November 6, 2014
13 Cheshvan 5775
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PARSHAT VAYERA

Why do certain nations thrive, while others disappear? Pundits and historians will tell you about political, economic and military factors.

However, our Torah informs us that ethical factors are far more consequential. Powerful nations fall if they are immoral, while weak ones succeed if they maintain moral excellence.

Chosen or Condemned

The Hebrew word tzachak, meaning to laugh, is employed several times in Parashat Vayera, most notably in relation to the birth and naming of our patriarch Yitzchak [Isaac]. The term is also used when Lot tells his sons-in-law that their home city of Sodom is about to be destroyed. They do not believe him, for his words are "like a joke (kimitzacheik) in their eyes."

To a social or political scientist, the possibility that a wealthy superpower like Sodom will disappear, or that an elderly couple will produce the future regional superpower seems ludicrous.

But this strange outcome is precisely what occurs. Abraham and Sarah have a child, through whom they become the ancestors of Klal Yisrael (the people of Israel). Meanwhile, the mighty city of Sodom is destroyed.


 

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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing 

NOVEMBER YAHRTZEITS

11/6/2014 (13 Heshvan)          

Philip Dines

Joseph Irving Friedman

Gertrude Nusholtz

11/10/2014 (17 Heshvan)        

Manny Chudnow

11/12/2014 (19 Heshvan)        

David Harris

11/13/2014 (20 Heshvan)        

Naomi Lillian Markowitz

Irving A. Rubin

Martin Segal

11/14/2014 (21 Heshvan)        

Nathan Weiner

11/15/2014 (22 Heshvan)        

Serena Weiss

11/17/2014 (24 Heshvan)        

Mary Katz

Robert Braverman

Alvin Jacobson

11/18/2014 (25 Heshvan)        

Fara Caplan Baer

11/20/2014 (27 Heshvan)        

Linda Kozlowski

11/22/2014 (29 Heshvan)        

Harry Golob

Pearl Klein

11/23/2014 (1 Kislev)  

Beatrice Leaderman

Esther Kert

11/25/2014 (3 Kislev)  

Randy Kohn

Rayetta Soverinsky

11/26/2014 (4 Kislev)  

Frank Herman Basch

11/29/2014 (7 Kislev)  

Jean Chitkin

William Klein

11/30/2014 (8 Kislev)  

Sheldon Kapen 

 

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.

   Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.  

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SHABBAT SHALOM
SHABBAT Vayera
Friday, November 7th
6 p.m. Services, Chapel
Saturday, November 8th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
10 a.m.  Supervised Youth Room
11 a.m.  Shabbat Children's Workshop, lower level
11 a.m.  Teen D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe, Social Hall
10:30 a.m. Reflections on the Siddur with Dr. Mitch Parker, lower level
This shabbat we will honor Veterans, both living and deceased, who have served our country.
Kiddush is sponsored by the following Kiddush Lunch Group: Fred and Mindy Shuback, Cheryl and Mitch Parker, Sharon and Leonard rosen, Robert and Laurie Kimmel, Dave and Fran Hundiak, Ed and Fran Chudnow, Evan and Leslie Chudnow, Rebecca Tron, and Sandy and Warren Lada.
If you would like to become part of a sponsoring lunch group, please e-mail Mindy Shuback.

Upcoming Simcha:  We look forward to celebrating with the entire Robbins family next Shabbat, November 15th, Parshat Chayei Sarah, when Adina will become a bat mitzvah.  

CONDOLENCES yahrtzeitcandle
To Robert and Joyce Breitman on the death of Robert's sister, Lorraine Eras.

To Robert and Laurie Kimmel on the death of Robert's father, Morris Kimmel.
May the Breitman and Kimmel families be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

SAVE THE DATES:
Saturday Evening, December 6th
Coffee House/Music and Dancing to the sounds of The Detroit Boomer Band, featuring our very own Frank Ellias. $10.00/person advanced reservation. Send rsvp's and payment to synagogue office.

Saturday February 7th
Talent Show Reprise. For details, or to register your act, please e-mail Frank Ellias.

UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
hot cocoa2 D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe (8-12 graders) and Shabbat Children's Workshop (ages 7-12) have returned! 
Future dates: 11/8, 12/6, 1/10, 2/7, 3/7, 4/11, 5/9  PLEASE WATCH THE WEEKLY SHABBAT BULLETIN FOR DETAILS.
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
RAMAH CANADA LOGO
Camp Ramah in Canada 
Summer 2015 
Information Sessions and Events 
ADULT EDUCATION
Shabbat morning study with Dr. Mitch Parker: 
"Reflections on the Siddur:  Hallel, Birkat Hamazon and Beyond." 
Future dates: 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.

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. 

 

Mazel Tov 
Happy Birthday!

Birthday Cake

 

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

 11 Nathan Gittleman

 13 Lorne Newhouse

 14 Joshua Jacobson

 19 Gail Kaye

 19 Martin Kurland

 19 Shelli Orzach

 20 Daniel Bernstein

 20 Robert Kimmel

 21 Adele Band

 22 Belmont Kershenbaum

 22 Ofer Ohana

 26 Leah Bernstein

 26 Jerry Knoppow

 26 Howard Friedman

 28 Paula Levy


Jewish Wedding

 

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

  7  Brian & Roxane Newhouse

 14  Dave Hundiak & Fran Stark-Hundiak

 20  Larry & Elyn Charlupski

 26  Miles & Debra Singer

 30  Michael & Betsy Wolf

To make a donation in honor of someone's birthday or anniversary, please click here.

If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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B'nai Israel Synagogue  
5085 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan  48323
248-432-2729
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

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