Wednesday, March 26, 2008

TOS eWeekly March 26, 2008

Volume 2 Issue 27, March 26, 2008

The Review Are In!  Disney on Broadway: Purim a smashing success!

Outstanding, the Best Purim Experience!

- The Gazette Post

The Cast and Orchestra Fantastic!

- The Paper City

The preschool children also enjoyed a Purim puppet show with Rabbi Art.  They came dressed in costumes to boo Haman and cheer for brave Queen Esther.  The children made their own groggers and hamantaschen to share with their family.

Preschool Summer Camp
The preschool will be holding summer camp starting on June 9th.  We offer two, 2 week sessions for children ages 2-5.  Each session includes arts and crafts, outdoor play, snack and water day!  If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact Liz in the preschool office.

Men’s Club Outing
TOMORROW NIGHT!
The Men’s Club is having a bowling night at Roblyn Industry on Thursday, March 27th at 7 PM. The address is 1318 Pittsburgh Rd, Valencia PA. It’s on RT 8 between Bakerstown Rd and 228. I’ll need to give them at least a weeks notice as to how many lanes we need to reserve. Please RSVP to by this Thursday, March 20th if you plan on attending.  If you are not a member of the Men’s Club, join us this night and join us.  We are a social group and not just a service organization!  You don’t have to be a paid member to bowl!

CONSTRUCTION!  COMPLETE!
Only thing left is to mount the soap dishes and toilet paper holders on Monday.  Well, I guess the job isn’t done until the paperwork is finished or something like that! We have passed inspection! 

TEACHER APPRECIATION SHABBAT & ONEG
On Friday, April 4th, all of your teachers and aides will be among the other Lifelong Learning staff members being honored at Shabbat Services at 7:00PM
Please come and bring your family to help us say “THANK YOU” to your teachers for a job well done!!
That is also our First Friday Dinner night—don’t forget to register if you are coming!

LIFELONG LEARNING AND YOUTH NEWS
We’re looking forward to a very busy schedule in the next couple weeks!

Dance for a Cause
is this Saturday evening from 7:00 – 10:30pm.  This community high school dance will be the highlight of the OY! program this year! 
All 8th – 12th graders are encouraged to attend! Come dance, hang out with friends, play DDR or help with sales.  Admission is $7 or $5 with the donation of a new stuffed animal for our collection.  Proceeds and donations benefit children in foster care.  It’ll be Awesome with DJ’s Big Bob and Mikey from KISSfm (If you don’t know who they are, ask your kids!)

SUNDAY, March 30:
9:15 – 10:00 10th grade parent meeting about confirmation
11:30 Run – through for Kids for Carmiel Talent Show (option 1)
11:30, 12:30 Faculty meetings

TUESDAY, April 1:
5:30 Sacred Choices for Middle School program continues with 2nd parent and student sessions
6:00 Run – through for Kids for Carmiel Talent Show (option 2)

FRIDAY, April 4
is Teacher Appreciation Shabbat.  Please plan to come to this lively Shabbat service and honor your teachers!  Come for the family dinner too!  For dinner reservation, contact in the Lifelong Learning Office.

SUNDAY, April 6th
is OY’s KFC (KIDS FOR CARMIEL) TALENT SHOW from 10:15 – 11:30.  Please come enjoy our talented kids and kid-at-heart! We have a program of singers, instrumentalists, a band, and much more! The $$$ we raise will support the kids in “foster care” at Carmiel Children’s Village in our sister city, Carmiel, Israel.  Your donations will help provide music lessons to children who cannot afford “extras” beyond the essentials.  All the congregation is encouraged to come and enjoy our program and support the Shalom Mitzvah Corps of OY!.  Sunday school children will attend.

PICNIC PLANS!
Parents needed to coordinate the end-of-year picnic on May 4th.  Please contact Deb in the Lifelong Learning Office.  Thank You!

MIRYAMS - MARCH 30th MITZVAH DAY
Thank you to all of you for volunteering to help with the luncheon for the women who look forward to our lunch and entertainment.  We’ll meet at the Temple at 11 AM and car pool to Miryams so that we can get lunch ready for them by 12 Noon.

