Erev Shabbat, May 8 (Pesach Sheni - Day 29 of Sefirah): 5:00p Weekly D'var Torah with Rabbi Herzfeld via Facebook Live 5:30p Layning of the Parsha led by Yedidya Milner-Gillers in honor of his Bar Mitzvah via Zoom join here - ( special link ) 6:30p Minchajoin here 6:45p Kabbalat Shabbat led by guest chazzan Eitan Rubin with a D'var Torah from Maharat Friedman join here 7:50p Candlelighting
Shabbat, May 9 ( Day 29 of Sefirah - Emor): 8:52p Havdalah join here
Mazel Tov to Yedidya Milner-Gillers and his family on his Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat! The entire congregation is invited as we celebrate with Yedidyavia Zoom on Friday afternoon when he will layn the parsha and give a D'var Torah beginning at 5:30 pm. ID: 928 9106 7526, Password: 197159.
Please note we will use our usual Zoom link for Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat led by our guest Chazzan, Eitan Rubin beginning at 6:30 pm.
We are saddened to announce the passing of Bradley Fields. Bradley's son, Noah Fields, will be accepting virtual shiva calls as follows: 9:30-11 am and 5-7pm Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Mondayvia Zoom Meeting ID: 313 611 0222, Password: 4NrAvM A recording of the funeral service can be foundhere Thank you to all our virtual learning sponsors from this past week! Pesha Rubinstein, Nina Tarley, Michael & Deborah Kopp, Monty Bennett, Maharat Ruth, and Dina Epstein, Eitan Levisohn & family. If you are interested in sponsoring a day of virtual learning for $54, please email Alejandra at alejandra@ostns.org.
Tomorrow's Virtual Learning (May 8) is sponsored by Dina Epstein, Eitan Levisohn, and family, in honor of Ellen Epstein as a thank you for providing endless care, concern, and support to us, our entire family, and the entire community during this and all times.
We are thrilled to announce WhiskedDC is now certified Kosher under DCKosher! Check out their productshere
Spotlight On........Tomorrow!
Next Week: Shabbat Services Led by Shulem Lemmer!
Community Resources
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington COVID-19: Rabbi Emergency Fund. During this unprecedented time, congregations, their members, and the larger community are experiencing unbelievable challenges including significant financial instability. To assist congregations in meeting these increasing community needs, The Federation, through its COVID-19 Emergency Funds established the Rabbi Emergency Fund to provide financial support directly to congregations for emergency use to help community members in need. These funds, up to $1500 per household, can be used to meet individual and family needs (e.g., housing, utilities, food, medical, mental health, or other relevant emergency needs of individuals and families that may or may not be covered by the Federal Stimulus) and are to be paid to the service provider (i.e. utility company, mortgage company, drug store or health company.) If you are experiencing financial challenges and these funds can be of assistance please contact Rabbi Herzfeld or Maharat Friedman.
Kosher Lunches for Children: Yad Yehuda has been authorized to distribute daily kosher lunches for ALL children age 18 and under, in partnership with Teach Coalition (a project of the Orthodox Union), the State of Maryland, Montgomery County, our schools and local kosher vendors. They expect this pilot program to begin in early- to mid-May, 2020; it has approval to operate for up to 60 days. For planning purposes, please complete this short survey asap at https://covidgw.com/moco
Shopping Angels DC is seeking volunteers and service recipients! Shopping Angels is a program designed to provide services to those populations deemed especially at-risk for the COVID-19 virus. To help ease the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear surrounding this pandemic, we are volunteering to personally deliver groceries or other necessities to those who may need to stay home. Shopping Angels is a free service. To receive services visit: https://shoppingangelsglobal.org/order To volunteer visit: https://shoppingangelsglobal.org/volunteer
Mayor Bowser has charged the ReOpen DC Advisory Group with providing big ideas and recommendations about how we can reopen in line with our values, as well as expert advice and proposed guidelines for specific sectors. We are trying to make sure all communities within the District are heard and are able to contribute to our reopening posture. Please find information for a survey and feedback mechanisms below:
For additional information about the survey, ReOpen DC Advisory Group, and COVID19 Specific information, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Comments on the Portion, Haftorah & Morning Prayers Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz
This Shabbos, parshas Emor is read. One of its features is a discussion of the manner in which the High Holidays and Festivals are to be celebrated. Those sections of the parsha constitute the Torah readings on the Festivals.
Emor also speaks of the obligation to count the Omer, the 49-day period between Pesach and Shavuos. The issue arises: On what day do we begin counting the 49 days? The Torah says "from the day after the Shabbos" (mi'macharas hashabbos). We interpret that the phrase “Shabbos” here to refer as referring to the first day of Pesach, so we start counting the Omer on the second day of Pesach -- actually, at the second Seder). In the past, some groups took the passage literally and started counting on a different day.
The 7-week period during which the Omer is counted is considered to be a sad period, during which we limit our enjoyment, because of the plague that affected Rabbi Akiva's students at this time. However, on Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, we celebrate, because the plague paused. This year, Lag B'omer is on May 12th.
One of the fundamental issues in Judaism is: What if a person is threatened with death unless he or she violates a commandment of the Torah? The answer of the rabbis is that with the exception of three fundamental prohibitions, a person should violate the Jewish law in order to preserve a life. The exceptions are if the saving of that life involved commiting idolatry, murder or incest. The rabbis learn this from the statement in the prior parsha, "ve'chay bahem", "and you shall live with them" (Vayikra 18:5) and the statement in this parsha, that a person should observe the law, so that God will be made holy ("ve'nikdashti"] among the Jewish people. (Vayikra: 22:31-32)
The parsha states that the court shall apply the same rules of law to citizens and to strangers: "mishpat echad" (Vayikra 24:22}. This has led to some questions as to how that should be interpreted. We lawyers have the same trouble with the "equal protection" clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The haftorah is from Ezekiel, 44:15-31.
Haftorah Video, by Hal Brodsky z"l
A video about this week's Haftorah can be viewed here: Ezek 44:15-31
Upcoming Virtual Learning Opportunities
To see the schedule and links for upcoming virtual services and classes schedule, visit our website's zoom page, ostns.org/zoom.
Synagogue Office info@ostns.org (202) 882-7225 Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld RabbiShmuel@ostns.org (202) 812-8900 Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman MaharatRuth@ostns.org (202) 882-7225, ext. 107 Monica Wolfe, Executive Director Monica.Wolfe@ostns.org (202) 882-7225, etx. 103 Lisa Redisch, Director of Youth & Family Programs youth@ostns.org (202) 882-7225, ext. 105 Board of Directors board@ostns.org Hospitality & Welcome Committee BeOurGuest@ostns.org Mikvah Chaim mikvahchaim.org attendant@mikvahchaim.org Cemetery Information cemetery@ostns.org (202) 882-7225
Please reach out! Our clergy and staff are here for you during this challenging time. If you need help with Zoom or accessing our content or if you require a volunteer for delivery assistance, please reach out to our Office Manager, Alejandra at alejandra@ostns.org. If you are in need of financial assistance or would simply like to connect, our clergy are accessible via email, by phone, or by video conference.
Ohev Sholom - The National Synagogue 1600 Jonquil Street NW Washington, DC 20012
