ד”בס

JANUARY 5, 2019 JANUARY 5, 2019 JANUARY 5, 2019 JANUARY 5, 2019 ---- 28 TEVET 577928 TEVET 577928 TEVET 577928 TEVET 5779 SHABBAT MEVORCHIM SHABBAT MEVORCHIM SHABBAT MEVORCHIM SHABBAT MEVORCHIM ---- PARSHAT VAERA PARSHAT VAERA PARSHAT VAERA PARSHAT VAERA

Friday January 4Friday January 4Friday January 4Friday January 4 4:33 pm Candle Lighting 4:40 pm Mincha Friday January 11Friday January 11Friday January 11Friday January 11 4:40 pm Candle Lighting 4:50 pm Mincha 5:00 pm Musical Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, January 5Shabbat, January 5Shabbat, January 5Shabbat, January 5 7:30 am Hashkama Minyan 8:15 am Chumash-Rashi Shiur with Melech Halberstadt 9:00 am Shacharit: Sharp Sanctuary & Downstairs Minyan 10:00 am Youth Programs 4:20 pm Mincha 5:37 pm Shabbat Ends

TODAH RABAH to the sponsors:TODAH RABAH to the sponsors:TODAH RABAH to the sponsors:TODAH RABAH to the sponsors:

CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH:CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH:CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH:CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH:

Michael Klein and family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Michael’s mother, Lucy Klein z”l

Robbie & Avis Osher in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Robbie’s father, Morris Osher z”l

Ted Shoub & Yvette Rosenberg in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Yvette’s father, Tibor Rosenberg z”l (Yitzchak Eliezer ben Yosef Menachem)

Irwin & Ruth Talesnick in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Ruth’s mother, Bella Shermanz”l

DOWNSTAIRS MINYAN:DOWNSTAIRS MINYAN:DOWNSTAIRS MINYAN:DOWNSTAIRS MINYAN:

Jerry & Tammy Balitsky in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Tammy’s mother, Luba Muskatz”l

Jack & Eleanor Mintz in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Jack’s father, David Mintz z”l

• Mazal Tov to Irving & Raquel Benmergui Irving & Raquel Benmergui Irving & Raquel Benmergui Irving & Raquel Benmergui on the engagement of their daughter, NaomiNaomiNaomiNaomi, to Abraham Elmaleh, son of Moses & Mercedes Elmaleh. Proud grandmother is Zitta Milgrom. Delighted siblings are AudreyAudreyAudreyAudrey and Liora BenmerguiLiora BenmerguiLiora BenmerguiLiora Benmergui, Rabbi David & Miriam Elmaleh, Rabbi Amram & Noemie Elmaleh, Simy & Joseph Bitton, Esther & Daniel Hazan, and Yaakob Elmaleh.

• Mazal Tov to Albert & Sylvia Benzaquen Albert & Sylvia Benzaquen Albert & Sylvia Benzaquen Albert & Sylvia Benzaquen on the engagement of their daughter, CamillaCamillaCamillaCamilla, to Ari Eidelshtein, son of Eli & Feiga Eidelshtein. Excited siblings are Adam BenzaquenAdam BenzaquenAdam BenzaquenAdam Benzaquen, and Miriam, Joshua and Joseph Eidelshtein. Proud grandmothers are Chana Eidelshtein and Rachel Sivak.

• Mazal Tov to Steven & Shoshana Stern Steven & Shoshana Stern Steven & Shoshana Stern Steven & Shoshana Stern and Freda & Barnes Reeveswhit on the birth of a granddaughter, Alexandra Haia, daughter of Ariel & Danielle Stern. Excited brother is Rafael.

MAZAL TOV AND OTHER MEMBERS MATTERS

SHAAREI SHOMAYIM UPCOMING PROGRAMS • Mondays, January 7-28, 7:30 pm - Judaism & Christianity at the Cross Roads: Part 2 Judaism & Christianity at the Cross Roads: Part 2 Judaism & Christianity at the Cross Roads: Part 2 Judaism & Christianity at the Cross Roads: Part 2 with Rabbi

Eli Cohen. A Shaarei Shomayim & Jews for Judaism Program. At Shaarei Shomayim. Free admission. Register at 416-789-0020 or carol@jewsforjudaism.ca.

