March 12, 2010/27 Adar 5770                               

Vayakhel-Pekuday - Exodus 35:1-40:38  

This Shabbat we read a double portion -- Vayakhel and Pekuday. Vayakhel begins "And Moses congregated (vayakhel) the entire community of Israel” to remind them to observe Shabbat. The people are asked to bring gifts for the construction of the mishkan (tabernacle). The second parasha Pekuday begins - "And these are the records (pekuday) of the mishkan" which give a very careful accounting of how much gold, silver and copper were used in the construction of the mishkan and how the garments of the priests were made. Pekuday is the last parasha in Exodus (Shemot), which is the second book of the Torah.

Come as you are Shabbat – (Chapel) – 6 pm

Shabbat Evening Service- 8 pm

Bima Guest:  Michael Schorr

Ark Doors:  James Mitchell and Sharon Jurman-Mitchell

Mazel tov to…

Laura and Jeffrey Gottlieb on the Bar Mitzvah of their son David Ross Gottlieb

Mark Kossow on his special birthday

Fern and Mac Lerner on the birth of their grandson Mason Emerson Rosenberg

This weekend…

Our Shabbat Morning Torah Study group meets every Shabbat morning at 9:15 am. Newcomers are encouraged to come.   We read selections from the weekly Torah portion and have a lively and engaging discussion.  Come be part of our study community.  Coffee is served – what could be better? 

A Havdalah Service will be held at 6:15 pm when David Ross Gottlieb, son of Laura and Jeffrey Gottlieb will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.   We wish the Gottlieb family a hearty mazel tov.

Plan to join us for …

“Torah through Tradition and Technology” – Tuesdays from 8 pm – 9 pm 

Men’s Club Brunch – Sunday, March 14 at 10 am

Henry Raich Senior Brown Bag Lunch – Wednesday, March 17 at noon

Her Seder – Thursday, March 18 at 5 pm

Chocolate Seder – Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm

Men’s Seder – Monday, March 22 at 7 pm

Community Seder – Tuesday, March 30 at 6 pm

15th Annual Sisterhood Retreat – April 16 – 18

Shabbat Reenah – April 30 at 8 pm

Big Al’s Yiddish Club – Thursdays at 7:30 pm

Yoga and Jewish Meditation – Thursdays at 7:30 pm

Temple Emanuel’s Up, Up and Away Raffle – Monday, May 24 7:30 pm

UPCOMING/ONGOING …

Henry Raich Senior Brown Bag Lunch – Wednesday, March 17 at noon.  Sheila Stern, Chair of the Caring Community Committee speak about the services of the committee and how it is available to all members of our Temple.  Join other members; enjoy your lunch and coffee with them in a warm comfortable setting. 

Join Men’s Club on Sunday, March 14 for our monthly Men’s Club Brunch focusing on Men’s health.  Dr. Stephen Burnstein, Dr. Robert Goldlust and Dr. David Finkelstein will be our presenters. All are welcome.  The Brunch is free to Men’s Club members and $5 for guests.

Temple Emanuel Her Seder – Thurs., March 18 at 5:45 pm. Join us for this Passover gathering led by Rabbi Geri Newburge, Rabbi Debbie Cohen and Cantor Neil Schnitzer.  Celebrate the festival of freedom through the voices of women while enjoying a delicious, full–course meal (meat or vegetarian entrée).  As this is a catered affair, reservations must be made in advance. Contact Jessica Chasen at jesschasen@aol.com for more info.  Please bring a donation of canned goods.

Chocolate Seder – Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm.  Come and experience the Passover Seder like never before.  Learn about the symbols of Passover.  Chocolate covered matzah, chocolate eggs, bitter chocolate, chocolate for dipping, Elijah’s cup filled with chocolate milk.  Please note the Seder does not include dinner.  It will last about one hour so enjoy having your dessert before dinner.

Temple Emanuel Men’s Seder – Monday, March 22 at 7 pm.  Temple Emanuel Men’s Club and Rabbi Jerry David invite all men in the congregation to a Men’s Seder.   Why a Men’s Seder?  There are certain experiences that only men can share.  There are specific expectations that only men have.  There are certain challenges that only men face.  And there are certain things that can only be understood by men.  We will be using a new Haggadah, specifically designed for Men.  You really won’t want to miss this unique event.  To RSVP to this FREE event, contact Alan Clarke at clarkealan@aol.com

Temple Emanuel Community Seder – Tuesday, March 30 at 6 pm.  Join Rabbi David for this wonderful 2nd night Seder.  It is full of fun songs, stories and more.  Bring your friends and relatives and enjoy the company of our community.  The Passover meal is kosher-style catered by Barry Catering.  The price is $42 for Adults and $21 for children under 12.   RSVP by March 23 to Alex at (856) 489-0029 x15 or alex@templeemanuel.org .

