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The Boca Raton Jewish Experience (BRJE) is an aggregator of nationally-developed educational programs, offering a variety of free classes to Jews about their history and heritage, and offering ways that people can interact meaningfully in Jewish communal experiences. Now you can get connected in a way that allows you to partake at your own pace. BRJE classes are offered in Palm Beach County for Jewish people of all ages and backgrounds.

"Inspire yourself to inspire others..."April 21, 2011
Greetings!

The Second Seder is not always as exciting as the first night's experience, since everyone is not as hungry and because and you already read the Hagadah the previous night. Well, I can honestly say that if you would have been at our Seder at Boca Raton Synagogue, you would have been inspired. For the second year in a row we hosted an outreach "beginner" Seder. Almost a hundred people attended the program and everyone had a great time. The difference between last years experience and this year's program was clear. Last year, we were just starting and had to advertise and really promote the Seder in order to attract enough people to participate. Even when people finally signed up, we didn't know the participants all that well.

 

This year, everyone that came had been participating in our programs on a regular basis. It was like joining your extended family at a large celebration. There was no advertising required because of the genuine relationships that we have built over the past few months. I want to thank NJOP for all providing the Beginner Hagadah's and providing the material for Passover Across America. I also want to thank Eli & Shula Amsalem for catering the delicious meal, Matthew, and the office staff for all of the logistics, and my family for helping make the Seder so enjoyable. The Seder was both educational, meaningful and lots of fun and we are all looking forward to Passover next year - hopefully in Jerusalem!!

 

Even if you couldn't join us, I hope that you had a meaningful Passover Seder and if you have any great stories to share please email them to me. This Friday night is the last Friday Night Live before I leave on the March of the Living for two weeks, so I really hope to see you at 6:00pm for a fantastic program.

 

Inspire yourself to inspire others...

Shabbat Shalom and may God bless you.

 

Josh 

You can reach me on my cell phone anytime at (561)702-3864 or by e-mail at joshbroide@yahoo.com

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Rabbi Josh Broide
Boca Raton Jewish Experience
Boca Raton Synagogue
7900 Montoya Circle N.
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 702-3864
ANOTHER GREAT PASSOVER VIDEO - PASSOVER IS NOT OVER YET!!! 
Dayenu, Coming Home - The Fountainheads Passover Song
Dayenu, Coming Home - The Fountainheads Passover Song

PARTNERS IN TORAH - THIS TUESDAY NIGHT

Partners in Torah
Are you interested in acquiring specific skills (ex: Hebrew reading or Talmud) or do you simply want to build on your Jewish knowledge-base?

For more info please CLICK HERE 

We will match you, one-to-one, with a carefully selected personal Torah trainer or "mentor" for up to an hour of phone study and discussion. Participants can choose any topic including Hebrew, Jewish philosophy, or history. The program will run for 6 weeks and begin in a few weeks. 

The program is free and SUSHI will be served!!

 

For more information or to sign-up visit www.partnersintorah.org/bocaraton

or call 561-368-7821 or email lisa@myjewishexperience.org

SHABBAT BEGINNER SERVICES - FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Has it been a while since you attended a traditional Friday Night Service? I know how tough and uncomfortable it might be to come and attend a service having little or no background. That's why we created FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE, to break down those barriers. Friday Night Live is anything but a traditional service. Please, join us next Friday night for a little praying, a little singing, refreshments and LOTS of inspiration! Its FREE and I strongly encourage you to bring friends and family. Men and women can sit together as we collectivly welcome the Sabbath. 
The program takes place every Friday night at 6:00 pm in the Senders Library and the Explanatory Experience takes place in the WYHS Library at Boca Raton Synagogue, 7900 Montoya Circle N., Boca Raton , FL 33433.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTRANCE FOR THIS SERVICE, SO FEEL FREE TO "COME AS YOU ARE"
 
*please note that the main parking lot is closed on the weekend, but the grass lot, to the right of the synagogue is always open.
DAILY LIFT - HELP OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES 
Maimonides says that the highest level of giving charity is helping a person become self-sufficient.

Today, think of someone who needs a job and try to do what you can to help him earn money. You might help him get a job interview or you might think of some marketable skill that you could help him develop.

