Chanukah has been inspirational, heart warming and uplifting.
It has provided an island in time, a break from the constant barrage of negative news, fear and uncertainty that we are being pedaled to by all forms of media at all times of the day and night.
As Chanukah ends and we put away our menorahs for next year, it is imperative that we keep the Chanukah flames burning, the expectation of miracles and gratitude for the wonderful things we have in our life.
Like every Jewish holiday, Chanukah is much more than an 8 day period of celebration, it is a life lesson that if harnessed properly has the potential to illuminate the darkest places and warm the coldest feelings.
Let’s keep our Jewish pride strong, increase our Jewish awareness and add to being a light onto the nations, by always serving as role models and stewards of G-d's beautiful world.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
SHABBOS TIMES
Friday, December 18
Candle Lighting: 4:12pm Evening service: 4:15pm
Saturday, December 19
Morning service: 10am
Kiddush Brunch 12pm Evening service: 4:15pm
Shabbat ends: 5:17pm
Kiddush Sponsored by: Moshe and Sasha Hofman
in honor of the yartzeit of Moshe's father
Zev ben Yitzchak Isaac
May his memory be a blessing
FAIR LAWN JEWISH DAY CAMP
Regular Early Bird ends December 24!!
Enroll Today to save $100 per child. SUMMER CAMP IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A CHILD'S EDUCATION Sending your child to Fair Lawn Jewish Day Camp helps raise an independent child, it means teaching responsibility, encouraging exploration and providing a safe environment to make decisions independently. FLJDC nurtures all three of these elements in a Jewish environment, while having fun and making new friends. 2021 DATE & RATES | ENROLL NOW | NEW REFUND POLICY
NEW FLJDC INSIDER VIDEO
Click below for the newest FLJDC Insider Video
Education vs Academics
A Jewish perspective on educating children by examining the difference between giving gifts or Chanukah Gelt.
Parents can learn how to think through and plan interactions with their children and see these as opportunities to connect in a meaningful way and provide short term and long term value to their children's life, which they will actually use all the way to adulthood and beyond.
CONCLUSION OF TOLIK'S TORAH
Conclusion of Tolik's Torah Sunday, December 20th at 2pm
The conclusion of writing a Torah is a great celebration and is a blessing for those who participate for health and long life. Click for info, in person and online participation
WEEKLY TANYA CLASS
Tanya Class- Tuesdays at 8pm
Discussing life in the light of Chabad Philosophy
On Zoom:
Meeting ID: 895 6598 0718
Passcode: tanya
Presented in English by Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman
MVP Mitzvah Volunteer Program
MVP Mitzvah Volunteer Program
Thursdays 4-5pm
For boys and girls in Grades 6th- 8th
At each weekly program MVP's will prepare special personalized packages for seniors that will be delivered safely in time for Shabbat.
Join the weekly meetings at the Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn location, to prepare and personalize the packages and have some treats and fun while we work.
A BISSELE HUMOR
Gerry walks into Saul's tailors and asks how much is it for a custom made suit.
'$200 dollars' answers Saul.
'OK' says Gerry 'but I don't need the buttons so get rid of them, and you can leave out the pockets too, oh and while you are at it I don't want any lining either. Forget about the pockets in the pants too and leave out the zipper I can use a pin. No need for any belt loops or suspender buttons and you might as well leave out the hook and eye. Now how much will it be?'
Saul thought for a while then answered '$400 dollars'.
'My Life! says Gerry, 'that's twice as much as before'.
'I know' says Saul 'But all those alterations...'
WEEKLY eTORAH
Our Parshah recounts the dramatic episode of Joseph and his brothers. The young boy sold into slavery has since catapulted to prominence and is now viceroy of Egypt. The brothers come down from Canaan seeking sustenance during a famine. They encounter the viceroy face to face but do not realize that it is their own long lost brother.
"And Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him" (Genesis 42:8). Rashi explains that when they had last seen each other the brothers, being older, were mature and bearded while Joseph was still young and without a beard. Thus, it was easier for him to recognize them than vice versa.
Applying a more homiletic interpretation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe understands the brothers' lack of recognition not on the facial level but on the spiritual. The brothers were shepherds. It suited their spiritual lifestyle to be alone in the meadows, surrounded by nature and unchallenged by a society that might be hostile to their beliefs. The sheep they tended to didn't give them a hard time on religious issues. That Joseph could remain a devoted son of Jacob, faithful to his father's way of life while working in the hub of the mightiest superpower on earth was totally beyond their comprehension. They could not fathom or recognize such a thing. Indeed, later we will read how Jacob himself is deeply gratified to learn that the son he had given up for dead was not only alive but that he was my son, i.e. faithful to Jacob's traditions.
There is no question that it is easier to be Jewish among your own. Without a shadow of a doubt, it is much tougher and far more testing to practice your faith as a minority. Nobody enjoys sticking out like a sore thumb. So sequestering yourself in your own little comfort zone makes perfect sense. Unless, of course, you believe that you have a responsibility to the world around you. When you believe that G‑d expects nothing less from you than to change the world, then simply treading water is not enough. Then you have no option but to go out and take on the world, engage it and make it a more G‑dly place.
All Jacob's sons were righteous men. But Joseph was the greatest. He is known as Yosef HaTzadik, Joseph the Righteous. Because it is one thing to be righteous in the fields and the forests. It is another to be righteous among men; especially men and women steeped in moral depravity, as were the Egyptians.
The viceroy of Egypt then must be roughly equivalent to the President of the United States, or at least the Secretary of State, today. Imagine that the person holding such high office is a committed, practicing Jew. He is successful in the fulfillment of his governmental duties, brings stature to the position, while at the very same time living the life of a devout Jew. Quite mind-boggling, but Joseph achieved it. And it was in this spirit that he raised his children, Ephraim and Menashe.
That's why Joseph is an important role model for our generation. Most of us find ourselves in a socially integrated society. We mix in many different circles. We live in a wall-less, even wireless community. Will we maintain our Jewishness with dignity and integrity despite the challenges thrust upon us by a wide open society? This is the question that Joseph answers. It may not be easy but it can be done.
So whether we are head honchos in the corporate hierarchy or diplomats in high office, let the viceroy of Egypt, Joseph the faithful son of Jacob the Jew, inspire us by his example.
