Parashat Chaye Sarah -- (11/20/08)

Our Torah portion for the week, Chaye Sarah, focuses on two main stories:  the purchase of the burial cave for Sarah and the acquisition of a wife for Isaac.  Both of these are undertaken by Abraham and they teach us a number of important lessons.

Even though God had promised Abraham the Land of Israel and that he would have many descendants, neither of those had yet come to fruition.  There was no land even to bury his wife, and Isaac had yet to marry or produce offspring.  Abraham takes these situations into his own hands and helps the covenant to be fulfilled.

            It is noteworthy that the focus of the Torah portion is on the past (the death of Sarah) and on the future (Isaac's wife and offspring).  Abraham models the behavior of Jews throughout the centuries and to the present day:  we must always maintain our connection to the past and respect it, but at the same time we cannot always be looking backward.  Our past must be an anchor that gives us direction and inspiration for the future.  Of course, all of this is played out in our actions in the present.  Abraham's actions teach us of our own responsibility to honor the past, plan for the future and live in the present.

Candle-lighting

Friday, November 21 at 4:53 pm.  Shabbat ends at 5:43 pm.

Tifereth Israel News

Progress Takes (Even More) Time

We are in the process of installing a brand new boiler.  Until the installation is completed, there will be no heat in the following areas of the building:  Sanctuary, Upper Social Hall, Lower Social Hall, Milk and Cookies Room.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.  Full heat will be restored as soon as possible and as soon as safety permits.

Youth News

Sunday, November 23, (12:30-3:30pm) SHAKADIAH will hold a pizza and bowling party at the Gahanna bowling lanes.  Please call Shani @ 253-8523 to RSVP.

BUCKUSY, KADIMA, SHAKADIAH, CHAVERIM and FAMILIES:

Survey says… Save the date for our first ever MISHPACHA MADNESS on Saturday, December 6, from 7:00pm – 10:00pm, This event will be similar to Family Feud and families will be able to go up against each other for prizes.  Dinner will be available and kids and families of all ages are guaranteed to have a fun time.  If anyone would like to make a donation or has a connection to a business that could make a donation, we are looking for items to use as prizes.  We are using this as our fundraising event for the year and everyone attending will have a great time.  Mark your calendars now, and I hope all of you can attend.

BREAD NEWS

The Annual Meeting will take place Monday, November 24, 6:30pm at Faith Ministries Church 2747 Agler Rd (Southwest corner of Cassady Ave.)  The assembled congregations will be choosing the next research area from the three following areas:

• Urban Blight, which includes vacant homes and strip malls; financial literacy

• Revisiting schools and early education

• Cultural Barriers (race, gender and sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, etc.), affecting success in society

Jewish Genetic Disease Program - TONIGHT

The JCC is hosting a program that will focus on Jewish genetic diseases on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00pm.  The program will address many common questions about genetic diseases and how they are inherited, testing and treatment, and Jewish views on modern genetics. Refreshments will be served.  To RSVP or for more information, contact Shara Reiss at 231-2731 ext. 363 or sreiss@columbusjcc.org. 

Northeast News

Please join the Tifereth Israel Northeast Group for a movie and dessert on Saturday, November 22 at 7:00 pm at the home of Bonnie and Scott Abramowitz. Adults only. Non-NE members are welcome!  RSVP to Kristin at 253-8523.

Mosque Twinning Shabbat

Tifereth Israel will participate in a nationwide program, November 22-23, twinning synagogues and mosques.  The goal of the program is to introduce and re-introduce Jewish and Muslim members of our community to each other, and to find areas of common concern like anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.  Members of the Islamic Center will join us for services on Shabbat, November 22.  We will visit the Islamic Center on Sunday, November 23 at 12:30 pm.  We will study briefly the similarities and differences between Jewish and Islamic prayer.  For more info, contact Rabbi Michael Ungar at 253-8523.

Thanksgiving News

• Services on Thanksgiving Day are at 9:30 am; there is no afternoon service at the synagogue.  Friday is regular weekday schedule.

• Looking for a place to share Thanksgiving Dinner or have an extra place or two at your table?  If you are looking to share the holiday with other people in the area, contact the office at 253-8523 for more information.

