Thank You Purim Sponsors 2010

March 2, 2010

Great Neck Synagogue

Thanks the following for

sponsoring Purim 2010

Alan & Lisa Adler

Dan & Marcy Aharon

Nathaniel Aryeh

Bart & Emma Baum

Jeff & Pam Bilfeld

Hal & Debbie Chadow

Elie & Laura Cohen

Tom & Debbie Furst

Mark & Beth Goldman

Ben & Sarita Greszes

Isaac & Ina Greszes

Emanuel Haghighat

Joey & Donna Hecht

Eliot & Erica Heisler

Michael & Alisa Hoenig

Dan & Marcia Horowitz

Adam & Didi Hutt

Henry & Erein Justin

Ivan & Lisa Kaufman

Jeff & Carol Kaufman

Gregory & Tami Kramer

Jonathan & Ilana Kroll

Michael & Mindy Leventhal

Arthur & Randi Luxenberg

Myles & Rona Mittleman

Zachary & Yifat Mittleman

Avery & Ellen Modlin

Jonathan & Daniella Muller

Jon & Dina Ohebshalom

Jared & Liz Ort

Murray & Marci Rabinowitz

Nathan & Debbie Rosenblatt

Dov & Aliza Sassoon

Evan & Jessica Shusterman

Ron & Cheryl Silverman

Alan & Orly Steinberg

Baruch & Pam Toledano

Sam & Melissa Toledano

Nathaniel & Rebecca Weisel

Adam & Karen Zalta

Brett & Robin Zuckerman

Glenn & Heidi Zuckerman

Ross Zuckerman

Steven & Shellie Zuckerman

Special thanks to Lisa & Michael Aryeh for all of the candy and ice cream that was donated by them for our Purim Celebration.

Thanks also to all the readers of the Megillah:

Paul Brody, Ethan Heisler, Avi Goldberg, Richard Mayer, Craig Resmovits, Russel Mendelson and Eli Flatow.

Also thanks to our custodial staff for getting the building ready and then cleaned up for the next day.

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Laws of Purim 2010

February 23, 2010

THE FAST OF ESTHER

Each year on the day before Purim we observe the Fast of Esther. In a year when Purim falls out on Sunday, we observe the fast on the previous Thursday. The fast commemorates the fact that it was the 13th day of Adar, the day before the battles against Haman and his supporters, and that the Jews fasted and prayed for success. This year the fast falls on Thursday, February 25th. The fast begins at 5:14 am and concludes at 6:16 pm.

THE HALF SHEKEL

Beginning with mincha on Taanit Esther (and through Purim morning) it is customary to give charitable contributions as a symbolic remembrance of the money that was collected from each Jew for the Beit HaMikdash. That money is given in the form of a half dollar in commemoration of the half shekel collected during Temple times. Since the word “terumah” is mentioned three times in connection with this donation, our minhag is to give three half dollars. These coins will be available for you, to be exchanged for a contribution of an amount that you feel appropriate. The money which we will collect will be distributed to worthy causes.

THE MITZVOT OF PURIM

1. The Reading of the Megilah

The Megilah, which describes the Purim story, is read twice on Purim. The first reading occurs at night after the stars are visible and the second reading during the day. It is obligatory upon all men and women above Bar and Bat Mitzvah age to hear the reading of the Megilah both of these times. Accordingly, there are several readings in order to accommodate everyone. It is our custom that one person serves as the reader of the Megilah and all others in the congregation fulfill their obligation through him. Therefore it is essential for each and every word of the Megilah to be properly heard by those listening to the reading. It is for that reason that idle conversation is not permitted during the reading of the Megilah and an atmosphere of quiet attentiveness is encouraged. The reading of the Megilah at night is preceded by three blessings. Both the reader and the congregation stand for the recitation of those blessings. However, the congregation is seated for the actual reading of the Megilah. These same blessings are recited before the reading of the Megilah during the day. When listening to the third blessing during the day, the blessing of shehechiyanu, we keep in mind that the blessing should apply to the other commandments appropriate for the day of Purim as well. Although the custom is to bang and make noise during the time when Haman’s name is read, the commotion should be restrained so that everyone has a chance to hear every word of the Megilah.

2. The sending of Gifts - Mishloach Manot

During the day of Purim, each and every Jew is obligated to send to at least one friend two varieties of food needing no further preparation. There are many who practice this custom through the use of a messenger who delivers their packages and thus meticulously fulfill the mitzvah of “sending” rather than just giving. The sending of such packages is a wonderful way in which to celebrate the happiness and joy of Purim together with others in the community. Although a mourner is obligated to send these packages in fulfillment of the mitzvah, it is inappropriate to send to a mourner. The package may be sent to other members of the mourner’s family though.

3. Gifts to the Poor - Matanot La Evyonim

On Purim day each and every Jew is obligated to give a charitable contribution to at least two poor people. Such contributions should be in accordance with our ability to give. If there are no poor people available on Purim day, the money should be set aside and specifically designated to be given to poor people as soon as possible. Our Synagogue participates in a campaign on Purim Day with several organizations that distribute money to the poor in Israel. You can fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot LaEvyonim through the Jack Hershkowitz Emergency Fund on Purim day.

