Hakol FEB-MARCH 2011 rfs.pdf - Bethtikvahtoronto.org

Youth and Young Families
sigal@bethtikvahtoronto.org
By Sigal Tuch
Youth & Young
Families Director
(416)221-3433
x302
It is time to celebrate Rosh Hodesh Adar!
Mishenihnas Adar marbim b’simha: from the
beginning of Adar we are to increase our
joy. This requirement begs the question –
if we are to “increase” our happiness once
the month of Adar begins, then we should
already be in a state of joy before the
month even commences. What are we supposed
to be so happy about before Adar
comes in and how are we to increase this
jubilation?
Before we even try to answer this question,
perhaps we should investigate some of the
reasons that Adar is singled out as one of
the happiest months in the Jewish calendar.
Of course, no list could be complete without
the miracle of Purim which happened
on the 14th day of Adar but there are other
wonderful things that took place in this
very special month. The 7th of Adar marks
the birthday of Moshe, arguably one of the
greatest Jewish leaders of all times. The
28th of Adar marks the removal of the
Roman decrees forbidding circumcision,
the study of Torah and the keeping of
Shabbat. The Romans knew that if these
three practices were eliminated, the Jewish
people would surely assimilate. Thankfully
through the great efforts of Rabbi Yehudah
ben Shamua and his fellow rabbis, these
decrees were rescinded and the Jewish
people continued to survive through the
ages. The 3rd of Adar marks the anniversary
of the completion of the second
Temple and the 23rd of Adar was the day
that the Mishkan (the traveling temple) was
inaugurated.
While the entire list of happy occasions
gives us great cause for celebration it is the
later two that are of particular interest. It is
clearly no coincidence that on Shabbat
Rosh Hodesh Adar we read Parashat
Terumah. In this Torah portion the construction
of the Mishkan is revealed in
great detail, from its tent to all the holy
vessels therein. A central theme emerges
throughout the portion’s instructions. It is
that of weaving things together. The panels
of the tent were to be united into a whole
through the use of gold and copper clasps.
The tent itself was woven together from
two types of skins. Not only were things to
be woven together to make a whole, but
many things were to be made of layers. For
example, the tablets were to be covered
with layers of wood and gold. The layers
offered protection with each layer more
beautiful than the next. Parashat Terumah
also chronicles the construction of the two
cherubim who were notably designed as a
pair – one looking at the other. The
instructions for the construction of the
Mishkan offer much more to the reader
than a mere blueprint for the holy building,
if we look closely at the Torah’s message.
Perhaps we are to understand that if
we allow ourselves to peel back our outer
layers, those which protect us, and allow
ourselves to share a piece of ourselves we
can develop lasting relationships. It is
through these friendships that a doorway
lays through which we can find holiness. It
is through the development of relationships
that we can create the “tapestry of community”
that has sustained us through the
ages. The more richly and beautifully we
can weave ourselves together, the more
honour we bring to Hashem and the more
joy we bring to our lives. While we strive
toward this bliss in all the months of the
year, when Adar comes in we must double
our efforts to celebrate the joy of community
and unity. Wishing you all a very joyous
Adar!
Beth Tikvah Youth
TGIS: Thank God It’s Shabbat! If you are
in Grades 1-3 make your mark in the
Beginyan. We’ve got something special for
our Grade 4 – 7’s too. Shine on in the
Allstars. Pray, play and learn with Sigal,
our Young Emissaries – Talia and Michal,
our Youth Coordinator – Danielle Shoychet
and our amazing youth leader – Rachele
Manett. Prizes and all sorts of surprises!
TGIS Beginyan and Allstars Services will be
held every Shabbat and holiday morning
from 10:30 AM – Noon. Babysitting services
for children in JK and SK are also
available weekly. Check the electronic
board at the synagogue entrance for weekly
room assignments. For more information,
contact Sigal.
B’nai Mitzvah Program: will meet on
Saturday February 26th and March 26th,
2011 from 10-11:30 a.m. led by Sigal and
our Young Emissaries, Talia and Michal.
Contact Sigal for more information or to
reserve your spot.
BETSY Kadima: is off to the hills for kids
in Grades 5-8! Stay tuned for more information
about our February Ski Trip and
great programming in the month of March.
For more information or to add your email
address to our database please contact
Danielle Shoychet at:
betsykadima@gmail.com
BETSY USY: is the place to be if you are in
Grades 9-12. Don’t miss our annual Ski
Trip in February and join us for the
Midnight Run to help the homeless of
Toronto in March. For more information
or to add your email address to our database,
please contact Danielle Shoychet at:
betsyusy@gmail.com
There’s lots of fun in store for Y&YF in
February and March:
Young Families and Festivals WANT
YOU! If you are retired, a bubby or zadie,
have some spare time on your hands, or
just want to roll up your sleeves and help
out, Sigal and the Y&YF Committee are
looking for Bubby Buddies. This group of
committed volunteers is needed to help out
with setup and implementation of YF and
Festivals programming. Help us continue
to offer stellar programming at Beth
Tikvah! For more information or to sign
up, please contact Sigal.
Mark Your Calendar and Save the Date
for the Chocolate Seder on April 9th from
10:30 AM – noon!
Hakol - Feb/Mar 2011
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