1 From the Rabbi: THE MEZUZAH AND THE MENORAH by Rabbi Larry Rothwachs Among the many wonders of human physiology is the following reality: The human body is not self-sufficient. In order to survive, it requires the intake of various vital maer, from oxygen to the proteins contained in the food we eat. At the same me, however, most of these acts of consumpon, although essenal to our survival, have what it takes to kill us. Kidney or liver failure, or repository illnesses that alter the balance between O and CO 2 , are as potenally dangerous as any other bodily malfuncon. When the body consumes without a filter, it is more than likely going to break down. Over the course of Chanukah, we have the opportunity to light and enjoy the transcendent candles of the menorah. Those who light in a doorway are surely familiar with the gemara’s recommendaon, aſter some debate, to place the menorah on the leſt side of the doorway, opposite the mezuzah that hangs on the right. Many explain that this configuraon of mitzvot is to create an environment where one is surrounded with mitzvot. At first glance, this seems like a persuasive raonale. However, the Meiri, in his commentary on the gemara, seems to emphasize a different aspect of the placement. He deals with the obvious reality of most doorways -- they have no right or leſt, because it all depends on your own orientaon. As a result, the Meiri stresses that the gemara’s recommendaon leaves us with a both a mezuzah and a menorah on the “right.” The mezuzah is on the right as one enters, and the menorah is on the right as one exits. His suggeson is parcularly excing, because it would seem to properly reflect the specific nature of these two mitzvot. The doorway is a very significant place in the home. It is the area of interacon between the house and the world outside. It is no wonder, then, that it figures prominently in the laws of Chanukah. The obligaon of pirsumei nisa is not limited to an announcement of a single miraculous act, but is part of a greater mission of Or la-Goyim. The lighng of the Chanukah menorah is the most public of religious acts, and it is a prime example of the effect we can have on the common street and in the greater world. Of course, the doorway has two aspects. It is also the point of entry into the house, and this is where the mezuzah takes the stage. A home is defined by its boundaries; a house without walls is no house at all. These boundaries have breaches -- places where the walls must allow the passage of people, possessions, and ideas. The mezuzah reminds us that not everything from the outside can be brought home. There is a need to filter and to be especially selecve. So when we exit, it is the menorah on our side of strength, and it is the menorah that guides us through our encounter with the world, its culture, and its beauty. And when we return, enlightened and exhausted from that encounter, it is the mezuzah that greets us at the door. Rav Avraham Schorr records how Rav Wosner explained that the mezuzah was only intended to cover the breaches in our walls. That is, no home can be perfect in creang an atmosphere of safety and kedushah. There will always be areas of vulnerability. This is where the mezuzah promises to help. However, if the walls themselves do not exist, then even the mezuzah is not enough. The doorway may be covered, but the home itself is overrun. (connued on page 20) INDEX From the Rabbi Donors to Project Thanks Scholar-in-Residence Project THANKS Beit Yar Lends a (Second) Hand Profile: Deena & David Fisher Beth Aaron News Children’s Corner by Gavriella Hagler w The Search w Chanukah Word Search w Chanukah Word Scramble Men’s Club Kiddush Tree of Life Memorial Plaques Teaneck Boys’ Choir NCSY Serving Our Creator with a Healthy Body, Mind, and Soul Trivia Panoply Parent-Child Learning Chanukah Youth Event Banim Mitpalelim 1 2 2 3 4 5 6-7 8 10 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 Kol Beth Aaron December 2014 Kislev 5775 DECEMBER CALENDAR DECEMBER YAHRTZEIT LIST Please note that you must be logged into the website to view this list.
Transcript
1
From the Rabbi:
THE MEZUZAH AND THE MENORAHby Rabbi Larry Rothwachs
Among the many wonders of human physiology is the following reality: The human body is not self-sufficient. In order to survive, it requires the intake of various vital matter, from oxygen to the proteins contained in the food we eat. At the same time, however, most of these acts of consumption, although essential to our survival, have what it takes to kill us. Kidney or liver failure, or repository illnesses that alter the balance between O and CO2, are as potentially dangerous as any other bodily malfunction. When the body consumes without a filter, it is more than likely going to break down.
