Torah, Purim & More!

Post date: Feb 24, 2018 2:24:54 PM

Shalom Chaverim,

Thank you to the Kupperman family who hosted our Kabbalat Shabbat Service in their home. The atmosphere was a warm one...and the food was delicious!!

This week's Parasha is T'rumah, which translates into gifts. The Children of Israel are asked to bring gifts for the building of the Sanctuary. It is a favorite of rabbis around the world as a fundraising initiative. After all, even the people in the wilderness had what to bring for the building of a Temple and its accessories!! At one of our InterFaith Thanksgiving events, I taught a song, Prepare me to be a Sanctuary, a verse that came out of this Parasha.

T'rumah, Exodus 25:1-27:19:

God asks the Children of Israel to donate gifts (t'rumah) for the building of the Tabernacle so that God may 'dwell among them." Instructions for the construction of the Ark, table for showbread, and the menorah are provided. Detailed directions are given on how to build the Tabernacle. URJ

Here is wishing you a very happy Presidents' Day weekend!! While in the US, we just celebrated a day of love, Valentine's Day, in Israel Yom Hamishpacha-family day- was celebrated on Thursday. Family Day is celebrated in Israel on Lamed BeShvat (the 30th day of Shvat - the 5th Hebrew month) which fell this year on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

Mother's Day was first celebrated in Haifa in 1951 on the second day of Hanukkah. The date later changed to the day that Henrietta Szold died. Henrietta Szold was called "The children's mother" because she founded the organization Youth Aliyah that rescued children from Nazi Germany. The name of the holiday later changed to Family Day to highlight the contribution of fathers to the family.

Please put our next Friday Night Service, March 9th, on your calendars! It will be our Purim celebration! (feel free to come in costume!!)

Hebrew anyone??? (call me...)

Note: Our Passover Seder this year is on Sunday April 8th and will be held at Saint Paul's at 6:15pm.

Let us take a few quiet moments this Shabbat to remember those who lost their lives at a school in Parkland, Florida. May all their souls be for a Blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Reb Betsy