YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD 2240 ALBANY AVENUE WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117 860-233-3084

Web Site: www.youngisraelwh.org

Rabbis Corner Last Shabbos was nice being in Newport with the HHNE Shabbaton. It was an interesting experience being able to give a drasha standing in the same spot leaning on NORTH AMERICAN INCLUSION MONTH (NAIM) the same wooden podium that Isaac Touro stood on in 1763 Shabbat, February 11th and that George Washington stood on during a town hall YIWH is happy to be hosting Yachad members & staff! meeting during the Revolution. What a feeling of history MICHAEL AND ALYSE APPELBAUM and of continuity. Standing in the Touro Synagogue forces Michael and Alyse live in Woodmere, NY and have you to remember the strength and perseverance of the been involved with Yachad for over five years in Jewish people and the hospitality of this country. We arvarious different capacities. rived in Newport in 1658 and have survived there until toMichael is the Director of the Yachads Day Habilitaday. Elana, Joseph and I were happy to be able to be there. Last week in the Rabbis Corner I mentioned that we tion program where he trains adults with disabilities were having a number of important events coming up. One in many different skills with the goal being able to will be next week our Yachad Shabbaton. gain employment. Michael is pursuing a Masters in For those of you who might not be familiar with YaPublic Administration. chad (not the local Yachad which is a Jewish Supplementary Alyse is a residence manager for Ohel Bais Ezra & school for High School age students hosted in Beth El Temshe manages two homes in Brooklyn. Alyse has a ple but the national Yachad) Yachad is the National Jewish Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. Council for Disabilities. It is a branch of the Orthoodox UnAND ALSO . ion and runs programs that address the needs of all individu2 YACHAD MEMBERS AND ADVISORS als with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. If you would like to host any of them for meals or Their membership is divided into three groups: sleeping contact R Weinberg Junior Yachad (8 to 15 years of age) Senior Yachad (16 - 25 PROGRAM: years or age) and Rayim Yachad (26 years of age and above) Friday Night Dvar Torah Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities By Yachad Member per month. There are Yachad Chapters located throughout the United States and Canada. Shabbat Morning Sensitivity Training & Info about Yachad activities provide our members with opporYachad tunities for personal growth and enriched lives. The By the Appelbaums 'inclusive design' gives our special population their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to eduFamily Seudah Shlishit (~4:45pm) cate our community about our members' abilities and Sitting with & Engaging in strengths. Interactive Activities I am thrilled that our shul will become a host of one With Yachad Members and Advisors of the programs next week. It should be an amazing experience for them and for us. For them because it is a chance YIWH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING for them to go on a trip to a new place and also to be inRescheduled to Sunday, February 12th at 7:30 PM cluded in the Jewish community. For us because I am sure The two agenda items are a vote regarding changes that we will learn so much from them and be inspired by to our bylaws (you can download the ballot, their presence and by the lives that they lead. 1.yiwh.net/files/BylawsBallot.pdf), and an update I really hope you will be able to join us next shabbos regarding the National Council of Young Israel here in shul for as many parts of the shabbos as possible. situation, along with a vote on withholding our We are still looking for hosts for housing and meals so shul's annual dues to that organization. please see me or Debbie Luger. Thanks and Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Weinberg
Editor: Judie Patel E-mail: bulletin @youngisraelwh.org Editors Emeritus: Sam Leichtberg & Moish Trencher Rabbi Brahm Weinberg 860-233-3084 or rabbi@youngisraelwh.org Judith Hessing, Coordinator 860-233-6042 or judith.hessing@gmail.com

SHABBAT PARSHAT BESHALACH February 4th, 2012 11 Shevat 5772 Kiddush this Shabbat Is sponsored by The Shul

YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor of West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford, Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford

Page 2

Rabbi Weinbergs SEFER MELCAHIM CLASS continues Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM Late Maariv at 9:00 PM ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP Next Tehillim Group will meet on Wednesday, February 22nd at 8:00 PM At the home of Debbie Luger, 37 Miamis Road YIWH ISRAEL ADVOCACY EVENT Sunday, February 26th at 4:00 PM at the JCC Speaker will be Sgt. Benjamin Anthony Followed by workshop with Jewish Learning Initiative Campus Couple. HHNE LADIES NIGHT Monday, March 5th at 6:00 PM Flyer and more information to follow BOOK CLUB The Invisible Bridge--Julie Orringer. Next meeting at the end of February.

