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Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor of West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford,

Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford

YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

2240 ALBANY AVENUE

WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117

www.YoungIsraelWH.org

Shabbat Mevorchim

Parshiot Behar-Bechukotai

May 20, 2017 24 Iyyar 5777

Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by

The Young Israel of West Hartford

in honor of Yom Yerushalayim

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by

The Heart, Mind, and Soul Group

Rabbi Tuvia Brander Rabbi@youngisraelwh.org Editors: Judie Patel and Lauren Weiss bulletin@youngisraelwh.org

MAZEL TOV

To Debbie & Steven Luger on the birth of a granddaughter, Lily Anna Levi, Chaia Sima. Mazel tov to parents Rachel (Luger) & David Levi, aunt and uncle Rena & Eli Aroesty, and the entire Luger and Levi families.

To Laura & Stuart Miller on the birth of a Granddaughter, Sadie Belle, Yocheved Hodayah. Mazel tov to parents Tova (Miller) & Cameron Berns and the entire Miller and Berns families.

To Dr. Zev Davidovics on being presented the Early Career Investigator Award at the DDW conference.

The Young Israel welcomes the Shabbaton participants

from the Heart, Mind, and Soul Group.

CHOLIM LISTS

As Rosh Chodesh is upon us, our weekday Cholim

list will reset. If you would like David Goldfarb to

continue reciting a name, please contact him.

SHABBAT AFTERNOON CLASS

Explorations in the Significance and Identity of Yerushalayim

By Rabbi Tuvia Brander 7:00 PM

TEHILIM

The next Tehilim meeting will take place on Sun-day, May 28, for Rosh Chodesh Sivan. 7:30 PM at the home of Judie Patel (100 Lawler Road).

UPCOMING EVENTS

YOM YERUSHALAYIM

Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 P.M. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem with food, bonfires, and fun at Young Israel...and don’t forget the ice cream truck!

SHAVUOT SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE:

RABBI YOSEF BRONSTEIN

Wednesday, May 31-Thursday, Jun. 1

SHAVUOT BBQ LUNCHEON

Thursday, Jun. 1 - 2nd Day of Shavuot Join us after davening for a Shavuot BBQ Luncheon! $15/person, with a family maximum of $55. No charge for children under 3. RSVP at youngisraelwh.org/bbq.

GRADUATION KIDDUSH

Shabbat, Jun. 17 Come celebrate all of our graduates with a special Kiddush! Contact Judie Patel at judiep@gmail.com with graduate(s) information or to be a sponsor. Please include graduate name, school, grade, and degree. Suggested contribution of $36.

YOUNG ISRAEL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

DESSERT RECEPTION

Tuesday, Jun. 27, 7:00 PM Where fundraising is a laughing matter!

THE LAUFER SEFIRAH CHALLENGE

Sunday morning, Jun. 4 Special celebratory breakfast for all those who com-plete the count with a bracha. RSVP to admin@youngisraelwh.org.

Graciously sponsored by Audrey & Leon Laufer.

BARUCH DAYAN HA’EMET

Condolences to Bruce Hessing on the passing of his mother, Gloria Hessing z’l.

May the Almighty comfort the Hessing family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

SUNDAY MINYAN

Please note that all Sunday minyan davening will take place upstairs, as the Heart, Mind, and Soul Group will be meeting.

WEEKLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY MORNING GEMARA SHIUR Join Rabbi Brander for a light breakfast as we ex-plore the tractate of Horayot Sunday mornings imme-diately after davening.

PONDERING THE PARASHA

Explore the weekly Parasha over lunch with Rabbi Brander. Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 PM at the JCC. This class will be recorded; if you are interested in receiving the link, email admin@youngisraelwh.org.

SHABBAT MORNING CHAYEI ADAM CLASS

Travel through the Halakhic work, Chayei Adam, with Rabbi Avi Robinson. Shabbat mornings at 8:15 AM.

WOMEN’S SHABBAT AFTERNOON

MISHNAH CLASS

Join Jo Bruce in examining the tractate of Bava Kamma. This week at 6:00 PM.

YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD YOUTH DEPARTMENT

SHABBAT MORNING GROUPS

Groups meet weekly on Shabbat from 10:15 AM-11:15 AM. Children ages 5 and under are invited to Junior Groups on the carpet downstairs. Children Grades 1-5 are invited to partake in our Junior Congregation, also downstairs.

NCSY SPRING REGIONAL SHABBATON

Friday-Sunday, May 26-28 Grades 8-12 are invited to NCSY New England’s Spring Regional Shabbaton. Register at newengland.ncsy.org.

KIDZ CLUB: FUN IN THE PARK! Sunday, Jun. 11, 4:30-6:00 PM

Eisenhower Park (13 Sheep Hill Drive) Join the Young Israel Kidz Club for games, crafts, and snacks in the park. RSVP to devolustig@gmail.com.

BOOKKEEPER’S CORNER

SCRIP UPDATE

Crown Market cards are now reloadable. In order for us to account for these purchases, the initial card must be bought through the shul; however, it can then be reloaded at the store and will automatically connect to us.

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With many different honors and checks coming into the office, please be sure to indicate in the memo in English what payments are for. As always, Maria can be reached by email at Bookkeeper@youngisraelwh.org for any questions you may have.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A great way to mark an occasion, celebrate a simcha, or commemorate a loved one is through an acknowledgment to Young Israel. Please send all acknowledgements to Young Israel so that they may be processed, cards may be sent out, and notices may be placed in the weekly bulletin.

BUY SCRIP

Buy Young Israel of West Hartford Scrip! Scrip can even be used for online purchases! Please contact Daniella Robinson by phone at 516-286-0185 (cell) or 860-578-9515 (home).

