1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER
5775/2015
FEBRUARY/SHEVAT/ADAR
Happy Tu B’Shevat!
SISTERHOOD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD - 8:15PM
Book Review: The Paris Architect
SISTERHOOD NEWS BEGINS ON PAGE 28
ISSUE #93
ORBIT
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HAMAKOM YINACHEM
Peter Jurmann on the passing of his mother, Anita Fader.
Glenna Raskin on the passing of her brother Mark Sachs.
MAZEL TOV
Saundra and Harold Waxman on the birth of their granddaughter,
Sonia Pearl Waxman Player, daughter of Jamye Waxman and Scott Player.
Laurie and Joel Bates on the birth of their grandson, Levi Tyler Platt,
son of Erica and Tyler Platt.
Rhonda and Steven Smallowitz on the birth of their granddaughter,
Aimee Smallowitz, daughter of Sheryl and Eric Smallowitz.
Rhonnie Diener on the birth of her granddaughter, Addison Grace Diener,
daughter of Ilana and Barry Diener.
PJC MISSION STATEMENT
Plainview Jewish Center is a forward-looking, family-friendly,
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 516-9388610 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.................................................................Rachel Ginsburg
PRESIDENT..............................................................Bruce Elowsky
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD............................Shea Z. Lerner
SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT..........................Debbie Zaglin
MEN’S CLUB PRESIDENT....................................Mark Hochberg
FAMILYEDUCATION DIRECTOR......................................Judy Alper
YOUTH DIRECTOR............................................Morgan Hammerman
ORBIT EDITORS.......................................................Margie Richter
Michele Haimes
Elizabeth Kessler
ORBIT COVER ART................................................... Joyce Eckstein
* In Memorian
DEADLINE - FOR- ISSUE DATE
FEB 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
ORBIT
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FEBRUARY 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, February 1st
Service Followed by T/T Breakfast….………..9:00AM
World Wide Wrap...............................................9:00AM
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class………....………..9:15AM
Daled Class Workshop…………..………..…11:00AM
J-Flex……………………………..……………11:30AM
Evening Minyan………………….......…………5:00PM
NO 8:00PM SERVICE TONIGHT
Monday, February 2nd
Educational Director Search Meeting.……….7:00PM
Tuesday, February 3rd
Sisterhood Book Discussion………………….8:15PM
Wednesday, February 4th
Chesed Meeting………………………………..6:30PM
Bible Class with Rabbi Conn………………….8:30PM
Thursday, February 5th
Senior FAN Club……………………………….1:00PM
Family Ed Committee Meeting…….….....……7:30PM
Friday, February 6th
Erev Shabbat Service………………………….5:00PM
Musical Tot Shabbat……………………………5:30PM
Mishpacha Service & Tu B’Shevat Seder.…....7:00PM
Saturday, February 7th
Shacharit ServiceSisterhood / Men’s Club Shabbat…………..….9:00AM
Musical Junior Congregation…………..……….9:45AM
Mincha/Ma’ariv……………………......…………4:45AM
Sunday, February 8th
Services Followed by T/T Breakfast……..…….9:00AM
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class……..…….....…….9:15AM
J-Flex…….…………………………………...…11:30AM
Monday, February 9th
Educational Director Search Meeting.……..….7:00PM
Religious School Committee Meeting……...….8:15PM
Tuesday, February 10th
Men’s Club Movie Night……………….…….….8:15PM
Wednesday, February 11th
Lunch and Learn……………………………….11:00AM
AARP Smart Driver Course……………..……..6:30PM
Ritual Committee Meeting……..……………….8:15PM
Thursday, February 12th
Senior FAN Club…………………………….…..1:00PM
Board of Trustees Meeting………………..…….8:30PM
Friday, February 13th
Erev Shabbat Service……………….5:15PM
Family Friendly Friday Night Service and
Girl Scout & Boy Scout Shabbat......7:00PM
Saturday, February 14th
Shacharit Service…………………….9:00AM
Mincha/Ma’ariv……………………….5:15PM
Sunday, February 15th
Services Followed by T/T Breakfast..9:00AM
Wednesday, February 18th
AARP Smart Driver Course……..…..6:30PM
Thursday, February 19th
Senior FAN Club…………............…...1:00PM
Friday, February 20th
Erev Shabbat Service………………..5:15PM
Saturday, February 21st
Shacharit Service…………….………9:00AM
Bar Mitzvah: Zachary Barten
Son of Donna and Andrew Barten
Mincha / Ma’ariv………………………5:15PM
Sunday, February 22nd
Services Followed by T/T Breakfast…9:00AM
Monday, February 23rd
Chesed Meeting…………………..…..6:15PM
Educational Director Search Mtg........8:30PM
Tuesday, February 24th
Sisterhood Board Meeting……..…….8:15PM
Men’s Club Board Meeting…......…….8:30PM
Thursday, February 26th
Senior FAN Club………………………1:00PM
Friday, February 27th
Erev Shabbat Service…….….……….5:30PM
Gimel Class Service………….……….7:00PM
Saturday, February 28th
Shacharit Service……………………..9:00AM
Shabbat As One
Led by Hey Class.............................10:30AM
Mincha/Ma’ariv…………………..…….5:30PM
Wine Tasting and Sale……...………....8:00PM
Please Note: On Sunday, February 1st (Super Bowl Sunday)
the Mincha/Maariv Service will be held at 5:00PM.
There will be NO 8:00PM service.
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FROM THE RABBI by Rabbi Steven Conn
There is no better place to see the future of Conservative Judaism than
the United Synagogue Youth International Convention. United Synagogue Youth,
known affectionately as USY, is, of course, the teenage arm of the Conservative
Movement. Each year, teenagers from USY chapters all over North America,
and beyond, come together for a five day convention in a large hotel. The
convention brings together the “best and brightest” young people in the
Conservative Movement.
I attended USY International Convention in 1977, in Toronto. At the convention, I experienced
everything that was great about USY, but on a much grander scale. I took part in spirited “ruach” sessions
where our singing, clapping and dancing rocked the entire hotel. I engaged in serious and relevant
Torah study with dynamic young teachers. And of course, my friends and I reveled in all the craziness
and drama that is generated by a large group of teenage boys and girls far away from their parents for
a few days and given the run of a large hotel.
I also saw something at that convention that I had never seen before.
I went to a weekday morning service and there, in one corner, were a group of girls wearing tefilin. I
later found out they were from Seattle, which made perfect sense to me at the time. This was my first
introduction to true egalitarian Judaism; which was all but unknown in the Midwest at the time. Sure, we
had a couple of “liberal” Conservative congregations that counted women in the minyan. But girls
wearing tefilin were something I had never even imagined.
Six years later, when I entered rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary, plenty of
women at the daily minyan wore tefilin. Many of those women became part of the first group of female
rabbis ordained by the Conservative movement, beginning in 1984. Today, the vast majority of
Conservative synagogues are egalitarian with women taking part in all aspects of synagogue life,
including serving as rabbis and cantors.
Many people are saying that a similar sea change took place at this year’s USY International
Convention in Atlanta. One of the highlights of the USY International Convention is the election of the
International Officers and Board. Teenagers elected to these coveted positions often become leaders
of the Conservative Movement as adults on the lay or professional level.
USY International Board members have always been required to adhere to strict standards of
religious behavior, including keeping kosher and observing Shabbat.
About twenty years ago, USYers added another standard. “It is expected that leaders of the organization
will refrain from relationships which can be construed as interdating.”
This year, after much discussion and debate, USYers voted to amend this standard. The
amendment replaces this language with:
The Officers will strive to model healthy Jewish dating choices. These include recognizing
the importance of dating within the Jewish community and treating each person with the
recognition that they were created Betzelem Elohim (in the image of God).
According to the Jewish media, there has been a lot of negative reaction to this change.
There are those who point to the amendment as another sign of the imminent demise of the Conservative
movement, and of “surrender in the battle against intermarriage.”
I believe we need to interpret the amendment differently. Yes, our ‘best and brightest” teenagers
are trying to tell us what the direction of the Conservative Movement will be in the future. They remain
committed to Conservative Judaism, but they also recognize that that commitment does not preclude
inter-dating, and even inter-marriage. We have arrived at that point in our history where it is not just disconnected, disenchanted Jews who date and marry non-Jews. For all kinds of reasons, serious,
( continued on page 5 )
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From The Rabbi ( continued from Page 5 )
engaged, passionate Jews may end up falling in love with non-Jews. And our teenagers want to make
sure that there is a place for these serious, engaged, passionate Jews within Conservative Judaism.
We can debate all we want about whether the future our teenagers are creating is a good one
for Conservative Judaism, or Judaism in general. But we cannot escape the reality that the that future
is here. Sure, it would be easier if our young Jewish adults only dated and married each other. It would
be easier for young adults who care about being engaged in Jewish life to not have to grapple with
awkward questions about how to live with a spouse, and even children, who do not share their
commitments. But we do not get to determine the future. What we can do, though, is to decide how we
are going to respond. And it is that response, and not the choices of dating and marital choices of our
young adults, that will ultimately determine the future of Conservative Judaism.
Every year, I talk with our seventh graders very frankly about the importance of having a Jewish
family. We discuss just how much easier it is to have a Jewish family when your partner shares your
commitment. I warn them of the pitfalls of assuming that “love conquers all” and that their future partner
will change for them. I hope that our teens take this advice to heart. I hope they choose to be actively
engaged in Jewish life in their high school and college years and beyond. I hope that they will make
having a partner who shares their commitment to Judaism a priority.
At the same time, I want to be prepared for what the future will bring. Inevitably, some of our
young adults, even those who have pretty strong positive feelings about their Judaism, will end up
dating and marrying non-Jews. Any number of families in our congregation have experienced this
scenario already. As a synagogue, we need to find ways to reach out to these young adults and invite
them to be a part of our community We have to once and for all dispel the notion that there is no place
in our synagogue for interfaith families. As parents and grandparents, we need to find constructive
and respectful ways to encourage them to continue to take part in Jewish life.
Bringing about this kind of change is essential for the future of our synagogue, and for the
future of Conservative Judaism. This kind of change is even more important for our young adults and
their families; many of whom need our support and encouragement to explore the role that Judaism
can play in their lives.
As part of our congregation’s new strategic plan, we are beginning to explore the ways that we
can become a more inclusive community and offer more support to both interfaith families and their
parents and grandparents. We have been fortunate enough to receive a grant from the UJA-Federation
of New York to pursue outreach to interfaith families and to their parents and grandparents. During the
fall, I met with staff members from the Forest Hills Jewish Center, who received a similar grant last
year. Based on their own successful experience, they recommended Susan Broxmeyer, a social
worker with extensive experience in outreach to interfaith families, to consult with our congregation. I
then met with Susan, who offered some wonderful suggestions on how we can begin our work.
In the upcoming months, we will pursue two tracks. The first track involves creating a consensus
about exactly what steps we need to take to be more effective in reaching out to interfaith families.
Susan will be meeting with both our Executive Committee and our Board of Directors to begin exploring
these questions. At the same time, Susan and I will be developing a series of programs to reach out
to parents and grandparents of interfaith families. We hope that such a program will offer support for
the families and a chance to share their experiences. The first program is tentatively scheduled for
Sunday morning, April 19th. Watch this space (and the weekly e-newsletter) for more details.
In embarking on this project, we are committing ourselves to do some very important work for
our congregation’s future and the future of our young, and not-so-young adults. We can use all the help
we can get. If you are interested in being involved in our Outreach to Interfaith Families Initiative,
please let me know. I would love to work with you on this important project.
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The Cantor’s Note:
Reflections on Michael and Heidi’s Wedding
I can hardly believe that over a month has elapsed since Michael and
Heidi’s wedding. Beginning with a festive Friday evening dinner, continuing
at their aufruf, and culminating on their wedding day itself, the entire weekend
was a happy dream, beyond anything we had anticipated. Looking at the
photographer’s proofs has brought back many memories of a wonderful day,
long in the making, but passing much too quickly. Time does, indeed, have a
way of flying even as we try to savor every minute. The newlyweds are back
to their professional routines and busy settling into their marital home. The months of preoccupation
with planning every detail and assembling guest lists, and the wedding itself, are now part of the
Wolk family history.
