YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

2240 ALBANY AVENUE

WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117 Shabbat Parshat Bechukotai
860-233-3084 May 21st, 2011
17 Iyar 5771
Web Site: www.youngisraelwh.org
Kiddush this Shabbat
Rabbi’s Corner Is Sponsored by
the Shul
YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

There are a few moments of pride in our shul that I

recently experienced and would like to share with you.
AMERICAN JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH CLASS ON
Last week I attended the Federation event for THE ROLE OF JUDAISM IN THE LAND OF THE FREE:
men called “Visions” along with other members of the Isaac Leeser’s 19th Century
shul. The event was beautiful and successful in terms of Approach to Cultural Synthesis
attendance and I was happy to meet so many interest- Tuesday, May 24th at 8:30 PM
ing people and to be part of something that so high- At the YIWH
lighted the vibrancy of the West Hartford Jewish com- Join Rabbi Weinberg and learn about the
munity. The speaker, Dan Senor author of “Start Up Na- major contributions to American Jewish
tion: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle,” was incredi- life by Rabbi Leeser!
ble! He spoke about what lies behind Israel’s techno- COMMUNITY TRIBUTE TO MAIMONIDES
logical and economic success stories. Many know the Thursday, May 26th
statistics of how Israel contributes beyond its size to at 7:30 PM at Chabad House
the world market of technology and innovation and Celebrating the 29th conclusion of the Global Daily
how Israeli college graduates in many fields are being Study of Maimonides’ Mishnah Torah
sought after by companies around the world. What we Speakers include Rabbi Weinberg, Rabbi Gopin,
often don’t know is why our small country has been and Rabbi Ari Weiss
able to achieve such widespread success and such an
‫מזל טוב‬
innovative spirit of start ups. Senor offered some inter-
‫ מזל טוב‬to Nechama & Rabbi Uri Grosberg on
esting explanations which speak to the adaptive and
the birth of a baby boy! ‫ מזל טוב‬to siblings
energetic spirit of the Jewish people. I was proud of
Menachem, Esther Chaya, Shmuel Yehuda &
our community, I was proud of Israel, and I was espe-
Rochel! May he grow L’Torah, L’ Chuppah
cially proud of our shul: We often get a “bad rap” for
u'L'Maasim Tovim!
not being there to support the community institutions SHALOM ZACHOR
in town. We had over a full table of people just from Friday night starting at 9:45
YIWH! That is impressive. Yasher Koach. At their home: 23 Mohegan Drive
I am also proud of the initiative shown by mem- BRIS
bers of our shul Lorie Zackin, Joan Kadish, and Lenny Sunday morning after 8:15 Minyan
Margulis who held the first meeting this week of our
‫ מזל טוב‬to Joseph & Yafit Goldfarb on the birth
shul’s newly formed Israel Advocacy Group. I was pre-
of a baby boy! ‫ מזל טוב‬to proud grandparents
sent at the meeting where we discussed programs that
Sharon & David; ‫ מזל טוב‬to sibling Eitan; and
we would like to run in the coming year to educate us
Aunt uncle & cousins, Barzeli, Yehudis, Leah
about how we can help Israel from right here in West
Rosa, & Yisroel Asher! May he grow L’Torah, L’
Hartford as well as programs to help educate those out-
Chuppah u'L'Maasim Tovim!
side our shul about the truth of what happens in Israel.
We will also be part of a communal advocacy group un- ‫מזל טוב‬
der the auspices of the JCRC which will give our mission ‫ מזל טוב‬to Esther Rachel Wolfe on her
a greater backing and wider reach. This is a wonderful engagement to Nosson Lange of Detroit.
initiative and I am sure the committee will keep you ‫ מזל טוב‬to joyful parents, Jason Wolfe & Vera
posted as activities pick up. Schwarcz, and to Vicki, Gavi, & Ruby; Eli, Elie
Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Weinberg and Noam; and Tovah!
Editor: Judie Patel Rabbi Brahm Weinberg 860-233-3084 or
E-mail: bulletin @youngisraelwh.org rabbi@youngisraelwh.org
Editors Emeritus: Sam Leichtberg & Moish Trencher
Judith Hessing, Coordinator 860-233-6042 or
judith.hessing@gmail.com
Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor
of West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford,
Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford

SAVE THE DATES
UPCOMING YIWH & COMMUNITY EVENTS
L’AG BA’OMER CELEBRATION
9:30 PM Tonite at Chabad House
CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S 63RD YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Sunday, May 22nd From 1:00 -4:00 PM
Walk for Israel
Israel Festivities at the JCC
Israeli Boutique
Live Music and Israeli Dancing
Boot Camp
Israeli food for purchase, and much more
WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP
Will be held on Sunday evening, June 5th
at YIWH at 6:30 PM
PRE-SHAVUOT FLOWER ARRANGING
Sunday, June 5th at YIWH at 7:30 PM
$10.00/Person
RSVP: Steven Bernstein 860-263-7669, or
bernsteinstj@mail.ccsu.edu
SAVE THE DATE
YIWH CRUISE DINNER
September 11th at 6:30 PM
BUY SCRIP! BUY SCRIP!
BIG Y SCRIP & SHOP RITE SCRIP AVAILABLE NOW!
Don’t forget Crown & Stop & Shop too!
Let's support our Shul by buying scrip!
Every dollar counts!
Contact: Judith Hessing (860-233-6042)
at 18 Grenhart Street
AMAZON.COM
When ordering online, try to buy from Amazon
through the YIWH website. It is another painless
way for the Shul to make money!
SODA BOTTLE COLLECTION
Eliza Katz is collecting bottles, cans, and glass to
raise money for the Rabbi’s Fund. Please bring
empties to her address: 24 Miamis Road;
860-680-9847
URGENT ERUV ALERT- PLEASE BE ADVISED:
Due to complications the ERUV has been
RE-ROUTED for a few weeks.
SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
http://www.youngisraelwh.org/
Page 2
SAVE THE DATE
HHNE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
Honoring
Rabbi Philip & Mrs. Ruth Lazowski
Wednesday, June 1st at 6:00 PM
at the Emanuel Synagogue
YAHRZEIT LECTURE
Sunday, June 12th at 7:30 PM
Nechama Liss-Levinson, PhD
Talking to Children About Death
As in past years, Yahrzeit booklets will be distributed
that include the names of family members and others
whom we wish to remember on this occasion. These
booklets are then used when remembering departed
loved ones during
Yizkor services.
For inclusion in the Yahrzeit Commemorative Booklet,
please complete your submission form, on
the letter or on our Website.
( go.youngisraelwh.org/lecture )
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NAMES FOR THE YIZKOR BOOK
BY THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 25TH
Even if you are unable to take part in the booklet, there
is no cost to attend the lecture and it is sure to be both
an educational and inspiring evening.
Dr. Liss-Levinson is a psychologist and psychoanalyst who
has spent many years helping people learn to cope with the
difficulties and complexities of life, will be our keynote
speaker. She has written extensively on helping families
grieve, especially dealing with children facing loss. Her
book, When a Grandparent Dies: A Kid's Own Remembering
Workbook for Dealing with Shiva and the Year Beyond (Jewish
Lights Publishing) has helped thousands of children and their
families and is now in its fifth printing. Dr. Liss-Levinson re-
cently won the 2009 Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award for
her children's book, When the Hurricane Came to New Or-
leans, a story about a young Jewish girl, Gertie, and her fam-
ily, who must evacuate New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina
arrives.
HAGH SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
Tuesday, June 14th at 5:30 PM
At Beth El Temple
Honoring
Rabbi Yitzchok Adler
Betty Anderson
Marc Bokoff
Steve Shuman
Sherry Whitehead
The Vovs of Geula by Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger (www.torahweb.org) Page 3
The downfall and dispersion of our people is painstakingly detailed in the “tochecha” of parshas
Bechukosai as the consequence of ignoring Hashem’s many messages to us. Nevertheless
the parsha leaves us with the uplifting and soothing pasuk (26:42), “I will remember My covenant with Ya-
akov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham will I remember, and I will
remember the Land.”
The medrash points out that upon careful study there is indeed more good news hidden in the nu-
ances of the text. Oddly enough “Yaakov”, which is usually written without a vov, appears here with
a vov between the kuf and the beis. Rashi points out that the extra vov variant spelling appears no more
than five times throughout Tanach. The rabbis correlate this with a variant spelling of “Eliyahu” which is
missing its vov five times throughout Tanach.
Chazal interpret this to indicate that Yaakov took a letter from the name of Eliyahu as a security, to
be returned to Eliyahu, when Eliyahu announces our geula, our return to Israel and the Beis Hamikdosh.
Presumably remembering his own fear of becoming entrenched in Mitzrayim and forever concerned
about the welfare of his children, Yaakov asks for this security so that he can be assured of his children’s
return.
Why five vovs? I would suggest that the five vovs become the metaphor in our parsha for our in-
flexibility and inability to introspect and reconsider. After all, the tochecha organizes our punishments
around five stages, each one marking our callous lack of response to the messages of the previous punish-
ments. Each stage is introduced with a vov: “And if you will not listen to me…”(26:14), “And if during
these you will not heed me…”(26:18), “And if you walk with me in a casual manner…”(26:21), “And if de-
spite these you will not be reprimanded…”(26:23), “And if with all this you will not listen to me…”(26:27)
What is the significance of securing Eliyahu’s promise? The Potoker Rov explains (Beis Aharon, page 162)
that indeed should we merit the geulah we would not need any assurance of Eliyahu or the security that
Yaakov exacted form him. However if chas veshalom we would not merit redemption and we can be
found guilty of the vovs of the tochecha, we can still be assured that at a preordained time we will never-
theless be redeemed and returned to our earlier glory (see Sanhedrin 98a).
I believe there is still more communicated through the vov. Grammatically, the vov can be in place
of “and”, stringing together lists and sequencing events. In the case of the tochecha, the vov shows stub-
born stagnancy and obstinate hubris which in and of itself indicates spiritual decline. On the other hand,
the same vov can grammatically transform a word from future tense to past tense. This use of vov serves
as a metaphor for the realization of dreams and aspirations, and for enabling us to build on those dreams
as if they were already in hand.
Yaakov assures us that even if we are entrenched in the obstinate vov of Bechukosai, and do not
employ the later vov to transform ourselves and aspire to spiritual greatness, we will still be returned to
our earlier glory.