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

HHNE’S 3RD ANNUAL 5K UNITY COLOR RUN

Wednesday, Jun. 7, 7:30 PM HHNE

Please join HHNE and celebrate our diverse commu-nity at the 3rd Annual 5k Color Run! All are welcome. Sign up as individuals or groups. Contact Mena Fiore at fiore@hhne.org or 860-231-0317.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Phyllis & Sid Ulreich

To Sally & Steve Malech in memory of Doreen Jacob. To Laura & Stuart Miller in memory of Eva Miller. To Debbie & Steve Luger in honor of the birth of a new granddaughter. To Laura & Stuart Miller in honor of the birth of a new granddaughter.

Vera Schwarcz To Debbie & Steve Luger in honor of the birth of a new granddaughter.

BOOK CLUB

Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Para-troopers who reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation By Yossi Klein Halevi

Parashat Bechukotai begins by describing the blessings and rewards that God promises to bestow

upon Benei Yisrael if they faithfully observe His commands. Many commentators have noted a jarring sen-

tence included among these magnificent promises: “ve-lo tig’al nafshi etkhem” – “I will not be repulsed by

you” (26:11). It seems peculiar, at first glance, that God would promise not to be “repulsed” by Benei Yisrael as

He speaks of the great rewards they will receive for complying with His laws. This promise becomes especially

striking when we consider the immediately preceding phrase, in which God promises, “I will make My dwelling

among you.” If Benei Yisrael have reached the level at which God wishes to “reside” among them, do we need

to be told that He will not be “repulsed”?

Rav Shimon Schwab, in his Ma’ayan Beit Ha-sho’eiva, suggests that this promise reflects the challenge

posed by the great blessing of closeness. Sensing that we are in God’s presence can be an intimidating feeling,

as we recognize our many faults and deficiencies, and realize that God is carefully observing and keenly aware

of everything we do. Indeed, one of the impediments to embracing Torah observance is the fear of the im-

mense pressure and anxiety that comes with a close relationship with God. Many people prefer simply distanc-

ing themselves from God, rather than live with this constant awareness of His presence and close involvement

in their lives, which can result in a great deal of stress and anxiety. God therefore assures us that even as He

resides among us, “ve-lo tig’al nafshi etkhem” – He will not be “repulsed” by our mistakes and faults. Aware of

the human being’s innate state of imperfection, God promises to continue loving and cherishing us and our

relationship with Him, as long as we are sincerely trying to serve Him properly. When we work to be worthy

of His presence, then He assures us that this close relationship will be one of joy, fulfillment and comfort, and

not one characterized by tension and anxiety.

D’VAR TORAH

RABBI DAVID SILVERBERG

Sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact Rabbi

Young Israel of West Hartford Schedule of Services

May 19 - 26, 2017

Shabbat Mevorchim Parshiot Behar-Bechukotai

Friday, May 19 - Erev Shabbat

Shacharit 6:45 a.m.

Earliest Candle Lighting 6:37 p.m.

Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 p.m.

Calendar Candle Lighting 7:50 p.m.

Shabbat, May 20

Shabbat Morning Chayei Adam Class 8:15 a.m.

Shacharit 9:00 a.m.

Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:07 a.m.

Youth Programming 10:15 a.m.

Shabbat afternoon class 7:00 p.m.

Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit 7:45 p.m.

Maariv and Shabbat Ends 8:59 p.m.

Sunday, May 21 - Thursday, May 25

Earliest Tallit and Tefillin 4:25 a.m.

Shacharit…Sunday 8:15 a.m.

Shacharit...Monday and Thursday 6:40 a.m.

Shacharit...Tuesday and Wednesday 6:45 a.m.

Mincha and Maariv 7:55 p.m.

At the Young Israel of West Hartford

Friday, May 26 - Erev Shabbat

Shacharit - Rosh Chodesh Sivan 6:30 a.m.

Earliest Candle Lighting 6:42 p.m.

Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 p.m.

Calendar Candle Lighting 7:57 p.m.

It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush

or Seudah Shlishit!

To sponsor a Kiddush,

please contact Rafi Gasner

at Kiddush@youngisraelwh.org.

All payments must be received by the

Young Israel office the Sunday prior

to your Kiddush date.

Payments may be made online.

To sponsor Seudah Shlishit,

please contact Steve Luger

at swluger2@yahoo.com.

Please send checks to Young Israel

of West Hartford or Steve Luger.

Next week’s Kiddush is sponsored

by the Bruce family in honor of Gavi’s

Bar Mitzvah.

To view upcoming Kiddushes, go to

youngisraelwh.org/Kiddush.

Check out the weekly schedule on the Young Israel of West Hartford website youngisraelwh.org/times Be sure to check out our Facebook page to keep up with all Young Israel happenings!

Ner La’Maor - Lights Betty & Irving Wizenfeld

in memory of

Betty’s Parents, Esther & Tobias Spira טוביה בן צבי אלימלך אסתר בת דוד הכהן

Irv ‘s Parents, Dina & Sam Wizenfeld

שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן דינה אתל בת נחמן

Pat La’Orchim Esther & David Glahn

In memory of David’s mother, Beverly

Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Audrey & Leon Laufer

In memory of Audrey’s parents, Norma & Herman Holtz

חיים לב בן אברהם נחמה בת אבא

Leon’s parents, Sara & Jacob Laufer יעקב בן מכאל חיה שרה בת ליפה

Sustainability Supplement

Juanita & Yitz Moss

Seudah Shlishit Supplement The Braunshweiger Children

5776 Candy Man You-Dah-Man

In honor of “Big Gene” and in memory of

Michelle Daman Wasserman

Ann & Jeremy Pava

Handy Man Good Humor Man

Edie & Sid Perew Rena & Eli Aroesty