To Life!

TORAH PORTION

For Jewish teens ages -16 (as of August 1, 2006)
Vancouver, British Columbia August 13-18,2006
Phoenix, Arizona August 6-11, 2006

A Bequest Of Faith

Mandatory Information Meeting For Parents & Athletes

Sunday, January 22, 2006, 4:30P.M.

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit • D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus • 6600 West Maple Rd., West Bloomfield

Shabbat Vayechi:

Genesis 47:28-50:26;

I Kings 2:1-12.

Meet the coaches, find out about sites,
try-out schedules and other important information.

in addition to the meeting, the following
sports will have try-outs as indicated:

Boys Baseball
Dance
Girls Softball
Girls Basketball
Girls Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Table tennis
Boys Basketball(13-14)
Boys Basketball(15-16)
Boys Basketball(both)
In Line Hockey
In Line Hockey
Swimming,

TBD
Jan 29
Feb 1 & Feb 8
Jan 25 & Feb 1
Jan 26 & Feb 2
Jan 25, Feb 1 & Feb 8
Jan 25 & Feb 1
Jan 28 & Feb 4
Jan 28 & Feb 4
Jan 25 & Feb 1
Feb. 4
Feb. 5

TBD
3-5 p.m.
8:30-10 p.m.
7-8:30 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
8:15-10 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
8:30-10 p.m.
7:30-9 p.m.
11a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Total Baseball
JCC, West Bloomfield
JCC, West Bloomfield
Abbott Middle School
Abbott Middle School
JCC, West Bloomfield
JCC, West Bloomfield
JCC, West Bloomfield
JCC, West Bloomfield
Abbott Middle School
JCC IHC, West Bloomfield
JCC IHC, West Bloomfield

Track and Field, Bowling, Golf, and Tennis will have tryouts
at a time and place to be determined.

For up to date information visit maccabidetroit.org

jCC

maccabi*

For Jewish teens ages 13-16 (as of August 1, 2006)

Baltimore, Maryland August 20-25, 2006

If you are interested in participating in Maccabi in the following disciplines: Digital Video, Instrumental
Music Groups, Musical Theater (actors, singers and dancers), Star Reporting, Techies, Visual Arts or
Vocal Music, then the Maccabi ArtsFest may be for you! The ArtsFest is designed to inspire Jewish
teens through a dynamic combination of workshop, performance, exhibition, competition, community
service, social activities and fun to develop their individuality through the medium of artistic
expression while strengthening their bonds to their Jewish heritage, community and Israel.

1064020

DESIGNS IN DECORATOR
WOOD & LAMINATES, LTD.

It Doesn't Have To Cost A Fortune...Only Look Like It!

• Interior Design Service
•Wall Units
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Home Theatre
• Kitchens & Baths

• Offices
• Woods

• Formica
• Stones

• Glass • Lucite

Lois Huron, Allied Member ASID • 248-851-6989

20

January 12 2006

f profound significance are the
the example of Jacob. An lIth-century
last words that a person speaks
sage bequeathed to his sons a will in
lying on his deathbed. Under
which he laid down the proper rules of
those conditions, he articulates thoughts
conduct in daily life, in eating and drink-
that are most precious to him.
ing. He admonished his chil-
His final words are an authen-
dren at all times to follow the
tic disclosure of his spirit.
tradition of their father to give
At the conclusion of Genesis,
charity.
we witness Jacob, the venerable
Ethical wills reflect a time
patriarch, preparing for the
when a Jew, no matter how tur-
end. He gathers his sons
bulent his world, lived at peace
together. What are his thoughts
with himself and was able to
at these last moments? What
die in peace. He knew that he
ink
do they reveal of his spirit? The Rabbi Irw in Groner could bequeath to those who
sages describe the scene thus-
bore his name a great legacy
Specia I to the
ly: "My sons, serve God as I
of faith, Torah and morality.
Jewis h News
have sought to serve Him, as
That legacy, unlike his materi-
my fathers sought to serve
al possessions, could not be
Him." His children reply: "Revered Father, destroyed, taxed or confiscated. Since the
we know what is in your heart. Shema
Jew lived for ideals that went beyond
Yisrael ... Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord Our
himself, he could transmit to his descen-
God, the Lord is One."
dants the values that would bind the gen-
Our concern is uppermost in the mind
erations one to the other. We, who have
of Jacob. He sees his sons and their fami-
achieved.a level of material blessing that
lies growing up in the midst of a power-
far surpasses our ancestors, would do
ful and seductive Egyptian civilization.
well to emulate the example of Jacob and
Will they succumb to the temptations of
thereby offer blessing to the generations
this environment, or will they remain
who will follow us. ❑
true to their heritage? He draws up his
last will and testament. The text.is signif-
Irwin Groner is rabbi emeritus of
icant not only in what it describes, but
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
also by what it omits. One does not find
any distribution of material assets in
Jacob's will.
This is the exemplar of a distinctively
Conversations:
Jewish form of bequest, not probated in
What is uppermost in the
any court of law, but in the hearts of pos-
mind of Jacob as he con-
terity.
templates the end of his
In the Talmud, the rabbis describe the
life? Why didn't father
last words of some of the great sages.
Jacob advise his children of
When Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai antici-
his material possessions
pates his end, his disciples implored him:
and describe them at this
"Our Teacher, impart to us your final
critical moment? If you
words of blessing." He responds: "May
were father Jacob, what
you fear God as much as you fear man:'
instruction would you give
As important as public opinion is the
your children for the future?
Seeing Eye above.
A whole branch of Jewish literature is
based on Jewish ethical wills, inspired by

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