An initiative of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), with the support of the Government of Israel, Holocaust Era Asset Restitution Taskforce - Project HEART — aims to provide the tools, strategy, and information to enable the Government of Israel, the project, and its partners to bring about a small measure of justice to eligible heirs of Jewish victims, the victims themselves, and the Jewish people. Please go to www.heartwebsite.org for more information. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2011
Celebrate your birthday, anniversary or other simcha with your Beit Rayim Family. Receive a special blessing at Shabbat services. “Sponsor” a Congregational Kiddush for $360. or “Co-Sponsor” the Kiddush for $180. (This rate does not apply to the added cost for guests who you invite to attend that week and does not apply to Bar or Bat Mitzvah Kiddushim). “Donate” to the Kiddush is still at a variable rate of your choice. Donations are tax receiptable. Call: 905.889.0276 ext. 31or admin@beitrayim.org Donate a Chumash or Siddur in honour or memory of a person or a special event. Contact the office for details: shalom@beitrayim.org or 905-889-0276 x31
Chairman of the Board of Directors Shelley Isenberg President Larry Miller Immediate Past President Irv Siegel Founding Rabbi Rabbi Sol Tanenzapf, z”l Rabbi in Residence Moshe Edelman Cantor Eli Bard USCJ Alim Rabbinic Fellow Michael Jay
UJA of Greater Toronto’s Victims of Terror Fund supports southern Israel Funds raised for victims of terror in Israel are allocated to United Israel Appeal Canada Inc. (UIA) on whose behalf the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) delivers services. To donate contact ujadonations.com/victims or call 416-361-5705
Enjoyed our services? Want to find out more about us? Speak to one of our Board members following services or contact our office 905-889-0276 x31 or shalom@beitrayim.org www.beitrayim.org
November 5, 2011 ~ 8Heshvan 5772 Shabbat Lekh L’Kha
פרשת לך לך Welcome back to Michael Jay, our USCJ Alim Rabbinic Fellow
The congregational Kiddush will be held in Main Street following services. With more than 11 million people across East Africa devastated by drought and famine, United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto has established the African Famine Relief Fund to help relieve their suffering. Fund donations will be sent to IsraAid, the Israelibased Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, which has already deployed…” In addition, the Government of Canada will match an equivalent amount to drought relief. The United Jewish Appeal African Famine Relief Fund is not part of the annual UJA Federation campaign. 100% of proceeds raised will be designated for IsraAID. ujadonations.com/AfricanFamine or by calling 416-631-5705.
שבת שלום This Sunday
We are looking for volunteers to take part by leading parts of the service or acting as Gabbai. Please contact Chuck Ticker at cticker@rogers.com Any financial contribution towards the congregational Kiddush, or donations of single malt whisky, would be greatly appreciated.
The PRIDE OF ISRAEL KOSHER FOOD BANK helps 100 Jewish Welfare families per week. They desperately need non-perishables such as canned goods, pasta, peanut butter and powdered milk. These items should be marked kosher. Or send a cheque to: KOSHER FOOD BANK OF PRIDE OF ISRAEL, 59 Lissom Crescent, Toronto, ON M2R 2P2 209 - 1118 Centre Street, Thornhill, ON L4J 7R9 t. (905) 889-0276 x31 shalom@beitrayim.org www.beitrayim.org www.facebook.com/beitrayimshul
Our Annual Kiddush Club Shabbat will be on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 9 AM Parashat Chaye Sarah
Please join us on December 2 & 3 when Michael Jay, our USCJ Alim Rabbinic Fellow, will again return to Beit Rayim for the weekend.
We want to stay in touch with you. Please make sure we have a current email address on file.
