Dear {{first_name}}, We are getting ready for what we hope will be the last hearing for our Synagogue expansion, on Monday Jan 8. If we can finish all the testimony that needs to be presented, there will also be an important opportunity for public comment which means that you can state your support for this project. This is important and your voice of support will be very helpful in getting the project approved.
It is vital that as many people as possible participate in what we hope will be the final hearing to show the planning board that the community stands behind this important project.
The hearing will be at Fair Lawn Borough Hall 8-01 Fair Lawn Ave: Monday Dec 8 starting at 7:00pm. Public comment may begin approx. 8:00pm. You can come at that time.
Please arrive at the hearing in time to be able to give your statement of support. Everyone’s attendance and voice of support means a lot to the success of this project.
We thank you and look forward to seeing you!
Sincerely, Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Shabbos Times
Friday, January 5 Candle Lighting: 4:24pm Evening Service: 4:25pm
Saturday, January 6 Tanya Class 9:15am Morning Service: 10:00am Kiddush: 12:15pm Evening Service: 4:15pm Shabbat Ends: 5:28pm
Kiddush Sponsored by Mordechai and Aviva Mordukhayev celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of their dear son Itai Shem Tov Mazal Tov!
FAIR LAWN JEWISH DAY CAMP
A BISSELE HUMOR
An Israeli man named Itzik was returning home from a fishing trip at the Sea of Galilee. He was flying down the highway, going way too fast. He felt secure amongst a pack of cars, all traveling at the same speed. However, it wasn't long before he saw flashing lights in his review mirror and pulled over. The officer handed him the citation, received his signature, and was about to walk away when Itzik stopped him. "Officer, I know I was speeding," he started, "but I don't think it's fair. There were plenty of other cars around me going just as fast, so why did I get the ticket?" The officer tilted his head and gestured at the fishing gear stowed on the passenger seat. "I see you like fishing," he said. "Ummm, yes I do... so?" Itzik replied, confused.
The officer grinned as he turned to leave. "Ever catch ALL the fish?"
WEEKLY eTORAH
This is the Parshah that describes the beginning of bondage for the Jewish people in Egypt. Moses experiences his first official Divine revelation at the Burning Bush. There he is charged with the formidable mission to confront the Pharaoh and demand that he "Let My people go." Moses is full of questions and repeatedly seeks G‑d's reassurances. Moses asks, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should take the Children of Israel out of Egypt? Rashi interprets the first part of the question as Moses doubting his own qualifications to suddenly become a player in the king's court. In his typical humble way Moses didn't see himself worthy of challenging the mighty monarch of Egypt. The second part of the verse is explained by Rashi to be questioning the worthiness of the Jewish People. What have they actually done to deserve such a miraculous redemption? To which the Almighty answers, firstly, have no fear and have no doubts, I will be with you. And secondly, this is your sign that I have sent you: when you take the people out of Egypt, you will serve G‑d on this mountain. Now it's very nice to know that this mountain was, in fact, Mount Sinai and that the Burning Bush encounter occurred on that very same mountain. But wherein lies G‑d's answer to Moses' second question? He asked "who am I?" so G‑d replied to the point and said don't worry "I will be with you." But to the question of by what merit did Israel deserve redemption we don't see any answer. That they "will serve G‑d on this mountain" doesn't seem relevant to the discussion at all. Here it is that we find a fascinating insight into the intriguingly infinite ways of Providence. G‑d was saying that it was not necessarily for what they had done in the past that he was ready to redeem the Jewish people, but for what He anticipated for them in the future. On this very mountain they would receive His Torah; they would become His chosen messengers to be a light unto the nations; they would be the moral standard bearers for the entire world. Never mind what they did or didn't do in the past. G‑d had big plans for this nation and it would all begin with the impending Exodus. What a powerful message for all of us. Sometimes, the kindness G‑d does for us is not because of what we've been but rather what it would enable us to become. It's not for what we have already done but for what we still will do. So should any of us be the beneficiaries of a special blessing from Above, instead of patting ourselves on the back and concluding that we must have done something wonderful to be thus rewarded, let us rather ask ourselves what G‑d might be expecting us to do with this particular blessing in the future. How can we use it to further His work on earth? Special blessings carry with them special responsibilities. May each of us successfully develop all the potential G‑d sees in us and use it for our own moral development and to somehow better the world around us.
