September 11, 2014
16 Elul 5774
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Shabbat Ki Tavo
Rachel Kapen

Following  Parashat Ki Tetze of last week,, ki Tavo means: as you come (to the Land).Like Ki Tetze, Ki Tavo   is also in the singular emphasizing the fact that  the words are meant for each and every one of the people personally.

In its first part, the parasha recounts the mitzvah of Bikurim- First fruits that are to be gathered and presented to the Kohen in the Beit HaMikdash. However, this isn't supposed to be the first of ANY fruit, only the ones from the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species which typifies the  best fruits of Eretz Israel: namely: wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olives, and date-honey.

In the Mishna there is a beautiful description of the Bikurim Procession going to Jerusalem:
"They, that were near to Jerusalem brought fresh figs and grapes, and they, that were far off Jerusalem brought dried figs and raisins. Before them went the ox , having its horns overlaid with gold and a wreath of olive leaves on its heads. The flute was played before them until they drew near to Yerushalayim . When they drew near to Yerushalayim they sent messengers before them and bedecked their baskets with their

First fruits."...

Another very important subject Ki Tavo covers is the one of the Maaser or Tithe, the apportioning of one tenth of the yield to the Levi. Actually, there  were several kinds  of the Maaser. What is called: Maaser  Rishon, the First Maaser was used for the maintenance of the Leviim who did not receive a plot of land like the rest of Bnai Israel. The Maaser Sheni had to be taken to Yerushalayim by the owner and be consumed there by him and the family or redeem it and use the proceeds  there. However,  in the third and Sixth year of the Shmitah-- this Maaser was fully dedicated to the  Poor, the orphan and the widow. It was also called: Maaser Ani- (with an ayin)  the Maaser of the Poor. Yet, despite the fact that the Levi was taken care of by klal Israel, he too had responsibilities to others. He couldn't be just a taker he too had to be a giver.  So from his Maaser he had to give a maaser to the Kohen.  Share and share alike.

 Judaism always made sure that the poor and most vulnerable members of society are well taken care of, so it  enacted special laws to make sure this is done. In later years of Jewish history it gave birth to special local organizations each community had to help its poor and disadvantaged such as we have today.

Yet, Parashat Ki Tavo is mostly known for the wonderful blessings  and most dreadful curses- which are chanted in a very low voice- but I have neither the space nor the inclination to deal with them here and now so stay tuned to Shabbat morning and in the meantime Shabbat Shalom.

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for additional insights on this week's parsha and others, visit The JTS Torah Commentary archive: 
May Their Memories Be For a Blessing 

SEPTEMBER YAHRTZEITS

9/12/2014 (17 Elul)        

Yosef Garber

 9/13/2014 (18 Elul)        

Leo Orel

9/14/2014 (19 Elul)        

Abraham Hurvich

9/16/2014 (21 Elul)        

Douglas Cohen

9/19/2014 (24 Elul)        

Lawrence Sklar

9/20/2014 (25 Elul)        

Mary Friedman

Lawrence Sklar

9/21/2014 (26 Elul)        

Ida Goode

Sophie Blau Konek

9/22/2014 (27 Elul)        

Robert Nusholtz

9/24/2014 (29 Elul)        

Malkah Muchkies

9/25/2014 (1 Tishrei)      

Nathan (Bob) Crone

Tillie Kershenbaum

9/26/2014 (2 Tishrei)      

Abraham Lewis

 9/28/2014 (4 Tishrei)      

Louis Glazier

9/29/2014 (5 Tishrei)      

Moishe Haar

9/30/2014 (6 Tishrei)      

Ruth Elbling

Paul Feiner

To make a donation to commemorate a yahrtzeit, please click here.  If you are a member of the synagogue and a yahrtzeit for your loved one is not on the list, please contact the synagogue office so we can update our records.

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SHABBAT SHALOM!
Shabbat Ki TavoShabbat Table
Friday, September 12th
 6 p.m. Chapel
Saturday, September 13th
 9 a.m. Services,
Sanctuary 
10 a.m.  Supervised Youth Room, lower level 
  Musical NotesLearn High Holiday melodies in the chapel, immediately following minha.

Kiddush Lunch* is sponsored by
Edith and Marvin Kolowski, Jay and Renee Kozlowski and Ruth Kozlowski in honor of Jay and Renee's anniversary, Renee's birthday and Marvin's recent birthday.  Kiddush Lunch is also sponsored by Sharon and Leonard Rosen in honor of David and Jillian's 3rd wedding anniversary and Elah's 3 month birthday.
*Kiddush Lunch is available through donations to the Kiddush Lunch Fund, the generosity of weekly sponsors, and volunteer efforts of our congregants and regular attendees. Please e-mail or call the synagogue office if you would like to sponsor a kiddush lunch. To sponsor as part of a "group," please e-mail Joanna Abramson or Mindy Shuback. You may also make a donation to the Kiddush Lunch Fund by clicking here. 
 
SNL
SATURDAY NIGHT LEARNING. Making Sense of the Mahzor (part I of III), September 13th, 6:30 p.m., will be at the home of Barbara and Irvin Kappy. Please rsvp here.

NEXT SHABBAT we will celebrate with Benjamin Rosenberg as he becomes a bar mitzvah.  Benji is the son of Karen and Howard Rosenberg, and brother of Jeremy, Maya and Elan.  Benji is also the grandson of Sheryl and Milton Gordon and Pessie and Al Rosenberg.

Rosh Hashanah HIGH HOLIDAY SET UP BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1 p.m. at Covenant Baptist Church.PLEASE E-MAIL JOHN MARCOTTE if you can assist in set-up, or to sign up for additional help that is needed. 
HIGH HOLIDAY PACKETS/TICKETS.    
If you have not received your packet, please contact the office.  Members requiring additional tickets, or guests needing to purchase tickets for the high holidays, please Please order your tickets prior to the 9/12 deadline to allow time for processing.
 
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Lulav and Etrog order form: Click here to download and print order form.  Deadline:  Sunday, September 22nd.

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COMMUNITY-WIDE SELICHOT SERVICE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH, 8:30 P.M. AT CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK.  Click here for flyer and complete information.
Upcoming Youth and Family Activities
ATID:  
8-12 Grade High School, Monday Nights
Opening Night:  Monday, September 15h
6:30-8 p.m., Adat Shalom Synagogue
For questions or information on how to register your student: 248-626-2153.

hot cocoa2 D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe (8-12 graders) and Shabbat Children's Workshop (ages 7-12) have returned!
11 a.m., lower level.
Future dates: 10/18, 11/8, 12/76, 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11, 5/9
 
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
Learning Opportunities
Adult Education
"Making Sense of the Machzor"
A 3-Part Series as part of SNL, Saturday Night Learning
Shabbat, September 13, 20 - 6:30 pm
Prepare for the Yamim Noraim over Seudah Shlishit, as we wrap up the season's Saturday Night Learning sessions.  
9/13 LOCATION:  

Adult Shabbat morning study with DrMitch Parker
"Reflections on the Siddur:  Hallel, Birkat Hamazon and Beyond"
September 6th., 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Future dates:  9/13, 10/18, 11/8, 11/22, 12/6, 12/20, 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23.

Mazel Tov 
Happy Birthday!

Birthday Cake

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 

 11 Beverly Avadenka

 11 Julia Feber

 11 Bernice Jacobson

 11 Michael Rosen

 12 Adam Baruch

 12 Samantha Dines

 12 John Marcotte

 13 Maxwell Rosen

 13 Benjamin Rosenberg

 15 Adena Wolf

 17 Linda Jacobson

 17 Renee Kozlowski

 18 Daniel Chudnow

 19 Carol Wiseman

 19 Karyn Zeff

 20 Madeline Jacobson

 20 Edith Kozlowski

 20 Samuel Saperstein

 23 Allan Lovinger

 25 Frances Chudnow

 27 Erika Finn

 27 Warren Lada

      Jewish Wedding

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 

 14 Jay & Renee Kozlowski

 

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If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.

Caring Community Information

Refuah Sh'leimah/Wishing a Speedy Recovery.  

Please e-mail Michael Golob or call the synagogue: 248-432-2729 to add a name to our communal mishebeirach list. 

 

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