Page The Shaliach Volume 25 Issue 2 F ROM THE R ABBI ’ S S TUDY December 2010 - Tevet 5771 News and Views from the Young Israel of Plainview I wanted to share with you all an essay I published in college. It's a feeling that frequently returns to me. I hope it interests you. I just read it again and it was helpful to me. And the Body Your Handiwork To “the Chinuch” who reminds me on this painful, angst-ridden morning “ki aharei hapeulot nimshakhim ha-livavot.” (For af- ter the actions, the heart is pulled). {Mitzvah 16} This morning I wake, and belong to Wordsworth and not Ramban. Not because one’s philosophy speaks to me more than the other’s, but because one was required to put on tefillin each morning, and the other was- n’t. That manifold complex of tradition, with its limitless chambers and corri- dors, shaping my life (and not William Wordsworth’s), and usually injecting it with meaning, now acts as a burden upon me; it binds me. My mind, clinging to the fantastical, rebellious illusions of the previous night, conjures images of freedom. I wake at ten without the guilt of “seder“ or “zmanim.” I decide, at ten, where I wish to go, and just go. Today I walk slowly through the park, perhaps sitting under a tree and reading a story with no par- ticular message or meaning. I spend the day following my whims as they peak. More importantly, my actions, good or bad, retain no Divine ramifications. This morning, I pull the covers back over my head, hoping that I will fall back to sleep for only a few minutes, granting me the privilege of arriving late to minyan, and hopefully sparing me the full service; my will is not His. Still, despite (and in spite of) my will, my body carries me lazily from my bed, al- lowing the words “modeh ani lifanecha” to slip unconsciously from my lips. My bare feet touching the cold bathroom floor wake me from my trance and remind me of the day ahead. I am unprepared to deal with an agonizing morn- ing of learning, staring blankly at texts that don’t need the embarrassment of my half-thought sevaras. (Continued on page 3) The Shaliach The Shaliach The Shaliach The Shaliach INSIDE THIS ISSUE: INSIDE THIS ISSUE: INSIDE THIS ISSUE: INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Rabbi’s Study 1, 3 President’s Pen 2 YIP Youth 3 MALI 4 Kiddush/Shul Calendar 8 Life Cycle Announcements 9 Committee Directory 10 Advertising 6-7, 11-12 Sisterhood Spotlight 5
Transcript
Page The Shaliach Volume 25 Issue 2
FROM THE RABBI ’S STUDY
December 2010 - Tevet 5771
N e w s a n d V i e w s f r o m t h e Y o u n g I s r a e l o f P l a i n v i e w
I wanted to share with you all an essay I published in college. It's a feeling that frequently returns to me. I hope it interests you. I just read it again and it was helpful to me.
And the Body Your Handiwork
To “the Chinuch” who reminds me on this painful, angst-ridden morning
“ki aharei hapeulot nimshakhim ha-livavot.” (For af-ter the actions, the heart is pulled). {Mitzvah 16}
This morning I wake, and belong to Wordsworth and not Ramban. Not because one’s philosophy speaks to me more than the other’s, but because one was required to put on tefillin each morning, and the other was-n’t. That manifold complex of tradition, with its limitless chambers and corri-dors, shaping my life (and not William Wordsworth’s), and usually injecting it with meaning, now acts as a burden upon me; it binds me.
My mind, clinging to the fantastical, rebellious illusions of the previous night, conjures images of freedom. I wake at ten without the guilt of “seder“ or “zmanim.” I decide, at ten, where I wish to go, and just go. Today I walk slowly through the park, perhaps sitting under a tree and reading a story with no par-ticular message or meaning. I spend the day following my whims as they peak. More importantly, my actions, good or bad, retain no Divine ramifications.
