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Friday, December 17, 2010

Temple Sholom Weekly E-Bulletin

Temple Sholom E-Bulletin
December 17, 2010
Temple Sholom Sancuary

This Week 2

Saturday, December 18

Teen Choir, Rak Shabbat, YCFS Services

Monday, December 20

Nursery School Winter Vacation Begins

Friday, December 24

The Temple is closed

Find us on Facebook
Candle Lighting
Friday, Dec. 17
4:09 pm


Temple Sholom's
Worship Schedule

Friday, Dec. 17
6:30 - 7:15 pm

Saturday, Dec. 18
9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday, Dec. 19
8:30 - 9:15 am
Temple Sholom
Simcha Corner

jewish star image

Mazel Tov to:

Howard & Betty Ochs, on the B'not Mitzvah of their daughters, Danielle & Rachel.

Moti Bashan & Michele Levy, on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Kelly.

Michael & Ellen Wolfson, on the naming of their granddaughter, Jessica Abrams Schimmel. Parents are Joshua & Jennifer Schimmel.

Jeff Katz, for being accepted to Brandeis University early decision.

Evelyn Sutin, on the celebration of her birthday.


Upcoming Adult Education

at Temple Sholom

Refresh * Renew * Release

with Reb. Allison
Friday, January 7th, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Jewish Text Exploration

with Rabbi Mitch

Tuesdays, January 11th - February 8th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Martin Luther King & The Jews

Lunch 'n Learn with Rabbi Mitch Wednesday, January 12th, 12:00 - 1:00pm

Hebrew School for Adults

with Cantor Asa

Wednesdays, January 12th - February 9th, 7:00 - 8:30pm

Advanced Beginner Hebrew

with Reb Allison

Thursdays, January 13th - February 10th,

9:30 - 11:00 am

Parenting Discussion

with Rabbi Shira Leibowitz

Friday, January 14th, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Anti-Zionism is Anti Semitism

Lunch 'n Learn with Rabbi Mitch Wednesday, January 19th, 12:00 - 1:00pm

American Jews & Israel: The Beinart Controversy

Israel Study group facilitated

by Gaviel Rosenfeld

Sunday, January 23rd, 9:15 - 10:30 am

Addressing Racism in German Today Lunch 'n Learn presented by AJC with Eugene Dubow and Don Snyder Wednesday, January. 26th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

All programs are no fee. To register or for more information, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at mailto:sheila@ujafedgreenwich.org.


Rabbi Mitch's

Weekly Teaching


We just had the wonderful joy of hosting the Israeli Soldier Music Ensemble at the Temple as part of our Israel initiative for education and advocacy.

Now, preparing to leave on our congregational mission to Israel, and thinking about these incredible brave young Jews who defend the Jewish State, I was mindful of a story about Dvir Aminolav....


Click here to see the full version of this Teaching by Rabbi Mitch.

shabbat_artCongregational Shabbat Kiddish

Saturday, December 18th

Join our Teen Choir for Saturday morning services as we bless our group heading to Israel. Services will be followed by a congregational kiddish with families from the YCFS and Rak Shabbat services.

women's spirituality

Refresh * Renew * Release

Friday, January 7th, 9:30 - 10:30 am

Wear comfortable clothes, bring a bottle of water and join Reb Allison in the sanctuary to explore and nurture your spirit.

For more information, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at mailto:reiko.moriguchi@templesholom.com


Sisterhood's Mahjongg for the Masses

Monday, January 10th, and the 2nd Monday of EVERY month at 7:00 pm.

RSVP required to Phyllis Shapiro at 203-637-7809 or wigini@gmail.com


Broadway ConcertAn Interfaith Broadway Concert
Sponsored by Jewels by Viggi

Saturday, January 22nd, 7:30 pm
Come hear an eclectic group of talented singers from local churches and synagogues sing some of your favorite Broadway Show Tunes. This concert is part of The Sholom Center programming.

