- Click here for the 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!!!
Shul Bulletin
Announcements - Yom Kippur
Schedule - Yom Kippur
Friday, 9 Tishrei/September 29
Erev Yom Kippur
- Minchah: 3:30 pm
- The Shul upstairs will be open mincha time, so you can bring up whatever you will need for Yom Kippur.
- Light Candles: 6:21 pm
Shabbos, 10 Tishrei/September 30
Yom Kippur
- Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Children’s program downstairs in shul at 10:30 am
- Yizkor: 12:15 pm
- Mincha: 5:00 pm
- Fast Ends: 7:23 pm
Mazal Tov To - Yom Kippur
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Hakohen Dubinsky on the birth of their granddaughter (to Zalmy & Mushka Dubinsky.)
Upcoming Birthdays
- Shmuel Chaim Plotke - 10 Tishrei
- Mr. Ari Brown - 10 Tishrei
- Yosef Yitzchok Habibian - 12 Tishrei
- Rabbi Alon Asefovitz - 13 Tishrei
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Shmuel Meir ben Reb Yisroel Dovid (Rabbi Velvel Tsikman’s father) - 11 Tishrei
- Chana Faiga bas Reb Moshe (Mrs. Ariella Bastomski’s mother) - 13 Tishrei
Letter from Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman
Dear Friend,
This year with Hashem's help, we will be hosting a public Sukkah at Pan Pacific again. We would like to offer you the opportunity to do Mivtzoim during the week of Sukkos! Volunteers are greatly appreciated to ensure the Sukkah project is a success.
Please book your time slot using the link below.
https://villagesynagogue.
Gmar chasima tova,
Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman
Letter from Zvi Boyarsky
Dear Fellow Anash:
Before Rosh Hashono, I was visiting with a man (apparently, the only yid in the prison he was in) who nebach often feels so alone. Besides for Aleph visits, he only gets one or two visits a year. His mother - who would abuse him - left the home when he was 12. They have not seen or communicated since. He was reminiscing about his time learning in FREE (in Crown Heights) and remembering some of Gemoro he learned. We started singing Ani Maamin together - which he learned in prison some 10-12 years ago. Sadly, he grew up on the streets, got involved with the wrong crowed and is serving a double digit sentence.
I'll never forget his reaction, when I told him a vort I once heard about the Ness Hashem made for Yosef, on his way down to Mitzrayim, in that the besomim in the caravan had a good fragrance, IF Hashem is already making a ness, let it be that Yosef is freed and sent back home?
Clearly, we don't know the deeper reason behind our journeys - just as Yosef didn't know at the time that his journey would lead to him becoming the Mishneh Limelech and save so many - including his family - from hunger. Yet Hashem sends us a sign during the journey - (in the case of Yosef, with the besomim) that we're not alone. Hashem is with us.
His eyes were filled with pain and hope at the same time, as he slowly repeated and digested those words with a depth and meaning BH few of us can ever really appreciate ....n a-l
As Ben Brafman said during his speech at the Aleph LA event - (full speech here: http://www.collive.com/
Please consider partnering in a Moisad - founded by the Rebbe in 5741/1981. The Rebbe made it clear numerous times how dear Aleph is to the Rebbe. Unconditional Ahavas Chesed. Aleph;s LA division (which oversees advocacy for yidden in prison nationwide) now has nearly 30 staff and addresses well over 5,000 cries for help every year. In LA, Project Tikvah provides critical intervention for adolescents in/facing prison due to addiction/mental illness. One young girl, from out here in Southe California who was tragically abused and landed up in prison, and BH was helped by Aleph/Tikvah, sent this note recently:
During my darkest hour when I had no faith or hope in myself, you and your organization had faith in me. At the time, I wasn't able to understand what people saw, but slowly I see and grow into the person that people believe that I can become. I doubt that you ever will, but it is important for me to say never give up on people that have given up on themselves because one day there is a slight chance that they will see in themselves what you and others have been able to see in them."
B"H she's out, has a job, is clean and thriving!
All donations until Wed 9pm PST - will be matched (up to 180k) BEH by a group of donors.
Please partner with Aleph -
(pledges count as well - please email [email protected])
May HASHEM bentch us all with a Gmar Chasimah Tovah - a gut Gebentheze Gezune Zieser Yohr and may we be Zoche to watch the Rebbe dance Napoleon's March!
Thank you, Mikerev Lev.
Zvi-
Schmukler Kaparos info
Friday Morning, Erev Yom Kippur, September 29th
6-10 am
at LA fresh poultry - 121 N. Virgil Ave. Los Angeles Ca 90004
KAPPAROS DISCOUNT
IN MEMORY OF REB BEREL WEISS O.B.M.
