Shabbat Announcements, January 3, 2008

Parshat Vayigash

January 3, 2009 7 Tevet, 5769 GNS TEFILLA DIGEST:

Torah Artscroll, 250 Hertz, 169 Haftorah Artscroll, 1144 Hertz, 178 Times Candle lighting

4:21 pm

Mincha

4:25 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

3:45 pm

Mincha

4:15 pm

Shabbat Ends

5:30 pm

Sunday, December 28

7:30 am 8:30 am

Mon., Thurs.,

6:35 am

Wed., Fri.,

6:45 am

Tuesday, Fast of 10th of Tevet

Please See Side Box

Second Shacharit Minyan (Daily)

7:45 am

Mincha (week of January 4)

4:30 pm

Late Ma’ariv Mon., - Thurs.,

8:15 pm

Latest times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei

A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern This inspiring article about tefillah is sponsored by David and Diane Rein in memory of Diane’s mother, Helene M. Fink z”l. Issue # 27 – Kriat Shma (Part VI) Last week we took a break from discussing the shma in order to focus on the impact that the holiday of Chanukah has on our prayer services. This week we return to the 6th part of our discussion of the shma: A central and fascinating set of verses included in the prayer service which has always been a vital part of the Jewish faith. A few weeks ago we discussed how much kavanna – how much intention – is required in order to properly fulfill the mitzvah of the shma. There is the basic intent to read the shma in order to fulfill the mitzvah and not for some other reason (similar to the kavanna one needs to have for any mitzvah). There is the next level of kavanna which is to understand what the words mean and to internalize their message. This is a level of kavanna that is reserved for certain mitzvoth alone. As we mentioned, Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that this added level of kavanna is necessary for the shma because the shma is a mitzvah with two parts: There is the external objective performance of the mitzvah – reading the words – and there is the internal subjective performance of the mitzvah which is to reach the level of kabbalat ol malchut shamayim: Accepting the yoke of heaven. The Rambam says that in order to “accept the yoke of heaven,” as we are meant to do when reciting the

Kiddush is

January 3

9:39/10:26 am

Sponsored by

January 10

9:40/10:28 am

Great Neck Synagogue

Next Shabbat - Vayechi Candle lighting

4:27 pm

Mincha

4:30 pm

or pause, and perpetually guides the sphere. Since He has no body He has no bodily appearance, and cannot be sub1 - G-d is One divided into different parts - therefore, it is 2 - Love of G-d impossible for Him to be anything other 3 - Obligation to study the Torah than one. It is a positive commandment to know this, for it is written, "...the Lord is This issue of the Tefilla Digest will our God, the Lord is one"” (Hil. Yesodei begin to explore what it means to believe that G-d is One. The essence of Hatorah 1:7). the first verse of the shma is exactly Some of the Medieval commentators this: “Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokenu followed the lead of the Sifre (a midrash) Hashem Echad,” “Hear O Israel the (see Sifrei on V’aetchanan 31) which takes Lord our G-d the Lord is One.” the word “echad” “one” to be not an assertion of the present, but a belief in the The Medieval Jewish philosophers state of G-d in the future. often dealt with what exactly it means to says that G-d is One. Rashi, for example, says: The Rambam seems to focus on the fact “The Lord who is our G-d now, but not that G-d is one unified entity which has (yet) the G-d of the (other) nations, is no distinct parts; this makes G-d not destined to be the One Lord…And as it is only one but also unique and unlike said, “And the Lord shall be king over all anything we could possibly the earth; on that day shall the Lord be comprehend because things in this One and His name be One” (Zechariah world are composed of distinct parts 14:9) [this verse may be familiar to you even if only miniscule. He said: because we recite it and often times sing it “God is not two or more entities, but a as the last line of the Alenu single entity of a oneness even more prayer]” (Rashi to Deut. 6:4). single and unique than any single thing in creation. His oneness is not like that of a single type which consists of many Fast of the 10th of Tevet individuals [like the oneness of a Tuesday, January 6 species], and nor is it like the oneness of the body, which incorporates many Fast Begins parts, but His oneness is absolutely unique, and there is nothing else in 5:51 am existence with a oneness like His. Had Morning Services God been more than a single entity, (with selichot) then all of them would have physical 6:20 am bodies, for entities equal in existence differ only in bodily matters. If the Earliest Talit and Tefillin Creator did have a body He would have 6:20 am had weaknesses and an end, for it is impossible for a physical body that has Evening Services no end to exist. The strength of 4:20 pm something that has weaknesses and an Fast Ends end also has an end, and a limit. The strength of our God is not like the 5:19 pm strength of the body, for it has no end shma, is to intellectually internalize three things:

