Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm
• Late Kabolos Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:11 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm
• Father and Son Learning: 7:00-7:45 pm
• Monday night: Start saying V’sein Tal Umatar L’Brochah - by Ma’ariv 

• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch of ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman in honor of Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld in honor of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

4:15 pm at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Elharrar on the engagement of their daughter Sarah to Zevi Haller.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman on the marriage of their son Dovid to Sarah Posner.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Mendel Simons - 14 Kislev
• Mendel Fogelman - 14 Kislev
• Mr. Israel Goldshmid - 15 Kislev
• Rabbi Gershon Schusterman - 15 Kislev
• Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 16 Kislev
• Mr. Joseph Michael Dunn - 17 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman - 17 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Freeman - 17 Kislev
• Rabbi Fischel Grossman - 18 Kislev
• Mr. Steve Zipp - 18 Kislev
• Levi Gross - 18 Kislev
• Zalman Labkowsky - 18 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalman Schmukler - 19 Kislev
• Mr. Martin Leaderman - 19 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Solomon - 14 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Moishe Carlebach - 14 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 15 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shloime Arnold - 20 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Henya Malka bas Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Yudka Etka Winograd’s mother) - 15 Kislev
• Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch (Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father) - 19 Kislev
• Chaya bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman’s mother) - 20 Kislev
• Reb Yeshayohu ben Reb Aharon (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s father) - 20 Kislev

Staying Connected; Completing the Shlichus

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week’s parsha Yaakov sends malachim to Eisav. The Previous Rebbe tells the story of the Maggid, who on the last Shabbos of his life in this world quoted this pasuk as he laid on his bed in the presence of the Chevraya Kaddisha. He quoted Rashi who says; malachim mamash, real malachim, and then added; the mamash (the body) of the malachim he sent to Eisav but the spiritual part remained with Yaakov.

The Rebbe asked; how is it possible to divide and separate between the body and the spirit? Do they divide so that the body can go to Eisav while their spirit can remain by Yaakov? Rashi’s comment taken simply means real malachim, not physical messengers. After everything is said and done Yaakov sent real malachim. They went to Eisav, nevertheless their spirit stayed with Yaakov and remained connected.

This is similar to each one of us in our shlichus here in this world. We have a neshama and we have a body. The neshama cannot make a dwelling place for Hashem in this world without the body. Nevertheless the neshama needs to stay connected to Hashem; the shliach has to stay connected to the mishaleiach, the one who sends him.

Someone once said that he heard that my father said Tefillas HaDerech every day he was away from 770. He wanted to know if I could confirm as true what he had heard. I told him that my father never told me but that it made sense for a few reasons. First, he was the kind of chosid that always wanted to be near to the Rebbe. It was very hard for him to be away. Also, he travelled a lot.

Another reason is the letter we found that he had always carried with him to read and re-read wherever he went.  From the letter I understood that father had a tshuka, a desire to be together with the Rebbe (that it’s wasn’t enough for him to be accomplishing things on his own). The basic content of the Rebbe’s letter was that he shouldn’t feel that he is so far away on shilchus, and that his longing is causing him to be always waiting for later to return to 770. Rather, he should be where he is on shlichus and be happy that he’s doing shlichus. With this kind of outlook it makes sense that he might have said Tefillas HaDerech every day. This was how all chassidim felt about being on shlichus at that time. What kept them going, whether in Russia or in Shanghai was the feeling, the tshukah to be by the Rebbe. That we may be on shlichus in this or that place but our true home is by the Rebbe. Later on I found out that Rabbi Meir Harlik told my son that my Father once mentioned in passing that he would say Tefillas Haderech every day that he was away from 770.

A chosid isn’t a chosid automatically just because his father was; I need to build and strengthen my connection to the Rebbe, so that the Rebbe is in front of me just as it was in the previous generations. I cannot be satisfied that they had a tshukah, I need to see to it that my hiskashrus is real, not an echo from the past, that my penimius and ruchnius stays by the Rebbe.

The sefer Hayom Yom details the three things necessary to strengthen hiskashrus. Seeing the Rebbe, learning his Torah (this includes listening to recordings, learning his Sichos and maamarim inside and repeating them, learning them in depth and applying them to our daily lives), and following his directives. These three things correspond to thought, speech and action and encompass every aspect of our lives. They provide a complete connection and make it as the one who said them is standing in front of us.

I remember how my father would not go to bed without finishing his shiurim, including Chitas and Rambam. After the Rebbe came out with learning Rambam, I remember how he would call the shluchim to convince and encourage them to study Rambam daily even though it was difficult to find time because they were so busy. It was so important because this is what builds and strengthens the connection.

When we are busy with all of these three things and they are fully part of how we live, then it effects us and arouses a true teshukah of closeness to the mishaleiach, the Rebbe. It gives us the strength to be successful in all aspects of our shlichus. By continuing and strengthening our connection may we complete the shlichus to make this world a dwelling place for Hashem and witness the full and complete revelation of Moshiach Now!

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
• Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Melava Malka for men in honor of Rabbi Frankel’s birthday. 8-9:30 pm at 109 S Vista. 
• SUNDAY: Masbia Program.  The shul kitchen will be open from 7 am till 12pm. Pick Up: For your convenience, if you prefer having it picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10 and 11:30am. All foods are fine, including: Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:26 pm
• Late Kabolos Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:07 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:29 pm
• Father and Son Learning: 7:00-7:45 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Noteh Berger in honor of Rabbi Noteh Berger’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of their children Muli and Mendels’s birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel in honor of Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Jonathan Glabman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s mother Shulamis bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi Fischel & Dr. Baruch Grossman for the yahrtzeit of their father Reb Nota Moshe ben Reb Tzvi May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s mother Soro bas Reb Avrohom Yakov May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Munitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:15 pm at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Mr. Noteh Berger - 7 Kislev
• Shmuel Berger - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi Yisroel Munitz - 8 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Arnold - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Shmuel Thaler - 10 Kislev
• Nesanel Chananya Soussana - 10 Kislev
• Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Simcha Frankel - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Moshe Levin - 11 Kislev
• Mendel Berger - 13 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Mishulovin - 7 Kislev
• Mr. & Dr. Marton Leaderman - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yrachmiel Wolowik - 8 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sruly Yusevitch - 10 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Nota Moshe ben Reb Tzvi (Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s father) - 7 Kislev
• Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish (Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father) - 9 Kislev
• Soro bas Reb Avrohom Yakov (Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s mother) - 9 Kislev 
• Roza bas Reb Chaim (Mrs. Chana Ganzburg’s mother) - 9 Kislev
• Harav Menachem Mendel ben Reb Nochum Labkowsky - 10 Kislev
• Shulamis bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh (Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s mother) - 12 Kislev
• Leib ben Julius (Mrs. Vickie Elson’s father) - 13 Kislev

Gaining Strength from the Temptations we Resist

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that everything one hears and sees is a lesson in the service of Hashem. The latest news has been filled with stories of firings and resignations regarding improper and immodest conduct between men and woman.

This is an obvious lesson about the importance and value of the laws of modesty and yichud as they are in the Torah. Every one of us, without exception, has an animal soul which wants its pleasures. That is the created nature of the animal soul for which there is no escape.  Therefore, the proper management of the feelings and inclinations between men and women is one of the most challenging to master. Specifically, because of this the Torah has very clear instructions. Clarity about this very basic fact, that it is the most challenging issue of human behavior lies at the axiomatic bedrock of the Torah’s guidelines. The Torah is very specific and enacts laws that are preventive in nature such as yichud. By following the Torah’s prescription for modesty and yichud, it’s as if one gets a partial inoculation as it were from the more detrimental effects that improper circumstance would cause. When we keep known attractions at an arm’s distance at the outset then we never even arrive at those difficulties. We take these laws to heart because we do not fool ourselves and underestimate our vulnerabilities.

The Torah reading on the afternoon of Yom Kippur concerns forbidden relationships. The question has been raised; What kind of a place is this subject at such a holy time, on the afternoon of Yom Kippur? The answer to this question is that this indeed this is an inescapable reality, the fact of our base animal nature. It goes with us wherever we go, even right through the middle of the holiest of times, even on the afternoon of Yom Kippur. As such we need to be aware and guard ourselves to maintain the sanctity that we achieve as we strive in the service of Hashem.

Sometimes those that take the laws of modesty and yichud seriously are looked upon as old fashioned, out of touch and square. When presented with an expression of modesty some may roll their eyes or make a gesture to imply that the act of modesty is over-the-top. The truth however is that we need, now more than ever, to strengthen ourselves, to get a shot in the arm, when it comes to the matters manners and modes of modesty. Whether it's bachurim that go on mivtzoyim or merkaz shlichus or married men in their business lives or with their secretaries. Whether it’s couples going on a vacation or just getting together for Shabbos; or young people going out on shidduch dates or after they are engaged. It could be counselors at camp and how best to interact between the boys and girls or maybe it's in our yeshivas schools and seminaries with regard to the proper decorum between teachers and students. Whatever or wherever it might be, we all need to become educated in depth to clarify the proper Torah manners and modes of modesty and yichud in all areas between men and women in both spirit and halacha.

The time has come to be very outspoken and unambiguous in order to make these issues clear and straight. When we have resolve and act without embarrassment we have the strength not to stumble falter or fall down. This is the lesson that we learn from today’s current events.

Yaakov Avinu prepared himself before he went down to Charan by studying the Torah in the yeshiva of Shem and Eiver and by davening at Har HaMoriah. He continued davening throughout his stay in Charan even through the cold nights in order to stay strong and connected. He didn't do these things only to avoid falling down but most importantly to elevate his surroundings. He was successful in the end and returned to Eretz Yisroel with his family and his Judaism intact as well as with great wealth physically and spiritually. We can learn from Yaakov Avinu to first strengthen ourselves not to fall down in the face of temptation and most importantly to have the strength to elevate everything in the world around us and bring them up to Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos

Dear shul member

Iy”h we will be launching the Masbia program this Sunday.  The shul kitchen will be open from 7 am till 12pm.

Pick Up: For your convenience, if you prefer having it picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10 and 11:30am.

All foods are fine, including:
Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. 
All except foods cooked at home.

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
• Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• MOTZEI SHABBOS: Melava Malka for MEN in honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev. 8 pm in Shul. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Pinchos HaKohen Feldman (Australia), Story of Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be told over by: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz.
• SUNDAY: Iy”h we will be launching the Masbia program this Sunday.  The shul kitchen will be open from 7 am till 12pm. Pick Up: For your convenience, if you prefer having it picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10 and 11:30am. All foods are fine, including: Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:29 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:03 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
• Thillim Club: 9:15 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Mincha: 4:30 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:32 pm
• Melava Malka for men: 8:00
• Molad Chodesh Kislev: Sunday, Kislev 1/November 19, 12:57 am.
• Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Sunday, November 19.

Yekusiel & Hindi Kalmenson
AND Ari & Messody Schapiro
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 202 South Orange Dr.

Zalmy & Estee Berkowitz
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor 
at 435 N Poinsettia Pl.

The Kalmenson Bris will iy"H take place
This Shabbos, after davening (12:00 pm),
at Ohel Avrohom 179 S Highland Ave. 

• Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s grandfather Reb Yisroel ob”m ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson’s father Harav Shmuel Gronim ben Reb Yitzchok Meir ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. Berl Sroka for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Berl Sroka’s mother Miriam bas Reb Pesach Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• The Raichik Family for the yahrtzeit of their grandmother Sima bas Reb Avrohom ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Anonymous for the yahrtzeit of Yossi Kreiman ob”m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

4:15 pm at the home of Mrs. Miriam Fishman
135 S Formosa
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Cunin on the engagement of their daughter Geulah to Zalman Bernstein.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel on the engagement of their son Hudi to Sara'le Brownstein.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yekusiel Kalmenson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Chazanow.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Schapiro on the birth of their son. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Schmukler on the engagement of their grandson Mendel Kantor to Chanie Harlig. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Yerachmiel Kuzecki - 29 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Tzvi Ferszt - 1 Kislev
• Rabbi Munish Weiss - 1 Kislev
• Rabbi Naftoli Fishman - 1 Kislev
• Boruch Shalom Allison - 1 Kislev
• Rabbi Eli Feiner - 3 Kislev
• Yecheskel Pinson - 3 Kislev
• Menachem Mendel Levenberg - 4 Kislev
• Michoel Gavriel Wachtel - 4 Kislev
• Dr. Sholem Gimpel - 4 Kislev
• Mr. Mordy Gluckowsky - 5 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Plotke - 5 Kislev
• Rabbi Yerachmiel Helfant - 5 Kislev
• Mr. Yirmiyahu Andrusier - 6 Kislev
• Mr. Tzvika Grossman - 6 Kislev
• Avremi Raichik - 6 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman - 1 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Goldman - 1 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. David Rafael Gutierrez - 3 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Haratz - 4 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Harav Shmuel Gronim ben Reb Yitzchok Meir (Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson’s father) - 1 Kislev
• Sima bas Reb Avrohom - 1 Kislev 
• Miriam bas Reb Pesach Halevi (Mr. Berl Sroka’s mother) - 3 Kislev
• Beila Guta bas Reb Yechiel (Mrs. Leah Hoffman’s mother) - 4 Kislev
• Chaya bas Reb Sendor (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s mother) - 6 Kislev
• Reb Yisroel ob”m (Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s grandfather) - 6 Kislev
• Harav Levi ben Reb Zalman Yudah (Mrs. Rochel Eisenberg’s brother) - 6 Kislev

Gaining Momentum throughout the Month of Kislev

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In the coming week we will enter the month of Kislev, a Chassidishe month. The special days of Kislev begin with Rosh Chodesh Kislev followed by Tes and Yud Kislev, Yud Daled Kislev, Yud Tes and Chof Kislev, and ends with Chanukah (see the Chabad Chodesh for more details). Surely after refreshing our own memory about the greatness and significance of these special days we will sit down with our families and share the meaning of these days as well as what they mean to us personally.

I recall as a child in the years before phone hookups to the Rebbe’s farbrengens in New York were available  how my father would make a farbrengen for the community in our home. We had to rent tables and chairs. My mother cooked fish and baked mezonos. My father would sit and retell the story of Yud Tes Kislev. Anywhere between 40-50 people would gather and sit together for up to two hours. That’s how we as children knew that these days were special. The same was true for Yud Beis Tammuz.

Not everyone is a shiach, nevertheless we can all create an atmosphere in our homes when  we sit together and go over the stories of these days and relate what they mean to us and why these days are so special.

This year Rosh Chodesh Kislev marks 40 years since the Rebbe went home after recovering from the heart attack on Shemini Atzeres. A lot has been written about the events surrounding the heart attack and the Rebbe’s recovery. When we take time to attend a Rosh Chodesh farbrengen and we hear the story from those who were present at that time as they relate their personal experience, it provides an entirely different depth to the significance of the day and it gives us a living sense of what those tumultuous moments felt like.

When the Rebbe in the middle of hakafos had a heart attack and then went up to his room on the night of Shemini Atzeres everyone in 770 and throughout Crown Heights were in a state of shock. The shockwaves reverberated with an increasing intensity with every  passing hour. Notwithstanding the shock and our dismay, we came to hear that the Rebbe was demanding simcha and dancing. We heard this because of Rabbi Kazanovsky. The next day in the afternoon of Shemini Atzeres Rabbi Kazanovsky was in the Rebbe’s room. While standing near the Rebbe he began to break down and weep. The Rebbe told him that if he was concerned about his health he would increase his simcha. The Rebbe added that his health depended on it.  Soon afterwards Rabbi Kazanovsky went outside of 770 together with Rabbi Groner, stood on a bench and repeated the Rebbe's words for all to hear. (For more details about these events see the Chabad Chodesh for Kislev)

When we listen to this story being told from someone who was present, we feel what it was like and we relive these events. When we reflect we begin to understand what a great impact these days have had on our lives. The entire generation would look completely different if the outcome would have been different. Our participation during these days makes a immeasurable difference in how we understand and live with these events. This is true for all the special days in the month of Kislev. That's why it's so important to attend the farbrengens throughout this special month. In this way we connect ourselves our families and our communities to the Rebbeim  and to the ways of Chassidus in an ever increasing manner.

The days of Rosh Chodesh Kislev and Hei Teves  are similar in my view to Yud Tes Kislev and  3rd night of Chanukah in the following way. On Yud Tes Kislev the Alter Rebbe was released from his arrest and incarceration on charges of  rebelling against the government.  This was a physical decree against the Rebbe.  The release from the second arrest of the  Alter Rebbe on the 3rd night of Chanukah and did not relate to the Alter Rebbe physically rather to the study and dissemination of Chassidus. We are able to see a similar pattern in the events of the life of the Rebbe. Rosh Chodesh Kislev was a physical geula when the Rebbe became well again, and in that way is similar to Yud Tes Kislev. The celebration of Hei Teves did not relate to the Rebbe’s health nor to his physical being rather to the very definition of what a Rebbe is, and in that way is similar to the 3rd night of Chanukah.

When we think about our Rebbe and participate in farbrengens, we relive and energize ourselves our families and our communities during these special days throughout the month of Kislev. Through our participation and through listening to those who experienced it first hand tell their stories we strengthen our special bond to the Rebbe and to Chassidus and integrate that bond into our lives and homes just as the Chassidim of the previous generations did in their times. Through continuing in the pathways of of our Rebbeim and of Chassidus in an ever increasing manner may we merit  the revelation of Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos A Good Chodesh

The new issue of the "Chabad Chodesh"
is now available online by clicking here

Motzei Shabbos Melava Malka for Men
in honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev

8 pm in Shul 

Guest Speaker:
Rabbi Pinchos HaKohen Feldman (Australia) 

Story of Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be told over by:
Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz 

Please join the Kreiman's this for Yossi's 7th yahrtzeit

Wednesday, 26 Cheshvan/Nov 15, 9:30 am, 
Mount Olive Cemetery: 7231 E Slauson Ave. 90040

PLEASE HELP WITH MINYAN!!!!! 

We still need a few more men to come to the mount olive chabad cemetery at 2 today for the first yahrtzeit if my mother in law 

If you can come, please contact me at 323-678-6115 

Thanks so much 

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
• Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:34 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 8:59 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Mincha: 4:35 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:37 pm
• Father and Son Learning: 7:00-7:45 pm 

• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel’s mother Matil bas Reb Volf Ber ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Hayman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Daniel Hayman’s mother Leah bas Reb Shraga Feivel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 
• Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. David Kaufman’s grandfather Reb Zelig ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark in honor of their son Mendel’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:00 pm at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Mrs. Chani Pinson

• Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski on the birth of their granddaughter.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky on the birth of their grandson.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Shmuel Eiferman - 22 Cheshvan
• Dovid Tsikman - 24 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Zalman Friedman - 26 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Moishe Kasowitz - 26 Cheshvan
• Mr. Eli Kagan - 27 Cheshvan
• Hershel Tsikman - 27 Cheshvan
• Mr. Simcha Kagan - 27 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Sholom Ber Kesselman - 28 Cheshvan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Pinchas Hirsch - 26 Cheshvan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Zelig ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. David Kaufman’s grandfather) - 22 Cheshvan
• Matil bas Reb Volf Ber (Mrs. Tzirel Frankel’s mother) - 23 Cheshvan
• Leah bas Reb Shraga Feivel (Mr. Daniel Hayman’s mother) - 24 Cheshvan

Seizing opportunities that arise Every New Day
in a world of constant Change  

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week’s parsha of Chayei Sarah it says (24:1); And Abraham was old (zakein), advanced in days (ba b’yamim), and Hashem had blessed Abraham with everything. The Medrash on this pasuk quotes the words  “old (zakein), advanced in days (ba b’yamim)” and comments; There are those that are old but not advanced in days, those that are advanced in days but not old, Avraham however had both qualities of being old (zakein) and advanced in days (ba b’yamim). The commentaries on the Medrash explain that someone can be old such as R’ Elazar ben Azarya who was old, a zakein at an early age. Also there are some that can be advanced in days but have not acquired ziknah, old age. These two qualities, old age and advance in days appear to be different. What is the difference between the two, what do we learn from the fact that Avraham had both qualities and what does it teach us in our service of Hashem.

The word ‘zakein’ relates to wisdom as it says in the gemara (Kiddushin 32b) “ Who is a zakein? Zeh sh’kaneh chochmah, a person that has acquired wisdom”. The word ‘kaneh’ means to acquire, implying that it has become internalized in to the point that it is part and parcel of person, their service of Hashem and their  study of the Torah. The pasuk from the parsha  is teaching us that not only did Avraham learn the Torah he also filled all of his days with mitzvos to the point that there was no day in his life that he did not fill with mitzvos as much as was possible in the times before Matan Torah.

Therefore the word zakein  refers to an individual who has acquired the wisdom of the Torah while the words ‘ba b’yaimim’ refers to someone who’s entire life is complete, meaning every day was full of mitzvos. The Baal Shem Tov  explains that not missing a day of doing mitzvos does not only refer to saying Krias Shema on time and other mitzvos which are Torah obligations. What  it is referring to is the proactive and ongoing involvement with mitzvos such as proactive involvement with the mitzva of tzedaka for example. Filling one’s days with mitzvos also means making extra time each day to learn the Torah even though it's not necessarily easy and even if  according to halacha one would be allowed to suffice with just one chapter of study.

Why does this term ‘ba b’yaimim’ refer to each and every day and is not a description of the individua,l similar to the term zakein (a person that has acquired wisdom)? The reason is because because the neshama doesn't require any specific amount to be accomplished on any given day. The neshama only needs to complete it’s purpose. That can occur in any time frame, either all in one day or spread out over days and years. The significance of mitzvos being done each and every day is to fill all of time with kedusha. Time is created by Hashem  and is constantly changing. ‘Ba b’yaimim’ represents the opportunity to sanctify time and all of its changes through proactively doing mitzvos.

The word ‘zakein’ as mentioned before relates to the neshama’s personal connection which is achieved through study. Time is measured by change as it says in the Hayom Yom; “A summer day and a winter night is a year”. ‘Ba b’yaimim’ refers to one's effect on the world and time itself. .

Some mitzvos come easy while others are challenging. It's easy to focus and emphasize the mitzvos that come easy and to ignore those that are difficult. The message of this verse  teaches us not to shy away from any mitzvah but to involve ourselves in all aspects of our changing world even those requiring special emphasis because perhaps they are our main purpose in this world.

