Jewish Customs & Practices The Holiday Series

Pesach Preparations: Is there a deeper meaning to the  cleaning, cooking and preparing  for Passover? Rebbitzen Chani Smason will enlighten us and enhance our understanding of this most significant holiday.

Sunday, March 31st, 2019 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Nusach Hari B’nai Zion

Men and Women are welcome Our Holiday Series explores the details of the Jewish holidays and how to truly observe them, and delves into their deeper meanings.

Classes are free, but please RSVP by Monday, March 25 to Jeff at 314-991-2100 ext. 2 or jeff@nhbz.org

 

“Women in the Torah” First Tuesday of each Month, 2:30 pm at the home of Jackie Berkin facilitated by Rabbi Yaakov Berkowitz of the St. Louis Kollel.

  • Open to all women.
  • Each class is self-contained.
  • No background knowledge needed.

To RSVP, contact Jeff at 314-991-2100 or jeff@nhbz.org. We will provide host address & phone number at time of RSVP. Check the latest NHBZ Shabbos Bulletin for any time changes.

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 10 – March 16, 2019 – 9 Adar2 5779

Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March 21 at 6:15pm

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

  • Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
  • Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
  • St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
  • 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

One Liners

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

To succeed in politics, it is often necessary to rise above your principles.

The sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Change is inevitable….except from vending machines.

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Borrow money from pessimists – they don’t expect it back.

Nyuk Nyuk

Jean-Paul Sartre is sitting  at a French cafe, revising his draft of Being and Nothingness. He says to the waitress, “I’d like a cup of coffee, please, with no cream.” The waitress replies, “I’m sorry, monsieur, but we’re out of cream. How about with no milk?”

Doctor Levenson is on his way to a dinner where he will be speaking, and scribbles some notes for himself, but when he gets up to speak, he cannot read his own handwriting! In a panic, he scans the audience and says: Is there a pharmacist in the house?

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

 

Parshas Vayikra / Zachor

This Shabbos marks the beginning of our reading the third book of the Torah, Sefer Vayikra which deals primarily with the services and responsibilities of the Kohanim. This week’s portion focuses on many of the korbanos (offerings) to be brought in the newly-constructed Mishkan. Parshas Vayikra begins with G-d calling Moses into the Mishkan where he will receive many relevant mitzvos to be ultimately passed on to the Jewish people. The first half of the Torah portion describes the various optional korbanos brought by individuals. They can be classified into three general categories, each one comprised of several gradations in size and expense; the korban olah (elevation offering) which is completely consumed on the altar; the korban mincha (meal offering) which, because of its inexpensive contents is usually brought by someone of modest means; and the korban shelamim (peace offering) partially burned on the altar, with the remainder divided between the owners and the Kohanim.

The second half of the portion (beginning with chapter four) discusses the required chatos (sin) and asham (guilt) offerings to be brought as atonement for unintentional transgressions. This Shabbos we have a special, additional Torah reading, Parshas Zachor. That text (Devarim, 25: 17-19) teaches us the mitzvah to remember to wipe out Amalek.

Purim is Coming!!!

Wednesday March 20th

Mincha at 6:40pm | Ma’ariv at 7:05pm
Megillas Esther at 7:15 pm

The Fast of Esther begins at dawn.

Thursday March 21st

Shachris: 6:30am | Mincha at 6:00 pm
Megillas Esther at 7:00 am

SEUDAH at 6: 15 • Ma’ariv Following Meal

Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman’s
plot to kill all Jews in a single day. Set in Persia 2,300 years ago, the “Megillah” tells how a
seemingly unrelated series of events spun together to save the Jewish people from
annihilation. Purim is Judaism’s most dramatic, fun-filled holiday. Here are the mitzvahs
and customs of Purim at NHBZ:

