Shabbat Announcement, May 16, 2009

Shabbat Parshat Behar–Bechukosai Torah Artscroll, 686 Hertz, 531 Haftorah Artscroll, 1177 Hertz, 539 Aufruf Oren Wachstock Times Candle lighting

7:47 pm

Mincha

7:00 pm

Hashkama Minyan

8:00 am

Parsha Shiur

8:30 am

Youth

8:30 am

Main Minyan

9:00 am

Beit Midrash

9:15 am

Gemorah Shiur

6:35 pm

Pirkei Avot

6:50 pm

Mincha

7:35 pm

Shabbat Ends

8:55 pm

Sunday, May 17,

7:30 am 8:30 am

Mon., & Thurs.,

6:35 am

Tues., Wed., & Fri.,

6:45 am

Second Shacharit Minyan (Daily) Mincha (week of May 17)

7:45 am 7:50 pm

Latest times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei May 16

9:14/10:26 am

May 23

9:11/10:24 am

Next Shabbat - Bemidbar Candle lighting

7:54 pm

Mincha

7:00 pm

May 16, 2009 22 Iyar 5769

GNS TEFILLA DIGEST: A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern

This inspiring article about tefillah is sponsored by Diane and David Rein in memory of Diane’s mother. Helene M. Fink. Issue # 41 – Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Part IV) For the last three weeks surrounding the holiday of Yom Ha’Atzmaut and leading to the upcoming holiday of Yom Yerushalayim we have been discussing the halachic issues involved with reciting Hallel on these holidays. We have already outlined why it is important to recite Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. We have explained the historical precedents for doing so and we have mentioned some of the opinions which object to the recitation of Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Even if you believe that it is appropriate to say Hallel to mark the victory of the War of Independence or the establishment of the State of Israel, there are a number of more localized halachot that need to be addressed.

A - The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat 118b condemns those who recite Hallel every day because Hallel is reserved for special occasions. The Gemara describes one who does not reserve Hallel for such occasions as a blasphemer: “Hakoreh Hallel bechol yom harey ze mecharef umegadef.” This is somewhat surprising; why would we consider someone who is praising Hashem on a daily basis as someone who is a blasphemer? Rashi says the reason is because it would seem like the person who recites it daily is “k’mezamer shir umitlotzetz” “like one who is mindlessly singing and making a mockery.” It seems like the Gemara objected to daily recitation of Hallel because it would lose its very serious and holy tone and become almost rote.

or two days in the year. The problem could be that starting to recite Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut could lead to us saying Hallel on many other days as well. This speaks to the question I raised last week about “where do we draw the line.” Assuming that the rabbis of this generation draw the line at two days in the calendar Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalyim - we would still be reserving the recitation of Hallel for special occasions and not violating the dictate of the Gemara to refrain from “daily” recital.

B - The Shulchan Aruch says that one is forbidden from having any verbal interruptions between the end of the amidah and the beginning of tachanun which follows the repetition of the amidah on most days. The source of this seems to be the opinion of the Rashba as quoted by his students who lived in Spain in the Thus, we would have to deem 13th century. The Mishna Berura Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom explains that the reason why we Yerushalayim special enough wish for there to be no occasions and an infrequent interruption is because without enough occasions to be interruption our supplications comfortable to recite Hallel during tachanun will be more without violating this injunction acceptable to G-d. of the Gemara. This would This seems to be part of the desire seem to be easy enough since of the rabbis to have one section these holidays occur only one of prayer sitting (shma), one

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26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100

