Post on 17-Jul-2020
W E E K O F D E C E M B E R 3 0 - J A N U A R Y 5 1 2 - 1 8 T E V E S , 5 7 7 8
V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 1 3
There is a universal Jewish custom for fathers to bless their children on Friday night at the
start of the Shabbos dinner. The blessing that is offered to our daughters is “ May G-d bless
you like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, and Leah.” That is quite understandable that in blessing the
daughters of Israel, we emulate the matriarchs of Israel. That is the gold standard of a
blessing. What is interesting is the choice of role models used in the blessing of the sons.
“May G-d bless you like Ephraim and Menashe.” Now Ephraim and Menashe were the two
sons of Yosef and two of the several dozen grandchildren of Yaakov. How were their names
chosen for this distinct and worthy moment? It seems a bit puzzling that they became the
gold standard of the universal Jewish blessing!
I once heard a fascinating insight into the unique quality associated with Ephraim and
Menashe. All of the children and grandchildren of Yaakov were born into an environment
that was insulated from values and ideas that were alien to them. They were raised in a
home where the Torah values and tradition were front and center to their lives. The only
exception to that was Ephraim and Menashe who were born in Egypt whose values and
priorities were opposed to the tradition of their ancestors. Despite the clash of cultures,
Ephraim and Menashe were able to excel both as young people who were committed to
their family values and members of a modern and progressive society. In a sense, we face
very similar challenges that Ephraim and Menashe experienced. Our commitment to
Judaism is challenged in an ever progressive society. Small wonder that it’s precisely
Ephraim and Menashe whom we hope and pray that our children emulate.
Have a great Shabbos,
MESSAGE
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
Candle Lighting 5:17PM
Mincha 5:20PM
SHABBOS MORNING
Daf Yomi Class 7:45AM
Shacharis 8:30AM
Sephardic Minyan 8:30AM
Latest Shema 9:56AM
Following services everyone is
invited to kiddush in the social hall.
SHABBOS AFTERNOON
Class with
Rabbi Fieigenbaum 4:15PM
Mincha 5:00PM
Followed by Seuda Shlishis
Maariv and Havdallah 6:19PM
SERVICES THIS WEEK:
SHACHARIS
Sunday 8:15AM
Monday (Legal Holiday) 8:15AM
Tuesday-Friday 6:45AM
MINCHA
Sunday - Thursday 5:25PM
Yaakov lives the final 17 years of his life in Egypt. Before his passing, he asks Yosef to take an
oath that he will bury him in the Holy Land. He blesses Yosef’s two sons,
Menashe and Ephraim, elevating them to the status of his own sons as progenitors
of tribes within the nation of Israel.
The patriarch desires to reveal the end of days to his children, but is prevented from doing
so.
Yaakov blesses his sons, assigning to each his role as a tribe: Yehuda will produce leaders,
legislators and kings; priests will come from Levi, scholars from Yissacher seafarers
from Zevulon, school teachers from Shimon, soldiers from Gad, judges from Dan, olive-
growers from Asher, and so on. Reuven is rebuked for “confusing his father’s marriage
bed”; Shimon and Levi, for the massacre of Shechem and the plot against Yosef. Naphtali is
granted the swiftness of a deer, Binyamin the ferociousness of a wolf, and Yosef is blessed
with beauty and fertility.
A large funeral procession consisting of Yosef’s descendants, Pharaoh’s ministers, the
leading citizens of Egypt and the Egyptian cavalry accompanies Yaakov on his final journey
to the Holy Land, where he is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Hebron.
Yosef, too, dies in Egypt, at the age of 110. He, too, instructs that his bones be taken out of
Egypt and buried in the Holy Land, but this would come to pass only with
the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt many years later. Before his passing, Yosef conveys to the
Children of Israel the testament from which they will draw their hope and faith in the
difficult years to come: “G-d will surely remember you, and bring you up out of this land to
the land of which He swore to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
SYNOPSIS
TORAH READINGS
Parasha Vayechi Page: 268
Haftorah Vayechi Page: 1145
A D U LT E D U C ATI O N E VE N TS
Chaburah after Shacharis
7:30 pm Talmud Class with Rabbi Rabinowitz
7:30 pm New Mini-Series - Sfashkenaz with Rabbi Fisch
9:00am Yom Limmud -A Day of Exploring
I Know G-d Exists But Is He in My Life? with World Famous Lecturer Charlie Harary
Etz Chaim is proud to present its annual Yom Limmud – A day of studying & exploring. The Yom Limmud is
designed to offer you the opportunity to develop a deeper connection to the fundamental concepts of Judaism, in
an intellectually challenging atmosphere. Special Thanks to The Kanter Family for sponsoring this event!
