D'var for Vayeishev

This week's d'var is written by Sam Burg.

In this week's parshah, Vayeishev, Joseph relates to his brothers his grandiose dreams of greatness, arousing their jealousy. He is consequently sold into slavery to an Egyptian master. After being accused of rape by his Egyptian master's wife, Joseph is thrown into prison, where he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cup-bearer and baker. The story of Judah and Tamar is also related at length.

D'var for Vayishlach

This week's d'var is written by Michael Berelowitz.

This week’s parshah is Vayishlach. After twenty years in Charan, Jacob returns and prepares to meet Esau. He wants to make up with Esau, but he finds out that Esau is about to attack him with 400 armed men. After finding this out, Jacob sends Esau a gift with livestock heads to try and make things better. On his way to the Holy Land, Jacob encounters an angel who represents Esau’s spirit. Jacob and the angel wrestle, and the angel gives Jacob a new name: “Israel.” Jacob and Esau meet, and they make up. Jacob then buys land near Shechem, where the prince rapes Jacob’s daughter, Dinah. Jacob continues on his way to the Holy Land, and Rachel dies while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin (Joseph was the first). Jacob finally arrives to Isaac (his dad) in Hebron, and Isaac dies at 180 years old. He also finds out that his mom, Rebecca, died before he returned.

The story of how Jacob and Esau reunited provides a lesson for all of us; no matter how big of a fight we have with someone, we cannot let that separate us. Whether it’s a close friend, or especially a family member, our relationship with them is too important to let go of. Jacob and Esau showed this perfectly. If they could bury the hatchet, anyone can.

November Israel Update!

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey on Tuesday after an agreement signed this summer restoring ties after 6 years of severed diplomatic ties.

The relationship between Israel and Turkey was tarnished in the aftermath of the Mavi Marmara in May 2010, when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish citizens when trying to stop a boat attempting to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. After this, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in September 2011 and expelled the Israeli envoy.

D'var for Chayei Sarah

This week's d'var is written by Micah Rothkopf.

Shabbat Shalom,
    This week's parsha, Chayei Sarah, is monumentally known for being ironic. The second and third words of Chayei Sarah are Chayei Sarah themself, the life of Sarah. In the same first pasuk, the Torah tells us that she lived to be one hundred and twenty-seven years young. Nowadays, one might ask, “What is the secret to marriage?”
    The interesting part of Chayei Sarah is the fact that Rabbis and other Jews constantly write Divrei Torah regarding the paradoxical death that lives in life and vice versa. People cannot wrap their heads around the idea that you can name something one thing but explain the complete opposite.
    There is a wildly known phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. This can relate to Chayei Sarah just as well. Although we may read “the life of Sarah” in the title, when we read the book, it assesses her death.
    There are infinite fascinating things in life that we do not know. Some things we do know but can’t understand. One thing to learn from Chayei Sarah is that we should all be more open to others' ideas. Even though we may not understand something now, it does not mean we will never understand it. Sarah lived until one hundred and twenty-seven years. Today, we have Emma Morano, a 116 (117 on the 29th) year old woman. In 2008 there was a study about life expectancy. It said that most people will live about thirty years younger than Ms. Morano. Anything is possible with an open mind.
Have a great Shabbos.

D'var for Vayeira!

This week's d'var is written by Amy Azaria.

  This week's parashah, Vayeira, begins with Abraham preparing a meal for three strangers who appear in the desert.  The three strangers are actually angels in disguise, one of whom reveals that in one year, Sarah will give birth to a son.  Thinking she is barren and far too old to have a child, Sarah laughs at this.

  It is revealed that G-d plans to destroy the city of Sodom.  Abraham pleads with G-d not to do this but is unsuccessful.  Lot and his family are allowed to leave before the destruction with one contingency: they must not look backward as they flee.  Lot's wife doesn't follow these instructions and is famously turned into a pillar of salt.  

  G-d gives Sarah and Abraham a son, Isaac.  G-d tries to test Abraham's devotion by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac.  Abraham binds Isaac and prepares to slaughter him, but a voice from heaven stops him and he slaughters a ram instead.

  The beginning of this parashah reveals an important lesson, in my opinion.  Abraham was generous and hospitable even though he expected no return for it.  This kind of selflessness I think is important to try to emulate!  We can all work to be a more kind and selfless version of ourselves.

D'var for Noach!

This week's d'var is written by Kendra Burg.

In the parshat Noach, G-d commands a man named Noah to build a big wooden ark. In this ark is Noah, his family, and two of each animal: a male and a female. G-d is doing this to test Noah's faith to see how much trust he has. Noah, his family, and all the animals are in the ark as it rains for 40 days and 40 nights. 150 days later, Noah sends out doves to find land. When the doves come back, they have an olive branch signaling there is land. One year after the flood happens, the land is completely dry, so Noah, his family, and all the animal are finally able to go off the ark.

October SA/TO Snap

Halloweens tonight! Candy is the best part of Halloween but it has a downfall. While everyone is walking from house to house they start to eat their candy. This results in a lot of candy wrappers on the ground. So when your out tonight bring an extra bag and try to pick up all the trash you see on the ground. Hope everyone gets lots of candy tonight!

D'var For Bereishit!

Hey everyone! This week, we read the first parshah from the Torah, Bereishit!

G‑d creates the world in six days. On the first day He makes darkness and light. On the second day He forms the heavens, dividing the “upper waters” from the “lower waters.” On the third day He sets the boundaries of land and sea, and calls forth trees and greenery from the earth. On the fourth day He fixes the position of the sun, moon and stars as timekeepers and illuminators of the earth. Fish, birds and reptiles are created on the fifth day; land animals, and then the human being, on the sixth. G‑d ceases work on the seventh day, and sanctifies it as a day of rest.
G‑d forms the human body from the dust of the earth, and blows into his nostrils a “living soul.” Originally Man is a single person, but deciding that “it is not good that man be alone,” G‑d takes a "side" from the man, forms it into a woman, and marries them to each other.
Adam and Eve are placed in the Garden of Eden, and commanded not to eat from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” The serpent persuades Eve to violate the command, and she shares the forbidden fruit with her husband. Because of their sin, it is decreed that man will experience death, returning to the soil from which he was formed, and that all gain will come only through struggle and hardship. Man is banished from the Garden.
Eve gives birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain quarrels with Abel and murders him, and becomes a rootless wanderer. A third son, Seth, is born to Adam; Seth’s eighth-generation descendant, Noah, is the only righteous man in a corrupt world.

The content in this page is produced by Chabad.org, and is copyrighted by the author and/or Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you do not revise any part of it, and you include this note, credit the author, and link to www.chabad.org. If you wish to republish this article in a periodical, book, or website, please email permissions@chabad.org.

"Bereishit in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2016. <http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3137/jewish/Bereishit-in-a-Nutshell.htm>.  

D'var For Chol Hamoed Sukkot!

Chag sameach everyone! This week's d'var, for Chol Hamoed Sukkot, is written by Ohad Klopman.

When I last wrote a D’var Torah for this portion, it was three years ago for my bar mitzvah. I was not yet thirteen by the Gregorian calendar, but in the eyes of God I was finally an adult. That was the day I was entrusted with my own future as a Jew in the local and world community, and since then I have made Judaism a premier component in my character. Since my bar mitzvah, I started bringing my own kosher lunch to school, and my family has dedicated our kitchen to kashrut, just to name a few examples.

This week’s portion reminds me that we are all entrusted with the privilege and responsibility to carry out the words of God. In this portion, God gives Moses and his Israelites a second chance after their slip-up with the Golden Calf. On this day, we finally get to keep our Ten Commandments, and a new covenant is drawn between the Israelites and God. This day in Jewish history marks the metaphorical bar mitzvah of the entire Jewish people. We are all now children of the mitzvot, of God’s words, of the commandments.

