Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

Erev Shabbat – January 6, 2017

Candle Lighting: 4:24 pm

Services: 6:30 pm

Chinese Food Dinner: 7:15 pm

Shabbat, January 7, 2017

Parshat Vayigash

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:30 am

Overview of the weekend:

January 6, 2017 Chinese Food Shabbat! 6:30 Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:15 Dinner. RSVP to the Office.

January 7, 2017 Junior Congregation, 10 am, Muraskin Room

                           ARTRageous Pottery Event, Sponsored by the Young Jewish Women’s Group! 6:30 PM

January 8, 2017 Lone Soldier Event.  10:30 AM.  See below for Details!

January 9, 2017  Cuba Trip Informational Meeting 7:30 PM in the Muraskin Room

Dear Congregation Beth Ohr,

Avinu Malkeinu, eyn lanu melekh ela Ata; we have no sovereign but You.

Click here to listen to: Avinu Malkeinu, Avinu Ata

Recorded and arranged by Cantor Sarah Myerson and Ilya Shneyveys (voices and instruments)


This Sunday we observe Asarah B’Tevet, the fast on the tenth day of the month of Tevet, from sunrise to sundown. As with all fast days, we add the Avinu Malkeinu prayer to our morning liturgy, between the Amida (standing prayer) and Tahanun (supplications). The best-known line of Avinu Malkeinu text is the concluding sentence, which we sing with such a stirring melody on each fast day. I sent out a version of that melody that Ilya and I recorded before the High Holy Days.

But today I’d like to draw your attention to the second sentence of the Avinu Malkeinu prayer, quoted and translated at the top of this email. Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) is said to have composed a musical setting for this prayer, and it is still sung by his Hasidim today. Chabad posted a recording on their website, and Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg (The Klezmatics) have also recorded this plaintive song (check out the album Tsuker-Zis, 2009). I invite you now to listen to our recording of this song, featuring Ilya Shneyveys and yours truly, and to allow yourself to be moved by the soulful melody.

At first, the music begins without words, allowing the singers to gradually enter into a spiritual place. Our souls open and we cry out to God, yearning for the One who is above all else, yet intimately part of ourselves. Then, because we can’t stay indefinitely in this heightened state, we conclude by again singing without words. We sing wordlessly, trying to express that which words cannot. We allow the melody to bring us back down to a sphere of lesser vulnerability.

May we each be blessed with music to stir our souls and companions with whom to share the beauty,

Shabbat Shalom,

Cantor Myerson

BE PART OF PROJECT PHOENIX: Help Masorti (Conservative) communities like Nataf, Harmed by Fires in Israel. This and other Masorti communities are devastated. Children and adults alike are in need of respite and trauma support services, services that Masorti kehillot are expert at providing. Whole towns must be rebuilt. We need to raise over $500K quickly. We hope that we can count on you to come to the aid of Nataf, Haifa, Zichron Yaakov and other injured Masorti communities.

The New And Improved Junior Congregation! Join us for our next great Junior Congregation on January 7, 10AM in the Muraskin Room. There will be learning, there will be noshing.  Our talented Educators will be explaining the Saturday Morning Service, discuss the prayers in depth and how they pertain to each of us, and of course, bagels.  Parents are welcome (Encouraged) to come to the Sanctuary during this time.  Stay for a lovely kiddush with the entire congregation.  Click here for a printable flyer with the dates.  

On January 8, we will be welcoming Aaron Goldenberg, a Lone Soldier serving in the IDF.  The discussion will begin at 10:30 AM.  Come hear him speak about how he made the decision to leave the US, make aliyah, and join the Israeli Military. 

Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class! Every MONDAY at 6pm, join the Rabbi for an informative class to learn all about the Torah/Haftorah Service, the prayers and tunes associated with it, and the history of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.  This is geared toward those who do not have any background in the Torah Service.  Flyer is available here.

MON, 9 JANUARY 2017

Travel to Cuba with us!

There will be an information session Monday, January 9, 2017 7:30-8:30 PM in the Muraskin Room.

Please RSVP to the office if you can make it to the info session Monday.  516-781-3072

Sisterhood Game Night, January 17, 2016.  Canasta, Bridge, Rummycub and, of course, Mah Jongg!  Bring your friends and your game sets, we’ll provide the snacks.  If you don't have a game set, let the office know, and we’ll try to accommodate.  Click here for the flyer for RSVP information.

Schechter School of Long Island presents the 5th Annual Night of Jewish Learning -"Celebrating our Past. Inspiring our Future."  January 28, 2017 - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.  Upper School Campus  - 6 Cross Street, Williston Park, NY 11596.  Rabbi Bernstein will be offering a class.  This event is open to the public, but RSVP’s are required.  Click here for more information.

"Or Lachayal" and its strategic mezuzah project for IDF.

Having a kosher mezuzah on every doorpost is one of the most important and widely observed mitzvot in the Torah, and is especially important now, with the dangerous security situation in Israel.

In addition to its religious significance, a mezuzah affords physical protection to everyone dwelling in the house, while at home or away. In Psalm 121:8, King David refers to the mitzvah of mezuzah with the words, "Hashem will protect your going out and coming in from now and forevermore." In fact, the Hebrew letters shin, dalet and yud, inscribed on every mezuzah, are an acronym for one of the names of G-d Protector of the Doors of Israel.

It is no exaggeration to say that this project has the potential to change the course of Jewish history by giving our soldiers an extra measure of blessing in their holy mission of defending the Land and its people.

Or Lachayal was founded in 2000, following an attack on Rabbi Menachem Ofen and his brother by Hamas terrorists near Hebron, while on their way to deliver Purim baskets to soldiers. Although their injuries were severe, they miraculously survived and decided to devote their life to raising IDF morale, enhancing the soldiers' awareness of their Jewish heritage and bringing them light and joy.

In the past few years, Or Lachayal has developed a wonderful relationship with the Friends of the IDF (FIDF). As part of our collaboration, FIDF has initiated a matching funding program with Or Lachayal, aimed at addressing the spiritual needs of the soldiers. This assistance has been instrumental in bringing our programs to an ever-growing number of army personnel. Our morale-boosting events throughout the year, holiday programming, which brings the excitement and happiness of the holidays to the bases, as well as educational and recreational programs have reached hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Providing for the spiritual needs of the soldiers is a major part of our work. Due to the tremendous demand we are witnessing, Or Lachayal has undertaken a unique project of historic proportions to provide a kosher, mehudar mezuzah for every entryway in the army.

As part of this project, Or Lachayal will install 40,000 mezuzot, first and foremost at places that lack any mezuzah, and then replace those that are no longer kosher. The mezuzot will include a durable cover to ensure adequate protection from the elements, so that the new mezuzot will remain kosher for as long as possible.

The cost of each mezuzah is $40 for a total of $1.6 million.

We have obtained matching funding for half of this sum, and we would be honored if you would consider partnering with us for the remaining half ($800,000). Needless to say, any donation that you would make to the project will enable us to move forward. I am available to answer additional questions at any time. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

All checks should be sent to:

FIDF

60 east 42nd Street

New York, NY 10165

With a note: contribution to Or Lachayal Mezuza Project.

Please also send an email to: Rabbi Menachem Or Lachayal (orlachayal@gmail.com) so they can track checks.