Shabbat Announcements, June 6, 2009

Shabbat Parshat Naso

June 6, 2009 14 Sivan 5769 GNS TEFILLA DIGEST: A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern

Torah Artscroll, 748 Hertz, 586 Haftorah Artscroll, 1181 Hertz, 602 Times Candle lighting

8:05 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

6:55 pm

Mincha

7:55 pm

Shabbat Ends

9:13 pm

Sunday

7:30 am 8:30 am

Mon., &Thurs.,

6:35 am

Tues., Wed., & Fri.,

6:45 am

Second Shacharit Minyan (Daily) Mincha (week of June 7)

7:45 am 8:10 pm

Latest times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei June 6

9:08/10:23 am

June 12

9:08/10:24 am

Next Shabbat - Beha’aloscha Candle lighting

8:08 pm

Mincha

7:00 pm

This inspiring article about tefillah is sponsored by Diane and David Rein in honor of Diane’s mother, Helene M. Fink z”l.

of the topic but only the very first scratching of the surface.

One of the most difficult aspects of prayer for people is that it is so impersonal. We are Issue # 44 – Philosophy of all such unique individuals with different desires, problems, Prayer (Part I) Over the last year and a half hopes, and aspirations. Prayer would, seemingly, be the best we have been discussing outlet for that individualism some of the important because it is a very unique and sections of the weekly personal moment between you Shabbat prayers as well as and G-d. Yet, when we come some of the prayers that to shul and pick up the siddur pertain specifically to we suddenly realize that our various holidays. We have, individual encounter with G-d at different points, touched is being stifled because we are on halachic aspects of the all reciting the exact same prayers as well as the words from the exact same meaning behind certain siddur seemingly making our passages and phrases that experience of tefilla the same as we recite. everyone else’s. For the next few weeks, as However, upon further we wind down this series consideration, it seems like on prayer I would like to prayer can still be a very unique broaden our discussion in and personal experience that is order to speak a little bit an expression of you as an about the Jewish individual both from a practical Philosophy behind prayer. and philosophical standpoint. We will examine, in In a very practical way, general, what the Jewish worshippers should be made to approach to prayer should be and then go on to discuss feel that despite the obligatory the specific approach of nature of prayer, there is still various Jewish much room for personalization Philosophers. This is by no and still many decisions for them to make. means meant to be a comprehensive assessment

The decision making process of the individual worshipper begins with choosing the type of siddur with which he or she feels comfortable. The typeface of the siddur, its weight, its shape, and its aesthetic appearance can greatly enhance one’s prayers and should be chosen based on individual taste. Just because the synagogue uses a standard siddur does not mean you cannot shop around for one that better suits your needs, make notes inside over time, fold over and highlight certain pages and passages that are meaningful to you and bring it with you to shul. There are new siddurim being printed every year. This year with the introduction of the new Sacks – Koren siddur which is truly a turning point in the printing of siddurim we might just see a lot more people switching over. The type of synagogue that one attends should also call to the individual. There is such a multiplicity of options in choosing the venue for worship, especially in larger Jewish communities and sometimes even within the same synagogue, that every worshipper can find the one that appeals to them and switch if they find that their taste changes. Differences in synagogues include

Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue

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

how much congregants sing, whether the prayers are said aloud or quietly, whether the one who leads the prayers is professional chazzan or a member of the congregation, and whether a rabbi speaks during the service or explains what is going on. One can decide to attend a large congregation or a small one, one with young people, old people, or a mix, one with elaborate décor that makes you feel like you are in a palace or one that is small and simple with plain wooden benches. At the Great Neck Synagogue we are very fortunate that we have the choice between different styles of minyanim right here under one roof. On any given Shabbat morning you can choose between the hashkama minyan, the main minyan, and the beis medrash minyan all of which have very different flavors, crowds, and feelings. Once in the synagogue one can choose where to sit. This is often an important decision for the worshipper because it will define how well they can hear what is going on, how well they will be able to concentrate on the prayers, and how often they will be disturbed by the “traffic” of other worshippers. Lastly, one can decide what language to pray in. The halacha allows for you to pray in any language that you understand so that the prayers are more meaningful to you (BT Sotah 33a, Shulchan Aruch OC 101:4). In addition to the many practical choices about how to pray, Jewish law both demands and affords the opportunity for the personalization of the prayers themselves. While Judaism does mandate recitation of the set liturgical prayers, the liturgy is just the shell that must be filled with ones own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. The individualization of prayer is a chance for great autonomy for it affords people the opportunity to choose how they will make the prayers that are common to everyone their own. One might even just begin by choosing a method of preparing for prayer that is personal and meaningful to you. This will help put all of your prayers in focus and cast them in a more personal light. The practice of preparation for prayer which the Talmud (BT Brachot 30b) and Shulchan Aruch (OC 93:1) mandate may also include personal practices, recitations, readings, or prayers of others such as that of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk or Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav which can be found 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 Naso, 5769

