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.
click here to continue reading
|
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
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
|
Support B'nai Israel by using the Amazon button
to shop today!
|
|
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.
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 
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
|
UPCOMING YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES
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.
|
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

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

5085 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
248-432-2729 |
B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
QUICK LINKS:
|
|
|
|