Beth Jacob Weekly Beat
The Beth Jacob Beat כ״ו טֵ בֵתב תשע״ה Parashat Vaera The beat goes on… 26 Tevet, 5775, January 17, 2015 There’s no need to take this home on Shabbos… these announcements can be found on our website at www.BethJacobOakland.org MAZEL TOVS Birthdays: Lotem Taylor, Patrick Feigelson, Jesse Fried, Laura Hart (5), Nancy Levine-Jordano, Ariel Shusteff (6), Naomi Moskowitz (15), Mollie Werthan (17), Zondra Barricks. Anniversaries: Michael and Zondra Barricks, Michael and Adrea Gerber, Jeff and Catherine Shachat, Yosef and Gayle Helwani. A special Mazel Tov to Rabbi Michael, Ora, Yehoshua and Chana Davies on the birth of TWIN BOYS Wednesday. Everyone is doing well! KIDDUSH Kiddush this week is sponsored by Melissa Werthan, in honor of her parents, Moshe and Libby Werthan, and her children, Sam and Molly Werthan. Kiddush Sponsors and Kiddush Crew volunteers gratefully accepted! Please contact [email protected] with a date in January to sponsor a Kiddush, or Adrea Gerber at [email protected] to volunteer to prepare. Minyanaires Needed: Ensuring our regular twice-a-day minyan has been challenging of late. We ask that adult men try to join us once a week (not including Shabbat) to help ensure that we have the requisite minyan. We also invite women to consider joining us and enhancing the Kol Tefilah (voice of prayer) at Beth Jacob. The BJC Annual Dinner is fast approaching and NEW FOR THIS YEAR, we will be having an EVENT RAFFLE. This year we are raffling one of the most exclusive events: A four-course dinner for six at the new Covenant Winery in Berkeley, complete with gourmet dairy/pescatarian food prepared by Jeff and Jodie Morgan, and wine pairings selected by Jonathan Hajdu. Raffle tickets will be $100 and only 50 tickets will be sold. Ticket sales start this week – watch your e-mail for details. (You do not need to be present at the dinner to purchase or to win.) Sunday, Feb 8: The BJC Annual Dinner! Celebrating Oakland and 120 years of Beth Jacob. There is still time to RSVP, and you don’t want to miss the biggest social event of the year! After January 15th, seats are just $60 per person. Feel free to pay online, by check to the office, or let us bill you. To reserve your spot, call the office or visit www.bjcdinner.org MINYAN TIMES Shacharit: Sun: 8:00 AM; Mon-Fri: 6:45 AM Maariv: Sun-Thurs: 6:45 PM PARASHAT VAERA JANUARY 16 – JANUARY 17 Candle Lighting Friday 4:56 PM Friday Mincha/Kabbalat 4:55 PM Shabbat/Maariv Shabbat Morning Services 9:00 AM Latest Time to Say Shema 9:50 AM Shabbat Mincha* 12:15 PM Shabbat Ends 5:58 PM Maariv 6:10 PM EVENTS & CLASSES For a complete list, click here to see our Program Guide. *No third meal ANNOUNCEMENTS Office Hours: The Office and Pre-school will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 19 th, 2015. MLK Weekend Parking Notice: The City of Oakland has alerted us to the possibility of protests during MLK weekend. If you will be leaving your car overnight at BJC, please do so on side streets, rather than on Park Blvd. In case of emergency, please call the OPD at 777-3211. Shabbat University: No Shabbat U. this week. The next class will be on January 24 th. Approximately 12:15 PM in the Main Sanctuary. Sunday Morning Breakfast & Tefilah Talks: Learn together every Sunday morning after Shacharit. Scrumptious breakfast provided! Meditation Group: Join a group of Jewish meditators at an ongoing Monday evening meditation session at 7:15PM in the small sanctuary. All are welcome. Explorations in Jewish Thought: Join Rabbi Albert as we explore the role of prophecy in Judaism. Tuesdays at 7:15PM. The Book of Joshua: Let’s travel together back to the 13th century BCE to experience and understand these watershed years in Jewish history. Wednesdays at 12PM and 7:15PM. Lunchtime Talmud: Join us every Thursday at 12PM at the home of Deborah and Michael Sosebee, 701 Trestle Glen Rd. (corner Brookwood). Spiritual Growth through the study of Mussar: Taught by Rabbi Fox. Thursdays from 7:10PM–7:30PM. Shulchan Ivrit - The Hebrew Table: Come join the Shulchan Ivrit, a relaxed, informal Hebrew table at Kiddush! Gidon and Sara Bar-Chama, our local shlichim from Israel, and resident Hebrew experts, will lead conversations; open to all beginner and intermediate Hebrew speakers. This week will be an Israeli Sing-Along! Gidon also practices Hebrew with congregants on Monday (adults) and Thursday (highschool age) nights at Beth Jacob after evening services (7:10PM). Food & Schmooze @ Oakland Kosher! Come join Rabbi Fox and Gidon Bar-Chama for casual learning, discussion, and some food too! Next class Monday, February 9th, from 4-5PM at Oakland Kosher. Unveiling (Hakamat Matzeiva): Please consider joining us for the unveiling of Henry Ramek this coming Sunday, January 18th, at 3:00 PM at Home of Peace Cemetery (4715 Fairfax Ave. Oakland, CA 94601), followed by a reception at BJC at 4:00 PM. BJC YOUTH (TOTS – 12TH GRADE) Shabbat Groups: 10AM - All ages meet in the downstairs Social Hall. Parents, please pick up your children at the end of services (before Kiddush). The Gan will be locked at the completion of groups. NCSY: Join us for the following events: Teen Advocacy Program: Every Tuesday evening from Jan 20-March 3, twenty TAP Fellows will learn how to become advocates for their community. It ends in a day of lobbying in Sacramento! All information at Norcal.ncsy.org or ask Ali Zak! Grades 9-12, Skibbaton in Tahoe: NorCal yarchei kallah! From February 13-16, this is going to be the Shabbaton of a lifetime! With guest speaker Rabbi Menachem Nissel! Sign up at NorCal.ncsy.org Do you like to write? NorCal NCSY is publishing a book on all of the amazing Torah we have learned over the past 4 years together! See Daniella Engel or Molly Werthan for details, or click here http://goo.gl/EgfHwO COMMUNITY MESSAGE BOARD Friday Night Open Table: Anyone and everyone is invited to a Shabbat Open Table – Hosted by Ken Maki and Kathy Hollander. All dinners are meat with a veggie option. RSVP to Ken Maki at [email protected]. 1963 E. 38th St, Oakland. Join Author, Attorney and BJC member Joshua Safran for a book talk at the Oakland Public Library, Montclair Branch - 1687 Mountain Blvd. - on Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 PM. FREE. Visit the library's events page for more information: http://bit.ly/SafranMontclairLibrary Federation Alight Israel Trip April 2015: Join us for a memorable and magical trip to the heart of Israel. Our different daily excursions allow you to personalize your trip to follow your passion: history, arts & culture, tikun olam, hi-tech, Jewish learning, geopolitical. For more information and to register: [email protected] or www.jfed.org/israel2015. Presenters: Jewish Federation of the East Bay, Beth Jacob Congregation and other East Bay synagogues. Jewish Circle Theatre (JCT) is offering a free introductory session in the East Bay as part of opening a community theater in the East Bay (following the success of Bama Ivrit in the south bay), January 26, 2015, 7:00-9:00pm at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave, Berkeley. For more info, call 408-510-2201. BJC’s Men's Fitness Program: An ongoing popular and dynamic series of training sessions. We welcome all levels of fitness. We train in plyometrics with minimal equipment. NO CHARGE!! So no excuses!! Sundays at 8 PM and Wednesdays at 8:30PM in the upstairs social hall. 70-minute session includes warm up. Bring water and a towel. MUST RSVP: Maxim Shusteff, [email protected], David Carasso, [email protected], Yossi Offenberg, [email protected] Beth Jacob Basketball: We are looking for a few good men who like to play hoops. The key to our game is comradery and the desire to schvitz. Designed for middleaged Jewish men in white collar jobs from 8:30 AM until 10:30AM @ Oakland Hebrew Day School, most every Sunday. For more info, contact Stephen Leist. [email protected] January 17, 2015 ~ 26 Tevet 5775 THIS WEEK IN JEWISH HISTORY By: Gidon Bar-Hama העפלה – 1934-1948 -גדעון בר-חמא העפלה ,הוא כינוי לעלייה לא חוקית (בלתי לגאלית) של יהודים לארץ ישראל בתקופת המנדט הבריטי .ההעפלה החלה בשנת ,1934 לאחר שהיטלר עלה לשלטון בגרמניה ,ורבים מיהודי גרמניה (וארצות אחרות) ביקשו לעלות לארץ ישראל . ההעפלה נעשתה בעיקר דרך הים ,בספינות משא קטנות ,ישנות ורעועות שניסו להגיע לחופי הארץ ולהביא אליה בחשאי פליטים יהודים . בשלב הראשון של ההעפלה ,בשנים 1939 – 1934הגיעו לחופי הארץ יותר מ 50,000 -מעפילים ,גם במהלך מלחמת העולם השנייה ( )1945 – 1939לא נפסקה ההעפלה ,ולמרות כל הקשיים והסכנות – הגיעו לארץ כ 16,000 -מעפילים . חלק מן הספינות לא זכו להגיע לחופי הארץ ,בין השאר בגלל מצבן הרעוע והמספר הרב של המעפילים ,והן טבעו (או טובעו) או הוחזרו ע"י הבריטים במהלך ההפלגה .כזה היה גם גורלה של הספינה "פאטריה" (מולדת). עם סיום מלחמת העולם השנייה התבררו ממדיה הנוראים של שואת יהודי אירופה .למרות שההגבלות על העלייה לא בוטלו ,המוסד לעלייה ב' החליט לחדש את פעילותו ולסייע לפליטים להגיע ארצה" .במבצע ענקי" שנמשך כשלוש שנים ,נשלחו יותר מ85,000 - מעפילים ,ניצולי שואה ,מעשרות נמלי ם מאירופה לארץ ישראל .ספינות הפליטים הראשונות שהפליגו מאירופה היו קטנות ,אך בעקבותיהן באו הספינות הגדולות יותר ,דוגמת "יציאת אירופה תש"ז" (אקסודוס) .הבריטים עשו ככל יכולתם לעצור את זרם העלייה, הם סגרו את החוף הארצישראלי בתחנות מכ"ם ,שיגרו מטוסי סיור וספינות משמר לסיורים קבועים בים ,ועצרו כל ספינה חשודה. אבל מבצע ההעפלה לא נפסק ,להיפך :הוא גבר והלך ,בין השאר בלחצם של פליטי השואה ששהו במחנות העקורים באירופה וביקשו לעלות לארץ ישראל .באותה תקופה (עד סוף שנת ) 1946נהגו הבריטים לכלוא את המעפילים במחנות מעצר בארץ ,ולשחרר אותם לאחר שהושגו עבורם רי שיונות עלייה .מאוחר יותר ,כאשר מחנות המעצר בארץ התמלאו בפליטים ,החלו הבריטים לגרש את הפליטים למחנות מעצר בקפריסין . בשנים – 1948 – 1946עד להקמת המדינה – הגיעו לארץ במבצע ההעפלה כ 70,000 -פליטים מאירופה בדרך הים – אך לא רק הם :נוסף עליהם הגיעו לארץ גם 5,000עולים מארצות המזרח .ההעפלה מצפון אפריקה הוכיחה ,כי שאיפת היהודים לעלות לארץ ישראל אינה קשורה אך ורק במצבם הקשה של הפליטים היהודים באירופה בעקבות השואה ,וגם יהודי גלויות אחרות מוכנים להפליג בספינות רעועות או "לגנוב" גבולות כדי להגיע לארץ . HA’PALA – 1934-1948 Translation By: Michal Kohane Ha’pala (literally means “mountaineering” and used specifically in Israeli history as described here) is a term for illegal aliya (immigration) of Jews to Israel during the British Mandate. Illegal immigration began in 1934, after Hitler came to power in Germany, and many German Jews (and other countries) wanted to go to Israel. Immigration was mainly by sea, using small, rickety old freight ships that tried to reach the shores of the country, bringing the Jewish refugees secretly. In the first stage of illegal immigration (1934-1939), more than 50,000 illegal immigrants reached the shores of the country, and even during World War II (1939-1945) the ha’apala did not stop. Despite all the difficulties and dangers, about 16,000 illegal immigrants came to Israel. Some of the ships, however, never reached the shore, in part because of their bad conditions struggling to carry a large number of illegal immigrants, and in part because they sank (or were sunk) or returned by the British during the voyage. Such was the fate of the ship "Patria" (Moledet, Homeland). At the end of World War II, the terrible extent of the Holocaust became known. Despite the fact that restrictions on immigration were not canceled, the Aliya Bet (another name for ha’apala) decided to resume its activities and help refugees make it to Israel. In a mega operation that lasted about three years, more than 85,000 illegal immigrants, most of them Holocaust survivors, were shipped from dozens of European harbors to Israel. The first refugee ships sailing from Europe were small, but the next ones were larger ships, such as the famous "Yetziat Eropas Tashaz" known as “Exodus”. The British did everything they could to stop the flow of immigration, guarding the coastline with radar stations, sending patrol planes and ships to police the sea, and stopping all suspicious ships. But the operation did not stop. On the contrary, it kept growing, much due to the pressure from Holocaust survivors who were in the DP camps in Europe and wanted to immigrate to Israel. Initially, (until the end of 1946), the British would lock up illegal immigrants in detention camps in Israel, and release them after they obtained appropriate certificates. Later, when Israel’s detention camps were filled with refugees, the British began deporting the refugees to detention camps in Cyprus. From 1946-1948 - until the establishment of the State of Israel – about 70,000 refuges came to Israel in this manner mainly from Europe by sea but not only: About 5,000 immigrants came from North Africa as well. The ha’apala from North Africa demonstrated that the Jews’ desire to immigrate to Israel was not related only to the plight of European Jewry after the Holocaust, and that other diasporas were willing to travel in rickety ships illegally in order to come to Israel. A message from our Scholar-in-Residence Rav Judah Mischel: Dear Friends, Shalom to All! Thank you for the wonderful hospitality and warm welcome this past Shabbat in Oakland. After a hard week for Am Yisrael, it was particularly comforting to spend an uplifting weekend together with you. What an honor to meet so many special people and spend time with friends new and old... what a blessing to have Rav Gershon, Meira, Rav Daniel & Bryna as leaders of your community! From the sweet davening, the communal Shabbat meal, the open and engaging learning, our musical Havdala together - I left Oakland enriched, inspired and most of all, with a genuine sense of family and Ahavat Yisrael. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the Beth Jacob Congregation.... May we always share, and may the sharing be for good occasions. Please be in touch, and if you're visiting Israel, we'd love to have you over. Let's keep the conversation, learning and sharing going! All the best, Judah Mischel [email protected]
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