Babysitting will be provided during lectures.
7:30 pm Practical Halacha with Rabbi Weiss
7:30 pm New Mini Series Chasidic Journeys with Dr. Elliott Rosenbaum
Join Dr. Elliott Rosenbaum for a 4-part series on the Nesivos Shalom. The Nesivos Shalom is a series of writings by
the Slonimer Rebbe which enjoys enormous popularity. The Slonimer Rebbe zt”l seems to have found the perfect
mix of passionate and inspiring teachings that speak directly to the individual. As a seasoned leader, he
understood people with all their contemporary challenges, incorporating even the negatives into a roadmap that
leads to a path of personal development, love for others and a deeper and more satisfying connection to G-d.
Mondays, February 12, February 19 and February 26
10:00 am Unlocking the Closed Book with Rabbi Feigenbaum
8:45 am Java For the Soul
11:30 am Morning Club with Rabbi Schochet
7:30 pm Nosh & Drash with Rabbi Fisch
12:00pm Join us for the celebration of the dedication of the new Torah Scroll.
Dedicated in memory of Yehuda Ohayon, Esther Ohayon and Meir Benoliel
Yom Rishon Enrichment Program-Sunday, December 31 from 9:15am-10:15am
Fun and friendly enrichment class on Sunday morning. Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz will be teaching this class. The
class is open to boys and girls of the entire Jewish community in grades K-2. Students will learn about the
weekly Torah portion, Prayer, Basic Mitzvos, Middos, and Jewish Holidays. To register, please contact the Etz
Chaim office at 904-262-3565 x7.
Parent & Child -Shabbos, January 6 at 7:30pm
Join Etz Chaim youth in reclaiming family night. Parents and grandparents are invited to bond with their
children of all ages over a sefer. The evening begins with a forty-five minute learning session with your children
and continues with pizza, soft drinks, a story, and prizes for everybody. Sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov and Henny
Fisch in honor of their children. Sponsorship opportunities are available for future programs, please contact
Rabbi A.Y. for more information.
Torah and Pizza will return after winter break on January 8 from 7:30pm-8:30 pm
Grades 8-12 Join Rabbi A.Y. on Monday evenings as we debate how Torah knowledge relates to contemporary
issues. This brand new class is open to boys and girls in grades 8-12. Piping hot pizza and drinks will be
served!!
B'nei Mitzvah Enrichment Program will return after winter break on Tuesday, January 9 from 4:15 pm-5:15 pm
All parents are strongly encouraged to register your children for this class. Rabbi A.Y. teaches the class and
focuses on building a strong Jewish knowledge on various topics such as the weekly Torah Portion, Mitzvos,
and the Holidays. This class is open to boys and girls in grades 5-7. Snacks and drinks are served.
NCSY JUNIORS WINTER SHABBATON- January 12-14, 2018. Grades 5-8: Register now for this epic weekend of
adventure and fun Savannah, GA. Contact Rabbi A.Y. Cohen for more information.
Babysitting is a supervised free play program for boys and girls ages infant through 3 years old and
is staffed by professional sitters.
Gan Shabbat is for boys and girls in nursery and Pre-K and is led by Sara Brown. The children are
entertained with stories, games, songs, and organized activities.
Tot Shabbat is for boys and girls in 'K' and 1st grade. The children are entertained with stories and
songs; they pray together and play together with organized activities led by our teenage group
leaders Nechama Finkelstein & Carlie Rosenthal.
Junior Congregation now meets with distinct groups for boys and girls. The boy's group is led by
Rabbi A.Y. Cohen and is for grades 2-3, and the girl's group is led by Rachel Shyken and is for
grades 2 through B'nei Mitzvah. The children begin their morning with group morning prayers and
continue with questions on the parsha, stories, and other activities.
Emtza is our newest group and is for boys in grades 4 through B'nei Mitzvah. The group is led by
Joey Hamaoui. The boys begin their morning with group morning prayers and continue with
discussions about the parsha and other activities.
NCSY Tefillah Workshop is a discussion based group dedicated to giving deeper insight into the
Parsha and general hashkafa and is for boys and girls b'nei mitzvah through 12th grade. This group
is currently studying Ethics of Our Fathers and is led by Joey Hamaoui. This group meets from
11:15am-12:00pm.
DAILY CLASSES
Daf Yomi Weekdays 6:00AM Shabbos 7:45AM Sundays & legal holiday 7:30AM Please join us each morning before services in the Mirkis Chapel. Hot coffee is served. Limud Yomi Rabbi Fisch will teach a brief lesson on gratitude following Minyan every morning. Mishna Yomi Rabbi Fisch will teach a brief Mishna between Mincha & Maariv every evening. We are studying Tractate Kiddushin
NCSY teens gather together for a learning experience of a lifetime at the NCSY National Yarchei Kallah in Stamford, CT
SPOTLIGHT ON A PROGRAM
Sephardic Customs. Ashkenazic Rituals. It seems that many of us define ourselves by our Sephardic or
Ashkenazic ethnicity. Many times this evolves into not only cultural difference but also varying halachic
practices. Hence, Sephardim are eating rice on Pesach as Ashkenazim abstain. The recitation of Yizkor is
considered sacred in Ashkenazic liturgy and nonexistent in Sephardic practice. If we are all
descended from the same ancestors and believe in the same Torah -- how are our customs and traditions so
different? Please join us for this fascinating mini-series as we discover the historical and cultural journeys of
Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewry.
Mazel Tov to Jimmy & Irene
Jaffa on the Bar Mitzvah of their
grandson Ezra Vinger in
Toronto.
Gad Lee
Sruli Shapiro
Ellen Wald
Yehuda Leib Brown
Yaakov Miller
Joseph Hamaoui
Elizabeth Hamaoui
Aleksander Vaynman
Iris Kraemer
Eva Smith
Jake Gould
Sara Smolensky
Robert Zang
Mariya Tulchinskaya
Lon & Sara Smolensky
Mercedes Phillips
Murray Husney
Elizabeth Hamaoui
Louis Shapiro
Martin Schwartz
Jay Lipper
Abe Goldenthal
Phyllis Sprecher
Susan Goldman
Bertica Hubsch
Wilma Levine
Lein Saroff
Alfred Frisch
Esther Ohayon
Boston, Mass.
We moved here in the summer of 2008.
Technically we are here because of Navy orders
but we are really here because of G-d’s Kindness!
Right away!
It’s hard to say one memory, but the Purim
seudot are definitely at the top of the list.
My hobbies are learning Torah, exercising and
having fun with my family and friends.
SUBMITTING PAYMENTS BEFORE YEAR-END
December shul account balance statements have gone out via
email. We hope you will consider supporting Etz Chaim
Synagogue in your year-end giving by fulfilling your outstanding
pledges and charges before December 31.
Checks should be received in the office by
Thursday, December 28, while online payments can be made
until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 31.
If you have any questions about your outstanding balance, or if
you wish to pay online and have forgotten your password, please
contact the shul office, ecoffice@etzchaim.org, 904-262-3565.
Thank you for your prompt payment of outstanding obligations
and for your support of Etz Chaim.
CORNER
The Gemara (Pesachim 76b) teaches that it is a sakana (danger) to eat fish and
meat together. As it is extremely difficult to clean a grill, the same grill rack should
not be used for meat and fish. Either the fish should be double wrapped in
aluminum foil or separate grill racks should be used.
Source: OU Kosher
The newest Times Higher Education survey ranks the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology in Haifa as the world’s top academic institution in
terms of preparing students for leading positions in the digital revolution, as
reported by Israel21c. Survey respondents from global companies ranked
University College of London second and Korea Institute of Science and
Technology third. The only American school in the top 10 was
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in sixth place. “This is a badge of
honor for Technion,” said Technion President Prof. Peretz Lavie. “In recent
years, Technion has placed considerable emphasis on training its students
to meet the changing needs of the digital revolution. As a result, Technion’s
interdisciplinary research is expanding and advancing by leaps and bounds,
in a process integrating life sciences and engineering.”
Scot Ackerman, MD Receives the 2017 Community Service Award from the Duval County Medical Society
Scot Ackerman, MD, was recognized by the Duval County Medical Society with the 2017 Community Service Award at their Annual Gala. The award is given to a local physician who has shown a commitment to improving the health of the Northeast Florida community.
Dr. Ackerman first received the Community Service Award from the DCMS 20 years ago, and is now the only Duval County physician to be recognized twice. The DCMS panel selected Dr. Ackerman for his long-standing commitment to improving the health of the entire Duval County population, and to recognize the importance of a lifelong commitment to service.
The Torah in this week's reading records for us the end of the Egypt of our patriarchs and matriarchs. The era ends on
a note of serenity, family harmony and bountiful success. The Jewish family is enjoying the best that the Egyptian
civilization and economy could offer. However, nothing in human life that is physical is permanent.
In a century or more, all of this goodness and security will disappear, to be replaced by slavery, idolatry and the
crushing of the Jewish spirit and body. Yaakov is aware through the divine spirit that has been restored to him that
difficult times will come to visit his descendants. Yosef is also well aware that there are bad years ahead. In effect, he
is reliving the interpretation of the dreams of Pharaoh that catapulted him to greatness and power.
There will be a period of good years for his children and grandchildren in Egypt but they will be followed by years of
persecution and slavery. So much so that the good years will be forgotten and only the bitter memories will remain
and be etched in the Jewish psyche forever.
However, he promises his family that they will be redeemed and restored to the national and spiritual greatness, and
that when that happens they should remove his remains from Egypt and bring him home with them to the land of
Israel. This poignant request marks the defining final moment of the era of our patriarchs and matriarchs. It becomes
the symbol for all later generations… that no matter how dark the night of exile may be, eventually we will all return
home to our promised land – even the bones of the dead will be brought back.
The Egyptians thought that they would hold the Jewish people in eternal slavery and that the bones of Joseph could
be held as hostage to Jewish attempts to leave Egypt. They embalmed him, placed his remains in a lead casket and in
true mafia style, sank it in the Nile River.
The Egyptians were not willing to let Joseph go, just as the Ukrainians today are not willing to let the remains of Rav
Nachhman of Breslov leave Uman. After all, without Umann there really is very little tourist industry active in today's
Ukraine. How ironic it is that the Ukraine with its bloody history of anti-Semitism and Jewish persecution for
century’s, profits from the grave of a very Jewish leader and holy man! But I digress.
Joseph's interpretations of the dreams of Pharaoh are meant to give us an insight into the progression of Jewish
history throughout the ages. Even when we forgot what our homeland looked like, when we felt like we wanted to go
home, we always knew where that home was located. Even when others lived in our home we still believed that the
bones of Joseph and those of his descendants would guide us to our true home.
This perhaps the greatest legacy that Jacob and Joseph have left us and for all future generations. Both Jacob and
Joseph still live.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Berel Wein
PARSHAS VAYECHI
Scot Ackerman, M.D. President 904.571.9000
Rabbi Yaakov Fisch Senior Rabbi
262.3565 ext. 8 I 904.616.8955 cell
rabbifisch@etzchaim.org
Rabbi Avi Feigenbaum Education Director
262.3565 ext. 5 I 913.230.6448 cell
rabbifeigenbaum@etzchaim.org
Rabbi A.Y. Cohen Youth Director
262.3565 ext. 12 I 908.922.0268 cell
rabbicohen@etzchaim.org
Terri Velazquez Office Manager
ecoffice@etzchaim.org
Jeannie Wright Administrative Assistant
Jeannie@etzchaim.org
10167 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32257 I Office 904.262.3565 I Fax: 904.292.0524 I www.etzchaim.org