Dear Haverim:

*Tonight, October 25, 6:30 p.m., Kabbalat Shabbat. (Happy Hour 6 p.m.). Sermon topic: Parshat Hayyei Sara: One Drop of Kindness Can Make a World of Difference.  Inspired by the series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, I will link Rebecca’s behavior in the Torah portion to practical application in our own lives, through the midah of chesed.

*Tomorrow, October 26, 9:30 a.m., Shabbat services.  Sermon topic: Parshat Hayyei Sara: What Will Be YOUR Legacy?  Although this Torah portion is called “The Life of Sarah,” it seems to deal exclusively with her death – or does it?  Please come armed with at least one piece advice you have learned that you would want to share with the next generation, as we explore the idea of what can we leave behind after we have parted this world for the next. Arlene Wilson is sponsoring the Kiddush Lunch in honor of her taking a Hebrew name and an alliyah.

*Sunday, October 27, 9 a.m., Morning Minyan- Hebrew School is off today so make an extra effort to come and make a minyan.

9:05 a.m. – The Rabbi Speaks, on WDEL 1150 on your AM dial.  I will be tackling the subject of how to deal with Halloween from a Jewish perspective.  In nine minutes I will try to create bridges between this pagan-based holiday and the highest of Jewish values.

10 a.m. – Crash Course in Hebrew.  Vered Nohi-Becker will attempt to teach you the basics of Hebrew in this fast-paced, four hour marathon.  Free of charge and definitely worth the price.

Spend this weekend at Congregation Beth Shalom!

Shabbat shalom!

Rabbi Michael

Middah Moment

KAVOD - Respect.  In next week's Torah portion, Toldot, God shows kavod for Rebecca by heeding her cries and explaining on what is going on with her pregnancy.  Essau shows kavod for his elderly father by being present, and preparing his favorite food to comfort him.  Rebecca shows kavod for Isaac, by creating a deception rather than confronting Isaac with the fact that God came to her, and not to him.  And Jacob constantly withholds kavod in his treatment of his older brother, by robbing him of both birthright and blessing.  How can we add dimensions of kavod into next week's daily living experiences?

Shabbat Koleynu TONIGHT!

Dear Haverim:

          First of all, kol ha kavod to our Jewish Federation of Delaware for hosting tonight’s amazing Moshav Band concert at The Queen.  Although much too late for my girls on a school night, I was really proud to expose them to this Jewish-themed music.  And I counted six rabbis in the house!!  If you couldn’t make it out for the music, Cantor Elisa (who was there tonight), has you covered because…

·        Tomorrow night, October 11, Friday, 8 p.m. come to Shabbat Koleinu. Thanks to the imagination of Cantor Elisa and the generosity of the Kraft Foundation, a professional music ensemble will be accompanying our Friday night service, with some new arrangements, and dancing opportunities after L’Cha Dodi.  We are taking NYC’s BJ Service and bringing it to Wilmington.  Brings your friends.  Dessert to follow.

·        Saturday, October 12, 9:30 a.m., celebrate Shabbat as Clay Horowitz becomes a bar mitzvah.  Clay will be our guest darshan.  His topic: Journeys.

Looking ahead …

·        Sunday, October 20, 11 a.m., Cantor Elisa’s Installation.

-*-

Mussar Moment:  Next week’s parasha is Vaera.  Almost all of our biblical characters, from Abraham to Hagar, go from not seeing to seeing – and in that moment of seeing, they find God. 

Featured Midah: Awareness or מודעות

,Shabbat shalom

Rabbi Michael

From Gov Shutdown to Israel Peace Programs

Dear Haverim,

*Tonight, Friday, October 4^th, 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services (6 p.m. happy hour). We will be celebrating ALL October birthdays, with a special blessing. My sermon topic for tonight: Congressional Deadlock & Government Shutdown- A Solution from the Ancient Rabbis.

*Tomorrow, Saturday, October 5^th. Mitch Wirosloff’s bar mitzvah. His sermon topic: Parashat Noah: From Animals to People-Caring for those in Need.

*Sunday, October 6^th. ALL DAY FOCUS ON ISRAEL

9 a.m. Morning Minyan.

12:30 p.m. Blessing of the Drums. We will meet directly across the street in Brandywine Park, near Washington Street, at the edge of the bridge, in the almost completed Sugar Bowl. We will be joined by several churches and their Sunday school students, as we send off the steel drums which will be sent to educate Jewish and Arab children in the Galilee region, as a way of bringing peace between two peoples. Rain location: CBS atrium. I need you to come. This is a 45 minute program.

5:00 p.m. Israel Trip Orientation. We will meet with our fellow travelers from Beth Emeth and Adas Kodesch, to express interest in a 10-day Israel trip, leaving from Wilmington on June 15^th. The Ayelet tour operator will be on hand to answer our questions and there will be a video shown. We try to have a shul trip to Israel every five years. If you want your child to go on BirthRight, this trip will not adversely affect his/her chances of being accepted. PLEASE come with me and my family in this wonderful trip. We will be including a visit to Ibillin, where our Delaware-sponsored Arab-Jewish steel drum music program will be hosted. This trip will do wonders for your Judaism and allow you to make new friends throughout the community. THREE Wilmington rabbis will be co-leading, trained in Orthodox, Conservative and Reform seminaries. This is a Delaware First. Make history. Come along.

7:00 p.m. – Israel-Palestine Peace Program at Westminister Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13^th Street, on Pennsylvania Ave.

MUSSAR MOMENT

Midah of the week: Individualism. (Noah did not succumb to the pier pressure of his day and was righteous in his generation).

Next week’s Midah: Bravery. (Abraham and Sarah turned their backs on everything they knew, to strike out on a new course for the Promised Land).

Shabbat shalom!

Rabbi Michael