THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL
KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER
SHEVAT / ADAR I / ADAR II 5771
JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER
Tree of Life Sale in Shevat
During the month of Shevat (ending on February 4th), all
leaves, acorns and foundation stones on our Etty Rubinow
Tree of Life are 10% off. During Shevat, leaves are $90,
acorns are $450 and foundation stones are $900. Order
forms are available at the shul or on our website,
www.KesserMaariv.org.
ARK Food Drive
Please contribute non-perishable food and toiletries by
dropping them off at the shul by February 20 or call Larry
Weinger at 847-677-2198, to arrange pick-up. Let’s reach
100% participation in light of the poor economy and the
community needs.
Fast of Esther and Purim
This year, Purim falls on Saturday night and Sunday,
March 19 and 20. Because of that, the fast of Esther is
moved up to Thursday, March 17th. The fast begins at 5:48
am and ends at 7:25 pm. We will read the Megillah on
Saturday night, March 19 at 8:15 pm – after Shabbat is
over, so there will be time to drive to Shul after Shabbat.
On Sunday, Purim Day, Shacharit will be at 8:00
am, with Megilla at 8:30 am. Later in the afternoon, we
will have a Purim Seudah and Talent Show at the Shul.
Please call Larry Weinger at (847) 677-2198 to sign up for
the talent show and to make reservations for the seudah.
Prices will be announced in a few weeks.
Join the Cards Standings List
Join the Kesser Maariv Cards standing list. For only $50
a year, your name will automatically be included whenever
a card is sent from our shul to fellow members for a refua
shlayma, condolence or mazal tov. To join the standings,
please contact the office at (847) 679-9800 or
bhhkmal@yahoo.com. Cards are available for purchase
from the office for $1.50 each or 13 cards for $18. If you
would like us to send a card for you for $2, please contact
Wendy Hartz at (708) 205-5109.
Weekday Minyanim
Please join us for daily minyanim. Shacharit is at 6:00 am
Monday through Friday, and 8:00 am on Sunday.
Mincha-Maariv on Sunday is 15 minutes before sunset.
Because sunset is now so early, we do not have Mincha
during the week, but we do have Maariv at 7:00 pm on
Mondays-Thursdays.
www.KesserMaariv.org
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E-mail List
We occasionally send e-mails with important information.
However, we do not have everyone’s e-mail address. To put
you on our e-mail list, please send an e-mail to
bhhkmal@yahoo.com indicating that you wish to be placed
on the e-mail list. We are happy to have more than one
e-mail address per family.
Teen Mishnah Club
High school-age boys are invited to participate in a
Mishnah Club, led by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky. The boys
meet Tuesday evenings at 7:15, immediately following
Maariv, and are currently learning Gemara Sanhedrin,
fourth chapter.
Rent the Shul for Your Simcha
For information regarding renting the Social Hall for your
event, please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at the Shul office at
(847) 679-9800. Also, book you child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah
in the Shul calendar!
Misheberach List
If you have names for a misheberach, please send them to
the shul office or e-mail to bhhkmal@yahoo.com.
KM to Publish Manuscripts of Rabbi Meyer Juzint
Kesser Maariv will publish works and manuscripts of
Rabbi Meyer Juzint on Parsha, Talmud and Mussar. The
first volumes will be published, G-d willing, to
commemorate Rabbi Juzint’s 10th yahrzeit, which is in
October 2011. If you have contact information for former
students of Rabbi Juzint, please contact us at
rabbijuzint@gmail.com so we can spread the word about
this project.
College Scholarship Opportunities
See www.jvschicago.org and click on Scholarship Services
or call the JVS Scholarship Secretary at (312) 673-3457 or
e-mail: jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org. The application
deadline is February 15, 2010.
PAST EVENTS
Scholar-in-Residence – What a wonderful weekend was
spent with Rabbi Avishai David, Scholar in Residence on
Parshat Vayechi. Rabbi David, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat
Torat Shraga, spoke at an Oneg Shabat, during Shacharit
services and at a festive Melave Malka. Yasher Koach to
everyone who worked hard to make the weekend lovely.
 Adele Goldblum Women’s Council
Chanukah visits – Many thanks to Shelley & Sanford Upcoming Events
Schwartz, Larry, Ben & Joe Weinger, Gilda Allswang,
Saretta Lazovsky, Brenda Kahn & Myra Goldstein for Event – The AGWC invites all woment to attend
visiting patients at Skokie Hospital and residents of the a lecture on “Knowledge is Power! Learn More About
Robineau to bring them Chanukah cheer. Arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Osteoporosis.” Dr. Robert
A. Hozman, Internist and Rheumatologist, will help us
Gold Rush – Many thanks to Bob & Sheryl Greenstein & understand these conditions and how we can better take
Marty Miretzky for running the Gold Rush last month. care of ourselves. Tuesday, February 15 at 7:15 pm at the
shul. Refreshments will be served. No charge.
Send-A-Kid-to-Israel – We had another enrollment in
SKIP, which allows parents to contribute money annually Knitting – KMnitters continue to knit. New
in partnership with the synagogue and the Jewish knitters are always welcome. The group usually meets
Federation for an Israel experience for their children. every other Tuesday at the Shul at 7 pm. For meeting
dates, please call Wendy Hartz at 708-205-5109. The
KMnitters have their own on-line bulletin board! Sign in
to ravelry.com and to the group called KMnitters.
Congregation B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A.L.
4341 W. Golf Serve dinner at Cafe ARK on Wednesday Feb. 9th
Skokie, IL 60076 at 4:45 pm. Join the growing number of Kesser Maariv
(847) 679-9800 women, men and teens who have had the rewarding
fax (847) 679-5041 experience of serving dinner to ARK clients. Call Cookie
e-mail: bhhkmal@yahoo.com Goldrich at 847-673-8149 to volunteer.
www.KesserMaariv.org
HTC Women of Valor Luncheon – Sue Goldrich
Rabbi Louis A. Lazovsky is the Kesser Maariv honoree at the Hebrew Theological
Steven D. Goldrich, President College Women of Valor Luncheon on Sunday, March 6th
Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky, Administrator at the Skokie DoubleTree. Call Cheryl Karesh at (847)
Nasrin Kheradyar & Saretta Lazovsky, Co-Presidents, 982-2500 for more information and reservations.
Adele Goldblum Women’s Council
Past Events
Committee Contact Information: Several women enjoyed the presentation “Abraham Lincoln
& The Jews” presented by Elise Ginsparg....A group of
Bricks Saretta (847) 676-0556 women attended the Chicago Women Charity Players
Lazovsky performance of “Seussical the Musical.”
Chesed Fund Anne Elovic (847) 673-2904
GOOD & WELFARE
Donate Books Office (847) 679-9800 Mazel Tov to: Jean Goldrich on the marriage of her
& Siddurim grandson in Israel...Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Soloveichik on
the birth of a granddaughter, Ella, in Israel...Jeff & Eleanor
Endowment Michael Hartz (708) 366-7662 Greenspan on the engagement of their daughter Eva to
Happy Day Wendy Hartz (708) 205-5109 Zach Zussman.
Cards Welcome to Skokie: Eugene and Lilly Cherny & Family.
Thank you to our recent Kiddush Sponsors: Bob & Sheryl
Kiddush Judy Whisler (847) 677-2281 Greenstein, Steve & Sue Goldrich, Eugene & Lilly Cherny,
Kosher Korner at Garden Fresh, the AG Women’s Council
Membership Bob Greenstein (847) 967-7408 and anonymous sponsors.
Judy Whisler (847) 677-2281 Thank you to our recent Seudat Shlisheet Sponsors: Gilda
Allswang, Samuel & Sofia Gabay, Aron Lavon, Dan &
Social Hall Office (847) 679-9800
Faith Harris, Marty & Sandy Miretzky, Dotty Chakiris.
Rental
Tree of Life Office (847) 679-9800 To sponsor a Kiddush or Seudat Shlisheet, please contact
the office, or Judy Whisler at j5awhisler@aol.com .
Yahrzeit Office (847) 679-9800
Plaques
 D’VAR TORAH
Leap Year - The Jewish calendar consists of lunar months,
and solar years. To keep the calendar in order, which
guarantees Passover falls out in the springtime, we
occasionally add an extra month, the first Adar. In a leap
year, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar. Yahrzeits
from a standard Adar year are commemorated (according
to Ashkenzic custom) in the first Adar. Children born in a
standard Adar celebrate their Bar- and Bat-Mitzvahs in the
second Adar. Rosh Chodesh Adar I is February 4-5, and
Rosh Chodesh Adar II is March 6-7.
The Four Parshiot - Before Rosh Chodesh Adar (or Adar
II in a leap year) we begin a series of four special Torah
readings and haftarot.
Parshat Shekalim is on Shabbat, March 5. It
commemorates the annual required donation of a one-half
shekel coin that every Jew made to maintain the Temple, to
purchase the daily sacrifices and to conduct a census of the
Jewish people.
Parshat Zachor, Shabbat, March 19, is always read on the
Shabbat before Purim. All of us, even children, are
obligated to hear every word of the special maftir of
Parshat Zachor. In the special reading, we learn about our
obligation to destroy Amalek, which is also one of the
major themes in the Book of Esther. Haman is associated
with Amalek, the grandson of Esav, who was even worse
than Haman in that he represented total and absolute evil.
The Jewish people have been commanded to wage a
never-ending battle against evil. This special Shabbat
reminds us how and why.
Parshat Parah - Shabbat, March 26. In the time of the
Temple, everyone had to eat from the Paschal Lamb
(korban Pesach) on Passover. We read about the parah
adumah to remind everyone to ritually purify themselves
with the ashes of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) to be able
to eat the sacrifice. This reading, like that of Parshat
Zachor, should be heard by everyone, even children.
Shabbat, April 2 is Parshat Hachodesh. The additional
reading discusses laws pertaining to the Passover sacrifice
and the importance of time, which is the defining
characteristic of the Jewish people. The Almighty
promised that the Jewish empire will be one over time, as
our sages expressed: “The nations of the world are like the
sun and the Jewish nation is like the moon;” despite
waning, always regenerating.
Taanit Esther (Thursday, March 17) and Purim (Saturday
evening & Sunday March 19-20)
As Megillat Esther teaches, Jews were hated in every one
of the 127 countries known in the ancient world. Haman,
a former stable worker who was originally a slave to
Mordechai, became the richest man in the world. He
bribed Achashverosh, king of Persia and emperor of the
ancient world, for permission to annihilate the Jews.
Unlike our enemies during the time of Chanukah, who
would have permitted our survival had we converted,
Haman had desired the extermination of every Jew. Once
permission was granted, Haman drew lots, or “Purim,” to
select the day to implement the final solution. Queen
Esther prayed and fasted for three days prior to her request
of King Achashverosh that the Jews should not be killed.
The original fast began the night of the first Passover seder.
Esther was only partially successful in that three-day fast;
it led the King to issue a proclamation permitting the Jews
to protect themselves, but the King’s original order for the
extermination of the Jews was not rescinded. As a result,
we prepared for a defensive war on Purim. As during all
times of danger, we did teshuva, prayed and fasted for
Hashem’s help. This second fast, a communal fast, was
held the day before Purim and eventually became known as
Taanit Esther to commemorate Hashem’s answering the
prayers of Esther and Am Yisrael.
Four Mitzvot were ordained especially for Purim.
They are: 1) Reading or listening to the reading of the
Megillah at night and on the day of Purim to remind
ourselves of the hidden but ever-present hand of the
Almighty; 2) Mishloach Manot, or giving at least two gifts
of food to at least one person; 3) Matanot Le'evyonim –
giving two gifts of charity to at least two poor people; and
finally, 4) Purim Seuda, or eating the festive Purim feast
where we break bread together with family, friends and
strangers on Purim day. These mitzvot help promote
fellowship and love among Jews and are as valid now as
they were then.
 SHABBAT SCHEDULE

Date Candle Lighting Friday Mincha Shacharit Shiur Mincha

Yitro 1/21-1/22 4:32 pm 4:35 pm 8:45 am 3:25 pm 4:25 pm
Mishpatim 1/28-1/29 4:40 pm 4:40 pm 8:45 am 3:30 pm 4:30 pm
Terumah 2/4-2/5 4:49 pm 4:50 pm 8:45 am 3:40 pm 4:40 pm
Tetzaveh 2/11-2/12 4:58 pm 5:00 pm 8:45 am 3:50 pm 4:50 pm
Ki Tisa 2/18-2/19 5:07 pm 5:10 pm 8:45 am 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
Vayakhel 2/25-2/26 5:16 pm 5:15 pm 8:45 am 4:05 pm 5:05 pm
Pikudei - Shekalim 3/4-3/5 5:24 pm 5:25 pm 8:45 am 4:15 pm 5:15 pm
Vayikra 3/11-3/12 5:33 pm 5:35 pm 8:45 am 4:25 pm 5:25 pm
Tzav - Zachor 3/18-3/19 6:41 pm 6:40 pm 8:45 am 5:30 pm 6:30 pm
Shemini - Parah 3/25-3/26 6:49 pm 6:50 pm 8:45 am 5:40 pm 6:40 pm
Tazria - Hachodesh 4/1-4/2 6:56 pm 6:55 pm 8:45 am 5:45 pm 6:45 pm
Metzora 4/8-4/9 7:04 pm 7:05 pm 8:45 am 5:55 pm 6:55 pm

If you have a chiyuv - obligation to daven or require an Aliya, please inform Rabbi Lazovsky before Shabbat.

To sponsor a kiddush or shalashudos, please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281.

Rabbi Lazovsky’s Shabbat Afternoon Shiur is currently studying the Rambam’s Hilchot Melachim.

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Minyan Times Classes

Minyanim meet in the Kaufman Bais Midrash
Sunday Morning at 9:45 am: Parsha Class in the
Shacharit Weekly Sedra.
Sunday: 8:00 am Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am
Tuesday nights at 7:15 pm: Teen Mishna Club,
Mincha-Maariv given by Rabbi B. Lazovsky
Sunday: 15 minutes before sundown
Monday--Thursday Maariv only at 7:00 pm. Fo r more learning op p o r t u ni t i e s , contact Ra b b i s
B. or E. Lazovsky

Malamud Reference Library

Come and Learn from any of the hundreds of titles in our library.

Lending Library
Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south side of the Social Hall

Tape Lending Library

We have tapes and digital audio files on many topics including Chumash, Talmud and Mussar.