in certain siddurim. The individualization of prayer may also take the form of simply thinking about one’s own needs and experiences when reciting the set text of the siddur. In addition, you might take a more active role and actually recite additional words of personal expression during the set prayers. The nature of the requests that one adds, where one should add them, and how one should state them is the subject of much halachic discussion. (For further reference see BT Avodah Zara 8a, Bercahot 31a, Tur OC 119 with comments of Bach, Beit Yosef and Derisha, Shulchan Aruch OC 119 and Mishna Berura ad loc.). What we can say here in general is that Jewish law allows for us to add in our personal requests during the generic petitions in the middle section of the weekday amidah as long as they are appropriate to the theme of that particular bracha. The most leeway is given to us during the bracha of shma kolenu where we can add in any requests we want (Shulchan Aruch OC 119). Furthermore, you may compose your own personal prayer for those things that are important to you and recite it at any time of the day but, in specific, at the conclusion of the set liturgical amidah (Shulchan Aruch OC 122:2, see also Chayei Adam 24:19). In fact, the last section of the amidah in our prayer books originated as one of the personal prayers recited by the Talmudic scholar Mar Brey D’Ravina at the conclusion of his liturgical amidah (BT Berachot 17a). In fact, this was a very common practice amongst the Talmudic sages: a practice that while mostly abandoned, should be reinstated by those who feel it would enhance their prayers. This could be done by composing personal prayers or making use of those recorded in the Talmud but not included in our liturgy. Question to Ponder If we had not been given a set text for the siddur how would you compose your personal prayers? What would they include, how would they be structured? Is the composition of a personal prayer book a realistic task or would it just be too hard to decide what to include? How different would it look from our traditional siddur?

MEN’S CLUB BLOOD DRIVE AS OF AUGUST 1, 2008 NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MAGEN DAVID ADOM TO BE A SUPPLIER OF BLOOD DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. WE NEED YOUR HELP! LONG ISLAND BLOOD SERVICES IS URGING RESIDENTS TO DONATE BLOOD NOW TO INSURE CONTINUED CAPABILITY TO SERVE AREA HOSPITALS BLOOD SUPPLIES HAVE DROPPED TO BELOW A FIVE DAY SAFETY LEVEL THROUGH THE GENEROCITY OF: MAZURS MARKET AND BATAMPTE PICKLES ALL DONORS WILL GET A COUPON ENTITLING THEM TO A GIFT OF EITHER A QUART OF SOUP OR SOUR PICKLES. Please come to the Great Neck Synagogue, on Sunday, June 21, between the hours of 8:15-1:15pm. WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH PHLOBOTOMISTS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE MINIMUM WAITING TIME.

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

“ Problems Facing Yeshiva Education: Now and in the Future”

Beautiful Catered Lunch by Prestige $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 at 487-6100 or email to: [email protected] NAME____________________________________ No. of reservations_________________ Seating Requests: 1 ________________________________________

Please eat and drink plenty of fluids on the day that you donate. Please remember that to make a blood donation you need to be in good health, have I.D., know your Social Security number, and weigh at least 110 lbs.

2 ________________________________________ 3 ________________________________________ 4 ________________________________________ Amount enclosed__________________ For more information please call: Debbie Hollander 829-2013

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]

ANNOUNCEMENTS 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.

