HAPPY PURIM! PURIM 5780-2020 - SHULCLOUD
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Purim 5780-2020
Happy Purim!
This is the message I sent to our young men and women studying abroad, in Israel and college.
I share it with you in the hope that it resonates for all of us.
Dear "Scarsdaleans" around the country and across the world,
It is hard to be a Jew in the year 2020 and not be thinking - and concerned - about the troubling
rise in anti-semitism that we are seeing across the country and around the world. I don't need to
remind you of the violent incidents that have happened recently really close to home, in Monsey,
Jersey City and Brooklyn, and of course, about the horrific attacks in Shuls in Pittsburgh and Poway
last year. It kind of makes you think, with Purim just around the corner, are we living in ancient
Persia facing threats of annihilation, Germany in the 1930's or some alternate reality of the United
States of America in 2020 (think "man in the High Castle")?!
Obviously, we have to face the reality of this growing scourge of anti-semitism that is very real and,
indeed, very scary - but we are not living in ancient Persia or Germany. We are living currently in a
very imperfect society that still has yet to deal with addressing anti-semitism, along with other
forms of hatred, in an honest and self reflective way. So, in addition to acknowledging it and being
vigilant in protecting ourselves and our institutions, how do we combat it?
Bari Weiss, author of a recently released book on anti-semitism, wrote that the Jewish response to
this serious societal problem is not to be "anti anti-semitism." What she means by this is that, as
Jews, we will never build and sustain anything meaningfully Jewish in this world, or create an
impact on ourselves and others, by just expressing our Jewishness as people who stand against anti-
semitism. ...we are Jewish, of course we stand against anti-semitism! But the real way forward
is not to express what we stand against, but what we stand for. That song lyric (from "Some
Nights" by Fun) always floats through my head, "What do I stand for?" And, the answer should be
obvious, just as Mordechai HaYehudi was referred to by his inherited legacy and lifestyle, as
Mordechai the Jew, that should be what we all stand for and that should be what we are known for
by others. "There goes [fill in your name] the Jew from Scarsdale!" Because you know what we
represent? A love for all Jews, a dedication to a life of Torah and Mitzvot, to Tefillah and connecting
to the Jewish community, to Chesed and Tzedaka, to Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.
I bless you all to stand tall and stand proud, because we're standing there right along with you.
I, and your Young Israel of Scarsdale family, remain supremely proud of you...Always remember
that we’re constantly thinking about you here in Scarsdale.
Purim Sameach to all!
Your Rabbi,
Jonathan Morgenstern
Purim Schedule
Monday, March 9 - Fast of Esther, Erev Purim
6:03am Fast Begins
6:15am, 7:55am Shacharit/Selichot
6:30pm Mincha
7:15pm Maariv followed by Megillah
7:15pm YIS Youth Purim Program
7:26pm Fast Ends
8:45pm Late Maariv/Megillah
Tuesday, March 10 - Purim
6:30am, 8:00am Shacharit/Megillah
10:00am Late Megillah Reading
4:00pm Early Mincha
6:45pm Mincha Maariv
Wednesday, March 11 - Shushan Purim
6:45am, 8:00am Shacharit
6:45pm Mincha
9:00pm Late Maariv
Daf Yomi Schedule
Monday 7:15am
Tuesday 5:50am, 7:15am
Shmura Matzah
Order your Shmura Matzah
Here: https://www.yisny.org/form/shmura-matzah-
5780.html
Purim Laws & Customs
PURIM poor even during the week of Generally the main Purim meal is held
While Hanukah represents the victory mourning. One does not send a Purim afternoon and is preceded by
against forced assimilation, Purim mourner portions during the year of Mincha and may even extend into the
celebrates a victory against genocide. mourning. Please note that this night. When Purim falls on Erev Shabbat,
These two Festivals are most Mitzvah applies during the day of we juggle the requirements of Seudat
important to the Jew for upon Purim not the night before.
Purim and Oneg Shabbat within a small
numerous occasions the Jew has
suffered both. PURIM reminds us that Matanot L’Evyonim
window of time. As such the meal is held
we are “one nation, dispersed and A Jew always remembers the poor in earlier in the day and is concluded
separated among nations” suffering at time of joy and prosperity. On Purim sufficiently before Shabbat for one to be
times-precarious political status: at everyone is obligated to give money or able to partake of the Shabbat meal with
times never sure of our future. It is in distribute food to at least two poor an Oneg appetite. Some follow the
essence one chapter in the history of people. This practice comes from the practice of extending their meal till
the Jews and anti-Semitism. Jews of Shushan who celebrated their Shabbat arrives; blending the two. They
Reading of the Megillah good fortune with others. Making the reset the table with a Shabbat tablecloth,
The public reading of the Megillah, unfortunate happy on Purim also recite Kiddush, and continue their meal.
which is one of the primary rituals of seeks to remind us to recognize G-d’ s
the day, is incumbent upon everyone- gifts to us.