FUNDRAISER AT YIWH: We have secured a great price for oil from Viking Oil and they have agreed to give back THREE CENTS PER GALLON to YIWH for anyone from our shul who uses them. If you already use Viking or if you would consider switching PLEASE speak to Lenny Margulis. This could be an amazing source of funds for our shul.
"Frum the House"

BUY SCRIP! BUY SCRIP! SHOP RITE, BIG Y, CROWN & STOP & SHOP Buy Scrip then use it like cash! Let's support our Shul by buying scrip! Contact: Judith Hessing at 860-233-6042 18 Grenhart Street SODA BOTTLE COLLECTION Eliza Katz is collecting bottles, cans, and glass to raise money for the Rabbis Fund. Please bring empties to: 24 Miamis Road; 860-680-9847

As promised we would like to update the Congregation as to the upgrades planned to the physical building. The roofer has been chosen and he will be making repairs to the outer roof shortly. Audrey Laufer and a small committee have graciously agreed to spearhead the synagogue/sanctuary upgrade project. Towards that end we met with Mike Herlands of MBH Architecture who has a long association and strong connection to our synagogue. He was the lead architect engaged by the Congregation when the building was last rehabilitated in 1985. We are told that the sanctuary prior to his involvement was essentially cinder block walls with metal folding chairs.....imagine that. Mike and his interior design staff are going to make recommendations to us in three areas in the sanctuary including new carpeting throughout the upstairs (including stairs), repair and painting of ceiling and walls and new window treatments in the women's section. Once these materials are chosen we will then bid out the project for the work upstairs. With regards to the lower level our insurance claim did come through. It appears that the claim will allow us to redo the floor and some other minor work effected from the water damage. Mike and his team will likewise be making recommendations as to the appropriate flooring and which type of chair will serve our needs. Please be understanding that we want to make the best decisions possible to best meet our needs. Our hope is to move along this project through the winter. Please be in touch with Audrey or myself with any thoughts, ideas or constructive criticism that you may have. Barry Gordon Audrey Laufer
DOR LDOR

Come & learn in a Chavruta format with your child. At Chabad House Grades: 1st 8tt This Shabbat - February 4th at 7:00 PM Next -February 18th at 7:00 PM March 3rd at 7:00 PM