section standing (amidah) and one section in partial prostration (tachanun) in succession in order to imitate the three modes of payer offered by Moshe Rabbenu on Har Sinai when begging forgiveness on behalf of the Jewish people. Interrupting the succession of amidah and tachanun would break this flow and result in a less efficacious prayer set. However, the recitation of Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut (as on any other day when Hallel is recited) would not seem to be a problem because no tachanun is recited at all on days when we say Hallel and, thus, the Hallel is not an interruption between amidah and tachanun and does not cause the problem of a less efficacious tachanun. C - One of the main halachic issues raised over the recitation of Hallel is whether to recite a bracha. The recitation of the bracha before and after Hallel could be deemed a bracha levatala (an unnecessary mention of Gd’s name) if the recitation of that bracha over Hallel is unwarranted. Reciting a Bracha Here are a number of reasons why the rabbis object to saying a bracha on Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut: ENTIRE JEWISH PEOPLE Rabbenu Tam, Behag (cited by R. Yonah on Brachot Ch.3), as well as the Meiri (in his commentary to Pesachim 117a) say that when the prophets made an enactment for the Jews to recite Hallel when they were saved from imminent danger (as we have mentioned, the record of this enactment can be found in Pesachim 117a) it was only made for miracles that occurred to the entirety of the Jewish people. If the miracle occurred to only a subset of the people, then no recitation of Hallel was enacted. However, they say, this only applies to the recitation of Hallel with a bracha. If no bracha is recited over Hallel then it may be said by any individual or community that experienced a miracle of being saved from imminent danger.The Rambam and Shulchan Aruch do not mention this particular halacha and so it is difficult to know if they follow this requirement. The Magen Avraham (686:4) and Mishna Berura (686:8) mention the permissibility of individual communities establishing a day of celebration commemorating a certain miracle but do not specifically raise the issue of whether Hallel can be recited with or without a bracha.The Chida (Chayim Yosef David Azulai – who lived in Jerusalem and Italy in the late 18th century) proves the position of Rabbenu Tam from a comment of Rashi on Pesachim 117a. When the Gemara Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi Brahm Weinberg, Rabbinic Intern Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus Mark Twersky, Executive Director Howard Silberstein, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Behar–Bechukosai, 5769

says that the prophets enacted a requirement for Jews to recite Hallel when they are saved, Rashi says “just like on Channuka.” The Chida says that what Rashi meant was: Just like Channuka was a miracle that occurred to the entire Jewish people, so too in order to enact new days of reciting Hallel the salvation would have to occur to the entire Jewish people. Some have questioned the Chida’s line of reasoning. They have asked: How was Channuka a miracle that affected the entire Jewish people? The war obviously didn’t involve every single Jew. Not all Jews even lived in the Land of Israel at the time. Many lived in Alexandria or, more importantly, in Bavel. One answer could be that since Channuka constituted a miracle that restored not only the sovereignty of the Jewish people over the Land of Israel, but the sanctity of the Beit Hamikdash which the Greeks threatened to defile this made it a miracle for all Jews. Since all Jews could now take part in the avodah of the Beit Hamikdash once again then it was as if they had a part in the miracle of its re-dedication. Thought to Ponder Are the miracles of the establishment of the State of Israel miracles that occurred to the entire Jewish people?

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK Individuals and families living on tight budgets may not have the option of reaching for that Fair Trade coffee bean package or the pure organic produce. Although being a green consumer requires money, being a green citizen does not. Green Citizens vs. Green Consumers A green consumer commits to purchasing environmentally friendly products and services while a green citizen actually lives an ecoconscious life. But it is possible to get the best of both worlds. You can be a green citizen by committing to a sustainable lifestyle, incorporating green purchases and modifications without going into a life-long debt. Make Some Upgrades, Spend Less Green If you don't have the time or money to invest in a green building, there are cheaper solutions that are still environmentally friendly. The trick is knowing where to start. It's always better to keep it simple and make modifications that fit your individual lifestyle. Here are some suggestions: *Upgrade old appliances to smaller, ENERGY STAR models. Target your refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer first. *Install occupancy sensors on select rooms around the house. Look for rooms where lights are left on. *Replace your thermostat with a programmable model. Look for ENERGYSTAR pre-programmed model. Save $180 a year on your heating bill. *Sign up to a Community Supported Agriculture program where you prepay for your share of fresh organic produce from a local farm. In this way, you support your local economy, and reduce the hauling of produce across the nation, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption. To belong to the Great Neck CSA go to http://www.goldenearthworm.com Caulk and seal around your windows and exterior doors. Most homes average a 20 percent air leakage. Replace leaky single paned windows with low-e, double-glazed ones. *Invest in power strips. Using power strips or manually unplugging electronic devices that are not in use saves both energy and money lost from Vampire loads. * Purchase recycled paper products, which saves 230 tons of paper annually, and each ton of paper saves 17 trees.

GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE GRADUATION & CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009 CELEBRATE ALL OF YOUR SMACHOT WITH US BIRTHS BAR & BAT MITZVAH GRADUATIONS WEDDINGS ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHDAYS OR COMMEMORATE A LOVED ONES YAHRZEIT TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CALL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE OR SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO [email protected] COST IS $100 PER FAMILY

Great Neck Synagogue Annual Family Luncheon In Memory of Sharon Sokol Heisler z’l Saturday, June 20, 2009 Guest Speaker: Gary Rosenblatt Editor and publisher of The Jewish Week of New York Beautiful Catered Lunch by Prestige Caterers

$50 per person $20 per child (No charge for children under 4) Youth Program Luncheon taking place same time for first through eighth grade. For reservations please call or e-mail Mark Twersky 487-6100 email to: [email protected] NAME____________________________________ Seating Requests: 1 __________________________________ 2 __________________________________ 3 __________________________________ 4 __________________________________ Amount enclosed__________________ For more information please call: Debbie Hollander 829-2013

GREAT NECK MEMORIAL DAY PARADE MONDAY MAY 25, 2009 9:15 a.m. (Those attending the late morning minyan should join us immediately after services). WE WILL BE MARCHING WITH OTHER SYNAGOGUES DOWN MIDDLE NECK ROAD, ONTO THE VILLAGE GREEN AND PAST THE REVIEWING STAND. Those with Corvettes and other convertible cars can drive the parade route. See Alan Steinberg for details. Thank you to Great Neck Synagogue Sisterhood for sponsoring the parade.

ANNOUNCEMENTS RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Sat., 10:30pm www.gnstorah.org PIRKEI AVOT Every Shabbat afternoon, through Shavuot, there will be a class on Pirkei Avot, this week’s class is at 6:50pm. HIGH SCHOOL PIRKEI AVOS CLASS There will be a Pirkei Avos shiur for High School students every shabbos afternoon approx 40 minutes before mincha given by Cary Schwechter in the GNS Youth Center. CLASS IN MEGILLA READING Dr. Paul Brody will be giving a class to learn how to lain “Megillat Ruth” for Shavout between Mincha & Maariv on Shabbat afternoon. LAG B’OMER CELEBRATION This Tuesday evening May 12th, from 6-8:30pm at Kings Point Park, enjoy a fun filled evening for the entire family! There will be a baseball game for the adults, while Coach Eric and staff supervise, races and activities with prizes for the children. Reserve in advance by May 11th and pay only $18 per family, $36 per family without reservations. Call the Synagogue office 487-6100 or email [email protected]. YIDDISH VORT Concert with the Klezorim of “Shoresh”: Wed., May 13th at 7:45pm. Enjoy a spring evening of Klezmer, Israeli, Yiddish, Ladino, and Sephardic melodies. Free admission. TALMUD CLASS SIYUM Rabbi Singer’s Talmud class invites the congregation to a Siyum to celebrate the completion of Masechet Shabbat, to be held in conjunction with the midrash breakfast, promptly after morning minyan on Sunday, May 17th. All are invited!

WITHIN OUR FAMILY Mazal Tov to Brenda & Isidore Rosmarin, and Rori & Charles Sassoon on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Carolyn Sassoon to Ronnie Ebrani. Mazal Tov to Mehri Songhorian on the birth of her granddaughter, born to her children Miriam & Yehuda Serle in Jerusalem. Mazal Tov to Hadassah & Jacob Wachstock on the upcoming marriage of their son Oren to Esther Chambre, daughter of Susan & Robert Chambre. SAVE THE DATE Sunday, May 17th 9:30-11:30am there will be a networking breakfast for those seeking jobs, and those that have jobs or advice to offer. This event is the first in a series that chazakchazak.org is organizing. ISRAEL BONDS The Great Neck Community Dessert Reception for the Israel Bonds is on Monday, May 18th 7:30pm at Temple Israel, and is being co-chaired by Tricia Moslin and Mike Delafraz. Please RSVP Anne Bernstein (212)446-5853 or [email protected] PARLOR MEETINGS May 16, 9:15pm Elena & Anthony Berkowitz are sponsoring a Malevah Malka in honor of Dr. Yehezkel Caine, at their home, 35 Bridle Path. RSVP (212) 683-3702. Refreshments will be served. May 18, 8:00pm at the home of Magda & Sam Yehaskel, 23 Old Mill Road, Hagan Harav Reuven Feinstein will address the reception in honor of the Yeshiva. May 21, 7:30pm at the home of Ada & Dov Berkowitz, 108 Beach Road. Moshe Eyal of Arzei HaLevanon Pre-Military Torah Academy, will speak about how they combine Torah education with army training, and support for the Jewish state. Dessert reception to follow.

ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING Please join us for the annual meeting on Tuesday, May 19th at SAVE THE DATE 8:15pm. We will have the election meeting, induction of new members 2nd Annual “Koby Memorial Day Baseball Game,” for the benefit of Camp and memorials for those members who have left us this past year. Koby and the victims of terrorism: Monday May 25, 3 games: ages: 6-12; UPCOMING SISTERHOOD EVENTS 13-18; and 19 and up! To play on these teams please contact Jack Lipsky Thurs., May 14th, 8pm in the Braun Youth Center there will be a Sis829-1890 ex 219. See flyer or Barry Libin. terhood Meeting to discuss and organize upcoming events. We welcome your attendance and participation! WALK WITH YOUR FEET HELP WITH YOUR HEART Tues., June 9th, 7:30pm at GNS we present the documentary "Always Please join Chabad’s Friendship Circle Walk 4 Friendship on Sunday June Remember Where You Came From: The Life of Samuel Hersch Wang" . 7th, starting at Great Neck Public Library, 10:30 am, ending at 32 Sunset Thank you very much to Debbie Etzion for organizing this special Drive. Brunch and Carnival to follow. Register or sponsor at evening. www.walk4friendshipgn.com For more info Viviane Breitbart 428-1294 Wed., August 5th, 8pm the Sisterhood presents a Ladies Night Out to or Haifa Shavolian 606-7980. see "Menopause the Musical" at the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. Tickets cost $50 and must be purchased by May 31st. GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE Please email [email protected] to buy tickets. We look forward to a Please drop off your current used magazines to the Synagogue office to be fun and entertaining evening! donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Please join GNS in the Memorial Day Parade on Mon., May 25th at 9:30am. The GNS Sisterhood has graciously sponsored this year’s event. For more info please see Alan Steinberg. SAM AHARONOFF MEMORIAL SHIVTEI TORAH CAMPAIGN The NSHA and the NSHA High School, in conjunction with the greater Great Neck Jewish Community, will hold a historic campaign that will involve the dedication and commissioning of 12 new Sifrei Torah. All proceeds will support the Sam Aharonoff Memorial Scholarship Fund to help offset tuition costs for dozens of needy students. For more info: www.shivteitorah.org, or Arnie Flatow 487-8687 ext 2. BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE Please send in your Book of Remembrance forms ASAP. The new edition will be ready for Shavuot. DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE GNS Men’s Club is holding an AAA Driver’s Education course on Wednesday and Thursday June 3rd, and 4th from 7-10pm each night at GNS. $25 per person over 55, $30 for under 55. Checks made payable to AAA, call the Synagogue office for reservations 487-6100. Space is limited. BLOOD DRIVE Semi-annual Men’s Club blood drive will be on June 21st, Sun. morning. SAVE THE DATE Sat., June 20th, the Annual Sharon Sokol Heisler Family Luncheon will take place. Gary Rosenblatt of the Jewish Week will be the featured speaker. More details to follow. The Youth Luncheon will also take place that day.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 22 Iyar Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Yoseph Gabbaizadeh Martin Greenberg for Mollie Greenberg Ira Lubin for Esther Alberts Ester & Eliezer Noy for Abraham Nir Paul Wein for Melvin Wein Sunday, 23 Iyar Jacqueline Fischer for Menachim Mendel Salomon Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Auma Gabbaizadeh Marilyn Weingarten for Eva Applebaum Monday, 24 Iyar Drora Cassel for Bezalel Bezalel Philip Hanfling for Isaac Lazar Llewllyn Lillien for Issie Markowitz Harriet Nathel for Harry Chalfin Lillian Spiegel for Bessie Spiegel Carolynn Wolf for Edward Spellun Tuesday, 25 Iyar Llewllyn Lillien for Irving Lillien Wednesday, 26 Iyar Ruth Klapper for Jacob Goldberg Thursday, 27 Iyar Marc Finkelstein for Gilda Finkelstein Kenneth Magida for Emma Greenberg Jonas Steigman for Ettel Steigman David Wagner for Joseph Wagner Friday, 28 Iyar Marilyn Weingarten for Jacob Weissman