The Menu:
Linda Warren - egg salad for 20
Ellen Rodwick - tuna salad for 20
Sara DeVos- Homemade Cookies
Laine and Barry Specter - chicken salad for 20
Clemmy Brodsky - two 9x13 pans of hash brown potatoes
Amy Covell - Green salad and dressings for 60
Judy and Brian Kline - jello for 60
Morry and Sharon Feldman - 5 dozen buns for making the egg, tuna, and chicken salad sandwiches
Peggy Jopling - Cosco sheet cake

We have “hotel freebies” at the Temple for the women to help themselves to and Peggy is wrapping some gifts for prizes for the L-R-C games that we play with the women. If anyone has more items to donate, the women would appreciate them.

Brianna Kline will hopefully come along as she has done all the previous years; also Rachel Covell; maybe the Feldman girls; everyone is welcome.

If I have anything wrong or you have questions, please call me (Clemmy)at 412-486-0774. Thank you all, once again, for your help!

SOCIAL ACTION SING-A-LONG
Please join us for a sing-along event at the senior citizen high rise Riverview in Squirrel Hill on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 1PM. Our youth choir with be performing that day as well. This has always been a very rewarding experience.

We could use singers and friendly people to visit at the party. Help is also needed with simple refreshments, set up and clean up. Do call or e-mail at 412 367-8094.

Guest Speaker
We have a guest speaker again this month, Maymon Peer, the Israeli Community Representative from the United Jewish Federation and the Jewish Agency for Israel. He will be here for Shabbat Services Friday, March 27th.

The rescheduled preschool Shabbat dinner and Tot Shabbat for April 18th has been rescheduled to APRIL 11th due to Pesach!  Email Alaine Smith at for reservations.

ONEG DATES
If you have been thinking about hosting an Oneg but haven’t signed up, please consider volunteering for one of the following dates:  April 25th, May 16, or May 30th.  Please contact at (724) 933-3923 at to sign-up.  Thanks for your help

Monday, March 24, 2008

Purim Play Photo Gallery

Click the picture below to visit the photo gallery containing some snapshots from the March 20th Purim Play. Tifani, David Berlin and the Rabbi lead the troupe in a glorious adaptation of the Lion King, sort of a Hamentaschen meets a Hakuna Matata. And of course it wouldn’t be Purim without our own Mr. Lowenberger in his finest Mary Poppins outfit.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

TOS eWeekly March 19, 2008

Volume 2 Issue 26, March 19, 2008

Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36 --- Parashat Tzav
God told Moses to command Aaron and his sons to take the ashes away from the altar where sacrifices were made for God every day. The ashes were to be put beside the altar. When the ash pile got too large, it should be taken to a ritually clean area outside the camp. “The priests were to make sure the fire on the altar never went out.” (Lev. 6:2)…

See the rest of the Rabbi’s post here.

DISNEY ON BROADWAY PURIM CELEBRATION!
Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 PM
Come see Simba, Nala, Pumba, Timon, Zazu, Scar and the whole crew put on a Purim celebration that’s not to be missed.  And, of course, the reading of the Megillat Esther will be part of our celebration. Last, but certainly not least, our wonderful celebration would not be complete without a delicious Purim Oneg

TOT SHABBAT
Friday, March 21st
Be sure to let us know via the web or via email if you are planning to attend

MENS’ CLUB BOWLING NIGHT
Thursday, March 27th at 7 PM
The Men’s Club is having a bowling night at Roblyn Industry on Thursday, March 27th at 7 PM. The address is 1318 Pittsburgh Rd, Valencia PA. It’s on RT 8 between Bakerstown Rd and 228. I’ll need to give them at least a weeks notice as to how many lanes we need to reserve. Please RSVP to me by this Thursday, March 20th if you plan on attending @ .  If you are not a member of the Men’s Club, join us this night and join us.  We are a social group and not just a service organization!  You don’t have to be a paid member to bowl!  -Jeff

INTERNATIONAL DAY for the ELIMINATION of RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Thursday, March 20th
at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Rabbi Art will be speaking to open the conference.  Click here for the flyer!

NOAH’S TREE
Beata Construction and Rothschild-Doyno Architects (the companies working on our building) donated a 15 foot maple tree for the children’s play area to provide shade and comfort for the kids during the hot summer days in memory of Noah Mass, who loved the pre-school. 

TEACHER APPRECIATION SHABBAT & ONEG
Friday, April 4th
All of your teachers and aides will be among the other Lifelong Learning staff members being honored at Shabbat Services at 7:00PM. Please come and bring your family to help us say “THANK YOU” to your teachers for a job well done!!

