Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

Erev Shabbat – January 13, 2017

Candle Lighting: 4:31 pm

Services: 8:00 pm

Shabbat, January 14, 2017

Parshat Vayechi

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:45 am

Sunday January 15, 2017

NO HEBREW SCHOOL

Monday January 16, 2017

Celebrate Cantor Myerson's new home!

10:00 AM

Click here for the Flyer for more details!

Dear [first_name],

We are on the cusp of growth this Shabbat. We are ending Bereishit (Genesis) and beginning Shemot (Exodus), where we see the transformation from a large family into interconnected tribes. We were a Mom and Pop institution with all of the charm and values of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham and Sarah stood for righteousness, even in the face of God. They were exceptionally welcoming and reminded us that kindness to strangers is the prevailing message.  And now the 12 sons of Jacob each have their own families.   It is an unruly bunch and the people in it are learning how to navigate new structures and codes of conduct.

This is a familiar story and I see it happening in our synagogue. We are a much larger community now, a more formidable institution which is learning new ways of communicating, programming, and creating our new culture. We are learning how to talk to each other in a setting that is much larger than what we are used to. We, who are part of the process now, are the ones to continue the values that are deeply seeded in our traditions from the time we were just a start up, into the institution that is unfolding before our eyes and because of the work of our hands.

If we look at the words of Jacob as he blesses the next generation, we can see how he incorporates the past into the future in a way that grounds us but also liberates us to grow:
 

“And he blessed Joseph, saying, “The God in whose ways my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd from my birth to this day-The Angel who has redeemed me from all harm— Bless the lads. In them may my name be recalled, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, And may they be teeming multitudes upon the earth.”’

He brings back the memory of Abraham and the original patriarchs to remind us that we are all just grandchildren of the same two people. I do not think we need to fear growth. It will certainly bring change. Our patience, our compassion and our empathy even when we feel uncertain will be necessary to maintain the dignity of our institution. They will be essential in making sure we do not alienate one another. May we remember that we are all children of Abraham, no matter how far we go.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

A short note about the week ahead: I will be away on a meditation retreat from January 15th-January 23rd. The retreat is in a remote area of Costa Rica where I will be studying with Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein. Because of its location I will have no cell phone service and no access to email. Cantor Myerson will be available for the community’s pastoral needs. The goal of this retreat is to not only grow my own soul, but also to bring back meditation to our synagogue. I will be back in the office on January 25th.

Please join the Cantor and Ilya as they dedicate their Mezuzah and formally bless their new home in Bellmore. All Congregants are welcome.

10 AM -- Monday January 16, 2017

Address will be provided upon RSVP to: cantor.myerson@cbohr.org

Looking forward to seeing everyone for this wonderful Mitzvah!

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 Febuary 4, 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.  

Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class is canceled for the next 2 weeks.  It will resume on JANUARY 30! 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.

Travel to Cuba with us!

The rabbi held an informational session last week. If you are still interested but could not make the meeting, please contact the office.

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.

Superbowl Shabbat is here! Join the Men’s Club for a fun filled evening of services and dinner fit for a tailgate party!  It’s your chance to wear your team jerseys to a Shabbat Service. Febuary 3, 2017.

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.