Thank you to our volunteer Security Guards, Greeters, and Ushers this Shabbat

Shaul Robinson Rabbi

Sherwood Goffin

Senior Cantor

Yanky Lemmer Cantor

Elana Stein Hain

Community Scholar

Lloyd Epstein President

Ben Keil

Executive Director

PARSHAT SHEMOT• 18 TEVET 5774 • DECEMBER 20-21 2013 CANDLE LIGHTING: 4:13PM

ECHODECHOD

Mazal Tov to our Members Mazal Tov to Jacob Laufer, son of Mr. & Mrs. Michael and

Miriam Laufer, on his upcoming marriage to Adina Sperling, daughter of Drs. Marvin & Karen Sperling.

Mazal Tov to Michelle Friedman & Benjamin Belfer on the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Sarah to Yechiel Eisenberg.

Mazal Tov to Rande Price on the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter, Eliana. Mazal Tov to grandparents Anita & Herm Price and Aunt Shellee.

Mazal Tov to LSS Clergy Rabbi Eitan Bendavid on his upcoming wedding to Etta Abramson.

Weekday Prayer Schedule Sunday, Dec . 22 - Friday, Dec. 27

Mincha/Ma’ariv: Sun-Thursday at 4:20 pm

Sun & Wed Shacharit: 7:10am Daf Yomi: 7:45am Shacharit: 8:30am

Mon & Thurs Daf Yomi: 6:15am Shacharit: 7:00am Shacharit: 7:50am

Tue & Fri Daf Yomi: 6:20am Shacharit: 7:10am Shacharit: 7:50am

Friday Evening

Shabbat Day

Lincoln Square Synagogue • 180 Amsterdam Ave. at 68th Street New York, NY 10023 • 212-874-6100 • lss.org

Shabbat Afternoon Thank You To Our Kiddush Sponsors

Hashkama Kiddush Sponsored by the Fund. Main Kiddush Co-sponsored by Michael Laufer and Miriam Morgenstern in honor of the upcoming marriage of their son Jacob to Adina Sperling; by Rande Price in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter, Eliana Price; by Gale and Jim Kaufman in commemora-tion of the yahrtzeit of Gale's mother, Doris Packer, a"h; by Rabbi Allan Blaine in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of his beloved wife, Suzzane Iteld Blaine, a"h; and anonymously in commemora-tion of the yahrtzeit today of Toibeh bas Yaakov Kopel, a"h. Beginners Kiddush Sponsored by Erin Aliza Rent in honor of her upcoming marriage to David Wasserman. Seudah Shlishit Sponsored by the Price family in celebration of the Bat Mitzvah of Eliana Price.

December: A Great Month to Join LSS Here's how: lss.org/become-a-member.html

4:13pm: Candle Lighting

4:15pm: Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat in the Nathaniel Richman Cohen Main Sanctuary led by Chazzan Yanky Lemmer

7:45am: Hashkama Minyan in the Belfer Beit Midrash followed by Kiddush and shiur with Rabbi Moshe Sokolow

9:00am: Services in the Nathaniel Richman Cohen Main Sanctuary led by Chazzan Yanky Lemmer

9:15am: Beginners Service in room LL201 (Lower Level)

9:30am: Youth Breakfast 9:34am: Latest Shema

9:45am: Rabbi Herschel Cohen Memorial Minyan in the Belfer Beit Midrash. Drasha by Dr. Ben Elton: Stars of Redemption

2:50pm: Beginners Mishna Chavura with Moshe Sheinwexler in the Belfer Beit Midrash

3:00pm: Bikur Cholim Meet in front of LSS. New volunteers are needed.

3:00pm: Womens Tefillah Group Mincha Service in honor of Eliana Price’s Bat Mitzvah in the Belfer Beit Midrash.

3:20pm: Bible Class in room 211 with Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald

3:20pm: Talmud Class with Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld

4:05pm: Mincha in the Nathaniel Richman Cohen Main Sanctuary followed by Seudah Shlishit

5:14pm: Ma'ariv/Shabbat Ends

6:30pm: Movie Night for 2nd-4th graders. We'll be watching “The Smurfs”. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and the cost is $10 per child. It is not required to have pre-registered.

May we invite you to join our community?

If you were moved by our Shabbat services, enjoyed our classes, or stimulated by the people you met at kiddush, please consider joining our congregation. Check out our new member discounts at http://www.lss.org/become-a-member.html.

In the words of one of our 2013 new members:

“I came to Lincoln Square because I

heard the Kiddush was exceptional. I

came back because the Torah of Rabbi

Robinson and Mrs. Stein Hain was brilliant.

And I joined because I want to be part of this

wonderful Jewish community."

--Evan Seghal

All bags are subject to search

Youth Groups Shabbat Schedule Youth Breakfast at 9:30

Pre-K: 10:00 am — room 208

K and 1st grade: 10:00 am — room 207

2nd- 4th Grade: 10:00 am — room 206

SUNDAY Midrash on the Upcoming Parsha

Dr. Ben Elton • 9:15am TUESDAY

Parsha Class Rabbi Shaul Robinson • 10:30 am

. Tuesday Beit Midrash Night • 8:15-9:15pm

Chavurot led by LSS members:

WEDNESDAY Talmudic Methodology

Rabbi Dennis Weiss • 7:30pm

Wednesday Beit Midrash Night • 8:15-9:15 pm

THURSDAY The Jacob Adler Parsha Class

Rabbi Shaul Robinson • 7pm

WEEKLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES with THE JOSEPH SHAPIRO INSTITUTE

Beginners Announcements Youth Announcements

The LSS Math Circle

The LSS Math Circle is dedicated to expanding, deepening, and dis-seminating mathematical knowledge. It is a place to learn mathe-matics and meet others with like interests. Open to children 4th grade and up, it meets from 6-8pm on Mondays. Contact Harvey Stein (hjstein@gmail.com) for details.

Sponsor A Shabbat Help make Shabbat extra special for our kids by sponsoring a

Shabbat. Contact Edina Silver at esultanik@yahoo.com to learn more.

If you would like to receive the Shabbat Echod by

e-mail, sign up at

In case of a bereavement, please call 646-543-7485 (day or night)

LINCOLN SQUARE SYNAGOGUE OFFICERS Lloyd Epstein, President (president@lss.org)

Michael Doppelt, Alan Samuels, Shirley Stark, Vice Presidents Ian Silver, Treasurer Josh Neuman, Controller Ari Klapholz, Financial Secretary

Debra Verstandig, Executive Secretary Jay Ziffer, Corresponding Secretary Morey Wildes, Recording Secretary

You may contact our officers by emailing Info@lss.org

Save the date! The next Beginners Luncheon will be Shabbat, January 4th, 2014. The cost is still only $20. Please make your reservations by Thursday, January 2nd. You can register online at www.beginners.lss.org or call 212-874-6100.

New sessions of the Hebrew Reading Crash Course Levels I and II, will begin Monday, January 13th, 2014 at 6:30pm. The 5 classes last 1 1/2 hours, and are free and open to all. Register at www.beginners.lss.org.

Save the date! Register now for Introduction to Bible: The 10 Commandments with Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald (Begins Tuesday, January 28th, 2014 6:30-8:00pm). An in-depth study and analysis of the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) and other basic biblical texts. The religious significance of the Bible, scriptural exegesis and the relationship of the written and oral law will be discussed and analyzed. To register, please call 212-874-6100 or register online at www.beginners.lss.org. Cost: $90, Free to LSS Members. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Upcoming Youth Events

Nok Hockey Tournament (tweens). On Shabbat afternoon January 4th, the Tween minyan will be having a Nok-Hockey tournament. All 5th-pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah 8th graders are invited. The tournament will begin at 2:30 and there will be refreshments and prizes. To RSVP please email Avi Lichtschein avi@lss.org.

The Youth Department will be having a Movie Night for all 2nd-4th graders on Motza’ei Shabbat 12/21. We'll be watching “The Smurfs” and the movie will begin at 6:30. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and the cost is $10 per child. Even if you did not pre-register, you are invited to attend.

