YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

2240 ALBANY AVENUE

WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117
(860) 233-3084
Web Site: http://www.youngisraelwh.org SHABBAT PARSHAT VAYIGASH
December 11, 2010 4 Tevet 5771
Rabbi’s Corner
I would like to tell you about a rabbinic con- Kiddush this Shabbat
ference that I will be participating in this coming Is Sponsored with love by
week in Florida. As you know, I have been part of a
Ann, Jeremy, Harvey, Nate, & Devora Pava
YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

two year Legacy Heritage Distinguished Rabbinic

Fellowship led by Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter. I Who wish to express their heartfelt thanks
have been to two conferences so far with the 15 or to everyone in the shul for the most warm
so other rabbis in my cohort and there are still more
conferences to come. This coming week this fellow- and wonderful welcome extended to them.
ship is running a 3 day Executive Rabbinic Seminar They have received so many
called “A Roadmap for Leading Synagogue Entre-
preneurial Success.” All the rabbis in this fellowship invitations for Shabbat meals that they
have been asked to invite a lay-leader from their could not even accept them all!
shul who runs programs and events to join them at
They look forward to
the conference. As programming chair on our
board, Steven Bernstein will be joining me. reciprocating during the
The goal of this conference is for the rabbis coming year.
and lay leader to develop insights, enhance our
leadership and group effectiveness skills, and build
HAGH WINING, DINING & DASTARDLY DEEDS
realistic action plans which can be used to build
12.11.10
high-performance synagogue leadership teams in
our respective communities. As part of the pro- 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
gram, we will be offered learning sessions as well as At the HAGH
confidential, one-on-one meetings with profession- Elegant, Fundraising Dinner to benefit the
als to address any individual leadership or organiza- HAGH. Evening of Wining, Dining & Dastardly
tion issues. Deeds, an interactive theatre production...
The expenses for me and Steven including
‫מזל טוב‬
flights, hotels and food are being fully paid for by
‫ מזל טוב‬to Great Grandmother Margot Jeremias &
the Center for the Jewish Future at YU and the Leg-
acy Heritage Foundation. It is an amazingly gener- Grandmother Paulette Korn, on the birth of a baby
ous opportunity and a truly amazing group to be a boy to Jerald and Lauren Korn of Newton MA.
part of. Steven and I look forward to sharing some ‫ מזל טוב‬also to great Aunt and Uncle, Helen & Les.
of our experiences with you upon our return.
I will be away from early Sunday morning to ‫ מזל טוב‬to Inna & Arie Shteyntsayg on the birth of
late Tuesday night. I will have my phone with me their daughter Rivka. ‫ מזל טוב‬to big sister Sarah!
and access to email but please be patient in me re-
sponding since I will be in and out of sessions. NEW MEMBER
This coming Friday, as you know, is the fast Welcome to Irina and Lenny Margulis and their son
of Asarah B’Tevet. This is the day on which the siege Jonathan on becoming new members.
of the city of Yerushalayim began in time of King
Tzidkiyahu (during the time of the first Beit Hamik-
dash). The siege was perpetrated by the Babyloni- MY SISTER’S PLACE DRIVE
ans and led by Nevuchanezzar. The siege was the In Memory of Judith Harris,
beginning of the whole chain of calamities which daughter of Evelyn & Bob Harris.
Continued on page 3 This drive will run through December 16th!
Editor: Judie Patel Rabbi Brahm Weinberg 860-233-3084 or
E-mail: bulletin @youngisraelwh.org [email protected]
Editors Emeritus: Sam Leichtberg & Moish Trencher
Judith Hessing, Coordinator 860-233-6042 or
Web Site: http://www.YoungIsraelWH.org [email protected]
Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor of
West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford,
Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford (Hotline - 860-232-6417)
 Page 2
SAVE THE DATES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
UPCOMING SHUL & COMMUNITY EVENTS Jason Wolfe & Vera Schwarcz
In honor of the birth of a granddaughter to the Wizenfelds
TAKE 15 WITH THE RABBI
In honor of the birth of a daughter Rivka to Inna Stein & Arie
Short recorded Shiurim by Rabbi Weinberg will be sent
Shteyntsayg
by email every Monday on the topic of Tefilla.
The first topic is “Kaddish”
They can also be downloaded or listened to on our Tour the new buildings of the Hebrew High School of New
website: www.youngisraelwh.org England!
ELISHA ROSENSWEIG’S CLASS Located at 300 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford
Tuesday, December 14th , at 8:00 PM (across the street from the JCC and Federation).
We are studying the Open to the community.
Opening Parshiot of Sefer Bereishit. Tours will be given:
At the home of Judy Brenner , 103 Steele Road Sunday, December 12th - 12 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14th - 2 p.m.
ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP
Thursday, December 16th –12 p.m.
Monday, January 5th at 7:30 PM
At the home of
BOOK CLUB TRADING SPACES
New Book ~ The Finkler Question COMING SOON!
By Howard Jacobson More information coming soon!
Do you knit, crochet, embroider, needlepoint , bead, The Youth Department is excited to announce upcoming ac-
