Wednesday, December 03, 2008
eWeekly: Dec 3, 2008
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 10, December 3, 2008
Vayeitzei, Genesis 28:10 32:3
At the core of this week’s parashah is the creation of a people, Israel, as a confederacy of tribes. One might expect a people’s legend of origins to derive from events valorous or noble. None of this is true of the biblical depiction of Israel’s derivation from a single patriarch, who manifests neither nobility nor valor. We do not really know much about an actual ancient confederacy of tribes called “Israel” that would have coalesced prior to the Book of Exodus’s Egyptian sojourn. While I think it reasonable to assume there was just such a cluster of clans, the name “Israel” itself was probably a late arrival on the historical scene. The Jews who descended from those people occupying the regions later labeled Israel (or Samaria) and Judah would eventually call themselves either Yisrael or Ivrim (Hebrews). But unfortunately, there are no sources outside of the Hebrew Bible that attest to the character of this confederacy either before, during, or after the period of the monarchs (which lasted from the tenth century until 722 b.c.e. in the north, and 586 b.c.e. in the south). No matter how you date the sources of our Hebrew Bible—that is, whether you say they come from the tenth century or the fifth century b.c.e.—nothing on record would date from within five hundred years of the “patriarchal/matriarchal” era. Consequently, we have every reason to read our Genesis story of the tribal origins of ancient Israel as a form of memory construction. By that I mean the writers wanted to create a collective memory for the sake of fostering a sense of ethnic unity. The collecting of the stories that make up Parashat Vayeitzei (as well as their adaptations) likely took place after Israel had experienced the Babylonian exile. Whether they actually stem from more ancient local traditions can be neither proved nor disproved.
(for the complete text on this weeks portion, go to http://urj.org/torah/ )
MENS CLUB TONIGHT-DECEMBER 3rd!
This is a last minute notice for any members of the Men’s Club (or anyone else for that matter). We are going to see a movie tonight, Wednesday December 3rd. The movie is Quantum Of Solace and is playing at 7pm at Cranberry Carmike. We will meet at Primanti’s in Cranberry at 6pm. Sorry for the late notice- it really was a last minute thing. I am hoping that at some point we can get our website mailing lists working again so I can send out invitations in a more timely manner.
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT SERVICES
Are you searching for a different and innovative way to pray?
Come to services Saturday Dec 6th and Saturday January 10th. Cantorial Intern, Tifani Katof has designed a special service to link our breathe and body to the Shabbat Liturgy. We will explore various yoga postures, and experiment with chant and guided meditation. This service will revitalize your body, mind, and spirit connection.
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Please RSVP to Tifani Katof .
FIRST FRIDAY DINNER
The next First Friday Dinner is December 5th @ 6:00PM. This is the 5th Grade dinner. No turkey will be served! or call to let us know you are coming! A-M bring desserts this time—N-Z bring the side dish!
FINANCE COMMITTEE
There are still openings on the temple’s finance committee. Meetings will be held during Sunday school with a frequency yet to be determined. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the temple treasurer, Martin Greenberg, l or via telephone at (724) 816-5921.
ONEGS
If you are thinking about hosting an Oneg, please contact Joni Ferrara at (724) 933-3923 or . We still have almost every Friday in December and January open. Thanks!
MEMBERSHIP
TOS Community Night Saturday, January 24, 2009 7:00PM
TOS Community Night is a night of social and business networking. Learn about your fellow congregants’ businesses as they learn about yours. And have some fun, too. It is important to support your fellow TOS congregants and important for them to support you, especially in these tough economic times.
Each person who chooses to present will give an “Elevator Pitch” 30- 45 seconds. After the pitches, we will enjoy a cocktail party. Good food and drink and good company. Door Prizes. This event is open to TOS members only. Come socialize. Come network for your business opportunities. Learn about your fellow congregants’ business as they learn about yours.
Costs: $36 – gets your business card in the program and one “Elevator Pitch”
$18 – social attendees, couple
$9 - social attendees, single
Silver, Gold and Platinum Business and Family Sponsorships of TOS Community Night are available.
Register early to get your business card in a program given to all attendees.
Questions and Registration: Matt Lifson 724-940-1080 or or Laura Flieder 724-449-2779 , Support your fellow TOS members. Find out what they do for a living. Have them find out what you do for a living
The TOS PURIM MUSICAL
Auditions are on Sunday December 7th from 9am-1030am in Rabbi Art’s office
If you are interested in auditioning please Please contact Tifani Katof .
Include all of the following information in your email;
Name, age , phone number, talent/s (singer, dancer, actor, artist, costume), weekend (Fri, Sat, and Sunday) availability beginning in January, and your most frequently checked email address.
Tifani will email you back with your time slot for Sunday Dec 7th.
To audition please prepare the following:
• 1 minute clip of a song from a musical
• 30 seconds of choreography (bring your own CD)
It is possible to just audition with one of the above...but this year’s musical includes lots of dancing!
Parents and kids please sign up to help with the stage crew, set designs, and costumes.
LATKES
Cooks Needed!!!!!!
We are looking for some volunteers to make Latkes for our Family Chanukah Party on December 21, 2008.
If you are interested please contact Ken Eisner at or Rebecca Mason at
Thank You in Advance!!!!!
FUNDRAISING
Back By Popular Demand, The Nite at the Races and A Silent Auction on Saturday April 18, 2009
This can’t be done without everyone’s help therefore please attend a fundraising planning meeting this Sunday, December 7 at 11:30am in the Multi-Purpose room!
There are lots of volunteer opportunities available both big and small so please consider joining this very important meeting!!! If you’d like to participate and can’t attend the meeting contact Amy Covell at 724-772-8117 or .
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GREAT HANUKKAH PRESENT?
Help the Women of Ohav Shalom support Temple Ohav Shalom by buying a a raffle ticket for a a Pittsburgh Penguins Gift Bag! Each ticket costs $10.00. The gift bag includes:
2 tickets for the 12/23 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning
2 Penguins Sweatshirts
Penguins Reusable Tote Bag
Penguins Pennant
Other Miscellaneous Penguins Stuff!
Tickets will be sold in the Education Wing during Sunday School and Hebrew School until the drawing at 11:30 on Sunday, December 14th. Bag will be on display during the Book Fair.
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
Friday, December 5th 6:00PM First Friday Dinner, Tifani Katof
Saturday, December 6th 10:00AM Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, (and Yoga!) Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Sunday, December 7th 9:00AM-10:30 Rabbi Art’s Office Purim Auditions!
Sunday, December 7th 11:30AM Multi-Purpsoe Room Night at the Races Planning Meeting
Thursday, December 11th 6-8:30PM WOS Swarovski Crystal Bracelets
Sunday, December 21st Family Chanukah Party Details to Follow
2009
Saturday, January 3rd 10:00AM Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 10th 10:00Am Services with Tifani Katof—Yoga and Meditation
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Friday, January 16th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Saturday, January 24th TOS Community Night
Friday, February 20th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, led by Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Open Discussion about new siddur in Social Hall following Service
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Schedule of Worship Services for November/December
Parashat Vayetzei
Friday, December 5 ---8 Kislev, 5769
6:00pm Dinner for All
7:00pm 1st Friday Family Service
Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
Saturday, December 6 --- 9 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Tifani Katof, Cantorial Intern
Parashat Vayishlach
Friday, December 12 --- 15 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Eve Wolf & Linda Greenberg
Saturday, December 13 --- 16 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bobbie Harley
Parashat Vayeshev
Friday, December 19 --- 22 Kislev, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Marshal Auron
Saturday, December 20 --- 23 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bill Lowenberger
Parashat Miketz
Friday, December 26 --- 29 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Marshal Auron
Saturday, December 27 --- 30 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bill Lowenberger