Over the course of Chanukah, we have the opportunity to light and enjoy the transcendent candles of the menorah. Those who light in a doorway are surely familiar with the gemara’s recommendation, after some debate, to place the menorah on the left side of the doorway, opposite the mezuzah that hangs on the right. Many explain that this configuration of mitzvot is to create an environment where one is surrounded with mitzvot. At first glance, this seems like a persuasive rationale. However, the Meiri, in his commentary on the gemara, seems to emphasize a different aspect of the placement. He deals with the obvious reality of most doorways -- they have no right or left, because it all depends on your own orientation. As a result, the Meiri stresses that the gemara’s recommendation leaves us with a both a mezuzah and a menorah on the “right.” The mezuzah is on the right as one enters, and the menorah is on the right as one exits.
His suggestion is particularly exciting, because it would seem to properly reflect the specific nature of these two mitzvot. The doorway is a very significant place in the home. It is the area of interaction between the house and the world outside. It is no wonder, then, that it figures prominently in the laws of Chanukah. The obligation of pirsumei nisa is not limited to an announcement of a single miraculous act, but is part of a greater mission of Or la-Goyim. The lighting of the Chanukah menorah is the most public of religious acts, and it is a prime example of the effect we can have on the common street and in the greater world.
Of course, the doorway has two aspects. It is also the point of entry into the house, and this is where the mezuzah takes the stage. A home is defined by its boundaries; a house without walls is no house at all. These boundaries have breaches -- places where the walls must allow the passage of people, possessions, and ideas. The mezuzah reminds us that not everything from the outside can be brought home. There is a need to filter and to be especially selective.
So when we exit, it is the menorah on our side of strength, and it is the menorah that guides us through our encounter with the world, its culture, and its beauty. And when we return, enlightened and exhausted from that encounter, it is the mezuzah that greets us at the door.
Rav Avraham Schorr records how Rav Wosner explained that the mezuzah was only intended to cover the breaches in our walls. That is, no home can be perfect in creating an atmosphere of safety and kedushah. There will always be areas of vulnerability. This is where the mezuzah promises to help. However, if the walls themselves do not exist, then even the mezuzah is not enough. The doorway may be covered, but the home itself is overrun.
(continued on page 20)
INDEX
From the RabbiDonors to Project ThanksScholar-in-ResidenceProject THANKSBeit Yatir Lends a (Second) HandProfile: Deena & David FisherBeth Aaron NewsChildren’s Corner by Gavriella Haglerw The Searchw Chanukah Word Searchw Chanukah Word Scramble Men’s Club KiddushTree of LifeMemorial PlaquesTeaneck Boys’ ChoirNCSYServing Our Creator with a Healthy Body, Mind, and SoulTrivia PanoplyParent-Child LearningChanukah Youth EventBanim Mitpalelim
Monday, December 8 at 8:00 p.m.:Rabbi Rothwachs’ Lecture Series --“To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?: A Halachic Perspective”
Shabbat, December 12-13:Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Jesse Horn
Motzaei Shabbat, December 13, at 6:30 p.m.:Men’s Club Book Club - Hard Choices, by Hilary Clinton
Monday, December 15 at 8:30 p.m.:Rabbi Rothwachs’ Lecture Series --“Matters of the Mind: What Everyone Needs to Know about Mental Illness”
Tuesday, December 16:First night of Chanukah
Wednesday, December 17:Sisterhood Jewish Heritage Night with the NJ Devils
Friday, December 19, at 4:15 p.m.:Special slower-paced, ruach-filled Kabbalat Shabbat minyan
Motzaei Shabbat, December 27, at 8:00 p.m.:Men’s Club - Panoply
Monday, December 29, at 8:30 p.m.:Rabbi Rothwachs’ Lecture Series -- “Torah Living for the OCD, Anxiety Disordered or Struggling Addict”
Thursday, January 1:Fast of Tenth of TevetFast begins at 6:06 a.m.Fast ends at 5:10 p.m.
WEEKLY SHIURIM
• Daf Yomi in Teaneck: For Daf Yomi shiurim and resources in Teaneck, go to www.teaneckshuls.org/daf/. • Daf Yomi shiur by Rabbi Rothwachs/ Rabbi Daniel Feldman/ Rabbi Mark Staum/ Rabbi Daniel Herrmann: Monday-Thursday evenings, at 9:45 p.m.• Rabbi Rothwachs’ Bava Kama shiur: Wednesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. • Morning Mishna Chabura: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 a.m.; Monday, Thursday: 6:55 a.m.
scholar-in-rEsiDEncE:
RABBI JESSE HORN
This Shabbat, December 12 and 13, Rabbi Jesse Horn will be our Scholar-in-Residence. His topic Friday night at 7:45 p.m. in the shul will be “Noach, Yonah, Lot, and Avraham: What It Takes to Start Up a Nation. “
At 2:50 p.m. on Shabbat afternoon, he will speak on “Shimshon’s Leadership, Individuality, and Central Role in Sefer Shoftim,” and between Mincha and Maariv the topic will be “Shevach: What Are the First Three Brachot of the Shemonah Esrei All About?” Rav Jesse Horn is a Ram at Yeshivat Hakotel, where he is known for his methodological and Brisker approach to Gemara, creative shiurim in Tanach, and warm personality. He has previously taught Gemara at Columbia University and has been a guest lecturer at Penn University, Brandeis, NYU, and in various communities around the world spanning five continents. He has taught in many seminaries in Israel including, MMY, Shaalvim for Women, Midreshet Harova, and Baer Miriam, and is Ram at NCSY Kollel during the summers. Rabbi Horn is the author of a popular Halacha email that is disseminated to nearly one thousand readers weekly.
To sponsor this program, contact Jeff Neugroschl, [email protected].
DONORS TO PROJECT THANKS
Myra & Sam AkslerSheila & Daniel Baer
Heather & Marc Benjaminrobin Benoff
Judy & Sam Berkowitzamy Bodoff
Esther & Myron ChaitovskyDaniel Chazin
Esther & Michael East Toby & Jody Eisenman
Toby & Yakov EizikSharon & Mitchell First
Mollie FischEllen & George Friedman
Roz & Ira FriedmanRachel & Yitzchok Furst
Marlene GreenspanRenee & Harry Harcsztark
Alecia & Meir Yehuda HirschFelicia & Steven Hoenig
Judah IsaacsMarcia & Sam Kaplan and Family
aviva leffelEvie & Alden Leifer
Michelle & Joseph LondonMa’adan
Adeena & Yair MayerfeldPhyllis Reich
Carmela & Jack RosenbaumMartin rosenfeld
Milly & Morty RosnerChaviva & Larry Rothwachs
Cathy & Steve Schussshifra & larry shafier
Alona & David Shapiro Lynn & Dov SilverbergYacha & Mo-b SingerShelley & Phil Stein
Sara & Benjamin TaraginBashi & Howard Tepper
Esther Erps & Rinaldo ToporovskyDebbie & Mark Weinberger
Robin Fishbein & David YuchtTikva & Larry Yudkowitz
Marilyn & Itch Zeidel Beth & Ariel Zell
Michaelle & Abraham ZerykierPhyllis & Sandy Zlotnick
Congregation Beth Aaron held its second annual Project THANKS on Thanksgiving Day. This program expresses thanks to the town’s brave firefighters and provided a Thanksgiving dinner “with all the trimmings” to the 17 firefighters on duty Thanksgiving Day.
A short presentation was made to the men on duty at the main fire station. Battalion Chief Joseph Berchtold welcomed the group from Congregation Beth Aaron and expressed his thanks and appreciation on behalf of all the firefighters for this beautiful expression of recognition. Alden Leifer, chair of the project, opened with words of thanks to Fire Chief Verley, Battalion Chief Berchtold, and all the firefighters on duty. He then introduced Rabbi Rothwachs, who commented on the extreme bravery of this relatively small group of special individuals who work tirelessly to protect the community. The Rabbi continued by expressing gratitude that while citizens of Teaneck are home, safe and warm, firefighters protect us on a 24/7 basis. He thanked them and wished them safety and good health.
The firefighters then proceeded to give a detailed tour of the fire station to the group of congregants gathered for the event. This included a demonstration of the 100 pounds of gear each firefighter must wear when suited up for a call and an overview of the various fire trucks. The tour concluded with a demonstration of the use of the famous fire pole that allows for faster descent from the upper level of the station.
Many of the member families of the congregation contributed to this endeavor to convey their appreciation to the firemen for their bravery, courage and valor in serving the community. The meal, prepared by Ma’adan of Teaneck, included a classic Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Thank you to our generous donors,Alden Leifer, Chairman, Project THANKS
4
A Moadon for Beit Yatir
Beit Yatir, a community for which Beth Aaron provided financial assistance in prior years, is in need of additional funding to ensure the safety of their children.
Given the security situation in Israel, the Beth Aaron Israel Committee has collected funds to assist with their security needs.
Thank you to the follow members who contributed to this fund:• sherry & David chasan• Sharon & Mitchell First• Mollie Fisch• Evie & Alden Leifer• Yaffa & Mordechai Ungar
BEit Yatir lEnDs a (sEconD) hanDby Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu
When “Sarah,” which is not her real name, and her daughter came to Beit Yatir’s second-hand clothing shop to see if they could find some decent clothes they could buy with the few shekalim they had, they found a treasure chest.
“Sarah” didn’t have much money at all, to make an understatement, and when her daughter saw some beautiful and clean skirts, she delightedly started piling up one over the other.
Each item cost only three shekel, which comes out to a bit less than 80 cents.
Sarah went to the check-out counter, but, after counting how much – or how little – money she had, she had to tell her daughter to return some of the clothes.
Yatir’s Ronit Dahan, who helped found and manage the store, told Sarah to take all the clothes with her and simply pay what she could.
“This is not a profit-making project,” Ronit explains. “All the proceeds go to charity, so if someone does not even have enough money to pay three shekel, giving them the clothes is the same thing as giving the money to someone who needs it.”
Welcome to Bigodit, which has filled up a bomb shelter with racks of shirts, coats, trousers, dresses, skirts, sweaters, and everything else you could dream of wearing – not only trendy clothes but also vintage pieces, fulfilling Ronit’s dream of opening a second-hand store that sells “clothes from way back when.”
How do the residents of Yatir feel about buying clothes that their friends and neighbors once wore and donated?
“Some people do not come here because of that,” Ronit admits. There is a second-hand store in the nearby community of Susiya, and Ronit says customers from there come to Yatir rather than shop at their own store. There are even customers from communities as far away as the Sderot area, near Gaza.
“Some of our merchandise is of very high quality,” according to Ronit. “We had one shirt that cost 300 shekel. We sold it, all cleaned and ironed, for three shekel.”
And then there are people like me.
I hate shopping for clothes, especially when, instead of forking out several dollars for a mediocre piece of merchandise, I can pay a tiny fraction of the price for some really top quality stuff -- and without having to schlep from store to store in the city.
Last year, I bought a hand-knit wool sweater for three shekel. I recognized the original owner’s name that was sewn on the sweater. My wife and I thanked them for the donation, and it turned out that it was knitted by our friend’s mother, who lives on another moshav.
“No one has to be embarrassed,” Ronit says. “It is better to re-use clothes than to throw them in the garbage. There are some clothes we receive from elsewhere, but which are not for Yatir in terms of style and modesty. We donate them to a second-store in Kiryat Arba.”
Before the chagim, Bigodit sells clothes on sale for only one shekel.
Ronit recalls one family in the area, new immigrants from Europe, who have nine children and very little money. The mother came with one of her daughters, and they found brand-name clothes for the entire family. The total bill came to 100 shekel, more than the mother could afford.
Ronit, of course, told them to take the clothes and have a chag samayach.
With events in Israel and elsewhere making security a top priority, “everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings,” notes David Fisher, co-chair of Beth Aaron’s Security Committee. “Times are a-changing,” he said. At Beth Aaron, this means that while the shul wants to be “open and welcoming, we also have to be vigilant and alert.” Security isn’t something to take lightly and it is everyone’s job, he stresses, quoting the “if you see something, say something” Homeland Security tag line.
David, along with committee Co-Chair Yakov Eizik, applied for and received a $75,000 security grant for the shul. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-eligible Urban Areas. While this funding is provided specifically to high-risk non-profit organizations under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, the program seeks to integrate non-profit preparedness activities with broader State and local preparedness efforts. Those monies allowed the shul to purchase security equipment such as outside and inside cameras, motion detectors, panic buttons, and protective film coating for the windows. Working together, the two committee co-chairs spent many hours meeting with vendors once the grant was awarded.
David, a forensic scientist for the City of New York, serves as a member of the shul’s Board. He also is involved in both the shul’s Chevra Kadisha and Tomchei Shabbos of Bergen County.
His wife Deena also works diligently on behalf of Beth Aaron. Now in her second year as Sisterhood Co-President, Deena sees the Sisterhood as a social outlet for the women of the shul. “Along with my wonderful co-president, Sari Samuel, we are working to offer programming that caters to the interests of women of all ages. I encourage people to come out, participate, and interact with other shul members,” she said, “so that we all get to know each other. The Sisterhood programs and events are wonderful ways for women to get involved in the shul,” she noted. “You get what you put into it,” she said, inviting ideas and input into the decision-making process. Deena also organizes meals for new mothers in the community and for those who are ill. Previously, Deena served on the Nominating Committee and was the co-chair of the Youth Committee.
Deena has worked in the Early Childhood Department of the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey (RYNJ) for the past 14 years. When they decided to move to the area from Monsey, they knew people in the Beth Aaron community, including the Pudells and the Grunsteins. The Fishers spent a Shabbat at Beth Aaron, liked it, and looked for houses on this side of town.
In the ten years that the Fishers have been Beth Aaron members, they have seen growth in membership. To what do they attribute this growth, and why did they focus their search for a home in the Beth Aaron community? “It is definitely due to the Rothwachses. Right away, we felt a connection with the Rabbi and Chaviva. Besides being our Rabbi and Rebbetzin, we consider them our friends. We look to them as role models, and we cherish their guidance and the example that they set.”
“They are close to everyone,” David explained, “and they always make time for everyone.” Both David and Deena also like the diversity within the shul. There is a wide age range among the membership. “We are friends with people who are old enough to be our parents,” David pointed out. “We also like that our children’s friends all go to different schools and that our friends are a diverse group of people.”
There also is a “great youth department,” Deena pointed out, “and they always are creative, with wonderful programs for the Yomim Tovim..... It is wonderful that I get a chance to daven knowing that my children are in excellent hands. “The parent-child learning is another plus,” David said. “Our kids really enjoy participating in the learning and prizes.”
There are a lot of learning opportunities for adults, too, Deena noted, “with shiurim, lecture series, and Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence programs.”
• Varda & David Brusowankin, on their recent marriage. • Nicole Burbank, on her Bat Mitzvah. Mazal Tov also to Nicole’s parents, Michelle & Jeff Burbank• Rise & Herb Eis, on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Amanda & Aaron Epstein.• Linda & Rabbi Jay Goldmintz, on the birth of their grandson Aharon Meir, born to their children Yael & JJ Rosenbaum.• Felicia & Steven Hoenig, on being honored with Emunah’s Presidential Leadership Award.• rikki & Danny hoffman, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Rikki’s parents, Tikva & Larry Yudkowitz. • Yehiel Levy, on the engagement in Yerushalayim of his son Ronnie to Karin Sobere of Petach Tikva.• Gila Berkowitz & Arvin Levine, on the birth of a grandson, born to their children, Dr. Livia Levine & Noah Moline• Lauren & Moshe Press, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Moshe’s parents, Tzippi & Ira Press.• Talia & Aryeh Sand, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Aryeh’s parents, Arlene & Michael Sand.• Esther & David Schnaidman, on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Rivka & Ephraim Schnaidman.• Yisrael Rothwachs, on his Bar Mitzvah. Mazal Tov also to Yisrael’s parents, Chaviva & Rabbi Larry Rothwachs. • Chana Salomon, on her engagement to Alex Weidenfeld of Passaic. Mazal Tov also to Chana’s parents, Miriam & Izzy Salomon. • Yocheved Tirschwell, on her engagement to Moshe Abrams of Pittsburgh. Mazal Tov also to Yocheved’s parents, Miriam & Rabbi Perry Tirschwell. • Ruth & Jonas Weiser, on the birth of a great-grandson, born to their grandchildren Daniella & Yoni Leibowitz. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Rhonda & Marty Leibowitz.
CONDOLENCES TO
• Barbara Gildin, on the passing of her father, Abe Baron. • Aviva Feldman, Rabbi Daniel Feldman, Rabbi Jonathan Feldman, and Rebecca Becker, on the passing of their husband and father, Rabbi David Feldman.• Marilyn Mogul, on the passing of her brother, Herbert Spiegel.
WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY
• Robin & Tzion Elbaz, who live on Cherry Lane
BETH AARON NEWS
DONATIONS TO THE RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
• Nurit & Gary Adler• razel & Yosef adler• Elaine & howard alt• sherry & David chasan• lyn & Fred cohen• tal & Marc Felsen• sharon & Mitchell First• Mollie Fisch• Elizabeth & Peter Globus• linda & Jay Goldmintz• Debra & seth Greenberg• Edward Krupnik• rachel lawrence• Evie & alden leifer• ria & tim levart• Jay Pomrenze• Michael reuben• nosson rich• Miriam & izzy salomon• sheryl & Bruce schainker• cathy & steve schuss• aggie & Mark siletski• Yaffa & Mordechai Ungar• avi Zimmerman
7
DONATIONS TO THE STANLEY FISCH YOUTH FUND
• Mollie Fisch, in honor of chaviva & rabbi larry rothwachs and family, on Yisrael becoming a Bar Mitzvah • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Miriam & izzy solomon, on the engagement of Chana to Alex Weidenfeld• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Yehiel levy and family, on the engagement of Ronnie to Karin Sobere • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Miriam & Perry tirschwell, on the engagement of Yocheved to Michael Abrams• Mollie Fisch, in honor of arlene & Michael sand, on the marriage of Aryeh to Talia Kaufman• Mollie Fisch, in honor of tikva & larry Yudkowitz, on the marriage of Rikki to Danny Hoffman• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Varda & David Brusowankin, on their marriage• Mollie Fisch, in honor of risa & herbie Eis, on the birth of a grandson• Mollie Fisch, in honor of linda & Jay Goldmintz, on the birth of a grandson.• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Esther & David schnaidman, on the birth of a granddaughter• Mollie Fisch, in memory of Barbara Gildin’s father, Abe Baron• Mollie Fisch, commemorating the yahrtzeit of her dear grandmother, Annie G. Teller (Chaya Gittel bat Dov Ber), on the 25th of Kislev
PARNAS HAYOM DEDICATIONS
Dedicate a day of learning at Beth Aaron on the occasion of a yahrtzeit, in the zechut of a refuah shelaima, or in honor of a simcha, a birthday or any other occasion. Each week’s dedications are prominently displayed in the shul lobby and sent out to the membership via email. For more informa-tion, or to sign up, please go to www.bethaaron.org/parnashayom.
Parnas Hayom dedications in November were made by:• Nurit & Gary Adler, in memory of Cipora Adler, Feige Zippora bat Reb Gedalyahu• Laurie & Ira Bauman, in memory of Moishe Lovinger• Reshi & Yosef Isaacs, in memory of Reshi’s father, Yaakov Yitzchak ben Chaim• Lorraine & Rabbi Sam Vogel, in memory of Sam’s father, Aharon Yehuda ben Yisrael• Warren Wacholder and Rebecca Teplow, commemorating the yahrtzeit of their mother, Elaine Wacholder• Beth aaron israel action committee, Mordechai Ungar, Chair, in support of the Beit Yatir Security Project
YAHRTZEIT DONATIONS
• Pearl Neuman & David Schachter• Rachelle & Jack Markowitz
“No school. That’s probably the best.” Baila pauses for a moment, thinking hard about the question. “Hmm... Maybe not,” she continues. “Maybe it’s the doughnuts. Yeah, definitely the doughnuts… Ima’s always been really healthy, so doughnuts in general are a big no. But on Chanukah, Ima buys boxes of delicious sugary jelly doughnuts, with deep red jelly oozing out, and white powder dusted on top…”
Chani laughs. “You know, Baila, we have doughnuts at our house. You can always come over if you’re that deprived.”
“Well,” I say, adjusting my knapsack on my lap, which had shifted from the movement of the bus. “My favorite part of Chanukah is lighting the candles for the menorah.”
“Umm, better than doughnuts?” Baila asks.
“Definitely.”
“Better than no school?” Chani asks.
“Yeah.”
“Really?” They ask in unison. I nod.
They both stare, waiting for an explanation.
“I mean, yeah doughnuts are good, and obviously not having school is amazing, but lighting the candles… They’re just so beautiful…”
“Beautiful?” Chani questions. “…Candles?” Her eyebrows shoot up, clearly expressing her confusion.
“Yeah, I’m with Chani on that one,” Baila adds.
“Are you crazy? Candles are so beautiful. The way they stand tall and strong. When you light the wick and it glows, dancing back and forth, the red and orange lighting up the room. The way the heat presses against your cheek as you lean in, and the way everyone can see the mitzvah.”
“Ok, Shayna, what ever you say,” Baila says laughing.
The school bus turns the corner, finally turning down the block to Gregory Street. We all run off the bus, our knapsacks slung over our shoulders, too excited to just walk.
“Ahhh!” Chani shrieks, her pigtails bouncing up and down on her shoulders, as she skips down the block, getting closer and closer to my house. “I can’t believe it’s almost time!” “I know! It feels like we’ve been waiting forever!” I speed up, trying to keep up pace with Chani, who’s already about half way down the block. Baila’s still behind me, walking normal pace.
“Ummm, Shayna. We have literally been waiting forever. You get this every year!”
“Yeah, but I have to wait a whole year just for this. I’m happy you and Chani are coming this year. It’s gonna make it way more fun. Naftali always cheats.”
Baila laughs. “Well, were excited that were finally invited to your ‘Green Family’ tradition.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t call it a tradition, it’s just something fun we like to do.”
“By fun, I think you mean like totally awesome! I mean, you guys get to hide chocolate Chanukah coins all around your house, then you go on a scavenger hunt, find it, and then you get to keep all the chocolate. Do you know how much chocolate that is? My Ima would never do let us do that. I mean, never! Can you even imagine all that chocolate…?”
I smile, facing Baila. “Ok, take it easy. You’re gonna get like a HUGE sugar rush!”
“One can only hope,” Baila giggles. “Hurry up, I can’t even see Chani any more.”
CHILDREN’S CORNER
9
I try moving faster, my knapsack is bobbing up and down as I walk. “Please slow down, you only wanna go faster to get the candy sooner.” I turn around to see Baila smirk, but, before I could respond, she’s already so far down the block, now almost caught up to Chani.
***
“Where is it?” I ask, looking down at the open drawer.
“How should we know, it’s your house,” Chani answers.
“Ugh. That was rhetorical. I just don’t get where it could have gone. Ima always puts the chocolate coins right here in this drawer so we can hide it and start the scavenger hunt as soon as we get home.” I start rummaging through the snack drawer, shoving things aside. “It’s gotta be here somewhere.”
Chani and Baila peer over my shoulder as I continue tossing things aside. “What if your Mom moved it and put it in a different drawer this year?” Chani suggests.
“Yeah,” Baila adds, “Or maybe it’s just somewhere else in the kitchen. We can help you look.”
“No,” I sigh. “No, Ima always puts it in the same spot every year, it’s tradition, remember? She wouldn’t put it in any other drawer; this is where we keep all the snacks.” I continue looking through the food, this time more aggressively.
“What if you asked Naftali, maybe he would know.”
“Yeah, Chani’s right,” Baila agrees. “He’s your brother, maybe he’ll know where your Mom put the chocolate.”
I drop what’s in my hand. “Naftali!” I begin to stand up. “Oh my gosh, Naftali! How could I not have seen this coming! Naftali cheats every year, always peeking while people hide the candy so he can get the most. He does that all the time, he probably decided to take the bag himself.”
“I doubt your brother would do that,” Chani begins. “Maybe your Mom just didn’t buy it yet, give him dan le-kaf zechut (benefit of the doubt).”
“Please, you’ve met Naftali. This is classic him. He’s probably eating the candy right now in his room, all by himself.”
I start to get angrier and angrier, imagining him eating all of it, ruining our game.
“Come on, let’s go find him,” I yell, trying to get the girls to come along with me. They hesitate, and no one moves.
Just then I hear keys rattling in the lock. Ima walks though the door, grocery bags tangling around her wrist.
“Hi, girls!” Ima says, dumping the bags on the counter. “Did you guys just get home? I was hoping to beat the school bus. Here,” she hands me a bag. I reach inside and pull out a huge bag of chocolate coins.
“I went back to the store to exchange the bag for a bigger one, now that we have more company this year,” Mom says, smiling at Chani and Baila.
We all exchange looks and laugh.
“See,” says Baila. “Aren’t you glad we didn’t let you yell at Naftali? Told you that you should give him the benefit of the doubt!”
Chani agrees. “Ok, I change my vote. The best part of Chanukah is definitely the scavenger hunt! Having no school comes second.” We all nod in unison.
“Well,” I answer. “Looks like this year the scavenger hunt started before the game even began!”
