  
THE VOICE OF YOUNG ISRAEL
Published by: THE YOUNG ISRAEL OF FOREST HILLS - 7100 YELLOWSTONE BOULEVARD - FOREST HILLS, NY 11375
Vol. 57 No. 5
MARCH 2009
RABBI'S MESSAGE
Rabbi Yehuda L. Oppenheimer
‫בס"ד‬
WHY WE SHOULD GET GOOD AND DRUNK ON
PURIM
Of all the many mitzvot of Purim that we look forward to so
very much, the mitzvah of getting drunk has gotten a bad
reputation. Unfortunately, for reasons that are all too real, we
have seen posters put up by Hatzolah and other organizations
that show tragic scenes and ominously remind us “Don’t get
carried away this year on Purim”. Certainly this message is
one that needs to be heeded well.
However, it may well be that the whole problem is due to an
unfortunate misreading of a famous quote. The Talmud states
in Megillah 7b:
‫ מיחייב איניש לבסומי בפוריא עד דלא‬:‫אמר רבא‬
‫ידע בין ארור המן לברוך מרדכי‬
Rava said, A person is obligated to become intoxicated
on Purim, until they do no know [the difference]
between “Cursed is Haman” and
“Blessed is Mordechai”
This is truly a remarkable obligation. After all, as has been
often said, Purim is one of our very holiest holidays —
perhaps the most important of all in certain ways — how is it
possible that drinking oneself into a stupor is part of this?
The recent Slonimer Rebbe ‫ זצ״ל‬in his Nesivos Shalom
maintains that the key to understanding this is to note what is
NOT stated in the above quoted text. It does not say “One is
obligated to become intoxicated {with wine or shnapps} on
Purim.” Rather, he suggests that the omission of these words
is fully intentional, and allows one to read it, “One is obligated
to become intoxicated in Purim itself!” The enormity of the
unique and holy character of this one single day of the year
ADAR 5769
should have such an intoxicating affect on a Jew, that they
take leave of their normal senses, and enter into a much higher
spiritual sense!!!
This idea, of the blurring of the normal senses, is evident in all
the mitzvot of Purim. On this day we read the Megillah, give
gifts, and take part in a Festive meal during it is customary to
have “some” wine and to remember how Hashem saved us,
and continues to save us, from our mortal enemy Amalek.
These represent the three categories of all mitsvot, those
between man and G-d, between man and man, and between
man and himself. As the Maharal writes, one’s complete
service of Hashem has to be complete in all areas. In these
three areas we find the blessing of Mordechai and the curse of
Haman.
The Megilla reading is between man and G-d. There are times
when it is evident that Hashem is showering kindness on the
world. Not just because everyone is healthy and all things are
going well. Even in a spiritual sense, we feel connected. We
feel Hashem is with us. This is the blessing of Mordechai.
Other time it’s frightfully different, G-d forbid. Problems
seem rampant everywhere – be they in the areas of health,
finances, difficulty connecting with children, loneliness, and
most of all, feeling disconnected from Hashem, abandoned
and alone. This feeling is the curse of Haman.
Purim is when we blur the two. The story of Purim is to teach
us that there is no such thing as this blessing and curse.
Hashem is always with us. We are always connected. When
Haman came around and doom was closing in, Am Yisrael
thought Hashem had abandoned them, until they realized He
was right there with them the entire time.
This, then, is the real mitzva of ‫לבסומי‬(intoxication)
according to the Slonimer Rebbe. To know that if a person
thinks that there are times when Hashem is with us and that
there are times when
(continued on . p.4)
(RABBI'S MESSAGE continued from page 1)
He is ‫( ח״ו‬Heaven forefend) not, is an epic mistake — a real
illusion of the senses. On Purim we want to make sure that we
remind ourselves that Hashem is always with us, at all times,
even when he seemingly is nowhere to be seen on the surface,
and thus we blur our physical senses. We remind ourselves
that Hashem is beyond what one can perceive with the five
senses —greater, deeper and more magnificent than we could
possibly imagine — and open ourselves to an extra-sensory
perception whereby we will no longer feel a difference
between the ‘blessing’ and the ‘curse’ of our relationship with
Hashem.
Continuing this theme of the blurred senses, we note that the
way we relate to others this day also needs to be
indiscriminate. Whoever asks for help — give them. Don’t
seek to understand why they need, and whether they are
worthier than another; just give. Certainly in this year, when
so many people are having such frightful problems, we need to
be as generous as we possibly can, confident that Hashem will
repay us in kind, without asking too many questions about our
own worthiness. I would urge everyone that this year ‫מתנות‬
‫לאביונים‬, “Gifts to the Poor” ought to be at the very top of our
list of importance.
