eWeekly: Oct 15, 2008

Why do we build a Sukkah?

...in order that your generations may know that I made the Children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 23:43

1. Rashbam (12th century France): God wants us to remember that the Children of Israel lived in fragile tents for forty years in the desert, and were given all they ever needed to eat. When they came to live in the land of Israel, they were able to grow all the good things they would need, such as grains, wine, and oil. God does not want us to think that all these good things are from our own power or strength. All these good things are a gift from God. When we build the Sukkah, we remember where all our blessings of food came from. We should learn to be humble when we live in the Sukkah.

2. Sefer HaChinuch (composed in 13th century Spain): I think it is not so much to make us feel humble, as it is to make us just plain grateful for all our blessings.

3. Isaac Arama (15th century Spain): When we are in the Sukkah, we can look up and see the sky, and all the heavenly bodies God put there. This is to remind us that God created the world, God is perfect, and there is nothing to be afraid of if we live by God’s rules.

4. Malbim (19th century German, Russia and Romania): The Sukkah is to remind us of how fragile and precious our lives are. We should not think that if we fill our houses with riches, we are really great people. Our lives in this world are only temporary, and our riches don’t mean very much unless we are rich in other ways.

Don’t have a Sukkah of your own?  Come celebrate in the temple’s Sukkah.  Call the temple office and reserve the Sukkah for lunch or dinner!

Hag sameakh and Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Art Donsky

TOT SHABBAT THIS FRIDAY!
If you haven’t signed up for the entire year, please let Alaine know you are coming so we have enough pizza!  Service at 6:15PM, dinner is at 6:45PM.  Click on the link to contact Alaine: or call her at 412.439.0900 ext.19!

SIMCHAT TORAH /SHEMINI ATZERET SERVICE
With Tifani Katof Monday, 7:00PM. New Student Consecration with Yizkor Parents-can you bring a dessert to share for the ONEG?  Let Alaine Smith know in the school office or by phone.
Tuesday the Temple office closed but school is open Tuesday night-- We will have Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah services at 5:30pm next Tuesday during school.

BLOOD DRIVE- Sunday October 26th 8:30AM-1:30PM
There will be a fall blood drive on October 26th. You can call Peggy Jopling at 724-935-4902 or register at http://www.centralbloodbank.org and enter Sponsor Code G0020019 We only allow our president to give one pint (he teaches Sunday school right after donating) so we need volunteers. Only 7 signed up so far!

OHAV YOUTH GROUP
Mark your calendars NOW for the Youth events.

Also, we are still looking for volunteers to assist on other Temple Ohav Shalom events.  Upcoming events are the following:

November 8, 2008 Judaic Family Arts Program
December 21, 2008 (after Sunday School) Hanukkah Party (K-5)
January 18, 2009 Family Mitzvah Day
February 21, 2009 Film Night (Family)
February 22, 2009 Teen Rummage Sale (High School)
March 8, 2009 Purim Carnival (K-5)
March 21, 2009 Splash Lagoon (Family)
April 5, 2009 Pittsburgh Zoo (Family)
April 26, 2009 Talent Show (High School)

If you are interested in helping for any of these events, please email or call him at at 412-414-1533

Come to Temple Ohav Shalom’s Rock Shabbat!
Afterwards, there will be a Teen Oneg in the Sukkah!
Friday, October 17th. Services begin at 7:30PM

WOOS TAILGATE! 
Do you love watching FOOTBALL?  Or do you just love the FOOD?

Either way, come join us for the Women of Ohav Shalom Paid Up Members Luncheon TAILGATING PARTY!
(No more tea and crumpets)
Join sisterhood in cheering on the Steelers on Sunday, October 19th at 1P.
Hosted by Elaine Bergstrom
1513 King David Dr.
Pittsburgh, Pa 15237

Games, trivia, and lots of game day fun!

Please RSVP by October 17th to , 724-935-1080.

NHCO FOOD BANK DONATIONS
If you forgot to fill their NHCO bags or forgot to bring them to the Temple, please bring them as soon as possible and I will take them to the Food Bank of NHCO. We have 400 families coming monthly to both the Allison Park and the North Boroughs Satellite! Also, gently worn, clean coats are needed for the next two Winter Coat Shops, on October 25 and November 15.

If Temple members would like to continue helping NHCO Food Bank with a bagfull of food for Thanksgiving dinner, here is what is requested by November 7:
Grocery store certificate for $10 or more (to purchase a turkey, etc.)
Large box of stuffing mix
Large box of instant mashed potatoes
Can of cranberry sauce
Two cans of vegetables
Pie crust mix
Can of “easy” pumpkin pie mix
Can of evaporated milk
Muffin mix
Turkey gravy mix
Napkins

Thank you very much for remembering these local families in hardship so that they can have a wonderful holiday!

Clemmy “The TOS Bag Lady” Brodsky

GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, Oct. 15th TOS 101 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Friday, October 17th 7:30PM Rock Shabbat!
Saturday, October 18th 6:30Pm Youth Hay Ride-O’Reily’s Farm
Monday, October 20th Simhat Torah & New Student Consecration 7:00PM
Tuesday, October 21st Temple Office Closed—School Open Simhat Torah/Shemi Atzeret 5:30PM for students
Wednesday, Oct. 22th TOS 101 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Sunday, Oct. 26th Blood Drive 8:30-1:30PM
Sunday, Oct. 26th 1:00-4:00PM Mah Jongg
Monday, October 27th TOS Board Meeting 7:00PM Social Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 29th TOS 101 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Wednesday, October 29th Preschool Open House 7:00PM
Saturday, November 8th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Saturday, November 8th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Thursday, November 13th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Sunday, November 16th !:00-4:00PM Mah-Jongg

2009
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat

Schedule of Worship Services for October

Parashat Hol Hamoed Sukkot
Friday, October 17 --- 18 Tishrei, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
Saturday, October 18 --- 19 Tishrei, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Karsh
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern

Parashat Bereshit
Friday, October 24---25 Tishrei, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Marshal Auron
Saturday, October 25 --- 26 Tishrei, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Chad Feldman
Rabbi Donsky & Bill Lowenberger

Parashat Noach
Friday, October 31 ---2 Heshvan, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern