Orbit April 2012 - Plainview Jewish Center
Orbit April 2012 - Plainview Jewish Center
Orbit April 2012 - Plainview Jewish Center
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PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER<br />
5772/<strong>2012</strong> APRIL/NISAN/IYAR ISSUE #64<br />
THERE IS NO<br />
SISTERHOOD MEETING THIS MONTH<br />
SISTERHOOD NEWS BEGINS ON PAGE 17
ORBIT Page 2<br />
MAZEL TOV<br />
Alice and Steve Glasser on the birth of their granddaughter Emma Sally Forchheimer,<br />
daughter of Debbie and Adam Forchheimer<br />
Ida and Murray Kleiner on the birth of their grandson Gabriel Marc Kleiner,<br />
son of Rachel and Steven Kleiner<br />
HAMAKOM YINACHEM<br />
Elise Pearl on the passing of her mother, Lillian Carmen<br />
Michael Prospect on the passing of his father, Larry Prospect<br />
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING<br />
FAMILIES FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MORNING MINYAN:<br />
Myrna & Martin Kanner<br />
Linda & Allan Furman<br />
Eileen & Edward Fleischman<br />
Charlotte & Jack Weingarten<br />
Susan Kopech & Donald Lubowich<br />
Rhoda Meshover<br />
Caryn & David Nazarieh<br />
Zita & Richard Jospa<br />
Sheila & Stephen Taub<br />
Irving Weingarten<br />
Shahla & Leon Hezgia<br />
Gaye & David Miller<br />
Pearl & Martin Plawsky<br />
Randy & David Goldstein<br />
KEEP US INFORMED!! Got good news? Engagements, marriages, births? Send your information<br />
by mail, fax (516-938-2737) or email (pjcli@optonline.net) so that we may share your simchas with the<br />
congregation.<br />
PLEASE LET OUR CLERGY KNOW!<br />
Current laws prevent hospitals from releasing names of patients. Please call the Temple Office when<br />
you, a family member, or friend are in the hospital and would welcome a visit. Contact the Temple office<br />
at 516-938-8610 ext.0.<br />
<strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> - 516-938-8610<br />
ORBIT (USPS 410440) is published monthly from September to June<br />
for $2.00 per annum by the <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> (a religious corporation<br />
under the laws of the State of New York), 95 Floral Drive West,<br />
<strong>Plainview</strong>, New York 11803. WE 8-8610. POSTMASTER: Send address<br />
changes to ORBIT, <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong>, 95 Floral Drive<br />
West, <strong>Plainview</strong>, New York 11803<br />
RABBI...........................................................................Steven Conn<br />
RABBI EMERITUS...................................................Julius Goldberg *<br />
CANTOR......................................................................Morris Wolk<br />
PRINCIPAL.................................................................Rachel Ginsburg<br />
PRESIDENT............................................................Shea Z. Lerner<br />
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD............................Allan Furman<br />
SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT.....................................Doreen Guzik<br />
MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT.......................................Sandy Strenger<br />
FAMILYEDUCATION DIRECTOR......................................Judy Alper<br />
YOUTH DIRECTOR.........................................................Lois Lange<br />
ORBIT EDITORS.......................................................Margie Richter<br />
Shari Roth<br />
Elizabeth Kessler<br />
ORBIT ADVERTISING............................................... Joyce Eckstein<br />
* In Memorian<br />
DEADLINE - FOR- ISSUE DATE<br />
APRIL 1st<br />
WEEKDAY SERVICES<br />
Mon. thru Fri…………… 6:30AM<br />
Mon. thru Thurs…….…...8:00PM<br />
Sun. and Holidays………. 9:00AM<br />
Sun. and Holidays………. 8:00PM<br />
Friday Evening Services -<br />
Check Calendar for Times<br />
WE’RE ON THE WEB:<br />
WWW.PLAINVIEWJEWISHCENTER.ORG
ORBIT<br />
APRIL CALENDAR<br />
Page 3<br />
Rabbi Steven Conn & Cantor Morris Wolk will officiate at services<br />
The Officers and Board of Trustees Extend a Hearty Mazal Tov to the Families of the Following Simchas<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 1 st<br />
Services followed by T/T….…………… 9:00AM<br />
Blood Drive…........……..…...…..………9:00AM<br />
Adult Bat Mitzvah Class……......…….....9:15AM<br />
Passover Wine Sale Pickup…..…...…10:00AM<br />
Monday, <strong>April</strong> 2 nd<br />
J-Flex Hebrew HS……..………………..6:00PM<br />
Friday, <strong>April</strong> 6 th<br />
Early Shabbat Service……..…….……..6:00PM<br />
Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 7 th<br />
Shacharit Service……………..………...9:00AM<br />
Mincha ………………..……………..…12:30PM<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 8th<br />
Yom Tov Services 2 nd Day Pesach....….9:00AM<br />
Tuesday, <strong>April</strong> 10 th<br />
Men’s Club Meeting..…….....……….… 8:15PM<br />
Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 11 th<br />
Board of Directors Meeting....…...….….8:30PM<br />
Friday, <strong>April</strong> 13 th 7 th Day Pesach<br />
Yom Tov Services ……............................9:00AM<br />
Early Shabbat Service…..……………...6:00PM<br />
Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 14 th - 8 th Day Pesach<br />
Shacharit Service with Yizkor......…….....9:00AM<br />
Mincha/Maariv………...….……..……….7:15PM<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 15 th<br />
Services followed by T/T…………..........9:00AM<br />
Kadima….…………………...……..……5:30PM<br />
USY………………..……………………..7:00PM<br />
Monday, <strong>April</strong> 16 th<br />
J-Flex Hebrew HS………..……………..6:00PM<br />
Religious School Committee Mtg.….... .8:15PM<br />
Tuesday, <strong>April</strong> 17 th<br />
Sisterhood Board Meeting….….…...….8:15PM<br />
Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 18 th<br />
Lunch and Learn.………………..……..11:00AM<br />
Yom Hashoah Program………………....7:00PM<br />
Friday, <strong>April</strong> 20 th<br />
Early Shabbat Service………...…… …..6:00PM<br />
Pre-School Shabbat………...… ……..…6:00PM<br />
Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 21 st<br />
Shacharit Service………..…………..…...9:00AM<br />
Learning Service………..……………....10:30AM<br />
Mincha/Maariv…………….……......….….7:00PM<br />
Bar Mitzvah: Justin Kimmel<br />
Son of Jill and Joseph Kimmel<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 22 nd<br />
Services followed by T/T…………...…..…9:00AM<br />
Adult Bat Mitzvah Class…...……………..9:15AM<br />
Tironim……………...……………………...5:30PM<br />
USY……………………...…………...…….7:00PM<br />
Tuesday, <strong>April</strong> 24 th<br />
Men’s Club Board Meeting……………….8:15PM<br />
Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 25 th<br />
Bible Study…………………................……8:30PM<br />
Ritual Committee Meeting…............…..…8:30PM<br />
Thursday, <strong>April</strong> 26 th<br />
Congregation Meeting…..............……..…8:15PM<br />
Friday, <strong>April</strong> 27 th<br />
Early Shabbat Service……..................…..6:00PM<br />
Kindergarten/1 st Grade Shabbat Service.7:00PM<br />
Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 28 th<br />
Shacharit Service…………………....…...9:00AM<br />
Aufruf: Eric Farkas<br />
Son of Susan and Ervi Farkas<br />
and Jessica Levy<br />
Daughter of Valerie and Ed Levy<br />
Mincha/Ma’ariv……................................….7:30PM<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 29 th<br />
Services followed by T/T…................….…9:00AM<br />
Adult Bat Mitzvah Class…..................……9:15AM<br />
Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Girl Thing…......….5:30PM<br />
Kadimah………..………………………….5:30PM<br />
USY……………………...…………...…….7:00PM<br />
LUNCH AND LEARN - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH<br />
Join us from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM for stimulating study, good food and even better company<br />
at our monthly Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Conn. This month, we will be discussing “From Yom<br />
Hashoah to Yom HaAtzmaut: The Story of the Modern Jew as Told by the <strong>Jewish</strong> Calendar.”<br />
Suggested donation is $5 per person. Lunch and Learn is usually held on the second Wednesday of<br />
each month. Open to all PJC members and the community at large.
ORBIT<br />
Page 4<br />
FROM THE RABBI by Rabbi Steven Conn<br />
Most <strong>Jewish</strong> worship services divide us into leaders and followers.<br />
Cantors and rabbis lead, people in the congregation “participate.” The Passover<br />
Seder, however, is different. Sure, someone usually directs the Seder and helps<br />
move things forward. But at a good Seder, everyone pitches in: sharing insights,<br />
leading songs, and reading parts of the Haggadah. The more everyone<br />
contributes, the more enjoyable the Seder.<br />
Even at the best Seders, though, there is one part that no one ever wants: the wicked child.<br />
Soon after the four questions, we read the passage that begins: “The Torah speaks of four kinds of<br />
children: wise, wicked, simple and one who does not know how to ask a question.” The Haggadah<br />
then goes on to describe each of these children, the questions they might ask, and the answers we<br />
ought to give. At our family Seders when I was a child, we always went around the table, taking turns<br />
reading from the Haggadah. Even as the youngest child began to ask the four questions, we were<br />
already trying to calculate who would get stuck reading the part of the wicked son. It was not<br />
uncommon for one of us to suddenly develop a desire to help out in the kitchen or sit next to Grandma<br />
in order to evade the dreaded assignment.<br />
With all the effort that went into avoiding association with the wicked child, we might think that<br />
the wicked child’s crime would be something particularly embarrassing or repulsive. Was the child<br />
called wicked because he pulled the wings off flies, or beat up other kids and stole their lunch<br />
money, or burned down the house playing with matches? Not at all. The Haggadah calls the child<br />
wicked for doing nothing more than asking a simple question: “What does this service (this Passover<br />
ritual) mean to you?” Incredible. How, we might ask, could anyone condemn a child for merely<br />
asking a question?<br />
The answer, the Haggadah tells us, lies not with the act of questioning—the wise son and the<br />
simple son have questions too. Rather, it is the attitude behind the question that betrays the child’s<br />
wickedness. “Saying this” the Haggadah continues, “he excludes, and by excluding himself from the<br />
group, he denies a basic principle of our faith.” The Haggadah imagines that the child asks his<br />
question in a mocking tone—”what does this whole Passover ritual thing mean to you anyway—it<br />
certainly doesn’t mean anything to me.” By asking this question, the child places himself deliberately<br />
outside the <strong>Jewish</strong> community. He makes himself into a dispassionate, even cynical observer. And<br />
if there is one thing that our tradition cannot tolerate, it is a Jew who so loses his connection to his<br />
people and his heritage that he becomes an enemy. And for this reason, the Haggadah concludes,<br />
“if he had been in Egypt (with the Israelite slaves at the time of the exodus), he would not have been<br />
redeemed.”<br />
With the story of the four children, the Haggadah reminds us that asking questions can be an<br />
important part of our religious development—as long as these questions arise out of our passion for<br />
Judaism. To live and to grow <strong>Jewish</strong>ly, we must always be partisans, must always look at Judaism<br />
as our “home team.” To appreciate the beauty and value of <strong>Jewish</strong> life, we must identify ourselves<br />
always as part of the community. And being part of the community means not only feeling <strong>Jewish</strong> in<br />
our hearts, but also taking part in those rituals and ceremonies that bind us together as Jews.<br />
Like so many of our rituals, the Passover Seder helps bind us together as a community. By<br />
performing the rituals of the Seder, we link ourselves to other Jews in our city and all over the world<br />
who are doing the very same thing. Even if we personally question the value or meaning of these<br />
rituals, we perform them for the sake of being part of the community. As Rabbi Shlomo Riskin points<br />
out in his Haggadah commentary, the <strong>Jewish</strong> attitude toward ritual has always been, as the Israelites<br />
( continued on page 5 )
From The Rabbi ( continued from Page 4 )<br />
ORBIT Page 5<br />
Blood Drive Appeal for Spencer Reis<br />
SPENCER REIS Needs Blood & Platelets. Spencer is currently a patient at<br />
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer <strong>Center</strong> in New York City. His treatment requires<br />
regular blood and platelet transfusions. Spencer and his family would<br />
deeply appreciate your donation of blood and/or platelets and requests you ask<br />
others you know to donate. Donations not used by Spencer will be released for<br />
use by other patients many of whom are children.<br />
To benefit Spencer Reis, all designated donations must be made in<br />
the Blood Donor Room of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer <strong>Center</strong>. Please<br />
visit www.mskcc.org/blooddonations for complete information about donor<br />
eligibility and the donation process for blood or platelets.<br />
For answers to questions and to schedule an appointment that is convenient<br />
for you please Contact: Joe Licata - 212-639-8177 - Manager,<br />
Blood Donor Program: licataj@mskcc.org<br />
Blood Donor Room – 212-639-76481250 First Avenue (between 67 th /68 th<br />
Streets) NYC - Schwartz Building lobby. Open Every Day: Fri, Sat, Sun,<br />
Mon: 8:30am - 3:00pm. Tues, Wed, Thurs: 8:30am - 7:00pm. The process<br />
for donating whole blood takes approximately 1 hour. The process for<br />
donating platelets takes about 2 ½ hours. Appointments are necessary.<br />
All blood types are acceptable. FREE Donor Parking - Somerset Parking<br />
Garage, 1365 York Avenue –entrance on NW corner of 72 nd Street.<br />
Thank you!<br />
affirmed at Mount Sinai, “we will do and we will understand.” Appreciation of the meaning of rituals<br />
comes from experience. Once we have experienced a <strong>Jewish</strong> ritual as a partisan, we may find that<br />
our questions are answered. At the very least, we will find that our questions become better informed<br />
and more sympathetic.<br />
What is true for the Passover Seder is true for other rituals as well. Rituals create community;<br />
rituals give us a common standard of practice that unites us with other Jews. As a congregation, we<br />
are dedicated to building and strengthening our <strong>Jewish</strong> community. Rituals play an important part.<br />
Whether it is the observance of Shabbat, kashrut or the holidays, we as a congregation have to set<br />
standards that will bring together a wide range of people in our community. These standards may not<br />
match those of the individual members of our community. And that’s okay. As a congregation, we<br />
need to provide our members with an opportunity to “do and to understand.” By modeling the correct<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> rituals, we provide <strong>Jewish</strong> experiences that we hope will promote individual spiritual growth.<br />
No doubt, the rituals we observe will raise questions for some of us. And that, too, is okay. As long as<br />
we question from within the <strong>Jewish</strong> community, with a passion for Judaism in our hearts, the results<br />
will be help all of us to become better Jews and more active participants in <strong>Jewish</strong> life throughout the<br />
year.
ORBIT<br />
Page 6<br />
The Cantor’s Note:<br />
SHARING THE BREAD OF AFFLICTION<br />
At an important moment toward the beginning of the seder ritual we<br />
hold up the matzot and declare, “This is the bread of affliction which our<br />
ancestors ate in Egypt. Let all who hunger come and eat.” This passage is<br />
traditionally understood to be an invitation to the less fortunate and lonely<br />
members of the community to share our sedarim.<br />
I would like to offer another interpretation born out of the experiences I have shared with<br />
members of our congregational family over the course of almost four decades. It is also very<br />
much in the spirit of <strong>Jewish</strong> tradition. Well fed people can still suffer from emotional hungers.<br />
The expression, “bread of affliction” may be considered as a metaphor for the misfortunes and<br />
tragedies which befall human beings in their lifetimes. Caring compassionate people who offer<br />
a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on provide reassurance that we are not alone in devastating<br />
situations. Even the best friends cannot, of course, undo what has occurred or alter the unalterable,<br />
but good people can help us bear our troubles just by their presence. Thus, <strong>Jewish</strong> tradition asks<br />
us to share the “bread of affliction,” that we may ease the heavy burden of sorrow which afflicts<br />
grieving fellow human beings.<br />
Many years ago I received a beautiful letter which I saved and from which I will share<br />
excerpts. It came from a woman who was motivated to recite Kaddish for her deceased father<br />
for the prescribed eleven months. Her family was affiliated with a Reform congregation which<br />
does not have a daily minyan, and so, she became a regular at our <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong><br />
evening minyan. She wrote:<br />
Since returning after the end of the shiva period, I have prayed at, at least,<br />
five other Conservative synagogues. None of them on Long Island has<br />
demonstrated the spirit of Klal Yisrael and glowed with the menshlichkeit<br />
and decency of <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong>. You should be very proud of your<br />
congregants. Your evening minyan attendees have made me feel welcome<br />
and a part of your community at this most difficult time. The comfort I have<br />
found at your synagogue cannot be overstated or measured.<br />
Creating a caring congregation – these words are part of our synagogue’s mission<br />
statement. They are more than just lovely words because of the big hearts and good souls<br />
behind them. It is the people of <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> who forged the bonds of friendship,<br />
compassion, and love which so moved this one mourner, and, undoubtedly, countless others like<br />
her.<br />
May God help us to bring healing for the “bread of affliction.” May we and our families<br />
celebrate a sweet Passover in happiness and good health.<br />
Cantor Morris Wolk D. Mus.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Shea Z. Lerner<br />
ORBIT Page 7<br />
“Let me tell you the one thing I have against<br />
Moses. He took us forty years into the desert in order<br />
to bring us to the one place in the Middle East that has<br />
no oil!” - Golda Meir<br />
Pesach is here! If wandering for 40 years wasn’t enough, all the<br />
cleaning, shlepping and preparing is. It’s a good thing many of you purchased<br />
wine from our Annual fundraiser to take the edge off of theon-going<br />
preparations. Wine pick up will be on <strong>April</strong> 1 st , no fooling! A special<br />
L’chaim to Doreen Guzik, for assuming leadership of the sale on such short<br />
notice!<br />
I hope you had the opportunity to attend the Patio Players production of, A Funny Thing<br />
Happened On The Way To The Forum. Once again, our performance group went above and<br />
beyond the curtain call of duty to make us laugh and have a great time. Robert Cohen, Mark Lord,<br />
Joe Ferrante, the entire cast and crew should be commended for this professional production.<br />
<strong>April</strong> is another program filled month with much to offer. To start, come on down and save a<br />
life at the annual Family Education Lazar Lachter Memorial Blood Drive. There is no greater mitzvah<br />
and a wonderful way to commemorate the memory of Lazar, one of the most philanthropic and<br />
devoted members this shul has ever had. Many of you recall that Lazar was our weekly usher and<br />
happy face.<br />
With spring, comes Yom Hashoah. This year, PJC is proud to welcome Mr. Bernard Gotfryd,<br />
the former Photographic Editor for Newsweek magazine, and one who personally witnessed first<br />
hand the Nazi atrocities by smuggling out photos of the final solution to the Polish underground, for<br />
the world to see. It is important that we all attend, especially our children. No one is too young or old<br />
to hear eyewitness accounts of the destruction that befell our people, just a short historical time ago.<br />
Unfortunately, those first hand witnesses are dwindling in numbers and there are those out there<br />
who proclaim the Holocaust was a fictional event. This is our chance of ensuring that the memory of<br />
six million will never be in vain. Yasher Koach to the Yom Hashoah committee co-chaired by Nanette<br />
and Sandy Strenger. Kudos to Bob Friedman for his efforts and Mark Hochberg for securing Mr.<br />
Gotfryd. One cannot overlook the efforts of Tom Atlas and his Men’s Club crew who distribute the<br />
Memorial Candles to be lit for this event.<br />
For those of you actively involved in Little League sports, keep an eye out for the two teams<br />
PJC is sponsoring. One is in the Solomon Schechter Day School League, the other, is in the<br />
<strong>Plainview</strong> Little League. Who knows, the next Art Shamsky, Sandy Koufax or Hank Greenberg may<br />
be amongst us.<br />
Our fundraising is on-going. Look for emails/regular mail announcing our Journal Dinner<br />
Dance Honorees. In the meantime, we are selling Shop Rite Cards like mad. Since we are all<br />
shopping for the holiday, why not purchase these cards to be used? PJC receives 2% for every<br />
card purchased and we now accept debit and credit cards. Feel free to order them over the phone<br />
from our office; the cards will be waiting for you when needed. Wishing you a Zissen Pesach.<br />
With Love, Shea ( szlerner@optonline.net )
ORBIT Page 8<br />
<strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Blood Drive<br />
Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 1st, 9:00am ~ 1:30pm<br />
Youth Lounge<br />
Your donation will help to save up to THREE lives. Our community<br />
hospitals need your help. Please share this lifesaving gift!<br />
Thank You for Caring!<br />
Eligibility Criteria:<br />
· Bring ID with signature or photo.<br />
· Minimum weight 110 lbs.<br />
· Age 16 – 75<br />
16 year olds must have parental permission.<br />
Age 76 and over need doctor’s note<br />
· Eat well (low fat) & drink fluids<br />
· No tattoos for past 12 months<br />
For questions concerning medical eligibility call 1-800-688-0900.<br />
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:<br />
Judy Alper PJCfamilyed@gmail.com; or 938-8610 ext. 112
Dear Friends,<br />
ORBIT Page 9<br />
SALE OF CHAMETZ<br />
One small phrase in the Torah is all it took to create the frenzy that is now known as “cleaning for<br />
Pesach.” In the book of Exodus we read, “There shall be no leavened products (chametz) in your homes.” As<br />
far as we know, our ancestors always understood this passage literally. Any leavened product, from Play Doh<br />
to bread dough, was to be removed from our homes before sunset on the 15 th of Nisan.<br />
If we are far-sighted planners, we might be able to arrange our menus so that we eat up every last<br />
crumb of chametz before Passover. We certainly can give away un-opened chametz items to Island Harvest<br />
or any other food banks as well.<br />
But most likely, there will be items we cannot use or give away; items that would be very expensive or<br />
inconvenient to replace if we were to throw them out. Rabbis in the Middle Ages recognized this reality, and<br />
created a kind of “legal fiction” to enable us to keep some of our chametz locked away for use after Passover.<br />
This legal fiction, involved transferring authority over all chametz remaining after a certain date to the local<br />
rabbi. The rabbi, in turn, would “sell” the chametz to a non-Jew for a modest down-payment. In theory, the<br />
non-Jew was free to use the chametz during Passover. In fact, the “sold” chametz is separated from Passover<br />
food and placed in a marked and sealed box or cabinet, so that a Jew cannot easily access it, but the non-<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> buyer can easily claim it. Should the buyer fail to pay the full purchase price by the end of Passover,<br />
the reaming chametz reverts to its original owners.<br />
While some may see the Sale of Chametz as a bit far-fetched, I believe it embodies Judaism’s ability<br />
to at once be a livable religion that does not impose unrealistic demands on its adherents, but also a religion<br />
that makes change in an evolutionary, not revolutionary way. I am happy to provide the opportunity for us to<br />
sell our chametz this year.<br />
If you would like to participate in the Sale of Chametz, please fill out the form below and return it to the<br />
PJC office by Thursday <strong>April</strong> 5th. I will be available to personally “buy” chametz at PJC beginning on Monday<br />
March 26 th . I am usually available after morning minyans Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, on Monday,<br />
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00-6:00 PM, and after evening minyans Sunday, Monday,<br />
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Feel free to stop by at other times as well.<br />
Chag Kasher V’samaech, Rabbi Steven Conn<br />
__________________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
Delegation Of Power of Attorney for the Sale of Chametz<br />
Know ye that I the undersigned fully empower and permit Rabbi Steven Conn to act in my place and<br />
stead, and in my behalf to sell all chametz possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by<br />
Torah and the Rabbinic law. And to lease all places wherein Chametz may be found, especially in the<br />
premises located at _______________________________________________________<br />
(address—include all residences and businesses)<br />
Rabbi Conn has the full right to sell and lease by transactions, as he deems fit and proper and for<br />
such time which he believes necessary in accordance with detailed forms as explained in the general<br />
authorization contracts which have been given this year to Rabbi Conn to sell the Chametz. This general<br />
authorization is part of that agreement. Also do I thereby give the said Rabbi Conn full power and authority<br />
to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell and to lease as provided herein. The above given<br />
power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations and laws, and also in accordance with the laws<br />
of the State of New York and the United States. And I do hereby affix my signature on this the<br />
______________________ day of _____________ in the year <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Signature: __________________________________ Print Name______________________________<br />
I am pleased to enclose a voluntary donation of $_______ to the PJC Ma’ot Hittim Fund.
ORBIT<br />
PJC YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM <strong>2012</strong><br />
Bernard Gotfryd, Photographer & Author<br />
Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 18th at 7pm<br />
Page 10<br />
This year we are honored to have as our keynote<br />
speaker Bernard Gotfryd, world renowned photographer and<br />
author of, “Anton the Dove Fancier and Other Tales of the<br />
Holocaust”. Mr. Gotfryd was born in Radom, Poland where<br />
he decided at an early age to become a photographer. He<br />
was hired as an apprentice at a family friend’s photography<br />
studio shortly after World War II broke out, during which time<br />
he linked himself with the Polish resistance. He secretly acquired pictures of Nazi<br />
and Gestapo atrocities which were obtained from rolls of film dropped for<br />
processing and delivered them to the resistance until he was discovered in October<br />
of 1943 and deported to the Maidanek extermination camp. By the time of the<br />
Liberation in May of 1945, he had survived six different concentration camps. He<br />
emigrated to the United States two years later .<br />
Following his military service as a United States Army combat photographer,<br />
he embarked upon a 30-year career as a photojournalist for Newsweek, establishing<br />
himself as a world renowned photographer whose works have been exhibited widely.<br />
It was while working for Newsweek, covering the Holocaust<br />
Survivors Gathering in Washington, D.C., in <strong>April</strong> 1983, that he was<br />
moved to write about his own experiences. First published in<br />
Newsweek, his stories were eventually published as a collection, titled<br />
“Anton the Dove Fancier and Other Tales of the Holocaust”. Since<br />
his retirement Mr. Gotfryd has been writing and lecturing about his<br />
experiences.<br />
Our Yom Hashoah program will also include lighting of memorial candles by<br />
our own honored Survivors of the Shoah, selected readings by our Hebrew School<br />
Students, as well as the moving reading of the names of those martyrs lost in the<br />
Shoah from our Book of Remembrance.<br />
Please make every effort to attend with your family.<br />
For information, contact Sandy Strenger, PJC Yom Hashoah Chair, 516 642 - 9273
ORBIT Page 11<br />
“GET OUT THE HAMETZ!!”<br />
Don’t throw it out<br />
Donate it to the poor!<br />
- Turn your Passover cleaning into a chance to help others.<br />
- PJC is now collecting your non-perishable, unopened “hametz”<br />
- The food we collect will be distributed by the Hatzilu Rescue<br />
organization to the <strong>Jewish</strong> poor who live right here on Long Island.<br />
- Look for our “donation” bin in the PJC Lobby.<br />
- Please bring in all donations by Thursday <strong>April</strong> 5th.<br />
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Arlyne Skolnik at:<br />
Skully531@optonline.net<br />
NOTE: We can only accept non-perishable food.
PJC YOUTH CORNER<br />
ORBIT Page 12<br />
Youth group is having a fantastic year. Thank you for all who helped at the Purim Carnival. We<br />
had a great turnout and fun was had by all. Hope to see all of you at our end of the year events. USY will<br />
be going on a mystery bus ride on <strong>April</strong> 22. This will be an all day event and a lot of fun. Can’t wait to<br />
report back where we went and what we did in the next article. Tironim and Kadima will be ending with<br />
a BBQ and fun and exciting program on <strong>April</strong> 29. Don’t miss Adventureland on May 6th, more information<br />
to follow. Any questions, please contact Lois D. Lange @ 516-426-6283 or lois_lange@yahoo.com<br />
<strong>April</strong> 22 - USY Mystery Bus Ride, for more information contact Lois<br />
<strong>April</strong> 29 - Tironim and Kadima BBQ and Kickball 5:30-7pm<br />
USY BBQ 7-8:30pm<br />
May 6 - Adventureland: more information to follow. This event for all groups<br />
Family Education Corner by Judy Alper<br />
Start off this wonderful month of <strong>April</strong> by helping others. Roll up your sleeve and raise your arm<br />
to volunteer and help us out on Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 1 st from 9:00-1:30pm at the annual Lazar Lachter <strong>Plainview</strong><br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Blood Drive. Without a doubt your kindness and generosity can help save a life. We<br />
are looking forward to increasing our usual amount of donors, so if you have been thinking about<br />
donating or want to do a very special mitzvah (that perhaps only your blood type can do!) please email<br />
us as soon as possible to set up a convenient appointment time for you (pjcfamilyed@gmail.com).<br />
On Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 22nd, from 11:15 – 1:00pm, we will be having our very popular Shema Pillow<br />
Workshop/ Aleph Family Ed Workshop. All Aleph students are required to attend and we will be<br />
creating a very special pillowcase to remind all our children how wonderful it is to say the Shema<br />
Prayer each night. Save the date on your calendar for this wonderful workshop. Parents are required<br />
to attend, but you wouldn’t want to miss out on all the creativity! We look forward to seeing all Aleph<br />
students and their parents there.<br />
For older girls, we will be having our Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing! meeting on Sunday, <strong>April</strong><br />
29th, from 5:30-7:00pm. We will be celebrating the <strong>Jewish</strong> month of Iyar. This will be our 2 nd to last<br />
meeting, so don’t miss out on all the fun! RSVP’s are necessary.<br />
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Family Education Committee to wish everyone<br />
a happy and kosher Passover.
ORBIT<br />
CONGRATULATIONS!<br />
OUR B’NAI / B’NOT MITZVAH<br />
Page 13<br />
JUSTIN KIMMEL<br />
<strong>April</strong> 21, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Justin is the son of Jill and Joseph Kimmel and has a sister, Jennifer. He is a<br />
seventh grader at POB Middle School. Justin enjoys playing baseball and volleyball<br />
and studying English in school. His favorite holidays are Chanukah and<br />
Passover. For his mitzvah project, he is collecting baseball caps for Lids for<br />
Kids. The caps are for children with cancer.<br />
REMEMBER TO PURCHASE CANDY BAGS<br />
FOR YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH<br />
THROUGH OUR YOUTH GROUP<br />
CONTACT THE TEMPLE OFFICE: 938-8610<br />
HI. MY NAME IS JUSTIN KIMMEL. FOR MY<br />
MITZVAH PROJECT, I AM COLLECTING<br />
NEW BASEBALL CAPS TO BE GIVEN<br />
TO KIDS WITH CANCER. PLEASE<br />
HELP BY BRINGING IN CAPS<br />
TO THE TEMPLE OFFICE.<br />
THANK YOU.<br />
LIDS FOR KIDS
SCHOOL NEWS By Rachel Ginsburg, Principal<br />
ORBIT Page 14<br />
In the Haggadah, we are told that, “even if we were all wise, all men of understanding, all sages<br />
and well versed in the Torah, it would still be our duty to tell the story of the Exodus From Egypt.” Why<br />
are we thus commanded?<br />
The answer is that every time a story is told, we can discover a new angle in it, then apply it to<br />
our lives. There are so many themes in the Pesach story that I am sure each one of you can find<br />
something new to develop at your own family Seder. Here are some ideas to think about:<br />
1. What does chametz (leavened bread) present on a spiritual level? Could it symbolize the<br />
arrogance, self-indulgence and conceited nature that we should eradicate from our very beings?<br />
2. Seder means “Order” and sure enough, the evening ritual seeks to impose a sense of order in the<br />
chaos of the exodus period with its plagues, revolt and stunning miracles. Think why do we need<br />
order in our lives?<br />
3. Why should we be empathetic with the weak, oppressed and discriminated minorities in our days?<br />
4. What can the account of the four sons teach us about raising our own children?<br />
5. Does the body language of reclining during the Passover meal convey something of the freedom<br />
our ancestors experienced when they were redeemed from centuries of Egyptian bondage?<br />
6. The green vegetables on the Seder plate are symbols of our hope for better things to<br />
come. How can the world be improved?<br />
I hope that this Pesach you will not run through the Haggadah by rote so that you can get to the<br />
matzoh ball soup more quickly. Rather, take the time to discuss and develop things because that is<br />
what the Haggadah prompts us to do.<br />
Your annual Passover programs will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 3rd and 4th.<br />
At that time we shall design delectable Passover food. Toward the middle of <strong>April</strong>, we plan to have a<br />
Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) service where students of Daled and Hey will be part of the<br />
service instead of attending regular Hebrew School that day. We will also have a special program for<br />
Israeli Independence Day on Wednesday, <strong>April</strong> 25 th .<br />
I want to wish all parents and children Chag Kahser v’sameach. Enjoy the holiday!<br />
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR<br />
APRIL 2 (Mon) J-Flex (Teen Learning Program) – 6:00 - Library<br />
3 (Tues) & 4 (Wed) Passover School Program<br />
6 –15 (Fri thru Sun) Passover Vacation – No School or Junior Congregation<br />
16 (Mon) School Resumes<br />
J-Flex (Teen Learning Program) – 6:00PM - Library<br />
School Committee Meeting – 8:15PM - Library<br />
18 (Wed) Eve of Yom Hashoah - Daled & Hey students are required to attend the<br />
7PM Memorial ceremony in the evening instead of regular classes.<br />
20 (Fri) Preschool Shabbat– 6:00-6:30 PM<br />
22 (Sun) Alef Family Workshop – 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM<br />
(Instead of Regular Class for Alef Students). Attendance Required<br />
25 (Wed) Israeli Memorial Day-Program in School<br />
26 (Thurs) Israeli Independence Day<br />
27 (Fri ) Kindergarten/Sunday School Class Service & FFFNS - 7:00 – 8:00 PM
ORBIT Page 15<br />
PJC WOULD LIKE TO THANK SISTERHOOD<br />
FOR THE DONATION OF<br />
5 MEZUZOT AND KOSHER SCROLLS<br />
FOR OUR SYNAGOGUE DOORS<br />
LEARNING SERVICE:<br />
Saturday morning, <strong>April</strong> 21st - (Last service of the Season)<br />
Do you wish you better understood the Saturday morning service? Are you<br />
interested in participating more actively, but need some help getting started? Would<br />
you like it to go at a slower pace and be able to interrupt and ask questions? Then<br />
join us at <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> on selected Saturday mornings at 10:30 am for a<br />
special “Learning Service.” The service will be held in the Small Chapel. Lisa Hadar<br />
will lead the prayers and discussion. Following services join the rest of the<br />
congregation for a special kiddush. Open to all PJC members and the community at<br />
large.<br />
EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED MATH TUTOR<br />
ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL / NINTH GRADE<br />
REMEDIAL AND NYS TEST PREP<br />
EXCELLENT RESULTS IN YOUR OWN HOME<br />
INDIVIDUAL PERSONALIZED ATTENTION<br />
PATIENT / REASONABLE RATES<br />
MASTERS DEGREE - NYU<br />
MR. WOLF<br />
516-935-9740<br />
FREE MONEY<br />
Please help our Religious School earn free money<br />
Save Box Tops from General Mills brand items<br />
Either mail or deposit them in the Main or Education Office<br />
Ziploc – Kleenex – Hefty – Cheerios – Scott Paper<br />
Gogurt – Kix – Betty Crocker<br />
and many more !!
ORBIT Page 16<br />
ShopRite Food Certificates<br />
are always available<br />
at the Temple office<br />
Remember, by supporting the<br />
Food Certificate Program,<br />
you support PJC!<br />
** Food Certificates may be purchased by credit card in the temple office **
ORBIT Page 17<br />
SISTERHOOD NEWS<br />
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - Doreen B. Guzik<br />
Passover begins the evening of <strong>April</strong> 6th and it commemorates the<br />
deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. It is celebrated as the “Season of<br />
our Freedom”. On the first two nights we have a Seder, which means ‘order’.<br />
We read from the Haggadah which tells the story of our miraculous path to<br />
freedom. We also eat unleavened bread, matzo, to commemorate the haste in which the Israelites<br />
had to flee their bondage from Egypt. We retell the story of our release from slavery during the<br />
Seders so we always remember the hardship the Israelites endured and that we should be<br />
thankful for the freedom we have. It is the time of year that we come together with family and<br />
friends. At your Seder, remember those who are no longer with us. Bring together everyone by<br />
telling a story that evokes fond memories of a past Seder or event while eating your festive<br />
meal. In this way we can all bring true meaning to this wonderful holiday.<br />
I am so happy to announce that this year’s very deserving recipient of our Woman of<br />
Achievement Award is Marilyn Cohen. She is always happy and willing to help out with any<br />
task large or small. Marilyn is truly one of our most dedicated members. So remember to mark<br />
your calendars for May 23rd for Torah Fund’s Women of Achievement dinner. Look out for<br />
information about attending this wonderful evening where Marilyn will be one of the honorees.<br />
This year Dix Hills <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> will be hosting this event. Let us show support for Marilyn<br />
and Sisterhood by attending the dinner.<br />
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Passover. Doreen Guzik<br />
SISTERHOOD JUDAICA SHOP<br />
The Sisterhood Judaica Shop has gifts for all your holiday<br />
needs. We have a large selection of seder plates,<br />
menorahs, mezuzahs, jewelry and head coverings for both<br />
men and women. Our great holiday serving pieces,<br />
including platters and utensils, are wonderful for<br />
celebrating and entertaining with family and friends.<br />
WHEN YOU THINK GIFTS, THINK SISTERHOOD JUDAICA!
ORBIT Page 18<br />
TORAH FUND - Rose Weiner, Torah Fund Coordinator<br />
The Torah Fund supports our future rabbis, cantors, teachers and <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
community leaders at the <strong>Jewish</strong> Theological Seminary. The money raised<br />
through our Torah Fund contributions is an important part of fostering and<br />
maintaining the continuity of the <strong>Jewish</strong> conservative movement. You can help<br />
in this effort by making donations to Sisterhood’s Torah Fund or simply<br />
purchasing Torah Fund greeting cards. Occasions such as Mazel Tov, Get Well,<br />
Rejoicing with You, New Baby, and of course Condolences are all available for<br />
$4.00 each. The cards can be purchased at any Sisterhood meeting or event, or<br />
they can be mailed to the recipient for you by contacting:<br />
Rose - 935-0454, Joyce - 433-4826 or Judi - 433-4099<br />
wish someone you care about<br />
a return to good health
ORBIT<br />
Page 19<br />
TODAH RABBAH!<br />
Many thanks to all the members of PJC, Men’s Club and Sisterhood who supported and<br />
participated in Sisterhood’s Shalach Manot project. Our success is due to all of you who supported<br />
this. We hope you enjoyed sending and receiving Shalach Manot and participating in this mitzvah.<br />
Thanks and kudos also to the tireless efforts of all the Sisterhood women on the Shalach Manot<br />
committee who have worked hard on this “labor of love” for months. This is Sisterhood’s largest<br />
undertaking each year and it truly takes a “village” to accomplish this – the end result being all the<br />
beautiful bags that we all see in the lobby on Purim and get to take home or bring to our friends and<br />
family.<br />
Special thanks to my core committee- Marilyn Cohen, Sheryl Fischer and Marion Weisfelner.<br />
Todah Rabbah to Doreen Guzik, our President, who took over organizing and sending out the College<br />
Purim Kits this year. Special thanks to Marilyn Cohen for sending out all the Purim Greeting cards to<br />
those who do not live nearby.<br />
Thanks also to many others who in one way or another helped by either: shopping, schlepping,<br />
planning or packing. They are (in no special order): Judy Forman, Louise Pollack, Dvorah Lumerman,<br />
Judi Dorosin, Lilly Elman, Lee Hauptman, Matt Eckstein, Rhonnie Diener, Rose Weiner, Rayna Herman,<br />
Sarah Stone, Blayne Peltzman, Eleanor Abrams, Illyse Conn, Yoni Conn, Carol Breshin, Ellen Hayman,<br />
Cara Hayman, Carol Hauser, Marissa Hauser, Michele Haimes, Gladys Freilich, Stacy Meyerson,<br />
Debbie Siegel, Jay Goldberg, Beverly Kepke, Elieen Fonfa, Allison Galub, David Galub, Jodi Schinz,<br />
Alyssa Finkelstein-Beitler, Debra Finkelstein-Levy, Rhoda Meshover, Elise Epstein, Elise Smith, Diane<br />
Miller, Gail Kaden, Cheryl Dender, Sheila Hoffstatter, Ida Kleiner, Margie Richter, Elyse Schrage, Debbie<br />
Zaglin, Cindy Getzoff, Lynn Lederkramer, Joyce Rimer, Zita Jospa, Allison Graubart, Olga Portnoy and<br />
Sharon Kunoff.<br />
I also want to thank Dorit Mass, the office secretary and our wonderful custodians, Freddy,<br />
Jonny and Bob.<br />
Hopefully I have not left anyone out but please forgive me if I have.<br />
On behalf of the Shalach Manot Committee,<br />
Bunny Finkelstein, Chairman<br />
Sisterhood Special Project - M’yad L’yad by Sharon Kunoff<br />
Sisterhood is constantly looking for clothing, staples and cash for our family.<br />
Your donations have enabled us to send a small package for of gift cards and<br />
goodies for Purim. By the time you receive this we expect to have sent out a larger<br />
package for Pesach (depending on your response to our March article which you<br />
should have read recently), but we always have room to store items for the next time.<br />
You can contact me at skunoff@optonline.net or leave a note in the Sisterhood box<br />
at PJC. Thank you for your help and Hag Sameah!!
ORBIT Page 20<br />
PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER<br />
SISTERHOOD<br />
PRESENTS<br />
FASHION SHOW <strong>2012</strong>!<br />
MAY 15TH AT 7:30PM<br />
ENJOY AN EVENING OF FASHION<br />
WITH FASHIONS FROM<br />
ALTA MODA by JOSEPHINE<br />
BUFFET DINNER & LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES<br />
COME SEE YOUR FRIENDS MODEL!<br />
$36 Per Person (Sisterhood Members)<br />
$40 (Non Sisterhood Members)<br />
SEND IN YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!<br />
NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MAY 4th!!<br />
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!!<br />
CALL DVORAH FOR MORE INFO 931-0596<br />
SEND CHECKS TO: PJC SISTERHOOD<br />
95 FLORAL DR. PLAINVIEW, NY 11803<br />
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————<br />
FASHION SHOW <strong>2012</strong><br />
NAME:______________________________<br />
PHONE:__________________<br />
AMOUNT ENCLOSED:______________<br />
I’D LIKE TO BE SEATED WITH:____________________________________
ORBIT<br />
Page 21<br />
BUY JNF TREES FROM SISTERHOOD<br />
THEY CAN BE IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE<br />
OR IN HONOR OF A LOVED ONE<br />
OR JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL<br />
JNF TREES ARE $18.00 EACH<br />
PLEASE CONTACT ELYSE SCHRAGE @ 822-7062<br />
HOLOCAUST<br />
SURVIVOR COOKBOOK<br />
Our Sisterhood has added a new item to our list of fund<br />
raising which has already proven to be a great success<br />
for our temple. It is called the “Holocaust Survivor<br />
Cookbook”. It is a beautifully published book containing<br />
129 amazing and miraculous stories of courage & survival<br />
and includes over 250 delicious recipes which were<br />
favorites of these great people and their families. You will<br />
enjoy their recipes, but their stories will never be forgotten.<br />
They are selling for $36.00 and the profits on every book<br />
will be donated strictly to the <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong>.<br />
They will be displayed at every Sisterhood meeting. Or,<br />
you can call Marilyn Cohen at 822-4553 to order. This is<br />
a great book to have for your home or for a gift for your<br />
family and friends. This book makes a meaningful gift.<br />
And, as a bonus, you will also be supporting our temple.<br />
MAY WE SERVE YOU<br />
Prayer Book Fund Torah Fund Book of Life JNF Certificates<br />
Diane Miller 935-7732 Rose Weiner 935-0454 Rhoda Meshover 938-8818 Elyse Schrage 822-7062<br />
Judaica Shop Joyce Rimer 433-4826 Cookbook<br />
Michele Haimes 822-0704 Judi Dorosin Barbara Alhadeff 935-3510<br />
Mitzvah Committee: Call Temple Office: 938-8610 (Shiva Set-up & Shiva Chairs Available)
ORBIT Page 22<br />
REFUAH SHELAYMAH<br />
Our <strong>Plainview</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Family wishes a refuah shelaymah to:<br />
Spencer Reis Stuart Raskin<br />
Martin Bertisch Zelda King<br />
Sheldon Chassen Ivan Mack<br />
Stephen Finkelstein Barbara Greenberg<br />
To our PJC members, if you would like to have a family member<br />
included in this section, please notify the temple office at:<br />
516 938-8610 x101
ORBIT Page 23<br />
A.A.R.P. DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM<br />
Hosted by THE PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER<br />
** SAVE 10% ON AUTO LIABILITY, COLLISION AND PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION INSURANCE<br />
FOR THREE YEARS, AND<br />
** REDUCE YOUR ACTIVE POINT TOTAL BY UP TO FOUR POINTS (SEE DMV BROCHURE)<br />
THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL PJC MEMBERS<br />
COURSE DATES , WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, <strong>2012</strong> AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, <strong>2012</strong><br />
COURSE TIME: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM<br />
YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS<br />
REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 30 APPLICANTS.<br />
* THE NON-REFUNDABLE FEE IS $17.00 PER PERSON FOR AARP MEMBERS<br />
AND $19.00 PER PERSON FOR NON-AARP MEMBERS<br />
PAYABLE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION. SPOUSES BOTH USE THE SAME AARP MEMBERSHIP NUMBER.<br />
* BRING YOUR LICENSE , A PEN AND YOUR AARP CARD TO THE FIRST SESSION.<br />
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE AND GIVEN BY OUR OWN LARRY ABRAMS.<br />
* PLEASE FILL IN THE APPLICATION BELOW AND MAIL IT BEFORE THE CLASS DATE,<br />
ALONG WITH YOUR CHECK for the appropriate amount (NO CASH), PAYABLE TO AARP, TO:<br />
LARRY ABRAMS<br />
17 TIPTOP LANE<br />
HICKSVILLE, NY 11801 Tel. 516x735-6483<br />
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br />
NAME(s) __________________________________,<br />
_________________________________<br />
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________<br />
NUMBER ATTENDING____<br />
AARP MEMBER?_____ If yes, AARP #__________________<br />
TELEPHONE: __________________________<br />
WED., MAY 23 AND WED., MAY 30, <strong>2012</strong><br />
6:30 PM SHARP to 9:30 PM<br />
FEE FOR AARP MEMBERS IS $17 PER PERSON (ENTER YOUR AARP NUMBER ON THE CHECK.)<br />
FEE FOR NON-AARP MEMBERS IS $19 PER PERSON. CHECKS ONLY, PAYABLE TO “AARP”.
ORBIT<br />
Page 24<br />
Israel Affairs by Sharon Kunoff<br />
It is hard to believe that it is time for the <strong>April</strong> column. So, first, I hope you all enjoyed a festive<br />
Purim with your families at the PJC and are now all ready for Pesach. With all the educational activities<br />
at PJC: the Sisterhood Women’s Seder in March, the Model Seders and studies your Religious school<br />
students attended, and information gleaned at other study sessions there should be very interesting<br />
discussions around the many Seder tables in the <strong>Plainview</strong>-Old Bethpage area this year. If when you are<br />
reading this you find you will be alone this year, please let someone at PJC know. A place will be found<br />
for you at one of the local tables !! Hag Pesach Sameah.<br />
Noah and I completed a 3+ week road trip to Florida to visit friends and family, with various stops<br />
along the way, returning home with the deadline for this article looming. Fortunately, The New Israel<br />
Fund, one of the Israeli organizations that we support had taken a closer look at the Guttman <strong>Center</strong><br />
Survey I mentioned last month, and came up with some interesting facts that did not appear in the general<br />
media. The first headline that intrigued me in the New Israel Fund newsletter was: Can you believe it?<br />
Israel has more Conservative and Reform Jews than Haredis? Of course I was very happy to hear this.<br />
And I realized that this is another case of the squeaky wheel getting the attention. They certainly make a<br />
lot of noise with stoning people who they feel are not observing Shabbat properly, beating up women<br />
who put on Tefillin, boxing in the Women’s area on the wall so that it is amazing that air can penetrate,<br />
and trying to enforce the rule that was found unconstitutional by the Israeli Supreme court, relegating<br />
women to the back of the bus.<br />
According to statistics from the Guttman <strong>Center</strong> as reported by Rabbi Schmuel on<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong>Journal.com, Question number 157 asked: “How would you define yourself religiously?” and the<br />
options were: Haredi, Haredi-Leumi (Zionist ultra-Orthodox), Dati-Leumi (Zionist-Orthodox), Conservative,<br />
Reform, Other, Do not belong to any stream. This question was not included in the final report but the raw<br />
data for all questions in now available on line and Rabbi Rosner found the answers to this one worth<br />
reporting. It turns out that half of Israelis (50 percent) do not belong to any stream. These are the more<br />
than 40 percent of the self-defined “secular” and probably some “traditional” Israelis as well. The surprising<br />
number is the combined number of “liberal” religious Israelis: 8 percent. Haredi,7%: Haredi-Leumi, 2%:<br />
Dati-Leumi, 22%: Conservative, 4%: Reform, 4: Other,12: No stream, 50: Total, 100%<br />
Rabbi Rosner then pondered what this really means or can mean to the non Orthodox groups, the<br />
Masorti (conservative) and the Reform. He compared data with the last time such a survey was done<br />
and found the number of Masorti and Reform has increased. The question was worded somewhat<br />
differently then, but it is most likely that the number has really grown. While still small, the percent has<br />
almost doubled. Independent information also leads to that conclusion as the number of Israeli Masorti<br />
congregations has increased from about 40 to 60 in the last 5 years. The congregations aren’t large, but<br />
in Tel Aviv and Herzeliya on Shabbat mornings 2 years ago, we attended morning services of over 20<br />
people each, in Herzeliya the Shabbat before Pesach and in Tel Aviv, during Pesach and also on the<br />
final day of the holiday. The main Masorti shul in Jerusalem on the first day of Pesach had many more<br />
attendees but it caters to tourists, the others are neighborhood congregations.<br />
One comment Rabbi Rosner noted after speaking to Professor Tamar Hermann, the academic<br />
supervisor of the Guttman <strong>Center</strong>, was that she believes that many of the Israelis who defined themselves<br />
as “Conservative” and “Reform” were really “Israelis with strong religious sense that do not see themselves<br />
( continued on Page 25 )
ORBIT Page 25<br />
Israel Affairs ( continued from Page 24 )<br />
identifying with the Orthodox establishment.” I think that is really how observant Conservative and Reform<br />
Jews in this country feel too, they are observant, but not in the Orthodox sense. They follow the rules of<br />
their movement to the best of their ability.<br />
Summarizing, a few other conclusions: We shouldn’t panic over the what is perceived as a<br />
strengthening of the Israeli Haredi community because maybe, just maybe, it is just them panicking over<br />
our success!! If Israeli moderates are tired of hearing that the moderate streams have no way of<br />
succeeding in Israel – here’s a window of opportunity, opened wide. It is the time for our movement in<br />
Israel to seize it. Having many self-defined Conservative and Reform Israelis is probably nice, but it will<br />
not be truly important if the number of practicing Conservative and Reform Israelis doesn’t significantly<br />
grow. Finally, dividing Israelis into “religious” and “secular” with some “traditionalists” in the middle is<br />
losing relevance. There’s an important silent center of moderates that needs to be heard. Maybe some<br />
of them are sending their kids to Tali schools and are meeting like minded others and will start talking.<br />
We know there is unrest about the way marriages must be performed currently in Israel. Now we hope<br />
these same people will realize that affiliating with a movement will encourage their voices to be heard<br />
and they can do something about it. There is strength in numbers !! Talk to your friends and relatives in<br />
Israel. Maybe even we can make a difference !!<br />
THE BIBLE CLASS<br />
KING DAVID: THE MYTH AND THE MAN<br />
Looking for an hour of action, drama and excitement on Wednesday night? Take in a<br />
classic series that has been delivering the thrills for more than 2000 years. Join Rabbi Conn,<br />
for all the action on selected Wednesday evenings at 8:15 PM.<br />
Rabbi Conn will continue to guide our class through one of the Bible’s most dramatic<br />
stories in the Bible: David ascent to the kingship, his breathtaking successes and stunning<br />
failures. Join us for a lively and stimulating discussion of this riveting story. The class meets<br />
in the Library, usually twice a month on the first and third Wednesday. Refreshments will be<br />
served. Free and open to all. Bring your own Bible or use the study sheets provided in<br />
class. No Hebrew necessary.<br />
Next Session: May 2nd<br />
II Samuel 2 - Long Live the King? Civil War in Israel<br />
Text Study with Rabbi Conn<br />
Most Shabbat Afternoons between<br />
Mincha (Afternoon) and Ma’ariv (evening) services.<br />
Begin the new week with a few minutes of study. This fall, we will focus on a question<br />
from the weekly Torah portion and the answer given by Rashi, the most famous of all<br />
commentators. Our discussions are always brief, and usually insightful. So join us for prayer,<br />
study and camaraderie as we explore the Torah together.
ORBIT<br />
Page 26<br />
MEN’S CLUB by Stephen Taub<br />
Men’s Club once again thanks all those who supported the Patio Players’ show, A Funny<br />
Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This year’s show was once again a big success. We<br />
would like to thank all those who participated, including those who performed as well as the many<br />
anonymous people behind the scenes, as well as those who donated equipment, time and elbow<br />
grease.<br />
Make sure you check your mailbox for your Yom Hashoah Yahrzeit candle. This is one among<br />
many annual Men’s Club contributions to the Temple. You can help us defray some of the costs of<br />
purchasing the candles and boxes and mailing them by sending a donation. All money that exceeds<br />
our costs will go to the Long Island Holocaust Museum. And don’t forget to light them on the<br />
evening of <strong>April</strong> 18th before you head over to PJC for our annual Yom Hashoah program.<br />
Also, sometime during the week of May 22-24, Men’s Club will be hosting what we hope will<br />
become an annual golf outing. It will take place at North Shore Towers. Watch Hakol, <strong>Orbit</strong> and your<br />
e-mails for further details and the exact date, time and price.<br />
PRESCHOOL (AKA TOT) SHABBAT<br />
FRIDAY APRIL 20TH AT 6:00 PM<br />
Please join us for Pre-School (aka Tot) Shabbat. Pre-school Shabbat is a half hour of prayer,<br />
songs, stories and fun, followed by a kid-friendly kiddush and social time. It is designed for kids 0-6,<br />
but older siblings are welcome to join us as well. Pre-school Shabbat offers a great way for kids and<br />
parents and/or grandparents to share a lively Shabbat experience.<br />
Please tell your friends about this wonderful program. Pre-School Shabbat is open to the<br />
entire community. All are welcome!<br />
Institute for Adult <strong>Jewish</strong> Studies by Sharon Kunoff<br />
The Institute of <strong>Jewish</strong> Studies will be starting its 50 th season this coming October. The Institute<br />
got its start when four congregations, including PJC got together to establish a world class program of<br />
<strong>Jewish</strong> Studies for its members. We have been going strong ever since. Right now we are in the<br />
planning stages for next year. A broad outline of our year follows:<br />
Program <strong>2012</strong>-2013 — Academic Year 5773: Mark the following Monday Evenings in your Calendar:<br />
First Lecture - October 15, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Classes and Lectures - October 22 thru December 10, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Surprise Event - December 17, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Winter Series - January 7 thru Jan 28, 2013<br />
We are in the process of choosing our speakers. <strong>Plainview</strong> has always been a big part of this<br />
process, but our involvement has been wavering. All planning meetings will be on Monday evenings<br />
at Midway, usually one per month through June and then one or two more before the sessions start in<br />
October. The future meetings dates will be announced. For questions, please contact me at:<br />
skunoff@optonline.net. It would be nice to see some of you. It is a good committee which does good<br />
work.<br />
Have a happy Passover!!
ORBIT Page 27<br />
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO<br />
THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR THEIR DONATION TO PJC:<br />
Eleanor & Melvin Tanenbaum<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Milton Greenwald<br />
Ann & Martin Block – Cantor’s Discretionary Fund<br />
in honor of Steve Finkelstein’s 70 th birthday<br />
Stanley Roth – Prayer BookFund<br />
Hank Marcus – Men’s Club – in memory of Arnie Cooper<br />
In memory of Arnie Cooper:<br />
Diane & Joe Miller<br />
Barbara Miller<br />
Ilene & Jay Pachtman<br />
Lori & Izzy Fleiss<br />
Beverly Pollock<br />
Libby Saks<br />
Linda & David Ginsburg<br />
Fonda & Samuel Leibowitz<br />
Mary & Cristina Wanek<br />
Pearl & Harris Sanders<br />
Rhoda Meshover<br />
Audrey & Larry Leventhal<br />
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – in memory of Arnie Cooper;<br />
Rhona & Richard Liptzin<br />
Dolores & Edward Lubitch<br />
Diana & Len Lerner<br />
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund – in memory of Arnie Cooper:<br />
Phyllis Sarrel<br />
Phyllis & Ivan Mack
ORBIT Page 28<br />
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES<br />
FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE YAHRZEIT & YIZKOR FUND:<br />
Zahava & Shalom Waldman<br />
Sylvia Landau<br />
Metty Kavadlo<br />
Melvin Tanenbaum<br />
Dawn & Richard Bloom<br />
Philip Seydel<br />
Sally Antman Gleicher<br />
Carol & Melvin Breshin<br />
Larry A. Lachter<br />
Marcia Weller<br />
Doris & Hy Schoenfeld<br />
Rita Galack<br />
Mady Rosenthal<br />
Randy & David Goldstein<br />
Helen R. Rudowsky<br />
Estelle & Alan Hodes<br />
Rhoda Meshover<br />
Ellen & Steven Haas<br />
Harriet & Stuart Sherman<br />
“TO SAVE ONE LIFE,<br />
IS TO SAVE THE WORLD”<br />
Mishnah Sanhedrein<br />
The Gift of Life organization is one of North America’s public bone<br />
marrow, stem cell and umbilical cord blood registries. Through its lifesaving<br />
work, Gift of Life is a world leader helping children and adults<br />
find the matches they need.<br />
Right now, there are at least 30,000 children and adults suffering<br />
from leukemia and other blood related diseases. Bone marrow<br />
donations are the key to survival.<br />
If you would like to consider being tested or making a<br />
contribution, please visit www.giftoflife.org. Thank you for your support,<br />
generosity, and the love in your hearts!<br />
M’yad L’yad (Helping Hands)<br />
Please join Sisterhood, other members of PJC<br />
and many others on Long Island<br />
as an anonymous sponsor<br />
of a LI family in need .<br />
All you need do is send a package<br />
as few as four(4) times per year through your local UPS store.<br />
M’yad L’yad will pay the shipping cost.<br />
For more information, call:<br />
Marilyn or Marty Leibowitz at 822-6965.
ORBIT<br />
Page 29<br />
Hatzilu Means Rescue<br />
Hatzilu is reaching out to our community for help. This worthy organization<br />
has been assisting impoverished and needy Jews throughout Nassau County for<br />
many years. Volunteer social workers help elderly Jews obtain the government benefits<br />
to which they are entitled and food is provided to the hungry. Hatzilu maintains the<br />
largest kosher food warehouse in Nassau County and volunteers deliver food to<br />
people who need it desperately. The warehouse is in dire need of canned goods and<br />
nonperishable foods. Donations of these products would help restock the shelves<br />
that are almost bare.<br />
Hatzilu appreciates all money donations as well. A food collection box will be<br />
placed by the main entrance of the synagogue.<br />
Thanks for helping those in need. For further information about<br />
Hatzilu, please go to: www.hatzilurescue.org or call 931-2884.<br />
Arlyne Skolnik<br />
HATZILU<br />
IN ORDER TO HELP OUR JEWISH POOR AND ELDERLY,<br />
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO HATZILU.<br />
MEN’S CLUB WILL SEND A CERTIFICATE<br />
TO HONOR THE NAME OF MEMORY OF WHO YOU CHOOSE.<br />
THIS IS AN IDEAL WAY TO EXPRESS A “SIMCHA” OR “SYMPATHY”<br />
AND TO HELP OUR FELLOW JEWS.<br />
PLEASE EMAIL STEVE GLASSER AT: STEVETG@AOL.COM<br />
OR CALL HIM AT: 516 938-3069 TO ORDER A CERTIFICATE
ORBIT Page 30<br />
ATTENTION ALL CONGREGANTS:<br />
OUR WEEKDAY EVENING MINYANS<br />
ARE IN NEED OF A FEW GOOD PEOPLE!<br />
WEEKDAY MINYAN IS AT 8PM AND LASTS 15 MINUTES.<br />
ANY DAY YOU CAN COME DOWN<br />
WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.<br />
THANK YOU<br />
PJC BUY A BRICK PROGRAM<br />
Please help us in raising money to upgrade, beautify and maintain<br />
our building and grounds. Our Walkway of Memories will provide a<br />
permanent way to honor or memorialize a family member or friend,<br />
a business or special occasion.<br />
For further information or additional order forms, please call:<br />
Larry Speiller at (516) 938-8610.
ORBIT Page 31<br />
PSSST! IT’S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE<br />
.<br />
Respecting others’ privacy is an important <strong>Jewish</strong> value. Lashon<br />
HaRa—gossip—is uniformly condemned by our tradition. But there is at<br />
least one exception. When someone is ill or in need of care and support,<br />
it is a mitzvah to tell people who can help.<br />
In our community, the Rabbi and Cantor provide pastoral support to<br />
individuals and families who are suffering illness and those who need<br />
emotional support. The Rabbi also serves as the liaison to our newly<br />
formed Bikur Cholim Committee; which provides additional visits and<br />
support to those who request it.<br />
Please let the Rabbi and Cantor know when someone in our<br />
congregation is ill; or when a family is dealing with a crisis. Only when<br />
they know can they reach out to individuals and families in need. Only<br />
when they know can they mobilize our Bikur Cholim committee to provide<br />
additional support. Don’t worry that they might already have the<br />
information. Don’t worry that you are “bothering” these busy people.<br />
The information you provide will be vital to helping our congregation to<br />
serve the needs of those who need us the most.<br />
Rabbi Conn and Cantor Wolk can be reached at PJC at (516) 938-8610.<br />
Rabbi Conn can be reached by cell at (516) 524-7447<br />
or by email at rabbiconn@plainviewjewishcenter.com.<br />
PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER<br />
CEMETERY GROUND<br />
Location: Wellwood Cemetery at Pinelawn, New York<br />
Cost: Single Graves available at $550 each grave.<br />
Family Graves $500 each (minimum of 4 graves).<br />
Terms: 25% down with interest free monthly payments<br />
for a period of up to two (2) years.<br />
Eligibility: Available to PJC Members ONLY.<br />
For information call: JOEL FASS 938-7351