December 12, 2024 – Volume 21 Number 24

At the beginning of this week's Torah portion, Vayishlach, Jacob sends messengers to his estranged brother, Esau, whom he has not seen in twenty years. Esau is approaching Jacob and his family with a large assembly of men, and Jacob, having fled Esau’s rage from being deceived by his younger twin brother, is frightened. The night before he is to reunite with his brother, Jacob finds himself alone, wrestling with an unknown figure. The figure says, “Let me go, for dawn is breaking.” And Jacob answers, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” The figure asks, “What is your name?” He replies, “Jacob.” The figure says, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:27-29)

Many interpret Jacob as wrestling with a messenger of the Divine, an angel. But Rambam, a 12th century rabbi and philosopher, argued that it is impossible to wrestle with an angel, and explained the encounter as a dream or holy vision. Jacob being asked what his name is by the figure is not merely a set up to announce his new name as Israel. Rather, Jacob is not only wrestling with a divine being but also with his inner self. Jacob’s words, asking the figure to bless him, harken back to Parashat Toldot, where he tricked Esau, claiming the blessing of the first born for himself. ““Have you but one blessing, Father? Bless me too, Father!” And Esau wept aloud.” (Genesis 27:38) Jacob needs to decide if he is still the Jacob of his youth, who will deceive and hurt his brother for his own personal gain? Or is he ready to grow into the adult that he is, a person of conscience, and take on this new name, Israel?

It is written in a Hasidic tale, “In every age, God addresses every person with the question ‘where are you in your world? Already so many of your allotted years and days have passed. How far have you come in your world?’” This call from the Divine is a call to be self-aware, so that we too can ask ourselves who we are, “What is the name I have made for myself, and what is the name I am capable of achieving? Am I where I want to be in my world?” To live our lives authentically as the people we are meant to be, we must heed the questions that we ask of ourselves. Wrestling with ourselves is akin to wrestling with the Divine. In doing so we are capable of living honest lives filled with growth and introspection. Growing into ourselves and answering the questions of “Who am I? Where am I in my world?” is one of the greatest blessings we have as human beings.

Shabbat shalom,

Eden Anolick, Rabbinic Intern

LAST COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNER OF 2024!

OPEN TO ALL

THIS Friday, December 13th

Service 6pm

Dinner by RSVP Only 7pm

SERVICE: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, inspiring storyteller and Director of “The Theodore Bikel Legacy Project,” will be the guest speaker for 6 pm services. All are welcome!

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Still want to attend the dinner? Please reach out to the Temple Office VIA EMAIL AT [email protected] before NOON Friday to check for availability for the dinner.

BRUNCH & "FILM" Documentary Showing

THIS Sunday, December 15th

10:30 am

Join us for FREE Brunch, and film, “In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem” … a moving autobiographical film about Theodore Bikel. Q&A will follow the film with Aimee Ginsburg Bikel. Click here to RSVP for Brunch & "Film" Documentary

VOLUNTEER AT A TEMPLE FAVORITE: "VODKAS & LATKES!"

THIS Monday, December 16th, 6 – 10 pm

Frying latkes begins at 6 pm, while drinking vodka.

Latkes will be served at the "Latke Bar" at the Shabbat/Chanukah Service with Festive Music on Friday, December 20th. Come early at 6:30 pm for the Pre-Neg hosted by Brotherhood & Sisterhood!

Questions? Contact Allen Fishbein or Gary Frey, Brotherhood Co-Presidents

... AND, SAVE THE DATE!

Get ready for the upcoming "Virtual Golf" with Brotherhood on Thursday, January 16th, 7-9 pm at "X-Golf Scarsdale" (870 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale NY).

More details to follow ... so start practicing your swing!

ISRAEL MATTERS

NEXT Thursday, December 19th, 7-8:30 pm

Welcome Hila Madar Itzkovitz, our community Shlicha (emissary), who has a deep passion for fostering connections and promoting understanding between diverse Jewish communities. Driven by her enthusiasm for Israeli history, culture, nature, and politics, Hila has dedicated her career to building bridges between Jewish communities in Israel and abroad.

This event is FREE, however, space is limited and pre-registration is required to attend. Please register with Israel Action Committee chairperson, Paul Warhit

BAGELS & BOOKS

Sisterhood & the Library

Sunday, January 12th, 9:30 - 11am

In this exhilarating novel about one Long Island Jewish family, a dark moment shatters their suburban paradise and starts a legacy of trauma and inheritance.

If you haven’t started reading this book, start now!

This event is FREE, but we need a count for the breakfast food. Click here to RSVP

ISRAEL UPDATE: REBUILDING LIVES AND REBUILDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH TRAUMA-FOCUSED EDUCATION

Monday, January 13th, 7 - 8:30 pm

Our guests, Mirit Sulema, Dror Israel’s International Engagement Director, and Inbal Ron, Dror Israel’s Executive Director of the Dror Israel Educational Centers School Network, will be sharing Dror Israel’s emergency response work over the past year, especially their incredible initiatives to create schools amidst the challenges of war, their support for Northern communities living under constant rocket fire, restorative trips for teens and families, and efforts to help rebuild kibbutzim along the Gaza border.

You can learn more about Dror Israel, and Mirit and Inbal by clicking here, and please RSVP for this FREE event.

RABBI'S VISIT TO FLORIDA FOR LUNCH!

Tuesday, January 21st, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Calling all Congregants in Florida!

Have lunch with Rabbi Jesse at The Club at Ibis

(8225 Ibis Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412)

The “Florida Brunch” will be hosted at The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach. We welcome members and friends to join us! The cost for dinner is $25 per person.

Rabbi is looking forward to visiting you in the Sunshine State! Click here to RSVP

EIGHT SWEET NIGHTS

by Charlotte Offsay (Author), Menahem Halberstadt (Illustrator)

It’s Chanukah Time!

Chanukah is coming! Bring your kids to the library to find lots of great stories for all 8 nights.

Come visit the library to see all the new arrivals. The library is always open. Don’t forget to sign the card at the back of the book and leave it in the red box on the librarian’s desk. 

Interested in this highlighted book? Click here to reserve it online.

Websites:

Temple Israel | Religious School | Kehillah School | Camp Pinebrook | Library Books

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