Dear {{first_name}}, As the sun sets on 2023, let's take a moment to reflect on the profound impact we've had, hand in hand, in building our community and bringing the celebration of Jewish life to so many.
In the face of many challenges in our world, your unwavering support and participation has been the reason for continued growth, Jewish awareness, and celebration by so many. Your donations have not merely funded initiatives; it has breathed Jewish life and inspiration into our young generation, empowering and transforming opportunities into realities.
Your continued support will be the cornerstone of our success, and as we embark on the road to 2024. We invite you to be a crucial part of our ongoing story as we prepare to receive permits for our building project and move to the next phase of the expansion.
If you have not yet done so, please take a moment to make a year-end tax-deductible contribution before the end of 2023.
We thank you; we appreciate your participation and support and we look forward to seeing you very soon! ----------------------- Please join us for Shabbat services for an enjoyable and meaningful experience, celebrating Jewish life together with the community, and demonstrating to the world that Am Yisrael Chai!!
Friday, December 29 Candle Lighting: 4:18pm Evening Service: 4:15pm
Saturday, December 30 Tanya Class 9:15am Morning Service: 10:00am Kiddush: 12:15pm Evening Service: 4:00pm Shabbat Ends: 5:23pm
Kiddush Sponsored by
Alex and Galina Dubinsky in memory of Ida bas Boruch and Kayla bas Zushe Zisel May their memory be a blessing! And Mordechai and Aviva Mordukhayev in honor of their daughter Zahava's birthday Mazal Tov!
FAIR LAWN JEWISH DAY CAMP
A BISSELE HUMOR
A poor man walking in the forest feels close enough to God to ask, “God, what is a million years to you?” God replies, “My son, a million years to you is like a second to me.” The man asks, “God, what is a million dollars to you?” God replies, “My son, a million dollars to you is less than a penny to me. It means almost nothing to me.” The man asks, “So God, can I have a million dollars?” And God replies, “In a second.”
WEEKLY eTORAH
The most famous parental blessing is found in this week’s Torah portion: “May G‑d bless you to be like Ephraim and Menashe.” Jacob proclaims that this blessing be the paradigm for all future generations: “With your names shall all of Israel be blessed.” One cannot help but wonder why Jacob chooses a blessing for posterity that is connected to the names of his grandchildren, not his children. Furthermore, why not bless Jewish children to be like himself or his righteous parents and grandparents? Jacob, the great prophet and patriarch of the Jewish people, saw all the future generations, including ours. He envisioned a challenging time like ours, when role models like himself would be scarce, and the forces of assimilation and secularism would be rampant. Addressing the challenges of our generation, Jacob encourages parents, “You must bless your children to be like my own grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe, who unlike their parents and grandparents before them, grew up in the land of Egypt, exposed to a very foreign culture. Despite this and despite never seeing their Jewish family until much later in their life, they still managed to grow up faithful to their family’s values and lifestyle!” Because of the similarities between his grandchildren and the children of our generation, he encourages the parents of our generation to bless their children to follow the example of Ephraim and Menashe, as opposed to the other famous biblical heroes. Jacob is affirming that regardless of the colossal challenges facing them, our children can successfully achieve a beautiful connection to their families and traditions. -adapted from www.chabad.org
