Shalom Charles "Chuck" - Alachua County Commission Distri,

This Shabbat we read a special section from the Torah called Parshat Hachodesh. It described the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, how to track, observe and celebrate the new moon each and every month.

Since the day that G-d commanded Moshe regarding this Mitzvah, two weeks before the grand Exodus from Egyptian slavery, we have kept a close eye on the moon, looking out for that celestial monthly moment of rebirth that G-d showed Moshe that early evening in Egypt.

In the Torah, our holidays - Passover, Sukkot, Yom Kippur etc. - are prescribed to happen on a certain day following the new moon: "the fifteenth day after the new moon", "the tenth day after the new moon" and so on. Thus, if we wish to celebrate these festivals, we need to keep track of the lunar cycle, even if no one else on Earth gives it a second thought.

Along the way, we've come to identify with the moon. We can empathize with the moon's ups and downs, so similar to our own history. One moment we're shining bright, the next moment we're so oppressed and persecuted that casual observers have often written us off, predicting our extinction, G-d forbid. And yet the next moment, to their disbelief, we're back, reborn out of the darkness, and growing stronger every day.

Everyone's talking about the eclipse happening Monday afternoon - The Great North American Eclipse. It's a major event that will have millions of people looking up to the Heavens, an event that will not occur again in the USA until 2044.

Monday night and Tuesday, Jews will observe Rosh Chodesh. And not just any Rosh Chodesh, but the annual Rosh Chodesh of all Rosh Chodeshes - the first Rosh Chodesh of the year. This means that Monday is the day before rebirth, the day when the moon is at its very lowest, darkest point, the moment that symbolizes the most difficult, challenging times of the Jewish People.

And so it turns out, that precisely in its smallest, weakest moment, the moon looms largest: it can even eclipse the mighty light of the sun.

Is this not our story exactly? Is this not precisely why G-d told this to Moshe in Egypt, in our place of misery and suffering? During the last new moon of our centuries-long sojourn in Egypt, G-d showed Moshe the truth about the miracle of Jewish rebirth and eternity. In the place of our pain, before the redemption, in the midst of the uncertainty, G-d stopped everything and told us to look up at the moon, see our story in the moon's story, and discover in the moon a solid friend, an eternal gentle reminder that no matter what, it will be okay.

And better yet, as Monday's eclipse shows, our darkest moments are when we shine brightest and loom largest, as we begin the great turnaround, the journey from darkness to light. This Monday will be the 3,336th anniversary of the day G-d showed Moshe the moon.

How perfect. During these painful days, days of insult and injury for Jews everywhere, the sun, 400 times bigger than the moon, is eclipsed by it. Far from tottering or faltering, the Jewish People are stronger than ever, and more secure and united than ever ever. Precisely when casual observers report us missing, that's when we shine.

Brothers and sisters, our best days lay just ahead – Am Yisrael Chai forever! Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and Go Gators!

For Parsha Torah studies visit: www.JewishGator.com/Parsha

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Chabad UF has increased security protocols during events and services. If you have any questions or concerns or can help support the security costs, please contact Rabbi Berl directly at: [log in to unmask] - (352)256-3323.

For anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to us any time.

Rabbi Berl Goldman

[log in to unmask]  (352)256-3323

Chanie Goldman

[log in to unmask] (352)219-5908

Rabbi Aharon Notik

[log in to unmask] (352)219-7621

Pessie Notik

[log in to unmask] (704)299-692

Rabbi Meyer Brook

[log in to unmask] (917)803-8479

Mushka Brook

[log in to unmask] (352)642-2512

Shabbat Candle Lighting Time

Friday, April 5, 2024

7:33 pm - Gainesville, FL

7:34 pm - Lake City, FL

7:35 pm - Old Town, FL

7:32 pm - Ocala, FL

7:30 pm - Palatka, FL

Shabbat Ends

Saturday, April 6, 2024

8:27 pm - Gainesville, FL

8:29 pm - Lake City, FL

8:30 pm - Old Town, FL

8:26 pm - Ocala, FL

8:24 pm - Palatka, FL

The kind and generous recent donations listed below, enable the ongoing vital programs and services for the students and community  

Ron & Kim Cohen

Gary & Randy Defilipp

Andrew Decker

Lev & Tamila Gershoyg

Maia Groman

Ryan & Ayelet Faerman

Rose Haftka

Adam & Tzippi Rosen

THANK YOU!

