Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Rabbi Bernstein at Schechter

Sisterhood Shabbat, May 19

Hazak Activities for May

Shavuot, May 30

Sisterhood Membership Dinner

Summer Dates to Watch

Celebrate Israel Parade, June 4.

Erev Shabbat – May 19, 2017

Candle Lighting: 7:50 pm

Sisterhood Shabbat: 8:00 pm

Shabbat,  May 20, 2017

Parshat Behar-Bechukotai

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:45 am

Dear [first_name],

There is a powerful theme in our Torah portions this Shabbat, Behar and Behukotai. In it, we read that Freedom and family connections are intrinsically linked. This theme is so powerful that a verse from our portion appears on the Liberty Bell:

“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.” (Leviticus 25:10)

This verse recognizes that for many, the circumstances of life splits up families. Many people move to find employment. Siblings go in opposite directions. Parents and children cross coasts and build new homes in different parts of the country and the world. We must balance our ability to support ourselves and also the desire to remain close with our people. In the Torah some people became indentured servants when they fell under the poverty line. Yet in the Jubilee year, people returned to their homes, even the slaves in order to reunite with family and  to be able to serve God. It is a sabbatical of the soul for the purpose of reconnecting.

Every Shabbat we pursue that sabbatical by lighting Shabbat candles to have enough brightness to look our loved ones in the eyes. We prepare all our food the day before so we are not slaves to the kitchen. Every 7 years, we are encouraged to take an entire year to not work the land. It is in human nature to work too hard. And it is in the nature of the Jewish tradition to attend to human nature and give guidance to how we can lived more balanced and connected lives.

I hope you never stop pursuing that balance and find our community and tradition as a source of inspiration to pursue more liberty in your life.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein

Rabbi Bernstein was the Guest Darshan (Leader) for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Schechter School of Long Island.  This is what was posted in their weekly newsletter:

Our guest Rabbi this week was Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein from Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore. Rabbi Bernstein invited several of her congregants to participate in our weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and they absolutely loved joining us. They smiled, sang and kvelled as our children sang with each song and prayer with ruach that rocked them out of their seats! Rabbi Bernstein spoke about this week's double Torah portion which focused on taking care of the earth and raking care of people. She told a beautiful story about two brothers who secretly went out at night to place wheat in each other's barns so they would have what they needed to live healthy and productive lives. 

Click here for more pictures of the morning, including one with Bill Berkowitz in a Mr. Pringles Mustache.

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!  June 2.

The New And Improved Junior Congregation! Join us for our next great Junior Congregation on May 20, 2017, 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!  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.

We’re Heading to Israel in 2018. Informational sessions have occurred. We have hit our Max! If you would like to get on the waitlist, contact the office.   Click here for a detailed itinerary!

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.