Parashat toldot

10-10 Norma Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

Phone (201) 796-5040 / Fax (201) 796-2415

www.fljc.com


The Insider

Shabbat Shalom

CANDLE LIGHTING 4:12

PARASHAT TOLDOT

TORAH PORTION: 26:23-27:27

HAFTORAH PORTION: Samuel I 20:18-42

29 CHESHVAN 5772

NOVEMBER 25,26 2011
MAZEL TOV!

Ilene Laufer & Richard Flanzman on their son Samuel's recitation of this week's Haftarah.

Carolyn Shenberg celebrating her 70th birthday!

Betty & Robert Nussman on the engagement of their son Jay to

Jessica Cohen.

Marilyn & Jay Fishkin on the marriage of their daughter Andrea to

Dan Meyer.

If you have a simcha or special occasion that you

would like to share with your Center Family,

please call the office at

201-796-5040 or email thefljc@aol.com.
A COMMENT ON THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION BY RABBI ROTH

Jewish Prayer is Always in the Plural- Except When It is Not

Some of you may recall a lesson you learned at some point in your Jewish education, that Jewish prayer is usually expressed in the plural. We are a communal people. We require ten Jews, a minyan, in order to recite certain prayers. When we speak of God we most often say “Our God” and not “My God.” However there are a number of exceptions to this rule and one of the most notable is the following simple daily prayer that has special resonance this week. “I am grateful to You, the living, enduring Sovereign, for restoring my soul to me in compassion. You are faithful beyond measure.” That prayer, often know by its first Hebrew words, Modeh Ani, is said in the first person singular, and is recited immediately upon waking. In a commentary to our prayer book, Or Hadash, we read that, “…nothing is to be taken for granted, certainly not life itself. The first words of this prayer are perhaps the most important Modeh Ani [means] I am thankful. [emphasis added] The essence of prayer is the grateful acknowledgement of the gifts we have been given. (Rabbi Reuven Hammer). That prayer is a reminder that each of us should feel an individual obligation to express appreciation. What gifts have you been given? What personal words of thanksgiving would be appropriate for you to say this week? I hope all of you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, and also feel a personal responsibility to thank those around you directly. It is not only our Rabbis but psychologists who emphasize individuals expressing thanks. They say, according to the New York Times this week, that there is a direct connection between giving thanks and better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety, and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners. Modeh Ani is a daily reminder of that lesson. We start each day thanking God, and then we can continue by individually thanking those around us. Fulfilling our religious obligations can lead us to a path to a better life.

It is not often that a movie about a Conservative Rabbi appears. The film, Have a Little Faith, is based on the book of the same name by Mitch Albom. It is about Rabbi Albert Lewis and will air this Sunday evening November 27^th on ABC at 9:00 PM. Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie, was asked by Rabbi Lewis, his childhood Rabbi, to give a eulogy at his funeral. The author spends time with Rabbi Lewis and learns a great deal about faith, and facing the declining years of one’s life. I was inspired by the book. My colleague and classmate at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the son of Rabbi Lewis, Rabbi Shalom Lewis, saw a preview and said that the movie is very inspiring. I hope you will watch it.

Join Rabbi Roth for this popular Tuesday lunch and learn. Engage in challenging discussion regarding portions from the Torah. All texts are read in English and each class is independent of one another, so come as often as you can! All are welcome and the bagels are fresh!!!

This week's Kiddush is being sponsored by Ilene Laufer & Richard Flanzman, in honor of their son, Samuel's recitation of the Haftarah and by Carolyn & Saul Shenberg, in honor of Carolyn's 70th birthday. If you would like to sponsor a Kiddush, please call the Center office at 201-796-5040.

THIS SUNDAY'S BREAKFAST IS BEING SPONSORED BY ELLEN & BERT WERTHEIM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A SUNDAY BREAKFAST, PLEASE CALL JERRY WEINER.

Our special rates for summertime kiddushim, was such a hit, that we have decided to continue a special price throughout the year. If you are commemorating a Yahrzeit or if you are celebrating a simcha, you can sponsor a kiddush after Shabbat Services when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah taking place. Call the Center office and select your date now!

We are purchasing a new refrigerator for our Nursery School. Any member that would be able to make a contribution to help us defray the cost, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your generosity!
ADULT EDUCATION FALL SERIES

ADULT EDUCATION FALL SERIES , DECEMBER 1, 2011 8:00 PM

Rabbi Roth and Cantor Wasser will each teach a class. Rabbi Roth will discuss, COMFORTING THE MOURNER - RABBINIC TALES AND JEWISH TRADITIONS.Cantor Wasser will discuss, TRANSFORMATIONAL RITOLOGY - A STUDY OF LITTLE KNOWN JEWISH RITUALS OF INTEREST OVER THE CENTURIES.THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR CENTER MEMBERS AND GUESTS. LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. DON'T MISS THIS EXCELLENT & INTERESTING PROGRAM!!
INTRODUCING THE NEW FLJC/CBI SISTERHOOD JUDAICA WEBSTORE!

Visit our new webstore for a great selection of Judaica. All purchases benefit the FLJC Sisterhood.Look for the link on the FLJC website www.fljc.com. HAPPY SHOPPING!

“BAD FOR THE JEWS" Jews in the News Who Embarrass the Tribe, By Scott Sherman, Staff Writer for Stephen Colbert . SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011 10:00AM

Books are now available at Center office with your paid reservation! Makes a great Chanukah Gift! Enjoy breakfast and hear Scott Sherman discuss & sign his new book. Call the Center 201-796-5040 to RSVP. by November 23, 2011.

Admission includes a copy of the book. Members: $15.

Non-Members and RSVP's after Nov. 23: $18.
Israel Committee Presents :ISRAEL, THE MIDDLE EAST & A BIASED MEDIA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2011 10:00 AM Featuring talk show personality and fellow congregant STEVE MALZBERG *Is Israel held to a higher standard?

*Does the media distort facts with regard to Israel and her enemies?

*What does the Arab Spring mean for Israel's security?

*Does the press ignore what leaders throughout the Middle East are saying about destroying the State of Israel? *Are future generations of Palestinians being taught to hate?

Breakfast will be served. There is no charge for this event. RSVP to Gary Baskind, baskjacob@aol.com or 917-881-5263 by December 6.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2011

We will need volunteers to cook/buy the items listed below and to bring them to the Center between 3:30 and 3:45 PM on Sunday, December 11.
MITZVAH INITIATIVE PROJECT: EMERGENCY SUPPLY PACKAGE

We are creating 50 winter emergency supply packages for Meals on Wheels recipients and others supported by Jewish Family Services in our community. During the winter, inclement weather can make it impossible for them to receive their needed delivery of food. We will give each of them a bag of emergency provisions for those times. We will be accepting donations from Monday, November 28 through Sunday, December 11, 2011. Many of the recipients are Holocaust survivors and/or depend on Meals on Wheels for their daily sustenance.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 8:00 PM "EMBRACING YIDDISH CULTURE AND YIDDISH VALUES, THEN AND NOW" Presenter: Bernie Roth - Our FLJC/CBI resident expert on Yiddishkeit. Mr. Roth has been a student and a speaker about Yiddish culture for many years. A forshpeis (appetizer) and much more to come...What our Grandparents knew, and failed to tell us.FREE ADMISSION &LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!

DECEMBER 17, 2011 10:00 - 10:45 AM SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Tot Shabbat is FREE and open to anyone!Families with children ages birth to six meet for a 30 minute celebration, including singing, stories and movement followed by snack and socializing

Join us the third Saturday of every month! Questions? Contact: Wendy Grinberg at fljctots@yahoo.com Bring friends and make friends!!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2011 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Join the Sisterhood and the Men's Progress Club of the FLJC/CBI to celebrate Hanukkah with songs, games, latkes, donuts and lots of fun!Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 14 by telephone to the FLJC office 201-796-5040 or by email to gailfr2@verizon.net .Donations are gladly accepted to defray the cost of this event!

The 61st USY International Convention is coming to Philadelphia this December 25 -29, 2011.

Make a personal commitment to come and see convention in action. We look forward to having a large delegation of Hagalil USYers at this year's convention. If you are a teen and interested in attending, or if you are interested in chaperoning, please contact Neil Garfinkle at 201-475-9053 or email at finkley#aol.com for a convention application. Scholarships are available. Call Rabbi Roth or June Aranoff at the Center Office to learn more. 201-796-5040
SAVE THE DATE

SHABBAT, JANUARY 7, 2012 MENSCHEN OF THE YEAR HONORING PHYLLIS MIRCHIN & FRAN WESTERMAN AND ALL OUR CENTER VOLUNTEERS!

The Howard and Joshua Herman Educational Center is seeking High School students to assist in the Religious School office. Earn Community Service Hours!Tuesdays: 3:45 - 6:00 PM Sundays: 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM Interested? Contact Judy Gutin, Principal principal.fljc@gmail.com, 201-796-7884