Purim Prayers
men, women and children. The Please contribute to our Matanot
obligation includes both the reading at L’Evyonim The prayer Al Hanissim - for the Miracles
night and during the day of Purim. Please note: All Matanot L'Evyonim (Birnbaum p.209, Art Scroll p.274, 276),
One should be careful to listen funds will be distributed to two worthy which recounts the miraculous salvation
to every word and not interrupt the organizations, Project Leket, helping of Purim, is recited in the Amidah and in
reading with conversation. Everyone feed needy families in Israel every day Grace after meals.
stands for the recitation of the three and funds will also be distributed to Od
blessings. Yosef Chai for distribution to the needy
The following four passages, in Jerusalem on Purim day itself. Shushan Purim
underscoring positive elements and In “cities encompassed by a wall since
referring to redemption are recited first To make your contribution, click here the time of Joshua” Purim is observed
out loud by the congregation and then and select "Matanot L'Evyonim" from
and the Megillah is read on the 15th of
repeated by the reader: the drop down box under Donation
1. Chapter II:5 information or send your checks to the
Adar. It was on this day that the first
2. VIII:15 shul office. celebration of Purim took place in
3. VII: 16 Shushan (Esther 9:18). In unwalled
4. X:3 Seudat Purim cities Purim is observed on the 14th of
The custom of making noise when the The Purim Feast Adar (Esther 9:19).
name of Haman is read is a time In the spirit of Purim joy and holiday In cities such as Jerusalem, which is a
honored tradition and should not be merriment, a festive Purim feast is walled city Purim is celebrated on the
discouraged. served during the day of Purim. It is 15th of Adar. Elsewhere this day is
Mitzvot of Purim Day proper to set a table fit for royalty. called Shushan Purim and is observed as
Mishloach Manot Wines and spirits flow in a half-holiday.
The Sending of Gifts commemoration of the wine feast,
on the day of Purim. Everyone is which Esther prepared for Haman’s
required to send to at least one friend downfall. Since Purim also celebrates
© Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein z”l
the minimum of two varieties of Israel’s heightened awareness and
cooked food requiring no further acceptance of Torah it is appropriate
preparation. This action emulates the for words of Torah to accompany the
Click here: for Purim To Go
Jews of Shushan who shared their meal as it says, “for the Jews there
good fortune with others in the spirit was light” (Esther 8:16). The light
of generosity and fraternity. Some referred to is that of Torah. The meal
maintain the practice of sending these is conducted during the day with a
portions through a messenger in order festive spirit, fine dining and elegance.
to involve others in the mitzvah. A Some have many candles on the table
mourner is obligated to send Mishloah and others have specially baked
Manot and gifts to the breads with images and
ornamentation.Contribute to our
Matanot L’Evyonim
Campaign
With Adar upon us, this is the time to begin
thinking about one of the central Mitzvot of
Purim, Matanot L'Evyonim, gifts for those in
need.
All funds contributed to the YIS Matanot
L’Evyonim Fund will be distributed on Purim
to those in need, in observance of this very
special mitzvah that is incumbent upon all of
us in commemoration of Chag Purim.
Please note: All Matanot L'Evyonim funds will
be distributed to Project Leket, helping feed
needy families in Israel every day. And funds
will also be distributed to Od Yosef Chai for
distribution to the needy in Israel and
Jerusalem on Purim day, itself.
ABOUT LEKET ISRAEL
& OD YOSEF CHAI
Leket Israel, Israel’s National Food Bank,
addresses the paradox of nutritional insecurity
and large scale food waste in Israel by
over rescuing millions of pounds of excess
food annually from 1,000 food producers for
distribution to 140,000+ needy Israelis on a
weekly basis. For each dollar received, Leket
rescues and delivers 10 pounds worth of
fresh produce for one needy person for a
week.
You may make a pledge with Elana
Rosenbaum today or Purim Day: 201-331-
0070 x 2 or go to: purim.leket.org
Od Yosef Chai supports over 8,000 needy
families, including widows, orphans, newly
immigrants, terrorist victims, the sick and
elderly, especially before the holidays. Food,
new clothing, shoes, gift certificates and
financial assistance is provided. Many families
in severe financial straits are too embarrassed
to ask for help. Their staff of volunteers seeks
out these families and provides them support
in a dignified and anonymous manner.
If you would like to make a pledge to Od
Yosef Chai please call:1.800.823.CHAI
(24 hr hotline)You can also read
