Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Parshat Ki Tavo 2008

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

We light our Shabbat candles this week at 6:40 pm.  Shabbat services begin with our Kabbalat Shabbat service at 8 pm on Friday evening, and we continue on Saturday morning at 9 am.  This Shabbat Max Litke will come to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.  The Litke family invites the entire congregation to participate in services this Shabbat.

We will read from the opening section of parshat Ki Tavo in Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy this Shabbat.  There is the sense here as we approach the end of the fifth book of the Torah that the Israelites are poised and ready to enter the Holy Land.  Moses and the elders of Israel command the people to set up large stones once they cross the Jordan, and then coat them with plaster before writing on the stones all the words of the Torah.

When we think about these stones with words of Torah on them, it is interesting to think about what happens to the stones once the Israelites pass by and settle in the Land.  The stones become a type of road sign like the ones we see when we cross into another city or state.  There’s a sign on Maple Avenue where it enters Fair Lawn, “Fair Lawn:  A nice place to visit, an even better place to live.”  A large sign on the side of the Cavalier Apartments in Delaware reads, “If you lived here, you’d be home now.”  There are also the ubiquitous, “Welcome to New Jersey” type signs.  All these signs, like the stones with words of Torah, suggest a message that the person entering a place should take with him or her:  Messages of welcome, Messages of home, Messages of our hopes.  The stones that the Israelites set up are, then, like the mezuzah that hangs on our door.  They remind us that God and Torah are central in our lives.  They remind us that there is more that we can do to make the world a better, more holy place.

If we could write any message on our doors or doorposts, in addition to the mezuzahs there, what might we want to write there?  What messages would we like to see ourselves and what messages might we want others to see when they come in?

Join us Saturday evening for SELICHOT beginning with dessert and a musical program at 10 pm followed by a short service at 11 pm.  We welcome Cantor Michelle Freedman who has prepared a wonderful musical program “in the key of the High Holidays”.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saturday, September 20, 10 pm “Music in the Key of the High Holidays” – A Selichot program and service with Cantor Michelle Freedman and Rabbi Tow Sunday, September 21, 10 am, Men’s Club Breakfast and Putting Tournament (Social Hall)

Sunday, September 21, 11 am, Annual Memorial Service at Cedar Park Cemetery, (Forest Avenue, Paramus)

Monday, September 22, 10:30 am – 7:00 pm, 6th Annual Men’s Club Golf Outing, (Walkill Golf Club, Middletown, NY)

Monday, September 22, 7:30-9:45 pm, Melton II Class (Youth Lounge)

Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 24
9:30-10:45 am Mommy & Me classes (Social Hall)

Thursday, September 25, 7:30 pm, Choir Rehearsal with Cantor Freedman (Sanctuary)

Thursday, September 25, 7:30 pm, Hebrew Literacy Class with Michael Goodman (Youth Lounge).  It is not too late to sign up! More students are definitely welcome. Starting with a review of the Hebrew letters, the focus of the class will be on learning to read and understand the key prayers of the Shabbat morning service.  Please contact the GRJC office (201-652-6624) or Michael Goodman (mgood831@optonline.net).

Deadline to RSVP for Family Puzzle Night is this Sunday, September 21.

All GRJC members in good standing should have received their High Holiday tickets through our annual mailing. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR HIGH HOLIDAY ENVELOPE WITH YOUR TICKETS and are continuing your membership for the 08-09 year, please call the Center and ask for Roann.
PLEASE NOTE:  The last day to order/pick up guest tickets (available only for extended family of GRJC members) for Rosh HaShanah services is next Friday, September 26, by 1:00 pm.

The GRJC Sisterhood announces that the 2008-2009 Entertainment Books have arrived in time for 5769! The books are filled with two-for-one offers and huge discounts for restaurants, travel, movies, fast food, local sporting events, activities and entertainment, name-brand retail stores and more.  Some of the participating businesses include Kosher Nosh, Shop-Rite, Walgreens, Medieval Times, Annie Sez, Modell’s, Meadowlands Racetrack, Harmon, Mandee, Six Flags Great Adventure and more!  Still only $25, the Entertainment Book is a huge bargain.  Going to Florida or on a vacation?  Out-of-town editions are available to save you money on your next trip.  Looking for the perfect gift?  Entertainment Books are a wonderful gift for Chanukah, birthdays, anniversaries, wedding showers and more.  To order your book, please email Robin Frizzell at robindale59@verizon.net
 

With wishes for a peaceful and restful Shabbat,
Rabbi Tow

  Back to Home