December 20 - Temple Israel of Great Neck

TEMPLE ISRAEL VOICEMarc Katz, EditorAssociate Editors:Rabbi Marim D. Charry, Paula Charry, Angela Jones, Ronnie KatzPhotographers: Kitty Dadi, Dr. Robert Lopatkin, Milton PuttermanAdvertising Representative: Lottie BlyeTEMPLE ISRAEL OF GREAT NECK108 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023Phone: 516-482-7800 • Fax: 516-482-7352 • E-Mail: info@tign.orgWeb: www.TIGN.orgPublished bi-weekly by Temple Israel of Great Neck, New York,from mid-August to mid-June. Periodicals postage paid at Great Neck,NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to Temple Israel Voice at addressabove. Publication No. USPS 078-740. Subscription $5.00 per annum.PeriodicalsPostage Paidat Great Neck, NYTEMPLE ISRAEL STAFFHoward A. Stecker..............................................................Senior RabbiRaphael Frieder..............................................................................CantorSeth Adelson...................................................................Associate RabbiMordecai Waxman*........................................................Rabbi EmeritusLeon Silverberg.........................................................Executive DirectorRabbi Amy Roth...........................Director of Congregational SchoolsRachel Mathless...................................................Director, Beth HaGanDaniel Mishkin...................................Director, Waxman High SchoolOFFICERSAlan M. Klinger.........................................................................PresidentSeth Horowitz...................................................................Vice PresidentDr. Parviz Khodadadian..................................................Vice PresidentDr. Robert Lopatkin..........................................................Vice PresidentDr. Robert Panzer..............................................................Vice PresidentRebecca Yousefzadeh Sassouni.......................................Vice PresidentGary Sazer..........................................................................Vice PresidentSteven Shepsman..............................................................Vice PresidentIrving H. Lurie*.......................................................Honorary President*DeceasedAFFILIATED WITHTHE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISMD‘var torahBy Rabbi Marim D. CharryVayigash Saturday, December 22The Joseph narrative is continued as Judah makes a movingappeal to Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers, on behalf ofhis brother, Benjamin, who had been accused of stealing Joseph’sgoblet, in this portion. Judah’s words convince Joseph that hisbrothers truly changed since they sold him. He reveals himself tothem, inquires about his father’s health and assures them that theiraction was part of God’s plan to put him in a position to save lives.He invites the entire family to come to Egypt to live out the fiveremaining years of the famine. When Jacob arrives, Joseph presentshis father at court and settles the family in a choice area of the land.In the following years, he continues his work and brings greatbenefits to the crown. Jacob’s journey to Egypt connects him withAbraham, who also went to Egypt because of famine, but is alsothe first step in the transformation of the patriarch’s family into thepeople of Israel.Vayehi Saturday, December 29In this portion we conclude the cycle of Jacob stories and theBook of Genesis. After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob feels that his end isapproaching. He makes Joseph swear that he will bury him with hisforebearers in the land of Israel, and he blesses Joseph’s children,Ephraim and Manasseh, thereby effectively elevating them to thestatus of Israelite tribes. Jacob then calls in all of his sons and delivershis testament in which he characterizes them and predicts what thefuture will bring each of them. Upon Jacob’s death, the brothers buryhim in the Cave of Machpelah and return to Egypt where they begJoseph’s forgiveness for the way they treated him. Joseph reassuresthem again that it was all part of God’s plan. The concluding versesremind us of God’s promise that the Israelites would return to theland of Canaan and prepare us to move, in the Book of Exodus, withits account of the enslavement and redemption.——Continued on page 5N’Ranenah/Evening ServiceMorning Servicesabbath servIcesFriday, December 21•Saturday, December 226:30 P.M.8:45 A.M.Weekly Portion: VayigashGenesis 44:18 – 47:27 Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15 – 28Sabbath Service Officers:Pargol Khadavi and Miriam KoblinerBar MitzvahMATTHEW WEINSTEINson of Maria and Dr. Michael WeinsteinHavurah Service10:00 A.M.Junior Congregation10:30 A.M.Toddler Service11:00 A.M.Shabbat Game-a-Palooza3:00 P.M.Mincha and Ma’ariv3:50 P.M.HavdalahEvening ServiceMorning Service•Friday, December 28•Saturday, December 29Shabbat Hazak5:13 P.M.4:30 P.M.8:45 A.M.Weekly Portion: VayehiGenesis 47:28 – 50:26 Haftarah: I Kings 2:1 – 12Sabbath Service Officers:Larry Greengrass and Shahram DelafrazJunior Congregation10:30 A.M.Toddler Service11:00 A.M.Mincha and Ma’ariv3:55 P.M.Havdalah5:17 P.M.——Continued on page 5