I have not always been the perfect mensch we all idealize. I’ve lied. I’ve gossipped. I’ve cheated on keeping kosher, because I can’t control myself around clam chowder. But each day is a new day, and we should all be thankful that we can wake up each day to a new sun and a new breath in our soul, for God always gives us another chance to rethink our Golden Calf moments. We’re more like sukkot than we are like the mishkan; we’re imperfect, but we all have the potential to be strong. No one, not even God, expects us to be perfect. If God did, then we wouldn’t need the Ten Commandments, and then six hundred and three more, to teach us how to behave. What matters is how we choose to move on, how we learn, and how we wake up each day ready to be better.

D'var For Vayelech!

This week's d'var is written by Michael Berelowitz.

The parshah, Vayelech, describes the last day of Moses’s life on Earth. He was 120 years old, and his time was up. He turns his responsibilities as the Israelite leader over to Joshua and finally fully completes the writing of the Torah, which is to be kept in the Ark of the Covenant by the Levites. The mitzvah of hakhel (meaning “gather”) is given, which instructs that every seven years, during Sukkot, the Israelites must gather the Holy Temple in Jerusalem where the king will read from the Torah to them. At the end the the parshah, G-d tells Moses that the Israelites will abandon G-d’s commandments, worship false gods, and turn away from their covenant with G-d. G-d also then says that as a result, G-d will “hide His face from them”, causing bad things to fall upon them as a result. He also, however, promises that their descendants will never forget the words of the Torah.

D'var For Ki Tavo!

This week's parshah is Ki Tavo.

Moses instructs the people of Israel: When you enter the land that G‑d is giving to you as your eternal heritage, and you settle it and cultivate it, bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) of your orchard to the Holy Temple, and declare your gratitude for all that G‑d has done for you.
Our Parshah also includes the laws of the tithes given to the Levites and to the poor, and detailed instructions on how to proclaim the blessings and the curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Eival—as discussed in the beginning of the Parshah of Re’eh. Moses reminds the people that they are G‑d’s chosen people, and that they, in turn, have chosen G‑d.
The latter part of Ki Tavo consists of the Tochachah (“Rebuke”). After listing the blessings with which G‑d will reward the people when they follow the laws of the Torah, Moses gives a long, harsh account of the bad things—illness, famine, poverty and exile—that shall befall them if they abandon G‑d’s commandments.
Moses concludes by telling the people that only today, forty years after their birth as a people, have they attained “a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear.”

 "Ki Tavo in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. <http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2504/jewish/Ki-Tavo-in-a-Nutshell.htm>. The content in this page is produced by Chabad.org, and is copyrighted by the author and/or Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you do not revise any part of it, and you include this note, credit the author, and link to www.chabad.org. If you wish to republish this article in a periodical, book, or website, please email permissions@chabad.org.

D'var For Ki Teitzei!

This week's d'var is written by Sam Burg.

In the portion, Ki Teitzei, seventy-four of the 613 commadments are listed. Some examples are the laws of the inherent rights of the first born and the returning of a lost object. Also, a commandment that is particularly interesting is that it is forbidden to withhold workers' wages. Ki Teitzei concludes with the obligation to remember “what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt.”

D'var For Shoftim!

This week's d'var is written by Ben Katzman.

In Shoftim, Moses talks about how to appoint judges and how to judge fairly. Some important rules for this are: there must be two witnesses and their must be evidence. Then, Moses goes on to talk about many scenarios and how to address them. The main things he talks about are what to do if their is an inadvertent murder, how to go to war, and how kings should rule the land. The parsha ends with what to do if a murder happens and there's no way to find who did it.

September SA/TO Snap!!!!!!

Hi Everyone!!! I hope you had an amazing weekend! Get excited because here is the first SA/TO snap of the year! If you don't know what a SA/TO snap is, it is a quick tip about how you can help the environment!
People waste food all the time! An easy way to fix this is to record what food items you end up throwing out. Once you figure this out you can tell your parents to buy less of those products so you do not end up throwing as much away. Easy! Now you are saving money and food!!

First Lounge

Come join us for the first lounge of the year! Thursday night at 6pm at Temple Israel of Natick. Hope to see everyone there!

D'var For Naso

This week's parshah is Naso.

Completing the headcount of the Children of Israel taken in the Sinai Desert, a total of 8,580 Levite men between the ages of 30 and 50 are counted in a tally of those who will be doing the actual work of transporting the Tabernacle.
G‑d communicates to Moses the law of the sotah, the wayward wife suspected of unfaithfulness to her husband. Also given is the law of the nazir, who forswears wine, lets his or her hair grow long, and is forbidden to become contaminated through contact with a dead body. Aaron and his descendants, the kohanim, are instructed on how to bless the people of Israel.
The leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel each bring their offerings for the inauguration of the altar. Although their gifts are identical, each is brought on a different day and is individually described by the Torah.

"Naso in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 15 June 2016. 

D'var For Bamidbar

This week's d'var is written by Emma Freedlander.

While in the Sinai Desert, Hashem tells Moshe to count the 12 tribes. Counting from ages 20 to 60 years old, there were 603,550 men. Moshe counted the Levis separately. The Levites are supposed to stay in the sanctuary. This is because Levites are replacing those who contributed to worshipping the Golden Calf. If a first born had no one to replace them, they had to pay 5 shekels to restore themselves. The Levites, Kohathites, Gershonites and Merari all had specific jobs on how to transport the sanctuary when moving camps. Also, each of the 12 tribes camped with three tribes each. In addition, each tribe had their own flag with its own colors and emblems.

D'var For Behar

This week's parshah is Behar.

On the mountain of Sinai, G‑d communicates to Moses the laws of the Sabbatical year: every seventh year, all work on the land should cease, and its produce becomes free for the taking for all, man and beast.
Seven Sabbatical cycles are followed by a fiftieth year—the Jubilee year, on which work on the land ceases, all indentured servants are set free, and all ancestral estates in the Holy Land that have been sold revert to their original owners.
Behar also contains additional laws governing the sale of lands, and the prohibitions against fraud and usury.

"Behar in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 26 May 2016.

Laser tag

Everyone come to our amazing laser tag event this Sunday!!!!!!

D'var For Metzora

This week's parshah is Metzora.

Last week’s Parshah described the signs of the metzora (commonly mistranslated as “leper”)—a person afflicted by a spiritual malady which places him or her in a state of ritual impurity. This week’s Torah reading begins by detailing how the recovered metzora is purified by the kohen (priest) with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop.
A home can also be afflicted with tzaraat by the appearance of dark red or green patches on its walls. In a process lasting as long as nineteen days, a kohen determines if the house can be purified, or whether it must be demolished.
Ritual impurity is also engendered through a seminal or other discharge in a man, and menstruation or other discharge of blood in a woman, necessitating purification through immersion in a mikvah.
 

 

"Metzora in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.

Shabbaton

We had such an amazing Shabbaton a couple weeks ago!! Everyone who didn't go, missed out!!!!!

D'var For Tazria

This week's d'var is written by Bonnie Tursky.

In this week's portion there is a continued discussion about pure and impure laws. The law states that when a woman gives birth, she must be purified. The purification may include immersing in a mikvah or bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. The law also says that if the child is male, he must be circumcised when he is eight days old. 

On a much different note, this portion also discusses the plague of tzaraat, which is more commonly known as leprosy. This infection creates white or pink patches on the skin, and can even leave dark red or green patches on one's clothing. When someone notices these symptoms, the law says to call for a kohen, or priest, who can determine whether or not the symptoms are pure or impure. If it is decided that the person has been plagued with tzaraat, they must be quarantined away from the city that he or she lives in until recovery. The person's clothing must be burned if the tzaraat continues to spread.

D'var For Shemini

This week's d'var is written by Sam Rothkopf.

Aaron and his sons officially begin their jobs as Kohanim.  First they prepare a sacrifice, and then all the Jews come to the entranceway of the Mishkan to watch as they bring the sacrifice up on the altar. Then, Moses and Aaron bless the people and everyone sees as a fire came down from heaven and consume the sacrifice. The people are so overjoyed that everyone begins to sing praises to G‑d. But then, in middle of all the celebration, two of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, light a fire to bring a sacrifice that they aren’t supposed to bring, and as their punishment, they die. This was a huge tragedy on Aaron, but he does not say anything, he remains quiet and accepts G‑d's judgment. Moses tells Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Itamar, to continue doing the service in the Mishkan, while the rest of the people of Israel mourn the death of Nadav and Avihu. We then learn about a law that G‑d tells Aaron: Whenever they will be serving in the Mishkan, Aaron and his sons, the Kohanim, are not allowed to drink wine and become drunk.

G‑d tells Moses to tell the people about the animals that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten. Kosher animals have two signs: they chew their cud and have split hooves. Kosher fish must have fins and scales. We are given a list of the non-kosher birds, and a list of four types of locusts which are kosher; the Torah tells us that all other insects are not kosher. We also learn about the idea of purity, which is like a spiritual type of cleanliness. If something becomes impure, by touching something impure, for example, the dead body of a non-kosher animal, then it must be immersed in a special body of water called a mikvah. The mikvah has a special power to restore purity to things (like vessels and dishes) and people that have become impure.

I think it is fitting that in this portion, it talks about how Aaron's sons are spiritually impure, but then later on it goes into how you can become pure again. In this parsha, G-d is sending the people a warning by letting everyone see when Aaron's sons are killed but then to ease their distress he tells them that sometimes people make mistakes and this is how to atone for them. G-d held the kohanim to a higher standard than the rest of israel and that is why when they messed up so bad he had to send a distinct message to everyone else.

Paint balling

Sign up for our amazing paint ball event this Sunday. It's gonna be a TONER of fun!

D'var For Tzav

This week's Parshah is Tzav.

G‑d instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding their duties and rights as kohanim (“priests”) who offer the korbanot (animal and meal offerings) in the Sanctuary.
The fire on the altar must be kept burning at all times. In it are burned the wholly consumed ascending offering; veins of fat from the peace, sin and guilt offerings; and the “handful” separated from the meal offering.
The kohanim eat the meat of the sin and guilt offerings, and the remainder of the meal offering. The peace offering is eaten by the one who brought it, except for specified portions given to the kohen. The holy meat of the offerings must be eaten by ritually pure persons, in their designated holy place and within their specified time.
Aaron and his sons remain within the Sanctuary compound for seven days, during which Moses initiates them into the priesthood.

"Tzav in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

IT'S PURIM TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Purim!!!!!!!!!!

Get excited eveyone! This week, we will be celebrating the holiday of PURIM!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a holiday about the MIRACULOUS rescue of the Jewish people from a wicked, wicked man. It all started around the time of 350 BCE, with a Persian king named King Achashverosh. He was married to a beautiful queen named Queen Vashti, until one night at a party. Achashverosh told Vashti to come to the party dressed in very little and to dance for everyone there. She refused, and as a result, she was banished from Persia by Achashverosh and sent to exile. Achashverosh then had a beauty contest to choose a new wife, and a Jewish woman by the name of Hadassah entered and won (she first changed her name to Esther to hide the fact that she was Jewish.) Her cousin, Mordechai later overheard two guards plotting to kill Achashverosh, so he told Esther, and then she told Achashverosh (after walking into his palace without letting him know first, an action that would usually get someone killed). Nevertheless, Achashverosh spared her and rejoiced of the fact that Mordechai saved his life. On a separate note, Achashverosh had a wicked, wicked advisor, named… HAMAN (booooooooo!!!!!!!!!). HAMAN (*sound of graggers*) ordered that everyone bow down to him. When brave Mordechai refused, Haman made a decree to KILL all of the Jews on the 13th of Adar. Achashverosh, not knowing about this plot, asked HAMAN (*more graggers*) what to do for a guy the king wants to honor and praise. The wicked man, obviously thinking the king was talking about him, told the king that he should dress him in royal garments and have him ride on a royal horse all around the city. So the king told the wicked man to do all of that for Mordechai. Boy, this came as a shock to the evil man. A little bit later, Queen Esther told King Achashverosh about the evil plot to kill her people. The king was horrified and asked her who would do such a horrible thing. Her response… HAMAN!!!!!!!!!!!! (*graggers louder than ever now*) Achashverosh could not believe what he had just heard. He had HAMAN hanged on the same gallows that the wicked man was going to hang Mordechai on, and the Jewish people were saved!!!

