Shabbat and Candlelighting 
for Friday, November 25, 2022 / 2 Kislev 5783

 Light Shabbat candles at 5:03 p.m.
Dear Congregation Kehillah and Friends,

This week's parasha is Toldot describing the difficult birth of Isaac and Rebecca's twins, Esau and Jacob, Esau's selling his rights as a first born to Jacob for a pot of lentil stew, the blessings that Isaac gives each of his sons before his death, and the deception that forced Jacob to flee to Rebecca's homeland. The title Toldot, generations, recalls the transition from Abraham and Sarah to the next generation and sets the scene for the legacy to be continued through their grandson, Jacob.
 
On Thanksgiving, as the generations of our families gather around the table, whether physically or via memory, it's good to remember that the original American Thanksgiving was based on our festival of Sukkot - a time of giving thanks for our bounty and the many blessings in our lives. In good times as well as times of despair, our tradition teaches that it is good to count our blessings and express our gratitude...and a wonderful way to express gratitude is to share our love and be a blessing to others.
 
In these challenging times, we search for a take-away message, something practical and useful that we can do. Let's work together to strengthen that which those who want to harm us seek to destroy. Let's increase our learning and acts of chesed / lovingkindness and remember that each of us is a mini-sanctuary and contains a piece of the Divine spirit within. Commit to supporting our community with your presence and by sharing the opportunity with others - you'll find comfort and inspiration and a lot more! Do it for yourself, and also do it because of our mutual obligations to one another. Your choices matter. As we've talked about many times before, we have a mission not to maintain the status quo but to selflessly increase light in the world. Let's demonstrate to our children that when times are difficult, we rise to the challenge and affirm not just life, but the values of that life. We may start individually, but we must do this work together.

 
A kavannah for candle lighting for Parashat Toldot
                                                    
Please grant me patience and love to share with those in my family for whom I am/will be caring. Help me to make the most of the time we have together and experience the love and caring of family as a blessing.
 
God of my ancestors, may I be a bridge for transmitting Your Torah from generation to generation.
I have spoken about this often….in thinking about how we might express gratitude, with Chanukah coming up, please consider purchasing Fair Trade chocolate for your gelt. Here’s a good source – with a coupon!
Chanukah is less than a month way! Here are four ways you can celebrate with your Kehillah:

Saturday, December 10th – Sippy Cup Shabbat for our littlest of friends at 10:00 a.m. Bring your baby, grandchildren, nieces and nephews for a program geared towards infants – 3 years old.
Saturday, December 10th - Torah Talk at 11:15 a.m. Please note the time change.
Friday, December 16th – Join us at 5:45 p.m. for our Chanukah themed Pre-Oneg followed by Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 24th – Join Rabbi at 5:30 p.m. for Havdalah and the lighting of the Chanukiah in Carefree (Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St, Carefree, AZ 85377). We encourage our Kehillah members to show up and support our Rabbi and synagogue. Jade Palace will be providing Chinese food afterwards.

Shabbat Shalom! 

Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Congregation Kehillah
602-369-7667
Mailing Address: 21001 N.Tatum Blvd., Ste 1630, #439, Phoenix AZ 85050 
Physical Address: 5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(Please note that no mail is received at this address.)
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