Congregation Ahavas Sholom

Ahavas Sholom News

February - March 2004     Rabbi's Message:

Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg

      The story of Purim is one which always evokes interest and delight. All the elements of a great drama are contained in the Megillah. There are, of course the villain and the hero/ heroine, along with a broad spectrum of cast members. Even the supporting characters add to the intrigue in that many are well known by their aliases from other sections of the Bible. (For example, Esther's messenger named Hasach is really the Biblical figure known as Daniel.) The basic theme of annihilation vs. salvation will always please its readers with a happy ending. A better story could not have been fictionalized; and that too, adds to the delight, because we, the readers know that it is all true.
      Being that this great story is made of fact and not fiction, only forces us to better appreciate what really happened in Shushan over two millennia ago.
      When Mordechai finds out exactly of Haman's secret plan with King Achashveirosh, what does he do? To put the question into better perspective - if you were Mordechai, what would you have done? The natural reaction would have been to get word to Queen Esther, who had special access to Achashveirosh. This does happen eventually, but it is not the first order of business. Before Mordechai even attempted to communicate with Esther, he first communicated with G-d. The first verse in Chapter IV of the Megillah tells us that Mordechai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes. "He went to the midst of the city and cried loudly and bitterly". In fact, it was Esther who first reached out to Mordechai and not vice versa. And even once communication was established, messages were only sent through a intermediary named Hasach (or Daniel - whichever you prefer). One would think, that with the entire future of the Jewish People on the line, Mordechai would have eschewed an agent and strategized with Esther directly.
      The point of this is quite clear. Mordechai followed the formula that has served the Jewish People well throughout our times of distress. The priority is prayer, followed by action and not the opposite. We as the Chosen People must accept that no national tragedy is to be viewed as an "accident" or "footnote" in the annals of history. The diabolical plot of Haman was not just about an evil madman pursuing his folly. Haman was serving as a vehicle for us to draw closer to G-d. All of the strategies and meetings lasting into the wee hours of the morning would not have brought the turn of events that finally unfolded. Those initial pursuits would have only deflected from the real purpose at hand. Mordechai appreciated this cardinal rule and that is why he avoided initial contact with Esther. The Vilna Gaon explains this is also why Mordechai did not accept the finer clothes that Esther sent him instead of his sackcloth. He did not wish to change the focus for even a moment from prayer which would bring salvation to the Jews.
      Whether the Jewish People are backed up against the Red Sea, or agonizing over an evil decree of total annihilation, or facing a surreptitious enemy in the garb of a would be suicide bomber - the response must be true to the time proven formula. First and foremost comes prayer, and only afterwards can we consider the various strategies and practical solutions.
      I recently returned from a Rabbinic Conference which dealt with a host of contemporary issues facing American and World Jewry. The one theme that joined all of the issues together was the imminent need to focus on the power of Jewish prayer.
      As we all turn to celebrate the great holiday of Purim, let us invigorate our Shul with the sound of prayer, and through that, may we merit to see great miracles of salvation as in the days of Shushan.

 Personals:

 Mazel Tov to:

• Rabbi Zvi & Chaya Aviva Katz on the birth of their daughter, Devora
• Rabbi Philip & Judy (Gold) Bodner on becoming grandparents. Mazel Tov to the great-grandfather, Eli Gold
• Faye & Ed Mellman on the birth of their grandson, Timothy Caleb (Calev), son of Nathan & Nicola Mellman of Chicago
• Rabbi Daniel & Chanie Loew on the birth of their son, Avraham
• Judy & Avi Rosenberg on the birth of their daughter, Shira Esther. Mazel tov to the grandparents, Mrs. Sylvia Rosenberg and Dr. Harvey Rosenberg. Mazel tov to the entire Rosenberg family
• Mordy & Chavi Gold on the birth of their son, Yosef Aryeh, grandson of Eli Gold
• Shirley & Aaron Yablok on the birth of their grandson, Zack Alexander, son of David & Becky Yablok
• Rabbi Elie & Devorah Millen on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Avrohom
• Kim & Steve Geiger on their daughter, Miriam celebrating her Bas Mitzvah
• Rebbe Yehudah & Navah Lowy on their daughter, Elisheva celebrating her Bas Mitzvah
• Rabbi Jonathan & Aviva Rosenberg on their daughter, Aliza celebrating her Bas Mitzvah
• Terri & Rick Barnett on their daughter, Shimra celebrating her Bas Mitzvah
• Debbie Vinar, daughter of Barbara & Marvin Vinar, on her graduation from OSU with a B.S. in Family Resource Management
• Penny Wenger & Charlie Libicki on Penny's graduation from Capital University School of Nursing
• Karan & Paul Tanenbaum on the engagement of their daughter, Mindy to Matthew Cooper, of Worcester, Massachusetts. Mazel Tov to Mindy's grandparents, Thea & Pearson Press
• Patrick Wiesel & Diane Chang on the engagement of Patrick's son, Laurent, to Naomi Goldberg, of Long Island, NY
• Deanna & Duane Palmore on their marriage
• Sylvia & Murray Ebner on celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary

 Condolences:

• Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol on the loss of Warren's grandmother
• Agi & Jon Hartstein and Family on the loss of Agi's grandmother, Doris Dreifus
• Mrs. Ellen Schottenstein on the loss of her husband, Mr. Leonard Schottenstein
• Mrs. Frankie Schottenstein and family on the loss of her husband, Mr. Irving Schottenstein

 Donations:

Kiddush Sponsors:

• Rabbi David Ginsburg's morning Gemara shiur in honor of their Siyum for completing Mesechta Gittin
• Rebbe Yehudah & Navah Lowy in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Elisheva
• The Berenstein Family in gratitude to Hashem and in appreciation to all those who have been supportive and helpful over the past year and a half
• Kim & Steve Geiger in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Miriam

Shalosh Se'udos:

• Rabbi Shimon David & Barbara Abrams in observance of the first Yahrzeit of his father, Chaim ben Velvel
• Dr. Sheldon & Marilyn Estreicher in honor of the Yahrzeit of Sheldon's father, Martin
• Rabbi Avrohom & Elisheva Berenstein in gratitude to Hashem for their daughter Aliza's successful surgery and in appreciation to all those who davened for her
• Lana Gordon in honor of the Yahrzeit for her son, Hillel Yosef
• The Shakarchi Family in appreciation to Hashem for Liba's birthday
• Michael & Judy Berenstein in honor of the Yahrzeit of Michael's father, Yaakov Nuta ben Shmuel
• Dina & Eli Cieplinski with thanks to Hashem in honor of their daughter, Julia's first birthday
• Rebbe Yehudah & Navah Lowy in appreciation to all those who helped with Elisheva's Bas Mitzvah
• Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser in honor of the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Hauser's father, Meir Hauser
• Agi & Jon Hartstein in honor of the conclusion of sheloshim for Agi's grandmother
• Julie & Philip Weinerman and Miriam & David Portman in honor of the Yahrzeit of Julie & Miriam's father, Dr. David Davidson
• Kim & Steve Geiger in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Miriam

Prayer Book Fund:

• Mrs. Ruth Gross in memory of Randy Kohn
• Mrs. Ruth Gross in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Sylvia & Murray Ebner

Torah Repair Fund:

• Tari & Stuart Modes in memory of father, Joseph Modes, mother, Mildred Hahn, and aunt, Ethel Friedman

Youth Programming Fund:

• Susan & Alex Rosen in honor of Laura & Ira Nutis
• In honor of Natalie Berenstein
• Judah Kay

Building Fund:

• Drs. David & Miriam Portman

Shalosh Se'udos Fund:

• Dr. Rick Turkel & Family in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of Aliza Rosenberg
• Dr. Rick Turkel & Family in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of Elisheva Lowy

Aliyah Fund:

• Yehudah Bitton
• Rabbi Avraham Elbaz
• Steve Geiger
• Jon Hartstein
• Rabbi Yehiel Kalish
• Daniel Libicki
• Aaron Mellman
• Ed Mellman
• Rabbi Ben-Zion Mellman
• Dr. Leonard Pollack
• Dr. David Portman
• Michael Portman
• Jerry Regosin
• Binyamin Romanoff
• Sonny Romanoff
• Yosef Romanoff
• Dr. Harvey Rosenberg
• Tuvia Schottenstein
• Bob Scott
• David Schwartz
• Dr. Shmuel Schwartz
• Harold Shindel
• Dr. Warren Sobol
• George Stiefel
• Paul Tanenbaum
• Dr. Rick Turkel
• Dr. Phil Weinerman

Shul Fund Donations:

• Agi & Jon Hartstein in memory of Agi's grandmother, Doris Dreifus
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Dr. Warren Sobol's grandmother
• Faye & Ed Mellman in memory of Agi Hartstein's grandmother, Doris Dreifus
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Dr. Bruce Kay's brother, Steven
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Dr. Bernard Abrams
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Sanford Lefkowitz' father, Martin
• Shelley & Jack Levey in memory of Sanford Lefkowitz' father, Martin
• Leah Corcoran in honor of the Yahrzeit of Herman Carlstein
• Leah Corcoran in honor of the Yahrzeit of Ben Carlstein
• Ruth Quinn in honor of the Yahrzeit of father
• Ruth Quinn in honor of the Yahrzeit of her beloved daughter, Susan
• Tari & Stuart Modes in honor of the 2nd Yahrzeit of Tari's father, Chaim Mordechai ben Benyamin
• Dr. Sanford & Gayle Bloom in honor of the Yahrzeit of Goldie Blaustein
• Agi & Jon Hartstein in honor of the Yahrzeit of Agi's grandfather, Max Neubauer
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein
• Sahra & Yael Ginsburg
• Judy & Michael Berenstein in gratitude to Hashem
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in honor of Karan Tanenbaum's special birthday
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in honor of Dr. Sheldon & Marilyn Estreicher moving into their new home
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in honor of Laura & Ira Nutis making their family complete at hockey
• Phyllis Flancbaum thanking the Shul for giving her and her children a warm welcome back to Columbus for Succos
• Natalie Berenstein in gratitude to Hashem for Aliza Berenstein's successful surgery
• Shelley & Jack Levey in honor of Aliza Rosenberg's Bas Mitzvah
• Shelley & Jack Levey in honor of Elisheva Lowy's Bas Mitzvah
• Barbara & Marvin Vinar in honor of the successful surgery for Aliza Berenstein, daughter of Rabbi Avrohom & Elisheva Berenstein
• Barbara & Marvin Vinar wishing a refuah shelaimah to Mrs. Thea Press
• Tari & Stuart Modes wishing a refuah shelaimah to Mrs. Thea Press
• Tari & Stuart Modes wishing a refuah shelaimah to Faye Mellman and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Elaine & Harold Shindel wishing a refuah shelaimah to Aliza Esther Berenstein, Thea Press and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Penny Wenger & Charlie Libicki wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea Press and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Barbara & Marvin Vinar wishing a refuah shelaimah to Faye Mellman and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Annabelle Snyder wishing a speedy recovery to Thea & Pearson Press
• Judy & Michael Berenstein wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea & Pearson Press, Faye Mellman and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Judy & Michael Berenstein in honor of Penny Wenger's graduation from Capital University
• Judy & Michael Berenstein in honor of Debbie Vinar's graduation from OSU
• Shelley & Jack Levey wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea Press and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Howard Givets
• Penny Wenger & Charlie Libicki
• Tari & Stuart Modes in honor of Judy Berenstein
• Galia Davidovitch
• Michael & Judi Seidemann wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea Press
• Renee Krause & Andrew Gordon
• Dr. Ben Gertner
• Stacy Leeman & Gary Liebesman
• Esther & Robert Entin in honor of Rabbi Jonathan & Aviva Rosenberg & family
• Rabbi Jonathan & Aviva Rosenberg wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea & Pearson Press and Tuvia Schottenstein
• Rabbi Jonathan & Aviva Rosenberg in honor of Ruth Gross' special birthday
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein wishing a continued refuah shelaimah to Judy Berenstein and Thea Press
• Michal & Pinchas Mikhli
• Ann & Ari Deshe
• Janet & Robert Kreitman
• Fred E. Dauterman, Jr.
• Anne Shindel in honor of her birthday, with appreciation to her parents for making it possible to come to Columbus
• Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein wishing a refuah shelaimah to Thea Press
• Renee & Josh Seidemann in honor of Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg

Thank you to the following individuals who donated generously during the 2003 Yom Tov Season.

High Holiday Aliyos:

• Buddy Adler
• Irv Baker
• Michael Berenstein
• Bernard Cohen
• Steve Geiger
• Sanford Lefkowitz
• Jack Levey
• Charlie Libicki
• Dr. Paul Pollack
• Dr. David Portman
• Pearson Press
• Sonny Romanoff
• Tuvia Schottenstein
• Allan Silverstein
• Dr. Arnold Sobol
• Dr. Warren Sobol
• Dr. Phil Weinerman

P'secha honors:

• Josef Edelstein
• Joel Gordon
• Edgar Karpovich
• Rabbi Daniel Loew
• Boris Mikhli
• Eric Schramm
• Ed Mellman
• Joel Seiferas
• Marvin Vinar
• Rabbi Baruch Weil

Simchas Torah donations:

