What's Happening

RABBI'S MESSAGE

Dear OZ family,

Shalom u’vracha from Southfield Michigan. Alisa and I are spending Shabbos here and we extend Shabbos greetings from Rebecca and Randy Modell who are hosting us.

​​​​​​​We’ll be back, please God on Sunday and we wish everyone Shabbat Shalom.

Congratulations to our French friends on France making it to the World Cup finals. You can also extend good wishes to Ignacio, whose home team, Argentina, also made it to the finals.

I am attaching some Chanukah music for your listening pleasure: https://youtu.be/16Z4WE-kt64

Stay well and healthy,

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

BULLETIN BOARD

LEN'S LINKS

• ArtScroll Shabbos Table - click HERE   
• RZA HaMizrachi Parsha - click HERE
• Rabbi Dr. Lamm z'l - click HERE
• Anshe Divrei Torah - click HERE
• Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z'l - click HERE
• YUTorah in Print - click HERE

• Hana & Lester Brian Katz on the recent Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Gavriel

• Fruma Reiss & Dan Remin, on the passing of Fruma’s sister Elaine Mehler z’l

• Beth Moritz & Leonard Brauner, celebrating all December birthdays!
• Ahuva & Azriel Genack, commemorating the Yarzheits of Rabbi Chaim Shamson & Miriam Swiatycki z’l, Isaac Genack z’l, Nachum Genachowski z’l
• Shoshana Mafdali Goldman, commemorating the Yarzheit of her father Yeish Mafdali — Yeish ben David z'l 
• Happy Birthday to Talia Hopkovitz, from your big sister Lily and little sister Aliza!
• Marsha & Ira Kevelson, in honor of the birth of their granddaughter Libi Milla (Kayla Ora), and wishing Mazel Tov to the proud parents Rebecca & Adam Kevelson and to Libi’s big brother and sister, Judah and Golda!
• Shelly Leibenstern, In honor of both of my parents' Yartzeits: Rueven Natan ben Aryeh Leib (19 Kislev ) and Luta bat Moshe (26 Kislev) z’l
• Adele Pam, for the Yarzheit of her mother Molly Pam - Esther Malka bat Yakov haLevi z' l
• Zachary Prensky, in honor of Daniel Prensky's First Successful Semester Away in College! 
• Byron Raff, In memory of my grandparents Jack & Jayne Moritz, and Barney & Louise Raff
• ​​​​​​​Dedicated by Yoram and Ari Stone, in Celebration of Danielle and Rena’s Birthday!
• Carol & Joe Tuchman, in honor of OZ Youth and wishing Happy Chanukah to all!
• Anonymous, in honor of the publication of Rabbi Schwartz’s new sefer on Shemos!
• Anonymous, in honor of Micah’s Halpern’s fascinating Bible Behind the Scenes Classes!

• Illana & George Lloyd and family, on the Yahrzeit of beloved father, father in law, grandfather, and great grandfather Andre Bensimon (Elazar ben Mordechai) z'l.

• Meet Monday, December 19 @ 5:00pm in Times Square (enter @ 47th Street)

• 7:15pm: Mitzvah Chaburah: Minchas Chinuch (new time)
• 8:00pm: Late Maariv
• 8:15pm: Tanach: The Tehillim of King David

• Dec. 17 @ 7:00pm - Epic Chanukah Chagigah: www.OZNY.org/Event/Chagigah2022
• Dec. 18 @ 4:00pm - Kids Crafts & Lighting: www.OZNY.org/Event/ChanukahCrafts2022

• 9:00am — Singing Shacharis with Chazan Ari Mandelbaum in the Main Sanctuary
• 10:00am — Shiur & Shmear with Rabbi Allen Schwartz in the Library: “Rock of Ages: Insights into Maoz Tzur” - $18 Chai RSVP Required, Sponsors Welcome.

• Beyond Politics: Halachic Perspectives on Abortion with Dr. Gila Leiter
• Wednesday, January 4, 2022 @ 8:00pm | hosted by Dr. Jill Katz​​​​​​​

SCHEDULE

YEARN TO LEARN

• 7:15pm - Mitzvah Chaburah: Minchas Chinuch (New Time)
• 8:00pm - Late Maariv
• ​​​​​​​8:15pm - Tanach: Tehillim of King David
• www.OZNY.org/Mishmar

• Monday & Wednesday @ 9;00p
• WhatsApp & Zoom Link at www.OZNY.org/Emunah

• Meets on Zoom
• Schedule & Class links at www.OZNY.org/TNLP

• Wednesdays @ 2pm in the Library and on Zoom
• www.OZNY.org/Tzurba

• Wednesday Night
• Meets back in person!
• Contact adam@ozny.org for info about Conversion Program
• 6:30p Concepts - Adam Resnick
• 7:45p Thought - Joel Goldman

• Bible Behind The Scenes
• Select Thursdays at 7:00pm
• ​​​​​​​www.OZNY.org/Live

• WhatsApp & Conference Call: www.OZNY.org/Event/Daf

RABBI BLANCHARD'S BLURB

If we want to participate in society,  we can't help but be concerned about our appearance.  When, however,  we are fascinated or entranced by how we look, we might get lost in the kind of narcissism that can lead to seeing others as there simply as props in our drama or as our audience. Then, our sense of entitlement expands. We might begin to think: Surely someone so attractive deserves success and an easy life. 

Even when we do overcome such "childish" ideas, we still might be tempted to think that, if we are " good people," we surely deserve a life without hassles. We aren't lording it over anybody or feeling entitled. Alright, we can't expect to live a charmed life, but, after all, what have we done to deserve the serious roubles that sometimes come our way?

In your own life, how do you understand the relationship between ease in living and goodness in character and action?  

Reflection on Rashi's commentary on Genesis 37:1, 2 and 39:6  

37:1 It is further expounded upon [as follows]: “dwelt” (verse 1) When Jacob sought to dwell in tranquility, the troubles of Joseph sprang upon him. The righteous seek to dwell in tranquility. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “What is prepared for the righteous in the world to come is not sufficient for them, but they seek [also] to dwell in tranquility in this world!”

37:2 and he was a lad: He behaved childishly, fixing his hair and touching up his eyes so that he would appear handsome. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:7]

39:6 and Joseph had handsome features: As soon as Joseph found himself [in the position of] ruler, he began eating and drinking and curling his hair. Said the Holy One, blessed be He: “Your father is mourning and you curl your hair! I will incite the bear against you.” Immediately afterwards “his master’s wife lifted up her eyes.” [from Tanchuma Vayeshev 8]​​​​​​​