Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

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Hazak Activities

Tisha B'Av

Shabbat Under The Stars-DEADLINE APPROACHING!!!!

Midweek Meditation

Bereavement Support Group

Erev Shabbat – July 28, 2017

8:00 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv Service

Candlelighting: 7:56 pm

Shabbat, July 29, 2017

Parshat Devarim

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Led by Sheryl Gordon

Services 9:45 am

D'var Torah/Sermon Led by Ira Levy

NEWS AND NOTES:

Coming Soon!!! The Congregation Beth Ohr High Holiday Mechina service! A New Idea for an Old Concept! The service is for families and learners where adults and kids will explore the High Holiday service in an accessible and meaningful way.  We are looking for input from all members.  Please contact the Rabbi at rabbi.bernstein@cbohr.org, the Cantor at cantor.myerson@cbohr.org, Mrs. O. at principal@cbohr.org, and Sheree Jarmol at 1froggy@optonline.net with any comments or concerns about this meaningful event.

Congregation Beth Ohr is creating a Caring Committee.  This group of individuals will be available to help with transportation to Doctors, Hospitals, or other Medical Visits.  If you are in need of a ride, or if you are available to help, please contact the office at 516-781-3072

Dear [first_name],

Wrapping up my learning in Israel, I realize I'm transitioning from experience to the story I will tell myself and others about my experience. Many people say that the most satisfying part of designated time away is the anticipation, but our Torah portion, Devarim, puts emphasis on how we tell the story after the excitement is done. It's our retelling that can uplift and transform us.

The book of Devarim is translated as Deuteronomy from Ancient Greek meaning,“Second Telling.” In this book, Moshe retells our adventures and mishaps in the desert. What's fascinating is that this Mishne Torah, this second telling, differs in slight ways from the first. Why? Moshe chooses to focus, embellish, and tailor the story telling, not because his memory fails him, but because he is utilizing the power we have to transform our narrative into something strengthening.

Think of the details that change every time we tell our quintessential family stories. What does that story say about who you are, your family culture and how you view yourselves. We have say in how we remember ourselves. And the process of journaling or simply sharing with another begins the process of integrating these experiences into our sense of self. We have the power to guide that integration by transforming stories of getting lost and brokenness into resilience and persistence. We cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control the stories we tell ourselves and others.

Hassidut teaches that if you are depressed, ask a friend to tell you stories about yourself. The effect is astonishing. Such storytelling reminds you that you didn't always feel this way. You can suddenly remember your strength and humor. So Moshe, the greatest advocate and friend, tells the Israelites who they are and from where they have come. This is our way of moving forward after great challenges.

We tell the story of Tisha B’av this week, a day that captures great destructions and loss in our history. Every single year we remind ourselves of this, not to depress ourselves, but to take stock of our resilience and plead with ourselves to learn from the past. This is the work of Devarim.

May each of us take ownership of our experiences and surround ourselves with those who can remind us who we are, and grow through reflection and storytelling.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

NATALIE SCHINDELHEIM'S MITZVAH PROJECT!

SUPPLIES FOR SUCCESS!

FROM NATALIE: My name is Natalie Schindelheim and I am becoming a bat mitzvah this year. For my mitzvah project I am planning to collect school supplies for children in need on Long Island.  I will be working with the UJA Federation of New York Supplies for Success program through the JCC.  Last year the program collected enough supplies for 11,000 children.

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Join Supplies for Success, UJA-Federation of New York’s initiative to provide new school supplies for children in need.  Each year, we provide brand new filled backpacks to thousands of disadvantaged children through UJA-Federation beneficiary agencies, schools, shelters, and other local organizations.

The goal of Supplies for Success is to ensure that all children in need return to school with the tools they need to succeed. 

We are collecting new supplies for this project that can be brought to Congregation Beth Ohr and placed in the box outside of the office. Deadline is August 10!

Suggested items:
Backpacks • Binders • Filler Paper • Spiral Notebooks • Marble Notebooks • Pocket Folders • Index Cards • Book Covers • Pencil Cases • Crayons • Markers • Highlighters • Colored Pencils • Rulers • Scissors • Glue Sticks • Protractors • Calculators

No time to shop? $18 will fill a backpack for one child. Please help as many children as you can. Checks can be made out to UJA Federation Supplies for Success. Drop it off in the Office. 

Tisha B'Av

Monday, July 31st and Tuesday, August 1st- Tish’a B’av.

Congregation Beth Ohr will be hosting some of the Merrick and Bellmore Congregations.

We will begin at 8:00 pm with ma'ariv (short evening service) and beautiful and haunting chanting of Eicha. 

August 4th- Shabbat Under the Stars

Wednesdays, August 9th and 23rd- Midweek Meditation on the Beach 

HAZAK ACTIVITIES

Sunday, Aug. 6 – Folksbiene Theatre Production – Amerike: The Golden Land – 12 noon departure 

Wed. Aug. 9 – 1:30 PM – “Stop at the Red Apple” – Our guest is Elaine Freed Lindenblatt, daughter of the original owner of The Red Apple Rest, the landmark restaurant along New York  Route 17

Thurs. Aug. 22 – Vanderbilt Mansion and Planetarium – 9:45 AM departure

Although quite far off, put Wed. Nov. 8 on your calendars.  Rabbi Bernstein will be accompanying us on a visit to the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) for an interesting day – a tour of the facilities, some interaction with students, a visit to the rare books collection, some learning with one of Rabbi Bernstein’s teachers, and lunch at the Seminary.  Details about time and cost will be sent in a later mailing.

Game Days (all Mondays at 1:30 PM):  Aug. 7, 21; Sep. 11, 25; Oct. 16, 30; Nov. 13, 27; Dec. 11

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For further details please refer to flyers in recent mailings and in lobby of synagogue. Or call Bill Berkowitz (516) 221-2056 or Lucy Safir at (516) 221-4107.

Pre-registration recommended for in-house-programs, and pre-payment for trips.

Congregation Beth Ohr, in conjunction with The Friedberg JCC, will be hosting a Bereavement Support Group for those who have lost a spouse in the last year.  Congregation Beth Oh will be hosting these meetings on Tuesdays, July 11 through August 29 at 11 AM.  If these times are not convenient or you would like more information, please see our Partners In Caring Page.

Thank you to Lauren Lefkowitz for building the lovely bin. Please use this for all of your donations!

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!

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.

Junior Congregation is done for the year. Watch for the dates for Next Year! Miss Rachel is looking forward to coming back and spending Shabbat with all of the students!!!