4. The Purim Meal - Seudat Purim

Customarily begun before sundown and continuing into the night following Purim there is an obligation to partake in a festive meal. Perhaps the best known component of this obligation is to celebrate the holiday until the point is reached when one can no longer distinguish between “Blessed is Mordechai” and “Cursed is Haman”. If however this state of slight intoxication will lead to a neglecting of commandments and inappropriate behavior than one should certainly restrain oneself in that manner of celebration. It goes without saying that the obligation of personal safety overrides all else and therefore it is prohibited to drink in honor of Purim if one will be driving afterwards.

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Purim Extravaganza

February 22, 2010

PURIM EXTRAVAGANZA

Black Eyed Peas!!!!

“I Gotta Feelin….”

Flash Mob!

Next rehearsal @ 6:15 pm Tuesday

in Youth Center

All ages can participate.

Boys & Girls!

_____________________

Review of steps learned in last rehearsal.

You can still join the group.

Starting point:

(When man in video has his back to you)

Bounce-8x ,Bounce -8x

Turn around with right hand in air & jump - 8x

Bow & Arrow 2x, swim right, swim left-Macarena

Monkey 4x then 2x

Boogie 3x and clap 2x

Lean 4x

Slide /Down/up/clap

Down and up/clap

Repeat the whole sequence

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Purim at GNS

February 11, 2010

DO YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PURIM EXTRAVAGANZA? (Purim evening after the Megilla)

WANT TO BE IN THE VIDEO?

DO YOU WANT TO BE ON STAGE WITH THE RABBIS AND CANTOR?

ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE ARE WELCOME…….

BLACK EYED PEAS - “I GOTTA FEELING” (Purim NIGHT IS GONNA BE A GOOD GOOD NIGHT!!!)

Great Neck Synagogue Purim

The Purim program will include a flash mob. All are invited to participate. Watch the following links from you tube.

The first will show a flash mob which took place in Chicago for Oprah and the second link teaches the dance.

Even young kids can practice some of the steps on their level, It will be the opening act.

There will be a communal practice on Sunday, Feb. 21, between 1 and 2 pm with Rabbi Jensen in the synagogue.

Stay tuned for more details.

YouTube - Black Eyed Peas - I got a feeling on Oprah Chicago Flashmob 24th season Oprah

Click here: YouTube - HOW TO - Oprah / Black eyed peas Flash mob dance - HOW TO

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Purim Sponsors 2009

March 11, 2009

Great Neck Synagogue

Thanks the following for being sponsors for Purim 2009

Dan & Marcy Aharon

Michael & Lisa Aryeh

Bart & Emma Baum

Jeff & Pam Bilfeld

Hal & Debbie Chadow

Andrew & Sara Feldschreiber

Avi & Allegra Goldberg

Mark & Beth Goldman

Ben & Sarita Greszes

Isaac & Ina Greszes

Joey & Donna Hecht

Eliot & Erica Heisler

Michael & Alisa Hoenig

Adam & Didi Hutt

Michael & Mindy Leventhal

Myles & Rona Mittleman

Avery & Ellen Modlin

Jonathan & Daniella Muller

Jon & Dina Ohebshalom

Jared & Liz Ort

Murray & Marci Rabinowitz

Dov & Aliza Sassoon

Evan & Jessica Shusterman

Alan & Orly Steinberg

Ron & Jill Swartz

Baruch & Pam Toledano

Nathaniel & Rebecca Weisel

Adam & Karen Zalta

Glenn & Heidi Zuckerman

Ross Zuckerman

Steven & Shellie Zuckerman

Special thanks to Lisa & Michael Aryeh for providing the ice cream and shalach manot for the children.

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Laws of Purim

March 9, 2009

THE FAST OF ESTHER

Each year on the day before Purim we observe the Fast of Esther. The fast commemorates the fact that it was the 13th day of Adar, the day before the battles against Haman and his supporters, and that the Jews fasted and prayed for success. This year the fast falls on Monday, March 9. The fast begins at 5:55 am and concludes at 7:28 pm. It is preferable to wait until after the reading of the Megilah to break the fast.

THE HALF SHEKEL

On Purim evening (Thursday evening) it is customary to give charitable contributions as a symbolic remembrance of the money that was collected from each Jew for the Beit HaMikdash. That money is given symbolically in the form of three half dollars in commemoration of the three half shekels collected during Temple times. These coins will be available for you, to be exchanged for a contribution of an amount that you feel appropriate. The money which we will collect on that evening will be distributed to worthy causes.

THE MITZVOT OF PURIM

1. The Reading of the Megilah

2. The sending of Gifts - Mishloach Manot

3. Gifts to the Poor - Matanot La Evyonim

4. The Purim Meal - Seudat Purim

Customarily begun before sundown and continuing into the night following Purim there is an obligation to partake in a festive meal. Because Purim falls out on Friday this year, the seudah is held early, preferably before 12:06 pm (midday). This is to ensure that we are able to eat our Shabbat meal with an appetite. Perhaps the best known component of this obligation is to celebrate the holiday until the point is reached when one can no longer distinguish between “Blessed is Mordechai” and “Cursed is Haman”. If however this state of slight intoxication will lead to a neglecting of commandments and inappropriate behavior than one should certainly restrain oneself in that manner of celebration. It goes without saying that the obligation of personal safety overrides all else and therefore it is prohibited to drink in honor of Purim if one will be driving afterwards.

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