Seudah Shlishit Is sponsored by Ellen & Mitchell Siegel In memory of her mother Blanche givner

26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Rashi is telling us that every day when we recite the shma we are proclaiming that G-d is, today, only recognized as being one by the Jews who are monotheistic (and reciting the shma), but in a later time in history, in the time of the Messiah this great faith will be carried in some way by all of humanity. Rav Saadiah Gaon also explains that part of our duty in accepting the yoke of heaven, in kabbalat ol malchut shamayim, in reciting the shma is not only to personally recognize G-d as being one today, but to foster a belief that one day this will be recognized by the entire world as well. This line of reasoning has taken on different forms throughout history. What exactly we believe about the times of the Messiah, and specifically the status of the other nations of the world at that time, is quite complex. Some have said that this eschatological interpretation of echad to mean that in the times of the Messiah the non-Jews of the world will all convert to Judaism. [This may even be the view of the Rambam (See Hil. Melachim 12:1) according to some scholars.] It is difficult for people like us who live in a climate of religious pluralism to proclaim every day in the essential Jewish prayer that we believe that our faith is right and everyone else’s is wrong and that in the times of the Messiah all nations and religions will convert to Judaism. We tend to be more accepting of others and their views and when statements or beliefs imply superiority of Judaism we sometimes feel uncomfortable either believing them or proclaiming them. I am not out to cast judgment on those who hold this belief or those who don’t; however, I would like to point out that other interpretations exist. Some say that the eschatological interpretation of the word echad is that in the times of the Messiah all the nations of the world will believe in one G-d. This will occur, not because they will all convert to Judaism, but because they will all scrupulously follow the moral and religious code established for all of humanity known as the Sheva Mitzvot Bnei Noach, the 7 Noachide Laws: (1) Do not murder, (2) do not steal, (3) do not worship false gods, (4) do not be sexually immoral, (5) do not eat a limb removed from a live animal, (6) do not curse God, (7) set up courts and bring offenders to justice. Since one of these commandments is abstain from the worship of false gods that means that by default all the nations of the world will believe in one G-d achieving echad. Next week we will continue to offer a few more explanations of echad, of what it means to recognize the oneness of G-d. Thought to Ponder This last interpretation of the word echad says that the oneness of G-d is not yet complete because the world doesn’t recognize it. Implicit in this statement is that when we recite the shma and accept the yoke of heaven, we are recognizing G-d’s oneness and proclaiming our faith that the world will recognize it as well in the times of Messiah. What is interesting is that we are also proclaiming that we commit ourselves to bringing about that day.