From 8:00- 8:30 AM ONLY
Chickens will be sold at the very affordable price of $10/chicken.
Regular prices apply before and after this time
from 6 am till 10 am ($20/chicken).
For more information,
or if you are interested in ordering private kaporos
please call 323-936-4965
Farbrengen/Esrogim
Farbrengen for men in honor of vov-tishrei/siyum harambam
tonight in shul after maariv
Yossi Schneerson will be selling esrogim in shul
from tonight to Thursday
from 8:30 to 11 pm
Mincha/Esrogim
First Mincha will iy"h be at 6:15 pm
Fast is over at 7:20 pm
Simcha Kagan will iy"h be selling esrogim tonight
at his house 433 S Highland
Announcements - Ha'azinu
- Click here for the 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!!!
- Kapparot: Erev yom kippur, Friday Sept. 29, 6:00- 10:00 am. At LA fresh poultry 121 N. Virgil Ave. 90004 (between Beverly Blvd. & 1st Street.) Donation: $20. 323- 936-4965.
Schedule - Rosh Hashana-Shabbos
For all the laws and customs please see the Chabad Chodesh
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, Elul 29/September 20
- Remember to make an Eruv Tavshilin
- Light Yom Tov Candles: 6:33 pm
First Day Rosh Hashanah
Thursday, Tishrei 1/September 21
- Shacharis: 9:00 am
- Children’s program downstairs in shul at 9:30 am
- Please leave all strollers downstairs
- Tekias Shofar: 11:20 am
- Tehillim: 5:00 pm
- Minchah/Tashlich: 6:00 pm
- Light Yom Tov candles from a pre-existing flame after 7:35 pm
Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Friday, Tishrei 2/September 22
- Shacharis: 9:00 am
- Children’s program downstairs in shul at 9:30 am
- Please leave all strollers downstairs
- Tekias Shofar: 11:20 am
- Minchah/Farbrengen DOWNSTAIRS: 6:00 pm
- Light Shabbos candles from a pre-existing flame at 6:31 pm
Shabbos Parshas Ha'azinu/Shabbos Shuva
Tishrei 3/ September 23
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:43 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Minchah/Farbrengen: 6:00 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 7:34 pm
Tzom Gedaliah (Nidche)
Sunday, Tishrei 4/ September 24
- Fast Begins: 5:28 am
- Minchah: 6:15 pm
- Fast Ends: 7:20 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Ha'azinu
- Mrs. Freida Bastomski for the yahrtzeit of her mother in law Bunya ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen - Ha'azinu
5:30 pm at the home of Mrs. Ruchama Thaler
126 N Sycamore
Mazal Tov To - Ha'azinu
- Mr. Yonason Allison - 2 Tishrei
- Mr. Yerachmiel Altman - 2 Tishrei
- Yosef Yitzchok Wolowik - 4 Tishrei
- Shmuel Winograd - 6 Tishrei
- Chaim Eliyahu Hoch - 7 Tishrei
- Shneur Lerman - 9 Tishrei
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Moshe ben Reb Menachem Mendel Hilel (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s father) - 2 Tishrei
- Reb Binyamin ben Reb Hersch (Dr. Penina Rivka Watstein’s father) - 6 Tishrei
- Chaya Sara Rochel bas Reb Chaim Yosef Shlomo (Mrs. Ruchama Thaler’s mother) - 7 Tishrei
- Reb Beryl Leib ben Reb Tzvi Hersh Halevi (Mrs. Sarah Goldstein’s father) - 7 Tishrei
PSA: Re Women seating
Baruch Hashem, we are happy to announce
that we are providing tables for the women.
There will be no assigned seating,
and we ask that out of respect to the senior members,
they be given seniority, and allowed their yearly seats.
We leave it to your discretion to be respectful.
Wishing you a kasiva vechasima tova Shana tova umesuka.
Nathanson Bris
The Nathanson Bris
will iy"H take place on Wednesday, 29 Elul/Sep 20,
9:30 am at 132 S Mansfield.
May we share only Simchos!
esrogim
Rabbi Yossi Schneerson
is selling yanever esrogim tonight and tomorrow night
in shul from 8:30 pm.
Important Announcements!!!
- ברוב עם הדרת מלך: The shul minyan for slichos will be upstairs in Moshe Ganz Hall
- Tishrei Appeal: Thanks to all those who pledged today in shul, please bring a check to shul tonight or go online to www.chabadofla.com/donate
- Rabbi Yossi Schneerson is selling yanever esrogim tonight in shul.
- Panim: Rabbi Raichik will be taking the Panim of the LA community to the ohel tomorrow! If you can’t make it tonight to shul, Rabbi Raichik will iy”h be by the 9 am tomorrow!
Announcements - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
- Click here for the 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: Special Shabbaton with Rabbi Shais Taub at Maayan Yisroel. Click here for the Shabbos info and here for Sunday info.
- MOTZEI SHABBOS: Yossi Schneerson will be selling esrogim in shul from 10:30 pm.
- SUNDAY: Hachnasas Sefer Torah at Chabad SOLA. Click here for more info.
- A family on Shluchim in California are looking for a home for thier 13 year old son to board at, for the school year. Monday-Thursday. He has his own supper arrangements. He is a 13 year old 8th Grader. The parents will compensate. Please respond to this email if you have any ideas or are interested. Thank you.
Shabbos Schedule - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:40 pm
- Tehillim: 8:15 am
- Followed by a Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik
- Tehillim Club: 9:15 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:42 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Shacharis: 10:15 am
- KYY YEAR #16!!! Starting this Shabbos by Musaf
- Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 4:30 pm
- Hilchos Yom Tov Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 5:40 pm
- Mincha: 6:40 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perokim 5-6
- Shabbos Ends: 7:43 pm
- Selichos Motzei Shabbos: 1:00 am
Selichos followed by Shachris Monday - Tuesday
- 1st Selichos Minyan: 6:05 am
- 2nd Selichos Minyan: 6:30 am
- 3rd Selichos Minyan: 7:00 am
- 4th Selichos Minyan: 7:45 am
Sholom Zochor - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
Yossi and Yael Nathanson
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson - 132 S Mansfield Ave.
Mendel and Zisi Zirkind
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf - 158 S Detroit St.
Kiddush Sponsors - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Goldman in honor of Rabbi Levi Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mrs. Barbara Zipp, Mr. Josh Zipp and Dovid Moshe Klein’s birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
5:30 pm at Mayyan Yisroel
140 N La Brea
Speaker: Rabbi Shais Taub
Mazal Tov To - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Nathanson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Nochum Pinson on the birth of their grandson.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Zirkind on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Mr. Michael Mordechai Cohen - 25 Elul
- Mr. Josh Zipp - 26 Elul
- Yosef Yitzchok Raeburn - 26 Elul
- Mendel Rav~Noy - 26 Elul
- Levi Yitzchak Goldman - 27 Elul
- Mr. Richard Rosenbloom - 27 Elul
- Rabbi Levi Goldman - 27 Elul
- Mr. Ezra Sarue - 28 Elul
- Chaim Morris - 28 Elul
- Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn - 29 Elul
- Mendel Arnold - 29 Elul
- Menachem Cohen - 29 Elul
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik - 26 Elul
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Meir Eliezer ben Reb Chaim Yehuda (Rabbi Zalman Schmukler’s father) - 27 Elul
- Reb Mordechai Yosef Shimon ben Reb Yerachmiel Menachem (Mr. Noteh Berger’s father) - 27 Elul
- 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
Devar Torah - Nitzavim - Vayeilech
Rosh Hashanah Message for 5778:
Remembering our covenant and our empowerment,
the purpose of Creation
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
With Rosh Hashanah approaching I would like to wish everyone a Kasiva v’Chasima Tovah l’Shana Tovah u’Mesukah, a good and healthy new year in all that we need physically and spiritually.
The first Rosh Hashanah mentioned in the Torah, the day that Adam HaRishon was created was a Friday, the 6th day of creation. The Machzor for Rosh Hashana makes following statement about Rosh Hashanah: “This Day is the beginning of Your actions, a remembrance to the first day.” A question arises; why do we refer to Rosh Hashanah as “the beginning of Your actions” when it was already the sixth day of creation. How are we to make sense of it being called the beginning of your actions when 5 days of creation, 5 days of action had already gone by? The answer is that on this day, the day of Rosh Hashanah the day Adam HaRishon was created is the day that revealed the purpose of creation and the day that brought creation to its completion.
Hashem created a large world filled with many species of animals and plants, birds and fish, the earth the sky and the sea. The purpose of it all was not for the wildlife, bird sanctuaries or Earth Day as great or as beautiful as they might be. The purpose of creation began when man appeared on the scene. It was man that introduced to all of Hashem’s creations that Hashem created them and the world at large for the objective of developing it into a dwelling place for His presence. The only one who could carry this purpose to its fulfillment was man. Before man was created there was no possibility for this to occur. Once man was created this possibility began and Adam HaRishon succeeded in this mission by calling together the entire creation and proclaiming: “Come let us kneel and bow before Hashem the one who created us”.
What lesson does the story of creation and the creation of Adam HaRishon teach to each of us in our personal lives as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah? The first thing we learn is to avoid basing our opinions of what we can accomplish in life by judging on quantity alone . If Adam HaRishon would have looked only at quantity he would have been overwhelmed. Looking at an amazingly vast creation full of animals and creatures of all types and sizes, far larger varied and multiplied beyond one's ability to count compared to him alone, one individual, he might have felt incapable of having a lofty deep and comprehensive effect on all of creation bringing all of it to its purpose and completion. We see however that he instead took a qualitative approach. He used his unique qualities and the content of his message alone to achieve success. So too in our individual lives. Our objective and our determination is not dependant upon what has happened in the past or if we are backed by an army. We are best advised look towards fulfilling our purpose together with Hashem’s guidance to achieve the desired goal of making the entire world a home for G-dliness through learning Torah and doing mitzvos. This alone is more than enough to fulfill not just our function but the entire plan of creation. We can learn a lesson of how powerful we are from the fact that nowadays just one person can place the entire world in peril by pressing one button. If this is the case for something that is harmful all the more so for something that is helpful and positive, the power for good being much greater than its opposite.
Each and everyone of us no matter who we are or our station in life are like Adam HaRishon. The fact that he was alone in the world teaches us that every person has to view themselves as alone in the sense of having a unique a sacred responsibility (as if he or she were alone and the only one available) towards all of creation and has within themselves the inherent abilities to bring the world to its completion by revealing Hashem’s glory in this world today as we stand prepared to enter the year 5778. As the Rebbe said “Turn over the world today!”. Each person in their own unique way has the power to reveal Moshiach, today.
A Shana Tovah uMesukah!
(Based on the Rebbe’s Letters for Rosh Hashanah, 5724-1964 and 5729-1969)
Chabad Chodesh - Tishrei
The new issue of the "Chabad Chodesh"
is now available online by clicking here
Panim
Monday, 20 Elul/Sep 11
Dear Friend
Greetings and Blessings:
As was my father’s yearly custom to bring the Panim of the Los Angeles community to the Rebbe, I will be leaving to the Ohel this Sunday morning (26 Elul/Sep 17), bringing along the Panim of our community.
If you would like to send a pan with me, please give it to me or put it in my mailbox by motzei Shabbos. I will not be reading your panim, I will bl"n try to tear each one as the custom is.
Wishing you and your family a good and healthy year!
Rabbi Shimon Raichik
A Message from Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
As you may know, my son Aaron has special needs. Each and every day, we feel uniquely blessed by the special blessings our extraordinary child shines upon our lives and upon our world. At the same time, the challenges we face can be extremely taxing and overwhelming. What can be most challenging of all, however, is seeing how Aaron is often deprived of the basic joys of childhood: things like friendships, play-dates and recreational and social experiences.
Friendship Circle programs like Sunday Circle, Hebrew School, Basketball Club, Winter & Summer Camps, Birthday Bashes and much more have introduced a whole new dimension of joy and connection into the lives of children who have special needs and their families, Aaron, being one of them.
This Sunday, September 17th from 1:30pm-6:00 at Shalhevet High School, we will be walking in the annual Friendship Walk for the benefit of the Friendship Circle. We would like you to join us!
The Friendship Walk is our small way of giving something back to this wonderful cause.
Would you please help us reach our fundraising goal of $1,500.00 by making a tax-deductible contribution? Every little bit helps. $1, $5....$100.... It's all greatly appreciated.
Will you please join our team and come walk with us in honor of Aaron?
You can participate in honor of Aaron by clicking the link below to view our special page on the Friendship Walk website. Simply follow the directions from there, and you will ensure that our every step helps bring a smile to the faces of some very special children in our community!
https://www.walk4friendshipla.
Alternatively, you can also make an off-line donation by mailing a check to:
Friendship Circle of LA:
1952 S. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034
Memo: Walk 4 Aaron
Your participation would really mean a lot to us.
Thank you so much and a Kesiva Vechasima Tova,
Yehudit
PS – Contributions to The Friendship Walk are tax-deductible. Any amount will help. Please know how grateful we are for you belief in the work of FCLA! You may also a check to Friendship Circle 1952 S. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034 and simply indicate that it’s for our Walk page.
Seats Form
There are only a few days left until Rosh Hashana.
please go to www.chabadofla.com/seats ASAP
to let us know how many seats you need.
Please make sure to specify how many seats you need in each section.
Seats are $300/members and $500/non-members for each family.
If you haven’t done so, please go to www.chabadofla.com/donate to pay for your seats.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
Seats are being assigned Monday!!!,
and we don't want anyone to miss out.
If you have any questions, please contact the gabboim,
Levi Raichik, David Kaufman or Leib Lerner.
All those who pledged money to help families in need for tishrei. Please pay up the pledge asap online by clicking here or by bringing a check to shul.
Thank you!
Membership/Seats 5778
Elul 23, 5777
September 14, 2017
Dear Shul Member
Greetings and Blessings:
Tishrei is nearly here. Boruch Hashem, our shul continues to grow in membership and services to the community. The cost of running the Shul is enormous. Funds collected for membership and Yom Tov tickets provide the majority of the money required to operate the shul. Shul Membership dues and Yom Tov Tickets are therefore the most important contributions that you can make to keep the shul running.
Our shul is famous for its Shabbos Kiddush, chesed programs and other activities. Those items are self-funding. In fact, Shabbos Kiddush now helps underwrite other shul operating expenses.
Our shul has four minyonim on Shabbos, including Kol Yaakov Yehuda during the school year. We have a full range of Shabbos programs for the kids. We also have five official weekday shacharis minyonim with more in the later morning. Hundreds of men use our shul on a daily basis for mincha and maariv. Men and women from throughout Southern California participate in our shul sponsored shiurim and farbrengens. Congregation Levi Yitzchok is a destination shul for out of towners visiting the area and for anyone that wants to experience our special environment.
Keeping the mortgage current, utilities paid and managing the other expenses that go into operating our shul is up to us, the members. The Shul needs our participation and contributions to survive. For the upcoming year 5778, the membership and Yom Tov ticket fee schedule remains unchanged:
- Family Membership - $770
- Single Membership - $360
- Associate Membership - $360
- Yom Tov Tickets/Family - $300 member/$500 non-member
- Yom Tov Tickets/Single - $100 member/$250 non-member
Most people now make all payments to the shul online by credit card or e-check at www.chabadofla.com. When paying online, you can easily set up a recurring monthly payment. Many members now pay a nice round $100 per month. For those who are making recurring payments, please consider increasing your monthly contribution. Also, you should check to make sure that your credit card has not expired or been replaced during the year. Of course, full membership payment in advance is also welcome. If you are paying by check, please make sure that it is clearly identified as membership. Checks can be given to Levi Raichik, Leib Lerner, or David Kaufman. Checks can also be left in the metal pushka just inside the shul entrance.
A limited number of lockers are available to members. The annual fee for lockers is $100 and lockers that are not paid for will be released to members that have signed up on the waiting list on a first-come/first-served basis.
Wishing you a kesiva v’chasima tovah,
Members of the Volunteer Shul Operating Committee
Zajac Shiva
Rabbi Avraham Zajac
is sitting Shivah until Tuesday on the passing of his father ob"m.
Address:
1744 S Holt Ave, 90035
Times:
Monday: Shachris- 8am, Mincha/Maariv- 7pm
Tuesday: Shachris- 6am
The family is asking for privacy between 2.30 - 5pm.
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!
Back Shiva
Rabbi Chanan Back
is sitting Shivah until Tuesday on the passing of his mother ob"m.
Address:
539 N Poinsettia Pl, Los Angeles CA 90036.
Times:
Shachris- 6:45 am, Mincha-6:45 pm, Maariv-9:00 pm
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom!
Announcements - Ki Tavo
- 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!!!
- Nichum Aveilim: Rabbi Chanan Back will be seating Shivah at his house Monday 20 Elul, getting up Tuesday morning after Shacharis! Shacharis both days 6:45AM, Monday Minchah 6:45PM, Maariv 9:00PM Address 539 N Poinsettia Pl, Los Angeles CA 90036. Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom!
- SHABBOS: You are invited to Farbreng Shabbos afternoon L'kavod Chai Elul at the Rabin home - 7209 willoughby ave #3 (bet Formosa and Alta Vista). Come and celebrate this special Yom Tov together as Chassidim. Rabbi Yosef Fine will be in attendance farbrenging about Hiskashrus to the Rebbe through Chassidus and how that ties in to our preparations for Yomim Noraim.
- SUNDAY: Jewelry Show at Maayan Yisroel. Click here for more info.
- SUNDAY: Siyum Sefer Torah.
Shabbos Schedule - Ki Tavo
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:50 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:41 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
- NO Kol Yakov Yehuda during the summer :(((
- Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:00 pm
- Mincha: 6:50 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perokim 3 & 4
- Shabbos Ends: 7:53 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Ki Tavo
- Dr. & Mrs. Zeev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy’s aunt Devorah bas Regina Sara ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski in honor of Chai Elul. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky’s son Reb Dovid Yonah ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Tzirel Goldman’s father Reb Yisroel Issar ben Reb Dovber 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.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Ki Tavo
- Hatomim Tzvi Burston in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen - Ki Tavo
5:45 pm at the home of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller
Speaker: Rabbi Naftoli Estulin
Mazal Tov To - Ki Tavo
- Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman on the engagement of their son Dovid to Sarah Posner.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yerachmiel Wolowik on the marriage of their son Mendel to Chaya Mushka Mayzlesh.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Rabbi Shmuel Stroll - 19 Elul
- Rabbi Noach Vogel - 20 Elul
- Moshe Yaakov Berkowitz - 20 Elul
- Rabbi Tzvi Burston - 21 Elul
- Rabbi Moshe Hackner - 21 Elul
- Yeshayahu Gansburg - 22 Elul
- Shmuel Rotenberg - 22 Elul
- Dovid Moshe Klein - 23 Elull
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Kornreich - 18 Elul
- Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan - 19 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Elozor Fisch - 20 Elul
- Mr. & Mrs. Ben Tzion Novack - 21 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner - 21 Elul
- Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Pollard - 21 Elul
- Mr. & Mrs. Yeshaya Ratner - 23 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
- Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai (Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother) - 20 Elul
- Reb Yechezkel ben Reb Nochum Yitzchok (Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s father) - 20 Elul
- Ita bas Reb Aharon (Dr. Bassya Pinson’s mother) - 21 Elul
- Reb Yosef Yitzchok Halevi ben Reb Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi (Rabbi Shimon Raichik’s brother) - 21 Elul
- Reb Dovid Yonah ben yblct”a Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen (Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky’s son) - 22 Elul
- Devorah bas Regina Sara (Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy’s aunt) - 22 Elul
- Reb Yisroel Issar ben Reb Dovber (Mrs. Tzirel Goldman’s father) - 24 Elul
Devar Torah - Ki Tavo
Reaching the Desire for Change during the month of Elul
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Throughout the month of Elul we focus on the Alter Rebbe’s well known parable of the King in the field. All year long the King is in his palace. In his palace he's not available or accessible to everyone. He is available by appointment only and only to those whom he chooses. When the King leaves his palace he goes out to the field with one thing in mind, to greet and meet with all his subjects no matter their station in life or their stature and show them all a favorable countenance. No one needs an appointment, all are welcome. The King is approachable, he even looks different in that he left his crown along with his esteemed entourage that usually attend to him behind in the palace. There are no formalities as in the palace. They can spontaneously go forth and greet him renewing their commitment appreciation and even their love for their King.
This parable teaches an important lesson about Elul and about the opportunity that we have in this month for growth and change. The Alter Rebbe explains that the month of Elul is a time when there is a revelation of the 13 attributes of mercy even during the weekdays, something that is usually reserved for the Shabbos or Yom Tov.
Breaking down the parable the world divides itself into three categories; the desert, the field and the city. The desert is a wasteland, the field produces the foods and products that the city survives on and the city is where the main activities of life occur. So too we all have these three terrians within our personal existence. Although we all want to be in the city with close access to the King and his palace, nevertheless we need to spend time in the field taking care of the physical needs of our families and community as well as ourselves. This is our field that supplies our city where we really live, where the neshama takes its residence and lives in close proximity to the palace and to the King. This is where we daven learn Torah and do mitzvos. During the month of Elul that which usually requires the formalities of preparation come to us without preparation. The only preparation that we need is to want, to have a desire to leave where we are and approach the King. The knowledge and inspiration that the King is available and has 'met us halfway’ creates within us a desire to approach even if we have wandered off into the desert wasteland, which represents all of our inappropriate behaviours.
Hashem, the King does not go down into the desert with us, He only goes the field. It is there where He greets everyone. He is there for his subjects not for their behavior. He greets us graciously, with His 13 attributes of mercy and accepts all of us even those who may desire to be close but have not as of yet actually left the desert. Why are we still in the desert? A Jew never wants to be separated from Hashem! He hasn't left the desert because he doesn’t believe he can really change and stay out of the desert, he feels stuck. The point of the Alter Rebbe’s parable is that Hashem accepts our desire for change even before we actually change. This gives us the strength and encouragement to change.
The fact the the King will accept our (re)approach in a welcoming way inspires us and creates the desire which gives us the strength to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and make the approach to greet the King in the field.
Being lost in the desert means feeling overpowered our addictions whatever they might be without any hope for change. When the month of Elul arrives we become aroused with the desire to throw away our addictions, be they cell phones, smart phones or mashka or etc., and to come close. (The Rebbe's decree for people under 40 years old is to only allow 3 to 4 small cups of mashka which is 3.5 ounces total) The desert is being stuck in these habits, entrenched without hope for escape. We throw them away during Elul.
A good place to start is to turn off our cell phones during davening or learning. We aren’t speaking about those to use their phones for kodesh, such as using them as a Siddur or a Chumash etc. When the month of Elul arrives we reset our lives by breaking through and leaving the desert behind. We focus on the welcoming countenance of the King and go out to greet him. It all begins with the desire which gives us the strength because we know that he will accept us. This Shabbos is Chai Elul the birthdays of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe. There is a saying that Chai Elul gives life, vitality into our service of Hashem in the month of Elul. Let us utilize this Shabbos of Chai Elul to energize our service of Elul and may we merit a Kasiva v Chasima Tovah lShana Tovah uMesukah with revealed good including the ultimate good, the coming of Moshiach Now.
