Dear Friends,
Last frozen Shabbos was warm with the hearts that battled the cold. A wonderful dinner, minyan and cholent was had. Thanks to Michael Pasternak for helping RC cook up the storm! This week, we thank Barbara Goodman and Guitel Melnik for helping with Shabbos!
Tonight, in passing, I posted a tweet (@youngchabad) about homework that created a firestorm on Facebook. "Is #homework for the kids to learn more or to make the parents involved in the kids learning? If the latter why the stress!? #fail". For me it was a passing moment, but, the comments sure are interesting.... What is your take? See the raging debate and comment here.
One thing is sure, Moshe was given his share of heavy homework it this week's portion with the continuing the constructing of the Mishkan. He was told: And you shall command the children of Israel (27:20): The word tetzaveh, "to command," also means "to connect" and "to bond." Thus the verse can also be read as G-d saying to Moses: "And you shall bond with the Children of Israel." For every Jewish soul has at its core a spark of the soul of Moses. (Ohr HaChaim) More on this concept here Chanie grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and had the special merit to receive a Chassidic discourse, Ve'atah Teztaveh, on this subject from the Rebbe's hand. More on the Parsha at www.chabaduptown.org/parsha. Tonight, 7 Adar 1, is also Moshe Rabbeinu's birthday and Yartzeit.
The Talmud Taanit teaches that when the month of Adar enters, we increase with joy. This year is a leap year, hence we have double joy with two Adars! Add to that all the fantastic upcoming events, and you have a lot to be joyful about!
Today, Feb. 10, is the official deadline for the Dinner Ad Journal to be distributed at the Appreciation Dinner on Sun., Feb 27 honoring Dr. Jerald & Irina Simmons, Omri & Anat Shafran and Ady Fisberg. The finishing touches of the journal are being made and getting ready for print. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! Place an ad in the journal in lieu of your tax-deductible donation, and join the celebration! The football theme "tailgate party" the committee has planned for you will be a real treat and not your regular fundraiser! Alan Veingrad, the only Jewish NFL player that wears a Super Bowl ring will be our special entertainment! Visit www.chabaduptown.org/dinner for all the details and to reserve your ad or RSVP. Visit and join the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171712949538862.
Purim will also see Chabad of Uptown at Aroma Classique for a Saturday night PURIM CAFE! (Facebook event here).
Please join us this Shabbos, Parshas Tetzaveh!
Friday, February 11
Services at 6:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 5:49 pm | RSVP for dinner
Shabbos, February 12
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9 am
Shacharis at 10 am
Followed by lunch kiddush
Mincha at 5:50 pm
Maariv, Havdalla, Kiddush Levana (Sanctification of New Moon) & Shabbos Ends at 6:44 pm
Living Torah
See you on Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie