|
|
|
|
This was a difficult week. When I think of the young family in Itamar, including the children and a newborn baby girl brutally massacred as they lay comfortably in their beds on Friday night, I shudder. When I think of the twelve year old girl and what she awoke to in the middle of the night... I cannot continue to think. All we can say is: We love you our dear fellow Jews. We are all with you in your grief. (If you'd like to write words of condolence to the Fogel family click here.)
Our hearts also go out for the countless victims (and future victims...) of Japan's earthquake and tsunami. Watching the images of the unfolding disaster makes one cry out to the One Above. Why? Why all of the suffering?
The Torah speaks of silence as an appropriate response to tragedy. Not simply a silence of acceptance. But a silence reflecting that something beyond our comprehension has taken place, and hence we can't and do not try to comprehend.
Witnessing tragedy opens our eyes and minds to realize that there's lots of mystery to life. It's important to realize that not only tragic events are mysterious to us, but much of the good in life (which we take so for granted) is also a mystery. If death, pain and suffering are mysteries, the same is true of life, joy and pleasure. The gift of life itself is way beyond anything we can accomplish or even comprehend. Events like this trigger within us a desire to explore life's meaning and purpose, in the recognition that we are part of something huge, brought into being by SomeOne infinitely loving and giving, yet entirely inexplicable and mysterious; the Creator of life and death. Our lives therefore take on far more importance than we might think; every day of our lives, the good and the not so good, are all part of the "vast eternal plan".
In the midst of all of this, the joyous holiday of Purim comes just on time. I encourage you to allow yourself to observe and enjoy this important day, which points to G‑d's loving Providence, albeit well hidden behind the "mask" of nature, as the Purim story so powerfully illustrates. Reminding ourselves that He is in charge is good reason for comfort and joy. Even if we often don't understand His Mysterious ways.
Happy Purim!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
P.S. Don't miss our amazing Purim family celebration, Saturday night. Megillah reading at 8 PM. Separate children's reading and masquerade. Followed by an amazing family celebration with entertainment that promises to keep you on your toes, no matter if you're 2, 22 or 92! "The Twins from France don't disappoint!" says the Chabad PW Weekly Email Newsletter. Don't miss their unique acrobatic stunts mixed with humor and a real heimishe Jewish flavor. Click here to learn about the various mitzvahs and customs of Purim.
|
|
|
The Rebbe on Purim; Importance of Jewish pride and education.
Click here to watch a 7 minute clip.
|
|
|
Click here for great pro-Israel posters to fight against the "apartheid" label (read: libel). Please take a look and pass on.
Thank you Mark Lazarovic for bringing this important email to my attention.
|
|
Mar
19-20
|
Purim Festivities for the Entire Family!
Megillah Reading:
Saturday night | 8 PM
Sunday | 9:30 AM (Services begin at 9 AM)
Second reading | 11 AM
Adult education class on the significance of Purim
10-11 AM (followed by Megillah reading)
MAIN EVENT - PURIM FAMILY PARTY & SHOW featuring the renowned TWINS FROM FRANCE
Sat evening, 8 PM. Click here for details.
Click here to visit our Purim Holiday Minisite for all events and info. |
|
Apr
3
|
 Mikvah, Marriage & the Jewish Woman
Given by our very own Sara Paltiel
Sunday, April 3 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM
How can Mikvah help my marriage?
Is Torah Judaism chauvinistic?
Join us for an eye opening, honest discussion on these provocative issues.
Fee: $15, $25 couple; free to TML JLI students
Bagel brunch & coffee
Click here to register. |
|
Apr
7
|
20th Anniversary Dinner
Please save the date for the annual dinner celebrating our 20th anniversary. The dinner will take place on Thursday, April 7th in the brand new ADAM KATZ ATHLETIC CENTER at Chabad of Port Washington.
Click here for more info and to RSVP.
|
|
Apr
18- 19
|
First Seder Night:
Monday, April 18 | 7:30 PM (Services 7 PM)
Led by Rabbi Shalom Paltiel
Second Seder Night:
Tuesday, April 19 | 7:30 PM (Services 7 PM)
Led by Rabbi Ilan Weinberg
Fee: Adult $40 | Child 12 & under $20
Members: Adult $30 | Child 12 & under $15
Click here for more info and to RSVP.
|
|
|
|
A Cake of Mistaken Identity
By: Rabbi Aron Moss
Sydney, Australia
Why do we eat Hamantaschen on Purim? I have heard that they are the same shape as Haman's hat. But Haman was the man who wanted to wipe us out. Why would we immortalise him by eating cookies that bear his name?
Click here to read full article.
|
|
|
|
| B"H |
 |
Board of Directors
|
 |
|
Adam Katz, Esq., President
Frank Arnold
Bert Brodsky
Martin H. Brownstein, M.D.
Howard Fensterman, Esq.
M. Allan Hyman, Esq.
Sara E. Paltiel
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
Alan Rosenzweig
Alan Salzbank
Michael Samuel
Felix Sater
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Daily Thought
|
 |
Faith & Experience
Faith is not the result of experience.
On the contrary, faith is an act that comes from within and creates experience.
Things happen because you trust they will.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Shabbat Times
|
 |
| Shabbat Candle Lighting: |
|
Friday, Mar 18
6:46 pm
|
| Shabbat Ends: |
|
Shabbat, Mar 19
7:46 pm
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
BIRTHDAYS
Deborah Samuel 3/18
Melissa Charney 3/19
Brett Friedberg 3/19
Chloe Heiden 3/19
Jadon Nissan 3/20
Talia Eshel 3/23
Julia Natalie Kaplan 3/23
Rebecca Pearl Kaplan 3/23
Dylan Karul 3/23
Rachel Kessler 3/23
YARTZEITS
Benjamin Bieber (Baruch Reuven ben Josef), observed by Ronald Bieber,
Adar II 12 - 3/18
Ronald Bieber
Myrna Gordon (Mindel bas Zalman Yosef), observed by Geoffrey & Karen Gordon, Adar II 14 - 3/20
Geoffrey Gordon
|
|
|
|
|
 |
* PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS *
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Parshat Tzav G‑d instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding their duties and rights as Kohanim ("priests") who offer the korbanot (animal and meal offerings) in the Sanctuary.
The fire on the Altar must be kept burning at all times. In it are burned the wholly consumed Ascending Offering; veins of fat from the Peace, Sin, and Guilt Offerings; and the " handful" separated from the Meal Offering.
The Kohanim eat the meat of the Sin and Guilt Offerings and the remainder of the Meal Offering. The Peace Offering is eaten by the one who brought it, except for specified portions given to the Kohen. The holy meat of the offerings must be eaten by ritually pure persons, in their designated holy place, and within their specified time.
Aaron and his sons remain within the Sanctuary compound for seven days, during which Moses initiates them into the priesthood.
|
|
 This email is sent from Chabad of Port Washington. If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please let us know.
Select content and graphics copyright Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center (www.chabad.org). |
|
|