HAPPY PURIM
TO THE
YOUNG ISRAEL OF FOREST HILLS
FAMILY
FROM THE
FOREST HILLS CARE CENTER
FAMILY
Of slightly less importance is the mitzvah of ‫משלוח מנות‬.
For the mishloach manot we generally pick and choose to
whom we give. We all have friends, good friends, people who
are always there for us. We want to be there for them. We can
ask them for anything. These friends are the blessing of
Mordechai. But then there are people not so high on our list.
People with problems. Those who rub us the wrong way
because of this or that. We can do without them. They are
more reminiscent of our attitude to the curse of Haman. We
should try to include in our mishloach manos some people of
all groups, and once again blur this distinction.
Finally, regarding Amalek, the Hassidic seforim teach that in
today’s day and age, one of the chief battlegrounds of our war
with Amalek occurs inside of us — in the area known as
“between man and himself”, as Amalek is incarnate in our evil
inclination. We are put in this world for a purpose. That
purpose is building our relationship with G-d. And G-d
created the world so that everything in it can be used towards
that purpose. There are moments when we spend our time and
energies developing our Tselem elokim- G-dly image. There
are times when our resources go towards our more base,
animalistic inclinations. Pursuing the divine is the blessing of
Mordechai. Pursuing lusts and desires of the evil inclination is
the curse of Haman.
On Purim we feast for the honor of Hashem. We drink and
dine in recognition of our relationship with Hashem. We load
up the table with all the worldly delicacies and we dive in
head first. We become intoxicated with the message of Purim that all our physical desires can be used in our service of
Hashem. To not know the difference between the ‘blessing’
and the ‘curse’ of our relationship with ourselves.
May we all have a wonderfully intoxicating (and safe!) Purim,
and merit to blur all differences that divide us, so that we may
united once again as we await the coming of Moshiach,
speedily in our days.
SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
BRING A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR!!
My name is Irwin Reiser. I am writing about something very
dear to me which brought me to Young Israel of Forest Hills:
SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA. My wife Tova and I have
lived in Parker Towers for over 8 years. We have purchased
seats for the High Holidays for the past number of years.
Someone from the outreach committee called to extend an
invitation to last year’s SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA at
Young Israel of Forest Hills, and Tova and I accepted the
offer and attended the event.
To my surprise, while walking across the Shul’s Ballroom
during the event, I came across a familiar face that brought me
back to my childhood in Brooklyn. I immediately went up to
the woman, and said “Robin Levine, is that you?” She
responded, “Yes”, although she did not recognize me. But
when I told her my name, we both could not believe it. It had
been twenty-five years since we had seen one another. You
know her as Robin Holcman. Robin introduced me to her
husband, Saul and to Haley and Jessica. Baruch Hashem,
what a beautiful family!
The experience of seeing Robin brought me back to my
childhood in Brooklyn. Thoughts of a mahjong game and
hearing the crackling of “four bam”, “three crac” ran through
my head. Robin’s mother Sophie and my mother enjoyed the
weekly game; all the noise kept me awake, and it was always
hard to wake up for school the next day. Our families knew
each for many years, and I have many fond memories of
Brooklyn and where we grew up.
Shabbat across America brought me closer to old friends and
gave me the chance to make some new ones. I will never
forget that, but most important it brought me back to life as a
Jew, to a deeper commitment to Halacha and involvement in
shul life. What it did for me and Tova , it can certainly do for
other fellow Jews.
That is the message of Shabbat Across America. My story is
not unique or different, so for the upcoming SHABBAT
ACROSS AMERICA on March 20, invite friends and
neighbors. You may just change someone’s life and do a great
mitzvah.
SISTERHOOD NOTES
Robin Holcman, Sisterhood President
SHALACH MANOS
Purim is when we read a story of survival of the Jewish
people. In the Megillah, the spiritual strength of a special
woman, Esther, is what saves our Jewish nation. In the
Megillah the name of Hashem is not mentioned, yet we all
know that the Miracle could not have occurred without the
involvement of Hashem. It is widely known that the hand of
Hashem was hidden. This has also been true in our Shalach
Manos drive this year. Once again, this very huge project was
accomplished with the help of Hashem, and by ever so many
people working behind the scenes.
We began our planning after Chanukah, when the theme was
developed. At the next, very exciting, meeting items were
tasted and approved. Then the shopping marathon began.
Thanks to Yoni Wilbur and her husband Benjamin for
schlepping boxes and boxes of items for our project. Susan
Rabinowicz produced a price war in Brooklyn with her
staunch negotiations to get the lowest price on each of the
items. For weeks, Shalach Manos was forefront on the mind of
many on the committee.
Our committee was comprised of women of strength from
both the main and GBM minyanim: Tova Reiser, Yoni
Wilbur, Jodie Jerome, Rifky Shatz, Melinda Strauss, Dina
Spierer, Ellen Kaufman, Raiselle Garfield, Phyllis Sendic,
Janet Strauss, Stephanie Goldwasser, Susan Rabinwicz, and
Lonni Oppenheimer, and our man of the year, Mark Laster.
Our fund raiser was a huge success and in addition to
supporting YIFH Sisterhood we raised $1600.00 for the
National Council of Young Israel IDF Shalach Manos Project.
Packing bags went smoothly and Motza’ei Shabbos Terumah
was a intergenerational evening. We were done in less than 90
minutes, and then enjoyed hanging out and chatting over pizza
and soda.
Thank you to everyone who gave of their time on Motza’ei
Shabbos: Aviva and Leor Blumenthal, Beatrice and Yuval
Elkeslasi, Rachel, Marshall and Eliezer Epstein, Daniel
Ferstendig, Rivka Fogel, Stephanie Goldwasser, Benjy
Greenberg, Robin, Saul, Haley, and Jessica Holcman, Miriam
and Fred Kahn, Miriam Kalker, Ellen Kaufman, Bracha and
Leah Lalm, Mark Laster, Glenn Norton, Ashira, Diti and
Malka Oppenheimer, Judy Ornstein, Tova and Irwin Reiser,
Phyllis and Baruch Sendic, Chana Shakhmoroff, Soshana and
Isaac Shmuts, Binnie Sommer, Janet Strauss, Melinda Strauss,
Anne and Hilly Wiener, Miriam Weisinger, Bernice Weiss,
Yoni Wilbur, Jenn Yedlin, Tova Zimmer and Eileen
Zimmerman. And thank you to our custodian Walter Norton
for all his help.
We hope that you enjoy our special presentation and welcome
your ideas to enhance this project. If you have a specific
suggestion join the committee next year as it is from the minds
of many that great things happen. You can participate in
recreating a miracle in our days.
BIKUR CHOLIM
Bikur cholim is the mitzvah to “visit the sick.” It is an
opportunity, privilege and an imperative to visit and support
the needs of those who are ill and isolated. In this historic time
of upheaval, we can inspire and awaken ourselves and others.
We can deepen our sense of purpose and our ability to bring
comfort and healing to those around us. “If you want to feel
good, do good.” –
Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller
Our Bikur Cholim was formed to help people in our shul.
Men, women and teenagers are invited to join our group to
visit, call, help with shopping, or driving someone who is ill or
homebound. Please contact Rebbitzen Lonni Oppenheimer
(718-514-2690) or Judy Ornstein (2l2-850-2652 – days) to
volunteer, join the committee, or to inform them if you know
of a shul member who is ill.
Young Israel of Forest Hills Sisterhood
wishes our entire YIFH family
a Purim Sameach!
SHALOSH SEUDOS
The following people have sponsored our weekly Shalosh
Seudos in the past few months. We thank them all:
Roberta and Allan Arnold in memory of Allan’s mother,
- Vivienne Arnold
.
Rivka Fogel commemorating the yahrzeit of her mother, Dina
bas Yosef HaLevi Aloof
.
Rosie and Mark Friedman in memory of Mark's father, Rabbi
Morris Friedman – Shmuel Moshe ben Yechiel Dov
HaKohen
.
Carol and David Kaplan in memory of David’s father,
Martin S. Kaplan – Moshe Shmuel ben David
.
Bashi and Mark Laster in memory of Mark’s mother Rivka
bas Baruch
.
Simcha Livshitz in memory of his mother, Pelageya Livshitz
.
Mimy and Phil Muskatt commemorating the yahrzeit of
Phil’s father, Gershon ben Pesach Rephael - Harry Muskatt
.
Susan and Isaac Rabinowicz in memory of Isaac’s father,
Meir Nisan ben Chaim Noach haKohen
.
Lili and Shimon Siegel in memory of Shimon’s father, Walter
Siegel - Zeev Wulf ben Yaacov
.
Judah and Rachel Wiederkehr in memory of Judah’s mother,
Rose Wiederkehr
.
George Winograd in memory of his father, Moshe ben
Menachem Mendel
.
and
Lillian and Abe Kaufman for sponsoring our Scholar in
Residence Shalosh Seudos in memory of Abe’s father,
Shmuel Aryeh ben Chaim Tzvi
.
Thank you to our guest speakers:
Our Scholar in Residence Rabbi Yaacov Haber
Rabbi Jeremy Fine
Rabbi Daniel Travis - Rosh Kollel,
Kollel Toras Chaim in Yerushlayim
Mr. David Baron, Jeffrey Fogel, Robin Holcman,
Mark Laster, Isaac Rabinowicz
CHANUKAH THANK YOUS
Our Chanukah party was a great success, in part because so
many people were involved in making it so.
THANK YOU: to our Chanukah Chagigah Committee:
Rabbi Oppenheimer, Charlie Fried, Hannah Gordon, Robin
and Saul Holcman, Haley Holcman, Jessica Holcman, Mark
Laster, Glenn Norton, Tova Reiser, Phyllis Sendic, Sheila and
Sholom Simanowitz, Melinda and Justin Strauss and to our
sponsors: Charlie Fried, Judy and Bernie Gelb, Marianne and
Alter Goldstein, Hannah Gordon, Sally and Dan Hoffman,
Judy and Allen Hymowitz, Dina and Norman Moskowitz, Lisa
and Alvin Roslyn, Suri and Shimon Shamilzadeh, Rachel and
Judah Wiederkehr, and our prize sponsors: Jean and Eugen
Gluck, Agnes and Robert Lindenblatt, Brachs’, Benjy’s Pizza,
and Wassermans’ Supermarket.
Thank you to the dining room staff, shleppers, everyone else
who helped, and everyone who participated, and thank you to
the Committee that spent a Motza’ei Shabbos creating the
Chanukah centerpieces.
If you would like to sponsor a Shalosh Seudos to
commemorate a yahrzeit, to celebrate a simcha, or for
any other occasion, please call the shul office.
THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE MADE
CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SHUL
COMMEMORATING A YAHRZEIT OF A LOVED
ONE:
Irving Bader in memory of his mother, Mollie Bader
.
Irving Bader in memory of his father, David Bader
.
David Baron in memory of his mother, Naomi Baron
.
David Baron in memory of his wife, Chaya Baron
.
Leon Dollman in memory of his father, Abraham Dollman
.
Michael Friedman in memory of his sister
.
Stefanie Gabel in memory of her husband, Jack Gabel, and
family members
.
Raiselle and Barry Garfield in memory of their fathers
.
Gary Gelber in memory of his father, Sol Gelber
.
Nellie Hanover in memory of her husband, Jack Hanover
.
Nellie Hanover in memory of her father, Isaac Gitelman
Norman Leavitt in memory of his mother
.
Mina Levitt in memory of her father
.
Dina Moskowitz in memory of her parents, David and Serena
Zwiebel
.
Norman Moskowitz in memory of his father, Sidney
Moskowitz
.
Israel Rosenberg in memory of his brother, Joe Rosenberg
.
Mr. and Mrs. Israel Rosenberg in memory of their son Irwin
Rosenberg
.
Helen Rosner in memory of her husband, Sam Rosner
.
Gloria Rothschild.
Alice and Kal Scheinwald in memory of his mother, Marion
Scheinwald and Alice’s parents, Fay and Sidney Simon
.
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Schochet.
Prof. Ysrael and Fanny Seinuk in memory of her father,
Moshe Awerbuch and his mother, Sara Seinuk
.
Nettie Tilevitz in memory of her brother, William Gould
.
Nettie Tilevitz in memory of her mother, Helen Gewirtz
.
Bernice Weiss in memory of her mother, Bessie Goldberg
.
Miriam Wohlmuth in memory of her husband, Isaac
Wohlmuth
.
.
SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE THANK YOUS
Thank you to the people who helped make our
Scholar-in-Residence Dinner and Shabbat so pleasant:
Charlie Fried, Bernie Gelb, Dr. Stanley Landsman,
Rabbi Yehuda Oppenheimer, Robin and Saul Holcman and
Walter Norton.
Thank you to all the sponsors:
Lillian and Abe Kaufman
Charlie Fried, Rosie and Mark Friedman
Sally and Dan Hoffman
Esther and Dr. Stanley Landsman,
Eva and Dave Love, Susan and Isaac Rabinowicz,
Rochelle and Stephen Savitt, Alice and Kal Scheinwald
Suri and Saul Schwartz, Phyllis and Baruch Sendic
Fern and Arthur Sisser, Dodi and Jonathan Spielman
Bernice and Dave Weiss, Lilllian and George Winograd
OUR TU B’SHEVAT SEDER
Rachel Epstein
March 2009 Vol. 57, No.5
Issue #: 289
Published five times a year in
March, April, June, September, December
by the Young Israel of Forest Hills
7100 Yellowstone Boulevard
Forest Hills, NY 11375-3540
Our second Tu Bishvat Seder was held on Sunday February 8.
The tables, set in a u-shape in the Gluck Beis Midrash, really
provided a feeling of “seder”. An intimate group of 60 people
attended. The crowd was multigenerational.
The program began with songs and dancing to reflect the
joyous celebration of growth and rebirth. Alison Schon and
Rebbitzen Lonnie Oppenheimer took turns explaining the
meaning of the various fruits and nuts that we were eating, and
the order of the seder. Other guests also participated in the
readings. We thank them. The seder was both meaningful
and inspirational!
OUTREACH
The Outreach Committee is currently focusing on “Shabbat
Across America” and “Pesach Across America”. By the time
you receive this newsletter, our publicity for these two
important functions will be in full swing. This is our second
year hosting “Shabbat Across America”, and we hope to build
on what we accomplished last year. The purpose of this event
is to reach out to our unaffiliated brethren and have them
attend a Kabbalos Shabbos service with explanations; attend a
beautifully catered meal with our warm Young Israel family,
and hear an exciting speaker who will be addressing a topic
relevant to the total Jewish community.
We are asking not only that you join us on March 20, but that
you ask at least one neighbor or friend who is not affiliated
with our shul to join us. The success of this program is
dependent not only upon our committee, but the whole Young
Israel community to assure we can attract some new people
into our Young Israel family.
Many thanks to all who helped make this event a great
success. Yasher koach to: Alison Schon, Rebbetzin Lonni
Oppenheimer, Robin Holcman, Carol Kaplan, Ellen
Kaufman, Mark and Bashi Laster, Isaac and Shoshana Shmuts,
Stephanie Goldwasser, Janet Strauss, Anne Wiener, and to our
young dancers, Rachel Yakubov, Abby and Chanie Saltzman,
and Heather Alper. Thank you to all the people who helped at
the event, and thanks to all who attended.
As for “Pesach Across America”, we are planning a two day
function. For the first night of Pesach, we ask if you have any
available room at your Pesach table to invite one or more of
the new people who attended “Shabbat Across America” to
join you. For the second night of Pesach, we are planning a
communal Seder to be held at the Young Israel run by Rabbi
Oppenheimer.
If you need a Seder for the first night or are willing to host
someone for the first night, please contact Mark Laster at 646515-9083 or email him at marklstr99@aol.com. If you would
want to join our communal seder on the second night, please
contact the shul office.
* * * * * * *
ED NOTE: and many thanks to Rachel Epstein for her help
on all aspects of the program and for writing this article.
THANK YOU
Dear Robin, Rachel, and all the members of Sisterhood,
Thanks for the lovely reminder that this “tree” (i.e. yours truly,
as in Elana/Lonni) also celebrates a birthday on the special
day of TuB'shvat. The flowers were a perfect hint of
the renewal of life that is about to bloom forth, and the gifts in addition! - were just wonderful. Your thoughtfulness is so
very much appreciated.
May Hashem grant us many opportunities to share joyous
times together,
B'ahava,
Lonni Oppenheimer
THE VOICE OF YOUNG ISRAEL
OUR YIFH FAMILY DEPENDS ON ITS
MEMBERS
Several of our senior members have indicated that with the
unfortunate closing of “kosher stores”, especially butcher
shops, in our community, they have a hard time shopping.
They would appreciate someone who shops in Kew Gardens
Hills to take them along to Main Street weekly or biweekly.
Please call the shul office if you can help.
We need additional volunteers to help with Chevra functions.
We need to know who can help set up the shiva house, can
help with minyanim at the cemetery and the shiva house (if
needed), who is available to shop for food, who is available to
go to a home at scheduled times so that an aveil is not alone.
