January 23, 2026

Candle-Lighting for Shabbat: 4:57 pm

Dear Friends,

This year Parshat Bo marks the annual overlap of the Parsha with the content of Rabbi Kligfeld's Rashi class. In the class, we read only one or two verses and their commentaries each week. Often, people think of the 10 plagues as 10 events arranged sequentially. However, after the 9th plague, Darkness, there are 28 verses in Chapter 12 that are instructions on celebrating and commemorating the Exodus, including making and eating the Pascal sacrifice and eliminating Chametz from our homes, before the 10th plague, Death of the Firstborns, takes place. As often occurs in the Torah narrative, God speaks to Moses and Aaron who then in turn speak to the people. I find it notable that the instructions for celebration are given before the event itself has happened.

This Shabbat we will meet in the Dorff Nelson Chapel at 9:45 am. We will have basic Kiddush following services.

The From the Rosh column this week contains important information. Please read it.

Also in this week's Update:

Shabbat Services
Mishna Study
New Announcements from the Rosh
Upcoming Events
Donations This Week
Haftara Plethora
Jewish Trivia

If you have questions or suggestions, or would like to include something in a future edition of the Weekly Update, please email Rachel Rubin Green at rachelrubingreen@gmail.com.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rachel Rubin Green

Rosh Minyan

Shabbat Services

Services begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Dorff-Nelson chapel. A basic Kiddush will follow in Hersch Hall.

The Gabbai this week will be David Novoseller. If you would like an Aliyah for any occasion (such as a birthday, anniversary, the yartzeit of a loved one, or other), please email David at davnovosel@gmail.com. He will be happy to hold an Aliyah for you.

Mishnah Study

Zwi Reznik will lead the discussion of Tractate Eruvin Chapter 1 Mishnah 2 at 9:15 am in Whiteman Conference room and on Zoom.

From the Rosh:

Many of you have asked for me to fast-track the discussion and decision about continuing to sing Hatikvah. It is my belief that the Library Minyan should hear from some respected teachers and members in considering any change in practice. Here is a schedule for making the decision:

This Shabbat Rabbi Michael Berenbaum will speak to us about why we should stop this practice. I am not sure yet if he will speak during the service or during Kiddush. In two weeks, on Shabbat February 7, Rabbi Adam Kligfeld will speak to us during Kiddush about why we should continue to sing it. Then I will send out a poll to make a binding decision.

The LM charter requires an Annual Meeting around Tu B'Shevat. That meeting is scheduled for Kiddush on Shabbat, February 14. I hope to see everyone there.

Purim is coming! The Library Minyan usually hosts a Purim Seudah on Purim afternoon. This year that will be Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Please email me (address above) if you can help to plan this event.

Sisterhood Trivia Night is tomorrow night January 24 at 7:30 pm. It is a lot of fun.

Upcoming Events:

1/31 - Kiddush and Learn with Michelle Wolf

2/7 - Birthday celebration for Jules Kamin and Howard Fredman

2/14 - Annual LM Meeting During Kiddush

The Library Minyan Education Committee has scheduled a Kiddush and Learn with Michelle Wolf for Shabbat, January 31, 2026. With your donations honoring Michelle, we can turn this into a Lunch and Learn. It will be a privilege to hear about Michelle's work with Jewish Special Needs programs and with the Jewish Special Needs Trusts. To donate towards this Lunch and Learn, click

https://tbala.shulcloud.com/form/lmdonations

Donations this Week:

In honor of the Upcoming Lunch and Learn with Michelle Wolf

-Stan and Val Goldstein

-Suzanne Payne

-Joel Elkins

-Mike and Sherri Cohn

In honor of the birthdays of Howard Fredman and Jules Kamin

-Susan Laemmle and John Antignas

Haftarah Plethora

In the Haftarah Plethora episode for Parshat Bo, Larry points out that the subject of the Haftarah is the same as last week’s but from Jeremiah’s perspective rather than Ezekiel’s. Shabbat Shalom

Jewish Trivia

Last week's question: Complete each series:

Malchuyot, Zichronot, ________. Answer: Shofarot (sections in the Rosh Hashanah Musaf Amida)
Kadesh, Urchatz, Karpas, Yachatz, Magid, Rachtza, Motzi, Matza, Maror, Korech, Shulchan Orech, Tzafun, Barech, Hallel, _______. Answer: Nirtza (parts of the Pesach seder)
Sason, Simcha, Chatan, Kalah, Gilah, Rinah, Ditzah, Chedvah, Ahavah, Achvah, Shalom, _____. Answer: Reyut (what God created, according to the sixth of the sheva brachas)
Zeraim, Moed, Nashim, Nezikim, Kedoshim, __________. Answer: Tohorot (orders or Sedarim of the Mishna)
Keter, Chochmah, Binah, Da'at, Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, __________. Answer: Malchut (spheres, or Sfirot, in Kabbalah)

This Week's Question: Speaking of spheres/Sfirot, is there an etymological connection between the two words, and, if so, which came first?

(Answer next week.)

The Hesed Fund supports Library Minyan members during the birth/adoption of a child, illness or death in the family. The Outreach Fund supports new, particularly youth, membership. The General Fund goes for everyday expenses, primarily kiddushim. If you would like to make a donation to any of these funds, click here.