Watch Lively Video Recap - Purim Bash 5779 / 2019
News & Shmooze
Last Shabbat with scholars-in-residence
We are pleased to inform you that our scholars-in-residence, Rabbi Efraim & Chana Schmukler, of Montreal, Canada (parents of our rabbi), will be joining us for one more Shabbat!
Come and be inspired and gain insight.
SCHEDULE for SHABBAT MORNING, 3/23:
- Coffee & Kabbalah at 9:00 am
- Morning Service starts at 10:00 am
Torah Portion & Guest Sermon at around 11 am
Torah Portion: Tzav
Followed by Kiddush lunch w/ Hot Cholent and interactive shmoozing with our guest scholars!
Purim Dinner - This Thursday! Did you RSVP?
Tonight: Monthly Friday Night Delight (March 15)
Join us tonight (3/15) for Friday Night Delight at 7:30 pm.
NOTE: Later start time due to the start of Daylight Savings Time.
Featuring: A lively Kabbalat Shabbat Service followed by Kiddush & Kneidlach!
RSVP optional: simply reply to this email
*Kneidlach = Matzah Ball Soup
Monthly Schedule: Held on the 3rd Friday of the month.
Wed & Thu: Come hear the Megillah!
One of the Mitzvot of Purim -- in addition to sending Gifts of Food to friends, Charity to the Poor and enjoying a Purim Feast -- is to hear the Megillah read on the evening of Purim and once again on the day of Purim.
Come join us to hear the Megillah Reading at Chabad Bay Area:
This Wednesday: Fast of Esther
The first of the Purim observances is the Fast of Esther which commemorates Esther's request to have all of the Jewish People fast for three days before she would risk her life and approach the King Achashveirosh with her request to save the Jews.
Fast of Esther: Wednesday, March 20
- Fast begins: 6:10 am
- Fast Ends: 7:56 pm
(Times are for the Clear Lake Area)
How to Observe: Mitzvot of Purim
In addition to hearing the Megillah (on the Eve of Purim and Purim Day), Purim is observed with three more Mitzvot:
Gifts of Food - Mishloach Manot
Also known more colloquially as "Shalach Manot/Monos", this Purim Mitzvah involves sending a gift of at least two food items to another Jewish person sometime during Purim day.
Gifts to the Poor - Matanot L'Evyonim
This Purim Mitzvah is fulfilled, also on the day of Purim, by giving generously to poor people (can be directly or through an organization that helps the poor).
Purim Feast - Se'udat Purim
Enjoy a festive Purim meal on Purim day. One should try to include bread ('Hamotzi') in this meal, since traditionally that is a distinguishing difference between a meal vs. a mere 'snack'. This is also the time to enjoy the extra wine that Purim is so famous for!
Join our grand Purim Dinner - 'Purim Moroccan Style' - to enjoy the Purim Feast in all its glory! Advance RSVP kindly requested.
For more about the Purim: jbayarea.org/purim
Shmurah Matzah
It is best to fulfill the Mitzvah of eating Matzah on the Seder nights with Shmurah Matzah.
Shmurah Matzah is a round, completely hand-made matzah, that is made with grain that has been guarded ("Shmurah") from the moment of harvest to avoid any moisture (which could make it leaven) and then carefully processed by hand right up until its baking in a wood burning oven. (Learn more about Shmurah Matzah)
As a community service, we are pleased to offer some Shmurah Matzah available for purchase at $20 per lb.
Order Online
Choose "Shmura Matzah Order" from the "Event" dropdown, and select the number of lbs using the "Participants - Adults" dropdown.
