TOS eWeekly Feb 21, 2008
Volume 2 Issue 23, February 20, 2008Weekly Sedra – Ki Tissa – Exodus 30:11 – 34:35
“God said to Moses: ‘Carve two tablets of stone like the first, and I will inscribe upon the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you shattered.” - Exodus 34:1
“Resh Lakish said: There are times when nullifying the Torah may lead to establishing it. Thus when the Torah says, “which you shattered,” God means, “You did well to break the tablet.” (Talmud Bavli, Menahot 99a/b)
The ancient Israelites worshipped the Golden Calf while Moses was up the mountain receiving the “two tablets” according to our tradition. There is commotion down in the camp, which leads Moses to smash the tablets. Now Moses is told to “carve two tablets of stone like the first….” On the surface this seems to be a fairly straightforward episode according to the Biblical text and yet the editor of Babylonian Talmud, hundreds of years later, brings a powerful teaching, in the name Resh Lakish that instructs us, “nullifying the Torah may lead to establishing it” and Moses’ “breaking the tablets” was the right thing to do? How are we to understand that “breaking” the Torah is okay? What’s going on?
Let me share with you what I learned from my teachers years ago. Sometimes a community must be bold in its actions when an established Jewish law is in great conflict with the moral or ethical norms of the day. Our reform movement acted in such a way when the decisions to admit women to the rabbinate and cantorate were made. The conservative movement, which considers itself, an halakhic (Jewish legal) tradition followed this dictum when it sanctioned its adherents driving on Shabbat to synagogue rather than not driving and not celebrating Shabbat within a synagogue community.
What about today? The two landmark decisions I listed above were made over 30 years ago. Do we face any potential monumental “breaks” now? Join us this Shabbat morning as we will examine Resh Lakish’s shattering Talmudic declaration for our lives!
B’shalom,
Rabbi Art Donsky
“Is a Just Peace Possible in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine?”
What do you think? Should there be a two-state solution? Is there a de facto two or three state reality today? Should Israel allow Palestinians who either left on their own in 1948 or were forced to leave to return home inside the Green Line? What has the occupation done to both peoples? I love Israel. I love the Jewish People. I want peace to break out!!! These are just a few of the questions that I wrestle with quite regularly, especially when I open my browser to the Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” website! (I encourage you to read the English versions of the major Israeli newspapers online if you want real news coverage of Israel and Middle East!)
If you want to do some wrestling about these concerns and other critical questions in person then please join us at the synagogue this coming Friday evening, February 22nd at 7:30 PM when Dr. Naftali Kaminski, joins us as our second guest Shabbat Speaker. Dr. Kaminski, an Israeli-American who works as both a physician and researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, is an ardent activist for peace and an active member of the Middle East Peace Forum of Pittsburgh. MEPFP is a group of Jews and Arabs and others who seek dialogue rather than conflict. If you care about Israel and the future of our Jewish state, you won’t want to miss Dr. Kaminski’s presentation.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Art Donsky
Board Of Directors Changes
Mike Rosenzweig has rejoined the board as Recording Secretary and Sarah Bass has joined as youth representative.
Preschool Happenings
The preschool will hold its annual Shabbat dinner on Feb. 29th. The children have made beautiful Shabbat arts and crafts to share with their families. They have also been practicing several songs, special for Shabbat, in both English and Hebrew. We look forward to a wonderful celebration.
Oneg Hosts Needed
If you have been thinking about hosting an Oneg but haven’t signed up, please consider volunteering for one of the following dates: March 21, March 28, April 11, April 18, May 16, or May 30th. Please contact Joni Ferrara at (724) 933-3923 or by email at to sign-up. Thanks for your help
A letter to Queen Esther!
Dear Queen Esther,
I am very excited about your upcoming ball. It sounds like a lot of fun. I don’t know what to wear? Can you help me? -Your loyal Shushan subject
Dear Shushanian,
Queen Esther is sure you will look fabulous. I do however have some tips. If you are not feeling creative wear you favorite cocktail style dress or borrow one of your husband’s nice suits. Since we are celebrating silliness better options maybe for you to wear an old bridesmaid dress. The uglier the better! If you don’t have any of theses try out a local resale shop. The Queen herself found her gown for only $5.00. And they are a blast to visit. Remember crossing dressing is allowed at the ball and encouraged.
Alliance of nonprofit stores: There motto is to have donors bring gently used clothing instead of throwing them away. Tons of goods are kept out of landfills. The stores provide jobs and job training and volunteer opportunities. Revenue is then returned to the community to provide human and social services that provide opportunities and transform lives. Here is a list of those stores.
Goodwill stores: many locations, Thrifttique, Swissvale ( run by National Council of Jewish Women)7400-1/2 Church Street 412-271-0544,Treasure House Fashions, Ross Twp 412-364-3256, Red, White and Blue 935 Ohio River Blvd, Avonworth 412-766-6098,Community Thrift Center 3255 Babcock Blvd Ross Twp. 412-366-4010.