Page 3 Parshat Beshalach - Ahavat Yisrael, Defined - By Rabbi Jay Kelman www.torahinmotion.org The book of Shemot details the emergence of the Jewish people as a nation. Though descending from spiritual giants, the nascent nation displayed great fickleness in their relationship to G-d. On the one hand, they showed tremendous faith in following Moshe into an unknown desert. These same Jews, however, wasted no time complaining whenever things were a little tough. G-d's past benevolence was quickly forgotten. This behaviour was to be expected from a nation that had only recently been enslaved; and while it was, perhaps, understandable, it showed that this generation was not ready to face the challenges of conquering Israel . They were doomed to die in the desert. Six days after leaving Egypt , the Jews arrived at the shores of the Red Sea . When they saw the Egyptians gaining ground on them, they were paralyzed with fear. On one side was the sea, and on the other, their former taskmasters. Suddenly, they had second thoughts about their decision to leave Egypt . The fate of the Jewish people hung in the balance. Would they be saved? The Midrash relates that the angels questioned G-d's wisdom in delivering the Jewish people. They exclaimed, "The Egyptians worship idols, and the Jews worship idols!". However, G-d did not listen to the arguments of the angels, and the Jewish people went on to forge a unique relationship with G-d. The arguments were ignored, explains the Meshech Chochmah (Dvinsk, 1843-1926), because our relationship with G-d as individuals differs from our relationship to G-d as a community. As individuals, punishment is meted out for violations of the contract between man and G-d. The Torah and Talmud, therefore, prescribe clear guidelines for the punishment of such sins as Shabbat desecration, eating non-kosher food, sexual immorality, or shaving one's face with a razor. However, weaknesses of character such as the tendency to gossip, display anger, or arrogance, while extremely serious, do not evoke any punishment from our earthly court system. As a community, though, we are judged differently. G-d's anger is kindled not when we violate our obligations to Him, but when we fall short in our duty to our fellow human beings. While idolatry may be a grave sin--one must forfeit one's life rather than convert to another religion--G-d, continues the Meshech Chochmah , can tolerate such infidelity on the part of the Jewish people: "G-d dwells in the midst of our impurities" (Leviticus 16:16). Forty days after Sinai, the Jews had the audacity to build a golden calf. Yet G-d was willing to forgive. However, when the Jews listened to the slanderous report of the ten spies regarding the land of Israel , G-d was not willing to forgive. Similarly, although the generation of the flood was steeped in sexual immorality, their fate was sealed due to the sin of robbery. It is when our personal character is lacking, and we engage in such socially destructive activities such as lashon hara and dissension, that we manage to drive the Divine presence away. The Talmud teaches that even though the first Temple was destroyed due to the sins of idolatry, murder and sexual immorality, it was quickly rebuilt. The second Temple , which was destroyed due to hatred amongst fellow Jews, is still in ruins over 1900 years later. The Talmud then draws the obvious conclusion that hatred amongst Jews is worse than the cardinal sins of idolatry, adultery and murder. As individual Jews, we must focus our efforts on improving our observance of all of the mitzvoth of the Torah, both those between man and G-d, and those between man and man. As a community, however, our priorities must be focused on cohesiveness. It is sad that religious differences so often stand in the way of communal co-operation making us all that much poorer. While we may have serious differences with other Jewish groups-differences we cannot gloss over-surely if G-d can tolerate idolaters in his midst, we can work together with all shades of Jewry. If these people are misguided in their observance of Judaism, let's allow G-d to deal with the problem directly, after 120 years. In the meantime, let us work together for the sake of Klal Yisroel . YIWH GEMS & JEWLS GALA DINNER

The Dinner Committee is working very hard on this years Gems and Jewels Gala Dinner, honoring Tsion and Anita Cohen and Steven and Debra Luger. By now you should have received your invitation and we hope you plan to attend the dinner and support our Scroll of Honor. Part of the evenings festivities will be a Silent Auction. We have several items ready for auction but are looking for more. Please consider what you do for a living and the service providers you use on a regular basis. A donation of an item or a gift certificate would be tremendously helpful. The YIWH Solicitation Committee is diligently working with potential donors for the Scroll of Honor. We have attached the merchant solicitation letter and request that everyone ask family members (many of whom come to YIWH as guests during the course of a year) and companies they do business with in helping us reach our fundraising goal. In addition to a fun, and special night honoring the Cohens and the Lugers, we desperately need to raise significant funds to continue to maintain and grow our shul. In these tough economic times, we understand that not everyone is in the financial position to contribute as generously as they may want to, or have in the past. To that end, volunteering is another great way to give back! The Dinner Committee is looking for additional people to assist in making this fundraiser a huge success. We are specifically looking for volunteers to help us run the silent auction, another way we can bring in much - needed money. No one person can do this alone. If we all work together we can make this event a huge success. Please take a moment to seriously consider giving some of your time to the one institution that gives back to you every day. You may contact Harriet Rosenblit, Fran Wittenberg, or Shayne Kesler if you would like to help. Thank you, YIWH Fundraising Dinner Committee

