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Torah Reading
KI TAVO
This week's portion includes liturgical ceremonies that are to be performed once the Israelites take possession of the land.
The first fruits were to be presented by the farmer in the central sanctuary accompanied by a declaration of thanksgiving set in a historical context. (This passage is familiar to us as one of the central texts of the Passover Haggadah.)
The tithe of the third year was designated for charitable purposes; it too was to be accompanied by a declaration by the farmer of his complete compliance with the laws of the tithe. It concluded with a prayer for God's blessing on the people and the land.
Immediately upon crossing the Jordan River, the nation was to perform the following actions: the whole Torah was to be written on twelve large stones erected on Mount Ebal, an altar was to be built on the site and sacrifices offered, and a festival meal was to be observed. The Torah was then to be ratified by the tribes, with the Levites proclaiming blessings and curses for either the fulfillment or abrogation of the Torah and the people responding "Amen."
Moses concludes this section of his farewell speech by reiterating and expanding upon the blessings for adherence to the Torah and the punishments for failing to do so. (This lengthy passage is known as the
Tochechah -
rebuke.)
The sidra concludes with an appeal by Moses to remain faithful to God who has watched over the Israelites from the deliverance from Egypt until this very moment.
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OUR NEW SIDDUR
Okay, okay...you have to give it time until you get used to the page numbers, and that what used to be on one page might now be spread over 2...but that is because this new prayer book of ours is a treasure trove of explanations and commentary-and inspirational readings. And we are committed to explorating it together on shabbat mornings through brief, interactive moments throughout the shabbat miorning service, and through lengthier themed teaching duirng the sermon slot (not tomoorow, but next week!).
I feel sure that once you have encountered this siddur you will understand just how precious it is, and I hope that you will want to dedicate one or more volumes to the synagogue-perhaps in memory of someone or in honor of someone or recognizing a special occasion. Please call the Shul office; the cost is $54 per volume.
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This Week's Yahrzeit Observances
We hope that our weekly listing of yahrzeit observances will serve 2 purposes:
1) To remind those who ha
ve the yahrzeit for a second time, much closer to the date of the actual observance
2) To alert friends and acquaintances that someone they know is observing a yahrzeit. We hope that you will show them your support by joining them at our minyanim, and helping to assure that Kaddish can be recited with a minyan
Myrna Weissman will be observing yahrzeit for her father-in-law, Max Weissman on Friday evening, August 31st |
Jean Burnick will be observing yahrzeit for her sister-in-law, Lorraine Burnick on Friday evening, August 31st |
Yetta Maidenberg will be observing yahrzeit for her father, Joseph Danto on Saturday evening, September 1st |
Hilde Straus will be observing yahrzeit for her father-in-law, Henry Straus on Saturday evening, September 1st |
Sheila Scherl will be observing yahrzeit for her mother, Belle Meisler on Sunday evening, September 2nd |
Stuart Kimberly will be observing yahrzeit for his sister, Leona Bleiberg on Sunday evening, September 2nd |
Shirley Kochansky will be observing yahrzeit for her father, Sam Lesnick on Monday evening, September 3rd |
Scott Alenick will be observing yahrzeit for his father, Jerome Alenick on Monday evening, September 3rd |
Florence Silverberg will be observing yahrzeit for her father, Philip Berman on Tuesday evening, September 4th |
Marlene Perkal will be observing yahrzeit for her father, Marcus Laufer on Tuesday evening, September 4th |
Leslie Fromkin will be observing yahrzeit for her mother, Shirley Kasloff on Wednesday evening, September 5th |
Craig Barnett will be observing yahrzeit for his father, Larry Barnett on Wednesday evening, September 5th |
Allen Kampel will be observing yahrzeit for his brother, Bob Kampel on Thursday evening, September 6th |
Robert Gordon will be observing yahrzeit for his father, Benjamin Gordon on Thursday evening, September 6th |
Diane Sudakoff will be observing yahrzeit for her mother, Eva Zucker on Thursday evening, September 6th |
Jerome Margolin will be observing yahrzeit for his nephew, Ronald Paul Margolin on Thursday evening, September 6th |
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On the Road With the Rabbi
Now that theaters are extending its run (initially it was playing for only 1-3 days) and more theaters are showing it...
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 5th--
1:50 p.m.
EDGEWATER MULTIPLEX CINEMAS:
339 RIVER ROAD, EDGEWATER, NJ
to see
Here's How JTA Covered the Real-Life Story of "Operation Finale' and Eichmann's Capture
JTA published more than 600 articles in the two years between Israel's nabbing of the Holocaust architect and his execution.
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Written 4 years ago; still relevant and bears repeating today...
An Insider's Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth
A former AP correspondent explains how and why reporters get Israel so wrong, and why it matters
If Israel's newest Basic Law "does not change anything for anyone", as this essay claims, why was there a need for it?
While it is true that other countries-even democratic countries-have similar laws, many of the objections to this law, including my own, stem from its triumphalist and discriminatory tone, and its failure to extend an olive branch to any of Israel's minorities, including Masorti and Reform Jews.
I devoted 2 sermons to this law in recent weeks; if you'd like a copy, please let me know.
On Israel's Nation-State Law
Israel Does Not Have an Official Religion, But Britain Does
Listen to Each Other on Israel's Nation-State Debate
My 14-Year-Old Daughter Loves the Miracle of Israel. It was Time for Her to See the Other Side
One Dead, 17 Sickened From Salmonella Linked to Empire Kosher Chicken
The C.D.C. said that it is not advising people to avoid eating kosher chicken or Empire Kosher brand chicken. "We advise that people always cook raw chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid food poisoning."
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When John McCain Hilariously Announced He Was Converting to Judaism
At a 2012 roast to mark Joe Lieberman's retirement, the Arizona senator wryly recounted all the Jewish practices he'd been dragged into by the Orthodox lawmaker
A reporter who knew the late Arizona senator throughout his political career remembers an imperfect man who tried to do what was right
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BDS / Anti-Semitism / Jeremy Corbyn
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Dear Friends,
As the summer winds down and we prepare for another school year, I wanted to let you know about an exciting new AJC New Jersey program, Leaders For Tomorrow (LFT). It is the kind of forward-thinking program that has me so excited and honored to play a role with AJC New Jersey's volunteer leadership. As a parent, I know how important it is to prepare our children for the challenges they may face on their college campuses, including anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias. LFT works to develop the skills our children need to be strong Jewish leaders. I urge you to encourage your high school students to apply! More details about the program and how to apply can be found below.
Best, Sheri Goldberg
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear AJC NJ Lay Leaders,
American Jewish Committee (AJC) is pleased to introduce to the families of New Jersey, an exciting, award-winning leadership development opportunity for rising high school sophmores, juniors, and seniors - Leaders For Tomorrow (LFT).
LFT will build on AJC's mission to develop young Jewish leaders who can advocate for the Jewish people, Israel and human rights around the world, and serve as positive change agents for their peers and community. AJC's goal is to ensure that graduates of the program enter college with knowledge and confidence to engage in ongoing dialogue regarding anti-Semitism and Israel.
LFT will consist of seven live, interactive training sessions on Sundays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm beginning in the Fall of 2018. These sessions will take place in Millburn, NJ and will include dinner.
Dates of the program are as follows:
October 21 November 18 December 16 February 10 March 17 April 21 May 19
Topics covered will include past and current Israeli affairs, challenges facing global Jewry including the BDS movement, among others, and how to effectively utilize strategic networks in advocacy. These lessons are important for students of all backgrounds as they approach college and are transferable to myriad facets of life.
We encourage applications be submitted as soon as possible. Admission to this program is highly competitive. Participants will be selected based on their application, and one or more subsequent interviews.
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 7. There is no cost to apply or participate.
Please reach out to Dena Dubofsky with any questions at [email protected] or 973.379.7844.
Sincerely,
Rabbi David C. Levy Dena Dubofsky AJC NJ Regional Director AJC NJ Assistant Director |
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NOW- SEPTEMBER 30 ONLY!
IMAGINATION MEETS REALITY
VITALY
AN EVENING OF WONDERS
"AMAZING MAGIC. INGENIOUS!" -Penn & Teller
"VITALY BRINGS ART TO LIFE." -HuffPost
BUY NOW & SAVE OVER 30%
$59 Orchestra Seats (reg. $89)
3 WAYS TO BUY YOUR TICKETS:
3. IN PERSON: Print this offer & bring to The Westside Theatre 407 W. 43rd St. Btw 9th & 10th Ave
Vitaly, celebrated as one of the most unique and innovative illusionists in the world, brings his most ambitious work yet, An Evening of Wonders, to New York audiences for a strictly limited engagement June 13 - September 30 at the Westside Theatre. "He is an ingenious inventor, full of charming surprises and amazing magic" hail Penn & Teller. Creating a theatrical experience that takes the audience on a magical journey blending art and illusion, Vitaly conjures some of the most amazing spectacles ever witnessed and dazzles us with the realization that ours is indeed a world of extraordinary wonder and beauty!
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