Leaves are available for $90, Acorns are available for $450, and Foundation Stones are available for $900 during Shevat. To order, call Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800 and leave a message, or e-mail bhhkmal@yahoo.com. A form is included with this newsletter and is also available on our website (print out & fax it in or drop it off).

College Scholarship opportunities See www.jvschicago.org and click on Scholarship Services or call the JVS Scholarship Secretary at (312) 673-3457 or e-mail: jvsscholarshipjvschicago.org. The application deadline is February 15, 2010.

Gold Rush - Thanks to Bob Greenstein, David Greenstein and Marty Miretzky, who used their professional eyes to look at old gold, precious metals and diamonds. Thanks also to Sheryl Greenstein for her assistance with helping the sellers, many of whom left very happy.

Chanukah visits to patients at Skokie Hospital - Many patients were cheered up on Chanukah by the many volunteers from Kesser Maariv. The following people visited at Skokie Hospital: Wendy Hartz, Hannah Hartz, Gilda Allswang, Saretta Lazovsky, Faith Harris, Debbie Brill, Brianna Brill, Kayla Brill, Cookie Goldrich, Sheryl Greenstein, Brenda Kahn, Shelley Schwartz, and Sanford Schwartz. Thank you to the volunteers.

Michael Medved events - On Parshat Shemot, the 16th anniversary of our move to Skokie, we had radio personality Michael Medved speak at Shabbat Lunch and on Saturday night. Thanks to our sponsors, and to Alan Busch and everyone who made the events so successful and enjoyable.

Refuah Shleima to: Saretta Lazovsky and Alan Slodki.

Condolences to: Misha Livshultz on the passing of his mother...Levi Asher Sidel on the passing of his mother Fay Sidel...Roberta Rosenfeld on the passing of her husband Ronald, and on the passing of her mother.

The Four Parshiot - Before Rosh Chodesh Adar we begin a series of four special Torah readings and haftarot. Parshat Shekalim is on Shabbat, February 13. It commemorates the annual required donation of a one-half shekel coin that every Jew made to maintain the Temple, to purchase the daily sacrifices and to conduct a census of the Jewish people.

Parshat Zachor, Shabbat, February 27, is always read on the Shabbat before Purim. All of us, even children, are obligated to hear every word of the special maftir of Parshat Zachor. In the special reading, we learn about our obligation to destroy Amalek, which is also one of the major themes in the Book of Esther. Haman is associated with Amalek, the grandson of Esav, who was even worse than Haman in that he represented total and absolute evil. The Jewish people have been commanded to wage a never-ending battle against evil. This special Shabbat reminds us how and why.

Parshat Parah - Shabbat, March 6. In the time of the Temple, everyone must eat from the Paschal Lamb (korban Pesach) on Passover. We read about the parah adumah to remind everyone to ritually purify themselves with the ashes of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) to be able to eat the sacrifice. This reading, like that of Parshat Zachor, should be heard by everyone, even children.

Shabbat, March 13 is Parshat Hachodesh. The additional reading discusses laws pertaining to the Passover sacrifice and the importance of time, which is the defining characteristic of the Jewish people. The Almighty promised that the Jewish empire will be one over time, as our sages expressed: “The nations of the world are like the sun and the Jewish nation is like the moon;” despite waning, always regenerating.

Taanit Esther (Thursday February 25) and Purim (Saturday evening & Sunday February 27-28)

As Megillat Esther teaches, Jews were hated in every one of the 127 countries known in the ancient world. Haman, a former stable worker who was originally a slave to Mordechai, became the richest man in the world. He bribed Achashverosh, king of Persia and emperor of the ancient world, for permission to annihilate the Jews. Unlike our enemies during the time of Chanukah, who would have permitted our survival had we converted, Haman had desired the extermination of every Jew. Once permission was granted, Haman drew lots, or “Purim,” to select the day to implement the final solution. Queen Esther prayed and fasted for three days prior to her request of King Achashverosh that the Jews should not be killed. The original fast began the night of the first Passover seder. Esther was only partially successful in that three-day fast; it led the King to issue a proclamation permitting the Jews to protect themselves, but the King’s original order for the extermination of the Jews was not rescinded. As a result, we prepared for a defensive war on Purim. As during all times of danger, we did teshuva, prayed and fasted for Hashem’s help. This second fast, a communal fast, was held the day before Purim and eventually became known as Taanit Esther to commemorate Hashem’s answering the prayers of Esther and Am Yisrael.

Four Mitzvot were ordained especially for Purim. They are: 1) Reading or listening to the reading of the Megillah at night and on the day of Purim to remind ourselves of the hidden but ever-present hand of the Almighty; 2) Mishloach Manot, or giving at least two gifts of food to at least one person; 3) Matanot Le'evyonim-- giving two gifts of charity to at least two poor people; and finally, 4) Purim Seuda, or eating the festive Purim feast where we break bread together with family, friends and strangers on Purim day. These mitzvot help promote fellowship and love among Jews and are as valid now as they were then.

To sponsor a kiddush or shalashudos, please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281.

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Minyan Times Minyanim meet in the Kaufman Bais Midrash Shacharit Sunday: 8:00 am Monday-Friday: 6:00 am   Mincha-Maariv Sunday: 15 minutes before sundown Monday-Thursday: 7:00 pm Maariv

Classes Sunday Morning at 9:40 am: Parsha Class in the Weekly Sedra Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik Thursdays at 7:20 pm: Boys Mishna Club Given by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky

Malamud Reference Library
Come and learn from any of our hundreds of titles in our library.

Lending Library
Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south wall of the social hall. For hours of operation, more details or to donate books, please call Barbara Pomper at (847) 256-1198.

Tape Lending Library
We have tapes on many topics including Chumash, Talmud and Mussar from many well-known lecturers.