To help sponsor Shabbat or any programs/services please contact

Rabbi Berl at: [log in to unmask] - (352)256-3323

www.PasssoverUF.com

Chabad UF is in need of a Car/Van/Truck in good condition.

Donate a vehicle and you can get the full value tax deductible.

We will make all the arrangements for the pickup of the vehicle.

If you are able to help with this please email: [log in to unmask]

Jewish Gator Shabbat Partners

Every week, hundreds of students, community and friends enjoy a traditional Shabbat experience that will be cherished by them forever.

Sponsor a Gator Shabbat in honor of a birthday, graduation, anniversary, wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, yahrtzeit or other special dates in your or your loved ones lives.

The great merit of hundreds of students celebrating Shabbat in honor of your special occasion will be an everlasting source of blessing to you and yours.

Reserve your Shabbat sponsorship for that special date or occasion today! We will prominently display the Jewish Gator Shabbat sponsor and the occasion in its honor.

www.JewishGator.com/ShabbatSponsor

Kabbalat Shabbat Evening

Friday, April 5 - 7:00 PM

followed by dinner

Shabbat Morning Shacharit

Saturday, April 6 - 10:00 AM

followed by lunch

Shabbat Afternoon Mincha

Saturday, April 6 - 7:30 PM

followed by Maariv and Havdallah

Jewish Gator Shabbat

Friday, April 5

6:30 PM Mingle & Snacks

7:00 PM Services

7:30 PM Dinner

Chabad UF Jewish Student Center

2021 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603

JewishGator.com/RSVPShabbat

Join us with your friends at your home away from home for services, followed by 4 course Shabbat dinner, song and words of inspiration.

Everyone is welcome!

Gator Kosher Chabad UF

SPRING SEMESTER 2024

MEAL PLANS AVAILABLE NOW

Special discount pricing until 1/9/24!

www.JewishGator.com/MealPlan

Gators To Israel Summer 2024

Chabad UF Birthright Registration is NOW OPEN

SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE 10 DAY TRIP to ISRAEL!

www.JewishGator.com/Birthright

Our Trip Provider is MAYANOT ISRAEL

Trip Dates: Early May and Mid-May departures from Miami!

If you (or your parents) have any questions or concerns please call, text or email:

Chanie Goldman - 352-219-5908 - [log in to unmask]

Aaron Notik - 352-219-7621 - [log in to unmask]

Don't delay - sign up today!

www.JewishGator.com/Birthright

Availability is limited, and we encourage you to reserve your spot and pay your refundable deposit immediately to ensure your FREE trip to Israel.

Because things are unpredictable, Birthright is offering a no-risk registration. You can sign up and submit your deposit, but you can change your mind and get the deposit back or travel a different time.

We suggest you sign up now so you have the option available.

www.JewishGator.com/Birthright 

1. Take Up a "Call to Arms"

What it is: Before the outbreak of the 1967 war, the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory prompted a literal "call to arms" to encourage Jewish males to don the holy heart-and-mind connectors known as Tefillin, whose spiritual potency is foretold in the Talmud to help instill fear and deterrence in the enemy.

What to do: Help every Jewish man and boy over the age of 13 to put on Tefillin today, and every weekday.

Links: Want to learn how to put on tefillin? Check out this tutorial.

Don't have tefillin or seek the personal touch? Contact [log in to unmask]

Watch: The Rebbe explain the power of tefillin.

2. Share the Power of Light

What it is: While this is a once-a-week Mitzvah, its power lasts for an entire seven days. Lighting Shabbat and holiday candles ushers light and peace into the home and the world.

What to do: Encourage every Jewish woman and girls to light Shabbat candles every Friday before the onset of Shabbat and on the eve of Jewish holidays.

Links: Learn how to light Shabbat candles, find out what time the candles should be lit, read stories and discover the power of bringing more light into the world.

Watch: The Rebbe discusses the redemptive power of Shabbat candles

3. Check Your (Spiritual) Security System

What it is: Called the guardian of the Jewish home and the guardian of the Jewish people throughout the ages, the Mezuzah is a parchment scroll containing sacred portions of the Torah that is hung on the right side of the doorpost to a Jewish home. They are also affixed on most doorposts within the home.

What to do: Do you have mezuzahs on and in your home? This is a good time have them checked to make sure they are still in tiptop shape. (It is best to do so annually, and at least twice every seven years.)

If you don’t have mezuzahs, now is the time to get it, contact [log in to unmask]

Links: Learn all about mezuzahs and how to affix them.

Watch: The Rebbe discuss the protective power of mezuzah.