I think the main theme here is courage. Courage was shown by many people throughout this story. Let’s start with the one and only Queen Vashti. Imagine how much courage it must have taken her to say no to the king when he wanted her to participate in degrading activities. She stood up for what she really believed in. Now, let’s talk about Esther. What would have happened had Achashverosh found out she was Jewish when she first married him. She probably would have been killed. It took guts to do what she did by marrying him when she could have easily had her life taken away for it. And last of all, Mordechai. He knew that HAMAN was going to try to kill him if he didn’t bow down, but he stuck to his guns and refused to do it. With his life, and the life of all Jews, on the line, he still defied the evil man. That shows how much faith he had in the Jewish people to stay strong and survive, and THEY DID!!!!!!!! The big lesson we can learn from this story is that even though the Jewish people are small, we are incredibly strong and we will NEVER be brought down. Let’s all think about this on Wednesday night as we read Megillat Esther!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last chance for March Madness

Today is the deadline for signing up for March madness! All brackets must be submitted by today, March 17th, at noon! 

D'var For Vayikra

This week's d'var is written by Michael Berelowitz.

In parshat Vayikra, G-d tells Moses the laws of the korbanot, or the animal and meal offerings to bring into the sanctuary. These offerings are: the ascending offering (offering that is raised to G-d by the fire on top of the altar), the meal offering (prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense), the peace offering (person bringing the offering eats the meat and the parts are burnt and given to the kohanim/priests), different types of the sin offering (offering given to G-d to get repentance for sins), and the guilt offering (offering given by someone who has disrespected G-d’s name or the Sanctuary).

March Madness

Natick USY is happy to be hosting our annual March Madness pool!!! You have to register by March 17th so register as soon as possible. The winner gets a sweet prizes!!! So don't forget to sign up!!!!

March SA/TO Snap!

Here is March's SA/TO snap!

It would cost about $13 billion annually to satisfy the world’s basic sanitation and food requirements. That’s roughly equivalent to what Americans and Europeans spend on perfume and cologne every year.

Visit this site on your phone to donate water to those in need.

- Amy Azaria

SA/TO co-VP

D'var For Vayakhel

This week's parshah is Vayakhel.

Moses assembles the people of Israel and reiterates to them the commandment to observe the Shabbat. He then conveys G‑d’s instructions regarding the making of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The people donate the required materials in abundance, bringing gold, silver and copper; blue-, purple- and red-dyed wool; goat hair, spun linen, animal skins, wood, olive oil, herbs and precious stones. Moses has to tell them to stop giving.

A team of wise-hearted artisans make the Mishkan and its furnishings (as detailed in the previous Torah readings of Terumah, Tetzaveh and Ki Tisa): three layers of roof coverings; 48 gold-plated wall panels, and 100 silver foundation sockets; the parochet (veil) that separates between the Sanctuary’s two chambers, and the masach (screen) that fronts it; the ark, and its cover with the cherubim; the table and its showbread; the seven-branched menorah with its specially prepared oil; the golden altar and the incense burned on it; the anointing oil; the outdoor altar for burnt offerings and all its implements; the hangings, posts and foundation sockets for the courtyard; and the basin and its pedestal, made out of copper mirrors.

"Vayakhel in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. <http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1338/jewish/Vayakhel-in-a-Nutshell.htm>.

Shabbat Dinner

Come to our amazing Shabbat dinner this Friday night at Temple Israel in Natick. It is going to be amazing!

D'var For Ki Tisa

This week's D'var is written by Sam Burg.

In the Torah portion Ki Tisa Moses takes the census of the Israelite's that G-d commanded him to do. Then Moses goes up Mount Sinai for forty days to receive the Ten Commandments. When he returns he finds the Israelite's with a golden calf.