Concert is free of charge, but please consider becoming a patron. All proceeds will go the Sholom Center and support interfaith programming. For more information, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at alice.schoen@templesholom.com


ice skatingFamily Ice Skating (2nd -12th grades)
Sunday, January 23rd, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Bring your family and friends to the Dorothy Hamill Rink for a fun afternoon of ice skating. Cost of $10 per skater includes skate rental, skating, snacks, and private room!

To rsvp or more information, contact Josh Altman at 203-542-7163 or at mailto:alice.schoen@templesholom.com


Save the Date

Do You Go To Florida For The Winter

Friday & Saturday, February 18th & 19th
Join Rabbi Mitch at Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach for a musical Friday night service at 6:30 pm followed by dinner. Then again for Saturday morning services at 9:15 am followed by lunch.
Annual Gala

Sunday, April 10th, 6:00 pm

Join us as we honor Evelyn and Milton Sutin with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Josh Altman with the Distinctive Service Award and celebrate the Selma Maisel Nursery School's 20th Anniversary.

For more information, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at alice.schoen@templesholom.com


In and Around the Community...


Jewish Historical Society of Lower Fairfield County present their December Speaker Program "Eyewitness To Stalin's Soviet Regime",
Sunday, December 19th, 10:00 am at Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Drive, Stamford.

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Temple Sholom 300 East Putnam Avenue Greenwich CT 06830

Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching
By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz

rabbimitch@templesholom.com
Pictures from this past Sunday's
"Keep the Lights Burning"
FIDF Musical Ensemble Concert
can be found by clicking here

Parashat Vayechi
December 17, 2010
Teaching by Rabbi Mitch
rabbimitch@templesholom.com



We just had the wonderful joy of hosting the Israeli Soldier Music Ensemble at the Temple as part of our Israel initiative for education and advocacy.

Now, preparing to leave on our congregational mission to Israel, and thinking about these incredible brave young Jews who defend the Jewish State, I was mindful of a story about Dvir Aminolav.

The Gaza War was a three-week military conflict that took place in the Gaza Strip during the winter of 2008-2009 and was dubbed Operation Cast Lead.

Dvir Aminolav was the first Israeli soldier killed in that short, but terrible war, and his father had died two years earlier after a long illness. The loss of Dvir was particularly traumatic. He was the only son among daughters, and had taken on many of the paternal responsibilities for his family.

On Dvir's birthday, his family and friends gathered around his grave. His mother, Dayla, shared there a very powerful story.

I was missing my son, terribly. One night before I went to bed, I said in a loud voice: "God, give me a sign, give me a hug from Dvir so that I will know that his death had some meaning."

It was quite some time before I fell asleep. That week my daughter asked me to accompany her to a musical performance at The International Crafts Festival in Jerusalem. I was feeling quite depressed and didn't want to go to the concert, but, I also didn't want to disappoint my daughter either, so I agreed to go halfheartedly.

The concert was a bit delayed. As the musicians were warming up, tuning their instruments, and testing the speaker system, a two-year-old boy, with beautiful blond curls, looking like a little angel, began wandering through the stands.

Without the slightest bit of self-consciousness, he walked right up to my seat and touched me on the shoulder.

My preschool teacher instincts were well in place, and as I saw the boy I was moved to smile warmly. I asked him with my softest and kindest voice: "What's your name?" "Eshel," the boy replied.

"That's a nice name. Do you want to be my friend, Eshel?"

The boy nodded in reply and sat down next to me. Eshel's parents were sitting two rows above, and thinking their little boy was bothering me, they asked him to come back up.

But, happy for the first time in a long time, I insisted that everything was fine. Then, the two-year-old Eshel chimed in, as only little children can: "I have a brother named Dvir."

I was shocked to hear the unusual name of my beloved son, and I walked up with Eshel the two rows to where his parents were sitting.

I saw a baby in his carriage, and apologizing, I said: "If you don't mind me asking, how old is your baby and when was he born?"

The baby's mother replied, "He was born right after the war in Gaza. Six months ago to be precise."

I swallowed hard. "Do you mind if I ask one more question?"

The mother said not at all, and Dalya asked: "Please tell me,

why did you choose to name him Dvir?"