weave ?? WHATEVER, think about joining our "craft tivities and events for our children and teens of all ages! Get
circle." We meet informally usually on Monday eve's involved now and support our Youth Department. Your feed-
for an hour or so to work on whatever projects are in back and ideas are wanted!
the works , a little conversation, a hot drink… UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF YOUTH EVENTS
Please email Debbie Luger ([email protected]) Dec. 17, 2010 - Friday Night Teen Game Night & Chulent
if you're interested in joining us (Grades 9-12)
or if you have comments/questions/suggestions… Jan. 15, 2011 - Shabbat Luncheon & Program
(Grades 5-8)
MY SISTER’S PLACE DRIVE Jan. 15, 2011 - Youth Department Hockey Game Outing:
In Memory of Judith Harris, The Whale vs. The Bruins
daughter of Evelyn & Bob Harris. Jan. 16, 2011 - Tu B’Shvat Seder & Dessert Party
This drive will run through December 16th! (Preschool-4th Grade)
Here are some items needed by MSP: Feb. 11, 2011 - Teen-Led Minyan & Friday Night Dinner
paper goods (paper towels, tissues, etc.) (Grades 9-12)
baby wipes, large diapers (sizes 3-5), bottles Mar. 13, 2011 - Pre-Purim Bonanza & Carnival
cleaning products, laundry detergent Apr. 9, 2011 - Pre-Pesach Chametz in the Park
store gift cards, arts and crafts supplies For more information, contact Zvi Goldfischer
Thermometers, first aid kit, umbrellas at 860-906-1111 or the Youth Department via email at
Pillows, bed sheets, mattress pads [email protected]
Towels, bath rugs All pre-teens and teens with a Facebook account are
encouraged to sign up with the shul’s youth
To drop off any donations, there department account at: Young Israelwh
will be a box at the YIWH, and
at the home of Judith Hessing (18 Grenhart).
BUY SCRIP! BUY SCRIP!
For more information, contact: BIG Y SCRIP AVAILABLE NOW!
Judith Hessing at 860-906-8352 It costs nothing additional to you - yet it helps the Shul. It is
Tova Goldfischer at [email protected] the most cost effective way to donate to the Shul! Remember,
Josh Glahn at [email protected] if you can not come and get the cards we can bring it to you!
Let's support our Shul by buying scrip ! Every dollar counts!
Contact: Judith Hessing (860-233-6042),
at 18 Grenhart Street
 Page 3
Dvar Torah of the Week www.rabbiwein.com
All is well that ends well is a popular and well known aphorism. Apparently that should be the case here
in this week’s parsha when Yosef and his family are at last reconciled after over twenty years of pain and es-
trangement. Yaakov comes down to Egypt to embrace his long lost beloved son and the Jewish people begin
the long sojourn in Egypt with the first century of that sojourn being successful and benign.
However, as is the case with many a popular saying or belief, the aphorism stated above is not exactly
accurate. The enmity, discord and bitterness of the dispute of decades between Yosef and his brothers is not
easily forgotten. We will see in next week’s parsha how the brothers still suspect Yosef of ill intentions towards
them and how Yosef after the death of Yaakov subtly distances himself from them.
Wounds may heal but they always leave their marks and scars. And the competition between Yosef and
Yehuda, which is the centerpiece of the fist part of this week’s parsha. This continues for millennia in Jewish his-
tory almost splitting the Jewish people as a whole and not just its kingdom into two warring factions.
So, even though the affair of Yosef and his brothers appears to end well and satisfactorily in the narra-
tive of this week’s parsha, the residue of suspicion, competitiveness and bitter memories remain. This is so very
evident as the story continues and clouds any truly rosy assessment of the conclusion of this gripping family tale
of ours.
Every human event has consequences that are much more long lasting and important than originally
thought. Since we all live in a time range that is limited, far reaching results of our behavior are naturally hard to
discern and appreciate. If the brothers of Yosef would have realized that their behavior towards him would, cen-
turies later, lead to the breakup of the Jewish kingdom in the Land of Israel, perhaps they would have acted dif-
ferently. And, perhaps Yosef himself might have acted differently towards his brothers as well.
It is not for naught that the rabbis taught us that the true wise man is the person who can realize the fu-
ture consequences of present policies and behavior. This idea is also the basic underpinning of the rabbis’ other
comment that even the wise must be very cautious in their statements, to guard against the unintended conse-
quences that may result.
Many times consequences are exactly the opposite of what is originally desired. The rabbinic ban on
Spinoza immortalized him, and the ban against Chasidut translated into the most popular Jewish religious move-
ment in Eastern Europe.
Yosef and his brothers, like all of us, are powerless to undo the past. But, in realizing the fissure that the
events of the past created in Jewish life, a special attempt at true reconciliation must be attempted. It would
take the slavery of Egyptian exile and the redemption that followed to achieve this unity that was expressed at
the moment of revelation at Sinai. Troubles unite us. We should learn to live together in harmony even in more
trouble-free times.
THANK YOU
Shabat shalom. - Rabbi Berel Wein
Thanks to Tsion Cohen, Steve Luger, Barry Gordon & Elie
Wolfe for helping to put the fence in back last Sunday!

Rabbi’s Corner Continued from page 1

finally ended with the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.
This is the only public fast day that can ever fall on EREV SHABBAT in our calendar system. It also doesn’t oc-
cur very often so we hit a really interesting calendrical phenomenon. Although it is kind of strange to fast on an Erev
Shabbat and go in to Shabbat so hungry, we do it nonetheless. Because it’s a fast day, Mincha is the regular fast day
mincha with leyning and haftarah etc…so it will be extra early at 3:50PM PLEASE COME ON TIME so we can start leyn-
ing right away.
The Rambam says: “The essential significance of the fast of the Tenth of Tevet, as well as that of the other fast
days, is not primarily the grief and mourning which they evoke. Their aim is rather to awaken the hearts towards re-
pentance…and thereby to cause us to return towards the good…” May we each have an easy and meaningful fast.
May all our tefillot be answered especially those for rain in Eretz Yisrael.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Weinberg

DOR L’ DOR
12/18 at 7:00 pm at Chabad House 1/8 at 7:00 pm at Chabad House 1/15 at 7:00 pm at Agudas Achim
1/22 at 7:00 pm at Chabad House 1/29 at 7:00 pm at Agudas Achim 2/5 at 7:00 pm at YIWH
2/12 at 7:00 pm at Chabad House 3/5 at 7:00 pm at YIWH
 

 YIWH Schedule of Services  IT IS EASY TO SPONSOR A KIDDUSH

December 10th - 17th, 2010
Shabbat Parshat Vayigash
OR SEUDAH SHLISHIT!
Friday, December 10th
Shul handles set up & Clean up!
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Candle Lighting 4:02 p.m.
or [email protected] to
Mincha/Maariv 4:07 p.m.
check the availability of the date
Shabbat, December 11th you need & to make the
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Shacharit 8:45 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:25 a.m. Checks need to be received
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Inna Stein & 3:45 p.m. Kiddush date.
Arie Shteyntsayg on the occasion of Arie’s father, Send to David Cohen at
Isaak Shteyntsayg’s ‫יצחק בן אליעזר‬2nd Yahrzeit 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Shabbat Ends & Maariv 5:02 p.m. There are three types
Sunday, December 12th - Thursday, December 16th of Kiddushim:
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 6:12 a.m. Standard for $150,
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m. Semi-Deluxe for $250
Shacharit…Monday - Thursday 6:45 a.m. & Deluxe for $350
Mincha/Maariv @ Agudas Achim 4:05p.m. With supplements available.

Friday, December 17th - Asara B’Tevet For Seudah Shlishit contact

Alot Hashachar - Dawn - Fast Begins 6:00 a.m. Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Shacharit 6:30 a.m. KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
Chatzot - Midday 11:47 a.m. 12/11 Pava
Mincha/Maariv 3:50 p.m. 12/18 Wizenfeld
Candle Lighting 4:03 p.m. 12/25 Weinberg
Fast Ends 5:00 p.m.

Check out the Weekly Schedule on the Shul Website: http://www.youngisraelwh.org/

Times from: http://www.ou.org/holidays/calendar

Ner La’Maor Pat La’Orchim

Lights Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer Fran & Gene Wittenberg
in memory of in memory of
their parents and grandparents, Fran’s father, Tzvi ben Yitzchak Meir HaCohen
Israel Weiss ‫ישראל בן דוד‬ ‫צבי בן יצחק מאיר הכהן‬
Frida Weiss ‫טויבא פרידה בת שמואל‬ & Gene’s father, Binyamin ben Moshe
Abraham Leichtberg ‫אברהם בן שמואל‬ ‫בנימין בן משה‬

Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Kiddush Supplement

Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Jeremy & Ann Pava
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld In memory of Ann’s father, Harvey Baidack
in memory of ‫צבי הרשל יעקב‬
Betty’s Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira Seudah Shlishit Supplement
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ In Memory of Al Weisel
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬
Irv ‘s father, Sam Wizenfeld 5770 Candy Man:
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬ Gil Fried
Want to join the Listserve?
If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to [email protected] and he will add
your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
[email protected] .
 

 YIWH Schedule of Services  IT IS EASY TO SPONSOR A KIDDUSH

December 17th - 24th, 2010
Shabbat Parshat Vayechi
OR SEUDAH SHLISHIT!
Friday, December 17th - Asara B’Tevet
Shul handles set up & Clean up!
Alot Hashachar - Dawn - Fast Begins 6:00 a.m.
Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
or [email protected] to
Chatzot - Midday 11:47 a.m.
check the availability of the date you
Mincha/Maariv 3:50 p.m.
need & to make the
Candle Lighting 4:03 p.m.
arrangements for the type of
Fast Ends 5:00 p.m.
Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat, December 18th Checks need to be received
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:00 a.m. the Sunday prior to your
Shacharit 8:45 a.m. Kiddush date.
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:29 a.m. Send to David Cohen at
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 3:45 p.m. There are three types
Shabbat Ends & Maariv 5:03p.m. of Kiddushim:
Standard for $150,
Sunday, December 19th - Thursday, December 23rd
Semi-Deluxe for $250
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 6:16 a.m.
& Deluxe for $350
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m.
With supplements available.
Followed by Rabbi Weinberg’s Gemara Shiur & Breakfast 9:00 a.m.
Studying Masechet Makot For Seudah Shlishit contact
Shacharit…Monday - Thursday 6:45 a.m. Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Mincha/Maariv @ Agudas Achim 4:05 p.m.
KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
Friday, December 24th 12/18 Wizenfeld
Shacharit 6:45 a.m. 12/25 Weinberg
Candle Lighting 4:06 p.m.
Mincha/Maariv 4:11 p.m.

