Scope Magazine
June 27, 2011
ROSH HASHANA SCOPE MAGAZINE
Kindly submit all articles, advertisements, photos, New Year greetings and sponsorship ($100 for 3 issues) to Diane Rein at drein@verizon.net by Monday, August 1st for the upcoming Rosh Hashana issue of Scope magazine. We look forward to your submissions and your generous financial support!
Within our Family: July 2, 2011
June 27, 2011
Mazal Tov to Myra & Alon Mogilner on the engagement of their daughter Shoshana to Yehuda Fein son of Renne and Avromy Fein of Monsey. Mazal Tov also to grandmother Nadine Eckstein.
Mazal Tov to Chava Shalmon on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Shira, daughter of her children Doron & Sari Shalmon, of NJ.
Mazal Tov to Marilyn Druker on her marriage to Harry Wanderer.
Mazal Tov to Drs. Laura and Scott Danoff on the engagement of their daughter Katie to Nadav Geft of Los Angeles. Mazal Tov also to grandmother Sunny Herman.
Mazal Tov to Stephanie and Ruvane Vilinsky on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Aaron in Israel.
Sponsorships: July 2, 2011
June 27, 2011
Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue
Summer Learning Program 2011
June 27, 2011
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM:
This summer Great Neck Synagogue will once again be presenting its Summer Learning Program featuring both Jewish professionals and Yeshiva University Roshei Yeshiva. The topics range from issues and controversies in vaccinations to the halachic implications of your business making money for you on Shabbat. We are pleased to welcome back this summer Dr. Edward Reichman, as well as Roshei Yeshiva Rabbis Hirsch, Feldman and Simon. We are also looking forward to welcoming two new speakers this summer, Dr. Michael Salamon, a noted psychologist who speaks on Jewish communal issues and Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff, a Judaic studies faculty member at Stern College. See the linked brochure for more information.
As we begin the Summer Learning Program, we note that Phil Machnikoff was one of the founders of this program going back to the days when the Lakewood SEED program came to Great Neck. We continue to daven for his refuah shleima.
Rabbi Polakoff and Rabbi Lichter
See Summer Learning Brochure
Cholent Competition Winner Declared!
June 27, 2011
The kitchen was steaming on Friday as the competitors worked at a feverish pitch to get their cholents in shape for the First Annual GNS Cholent Competition. Although a general sense of camaraderie prevailed, cholent secrets and ingredients were kept hidden with some competitors even masking their ingredients from prying eyes. The tension mounted Shabbat morning as the smell of cholent wafted throughout the building. The cholents were lined up in the Kiddush room; each one assigned a random number, the true identity of each cholent known only to the rabbis and Dario. Cholent tasting was rampant as debates over the merits of each cholent broke out in small groups of meat mavens. Each congregant had a chance to vote for the cholent of his/her choice, and as Shabbat ended, the ballots were tallied. Each cholent gathered respectable numbers of votes, but the winner soon emerged, as did the runner-up. We would like to officially congratulate Sari Braunstein (cholent pot #3) as the first place winner in the 2011 Cholent Competition. Second place goes to Elie Cohen (cholent pot #5). Special thanks to all of our participants, and we all look forward to future competitions (could potato kugel be next??)
Chukas by Dr. Mark Gersten
June 27, 2011
CHUKAS BY DR MARK GERSTEN LEZECHER NISHMAT HENYA BAS YITZHOK
THE LAW OF THE RED HEIFFER IS CONSIDERED THE SINE QUA NON OF ALL (CHUKIM) STATUTES IN THE BIBLE. FIRST OF ALL WE DO NOT KNOW WHY SPRINKLING THE ASHES OF A BURNT COW OBLITERATES THE SPIRITUAL CONTAMINATION WHICH ENSUES FROM CONTACT WITH A DEAD CORPSE. HOWEVER THE REAL PARADOX IS THAT ONE WHO DOES THE SPRINKING HIMSELF DEVELOPS A SPIRITUAL IMPURITY WHILE THE ONE WHO GETS SPRINKLED HAS HIS SPIRITUAL IMPURITY REMOVED.
