The great birthday and Shabbos!

• Today, the 11th day of Nissan,  my teacher and mentor, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born in 1902. Links: TheRebbe.org, A Timeline biography, 54 Years, 54 Ideas, Contemporary Chassidic Stories of the Rebbe, More on the Rebbe
  
  In honor of this date, the President Proclaimed Education and Sharing Day: The White House proclamation honors the 109th anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. more...
  
  To emphasize the vital role of education in society, the United States annually marks "Education and Sharing Day U.S.A." Established in 1978 by a joint Congressional resolution, Education Day U.S.A. focuses on the very foundation of meaningful education: instructing our youth in the ways of morality and ethics, and teaching them an appreciation for divine inviolable values. The Presidents designate annually Education and Sharing Day U.S.A. on the anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, who dedicated his life to the cause of education. Links: Education and Sharing Day U.S.A Homepage, A blueprint for meaningful education, The Rebbe's talks on the importance of education, A brief history , Yearly commemoration of "Education and Sharing Day U.S.A."
   
• Pesach is finally here! We were honored to host Rabbi Chaim's parents this past shabbos, and honored to have Chanie's parents and three of her siblings for this Shabbos and Pesach as well!
   
• Mendel started piano lessons last week and is very excited to put his first two lessons to work. He has borrowed a keyboard and is making fine progress.
   
• The Shabbat before Passover is termed Shabbat HaGadol ("The Great Shabbat") in commemoration of the "great miracle" that happened in Egypt on this day, heralding the Exodus from Egypt five days later (see "Today in Jewish Hstory"). Shabbat HaGadol customs include reading a portion of the Haggadah (from "Avadim hayinu..." to "...al kol avonotainu"), which tells the story of the Exodus; it is also customary that the rabbi of the community delivers a lecture in which he elaborates on the laws of Passover and their significance, in preparation for the festival.
   
• It is an ancient and widespread custom for the firstborn to fast on the day before Passover. This commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn Jewish sons from the plague which struck down the firstborn sons of the Egyptians.
  This fast is treated leniently. Thus, if there is a festive meal held that is connected with a mitzvah, for example, the celebration of a circumcision or of a siyum (the completion of a tractate of the Talmud) the firstborn son participates in the meal rather than fasting.
  It is therefore customary to arrange for a siyum to take place in the synagogue after morning prayers on the fourteenth of Nissan, this year on Monday, April 18. The firstborn sons who are present participate in this festive meal and, having broken their fast, may continue to eat for the rest of the day.
  Rabbi Chaim will complete an entire tractate of Talmud so you won't have to fast! (No, he will not teach the whole book then! He has learned it all already! He will just finish the last few lines there!
  So don't fret! Come start your day off with a mitzvah! :)
  For more info on this custom and even more and details click here: www.chabaduptown.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1678/jewish/The-Fast-of-the-First-Born.htm
   
• We are getting ready and gearing up for dual double wamo Uptown and in depth style Seders
  Pesach is always our favorite time of year with quality time spent with family and friends. But, unfortunately there are many that do not have family or funds to make their Pesach enjoyable. Our sages teach that before Pesach it is imperative on every community to ensure that all have their Pesach needs met. We were especially moved by outpouring of voluntary contributions for needy families by many of you. It is testament to the special dynamic of our warm and caring community. Feel free to join as well by visiting www.chabaduptown.org/donate and write "Maos Chitim" in the comments field.
   
• Besides for the Seders, there is also a special prayer that is said on the first day of Pesach (Tuesday), during the morning services. The month of Nissan marks the ends of the "season of rains" in the Holy Land. Beginning with the Mussaf prayer of the 1st day of Passover, we omit the passage in our prayers praising G-d's greatness as a provider of rain (Mashiv haruach umorid hageshem), substituting it with the words Morid hatal ("Who brings down dew").

Shabbos Hagadol Parshas Acharei 
Friday April  14
Services and candle lighting at 7:30 pm
    RSVP for dinner

Shabbos, April 15
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9:00 am
Services at 10:00 am
    Special Shabbos Hagadol Torah Reading and Sermon
    Followed by a special kiddush and farbrengen
Mincha at 7:30 pm
 Reading of a portion of the Haggadah (from "Avadim hayinu..." to "...al kol avonotainu").
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 8:25 pm
Living Toah

Complete Pesach and Candle Lighting Schedule
(why not print and post to your refrigerator?)
Chometz Removal
(see Chametz Wizard, laws or Pesach A-Z)
 

Sunday, April 17
- Sell Your Chometz, now! Do not wait for the last minute!
Click here to sell online. 
- After 8:19 pm Formal Search for Chometz 
Monday, April 18 (see laws or Pesach A-Z) 
- 5:38 am Firstborn Fast Begins  
- 6:45-7:30 am Teffilin wrap & Siyum ceremony for firstborns (or parents of firstborns under 13)
- Before 11:11 am Finish eating Chametz 
- Before 12:16 pm Finish burning Chametz
 

Passover I & II Services & Candle Lighting
(see The Seder, laws or Pesach A-Z)

Monday, April 18
- Before 7:32 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings 2 & 4)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services  
- 8:30 pm Communal Seders (Choice of Uptown Style - FULL   or In Depth  Seders)
                Last year's seder sold out two weeks before, please RSVP by April 8!
Tuesday, April 19 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services (Begin to Count Omer)
- After 8:28 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings 2 & 4)
- 8:30 pm Second Communal Seders Choice of Uptown Syle  or In Depth  Seders 
                Last year's seder sold out two weeks before, please RSVP by April 8!
Wednesday, April 20 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)  
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 8:28 pm Yom Tov Ends 
 

Intermediate Days Service Schedule

April 21-24 Intermediate days - No Teffilin Required

Friday, April 22 
- Before 7:35 pm Light Shabbos Candles (Blessings 1)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
                    Shabbat Dinner | Please RSVP 

Shabbos, April 23
- 9:00 am PrePrayer Kabbala Study
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit) 
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
- 8:17 pm Shabbat Ends
 

Passover Final Days Service Schedule

Sunday, April 24
- Before 7:36 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 12:00 am Late night Torah Study

Monday, April 25, 7th Day of Pesach 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- After 8:25 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)

Tuesday, April 26, Acharon Shel Pesach
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
           - 11:15 am Yizkor Memorial Service 
- 7:00 pm Mincha
- 7:30 pm Moshiach Seudah followed by Maariv Services (Click here for more)
- 8:32 pm Holiday Ends

IMPORTANT:
Wait one hour before eating chometz to allow the Rabbi to buy it back for you.

Pesach Site | Schedule| Sell Chametz| Matzah| Seder| Moshiach Seudah | Store

 We look forward to seeing you at any or all of the many services!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie