OSTNS SHABBOOM! for January 17, 2019

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OSTNS SHABBOOM! for January 17, 2019

01/17/2019 03:01:25 PM

Jan17

Energize your week with Ohev Sholom January 17, 2018

Shabbat Times and Announcements

Erev Shabbat, January 18 (Shevat 12)
6:30a Shacharit
4:55p Kabbalat Shabbat
4:55p Candle Lighting

Shabbat, January 19: Beshalach (Shevat 13)
8:15a Shacharit
9:15a Women's Tefillah Bat Mitzvah Celebration, with a Dvar Torah from Josie Silverberg
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
11:45a Kiddush Luncheon
12:05p Daf Yomi
4:35p Mincha, followed by Seudah Shlishit with a Shiur from Maharat Friedman
5:57p Havdalah

Upcoming Kiddush Schedule
1/26: Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Kaiser-Blueth family in honor of Zoe's bat mitzvah
2/2: Kiddush sponsored by the congregation in honor of Anna Yuter's 106th birthday
2/9: Kiddush sponsored by Pastries by Randolph
2/16: Kiddush

This Shabbat, we celebrate the third of four consecutive weeks of Bat Mitzvah celebrations. This means we will have a different schedule of services Shabbat mornings. For more information and to read a letter from Rabbi Herzfeld and Maharat Friedman, please click here.

Mazel tov to Josie Silverberg on her bat mitzvah! We welcome her family and friends joining us to celebrate this Shabbat. This week's Kiddush Luncheon is sponsored by the Gershman/Silverberg family in Josie's honor.

We are saddened to annouce the passing of Rabbi William Fertig, father of Sarah Fertig Trauben, father-in-law to Steven Trauben, and grandfather to Sasha and Judah Trauben. Visit ostns.org/lifecycle for shiva details (logged in members only).

We are saddened to annouce the passing of our member Joseph Spund. A graveside service will be held tomorrow (Friday, January 18) at 11:30am at Ohev Sholom Cemetery.

We extend our condolences to Rabbi Ethan Seidel of Tifereth Israel Congregation on the passing of his father, Barry Seidel. Visit ostns.org/lifecycle for shiva details (logged in members only).

Women's Tefillah We are pleased to present a calendar of upcoming Women's Tefillah gatherings here. Additionally, we are updating our database of skilled leiners and daveners. Please add your davening and/or leining skills to this document. If you wish to be added to the Women's Tefillah e-mail list please contact info@ostns.org so we may update your account.

2018 Tax Statements were emailed to members last week. If you did not receive this email or would prefer a paper copy by mail, email info@ostns.org.

Help Sponsor Kiddush & Dessert for Anna Yuter's 106th Birthday: On Shabbat, February 2, we will join together as a community to celebrate Anna's 106th Birthday. Please join us in honoring Anna's milestone by co-sponsoring kiddush/dessert. Suggested donation of $120 (ad me'ah v'esrim) but any donation of any amount is appreciated. Please make your donation by 1/28 at ostns.org/donate (include Anna's Birthday Kiddush in the notes) or by calling the front office.

Yad Yehuda's Capital Kosher Pantry needs donations of kosher food items to fill its shelves. To make it simple to donate, their staff have set up online "Wish Lists" which are regularly updated to reflect the pantry's current needs. Items are shipped directly to the Capital Kosher Pantry, usually with no shipping fee. Feel free to take advantage of any online sales you may find on relevant pantry items, but please verify that they have reliable kosher supervision. For links to the Pantry Wish Lists, please visit yadyehuda.org/pantry-wishlist.

In response to the current partial government shutdown, Yad Yehuda is offering interest-free loans to federal employees affected by the furlough. More information may be found atyadyehuda.org/furlough-loans.

MLK Jr. Day Program Change - Join us at Ohev on Monday!

RSVP

Spotlight On...

Friday, February 1st
5:15PM - Kabbalat Shabbat led by Shlomo Gaisin
6:15PM - Communal Shabbat Dinner followed by Tisch

Shabbat Dinner: $18/adult (before 1/25; $36 after), $10/youth 12 and under, free under 4, $75 family maximum

Saturday, February 2nd
9:15AM - Shacharit with a D'var Torah from Shlomo Gaisin
7:30-9:00PM - Community-wide Melava Malka at Milton Gottesman Primary Jewish Day School

Melava Malka is free of charge thanks to our generous sponsors. However, RSVP is requested.

Comments on the Torah Portion & Haftorah, Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz

In this week's Parsha, Beshalach, the Jewish people begin their journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. The Parsha includes the crossing of the Sea of Reeds, the drowning of the Egyptian pursuers, and the Songs of Moshe and Miriam. The Parshah concludes with the attack of the Amalekites.

A high point of the Parsha is the Song of the Sea, Shirat Hayam. Moshe begins his song, saying, "I will sing to the Lord, 'ki ga'o ga'eh'." These Hebrew words have traditionally been translated, "because he has triumphed gloriously." However, in his new translation of the Hebrew Bible, the scholar Robert Alter translates "Let me sing unto the Lord for He surged, O, surged." He bases this translation on a study of the Hebrew words, here and elsewhere in the Torah. One may wonder whether this new translation has contributed to Biblical understanding and appreciation.

When the Jewish people emerged safely from their crossing, the sea closed in on the Egyptian pursuers, who began to drown. The Talmud tells us that the Ministering Angels sought to sing a song before God. God responded, “My handiwork are drowning in the sea and you want to sing a song before me?” (Sanhedrin 39b). We learn of God's concern for all people.

Some rabbinical sources explain that in the prayer service during the intermediate and last days of Pesach, we omit two paragraphs of Hallel because the drowning of the Egyptians took place on the Seventh Day of Pesach. This fundamental ethical concept is also stated in the Ashrei prayer, Psalm 145, which is included in every morning service. "The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His works." (Verse 9).

The journey of the Israelites has just begun, and they are attacked by the Amalekites. This unprovoked attack is remembered by God. In the Book of Dvorim, the Jews are instructed not to forget the event, when Amalek "attacked you in your journey ... when you were tired and weak." (Dvorim, 25:17-18). Remembering the attack of Amalek is the basis of the special Shabbos, Shabbos Zachor, which immediately precedes Purim. (Haman, the villain of Purim, descended from Amalek.)

The Haftorah, from the Book of Shoftim, echoes the Parsha. It, too, includes a song -- the Song of Deborah, the Judge of Israel, celebrating the victory over the Canaanites. The Haftorah also includes the story of another heroine, Jael. Jael entices the Canaanite general, Sisera, into her tent, where she kills him by hammering a tent peg into his temple.. Deborah sings, "Most blessed among women is Jael . . . At her feet Sisera sank, lay outstretched where he sank, there he lay, destroyed" ( Judges 5:24 and 27).

Haftorah Video, by Hal Brodsky z"l

A video about this week's Haftorah can be viewed here: Judges 4:4-5:31

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 Gershman/Silverberg family in honor of Josie's bat mitzvah. Mazel tov, Josie! - Saturday, January 19 11:45am

MLK Jr. Day Program at Ohev Sholom: Join us for lunch (from Elife) and conversation with Phyllis Green (Member of our Neighborhood Advisory Council) and Ernest Green (Member of the Little Rock Nine). - Monday, January 21 11:30am-1:30pm

Board Meeting: Open to all members. - Wednesday, January 23 8:00pm

The David & Batsheba Story: Come learn with Rabbi Herzfeld on Wednesdays at 6:45pm. The story of David and Bathsheba reminds us of how great men who are called are still humans and struggle with sin. - Continues Wednesday, January 23 6:45pm-7:45pm

Taste of Ohev - Fireside Family Dinner: A family-friendly vegetarian meal complete with firebread and s'mores! Space for 2-3 families (about 10 guests). Hosted by the Nadata/Potvin family. - Saturday, January 26 6:30pm-8:30pm

Kiddush Luncheon: Join the community for a Kiddush luncheon following morning services. The meal is sponsored by the Kaiser-Blueth family in honor of Zoe's bat mitzvah. Mazel tov, Zoe! - Saturday, January 26 11:45am

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Informational Session for Parents: Please join us for an informational session on everything you need to know to plan your child's bar or bat mitzvah. Maharat Friedman, Rabbi Herzfeld, and Sarah Shapiro will provide a timeline of how to plan, and an overview of all of the logistical and ritual components. The session is intended for families planning a bar or bat mitzvah in 2019-2020, but all are welcome. - Wednesday, January 30 7:45pm-8:45pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Tisch with Zusha: Visit ostns.org/zusha for more details! - Friday, February 1 6:15pm

Jewish & Israeli Culture Film Series - 1945: Join us for the second screening in our three-part film series on Jewish and Israeli culture. We will be watching 1945, based on the acclaimed short story "Homecoming" by Gábor T. Szántó, about an Orthodox man and his grown son return to a village in Hungary while the villagers prepare for the wedding of the town clerk's son. The townspeople – suspicious, remorseful, fearful, and cunning – expect the worst and behave accordingly. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door; includes freshly popped popcorn and soda. - Saturday, February 9 7:30pm-9:30pm

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, February 12 7:00pm-8:00pm

Kosher Komedy: Ohev Sholom and OYP (Ohev Young Professionals) present Kosher Komedy featuring Leah Forster and a pop up restaurant from Pow Pow. - Saturday, February 23 7:30pm-9:30pm

Sunday, January 20 (Shevat 14)
8:30a Shacharit
10:00a Class with Rabbi Ben Mintz (at his home)
5:00p Mincha/Maariv

Monday, January 21: Tu B'Shvat (Shevat 15) - MLK Day (offices closed)
8:30a Shacharit
11:30a MLK Jr. Day Program at Ohev Sholom
5:00p Mincha/Maariv

Tuesday, January 22 (Shevat 16)
6:30a Shacharit
5:00p Mincha/Maariv
7:45p Parsha Class with Maharat Friedman

Wednesday, January 23 (Shevat 17)
6:30a Shacharit
12:30p Downtown Torah Study with Rabbi Herzfeld
5:00p Mincha/Maariv
6:45p The David & Batsheba Story
8:00p Board Meeting

Thursday, January 24 (Shevat 18)
9:00a Women's Intermediate Parsha Class with Maharat Friedman
6:30a Shacharit
5:00p Mincha/Maariv

Erev Shabbat, January 25 (Shevat 19)
6:30a Shacharit
5:03p Candle Lighting
5:05p Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, January 26: Yitro (Shevat 20)
8:15a Shacharit
9:15a Women's Tefillah Bat Mitzvah Celebration, with a Dvar Torah from Zoe Kaiser-Blueth
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
11:45a Kiddush Luncheon
3:45p Daf Yomi
4:15p Chaim Fruchter's Shiur
4:45p Mincha, followed by Seudah Shlishit
6:05p Havdalah
6:30p Taste of Ohev - Fireside Family Dinner

Sunday, January 27 (Shevat 21)
8:30a Shacharit
10:00a Class with Rabbi Ben Mintz (at his home)
5:10p 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

Ben Wildavsky
Gilad Skromne
Jessica Miller
Edward Kott
Ellen Reinach
Robert Sultan
Laura Torchinsky
Starr Stixrud
Josie Silverberg
Serah Meltzer Jeruchim
Carol Valoris

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

Members Observing Yahrzeits

Shabbat
Ann Werner for mother Betty Kober
Stephen Markowitz for maternal grandfather Beryl Levit
William Begal for father David Begal

Monday
Janice Epstein for husband Leon Epstein

Wednesday
Helene Reisler for brother James Richard Altschul
Raphael Glazer for mother Donna Glazer

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

MAKE A DONATION TO OHEV SHOLOM

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

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