Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:02 pm
• Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik
• Tehillim Club: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:39 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• KYY: 10:30 am
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:00 pm
• Mincha: 7:00 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perokim 5-6
• Shabbos Ends: 8:05 pm
• Selichos Motzei Shabbos: 1:00 am

Selichos followed by Shachris
Monday - Tuesday

• 1st Selichos Minyan: 6:00 am
• 2nd Selichos Minyan: 6:30 am
• 3rd Selichos Minyan: 7:00 am 
• 4th Selichos Minyan: 7:45 am 

Eliyahu & Shoshana Newman
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 362 N Detroit St.

Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Schapiro
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor 
at  829 N Detroit St.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s father Reb Yehuda ben Reb Tzvi Hirsch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogelman. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.  
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Goldman in honor of Rabbi Levi Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  Also in honor of their children Chaya Mushka & Yosef Yitzchok’s birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mrs. Barbara Zipp’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  Also in honor of their son Josh’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

5:45 pm
At the home of: Mrs. Inna Vcherashansky
622 N. Detroit St.
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Eliyahu Newman on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Schapiro on the birth of their son. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Michael Mordechai Cohen - 25 Elul
• Mendel Rav~Noy - 26 Elul
• Yosef Yitzchok Raeburn - 26 Elul
• Mr. Josh Zipp - 26 Elul
• Rabbi Levi Goldman - 27 Elul
• Mr. Richard Rosenbloom - 27 Elul
• Chaim Morris - 28 Elul
• Devorah Esther Stark - 29 Elul
• Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn - 29 Elul
• Menachem Cohen - 29 Elul
• Mendel Arnold - 29 Elul
• Mr. Yonason Allison - 2 Tishrei

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik - 26 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Mordechai Leib ben Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Yoel Edelson’s father) - 26 Elul
• Reb Meir Eliezer ben Reb Chaim Yehuda (Rabbi Schneur Zalman Schmukler’s father) - 27 Elul
• Reb Yehuda ben Reb Tzvi Hirsch (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s father) - 27 Elul
• Reb Sholom Dovid ben Reb Yoisef (Rabbi Nachman Kreiman’s father) - 28 Elul
• Reb Moshe ben Reb Menachem Mendel Hilel (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s father) - 2 Tishrei

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Maayon Yisroel is having a special Melava Malka. Click here for more info. 
• Please say Tehilim for Rabbi Berger - CHAIM Mordechai Yosef Shimon ben Henna, who is still in critical condition - kapitel 20 & 67.

This Shabbos - Chai Elul
(birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe)
our shul will be having a special Shabbaton with 
Rabbi Zalman Markowitz.  
There will be a Shabbos and Sunday program for Men and Women.  
Click here for more details.

This Shabbos, we are honored to be joined
by Rabbi Zalman Markowitz as a guest Rabbi,
who will say the drosho and farbreng by the kiddush. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:11 pm
• Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Zalman Markowitz: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:38 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kyy #12 - Starts this Shabbos @: 10:15 am
• Followed by a Farbrengen with Rabbi Zalman Markowitz: What does Chai Elul mean to me in 2013?
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:10 pm
• Mincha: 7:10 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perokim 3-4
• Shabbos Ends: 8:14 pm

• Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Milton Goodman’s father Reb Yisroel ben Reb Zalmen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi Tzvi Burston in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky for the yahrtzeit of their son Reb Dovid Yonah ben yblctv”a Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  Also in honor of their children Chaya Mushka & Ezra Refoel’s birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Sholom Makhlin in honor of their daughter Nechama Sara. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Rabbi & Dr. Nochum Pinson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s father Reb Yechezkel ben Reb Nochum Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  Also for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Bassya Pinson’s mother Ita bas Reb Aharon ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• The Raichik Family for the yahrtzeit of their brother Reb Yosef Yitzchok ben Harav Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi Raichik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  Also for the yahrtzeit of their grandmother Liba Devora bas Reb Chaim Shamaya Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll in honor of Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss in honor of Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

At the home of: Rebbitzen Chana Liba Raichik
6724 Beverly Blvd.
6:00 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Zalman Markowitz
Folowed by a farbrengen

• Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Revere on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Frank Revere

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Shmuel Stroll - 19 Elul
• Yisroel Pinson - 19 Elul
• Rabbi Noach Vogel - 20 Elul
• Moshe Yaakov Berkowitz - 20 Elul
• Rabbi Tzvi Burston - 21 Elul
• Yeshayahu Gansburg - 22 Elul
• Shmuel Rotenberg - 22 Elul
• Dovid Moshe Klein - 23 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Kornreich - 18 Elul
• Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan - 19 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Elozor Fisch - 20 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner - 21 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Pollard - 21 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Ben Tzion Novack - 21 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Mottel Polityko - 24 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Reb Smaryahu (Mr. Yisroel Feiner’s father) - 19 Elul
• Leah bas Reb Shimon (Dr. Penina Rivka Watstein’s mother) - 19 Elul
• Reb Yisroel ben Reb Zalmen (Mr. Milton Goodman’s father) - 20 Elul
• Reb Yechezkel ben Reb Nochum Yitzchok (Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s father) - 20 Elul
• Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai (Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother) - 20 Elul
• Reb Yosef Yitzchok ben Harav Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi Raichik - 21 Elul
• Ita bas Reb Aharon (Dr. Bassya Pinson’s mother) - 21 Elul
• Reb Dovid Yonah ben yblctv”a Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen (Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky’s son) - 22 Elul
• Reb Avraham Zelig ben Reb Tzvi Hersh (Mr. Isser Goldstein’s brother) - 24 Elul

Giving Our Investment Portfolio a Boost on Chai Elul

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos is Chai Elul, the birthday of the two great luminaries the Baal Shem Tov in 5458-1698, and the Alter Rebbe in 5505-1745. What does this mean to us today in 2013? The Previous Rebbe said that Chai Elul is the life of our service in Elul, the service of Ani L’Dodi v’Dodo Li.

Each of the last 12 days of Elul, beginning with the 18th, Chai Elul, are dedicated to retrospection and teshuva for an entire month of the past year. The day of Chai Elul corresponds to the both the past and the coming month of Tishrei.

Nowadays, we are looking for inspiration from others. We are waiting to get motivation and encouragement from others to take us through the month of Tishrei.

Because of today’s fast pace we are rushed and distracted. We wait for the jolt of  finely crafted 30 second sound bites to do the trick. We don’t have focus for more.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed the essence of emuna within the neshama of every Jew. The Alter Rebbe’s Torah brings that emunah into our hearts and minds when we apply ourselves to avodah.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed that emunah is already ingrained and a part of us.  It may be covered or concealed at times but it’s always there; it’s our life and our essence. It’s the same for everyone. In our core we know that Hashem is the essence of all of life. We arouse this essence through stories of Tzaddikim.

The Alter Rebbe guided us to on how to make ourselves a vessel, a keli, to incorporate this into our daily intellect. The purpose of Chassidus Chabad to become a keli; to focus on growth and development of our minds and hearts. We need to learn and contemplate Chassidus in order to arouse our hearts to serve Hashem with true sincerity in the month of Tishrei.

Even though we feel the great inspiration of Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, Sukkos and Simchas Torah nevertheless all too often this inspiration fades after Tishrei. What can we do so that the inspiration will last? We need to prepare by making ourselves into a keli with the avodah of “Ani L’Dodi” in the month of Elul. Then when we are inspired in Tishrei, the time of “Dodi Li” it will have a lasting effect.

There is a story of a wealthy man who lived in a village with two poor families. After watching their plight for some time he could no longer bear to see their suffering. He approached the father of each household with 10,000 rubles as a loan, a huge sum at the time. He told them to use it well, to invest it etc., in order to get themselves out of poverty.

The first man used the money to fix his house, buy his family new clothes and give them proper food to eat. Once they were in a better situation he carefully managed what was left. He diversified his investments, reinvested and saved. After a few years he was doing well in business and wanted to repay the loan. Instead of taking the money back the wealthy benefactor encouraged him to use the money to help others. He could teach them what he had learned and help them get out of poverty.

As you can imagine, the second man spent all of his money without making any investments. Soon enough he was back asking the wealthy man for another loan. The wealthy man told him to learn from the first man.

This analogy is relevant to the month of Elul. We have a precious opportunity to prepare. And then when Hashem “invests” in us with a Shana Tovah uMesuka we can make it last.

This is the message of the Hayom Yom for Chai Elul. Everyone should study it carefully. The point of the Hayom Yom is the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching that Hashem has inherited to each one of us the desire to serve Hashem.

When we get inspired we need to place it in a basket, a tena. The word tena is an acronym for taamim, nekudos and osios, the letters, vowels and cantillations of the words of the Torah.

This is why we are given inspiration in the month of Tishrei; in order to invest. We invest well wherever we go by using every opportunity to make a dwelling place for Hashem.

This is our service in the month of Elul. We focus, review and contemplate how we managed what Hashem invested in us both physically and spiritually in the last year and how to best manage our ‘investments’ in the coming year. Are we utilizing them for what they were intended? This is our ultimate purpose and this is what brings Moshiach.

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Yehoshua Goldman - 136 North Poinsettia Pl.
  To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
• Save The Date: The Estulin Family cordially invites the entire community to a Hachnosas Sefer Torah. Sunday, 26 Elul/September 1, at Chabad of Mt. Olympus. More details to follow. 
• NEXT SHABBOS - Chai Elul (birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe) our shul will be having a special Shabbaton with Rabbi Zalman Markowitz.  There will be a Shabbos and Sunday program for Men and Women.  More details to follow. 
• Please say Tehilim for Rabbi Berger - Mordechai Yosef Shimon ben Henna, who is still in critical condition - kapitel 20 & 67.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:20 pm
• Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:36 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:20 pm
• Mincha: 7:20 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 2
• Shabbos Ends: 8:23 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  Also in honor of Mrs. Fayge Estulin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Ber Levine for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s mother Chaya Stera bas Reb Yisroel Boruch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mordy Gluckowsky for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Ilanit Gluckowsky’s father Reb Amiram ben Reb Avraham ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Goldman in honor of Mrs. Dina Tova Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Langsam in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

6:00 pm At the home of: Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Levine (from Agoura Hills)

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner on the birth of their grandson (to Mordy & Itty Feiner).
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their granddaughter
• Mr. & Mrs. Yehosuah Goldman for the bas mitzvah of their daughter Simcha Chana. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Ezra Refoel Kaplan - 12 Elul
• Mr. Aviv Topps - 13 Elul
• Carl Eiferman - 14 Elul
• Shloima Glabman - 16 Elul
• Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - 16 Elul
• Ben Tzion Yaakov Dovid Yachzel - 17 Elul
• Mendel Raichik - 17 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel - 11 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin - 15 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf - 15 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Langsam - 16 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner - 17 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin - 17 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Chaya Baila bas Reb Yaacov (Rabbi Chaim Burston’s mother) - 14 Elul
• Chaya Stera bas Reb Yisroel Boruch (Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s mother) - 15 Elul
• Reb Yosef ben Reb Efraim Nachman (Mrs. Sima Bart’s father) - 15 Elul

The Business of Elul

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Elul is a month of cheshbon and teshuva. Elul is also a month when Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy are revealed. This revelation helps to make a proper cheshbon and do teshuva in Elul. The Alter Rebbe analogizes this to a King who is in the field, available to all as they are before he goes to his palace on Rosh Hashana. In Elul the people go out to the field to see the King.