• Buddy Adler
• Yehudah Bitton
• Dr. Sheldon Estreicher
• Judah Kay
• Sanford Lefkowitz
• Dr. David Portman
• Jerry Regosin
• Sonny Romanoff
• Tuvia Schottenstein
• Dr. Warren Sobol
• Dr. Rick Turkel
• Dr. Phil Weinerman

Kol Nidre Donations for the Youth Program:

• Michael & Judy Berenstein
• Yehudah & Alegria Bitton
• Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase
• Todd & Eliza Delman
• Dr. Sheldon & Marilyn Estreicher
• Mel & Stanley Freedberg
• Steve & Kim Geiger
• Rabbi David & Shulamit Ginsburg
• Dr. Matt & Betty Goldish
• Joel & Lana Gordon
• Alan & Lis Gorenstein
• Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser
• Edgar & Sofiya Karpovich
• Samuel Katz
• Dr. Stuart Kingsley
• Batya Lam
• Jack & Shelley Levey
• Charlie Libicki & Penny Wenger
• Rabbi Daniel & Chanie Loew
• Rebbe Yehudah & Navah Lowy
• Ed & Faye Mellman
• Dr. Judy Groner-Meyers & Dan Meyers
• Dr. Avi & Karen Mikalov
• Pinchas & Michal Mikhli
• Duane & Deanna Palmore
• Dr. Paul & Kathy Pollack
• Drs. David & Miriam Portman
• Michael & Riva Portman
• Pearson & Thea Press
• Chaviva Rosenberg
• Beverley Schottenstein
• Tuvia & Lea Schottenstein
• Ruth Seff
• Allan Silverstein
• Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol
• Yankie & Marlene Tewner
• Rabbi Baruch & Shoshana Weil
• Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman
• Betty Ziskind

Shabbos Times - for Columubs, Ohio only:

  *1 Due to Yotzros, services will begin 10 minutes earlier
  *2 One should recite all three parashiyos of Shema before davening. This should be         continued through Shabbos, April 3rd, Parashas Tzav
  *3 All adult men & women should make every effort to hear the final aliyah-reading on this        Shabbos; as it is a Biblical obligation to remember the attack of Amalek on the Jewish        people.
  *4 See Purim Schedule
  *5 Shabbos HaGadol D'rasha at 5:30pm followed by Mincha & Shalosh Se'udos. Everyone        is invited to attend.
       Babysitting will be available

Mornings:

Evenings week of:

Special Dates & Times:

Purim -
the 14th of Adar

Sunday, March 7 - Purim
Shacharis, followed by reading of Megillah - 8:00am
Later reading of Megillah for women - 10:00am
Mincha, followed by Purim Seudah - 5:00pm
Ma'ariv - 7:00pm
Come in your costumes & enjoy great Jewish Chinese Food along with
entertainment from Maxwell the Magician
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$14.00 ~ Adults                                         Your check is your reservation
$8.00 ~ Children (ages 3-12)                      Please RSVP by February 27th
                                                                   send to: Lea Schottenstein
                                                                                221 Ashbourne
                                                                                Columbus, OH 43209
           Please make checks payable to Congregation Ahavas Sholom

Monday, March 8 - Shushan Purim - Tachanun & La'me'natze'ach are not recited

            February 14, 2004:
                        Bas Mitzvah of Miriam Geiger, daughter of Kim & Steve Geiger
            March 14, 2004:
                        Bas Mitzvah of Regina Vilensky, granddaughter of Sofiya & Edgar Karpovich
            March 27, 2004:
                         Bar Mitzvah of Yaniv Levi, son of Yael & Hezi Levi
            May 8, 2004:
                         Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Portman, son of Miriam & David Portman

"Mazel Tov" to the Birth of a New State of Israel Bond

State of Israel Bonds has launched its new $100 Mazel Tov Bond. The bond is intended to be used as a gift for simchas such as Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, Hanukah, graduation, etc.

The Mazel Tov Bond will be issued in $100 denominations and multiples of $100. The initial rate is 3.7% and will pay $120 at maturity, five years from issue date. The interest rate will be set every six months, two business days before January 1 and July 1. The Bonds are non-transferable and not eligible for early redemption. Purchasers will receive beautiful and original artwork from Israel.

The bond will replace the Chai Bond, which is being phased out in favor of the lower denominated Mazel Tov Bond.

To receive a prospectus on the Mazel Tov Bond or other securities offered by State of Israel Bonds call the Central Ohio State of Israel Bonds office, (614) 231-3232

Blood Drive: