Mazal Tov
We wish the following members of our community a mazal tov:

• Mazal tov to Erin and Chayim Kirshen (and big siblings, Adi, Lielle, and Shai) on the birth of a baby boy on Rosh Chodesh.  All are doing well and at home.
• Mazal tov to Camila and Shlomo Ovadiah (and big sister Alia) on the birth of a baby girl this week. They will be naming her at shul (be"h) on Shabbat, as well as sponsoring kiddush.  Mom and baby are doing great.  There is a meal train set up at -mealtrain.com/5n46kk

 Pesach is coming (including new info)...

• The mechirat chametz form that Rabbi Katchen sent out this week can be found and downloadedhere.  Rabbi Katchen will be doing mechirat chametz forms, Saturday nights, after Shabbat, April 1 and Wednesday, April 5, from 8:15 to 9:15. Please either email back your forms or fill one out motzei Shabbat and then bring it to the rabbi. 
• Hagalat Keilim happens at Agudah, this Sunday between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
• Rabbi Katchen's document entitled "Passover Laws and Customs 5777" can be foundhere. 
• The Katchens are doing both seders.  If you, or someone you know, would like to join them for seder, please email the rabbi at katchen.aaron@gmail.com.

Sheimot
We will be collecting Sheimot (see below for definition) to be buried, as is the custom around Pesach (and Tisha B'Av). This is not a free service in the community, and we are asking those who would like to take advantage, to please contribute a small donation to help offset our costs.

Please bring your Sheimot to Rabbi Katchen's home, 17 Charleswood Drive, this Sunday, April 2nd, between 10 am and 12 pm.  Please do not just leave it on the doorstep.

Definition of Shemot: Following the opinions of Rav Moshe Feinstein z"l, and major poskim in Israel, including Rav Shlomo Aviner and Rav Ovadiah Yosef z'"l, Sheimot that need to be buried are:

• Any text that has the full name of God written out (YKVK)
• Any professional bound religious book (siddur, Talmud, rabbinic writings, etc. - although Rav Moshe said as long as they do not contain the full name of God, they can be recycled - OC 4:39)
• Mezzuzah scrolls or Tefilin

What you should not bring:

• Any source sheets, Shabbat publications, etc. should be recycled

Also, any general interest books, even on Jewish topics (Encyclopedia Judaica, Historiographies, Biographies, etc.) - should also be recycled.

Shul Executive Meeting
There will be an open meeting of the shul executive this Sunday, April 2 at 8:30 pm at the Mizrachi Bayit. Members in good standing are welcome.  If you're looking to become more involved in the running of the shul, please join us.

Profile Update
The Mizrachi Bayit uses a content management system called ShulCloud. In order to enhance our use of the information in the system beyond delivery of the newsletter, Rabbi Katchen has asked that everyone who receives our newsletter update their profile. In order to do this, please follow these simple steps:

• you'll need to login by clicking on the grey 'login' button on the top right-hand side of the page. If you are having difficulty logging in please contact us at mizrachibayit@gmail.com for assistance.
• Once you have logged in, click on the "My Account" button which will bring you to a page that has the following headings: My Profile, My Subscriptions, Manage People, My Yahrzeits and My Events.
• To the right of each of these headings, there is a link to click to add or modify the information in each section.
• Please take a few moments to update the information in your profile.

Don't forget to hit the 'save' button at the bottom of each window before you close it.

Call for Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers who would like to share some torah, reflections, commentary or experiences with us during kiddush. If you are interested, please let Rabbi Katchen know or email mizrachibayit@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you! 
 

Kiddush
This week's kiddush is sponsored by the Camila and Shlomo Ovadiah in honour of the birth and naming of their baby daughter. We're always happy to have someone sponsor a kiddush. Please contact Les Lightstone if you're interested.Mizrachi Bayit. We're always happy to have someone sponsor a kiddush. Please contact Les Lightstone if you're interested.