Searching through my files, I came across the column that I wrote for Orbit following Michael’s
bar mitzvah, and I now wonder incredulously where the years have gone. A boy has grown into a
married man “even as we gaze”, to borrow a phrase from Fiddler. We are not the same people
either. Gerri and I have gone from being parents of young children, dependent on us for nearly every
need to being parents of adult men, responsible for themselves and making their respective ways
through life quite well. Though our roles have changed accordingly, we are still happy to be called
“Mom and Dad”, only now, of a daughter as well as two sons.
We want to thank everyone from our Plainview Jewish Center family who came to Michael
and Heidi’s wedding. We could not have celebrated fully without you. It is, indeed, very special and
unique that every lifecycle milestone in Michael’s life - brit milah, bar mitzvah, rabbinic ordination,
and now his marriage, was celebrated on the bimah in the same synagogue where he grew up, and
where I have served as cantor for forty years. There are people in this congregation who have known
him since infancy, and who were present at all of these simchas. From the time Gerri would bring
Michael to shul in his stroller, he has been part of our community. As he matured, he regularly
davened for us, read Torah, haftarot and Megillat Esther, officiated as hazzan sheni on the holidays,
and, when he was in Seminary, conducted our Tikkun Lel Shavuot.
All this was done with a skill, genuineness and openness to people that endeared him to
everyone. We were thrilled that Michael and Heidi chose to be married here at the Plainview Jewish
Center, and, of course, for me to officiate at their wedding was spectacular.
I want to thank my colleague, Rabbi Steve Conn, for his enthusiastic help and participation,
and for graciously extending his pulpit to me on Shabbat and at the ceremony. A special thank you
to Marsha and Joe Elowsky, who lovingly restored the Center’s huppah, which had been unused for
decades, and to our house chairman, Joel Hauptman, for his part in sprucing up the facility.
Gerri and I cannot adequately express our thanks and appreciation to Robbie and Steve
Steinberg of our own Robert Ian Caterers. We presented them with multiple catering and logistic
challenges on three consecutive days, which they more than met with the utmost professionalism
and finesse. Their cuisine was superlative and sumptuous, and their service impeccable. They were
attentive to all our needs, responded with geniality to every concern, and, invariably gave us the best
of everything. In short, the entire weekend was catered to perfection, and we could not have been
more pleased. They are an asset to the Plainview Jewish Center.
( continued on Page 7 )
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The Cantor’s Note ( continued from Page 6 )
In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, we find the biblical verse establishing the institution of
marriage, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife.” It seems to imply
that at every wedding there is an undertone of sadness for the parents because, to a degree, their
children are separating from them, and because a chapter in their lives is coming to a close. But, it is
only natural and inevitable that our children will leave our homes to establish their own homes with a life’s
partner who will be their soul mate. Though we are happy for them, it is, nonetheless, a poignant moment
for parents. This same verse from Genesis, however, is open to a more positive interpretation. The
Hebrew word “ya’azov”, usually translated as “to leave”, is also used in biblical Hebrew to mean “to help”
or “to assist”. By leaving their parent’s homes and establishing a new home together, Michael and Heidi
have helped us be fulfilled through them and their future family, our fondest hopes for their happiness and
success in life.
Thank you for sharing this simcha with us, Cantor Morris Wolk, D.Mus.
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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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Bruce Elowsky
Though it is winter and cold outside, I hope that you had an opportunity to
participate in many of January’s events. Whether you attended a Men’s Club
Texas Hold-Em Tournament, Senior FAN Club, Family Friendly Friday Night
Shabbat Alive Service (Klezmer Service), or any other activity, you and your
family and friends can always feel welcome at PJC.
At our Congregation meeting in January, we unveiled our Strategic Plan.
This plan will help guide us through the next 5 years as we strive to nurture and
sustain our presence in the community. Many thanks to Strategic Planning
Committee Co-Chairs Evy Rothman and Marty Liebowitz, committee members,
and special thanks to Rabbi Conn for his guidance and support. If you have not received a copy of
this plan via email, you can always pick up a copy at our office.
This past month, it was my pleasure to participate in The Arthur Guttmanstein Religious School
Gimel Class Consecration Service. It was a proud moment for the parents and family members as
they watched the students receive their Siddurs and embark on their Jewish Studies.
There are many events taking place this February, and I hope that you will have a chance to
attend. Sunday February 1st at 9:00 AM is the World Wide Wrap. This event is sponsored by the
Men’s Club, and gives both men and women an opportunity to put on Tefillin. On Saturday, February
7th at 9:00 AM, we will have our Annual Sisterhood and Men’s Club Shabbat Service.
Let’s not miss out on a chance to get together for our annual Wine Tasting event to be held on
the evening of Saturday February 28th at 8:00 PM. You will be able to sample wines which can be
used during Passover as well as throughout the year. Come join us for a fun filled evening of wine
tasting and a lite fare.
Looking forward in March, we will be celebrating Purim on Wednesday evening March 4th at
6:15 PM for the family Megillah reading, followed by a USY Carnival and Men’s Club Ice Cream
Social. Please make sure you have ordered your Shalach Manot baskets from Sisterhood prior to
this evening. Also in March, the Patio Players will be performing their production of Fiddler on the
Roof. Please keep some dates open for what I am sure will be another wonderful performance.
As always, please check our calendar for the many wonderful events and programs offered by
PJC throughout the month. Please remember to Save the Date: Sunday June 7th at 5PM for
th
Anniversary Celebration.
Stay warm, and be well. Bruce
C
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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
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Help Support PJC’s Religious School Fundraiser for
Extra-Curricular Activities and Programs
Throughout the school year, the Religious School offers extra-curricular programs
and events to its children to enhance their Jewish education and make learning fun.
Some events offered in the past or that the Religious School Committee would like to
pursue in the future include: an olive oil pressing workshop, a matzah baking workshop,
a trip to the Suffolk Y to see the Jewish exhibit and a session with an Israeli dancing
instructor.
To help off-set the expense of these events, the Religious School Committee is
conducting a congregation-wide 50/50 raffle now through Purim. Half of the total
proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets will be allocated specifically to the Hebrew
school to support extra-curricular educational activities and programs for the students
and the other half will be divided into 2 equal parts offering participants 2 chances to
win. The drawing will take place at the Megillah reading service on Purim in the main
sanctuary on the evening of March 4th.
Ticket prices are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. If you are interested in purchasing
raffle tickets, please complete the form below and send it with payment to the temple
office at: 95 Floral Drive, Plainview, NY 11803; ATTN Religious School 50/50. Your
raffle tickets will be mailed back to you. Participants need not be present the evening
of the drawing as long as contact information is provided below.
Thank you for your support with this fund raising initiative. If you have any
questions regarding this fundraiser, you can contact the Religious School office or email Stacy Meyerson at [email protected].
Hebrew School 50/50 Raffle
o I would like to purchase 1 raffle ticket for $5.00 to support extra-curricular
programs at the Religious School.
o I would like to purchase 5 raffle tickets for $20.00 to support extra-curricular
programs at the Religious School.
o I would like to purchase ________ tickets for $__________ to support extracurricular programs at the Religious School.
o I don’t want to purchase raffle tickets but would like to make a donation to the
Religious School for $__________
Please make check payable to Plainview Jewish Center
Name__________________________________________ Phone
Number____________________
Address______________________________________________________________________________
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Now we have Walgreens, Macy’s, TJMAXX,
Marshall’s, California Pizza Kitchen & Panera
cards too!
HELP PJC’S RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
JUST GO ONTO THE SHOPRITE WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.SHOPRITE.COM/SHOPRITE-FOR-MY-SCHOOL/
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. SELECT PJC AS YOUR SCHOOL AND
ENTER YOUR SHOPRITE PRICE PLUS CARD NUMBER. EVERY TIME YOU
BUY “BOXTOP” ITEMS, PJC WILL GET CREDIT. THREE TIMES A YEAR,
OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE A CHECK.
IT’S SO EASY! THANKS FOR HELPING!
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LUNCH AND LEARN AT THE
MID-ISLAND Y-JCC
Monday, February 23rd at 12:30 PM
Rabbi Conn will be presenting:
“Israeli Elections 2015
Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Vote.”
Participants are asked to bring their own lunch.
Hot Drinks provided.
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 in their family.
If you need this service, you have to 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
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Israel Affairs by Sharon Kunoff
In last month’s article, I indicated that I planned to read David Bedelein’s book, Roadblock to
Peace:How the UN perpetuates the Arab-Israeli conflict: UNRWA policies reconsidered. I did read it,
but rather than use that material, it made me want to learn more. However, before continuing, I would be
remiss if I failed to mention the many recent incidents pertaining to Israel.
First, Mahmoud Abbas have been trying to have the world recognize Palestine as a state, without
negotiation with Israel. Several countries has agreed to do so, although all say this is contingent upon
settlement with Israel. A few weeks ago, he had Jordan put a petition before the Security Council of the
United Nations urging recognition of Palestine as a State. Fortunately, it did not get the required number
of votes. He has resolved to try again. Meanwhile, he petitioned to join the International Criminal Court
which could allow him to bring complaints of war crimes against Israel.
In Gaza, Hamas has called for Palestinians to kill as many Israelis as they can. This has led to
several serious incidents in Israel and around the world. It culminated in the killing of twelve journalists in
Paris, followed by the killing of four French Jewish shoppers in a kosher supermarket.
If that weren’t enough, internal problems in Israel led to the fall of Netanyahu’s government with
new elections slated for March. At this writing, it seems that Netanyahu will come out ahead. So, keep
your eyes on the news and try to stand up for Israel whenever you can.
I will try to explain the UNRWA situation and how it seems to be the cause of many of the problems
in the West Bank, Syria and other parts of the Arab world. When I heard Bedelein speak, I thought he
was very articulate. But, I was extremely disappointed in the book. It left me feeling depressed without
any ideas of how the situation could be changed. I was going to summarize my take on the situation, but
recently, while searching the net, I came across an article which made me hopeful.
Bassem Eid is the founder and director of the Jerusalem-based Palestinian Human Rights
Monitoring Group. He has written an article which will be part of a special presentation to the British
Parliament sponsored by the London-based Henry Jackson Society and the Jerusalem-based Center
For Near East Policy Research. I will quote extensively from this article. I believe, it says better than I can,
the primary reason for the hatred many Palestinians have for Israelis.
As I understand it, UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief Works Agency, a special agency
set up to deal only with Palestinian Refugees. A Palestinian Refugee is defined as an Arab or an Arab
descendent who lived in Israel any time between 1946 and 1948 and left the country as a result of the
founding of Israel. UNWRA is funded separately from the main UN refugee agency which takes care of
all other refugees. In general, other refugees have resettled within a year or so of being declared a
refugee, usually not in their country of origin. These people include the over 800,000 Jews who were
forced out of Arab lands around the same time as the Arabs were displaced from what was then Palestine.
No one ever talks about them because they have resettled in Israel, the United States and other places.
The same of course is true for Holocaust survivors. Some tried to return to their countries of origin but
realized they weren’t welcome. They became displaced persons and then valued members in many
areas of the world.
Bassem Eid wrote, “We Palestinians can no longer deny our responsibility for the destiny of our
people. For 26 years I have been devoting my life to the mission of defending human rights. I have seen
wars and terror. I live in Jerusalem and was brought up in an United Nations Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA) refugee camp in Shuafat, a refugee camp like 58 other UNRWA refugee camps created for
the sole purpose of keeping Palestinian Arab people in “temporary” conditions, for 65 years, under the
false pretense and specious promise of the “right of return” to pre-1948 villages that do not exist.
As a proud Palestinian, I must take responsible for what will happen to our people. We can no
longer deny our responsibility for the future of our people. UNRWA, to continue its operation, depends
on death and the visual suffering of five million Palestinians who continue to wallow in and around UNRWA
( continued on Page 14 )
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Israel Affairs ( continued from Page 13 )
facilities. The more Palestinians suffer, the more power goes to UNRWA, which allows it to raise
unchecked humanitarian funds and purchase munitions. People ask: Why not abolish UNRWA? Well,
this cannot be done.
People ask: Why not ask the donor nations to defund UNRWA? Do they not realize that a Western
defunding of UNRWA would allow nations like Qatar to enter the vacuum, leaving the West with no leverage
over UNRWA policy? The point is to influence donor nations to reform UNRWA and predicate future aid
to UNRWA on reasonable conditions:
1. Audit all funds allocated to UNRWA, which operates with a $1.2b. budget.
2. Introduce UN High Commissioner for Refugees standards to UNRWA, to encourage permanent refugee
settlement.
3. Cancel the UNRWA war curriculum, based on principles of jihad, martyrdom and right of return by
force of arms.
4. Demand that UNRWA schools conform to the UNRWA slogan: “Peace Starts Here.”
5. Dismiss UNRWA employees affiliated with Hamas, defined by the donor nations to UNRWA as a
terrorist entity.
It is therefore the responsibility of the Palestinian people to rebel against the arbitrary administration
of UNRWA, which seeks to perpetuate our refugee status instead of helping our people to strive for a
better future. The Palestinians see that UNRWA is continually cutting back on its activities, devoting most
of its budgets to health and education.
UNRWA claims that this is because the contributing countries have not upheld their commitments
regarding the transfer of funds. Furthermore, UNRWA provides many more services to the Gaza Strip
than it does to the West Bank, and this even further infuriates the residents of the West Bank. Moreover,
UNRWA has not raised the salaries it pays to its local workers for years, and, in many cases, has even
neglected to pay its workers for months at a time –thus enraging the Palestinians even further and leading
to numerous strikes and conflicts.
UNRWA has not conducted a census within the refugee camps for some two decades, and so the
organization cannot know how many refugees are living in the camps in the Occupied Territories and in
the Diaspora. To this day, the numbers remain unclear. While one source says there are 2.5 million
refugees, the Palestinian Authority claims that the number is higher than 6 million. UNRWA, which should
be the authoritative source, is silent. So on what figures is UNRWA basing its requests for funds? Do the
contributing countries have any idea of what they are contributing to? The Palestinian refugees have lost
all hope that UNRWA will make any effort to return them to their original lands (right of return) and they
believe that they will have to settle for compensation. But they are concerned that if they don’t bring
pressure to bear on UNRWA, these monies, too, will be swallowed up by its vast organizational apparatus.
In my opinion, it is essential to carry out a comprehensive investigation within the refugee camps
throughout the entire Middle East, not only to ascertain the precise numbers of refugees, but also to
understand what the Palestinian want for themselves, what they wish for, and what they believe they can
reasonably expect.
In the eyes of the Palestinians, UNRWA acts a state with its own foreign policy. And that foreign
policy does not serve the best interests of the Palestinian refugees. I’m saying this as a loyal Palestinian.
I’m saying this because I am concerned about my people’s future.”
I too believe that something has to be done about UNWRA. Perhaps if the impetus comes from
the Palestinians, it is more likely to happen. If any of you have any idea on this situation, let me know. My
training is not in Histrory, Political Science, or any allied area. I’d welcome a critique from someone with
more expertise. Here my hopefulness comes from knowing there are Palestinians who feel a responsibility
for the situation and want to do something about it!!
ORBIT
Page 15
PJC IS GOING TO ISRAEL!
Come to an informational session
in the PJC ballroom on:
Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30pm
Larry Ritter, President of Israel Tour Connection (ITC) will be giving a
presentation about the trip and will be available for Q&A and to take
deposits. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
[email protected] or through the synagogue office.
This year we will be in Israel!!
Your Israel Trip Planning Committee
More details on pages 37 & 38
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Page 16
FRIENDLY REMINDER from SISTERHOOD.......
Purim is Just Around The Corner-Wednesday evening, March
4th... Please participate in the Mitzvah of sending Shalach
Manot to one another. Let PJC’s Sisterhood be your agent again
this year. Don’t forget to place your Shalach Manot Orders early.
The deadline is fast approaching - so don’t be left out. There are
3 different Order Forms in this issue of Orbit and they have also
been mailed to you. If you participated last year we have also
mailed you the order you placed last year to help make it easier
to place your order this year.
1- There is an Order Form for Shalach Manot Baskets - send to
your friends, family, children, Hebrew School Teachers, etc. (deadline is Feb 13th)
2- There is an Order Form for Purim Cards to friends or family
far away (or nearby). (deadline is Feb 20th)
3- There is an Order Form for College Kits - send Shalach Manot
to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. or anyone
you love who is away at college. They will be thrilled to receive
this. (deadline is Feb 13th)
You may also visit the PJC website at
www.plainviewjewishcenter.org to find the forms.
So, don’t wait - place your order today. Send completed forms
with payment to PJC attn: SISTERHOOD
Any questions contact:
Marion @ 516-933-8085 [email protected]
Bunny @ 516-433-5778
Sisterhood thanks everyone for their support and participation
in this amazing project!
The Sisterhood Shalach Manot Committee
ORBIT
Page 17
ORBIT
Page 18
SISTERHOOD PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER
Purim Kits for College Kids
Order Form
If you are interested in sending a kit(s), please provide Sisterhood with the following information:
Name of College Student: ______________________________________
College Address:
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Who is sending the kit:
______________________________________
Name(s) to be signed on card: ______________________________________
Send: $15.00 per kit if you are a Sisterhood Member
$20.00 per kit if you are not a Sisterhood Member
TO: Sisterhood PJC: 95 Floral Drive, Plainview, NY 11803; Attention: Purim Kits
We plan to be sending out lots of kits this year so be sure to place your order early!
***Please remember The cut-off date for ordering is Friday, February 13, 2015
so that we can ensure delivery by Purim, March 4, 2015.
ORBIT
Page 19
Page 20
ORBIT
Plainview Jewish Center 60th Anniversary Special Gifts Tribute
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
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
Lobby/Main Corridor
Religious School
Presidents Plaque
Tree of life Leaf(s)
Trophy Display Case
Tallit and Prayer Book Cabinet
Bulletin Board
Art Work
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]
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING
FAMILIES FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MORNING MINYAN:
Gale Pine
Ruth & Michael Tuller
Rachel & Joe Slater
Judy & Harvey Altman
Wendy & Dennis Fingold
Audrey & Lawrence Leventhal
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ORBIT
Page 21
Happy New Year…of the Trees! Yes, we’ve hopefully just celebrated globally a wonderful New
Year of 2015. However, in our Jewish year of 5775, this coming February 5/6, we are celebrating Tu
B’Shevat, the new year of the trees. Our love and appreciation of the trees has stretched to incorporate
much more and we are all thinking about our world and its natural resources. How wonderful that the
Jewish people incorporated this into our lives thousands of years ago.
Save February 13, 2015 at 7:00pm on your calendar and join us for the Family Friendly
Friday Night Service. This month we will be joining together in prayer, song and dance as the Rabbi and
Cantor lead us in a wonderfully warm and inspiring service—don’t forget that there’s dancing in the aisles!
As usual, an oneg follows the service and Oneg Sponsors are always welcome. Share with the community
your family and friends birthdays, anniversaries, simchas and news. Contact Judy Alper about becoming
one of the sponsors of the oneg.
Are you a member of PJ Library? PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspon Foundation,a
program made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Today,
families in hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless
core values of Judaism through books and music. All Jewish families whose children range in age from
six months of age through eight years are welcome to sign up. You can do this through the Plainview
Jewish Center website, the PJ Library website (linking in with Plainview Jewish Center) or by emailing
Judy Alper @ [email protected]. For more information or to become a sponsor of the FFFNS
please email Judy Alper at [email protected].
Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful and sweet Tu B’Shevat 5775.
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 !!
ORBIT
Page 22
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR B’NAI / B’NOT MITZVAH
ZACHARY BARTEN
January 21, 2015
Zachary is the son of Donna and Andrew Barten and has a sister, Jillian. He is a seventh
grader at POB Middle School. Zachary enjoys sports, basketball, flag football, being with
his friends and playing with his dog, Maxwell. His favorite holiday is Chanukah which he
celebrates with his family. For his Mitzvah Project, he is collecting recyclables and donations to aid in the research for people suffering with mutliple myeloma in honor of Zach’s
dad, Andy Barten. This will benefit the International Myeloma Foundation.
REMEMBER TO PURCHASE CANDY BAGS
FOR YOUR BAR/BAT MITZVAH
THROUGH OUR YOUTH GROUP
CONTACT THE TEMPLE OFFICE: 938-8610
Spend the
First Night of Pesach
with your PJC Family
Friday, April 3 at 6:30pm
$40 per person
$18 per child (Pre-Bar Mitzvah)
Under 4-Free
Leave the preparation to us and come enjoy a beautiful
seder led by Rabbi Conn and Cantor Wolk with a delicious meal supplied by Woodbury Kosher
RSVP is a MUST
Mail your check to PJC to confirm your reservation.
ORBIT
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ORBIT
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SCHOOL NEWS By Rachel Ginsburg, Principal
This year Tu B’Shevat will fall on the evening of February 3rd and the day
of February 4th. Tu B’Shevat doesn’t appear in the Bible, so when was the
holiday created – and why? In the Torah, we have two mitzvoth that caused the
holiday to be established. In Leviticus, Chapter 19, v23-24, we read that when a
fruit tree is planted, you have to wait three years before you can eat the fruit. In
the fourth year, the fruit was picked and a Jew had to go to Jerusalem to give it to
the Temple as a gift. Only in the fifth year could he eat the fruit.
But how did we know the age of the tree? In Deuteronomy, Chapter 14,
v.22-26, we read that Jews were to give tithes to the Temple – Every third and
sixth years they were supposed to take one tenth of their crops (including fruits)
to Jerusalem and eat them there, or sell them and use the money in Jerusalem.
So how would they know which fruits belonged to these years and which to
the previous year? To answer this question a New Year of Trees was created by
the Rabbis. In the time of the Mishna, about 200 B.C.E. we already find a
statement that “the first day of Shevat, is a Rosh Hashana to the fruit trees,
according to the house of Shamay and the 15th of Shevat, according to the
house of Hillel.”
We also have a mishna that deals with people who improve a tree by
splicing less than 30 days before our regular Rosh Hashana. If the fruits are
ripe before the 15th of Shevat, there is a question whether the fruit belongs to
this year or the previous year concerning to shemita. If they belong to the previous
year, you can eat them. If they belong to the present year, they are forbidden.
(Found in Talmud Rosh Hashana.)
So why was the 15th of the month chosen? According to Rabbi Elazar
(speaking in the name of Rabbi Oshiah), “because most of the rain already has
fallen and Rashi adds that “it was the time of year when the fruits are half ripe.”
(Talmud Rosh Hashana, Page 14a.) This is how the Rabbis decided that full
ripe fruits belonged to the previous year.
Today, in Israel, we still keep the laws of not eating the fruits of the first 3
years and the shemita year, which is this year, but there are no more tithing laws
because there is no Temple. Instead, we plant trees on Tu B’Shevat and eat
from the special fruits which grow in Israel. We plan to have a Tu B’Shevat seder
in our Mishpacha Service on Friday, February 6th.
Tu B’Shevat Sameach, Rachel
ORBIT
Page 25
FEBRUARY 2015 SCHOOL CALENDAR
2/1/15
1
1
4
4
6
7
8
9
13
13-22
23
23
27
28
Sunday
Teacher Conference - ALEF ONLY
NO REGULAR ALEF CLASSES
Sunday
DALED Family Workshop
Sunday
J-Flex
Wednesday Tu-B’Shevat Day
Wednesday Chesed Meeting
Friday
Mishpacha Prgm - Tu B’Shevat Seder
Saturday
Musical Jr.Congregation
Sunday
J-Flex
Monday
School Comm Meeting
FridayFamily Friendly Service
Friday-Sunday Winter VacationMonday
School Resumes- Regular Schedule
Monday
Chesed MeetingFriday
GIMEL Class Service
Saturday
Shabbat-As-One- Hey Service
9:00AM-11:30AM
USED COAT DRIVE
11:00AM-1:00PM - Kirschner Room
11:30AM-1:00PM - Room 213
Regular Schedule
6:30PM - 8:00PM - Room 211/209
7:00PM-8:00PM
9:45AM-11:15AM - Youth Lounge
11:30AM-1:00PM - Room 213
8:15PM - Library
7:00PM-8:00PM
No School or Jr. Congregation
4:15PM-6:15PM6:15PM - 8:00PM - Room 211/209
7:00PM-8:00PM - Main Sanctuary
10:30AM-12:00PM - Youth Lounge/Sanctuary
ORBIT
Page 26
REFUAH SHELAYMAH
Our Plainview Jewish Center Family wishes a refuah shelaymah to:
Hank Marcus Lucille Giniger
Irving Weingarten
Martin Bertisch Zelda King
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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ORBIT
ShopRite & Fairway
Food Certificates
are always available
Call
Illyse - 622-6657
or
Temple Office - 938-8610
Remember, by supporting the
Food Certificate Program,
you support PJC!
** gift cards and scrip will be sold
Sunday mornings 9-12 in the temple lobby!!
Page 27
ORBIT
Page 28
SISTERHOOD NEWS
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - Debbie Zaglin, President
February is “Brotherhood Month.” According to the dictionary, a brotherhood is a group or
organization of people having a close relationship, common interests, etc. In my opinion, this definition
describes the relationship between all arms of the Plainview Jewish Center - Sisterhood, Men’s
Club and Congregation. Together we form a single, united “brotherhood” whose purpose is to work
for the benefit of Plainview Jewish Center and its members. There should exist a feeling of unity
between these various groups. Events run by one of these organizations should be supported by
members of all branches of the temple. We should all try to attend fundraisers for the benefit of
Plainview Jewish Center whenever we can, no matter which organization is listed as the sponsor of
that event. While many aspects of each group will always be separate, we should all work together
where possible for a better Plainview Jewish Center.
Each year, Sisterhood and Men’s Club work together to host a joint Shabbat in February.
This year’s Sisterhood-Men’s Club Shabbat will be held on Saturday morning February 7th. It promises
to be a very interesting, enlightening and inspirational day and we hope that many of you will attend. Hopefully some of you are also participating in leading the services as well.
On Sunday, March 1st, Sisterhood will be packing our Shalach Manot bags for Purim. Please
join us for this wonderful fundraiser, mitzvah, and all around good time. I hope to see you there! I
hope you will all participate in the Mitzvah of sending Shalach Manot. The order forms have gone out
in the mail and are also in this issue of Orbit. The deadline is fast approaching! Please support
Sisterhood in this project! The funds that we raise go a long way to help PJC- especially our
Hebrew School Children and our Youth Group programs.
Please be aware that the megillah reading is WEDNESDAY EVENING , MARCH 4th.
THAT IS WHEN YOU CAN PICK UP ANY BAGS THAT WERE ORDERED FOR YOU
AS WELL AS ANY BAGS YOU HAVE ORDERED FOR NON MEMBERS.
Let’s make PJC the place to be!!! Warm Regards, Debbie Zaglin
PROGRAM Rose Weiner - Program Vice President
Please join us on Tuesday February 3rd for our general meeting at 8:15 PM. We have two
events happening on this evening. First, you will be meeting Sisterhood’s very own Queen Esther.
Then Judi Dorosin will be leading our book discussion of, “The Paris Architect “. Please read the
book. If you don’t get a chance to read or complete it please come anyway. Our discussions are
always very interesting and informative even if you have not read the book.
March 17th is our Passover meeting. In the past we’ve handed out recipe booklets which
also include information about the Seder. If you have any interesting recipes you would like to share
with Sisterhood members, please e-mail them to me so that our committee can incorporate them
into the new booklets we are working on. My e-mail address is [email protected] . Thanks
in advance!
Looking forward to seeing everyone in February.
ORBIT
Page 29
FUND RAISING Carol Hauser - Fund Raising Vice President
Sisterhood’s fund raising efforts have recently supported a Special Education
teacher and a Technology Teacher for the Religious School and sponsorship of the
Tironim and Kadima Youth Programs. The fund raising committee is working on
developing additional events as well. If you have any suggestions, please contact
me at: [email protected] or (516) 433-8423.
Save the date
Wednesday, April 29th
Sisterhood’s Fashion Boutique!!
EDUCATION Diane Miller - Education Vice President
Sisterhood and Men’s Club Sabbath
SAVE THE DATE: February 7th, 2015
Once more, we will be celebrating our annual Sisterhood and Men’s Club Sabbath
on Saturday, February 7th, 2015. Our women and men take over the roles of our
professionals and they are great! As nerve-wracking, exciting and tension filled as it is
(and I’m referring to how our Rabbi and Cantor feel), our participants perform with
great aplomb.
This year we have a very special speaker. Her name is Risa Simon and she is a
Naval Commander serving in the office of Naval Intelligence. Not only is she a
Bronze Star Medal recipient (among many other awards), she has served in Japan,
Iraq, and Afghanistan and aboard the aircraft carrier U.S. John C. Stennis. You will
hear exciting stories from Risa. Her subject will be “Jews in the Military.”
So don’t be shy. If you want to participate, we offer Hebrew and English parts.
If you just want to attend services and support your friends we would be very happy to
see you there.
Sincerely,
Doris Cooper, Education Chairperson, and her Committee:
Zita Jospa
Diane Miller
Michele Brickman
ORBIT
Page 30
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)
ORBIT
Page 31
TORAH FUND - Rose Weiner, Torah Fund Coordinator
I want to thank everyone for attending our Double Chai Kick-Off at Joyce
Rimer’s home. It was a very interesting and informative evening. Again, a big
THANK YOU to Joyce for offering her home and serving an array of delicious
desserts!
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.
ORBIT
Page 32
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES
FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE YAHRZEIT & YIZKOR FUND:
Shirley & Ross Landesman
Bruce Schachter
Arlene & Richard Friedman
Ellen & George Rosenbaum
Jeffrey Gleicher
Mona Grinspan
Sheryl & Philip Smolowitz
Ellen & Steven Haas
Jeffey Hochdorf
Lillian & Stanley Bernstein
Zita & Marvin Rosen
Natalia Nevidomsky
Linda & Allan Furman
Cecilia Brodie
Rosalie Miller
Janice & Howard Gellman
Eileen Glotzer
Donna & Steven Swidler
Marilyn & Jerry Kreditor
Anne B. Axelrod
Alice & Edward Langholz
Gloria Gewirtz
Susan Shebairo
Gary Littman
Harriet Cohen
Toby & Harvey Gordon
Anita & Martin Shlufman
Sharon & Morton Amster
Linda Sobolow
Beatrice Leffert
Eileen & Steven Dershowitz
Lisa & Lance Gordon
Matilde & Cliff Broder
Judith & Lawrence Cohen
Marge Felder
Doris Saks
Enid Flax
Judy & Harvey Altman
Harold Sigmund
Judith & Stuart Forman
Pearl & Martin Plawsky
Marjorie & Mitchell Kantor
Ellen & Richard Lincer
Ruth Kleinberger
Philip Brandfon
Caryn & David Nazarieh
Helen R. Rudowsky
Ida & Murray Kleiner
WE WISH TO THANK AND EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING
FAMILIES FOR THEIR DONATION TO PJC:
Sabrina & Bruce Hymowitz – In honor of Lauren Hymowitz Birthright trip to Israel
Rita & Richard Wein
Helene Parker – In honor of Diana and Leonard Lerner’s 60 th wedding anniversary
Sharon & Steven Stone – Cantor’s Discretionary Fund –
In honor of Heidi Bennett and Michael Wolk’s wedding
Stacy & Andrew Meyerson – Cantor’s Discretionary Fund –
In honor of Heidi Bennett and Michael Wolk’s wedding
Stacy & Andrew Meyerson – In memory of Sarita Robinson
Debbie & Michael Zaglin – In honor of Danny Zaglin’s graduation from Binghamton University
MEN’S CLUB by Stephen Taub
Several fun events are coming to Plainview Jewish Center courtesy of Men’s Club. On Tuesday,
February 10th, we will be hosting our annual, winter Movie Night. This year we will be showing Suzie
Gold, a comedy about a young Jewish woman living in London with a sister who is about to marry a
young Jewish man. We will be serving popcorn, candy and soda. As always, there is no charge to all
attendees. The movie will start at 8:15 p.m.
On Purim evening, March 4th, Men’s Club will be hosting its annual Ice-Cream Sundae Party,
complete with all of your favorite toppings. And, of course, this too is complementary.
Then it is time for the Men’s Club Patio Players to take over the Temple. This year we will be
performing, Fiddler on the Roof. Ever hear of it? Performances will take place Saturday evening March
7th, Sunday afternoon March 8th, Saturday evening March 14th and Sunday afternoon March 15th. For
tickets, call the office and leave a message for Michael Prospect or Rob Cohen.
Meanwhile, look in your mailboxes shortly before Passover for your Yom Hashoah candle, again
courtesy of Men’s Club. Hope to see you at all of these events.
ORBIT
Page 33
A.A.R.P. SMART DRIVER COURSE
Hosted by THE PLAINVIEW JEWISH CENTER
** SAVE 10% ON AUTO LIABILITY, COLLISION AND PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION INSURANCE FOR THREE YEARS, AND
** REDUCE YOUR ACTIVE POINT TOTAL BY UP TO FOUR POINTS (SEE DMV BROCHURE)
THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL PJC MEMBERS
COURSE DATES , WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 2015 AND WED., FEB. 18, 2015
COURSE TIME: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS
REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 30 APPLICANTS.
* THE NON-REFUNDABLE FEE IS $20.00 PER PERSON FOR AARP MEMBERS,
PAYABLE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION. SPOUSES BOTH USE THE SAME AARP MEMBERSHIP
NUMBER. ENTER THE NUMBER IN THE LOWER LEFT HAND CORNER ON THE FACE OF THE
CHECK.
THE FEE FOR NON-AARP MEMBERS IS $25.00 PER PERSON.
* BRING YOUR NEW YORK STATE DRIVER’S LICENSE AND A PEN TO THE SESSIONS.
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE AND GIVEN BY OUR OWN LARRY ABRAMS.
* PLEASE FILL IN THE APPLICATION BELOW AND MAIL IT BEFORE THE CLASS DATE, ALONG
WITH YOUR CHECK for the appropriate amount (NO CASH), PAYABLE TO AARP, TO:
LARRY ABRAMS
17 TIPTOP LANE
HICKSVILLE, NY 11801 Tel. 516x735-6483
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -CUT HERE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NAME(s) _____________________________, ____________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________ NUMBER ATTENDING____
____________________________ AARP MEMBER?_____ If yes, AARP
#__________________
TELEPHONE: __________________________ WED., FEB 11, AND WED.. FEB. 18, 2015
6:30 PM SHARP to 9:30 PM
FEE FOR AARP MEMBERS IS $20 PER PERSON (ENTER YOUR AARP NUMBER ON THE CHECK.)
FEE FOR NON-AARP MEMBERS IS $25 PER PERSON.
CHECKS ONLY, PAYABLE TO “AARP”.
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THE BIBLE CLASS CONTINUES!
THE BOOK OF EZRA & NEHEMIAH - BACK TO THE PROMISED LAND
Looking for an hour of action, drama and excitement on Wednesday night?
Take in a classic series that has been delivering the thrills for more than 2000 years.
Join Rabbi Conn, for all the action on selected Wednesdays at 8:15PM.
This month, we will begin our study of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
These books chronicle the return of the Babylonian exiles to the land of Israel in the
sixth cnetury BCE. Although the events described in these books happened 1500
years ago, they often seem like they could have happened today. Ezra and
Nehemiah grapple withy questions like: “What if Jews don’t want to retrun to Israel?
Who is a Jew? And what does it mean to have a Jewish State?” Our discussions
will focus not only on how Ezra and Nehemiah address these questions, but also on
what their answers mean for our time.
Free and open to all. Bring your own Bible or use the study sheets
provided in class. No Hebrew necessary.
Next Session
Wednesday, February 4th
Ezra 5
Rebuilding the Temple II: A Letter to the Persians/
A Cameo Appearance By Two Famous Prophets
New participants are always welcome.
LUNCH AND LEARN
Wednesday, February 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, inspired by the writings of the late Gil Marks, we will explore, “The History
of Jewish Food.” Learn about the origins of some of our favorite dishes and
sample some “classics” prepared by Rabbi Conn!
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 at large.
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Detailed Itinerary on Page 38
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Israel Tip Itinerary
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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.
M’yad L’yad (Helping Hands)
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. M’yad L’yad will pay the shipping cost.
For more information, call: Marilyn or Marty Leibowitz at 822-6965.
Text Study with Rabbi Conn
Most Shabbat Afternoons between
Mincha (Afternoon) and Ma’ariv (evening) services.
Begin the new week with a few minutes of study. This fall, we will focus on a question
from the weekly Torah portion and the answer given by Rashi, the most famous of all
commentators. Our discussions are always brief, and usually insightful. So join us for prayer,
study and camaraderie as we explore the Torah together.
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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].
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.
For information call: JOEL FASS 938-7351