Bar Mitzvah

Matthew Abramson, son of Karen Hood and Marc Abramson, Thursday, November 27 at 9:30 am.

Blood Drive at the JCC

The need for blood donors is never completely satisfied.  New donors must be found when long time donors can no longer give.  Please come Wednesday December 3, to the JCC between 12:00 and 6:30 pm to give the “Gift of Life”.  You can arrange an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-Give Life or go to the To Life Columbus website at www.tolifecolumbus.org

Midreshet Israel

Thursday, December 4, dinner and multi-media presentation; The American Immigrant Experience: a historical perspective through music, literature and remembrance. Join us for this fascinating journey presented by Linda Kalette Schottenstein. Dinner will be at 6:00pm. RSVP with a check for $18 payable to Tifereth Israel. RSVP to Kristin Bohardt at 253-8523 x105 or kbohardt@ashland.edu by December 1.

Young Members

There will be a potluck Shabbat dinner, Friday, December 5 at 6:30pm.  It’s the first event of the year for anyone 22-35.  Join your friends for an informal dairy potluck dinner at 6:30pm at Lily Kowalski’s apartment (726 ½ N. High St. in the Short North).  LIMITED SPACE AVAILBLE!  Make sure to RSVP to Kristin Bohardt (kbohardt@tiferethisrael.org or 253-8523 x105) by Monday December 1^st!  For more information, contact Lily Kowalski (x 111 or lkowalski@tiferethisrael.org).

6^th grade Bar/Bat Mitzvah Enrichment Program Family Service and Dinner

This special service on Friday, December 5 is just for participants of the BMEP and their families is great preparation for the students on their way to becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as they lead parts of the service in front of a smaller audience.  Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, no more than $24 per family.  Please RSVP to Georgia Bozorth at 253-8523 x 110 or gbozorth@tiferethisrael.org by December 1^st.

5^th grade Build-a-Pair Session 2

Sunday, December 7 - A comprehensive learning experience for 5^th graders, introducing them to the joy and mitzvah of Tefillin.  Students will practice writing their Hebrew names and the Shema before putting them into wooden Tefillin boxes they have decorated.  For more information, contact Dale Levy (drlevy@ohioctvs.com).

Winter Concert

Catch a Rising Star, presented by the Skilken Family Memorial Concert Program, featuring Magda Fishman and Shorashim, 7:30pm on Monday, December 8.  You may not have heard of Magda before but you will!  This rising star performer comes from Israel.  She’s a jazz, pop, and soul singer in English, Hebrew and Yiddish – and a world-class trumpeter to boot. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, and $5 for students and are available through the synagogue.  For more information, contact Kristin at 253-8523 or kbohardt@ashland.edu.

Preschool Hanukkah Party

11:00am in the Milk and Cookies Room, Sunday December 14.  Come join all your preschool friends for a morning of food and fun, music and movement, art and activities as we prepare for the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah.  There is no cost for the event, but we ask you to RSVP to Amber Guildoo (aguildoo@tiferethisrael.org or 253-8523 x100) by Monday December 8 so we know you are coming!

Minnie Cobey Memorial Library

The library is open most afternoons Monday – Thursday. Also, please feel free to check out a book from our lending library cart in the atrium. For info call Helen Chronister, librarian, 253-8523 ext. 112 or email: hchronister@tiferethisrael.org.   

Evelyn Lieberman Judaica Shop Hours

Open during religious school hours:  Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 pm and Sunday mornings.  For an appointment, call Paula Weinstein at 863-1193.

Jewish Joke of the Week  [From Some of My Best Jokes are Jewish! By Gerry Blumenfeld]

            Morris Rifkin complained that he was an absolute wreck, that for months he had no been able to sleep.

            “The trouble with you,” said his partner, “you don’t relax.  You take your troubles to bed with you!” 

            “You’re absolutely right,” answered Morris.  “But what can I do?  My wife refuses to sleep alone!”

Minyan

Sundays           9:30 am, 5:00 pm (call the office for Sunday afternoon minyan location)                                                                                                                                                                

Monday-Friday   7:30 am, 5:30 pm

Shabbat            9:00 am