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Congregation Poale Zedeck
A Message from the Rabbi The last few weeks for Klal Yisrael have been difficult ones for Klal Yisrael. Like all of our fellow Americans, we have been shocked as
we struggle to assimilate the tremendous toll that Hurricane Sandy took on the nation as a whole, and on the Jewish communities of
New York and New Jersey. As the month ended with an increasing storm of rockets from Gaza targeting innocent Jewish residents
of the south of Israel, the IDF has begun a serious series of attacks on rocket sites and terrorist leaders that will hopefully lead to
greater security for the State of Israel, but as I write these words, no one knows how long the fighting will continue or at what price.
Just this morning, three precious souls were taken from us in Kiryat Malachi by terrorist rockets, and the Tel Aviv area has come
under fire.
In both of these circumstances, the challenge for us is that we are not on the front lines. We are not the ones under rocket fire, we
are not the troops that may be sent into Gaza, nor are we the ones who saw our material possessions destroyed by flooding in the
blink of an eye. Our charge at this time is to be mishtatef be-tza’aran shel tzibur, to learn to identify with and feel the pain of Klal
Yisrael as a whole.
Chanukah, like other Yamim Tovim, is one of the spiritual exercises that helps us achieve that goal. Almost definitionally, experiencing
Chanukah means making a mental and psychological leap to feel that events that happened to Jews thousands of years ago ----
ba-yamim ha-hem ba-zeman ha-zeh---- happened to us as well, that we can see reflected in the light of the Chanukah candles the
wonder felt by the ragged group of Jews who saw Hashem’s miracles in defeating armies and in controlling the laws of nature.
Chanukah additionally has a unique focus, in that the rabbis formulated the mitzvah of Chanukah candles at its core specifically on
the home--- ner ish u-veiso, a minimum of one candle per household. Certainly, at a time when Jewish homes both in the United
States and in Israel find themselves destroyed and under fire, our preparations for Chanukah must focus on the idea that their
homes are our homes, and that their trauma is ours as well.
Our goal, then is to keep the consciousness of the pain of our brothers and sisters front and center. It means adding to the quality
and quantity of the mitzvot that we do like we would do if, Heaven Forbid, tragedy was on our doorstep. It means having them in mind
when we daven. It means giving tzedakah, and particularly to alleviate their suffering. (I am proud to say that our PZ community has
already raised close to $5000 for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.) It means being advocates and ambassadors for Israel--
in the media, and to neighbors and colleagues--- when they almost inevitable media onslaught begins against the “ferocious” tactics
Israel takes to defend her citizens.
While we hope that by the time you read this, that the immediate threats have been dealt with, there is sadly no question that the
traumas will continue to need to be addressed. In the merit of all of our efforts, may we be privileged to see Hashem’s wonders as
we did in the days of the Maccabees.
~ Rabbi Daniel Yolkut
PZ Regular Class Schedule
Dr. Lyon Mandelcorn’s Wednesday Morning Shiur
Every Wednesday at 8:45 AM in the PZ Horvitz Library
Thursday Morning Chumash with Rabbi Yolkut
Every Thursday at 9:30 AM in the Rabbi Shapiro Ed. Center
PZ Beis Midrash Friday Night Learning
Every Friday night from 8-10 PM in the Rabbi Shapiro Ed. Center. Hot cholent and
other refreshments provided. To sponsor a session at $50, please contact the PZ office.
Shabbos Classes
Rabbi Ari Goldberg’s Mishna Shiur
Meets every Shabbos morning at 8:00 AM in the PZ Horvitz Library. For both men
and women. Knowledge of Hebrew not necessary. Class will not meet on Dec. 29.
Chevra Shas with Rabbi Daniel Yolkut
Gemara Sukkah, one hour before Mincha, in the Beis Midrash.
Women’s Shabbos Classes
The Ladies Shabbos Navi Class
4:00 PM at the home o f Tootsie Markovitz, 5718 Melvin Street. Haia Zipris is currently
teaching Proverbs. Shalosh Seudos often served. Hebrew not necessary. All ladies welcome.
The PZ Women’s Study Group
4:00 PM, (time varies), in the Rabbi Shapiro Education Center. Meets twice monthly.
Rabbi Yisroel Pfeffer is currently speaking on Duties of the Heart. Tehillim recited.
Please contact Debby Eisner at 412-521-6222 for class schedule. All women welcome.
Weekly Class Schedule
Special Classes
Friday Night Lectures:
December 7: Will the Real Chanukah Please Stand Up? Unraveling Competing
Chanukah Narratives
December 21: The Tenth of Tevet: Halachic and Historic Musings on Fasting
Great Sefarim of the Jewish Library : Monday nights at 8:15 PM
Whether you have a yeshiva background, a beginner in Jewish learning or
anywhere in between, this series will put the greatest books of the classical
Jewish library in their proper context.
December 31 - A Page of Gemara
January 7 - The Rambam
January 14 - The Shulchan Aruch
Special Women’s Class: Tuesday, December 25; more info. TBA
Sunday Morning Halacha Seminars, 9:30 AM
First Sunday of the month, an invigorating orientation to the theory and
practice of halacha:
December 2 - The Forgotten Meals: Seudah Shelishis and Melaveh Malkah
January 6 - Havdalah
February 3- Shabbos Emergencies
March 3- Pesach
April 7- The Omer: Do's and Dont's
Saturday Evening Coffee House with Rabbi Daniel Yolkut A night out for a light meal, atmosphere and stimulating discussion. PZ Schwartz Social Hall
December 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM The Apple that Falls Far from the Tree: The “Off the Derech” Phenomenon
January 5, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Voting like a Jew: Relax, it's not what you think! Now that the dust from
the election has settled, join Rabbi Yolkut for a decidedly non-partisan look
at the meta issues of what it means to be a Jew in a democratic society and
the issues of self interest, ethical vision and halacha. Democrats and
Republicans should feel equally welcome and comfortable attending!
Please RSVP to [email protected] or 412-421-9786.
Cost is $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
Underwritten by Murray & Elvira Pfeffer in honor
of their 61st Wedding Anniversary and Murray’s
86th birthday.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Noon
Schwartz Social Hall
Program:
An Urban Oasis For Healthful Living
“The Schwartz Living Market” featuring Elisa Beck
Chanukah refreshments will be served.
Our Meeting Sponsors:
Lila Horowitz
Betty Kane
Judy Stein
Trudy Wachs
Come and enjoy a social and informative afternoon.
Congregation Poale Zedeck 6318 Phillips Ave • Pittsburgh, PA • 15217
412-421-9786 • [email protected]
October 29, 2012
Dear Congregants and Friends of Poale Zedeck,
The Men’s Club is once again conducting its ANNUAL RAFFLE to raise funds benefitting our synagogue. We are seeking your support by buying and selling the raffles you have received.
A single ticket is selling for $10.00 or three raffles for $25.00. The prizes are given as follows; first prize is $700, second prize is $200 and third prize is $100. For additional raffle tickets, please contact the PZ office.
Please send your raffle stubs and money (checks made out to PZ Men’s Club) to Poale Zedeck no later than December 5, 2012. The drawing for the prizes is scheduled to be held at the PZ Chanukah Dinner, Wednesday evening, December 12 at 6:00 PM.
Your support is vital to the success of this endeavor. The Men’s Club will be ever grateful for your continued support.
Let’s all celebrate the fourth night of Chanukah by having dinner together.
Sincerely, Sid Silverman Sid Silverman, Men’s Club President
Please Join us for the 2012
Wednesday, December 12
6:00 PM, Schwartz Social Hall
$18 for adults; $12 for children (3-10 yrs.)
A night of fun for the whole family, including
the Men’s Club raffle drawing, games & prizes!
Please RSVP to the PZ Office by
Sunday, December 9.
What’s doing at PZ ?
NCSY CASINO
NIGHT
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012
8:00 PM
PZ Schwartz Social Hall
RSVP to [email protected]
PZ MEMBERSHIP
MEETING
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
7:00 PM in the Shapiro Ed. Center
Main Agenda:
House Committee Report
& Architectural Plans
Additional Event Reminders...
