-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Martin Luther King Day -Mi Sheberach List *For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Candle lighting: 4:44pm on Friday, Jan 13 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Shemot Havdalah (50 min): 5:53pm on Saturday, Jan 14 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת שמות January 13 - כ׳ טבת Candle lighting 4:44 Shabbat ends 5:44 72 minutes 6:16 Office Hours this week: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:30 am –1:30 pm Thursday, January 12, 2023 1:30 pm –7:30 pm (Board Meeting @ 7:30pm) Friday, January 13, 2023 3:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, January 16, 2023 9:30 am –1:30 pm Tuesday, January 17, 2023 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, January 20, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (January 14, 2023): Parashat Shemot 5783 https://youtu.be/j6gTxLcdGDE Parashat Shemot 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת שְׁמוֹת 14 January 2023 / 21 Tevet 5783 Parashat Shemot is the 13th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday January 9 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Shemot 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת שְׁמוֹת 14 January 2023 / 21 Tevet 5783 Parashat Shemot is the 13th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Shemot (“Names”) is the first Torah reading in the Book of Exodus. It opens describing the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. Moses is born, placed in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into Pharaoh’s household. He later encounters God at a burning bush and begins his mission of demanding that Pharoah let the Israelites go. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 206 - 213 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 206 - 224) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ 7:30pm Preempted this Thursday, January 12 due to monthly board meeting Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. We will continue reading Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), the Biblical book that includes such familiar English quotations as “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity” and “The race is not always to the swift” and “For everything there is a season.” In class we will use the new Jewish Publication Society translation available on Sefaria, but any translation you have will be fine. You can find Ecclesiastes in any Hebrew Bible. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, January 13, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, January 14, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Shemot 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת שְׁמוֹת 14 January 2023 / 21 Tevet 5783 Parashat Shemot is the 13th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Shemot (“Names”) is the first Torah reading in the Book of Exodus. It opens describing the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. Moses is born, placed in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into Pharaoh’s household. He later encounters God at a burning bush and begins his mission of demanding that Pharoah let the Israelites go. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 1:1-7 · 7 p’sukim · 2: 1:8-12 · 5 p’sukim · 3: 1:13-17 · 5 p’sukim · 4: 1:18-22 · 5 p’sukim · 5: 2:1-10 · 10 p’sukim · 6: 2:11-15 · 5 p’sukim · 7: 2:16-25 · 10 p’sukim · maf: 2:23-25 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 · 23 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 206 - 213 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 206 - 224) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 292 - 301 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 292 - 317) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 317 - 326 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 317 - 341) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, January 15, 2023 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Adult Hebrew Reading Course Sunday, January 15, 11:45 am – 12:45 am A new Hebrew Reading course from NJOP. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16, 2023 Martin Luther King Day is observed every year on the third Monday of January — on January 16 this year. King was an influential civil rights leader — best known for his work on racial equality and ending racial segregation in the United States. His life and achievements are remembered and celebrated on this day. Tu BiShvat 2023 / טוּ בִּשְׁבָט 5783 New Year for Trees Tu BiShvat for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Sunday, 5 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Monday, 6 February 2023. Family Learning Sunday! Sunday, February 5, 2023 @ 10:00am PT Our next Family Learning will Sunday, February 5 @ 10am for a special Tu BiShvat Seder. Come learn and celebrate the New Year for tree with a special seder developed by Kabbalists to celebrate the Earth and Nature's/Hashem's bounty ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.

Jewish tradition teaches that music unlocks the door to divine connection. BY JOEY WEISENBERG Music is the most immaterial and ephemeral of all the art forms. We can’t see music, we can’t grasp it in our hands, but we can feel it working through us and the world. As such, music represents our connection to the divine, to each other, to everything. Music is a wordless prayer that opens up our imaginations to the divine source of all life.In the Hebrew numerological system known as Gematria, the numerical value of the words for prayer, tefillah, and song, shirah, are identical. From this we can see that music is a form of prayer, and prayer is a form of music. They are like two legs of the spiritual throne, mutually supporting each other. Indeed, the Talmud teaches us that music and prayer are virtually synonymous, declaring: Where there is song, there is prayer Berakhot 6a What is the source of this linkage? Is it possible that music can open our ears and our hearts so that we can better sense the nuance and subtleties of the world around us? If we open our mouths and sing our imperfect songs, can we connect with the divine songs of all creation? Can our prayer chants open the gates of heaven? Can our melodies unlock divine mysteries? Jewish tradition suggests that it can. The prophets of ancient Israel surrounded themselves with music, using its power to help them enter an ecstatic mindset. In one story, the prophet Elisha wanted to hear the word of God, so he requested that a musician start to play. As soon as the musician played, Elisha’s prophetic abilities commenced: “And when the musician played, the hand of God was upon him.” II Kings 3:15 In another story, Saul, who had not yet become king, joined a roving band of prophets and musicians who were playing a harp, drum, and flute to help the prophets enter a state of expanded consciousness. I Samuel 10:5-6 These three instruments — harp, drum, and flute — represent the three paradigmatic elements of music: harmony, rhythm, and melody. Joining the parade of musicians, Saul found that this musical-prophetic experience allowed the spirit of God to rest upon him and allowed him to transform into an ish acher, a different person, to find an alternate reality of himself in which he became capable not only of prophesying, but ascending the throne of Israel. Music, we might assume, must have opened up the prophets’ ears, enabling them to hear the divine voice speaking through them. Music, in this sense, worked like an elite reconnaissance unit sneaking through the prophets’ defensive bulwarks and barriers, or like a sweet-talking lover wooing his beloved. Music paved the way for the bestowal of the great gift of divine love, of the prophecies which we have at least partly retained in the words of the Torah and later poetry and writing. Is it possible that music also can help us enter different realms and discover alternate realities in which we might pursue better versions of ourselves? Can music open us up to our own inspiration and prayers as it opened up the pathways of the prophets? The 18th-century Hasidic master Nachman of Breslov offers that there might be something left that we can access from this source of prophecy. A sacred musician, he explains, is called a chazzan — a Hebrew word with the same root as the word hazon, meaning “vision,” and which is also the common modern term for a prayer leader. The chazzan, Rebbe Nachman tells us, “snatches the song from the place where prophets suckle.” Melodies form a divine ladder that connects the earth with the heavens. In Hebrew, the word sulam means both “ladder” and “musical scale.” Perhaps the most famous story of a path to the heavens is the story of Jacob’s ladder, in which the patriarch dreams of a ladder on which angels are going up and down. Angels, according to the medieval authority Maimonides, had one essential function: singing Jacob’s ladder must then have been a kind of musical scale, with melodic angels rising and descending along with the prayers of mankind. When we sing, we hope to allow ourselves to experience a state of elevation, a taste of the heavens, a glimpse of the best versions of ourselves. To be a musician then is to be an activist of the spirit. But the music doesn’t do this on its own. It requires us to react to the music, to open up, to change along with it. We must allow the sound of our singing to awaken us, to bring us to positive action, to let song help us to do our work in the world with sensitivity and grace. Ultimately, melodies are just a bunch of notes—whether they’re fundamentally meaningless or transcendent depends entirely upon how we choose to listen, how we choose to direct our intentions, and whether we let ourselves join the song. Singing signals not an escape from life but an imaginative attempt to remind us what is yet possible. Music offers us rung after rung to climb to the heavens, where we hope to discover our best selves, so that we can then emulate that holiness in our regular lives. Let us find our melodies, and let us find our prayers, and let us bring the world to life. This essay is adapted from “The Torah of Music: Reflections on a Tradition of Singing and Song” by Joey Weisenberg with translations by Joshua Schwartz. Click here to learn more.

If the Torah guarantees rewards to the righteous, why do some righteous people suffer? BY MY JEWISH LEARNING https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-answers-to-suffering-and-evil/?utm_source=mjl_maropost&utm_campaign=MJL&utm_medium=email The concept of reward and punishment is the Torah’s explanation for the existence of suffering. The covenant between God and the people of Israel established at Mount Sinai and elaborated in the book of Deuteronomy states that suffering will be visited upon the community of Israel (and possibly individuals) when they abandon the ways of God. In this sense, reward and punishment is not a solution to a problem; it is merely explanatory. Indeed, it creates further problems. If the Torah guarantees rewards to the righteous, why do some righteous people suffer? The Book of Job The book of Job is dedicated to this problem. Job’s life is invaded by tragedy despite his righteousness. His friends maintain that he must have sinned, but Job affirms his innocence and questions God’s justice. Ultimately, God speaks to Job from a whirlwind, rejecting the response of his friends–thus admitting that righteous people can suffer–and also chastising Job. God wonders how Job could question the master of all creation. The book of Job appeals to the mysteries of the universe as a response to the problem of suffering. Humans with finite minds can’t possibly understand the ways of God. Rabbinic Literature This solution (or non-solution) is articulated in rabbinic literature as well. In Avot 4:19, Rabbi Yannai says: “It is not in our powers to explain either the well-being of the wicked or the sufferings of the righteous.” Similarly, contemporary scholar David Hartman notes that rabbinic literature often eschews theological solutions, focusing instead on the human response to suffering. Thus when the 1st-century sage Rabbi Akiva is tortured at the end of his life, he does not wonder why he–a righteous man–suffers so greatly, instead he recognizes it as an opportunity to fulfill the commandment set forth in the Shema prayer: to love God, “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” However, there were rabbinic figures that sought to retain reward and punishment as an explanation for suffering.  These rabbis suggested that reward and punishment is meted out judiciously–but in the World to Come, rather than in this world. Thus when we see a righteous person suffer, it is not a problem; he or she will be rewarded in the next life. Similarly, in the Middle Ages, some kabbalists introduced the notion of reincarnation, suggesting that one may suffer for sins committed in a previous life. Medieval Approaches Indeed, in the Middle Ages mystics and philosophers gave much attention to the problem of suffering and evil. Medieval thinkers tried to reconcile four claims: God is perfectly good; God is all-powerful; God is all-knowing; evil is real. As Byron Sherwin has pointed out, most medieval solutions to this problem denied or modified one of these claims. Maimonides, for example, denied that evil was real. According to him, evils are “privations,” that is the lack of good. Things that appear to be evil are results of privations of human knowledge and virtue. This philosophical solution gets a benevolent God off the hook, but will probably do little to comfort a sufferer. Saadiah Gaon also gave a version of this response, claiming that God causes us to suffer for our own good; what we perceive as evil is actually beneficial. Post-Holocaust Theology Solving the problem of suffering and evil is the focus of much post-Holocaust theology. Some theologians have presented altered versions of previous solutions. Thus Eliezer Berkovits stresses the role of human free will, and Ignaz Maybaum offers the paradigm of the suffering servant–the idea presented in Isaiah 53 that the Jewish people suffer vicariously for the wickedness of others. (Interestingly, Jewish tradition has often tried to distance itself from this passage because of its importance to Christians, who believe it to be a prophetic allusion to Jesus.) Some thinkers, however, have offered radically new solutions to the problem. Both Emil Fackenheim and Irving Greenberg suggest that the Holocaust was a revelatory event, which changes Judaism. Interestingly, perhaps the most radical post-Holocaust theologian, Richard Rubenstein, maintains that the terms of the covenant cannot be amended. Since the Holocaust contradicted the covenantal reality, we can only deduce one thing: God must be dead.