This morning, I pull the covers back over my head, hoping that I will fall back to sleep for only a few minutes, granting me the privilege of arriving late to minyan, and hopefully sparing me the full service; my will is not His. Still, despite (and in spite of) my will, my body carries me lazily from my bed, al-lowing the words “modeh ani lifanecha” to slip unconsciously from my lips. My bare feet touching the cold bathroom floor wake me from my trance and remind me of the day ahead. I am unprepared to deal with an agonizing morn-ing of learning, staring blankly at texts that don’t need the embarrassment of my half-thought sevaras.
(Continued on page 3)
The ShaliachThe ShaliachThe ShaliachThe Shaliach
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Rabbi’s Study 1, 3
President’s Pen 2
YIP Youth 3
MALI 4
Kiddush/Shul
Calendar 8
Life Cycle
Announcements 9
Committee
Directory 10
Advertising 6-7,
11-12
Sisterhood Spotlight 5
The Shaliach Page 2
This year 5771, we note the collision of Chanukah with the prayer for rain: Tal U’Matar.
Outside of Israel we start saying Tal U’Matar on December 4th (5th prior to a civil leap year) until Pesach.
Tal U’Matar represents our request from Hashem for the rain required for agriculture. The Chanukah candles represent the miracle of light generated by oil lasting longer than what was anticipated by the amount recovered by the Maccabean warriors. Both rain and light are creations of Hashem which ema-nate from the Heavens and without which the world would not exist. We have the opportunity this year to think of these miracles simultaneously.
May we continue to flourish in Hashem’s abun-dance of light, rain and all His blessings. A healthy winter to all. Irving Gomolin
Recording Secretary .................................................. Lynda Last
Immediate Past Presidents ... Linda Chusid & Jeannie Appleman
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Page 3 The Shaliach
My thoughts break; and I discover that I am dressed and ready for min-yan. My hands pour water over each other three times and my lips recite a blessing that my conscience had not yet agreed to. New words begin to flow from my mouth: “asher yatsar es ha-adam behakhma u-vara vo ni-kavim. “I cannot prevent their emer-gence; I will ignore them. My mouth continues: “E-lokai neshama shena-sata bi tehora hi.” I wish to cry out “stop;” but the words, having broken through the dam built by my mind, flow ceaselessly, becoming louder and louder as my feet walk me into the Beis Midrash for minyan. My lips, ignoring my protests and cries for freedom, plow forward in their praise of God. A revolt ensues. Body, with its legions of limbs and organs, defies its master in favor of its Maker.
Antagonists and enemies on all sides, my intractable mind is over-whelmed by the sheer might of the magnificent and imposing tradition which fuels and captures my body. My arm, brandishing the black mark of the King, and my head, adorned with His crown, do His bidding, de-nying my mind’s objections, now drowned out by the rising voices of commitment. Contemplative mind succumbs to a simplistic body, trained to serve Him and invigorated by the multitudes of committed ser-vants surrounding, similarly lauding their Creator. The conflict ends in tranquility. I yield to my body, swaying rhythmically to the sweet sounds of subjugation.
(Continued from page 1)
YIP YOUTH Chanukah, beyond celebrating the miracle of the few-numbered
Maccabees and the miracle of the little bit of oil lasting eight days, is a celebration of the rededication of the Beis Hamikdash; That is indeed what the word “Chanukah” means – “dedication (of The House).” One may wonder: why is it that we continue to celebrate Chanukah, when we no longer have the Beis Hamikdash? One answer is that though the Beis Hamikdash may have been destroyed, we must re-member the miracles that lead to the rededication, and through that remembrance, we can realize that we are not so far away from the dedication of the third temple.
Today we pray for the same miracles of the small to bring us the ultimate redemption and the building of the third Beis Hamikdash. But, to go a step further on the “small” theme, we also ask that, while we pray, we make sure that our small people are not disruptive in our small-mikdash, the shul building. We ask that you make sure that your kids are either with you in shul, or in their group rooms. Our Shabbos morning groups are fun, educational, and…rewarding. For the older kids, prizes are auctioned off for YIPbucks every week. If your child has not been coming to groups, please encourage them to give it a try!
