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Heights Jewish Center Synagogue Posts

Tonight at 8PM at HJC: Chanukah: The War We Don’t Know

Chanukah
The War we don’t know and its aftermath!  

Chanukah, Asarah B’Teves and Christianity

Join us for
An unconventional look at the events that preceded and followed the rededication of the Beis HaMikdash.
Taught by Rabbi Raphael Davidovich

Wednesdays December 12, 19 and 26 at 8:00 PM

What was the fight which led to Chanukah really about?
What does the Tenth of Teves, only one week after Chanukah, have to do with it?
How do those days define Jewish identity in Golus?
 
Find out the answers to these and many other questions by attending this unconventional course. 
Each class will also cover practical halachos that are germane to the ideas presented.  

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My opinion of the Kosher Survey (revised)

I am of the opinion that if the local Kosher establishments are aware of what the public thinks of the quality of services they offer, they will maintain or increase their quality of service, as the case may be. It is clearly l’toeles. If the principle of “Chas Al Mamonam Shel Yisroel” applies to business owners, it applies to consumers as well.

I don’t think that any establishment is afraid of the “Loshon Horo” that would result, i.e. is afraid that people would talk to one another about the experiences they have had in stores and restaurants. All restaurant and store owners are aware that this is already occurring when Jews talk to one another. If anything, it seems to me that there is more toeles in this public survey manner than when it is just done by one person kvetching to another. I am sure they would wish to upgrade their services in order to increase business. I don’t think anyone would mind.

Well intentioned people inadvertently misinterpret Hilchos Loshon Horo by minimizing the important caveat of “l’toeles” that is always applicable. And the Chofetz Chaim’s warnings that even “L’toeles” has to be Lishma certainly apply here. I have no bone to pick with any store. Neither do the makers of the survey. They are just interested in improving the quality of kosher service in our community.

We in kosher community all over America are at a natural disadvantage when it comes to our kosher establishments. The laws of supply and demand favor the establishments, at least as long as they stay open. In the treif world, if you don’t like one restaurant, there are a few hundred others to choose from within a ten-minute drive. Quality of service increases accordingly when managers know their potential customers’ numerous options. We do not have those options. There is nobody to blame for this. It is the unseen hand that guides an economy. But any advantage we consumers can create for ourselves within the derech of halacha should be taken. And when all is said and done, the establishments that want to increase their business will be grateful too.

I don’t know if I’m jumping into a hornet’s nest here. But I did this not for my honor and not for the honor of my father’s house, but in order to improve the lot of Acheinu Beis Yisroel in Cleveland, a community I would like to see maintained at the highest standards possible. I have no problems admitting the error of my ways if they are pointed out to me. But I do not think I was wrong in requesting the survey.

UPDATE: Some people are not clear about what the survey entails. Completed surveys of other major Kosher Communities in the USA, the rabbis of whom raised no public protests, are available here. As anyone can see, it is not a loshon horo free-for-all that some might fear.

Rabbi Raphael Davidovich
Heights Jewish Center Synagogue

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Kosher Community Survey

From: Neil Rosenbaum <neil@kosher-community-surveys.com>

I was hoping you could please post the following community-related
message to your shul members.

Thank you,
Neil Rosenbaum
_______________________

What do you think of the Cleveland’s kosher restaurants, bakeries, and stores?

Share your opinion about local kosher establishments through the first ever
Cleveland Area Kosher Community Survey! The survey can be found at the
following link: http://cleveland.kosher-community-surveys.com. A final
report of the full results will be distributed to the community.

Please e-mail Neil Rosenbaum at cleveland.@kosher-community-surveys.com if
you have any questions.

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HJC Schedule and Announcements – Mikeitz

The Schedule follows the announcements.

  • Mincha this afternoon is at 4:30PM.  Please ensure that we start on time so that we can light the Menorah before sunset.
  • Mincha this upcoming week is at 4:40PM.  Please make it a priority to attend.
  • Rabbi Kirsch is away this Shabbos.
  • Rosh Chodesh is this Monday, one day only.
  • This Wednesday December 12 I will give another class in a three-part series of talks entitled
“The War we don’t know and its aftermath”
Chanukah, Asarah B’Teves and Christianity

An unconventional halakhic and hashkafic look at the events that preceded and followed the rededication of the Bais HaMikdash.
It will continue on Wednesdays December 19 and 26 at 8:00 PM
Refreshments will be served.

  • This January my wife and I will be giving review classes in Taharas Hamishpacha, on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Details will be publicized in the coming week.
  • The evening Post-Maariv Rambam shiur just started learning Hilchos Nedarim, in anticipation of the upcoming Daf Yomi masechta.
  • Mazel Tov to the incoming shul officers and Board members who are being installed at the reservation-only Luncheon this Shabbos.

Gut Shabbos and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Davidovich

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Friday evening, December 7 (Chanukah)       

    Candle lighting    4:38 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:30 PM

Saturday, December 8 (Miketz-Chanukah)       

    Parsha class    8:30 AM
    Shacharis    9:00 AM
    Latest Shema    9:59 AM
    Navi class    4:00 PM
    Mincha-Shalosh Seudos-Ma’ariv    4:30 PM
    Shabbos ends    5:46 PM

Sunday, December 9 (Chanukah)       

    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Monday, December 10 (Chanukah-Rosh Chodesh)       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:30 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Tuesday-Wednesday, December 11-12 (Chanukah)       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:40 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Thursday, December 13       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Friday, December 14       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
       

Friday evening, December 14       

    Candle lighting    4:39 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:40 PM

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HJC Announcements and Schedule

  • Mincha this coming week is at 4:40pm.  Please make a point of attending.

  • The first night of Chanukah is Tuesday night December 4. 

  • Please remember to begin saying “Tal Umatar” Wednesday night December 5 at Ma’ariv. 

  • Refuah Sheleima to Aron Ritzenberg.

  • The shul is looking for suggestions to enhance our weekly kiddush.  Please email me, the office at office@hjcs.org  or call the office at 382-1958 to offer any ideas you may have.

  • The shul is having a lunch on Shabbos Chanukah, December 8, to install the new Board.  Please RSVP the office ASAP if you plan to attend.  office@hjcs.org or 382-1958.

Have a Gut Shabbos.
Rabbi Davidovich

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Friday evening, November 30       

    Candle lighting    4:40 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:45 PM

Saturday, December 1 (Vayeshev)       

    Parsha class    8:30 AM
    Shacharis    9:00 AM
    Latest Shema    9:54 AM
    Navi class    4:00 PM
    Mincha-Shalosh Seudos-Ma’ariv    4:30 PM
    Shabbos ends    5:47 PM

Sunday, December 2       

    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Monday-Tuesday, December 3-4       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Wednesday-Thursday, December 5-6 (Chanukah)       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:40 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:40 PM

Friday, December 7 (Chanukah)       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:40 AM
       

Friday evening, December 7 (Chanukah)       

    Candle lighting    4:38 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:30 PM

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HJC Schedule

Please note that Mincha next week is at 4:45pm.  If you are not at work, please please make a point of coming to the shul’s minyan. 
 
You should have received an email from the shul office asking you for suggestions to enhance our weekly Kiddush.  Please let the office know what your ideas are.  office@hjcs.org   or 382-1958. 
 
I am in Baltimore now, and will be here for Shabbos.  I plan to be back on Monday.  Please behave while I am away. 
 
Gut Shabbos,
Rabbi Davidovich
 
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Friday, November 23       
    Gemara class    CANCELLED
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
      
    Candle lighting    4:43 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:45 PM
 

Saturday, November 24 (Vayishlach)       

    Parsha class    CANCELLED
    Shacharis    9:00 AM
    Latest Shema    9:49 AM
    Navi class     CANCELLED
    Mincha-Shalosh Seudos-Ma’ariv    4:35 PM
    Shabbos ends    5:50 PM

Sunday, November 25       

    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv        4:45 PM

Monday-Thursday, November 26-29       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Kesubos    4:45 PM

Friday, November 30       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
       

Friday evening, November 30       

    Candle lighting    4:40 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:45 PM

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Tefillah Class Tonight at 8PM

Hello everyone,

Reminder:  The third class on Tefillah takes place tonight (Monday November 19, 07) at 8PM at Heights Jewish Center.  The class will be over before 9PM.  Attendance at the first two classes is not a prerequisite to attendance tonight.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Rabbi Davidovich

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HJC Announcements and Schedule

The schedule follows the announcements.


Condolences to Ricky Prizant on the passing of his mother Clayre Prizant.  Ricky is sitting Shiva at his mother’s home, 3869 Bushnell Road, till Wednesday morning.

Refuah Sheleima to Rob Altshuler.


Sof Zman Krias Shema is 9:44 AM.

 

Mincha-Maariv this upcoming week is at 4:50PM.  Please make a point of boosting the minyan if you can. 

The post-Maariv Shiur has completed the sections of the Rambam Hilchos Ishus that cover the topics discussed in Kesubos, the current Daf Yomi masechta.  Starting next week the shiur will return to the Gemara, starting at the beginning.  We plan to spend the next five weeks learning Kesubos and endeavor to finish the masechta together with the Daf Yomi cycle on December 23.  This might seem unreasonable at first.  But since we have covered all of the halachos of Kesubos, we are starting way ahead. 

The third Shiur on the Halachos of and Insights into Tefillah will take place this Monday at 8PM at the shul.  People are welcome to attend even if they did not attend the first two shiurim.

Deena’s Eishes Chayil Group meets on Tuesday at 2PM at the shul.

Shacharis this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, is at 8AM.

The shul is looking to enhance its Kiddush menus on the non-Cholent weeks.  Please send your ideas and suggestions to the office at office@hjcs.org or this address.

Have a Gut Shabbos,

Rabbi Davidovich

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Friday evening, November 16       

    Candle lighting    4:48 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:50 PM

Saturday, November 17 (Vayetze)       

    Parsha class    8:30 AM
    Shacharis    9:00 AM
    Latest Shema    9:44 AM
    Navi class    4:10 PM
    Mincha-Shalosh Seudos-Ma’ariv    4:40 PM
    Shabbos ends    5:55 PM

Sunday, November 18       

    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Rambam    4:50 PM

Monday-Wednesday, November 19-21       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Kesubos    4:50 PM

Thursday, November 22       

    Gemara class    canceled
    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv     4:50 PM

Friday, November 23       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
       

Friday evening, November 23       

    Candle lighting    4:43 PM
    Mincha-Kabalas Shabbos    4:45 PM

Saturday, November 24 (Vayishlach)       

    Parsha class    CANCELED
    Shacharis    9:00 AM
    Latest Shema    9:49 AM
    Navi class    CANCELED
    Mincha-Shalosh Seudos-Ma’ariv    4:35 PM
    Shabbos ends    5:50 PM

Sunday, November 25       

    Shacharis    8:00 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv        4:45 PM

Monday-Thursday, November 26-29       

    Gemara class    6:15 AM
    Shacharis    6:45 AM
    Mincha-Ma’ariv-Kesubos    4:45 PM

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Tefillah Shiur Monday 8PM

Reminder:

The second of three shiurim on Tefillah takes place tonight, November 12 at 8PM at the shul. 

The shiur takes a deeper look at the structure of the davening and offers practical eitzos (advice) on enhancing Kavono.  

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