• Friday, January 11, 5:00-6:00 pm - Musical Kabbalat Shabbat: Winter Fun!Musical Kabbalat Shabbat: Winter Fun!Musical Kabbalat Shabbat: Winter Fun!Musical Kabbalat Shabbat: Winter Fun! • Motzei Shabbat, January 12, 7:15 pm - KidsKidsKidsKids’ ’ ’ ’ BingoBingoBingoBingo. • Shabbat, January 18-19 - Shabbat Shira with the YShabbat Shira with the YShabbat Shira with the YShabbat Shira with the Y----Studs and Chazzan Josh Orzech.Studs and Chazzan Josh Orzech.Studs and Chazzan Josh Orzech.Studs and Chazzan Josh Orzech. • Shabbat, January 19, 9:30 am - Pray & Learn Pray & Learn Pray & Learn Pray & Learn with Dr. Elliott MalametDr. Elliott MalametDr. Elliott MalametDr. Elliott Malamet, on the topic “Can I Save

the World? Charity and the Big Picture.” • Wednesday, January 23, 2:00 pm - Catch the Spirit: Afternoon Lecture SeriesCatch the Spirit: Afternoon Lecture SeriesCatch the Spirit: Afternoon Lecture SeriesCatch the Spirit: Afternoon Lecture Series. • Shabbat, January 26 - YP and Young Families Shabbat LunchYP and Young Families Shabbat LunchYP and Young Families Shabbat LunchYP and Young Families Shabbat Lunch. To register and sponsor go to

shaareishomayim.shulcloud.com/form/YPYFLunch. • Wednesday, January 30, 8:00 pm - Parlour, Wine & Cheese Shiur for Young Professionals with Parlour, Wine & Cheese Shiur for Young Professionals with Parlour, Wine & Cheese Shiur for Young Professionals with Parlour, Wine & Cheese Shiur for Young Professionals with

Rabbi Jesse ShoreRabbi Jesse ShoreRabbi Jesse ShoreRabbi Jesse Shore, on the topic “Politics and Religion: Why the Taboo?” At the home of Rabbi Jesse & Lauren Shore. For details email RabbiShore@shomayim.org.

SHIURIM AND PROGRAM BREAKSSHIURIM AND PROGRAM BREAKSSHIURIM AND PROGRAM BREAKSSHIURIM AND PROGRAM BREAKS • Teen Minyan Teen Minyan Teen Minyan Teen Minyan and Bnei Akiva Snif Bnei Akiva Snif Bnei Akiva Snif Bnei Akiva Snif will not take place this Shabbat, January 5. They will

resume on Shabbat, January 12. • ParentParentParentParent----Child Learning with Rabbi Abbe Child Learning with Rabbi Abbe Child Learning with Rabbi Abbe Child Learning with Rabbi Abbe will not take place this Motzei Shabbat, January 5.

It will resume on Motzei Shabbat, January 12. • ChumashChumashChumashChumash----Rashi Shiur with Melech Halberstadt Rashi Shiur with Melech Halberstadt Rashi Shiur with Melech Halberstadt Rashi Shiur with Melech Halberstadt will not take place on Shabbatot, January 12

and 19. It will resume on Shabbat, January 26.

At Shaarei Shomayim, security is very important. Our security team continues to work hard to come up with security solutions. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the security committee co-chairs, Eric Ohayon Eric Ohayon Eric Ohayon Eric Ohayon and David Elharar David Elharar David Elharar David Elharar at security@shomayim.org. • During the week, as well as on Friday eveningDuring the week, as well as on Friday eveningDuring the week, as well as on Friday eveningDuring the week, as well as on Friday evening, only the north (parking lot) door to the building will be in use. There will

not be any access to the building via the main (Glencairn Ave.) doors or the west doors. Both of these entrances are for emergency exit only.

• For services on Shabbat morningFor services on Shabbat morningFor services on Shabbat morningFor services on Shabbat morning, the north and main doors will be open from 8:30 am. There will be a volunteer at the north door from 7:00 am until 8:30 am, letting people in.

• The west doors should not be used at any time for entry or exit from the building. The west doors should not be used at any time for entry or exit from the building. The west doors should not be used at any time for entry or exit from the building. The west doors should not be used at any time for entry or exit from the building. These doors have now been designated as an emergency exit only.

SECURITY MATTERS

Torah Reading:Torah Reading:Torah Reading:Torah Reading: Shemot 6:2 - 9:35 Hertz P. 232 Stone P. 318

Haftorah:Haftorah:Haftorah:Haftorah: Yechezkel 28:25 - 29:21 Hertz P. 244 Stone P. 1149

SHABBAT MATTERS

CELEBRATE OUR NEWCELEBRATE OUR NEWCELEBRATE OUR NEWCELEBRATE OUR NEW SHAAREI SHOMAYIM MEMBERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM MEMBERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM MEMBERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM MEMBERS

AND JOIN US FORAND JOIN US FORAND JOIN US FORAND JOIN US FOR

To sponsor please call the oKce.To sponsor please call the oKce.To sponsor please call the oKce.To sponsor please call the oKce.

MEANING BEFORE FREEDOMMEANING BEFORE FREEDOMMEANING BEFORE FREEDOMMEANING BEFORE FREEDOM

Our parsha begins in the middle of a conversation. Moshe has failed in his first attempt to free the Jewish people. Rather than improving their condition, his eMorts only made things worse. He returns to God dejected. In the last verse of last week’s portion, God responds, “You will see that which I will do to Pharaoh for with a great hand he will send them and with a great hand he will cast them out from his land.” The Torah does not tell us how Moshe responds to this aKrmation.

Our portion picks up with God continuing to instruct Moshe. Yet, God’s words do not seem to alleviate Moshe’s concerns. We hear of God’s relationships with Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov and God’s commitment to fulfill the covenant with them. Why are these messages of history and faith relevant at this horrible moment?

To answer this question we must appreciate that freedom is not simply a physical reality. Pharaoh had not merely declined Moshe’s request to free the Jews. In penalizing the people for aspiring for freedom, Pharaoh made a claim founded upon his own political perspective: “Do not reduce [the burden upon the Jews], for they are shirkers; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God!’” (5:8) Pharaoh asserts an interpretive framework. In his narrative, Jews exist only to build for Egypt. God responds by asserting that the Jewish people are special. They are descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. They have a destiny in terms of which Egyptian building quotas are less than irrelevant. God shows that freedom is a function of the stories we tell about ourselves.

The importance of such stories is as relevant now as ever. In an article in last February’s New York Magazine, Andrew Sullivan argues that the opioid epidemic is not simply about drug addiction.

To see this epidemic as simply a pharmaceutical or chemically addictive problem is to miss something: the despair that currently makes so many want to fly away. Opioids are just one of the ways Americans are trying to cope with an inhuman new world where everything is flat, where communication is virtual, and where those core elements of human happiness — faith, family, community — seem to elude so many.

To live, we do not just work for bread to eat. We need a reason to live. Today, many have lost that reason. Faith, family and community are crucial to regaining reasons to live. May God's ancient (yet eternally relevant) words to Moshe help us to become forces that encourage others to rediscover reason for life and freedom.

TORAH MATTERS: DATEDATEDATEDATE DAVENING TIMESDAVENING TIMESDAVENING TIMESDAVENING TIMES SHIURIM AND LECTURES SHIURIM AND LECTURES SHIURIM AND LECTURES SHIURIM AND LECTURES

Sunday, January 6 29 Tevet

8:30 am 4:40 pm

7:30 am Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler

Monday, January 7 1 Shevat Rosh ChodeshRosh ChodeshRosh ChodeshRosh Chodesh

6:45 / 7:45 am 4:40 pm

6:00 am 9:30 am

Tuesday, January 8 2 Shevat

7:00 / 7:45 am 4:40 pm

Wednesday, January 9 3 Shevat

7:00 / 7:45 am 4:40 pm

6:15 am

Thursday, January 10 4 Shevat

6:55 / 7:45 am 4:40 pm

Shacharit Mincha

6:10 am Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler

Friday, January 11 5 Shevat

7:00 / 7:45 am 4:40 pm 4:50 pm

Shacharit Candle Lighting Mincha

6:15 am Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler

6:15 am 9:30 am 1:30 pm 8:00 pm

Shacharit Mincha

Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Shore

Shacharit Mincha

Shacharit Mincha

Shacharit Mincha

Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler Nevi’im Acharonim Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler

Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Strauchler The Birth of Moral Selfhood Shiur with Dr. Zolty Yeshayah Shiur with Rabbi Torczyner Parshat Hashavua Shiur with Rabbi Diamond

MATTERS Youth ProgramsYouth ProgramsYouth ProgramsYouth Programs

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Stay and PlayStay and PlayStay and PlayStay and Play (Ages 0 - 3)

Room 101

Shaar ChadashShaar ChadashShaar ChadashShaar Chadash (Ages 2 - 5) Room 102

Shaar YafoShaar YafoShaar YafoShaar Yafo (Grade 1 - 2)

Room 103

Shaar AryehShaar AryehShaar AryehShaar Aryeh (Grade 3 - 5)

Room 105

Kriyat ShemaKriyat ShemaKriyat ShemaKriyat Shema should be recited after 5:40 pm this week. should be recited after 5:40 pm this week. should be recited after 5:40 pm this week. should be recited after 5:40 pm this week.

PARSHA MATTERS - by Rabbi Chaim Strauchler

CENTRE MECHITZA The centre mechitzacentre mechitzacentre mechitzacentre mechitza will be used on the following Shabbatot: January 12, February 9, March 16 and March 23.

Please make an extra eMort to come to the daily Minyanim to ensure that we have enough people for davening. Please make an extra eMort to come to the daily Minyanim to ensure that we have enough people for davening. Please make an extra eMort to come to the daily Minyanim to ensure that we have enough people for davening. Please make an extra eMort to come to the daily Minyanim to ensure that we have enough people for davening. Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!

Register now forRegister now forRegister now forRegister now for the Winterthe Winterthe Winterthe Winter----SpringSpringSpringSpring 2019201920192019 AfterAfterAfterAfter----School ProgramsSchool ProgramsSchool ProgramsSchool Programs! Go to shaareishomayim.shulcloud.com/afterschool.

We would like to acknowledge your milestones! Please let us know when there is a birth, Bar/Bat mitzvah, graduation, engagement, aufruf, wedding, significant birthday/anniversary, community recognition, illness, bereavement, or unveiling. Call or email Miriam in the shul oKce at 416-789-3213 or Miriam@Shomayim.org or donate online at Shomayim.org/donate.

Rabbi Chaim Strauchler Avital Strauchler, Rebbetzin Rabbi Jesse Shore, Assistant Rabbi Randall Craig, President Nicole Toledano, Executive Director 470 Glencairn Avenue | Toronto, ON M5N 1V8 | Tel 416-789-3213 | Fax 416-789-1728

WWW.SHOMAYIM.ORG

YAHRZEITS DATEDATEDATEDATE YAHRZEITS BEING OBSERVEDYAHRZEITS BEING OBSERVEDYAHRZEITS BEING OBSERVEDYAHRZEITS BEING OBSERVED

Shabbat, January 5 28 Tevet

Joseph Krakowsky, father of Harry Krakowsky Sal Meibergen, father of Elly Friedman

Sunday, January 6 29 Tevet

Lucy Klein, mother of Michael Klein Edith Hyman, sister of Ralph Etigson

Isy Pratzer, father of Elan Pratzer Tibor Rosenberg, father of Yvette Rosenberg

Monday, January 7 1 Shevat

Shayna Kaye, mother of Glory Goldman Luba Muskat, mother of Tammy Balitsky Chaim Neuhaus, father of Shirley Schildkraut

Morris Osher, father of Robbie Osher Melvin Ostro, husband of Celia Ostro and father of Michael Ostro

Tuesday, January 8 2 Shevat

Sid Laufer, husband of Rebecca Laufer David Mintz, father of Jack Mintz

Wednesday, January 9 3 Shevat

Jeanette Blatt, mother of David Blatt Helen Dyment, mother of Susan Pancer and Elizabeth

Weber Edith Nusbaum, wife of Mark Nusbaum and mother of Shari Weil

Victor Reiss, father of Irving Reiss Bella Sherman, mother of Ruth Talesnick

Thursday, January 10 4 Shevat

Friday, January 11 5 Shevat

Toby Bottner, mother of Marlene Bottner Claire Fromer, mother of Brenda Bessin and Beverley

Fromer Charlotte Kahn, mother of Jane Chapnick

Mary Seaberg, mother of David Seaberg William Ulmer, father of John Ulmer and Linda Waks

REFUAH SHLEIMAHz Pinchas Tzvi ben Basya, Yita Hentcha bat Shoshana, Rachmiel ben Dvorah (Randall Craig), Geula Liba Yehudit bat Gittel Tzipra, Leah bat Sarah, Hesha Channah bat Bayla, Michael Mordechai Avraham ben Hinda Rifka, Yishai ben Tzipora, Sura Blima bat Sheindel, Eliyahu ben Ryejah, Yakov Israel ben Carmella, Miriam bat Chaya, Yitzchak ben Chaya Raizel, Eliyahu Yom Tov ben Leah, Leah bat Masha, Oved ben Regina, Ophira bat Raanana, Shlomo Shraga ben Esther, Zvi ben Golda, Yehuda Yosef ben Miriam Yocheved, Elyakim ben Meril, Yosef ben Esther, Rachel bat Leah, Yekutiel ben Sara, Sara bat Yocheved.

COMMUNITY MATTERS • Sunday, January 6, 2:00 pm - Toronto Shidduch Initiative: Communal Tefilla and KinnosToronto Shidduch Initiative: Communal Tefilla and KinnosToronto Shidduch Initiative: Communal Tefilla and KinnosToronto Shidduch Initiative: Communal Tefilla and Kinnos. For men, women and singles. At Bais

Yaakov Elementary School, 15 Saranac Blvd. • Sundays, January 6-February 17, 10:30 am - FRUMBA: WomenFRUMBA: WomenFRUMBA: WomenFRUMBA: Women’’’’s Cardio Dance Fitnesss Cardio Dance Fitnesss Cardio Dance Fitnesss Cardio Dance Fitness. No previous experience needed, all ages

of women welcome. At Shaarei Shomayim. To register email Bette at frumbadance@gmail.com. • Motzei Shabbat, January 19, 7:30 pm - North American Premiere of North American Premiere of North American Premiere of North American Premiere of The Good NaziThe Good NaziThe Good NaziThe Good Nazi, a film by Simcha Jacobovici, directed by Ric

Esther Bienstock. The film is based on the life of Major Karl Plagge, a member of the SS, who during World War II saved 200 Jews. At the BAYT. Register at bayt.ca/event/the-good-nazi.html.

• Sunday, January 27, 3:00 pm - Pedal for a Purpose: A Private Spin Class with Jewish Family & Child Emerging LeadersPedal for a Purpose: A Private Spin Class with Jewish Family & Child Emerging LeadersPedal for a Purpose: A Private Spin Class with Jewish Family & Child Emerging LeadersPedal for a Purpose: A Private Spin Class with Jewish Family & Child Emerging Leaders. JF&CS professionals will answer questions and help explore issues around life's stressors, the illnesses that we can't see, and how we can improve our mental health. At CYCLEBAR Leaside, 1866 Bayview Ave. suite 103. Register at jfcsemergingleaders.com/pedal.

• Thursday, January 31, 7:30 pm - Antisemitism: Here and Now Antisemitism: Here and Now Antisemitism: Here and Now Antisemitism: Here and Now –––– International Holocaust Remembrance Day Discussion with International Holocaust Remembrance Day Discussion with International Holocaust Remembrance Day Discussion with International Holocaust Remembrance Day Discussion with Prof. Deborah LipstadtProf. Deborah LipstadtProf. Deborah LipstadtProf. Deborah Lipstadt. A Sarah & Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre program. At the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. 2nd Floor. To register go to holocaustcentre.com.

Our sincere condolences to Gady Meir & Donna Friedman Meir, Avi Meir & Rachel Silber, Gili & Harold RosenGili & Harold RosenGili & Harold RosenGili & Harold Rosen and families, on the loss of their father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather, Amram Meir z”l.

CONDOLENCES

SHAAREI SHOMAYIM LOCKERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM LOCKERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM LOCKERSSHAAREI SHOMAYIM LOCKERS Lockers are available for members for $36/year. Please ensure that you report your locker number to the oKce as we are doing our annual audit.