TODAY IN JEWISH HISTORY

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe (1916-2005), the beloved master of ethical (Mussar) teachings in Jerusalem. Rabbi Wolbe was educated in Germany and Switzerland, later spending several years in Mir, where he became a close disciple of Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz and Rabbi Chatzkal Levenstein. Rabbi Wolbe is best known for his discourses on Jewish ethics, published in a two-volume work, Alei Shur. Rabbi Wolbe stressed the importance of self-scrutiny and self-knowledge as a way to achieve one's maximum potential. He also stressed the attribute of self-control -- thinking before speaking, eating in moderation, and concentrating for long periods without distraction.

GROWING EACH DAY

Do not covet your neighbor's house ... your neighbor's wife ... and anything that belongs to your neighbor (Exodus 20:14).

Some ask: How can a person be commanded to not desire something? Is not wanting something a spontaneous feeling and therefore not subject to rational control?

A noted psychologist says: "In order to feel love for some object, be it a human being, pet, or a new home, a man must see some possibility of an action he can take in regard to it, otherwise his appraisal of `good' is merely an abstract judgment without personal significance" (Branden, N., The Psychology of Self Esteem, Bantam Books [New York, 1973] p. 77).

This important psychological insight tells us that something which is completely beyond attainability cannot become an object of desire. Hence, if we desire something belonging to our neighbor, it is because somehow, however remote, we think we might get it.

When we become aware of a desire for something belonging to someone else, it is time to take steps to avoid any improper behavior. Sincere commitment to avoid improper behavior can help eliminate improper desires.

Today I shall...

make my commitments to respect another person's possessions so absolute that a desire for them should never occur.

A SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SHARES INSPIRATION FROM THE HAGGADAH 
Alan Veingrad
Throughout my career in the NFL, every year at the start of training camp I would get handed a playbook the size of the yellow pages. I was expected to study it and know every single play, backwards and forwards. Each play was strategically designed, and more than anything else, the team's success depended on how well we executed those plays. At times, a player will come up short in his execution, but as long as he wins his share of the battles, all is well. The worst thing, though, is getting the play wrong because you failed to study well. Besides messing up on national television - talk about embarrassing! - your teammates and coaches would all watch the videotape together the next day - in slow motion. Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and legendary Coach Forrest Gregg, who coached me in Green Bay, once told the team: "If I open up your playbook and don't find ketchup, mustard and coffee stains all over it, you didn't study well enough."

In Judaism, we have several "playbooks" to help achieve our spiritual objectives. One of my favorites is the Haggadah - the playbook for the Passover Seder. We have a lot to accomplish on this special night and we've got to make the most of it.

Like a playbook, the Haggadah is full of specifics: drink the wine, wash your hands, dip a vegetable in saltwater, break the middle matzah, ask questions, etc. Each of these strategies is designed to achieve the objective - enhanced Jewish identity, and a deepened sense of freedom.

 

Three Essentials

In the Haggadah, Rabban Gamliel identifies the Pesach lamb, matzah and bitter herbs (marror) as the three essential aspects of the Seder experience.

For me, matzah has a very special meaning. As an offensive lineman, I had to constantly build my body bigger and stronger, to wage those battles in the gridiron trenches. During those years I ate with an animalistic, gorge mentality - consuming huge quantities like a dozen egg whites in order to keep up with the 10,000 calories I was burning every day.

Today, when I sit down at the Seder table, the act of eating is totally different. This eating is a refined, elevated act. I recite the blessing, and introspect on the deeper meaning of matzah as both the bread of affliction and the symbol of our redemption.

 

After the hip injury I thought my career was over.

Marror, the bitter herbs, teaches another important lesson. To achieve our goals in life, there is often bitter pain involved. In 1988 I missed the entire season with a hip injury. The Packers pretty much wrote me off and I thought my career was over. I was depressed. After seeing a number of orthopedic specialists, I finally found one who correctly diagnosed my problem. He performed surgery, structured a rehab program - and three months later I had no more pain in my hip. It was a miracle.

 

At that point I became intensely focused on building myself up, and I got into in the best shape of my life. I was lifting weights and pushing my friend's pickup truck up and down the street. I returned to Green Bay and throughout training camp I became stronger and stronger. Things completely turned around. I started every game that year and it was my best season as a pro. So when I see that marror on the Seder table - and recall the bitter oppression that the Jews faced in Egypt - I know that though things sometimes look horrible, there is a turnaround waiting and it will work out for the best. The pain eventually pays off.

 

The last symbol the Haggadah emphasizes is Pesach - the Pascal lamb. The lamb was worshipped as the god of the Egyptians. So the Jews took that very symbol of enslavement, tied it to the bedpost, slaughtered it, ate it, and smeared its blood on the doorpost. It was clear which "God" was in charge.