15th Annual Sisterhood Retreat – April 16 -18.  This year’s retreat will be held on the beautiful campus of the Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  This location will truly allow us to renew our spirituality as we connect with our fellow sisters from Temple Emanuel.  Further information and pricing will be coming shortly.  As in the past, single and double room occupancy will be available.  Please RSVP to Jessica Chasen at jesschasen@aol.com or Susan McDermet at smcdermet@comcast.net if you are interested. 

Plan to join us on Friday evening, April 30 for Shabbat Reenah.  This all musical Shabbat is lively, engaging and spiritual.  We look forward to sharing this wonderful worship experience with you.

Temple Emanuel’s Up, Up and Away Raffle – Monday, May 24 at 7:30 pm.  This is an opportunity that you won’t want to miss!  Only 500 tickets will be sold for $36 each.  All trips can be upgraded.  Proceeds benefit Temple Emanuel.  You could win a trip for 4 to Spain – package includes roundtrip air, 7 days 6 nights at a deluxe hotel with guided tour; Trip for 4 to Disney World – package includes roundtrip air, 7 days 6 nights at a Disney property and Disneyworld passes; or a Trip for 4 to Las Vegas – package includes roundtrip air, 7 days 6 nights at the Wynn Hotel and 4 tickets to a Cirque de Soleil show.  You need not be present to win.  For more information call Hollace Friedman at (856) 489-0029 or hfriedman@templeemanuel.org .

The Federation’s Department of Jewish Education and Tri-County Board of Rabbis are offering Passover University on Saturday, March 13 from 7:15 pm – 10: 30 pm and Passover Prep School on Sunday, March 14 from 1 pm – 4 pm.  Passover U is an exciting evening of eighteen educational lectures focusing on Passover followed by a comedian and light refreshments. Passover Prep School is targeted to children ages 2-12 and their families. It is an educational and entertaining interactive set of Passover activities including a Matzah bakery, American Girl Doll Seder, Giant Seder and Charoset bar. More info at www.djesnj.org or Penina Hoffnung at (856) 673-2508.

Big Al’s Yiddish Club – Thursdays at 7:30 pm.  Join us for this informal conversational course.  New-comers always invited to join.  Taught by Al Rubin.  Please call Cindy for more information at (856) 489-0035 x 10.

“Mommy and Me” Classes – Pre-School has two new exciting baby classes taught by Carolyn Kellerman.  Setting the Trends is for newborns through 9 months and Brighter Beginnings for toddlers ages 12-16 months.  Please call Jeanie at (856) 489-0034 for details and to reserve a spot!  Register for Pre-School and Kamp Kayeetz.  Check out the expanded options for 2 year olds – two, three and five day programs.  If you register and bring a friend who registers, your $100 deposit will be waived.  Call Jeanie at (856) 489-0034 for details.

Please support our Tzedakah Box, the centerpiece of the upcoming Tzedakah Wall at the entrance to the sanctuary.  Donations received will help purchase scrip for Temple Emanuel families in need and others in our community. Thank you for your support. 

If you know someone looking for a Temple, tell them about Temple Emanuel.  We have something for everyone, from our Award Winning Pre-school to our Nationally Accredited Religious School to our extensive Adult Education Program.  Contact our Membership Director, Alex Grumbacher at (856) 489-0029 x 15 or alex@templeemanuel.org.  At Temple Emanuel, we make membership achievable for all who seek it.

Join Temple Emanuel on Facebook.  Request to be a “friend” of First Name: Temple Last Name: Emanuel and become a “fan” of Temple Emanuel–Cherry Hill, NJ. Look for news and info about our Temple Community.

Gift Cards (also known as SCRIP) are available for grocery stores, bookstores, restaurants, department stores and more. For a complete list pick up the current order form at the Temple, or contact Paula Levine at palevine79@hotmail.com.  Orders are placed weekly. You can purchase Shop Rite scrip in the Temple Office. All purchases help fund our Temple Sisterhood and ultimately our synagogue.  We also now have SCRIP in $20 denominations for Short Hills Deli.

Visit our website at www.templeemanuel.org