Chabad at La Costa Times Kislev/Teves 5776 – December ‘15 A Heart-Felt Request from the Rabbi Dear Friends, As we approach the end of the year it is time to take stock. Just as we are meant to examine ourselves on the Jewish New Year, particularly regarding our spiritual situation, so too we should use the end of the secular year to examine our material situation. Thank G-d, we live in a place and time of unprecedented wealth and plenty. In all of human history there has never been a time of such riches finding their way into the hands of so many. Yet unfortunately, many do not feel rich. Somehow many people choose to focus on that which they do not have instead of that which they do have. For instance, I would wager ‘dimes to doughnuts’ that nobody reading this article is worried about where his next meal is coming from or if he will have a roof over his head next week. These are precisely the types of worries that all previous generations had. Every one of us should feel rich! While it may be true that we would like more (money, clothes, vacations etc.) it would probably be hard to argue that we need more. In the Ethics of Our Fathers (some of the most poignant ethical teachings in Judaism) we are taught; “Who is rich? He who is satisfied with what he has.” He who trains himself to be happy with his lot will be as happy as the richest person on the planet, in fact it can be argued that he is the richest person on the planet. It is with this in mind that I am asking for your help at this time. Many are thinking ahead to April 15th, Tax Day. Many are now making their decision about how much they want to contribute to a worthy cause and to therefore be able to maximize their tax deductions. I am asking that you include Chabad at La Costa / North County Jewish Center in your plans. Your tax-deductible contribution does so much! It enables us to do something as simple as keep the lights on or bring chicken soup to someone who is not well, and it also helps us do something as sublime as teach a child the beauty of his/her heritage or hold inspirational services every Shabbat. Your generous contributions help us do all that we do, which makes you our partner in everything we accomplish. Indeed you are being offered the opportunity of ‘getting in on the ground level’ of the best investment possible; an investment with guaranteed results! Please take a moment to share your gratitude for all that you have been blessed with by sharing with others. Please take a moment to log onto our secure website www.chabadatlacosta.com/donate, and make a profound difference in the life of all those whom we touch. You can also make your donation via check if that is more convenient. G-d has given you the ultimate privilege, and that is to be His partner in perfecting this physical and mundane physical world and transforming it into something G-dly and beautiful! G-d bless you for your generosity and support! Sincerely, Rabbi Eilfort Chanukah Fun! Our Annual Chanukah Festival at the Forum Shops in Carlsbad is scheduled for Sunday, December 6th from 4-6pm. Not only will we be lighting a giant Menorah, we will have all sorts of arts-n-crafts projects available. There will be lots of delicious Chanukah treats like jelly doughnuts, homemade latkes with apple sauce, and lots more. Prizes for all the children will be given out and there will be raffles as well. Make your plans now to join us for this wonderful event perfect for the whole family! Happy Birthday Club We would like to wish Happy Birthday to all of those celebrating their birthday this month and each subsequent month. For the Month of December we honor Sam Alter, Jean Rack, Max Chiswick, Muka Eilfort, Julia Horowitz, Howard Zinman, Seth Golub, Adam Baram, Neal Rabin, Michal Shapiro, Tammi Belfer, Frank Gibson, Noah Coplan, Mike Reid, Jeremiah Fogel, Sylvia Rabin, Anna Mintz, and Danielle Ahlzadeh. May G-d bless each and every one of you with a happy, healthy, and successful year! Chinese Friday Night Dinner & Community Board Games Everyone knows of the ancient Jewish Tradition of having Chinese Food on December 25th. Well, this year December 25th happens to fall on a Friday – so we will have a beautiful Friday Night Dinner together featuring the most scrumptious Chinese Food. Candle lighting is at 4:30pm, followed by a word of Torah by the Rabbi and a family-friendly Friday night service. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Following dinner we will have board games available to play together. The cost to attend is $18 per adult and $10 per child – not to exceed $50 per family. Reservations are necessary to attend by sending an email to us at info@ChabadatLaCosta.com or by calling 760943-8891. Caffeine for the Soul Mondays from 12 - 1:30pm Every Monday our Rebbetzin gives a class for women at the Target in Encinitas discussing various issues. Her current topic is addressing “What is a Mitzvah?” The next topic will be “What is the Torah?” The class is formatted to encourage questions and discussion. There is no cost to attend and all women are encouraged to come. Doris Markus Rosh Chodesh Gatherings When the terrible sin of the Golden Calf occurred the women realized the gravity of the error and stayed away from being involved. Because of this wisdom it has become a custom for women to join together for a special event each month – on Rosh Chodesh (the Jewish new month). Each month different events are scheduled that are both educational and entertaining. This month’s event will take place on Thursday, November 12th at 7:30pm. Contact Rebbetzin Nechama for further information at nmome@sbcglobal.net. Ladies, be sure to come and bring your friends! Prizes Needed for Building Dedication The dedication of our new building has been a long time coming! There are still several minor projects that need to be completed around our building. We need to do our landscaping and the hard-scaping, as well as some additional kitchen upgrades. For these reasons we need to raise about $50,000 at our Dinner Gala coming up on December 13th. We will be hosting a festive silent auction, live auction, and raffles throughout the evening. We are currently seeking prizes that may be used for this purpose. We are not looking for used furniture/clothing or other items that may found at a yard sale. Instead, we are looking for collectibles, jewelry, fine art, time-shares, ‘experiences,’ and other such items. If you can help by donating some prizes, or know someone who can, please contact Rabbi Eilfort to discuss your gift or ideas. Email RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com. Thanks to dedicated individuals we have already received a diamond ring appraised at $8,000, his/hers mountain bikes, 500,000 airline miles, a time share, fine art and lots more! Thanks for your help! Services with Joy & Meaning Something magical happens to those who attend our Shabbat services; they leave feeling better than when they arrived. Why does this happen? Well, that depends on the individual. Some feel better because they enjoy the beautiful melodies we sing together, while others feel better because of feelings of closeness with their Creator that they experience while sitting in our beautiful sanctuary, while still others enjoy the Rabbi’s weekly thoughts. The delicious Kiddush served at the end is a perfect way to bring the entire experience to a successful conclusion as we enjoy each other’s company and wonderful food. Whatever it is you may be seeking in your spiritual life there is a good chance you will find it here every Saturday from 10am – 12:30pm. You don’t have to be an expert in Jewish practice to benefit – you just have to be willing to give it a try. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. We look forward to seeing you here! December ’15 / Kislev - Teves 5776 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 1 Morning Services 8:30am Hebrew School 9:30am-12pm 6 Morning Services 8:30am Hebrew School 9:30am-12pm Chanukah @ Forum 4-6pm 13 Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Kislev Dedication Dinner Gala! 4:30pm 20 Morning Services 8:30am Hebrew School 9:30am-12pm WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 2 Caffeine for the Soul @ Target 12pm JLI Journey of the Soul 7pm Torah Portion Class 7:30pm 7 Chanukah DEADLINE to RSVP for Dedication Dinner! 8 Chanukah 9 Chanukah Chassidic Philosophy 7:30pm Torah Portion Class 7:30pm 3 15 16 Chassidic Philosophy 7:30pm Torah Portion Class 7:30pm Light Candles 4:24pm 10 Chanukah 17 27 11 Chanukah SATURDAY 5 Shabbat Ends 5:31pm 12 Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Teves Light Candles 4:25pm Services 10am Parshat Mikeitz 18 19 Services 10am Parshat Vayigash Light Candles 4:27pm Shabbat Ends 5:26pm Shabbat Ends 5:24pm 21 DEADLINE TO RSVP FOR FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER 22 23 Chassidic Philosophy 7:30pm Torah Portion Class 7:30pm 29 30 Chassidic Philosophy 7:30pm Torah Portion Class 7:30pm 24 Caffeine for the Soul @ Target 12pm Morning Services 8:30am Hebrew School 9:30am-12pm 4 Services 10am Parshat Vayeishev Caffeine for the Soul @ Target 12pm 14 Caffeine for the Soul @ Target 12pm FRIDAY 28 Caffeine for the Soul @ Target 12pm 25 Family Friday Night Services & Dinner Light Candles 4:30pm 26 Services 10am Parshat Vayechi Shabbat Ends 5:22pm 31 Prizes needed for the silent auction, live auction, and raffle. Please contribute! ACTION ITEM! RSVP for the Dedication Dinner Gala! Chabad at La Costa 1980 La Costa Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92009 760-943-8891 Fax: 760-943-8892 E-Mail: Info@ChabadatLaCosta.com Rabbi & Rebbetzin Yeruchem & Nechama Eilfort President The Back Page Dedication Dinner Scheduled Our long-awaited gala officially dedicating our beautiful new home has been scheduled for Sunday, December 13th at 4:30pm. This date was chosen because it is the last light of Chanukah. Be sure to mark your calendar now, and please HOLD THE DATE! An official invitation has already been mailed. If you did not receive one and would like one please email us immediately at info@chabadatlacosta.com, or call us at 760-943-8891. Alternatively you can reserve your seat by logging onto www.ChabadatLaCosta.com/gala. The cost to attend is $180 per person. Tables of 10 are available and we are seeking Table Captains to help make sure we fill the room. The evening will feature a live jazz band, a sumptuous banquet, Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony, Acknowledgement Wall Dedication, and much more. Thanks to the efforts of our Building Committee we have a wide variety of valuable prizes that will be auctioned (live and silent) and raffled. These include fine jewelry, vacations, art, electronics, and much more. We are asking all of our supporters to help us make this fun-filled evening an overwhelming success by responding positively to this invitation. G-d bless and thank you!