OSTNS SHABBOOM! for October 25, 2018

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OSTNS SHABBOOM! for October 25, 2018

10/25/2018 04:19:44 PM

Oct25

Energize your week with Ohev Sholom October 25, 2018

Shabbat Times and Announcements

Erev Shabbat, October 26 (Cheshvan 17)
5:56p Candle Lighting
6:00p Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, October 27: Vayera (Cheshvan 18)
9:15a Shacharit, with a Dvar Torah from Noah Klugman
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
11:45a Kiddush Luncheon
4:35p Daf Yomi
5:05p Chaim Fruchter's Shiur
5:35p Mincha, followed by Seudah Shlishit
6:56p Havdalah

Upcoming Kiddush Schedule
11/3: Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Herzfeld family in honor of Max's Bar Mitzvah
11/10: Kiddush (sponsorship available)
11/17: Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Laufer family

Mazel tov to Noah Klugman on becoming a bar mitzvah! This week's Kiddush Luncheon is sponsored by the Klugman family in Noah's honor.

This week's Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Francie & Josh Kranzberg in honor of the yahrzeit of Josh's father, Maurice Kranzberg.

AlefBlessed 2 is here! Visit ostns.org/alefblessed2 to order your packs.

Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington's Hope & Healing Gala will be held Sunday, Oct. 28. Our members Naomi & David Balto are co-chairs of the event. For more information visit bikurcholimgw.org.

On Monday, October 29 at 8:00pm, at the home of Lea & Jeff Mendelsohn, members of our community are invited to learn how we can work with World Emunah, an organization that has been caring for people in need in Israel for over 80 years. Join us as we explore what it could mean for our community to collaborate with this successful organization that exists to make a difference in the lives of Israeli citizens every day. This is an informational meeting, not a fundraiser. For more details, visit ostns.org/event/worldemunahmeeting.

Spotlight On...

Next Shabbat, November 3, following services
Table Topics: an alternative Kiddush experience in the Chadar Tikvah. Join other congregants for a nosh and to kibbitz. Volunteers are needed to assist in plating food for participants. Contact Stacey Watson to help.

Thursday, November 8, 7:30pm
On the eve of the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht (11/9-10/1938) and the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust By Bullets (4/14/1943), Miriam Gusevich and Peter Miles will share their design for a Jewish cemetery in Sambir, Ukraine. RSVP at ostns.org/event/sambir.

Monday, November 19, 7:45pm
Ariel Burger, author of Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom, takes us into Wiesel's classroom and crystallizes some of his greatest teachings and shares them in a powerful and meaningful way. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Parents: feel free to bring older children if you deem it appropriate for them. RSVP at ostns.org/event/witness.

Comments on the Portion and Haftorah, Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz

This week’s Parsha, Vayera, continues the story of Abraham. In keeping with God's promise, Sarah gives birth to Isaac (Ch.21).That part of Vayera is also the reading on the first day of Rosh Hashana. The climax of the Parsha is the reading of the Akedah, the so-called Binding of Isaac (Ch.22), which also serves as the reading on the second day of Rosh Hashana. Abraham accedes to God's instruction that he sacrifice his beloved son as an offering (olah) on a mountain designated by God. In a number of traditions, the Torah text of the Akedah is also said in full, daily, during the Morning Prayers, followed by this supplication: "Just as Abraham suppressed his mercy for his beloved son and was willing to slaughter him to do Your will, so may Your mercy suppress Your anger upon us..."

Further, in the Akedah story, we are told that Abraham, in following God's instruction to go to the designated mountain, "saddled his ass." The Midrash is puzzled: Did not Abraham, a man of means, have some persons to perform that task? The Midrash answers, famously, "Love cancels normal behavior." Abraham's eagerness to carry out God's wishes led him to do the menial work himself. Similarly, when Joseph, a viceroy in Egypt, prepared to be reunited with his father in Canaan, we are told that he harnessed his chariot himself (Bereshit 46). In contrast, when the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam went to "curse" the Jewish people, upon embarking on his journey, he saddled his ass himself (Bamidbar 22), because "Hatred cancels normal behavior."

The Haftorah is from the Second Book of Kings (Ch.4) and relates the story of the Prophet Elisha, student of Elijah, and his miraculous acts. Paralleling the story of Sarah, who gave birth after being childless, the Haftorah tells of Elisha's providing oil for a poor widow, a child for a woman who had been childless, and, finally, the miraculous revival of the child after his fatal illness. When the woman appeals to Elisha on behalf of her child who has died, we are told that Gehazi, Elisha's servant, callously pushes her aside. Elisha reproves him: "Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress." (Verse 27)

For a video by Hal Brodsky Z”L, about this week’s Haftorah portion, please click here.

Upcoming Events and Weekly Schedule

To view and register for upcoming events and weekly schedule, visit our website's online calendar.

CALENDAR

Kiddush Luncheon: Join the community for a Kiddush Luncheon following morning services. The meal is sponsored by the Klugman family in honor of Noah's Bar Mitzvah. Mazel tov, Noah! - Saturday, October 27 11:45am

October Taste of Ohev Supper Club: Sephardic Sunday Dinner: Just because Shabbos is over doesn't mean the fun stops! Keep the conversation (and your tastebuds) going with a delightful Sunday dinner at the Weismans, featuring delicious Sephardi dishes from the Weisman family archives. Dinner will be meat. Registration is now closed. - Sunday, October 28 5:00pm

Ohev Book Club: Join Ohev Sholom's monthly book club for lively discussion of a variety of novels, short stories, memoirs, and more. This month, Wendy Lachman and Belle Davis will lead a discussion on If All the Seas Were Ink: A Memoir, by Ilana Kurshan and The Girl from Foreign: A Memoir, by Sadia Shepard. All are welcome. - Sunday, October 28 7:30pm-9:00pm

World Emunah Meeting: Explore what it could mean for our community to collaborate with this successful organization that exists to make a difference in the lives of Israeli citizens every day. This is an informational meeting and not a fundraiser. - Monday, October 29 8:00pm

Kiddush Luncheon: Join the community for a Kiddush Luncheon following morning services. The meal is sponsored by the Herzfeld family in honor of Max's Bar Mitzvah. Mazel tov, Max! - Saturday, November 3 11:45am

Table Topics: An Alternative Kiddush Experience: Join other congregants for a nosh and to kibbitz. Volunteers are needed to assist in plating food for participants. - Saturday, November 3 11:45am

Shoftim: The Book of Judges with Rabbi Herzfeld: Please join Rabbi Herzfeld for a four-part class on the Book of Judges. - Begins Wednesday, November 7 6:45pm-7:30pm

Remember Sambir Lecture and Presentation: On the eve of the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht (11/9-10/1938) and the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust By Bullets (4/14/1943), Miriam Gusevich and Peter Miles will share their design for a Jewish cemetery in Sambir, Ukraine. - Thursday, November 8 7:30pm

Kiddush: Join the community for a Kiddush following morning services. To sponsor this meal, please contact the synagogue office. - Saturday, November 10 11:45am

Developmentally Different Adults Program: Residents of local group homes join with our congregation for dinner and music. We hope you can join us. No RSVP is required. - Tuesday, November 13 7:00pm

Board Meeting: Open to all members. - Wednesday, November 14 8:00pm

Kiddush Luncheon: Join the community for a Kiddush Luncheon following morning services. The meal is sponsored by Laufer family in gratitude for Erez escaping with only minor injuries from a terrifying fall. - Saturday, November 17 11:45am

Pickle Minyan: A monthly, youth-led minyan...with pickles. For grades 2-6. - Saturday, November 17 10:30am

Book Talk with Ariel Burger: Ariel Burger, author of Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom, takes us into Wiesel's classroom and crystallizes some of his greatest teachings and shares them in a powerful and meaningful way. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Parents: feel free to bring older children if you deem it appropriate for them. - Monday, November 19 7:45pm

Communal Thanksgiving Feast: Open to all and completely free! RSVP online. - Thursday, November 22 3:00pm

Kiddush Luncheon: Join the community for a Kiddush Luncheon following morning services. The meal is sponsored by the Lutzky family in honor of Milo & Luki's Bar Mitzvah. Mazel tov, Milo & Luki! - Saturday, November 24 11:45am

Farm to Table Ethical Shabbat: With Animal Welfare Specialist & Shochet, Yadidya Greenberg. - Friday, November 30 & Saturday, December 1

Sunday, October 28 (Cheshvan 19)
8:30a Shacharit
10:00a Class with Rabbi Ben Mintz (at his home)
5:00p October Taste of Ohev Supper Club: Sephardic Sunday Dinner
5:55p Mincha/Maariv
7:30p Ohev Book Club

Monday, October 29 (Cheshvan 20)
6:30a Shacharit
9:00a Women's Intermediate Parsha Class with Maharat Friedman
12:30p Women's Parsha Class with Rabbi Herzfeld
5:55p Mincha/Maariv
8:00p World Emunah Meeting

Tuesday, October 30 (Cheshvan 21)
6:30a Shacharit
5:55p Mincha/Maariv
7:45p Parsha Class with Maharat Friedman

Wednesday, October 31 (Cheshvan 22)
6:30a Shacharit
12:30p Downtown Torah Study with Rabbi Herzfeld
5:55p Mincha/Maariv

Thursday, November 1 (Cheshvan 23)
6:30a Shacharit
5:55p Mincha/Maariv

Erev Shabbat, November 2 (Cheshvan 24)
6:30a Shacharit
5:48p Candle Lighting
5:50p Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, November 3: Shabbat Mevarchim, Chayei Sara (Cheshvan 25)
9:15a Shacharit, with a Dvar Torah from Max Herzfeld
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
11:45a Kiddush Luncheon
4:25p Daf Yomi
4:55p Chaim Fruchter's Shiur
5:25p Mincha, followed by Seudah Shlishit
6:48p Havdalah

Sunday, November 4 (Cheshvan 26)
8:30a Shacharit
10:00a Class with Rabbi Ben Mintz (at his home)
4:45p Mincha/Maariv

Lifecycles

Support our community and its members by making a donation dedicated in honor of (IHO) or in memory of (IMO) a loved one.

DONATE

This Week's Birthdays

Earl Cherry
Steven Trauben
David Horowitz
Rachel Wildavsky
Ann Sultan
Shia Herzfeld
Talia Loeffler
Ora Fruchter
Elisheva Appelbaum
Samuel Fingerhut
Shlomo Perel

Don't see a birthday listed? Update your lifecycle events and more at ostns.org (login required)

Members Observing Yahrzeits

Shabbat
Harold Fruchter for father Alfred Fruchter

Monday
Stanley Marder for father Maxwell Frank Marder

Tuesday
Arlene Groner for father Jack Pianko
Barbara Ledeen for friend Constance B. Miller
Thomas Fodor for sister Suzanne Agatha Fodor

Wednesday
John Thomas for father John D. Thomas

Thursday
Joshua Kranzberg for father Maurice Kranzberg

Don't see a yahrzeit listed? Update your lifecycle events and more at ostns.org (login required)

Synagogue Office
info@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225
Sarah Shapiro, Executive Director
Sarah.Shapiro@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 103
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld
RabbiShmuel@ostns.org
(202) 812-8900
Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman
MaharatRuth@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 107
Stacey Watson, Director of Engagement
Stacey.Watson@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 102
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

Ohev Sholom - The National Synagogue
1600 Jonquil Street NW
Washington, DC 20012

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Tue, June 17 2025 21 Sivan 5785

Ohev Sholom Congregation 1600 Jonquil Street NW, Washington, DC 20012 (202) 882-7225

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