Contact Rabbi or Rebbitzen Oppenheimer.
`
When there is a shul event, a simcha, or G-d forbid a shiva out
of the area, people without cars are sometimes embarrassed to
ask for a ride; sometimes they call the shul office, but we have
no suggestions for them. Please let the office staff (718-2687100) know when you need a ride, or can offer one.
YOUNG ISRAEL OF FOREST HILLS SENIOR LEAGUE
“The Center With A Heart”
68-07 Burns Street
718-520-2305
All shul members 60 + are invited to come and bring their
friends to our Senior League. Lunch is catered by Prestige
Caterers and is served Monday – Thursday at Noon and on
Fridays at 11:30am. Contribution for lunch is $2.00. Please
join us!
OUR SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
11:00 am -- STAYWELL EXERCISE
12:45 pm -- BINGO
TUES 10:00 am -- “NEWS and VIEWS”
11:00 am -- RELAXATION & STRESS
MANAGEMENT EXERCISE
12:45 pm -- MAH JONG – FREE LESSONS.
WED
10:45 am -- LOW IMPACT EXERCISE
12:45 pm -- BINGO
THURS 9:30 am -- TAI CHI
12:45 pm -- PING PONG – INSTRUCTION
FRI
10:30 am -- “AMERICAN POPULAR SONGBOOK”
MAR. 6, 20, APRIL 3, 17
MON
SPECIAL EVENTS
WED MAR 11: 10:30AM. ANNUAL “PURIM PARTY”
MUSIC, DELICIOUS LUNCH, RAFFLES. RSVP.
FRI
MAR 13: 10:30AM. LECTURE “DINING
DIVERSITIES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIABETES.
THURS MAR 19: 10:30AM. LECTURE “ MANAGING
YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE WITH A PROPER DIET”
WED MAR 25: 10:30AM. “MODEL SEDER WITH RABBI
OPPENHEIMER.” SPECIAL LUNCH. RSVP.
THURS MAR 26: 11:00AM. “HOLLYWOOD HISTORYBARBARA STREISAND” PRESENTED BY CARMIYA
WEINRAUB.
FRI
MAR 27: 10:30AM. “THE HEALTHY HEART”.
THURS APR 2:
11:00AM. “BYE-BYE CLUTTER
WORKSHOP” PRESENTED BY CARMIYA WEINRAUB
TUES APR 21: 9:00AM. TRIP TO THE NYC POLICE
MUSEUM – GUIDED TOUR and MEETING OF 112TH
POLICE COMMUNITY COUNCIL. REFRESHMENTS.
LUNCH AT THE CENTER. RSVP.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES – MARCH &
APRIL 2009
ALL MOVIES START AT 12:45PM
MAR 3– “INTO THE WILD” – ACTION & ADVENTURE
MAR 10 – “GOOD NIGHT WITH THE SLEEP DOCTOR” –
SPECIAL INTEREST
MAR 17 – “BEING THERE” - COMEDY
MAR 24 – “CITIZEN KANE” - DRAMA
MAR 31 – “WAYNE DYER: SUCCESS & INNER PEACE” –
SPECIAL INTEREST
OUR CENTER WILL BE CLOSED for PESACH BEGINNING
MONDAY, APRIL 6 AND RE-OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 17
BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING
AT 12:45PM ON MON, MAR 16, 30
SIMCHA DAY TUES MARCH 31
“DON’T REGRET GROWING OLDER.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE DENIED TO MANY”
The YIFH Senior League is sponsored by the National Council of YI,
and funded under contract with the NYC Dept of the Aging.
Young Israel of Forest Hills is fortunate to begin a
partnership with F·E·G·S Health and Human Services
System via the UJA-Federation initiative. Under the
auspices of Partners in Caring, Carmiya Weinraub, a
social worker, will be working very closely with the older
adults in our community to bring a comprehensive menu
of activities which include: educational workshops, shortterm counseling, support groups, case management,
referrals, and volunteer programs.
Carmiya will work with Rabbi Oppenheimer, lay leaders
and members to enrich our synagogue community. She
is available to facilitate support groups on topics such
as caregiver support and bereavement. She is also
available to provide case management, and short-term
individual and family counseling. In addition, Carmiya will
coordinate and/or lead educational workshops such as
writing your own ethical will, falls prevention, nutrition,
and the history of women in Judaism, among other
programs. (Also, see Senior League schedule above.)
