Rabbi Joshua Hammerman TBE Shabbat-O-Gram

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Prior Shabbat-O-Grams are archived at http://www.tbe.org/sog/index.php.

Check out my new blog at http://ononefoottheblog.blogspot.com/

Contents of the Shabbat O Gram:

(Click to scroll down)

Just the Facts

The (Occasionally) Ranting Rabbi

Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunities

Ask the Rabbi

Spiritual Journey on the Web

The Beth El Bar/Bat Mitzvah Commentary

Required Reading and Action Items (links to key articles on Israel and Jewish life)

Joke for the Week

Photos from the recent World Wide Wrap – see more at our website, www.tbe.org

Quote for the Week

The self-transformation of Esther and the Jewish community of Persia illustrates the importance of recognizing the influences of other cultures, including subtle economic and social pressures, which interfere with our spiritual values and can make us blind to political realities. At the same time, the Book of Esther clearly shows that it is not necessary to abandon Judaism for professional or political advancement, or vice versa. One can be both a loyal citizen and a practicing Jew.

Lesli Koppelman Ross

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Purim/TO_Purim_Themes/Exile_278.htm

JUST THE FACTS

Candle lighting: 6:42 pm on Friday, March 14, 2008. For Havdalah times, other Jewish calendar information, and to download a Jewish calendar to your PDA, click on http://www.hebcal.com/. To see the festivals of other faiths as well, go to http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/. The United Synagogue has updated its candlelighting information. To learn more, click here.

MAZAL TOV TO Noah Arons, WHO BECOMES BAR MITZVAH ON SHABBAT MORNING

THE FULL SERVICE SCHEDULE NOW APPEARS ON THE SEPARATE TBE ANNOUNCEMENTS E-MAIL

Shabbat Services:

6:30 - K-2 Dinner and program

7:30 - Friday night in the chapel

Shabbat morning

9:30 AM: Main Service

10:30 AM: Children’s services

Morning Minyan: 7:30 Weekdays, 9:30 Sundays

PLEASE COME TO MINYAN!

TO ENSURE A “GUARANTEED MINYAN” FOR THE DAY OF YOUR YAHRZEIT – GO TO THE ROSNER MINYAN MAKER AT WWW.TBE.ORG AND THEN NOTIFY OUR OFFICE.

Now you can become more comfortable with the prayers of our morning service by heading to…

http://www.tbe.org/site/sog/minyanmastery.htm

PURIM @TBE

6:30 Thursday night – family Megilla reading

7:30-9 – Carnival

8:15 – Full Megilla reading

9 – Beth El Idol – Karaoke contest

Torah Reading For Shabbat Morning

Parashat Vayikra / Zachor

The book of Leviticus begins

Torah Portion - Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26

1: 1:1-4
2: 1:5-9
3: 1:10-13
4: 1:14-17
5: 2:1-6
6: 2:7-13
7: 2:14-16

On Shabbat Zachor

Deuteronomy 25:17 - 25:19 (special maftir)

Haftarah: I Samuel 15:2 - 15:34)

Commentaries

“The Evil Doers’ Final Four”

In honor of Purim and the OTHER March madness going on, my son Ethan Hammerman, 17, came up with his brackets and seedings to decide who is the most evil evildoer in all of history and fiction. He discussed his “bracketology” at services on Shabbat Zachor. Keep in mind that this is done in the spirit of Purim, filled with parody and fun (which is why he left Hitler off of this list – with due respect to Mel Brooks and Charlie Chaplin, we preferred to consider his evil beyond parody for now). You’ll note that the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (from “Ghostbusters”) was the surprise of the tournament, but that ultimately, Haman and Voldemort were the finalists, and Harry Potter’s nemesis “won.” As a Pats fan, I objected to the inclusion of Bill Belichick, but at least that was balanced by the presence of George Steinbrenner on Ethan’s list. In the spirit of fun, then, here it is….

(1)Haman
Game 1 Details
(16)Eliot Spitzer