YIWH Schedule of Services February 3rd - 10th, 2012 Shabbat Parashat Beshalach Friday, February 3rd Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha/Maariv Shabbat, February 4th Rabbi Sheinkopfs Mishna Brurah Class Shacharit Sof Zman Kriat Shma Shabbat Morning Youth Groups Rabbis Shabbat Afternoon Class Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv Shabbat Ends Sunday, February 5th - Thursday, February 9th Earliest Tallit & Tefillin Shacharit... Sunday Followed by Rabbi Weinbergs Gemara Shiur on Masechet Makot Mincha/Maariv Sunday @ YIWH ShacharitMonday - Thursday Wednesday...Tu BShvat Mincha/Maariv...Monday - Thursday @HHNE Late Maariv...Tuesdays @ YIWH Friday, February 10th Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha/Maariv 6:45 a.m. 4:49 p.m. 4:54p.m. 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:33 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:20 p.m. 4:35p.m. 5:51 p.m. 6:08 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 4:55 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 4:55p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 4:58 p.m. 5:03 p.m.

It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush Or Seudah Shlishit!

Shul handles set up & Clean up! Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178 or judiep@gmail.com to check the availability of the date you need & call Fran Wittenberg 860-232-2320 to make the arrangements for the type of Kiddush you want to sponsor. Checks need to be received the Sunday prior to your Kiddush date. Send to David Cohen at 19 Mansfield Avenue. There are three types of Kiddushim: Standard for $150, Semi-Deluxe for $250 & Deluxe for $350 With supplements available. For Seudah Shlishit contact Stan Rutstein at 232-3369

2/18 2/25

KIDDUSH SCHEDULE Alcabes-Young Shamash

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar For Eruv Information: http://twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or http://youngisraelwh.org/index.php/en/home/the-eruv
(Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner LaMaor Lights Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer in memory of their parents and grandparents, Israel Weiss Frida Weiss Abraham Leichtberg Yayin l Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Betty & Irving Wizenfeld in memory of Bettys Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira
Irv s father, Sam Wizenfeld

Pat LaOrchim Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit Fran & Gene Wittenberg in memory of Frans father, Tvi ben Yitchak Meir HaCohen

& Genes father, Binyamin ben Moshe

Seudah Shishit Supplement Donna Barry Gordon 3.1 ; -, . To honour our family and friends. Barry and Donna Gordon 5772 Candy Man Rabbi Mordechai Weiss Handy Man Steve Bernstein You-Dah-Man Judy Sam Leichtberg Good Humor Man Debbie Steven Luger

WANT TO JOIN THE LISTSERVE? If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .

YIWH Schedule of Services February 10th - 17th, 2012 Shabbat Parashat Yitro Friday, February 10th Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha/Maariv Shabbat, February 11th Rabbi Sheinkopfs Mishna Brurah Class Shacharit Sof Zman Kriat Shma Shabbat Morning Youth Groups Rabbis Shabbat Afternoon Class Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv Shabbat Ends Sunday, February 12th - Thursday, February 16th Earliest Tallit & Tefillin Shacharit... Sunday Followed by Rabbi Weinbergs Gemara Shiur on Masechet Makot Mincha/Maariv Sunday @ YIWH ShacharitMonday - Thursday Mincha/Maariv...Monday - Thursday @HHNE Late Maariv...Tuesdays @ YIWH Friday, February 17th Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha/Maariv 6:45 a.m. 4:58 p.m. 5:03 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 5:05 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 5:05p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 5:07 p.m. 5:12 p.m.

It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush Or Seudah Shlishit!