Shabbat Announcements, Vayigash 5769

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS-A LESSON IN CONSERVATION "On the 25th day of Kislev the eight days of Chanukah commence. The Syrian-Greeks entered the sanctuary, contaminated all the flasks of oil that, and when the Maccabees defeated them, they searched and found only one flask of oil with the kohen gadol's (high priest's) seal still intact. And it contained only enough oil to kindle the lamp for one day. A miracle was performed with this oil and they kindled the lights of the lamp with it for eight days. In the following year these days were established and rendered a festival (BT Shabbat 21b)." This Talmudic passage is the origin of the Chanukah story, our "Festival of Lights" This ‘conservation of oil' was a Divine miracle, a sacred act to carry out God's will, for us to conserve oil, trees, water, air, all the fibers that make up earth and sustain us. This holiday lends itself to thoughts of energy conservation because it helps to ensure the wise use of our natural resources. Chanukah, translated into English, means "dedication," in honor of the Maccabees rededication to the Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees were led to Jerusalem, the Temple was overgrown with thorns and weeds and filled with garbage. The Maccabees cried, tore their clothes and mourned over the desecration of their holiest place. With dedication, they worked to clean the Temple, build a new altar, new gates, and new doors to restore their most precious shrine. Today, our sanctuary is our planet, and we should be mourning over the mountains of garbage in our landfills, where it emits more methane—a greenhouse gas, than any other source that contributes to global warming. Together we can rededicate our spirit, and overcome a seemingly intractable crisis by limiting our domestic waste and reduce pollution. "Therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live (Deuteronomy 30:19)." When we learn to live in harmony with the earth, by making environmentally sustainable choices, we not only preserve life for ourselves, but the life for our children and our children's children. We give to our children, by turning our individual deeds outward for the rest of the world to see. Lighting the menorah on the windowsill is testament to the world of our devotion. Light is at the heart behind the history of Chanukah and reminds us to rededicate our deeds towards a more sustainable future. In honor of the Maccabees, I offer EIGHT energy conserving tips for you to implement into your personal sanctuary, your home, in any of the following ways: Upgrade your incandescent bulbs to CFL's. For each Chanukah candle you light, replace a regular incandescent light bulb to a compact florescent bulb in your home. Commemorate the "Festival of Lights" with the act of conservation. Buy Energy Star Appliances. If your boiler, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine and dryer are more than 10 years old, it is recommend that you replace it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. LIPA offers incentives for buying energy star with rebates. For a list of rebates, visit: http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/lighting.html Make your home energy-efficient. Insulate your home, make sure that windows are well sealed and regulate the thermostat. If your home was built before 1950 your home does not have insulation throughout the walls and attic. Insulating your home can reduce energy usage by up to 30% Compost your food scraps, and fallen leaves to fortify your lawn. You can purchase one at any Home Depot or Lowes. Learn how to compost at: http://www.compostguide.com Support Renewable Energy. The more we support renewable energy, the more we become an Autonomous nation, thereby defeating our oil enemy countries. To find out more, go to: http://www.lipower.org/residential/green.html Turn off the Tap. Even though 70 percent of our planet is covered in water, only 1 percent is for human consumption. As Jews, we understand the importance of water, because we pray for rain during the Amidah. Conserve water by not running the tap when brushing your teeth, using the dishwasher and washing machine only when completely full, install low flow showerheads, and upgrade toilets to a dual flush model.

Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, New York 11023 516-487-6100

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

Buy in Bulk. Buy household items, like detergent and cleaning supplies, in concentrated forms so that you get more product per package. In this way, you are reducing the amount of garbage that gets sent to the landfills. The following plastic codes are recyclable. #1 PETE, #2 HDPE (on the bottom of containers). Stop Junk Mail. Trees soak up CO2 that causes global warming. This helps keep forests intact and the planet cool. Reducing the number of catalogs in your mailbox and the number of trees that get sent to the paper mill. http://www.catalogchoice.org/signup In the story of Chanukah, the Maccabees were almost powerless against the great Greco-Syrian empire, but they overcame them: "Not by might, not by power, but by spirit, "as the prophet Zachariah stated. Now we face great oil empires, and if you feel helpless, instead find inspiration in the spirit of Chanukah, because the light from that one jug of oil not only sparked the rededication bayamim hahem, in those days, but continues to inspire us lazman hazeh, to this very day. This Chanukah, as we kindle the lights, we kindle our own light of sustainability, our neshama, the first of many to reconnect ourselves to our most sacred temple, our planet.

ANNOUNCEMENTS RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST In the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Saturday evening 7:30pm, www.gnstorah.org. CLASS INFORMATION FOR JANUARY 1ST On Thursday, January 1st, Rabbi Polakoff’s morning Women’s Chumash Class is cancelled. The Evening Power Chumash will take place as regularly scheduled.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY Mazal Tov to Phyllis & Albert Safdieh on the birth of their grandson, born to their children Julie & Avi Feinberg. Mazal Tov to Michal & Ron Malen on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Susanna & Noah Leibowitz. Mazal Tov to Elain & Charles Berger on the marriage of their children Dov & Jennifer Berger.

SISTERHOOD MEETING On Tuesday, January 6th, at 8pm in the Braun Youth Center, GNS Sisterhood will hold a meeting to discuss and plan upcoming events. We welcome your attendance and participation and look forward to seeing you there!

