Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

Erev Shabbat – February 10, 2017

Candle Lighting: 5:05 pm

Services: 6:30pm

Tu B’Shevat Seder and Dinner: 7:15

Shabbat, February 11, 2017

Parshat Beshalach

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:45 am

Dear Congregation Beth Ohr,

For all you accountants out there, this Shabbat is for you. Tonight we celebrate the Jewish Tax Day.  It comes in the form of tithes on produce. But after our blizzard, budding flowers and tomato plants seem far off? Why in February?

“Tu B’Shvat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat, was comparable to “Tu B’April” for Americans — a date relevant to calculation of taxes. The exact middle of winter was chosen as the end of the arboreal fiscal year: tithes on fruit after this date belonged to the next year. So the Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashanah labels it “the New Year of the Trees.” The Israelites didn’t sweat over tax forms, though, worrying about getting a check to some priestly IRS. Economics and spirituality were more integrated: part of the fruitful bounty received from God via trees was “returned to God” via the priests and the Temple, while part was redistributed to care for the poor.”

• Hazon’s Seder and Sourcebook for Tu B’Shvat

Our year is broken up into different accountings. Rosh Hashanah is the accounting of the soul, Tu B’Shvat is the accounting of our trees. Tisha B’Av is the accounting of our destruction. Not one holiday can represent all that is necessary to be a whole person. There is an interdependent relationship of the outer world, the inner world, and history. When we celebrate Tu B’Shvat tonight, we will be paying special attention to the natural world, seeing how we can do better and to celebrate with gratitude the gifts that sustain us.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

Conservative Movement Condemns President Trump's Executive Order on Immigration and Refugees

NEW YORK - The Conservative/Masorti movement of Judaism as represented by its constituent organizations listed below has issued the following statement regarding the executive order President Donald Trump signed on Friday barring many refugees and immigrants from entering the United States:

Deeply rooted in our tradition, faith, and values, we are a people of immigrants. Throughout our history we often were the stranger in a strange land and were persecuted and attacked simply for being the other. As Jews, it is not only our religious values that speak to welcoming those who seek shelter and safety, but it is also a pillar of free, democratic nations.

Our religious tradition repeatedly forbids us from oppressing the stranger. For instance, Leviticus 19:34 commands us, 'The strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' And Exodus 22:21, 'And you shall not wrong a stranger, neither shall you oppress them; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' It is a betrayal of Jewish history and our own Jewish values to stand quiet as victims of war and terror are left helpless -- especially on the basis of religion.

The protracted war in Syria has created 7 million displaced persons within Syria alone and millions more throughout the Middle East, with refugees escaping through Turkey, the Balkans and Europe. Meanwhile, millions of undocumented immigrants in America live in fear of imprisonment, deportation or worse.

The Conservative movement has continuously and consistently advocated for the rights of immigrants including pathways to citizenship and family reunification as a top priority. We call on the US government to reject policy proposals that would halt, limit, or curtail refugee resettlement in the U.S. or prioritize certain refugees over others; and urge President Trump and the U.S. Congress to instead take bold leadership by providing robust funding to support refugees around the world as well as provide necessary resources to refugees who are already resettled in the U.S.

Most importantly, the Conservative Movement completely rejects the targeting of individuals based on their religion. As Jews, it is an affront to our fundamental values. We are all enriched by the diverse set of experiences that immigrants bring to our society. We see it not only throughout our economy and educational system, but also in our synagogues, camps, schools, and institutions where people of diverse backgrounds, countries of origin and experiences come together to pray to the same God, who sees us all as equals. To do otherwise betrays the Jewish values we find deeply engrained in our faith and history.

Rabbinical Assembly
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The Jewish Theological Seminary
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
Cantors Assembly
Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
Mercaz USA
Women's League for Conservative Judaism

Tu B’Shevat is here! Tonight, February 10, 2017, we will hold our annual Tu B’Shevat Seder.  Join us at 6:30 for Friday evening Services followed by a Seder, where we will eat a variety of traditional fruits, 4 glasses of wine, followed by dinner.  Please go to the website or call the office to register.

Cabaret Auditions are here!

Lois Morton presents "Edith Piaf Remembered in Song and Story"

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM.  Free to HAZAK members, guests $5.00. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is requested. Call Lucille at 516-221-4107

Family Kabbalat Shabbat! Join us on the first Friday of every month for a special Family Service.  Services will begin at 6:30.  Dinner or a special themed snack will follow!  March 4, April 7 (Daled Class Shabbat), May 5 (Bet Class Shabbat), June 2.

The New And Improved Junior Congregation! Join us for our next great Junior Congregation on March 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.  

Purim is coming!! March 11, Festivities begin at 6:30 pm with a Story Time for Kids, 7:00 pm Ma’ariv and Megillah, and at 8:00 pm, join us for a Costume Party for the Adults and Kids!

Flyer and details coming soon!

The New Programming Committee is proud to present Chinese Auction with a Twist! The cost is $5.00 plus a wrapped gift valued at approximately $10.  April 1, 2017 at 8:00 PM.  Click here for information.

Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class!  Mondays 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. If you are still interested but could not make the meeting, please contact the office.

We’re Heading to Israel in 2018. Join us on March 12 at 12 pm (After the Purim Carnival) for an information session. Let the office know if you plan to attend.

"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.