IN THE COMMUNITY

GNS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Great Neck Synagogue warmly welcomes our new members: Joshua and Lital Amini Abraham and Lynn Glassman Eyal and Wendy Ofer Moshe and Esther Pinsky Payman and Miryan Rabei Liza Vardi

DOS YIDDISH VORT Yiddish Vort would like to thank the following for sponsoring the Klezmer Concert: Judith & Martin Sokol, Elaine & Albert Miller, Pearl Ginsburg, Anne Gold, Lillian & Al Leiderman, Roselin & David Wagner, Lorraine & Harold Domnitch, Mina & Herman Kotler, Orly & Alan Steinberg MISSING TALLIS If anyone finds a multi-colored tallis, or has taken it by mistake, and Great Neck Sisterhood. please return it to the Synagogue office ASAP! MEN’S CLUB EVENTS Sun. June 14th, 9:30am Breakfast for Hebron at GNS co-sponsored by the GNS Men’s Club and the Jewish Political Education Foundation and the YIGN, a special breakfast reception to hear the latest updates on the situation in Israel and to show your support for the brave families of Hebron! Light breakfast will be served with a special video presentation. Special guests: Rabbi Yaakov “Ketzeleh Katz, Chairman of the National Union Party, Noam Arnon, Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum, Yoni Blechard, and Yossi Baumol. For more info see Karen & Alan Mazurek and Linda & Mark Bunim. Sun. Oct 18th, 1pm Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv vs New York Knicks at MSG. All proceeds are donated to Migdal Ohr. Mid-court tickets at $105 each. For tickets call Steve Blumner 487-3859 or Hilly Milun 504-0320

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. DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR LEFTOVERS! If you would like to donate food, even if it’s a little extra while 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, contact him at 718-279-3989.

BLOOD DRIVE Semi-annual Men’s Club blood drive will be on Sunday morning, UPCOMING SISTERHOOD EVENTS June 21st. Tues., June 9th, 7:30pm at GNS we are presenting the documentary "Always Remember Where You Came From: GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE The Life of Samuel Hersch Wang" Thank you very much to Please drop off your current used magazines to the Synagogue his daughter Debbie Wang Etzion for organizing this special office to be donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear. evening. Wed., August 5th, 8pm the Sisterhood presents a Ladies Saturday, 14 Sivan Night Out to see "Menopause the Musical" at the Landmark Sunday, 15 Sivan on Main Street in Port Washington. Tickets cost $50 and must Mark Lubin for Robert Lubin be purchased by May 31st. Email [email protected] to buy Monday, 16 Sivan tickets. We look forward to a fun and entertaining evening! Philip Hanfling for Feivul Hanfling Philip Hanfling for Esther Hanfling THANK YOU VERY MUCH Gloria Wang Miller for Arlene Miltz The community of GNS wishes to thank the following Michael Raitzin for Reuven Raitzin businesses that have generously participated in supporting Tuesday, 17 Sivan the efforts of our Hunger Initiative: Great Neck Glatt, Mazur’s, Joseph Ambalo for Reuben Ambalu Everfresh, Shop Delight, Tel Aviv Steakhouse, Elite Brick Oven Jacob Ambalu for Reuben Ambalu Pizza, K-Roasters, and Prestige Caterers. Ronald Braun for Leo Kloper Paul Brody for Sarah Weinstein HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR COOKBOOK FOR SALE Rona Mittleman for Michael Haber The Sisterhood Gift Shop is now selling the Holocaust Survivor Pamela Toledano for Harold Kovar Cookbook for $30. It includes 250 kosher family recipes, and Wednesday, 18 Sivan 129 amazing and miraculous stories of courage, survival, and Claire Behar for Lionel Winston hope. Ada More Benerofe for Joel Aviv Dov Davidovics for Shamai Davidovics Steven Kashan for Monavar Kashan MEMBERSHIP WELCOME COMMITTEE Ira Lubin for Irma Lubin Local businesses and shul members are invited to place Judith Weinstein for Joseph Weisman “Welcome Coupons” in the welcome gift that is delivered to Annabelle Zackheim for Jacob Atlas new and prospective members. The cost is $100 per year. If Robert Zausmer for Morris Zausmer interested please contact Mark Twersky at the shul office, Thursday, 19 Sivan 487-6100 or at [email protected]. Michael Castle for Cyril Castle Cindy Ludwig for Max Siegal Friday, 20 Sivan REFLECTIVE GNS VESTS Stuart Feigenblatt for Charles Feigenblatt A limited supply of reflective vests with GNS logo on them Annette Forman for Sylvia Olk are available in the synagogue office for $5.

Y A H R Z E I T