A Good Shabbos
(Adapted from the Maamar Ani l'Dodi of Likutei Torah and of 5726-1966)
TONIGHT!!! Crossfire!!!
TONIGHT! 8:00 PM at Kanner Hall
7269 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035
For men and women
FREE admission
FREE valet parking
Building Update and Appeal
More than $60,000 in additional funds
were required in order to move in for Rosh Hashana.
BARUCH HASHEM we have already collected $28,952!
Thanks to those who have helped!
WE STILL NEED $31,048!!!
PLEASE HELP!
Building Update and Appeal
The construction is progressing nicely.
More than $60,000 in additional funds are required over the next two weeks to cover construction progress payments.
This includes costs for the new ceiling, the air conditioning overhaul, tile, and tile installation in the bathrooms and shul.
We need this money NOW in order to be in for Rosh Hashana.
More than $10,000 was contributed this morning. All those who did not yet give their $1,800 – and all those who can give more - please dig deep to help. You can donate directly on the website, chabadofla.com/donate.
Announcements - Ki Teitzei
- 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!!!
- Click here to donate to the Chabad Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
Shabbos Schedule - Ki Teitzei
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:00 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:39 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
- NO Kol Yakov Yehuda during the summer :(((
- Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:00 pm
- Mincha: 7:00 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 2
- Shabbos Ends: 8:03 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Ki Teitzei
- Rabbi & Mrs. Tzvi Boyarsky in honor of the birth of their daughter Menucha Rochel. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chaim Burston’s mother Chaya Baila bas Reb Yaacov of ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Martin Leaderman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Martin Leaderman's father Reb Avrohom Volf ben Reb Yona Halevi of ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Ber Levine for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s mother Chaya Stera bas Reb Yisroel Boruch of ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen - Ki Teitzei
6:00 pm at the home of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel
109 S Vista - Has AC!!
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Mazal Tov To - Ki Teitzei
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zvi Boyarsky on the birth of their daughter Menucha Rochel. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik on the birth of their granddaughter (to Avremi & Rivky Raichik.)
- Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman on the birth of their grandson (to Levi and Sheina Perman.)
Upcoming Birthdays
- Ezra Kaplan - 12 Elul
- Mr. Aviv Topps - 13 Elul
- Carl Eiferman - 14 Elul
- Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - 16 Elul
- Shloima Glabman - 16 Elul
- Ben Tzion Yaakov Dovid Yachzel - 17 Elul
- Mendel (ben Levi) Raichik - 17 Elul
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel - 11 Elul
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Kaszirer - 12 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson - 13 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf - 15 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin - 15 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Langsam - 16 Elul
- Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner - 17 Elul
- Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin - 17 Elul
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Avrohom Volf ben Reb Yona Halevi (Mr. Martin Leaderman's father) - 12 Elul
- Chaya Baila bas Reb Yaacov (Rabbi Chaim Burston’s mother) - 14 Elul
- Reb Yosef ben Reb Efraim Nachman (Mrs. Sima Bart’s father) - 15 Elul
- Chaya Stera bas Reb Yisroel Boruch (Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s mother) - 15 Elul
- Chaya Leah bas Reb Yom Tov (Mrs. Marci Kaufman’s mother) - 16 Elul
Devar Torah - Ki Teitzei
Elul: A Truly Golden Opportunity
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
An entire two weeks of the month of Elul has almost passed. Everyone is busy with the avodah according to themes of the month as explained in Chassidus. We are aware of ‘Melech b’sadeh’, that the King is in the field and that it’s a time for a cheshban hanefesh; it’s a time for a personal accounting in preparation for the new year.
There are three common obstacles that we often confront at this time of the year.
First, when we learn the Maamorim of Elul, we do not necessarily feel how the Maamor relates directly to us and the impact that it will have in our particular lives and circumstances.
Secondly, we often ask ourselves whether or not we really have the necessary strength to overcome the challenges of our ingrained natures and habits. Can we really dislodge the inherent coarseness of our yetzer hara?
Thirdly, after a week into the month of Elul, there are times that we feel that we have made a substantial effort to change and nonetheless have come face to face, once again, as we do in most years, with our own intransience. We feel that we just won’t change. We have become set in our ways.
These are three common obstacles that we face in the month of Elul.
With regard to the first obstacle; why the Maamorim do not seem to speak to us and address our particular situation, we need to ask ourselves the following question; are we really paying attention? Do we accept that the Maamorim really do speak to us but we need to shake off all of our preoccupations long enough to absorb the message that Chassidus is sending?
