PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER A 5776/2016
MAY / NISSAN / IYAR
2016 Journal Dinner Honoring Gail & Jeffrey Kaden Jason Hymowitz May 29th - 6:30PM SISTERHOOD MEETING SUNDAY, MAY 15th - 9:30AM A LITE BITE THE ART OF MARC CHAGALL SISTERHOOD NEWS BEGINS ON PAGE 29
ISSUE #106
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HAMAKOM YINACHEM Linda Englander on the passing of her father, Nathan Berkowitz. Gail Kriss on the passing of her father, Millard Newman. Rabbi Steven Conn on the passing of his father, Stanford Conn.
PJC MISSION STATEMENT Plainview Jewish Center is a forward-looking, familyfriendly, Conservative synagogue, which respects and incorporates traditional Jewish values. We are completely egalitarian and inclusive in all aspects of synagogue life. We strive to provide a distinct, positive Jewish identity through worship, life-long education, enrichment, and community involvement. These practices ensure a congregation in which every member matters.
KEEP US INFORMED!! Got good news? Engagements, marriages, births? Send your information by mail, fax (516-938-2737) or email (
[email protected]) so that we may share your simchas with the congregation. PLEASE LET OUR CLERGY KNOW! Current laws prevent hospitals from releasing names of patients. Please call the Temple Office when you, a family member, or friend are in the hospital and would welcome a visit. Contact the Temple office at 516-938-8610 ext.0.
ORBIT (USPS 410440) is published monthly from September to June for $2.00 per annum by the Plainview Jewish Center (a religious corporation under the laws of the State of New York), 95 Floral Drive West, Plainview, New York 11803. WE 8-8610. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ORBIT, Plainview Jewish Center, 95 Floral Drive West, Plainview, New York 11803 RABBI...........................................................................Steven Conn RABBI EMERITUS...................................................Julius Goldberg * CANTOR......................................................................Morris Wolk PRINCIPAL.................................................................Philip Dickstein PRESIDENT..............................................................Shea Z. Lerner CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD............................Charles Wasserman SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT.................................Debbie Zaglin MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT....................................Alan Hodes FAMILYEDUCATION DIRECTOR......................................Judy Alper YOUTH DIRECTOR.......................................................Dani Hauser ORBIT EDITORS.........................................................Margie Richter Michele Haimes Elizabeth Kessler Carol Hauser ORBIT COVER ART................................................... Joyce Eckstein * In Memorian
DEADLINE - FOR- ISSUE DATE MAY 1st
Plainview Jewish Center 516-938-8610 WEEKDAY SERVICES Mon. thru Fri…………… 6:30AM Mon. thru Thurs…….…...8:00PM Sun. and Holidays………. 9:00AM Sun. and Holidays………. 8:00PM Friday Evening Services Check Calendar for Times WE’RE ON THE WEB: WWW.PLAINVIEWJEWISHCENTER.ORG
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MAY CALENDAR Rabbi Steven Conn & Cantor Morris Wolk will officiate at services The Officers and Board of Trustees Extend a Hearty Mazal Tov to the Families of the Following Simchas Sunday, May 1st Services followed by T/T Breakfast…….….……9:00AM Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class.…….….……....……..9:15AM Membership Committee Meeting………………..9:30AM Health Expo……………………………..….…….10:00AM Softball Game – Plainview JC vs. Midway JC….3:00PM Tironim/Kadima…………………………………….5:00PM USY…………………………………………………7:00PM Monday, May 2nd Religious School Committee Meeting…..………8:15PM Tuesday, May 3rd Strategic Planning Committee Meeting…………8:00PM Wednesday, May 4th Yom Hashoah Program…………………………..7:00PM Thursday, May 5th Senior FAN Club……………………….….………1:00PM Conversational Hebrew………………….…….….8:15PM Friday, May 6th Musical Tot Shabbat………………………………5:30PM Erev Shabbat Service………………………….….6:00PM Alef Class Service………………..…….…………7:00PM Saturday, May 7th Shacharit Service……………………………….…9:00AM Junior Congregation-Shabbat as One……….…10:30AM Mincha/Ma’ariv…………………………..…………7:45PM Sunday, May 8th Services followed by T/T Breakfast…….……..…9:00AM Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class…………………….…..9:15AM Mitkadem……………………………………….….10:45AM Wednesday, May 11th Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Conn………………11:00AM Ritual Committee Meeting…………………….…..8:30PM Thursday, May 12thrThursday, May 12th Senior FAN Club……………………….….…….…1:00PM Conversational Hebrew……………………….…...8:15PM Board of Trustees Meeting…………………….….8:30PM Friday, May 13th Erev Shabbat Service…………………………..….6:00PM Saturday, May 14th Shacharit Service…………………..………………9:00AM Mincha/Ma’ariv…………………………………..….7:15PM BAR MITZVAH: MATTHEW SMITH, SON OF ELISE & GARY SMITH Sunday, May 15th Services followed by T/T Breakfast…...….………9:00AM USY Car Wash...........................................9-11:30AM
Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class………………………..9:15AM Sisterhood Lite Bite……………………………….9:30AM Mitkadem………………………………………….10:45AM Hebrew High School……………………………..11:30AM Ma’alot Family Celebration………………..……..6:30PM Tuesday, May 17th Sisterhood Board Meeting………………………..8:15PM Wednesday, May 18th Bible Class with Rabbi Conn……………………..8:30PM Thursday, May 19th Senior FAN Club…………………….….….………1:00PM Sisterhood Military Bridge………………………..7:30PM Conversational Hebrew……………………………8:15PM Friday, May 20th Erev Shabbat Service……………………..………6:00PM Family Friendly Friday Night Service………..….7:00PM Saturday, May 21st Shacharit Service …………………….…………..9:00AM BAT MITZVAH: HAYLEY GOLDSMITH, DAUGHTER OF STACEY & JOSEPH GOLDSMITH Mincha/Ma’ariv.………………………..………….7:45PM Sunday, May 22nd Services followed by T/T Breakfast…….……….9:00AM Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class………………………..9:15AM Mitkadem………………………………………….10:45AM INN Sandwich Making……………………………11:00AM Hebrew High School……………………………..11:30AM Monday, May 23rd Religious School Graduation……………......…..8:15PM Tuesday, May 24th Men’s Club Board Meeting……………………….8:30PM Thursday, May 26th Senior FAN Club……………………….….………1:00PM CONGREGATION MEETING...........................8:15PM Conversational Hebrew……….....……………….8:15PM Family Education Committee Meeting………….8:30PM Friday, May 27th Erev Shabbat Service……………………..………6:00PM Saturday, May 28th Shacharit Service …………………….…………..9:00AM BAR MITZVAH: MAX GOLDSTEIN, SON OF BARBI & WARREN GOLDSTEIN Mincha/Ma’ariv………………….....…………...…8:00PM Sunday, May 29th Services followed by T/T Breakfast…….….…….9:00AM Journal Dinner Dance……………………………..6:30PM
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FROM THE RABBI by Rabbi Steven Conn Dear Friends, The D’var Torah below was originally written for the Regional Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs Awards Dinner. But the message is just as important for us as a congregation—if not more so. Yasher Koach to our honorees, Mike Levy, Rachel Portnoy and Paige Friedman. In our synagogues these days, we often think of the old and the young as two different constituencies. The old, meaning those who have been around for a while, are usually seen as staunch advocates for tradition and “the way things have always been.” The young, meaning those who are newer to our synagogues, represent for us the need to take new and innovative approaches to prayer, service and education. We struggle to find a way to bring young people in to synagogue life while not alienating those who have been with us for many years. Sometimes it seems like we cannot avoid choosing one over the other. At a key moment in the Exodus story Moses is offered this same seemingly impossible choice that we face in our congregations. After the plague of hail, Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron. His courtiers are urging him to relent. Pharaoh begins the conversation by telling Moses “Go, worship the Lord your God! Then Pharaoh asks “Who are the ones to go?” Moses answers “We will all go, young and old. we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds; for we must observe the Lord‘s festival.” At this point, Pharaoh makes a counteroffer. The Lord be with you the same as I mean to let your children go with you! Clearly, you are bent on mischief. No! You menfolk go and worship the Lord, since that is what you want.” With this offer, Pharaoh makes a significant concession. Yet Moses does not even dignify Pharaoh’s offer with a response. Moses’ goal is not to extract concessions. He is fighting for a larger principle. He cannot choose one group among the people over the others. All the people must go out together from Egypt as one. Ultimately, Moses understands, there are no young people, no old people; no men and women—only Israelites. Their shared history and their shared desire for liberation made any differences among them irrelevant. To go forward, the people had to advance as one—or not advance at all. The key to success in our synagogue communities today is exactly the same as it was for Moses. To go forward, we must advance as one. All of our constituencies are important. We should never have to choose the young over the old, or the old over the young. Instead, we have to find ways to come together as a community; to find a shared purpose and shared goals. We need to make room for each other. We need to make others’ aspirations our own. “We will all go, young and old” is not just a pithy quote from the Exodus story, it also is a motto for us and for our synagogues to live by. Tonight’s awards dinner provides a wonderful example of the commitment of our region of FJMC to make sure that the young and old do go together. Tonight, we honor each club’s “Man of the Year,” almost always someone who has served in leadership roles for a long time. Our honorees may not all be old, but they are experienced veterans who have distinguished themselves in their service to their clubs and their synagogues. At the same time, we honor a “Youth of the Year” from each synagogue. These are the young people who provide leadership in our schools and youth groups; who give of their time and talents in the service of our congregations. Why group these two awards together? Why have young people at a Men’s Club function at all? Simply because, as a region and in our individual clubs, we recognize that “we will all go, young ( continued on page 5 )
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From The Rabbi ( continued from Page 4 ) and old”—or we don’t go at all. The contributions of both our veteran leaders and our young leaders are vital to the life of our synagogues. We need both. And we need both to stand together to move us forward into the future. Tonight’s program is a chance to honor two groups of very worthy individuals. But it is also a chance to express in a powerful way our commitment that “with our young and our old we will go forward;” that the future is not about choosing the needs of one over the other, but of bringing young and old together to continue the work of building sacred community in each and every one of our congregations. Yishar Kochachem and Mazal Tov to all our honorees. Rabbi Steve Conn
Help feed the homeless by joining PJC in making sandwiches for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) Sunday, May 22nd - PJC 11am-12noon The INN is the largest organization that fights hunger and homelessness on Long Island
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN TO SPEAK HEBREW? Thursdays at 8:15 PM Our conversational Hebrew group is off to a great start. Rabbi Yakov Gil has our participants speaking Hebrew around the table and even at home. Haven’t joined us yet? Don’t despair. It’s not too late to get started. Just show up and Rabbi Gil will work you into our conversations. No prior knowledge of spoken Hebrew necessary. Hebrew reading, is required. Classes meet in the Youth Corner. Fee is $10 per session. For more information, contact Rabbi Conn at mailto:
[email protected] or the (516) 938-810 ext. 1.
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The Cantor’s Note: Come to the Party I am happy to announce that after a hiatus of several years, our popular Yiddish Theater Party will be returning this summer on Sunday afternoon, August 21st. The National Yiddish Theatre Folkesbiene, celebrating its 101st season in its new home at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Place, is bringing back, by popular demand, its hit winter production of Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride). This rediscovered and restored musical, with music by Joseph Rumshinsky, lyrics by Louis Gilrod, and a libretto by Frieda Freiman, immigrants all, was a hit when it opened in 1923. The current revival received glowing reviews in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Huffington Post. It features a professional cast of twenty, accompanied by a fourteen piece orchestra, and it will be performed with English and Russian supertitles, so fluency in Yiddish is not necessary. The plot is typical Yiddish soap opera of the pre-war years. A beautiful orphan girl, raised in poverty in a Russian shtetl, unexpectedly inherits a fortune from the father she never knew, and emigrates to America to claim her estate. Of course, she receives proposals from several would-be suitors, including the medical student who has loved her since childhood, and she promises to marry whichever suitor can reunite her with her mother, who vanished when she was an infant. Oy Vay! The story ends with a masquerade ball, but the critics say that the whole show glows with the joy and energy of a great party. They loved the operatically trained voices of its lead singers, as well as the comic roles, the set and the costumes. Foremost among the delights of the production is the orchestra under he direction of Zalman Mlotek, which shifts effortlessly between Old World melancholia, and New World swing. The composer, Joseph Rumshinsky, who has been called the Jewish Victor Herbert, was the leading creator of Jewish operetta in early twentieth century New York. He composed over one hundred operettas for the Yiddish Theater. When Di Golden Kale opened on Second Avenue in 1923, it packed a two thousand seat theater for 18 weeks before embarking on an international tour. It had a brief revival in 1948. Researchers discovered a typescript of the lyrics and libretto at YIVO, New York’s institute for Jewish Research, and the original orchestrations at UCLA, where they had been placed by Rumshinsky’s children. Michael Ochs, former Harvard Loeb music librarian, compiled and edited the full score. Zalman Mlotek, artistic director of the Folkesbiene unveiled it in concert form in 2014, followed by a full orchestral performance at Rutgers University in 2015. This winter it opened its sold-out run at New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage. Plainview Jewish Center’s Yiddish Theater parties have always been occasions of great entertainment and enjoyable fellowship. This year the price will be $50 per person, including a pretheater guided tour of the museum. Since a block of seats is being held for us, I would hope to have a sufficient number of reservations on the books as soon as possible. Please contact me at the PJC office (516) 938-8610 Ext. 2, or by email at
[email protected]. The Huffington post critic, Myra Chanin, had this to say about Di Goldene Kale - “You don’t have to be Jewish to love The Golden Bride. You just have to appreciate melody and charm.” This promises to be a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. Come to the party! Cantor Morris Wolk, D.Mus. .
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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT by Shea Z. Lerner I hope you and your families had a wonderful Pesach and are looking forward to all the beauty that Spring brings forth. Thank you to both Rabbi Conn, Cantor Wolk and their respective families for hosting two very well attended Seders at the Shul. May, believe it or not starts a two month stretch thru June, which finds many events at PJC back to back. We started off with a lively softball game against the Midway Jewish Center and now we move on to our cross town brethren at Temple Chaverim. Please come down to support your shul and root on our very own “old timers”; Jay Feldman, Jennifer Frisch, David Frisch, James Popkin, Allan Hafkin, Jeff Knoll, Brian Spilkevitz, Corey Elowsky Chris Dipierri, Rabbi Conn and myself. Kudos to Jay Feldman for organizing the team, arranging the fields and umpire and most of all, soliciting ads for the souvenir score card. Congratulations to our Graduating Religious School Zayin Class and Hebrew High School Class of 2016. To their families and loved ones; Mazel Tov. I, as well as our Religious School Director Philip Dickstein and the teachers, are both proud and honored to be part of this very special occasion. Their hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. On May 29th, the synagogue hosts its 62nd annual Journal Dinner Dance honoring Gail and Jeffrey Kaden, a second generation PJC family, dedicated volunteers and esteemed members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community. Jason Hymowitz, one of our most dedicated and outstanding youth will be honored as well for his service to the shul. In addition to honoring these very special people, we have the opportunity to raise much needed funds to maintain the synagogue. I would hope each of you would participate by purchasing an ad in our commemorative journal and/or solicit ads amongst the businesses you frequent, colleagues and friends. For every $250 in ads solicited, you will receive a dinner ticket to attend this fantastic soirée. May is also the time the Board of Trustees finalizes a budget to present to the congregation for the upcoming year. It is well known that our dues do not cover all of our expenses; hence, the constant and consistent appeals for fundraising. As President, I walk a fine line in ensuring the level of services, programs and vibrancy we are accustomed to; all while maintaining a fiduciary responsibility. In an attempt to maintain our financial integrity, we will need to invest in areas of future growth and cut expenses in areas where we can. PJC is fortunate to reside in an ongoing Jewish demographic, though we face the same issues of non –affiliation that our neighboring congregations experience. We have worked hard and have been successful in attracting new young Jewish families. In doing so, we have had to remain “dues” competitive, something that has eroded certain fund balances over time. To that end, we have aggressively begun a fundraising initiative focused on Grants, Major Donor solicitations, Planned Gifts, etc. We have also taken a line of credit to be used only as a safety net in times when cash flow slows down, to be repaid when cash flow increases within the same calendar year. This will enable the synagogue to function effectively and not deplete other funds reserved for Capital purposes. As you can see, unless there is widespread support for our fundraisers, we are left with no choice but to raise dues and fees. The amount of the raise, is up to each and every one of us. I thank all of you for your ongoing support for I know many of you do more than your “fair share”. PJC thrives because of our members, I know we will all rise to the occasion. Shea
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5th Annual SPENCER REIS Memorial Scholarship Fund Fundraiser Tuesday, May 23, 2016 Come to Catch the Wave: 1131 Old Country Road, Plainview 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM 50% of all proceeds are being donated to the SPENCER REIS Memorial Scholarship Fund
Let’s keep Spencer’s memory alive and help our High School seniors by assisting with financial help towards college. Special thanks to “Catch the Wave” for supporting this event for the past 5 years and for the best frozen yogurt in town.
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***SAVE
$250
SAVE***
Introduce your friends and family to Plainview Jewish Center! If they become a New Member, you will receive a $250.00 dues credit towards your 2016-2017 dues. Call or e-mail the office at 516-938-8610 or
[email protected] for details.
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BREAKING NEWS! Plainview Jewish Center’s Yiddish Theater Party Returns! Sunday, August 21, 2016 2:00 PM After a hiatus of several years, I am happy to announce that our popular Yiddish Theater Party will be coming back this summer. The National Yiddish Theatre Folkesbiene has moved into its new home at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery place. This winter’s hit production of Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride) received glowing reviews in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Huffington Post. It is being brought back for a summer run by popular demand. The Folkesbiene is celebrating its 101st season with this rediscovered and restored operetta by Joseph Rumshinsky. It features a professional cast of twenty, accompanied by a fourteen-piece orchestra. It will be performed with English and Russian supertitles, so fluency in Yiddish is not necessary. If you are interested in joining us, or for more information, please call Cantor Wolk at the Plainview Jewish Center, (516) 938-8610 Ext 2.
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Birthday Wishes’ mission is to provide birthday parties to children experiencing homelessness. We believe that all children, regardless of their living situation , should celebrate their birthdays joyfully, surrounded by family, friends, and others who care. We celebrate almost 100 birthdays every month, and all of our party supplies and presents come from donations. We need fun birthday-themed paper goods (plates, napkins, plastic tablecloths, party hats), juice boxes, and new, unwrapped toys and gifts. Toddler and teen gifts are our biggest need at this time.
For more information contact us at: 516-390-3505 or
[email protected]
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PJC PROSPECTIVE MEMBER DINNER In order to sustain any organization, there must be continuous recruitment of new members. Each of us can help in this effort by bringing a prospective new member to a dinner, which PJC is hosting on Friday, June 17th at 6 PM. If you bring a prospective family to the dinner, the dinner is free to you and your prospective member family. The meal will be catered by Robert Ian Caterers, followed by a Family Friendly Klezmer service. Reservations for the dinner are required. Please contact the office for details.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR B’NAI / B’NOT MITZVAH MATTHEW SMITH May 14, 2016 Matthew is the son of Elise and Gary Smith. He is a seventh grader at POB Middle School. Matthew enjoys karate, LEGO building, art, drawing, cartooning, Minecraft and video games. His favorite holidays are Chanukah and Purim which he celebrates with his family. For his Mitzvah Project, Matthew participates in the 26 Acts of Kindness program to honor the 26 Sandy Hook victims..
HAYLEY GOLDSMITH May 21, 2016 Hayley is the daughter of Stacey and Joseph Goldsmith. She is a seventh grader at Mattlin Middle School. Hayley enjoys playing the viola, softball, gymnastics and art. Her favorite holiday is Chanukah which she celebrates with her family. For her Mitzvah Project, Hayley is making bandanas for dogs to wear for adoption drives.
SIMCHA CELEBRATION!
Our Share a Simcha Kiddush on April 16 was simply wonderful! All those participating were honored according to their special Simcha. Robert Ian Caterers provided a beautiful, delicious Kiddush, complete with balloons, all in the color scheme of choice. We couldn’t have asked for for a happier way to share our joy, than with our families, friends and the PJC congregation. Thanks to Morty and Hakol, Margie and Orbit, Dorit and the Office, Rabbi Conn, Cantor Wolk and our terrific custodial staff for publishing, polishing, editing the flyers and helping to keep everything running smoothly. It all was such fun and went sooo smoothly, that we may even do it again. If anyone is interested for either later this year, or next year, let us know. Joe and Marsha Elowsky
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Religious School - Mr. Philip Dickstein, Education Director In preparation for the upcoming Religious School,Graduation, our zayin students are writing about what makes them proud about being Jewish. If we could set only one goal for our school, I’d choose that one.”What makes me proud to be Jewish?” Why is being Jewish important to me? Indeed, why be Jewish at all? We know that young people today no longer take being Jewish as a given. It’s an identity they build over time, choosing what is meaningful and inventing what they can’t yet find. For all Jews today - even you and me - being Jewish is a choice. So, I’d like to try that challenge. I feel proud to be Jewish when... I realize again and again that our tradition tells us it’s so much more important that we ask questions than discover answers. I drag myself out of bed early in the morning to attend a minyan - and see others almost as tired as I am. I go to the library or bookstore and see so many books that express so many different points of view about being Jewish today. . I see a sign at a rally fighting for justice that says,”no justice, no peace” - in Hebrew. I walk down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at the Israel Parade. (Are you bringing your family to march with PJC on Sunday, June 5?) I teach Jewish children. I join my story to the Jewish story. I go to vacuum my car before Pesach to get rid of my chametz - and there’s already a line of cars waiting to do the same. I see someone totally different than I am and I think, “that person is also created in God’s image.” I see how good it feels to do good for others. I see my granddaughters loving Shabbat chicken soup and matzah balls. I read a prayer in Hebrew - and I know it’s been said that way for hundreds of years and hundreds of miles away. So, what makes you proud? I’ll share our students’ answers in a coming edition of Orbit - or you can come to our Graduation on Monday evening, May 23 at 8:15. I thank Margie Richter for all her work with our Orbit Bulletin. She’s sure makes all of us proud! Philip Dickstein
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MAY 2016 SCHOOL CALENDAR 5/1/2016 1
6 6 7 8 12 15 15 15 18 20 22 22 23 25
Day of learning for Faculty 10:00AM-1:30PM USY Program - StandWithUs “I Heart Israel”Program 7:00PM-8:30PM - PJC Monday School Resumes Regular Schedule Monday School Committee Meeting 8:15PM Library WednesdayYom Hashoah Ceremony -FOR VAV & ZAYIN ONLY 7:00PM NO REGULAR CLASS FOR VAV & ZAYIN ONLY ON THIS DAY Friday Musical Tot Shabbat & Dinner 5:30PM-6:30PM Friday Alef Class Service 7:00PM-8:00PM Saturday Jr. Congregation-Shabbat-As-One 10:30AM Sunday Mitkadem - NO HIGH SCHOOL 10:45AM Thursday Israeli Independence Day Sunday Mitkadem & High School 10:45AM Sunday USY Car Wash Fundraiser 9-11:30AM Sunday Ma’Alot Family Celebration 6:30PM WednesdayLast day of School for ZAYIN ONLY 4:15PM-6:15PM Friday Family Friendly Service 7:00PM-8:00PM Sunday Last Day of School for ALEF ONLY 9:00AM-11:30AM Sunday Mitkadem & High School - LAST MEETING 10:45AM Monday Zayin Graduation 8:15PM WednesdayLast Day of School for BET-VAV 4:15PM-6:15PM
6/5/16 6 10
Sunday Monday Friday
2 2 4
Sunday Sunday
ISRAELI DAY PARADE - NYC School Committee Meeting Family Friendly Service
11:00AM-4:00PM 8:15PM Library 7:00PM-8:00PM
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!! SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER 2016.
REMEMBER TO PURCHASE CANDY BAGS FOR YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH THROUGH OUR YOUTH GROUP CONTACT THE TEMPLE OFFICE: 938-8610
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Celebrate Musical Shabbat at
Plainview Jewish Center Led by: Michal Fruchter Keyboards and guitar by: Shana Fruchter Have fun while we sing fun songs, play games and listen to a special story led by Rabbi Conn. Program begins at 5:30pm followed by a kid-friendly Dairy Dinner at 6pm from Hunkies RSVP: 938-8610 or
[email protected]
Friday’s at 5:30pm May 6th
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r e p l A y d u J
y b r e n r o C n o i t a c u d E y l i m a F
It certainly seems like the year is flying by! The Passover seders have ended and as soon as the beautiful month of May is over we will be welcoming in the holiday of Shavuot and the receiving of the Torah! A huge thank you to all the people who helped make the Aleph Passover Workshop a terrific experience for all who attended. Thank you to Rabbi Conn (Moses), Jerry Rosenberg (Pharaoh), Rhonnie Diener, Jason Hymowitz, Ariella Alper, Audrey Leventhal and Abe Alper. The Family Friendly Friday Night Service is always a wonderful service to attend each month. Join us on Friday evening, May 20th at 7:00PM. This is a great service for all ages, 1 to 120! Led by the Rabbi and Cantor, it will definitely have you dancing in the aisles. A delicious oneg will follow. The service as well as the oneg are a favorite of all. If you would like to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion or other announcement (large or small), you can do it by helping sponsor the oneg ($20 minimum). Your “celebration” will be printed in our FFFNS bulletin and announced at the service so that we may all share in your joy! Save the date: Our next Family Friendly Friday Night Service will be on Friday, June 3rd at 7:30pm. Join us and help in celebrating Shabbat. For more information, sponsoring the FFFNS oneg or making a reservation, please email
[email protected].
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR THEIR DONATION TO PJC: Betty Schwartz – Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – In memory of Daniel Schwartz Alice Werker – In honor of Pesach and Lora & David Zemsky Eileen & Steven Dershowitz – Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund – In memory of Irving Weicher Sandra Ezersky – In honor of her aliyah Sandra Ezersky – Mina Kwitkin Scholarship Fund – In honor of Beryl Kwitkin Sandra Ezersky – Mina Kwitkin Scholarship Fund – In honor of Marsha & Joe Elowsky’s 60 th wedding anniversary Randi & Bruce Lustig
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MORNING MINYAN: Charlotte & Jack Weingarten
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PJC YOUTH CORNER Subscribe to Our Newslet Dear PJC Community Youth,
We have some amazing events coming up. Below you can find an outline of our upcoming events. I hope to see you all at our future programs! Sunday, May 15th USY Car Wash - Fundraiser
*Tironim serves grades 3-5, Kadima serves grades 6-7, and USY serves grades 8-12. *Tironim and Kadima will meet at 5-6:30 and USY will meet at 7-8:30 unless otherwise noted. Please look out for a weekly email with more details about the upcoming events. I am so excited to see you all there and look forward to the great times to come! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email is
[email protected] and my phone number is (516) 554-7390. See you all on Sunday! B’Shalom, Dani Hauser
CHECK OUT OUR NEW PJC APP! There is now a PJC app available in the Google Play Store. It contains upcoming events, service schedules, and much, much more! Look under “Plainview JC” for the app.
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The memorial plaques in our temple sanctuary help us to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us. For questions or information, contact the temple office: 516-938-8610 Shiva Set Up A very special service that Sisterhood extends to our congregation is a shiva set-up for those who have, unfortunately, had a loss. If you need this service, call the temple office to request the set-up. Dorit will contact us and we will discuss the different options with you. If any one is interested in helping with the shiva set-ups, please call the office and leave your name and number. Thank you, Doris Cooper We sometimes need to call people to make our morning and evening minyans. We would like to expand the list of people we can call. If we can call you in either the morning at 6:30AM or evenings at 8PM or both please let us know. Please email us at,
[email protected] or call 938-8610. Please specify: Name, Phone Number, Availability: Morning or Evening or both, Any restrictions (i.e. any day but Tuesday).
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Plainview Jewish Center Special Gifts Please consider becoming a permanent gift donor to the Plainview Jewish Center. The following is a list of suggested Special Gift items that can be dedicated to celebrate joyous events such as engagements, weddings, births, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, birthdays, and anniversaries. Dedications can be made in the memory of loved ones or to acknowledge a special friend. Brass inscriptions will be provided. Synagogue
Lobby/Main Corridor
Bimah Torah New Torah Torah Crown Torah Rimonim Torah Breastplate Megilah Pulpit Chairs Kiddush Cup Havdalah Service Items Pew Seats Torah Reader’s Yad Bimah Wall Candelabra Flags on Bimah Memorial Boards Challah Cover Mezuzahs
Presidents Plaque Tree of life Leaf (leaves) Trophy Display Case Tallit and Prayer Book Cabinet Bulletin Board Art Work
Religious School Classroom Library New computer Smart Board Display Case Wall Artifacts
Garden Name memorial Garden Benches For further information, please contact:
Steve Glasser at: 516-938-3069 or
[email protected]
FREE MONEY Please help our Religious School earn free money Save Box Tops from General Mills brand items
Ziploc – Kleenex – Hefty – Cheerios – Scott Paper Gogurt – Kix – Betty Crocker and many more !!
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SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY, MAY 19TH SISTERHOOD’S NEWEST FUNDRAISER
MILITARY BRIDGE. NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRIDGE IS NECESSARY.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT JUDY FORMAN: 822-9536
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REFUAH SHELAYMAH Our Plainview Jewish Center Family wishes a refuah shelaymah to: Hank Marcus Daniel Polofsky Martin Bertisch Beryl Kwitkin Charlotte Weingarten Chana Lavie To our PJC members: if you would like to have a family member included in this section, please notify the temple office at: 516 938-8610 x101
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SISTERHOOD NEWS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Debbie Zaglin - President
In the spirit of the Fifth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” I’d like to pay tribute and honor mothers everywhere. Especially at this time, we are fully cognizant of their affection and selfless devotion. Their very presence sanctifies the home and beautifies life’s purpose. Their love knows no bounds and their concern for the well being of their children and families is neverending. A mother conveys the message of joyful living by her own actions, but she can also lead her children in the same way. She can take time to show her children how to appreciate beauty and the meaning of friendship. Bless all mothers who dwell in our midst. Grant them health, strength and family delight. Endow them with long days and permit them to reap a harvest of joy and contentment as the years go by. Kudos and many thanks goes to Marilyn Cohen for a great Fashion Boutique in April!! A lot of time and planning went into this very successful event. Thanks also to her committee and all those who came to help on the day of the event. And, of course, thanks to the more than 75 women who attended. May all Jewish women, everywhere, recognize that “Every Jewish child is every Jew’s child.” HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL! Debbie Zaglin
PROGRAM Rose Weiner - Program Vice President I want to thank everyone who came to our Passover Workshop in April. A good time was had by all and we walked away with some new ideas and hints for cooking our Passover foods. Our next Sisterhood meeting is on SUNDAY, MAY 15th at 9:30 AM. Join us for a light bite and listen to our guest speaker, Rosetta Gross, who will discuss the art work of Marc Chagall. This will be followed by a hands on workshop. It should be interesting, informative and fun. Mark your calendar! Just a reminder- Save the Date: Our June meeting on Tuesday, June 7th, will feature a very entertaining musical program.
FASHION BOUTIQUE Our Fashion boutique was a great success on April 13th. This was accomplished due to a wonderful committee consisting of: Rose Weiner, Judi Dorosin, Bunny Finkelstein, Sheryl Fischer, Carol Hauser, Ellen Hayman, Zita Jospa, Rhoda Kanter, Marion Weisfelner, Debbie Zaglin, Michele Brickman, Judy Forman, Debbie Siegel and Rhonnie Diener. Thank you, thank you to all of you. If I have left anyone out, please forgive me. It was a very hectic night. My heartfelt thanks go to all of you who supported it just by coming to join us for the evening. Marilyn Cohen T
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SAVE THE DATE! MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUNDAY MORNING MAY 15th at 9:30AM! Please join Sisterhood on Sunday, May 15th for a light bite. Our guest speaker, Rosetta Gross, will give a talk about the Chagall Windows. Her talk will be followed by a hands-on project. Don’t miss this informative, interesting and fun meeting. Free to all Sisterhood members; Guests: $5.
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SISTERHOOD JUDAICA SHOP The Sisterhood Judaica Shop has gifts for all your holiday needs. We have a large selection of honey and apple sets,seder plates, menorahs, mezuzahs, jewelry and head coverings for both men and women. Our great holiday serving pieces, including platters and utensils, are wonderful for celebrating and entertaining or to bring as a gift to family and friends. WHEN YOU THINK GIFTS, THINK SISTERHOOD JUDAICA! FOR INFORMATION, CALL MICHELE HAIMES @ 516-822-0704
BUY JNF TREES FROM SISTERHOOD THEY CAN BE IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE OR IN HONOR OF A LOVED ONE OR JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL JNF TREES ARE $18.00 EACH PLEASE CONTACT: BUNNY FINKELSTEIN @ 433-5778 OR DEBBIE SIEGEL @ 822-6146
MAY WE SERVE YOU Prayer Book Fund Diane Miller 935-7732 Judaica Shop Michele Haimes 822-0704
Torah Fund Rose Weiner 935-0454 Joyce Rimer 433-4826 Judi Dorosin
Book of Life Rhoda Meshover 938-8818 Cookbook Barbara Alhadeff 631-923-0000
JNF Certificates Bunny Finkelstein 433-5778 Debbie Siegel 822-6146
Mitzvah Committee: Call Temple Office: 938-8610 (Shiva Set-up & Shiva Chairs Available)
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TORAH FUND - Rose Weiner, Torah Fund Coordinator
The Torah Fund campaign is Sisterhood’s commitment to the Jewish Theological Seminary. The JTS is the basis of Conservative Judaism with a worldwide network of academic and religious institutions. By supporting the Torah Fund campaign you are making it possible for our future rabbis, cantors and teachers to be trained and educated. You can help by purchasing Torah Fund cards which are available for all occasions. They can be bought for personal use or they can be sent out for you. Cards are available at general meetings, or you can contact Joyce or Rose who will be happy to send them out for you. Cards are $4.00 each ( plus $.50 postage if we send it for you). We welcome benefactors for a pledge of $180 and you will receive a beautiful pin. Your donations will help safeguard the future of Jewish life for our children and future generations to come. Thank you for your support! Rose - 935-0454, Joyce - 433-4826
*** Special Sale: $36 for ten cards; $20 for six cards
Welcome a new arrival! Send one of these beautiful Torah Fund cards today!
Send these beautiful cards to celebrate happy occations, to acknowledge the death of a loved one, to thank a friend, to wish someone a return to good health or just to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
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WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE YAHRZEIT & YIZKOR FUND: Florence Bloom Sheila & Alan Cook Carol E. Ginsberg Mira & Paul Klein Karen & Mark Garbus Naomi Fixman Harriet Kuflik Jean Bernstein Barbara & Joel Berse Sarah Stone Mona Grinspan Herbert Seldin
Caryn & David Nazarieh Harriette B. Gold Judith & Lawrence Cohen Esther Adler Sharon & Marvin Passkoff Stewart Altschuler Elyse & Ira Fields Gary Littman Alice & Edward Langholz Marilyn Feinman Arlene & Benjamin Noritz Elizabeth & Julius Libutti
Geraldine & Cantor Morris Wolk Matilde & Cliff Broder Jill & Charles Wasserman Miriam & Arnold Glatter Doris & Hy Schoenfeld Arlene Fisher Carol E. Ginsberg Philip Wolkis Selma & Ira Perlman Anne B. Axelrod-Bedell Susan & Marc Meyer
MEN’S CLUB by Stephen Taub Did you all get your Yom Hashoah candle in the mail? As usual, this is courtesy of Men’s Club, which sends one of those yellow memorial candles every year to every congregant. Light the candle on May 4th before you head down to JPC for its Yom Hashoah program. This year, Men’s Club board member and former Men’s Club president, Mark Hochberg, will be delivering a very interesting speech and program entitled: The “The Scandalous Voyage of the British Transport Ship Dunera and the Internment of German Refugees in Australia During World War II.” Also, circle June 14th on your calendar. (No, not because it is the anniversary of the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup). That evening we will be hosting our annual Paid Up Membership Dinner and Award Ceremony. We have a great dinner and program planned. The open bar begins serving at 7:30 p.m. Hope to see everyone there.
“PJC Prayers Goes Mobile” Our PJC Prayers website, which features Cantor Wolk’s recordings of major prayers for Shabbat and holidays, is now mobile friendly. You can view the prayers in Hebrew and transilteration, play a recording of each prayer as you follow along with the text, and even download the prayers as audio files for practicing on the go. The prayers available now correspond to the PJC Religious School prayer curriculum. Check it out at
https://sites.google.com/site/pjcprayers/home
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LUNCH AND LEARN Wednesday, May 11th Join us from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM for stimulating study, good food and even better company at our monthly Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Conn. This month, in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, we will look at “Untold Stories About Israel: What You Won’t See in the Mainstream Media.” What is the Meaning of Freedom.” There are lots of other important things going on in Israel besides the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Israel is a world leader in technological innovation, does tremendous humanitarian work worldwide, and embraces significant diversity at home. We will explore some of these stories with the aim of celebrating some of Israel’s unheralded achievements as we mark her sixty-eighth birthday. Suggested donation is $5 per person. Lunch and Learn is usually held on the second Wednesday of each month. Open to all PJC members and the community.
SHABBAT AFTERNOON STUDY This month between on Mincha and Ma’ariv services on Saturday afternoon, we will begin another cycle of studying Mishneh Pirke Avot. Please join us. Service times are posted on the PJC calendar in this publication and online.
ADULT EDUCATION SURVEY What would you like to learn? When would you like to learn? How would you like to learn? We’d love to know. Watch your email for a brief survey on Adult Education coming this Spring.
THE BIBLE CLASS Our Bible Class will reconvene on Wednesday, May 18th at 8:30PM. We will continue our study of the Book of Nehemiah. Please join us!
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P: 516-826-4100 F: 516-826-4102 LIC. H1735560000
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Hatzilu Means Rescue Hatzilu is reaching out to our community for help. This worthy organization has been assisting impoverished and needy Jews throughout Nassau County for many years. Volunteer social workers help elderly Jews obtain the government benefits to which they are entitled and food is provided to the hungry. Hatzilu maintains the largest kosher food warehouse in Nassau County and volunteers deliver food to people who need it desperately. The warehouse is in dire need of canned goods and nonperishable foods. Donations of these products would help restock the shelves that are almost bare. Hatzilu appreciates all money donations as well. A food collection box will be placed by the main entrance of the synagogue. Thanks for helping those in need. For further information about Hatzilu, please go to: www.hatzilurescue.org or call 931-2884. Arlyne Skolnik
HATZILU IN ORDER TO HELP OUR JEWISH POOR AND ELDERLY, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO HATZILU. MEN’S CLUB WILL SEND A CERTIFICATE TO HONOR THE NAME OF MEMORY OF WHO YOU CHOOSE. THIS IS AN IDEAL WAY TO EXPRESS A “SIMCHA” OR “SYMPATHY” AND TO HELP OUR FELLOW JEWS. PLEASE EMAIL STEVE GLASSER AT:
[email protected] OR CALL HIM AT: 516-938-3069 TO ORDER A CERTIFICATE
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ATTENTION ALL CONGREGANTS: OUR WEEKDAY EVENING MINYANS ARE IN NEED OF A FEW GOOD PEOPLE!
WEEKDAY MINYAN IS AT 8PM AND LASTS 15 MINUTES. ANY DAY YOU CAN COME DOWN WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU
PJC BUY A BRICK PROGRAM Please help us in raising money to upgrade, beautify and maintain our building and grounds. Our Walkway of Memories will provide a permanent way to honor or memorialize a family member or friend, a business or special occasion. For further information or additional order forms, please call: Larry Speiller at (516) 938-8610.
PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER CEMETERY GROUND Location: Wellwood Cemetery at Pinelawn, New York Cost:
Single Graves available at $600 each grave.
Terms:
25% down with interest free monthly payments for a period of up to two (2) years.
Eligibility: Available to PJC Members ONLY.
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PSSST! IT’S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE Respecting others’ privacy is an important Jewish value. Lashon HaRa— gossip—is uniformly condemned by our tradition. But there is at least one exception. When someone is ill or in need of care and support, it is a mitzvah to tell people who can help. In our community, the Rabbi and Cantor provide pastoral support to individuals and families who are suffering illness and those who need emotional support. The Rabbi also serves as the liaison to our newly formed Bikur Cholim Committee; which provides additional visits and support to those who request it. Please let the Rabbi and Cantor know when someone in our congregation is ill; or when a family is dealing with a crisis. Only when they know can they reach out to individuals and families in need. Only when they know can they mobilize our Bikur Cholim committee to provide additional support. Don’t worry that they might already have the information. Don’t worry that you are “bothering” these busy people. The information you provide will be vital to helping our congregation to serve the needs of those who need us the most. Rabbi Conn and Cantor Wolk can be reached at PJC at (516) 938-8610. Rabbi Conn can be reached by cell at (516) 524-7447 or by email at
[email protected].
The Lend a Hand Project (M’yad L’yad) Please join Sisterhood, other members of PJC and many others on Long Island as an anonymous sponsor of a LI family in need . All you need do is send a package as few as four(4) times per year through your local UPS store. For more information, call: Marilyn or Marty Leibowitz at 822-6965.