SHABBAT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to the way the Post Office is now handling bulk mail, you may have been getting your Shabbat Announcements very late. To keep them current, we are sending an email version of the news out each week. Our new website will be running soon, where the full version of the announcements will be available. Please send your email SAVE THE DATES: SISTERHOOD CALENDAR address to: [email protected] so you may get your news in a Jan. 7th 10:30am– There will be a meeting at Temple Beth El to timely fashion. The board has decided to stop mass mailing the start planning the combined Sisterhood Luncheon, which will be in announcements by the first of the year. Hard copies will be available April, hosted by Temple Beth El, the Sisterhood of GNS is invited in the office, and on Shabbat. If you don’t have internet access, let to participate in the plans. Please mark your calendar to come to us know, and we’ll mail your copy. this meeting to help with the planning. Jan. 13th 8pm - Guest Speaker, Dr. Jill Maura Rabin, head of MAGAZINES WANTED Urogynecology, Chief of Ambulatory Care at LIJ, Clinical Associate Please drop off your used magazines to the Synagogue office. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Women’s Health at Albert Einstein Medical School, will be speaking on women’s health SAFETY REMINDER issues, at the home of Cindy Ludwig, 22 Nassau Drive. We are Please park all strollers in the coatroom lobby. DO NOT leave grateful to UJA for providing a grant for her appearance. them near the gym entrance. It is a safety hazard. GNS WEBSITE Our new website www.gns.org is now officially in service. Thanks to the tireless effort of David Rogelberg, Nik Kron, and Rabbi Polakoff, we are up and running. When you go to the website you will find all the important times, dates, and events that are happening at GNS, and you will also be able to access the Shabbat Announcements. Explore the site, look through it, and feel free to make comments! The site allows you to be interactive and comment on the posts that are there. We hope that you enjoy the experience. SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, January 14th, 7:45pm, the Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Education Program presents author David A. Andelman, Executive Editor of Forbes.com. He will be speaking about his new book, “A Shattered Peace.” GNS LITTLE LEAGUE Applications for Little League are available in the Synagogue Office. Please have them filled out and back to the office by the February 1st deadline. Season opener is April, 5th. Payment must accompany the application.

NSHA PTA FUNDRAISER Harlem Wizards vs. North Shore Lions, (Parents, Faculty and Students) this January 10th, at North Middle School at 7:30pm. $25 per person in advance, and $30 at the door. For more info please contact Dalya Vilinsky 487-1221. MOVIE OF INTEREST North Shore Towers is showing the Holocaust movie “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” TOMCHEI SHABBOS DELIVERY We need volunteers to donate two weeks a month to share delivery routes in Queens on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-9pm. Please contact Rabbi Moskowitz at [email protected]. PAINTING EXHIBITION An Exhibition of Paintings by Lloyd Ebrani from Rachel’s Diary, with narrative text by Helaine Helmreich, will be displayed at the Great Neck Arts Center, beginning January 11th, 11am-1pm, and will run through March 16th. Visit www.greatneckarts.org or call 829-2570 for more information.

MEMBER DIRECTORY If you haven’t sent in a picture for the new directory there is still time. Please email your photos to [email protected], or bring them into the Synagogue office. LATE MINYAN We need your help in maintaining our weeknight 8:15pm minyan for maariv. Please volunteer for one night a week and help make sure that those who need to say kaddish have a minyan. The 10 minutes you commit to help make the minyan will make a huge difference for those who depend on it. To volunteer for the late maariv minyan, please go to our website and fill out the online form at: www.gns.org/?page_id=322 Thank you for your help, we’re counting on you! DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR LEFTOVERS! If you would like to donate food, even if it’s a little extra when you are making dinner, Herschel Minster collects outside of Mazur’s every Friday afternoon, and delivers food for Shabbat to those in need, and will also pick up in Great Neck during the week, you can contact him at 718-279-3989. BABY CHANGING TABLE There is now a baby changing table located in the handicapped stall of the ladies bathroom in the Youth Center Hallway.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 7 Tevet Nadine Eckstein for William Engel Sunday, 8 Tevet Barbara Shaw for Gussie Schwartz Ellen Siegel for Blanche Givner Shirley Spiegelman for Pauline Kopito Monday, 9 Tevet Linda Sherman for Boris Shatanof Mervin Verbit for Meyer Leo Verbit Tuesday, 10 Tevet Nathan Rosenblatt for Seymour Rosenblatt Wednesday, 11 Tevet Pari Schwartz for Aziz Rebbe Torkan Judy Secunda for Irving Secunda Thursday, 12 Tevet Belle Brotleit for Annette Brotleit Edwin Rosman for Romy Rosman Marvin Rotman for Herman Rotman Friday, 13 Tevet Irving Forman for Israel Forman Milton Mitzner for Gitl Mitzner Israel Slochowsky for Miriam Slochowsky