ELECTRONIC DATATBASE FOR GABBAIM

The Gabbaim kindly request your participation as we pre- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
pare to electronically update all of our records. Please send Acknowledgment donations should be sent to
me an email (or mail to me/drop off at my house) a list of Debbie Luger at 37 Miamis Road
your family's relevant Hebrew names. This should include
Jason Wolfe & Vera Schwarcz
the English and Hebrew names of you and your spouse (if
In honor of the birth of a baby boy to Rabbi &
relevant), your children's names, sons and daughters-in-law,
parents (where relevant), grandchildren, siblings (where Nachama Grosberg
appropriate), and any other information you want us to In honor of the birth of a grandson to David &
have on file. We will be using this information to develop an Sharon Goldfarb
updated database (e.g., making aliyah cards for your sons Steven & Debbie Luger
and sons-in-law) so we can better meet the needs of our In honor of the engagement of Rena Miller
members. We are looking for 100% participation, so please
In honor of the engagement of Esther Wolfe
reply! Any questions, please call:
Zvi Goldfischer (860) 906-1111 or see David Goldfarb.
Thank you in advance for your support. -The Gabbaim

YIWH Schedule of Services
It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush
May 20th - 27th, 2011
Shabbat Parshat Bechukotai
Or Seudah Shlishit!

Friday, May 20th Shul handles set up & Clean up!

Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. or judiep@gmail.com to
Candle Lighting 7:50 p.m. check the availability of the date
Shabbat, May 21st you need & call Fran Wittenberg
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:15 a.m. 860-232-2320 to make the
Shacharit 9:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:07 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. Checks need to be received
Rabbi’s Shabbat Afternoon Class 6:55 p.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 7:35 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends 8:51 p.m. Send to David Cohen at
Sunday, May 22nd - Thursday, May 26th 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 4:25 a.m. There are three types
Shacharit... Sunday L’ag B’Omer 8:15 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Followed by Grosberg Bris Standard for $150,
Shacharit…Monday - Thursday 6:45 a.m. Semi-Deluxe for $250
Mincha/Maariv 7:55 p.m. & Deluxe for $350
Friday, May 27th With supplements available.
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m.
Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Candle Lighting 7:56 p.m.
KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
6/4 Graduates Kiddush
6/25 Halpern

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
For Eruv Information: twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or go.youngisraelwh.org/eruv (Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner La’Maor
Lights
Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer Pat La’Orchim
in memory of Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
their parents and grandparents, Fran & Gene Wittenberg
Israel Weiss ‫ישראל בן דוד‬ in memory of
Frida Weiss ‫טויבא פרידה בת עזרא‬ Fran’s father, Tzvi ben Yitzchak Meir HaCohen
Abraham Leichtberg ‫אברהם בן שמואל‬ ‫צבי בן יצחק מאיר הכהן‬
& Gene’s father, Binyamin ben Moshe
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah ‫בנימין בן משה‬
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
in memory of In Memory of Al Weisel
Betty’s Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ 5770 Candy Man:
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬ Gil Fried
Irv ‘s father, Sam Wizenfeld
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬
Want to join the Listserve?
If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will
add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .

YIWH Schedule of Services
It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush
May 27th - June 3rd, 2011
Shabbat Mevorchim Parshat B’midbar
Or Seudah Shlishit!

Friday, May 27th Shul handles set up & Clean up!

Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. or judiep@gmail.com to
Candle Lighting 7:56 p.m. check the availability of the date
Shabbat, May 28th you need & call Fran Wittenberg
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:15 a.m. 860-232-2320 to make the
Shacharit 9:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:04 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. Checks need to be received
Rabbi’s Shabbat Afternoon Class 7:00 p.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 7:45 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends 8:57 p.m. Send to David Cohen at
Sunday, May 29th - Thursday, June 2nd 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 4:19 a.m. There are three types
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Followed by Rabbi Weinberg’s Gemara Shiur on 9:00 a.m. Standard for $150,
Masechet Makot Semi-Deluxe for $250
Shacharit…Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 6:45 a.m. & Deluxe for $350
Shacharit…Wednesday ~ Yom Yerushalayim 6:30 a.m. With supplements available.
Mincha/Maariv 7:55 p.m.
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Friday, June 3rd - Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Shacharit 6:30 a.m.
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
Candle Lighting 8:02 p.m. 6/4 Graduates Kiddush
6/25 Halpern

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
For Eruv Information: twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or go.youngisraelwh.org/eruv (Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner La’Maor
Lights
Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer Pat La’Orchim
in memory of Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
their parents and grandparents, Fran & Gene Wittenberg
Israel Weiss ‫ישראל בן דוד‬ in memory of
Frida Weiss ‫טויבא פרידה בת עזרא‬ Fran’s father, Tzvi ben Yitzchak Meir HaCohen
Abraham Leichtberg ‫אברהם בן שמואל‬ ‫צבי בן יצחק מאיר הכהן‬
& Gene’s father, Binyamin ben Moshe
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah ‫בנימין בן משה‬
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
in memory of In Memory of Al Weisel
Betty’s Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ 5770 Candy Man:
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬ Gil Fried
Irv ‘s father, Sam Wizenfeld
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬
Want to join the Listserve?
If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will
add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .

YIWH Schedule of Services
It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush
June 3rd - 10th, 2011
Shabbat Parshat Naso
Or Seudah Shlishit!

Friday, June 3rd - Rosh Chodesh Sivan Shul handles set up & Clean up!
Shacharit 6:30 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. or judiep@gmail.com to
Candle Lighting 8:02 p.m. check the availability of the date
Shabbat, June 4th you need & call Fran Wittenberg
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:15 a.m. 860-232-2320 to make the
Shacharit 9:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:03 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. Checks need to be received
Rabbi’s Shabbat Afternoon Class 7:00 p.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 7:45 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends 9:03 p.m. Send to David Cohen at
Sunday, June 5th - Thursday, June 2nd 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 4:14 a.m. There are three types
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Followed by Rabbi Weinberg’s Gemara Shiur on 9:00 a.m. Standard for $150,
Masechet Makot Semi-Deluxe for $250
Shacharit…Monday 6:45 a.m. & Deluxe for $350
Mincha/Maariv...Sunday & Monday 8:05 p.m. With supplements available.
Tuesday, June 7th - Erev Shavuot
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Shacharit…Monday 6:45 a.m.
Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Candle lighting 8:05 p.m.
Mincha/Maariv 8:10 p.m. KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
Tikkun Layl Shavuot 11:30 p.m. 6/4 Graduates Kiddush
Wednesday, June 8th - 1st Day of Shavuot 6/25 Halpern
Alot Hashachar - Dawn 4:04 a.m.
Shacharit Vatikin 4:30 a.m.
Shacharit 9:00 a.m.
Mincha/Maariv 8:10 p.m.
Candle Lighting 9:05 p.m.
Thursday, June 9th - 2nd Day of Shavuot
Shacharit 9:00 a.m.
Megillat Ruth 9:45 a.m.
Yizkor 10:40 a.m.
Mincha/Maariv 8:10 p.m.
Chag Ends 9:06 p.m.

Friday, June 10th

Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m.
Candle Lighting 8:06 p.m.

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
For Eruv Information: twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or go.youngisraelwh.org/eruv (Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Want to join the Listserve?

If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will
add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .