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

A Warm Welcome
To Our New Members
Joe and Teena Ben-Ari
David Dorfman
Ross and Lynn Farber
Gary and Victoria Golduber
Brian and Jennifer Heltzer
Kenny and Rebecca Osder
Adam and Saara Pekale
Nick and Sherri Schettini
Craig and Jen Strow
Dan and Alison Tawil
Rena Wolf
Arik and Michelle Yamen
President continued from page 5
successfully launch new programs. Last year saw the wonderfully successful launch of
Jewish Building Blocks for 4–6 year olds and our new inclusive education program.
This year, we are launching a program for the older children as we begin a great new
class for our high school students.
So this year, whether you experience something new like Mitzvah 613 or participate
in our revitalized efforts to support Israel, I pray that you can approach it with wonder,
joy and amazement. I hope you agree that it is great to be a meaningful part of our
beautiful traditions! Whether it be reading Torah (an area of great potential), taking a
meaningful role as a volunteer on a synagogue group, participating in Sisterhood or
Men’s Club, reaching a bit deeper to help HERJC financially, or giving back time with
acts of loving-kindness, we will continue to create opportunities!
As I begin my third and final year as your President, I want to thank each and every
one of our volunteers who give so freely of their time, energy and talents. And we are
always grateful to so many who contribute funds that are so vital to making our budget
work. On behalf of our Board of Directors and our congregants, I thank our highly
valued, dedicated staff who help us be the best synagogue possible!
On behalf of my wife Pam, and my children Lauren, Charlie, Brooke and Gaby, the
Gerstman family wishes you all a sweet, happy and healthy holiday season! May we all
be inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year!
HERJC Cares About
Our Congregants
Are you a homebound
person or in a rehabilitation
center or nursing
home?
Would you like to be
visited by phone or in
person by a friendly
HERJC volunteer?
Do you need a ride to
the doctor’s?
HERJC volunteers will
drive congregants to local
medical appointments
and take them home
again. Call Joe Sklar
at 887-3907 or send
an email to him at
bjsklar@gmail.com.
Hazzan continued from page 4
begging. In the middle of the text, the scale rises to Minor, where it adopts a gentle, but
less mournful feel. And finally, it concludes in a triumphant Major. These three musical
moves reflect the three steps of Teshuvah; mournful as we realize the substance of
our misdeeds, gentle as we resolve to right the wrongs and affect change in our lives,
and finally the joy at having been successful in our efforts, receiving the forgiveness and
atonement we have, hopefully, earned.
These few examples are but a few of the dozens of apt marriages of unique music to
unique texts in the Machzor. My hope is as we daven together this Yamim Noraim and
make the journey toward Teshuvah together once again, that you will be aware of how
the special music of the High Holidays sets the stage for an annual unique and dramatic
experience. May we all be inspired in our prayers to seek Teshuvah Shleimah, complete
repentance, and may our prayers be heard so that we are granted a new year of
happiness, prosperity, comfort, and peace. G’mar Chatimah Tovah.
Searching For Singers
Hazzan Sislen is looking to assemble a group of 4-6 singers who read music
and are able to learn multi-part pieces on their own. In addition to presenting
music periodically for various occasions, this group will form the core of a
re-assembled choir in the future. If you have the skills and the time, please
contact cantorsislen@herjc.org.
page 6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 www.herjc.org HAKOL