Friday Night Dinner

We have an amazing event coming up this Friday night! We will be having Shabbat dinner at temple from 5:45pm - 9:00pm. This is going to be an awesome event open to everybody grades 6th to 12th! We all can't wait to see you there!!

Interchapter Shabbaton

Come to our amazing event on Friday March 4th to Saturday March 5th!!!!

February SA/TO Snap!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might be thinking about which special person you want to send a card. However, did you know that almost 1 billion Valentine's day cards are sent all over the world each year? That's enough paper to stretch around the world 5 times! There are very simple ways to think green this Valentine's Day and conserve the amount of paper we use. Look for cards that are made with recycled or tree-free paper; both are entirely eco-friendly and are made out of only recyclable materials. Or if you'd like a different option than the traditional Valentine's day card, send an e-card online! This Valentine's Day, you can be the Earth's Valentine!

TO SEMI

TO Semi was off the hook!!!

TO Semi

TO Semi is in two days!!!!!

D'var For Mishpatim

This week's parshah is Mishpatim.

Following the revelation at Sinai, G‑d legislates a series of laws for the people of Israel. These include the laws of the indentured servant; the penalties for murder, kidnapping, assault and theft; civil laws pertaining to redress of damages, the granting of loans and the responsibilities of the “Four Guardians”; and the rules governing the conduct of justice by courts of law.
Also included are laws warning against mistreatment of foreigners; the observance of the seasonal festivals, and the agricultural gifts that are to be brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; the prohibition against cooking meat with milk; and the mitzvah of prayer. Altogether, the Parshah of Mishpatim contains 53 mitzvot—23 imperative commandments and 30 prohibitions.
G‑d promises to bring the people of Israel to the Holy Land, and warns them against assuming the pagan ways of its current inhabitants.
The people of Israel proclaim, “We will do and we will hear all that G‑d commands us.” Leaving Aaron and Hur in charge in the Israelite camp, Moses ascends Mount Sinai and remains there for forty days and forty nights to receive the Torah from G‑d.

"Mishpatim in a Nutshell." Chabad.org. Chabad, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. <http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1298/jewish/Mishpatim-in-a-Nutshell.htm>.

TO semi

Everybody sign up for TO semi tonight. TO semi is on February 6th!!!

D'var For Yitro

This week's D'var was written by Emma Freedlander.

Shabbat Shalom Everyone!

This weeks parshah is Yitro. It starts with Moshe's father-in-law, Jethrow, coming to the Israelites camp to drop Moshes wife and sons off. Then Jethrow advices Moshe to change the way he is running things. He tells him to create a system where he has people help him solve the Israelites problems that they would usually go to him for.

The Israelites were told they have been chosen by Hashem. They responded by saying they would do what Hashem tells them. Later, the Israelites went to the foot of
Mount Sinai where there is a lot of thunder and lightening. Then, a shofar
blasted as a sign for Moshe to go up the mountain. Hashem tells Moshe the
Ten Commandments: to believe in Hashem, not to worship idols, not to use Hashem's name in vain, to keep Shabbat, to honor your parents, not to murder, not to commit adultry, not to steal, not to give false testimony against your neighbor, and not to covet. The Israelites think all of this is too intense and asked for the Torah.

Have a great Shabbat everyone!

USY Shabbat is today

USY SHABBAT STARTS IN LESS THAN AN HOUR!!!!!!!

1 day till USY Shabbat

1 days to USY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!!

2 days till USY Shabbat!!!!!

2 days to uSY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!!

3 days till USY Shabbat!!!

3 days to USY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!!

4 days to USY Shabbat

4 days to USY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!!

5 days till USY Shabbat

5 days to USY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!

6 days till USY Shabbat

6 days to USY Shabbat!!!!! It is on January 22 and 23. It is at Temple Israel in Natick. We will be arriving at temple around 4:30pm and will be sleeping over if you are in senior USY!!!! Contact Michelle if you are interested, her email is mnelson@tiofnatick.org.