The Alter Rebbe asks why there is a revelation of the 13 Attributes of Mercy on regular weekdays in Elul. The only other time there is such a revelation is on Yom Tov in general and on Yom Kippur in particular.

Also, which people are usually in the field? It’s usually the laborers, those involved in the mundane, the routine work of this world. What about people whose lives are dedicated to kodesh? If they learn Torah they aren’t in the field; they are in the city where the King’s palace is located. Why should they leave their place, which is close to the palace and go out into the field to greet the King? Wouldn’t it be better to wait to see Him when he goes to his palace?

The Rebbe answers these questions by first providing a novel insight into the ethical requirement of being honest in business, “maasah u’matan b’emunah”. Chazal explain that the first question a neshama is asked when it goes before the heavenly court he is if he was honest in business, maasah u’matan b’emunah. There are other questions that he is asked as well, such as if he set aside time for Torah study.

Why then does the business question come first? Isn’t Torah study the essential goal while making a parnassa is just a means to that end?

The Rebbe answers with a different reason for the statement of Chazal “maasah u’matan b’emunah”.  He translates it: Did you conduct your business with emunah in Hashem? Did you recognize that all of our efforts are a vessel and that the blessing of parnassa comes Hashem?

If all that Hashem wanted was that we should study the Torah and do mitzvos then why didn’t He make sure to give us everything we need so we shouldn’t be bothered or distracted by having to make a living? Hashem wanted us to learn the Torah and do mitzvos while facing all the regular challenges of making a livelihood. This is how we make this world a dwelling place for Hashem. On the surface the Jewish people are just like everyone else. We need to provide food and sustenance to our families just like everyone else. On the other hand we realize and recognize that any and everything we have is from Hashem and it is in order to serve Him.

This is the message of the King being in the field in the month of Elul. Elul teaches us  to crown Hashem as King over the world in general and our lives in particular. This is the cheshbon that we make in Elul. What have we done to make the world and our lives a dwelling place for Hashem? For this reason everyone must go to the field to greet the King because this is our ultimate purpose.

One of the acronyms for the month of Elul teaches that Elul is also similar to a city of refuge from the outside world (אנה לידו ושמתי לך). It is a month that we set aside time to learn Torah in general and Chassidus in particular. Elul is part of the 40 day period that Moshe Rabbenu was on Har Sinai and received the second Luchos. Setting aside time to learn Torah in the midst of our busy schedules helps us feel that the King is with us during our daily routines.

Resolutions in Elul to add in learning Torah and Chassidus throughout the year will help us to fulfill our purpose in making this world a dwelling place for Hashem. The purpose of creation will be fulfilled and Hashem will be crowned as King over all creation. Everyone will realize the sovereignty of Hashem. This will revealed with the coming of Moshiach and the sounding of the shofar of Moshiach.

Please say Tehilim for a full and speedy recovery of

Mordechai Yosef Shimon ben Henna

Thank you and may Hashem help that we always share only good news.

• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy and Chaya Rochie Cohen in conjunction with their new son's Sholom Zachor at 821 N. Formosa. Mazel tov!
  To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
• This Sunday, Elul 5/August 11, there will be a special women’s gathering “Bracha's Tehilim and Torah Club”. Click here for more info. 
• Women are invited to a “Elul Soul Journey”, for four consecutive Sundays. Click here for more info. 
• Ohel Sara is a new seminary in Los Angeles that is opening up its doors iy”h this coming October. The seminary is also offering programs to post-seminary girls, and  evenings of community chavrusa learning. Click here for more info. 
• Please say Tehillim for Ruchamah Avigayil Maimah Rachel bas Rivkah Peninah. 
• SAVE THE DATE: This Chai Elul (birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov and Alter Rebbe) our shul will be having a special Shabbaton with Rabbi Zalman Markowitz.  There will be a Shabbos and Sunday program for Men and Women.  More details to follow. 

The Spiegel Family
is sitting shiva for the passing of
Mrs. Ruchomo Spiegel ob"m

The family is sitting Shiva in NY until Tuesday morning:

Chaim Yitzchok (Harry) can be reached at (323) 965-0336
The children can be reached at (310) 981-7311

The family asked that we help finish the Mishnayos in her memory. The sign is hanging in the back of shul.

Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom!

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:27 pm
• Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:34 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:25 pm
• Mincha: 7:25 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 1
• Shabbos Ends: 8:30 pm

Zechariah & Yehudis Davidson
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 418 N Poinsettia Pl.

Rabbi Mendel & Chaya Cohen
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 821 N Formosa Ave. Apt 103

This Shabbos, 4 Elul,
Marks exactly 25 years since the incorporation of
our shul - Congregation Levi Yitzchok.
May our shul and community grow from strength to strength, and may we continue to give much nachas to the Rebbe awaiting the coming of Moshiach NOW!!!

• Mr. & Mrs. Asher Bastomski in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Dr. Mordechai Leaderman in honor of the marriage of their son Steve to Emet Noa. May they be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Sender Munitz’s father Reb Yisroel Meir ben Reb Alexsender Sender ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rosenbloom in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yehudah Schmukler in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

• Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll in honor of the ufruf of their son Boruch. May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.

6:15 pm
At the home of: Mrs. Yocheved Lezak 423 N Fuller Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Cohen on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler.
• Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandmother Mrs. Judith Davidson and to the entire family.
• Mr. & Dr. Mordechai Leaderman on the marriage of their son Steve to Emet Noa. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Perl on the engagement of their son Levi to Brachie Friedman.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Yisroel Berkowitz - 5 Elul
• Yechiel Dovid Yonah Friedman - 5 Elul
• Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman - 6 Elul
• Moshe Dov Ber Stark - 8 Elul
• Sholom Dov Ber Polityko - 8 Elul
• Rabbi Shalom Rubashkin - 8 Elul
• Rabbi Levi Zirkind - 9 Elul
• Levi Gurary - 9 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rosenbloom - 4 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff - 5 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Asher Bastomski - 5 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler - 7 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman - 8 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yehudah Schmukler - 9 Elul 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson - 10 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman - 10 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Yisroel Meir ben Reb Alexsender Sender (Rabbi Sender Munitz’s father) - 4 Elul
• Reb Amiram ben Reb Avraham (Mrs. Ilanit Gluckowsky’s father) - 8 Elul

Do We Have the Real Thing?

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

We have now entered the month of Elul. In the Hayom Yom it says that Elul is a time for taking inventory of all that we have and have not accomplished throughout the past year. With this we take new resolutions as we prepare to receive a good and sweet new year when we hear the sounding of the shofar and accept Hashem as the sovereign King of the world on Rosh Hashana.

Last week was Shabbos Mevarchim parshas Re’eh and this week is parshas Shoftim. The connection is explained in a sicha. The Rebbe explains that when we see, -Re’eh, with clarity that “Anochi Hashem- that I am Hashem” permeates everything, then we realize that the laws in parshas Shoftim are correct and necessary laws for us to follow. Soon, when Moshiach is revealed we won’t need to be pushed to accept these laws. Instead, in the future we will turn to advisors for guidance. The shotrim, the police will be out of a job.

There are times when we can clearly see what the world stands for. We realize how blessed we are to have and keep our laws. We also get a jolt when we see that the opposite comes when we don’t. This relates to the theme of parshas Shoftim.

The Rebbe spoke many times about instituting a moment of silence in schools and the importance of mankind keeping the seven mitzvos of Bnei Noach. The Rebbe spoke of the great benefit of these things bring to society at large and how the world is a jungle without them.

In his many sichos about Moshiach the Rebbe proclaimed the coming of Moshiach. He said that we have completed the clarification of the divine sparks and that now we stand ready to greet Moshiach. How can we see that clarification today? To clarify something means to separate between good and bad. Clarity means that we can see the difference between what is good and bad, a Torah life, 7 Mitzvos, emunah etc. and their opposite.

When we take a look around, we don’t have to look very far to see this clearly. In America today, what are the grave concerns that today’s lawmakers are preoccupied with? Eliminating traditional marriage, providing medicinal marijuana, giving free birth control to college kids and allowing abortion. Even a 13 year old isn’t required to tell her parents about an abortion but cannot take an aspirin in school without a note from home! Partial birth abortions are not a problem to many.

What are other front burner issues and major concerns? Regulating oil in french fry’s and banning large sugary drinks from restaurants. Also considered most important is not use to our vast oil resources and become energy independent even though we have ways of doing it without destroying the environment. It has been decided that we cannot touch the oil because we do not want to disturb even one Caribou in the wild. Many think that we need to save the world from global warming. Do we ever hear a call to pray for rain as well?

Today a Jew that stands up and says that the only proper definition for marriage is between a man and a woman is viewed as intolerant! Those who fallen away from observance say that the Torah is for peace. They turned over the law about marriage for peace, its ok. People used to think that they could send their children to university, that they would get an education and it would be ok; things have been clarified. We now know better.

A radical muslim shoots up an army base in Fort Hood Texas and do we call it terrorism? Not at all, we call it a criminal act committed by an unstable individual. In Israel if Jew wants to build a home in the ancient City of our Patriarchs there is an international outcry, the press storms Chevron and there are potential sanctions in the UN. At the same time a Palestinian can get up and brazenly lie in the Knesset saying with audacity that they were here before us and Chas’v Shalom afterward. At the same place a Jew will proudly say that Eretz Yisroel is ours and be heckled off the podium.

As we prepare in the month of Elul we need to take a look at how we act. We need to look ahead and ask ourselves; what direction am I going? How careful am I with Torah and mitzvos? When it comes to tznius or whether or not to wear a sheitel instead of a tichel we need to take a look. Is it bringing good results in the end? Some have fallen into using the eruv even though our custom is not to use an eruv in a big city. We need to take an honest look and ask ourselves if it has actually increased the keeping of the Shabbos and brought families together. So too with regard to cholov Yisroel, there is no such thing as stam cholov, its either cholov Yisroel or not. Being Lubavitch isn’t just a hat and kapote it’s a life.

The Coca Cola Company has advanced since the introduction of its flagship product the original Coca Cola. Now they offer Coke Light, Coke Zero and Diet Coke to name a few. In Chabad and in Torah and mitzvos there is no such thing as a diversified portfolio. What we have is definitive. There is no such thing as Chabad light, it’s not a new category.

As we go through the month of Elul in preparation for Rosh Hashana we need to take a good look at what we are doing. We need to make a proper judgment, to decide where we are heading.

If we choose to follow and increase in the ways of Torah and mitzvos we are guaranteed success not just for ourselves but also for our children, the community and the world at large. May we merit the complete revelation of Moshiach even before 5774.

A good Shabbos

You Are Invited on an Elul Soul Journey

Preparation for Rosh Hoshannah
& the New Year

For Women Only

A Four Week Soul Adventure series to help you create a Teshuva Action Map, discover your talents and tikkun, refine your character traits, and get focused on what you are really in this world to do.

This Guided Workshop is led by author & artist, Rae Shagalov, author of, "What's a Soul Like You Doing In a World Like This?" and, "The Return to G-d Soul Kit."

• Elul 5/Aug. 11, Vision: Who Do You Really Want to Be?
• Elul 12/Aug. 18, Service: What Are Your Talents and Tikkun?
• Elul 19/Aug. 25, Balance: Art, Tips & Tools for Navigating Your Challenges
• Elul 26/Sept. 1, Action: Create a Teshuva Map & Action Plan for Your Life

Sunday Mornings 10:15-11:45 
at Maayon Yisroel - 140 N. La Brea Ave.
$15 per workshop or $50 in advance for the series, 
includes materials & supplies.
Books and art will be available for purchase at the workshop.