  1. Read the Book of Esther – Mitzvah of Mikra Megillah
    It is a Mitzvah to hear the Megillah read twice. Bring your kids and family!
    Wednesday night, March 20 Thursday,morning, March 21
    6:20 pm – Mincha 6:30 am – Shachris
    7:05 pm – Maariv 7:00 am – Megillah reading
    7:15 pm – Megillah reading
  2. Give Charity to the Poor – Mitzvah of Matanot l’Evyonim
    Od Yosef Chai – For several years, NHBZ has collected money for Od Yosef Chai, an
    organization that distributes money to the poor in Israel. Make checks payable to
    Rabbi’s Charity Fund and bring or send them to our office. To donate by credit card,
    please call 314-991-2100, ext. 2. The deadline for contributions is Tuesday, March 19.
  3. Send Gifts to Friends – Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot
    Fulfill the mitzvah of Misloach Manos! Give actual gifts of food to at least two friends,
    then send our PURIM CARDS to everyone else!! All proceeds will benefit our NHBZ
    Chesed Fund. Cards may be purchased in our office at $10.00 per pack of 5 cards with
    envelopes, or $25 for three 5-packs.
  4. Fast of Esther
    To commemorate the day of prayer and fasting that the Jews held in the Book of Esther,
    we fast on the day before Purim, Wednesday, March 20, beginning at 5:53 am and
    concluding at 7:54 p.m.
  5. Eat a festive Purim meal – mitzvah of Seudat Purim
    Thursday night, March 21
    6:00 pm – Mincha,
    6:15 pm Sharp! – Purim Seudah, Hi-Jinks, and FUN for all !!!
    Dinner, Whiskey Slush, PLUS Hamantashen thanks to the NHBZ Sisterhood!!!
    New this year – Non-alcoholic Slush!
    Ma’ariv following Seuda.
    RSVPs ARE REQUIRED FOR DINNER
    See Purim-2019 flyer for details.

The Delicious Seudah Costume Contest & Schtick Nite

The Delicious and Festive Meal will be prepared by our own, fabulous NHBZ Chefs De Jour, so you know it will be DELICIOUS! More menu details to come. Don’t miss out! … Featuring Jackie’s whiskey slush & dessert.

COSTUME CONTEST: Prizes 3 categories – Children, Adults and Couples

SCHTICK: Skits, Games, Poems, Jokes, Musical Entertainment, (3-5 minutes max)
Enter with the title of ‘Your Schtick” to Bobby Levine (rxlevine@charter.net) to be scheduled into the evening’s entertainment lineup!

$18 Adults • $10 Child (4-10)
$60 MAX/Family and children 3 & Under Free

RSVP by March 10th
314.991.2100 Extension 2

Purim-2019 (Printable Flier)

Our Nusach Hari Photo Directory will be published for 2019.

Family photos will be scheduled for:
Sunday, May 5 from Noon to 7pm
Mondays, May 6 from 1-8pm
Mondays, May 13 from 1-8pm
Tuesday, May 14 from 1- 8pm

Planning for the 2019 NHBZ photo directory has begun. We are looking for volunteers for 3 tasks:

  1. Photography schedulers will begin taking reservations for appointments for family photographs.
  2. Hosts will be needed for the four photo dates to sign people in for their appointments
  3. Sales people will solicit business ads and personal greetings for the directory

The committee will meet for the first time on Sunday morning February 24 at 10:30 here at the synagogue.

The week of March 11 we will schedule a one hour conference call with the directory publisher to receive any final instructions.
If you are interested in working on one of the tasks, send me a message or call Keith Zeff at 314-775-4430.

 The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 10 – March 9, 2019 – 2 Adar2 5779

Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming! Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March 21

Book Club News

Thanks to Trudy Sudin and Sallie Volotzky for Sisterhood’s February 25 Book Club meeting. Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer! Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer!

The next meeting of the Book Club will be Monday, April 29, 7:15-8:45 PM.

Next book is: If All the Seas were Ink, a Memoir, by Ilana Kurshan. An award-winning tale of heartache and humor, love and loss, marriage and motherhood, woven together in a deeply accessible guided tour of the Talmud!

ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Schnitzer terrischnitzer@yahoo.com

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & BINGO

THIS Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON
Everyone Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages.
Attendance Prizes ~ $9 Donation requested.
RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

  • Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
  • Next Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00pm
  • Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
  • Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
  • St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
  • 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

Prioritize What’s Important ~ Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

Pekudei includes an accounting of all the materials that went into the making of the Mishkan (portable Tabernacle), Moses giving his approval to the quality and exactness of construction, and the building of the
Tabernacle, with all the various vessels located in their proper place.

Moshe teaches Betzalel the order of construction of the Mishkan starting with the Ark. Betzalel respectfully maintains that first one builds the home, then one makes the furnishings. Moshe replies that Betzalel is correct and the Almighty Himself had thus commanded Moshe, though Moshe conveyed instructions regarding the Ark first because of its primary importance. The Torah praises Betzalel for his intuitive understanding of the Almighty’s will with the verse:

“And Betzalel, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Yehudah did all that the Almighty commanded Moshe” (Exodus 38:22).

Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz comments that we see from here the importance of doing things in their proper order. One always needs to clarify his priorities and to have the organizational skills to do things in their proper order.

This is an important tool for accomplishing anything in life. One needs to know what he must do and then he must have an order of priorities. We will never have enough time to do everything we would like to do. By being aware of the order of importance of what you have to do, you will ensure that you will effectively accomplish the most possible within the
limitations of the time allotted to you.

Each day make a list of the various tasks you need to complete. Then decide on a proper order in which to do them. If you don’t prioritize and don’t set aside the time you won’t accomplish what’s most important in life — spending time with your family, growing as a human being, helping others or even preparing for the Seder. No one on his death bed ever wished he spent more time at the office.

  • Based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March21.
Mincha at 6pm / Seudah at 6:15pm  – Delicious Meal, Costumes, Schtick, & more!

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

 

The Women of the Community are invited to join Taharath Isarel – St. Louis Mikvah Association for a meeting to discuss the planned renovation of our mikvah, fundraising efforts and upcoming events. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 8:00 pm in the social hall at Young Israel located at 8101 Delmar Blvd.

Sunday, March 31 – 3:30 pm via SKYPE

At Nusach Hari B’nai Zion

A Discussion with Sam Sokol

~ Presented by the NHBZ Israel Committee and the St. Louis Friends of Israel ~

Live From Israel

The Elections

Mr. Sokol is a freelance journalist based in Jerusalem and a former correspondent for the Jerusalem Post and the Israel Broadcasting Authority.

Stay for Dinner: NHBZ Pizza Night at 5:00 pm

The Sisterhood Scoop

Volume 2 Number 9 – March 2, 2019 – 25 Adar 1 5779

“Ignorance is bliss only to the ignorant.” – Rabbi Shraga Silverstein

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

  • Bingo Luncheon – Tuesday, March 12
  • Next Sisterhood Board Meeting Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00pm
  • Purim Seudah – Thursday, March 21st
  • Sisterhood’s NEW Girls Movie Night Out “Ida” – Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30PM
  • Craft Central Art Project honoring Israel Monday, May 6 at 6:30pm
  • St. Louis Jewish Legacy Bus Tour Sunday, June 23, 1:00-5:00PM
  • 4th Annual Dine ‘N’ Style Fashion Show and Luncheon – Sunday, August 18

It’s Adar! Be Happy!

The Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Jewish people.

Sisterhood’s Book Club

Thanks to Trudy Sudin for offering her home, and to Sallie Volotzky for leading the insightful discussion of The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, by David Kertzer at Sisterhood’s February 25 Book Club meeting.

Thanks also to new NHBZ Sisterhood Book Club Coordinator, Terri Schnitzer!

The next meeting of the Book Club will be Monday, April 29, 7:15-8:45PM at the home of Fran Reisler in Olivette. Next book is: If All the Seas were Ink,a Memoir, by Ilana Kurshan. An award-winning tale of heartache and humor, love and loss, marriage and motherhood, woven together in a deeply accessible guided tour of the Talmud!

ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Terri Schnitzer terrischnitzer@yahoo.com

NHBZ Sisterhood in Support of Taharath Israel – the St. Louis Mikvah Association 

The observance of Family Purity is a biblical injunction of the highest order. Judaism considers the mitzvah of mikvah and intimate relationships as sacred, and essential to marital harmony and Jewish life. Constructing a mikvah takes precedence even over building a house of worship. In fact, according to Jewish law, a group of Jewish families living together do not attain the status of a community if they do not have a communal mikvah. Jewish married life, and therefore the birth of future generations in accordance with halachah, is possible only where there is accessibility to a mikvah. It is no exaggeration to state that the mikvah is the touchstone of Jewish life and the portal to a Jewish future.

The St. Louis community mikvah, located on the Millstone Campus and constructed in 1979, is currently in need of renovation. NHBZ’sSisterhood Board of Directors acknowledges the importance of this andasksit’s membersto help raise necessary funds to restore and modernize the mikvah. Please contact Trudy Sudin to learn how you can help tksudin@yahoo.com.

NHBZ Sisterhood Luncheon & Tuesday, March 12, 12:00 NOON

Everyone is Welcome ~ Men & Women of All Ages ~ Attendance Prizes $9 Donation requested ~ RSVP to Rachael Pevnick at 314-395-6017

Purim is Coming!
Join Sisterhood at NHBZ’s Purim Seudah on Thursday, March21.
Mincha at 6pm / Seudah at 6:15pm  – Delicious Meal, Costumes, Schtick, & more!

For information or to join Sisterhood, call the NHBZ office at 314-991-2100, ext. 3, or email: sisterhood@nhbz.org

 

The first of the Four Special Shabbatot at this time of year is Parshas Shekalim. The special maftir reading discusses the census that would happen at this time of year in Temple times. Each person would give one half-shekel. The money would be counted, and that would determine the census. And the Torah makes very clear that “the poor person shall not give less, and the rich person shall not give more.”

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