Shavout May 30, 2009 7 Sivan 5769

Times GNS TEFILLA DIGEST: A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer
By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern
Thursday, May 28 This inspiring article about of our faith: There is no “masechet The greatest evidence of
tefillah is sponsored by emunah.” One of the only major this is the fact that even after the
Prepare Eiruv Tavshilin
Diane and David Rein in passages in which chazal speak tenets of our belief were formulated
Candle lighting 7:59 pm honor of Diane’s mother, about our beliefs is the Mishna in in a formal structure they still
Sanhedrin which says “kol yisrael remained unknown to the majority of
Mincha 8:10 pm Helene M. Fink z”l. yesh lahem cheleck leolam haba” people until they were translated in to
Maariv 8:50 pm Issue # 43 – Chief Rabbi “all Jews have a share in the world prayer format and included in the
Jonathan Sacks on Prayer to come” and the gemara which siddur. The Rambam boiled down the
Friday, May 29 expands upon that phrase telling us essentials of Jewish belief in to 13
Main shul 9:00 am This past week I what beliefs in Judaism are so Ikkarim, 13 principles which he
attended a shiur at YU given heretical that they cause a person to outlines in various places. People
Beit Midrash 9:15 am by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks forgo that share in the world to only started to become familiar with
who is the Chief Rabbi of come. them when they were summarized in
Mincha 8:10 pm
England. Rabbi Sacks is This paucity of to a poem called “Yigdal” sung during
Candle lighting 8:00 pm eloquent, deep, and such an discussion on the topic of emunah davening and in to the “Ani Maamin”
accomplished scholar in (faith) has led certain scholars to statements that some people say after
Shabbat, May 30 limudei kodesh and limudei say that the belief component in shacharit.
Hashkama 8:00 am chol that it is truly a delight to Judaism is not so important. We Sometimes chazal pick
hear him or read his materials. are a practice based religion and as certain phrases or words to be
Main Minyan 8:45 am On Thursday morning in YU long as you keep the Torah and its included in the siddur in order to
in the middle of the exam mitzvoth, it doesn’t matter so much teach us about a central belief. For
Beit Midrash 9:00 am
period when people are what you believe or whether you example: There was a strong
Megilat Rut read this morning stressed and very busy believe. heretical belief in Gnosticism, or
probably 300 students and Rabbi Sacks UTTERLY Dualism, around in the time of the
Yizkor is said today most of the Roshei Yeshiva rejects that premise. He says that second beit hamikdash and beyond.
Gemorah Shiur 6:50 pm were packed in to the beis belief, emunah, is critical in People who questioned the existence
medrash to hear him speak. Judaism and that discussion of faith of G-d were often bothered by the
Pirkei Avot 7:05 pm His topic was prayer in honor is not at ALL absent from the existence of good and evil: How
Mincha 7:50 pm of the recent release of the new words of chazal: It is contained in could G-d be good if there is evil in
Koren Siddur with his English the siddur. If you want to see the the world? Their solution was to say
Shabbat and 9:08 pm translation and commentary. Jewish philosophy of faith look at that there are 2 forces in the world,
Yom Tov end I thought it would be the siddur. The tenets of our faith good and evil, shtey reshuyot as the
fitting to share with you some are not recorded as halachic gemara refers to it. These 2 forces
Sunday 7:30 am
of what he said. All of the discourse because faith is not about were most well known by the names
8:30 am
thoughts contained in today’s having an intellectual discussion “light and darkness” (as seen in the
Mon., Thurs. 6:35 am article are Rabbi Sacks’s but and it is not about laws, it is Dead Sea Scrolls).
any error in transmission is my something that must be Chazal, of course, firmly
Tues, Wed, Fri 6:45 am own. experienced. The siddur was finely rejected the dualistic philosophy and
Second Rabbi Sacks said crafted by chazal with the intent of wished to strengthen that rejection
Shacharit 7:45 am how surprising it is that there is conveying to us via our experience, and emphasize our belief in
Minyan (Daily) no tractate of the gemara that is our words, and our songs the most monotheism. The very first line of
dedicated to the fundamentals essential Jewish beliefs. our tefilla betzibur, our public prayers
Mincha (week 8:10 pm
of May 31)
Latest times for
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei Kiddush
May 30

June 5
9:09/10:23 am

9:08/10:23 am
Is sponsored by
Next Shabbat - Naso
Candle lighting 8:05 pm
Great neck synagogue
Mincha 7:00 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Shavout, 5769

at shacharit was designed to do this. Public prayer in the Thought to Ponder

mornings begins with barchu. The very first line after barchu is
“…yotzer or uvore choshech oseh shalom uvoreh et hakol” “… The Mishna in Avot says that the world stands on 3 pillars:
creator of light and darkness who makes peace and creates “Torah, Avodah (Prayer) and Gemillut Chassadim.” In Eastern
everything.” (This is really an adaptation of the pasuk in Isaiah Europe before World War II there were plenty of very pious Jews who
47:7). This line in the siddur is meant to teach us the fundamental were held in high regard even though they could not be great Torah
belief that G-d is One and that He alone creates both the good and scholars and could not be involved as much in Chessed. These Jews
the evil, the light and the dark and decides when it is fitting to were known as “siddur yiddin” – A Jew who knew much about belief,
carry out each one. about G-d, and about being pious because they experienced it through
Sometimes it is not the words of the prayers that teach prayer and through the siddur which is Chazal’s version of “masechet
us about faith but the structure of the siddur itself. amunah.”
The Rambam’s 13 principles of faith can really be split
up in to 3 essential categories: The first group of principles
speaks about our belief in G-d as the creator. The second group
speaks about our belief in the revelation which is about G-d as He
communicates with the world. The last group speaks about
Great Neck Synagogue
redemption and justice in the world. Annual Family Luncheon
If you think about the three blessings surrounding kriat In Memory of Sharon Sokol Heisler z’l
shma at shacharit you see that these three essential categories of
belief in G-d are represented. The first blessing “yotzer or” is Saturday, June 20, 2009
about creation, the second “ahava raba” is about Torah
(halachically this blessing can actually fulfill the requirement of
reciting birchot hatorah because it is a blessing which speaks Guest Speaker: Gary Rosenblatt
about how fortunate we are that G-d bestowed the Torah upon us Editor and publisher of The Jewish Week of New York
and how much we want to succeed in learning it and fulfilling its
mitzvoth), and the third blessing which connects the shma to the
amidah, “gaal yisrael” is about redemption. Beautiful Catered Lunch by Prestige
The three amidah’s of Shabbat (excluding mussaf which $50 per person
is in a different category) also come to teach us these 3 basic $20 per child
tenets of our belief: Maariv is about the story of creation,
Shachait is about revelation, about the experience of Sinai and (No charge for children under 4)
about Moshe receiving the Torah, and Mincha is about the
redemption when G-d and humanity will be unified which we get Youth Program Luncheon taking place same
a taste of through Shabbat.
Even the overall structure of our daily shacharit prayers time for first through eighth grade.
reflect Chazal’s desire to teach us to experience these three facets
of our faith. Pesuke Dezimra which starts off our davening For reservations please call or e-mail
contains passages from Tehillim which are about G-d’s power and
dominion and grandeur (i.e. creation) (The exception to this is
Mark Twersky at 487-6100
really the section of “vayevarech david” and “az yashir” which R. or email to: mtwersky@gns.org
Saadia Gaon already notes do not really fit well in the overall
theme of “pesuke dezimra”). We then move to the recitation of NAME____________________________________
shma and the amidah which is about our conversation with G-d
(i.e. revelation) (G-d speaking to us through the shma and us
speaking to G-d through the amidah). Finally, the last section of No. of reservations_________________
the prayers is represented by the passage of “uva lezion goel” Seating Requests:
which is about redemption.
This only begins to scratch the surface of what Rabbi
1 __________________________________
Sacks spoke about this week and what he spoke about only begins
to scratch the surface of what is contained in his new commentary 2 __________________________________
on the siddur.
3 __________________________________
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program
4 __________________________________
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi Amount enclosed__________________
Brahm Weinberg, Rabbinic Intern
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus For more information please call:
Zeev Kron, Cantor
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus Debbie Hollander 829-2013
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Howard Silberstein, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
 Shavuot – 5769
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Community
Tikun Leyl Shavuot (held this year at GNS)
11:30 pm – 12:30 am
A History of Rabbinic Politics in Megillat Rut
Rabbi Dale Polakoff (Ballroom)

12:40 am – 1:40 am
Learning Torah or Doing Mitzvot: Which Is More Important?
Rabbi Yaacov Lerner (Ballroom)

1:40 am— 2:00 am

Brief Break and Refreshments (Gym)
Following the break there will be a choice of 2 shiurim each hour

2:00 am – 2:50 am

Shiur #1 Reigning in Those Rabbis: The Latitude and Limits of Rabbinic Leadership
Rabbi Shmuel Ismach (Ballroom)

Shiur #2 Conversion and Revelation: An Examination of Geirus and Matan Torah

Rabbi Shalom Axelrod (Beit Midrash)

3:00 am—3:50 am

Shiur #1 Eliahu: Navi, Miracle Worker, Rider of Fiery Chariots: Is That All He Does?
Dr. Ephraim Weinblatt (Ballroom)

Shiur #2 G-d Will Provide: The Contemporary Kollel Controversy

Rabbi Brahm Weinberg (Beit Midrash)

4:00 am—4:50 am

Shiur #1 Megillat Rut and Halachik Consequences

Dr. Avi Goldberg (Ballroom)

Shiur #2 Eilu V’eilu Divrei Elokim Chayim: Can Everybody Be Right?

Daniel Schwechter (Beit Midrash)

4:55 am– Davenning 5:26am - Netz (Sunrise)

Youth learning throughout the night in the Youth Center

GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE GRADUATION & CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009

CELEBRATE ALL OF YOUR SMACHOT WITH US

BIRTHS, BAR & BAT MITZVAH, GRADUATIONS, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS, OR COMMEMORATE A LOVED ONES YAHRZEIT

TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CALL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE

OR SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO MTWERSKY@GNS.ORG

COST IS $100 PER FAMILY

 ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by the Katzwer, Karbowitz and
Steinberg families in memory of their husband, father and
grandfather Jacob Katzwer, z”l.
PIRKEI AVOT
Every Shabbat afternoon, through Shavuot, there will be a class on
Pirkei Avot, this week’s class is at 7:00pm.
HIGH SCHOOL PIRKEI AVOS CLASS
There will be a Pirkei Avos shiur for High School students every
shabbos afternoon approx 40 minutes before mincha given by
Cary Schwechter in the GNS Youth Center.
Chief Judge Doris L. Downs
In last weeks sermon, Rabbi Polakoff referred to the extraordinary
action taken by Judge Doris Downs in allowing the Maimonidies Mock
Trial team to participate in the national mock trial competition held in
Atlanta GA last week, despite the unwillingness of the National Board
to accommodate their Shabbat requirements. Many of you have called
the office looking for Judge Downs contact information. We are pleased
to share that with you: Chief Judge Doris L. Downs, 185 Central Ave.
SW, Judge Center Tower, Suite T-7955/Courtroom 7F, Atlanta, GA,
30303 (fax: 404-893-6647). She can also be reached by email through
her Judicial Assistant at Noreen.white@fultoncountyga.gov
MEN’S CLUB EVENTS
Sun. Oct 18th, 1pm Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv vs New York Knicks at
MSG. All proceeds are donated to Migdal Ohr. Mid-court tickets at
$105 each. For tickets call Steve Blumner 487-3859 or Hilly Milun
504-0320
UPCOMING SISTERHOOD EVENTS
Tues., June 9th, 7:30pm at GNS we present the documentary "Always
Remember Where You Came From: The Life of Samuel Hersch Wang" .
Thank you very much to his daughter Debbie Wang Etzion for
organizing this special evening.
Wed., August 5th, 8pm the Sisterhood presents a Ladies Night Out to
see "Menopause the Musical" at the Landmark on Main Street in Port
Washington. Tickets cost $50 and must be purchased by May 31st.
Please email drein@verizon.net to buy tickets. We look forward to a
fun and entertaining evening!
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Mazal Tov to Wendy & Eyal Ofer on the birth of their son.
GNS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Great Neck Synagogue warmly welcomes our new members
Joshua and Lital Amini
Abraham and Lynn Glassman
Eyal and Wendy Ofer
Moshe and Esther Pinsky
Payman and Miryam
Liza Vardi
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR COOKBOOK FOR SALE
The Sisterhood Gift Shop is now selling the Holocaust Survivor
Cookbook for $30. It includes 250 kosher family recipes, and 129 amazing
and miraculous stories of courage, survival, and hope.
REFLECTIVE GNS VESTS
A limited supply of reflective vests with GNS logo on them are available in
the synagogue office for $5.
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR LEFTOVERS!
If you would like to donate food, even if it’s a little extra while making
dinner, Herschel Minster collects outside of Mazur’s every Friday
afternoon, and delivers food for Shabbat to those in need, and will also
pick up in Great Neck during the week, contact him at 718-279-3989.
ISRAELI DAY PARADE & CONCERT
Sunday, May 31st is the Israeli Day Parade, followed by the Free Israeli
Day Concert in Central Park. The concert runs from 2:30-7:30pm, and can
be accessed at 5th Ave. through the 72nd Street entrance to the park. For
info call Paul Brody at 466-5412.
WALK WITH YOUR FEET HELP WITH YOUR HEART
Please join Chabad’s Friendship Circle Walk 4 Friendship on Sunday June
7th, starting at Great Neck Public Library, 10:30 am, ending at 32 Sunset
Drive. Brunch and Carnival to follow. Register or sponsor at
www.walk4friendshipgn.com For more info Viviane Breitbart 428-1294
or Haifa Shavolian 606-7980.
BLOOD DRIVE
Semi-annual Men’s Club blood drive will be on June 21st, Sunday morning

GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE

SAM AHARONOFF MEMORIAL SHIVTEI TORAH CAMPAIGN
Please drop off your current used magazines to the Synagogue office to be
The NSHA and the NSHA High School, in conjunction with the greater
donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear.
Great Neck Jewish Community, will hold a historic campaign that will
involve the dedication and commissioning of 12 new Sifrei Torah. All
proceeds will support the Sam Aharonoff Memorial Scholarship Fund to Saturday, 7 Sivan
help offset tuition costs for dozens of needy students. For more info: Sanford Brand for Aron Brand
www.shivteitorah.org, or Arnie Flatow 487-8687 ext 2. Elizabeth Katzwer for Israel Schwartz
Ruth Wachtenheim for Hannie Halpern
DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE
Sunday, 8 Sivan
GNS Men’s Club is holding an AAA Driver’s Education course on
Wednesday and Thursday June 3rd, and 4th from 7-10pm each night Murray Frank for Meyer Frank
at GNS. $25 per person over 55, $30 for under 55. Checks made Y Roselin Wagner for Anna Seider
payable to AAA, call the Synagogue office for reservations 487-6100. Jerrald Weinstein for Abraham Weinstein
Space is limited.
A Monday, 9 Sivan
H Serge Fischler for Hanny Fischler
Carol Karbowitz for Jacob Katzwer
ISRAEL DAY PARADE R Elizabeth Katzwer for Jacob Katzwer
Z Lynn Steinberg for Jacob Katzwer
Tuesday, 10 Sivan
THIS SUNDAY—MAY 31! E Mitchell Benerofe for Sidney Benerofe
Idida Kaplan for Ahuva Abramovsky
I Judith Weinstein for Beatrice Eichenhorn
The parade route begins at 57th St and
Fifth Ave and continues north on Fifth
T Thursday, 12 Sivan
Tom Furst for Harry Furst
Ave to 79th St. Gitty Louzoun for Anna Malek
Howard Silberstein for Libbie Silberstein
Marc Gottlieb for Bernhard Gottlieb
The parade will take place from 11am to Friday, 13 Sivan
5 pm—Rain or shine. Zachary Dicker for Samuel Dicker
Gloria Faizakoff for Phillip Cohen
Celia Lemonik for Albert Dorner
Looking forward to seeing you there! Llewllyn Lillien for Herman Tatarsky
Salutetoisrael.com Sonia Movsas for Leah Serlin