Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

Erev Shabbat – February 24, 2017

Candle Lighting: 5:22 pm

Services: 8:00pm

Shabbat, February 25, 2017

Parshat Shekalim

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:45 am

Shabbat Across America is March 3, 2017

Click here to Register!

Dear [first_name],

This Shabbat we are introduced to a whole host of laws including financial laws, laws for damages, and destruction of property. It is interesting to note that this group of people is starting from scratch in the desert. They are striving to create social order and envisioning the most moral and spiritually uplifting society that they can imagine.

I find the story of the Israelites in the desert so compelling. They are weighed down by their past, by their oppression, by the confusion and trauma of leaving what they know, and by the mere fact that they have to trust a man and a God that they do not know well. And more than this, they are challenged to strive for a just society. And they accept this challenge in Mishpatim, holding the tension of their exhaustion with the optimism of a healthy and vibrant community. They may complain a lot, but they keep putting one step in front of the other.

The recipe of exhaustion and optimism seems like a day in the life of everyone I know. Sometimes we have a little more or a little less of one. And we are guided by our ancestors in the desert and from our tradition that a day of rest is there to refuel our optimism for a just society.  I pray that Shabbat can be a source of energy and self care for you and your families.

Please join us on Monday, March 13 for meditation to keep refueling your optimism (7-8 PM, doors close at 7:20).

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

Shabbat Across America is Next Week! Join nearly 500 congregations across American and Canada as we all welcome in Shabbat Together! Click here for information and to register!

Cabaret auditions are over, now its time to get on with the show!!!!

Monday Meditation! We are creating a meditation space in the Muraskin Room, and on the Second Monday of every month, we will have a Meditation Session.  We will gather in a quiet room at 7PM, where we will enjoy hot tea and personal meditative space.  At 7:20 Rabbi Bernstein will lead us in a guided meditation.  Please bring a yoga mat or cushion of your choice.  Chairs will be available for those who do not wish to sit on the floor.  First session is March 13, 2017.  You do not need to attend all sessions.  Registration is appreciated but not required.

March 28, 2017 Hazak presents “300 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Seder.  Contact the office at 516-781-3072 for info or to RSVP.

Inside The College Admissions Office A free workshop from AcceptU Join Congregation Beth Ohr, Temple Israel of South Merrick, Merrick Jewish Centre, Congregation Ohav Shalom and Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore as we welcome AcceptU's team of former college admissions officers for an inside perspective on the college admissions process. Learn how admissions decisions are made and what your child can do to best prepare for success. Appropriate for parents and students in 8th - 11th grades. PLEASE JOIN US at Congregation Beth Ohr Monday, March 27 6:30 PM.  To register, please visit: http://learnmore.acceptu.com/inside For any questions, please call: 855-437-8252

On Sunday, 5 March @4:00, Temple Sinai of Massapequa will be hosting a world-class Klezmer concert offered by Cantor Warschauer and Deborah Strauss. Please see the flier for more information: http://conta.cc/2lq3coH. Reservations are recommended. Let’s support them and join in the celebration of all things Yiddish!

The Alix Rubinger Food Pantry is open and volunteers are always needed.  Please call the office if you can offer your time.  We are looking for people to staff when the doors are open, as well as come in on off hours to maintain the space and stock the shelves with donations.

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!  April 7, 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.  

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.

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

"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.