What's the Spiel? - Parshat Tetzaveh

In this week's parsha, Parshat Tetzaveh, we learn about the Bigdei Kahuna, the sacred vestments worn by Aharon, the Kohen Gadol. It is interesting to note, however, that Parshat Tetzaveh is the only parsha which does not mention Moshe's name. Instead, this parsha is all about Aharon, and his role as Kohen Gadol. We might wonder whether or not Moshe felt rebuffed by the fact that his name does not appear in this parsha while his brother's does? We might wonder whether or not Moshe felt discouraged by the fact that it was his brother and not he, who ultimately became the Kohen Gadol?

However, one pasuk in our parsha teaches us that not only was Moshe satisfied with this, but what is more, he was delighted, as it says, "And you shall speak to every wise-hearted person in whom I have inspired the spirit of wisdom to make Aharon's vestments, for consecrating him to serve Me as a priest" (Shemot 28:3). According to the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, a person who does not wish to deliver a message will make every effort to avoid doing so publicly. Rather, they will communicate their charge quickly and quietly. Thus, we might think that Moshe would not want to publicize the making of Aharon's garments publicly because, "it would be taken as a sign that Moshe was not fit to serve [as priest] before God" (Ohr HaChaim on Shemot 28:3). However, "because God commanded Moshe to speak with every wise-hearted person to tailor and craft the priestly garments, and he did so publicly and not quietly or reluctantly, it became clear to all that Moshe desired this honor for his brother with a happy soul and a full heart" (Ibid).

Being truly happy for friends and family, especially when we feel their happiness, their gains and success should have been ours, can be very difficult. But if we are able to be there for the ones we love, if we are able to support them and honor them because we know deep down that they deserve it, if we are able to put aside our own pride and honor for the sake of another, we will be able to follow the lofty example set by Moshe in this week's parsha.

This Shabbat, may we all feel inspired by Moshe's selfless love for his brother Aharon, so that we, like Moshe, can be truly present for those we love, and rejoice in the fullness of their accomplishments when their turn for recognition comes.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha: "Be a Seeker, Become Wise"

Shiur After Mincha: "Being a Good Influence: Insights from Rav Moshe"

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Schedule of Services

at B'nai Abraham

We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.

Thank you Rabbi Dan and Yael Millner for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of Avi's birthday!

CTI Announcements

CTI wishes to extend its deepest condolences to Joel Tendler on the loss of his wife and our beloved member, Debbie Tendler, Devorah Rachel bat Lebel v'Rivkeh Leah z''l. If you would like to make a donation in Debbie's honor, please consider giving to Congregation Tiferet Israel, or another organization of your choosing.

CTI is looking for a man or woman to serve as a backup shmira coordinator for when Larry Smith is out of town of otherwise unavailable. This involves a couple of hours of training to learn how to set up and manage shifts and communicate with the shomrim. Please contact Larry at 512-923-3964 or by email at [email protected] if you are interested or would like more information.

CHEVRAH-TOGETHER EVENTS ARE HERE!

Last week saw the successful completion of our very first Chevrah-Together events! We enjoyed such diverse activities as archery, knitting, creating Judaic paper cut artwork and target practice and firearm safety. We still have room for participants at many additional events, including Salsa Dancing, cuban Cooking, Pickleball, Ladies' Improv, Poker Night and Wine Tasting. Make sure to check out the website for all the updated information, including new dates extending into March.

Click Here for Info & Tickets!

And a very big thank you to all our supporters, whose generosity is much appreciated. CTI counts on fundraising for a large portion of our operating budget, and we thank you for helping us go from strength to strength! Yasher Koach!

Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Based on the increasing COVID-19 reported incidents, the CTI Medical Committee recommended a revised mask policy that was approved by the Board of Directors.

Masks are mandatory for all individuals attending services.
Children are welcome at shul, but all children over the age of 2 must be masked. Children under 2 do not need to wear a mask but must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
We will continue to monitor the local situation and modify these policies as circumstances change.

Additionally, the Medical Committee strongly recommends that all members get vaccinated for the protection of everyone in our community and beyond.

Please bring your mask to synagogue.

Backup masks will be available if needed.

CTI, please join us as we honor Dan Kraus and Phil Lowey - our 2022 IGNITE honorees!

Learn about how our support of the Annual Campaign inspires Jewish journeys and elevates Jewish life in meaningful and transformative ways.

Come celebrate our incredible Jewish community!

shalomaustin.org/igniteregister

Please Note:

1. Shalom Austin is committed to holding this event safely and its COVID protocols will be appropriate for the time. More information will be provided as we get closer to April 3.

2. Unlike IGNITE! Home Edition (which we promoted as a family-friendly virtual event); this year’s IGNITE! is adults only. Shalom Austin is offering a discounted rate for parents who have kids in preschool to help offset babysitter costs.

As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.

CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes:

TYT Tuesday Night

The Book of Judges

Tuesday 7:00pm

The Book of Judges teaches us about unexpected and underestimated spiritual and political leadership. Prior to the establishment of the Jewish monarchy, the nation was constantly enmeshed in fighting foreign enemies, spiritual and moral backsliding, oppression, as well as tribal in-fighting. It was a vicious cycle. The Judges came about in order to resolve these political, spiritual and moral issues and to set the people on the right track. Who were the Judges of Israel? How were they chosen, and why? While names like Shimshon, Devorah, Gidon and Yeftach may be familiar, their stories, complex personalities and murky legacies require a great deal of study. In this brand new TYT series, we will explore the life and times of the Judges of Israel – who they were, what they did, and what their contributions to Jewish history are all about. You won’t want to miss out on learning about these early leaders of the Jewish people, whose stories and personalities are as captivating as their contributions to the Jewish people are timeless.

TYT Wednesday Mornings

The Book of Second Samuel

Wednesday 8:15am

Come and join the TYT community and learn about the life and times of King David! II Samuel explores how a young David establishes both his kingdom and his kingship. Despite great promise, potential and ability, David is nevertheless beset by external and internal enemies, fighting both physical and spiritual wars. Come and see how David struggles to unite a broken and battered kingdom, establish a capital city and win the support of his people, while at the same time, striving to remain true to God’s Torah and lead a righteous life. No longer the ruddy youth, playing the harp and running for his life, II Samuel takes us through the long journey of David’s maturation process, omitting nothing, all the while exploring larger questions of morality, repentance, power and politics. While we extol David as one of the greatest Jewish heroes and leaders of all time, this book will frame his life and story in its proper context, look under the surface, and examine the complex personality of King David! This class meets each Wednesday morning, except of Jewish holidays, at 8:15am.

Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings

Mishne Torah k'Seder

Friday 8:15am

Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.

Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons.

Finance Committee: Gary Gerstenhaber

Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro

Membership Committee: Sarah Wander

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking here.

For those new to the community, check out this introductory video

featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!

Birthdays

Carol Rubin on February 12

Gary Gerstenhaber on February 13

Anniversaries

Joshua Rosenberg & Kendra Fox on February 17

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Paul C. Weinberg, MD, Father of Barb Altman, on Wednesday 15 Adar

Belle Goldberg, Mother of Rita Chapin, on Thursday 16 Adar

Bronia Brener, Mother of Lazaro Brener, on Friday 17 Adar

May their souls be bound up in the bond of life.

If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.

DONATIONS

Thank you to Anonymous donors.

Thank you to Mike Abkowitz for his donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Sandy and Carol Dochen for their donation in

Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Rick Goldberg for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Walter Hernandez for his donation in Honor of Rabbi Millner’s classes.

Thank you to Adam and Philippa Loewy for their donation in Memory

of Debbie Tendler (z”l) – such a beautiful person.

Thank you to Bernard and Marilyn Mendoza for their donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler, Devorah Rachel bat Leibel (z”l).

Thank you to Rabbi Dan and Yael Millner for their donation of

Children’s Siddurim for the Hebrew School.

Thank you to Felipe and Donna Pistiner for their donation in Honor of Joel Tendler, Stuart, Philip and the entire family, in loving memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Isaac and Angela Raschovsky for their Yahrzeit donation in Memory of Isaac’s Mother Ruth bat Mordechai (a”h) and their donation in

Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Jay Rubin for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Jay and Carol Rubin for their donation to the Scholar-in-Residence Program in Honor of Henna Tatham for her dedicated support of

CTI's weekly Shabbat Kiddush.

Thank you to Adam and Liliana Sales for their donation in

Loving Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Offer and Ilana Shavit for their

donation to the Torah Fund.

Thank you to David Soudry for his donation to the

Torah Fund in Memory of Yaakov Soudry (a”h).

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We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community.

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Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details.

Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for.

Refuah Shelayma to:

Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat
Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa
Cindy Newman
Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina
Ken Friedman
Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana
Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah
Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda
Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha
Sulta bat Nedgma
Zvi Aharon ben Bayla
Yaira bat Sarah
Tamar bat Chaya
Ilana bat Gheita
Joel Tendler; Yehoshua Mordechai ben Tziporah Perel
HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, Ha Rav Chaim Alter ben Necha.
Baruch Akiva Ben Rivka
Miriam bat Helen
Rivka Michal bat Sarah Chana
Lori Garza

Shoshana bat Yocheved
Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai
Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit
Meir Psachia ben Tziril
Geni Berman Abitbol
Beilya Golda bat Leah
Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah
Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha)
Bowie Alarcon
Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
Adam ben Chanah
Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza
Esther Reva bat Malka
Avraham ben Rut
Peter Janson, Faival ben Tzur
Sheva Eva bat Bella.
Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah
Moshe ben Rut
Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
Yehudit bat Sara
Chandal bat Basia
Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
Anthony Ben Devorah
Shayna Leah bat Yehudit

Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma.

Dear Tiferet Friends,

If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well,

please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs

prayers for healing, again please let us know at [email protected]

Online Shopping that Benefits CTI

Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!

AmazonSmile Info

To Get Started with AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.

ArtScroll

Using the CTI Website

Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address.

Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on.

But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory, the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time!

If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster Joel Tendler at [email protected].