As part of our ongoing effort to further the friendliness of Beth Aaron, we are happy to provide our weekly kiddushim. Kiddushim are held weekly, except when there are private events or rentals in the Social Hall. The Men’s Club is pleased to offer four options for kiddushim, both single-sponsored as well as multi-sponsored. Our standard weekly kiddush is the “Weekly Cold Kiddush.” WEEKLY KIDDUSHIM: Weekly dairy cold kiddushim with chips, cookies, and soda. Become a Mezonot sponsor for only $54 or a L’Chaim sponsor for $72. MULTI-SPONSORED KIDDUSH: Hot fleishik Kiddush with chulent, kugel, cakes and more. Multi-sponsored kiddushim are held approximately every six weeks. Sponsorships are only $200.
If you are celebrating a simcha, commemorating a yahrtzeit, or simply want to say “thank you,” consider sponsoring an upcoming kiddush. Visit our website to sponsor. If you have any questions, contact Ari Gononsky, [email protected].
Hashkama Minyan Kiddush “Society” We are a little more than halfway towards our goal in Year 2 for membership in the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush “Society.” Thank you to everyone who contributed in our inaugural year and helped make the monthly Hashkama Minyan Kiddush a success. To continue, we need you to renew your membership by contributing $54 to help keep the monthly hot Kiddush on Shabbat Mevorchim going for a second year. Contributions can be made online; please note in the “comments” section that the contribution is for the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush. Contact Ari Gononsky, [email protected], with any questions.
TREE OF LIFE
The Tree of Life commemorates the birth of a child or grandchild, honors someone, or celebrates a marriage or other family simcha. Leaves on the Tree of Life are $100 each. For further information, please contact Aviva Leffel, [email protected].
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Memorial plaques commemorate the passing of a loved one and perpetuate his or her memory. Plaques are $350 each. For further information, contact Aviva Leffel, [email protected], or Larry Kahn, [email protected].
TEANECK BOYS’ CHOIR
The Teaneck Boys’ Choir is now accepting new members for 5775. We welcome boys in grades 1 to 7 from Teaneck, Bergenfield, Paramus, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, and neighboring towns. The choir is known for its warm, haimish, and fun atmosphere, encouraging our boys to experience and learn teamwork and mutual respect. Be part of a great group, learn new songs, and take part in performances and CD recording. For information on enrollment, please contact Yehiel Levy, 201-357-5495, [email protected]. Yehiel Levy & Hillel Kapnick,Directors
NCSY
For information about NCSY events, or if you have questions, comments, and ideas, please mail Spence Weitzen, [email protected].
Laurence Rothwachs, Rabbi Yair Mayerfeld, President
Profile: Deena & David Fisher (continued from page 5)
“And you always can find great titles in the library/Beit Midrash, run by Josh Zakheim and Mitchell First,” David added.
Deena and David love entertaining. The guests they bring to Beth Aaron also are very impressed with the type of shul they experience. Both David’s father, who is not very religious, and Deena’s father, who is very religious, really enjoy davening in Beth Aaron, they noted, including the facts that there is no talking during the davening, there is a lot of diversity in the membership, and everyone gets along.
And what do they do when they aren’t working on behalf of Beth Aaron? Deena loves cooking and entertaining, traveling, and spending time outdoors. David’s hobbies include politics (but not shul politics), genealogy, and DNA.
Deena and David have three children, Shmuli (age 11), Sorah (8), and Chaim (5), who are all at RYNJ.
The Mezuzah and the Menorah (continued from page 1)
The physical safety of our homes and families are guaranteed at an unprecedented level. Sadly, they are being bombarded by influences that are of grave danger to the soul. Never before have our homes so closely resembled buildings without walls. Through the wonders of high speed Internet and cable connections, we are attached to our surroundings to an incredible degree. There is no longer even the need for an outlet or wire for us to have the entire world at our fingertips. It is irresponsible to expect the mezuzah alone to serve as our filter. We must make sure that there are walls -- not to shut everything out, but to help preserve the sanctity of our homes.
We must not be naive about the stakes of this battle, nor can we afford to be blind to the fact that we have already suffered considerable casualties. What our children are being exposed to in our own basements and family rooms (and, at times, in their own bedrooms) often runs contrary to the values and identity we hope to pass on to them.
To crush Yavan and Greek culture is one step harder than to submit to them. The ultimate challenge lies in integrating the best of their innovations and initiatives and filtering out the good from the dangerous. As we confront the world, we will carry the menorah in our hand of strength and present a Judaism of great vibrancy and relevance. And we will work to preserve our unique identity with the help of our mezuzot and man-made walls.
