YOUNG ISRAEL OF MERRICK

NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 28, 2000 – 2 TEVET 5761

SIMAN TOV U’MAZEL TOV:

A wonderfully huge Mazel Tov is due to the Susan and Avi Abikzer and family on the joyous occasion of Alana becoming a Bat-Mitzvah this Shabbat, December 30 – 4 Tevet, Parashat Miketz. Mazel Tov to siblings: David, Isabelle, and Jordanna. We would also like to wish a hearty Mazel Tov to grandparents: Fran and Herb Alexander and Rivka and Rabbi David Abikzer. To commemorate this wonderful simcha, Susan and Avi, who, as many of us know, are unbelievable Ba’alei Tzedakah and Ba’alei Chesed, will be dedicating a new Torah to the shul. After services on Shabbat morning there will then be a Torah dedication ceremony. There will be a kiddush following the dedication ceremony.

May the Abikzers and all their family only know much health, happiness, nachas, and joy from Alana on this occasion of her Bat-Mitzvah for many years to come until 120.

PARENT – CHILD LEARNING PROGRAM:

Starting this Saturday night, there will the first of a series of Parent-Child learning evenings. This week, it will take place from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the shul. Various topics will be discussed or parents and children are encouraged to bring in their own topic to discuss with others. For more information please contact Rabbi Marc Volk at 868-6105.

CHANUKAH THANKS:

If you want to get something done, you need a few good people. Actually, you need more than a few and we have the right stuff. Firstly, thank you to Jonathan Grossman whose dedication and enthusiasm are positively contagious. Jonathan did a wonderful job organizing and directing our Chanukah play. The kids had a great time, the parents shepped nachas, we took pictures…what more could you want? Kol Ha’kavod to Jonathan and his famous "Not-Quite-Ready-for Mincha" Players.

Also thank you to Rachel Jacobson who helped Jonathan in the dreidle making project which took place before the play.

A big thank you to our terrific Sisterhood under the leadership and inspiration of Liza Rosenthal and Risa Zimilover who provided a hearty and delicious Chanukah brunch. Everyone who attended had a great time (and perhaps a few too many donuts – but, hey, you gotta eat because Tu b’shvat isn’t for another 6 weeks).

TEFILLIN AND MEZZUZOT CHECK:

On Sunday, January 7, 2001, the renowned sofer, Rabbi A.M. Eisenbach will be visiting the shul from 8:30 a.m. (minyan) until the early afternoon to inspect your mezzuzot and tefillin. The cost of inspection for each mezzuzah will be $5.- and the cost for each pair of tefillin will be $40.-. The inspection charge for tefillin will be nullified if one needs to purchase a new pair. Rabbi Eisenbach will have new mezzuzot and tefillin available for purchase. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to observe a master sofer and to continue to uphold two of the very important mitzvot which are formulated as part of our treasured heritage.

THE MERRICK BELLMORE BIKUR CHOLIM
Golden Quote:
I believe that we cannot live better than seeking to become better than we are.
Socrates
The first annual Bikur Cholim Community blood drive was a phenomenal success. Donors and volunteers from all five Merrick Synagogues joined forces and the result was approximately 180 pints of blood donated to the New York Blood Services. A tremendous amount of effort and planning went into this event and the response exceeded all expectations. Bikur Cholim extends its thanks to the many dedicated and caring participants who made it happen.
The next scheduled mitzvah event is a variety show at the BelAir Care Center in North Bellmore on Sunday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. If you'd like to sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, or mingle with the audience, please call Jack Bouganem (868-5888). Adults and children are welcome to participate. These events bring as much joy to the performers as the audience.
The next Bikur Cholim meeting will be Monday evening January 8 at 8 p.m. at Congregation Ohav Sholom. Please note the change of date! All are welcome and refreshments will be served. Come prepared to suggest plans for hospital visits, youth activities and other acts of chesed.
If you would like further information, or need the services of the Bikur Cholim, please call Bea Hoffman at 868-8256 or e-mail bikurcholim@ohav.org.
Happy Chanukah from the Merrick Bellmore Bikur Cholim!

LONG ISLAND MISSION TO ISRAEL:

Long Island Solidarity Mission to Israel
Sunday, January 21--Friday, January 26, 2001
As most of you know, UJA-Federation and its Long Island Rabbinic Advisory Council have demonstrated their strong support for Israel since the current conflict began. We've sponsored rallies and asked you to demonstrate your support by responding to biased media reports and writing to elected officials. UJA-Federation has hosted town meetings with senior Israeli officials; funded 5 emergency programs in Israel that provide trauma counseling, 24-hour hotlines, teacher training, children's and community programs in Gilo; and sponsored solidarity missions. We now ask you to join us on a Long Island Solidarity Mission to Israel from January 21-26, 2001.
Our economic and political presence is critical. So far, more than 180,000 reservations to Israel have been canceled, and more than 50,000 Israelis in tourism have lost their jobs. Now more than ever, it is important that we demonstrate our solidarity with Israel and our brothers and sisters there by traveling to show our support. Program Highlights:
* Only $905 per person includes ALL: airfare, 4-star hotel (Dan
Panorama), food, programming. A family plan is available and extensions for Shabbat and special programming for families can be made for additional cost.
* Top level briefings with political officials
* Visit Jerusalem neighborhoods and meet Israelis involved in conflict. This mission is part of a national mission sponsored by the United Jewish Communities. Our goal is to demonstrate our support with a strong Long Island contingent. We hope you'll join us and help spread the word by forwarding this e-mail notice to your family, friends, synagogue leadership, fellow congregants, and business associates on Long Island and throughout the country. For more information, or to make a reservation, please reply to this e-mail or call Simon Kaminetsky, UJA-Fed regional director, at (516) 677-1822 by January 8th.

SISTERHOOD MEETING:

On Feb. 6, 2001 there will be a Sisterhood General Membership Meeting at the home of Stacey Nathanson, 26 Kirkwood Ave, at 8 P.M. We will discuss the past year, review the different committees, and listen to any suggestions and ideas for future events. Dessert will be served. More details to follow.

SHABBAT SCHEDULE:

Erev Shabbat, December 29:

Candlelighting: 4:18 p.m.

Mincha: 4:20 p.m.

Shabbat, December 30, Parashat Miketz

Shacharit: 9:00 a.m.

Jr. Congregation: 10:15 a.m.

Kiddush: this week will be sponsored by Susan and Avi Abikzer

Afternoon Groups: 3:45 p.m.

Rabbi’s Shiur: 3:50 p.m

Mincha: 4:20 p.m.

Seudat Shlishit: This week will be sponsored by Susan and Avi Abikzer in honor of Alana’s Bat-Mitzvah

Shabbat ends: 5:26 p.m.

1. These are written by children and have not been retouched or corrected
   (i.e., bad spelling has been left in).

1) The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up
on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments.
2) The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
3) The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
4) Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in
the battle of Geritol.
5) David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar.
6) He fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblicaltimes.
7) Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
8) Jesus was born because Mary had immaculate contraption.
9) Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before
they do one to you.
10) It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the
tombstone off the entrance.
11) The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
12) St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
13) A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
Since two people sent me this joke at the same time, I guess it’s some kind of heavenly sign that it should appear in this week’s newsletter:

An archaeologist was digging in the Negev Desert in Israel and came upon a casket containing a mummy. After examining it, he called the curator of a prestigious natural history museum.
"I've just discovered a 3,000 year old mummy of a man who died of heart failure!" the excited scientist exclaimed.
To which the curator replied, "Bring him in. We'll check it out."
A week later, the amazed curator called the archaeologist. "You were right about the mummy's age and cause of death. How in the world did you know?"
Replied the archaeologist: "Easy. There was a piece of paper in his hand that said: '10,000 Shekels on Goliath'."

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom and a Shavua Tov