Cholent Competition Heating Up

The cooking mitts are off as our First Annual Cholent Competition heats up. Scheduled for Shabbat, June 25th, as part of our graduation kiddush, the Cholent Competition offers opportunities for the culinary gifted members of our shul to strut their stuff. The six open slots are filling fast with three contenders already throwing their chef hats into the ring. So far we have the cholent of Michael Leventhal, honed to perfection through many hours of late night tisches; Sharon Goldwyn, bringing years of GNS tradition to her mix, and; Sharon Mazur, a meat maven beyond compare. Three slots are still available, so if you are one of the gifted, or know of an unknown maker of exceptional cholent in our community, please email Rabbi Polakoff so they can be included in the mix. Keep watching this space for competition updates.

June Chesed Event

Great Neck Synagogue 60th Anniversary Chesed Drive

Ohel and Camp Kaylie are in great need of new and gently used sports equipment. The equipment will be utilized for special needs programs and after school programs.

Please drop off your donations on June 20th 4:00 - 6:30 P.M  at the home of Susie Goldman, 46 North Clover Dr. or on June 21st 7-9 P.M. at GNS

Any questions please feel free to call: Susie Goldman at 516-456-9386.

KEDOSHIM by Mark Gersten

Lezacher Henya Bas Yitzhok

This weeks sedrah begins KEDOSHIM TIHIYU,you shall be holy. This in itself creates an obvious question for the Rabbis. If one observes all 613 commandments how could he not be holy. Various answers are given. One underscores the fact that by avoiding illicit relationships one assures himself of holiness. Another answer is that if one observes all the commandments but is a glutton, he is not holy. This commandment to be holy warns us to restrict gluttony for physical pleasures.

I should like to propose another possibility. This is based on the fact that the law to fear (revere) ones parents comes after the verse stating KEDOSHIM TIHIYU.

Although we are told by EISH EMOH VIAVIV TIRAOOH  to have YIRAH to fear (revere) our mother and father this command also directly relates to fear (awe) of HASHEM. Parents are role models in this world for how we are to relate to HASHEM, our father in heaven. Moreover we are told by the commentators that if parents tell you to violate the Sabbath, you are to listen to G-d’s law and observe it while you ignore your parent’s request Although you must honor and fear a parent, the parent himself must honor G-d’s law . The ultimate duty, therefore is to fear and revere HASHEM. Fear (awe) of G-d is a major component of our religion we say each day RAISHIT CHACHMA YIRAT HASHEM. The first step to wisdom is fear (awe ) of Hashem. When one has this fear and awe, he is destined to be holy.

This concept can be developed further if we  deal with the realization that only at the end of the Yom Kipper service and near the end of the Haggudah are the only two times during the year that we say BISHANA HABAH BIYERUSHALAYIM, next year in Jerusalem This is because  we reach a special level of holiness only these two times a year. The obvious meaning of the verse is that we all desire to be physically in Jerusalem for the coming of the Moshiach, next year. However, the word YERUSHELAYIM  in Hebrew mean  fear/awe which is complete ( from the root words YIRAH and SHALEM). We are also stating the hope that throughout the next year our mental state of mind, our fear and awe of Hashem remains complete. What sets Passover and Yom Kipper apart from the other holidays is obvious if one contemplates fear and awe.

At the very second the heavens close to our prayers at the end of Yom Kipper what greater fear could there be than the fear that are prayers for all good things have been rejected for the coming year. Moreover, what greater awe could one contemplate than the awe of G-d’s great miracles in Egypt and at the Red Sea. So great and automatic  is the awe at the time of the Seder that we say HALLEL without an introductory BRACHA. We don’t need to be commanded to praise Hashem. Our awe of him makes it follows spontaneously.

Of the two, Passover  probably represents the higher level of holiness.. One who serves out of awe , rather than fear, exhibits a purer trait and commitment. Moreover, on YOM KIPPER we can only reach holiness by fasting and  depriving ourselves of comforts. On Passover, we reach our level of holiness within the natural framework of eating and drinking wine.

KIDOSHIM TIHIYU, we can reach holiness through fear and awe of our creator.Moreover, it can be the firm basis that allows us to serve him in the finest way

Shabbat Announcements: April 30, 2011

April 30 Shabbat Announcements

Sponsorships: April 30, 2011

Kiddush is sponsored by Karen & Ed Wydra in memory of his father Jack  and in honor of  the upcoming Bnai Mitzvah of their children Shawn & Eliana.

Seudah Shlishit  is sponsored by Karen & Robert Spitalnick  and Gisela Steigman in memory  of  their father & husband Jonas Steigman, z”l’s first yahrzeit.

Within Our Family: April 30, 2011

Mazal Tov to our rabbinic intern Rabbi Michael & Yael  Bleicher on his selection as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Ahavas Achim Bnei Jacob and David in West Orange, New  Jersey. We are very proud of their accomplishments and wish them the very best.

Mazal Tov to Olga & Matt Gartenhaus on the birth of a  granddaughter, Daniella Chana, born to their children  Sara & Jeff Bernstein.

Mazal Tov to Shirley & Leonard Samansky on the engagement  of her daughter, Linda Caren Weinstein to  Craig Margolis.

Mazal Tov to Brenda & Ed Parver on the birth of a granddaughter, Shoshanna, born to thier children Michelle & Sean Rosenblum.

Mazal Tov to Shulamid & Ian Gavronsky on the engagement of their son, Gadi to Lisa Freund of Manhattan.

Shiva Notice: Sam Movsas, z”l

Great Neck Synagogue notes with sorrow the passing of our long time member Dr. Sam Movsas, beloved husband of Sonia and beloved father of Sharon, Ephraim, Benjamin and David.

 

The funeral will be held Friday, April 22, 2011 at 9:45 am at Sinai Chapels, 162-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.

 

Because of Yom Tov the period of shiva will begin on Tuesday evening, April26, and will conclude early Monday morning, May 2. Shiva will be observed at the Movsas home, 109 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023. Services will be held there, beginning Wednesday morning, April 27, at 6:45 am and 7:30 pm. Sunday morning at 8:30 am.

 

If you would like to make a donation to help in providing meals for Sonia and her children during this time, please contact Joan Katz (516-510-6175 or 516-482-7781) or Marilyn Freedman (516-510-9839). We will begin providing meals for the family for this coming Shabbat and for the last days of Yom Tov so your participation and help would be greatly appreciated.

 

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

 

Joseph Hecht

President

 

Post Pesach Purchasing

Important Information for Purchasing Chometz After Pesach

from Rabbi Polakoff

 

All local stores (such as Everfresh, Great Neck Glatt, Mazurs, Shop Delight) and restaurants under recommended hashgacha may be patronized immediately after Pesach. This is a good time to remember that these stores and restaurants depend heavily on the support of our Great Neck Jewish community, and if we look forward to their continued presence in our neighborhood we should give them priority for our shopping needs.

 

Additionally, the following establishments may also be patronized after Pesach. These establishments have either a) sold their chometz; b) are owned by non-Jews; or c) are publicly owned. However, since the supermarkets are usually supplied by a Jewish owned distributor, it is best to either stock up on chometz products immediately after Pesach (before new supplies arrive), or to wait several weeks (until supplies that were Jewish owned over Pesach have been replaced by new merchandise) before purchasing.

Local Supermarkets:

Associated, Waldbaums, Pathmark, Stop-N-Shop, Whole Foods

Others:

BJs, Costco, CVS, Duane Reade, Limelight, Rite Aid,  7-11, Trader Joes, Walgreen, Walmart

Bone Marrow Drive for Ayelet Galena on June 26th

BONE MARROW DRIVE FOR AYELET GALENA

Great Neck Synagogue and the Young Israel of Great Neck will be  having a Bone Marrow Drive for Ayelet Galena on June 26^th at  Young Israel of Great Neck from 9:15 am until 12:00 pm. Ayelet is a one year old baby diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure disorder who is in  desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. No blood is required only a cheek swab. Adults ages 18 to 55 can participate. To check if you are already registered, see https://www.giftoflife.org/Public/quickcheck/default.aspx . Questions? Want to volunteer? Email  Racheli Brandsdorfer atgoldfisher@gmail.com.

Shiva Notice: Ernest Herman, z”l

Great Neck Synagogue notes with sorrow the passing of our member Ernest Herman, beloved husband of Sonia and beloved father of our member Laura Danoff.

The graveside funeral will take place today, Friday, April 15, at 3:00 pm at Wellwood Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY. Shiva is being observed at the Danoff home, 4 Vista Drive, Great Neck, NY. It will end Monday afternoon, April 18, because of the beginning of Pesach. Services will be held Sunday at 8:30 am and 7:25 pm, Monday at 6:45 am.

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

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