We see a similar challenge in mivtzoyim and in our involvement with others in general. There are different types of people; some that we have a consistent and easy relationship with and others who we are successful with one day and the next day go cold. The world is full of constantly changing styles and a swinging pendulum. What was fascinating one day is mildly interesting the next. All of this is of our challenge and our purpose to address. We inherited this responsibility from Avraham who excelled and was ultimately successful in achieving the level of ‘ba b’yaimim’. By rising to this challenge and involving ourselves with the changing modes moods and atmospheres of each day and infusing it all with the wisdom of the Torah and performance of mitzvos, proactively spreading goodness and kindness to all with which we come in contact,  each according to their ability, may we all merit the great days of Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos

(Based on Likutei Sichos v.3 parshas Chayei Sarah)

As most of you are aware, the main shul has been back in operation with a new look since Yom Kippur.  While much of the construction is completed, there is still more to do.  We are currently waiting on DWP in order to move the shul’s electrical service and make room to complete the construction of a masonry wall separating the Bais Yehuda elevator from the shul.  The 8 foot high wall around the elevator and construction area is temporary.  Once the construction around the elevator is complete we will regain substantial space in the back of the shul and will be able to complete that part of the remodeling.

During the coming weeks we will be not only adding “finishing touches” such as additional sound insulation, new built-in bookcases and cabinets, wall moldings, a new aron kodesh, etc., but will also make some changes to improve shul usability.  We appreciate your continued patience with the ongoing construction project, and we will strive to minimize the impact on daily use of the shul.  In addition, while we welcome suggestions for further improvements, we want to avoid rushing into changes particularly where they impact the construction inspection schedule, building code compliance or already planned improvements.

Of course a note regarding shul status would be incomplete without an appeal for additional building funds.  The cost of this project is high and hopefully you are pleased with the results so far.  Significant additional funds are required to continue with completion of this phase of our facility improvement project and to begin upgrading the youth wing as well.

Click here to donate 

Dear Anash Sheyichyu, who received  last Erev Shabbos's Shul’s missive, entitled Letter from our Rabbonim, regarding the then upcoming Bonei Olam gala, honoring, among other, our own Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Duchman:

Please be aware that the email was sent erroneously and prematurely. It was in the process of being circulated as a draft for review and, as the posuk says, שגיאות מי יבין, it was sent.

This should allay some if the concerns that resulted from this inadvertency.

Gut Shabbos.
Levi raichik

Farbrengen for Men in Shul in honor of Chof Cheshvan
Birthday of the Rebbe Rashab. 

THURSDAY: MarCheshvan 20/Nov 9, 8 pm

Guest speaker:
Rabbi Mendel Lipskier

• Click here for KYY update. 
• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
• Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• MONDAY: Bonei Olam Dinner. Click here for more info. 
• THURSDAY: MarCheshvan 20/Nov 9, Farbrengen for Men in Shul in honor of Chof Cheshvan - Birthday of the Rebbe Rashab. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 5:39 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:55 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Mincha: 5:40 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 6:42 pm
• Motzei Shabbos - Turn Clocks Back One Hour

• Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan in honor of Dr. Binyomin Kaplan’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi Levi Raichik in honor of Rabbi Shloime Hakohen Arnold’s 50th birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

• Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Goldman in honor of Mr. Yossi Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

5:00 pm at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi Yaakov Mark on his marriage to Sharonit Cohen.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Dr. Binyomin Kaplan - 15 Cheshvan
• Menachem Mendel Eliyahu Goldman - 16 Cheshvan
• Mr. Chaim Meyer Pell - 16 Cheshvan
• Binyamin Eliyahu Lumer - 17 Cheshvan
• Mr. Levi Nagel - 19 Cheshvan
• Mr. Yossi Goldman - 20 Cheshvan
• Mendel Stark - 20 Cheshvan
• Dr. Ira Cohen - 21 Cheshvan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Jonathan Glabman - 20 Cheshvan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Dovid ben Reb Moshe Yehushua (Mrs. Sarah Morris’s father) - 16 Cheshvan
• Alta Elka bas Reb Avrohom Bunim Hakohen (Mrs. Chana Arnold’s mother) - 16 Cheshvan
• Reb Doniel Refuel ben Reb Gershon (Mr. Reuven Solomon’s brother in law) - 17 Cheshvan
• Keira bas Reb Yosef (Mrs. Elka Soussana’s mother) - 19 Cheshvan