CONTENTS

Upcoming Events and Classes
A Torah Thought: The Pursuit of Meaning
Shabbat Schedule

THIS SHABBAT! Pre-Purim Super Sushi Kiddush-Lunch!

The Hebrew month of Adar is the happiest time of the year on the Jewish calendar, and we're celebrating it in style! Join us at the Aish Center for our monthly Super Saturday. We have something for everyone: A fun kids' program, two interactive adult classes, and an expanded sushi and meat Kiddush!

When: Saturday starting at 10:15. Sponsorships are available!!

Family-friendly events, including Megillah readings, Jewish trivia night, a carnival with crafts, a bounce house and more, and so much more for kids of all ages!

Plan to join us on Saturday night and all day Sunday for a meaningful and joyous holiday.

Where: The Aish Center

Announcements

KIDDUSH & THIRD MEAL

This week's Shabbat Kiddush-Lunch is sponsored by:

Amir Kende in honor of the birthday of his mother, Dalia. Mazal tov!
Debra Schackner in memory of her mother, Pearl Schackner McLane (Pannina bat Yosef ob"m), whose yartzeit was last week. May her memory be a blessing! Debra is also sponsoring in gratitude to Amir Kende for housing her and her dog while she was recovering from her injury.

Our Shabbat morning Kiddush is one of the highlights of life at Aish. We gather to share stories, laugh, and greet new and old friends. With our Kiddush, we build the connections that make Aish a strong and vibrant community. Please consider supporting this important institution with your sponsorship.

SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

Some vetted ways to help support our brothers and sisters in Israel:

Equipment for the IDF: Grassroots campaign to purchase and distribute supplies needed by Lone Soldiers and IDF units in combat. Donate here.
IsraAID is providing urgent assistance and psychological support to families and children evacuated from near Gaza. Donate here.
Israel Bonds: Generating financial support for Israel to build and develop the economy. This is NOT charity. Contact Adam Herman.
Shabbat Alone Together: Donate to show support for IDF service members by providing Shabbat food.
Supplies for Soldiers: Grassroot drive to warm blankets, socks and Shabbat food to many on the front lines. Reach out to Nurit.

SECURITY AT THE AISH CENTER

We are in close contact with the Montgomery Police Department to ensure we are taking all proper precautions. We have also been working directly with our regular security officers to ensure that the Aish grounds are patrolled in the best way possible with an increased visible presence to the street.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12-3 pm. Email office@aishdc.org or leave a message at 301-881-9010 to make appointments.

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Image courtesy of Aish.com

The Pursuit of Meaning

by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks ob"m

The Declaration of Independence speaks of inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yet there is something more fundamental to the sense of a life well-lived, namely, meaning. The two seem similar. It's easy to suppose that people who find meaning are happy, and people who are happy have found meaning. But the two are not the same, nor do they always overlap.

Happiness is largely a matter of satisfying needs and wants. Meaning, by contrast, is about a sense of purpose, especially by making positive contributions to the lives of others. Happiness is largely about how you feel now. Meaning is about how we judge our lives as a whole across time.

Happiness is associated with taking or receiving, meaning with giving. People who suffer stress, worry or anxiety are not happy, but they may be living lives rich with meaning. Past misfortunes reduce present happiness, but people often connect such moments with the discovery of meaning.

Happiness is not unique to humans. Animals also experience contentment when their wants and needs are satisfied. But meaning is a distinctively human phenomenon. It has to do not with nature but with culture. It is not about what happens to us, but about how we interpret what happens to us. There can be happiness without meaning, and there can be meaning in the absence of happiness, even in the midst of darkness and pain.

Complete article

More Inspiration from Aish.com

Hearing G-d's Call by Sarah Maddali

Purim: The Cold Side of the Pillow Harry Rothenberg (video)

A Purim Redoux by Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig

Learn more at Aish.com!

Weekday Classes

We understand that class times are not always convenient for everyone. We will make the recordings available whenever possible.

MONDAY: Line by Line through the Torah with Aharon (Andy) Boltax. Journey through the Five Books of Moses one line at a time. Join anytime; each session stands on its own. Next: Monday at 8 p.m. at the Aish Center and online on Zoom (passcode: AISH) and Facebook Live.

MONDAY: The Mesillat Yesharim: Fasten Your Seatbelt with Rabbi Stephen Baars, diving into "The Path of the Just," one of the great works on character development. On Zoom; get a free book that accompanies the class. Next: April 1st at 9:15 p.m.

TUESDAY: Wine and Wisdom for Women (Uncorked) with Shani Frankel. Learn laugh, relax and unwind with timeless wisdom from the Jewish calendar. On Zoom only (passcode AISH). Next: On hiatus.

TUESDAY: Jewish Cuisine Around the Globe with Shani Frankel. Travel with Shani to historic Jewish communities, learn about their history, and whip up their signature dishes! On Zoom (passcode AISH) and Facebook Live. Next: On hiatus.

WEDNESDAY: NEW! Fantastic Beasts in the Torah with Rabbi Barak Bader. Are unicorns and mermaids a myth? Examine the Torah sources and see what Jewish tradition has to say about all things mythical! Next: March 27th at 8 p.m. in person at the Aish Center and online on Zoom (passcode: AISH) and Facebook Live.

THURSDAY: Why? Answers to Everything Jewish with Rabbi Baruch Frankel. Everyone had questions in Hebrew School; many of us still do! Here's a chance to discuss those questions and work out the answers together. Next: On hiatus.

THURSDAY: Guys' Night Out with Rabbi Baruch Frankel. Share some great food, quality drink and mind-blowing inspiration. We'll fill your tank with practical wisdom for riding life's challenges! Register here to get the location. Next: March 28th.

FRIDAY: 10 @ 10 with Rabbi Baruch Frankel. A quick thought on the weekly Torah portion that will keep you thinking all weekend long. On Zoom (passcode AISH) and Facebook Live. Next: CommUNITY, Friday at 10 a.m.

Support Your Aish Center

Thank you to all who support the Aish Center, and remember, every little bit, given in any way you are comfortable, helps.

Here are some other ways:

KIDDUSH

Sponsor our weekly in-person kiddush in honor of or in memory of a special person, or for any reason. Click Donate below or email info@aishdc.org.

CLASSES & PROGRAMS

Sponsor an individual class, program, or series, or make a custom donation online, or by check. To donate stock, click here and choose Aish Center of Washington DC.

Donate

Shabbat and Purim Schedule

13 Adar Sheni* 5784 / March 22-23, 2024

Purim is Saturday night and Sunday

Parshat Vayikra (Leviticus 1 – 5)

FRIDAY EVENING

6:35 pm Mincha (Afternoon) and Kabbalat Shabbat services

7:05 pm Candle Lighting

7:10 pm A Torah Thought (time is approximate)

7:23 pm Maariv (Evening) Service for Shabbat (time is approximate)

SATURDAY MORNING

9:00 am Shacharit (Morning) Service

10:15 am Expanded Children's Program Opens

10:30 am Facing Our Inner Amalek Rabbi Barak Bader

11:15 am Torah Tips: Applied Parsha for the Best Life! Rabbi Baruch Frankel

11:55 am Shabbat morning prayers for Israel

12:05 pm Sit-down Kiddush-Lunch with sushi and meat!

2:00 pm Mincha Service (time is approximate); Third Meal of Shabbat at home

SATURDAY EVENING

7:00 pm Finding Our Faith: Lessons from "Living Emuna" Aharon (Andy) Boltax

8:04 pm End of Shabbat

8:05 pm Maariv Service at the Aish Center

8:30 pm Family-Friendly Megillah Reading (come in costume!), followed by the brief, end-of-Shabbat Havdallah ceremony

9:15 pm Jewpardy: A Jew-ish Trivia Night!

Full Purim Schedule here, including all Sunday activities.

* In a Jewish leap year such as this one, a second month of Adar is added to the calendar