It's Happening at HERJC! - Hewlett E. Rockaway Jewish Center

DAN GERSTMAN
From the President
I have always been intrigued by the concept of “a beginners mind.”
By that, I mean the ability to experience life as-it-is. To live in the
moment, with a fresh perspective no matter how many times one
repeats an action or event, is fascinating. For me, a beginner’s mind
experiences life like a small child, full of enthusiastic curiosity, wonder,
and amazement.
As we join together for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and follow
with Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, I prefer to do
so with “a beginners mind.” The Jewish New Year offers a new beginning
filled with so much hope and spirit to each of us! We gather as a community family
for individual reflection and self-examination, knowing we are a continuing part of
the greater Jewish people. This year, we will experience the holidays in HERJC’s welcoming
tradition, led by Rabbi Warmflash who has new inspiring directives for us individually
and collectively. And of course, with Hazzan Sislen, coming off an outstanding
rookie year, who will lead us in prayer and song from our marvelous and (nearly new)
Holiday Prayerbooks! As we embark on this New Year of 5772 together, we face exciting
opportunities and challenges. My hope and goal is that HERJC will thrive as the
place where we are supportive of each other (through good and bad), the place where
we can express our spiritual yearnings, and the place where we connect to our Jewish
traditions and maintain our support of Israel.
And speaking of Israel, led by Rabbi Warmflash and an enthusiastic group of volunteers,
under our HERJC Cares umbrella, we have an Israel Action Group who will “create
a climate that leads to advocacy for Israel via a program of education and awareness”.
It has been quite wonderful to watch as we gain momentum with our support of
Israel during a time when it is obvious that our beloved Israel has never needed us
more! Also, we continue to add enthusiastic participants to our HERJC Cares committee
as we comfort those in need right here in our community, visiting congregants who
would like companionship and driving congregants in need to medical appointments.
We also plan to take the wraps off a brand new program this year called Mitzvah 613!
There are so many unbelievably talented individuals already preparing a very meaningful
year that will fill our lives with opportunities to connect to Torah. For the vast
majority of us, this will be the first opportunity to fulfill the 613th commandment
which is to write a Torah. It also allows us to educate, dedicate, and contribute in so
many ways that will become apparent as the New Year rolls out. I urge everyone to be
a part of Mitzvah 613 as it will bring great joy to you and your family and will allow us
to come together as a community with great meaning!
Mitzvah 613 will allow the children of our Early Childhood Center and Religious
School to connect to Torah as well. This year we experience our first full year as a PJ
Library Jewish Centre, which affords us the ability to send free books (monthly) to
Jewish families with children ages 6 months to 6 years. With PJ Library and other bright
new ideas, we create a vision that allows us to improve and sustain our schools and to
President continued on page 6
HERJC MISSION
STATEMENT
Hewlett-East Rockaway
Jewish Centre–Congregation
Etz Chaim (HERJC) is a
warm, vibrant, traditionalegalitarian
Conservative congregation.
Our diverse, forward-thinking
community is
one in which learning, prayer
and social action flourish.
Since its founding in
1949, HERJC has been
recognized for creating a
welcoming environment in
which each member—regardless
of age, stage of life or
background—feels a connection
to one another, to
the Jewish people, to the
United States, to the land
and State of Israel, to
Judaism and to God.
We are committed to continuing
to provide innovative,
interesting, and thought-provoking
programs that:
Foster lifelong learning
from pre-school through
adulthood
Celebrate our Jewish
heritage
Deepen the sense of
community among our
Congregational family
Promote religious involvement
of all members,
and enhance their
spiritual experience
Encourage intergenerational
cooperation
Nurture the State of
Israel and our
relationship with it
Serve the needs of
our members, the local
community, the United
States, and K’lal Yisrael,
the Jewish people
throughout the world.
Pirkei Avot says the world
rests on Torah, Avodah, and
G’milut Chasadim. So too
does our Congregation.
HAKOL www.herjc.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 page 5