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In this newsletter:
Brief Update From The Rabbi
Shabbat Tefillot Update: Please Read
Brief Community Meeting - Wednesday at 8:00pm
High Holiday Pledges Reminder
Expanding Horizons: The Shattered Wall Of Israel (Part 1) 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
Brief Update From The Rabbi
Shalom!
As we enter our tenth 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.
As the new Mayor has extended all restrictions indefinitely - I have called a meeting for this Wednesday to discuss again our Shabbat schedule and explore the option of adding in regulation-abiding Shabbat morning Tefillot.
All COVID regulations will be strictly adhered to as in the past. Thank you for keeping each other safe.
Due to an uptick in cases I remind you that:
If one has been infected with COVID-19 or has self-quarantined because of exposure to an individual infected or suspected to have been infected with COVID-19, must be symptom-free for at least 14 days before attending in-person meetings.
Wishing you and yours a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Yonatan Halevy
Brief Community Meeting - Wednesday at 8:00pm
All members and regulars are invited to attend a brief Zoom meeting on Wednesday, January 20th at 8:00pm.
The topic of this meeting is San Diego County's COVID "Purple Tier" which has continued to affect our Shabbat schedule and explore the option of adding in regulation-abiding Shabbat morning Tefillot.
We ask that you reply to this email before 6:00pm on Tuesday if you plan to attend in order to recieve the meeting code and password.
If you have already requested the code, it will be sent to you shorly.
We plan to begin the meeting promptly; you are welcome to enter the waiting room early and will be let in by a moderator as soon as the meeting begins.
This meeting is only open to Kehillah members and regulars.
Shabbat Tefillot Update: Please Read
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.
Expanding Horizons: The Shattered Wall Of Israel (Part 1)
In this week's class, we delve into twelve tragic episodes of discord and in-fighting among the global Jewish community.
This class is part of our newest series “Expanding Horizons: Refreshing Perspectives From Giants of Jewish Thought” at the Shiviti Bet Midrash UK!
Seudah Shelishit and Q&A Session 5:00pm Please feel free to pack and bring your own bread for Seudah Shelishit - hot vegetarian soup will be provided by the Rabbi and Rabbanit!
Arvit: 5:46pm
Shabbat Ends: 5:46pm
Havdalahvia Zoom: 6:20pm
Tefillah Guidelines When Praying At Home
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 Announcements
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!
Zoom for Video Meetings!
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.
Virtual Havdalah via Zoom
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Virtual Havdalah with Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim Time: Saturdays 06:20 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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.
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