Dear {{first_name}}, It was 3335 years ago that the Jewish people received instructions form G-d to build a temple. In fact, it is the entire subject of this week’s Torah portion, the same week that the Jewish community of Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn received approval to expand and build their Synagogue.
We feel the Almighty’s guidance and blessings and with the approval coming in the week of reading about the Temple, it feels like G-d himself has guided the board and voted in favor of our project.
There is much symbolism between the first temple the Jewish people built and every Synagogue with that they are places of prayer and connection to G-d.
G-d wants to be close with every community and to every individual Jew. This too is the symbolism of the temple, that each of us build a temple for G-d in our community, in our homes, and in our hearts.
Together we will expand and build our synagogue, and make it a beautiful, spacious, and wonderful place to celebrate Jewish life.
Let us also build in our hearts, minds, and actions a place where G-d is invited in because our personal lives are filled with holiness, kindness, love, Torah and Mitzvahs.
Sincerely, Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Shabbos Times
Friday, February 16
Candle Lighting: 5:14pm Evening Service: 5:15pm
Saturday, February 17 Tanya Class 9:15am Morning Service: 10:00am Kiddush: 12:15pm Evening Service: 5:05pm Shabbat Ends: 6:14pm
Kiddush Sponsorship In celebration of the planning board’s unanimous vote of approval for Synagogue expansion.
FAIR LAWN JEWISH DAY CAMP
A BISSELE HUMOR
Three Jewish mothers are sitting on a bench, arguing over which one’s son loves her the most. The first one says, “You know, my son sends me flowers every Shabbos.” “You call that love?” says the second mother. “My son calls me every day!” “That’s nothing,” says the third woman. “My son is in therapy five days a week. And the whole time, he talks about me!”
WEEKLY eTORAH
Our Parshah deals with the first fundraising campaign in history. Moses initiated it in order to build the Sanctuary in the wilderness as well as all to acquire all the materials needed for the special utensils required for the sacred services. This is, therefore, a good time to talk about the art of giving. The holy Rabbi Israel of Ruzhin said that while some people claim that "If you give you are a fool and if you take you are clever," Jewish tradition teaches us that those who give and think they are only giving are, in fact, the fools. But those who give and understand that they are also receiving at the same time are truly wise. The truth is that in giving, we actually receive more than we give. And not only a slice of heaven in far-away paradise, but even in the here and now. Certainly, in our relationships—whether family, business or social—our generosity is often reciprocated and we find the other party responding in kind. But it goes beyond giving in order to get back. The very fact that we have done good, that which is right and noble, gives us a sense of satisfaction. "The takers of the world may eat better. But the givers of the world sleep better." This explains the unusual expression in our G‑d's words to Moses in our Parshah: v'yikchu li terumah--"and they shall take for me a contribution." Why take? Surely, give would be the more correct term. But because in giving we are also receiving, the word take is also appropriate. For the same reason we find that the Hebrew expression for "acts of loving kindness" ("gemilut chassadim") is always in the plural form. Because every time someone performs a single act of kindness, at least two people are benefiting—the receiver and also the giver. So whenever you do something for a good cause, remember; you are receiving much more than you are giving. Let us all be givers and be blessed for it.