Shul handles set up & Clean up! Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178 or judiep@gmail.com to check the availability of the date you need & call Fran Wittenberg 860-232-2320 to make the arrangements for the type of Kiddush you want to sponsor. Checks need to be received the Sunday prior to your Kiddush date. Send to David Cohen at 19 Mansfield Avenue. There are three types of Kiddushim: Standard for $150, Semi-Deluxe for $250 & Deluxe for $350 With supplements available. For Seudah Shlishit contact Stan Rutstein at 232-3369

2/18 2/25

KIDDUSH SCHEDULE Alcabes-Young Shamash

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar For Eruv Information: http://twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or http://youngisraelwh.org/index.php/en/home/the-eruv
(Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner LaMaor Lights Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer in memory of their parents and grandparents, Israel Weiss Frida Weiss Abraham Leichtberg Yayin l Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Betty & Irving Wizenfeld in memory of Bettys Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira
Irv s father, Sam Wizenfeld

Pat LaOrchim Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit Fran & Gene Wittenberg in memory of Frans father, Tvi ben Yitchak Meir HaCohen

& Genes father, Binyamin ben Moshe

Seudah Shishit Supplement Donna Barry Gordon 3.1 ; -, . To honour our family and friends. Barry and Donna Gordon 5772 Candy Man Rabbi Mordechai Weiss Handy Man Steve Bernstein You-Dah-Man Judy Sam Leichtberg Good Humor Man Debbie Steven Luger

WANT TO JOIN THE LISTSERVE? If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .

YIWH Schedule of Services February 17th - 24th, 2012 Shabbat Mevorchim Parashat Mishpatim - Shekalim Friday, February 17th Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Candle Lighting 5:07 p.m. Mincha/Maariv 5:12 p.m. Shabbat, February 18th - Shabbat Mevorchim Rabbi Sheinkopfs Mishna Brurah Class Shacharit Sof Zman Kriat Shma Shabbat Morning Youth Groups Rabbis Shabbat Afternoon Class Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv Shabbat Ends Sunday, February 19th - Thursday, February 23rd Earliest Tallit & Tefillin Shacharit... Sunday Followed by Rabbi Weinbergs Gemara Shiur on Masechet Makot Mincha/Maariv Sunday @ YIWH ShacharitMonday - Wednesday ShacharitThursday - Rosh Chodesh Adar Mincha/Maariv...Monday - Thursday @HHNE Late Maariv...Tuesdays @ YIWH Friday, February 24th - Rosh Chodesh Adar Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha/Maariv 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:24 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:40 p.m. 4:55 p.m. 6:09 p.m. 5:51 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 5:15p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:30 a.m. 5:16 p.m. 5:21 p.m.

It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush Or Seudah Shlishit!

Shul handles set up & Clean up! Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178 or judiep@gmail.com to check the availability of the date you need & call Fran Wittenberg 860-232-2320 to make the arrangements for the type of Kiddush you want to sponsor. Checks need to be received the Sunday prior to your Kiddush date. Send to David Cohen at 19 Mansfield Avenue. There are three types of Kiddushim: Standard for $150, Semi-Deluxe for $250 & Deluxe for $350 With supplements available. For Seudah Shlishit contact Stan Rutstein at 232-3369

2/18 2/25

KIDDUSH SCHEDULE Alcabes-Young Shamash

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar For Eruv Information: http://twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or http://youngisraelwh.org/index.php/en/home/the-eruv
(Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner LaMaor Lights Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer in memory of their parents and grandparents, Israel Weiss Frida Weiss Abraham Leichtberg Yayin l Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Betty & Irving Wizenfeld in memory of Bettys Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira
Irv s father, Sam Wizenfeld

Pat LaOrchim Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit Fran & Gene Wittenberg in memory of Frans father, Tvi ben Yitchak Meir HaCohen

& Genes father, Binyamin ben Moshe

Seudah Shishit Supplement Donna Barry Gordon 3.1 ; -, . To honour our family and friends. Barry and Donna Gordon 5772 Candy Man Rabbi Mordechai Weiss Handy Man Steve Bernstein You-Dah-Man Judy Sam Leichtberg Good Humor Man Debbie Steven Luger

WANT TO JOIN THE LISTSERVE? If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .