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SEPTEMBER 11, 2011
A DAY THAT SHAPED A DECADE
PARSHAT KI TETZEI
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 I was flying on an airplane on September 11, 2001. It seemed like an ordinary Tuesday morning when I woke around 6 AM and kissed Dori goodbye. When I arrived in Detroit at 8:45 that morning, the day proved to be anything but ordinary.
Each of us has a story from that day; where we were when we heard the news, our shock and disbelief when the towers fell and learning the Pentagon was attacked, and the people we knew that were lost.
Much has happened in the world since that morning. We captured the evil masterminds behind this terrorist act. Our country has entered two wars and thousands of men and women have sacrificed their lives for our shared freedoms. Closer to home, some widows and widowers have remarried and taken the broken pieces of their lives and slowly put them back together. Others feel that their broken-ness has left them paralyzed from ever moving forward. The once home of the Towers that became a burning pit of twisted metal and debris is now being rebuilt into a new Freedom Tower. We have moved forward but, each step has been profoundly shaped by the events of that sunny, crystal blue Tuesday morning.
September 11, 2001 changed the world. It changed my life. It changed your life. It is hard to believe 10 years have passed. 10 years since our innocence was raped and our paranoia began. In some ways it feels like yesterday and in other ways, it seems that this way of life has always been our standard.
This week, we read the Torah portion Ki Tetzei which is part one of a sequence of two parshiot that is immediately followed by Ki Tavo. Ki Tetzei begins with a description of how we should leave our homeland to begin warfare. Next week, Ki Tavo begins with how we should enter the Promised Land. These two portions seem to explain to us the process of grief and challenge and how it is we exit one scenario to enter another. It speaks of transition and moving forward. It teaches us not to ignore our broken pieces, rather to use them as a mosaic in the life we rebuild and the life we make for ourselves. When looking at any mosaic,
what is clear regardless of its beauty, is that it comes from broken-pieces.
On this ten year anniversary of the worst day in America's history, I pray that we see the beauty in the mosaic and that we never ignore the pain that exists in each broken piece. May the best parts of our humanity that were shining bright in the wake of this attack - caring, consideration, concern, civility - be a beacon that shines bright for all nations and people to see. May our mosaic of memory be a tribute those that were killed and honor their collective memory and offer hope and inspiration. May those that perished always be a blessing. We promise to never forget them or that fateful day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Seth Kirshner
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THE MITZVAH OF A MINYANProviding a minyan for congregants who are in mourning, observing a yahrtzeit or who want to be part of a daily prayer service, can only happen with a strong volunteer effort. Thanks to all those who make it possible for our Temple to fullfill this important Mitzvah. To participate please contact Machla at shaffer@templeemanu-el.com
Please join us for Minyan:
- 7:30 AM on Wednesdays
- 9:00 AM on Sundays
- 7:00 PM on Mondays - Thursdays
The Minyan assignments for next week, Monday - Thursday, September 12 - 15 are as follows:
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
C. Goldfine, J. Goldin, Barry Goldman, Benjamin Goldman, G. Goldman
Board Members
F. Taubenfeld, D. Tuchman, F. Weingast, A. Wolfer
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Henry Goldrich, Holly Goldrich, J. Gorali, A. Gordon
Board Members
A. Wolpert, L. Yellin, B. Zingler, R. Aach
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
H. Gordon, P. Gordon, R. Gordon, A.Gorenstein, E. Gorfin,
B. Gothelf
Board Members
S. Abramow, B. Alster, L. Bader, L. Bodenstein
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
M. Grabell, J. Graubard, G. Graye, S. Graye, D. Greenberg
Board Members
H. Breindel, M. Brenner, B. Buchferer, J. Buchferer
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High Holiday Usher/Volunteer
Orientation Training Session
Monday, September 12 at 7:30 PM
Daily Chapel
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WEEKDAY SERVICES
Monday - Thursday
7:00 PM
Sunday - 9:00 AM
Friday, Sept. 9 Candles: 6:58 PM Service - 7:00 PM Saturday, Sept. 10 Service - 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary Babysitting - 9:30 AM B'NAI MITZVAH Henry Ferber Isabelle Ferber Mazal Tov to parents Jessica & David Cosloy and grandparents Rich & Lois Brodie and Barry & Sherry Cosloy on the naming of Goldie Yael Shabbat Candle Lighting |
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER TEN. To receive an e-mail only version of the TEN, please contact Shayron
at the Temple office
Join our mailing list |
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Did you know this
about Israel.....
According to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security. US officials are consulting with Israelies for advise on how to handle airborne security threats. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
TA'AM EMANU-EL
9:30 - 11:15 AM
Music Together
For Members & Prospective Members with children in Pre-K and under. A Rosh Hashannah program filled with friends, bagels, apples and honey. Click here for more information.
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MEN'S CLUB
First Meeting of the Year
Tuesday, September 13
after Minyan
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Wednesday, Sept 14
7:15 PM
High Holiday Workshop with Cantor Israel Singer
Make your High Holiday experience more meaningful
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Friday, September 16
6:00 pm - BBQ dinner
7:00 pm - Spirit & Song Kabbalat Shabbat Service
RSVP with payment to Temple office by Sept. 12
Temple Members - $25
Children - $18 (under 12)
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SELICHOT SERVICES
At the Jewish Museum,
New York City
Saturday, September 24th
Join us for a private viewing
of the exhibit,
"Culture & Continuity:
The Jewish Journey"
followed by Selichot
and refreshments
Buses will depart from
the Temple at 7:45 pm prompt! Please park at rear of Temple lot.
Temple Members: $18
Non-Members: $30
To register and for payment please contact Machla
at 201-750-9997 or shaffer@templeemanu-el.com
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Conservative Judaism:
A Community Conversation!
Jews and Others: Why Do We Label Ourselves?
Why Chancellor Eisen joins the lively conversation that is taking place on the JTS blog. You are sharing your experiences and discussing your beliefs about identity and uniqueness. Click here to read the essay and tell us what you think
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
FLORENCE MELTON ADULT MINI SCHOOL
Join a FREE class to
experience the Melton Mini School
Monday, September 19 7:30-9:15 pm
Wednesday, September 21 · 10:00 - 11:45 am
at Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
50 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus
RSVP melton@jfnnj.org, 201-820-3914
THE NIGHT OF 100 DINNERS
Have you ever wondered how to touch the lives of others who are in need in our community? You can do so by hosting a dinner for the Tenth Annual Night of 100 Dinners of Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson (JFS)
to be held on Saturday Eve. December 3, 2011
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