Consider the following example. Before the revolution in Russia there was a highly defined class system. In transportation for example there were different well defined classes. First class was for the wealthy, the aristocrats and those in power, while the lower class was for the peasants. After the revolution everyone became equals and the peasant had a right to travel in first class. On one occasion a peasant entered a first class cabin and sat next to a wealthy aristocrat, a very civilized man. Once they embarked on their journey the peasant began to make good use of his time ‘organizing’ his personal belongings. While rummaging through his suitcase he began to air out his personal unclean laundry items, which created an intolerable aroma much to the horror of the wealthy aristocrat. Faced with this most pleasant turn of events, the man turned to the peasant with a soft kind voice and said; “Comrade, perhaps this is not the best place for these items”. The peasant did not even respond! The man tried again and again, always addressing him respectfully as “Sir,” and “My Friend”, still to no avail. The peasant did not even give the courtesy to acknowledge his very presence. With no other option the man called the train’s conductor for help. The conductor directly approached the peasant and with no hesitation began screaming at the peasant without any titles or courtesy at all. He said; “Animal!” The peasant immediately turned around and said; “Do you mean me?” The conductor responded; “Of course I meant you! Look at this disgusting mess you have created! Put your dirty laundry away immediately! Do you know that you are you are in first class, you cannot behave this way here. I’ll throw you out!” The peasant responded; “I did not know!” The conductor said; “What do you mean you didn’t know, can’t you see this man is trying to talk to you? Can’t you hear?” The peasant responded that he didn’t realize the civilized man was even talking to him. He really did not notice. He had never been spoken to in such a manner, it was not just like a foreign language to him, it wasn’t even language at all. So too it is with our neshama. The neshama journeys down into this world for a purpose. It is a yerida letzorich aliya- for the purpose of a greater ascent. The neshama goes into first class. At this point, the animal soul joins the neshama and sits together in the same cabin- the body. The animal soul doesn’t see, feel or sense Elokus- G-dliness. When the neshama sees the uncivilized nature of his animal soul, he begins to talk about Elokus to the animal soul, and explain how special Hashem is. The neshama doesn’t get through to the animal soul. So the neshama goes to the Rebbe, the conductor. The Alter Rebbe explains in Perek Chof Tes of Tanya that there are times that we need to scream at our animal soul, to wake him up. Then the animal soul realizes that the neshama is talking to him. We need to speak strong to the animal soul and then he will listen.
A Chassid once asked the Rebbe Rashab for permission to translate certain parts of the Siddur into Yiddish during davening. This was in order for the Chassid to realize that the words mean him.
Regarding the second challenge, how will we have the strength to overcome the yetzer hara, David Hamelech said; “Achas Sha’alti m’es Hashem”. In this time of Elul, the time of the revelation of the Yud Gimmel Middos Harachamim, the neshama calls out from the depths of his heart to Hashem. The neshama says; “I want to be with You Hashem in truth, with You, and only You”. From this calling out, all our taivos fall away. It is similar to the time that we call out the Shma and Hashem Hu Elokim at Neila. When we call to Hashem from this place, the Yetzer Hara cannot do anything. The Yetzer Hara has nothing to hold onto because our prayers are directed just to Hashem, not for any reward. Only then when have accomplished this do we follow through with all the details. “Shivti b’vais Hashem- to merit to dwell in Hashem’s house all of our life and to gaze on the pleasantness of Hashem” etc. This is how we overcome all obstacles, when Hashem is our only goal.
In the third challenge, the yetzer hara tries to push us down and tell us that we will never be a success. As we learn in the beginning of this week’s parsha “Ki Tzesei”, that when go out to confront the enemy, we have the power; we are ‘al oyvecha’, we stand above our enemy. Everything that happens in the world is b’hashgacha pratis, and is a lesson in avodas Hashem. It is now at the end of the baseball season. There is a universal sportsmanlike attitude held by all professional athletes. When you're at the bottom of the ninth inning, it doesn’t matter if you are ahead by five runs or behind by seven you never give up. You maintain your focus on the game and take all possibilities seriously until the very last moment. Even in the last few minutes of the game the teams remains united and create a strategy to win. There isn’t player or team in baseball that says; “Last year we lost so this year will be the same.” Every year they are always striving for the pennant and to win the world series. Just like this is in gashmius in baseball, so too, this is in ruchnius, in our service of Hashem. In Elul Hashem is giving us an injection, which gives us the possibility that we can overcome our obstacles and be successful, regardless of the past. Although last year I may not have been successful, it doesn’t matter because this is a new year and there is a new possibility. The game is not over until it’s over. In Elul we have the ability to change and turn everything around. We just need to strategize and make a plan. The next move is ours. Hashem is giving us the opportunity.