Within Our Family: December 4, 2010

Mazal Tov to Alla & Mark Landa on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Elizabeth to Alexander Friedman, son of Alla & Victor Friedman.

Mazal Tov to Sara & Andrew Feldschreiber on the birth of their daughter. Also Mazal Tov to grandparents Myra Honig and Murray Honig.

Shiva Notice:Joseph Weiss, z”l

Great Neck Synagogue notes with sorrow the passing of Joseph Weiss, beloved father of our members Edward Weiss and Peter Weiss.

The funeral took place , Tuesday, November 30, at 1:45 pm at Sinai Chapels in Queens.

The period of shiva, concluding Monday morning, December 6^th, will be observed at the home of Edward Weiss, 23 Pine Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021. Davenning times are as follows: Tuesday - Maariv 7:30 pm; Wednesday - Shacharit 6:45 am, Mincha 2:15 pm, Maariv 7:30 pm; Thursday - Shacharit 6:30 am, Mincha 2:15 pm, Maariv 7:30 pm; Friday - Shacharit 6:30 am; Sunday - Shacharit 8:30 am, Mincha/Maariv 4:10 pm; Monday - Shacharit 6:30 am.

May the family be comforted among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.

Announcements: December 4, 2010

December 4 Shabbat Announcements

Thanksgiving at Arrandale Senior Housing 2010

Thanksgiving at Arrandale0001

Parsha Vayeishev By Dr. Laura Danoff

Peace of Parsha

In this week’s Parsha, Vayeishev, we are told of the dramatic story of
Yosef, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, taken to Egypt, and
soon after was put in charge of the entire household and estate of
Potifar, Pharoh’s chief dignitary. Yosef, at the age of 17, was
arrested and thrown into jail. His alleged crime was fabricated by
Potifar’s wife as revenge for Yosef rejecting her sexual advances. In
prison, he meets the Pharoh’s butler and baker and accurately
interprets their dreams. Years later when Pharoh is greatly disturbed
by his own dreams, the butler remembers Yosef as the great interpreter
of dreams and is brought out of prison to Pharoh. Yosef analyzes his
dream and is quickly given a position of prominence and named Viceroy
of Egypt.

This story of Yosef is the perfect example of hashgachah pratit
(divine intervention). Everything that happens in this world is
controlled and planned by G-d. Why therefore do bad things happen? We
often do not know immediately what is behind certain unfortunate
events. We do know that something that might appear tragic today might
prove to be quite fortunate tomorrow. We lack the ability to see the
entire picture and often are just given a piece of the puzzle.

The disastrous events of Yosef’s life at a young age eventually led to
his becoming 2nd in command to Pharoh, which led to the immigration of
the Children of Israel to Egypt. Yosef was able to sustain B’nei
Yisroel during the terrible famine that affected the entire world.

After Yosef’s brothers threw him into a pit the Torah states: “And
they sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked,
and behold, a company of Yishmealim came from Gilad with their camels
carrying aromatic gum, balm, and ladanum, going to carry it down to
Egypt.” (Genesis 37:25) Why does the Torah state what the camels are
carrying? Rashi says that it was showing us the hand of   G-d even
with this minor detail since most of the caravans traveling to Egypt
carried kerosene and resin used for fuel which has horrible odors.
The pleasant smelling spices were for Yosef’s benefit and a reminder
that Hashem was guiding his life.

This is an important lesson for all of us and especially when
undergoing a difficult time in our lives. When something bad is
happening to us it is easy to only think about the negative that is
going on in our lives and to feel sorry for ourselves. We must realize
that G-d is involved in every aspect of our lives good and bad. We can
then appreciate the everyday miracles he does for us.

The torah reading of Vayeishev always falls in close proximity to the
holiday of Chanukah. On Chanukah we add the tefillah of Al Ha-Nissim
in Shemoneh Esrei and in the Birkat Ha-mazon. We thank Hashem for all
of life’s miracles but it is interesting to note that the Chashmonaim
who are the leaders who had the faith and courage to fight against the
Greeks are not mentioned in the Al Ha-Nissim regarding their heroism.
The Chofetz Chaim says that the Chashmonaim did save the Jews but it
was Hashem who gave them their strength, and everything they
accomplished was part of Hashem’s master plan. Rav Pinchus says it was
the Chashmonaim who were the ones that opened their eyes to see
Hashem’s existence.

Yosef and the Chashmonaim knew because of their strong belief in G-d
that they were able to make a difference. We should all appreciate the
positive things in life no matter how minor they may be. May this
“festival of lights” teach us to pay attention to life’s miracles,
infuse our lives with strength, inspiration, and motivation and bring
spiritual light to others.

This d’var torah is in honor of the birthday of Shira Rachel. May all
your dreams come true!

Shabbat shalom!

Shabbat Announcements: November 27, 2010

November 27 Announcements

Announcements: November 20, 2010

November 20 Monday Shabbat Announcements

Scholars Kollel: Thanksgiving Class

The Great Neck Scholars Kollel will be hosting a special Thanksgiving Shiur, this Thursday morning at 9:15 am , following the 8:30 minyan. This shiur with breakfast, is open to all.

Sponsorships: November 27, 2010

Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Adina & Mark Abraham in memory of his mother Sara Malka bat Yaakov Hakohen, z”l and his grandfather David ben Avraham Shamash z”l.

Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by Sonia & Ernest Herman in memory of his mother, Ray Herman, z”l.

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to Mindy & Charles Hercman on the marriage of their son Bradley to Rachel Haar.

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