For a cup of coffee Queen Esther herself would go on a thrift store hunt with any subjects. Email Cheryl to make an appointment with the Queen. .
Fondly,
Queen Esther,
PURIM CARNIVAL HELP!
In preparation for this year’s Purim carnival, The Woman of Ohav Shalom and the Men’s Club are teaming up to refurbish and replace many of our Purim Games. We are looking for patrons to provide financial support to purchase raw materials and supplies. Families interested in supporting this effort are encouraged to make a financial donation. Our craftsmen and craftswoman will be led by Chief carpenters, Jeff Flieder and Mike Daninhirsch.
If you are interested in making a donation please make checks payable to the WOS and send to Marcie Fassler at 517 Tree Line Drive, Gibsonia, PA, 15044. Those interested in volunteering to assemble and decorate the games should contact Marcie at 724-625-7252 or via email at .
PURIM BALL BY WOS!
The Purim Ball is March 8th at 7pm. $25 per person.
RSVP to Kathy Dougherty,1014 Karcher Drive, Allison Park, Pa 15101
Proceeds go to Life Long Learning, The Preschool at Temple Ohav Shalom, and the Temple Budget
LIFELONG LEARNING and YOUTH NEWS
The Lifelong Learning Committee needs more members! All adults are welcome! This important committee focuses on formal and informal Jewish education of our members, from Kindergarten through Adult, family education and informal youth activities. Come be part of the planning, supervision and assessment of our Lifelong Learning activities. For a little time commitment, you can make a great impact! Please contact Deb Taylor or Lisa Weidman for more information.
YOUTH EVENTS
Another fun Shabbat program! Ohav Youth Israeli Maccabi POOL Party at the YMCA in Franklin Parkfor Grades 3-5, Saturday, March 1, from 4-6pm. Cost: $5.00 for admission, pizza, snacks and drinks. For safety in the pool, we ask a parent to stay with their child. Please pre-register with your cash payment and registration form in the envelope by the education wing door. Questions: please call Elinor Avigad at 724-934-4334 or Celia Maenza at 724-935-4464.
OY! Shalom Mitzvah Corps’ 3rd Annual DANCE FOR A CAUSE! is a community high school dance to raise awareness and funds for a super cause….This year’s theme, chosen by OY!, is children in foster care.
When: Saturday, March 29
Time: 7 – 10:30
What do we need? *Ohav teens to attend! Donations of new stuffed animals! And CHAPERONES!
Please support our teens in their important Mitzvah event. Contact Rebecca Mason at for more information or to volunteer. (8th graders from TOS are most welcome!)
DONATE USED BICYCLES!
Clean out the garage for spring and do a good deed! Mark Ziegenfuss of Marshall Township contacted North Hills Community Outreach about sponsoring a Bike Shop for some of our families. Mark is an avid biker and very interested in providing bikes to families in need. He has teamed up with Kraynick’s Bike Shop to refurbish donated bikes and make this happen.
The Bike Shop is now scheduled for Sunday, March 2 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Millvale Community Center. This is another project that will involve our Youth Leadership Coordinators.
If you have any bikes to donate, or know anyone who would like to donate a bike for this program, donations may be dropped off on Saturday, February 23 from 9:00 – Noon, and on Sunday, February 24 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Marshall Elementary School, 5135 Wexford Run Road, Wexford, PA 15090. Because of transportation, refurbishing and storage requirements, all bike donations need to be taken to Marshall Elementary on these dates. Bikes cannot be accepted at any NHCO location.
PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP
Our next meeting has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 2nd at 9:15AM due to construction delays. While most of us in the group have kids on the autism spectrum, it is open to parents of all kids with special needs. This month, Laura Marshak, author of Married (With Special Needs) Children will be there for our group discussion. Please RSVP to if you are attending. Coffee and treats provided. Sponsored by ABOARD.
ISRAEL AT 60 SPEAKER
Canceled due to illness
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 () If you want to be a Brighten Life donor, please see the attachment.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, February 24th: Mah Jongg 1:00-4:00PM Social Hall
Sunday, March 2nd: Parents of Special Needs Children Meeting-Multi-Purpose Room
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: 1:00PM Social Action-Riverview Towers
Thursday, May 1st: Yom HaShoah v’haGevurah-Day of Destruction & Heroism Holocaust Remembrance Day-Guest Speaker Sister Camille from Vicentian Academy
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Friday, February 22 – Parashat Ki Tissa
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
“Thoughts about the possibility of a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine” – Kabbalat Shabbat services, Friday, February 22nd, 7:30 PM. We welcome Dr. Naftali Kaminski, is an Israeli-American physician and researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. He is an active member of the Middle East Peace Forum of Pittsburgh and an ardent supporter of a peaceful and just resolution to this conflict.