Friday, December 2, 2011 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat, co-sponsored by the PJ Library Saturday, December 3, 2011 Shabbat Services at 9 AM
Annual Torah reading: Genesis 12:1 – 17:32 (Etz Hayim, p .69, Hertz, p. 45 ) Beit Rayim Triennial Reading: Genesis 14:1 – 15:6 (Etz Hayim, p. 77, Hertz, p. 50) Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 –41:16 (Etz Hayim, p. 95, Hertz, p. 60)
ANNOUNCEMENTS/הודעות If you are receiving an Honour/Aliyah, please make sure to arrive at the beginning of the service and introduce yourself to the Gabbai at the door. This week November 5, 2011– November 11, 2011 we remember
Irving Boro, z”l, father of Stewart Boro Barry Ziskinder, z”l, father of Mitchell Ziskinder May their souls be bound up in the bonds of eternal life, Amen.
Please circle your calendars Saturday, November 19 – Kiddush Club Shabbat Sunday, November 20 – Youth Group Program Saturday, November 26 - Trivia Night at Bayview Hill Community Centre Friday, December 2 – Kabbalat Shabbat with Michael Jay and PJ Library at CHAT Sunday, December 18 - Hanukkah Party at Ross Doan Public School Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Casino Night at Pride of Israel
Looking for a few good “Shabbat Buddies” We are looking to create a roster of drivers who would be willing to pick up and take home some of our members who can no longer drive to services. If you would be willing to “Buddy” up with a member, please contact Fran at the synagogue office: admin@beitrayim.org / t.905-889-0276 x31
Youth Department Program Sundy, November 20, 2011 Join us for an afternoon of Trampoline Fun at Just Bounce Trampoline Club for Kinderkids (JK Gr.1) – Yeladim (Gr. 2- 4) 12:30 – 3:30 PM Pick Up and Drop off Ross Doan Public School Cost: $13 (Shul members) / $18 (Non-Members) lunch is available for $5 (served at 12:30 Sharp!) Please RSVP by November 15 to Bryan Gerson, Youth Director youth.beitrayim@gmail.com
If you would like to have a table of friends, then why not become a “Table Captain.” Collect the cheques from your friends at the reduced table of 10 rate ($32 each) and send them in to the synagogue office. We will reserve a table for you. (You must send all funds together prior to the event and list the names of all participants).
PARASHAT Lekh L’kha - Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
With this parashah, the Torah shifts from the history of the world to the experience of Israel. Abram and his wife Sarai are now the focal characters of the biblical text. God calls upon Abram to leave the land of his origin, promising him a life of blessing and greatness. Abram and Sarai leave Haran for Canaan, where God appears again to the patriarch, reaffirming their covenantal bond and promising him the Land as his own. Abram constructs an altar at Beth El, "calling on the Name of God." A famine in Canaan impels Abram, Sarai, and Lot to travel to Egypt. Sarai is taken into Pharaoh's household where, at Abram's express instructions, she identifies herself not as his wife but as his sister. Abram benefits materially from this deception, although God afflicts Pharaoh and his household with plagues. Dismayed, Pharaoh returns Sarai to her husband, and the two them, along with Lot, return to Beth El. A conflict develops between Lot and Abram. The two kinsmen go their separate ways at Abram's suggestion. God renews his covenant with Abram, promising him the land in perpetuity and a legacy of innumerable descendants. Despite the earlier falling out with Lot, Abram takes an armed force of 318 troops to rescue his nephew, who has been taken captive in a conflict pitting four kings against five others. Upon his victory and Lot's safe return, Abram exchanges diplomatic pleasantries with Melchizedek, but refuses material consideration or any spoils of war, both to preclude political indebtedness and to emphasize God's providence in securing his success. God's repeated promises of blessing, land, and progeny are followed by the dramatic "covenant between the pieces." Abram's long-awaited son is born – Ishmael, born to Hagar, Sarai's servant and surrogate. The covenant of circumcision is prescribed. God changes His covenant partners' names to Abraham and Sarah, signifying their elevated stature and chosenness. When God assures him of the birth of a second son, to be named Isaac and to serve as heir to the covenant, the elderly Abraham laughs at the idea. In response to Abraham's paternal concern - "Oh that Ishmael might live by Your favor!" - God bestows a blessing on Abraham's firstborn: "He shall be the father of 12 chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation." Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised, signifying their covenantal status and fealty, and so are all the men in Abraham's household.