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 12, 2011 ~ 15 Heshvan 5772 Shabbat Vayera
פרשת וירא The congregational Kiddush will be held in Main Street following services.
שבת שלום Our Congregation extends a heart felt Yeeshar Koach and Todah Rabah, to Sandra Gold Millstein, her team of volunteers and our donors for their efforts and support of our 2011 Beit Rayim Holocaust Education Week program. “Nuremberg: It’s Lesson for Today.” Our Annual Kiddush Club Shabbat will take place next Shabbat Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 9 AM Parashat Chaye Sarah Any financial contribution towards the congregational Kiddush, or donations of single malt whisky, would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Chuck Ticker at cticker@rogers.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).
Back by Popular Demand! Monthly Israeli Movie Club First Movie Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thank you to Isabel and Irv Siegel for generously opening their home to us again. Space is limited and preference will be given to synagogue members. You must RSVP to Udi at: ehude.avi@gmail.com (Please note the title will be announced two weeks before the screening).
Annual Torah reading: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 (Etz Hayim, p . 99, Hertz, p. 63 ) Beit Rayim Triennial Reading: Genesis 19:1 – 38 (Etz Hayim, p. 104, Hertz, p. 66) Haftarah: IIKings 4:1-37 (Etz Hayim, p. 124, Hertz, p. 76)
ANNOUNCEMENTS/הודעות
Yeeshar Koach to Zvi Raubvogel on reading today’s haftarah. The congregation thanks Zvi and Miriam Raubvogel for making a donation to the Kiddush Fund in memory of Zvi’s mother, Adela Raubvogel, z”l. 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 12, 2011– November 118, 2011 we remember Sam Abramson, z”l, father of Cheryl Cepler Avraham Avitzur, z”l, father of Ehud Avitzur Sarah Bishansky, z”l, mother of Jack Bishansky Sophie Parker, z”l, mother of Beatrice Bishansky Adela Raubvogel, z”l, mother of Zvi Raubvogel Sidney Wlosko, z”l, father of Lillian Ekstein May their souls be bound up in the bonds of eternal life, Amen. Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, November 25, 2011 Featuring our Kita Vav and Kita Zayin (grades 6 & 7) students from our Beit Rayim Hebrew School. Snack & Schmooze: 6 - 6:30 PM Interactive & Participatory Service for all ages: 6:30 -7:15 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat December 2, 2011 Co-Sponsored with the PJ Library Snack & Schmooze: 6 - 6:30 PM Interactive & Participatory Service with story time: 6:30 -7:15 PM
Please join us on December 16 & 17 when Michael Jay, our USCJ Alim Rabbinic Fellow, will again return to Beit Rayim for the weekend. Friday, December 16, 2011 Kabbalat Shabbat- 6:30 PM Saturday, December 17, 2011 Shabbat Services at 9 AM
PARASHAT Vayera - Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser As Abraham sits in his tent, God appears to him in the form of three angelic visitors, who are greeted with eager hospitality. They tell him that Sarah will bear him a son, Isaac, and Sarah laughs at the prospect of fertility. Subsequently, God tells Abraham about his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the morally corrupt people who live there. Abraham unsuccessfully intercedes with God, citing the injustice to any righteous citizens. Not even 10 worthy people can be identified, however. The corruption of Sodom seems confirmed when the men of that city, with apparently salacious motives, surround Lot’s house, demanding, to no avail, that he surrender his two remaining angelic guests to them. Lot and his family are spared, escaping the destruction of the cities, though Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt when despite God’s instructions she turns back to look at the desolation. Lot’s sons-in-law, refusing to accompany him, die along with the rest of Sodom. Seeking refuge in a cave, Lot’s daughters make their father drunk; the incestuous unions that resulted produce Ammon and Moab, progenitors of Israel’s morally suspect historic foes. After immigrating to Gerar, Sarah is taken by Abimelech and eventually returns to Abraham, in a literary reprise of the previous parasha’s wife-sister motif. Isaac is born as promised; he is circumcised and eventually weaned. At Sarah’s behest, Abraham banishes Hagar and Ishmael. Mother and son survive their wilderness exile, fortified by angelic guidance and a divine promise that Ishmael, too, will found a nation. Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech. God tests Abraham, commanding him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Compliantly and all but silently taking his son to Mount Moriah, Abraham places him atop an altar, but an angel stays his hand as he raises the sacrificial knife. Abraham’s reverence for God, and God’s covenantal promise of blessing to Abraham, both are confirmed with renewed vigor.
Please circle your calendars
Saturday, November 19 – Kiddush Club Shabbat Sunday, November 20 – Youth Group Program Friday, November 25 – Kabbalat Shabbat with our Hebrew school’s Grade 6 & 7students. Saturday, November 26 - Trivia Night at Bayview Hill Community Centre Friday, December 2 – Kabbalat Shabbat with the PJ Library at CHAT Friday, December 16 – Michael Jay, our USCJ Alim Rabbinic Fellow returns for Shabbat. Sunday, December 18 - Hanukkah Party at Ross Doan Public School Tuesday, December 27 – Israeli Movie Club Friday, January 6 – Kabbalat Shabbat with the PJ Library 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.905889-0276 x31
We want to stay in touch with you. Please make sure we have a current email address on file.
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
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. 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