Simcha Dancing - Sunday Morning February 2, 2014 (for girls 5th grade & up)

Welcome to the Newest Members

of our LSS Community

Mr. and Mrs. Robin and Brad KlattMr. and Mrs. Robin and Brad KlattMr. and Mrs. Robin and Brad Klatt

Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Anita LissMr. and Mrs. Michael and Anita LissMr. and Mrs. Michael and Anita Liss

Mr. and Mrs. David and Debbie SableMr. and Mrs. David and Debbie SableMr. and Mrs. David and Debbie Sable

Mr. and Mrs. Eli and Leah ZichermanMr. and Mrs. Eli and Leah ZichermanMr. and Mrs. Eli and Leah Zicherman

A Note About Tween Minyan This Week

Tween Minyan meets in the main shul this Shabbat. There will be special quizzes and prize opportunities for participating Tweens who come to shul.

Upcoming Events Book Talk with Noted Author and Journalist, Yossi Klein Halevi Wednesday, December 25 • 10:00-11:00am • In the Nathaniel Richman Cohen Main Sanctuary Free • He will be discussing the book Like Dreamers: The Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation

Film Screening: Fill the Void Motza’ei Shabbat, January 11 • 7:00pm The LSS Film Committee Presents the critically acclaimed feature film, “Fill the Void”. An intimate look at Tel-Aviv’s Hassidic community, the film is also a perceptive social romance. A discussion with Clinical Psychologist Rabbi Dr. Daniel Rothenberg will follow.

Jonathan H. Spanbock Memorial Lecture in Jewish Ethics Shabbat Day, January 18 • Services at 9am, Lecture at 11:15am. Annual Jonathan Spanbock (z"l) Memorial Lecture in Jewish Ethics by Ms. Judy Klitsner, contemporary Tanakh scholar, author and international speaker. Lecture Title: Inside-Outside: Biblical Leaders and Their Non-Jewish Mentors.

AIPAC Policy Conference March 2-4, 2014 Thinking of joining the LSS delegation at AIPAC Policy Conference this year? Sign up at aipac.org Have questions? Speak to Ann Crane, AIPAC Committee Chair, or any of those who attended last year.

Visit our website at lss.org for more information or to register for these events

Isn’t it time you joined the Lincoln Square Synagogue community? If you attend our shul, you know about our dynamic clergy and our inspiring chazzanim. Your family may have taken advantage of our trips, films, lectures, and youth programs.

You can continue to do it all from the sidelines. Or you can join the growing number of Jewish families and individuals who have made a commitment to support our community by becoming members.

To make your choice easier, we have reduced our rates for first-time members.

For more info, go to http://www.lss.org/become-a-member.html or call 212-874-6100.

With the stock market reaching new highs, now is the time, before year end, to take advantage of giving your appreciated securities to Lincoln Square Synagogue. You will avoid the higher capital gain taxes instituted this year, get your charitable contribution and benefit the shul at the same time. Israel Bonds are also welcome as a donation. If you are over 70 it may also be advantageous for you to have part of your IRA required distribution made directly to the shul. Any contributions made can be applied to the capital campaign, dues or general dona-tions. Please consult your financial advisor for what is best for you. For more information, please contact Ben Keil at 212-864-6100 x101

New Shiur Series Starting in January:

Matters of Faith A series co-led by Dr. Michelle Friedman & Community Scholar Elana Stein Hain.

This three-week series offers an open space to share and discuss some of the big questions of Jewish belief from both Jewish and personal perspectives.

Week 1– Jan. 21– God– What do we believe, how do we handle doubt?

Week 2– Jan. 28- Religious “Doing”- Why do we do what we do?

Week 3– Feb. 4- Choseness– Being Jewish in a Pluralistic World.

7:00-8:15pm • $75 • Pre-registration is required at lss.org. Space is limited.

For Upcoming Beginners Events, see the Beginners Announcements on Page 2

For Upcoming Youth Events, see the Youth Announcements on Page 2

Transitions

When twilight turns to finality, and the end has arrived, the sense of loss can be overwhelming. We face that loss this week

upon opening the second Book of Torah, Shemot. We are thrusted from Vayechi in the book of Bereishit to a completely dif-

ferent brave new world, and have to adjust. The next three Torah book transitions provide story continuity, but this one

is sharp. Excited to be moving biblically forward, we also have tender feelings for the book of Bereishit.

Transitions are difficult, especially without preparation. Since Parshat Bereishit, we have connected to forefathers and other

prominent Bereishit personalities, studied their text, and developed sensitivities for their struggles. The personalities of

Bereishit are now rooted in our past, although they will be referenced throughout Tanach.

When thrown into a new era, we look for similarities, patterns, sources of the familiar. In this case, let’s start with HaShem’s

omnipresence. He spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and soon he will speak to Moshe Rabbeinu, albeit in a unique way.

Moshe will address the children of Israel as per HaShem’s commandments; note the continuation of the name – Israel.

Bereishit personalities are always on the move, migrating, feeling internally unsettled, going somewhere for many reasons.

The outstanding personality of the latter half of Bereishit, Jacob, and Moshe Rabbeinu, the most outstanding figure in the

rest of Torah, have commonalities. Jacob fled from his home at his mother’s encouragement for fear of his brother’s wrath.

Moshe murdered and fled to Midian for fear of his (non- related) brother’s wrath. Prior to sojourning in new lands, both met

their respective wife at a well. Did Jacob have a mobility disability after wrestling with the angel? Moshe had a speech im-

pediment. The Torah chronicles both life stories from birth to death.

Empowering and articulating the mission of each son was Jacob’s final action in Vayechi; Moshe’s did the same for the tribes

in V’zot Ha Bracha. Their asymmetrical variables are also notable. Jacob and Moshe were both younger brothers, but Moshe

maintained a loving relationship with his sibling. Moshe’s sons did not inherit his position. Similarities and a-symmetrical

patterns are endless.

One remarkable commonality was that they both lacked internal peace; one, perhaps, by circumstance and one by tempera-

ment. This leaves us to ponder if the agitated, frustrated soul is an inherent quality. Jacob and Moshe Rabbeinu could not es-

cape their torments through travel. The same self, unless addressed, is permanent luggage. Jacob showed less overt anger and

kept feelings more contained, all to surface on his deathbed. Moshe’s wrath prevented him from entering the land of Israel.

Why do frustration and anger permeate Torah? Moshe Rabbeinu was a great leader, but leaders are not guaranteed internal

peace.

The irony is that Aaron, Moshe’s brother, was the first to conduct Birchat kohanim which concludes with the prayer for Ha-

Shem to grant us peace. HaShem knows that external accomplishments, prestige, and achievement of potential are not con-

tributing factors to inner peace. Nobody knows the internal stresses of anyone else. Internal restlessness is a continuous

theme throughout Torah and Tanach.

The Bereishit/Shemot transition is a metaphor for facing our own stark transitions. The self is the only perennial person in

life. People from our past may not remain available; time precipitates severe transitions into new worlds as we beg to hold

back the dawn. We cannot weave one life era into the next. Today we release Bereishit, but not totally, just enough to adjust

to the new biblical era.

The last letter in Bereishit is Mem (Mitzrayim); the first in Shemot is Vav (Vaeleh) which totals 36 or twice chai. We use

our past to fortify our present. The poet William Wordsworth said it best ...Though nothing can bring back the hour of splen-

dor in the grass, of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind…..

Life rests with achieving successful transitions and maintaining inner peace. Bereishit is over, until next fall. However,

Torah is cyclical and life is linear. We must let go, move forward, but understand that our past impacts our present. How

much? That is life’s challenge.

Shabbat Shalom

d’var echod b’lev echod Insights into the weekly Parsha and other matters at the heart of the LSS community

PARSHAT SHEMOT 5774 • 18 TEVET 5774

DECEMBER 20 -21, 2013

By: Faith Fogelman