We continue to expand the youth program beyond Shabbos morn-ing groups. In addition to the Shabbos afternoon Snif, run by bnei Akiva twice a month, we have launched a monthly program, YIPa-looza, which takes place on Motzei Shabbos around Rosh Hodesh. YIPalooza combines fun activities with friends and learning with the shul’s collegiate and beyond budding talmidei chachamim. Parents are welcome to join as well.
NCSY is back with the FNL program for the middle and high schoolers. For those unfamiliar, FNL runs shabbatons here in Plain-view. Standard schedule is an oneg Friday night, Shabbos lunch in the shul, Shalosheudos and a Motzei Shabbos activity.
We’d also like to offer the opportunity for you to celebrate your kid’s birthday with a “KIDish”. Kidushes are a shul staple. There is no better way to celebrate a simcha or an achievement than to share food with friends on Shabbos morning. It’s about time that we extend this great tradition to our youth groups. If you would like to sponsor a YIP Youth KIDish (snack for groups) to celebrate a birthday or maybe even a great test score then contact David Bienenfeld. YIP Youth KIDish sponsorships start at $10 for Nursery through 2nd Grade and $15 for 3rd through 6th Grade.
David Bienenfeld
Rabbi’s Study
The Shaliach Page 4
Seforim Dedication
YIP Sisterhood is pleased to continue to offer you the opportunity to purchase and donate Siddurim, Chumashim, Tehillim and Megillos. Books can be purchased to memo-rialize or honor a friend or family member. At the same time, your donation allows the shul to continue to add brand new books to the
shelves.
The books are inscribed with a personalized message, and the family or friend is notified of your donation. Please note our newest
book, for Tisha B’av.
Cost of BooksCost of BooksCost of BooksCost of Books
The Mikveh would like to thank Janet Akhavan for making the beautiful Cha-nukah gift baskets which we sold at the Chanukah boutique. She donated the materials and they were wonderful. Kol ha Kavod to Janet We would like to welcome Ruth Lor-bert as a co-president with Diane. We look forward to having Ruth "on board" (pun intended). Lastly, we are hoping to have Chinese food delivered to Plainview as a fund-raiser from Wing Wan late December. Watch for mailings. Diane Rabin,
President
Page 5 The Shaliach
CEMETERY PLOTS AT WELLWOOD CEMETERY, THROUGH THE YOUNG ISRAEL OF PLAINVIEW, ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE. EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO PURCHASE PLOTS AT THE YOUNG IS-RAEL PRICE. WE ARE NOW OFFERING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR OFFER TO YOUR FRIENDS, OUTSIDE THE YIP COMMUNITY, AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER PRICE. CALL SHERRI MALC FOR DETAILS AT 933-2768. THANK YOU SHERRI MALC ALVIN SMILOW BARRY ZWEIGBAUM THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE
YOUNG ISRAEL
OF
PLAINVIEW
SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT Thank you to all of you who joined us for the Sisterhood Woman of the Year Dinner honoring Rhonda Schwartz! A wonderful time was had by all. Yasher Koach to Liz Vilkas for all of her hard work in putting this wonderful event together! The Chanukah Boutique was also a great success this year. Thank you to Cathy Sachs and Diane Rabin for running this wonderful event. We look forward to many more Sisterhood events throughout the year. Our committees are ongoing and we welcome volunteers at any time! Give us a call, we would love to include you! Sheryl Cohen and Amy Guterman Sisterhood Co-Presidents
To reserve, remove or correct a date on the Shul cal-endar, please contact Office Manager, Rita Rubin by e-mail at “[email protected]”, or at 516-433-4811 extension 100.
No food may be brought into the Shul by anyone for any purpose or event without the knowledge and ap-proval of Abe Alper.
All kiddushes must be paid in full, 2 weeks in ad-vance.