4. Pray

What it is: The power of prayer-our ability to reach the gates of heaven and plead with the Almighty to make things better.

What to do: Dedicate a daily prayer for our brethren in Israel. Psalms are especially appropriate for times like this. But feel free to go off-script and speak to G-d directly in your own words, too. While praying, keep in mind those who were injured in the attacks, in addition to all of Israel. The prayers of children is considered to be particularly potent.

Links: Psalms. (Chapter 20) has a special significance at times such as these.)

Watch: The Rebbe discuss the potency of children's prayer in a time like this.

5. Give Charity - Tzedakah

What it is: The protective strength of charity is considered to be particularly strong.

What to do: Give Charity at www.JewishGator.com/IEF (Israel Emergency Fund)

Watch: The Rebbe discusses the special protective power of charity for Israel.

6. Nurture Faith

What it is: What kept us going for thousands of years. Amid all crises, the faith and knowledge that G-d is with us and protects us.

What you can do: Reach into yourself to find it. Learn about it. And speak to your family and friends about it. Gather them around your dining room table at home or the water cooler at work and speak about our faith in G-d and His bond with every one of us. Engender confident trust that He will guard us, and especially in His holy land.

Reach out to friends and family in Israel or even to strangers on Facebook. Tell them that you are one with them, about the Mitzvahs you’re doing in their honor, and that you are sure that they will prevail.

Watch: The Rebbe explains the strategic importance of faith.

7. Spread the Message

What it is: If one deed is powerful, many deeds have an even greater impact.

What to do: Forward this information to your friends. Post it on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. Print this list and share with others.

www.JewishGator.com/Mezuzah

Gator Kosher Chabad UF

CAMPUS GRAB N GO

Fresh& Local!

Available At:

The Hub Market

Rawlings Plaza Market

Reitz Union Market

Little Hall Express Market

Beaty Towers Market

Graham Market

Chabad UF

Levin Law Market

Gator Kosher Chabad UF Grab n Go is under the strict rabbinical supervision of the RCF Alachua County, utilizing the freshest and best ingredients and the highest standards of Kosher supervision. For more information, please contact Rabbi Berl Goldman or Rabbi Aharon Notik (352)336-5877 - [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]

CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES

A Message From Norman J.W. Goda - Director

The Center for Jewish Studies at UF provides many classes on Israel and Jews in the Middle East. Each course provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Israel and the contemporary challenges that it faces.

The Center also offers a certificate in Israel Studies, which provides interdisciplinary understanding.

We invite students to take advantage of these unique opportunities whatever their major may be. Our courses are listed HERE.

Further questions can be sent to [log in to unmask]

SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING

Important Steps to follow

1) Always be aware of your surroundings and take notice of anything suspicious or out of the norm.

2) When possible, always try to be with other friends, neighbors or acquaintances, especially during the evening and night time hours.

3) If you see something in any way out of place or strange, say something!

If you ever feel that you are in danger, your safety is threatened or you are a victim or experience any hate, bias, violence or anti-Semitic attacks or incidents:

A) Immediately call 911 and report any and all incident to GPD, UPD or Alachua County Sheriffs.

B) If any incident happened or happens on the UF or SFC campuses, report it to the UPD and Student Affairs Office immediately, as well.

C) If any incident happens at a housing/apartment living complex, report it to the housing complex administrative office.

D) Please notify Rabbi Berl Goldman of any recent incidents that have happened to you or that you are aware of, or any future incidents. Text, email or call (352)256-3323 - [log in to unmask]

Thanks G-d!

A man spots a horse for sale on the side of the road and decides to inquire about it. The owner boasts, "This horse is incredibly obedient, but there's a twist. It was raised by a very religious family, so to get it to move, you say 'praise the lord,' and to stop it, you say 'hallelujah.'"

The man nods, thinking it sounds easy enough, and asks to test ride the horse. As he climbs onto the horse, he repeats the commands to himself. "Praise the lord," he says softly, and the horse begins to walk. Encouraged, he says it louder, and the horse picks up the pace. Excited now, he shouts, "Praise the lord!" and the horse starts galloping.

The man is enjoying the exhilarating ride until he realizes they're headed straight for a cliff. Panic sets in as he desperately tries to remember the command to stop. Then, in a moment of clarity, he shouts, "Hallelujah!" Miraculously, the horse screeches to a halt just at the edge of the cliff, saving them both from disaster.

Relieved and overwhelmed with gratitude, the man raises his hands to the sky and exclaims, "Thank you! Oh, praise the lord!"