS) First paragraph in the “ Laws of Passover”, our previous bulletins in more than 70 years, in part: may have to be adjusted this year, in part or in whole, due to Covid Virus. We urge each family to participate to the best of their ability in an ab- “IT IS CUSTOMARY TO PURCHASE WHEAT solutely safe manner, within their family unit, and AND TO DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE POOR FOR PASSOVER, AND ALL WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE not put anyone at risk by doing inappropriate ac- CITY FOR AT LEAST TWELVE MONTHS, tivities that may put their family or others in ARE OBLIGATED TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT” harms way. We all know what we have to do to prevent Covid, let’s fulfill that requirement as (PLEASE USE THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE TO MAKE YOUR DONATION TO MADA ) well as those of Purim. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SHABBOS VAYAKEL - PEKUDA - HACHODESH - MVORCHIM Fri. Eve. March 12 SHABBOS TERUMAH / ZACHOR Light Candles 5:38 PM Fri. Eve. Feb. 19 Mincha, Kabbolas Shabbos 5:40 PM Light Candles 5:09 PM Sat. March 13 Mincha, Kabbolas Shabbos 5:10 PM Morning Services 9:00 AM Sat. Feb. 20 Mincha 5:30 PM Morning Services 9:00 AM Maariv 6:42 PM Mincha 5:00 PM Maariv 6:14 PM PURIM - 5781 - 2021 Thursday, Feb. 25 - TANIS ESTHER Fast begins 5:23 AM Shachris 7:00 AM Mincha 5:05 PM ROSH CHODESH NISSAN - SUN. MARCH 14 Maariv 6:06 PM Followed by Megillah SHABBOS VAYIKRA Fri. Eve. March 19 Light Candles 6:47 PM Friday, Feb. 26 - PURIM DAY Mincha, Kabbolas Shabbos 6:50 PM Shachris 7:30 AM Sat. March 20 Megillah 8:30 AM Morning Services 9:00 AM Chatzos 12:07 AM Drasha - Shabbos Hagadol 5:55 PM Mincha 6:40 PM Mincha 5:20 PM Maariv 7:52 PM In person services will be determined as per Covid regulations. If required, on line service information will be available PESACH - 5781 - 2021 on our website - youngisraelmtl.com FRI. MARCH 26 - BURN CHOMETZ BY 11:42 AM EREV PESACH - SHABBOS HAGADOL TZAV Sat. March 27 SHABBOS TEZAVEH Shachris 7:00 AM Fri. Eve.