If you are making a Meat Kiddush, you must be available to receive deliveries of food and equip-ment. Speak to Abe Alper for details.
WWWW E LC O M EE LC O M EE LC O M EE LC O M E TOTOTOTO OOOO U RU RU RU R
NNNN E WE WE WE W MMMM E M B E R SE M B E R SE M B E R SE M B E R S
Rivkah Itzhaky
Levana and Ohad Gil
Mindy and Shabtai Sapir and their children Aviad Elazar, Netanel Gad, Tzuriel Moshe, Shilo Yehuda and Hodaya Tamar
Atara and Daniel Marzouk and their four children Noah, Benjamin, Eliana, and Gabriel
Michelle and Asael Meir and their daughter Alina
The Board of Trustees and a vote of the Member-ship, in keeping with current law governing minors and drinking, adopted the follow-ing Shul policy: It is the policy of the Shul that there be no con-sumption of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age on synagogue premises or at synagogue events. Your support in maintaining this policy is appre-ciated.
Page 9 The Shaliach
Mazel Tov to
Deborah and Barry Spindel on the Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan
Mark and Gale Hausdorff on the marriage of Ilana to Adam Turk
Geil and Simcha Stern on the birth of a girl to Stephen and Rose Stern
Joanne and Bill Mlotok on the engagement of Sammy to Chana, daughter of Choula and Mark Friedman of Montreal
Steve and Elsie Friedman on the birth of twin grandchildren (boy and girl) to Avi and Adina
Rhonda Schwartz on being honored as 2010 Woman of the Year at the annual sisterhood din-ner
Sharon and Steve Nachman on the marriage of Dena to Aaron Tolkin
Rochelle and Lou Sroka on the Bar Mitzvah of David
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Weissman on the birth of Yehuda
Jonathan Sokolov and Miriam Rafailovich on the birth of a boy to Sara and Ami Brochin in Israel
Leah and Asher Baer on the Bat Mitzvah of Hila
Aliza and Allen Rein on the birth of a boy to Amanda and Alan Dworetsky
Rochelle and Lou Sroka on the engagement of Elana to Ben Berlin, son of Missy and Bill Berlin of Detroit
Ben and Aileen Kirschenbaum on the engagement
of Josh to Shanee, daughter of Jill and Yossi Ovadia of Atlanta
Joanne and Bill Mlotok on the birth of Yonah Netanel to Danit and Zvi Goldgrab
Marlene and Stu Horowitz on the marriage of Shabtai to Stacy Weinberg
Sharon and Jonathan Stochel on the Bar Mitzvah of Dov
Norma and Larry Hill on the Bar Mitzvah of Benjy
Debbie Eisenstadt and Howie and Tzipporah Eisenstadt on the birth of Adin Geshem to Tehil-lah and Simon Feil
Bob and Paula Grossman on the birth of a boy to Sharon and Todd Brilliant in San Diego
Debbie and Marty Taub on the birth of a boy to Lauren and Marc Nudelman
Daniel and Lisa Max on the birth of a boy
Condolences
Debbie Eisenstadt on the loss of her mother
Ellen Goldstein on the loss of her mother Leah bas Shlomo, Leah Mathews
Yaakov Lee on the loss of his mother Rose Lee
Leah Levy on the loss of her father Paul Braun-stein
Mail addressed to the Rabbi, president, treasurer, or MALI is received and read within a reasonable amount of time. All other mail should be mailed directly to the recipient to in-sure it is read in a timely fashion. For example, all Sisterhood mail must be mailed to the home address of the person in charge of the activity that you desire (Calendar, Mishloach Manot, Wine, Siddurim & Chumashim, etc.). Informa-tion about where to direct your mail is usually included in the flyers. Thank you for your cooperation.
YIP YAHRZEIT BOARD
To place an order for a yahrzeit plaque or for additonal information, please contact David Guterman [email protected]