Baby Dvir's mother began to explain. "I am an officer dealing with wounded soldiers in the army. When I was at the end of my pregnancy, the doctors suspected the fetus may have a very serious birth defect. Since it was the end of the pregnancy, there was little the doctors could do for me and my baby and I just had to wait and see how things would turn out. When I went home that night, the news reported that the first casualty in the war was a soldier named Dvir.


I was so saddened by this news that I decided to make a deal with God. 'If you give me a healthy son,' I said in my prayer, 'I promise to name him Dvir, in memory of the soldier that was killed.'"

I stood before this young mother with my mouth open, and finally managed to say: "I am Dvir's mother."


The young parents didn't believe me, and I repeated: "Yes, it's true. I am Dvir's mother. My name is Dalya Aminalov, from Pisgat Zeev."

The young mother had a sudden inspiration, and she handed me her baby and said: "Dvir wants to give you a hug."

I held the little baby boy in my arms and looked into his angelic face. The emotion I felt at that moment was overwhelming. I had asked for a hug from Dvir; and now I could truly feel his warm and loving embrace from the World to Come.

Miracles sometimes come from the combination of faith and fate. The first prime minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, had it right when he proclaimed: "In order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles."

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mitch


Temple Sholom
300 E. Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-869-7191

Temple Sholom | 300 East Putnam Avenue | Greenwich | CT | 06830

Breaking News: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Truck at Just Books Sat, Dec 18, 11am - 12:30pm

Just Books Holiday Store Front
Happy Holidays from Just Books
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
· · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · ·· · · · ·

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
HOLIDAY TREAT TRUCK
AT JUST BOOKS!!!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Truck
Just Books
28 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich, CT
Free and Open to the Public

Join Just Books as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Holiday Treat Truck comes to Just Books on Saturday, December 18th from 11am to 12:30pm. Get a free silly wrist band shaped like Greg Heffley's head, while supplies last. One wrist band limit per person.

Enter to win a signed copy of THE UGLY TRUTH and the new BOX OF BOOKS collection. Give the gift of Wimpy Kid this holiday season during this special event.


Please note: Jeff Kinney will not be make an appearance at this event and will not be signing books.


This is a free event, no sign-up is necessary.

_____________________________________________________

All Books Are Available to Order Online at
www.justbooks.org


AWARD WINNING JUST BOOKS


VOTED BEST INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE IN
FAIRFIELD COUNTY!!


Just Books would like to THANK the community for its continued support. The success of an independent neighborhood bookstore is dependent on its loyal customers.

-- Marion Holmes and the staff at Just Books
_____________________________________________________
Join Our Mailing List
JUST BOOKS
28 Arcadia Road
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
203-637-0707 · www.justbooks.org

STORE HOURS
M-F: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: 12pm-4pm
REMEMBER - JUST BOOKS HAS AUTHOR SIGNED BOOKS! LIMITED SUPPLIES AVAILABLE

Just Books is proud to support the community with a renewed and continued focus on customer service. Check out the Just Books' calendar for upcoming events, including book signings, book clubs, youth literacy and writing programs (Just Words @ Just Books on Monday nights). Also stop by anytime and meet the new owner Marion Holmes. Just Books also wants to hear from you, so please send us your favorites, recommendations and wish list! Just Books can special order any book, gift wrap and ship to anywhere in the U.S.

Call 203-637-0707 or visit www.justbooks.org for more information
Just Books | 28 Arcadia Road | Old Greenwich | CT | 06870

Last Day to get Tickets to the Rob Mathes Christmas Concert Dec 18, Palace Theatre!

RM CC 2010

17th Annual

Rob Mathes Christmas Concert
Featuring Rob Mathes & His All-Star Band

One Night Only!
Saturday, December 18, 8pm

Presented at:
The Palace Theatre
61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901

There are a FEW SEATS LEFT - so get yours today!
ALL SEATS AT THE PALACE ARE GREAT SEATS!
Hope to see you there!

$55, $40 & $35 (+ SCA handling fees)
www.SCALive.org or 203-325-4466

TTEC LogoConcert benefits
Through the Eyes of Children: SCA CCT
The Rwanda Project