For more information, please contact Carmiya Weinraub,
(718) 896-9090 ext. 243 – cweinraub@fegs.org.
YIFH
KIDDUSH
Thank you to the sponsors of our
SHABBOS SHEMOS KIDDUSH
Renata and Murray Alon, Kiki Shapiro, Charlie Fried
Yaffa Gluck, Sidney Gugick
Judy and Allen Hymowitz, Vera Kohn
Sara Gail and Nick Reiss, Nelson and Joan Levy
Rose Wolf, Anonymous, David Baron
Sondra Cohen, Rivka Fogel
Judy and Chaim Rubin & Family
Ruth Schnall, Mr. and Mrs. Abe Schochet
Melinda and Justin Strauss , Anonymous
* * * * * * * *
To become a sponsor of a Kiddush,
to volunteer to help, or for more information,
call Carol Kaplan (896-2661)
or Rose Mermelstein (261-1654) or the shul office
HEARTY MAZEL TOV TO
THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS AND
THEIR FAMILIES
BIRTHS:
Rita and Louis Gutnicki on the birth of a granddaughter, Ilana
Tova, and to the parents, Michal and Rabbi Avigdor Gutnicki.
Claire and Louis Katz on the birth of their first greatgrandchild, Annabelle (Orah) Katz and to the parents, Diana
and Raphael Katz and grandparents Marianne and André Katz.
Mrs. Ruth Schnall on the birth of a great-granddaughter, Neta
Leroz, and to the parents, Chana and Yanai Kranzler, and
grandparents Adeena and Dr. Eli Kranzler.
Terry and Chaim Rosenholtz on the birth of a grandson,
Eliyahu, and to the parents Naomi and Meir Rosenholtz.
Rebbitzen Irene Rosenholtz on the birth of great-grandson.
Ruth Schnall on the birth of a great-granddaughter, Rachel,
and to the parents, Rivka and Aharon Rohinsky and
grandparents, Margie and Reuven Rohinsky.
Kiki Shapiro on the birth of a great-grandson, Neta Shapiro, to
the parents, Amit and Nati Shapiro, and grandparents Rachel
and David Shapiro.
Rebbitzen Bina Wagner on the birth of a granddaughter,
Bracha, and to the parents, Sara and Eliezer Maybruch.
Judah and Rachel Wiederkehr on the birth of twin grandsons,
Moshe and Yisrael and to the parents, Sharon and Heshy
Shtern. Mrs. Hannah Lightman on the birth of twin greatgrandsons.
BAR/BAS MITZVAS:
Rosalie and Ted Berman on the bar mitzva of their grandson
Avi Levi, and to the parents Cheryl and Moshe Levi.
Edith and Max Cahn on the bar mitzva of their twin
grandsons, David and Jack Cahn.
Kathy and Herman Klein on the Bar Mitzvah of their
grandson, Yoav Zachary Klein, and to the parents, Jessica and
Larry Klein.
Zahava and Yehuda Muller on the bar mitzva of their
grandson Dov Eliyahu and to the parents, Frieda and Dr.
David Muller.
ENGAGEMENTS:
Evelyn and Alex Friedman on the engagement of their
grandson Noam Friedman to Shiffy Staiman, and to the
chasan’s parents, Mati and Aaron Friedman.
Mr. and Mrs. Israel Rosenberg on the engagement of their
granddaughter Jennifer Rosenberg to Lior Lansisky.
MARRIAGES:
Kiki Shapiro on the marriage of her granddaughter, Elisheva
Shapiro to Hod Bauer, and to the kallah’s parents, Rachel and
David Shapiro.
Rose Wolf on the marriage of her granddaughter Daniella
Sarit Samuels to Shaya Aryeh, and to the kallah’s parents,
Audrey and Fred Samuels.
HONORABLE MENTSCHEN
Cheryl Blumenthal on being honored at Chabad of Rego
Park’s Chanukah Party for her work for Tomchei Shabbos.
Leah Schild on her son Gary and his wife Ilana receiving the
Tomchei Torah Award from the Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic.
Moshe and Talya Kohn, on receiving the first Young
Leadership Award from the One Israel Fund at their
forthcoming annual dinner on Monday evening, March 23.
TZAISCHEM L’SHALOM
to Ayala Young, daughter of our members Sharon and Hanoch
Young, who recently made Aliyah. We wish her much
hatzlacha in Eretz Yisrael.
Please let us know about the special occasions in your family,
so that your Young Israel family
can share in your simcha.