MANY WISE MEN INCLUDING SOLOMON COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENS. HOWEVER IF ONE LOOKS CLOSELY ONE CAN SEE THAT THE ENTIRE TORAH CAN BE A MODEL FOR THIS PARADOX. IF ONE IS SAINTLY (PURE) AND USES HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE TORAH TO LEGALLY CHEAT OTHERS. HE BECOMES IMPURE. IN THE OPPOSITE WAY IF A NON OBSERVANT JEW (IMPURE) BINDS HIS LIFE TO THE TORAH AND BECOMES A BAAL TESHUVA THE TORAH MAKES HIM PURE THEREFORE IN ESSENCE THE TORAH CAN LEAD THE OBSERVANT TO BECOME NON OBSERVANT AND THE NON OBSERVANT TO BECOME OBSERVANT.
I SHOULD LIKE HOWEVER TO EXPLAIN AN IMPORTANT LESSON THAT THIS PARODOX TEACHES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO INFORM US HOW JEWS SHOULD DEAL WITH EACHOTHER. THE CONTAMINATED PERSON (WHO CAME IN CONTACT WITH A HUMAN CORPSE) HAS ONLY ONE WAY TO BECOME PURE AND BE PART OF SOCIETY AGAIN. THIS WAY IS THROUGH THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFFER. TRUE THE COHEN WHO SPRINKLES HIM BECOMES IMPURE BUT TO A MUCH LOWER LEVEL OF IMPURITY. HE NEEDS ONLY TO GO INTO A MIKVAH AND WAIT UNTIL THE EVENING TO BECOME PURE AGAIN. THIS CREATES A MESSAGE FOR ALL OF US. THE COHEN IS WILLING TO SACRIFICE HIS PURITY FOR ONE DAY. DURING THAT DAY, HE CANNOT OFFICIATE IN THE TEMPLE AND MAY LOSE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF IT. HOWEVER HE IS WILLING TO GIVE UP A LITTLE AND SUFFER A LOSS SO THAT A FELLOW JEW CAN BE REINTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY AND HAVE HIS LIFE BACK AGAIN (GAINING MUCH). IN DEALING WITH OTHER JEWS, WE MUST MEASURE OUR LOSS AGAINST THEIR BENEFIT AND HELP THEM WHEN WE HAVE LITTLE TO LOSE AND THEY HAVE MUCH TO GAIN. THIS IS NO PARADOX THIS IS THE WAY A JEW SHOULD LIVE HIS LIFE.
Sponsors: Congregational Kiddush, June 25, 2011
June 24, 2011
We Salute Our Graduates:
Robin, Jordan and Mathew Abada in honor of the graduation of Zachary from Solomon Schechter HS of Long Island.
Lisa & Alan Adler in honor of the graduation of Sol from NSHA High School.
Ellen & Andrew Allen on the acceptance of Steven Neuhaus to The Cooper Union for Engineering.
Michael & Lisa Aryeh on the graduations of their son Yoel and nephew Marc from NSHA Middle School.
Nathaniel Aryeh on the graduations of Raphael Adam Aryeh from NSHA High School and brothers Marc & Yoel from NSHA Middle School.
Sheila Bachman on the graduation of Reid, son of Jacquie & Ira Bachman from Merrick Ave. Middle School.
Bart & Emma Baum in honor of the graduation of Maya Shor from GN North High School.
Philip & Michelle Berman & Family on the graduation of Amanda from Solomon Schechter HS and her acceptance to Binghamton Univ.
Joan & Ron Braun on the graduation of Max Robkoff from Marymount College in NYC, David Braun from Duke Univ. and Remy Braun from NYU.
Sari & Stuart Braunstein in honor of the graduation of Marisa from NSHA High School.
Kathy & Arnie Flatow on the graduation of Elie from NSHA High School and acceptance to YU Honors Program.
Farla & William Frumkin on the graduation of Andrew from NSHA Middle School.
Jerome Goodman on the graduations of Orrie Levy from Cardozo Law School and Lielle Levy from Queens College.
Beth & Marc Gottlieb on the graduation of Stephanie from NSHA Middle School.
Sharon Goldwyn & David Birnbaum on the graduations of Rafaella Birnbaum Keschner from Adelphi Univ. with a Master in Social Work, Jordanna Birnbaum Cum Laude from NYU and Solomon Birnbaum from NSHA High School and his acceptance at NYU Stern after a year in Israel.
Sarita & Ben Greszes on the graduation of Bailey Greszes from NSHA Middle School and Julianna Gershbaum from Shulamit Girls School.
Donna & Joseph Hecht on the graduation of Joshua from NSHA Middle School.
Debbie & Robert Hollander and Martin Sokol on the graduation of Alex from NSHA Middle School.
Irene & Leslie Kahn on the graduation of Amanda Berman from Solomon Schechter High School.
Dalia & David Khalili on the graduations of Avishai from Yeshiva Har Torah and Limor from Girls Central HS.
Cindy & Jeff Liebmann on the graduation of Zachary B.S.E. from Princeton Univ.
Paula & Mark Lubin on the graduation of Max from NSHA High School and acceptance to Honor’s College Univ. of Maryland.
Susan Mayer on the promotions of Paige Mayer to 1st grade and Benjamin Klinger to Nursery School.
Annie & Robert Mendelson on the graduation of Russell from Ramaz High School.
Marianna & George Naim on the graduation of Abraham from HANC High School.
Gail & Joseph Notovitz on the graduation of Lili from GN South High School.
Dina & Jon Ohebshalom in honor of the graduation of Valerie from John F Kennedy Elementary School.
Ellen & Rabbi Dale Polakoff on the graduation of Shoshana Hoffman from Girls Central HS.
Anida & Ed Rosman on the graduation of Michael from Columbia Univ. and acceptance to NYU College of Medicine.
Michelle & Norman Rutta in honor of the graduation of Rebecca from NSHA Middle School.
Charlotte & Perry Schneider on the graduation of Lauren with a Master’s in Special & Elementary Education from Bank St. College.
Ilene & George Schuman & Phyllis & Paul Weinberg in honor of the graduations of Brian from Univ. of Miami Business School and Nora from Hofstra Univ. with a Master’s in Education.
Susan & Ezra Sheena on the graduation of Bradley from SUNY Albany.
Deborah & Joe Shor in honor of Maya winning the Karen & Arthur Cohen Humanities Scholarship Award at GN North HS.
Ellen & Mitchell Siegel in honor of the graduation of Ben from YU with a Master’s in Accounting.
Sydelle & Israel Slochowsky in honor of the graduations of Rebecca Hering from RAMAZ Elem. and Zachary Hering from SAR High School.
Esther Sloyer in honor of the graduation of Jacob Aryeh Sloyer from Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in NYC.
Brian & Sue Smith in honor of the graduation of Amy Smith from Univ. of Pennsylvania.
Arnold & Joyce Swartz, Jill & Ron Swartz and Lisa & Alan Adler in honor of the graduation of Rochelle F. Swartz from Univ. of Calif., San Diego with honors .
Pam & Baruch Toledano in honor of the graduation of Sara from NSHA High School and Michael from NSHA Middle School.
Debbie Wang in honor of the graduations of Danitte Etzion with a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Fordham and Jonathan Etzion from Goizueta Business School of Emory Univ.
Karen & Adam Zalta in honor of the graduation of Danielle from NSHA Middle School.
In Honor of:
Sharon & Moti Ahdut in honor of their daughter Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah.
Joan & Jerry Begun in honor of their 46th wedding Anniversary.
Joan & Ron Braun in honor of the engagement of Remy Braun to Erik Rubin.
Gary & Lilly Chubak in honor of Lilly’s most recent birthday.
In Honor of the upcoming marriage of Marilyn Druker to Harry Wanderer.
Friends of Judge Knobel wish to thank their friends in GNS for their support.
Judy & Marty Hoffman in honor of the birth of their grandson Benjamin Isaac, born to Rabbi Evan & Suri Hoffman.
Susan Mayer in honor the first birthday’s of Kayla Klinger and Perri Mayer, the special birthday of Jason Mayer and the wedding anniversary of Stacy & Stuart Mayer.
Ruth & Milton Mitzner in honor of their children & grandchildren.
Dina & Jonathan Ohebshalom in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Jacqueline.
Charlotte & Perry Schneider in honor of the engagement of their daughter Lauren to Sam Flaks.
Ilene & George Shuman and Phyllis & Paul Weinberg in honor of the wedding of Nora & Jonathan Green.
Ellen & Mitchell Siegel in honor of the birth of their granddaughter Bella Rose Kalter.
Rita Silverman in honor of the 90th birthday of her husband Leon Silverman.
Murray Weiss in honor of the anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah 57 years ago on this exact date.
We Remember:
Eva & Frank Bachrach in memory of their parents.
Kathy & Arnie Flatow in memory of Miriam & Morris Flatow, z”l.
Edward & Harriet Frederick in memory of Bertha Frederick, z”l.
Rafael Gad in memory of Yacob Gad, z”l.
Gedale Horowitz in memory of Barbara S. Horowitz, z”l.
Erein & Henry Justin in memory of Moshe Tweg, z”l.
Lena Laskin in memory of Gladys Etra, z”l.
Louisa & Alan Prawer in memory of Ruben Fuchs, z”l.
Risa & Jeff Pulver in memory of Howard Pulver, z”l.
Carl & Rivka Rosenberg in memory of Bluma Muller, z”l, Julia Muller, z”l and Blanche Rosenberg, z”l.
Arlette & Rafi Shaya in memory of Odette Dayan, z”l, Vita Dayan, z”l and David Shaya, z”l.
Joyce & Arnold Swartz in memory of Sol Gelfond, z”l.
Alex & Lily Weiss in memory of Zeev and Hannah Krendel, z”l.
Karen & Edward Wydra in memory of Jack Wydra, z”l.
Peace of Parsha: Korach, Dr. Laura Danoff
June 24, 2011
Korach was a 1st cousin of Moshe, a member of the tribe of Levi and was considered one of the greatest men of his generation. When he decided to challenge Moshe”s leadership with the aim of replacing Aharon as Kohen Gadol he brought down himself and his entire family.
Korach was obsessively jealous of Moshe and Aharon’s leadership. He organized 250 leaders of the nation to rebel against Moshe and Aharon.
Korach argued that Moshe was guilty of greed and nepotism. Korach’s followers were mostly from the neighboring tribe of Reuven. who were easily convinced since Reuven lost the 1st born privileges after the sin of the Golden Calf.
The opening words of the parsha “Vayikach Korach- and Korach took” could be interpreted to mean that Korach’s life was focused on taking rather than giving which never allowed him to have peace of heart.
Rashi says that Korach “took himself” meaning he separated himself from the Jewish community and attempted to take power for himself.
Dathan and Abiram, and On, son of Peleth, were the 1st to participate in Korach’s rebellion. Moshe tried to reason with them. They claimed the right of leadership based on their descent from Reuven, the oldest son of Ya’acov. Moshe said, “In the morning (boker) Hashem will make known…” The word “boker” which means morning is related to the word “bikoves” which means “to clarify, to investigate.” So we learn from Moshe that re-thinking everything and examining ones’ motivations until morning helps us from making quick and poor decisions.
Unfortunately, Korach and his followers remained stubborn.Moshe didn’t give up but sent for Dathan and Abiram to make peace. When this failed, Moshe himself humbly went to Dathan and Abiram.
Moshe teaches us to pursue peace and never to stand on ceremony when arguments and contention exist within one’s family or community. One should learn control and patience and be the 1st to extend the hand of peace. In Shmoneh Esrai, we take 3 steps back when we recite ” Oseh Shalom “. This reminds us for the sake of peace one often has to back off even at the cost of his own pride.
On, son of Peleth was the only man among the rebels whose life was saved. The Midrash gives all the credit to his wife. She convinces him that his participation in the rebellion would be to no value. Korach’s wife on the other hand reinforced Korach”s poor decision. The Midrash states in the words of Proverbs (14:1) “A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman destroys it with her own hands.”
Korach’s heart was consumed with jealousy. Korach came from the tribe of Levi, and was extremely accomplished, brilliant and the wealthiest man of his time. Korach’s wealth (he discovered one of the 3 treasure stores that Yosef had accumulated for Paroh during the 7 years of plenty) gave him a sense of arrogance, which influenced him to want political power as well. As King Solomon wrote: ” He that thirsts in his riches shall fall” (Proverbs: 11:28).
So from Korach we learn that jealousy is absolutely self-destructive. The malicious feelings that are created when one is envious will not change our own situation but inhibit us from appreciating all that we do have. Superficially, the grass will always appear to be greener on the other side. We should examine our lives and develop our own potential and our own unique selves for which G-d created us.
This Peace of Parsha is dedicated to our future son-in-law, Nadav to remind him to smile when you think of the famous Gemara that states, ” the wife of On ben Peles rescued him” (Sanhedrin 109b). You are fortunate to have found a girl who will not only be your “help-mate” throughout life but with her bina and wisdom will guide you when she sees things differently!
And, Happy Birthday Yael! May you continue to enjoy all of Hashem’s blessings and recognize the beauty and uniqueness of the gifts you possess!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Announcements: June 25, 2011
June 21, 2011
Sponsorships: June 25, 2011
June 21, 2011
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