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CONGREGATION ANSHE MOTELE’S WEEKLY E-BULLETIN
Oct 13 – 20 2023 28 Tishrei – 5 Mar Cheshvan 5784
Rabbi: Alan M. Abramson
BERESHIS
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Candle Lighting time
Fri Oct 13, 5:53

Schedule of Davening:

FRIDAY Oct 13^th	Shacharis 7:00 at Shul	Mincha 6:00 at shul CLT 5:53	Shabbos Schedule
SHABBOS Oct 14^th	Shacharis 7 & 8:45 at Shul	Mincha 6:00 at shul	Maariv 6:50 in shul
SUNDAY Oct 15^th ROSH CHODESH CHESHVAN	Shacharis 8:00 at Shul	Mincha 6:00	Maariv 6:30
MONDAY Oct 16^th ROSH CHODESH CHESHVAN	Shacharis 6:45 at shul	Mincha 6:00	Maariv 6:30
TUESDAY Oct 17^th	Shacharis 7:00 at Shul	Mincha 6:00	Maariv 6:30
WEDNESDAY Oct 18^th	Shacharis 7:00 at Shul	Mincha 6:00	Maariv 6:30
THURSDAY Oct 19^th	Shacharis 6:45 at Shul	Mincha 6:00	Maariv 6:30
FRIDAY Oct 20^th	Shacharis 7:00 at Shul	Mincha 5:42 at shul CLT 5:45	Shabbos Schedule

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¨From the Rabbi’s Study¨

In the very first paragraph of the liturgical poem composed by Eleazar Kalir in the recently recited prayer Tefillat Geshem of Shemini Atzeret there is mention to the angel of rain forming “water to crown the valley with green.” The English translation does little justice to the poetic words “mayim ibim.” This stanza is both a reference to the providence of Hashem, and the faith we have that Hashem will crown the land of Israel by not withholding rain. I always pay particular attention to this piyut, for I had the privilege about a dozen years ago to visit, together with the JUF Rabbinic Action Committee, a small youth aliyah village called Ibim, just two kilometers from Sderot and Kfar Aza, scene of the recent and most horrific massacre since the Shoa.

These words were recited by the Shaliach Tzibur in synagogues throughout Eretz Yisroel (eight hours later here in Chicago) at the very same moment the Jews at the border of Gaza were massacred. Words cannot depict the utter destruction left behind, and I need not dwell on the indescribable acts of brutality. Like Eisenhower marching the German public to witness firsthand the horrors of Buchenwald, the world saw firsthand the images of the utter inhumanity perpetrated against the Jewish people last Shabbat/Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah.

Yet what I remember during my visit was a vibrant village of youngsters making aliyah for the first time from countries across the globe. We saw the energy of the people of Sderot who despite the constant rocket attacks were proud citizens of Israel and were welcoming of our visit. I recall the room next to the mayor’s office displaying hundreds of rockets collected as a reminder of their courage and resolve. And I remember how we prayed together with and for the Chayalai Tzava Haganna L’Yisroel.

Ironically our JUF Rabbinic visit to Israel began with a visit to the killing fields of Babi Yar. And in past trips we saw the remnants of Worms, Speyer and Mayence, home to the greatest Yeshivot in Jewish history and scenes of some of the most horrific pogroms, and as described in the selichot and kinot, as an “Akadet Yitzhak.” We visited Treblinka, Majdenek, Auschwitz. We prayed at the shoe memorial at the Danube in Budapest where the fascist Arrow Cross militiamen shot Jews and threw their bodies into the river in 1944 and 1945. We explored Theresienstadt, like the Red Cross during World War II, only to discover the subterfuge of the Nazi executioners. We walked the same steps of the Rambam and the Ramban and their fellow Jews in Spain who represent the Golden age only to face expulsion by their Jesuit oppressors. We visited the Hypercacher Kosher supermarket in Paris, scene of a Muslim extremist siege in 2015.

And then we go to Israel, a place of life, vibrancy, smiles, and the future. Parents with their children going to the park, soldiers on leave with their beaus, Israeli food kiosks serving falafel and shawarma and rows and rows of benches in the Batei Midrashim filled with Talmidim studying the same Talmud as Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam of Worms and Speyer and the Ramban and Rambam in Spain.

The country, and indeed the Jewish world, is reeling with grief, tears shock and fear. But our history and faith are like the mayim ibim; water to crown the valley with green. Let this be the enduring message of the Jewish people.
Good Shabbos

Rabbi A. M. Abramson

REFUAH SH’LAIMAH:
To all those who are not well. Let Hashem hear our tefillos on their behalves, and all have a speedy recovery. If there is a choleh that needs a misheberach, please email their name to anshemotele@anshemotele.org

Members Corner:

Happy Birthday to: Leslie Wortman, Oct 10^th
Happy Birthday to: Sheldon Kirshner, Oct 10^th

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Please link to our OCTOBER calendars right here.

HOLIDAY PLEDGES: .Please remit your dues and or pledges either through check by mail or credit card. Click HERE for credit card payment. Thank you!

KIDDUSH: this Shabbos is sponsored by the Joel and Sivia Jakofsky im honor of their 1^st anniversary.
A hearty yasher koach to Michael Kirshner at Starr Kosher Catering for supplementing our shabbos kiddushim each week. If you would like to sponsor a shabbos kiddush in memory of, honor of, or for a simcha, contact us via email anshemotele@anshemotele.org. In the body of the email please include the week you would like, reason for kiddush and your name with phone number. We will contact you back with options, prices and available dates.

KIDDUSH FUND: .Please click HERE to help us continue this important event, or contact us via anshemotele@anshemotele.org with your pledges. You count on us as a shul and we count on you as our members. Thank you.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
LINKS:
Chicago Rabbinical Council: http://www.crcweb.org/
Orthodox Union http://oukosher.org
Link to Likutei Pshatim http://www.htc.edu/services/likutei-peshatim.html
Shabbat Shalom

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