New Program
Bracha's Tehilim & Torah Club
L'ilui Nishmas Bracha Leah Chava bas Shmuel ob”m

Guest Speaker: Rabbi Shmuly Goldberg

Tribute By Bracha's Daughter: Mrs. Sara Goldberg

Sunday, Elul 5/August 11
At Congregation Levi Yitzchok Annex: 358 N La Brea Ave.

• 10:30 am: Tehilim
• 11:00 am: Learning

Childcare ~ Refreshments ~ $5.00 Donation optional

323-935-5032

A Joint Project of:
Bais Chana and Congregation Levi Yitzchok

May we merit the coming of Moshiach Now!

• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Shpalter - 821 N Formosa Ave Apt 203.
  To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
• This Sunday, Av 28/August 4, there will be a special women’s gathering “Bracha's Tehilim and Torah Club”. Click here for more info. 
• Maayon Yisroel is having a special course on Igeres HaTeshuva over the months of Elul-Tishrei, every Thursday night. Click here for more info. 
• Please say Tehillim for Ovadia ben Zehava Chaya and Ruchamah Avigayil Maimah Rachel bas Rivkah Peninah. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:34 pm
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Simcha Bart
• Tehillim Club: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:32 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• This Shabbos, we are honored to be joined by Rabbi Mendel Schapiro as a guest Rabbi, who will say the drosho and farbreng by the kiddush.
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Sholom ber Kesselman: 6:35 pm
• Mincha: 7:35 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 6
• Shabbos Ends: 8:37 pm
• Molad of Chodesh Elul, Tuesday, Av 30/August 6, 10:02 pm with 1 chelek.
• Rosh Chodesh Elul: Tuesday & Wednesday, August 6-7

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky in honor of Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s mother Ratza Liba bas Reb Chaim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s father Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Aron ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Chaim Lerner’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Chaim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s brother Reb Refoel ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mrs. Debbie Tibor for the yahrtzeit of her mother Musa bas Reb Yehoshua Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  Also in honor of the birth of her granddaughter Moussia Esther Liba bas Chana Yehudis. May she have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.

• Mr. & Mrs. Levi Nagel in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

Emet Noa (Kallah of Steve Leaderman)
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
5:30 pm
at the home of Margalit Leaderman
178 S Formosa Ave.
Speaker: Mrs. Miriam Gross

• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch on the marriage of their daughter Sara Chanie to Moshe Brafman
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Mishulovin on the upcoming marriage of their son Yehoshua Heshel to Chanie Niasoff.
• Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke on the birth of their granddaughter (to Mendel and Esther Rochel Plotke) 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky - 27 Av
• Menachem Mendel Rubashkin - 29 Av
• Menachem Mendel Thaler - 29 Av
• Eliezer Meir Tzvi Winograd - 29 Av
• Yisrael Shusterman - 1 Elul
• Zakkai Hanania Shusterman - 1 Elul
• Mr. Yossi Palace - 1 Elul
• Rabbi Chaim Drizin - 1 Elul
• Yona Israeli - 3 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Levi Nagel - 29 Av
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yoel Edelson - 30 Av
• Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Avrahom Mentz - 1 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Benyomin Hoffman - 3 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Ratza Liba bas Reb Chaim (Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s mother) - 28 Av
• Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia (Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother) - 29 Av
• Musa bas Reb Yehoshua Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s mother) - 30 Av
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb Chaim (Mr. Chaim Lerner’s father) - 30 Av
• Reb Refoel ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s brother) - 1 Elul
• Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Aron (Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s father) - 1 Elul
• Sima Baila bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Yoel Edelson’s mother) - 3 Elul