I got an insider's look at the way athletes are worshipped.

In the world of professional sports, I got an insider's look at the way athletes are worshipped. It's good for kids to aspire to something and have a role model, but a famous athlete is not necessarily the kind of human being you want to become. Many times these guys appear one way for the media hype and endorsements, but are plagued by personal problems like drugs, anger, overweight. I think our role models need to be community leaders, teachers, rabbis, parents.

Even better, aspire to become your own hero. Everyone has their own role to play. The quarterback may get the headlines, but the offensive lineman is just as crucial to the win. In 1992 when I played on the world champion Dallas Cowboys, every teammate got the same Super Bowl Ring. Take pride in the team. Find your own unique contribution. We all have a Super Bowl ring waiting to be earned. What's yours?

Moving the Chains

Coming out of the huddle to the line of scrimmage, we didn't focus on crossing the goal line; we focused on making progress and "moving the chains." How often do we see the referee holding up his fingers, motioning that you need just one more inch for a first down?

 

The Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which means boundaries or limitations. Passover is the best opportunity of the year to break out of our own personal limitations, symbolized by the slavery of ancient Egypt. At the Seder, we can gain more yardage toward our ultimate freedom than at other time of the year. We just have to keep moving those chains down the field - inch by inch, yard by yard, and mitzvah by mitzvah - away from the "Egypt" keeping us down.

The secret of success is right there in the Haggadah. But it's more than just X's and O's on a chalkboard. Great players - and great people - don't just read the playbook. They study it and understand the depth behind it.

Here's wishing you a happy, kosher, and meaningful Passover.

In This Issue
Two Great Videos
Partners in Torah
Beginner Services
Daily Lift
Jewish History
Growing Each Day
Awesome Message!!!
Inspirational Films
Jewish Pride Films
Jewish Pride Radio
NJOP
Aish Hatorah
JSU South Florida
Federation of South Palm
Boca Raton Synagogue
AIPAC
Shabbat Discussion
Video of the Week
Free Coffee
In the News
Ask the Rabbi
Get to Know Josh
TWO AMAZING VIDEO'S ABOUT JEWISH UNITY
I'm a Jewt

I'm a Jew

 

Zero Point Three Percent
Zero Point Three Percent
JEWISH PRIDE FILMS

 

Jewish Pride Films

Pro Israel Congressmen Ted Deutch & Allen West
Pro Israel Congressmen Ted Deutch & Allen West
Congressman Eric Cantor
Congressman Eric Cantor
 
JEWISH PRIDE RADIOBlog talk radio
  
  



 

 

JEWISH PRIDE RADIO WITH JOSH BROIDE

NJOPNJOP Logo





National Jewish Outreach Program CLICK HERE
AISH HATORAHAish Logo
JSUJSU - South Florida Logo







Jewish Student Union CLICK HERE
To Support JSU
CLICK HERE
FEDERATIONFederation







Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County CLICK HERE
BRSBRS New Logo







Boca Raton Synagogue Weekly - CLICK HERE 
Catalog - CLICK HERE
AIPACaipac







We have more than 75 people from our Synagogue attending already!! It's not to late to sign up and join me at this years Policy Conference in Washington DC in May CLICK HERE

YU logo

SHABBAT TABLE DISCUSSIONS

"Making Good Use of Time"

CLICK HERE to download.

YouTube logo
 
JOSH'S VIDEO OF THE WEEK

why does the Passover Seder take so long?

FREE COFFEE
Starbucks
 
 
 
 
 
 

Let me buy you a coffee and lets talk. You name the place and I will meet you at the Starbucks of your choice!
Just Call Josh Today (561) 702-3864
It's that easy!
 
News
How much matzah can you eat?
ASK THE RABBI...Ask the Rabbi






Something on your mind?  From beginners to advanced, from the practical to the mystical,every question is taken seriously. In general, your question will be answered within 24 hours - just email joshbroide@yahoo.com

Get to know Josh Broide
Rabbi Josh Broide










Boca Raton Jewish Experience is an educational project of Rabbi Josh Broide, based upon ten years experience as the dynamic Executive Director and Youth Director of Boca Raton Synagogue. Rabbi Broide is the Director of JSU South Florida and he received his Rabbinical Ordination and earned a Masters in Advanced Talmudic Law from the Ner Israel Rabbinical College, as well as a Masters in Special Education and in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University. Josh also hosts a daily radio show called Jewish Pride. He is the recipient of the prestigious Grinspoon/Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. The Broides have lived in Boca Raton for the past eleven years.