Check out the Weekly Schedule on the Shul Website: http://www.youngisraelwh.org/

Times from: http://www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
Ner La’Maor Pat La’Orchim
Lights Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer Fran & Gene Wittenberg
in memory of in memory of
their parents and grandparents, Fran’s father, Tzvi ben Yitzchak Meir HaCohen
Israel Weiss ‫ישראל בן דוד‬ ‫צבי בן יצחק מאיר הכהן‬
Frida Weiss ‫טויבא פרידה בת שמואל‬ & Gene’s father, Binyamin ben Moshe
Abraham Leichtberg ‫אברהם בן שמואל‬ ‫בנימין בן משה‬

Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Kiddush Supplement

Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Jeremy & Ann Pava
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld In memory of Ann’s father, Harvey Baidack
in memory of ‫צבי הרשל יעקב‬
Betty’s Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira Seudah Shlishit Supplement
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ In Memory of Al Weisel
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬
Irv ‘s father, Sam Wizenfeld 5770 Candy Man:
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬ Gil Fried
Want to join the Listserve?
If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to [email protected] and he will
add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
[email protected] .
 

 YIWH Schedule of Services  IT IS EASY TO SPONSOR A KIDDUSH

December 24th - 31st, 2010
Shabbat Parshat Shemot
OR SEUDAH SHLISHIT!

Friday, December 24th Shul handles set up & Clean up!

Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Candle Lighting 4:06 p.m. or [email protected] to
Mincha/Maariv 4:11 p.m. check the availability of the date you
Shabbat, December 25th need & to make the
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Shacharit 8:45 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:33 a.m. Checks need to be received
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 3:50 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends & Maariv 5:07p.m. Send to David Cohen at
19 Mansfield Avenue.
Sunday, December 26th - Thursday, December 30th There are three types
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 6:20 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m. Standard for $150,
Followed by Rabbi Weinberg’s Gemara Shiur & Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Semi-Deluxe for $250
Studying Masechet Makot & Deluxe for $350
Shacharit…Monday - Thursday 6:45 a.m. With supplements available.
Mincha/Maariv @ Agudas Achim 4:10 p.m.
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Friday, December 31st Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
Candle Lighting 4:11 p.m. KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
Mincha/Maariv 4:16 p.m. 12/25 Weinberg

Check out the Weekly Schedule on the Shul Website: http://www.youngisraelwh.org/

Times from: http://www.ou.org/holidays/calendar

Ner La’Maor Pat La’Orchim

Lights Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
Judy & Sam Leichtberg and Batsheva Goldfischer Fran & Gene Wittenberg
in memory of in memory of
their parents and grandparents, Fran’s father, Tzvi ben Yitzchak Meir HaCohen
Israel Weiss ‫ישראל בן דוד‬ ‫צבי בן יצחק מאיר הכהן‬
Frida Weiss ‫טויבא פרידה בת שמואל‬ & Gene’s father, Binyamin ben Moshe
Abraham Leichtberg ‫אברהם בן שמואל‬ ‫בנימין בן משה‬

Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah Kiddush Supplement

Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah Jeremy & Ann Pava
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld In memory of Ann’s father, Harvey Baidack
in memory of ‫צבי הרשל יעקב‬
Betty’s Parents, Tobias & Esther Spira Seudah Shlishit Supplement
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ In Memory of Al Weisel
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬
Irv ‘s father, Sam Wizenfeld 5770 Candy Man:
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬ Gil Fried

Want to join the Listserve?

If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to [email protected] and he will
add your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
[email protected] .