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Asara B'Tevet -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Mi Sheberach List *For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Fast begins: 5:37am on Tuesday, Jan 3 Asara B'Tevet occurs on Tuesday, Jan 3 Fast ends: 5:27pm on Tuesday, Jan 3 Candle lighting: 4:38pm on Friday, Jan 6 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Vayechi Havdalah (50 min): 5:47pm on Saturday, Jan 7 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times Office Hours this week: Monday, January 2, 2023 Happy New Year Tuesday, January 3, 2023 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, January 6, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, January 9, 2023 9:30 am –1:30 pm Thursday, January 12, 2023 1:30 pm –7:30 pm (Board Meeting @ 7:30pm) Friday, January 13, 2023 3:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minut e Torah (January 7, 2023): Parashat Vayehi 5783 https://youtu.be/WV4u_bpRZXo Parashat Vayechi 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 January 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday January 2 at 7:30 pm PT (?) Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayehi 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 January 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Vayehi (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. It opens as Jacob prepares for his death, making his son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s sons bury him. The portion ends with Joseph’s death. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 180 - 183 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 180 - 191) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 268 - 275 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 268 - 289) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270) Asara B’Tevet 2023 / עֲשָׂרָה בְּטֵבֵת 5783 Fast commemorating the siege of Jerusalem ✡️ Asara B'Tevet for Hebrew Year 5783 occurs at dawn on Tuesday, 3 January 2023. Tenth of Tevet (Hebrew: עשרה בטבת, Asarah BeTevet), the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, is a minor fast day in Judaism. The fast commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. Like other minor fasts, Asara B’Tevet begins at dawn (first light) and ends at nightfall (full dark). Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, January 5, 2023 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, January 6, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, January 7, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayechi 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 January 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Vayechi (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. It opens as Jacob prepares for his death, making his son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s sons bury him. The portion ends with Joseph’s death. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 47:28-31 · 4 p’sukim · 2: 48:1-3 · 3 p’sukim · 3: 48:4-9 · 6 p’sukim · 4: 48:10-13 · 4 p’sukim · 5: 48:14-16 · 3 p’sukim · 6: 48:17-19 · 3 p’sukim · 7: 48:20-22 · 3 p’sukim · maf: 48:20-22 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12 · 12 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 180 - 183 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 180 - 191) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 268 - 275 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 268 - 289) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, January 8, 2023 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Adult Hebrew Reading Course Sunday, January 8, 11:45 am – 12:45 am A new Hebrew Reading course from NJOP. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.

https://youtu.be/WV4u_bpRZXo Parashat Vayechi 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 January 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Vayechi (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. It opens as Jacob prepares for his death, making his son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s sons bury him. The portion ends with Joseph’s death. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 47:28-31 · 4 p’sukim · 2: 48:1-3 · 3 p’sukim · 3: 48:4-9 · 6 p’sukim · 4: 48:10-13 · 4 p’sukim · 5: 48:14-16 · 3 p’sukim · 6: 48:17-19 · 3 p’sukim · 7: 48:20-22 · 3 p’sukim · maf: 48:20-22 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12 · 12 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 180 - 183 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 180 - 191) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 268 - 275 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 268 - 289) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270) In our triennial portion, we see Jacob seeing his own death. In preparation, he wants to bless his sons, affirming for them their own respective purpose as his sons sire nations. His first blessings go to Ephraim and Manasseh as he adopts his grandsons as his own heirs, equal to his other sons born of his two wives (Leah and Rachel) and two mistresses (Zilpan and Bilhah). Their merit was exemplary. Consider the lesson of these two lads, in whose names we even today bless our own sons. These two were special and had the integrity and character to remain true to the ethical monotheism in the realm of pagan society. Even today as half the Jewish population of the world lives outside of Israel, it is a model of behavior. We should be loyal to our respective countries and societies, but let us not get so integrated that we forget our roots. Let us continue to study Torah and Judaism and observe our commandments. Parashat Vayeji 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 enero 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayeji es la 12ª porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Génesis 47:28-50:26 Vayeji ("Él vivió") es la porción final de la Torá en el Libro de Génesis. Se abre cuando Jacob se prepara para su muerte, haciendo que su hijo José jure enterrarlo en la cueva de Macpela. Jacob bendice a los dos hijos de José y a sus propios 12 hijos y luego muere. Los hijos de Jacob lo entierran. La porción termina con la muerte de José. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 47:28-31 · 4 p'sukim · 2: 48:1-3 · 3 p'sukim · 3: 48:4-9 · 6 p'sukim · 4: 48:10-13 · 4 p'sukim · 5: 48:14-16 · 3 p'sukim · 6: 48:17-19 · 3 p'sukim · 7: 48:20-22 · 3 p'sukim · maf: 48:20-22 · 3 p'sukim · Haftará: 1 Reyes 2:1-12 · 12 p'sukim Comentario y Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torá Seminario Teológico Judío Universidad Judía Americana Soncino Chumash: págs. 180 - 183 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah completo págs. 180 - 191) Artscroll Chumash: págs. 268 - 275 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 268 - 289) Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 250 - 257 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 250 - 270) En nuestra porción trienal, vemos a Jacob viendo su propia muerte. En preparación, quiere bendecir a sus hijos, afirmando para ellos su propio propósito respectivo como sus hijos padres de naciones. Sus primeras bendiciones van a Efraín y Manasés cuando adopta a sus nietos como sus propios herederos, iguales a sus otros hijos nacidos de sus dos esposas (Lía y Raquel) y dos amantes (Zilpa y Bilha). Su mérito fue ejemplar. Considera la lección de estos dos muchachos, en cuyo nombre aún hoy bendecimos a nuestros propios hijos. Estos dos eran especiales y tenían la integridad y el carácter para permanecer fieles al monoteísmo ético en el ámbito de la sociedad pagana. Incluso hoy en día, cuando la mitad de la población judía del mundo vive fuera de Israel, es un modelo de comportamiento. Debemos ser leales a nuestros respectivos países y sociedades, pero no nos integremos tanto que olvidemos nuestras raíces. Sigamos estudiando la Torá y el judaísmo y observemos nuestros mandamientos.

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Happy New Year -Mi Sheberach List *For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Candle lighting: 4:32pm on Friday, Dec 30 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Vayigash Havdalah (50 min): 5:42pm on Saturday, Dec 31 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת ויגש December 30 - ו׳ טבת Candle lighting 4:32 Shabbat ends 5:33 72 minutes 6:04 Office Hours this week: Monday, December 26, 2022 Out of town Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Out of town Friday, December 30, 2022 3:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, January 2, 2022 Happy New Year Tuesday, January 3, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, January 6, 2022 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (December 31, 2022): Parashat Vayigash 5783 https://youtu.be/aJkGT31YzwM Parashat Vayigash 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ 31 December 2022 / 7 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayigash is the 11th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday January 2 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayechi 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי 7 January 2023 / 14 Tevet 5783 Parashat Vayechi is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Vayechi (“He Lived”) is the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis. It opens as Jacob prepares for his death, making his son Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah. Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons and his own 12 sons and then dies. Jacob’s sons bury him. The portion ends with Joseph’s death. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 180 - 183 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 180 - 191) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 268 - 275 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 268 - 289) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, December 29 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, December 30, 2022 @ 7:30 pm Note new start times Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, December 31, 2022 @ 10:00 am Note that start times for Saturday morning Shacharit services are due to change on 1st Saturday in January (1/7/23), Services will start @ 9:30am Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayigash 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ 31 December 2022 / 7 Tevet 5783 https://youtu.be/aJkGT31YzwM Parashat Vayigash is the 11th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Vayigash (“He Approached”) opens as Judah pleads with Joseph not to keep Benjamin as a prisoner. Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, crying and kissing them. The brothers bring Jacob from Canaan to Egypt, and Jacob and his children settle in Goshen. The portion ends as Joseph buys most of Egypt’s land in exchange for food. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 44:18-20 · 3 p’sukim · 2: 44:21-24 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 44:25-30 · 6 p’sukim · 4: 44:31-34 · 4 p’sukim · 5: 45:1-7 · 7 p’sukim · 6: 45:8-18 · 11 p’sukim · 7: 45:19-27 · 9 p’sukim · maf: 45:25-27 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28 · 14 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 169 - 172 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.169 – 179) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 267) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 274 - 279 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 274 – 289) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Happy New Year New Year's Day Sunday, January 1, 2023 Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, January 8, 2023 Happy Holidays! First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Adult Hebrew Reading Course Sunday, January 8, 11:45 am – 12:45 am A new Hebrew Reading course from NJOP. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.

Parashat Vayigash 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ 31 December 2022 / 7 Tevet 5783 https://youtu.be/aJkGT31YzwM Parashat Vayigash is the 11th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Vayigash (“He Approached”) opens as Judah pleads with Joseph not to keep Benjamin as a prisoner. Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, crying and kissing them. The brothers bring Jacob from Canaan to Egypt, and Jacob and his children settle in Goshen. The portion ends as Joseph buys most of Egypt’s land in exchange for food. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 44:18-20 · 3 p’sukim · 2: 44:21-24 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 44:25-30 · 6 p’sukim · 4: 44:31-34 · 4 p’sukim · 5: 45:1-7 · 7 p’sukim · 6: 45:8-18 · 11 p’sukim · 7: 45:19-27 · 9 p’sukim · maf: 45:25-27 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28 · 14 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 169 - 172 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.169 – 179) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 267) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 274 - 279 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 274 – 289) Vayigash, And Judah approached Joseph. Now that Benjamin has been set up to spend the rest of his life in Egyptian prison, Judah makes good on his oath to his father Jacob. Judah will now offer to take his place as a slave for the crime of stealing Zapaneth-Panea’s, aka Joseph’s, golden cup. Judah tells him that he will serve him better since he is stronger and more adept at doing things. “Approaching” was also a metaphor. We have two great personalities coming together. The strong leader of our ancestors confronts the Egyptian viceroy. The Israelite has the temerity, but without pretention or arrogance but with resolve, to confront the Egyptian royalty. An example of how we should face our challenges in life. At this, Joseph breaks down and reveals himself. Joseph sees the remorse of his brothers for their brazen action of selling him out of jealousy. Joseph assures his brothers that this was all part of Hashem’s plan to bring them to Egypt to escape the famine, but also to set the stage for the coming Exodus. Parashat Vayigash 5783 31 diciembre 2022 / 7 Tevet 5783 https://youtu.be/aJkGT31YzwM Parashat Vayigash es la undécima porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Génesis 44:18-47:27 Vayigash ("Se acercó") comienza cuando Judá le ruega a José que no mantenga a Benjamín como prisionero. José revela su verdadera identidad a sus hermanos, llorando y besándolos. Los hermanos traen a Jacob de Canaán a Egipto, y Jacob y sus hijos se establecen en Gosén. La porción termina cuando José compra la mayor parte de la tierra de Egipto a cambio de comida. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 44:18-20 · 3 p'sukim · 2: 44:21-24 · 4 p'sukim · 3: 44:25-30 · 6 p'sukim · 4: 44:31-34 · 4 p'sukim · 5: 45:1-7 · 7 p'sukim · 6: 45:8-18 · 11 p'sukim · 7: 45:19-27 · 9 p'sukim · maf: 45:25-27 · 3 p'sukim · Haftará: Ezequiel 37:15-28 · 14 p'sukim Comentario y Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: págs. 169 - 172 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 169 - 179) Artscroll Chumash: págs. 250 - 257 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 250 - 267) Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 274 - 279 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 274 - 289) Vayigash, y Judá se acercó a José. Ahora que Benjamín ha sido establecido para pasar el resto de su vida en una prisión egipcia, Judá cumple su juramento a su padre Jacob. Judá ahora se ofrecerá a tomar su lugar como esclavo por el crimen de robar la copa de oro de Zapaneth-Panea, también conocida como José. Judah le dice que le servirá mejor ya que es más fuerte y más hábil para hacer las cosas. “Acercarse” también era una metáfora. Tenemos dos grandes personalidades que se unen. El fuerte líder de nuestros antepasados se enfrenta al virrey egipcio. El israelita tiene la temeridad, pero sin pretensiones ni arrogancia pero con determinación, de enfrentarse a la realeza egipcia. Un ejemplo de cómo debemos afrontar nuestros retos en la vida. En esto, Joseph se derrumba y se revela. José ve el remordimiento de sus hermanos por su acción descarada de venderlo por celos. José les asegura a sus hermanos que todo esto era parte del plan de Hashem para llevarlos a Egipto para escapar de la hambruna, pero también para preparar el escenario para el próximo Éxodo.

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Hanukkah -Hanukkah Party -Rosh Hodesh Tevet -Mi Sheberach List *For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Chanukah: 1 Candle: 5:12pm on Sunday, Dec 18 Chanukah: 2 Candles: 5:12pm on Monday, Dec 19 Chanukah: 3 Candles: 5:13pm on Tuesday, Dec 20 Chanukah: 4 Candles: 5:13pm on Wednesday, Dec 21 Chanukah: 5 Candles: 5:14pm on Thursday, Dec 22 Chanukah: 6 Candles: 4:28pm on Friday, Dec 23 Candle lighting: 4:28pm on Friday, Dec 23 Chag HaBanot occurs on Saturday, Dec 24 Chanukah: 7 Candles: 5:37pm on Saturday, Dec 24 Rosh Chodesh Tevet occurs on Saturday, Dec 24 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Miketz Havdalah (50 min): 5:37pm on Saturday, Dec 24 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת מקץ December 23 - כ״ט כסלו Candle lighting 4:28 Shabbat ends 5:28 72 minutes 6:00 Office Hours this week: Monday, December 19, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, December 23, 2022 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Hanukkah Party @ 6:00pm then Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, December 26, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, December 16, 2022 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (December 24, 2022): Parashat Miketz 5783 Parashat Miketz 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ 24 December 2022 / 30 Kislev 5783 https://youtu.be/3vzX7qjGVqQ Parashat Miketz is the 10th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17; Numbers 28:9-15, 7:42-47 Chanukah 2022 / חֲנוּכָּה 5783 Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication Chanukah for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Sunday, 18 December 2022 and ends at nightfall on Monday, 26 December 2022. Hanukkah (Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, usually spelled חנוכה pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday December 19 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Miketz 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ 24 December 2022 / 30 Kislev 5783 https://youtu.be/3vzX7qjGVqQ Parashat Miketz is the 10th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17; Numbers 28:9-15, 7:42-47 Miketz (“After”) follows Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and rises to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He insists that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and later plants a goblet in Benjamin’s bag. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 155 - 158 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.155 - 166); p.695; p. 599 Artscroll Chumash: pp. 222 - 231 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 222 - 249); p. 890 – 893; p. 768 Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, December 22 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Hanukkah Party Friday, December 23, 2022 @ 6:00pm Come join us to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Light your Hannukiahs at home, then your Shabbat candles and then come to the synagogue for the festivities. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, December 22, 2022 @ 7:30 pm Note new start times Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, December 23, 2022 @ 9:30 am Earlier start time due to extra prayers of Rosh Hodesh & Hanukkah & 3 Torot Note that start times for Saturday morning Shacharit services are due to change on 1st Saturday in January (1/7/23), Services will start @ 9:30am Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Miketz 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ 24 December 2022 / 30 Kislev 5783 Parashat Miketz is the 10th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17; Numbers 28:9-15, 7:42-47 Miketz (“After”) follows Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and rises to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He insists that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and later plants a goblet in Benjamin’s bag. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 41:1-4 · 4 p’sukim · 2: 41:5-7 · 3 p’sukim · 3: 41:8-14 · 7 p’sukim · 4: 41:15-24 · 10 p’sukim · 5: 41:25-38 · 14 p’sukim · 6: 41:39-52 · 14 p’sukim · 7*: Numbers 28:9-15 · 7 p’sukim · *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah maf*: Numbers 7:42-47 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah Haftarah*: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 · 21 p’sukim *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 155 - 158 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.155 - 166); p.695; p. 599 *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, January 8, 2023 Happy Holidays! First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Adult Hebrew Reading Course Sunday, January 8, 11:45 am – 12:45 am A new Hebrew Reading course from NJOP. Rosh Chodesh Tevet 2022 / רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ טֵבֵת 5783 Start of month of Tevet on the Hebrew calendar 🌒 Rosh Chodesh Tevet for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Friday, 23 December 2022 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, 25 December 2022. Start of month of Tevet on the Hebrew calendar. Tevet (טֵבֵת) is the 10th month of the Hebrew year, has 29 days, and corresponds to December or January on the Gregorian calendar. רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ, transliterated Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh, is a minor holiday that occurs at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar. It is marked by the birth of a new moon. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.

At Hanukkah, Jewish families celebrate with foods such as latkes and donuts that are fried in oil. The tradition honors the story of the miracle that occurred when a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days inside a temple under siege by the enemy. Some also eat dishes like kugel, cheesecake, or rugelach that all share one ingredient — cheese. But how did cheese make it onto the holiday menu? It starts, as many of these tales do, with a woman. This woman was Judith. Judith was said to be a beautiful widow who lived in the town of Bethulia in Israel during the sixth century CE. An army set siege on the town, and Judith went into the enemy camp to meet with their leader, Holofernes, a general for Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians. Holofernes was so charmed by the widow that he drank too much wine and passed out, after which Judith took his sword and cut off his head. The severed head inspired the Israelites to attack, and the Assyrians fled. The story may sound familiar to Catholics, as the book of Judith is included in their Bible. But Judith didn't make it into the Tanakh, a collection of Jewish scripture that includes the Torah. By the Middle Ages, though, Jews were telling a Judith tale. "It could be Jews were taking back their Jewish heroine," says Susan Weingarten, a scholar of Talmudic food in Israel and a contributor to the book The Sword of Judith. The story passed down orally through the centuries, Judith often became the aunt or daughter of Judah Maccabee, the hero of the Hanukkah oil story. Her addition may have served as a parallel to that of Esther, who saves the Jewish people from a death order in Persia and is the heroine of the spring holiday Purim. The Jewish tales of Judith also made their heroine clever. In the original story, Judith brought what Weingarten calls a "doggie bag" of food with her to Holofernes' camp — items like dry fig cake and bread — so that she wouldn't have to eat the food of the enemy king. But in some of the stories, she shared her food with the general. And there was a salty item guaranteed to make her enemy thirsty enough to get drunk; that was cheese. One version of the story specifies that the cheese was cooked into a pancake. "By the 14th century, there's quite a strong tradition that people eat cheese on Hanukkah and it's associated with Judith giving cheese to the enemy to make him drunk," Weingarten says. A commentary from that time, by Rabbi Moses Isserles, on the Shulchan Aruch, the Jewish Code of Law, even recommends eating cheese on the holiday in honor of Judith. During the Middle Ages, that cheese would have likely come from a goat or a sheep, as cow's milk cheese was rare, Weingarten says. And it was often cooked into a pancake — which brings us to another potentially shocking revelation: The original latkes were cheese latkes, not potato — which combined the tradition of eating cheese with the tradition of eating foods fried in oil. The potato, after all, didn't come to Europe until well after Columbus came to America. Potato latkes were a 19th-century invention, says Gil Marks, author of the Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. The cheese tradition may have died out in part because in northern and eastern Europe, where frying was often done in chicken fat (that is, schmaltz), putting cheese into a pancake wasn't allowed by Jewish dietary laws. In the U.S., where December is dominated by Christmas, Hanukkah changed from being a minor holiday to a much bigger celebration marked by gift-giving. And along the way to this transformation, the story of Judith, and the tradition of cheese eating, was largely forgotten. In Rome, though, Jews still make pancakes with ricotta for Hanukkah, and many Jews in Israel, particularly from Orthodox families, continue to carry out the Judith tradition. Currently, many of the foods for the holiday contain cheese or milk. Cream-filled donuts honor both the dairy and fried traditions, for instance, many homes will have a noodle kugel or blintzes, or cheesecake for dinner. The reason why has "just been forgotten."

Parashat Miketz 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ 24 December 2022 / 30 Kislev 5783 https://youtu.be/3vzX7qjGVqQ Parashat Miketz is the 10th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 41:1-44:17; Numbers 28:9-15, 7:42-47 Miketz (“After”) follows Joseph as he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and rises to become second-in-command to Pharaoh. When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He insists that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and later plants a goblet in Benjamin’s bag. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 41:1-4 · 4 p’sukim · 2: 41:5-7 · 3 p’sukim · 3: 41:8-14 · 7 p’sukim · 4: 41:15-24 · 10 p’sukim · 5: 41:25-38 · 14 p’sukim · 6: 41:39-52 · 14 p’sukim · 7*: Numbers 28:9-15 · 7 p’sukim · *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah maf*: Numbers 7:42-47 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah Haftarah*: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 · 21 p’sukim *Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 155 - 158 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.155 - 166); p.695; p. 599 Artscroll Chumash: pp. 222 - 231 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 222 - 249); p. 890 – 893; p. 768 Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 250 - 257 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 250 - 270); p. 930 – 931; p.808 - 809 The ultimate example of how good can often come out of bad, opportunity out of aversity. At the beginning of the portion, we meet Joseph. He is the oldest son of Rachel and Israel’s favorite. That he is called “Israel” instead of Jacob in this context implies that Jacob and Joseph shared the same high level of spirituality. This is borne out of the two dreams that Joseph has that his family will bow down to him. The Torah makes the point of stating his age of 17 and referring to him as a “na’ar”, the Hebrew word for “youth” and implying immaturity. He tells his dream to both his father and his brothers who already hate him because of the flagrant display of favoritism by their father. The brothers seize an opportunity to sell him off to slavery. Joseph ends up in Egypt managing the household of Potiphor, one of Pharoah’s chief advisors. Joseph does well for a time until Potiphar’s neglected wife makes a pass at him. When Joseph resists her advances, she accuses him of assaulting her. Joseph is put in prison where matures and is made a trustee of the warden. There he correctly interprets the dreams of two of Pharoah’s advisors, setting the stage for him to get an honored position in Pharoah’s court. Thus Joseph rise from a slave and prisoner to a key position in Egypt. Parashat Miketz 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ 24 diciembre 2022 / 30 Kislev 5783 https://youtu.be/3vzX7qjGVqQ Parashat Miketz es la décima porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Génesis 41:1-44:17; Números 28:9-15, 7:42-47 Miketz ("Después") sigue a Joseph mientras interpreta los sueños del faraón y se eleva para convertirse en el segundo al mando del faraón. Cuando los hermanos de José llegan a Egipto en busca de comida durante una hambruna, José los acusa de espiar. Él insiste en que regresen con su hermano menor, Benjamín, y luego coloca una copa en la bolsa de Benjamín. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 41:1-4 · 4 p'sukim · 2: 41:5-7 · 3 p'sukim · 3: 41:8-14 · 7 p'sukim · 4: 41:15-24 · 10 p'sukim · 5: 41:25-38 · 14 p'sukim · 6: 41:39-52 · 14 p'sukim · 7*: Números 28:9-15 · 7 p’sukim · *Shabat Rosh Jodesh Janucá maf*: Números 7:42-47 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabat Rosh Jodesh Janucá Haftará*: Zacarías 2:14-4:7 · 21 p’sukim *Shabat Rosh Jodesh Janucá Comentario y Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 155 - 158 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 155 - 166); pág.695; pags. 599 Artscroll Chumash: págs. 222 - 231 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 222 - 249); pags. 890 – 893; pags. 768 Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 250 - 257 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 250 - 270) El último ejemplo de cómo lo bueno a menudo puede surgir de lo malo, la oportunidad de la aversidad. Al comienzo de la porción, nos encontramos con José. Es el hijo mayor de Raquel y el favorito de Israel. Que se le llame “Israel” en lugar de Jacob en este contexto implica que Jacob y José compartían el mismo alto nivel de espiritualidad. Esto se debe a los dos sueños que tiene José en los que su familia se inclinará ante él. La Torá destaca que tiene 17 años y se refiere a él como "na'ar", la palabra hebrea para "juventud" e implica inmadurez. Le cuenta su sueño tanto a su padre como a sus hermanos, quienes ya lo odian por la flagrante muestra de favoritismo de su padre. Los hermanos aprovechan la oportunidad para venderlo como esclavo. José termina en Egipto administrando la casa de Potifor, uno de los principales consejeros de Faraón. A José le va bien por un tiempo hasta que la esposa abandonada de Potifar se le insinúa. Cuando Joseph se resiste a sus avances, ella lo acusa de agredirla. Joseph es puesto en prisión donde madura y es nombrado administrador del alcaide. Allí interpreta correctamente los sueños de dos de los consejeros de Faraón, preparando el escenario para que él obtenga una posición de honor en la corte de Faraón. Así, José ascendió de esclavo y prisionero a una posición clave en Egipto.

https://www.adl.org/resources/report/anti-israel-activism-us-campuses-2021-2022 “Hostility, including vandalism, threats and slurs toward Jewish students on college campuses increased more than threefold to 155 incidents in 2021 from 47 in 2014, according to the Anti-Defamation League, a New York-based Jewish civil rights organization which has tracked reports of such behavior since 2014. The group counted 2,717 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. overall last year, up 34% from 2020 and the highest number in its records dating to 1979.” The Wall Street Journal: FULL STORY + READ ADL REPORT: Anti-Israel Activism on U.S. Campuses, 2021-2022

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Board Meeting -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Hanukkah -Hanukkah Party -Mi Sheberach List *For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved. ** Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Candle lighting: 4:25pm on Friday, Dec 16 Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Tevet occurs on Saturday, Dec 17 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Vayeshev Havdalah (50 min): 5:34pm on Saturday, Dec 17 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת וישב December 16 - כ״ב כסלו Candle lighting 4:25 Shabbat ends 5:25 72 minutes 5:56 Office Hours this week: Monday, December 12, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, December 16, 2022 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, December 19, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2022 9:30 am –1:30 pm Friday, December 23, 2022 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (December 17, 2022): Parashat Vayeshev 5783 Parashat Vayeshev 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב 17 December 2022 / 23 Kislev 5783 https://youtu.be/UpNp8uymfXE Parashat Vayeshev is the 9th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1-40:23 Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday December 19 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayeshev 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב 17 December 2022 / 23 Kislev 5783 Parashat Vayeshev is the 9th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1-40:23 Vayeshev (“He Settled”) begins the story of Joseph, describing his rivalry with his brothers, slavery in Egypt, and imprisonment after his master’s wife frames him in response to Joseph’s refusal of her advances. It also contains the story of Tamar, her husbands, and her father-in-law, Judah. [1] Triennial year 1 Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 141 - 145 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp.141 - 151) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 198 - 207 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 198 - 221) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 226 - 233 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 226 - 245) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, December 15 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, December 16, 2022 @ 7:30 pm Note new start times Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, December 17, 2022 @ 10:00 am Note that start times for Saturday morning Shacharit services are due to change on 1st Saturday in January (1/7/23), Services will start @ 9:30am Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Vayeshev 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב 17 December 2022 / 23 Kislev 5783 Parashat Vayeshev is the 9th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1-40:23 Vayeshev (“He Settled”) begins the story of Joseph, describing his rivalry with his brothers, slavery in Egypt, and imprisonment after his master’s wife frames him in response to Joseph’s refusal of her advances. It also contains the story of Tamar, her husbands, and her father-in-law, Judah. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 37:1-3 · 3 p’sukim · 2: 37:4-7 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 37:8-11 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 37:12-17 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 37:18-22 · 5 p’sukim · 6: 37:23-28 · 6 p’sukim · 7: 37:29-36 · 8 p’sukim · maf: 37:34-36 · 3 p’sukim · Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8 · 19 p’sukim Soncino Chumash: pp. 141 - 145 Triennial Year 1 *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Tevet Saturday, December 17 Molad Tevet: Fri, 12 minutes and 9 chalakim after 11:0 Any Shabbat that precedes and begins the week during which there will be a day or days of a new Hebrew month (Rosh Chodesh) is known as Shabbat Mevorchim (mevorchim means "they [the congregation] bless" [the forthcoming new month]. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, December 18, 2022 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Adult Hebrew Reading Course Sunday, December 18, 11:45 am – 12:45 am A new Hebrew Reading course from NJOP. Also, People have been asking for more practice in Hebrew Reading. We are planning a Hebrew reading course that will help you understand the prayers as well Chanukah 2022 / חֲנוּכָּה 5783 Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication 🕎 Chanukah for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Sunday, 18 December 2022 and ends at nightfall on Monday, 26 December 2022. Hanukkah (Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, usually spelled חנוכה pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah Party Friday, December 23, 2022 @ 6:00pm Come join us to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Light your Hannukiahs at home, then your Shabbat candles and then come to the synagogue for the festivities. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.