OY! Shalom Mitzvah Corps
8 – 12th Graders
2 Events
For Kids in Foster Care

DANCE FOR A CAUSE
March 29th
7:30- 10:00pm
Open to All!  Bring your friends!  DJ’s from KISSfm!
Cost:  $7 or $5 with donation of new stuffed animal

“KFC” (Kids for Carmiel) TALENT SHOW and Bake Sale
April 6th
10:15am – 11:30
Please come join us on Sunday morning and be amazed by our talented congregants!  All donations appreciated!

SOCIAL ACTION SING-A-LONG
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Please join us for a sing-along event at the senior citizen high rise Riverview in Squirrel Hill on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 1PM. Our youth choir with be performing that day as well. This has always been a very rewarding experience.
We could use singers and friendly people to visit at the party. Help is also needed with simple refreshments, set up and clean up. Do call or e-mail Diane Hutchins at 412 367-8094 or .

GUEST SPEAKER
friday, March 27th
We have a guest speaker again this month, Maymon Peer, the Israeli Community Representative from the United Jewish Federation and the Jewish Agency for Israel. He will be here for Shabbat Services Friday, March 27th. Flyer attached.

15th Annual Pittsburgh Jewish-Israeli Film Festival
Wednesday, April 2, 7pm
The North Hills movie is playing in Cranberry, Wednesday, April 2, 7pm. And is called “Max Minsky and Me”.
Description:  “A delightful film about a young girl’s desire to meet the boy of her dreams by challenging herself to make the girls basketball team at her school.”
For group discount tickets, please contact Joanne Sosniak
Opening Night–Celebrating Israel @ 60
Noodle
Pittsburgh Premiere Thursday, March 27 • 7:00 pm • SouthSide Works Cinema
Click here for the full schedule!

PRESCHOOL SHABBAT DINNER RESCHEDULED
APRIL 11th
The rescheduled preschool Shabbat dinner and Tot Shabbat for April 18th has been rescheduled to APRIL 11th due to Pesach!

ONEG DATES
if you have been thinking about hosting an Oneg but haven’t signed up, please consider volunteering for one of the following dates:  March 28, April 25th, May 16, or May 30th.  Please contact Joni Ferrara at (724) 933-3923 or by email at to sign-up.  Thanks for your help

UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, March 20th 7:00PM Disney on Broadway Purim!
Friday, March 21st Tot Shabbat 6:15 PM Food, 7:00 PM Service
Saturday, March 22nd 7:30 An Evening of Music with Tifani Katof
Thursday, March 27th 15th Annual Pittsburgh Israeli Film Festival
Saturday, March 29th 7:00PM OY! Community Teen Dance For A Cause
Sunday, March 30th 11:00AM-2:00PM Social Action Com.  Serve lunch at Miriam’s Women’s Shelter
Sunday, March 30th Mah-Jongg in the Multi Purpose room 1:00-4:00PM
Friday, April 4th 7:30PM Teacher Appreciation Shabbat Services &Oneg Night & First Friday Dinner
Sunday, April 6th QY! Carmiel Talent Show Sanctuary 10:15-11:30AM
Sunday, April 6th 1:00PM Social Action-Riverview Towers
Friday, April 11th Tot Shabbat/Pre-School Shabbat 6:15PM, Servies 7:00PM
Sunday, April 27th 9:30AM Annual Congregational Meeting
Thursday, May 1st Yom HaShoah v’haGevurah-Day of Destruction & Heroism
Holocaust Remembrance Day-Guest Speaker Sister Camille from Vicentian Academy

Rabbi Art: This week in the Torah 3/19

Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36 --- Parashat Tzav

God told Moses to command Aaron and his sons to take the ashes away from the altar where sacrifices were made for God every day. The ashes were to be put beside the altar. When the ash pile got too large, it should be taken to a ritually clean area outside the camp. “The priests were to make sure the fire on the altar never went out.” (Lev. 6:2)

The Torah tells us more about the sacrifices. The MINCHA, made of flour and spices, the HATAT, a sin offering, was sacrificed in the courtyard of the Sanctuary. The ASHAM, a guilt offering for accidents, was also sacrificed in the courtyard. The SHELAMIM, a peace or thanksgiving offering, could be eaten anywhere.

A wonderful and beautiful ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Sanctuary. Moses installed Aaron and his sons as priests, in front of all the people.

“The priests were to make sure the fire on the altar never went out.” Today, we the Jewish people are all “cohanim/priests” and so it is up to us to keep the fire of Judaism burning bright upon the altar. The ancient priests kept the fire aglow by removing the old ashes, we, in the Reform movement have done so and continue to do so by keeping our Judaism relevant and modern. 

