Newsletter

In this newsletter:

• Brief Update From The Rabbi
• Shabbat Tefillot Update: Please Read
• High Holiday Pledges Reminder
• Virtual Candle Lighting - Motzaei Shabbat at 6:00pm!
  
• Laws of Chanukah: Rabbi Chaim David Halevy VIDEO
  
• Lecture at The Sephardi Habura (UK) VIDEO
• Shabbat Times and Schedule
• Mazal Tov Announcements
• Tefillah Guidelines
• Virtual Havdalah via Zoom
• Join our Google Classroom to participate in online classes
  All classes resume this week

Shalom!

As we mentioned last week, "the Supreme Court told California judges on Thursday to take another hard look at state rules that ban most indoor worship services. A week ago, the justices in a 5-4 decision lifted tight limits on churches and synagogues in neighborhoods of New York City where the virus was spreading. The court said those restrictions violated the 1st Amendment’s protection for the free exercise of religion."

For right now, "the court’s order appears to have no immediate legal impact, [though] it suggests the state’s ban on indoor services is likely to fall." It seems the only way around this law would be to file a lawsuit against the city, as a church in Pasadena did this last week.

Therefore, as we enter our fifth Shabbat in purple tier, we will continue meeting in our backyard for Shabbat. 

As it has been getting chilly in the evenings, please make sure that you dress warmly for the weather to ensure that you are comfortable. Please remember to bring your own chair and Siddur as these will not be provided.

All COVID regulations will be strictly adhered too as in the past. Thank you for keeping each other safe.

Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy

All members and regulars who wish to attend this week's Friday and/or Shabbat meetings, are welcome to arrive at the Rabbi's backyard for any part of Shabbat freely.

Please remember to bring your own chair and Siddur as these will not be provided.

At this time, registration for Shabbat is not needed for members and regulars.

If you wish to register as a courtesy so we know to expect you, kindly reply to this email.

Thank you for your generous donation during our High Holiday services! Your support allows us to make the impact we make throughout the year.

To make it easier for members and guests to participate in our High Holiday appeals, we are again offering the ability to submit appeals pledges online.

Thank you for submitting your pledges in a timely fashion!

Erev Shabbat - Friday

Kabbalat Shabbat: 4:20pm
 
Candle Lighting: 4:25pm
 
Shekiah (Sunset): 4:43pm

Shabbat - Saturday
 
Shacharit: 9:00am
​​​​​​​
Latest Shema: 8:33am or 9:12am

Latest Shacharit: 10:02am

Mincha: 4:00pm

Seudah Shelishit and Q&A Session 4:30pm
Please feel free to pack and bring your own bread for Seudah Shelishit - hot vegetable soup will be provided by the Rabbi and Rabbanit!

Arvit: 5:24pm
 
Shabbat Ends: 5:24pm

Havdalah and Candle Lighting via Zoom: 6:00pm

A few inner-Kehillah guidelines from Rabbi Yonatan Halevy

• Netz. When praying without a Minyan, it is ideal to pray at Netz. It is the opinion of Mori HaRav Yaakov Peretz shlit"a that even on a regular basis, it is preferable to pray at Netz without a Minyan, than it is to pray with a Minyan after Netz.
• Time of Tefillah. One should always try to pray when the community is praying, even without a Minyan. For example, on Shabbat morning, if not praying with Netz, pray at the same time the Kehillah usually prays.
• Torah Reading. The vast majority of the Poskim are of the opinion that the reading of the Torah is not an obligation on the individual, but rather on the community. Therefore, when praying alone, there is no need to read the Torah. Nonetheless, it is proper to read the Torah portion on your own (in Hebrew or English), perhaps choosing a commentary of your choice. You may do the same for the Haftarah.
• Decorum. It is proper to create an atmosphere that is conducive to Tefillah even when praying alone. Dress as you would to the Bet Knesset, use your Siddur instead of a phone, etc.
• Sing your heart out! Unlike when praying with a Minyan, there is no pressure to keep up a certain pace. Instead of rushing - try the opposite! Sing and read out loud like you would in Bet Knesset, even adding your own favorite tunes and melodies!
• Praying as a family. Unlike at the Kehillah where we separate for prayer, this is an opportunity to pray and sing with your spouse, and create a unique Tefillah experience. When was the last time your child was able to sing to you the Tefillot they have learned in school and have you accompany them? The few Shabbatot in my life that I have had to stay home from Bet Knesset, were blessed with the opportunity to pray alongside the Rabbanit and pour out our hearts to HaKadosh Baruch Hu together. Seize the opportunity!

Mazal Tov! Mazal Tov!

To have your joyous occasion mentioned here, kindly email info@kshsd.org the week before. Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim does not have a record of occasions and announces only what we are provided by our members each week!

We are utilizing state-of-the-art technology to continue our Torah classes.

Each class series has its own unique login code.

For classes, see the information below on joining our Google Classroom.

Rabbi Yonatan Halevy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Virtual Havdalah with Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim
Time: Saturdays 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/956626405?pwd=S3lSa3htUS9lWk04bmc3QzExZWp4dz09

Meeting ID: 956 626 405
Passcode: shiviti

If you are not part of one of our regular Google Classrooms and wish to join, I ask that you send an email as soon as possible to info@shiviti.org, requesting to join our "Special Shiviti" Google Classroom. Or just reply to this email!

For those who plan to only use this temporarily during this period, you can join our special Google Classroom setup just for the current situation. You will receive all live updates about any relevant classes being offered online without having to subscribe to one of the dedicated classrooms.

A tremendous tool in bringing our Shiviti Bet Midrash on-line is our official Shiviti channel on YouTube.

Please take a moment and subscribe by following this link and CLICKING "subscribe"!
  www.youtube.com/c/shiviti