Recently, our movement published a new siddur/prayerbook, “Mishkan T’fillah,” (Sanctuary of Prayer). Our Spiritual Enrichment Committee, under the direction of Vice President, Marcie Gerson, is awaiting copies for our congregation to evaluate.  Once these Siddurim arrive we will begin a very deliberate process of evaluation; experimenting with the new prayerbook on Shabbat mornings from time to time. If you are interesting in participating in this process please let Marcie or me know!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Art Donsky

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

TOS eWeekly March 5, 2008

Volume 2 Issue 25, March 6, 2008

Some “Purim Torah” (Parashat Pekuday Exodus 38:21 - 40:38)

Okay, yes Purim is a few weeks away, however, our Purim Ball is this week – Saturday night!!! Have you made your reservation? You haven’t, well, what are you waiting for? Purim!!!  This weekend’s Purim Ball couldn’t come at a better time, so come in costume or not, either way join us for what I sure will be great and much needed evening for our temple community.

So here we are at the last portion of the Book of Exodus, Parashat Pekudey when the final obsessive details and description of the Mishkan, Wilderness Sanctuary, are offered as well as the lengthy list of the fancy, shmancy clothes worn by the priests. And great ceremonies were held to dedicate this Mishkan and instructions about how the priest were to conduct services. And, finally a Cloud of God’s Glory covered the Mishkan. 

Of course, on a serious note, it is a unique moment in Jewish history that after the Golden Calf the people of Israel is forgiven by God and now has a holy place for them to experience God’s Divine Presence. 

Now to some more “Purim Torah!” Yes, there is such a thing!  Let me explain.  As you know, Purim is a day in which everything is turned inside out and upside-down. Right is left and left is right and so on. A day that the Talmud reminds us we shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between, “blessed be Mordecai” and “cursed be Haman.”

Purim is ultimately a day about chance or luck. Haman (boo) picks a random date to destroy the Jews in 127 provinces. Of course, his plans are foiled and he is hung on the gallows he made for Mordecai. This is really more bad luck considering he had to parade Mordecai through the streets of Shushan honoring him since, he, Mordecai, not Haman (boo) saved the King’s life.

This may seem all well and good, however, the essence of Judaism is antithetical to chance or luck! No consulting the local astrologist. Judaism rests upon taking (or not taking) action, ethical monotheism, not luck or chance. So in truth, Purim, was our ancestors way of making sport with the great Persian society in which they lived; a society based upon silly superstitions, blind chance and drunken ignorance. Now that you’ve imbued this Purim Torah don’t miss out on some more this coming Saturday night!

Be happy its Adar,
Rabbi Art Donsky

1st Friday Family Shabbat Celebration – Friday, March 7th, 2008
Be sure to register for a great meal and join Rabbi Art, student Cantor, Tifani Katof and our 6th grade students as they lead our Shabbat services!  We will honor our 12th High School graduates!!!

Come share Shabbat with our temple family – see old friends and make new friends! RSVP to

CANTORIAL INTERN TIFANI KATOF
will give a musically illustrated talk about Jewish Music on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:30PM with Havdalah. Dessert and wine included. Please RSVP to Bobbie Harley by March 17th @ or 412.364.2761. Presented by North Hills Hadassah & Women of Ohav Shalom. Download the flier here.

PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS

The preschool will hold its rescheduled Shabbat dinner in conjunction with the Tot Shabbat on April 18th. No snow storm then (we hope!)

ONEG DATES
If you have been thinking about hosting an Oneg but haven’t signed up, please consider volunteering for one of the following dates:  March 28, April 25th, May 16, or May 30th.  Please contact Joni Ferrara at (724) 933-3923 or by email at to sign-up.  Thanks for your help

We want you at the Purim Ball.  March 8 at 7pm at your Temple!
The Purim ball is fast approaching.  We have many wonderful auction items.  The D.J. sounds like wolf man Jack.  Dancing, food and libations.  Support your Temple and come.  Did you know that the Women of Ohav Shalom pay for things such has oven repair, Torah repair, $4000.00 to lifelong learning, run the onegs and more.  Help us help you.  Come to the ball.

Now that you’re convinced to come… We will be accepting cash for Chinese auction items, Check for anything you want, and charge.  Only Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Please rsvp to Kathy Dougherty and then pay at the door.

See you there,
Your Queen.

PIZZA, FILMS and the ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
The images of violence from Gaza in mainstream media often hide the fact that this is not a conflict between two equal forces. The most powerful army in the Middle East is daily using tanks, fighter planes, helicopters and gun-ships against armed militias. The overcrowded Gazans who have lived under the occupation and in poverty for many years are becoming casualties of the force used by Israel. Hamas militants are targeted and civilians are killed.  The cycle of revenge and retaliation viscously affects people on both sides

Films will be at Adamson Wing, 136A Baker Hall
Carnegie Mellon University Campus.

March 6th – “Until When…”
By Dahna Abourahme 2003 follows four Palestinian families as they cope with being refugees.
Pizza will be served at 7:00 pm and the film will start at 7:30
Admission is free, donations are welcome.

PURIM REHEARSAL!
This coming Sunday from 11:45Am until 2:45PM we will rehearse everything together- singing, music, saying our lines (without scripts!) and all the choreography!

Lunch will be served at 11:30AM—Pizza, of course!

See you then,
Rabbi Art

LIFELONG LEARNING AND YOUTH NEWS

MAZEL TOV!  Our 6th Grade Chidon Team took 3rd place in the Israel Quiz Fest Competition at the JCC last Sunday.  Competing for our team were Lauren Berlin, Hannah Fassler, Rena Ferrara, Lena Ogiwara and Jasz Joseph.  The rest of the 6th grade class participated from the audience and added to their score.  Eleven teams participated from religious schools in the Pittsburgh area.  The questions tested knowledge about Israel:  people, places, events, history, geography, government, etc.  It was quite a contest and our team came through shining!  Way to Go, Gadolim!  (Giants)

This Weekend

Friday, Shabbat 6th Grade Dinner and Service.  6th Grade students have been preparing to help lead services.  We hope to see the whole class there!  We’re also honoring our High School Graduating Class of 2008!  Please rsvp for both to

Saturday, 9:30 am is the next b’nai mitzvah workshop for families. 

Sunday, 9:30 is the 4th grade class b’nai mitzvah program.  Parents, Please attend! 

The class is focusing on the Jewish life cycle and is putting on a program for parents.  Their class wedding will be the last day of Religious School.

OY! is RAISING FUNDS FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE:  2 GREAT EVENTS!

DANCE FOR A CAUSE, Saturday, March 29th.  All high school teens (and TOS 8th graders too) are encouraged to come and bring their friends!  DJ’s from KISSFM will be here to add to the fun!  Cost:  $7 or $5 with stuffed animal.  We need kids and CHAPERONES!

KFC:  KIDS FOR CARMIEL, Sunday, April 6th, 10:15 – 11:30 during Religious School.  This Talent Show features our own TOS talent!  All donations from the talent show and bake sale go to support every day costs of families raising kids at Carmiel Children’s Village in our sister city in Israel (a multi-family kibbutz-style residence for children age 5 – 18 who have no parents or cannot live with their families). 

For more information on both of these events, contact Deb Taylor or Rebecca Mason.

SUNDAY MARCH 16th!—PARENTS- DROP THE KIDS OFF AND LEAVE A PINT!  TOS BLOOD DRIVE will run concurrently with our Purim Festival on Sunday, March 16th starting at 8:30AM. Sign-up at the Temple or by contacting Peggy Jopling ()

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, March 8th WOS Purim Ball

Sunday March 16th 8:30-Noon TOS Blood Drive

Sunday March 16th Purim Carnival

Thursday, March 20th 7:00PM Disney on Broadway Purim!

Saturday, March 22nd 7:30 An Evening of Music with Tifani Katof

Saturday, March 29th 7:00PM OY! Community Teen Dance For A Cause

Sunday, March 30th 11:00AM-2:00PM Social Action Com.  Serve lunch at Miriam’s Women’s Shelter

Sunday, April 6th QY! Carmiel Talent Show Sanctuary 10:15-11:30AM

Sunday, April 6th 1:00PM Social Action-Riverview Towers

Sunday, April 27th 9:30AM Annual Congregational Meeting

Thursday, May 1st Yom HaShoah v’haGevurah-Day of Destruction & Heroism
Holocaust Remembrance Day-Guest Speaker Sister Camille from Vicentian Academy

SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES FOR MARCH

Saturday, March 1 – 24 Adar 1, 5768
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Elaine Rose

Friday, March 7 – Parashat Pekudei
6:15 pm Dinner-for-All
7:00 pm First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof

Saturday, March 8 – 1 Adar ll, 5768
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Friday, March 14 - Parashat Vayikra
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Elaine Rose

Saturday, March 15 – 8 Adar ll, 5768
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Brandon Bergstrom
Rabbi Donsky & Elaine Rose

Friday, March 21 – Parashat Tzav
6:15 pm Tot Shabbat
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof

Saturday, March 22 – 15 Adar ll, 5768
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof

Friday, March 28 – Parashat Shmini
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger

Saturday, March 29 – 22 Adar ll, 5768
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley

Happy March Birthdays!

1 Ella Adelman
2 Ian Cohen
5 Andre Ennis
6 Joshua Siegal
7 Lauren Michael
8 David Fassler
9 Brandon Bergstrom
Lauren Smith
Max Leavitt
13 Brooke Singer
15 Rebecca Vassilenko
19 Aaron Borrebach
Daniel Borrebach
Naomi Borrebach
Alex Tyma
26 Joseph Feldman
28 Ross Marinstein

HAPPY MARCH ANNIVERSARIES!

9 Lisa and Michael Schneider
20 Nicole and Tom Kramer
24 Wendy and T.J. Lubinsky
28 Naomi and Paul Herman
29 Martin Greenberg & Susan Gottfried

May Their Memories Be For A Blessing

March 2 / Adar-1 25
Allen Exter
Husband of Toby Exter
Father of Rachel Berlin

March 3 / Adar-1 26
Gertrude Savitz
Mother of Sanford Savitz

March 4 / Adar-1 27
Samuel Ruffman
Father of Barbara Ann LeWinter

March 11 / Adar-11 4
Leonard Rose
Father of Elaine Rose

March 12 / Adar-11 5
Arnold Siegal
Father of Mark Siegal

March 16 / Adar-11 9
Ben Samuels
Father of Martin Samuels

March 17 / Adar-11 10
Dennis Bradshaw, Sr.
Father-in-law of Cheryl Bradshaw

March 20 / Adar-11 13
Claudia Mahler
Sister of Diane Hutchins

Elaine Shriber
Mother of Ken Shriber

March 23 / Adar-11 16
Ruth Schwartz
Mother of Pearl Schwartz

March 26 / Adar -11 19
Franklin Sheek
Father of Kimberly Popkin

Joseph Stone
Father of David Stone

March 28 / Adar-11 21
Nancy Lockwich
Sister of Mary Kaufman

March 31 / Adar-11 24
Samuel Eli Tisherman
Father of Samuel Tisherman

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Rabbi Art: This week in the Torah 3/8/08

Weekly Parashah – Exodus Pekuday Exodus 38:21 - 40:38
Some “Purim Torah”

Okay, yes Purim is a few weeks away, however, our Purim Ball is this week – Saturday night - March 8th!!! Have you made your reservation? You haven’t, well, what are you waiting for? Purim!!!  This weekend’s Purim Ball couldn’t come at a better time, so come in costume or not, either way join us for what I sure will be great and much needed evening for our temple community.

So here we are at the last portion of the Book of Exodus, Parashat Pekudey when the final obsessive details and description of the Mishkan, Wilderness Sanctuary, are offered as well as the lengthy list of the fancy, shmancy clothes worn by the priests. And great ceremonies were held to dedicate this Mishkan and instructions about how the priest were to conduct services. And, finally a Cloud of God’s Glory covered the Mishkan. 

Of course, on a serious note, it is a unique moment in Jewish history that after the Golden Calf the people of Israel is forgiven by God and now has a holy place for them to experience God’s Divine Presence. 

Now to some more “Purim Torah!” Yes, there is such a thing!  Let me explain.  As you know, Purim is a day in which everything is turned inside out and upside-down. Right is left and left is right and so on. A day that the Talmud reminds us we shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between, “blessed be Mordecai” and “cursed be Haman.”

Purim is ultimately a day about chance or luck. Haman (boo) picks a random date to destroy the Jews in 127 provinces. Of course, his plans are foiled and he is hung on the gallows he made for Mordecai. This is really more bad luck considering he had to parade Mordecai through the streets of Shushan honoring him since, he, Mordecai, not Haman (boo) saved the King’s life.

This may seem all well and good, however, the essence of Judaism is antithetical to chance or luck! No consulting the local astrologist. Judaism rests upon taking (or not taking) action, ethical monotheism, not luck or chance. So in truth, Purim, was our ancestors way of making sport with the great Persian society in which they lived; a society based upon silly superstitions, blind chance and drunken ignorance. Now that you’ve imbued this Purim Torah don’t miss out on some more this coming Saturday night!

Be happy its Adar,

Rabbi Art Donsky