If we forgot to wish you a mazel tov, it was an oversight.
Please call the shul office so we can correct the error.
WE
OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Avital and Bradley Greenbaum
Jill and Dov Solomon
Shana and Jonathan Schoenfeld
Yonina and Benjamin Wilbur
WE EXTEND OUR WISHES
OF CONDOLENCE TO
Lillian Becker on the loss of her sister, our member Esther
Becker
.
Miriam Weisinger on the loss of her sister, Malka Kolka
.
Leon Chain on the loss of his wife, Chana Chain
.
* * * * * * * *
THANK YOU, AND
AGAIN
We thank the following members for celebrating special
occasions with a contribution to our Simcha Fund:
Evelyn and Alex Friedman
Claire and Louis Katz
Mr. and Mrs. Israel Rosenberg
Mrs. Leah Schild
Mrs. Ruth Schnall
Judah and Rachel Wiederkehr
Mrs. Rose Wolf
Sharon and Hanoch Young
May we celebrate many more simchas together in our shul.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
THANK YOU FROM YIFH
To our event photographer and movie coordinator, Marshall
Epstein
THANK YOU TO THE YIFH FAMILY
Thank you to my friends at Young Israel of Forest Hills for
their cards, visits, well wishes after my accident and surgery.
Rose Bock
YOUTH DEPARTMENT NEWS
Saul and Robin Holcman, Youth Directors
On Shabbos Mishpatim, the Kiddush following the Youth
Minyan was sponsored by the Gersten family in Honor of
Brian becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov Brian. Kiddush
was also co-sponsored by the Holcman family in Memory of
Robin’s father, Harry Levine and the Muskatt family in
memory of Phil’s father Harry Muskatt. The smell of cholent
permeated in the air of the youth building like a ripened warm
Shabbat scent enjoyed down the ages in memories of all
fellow Jews. There is something very special about Shabbat
cholent - the smell seems to reconnect our neshamas to the
eternal chain of Jewish life past and present. Our Youth Rabbi,
Adam Muskatt led the services impeccably and all present
enjoyed the youth minyan davening leining and dvar Torah.
We welcome all young people to find their way to the Youth
Minyan for a really positive Shabbos experience.
Thank you to the Alpern/Hellman household for hosting our
first oneg of the season. Thank you Ari Sendic for meeting
with the boys and sharing a Dvar Torah.
We had another unique and memorable Shabbat event – our
first “Intergenerational Oneg” at the Epstein home. Allan
Arnold was our guest speaker. He spoke on staying frum in
his army tour of duty in the 1960’s. The talk was quite
astounding: how he survived and worked through the logistics
of being frum, such as davening shachris at 4:30 am, before
anyone woke up to not attract attention. He stayed true to his
convictions despite the difficulty of the situation. He shared
how he ate cereal during the week in the mess hall, grateful
that his unit had a cereal bar. He shared many anecdotes and
stories that night. Youth Department members chose questions
Mr. Arnold suggested to them on index cards he had prepared.
Allan Arnold demonstrated you can do a kiddush Hashem by
his faultless behavior and staying true to our laws and
traditions in a most challenging situation.
Thank you to Malka Oppenheimer for her perseverance and
dedication to our girls. She has been learning Perek Avos
with elementary school/ Junior High School age girls twice
monthly and once monthly for High School aged girls.
Thanks you to all the host families. We have heard rave
reviews about the Chevra the girls have developed from this
special Shabbat afternoon learning. Thank you to the
Yakubov, Oppenheimer, Saltzman and Shakhmoroff families
for hosting these sessions.
SHABBOS IN OUR YOUTH DEPARTMENT
Youth Minyan 9:30am in the Youth Building
Watch your mail for dates.
Nursery School Group 9:55-11:15am in the shul classroom
Afternoon Youth Groups 4:00-5:30pm in the Youth Building
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Willi and Hanni Horowitz Memorial Lectures
After 26 years this lecture series, sponsored by our own Fred
and Edith Horowitz, is coming to an end.
The last 2 lecturers of the series, which is held at the Central
Queens Y, are:
Rabbi Michael Shudrich (Chief Rabbi of Poland. Rabbi
Schudrich has played a central role in the "Jewish
Renaissance" in Poland) on March 29th at 7:30pm.
Prof. David Engel, whose February lecture was cancelled due
to the snow, will speak at a later date.
Lectures are moderated by our own Judith Friedman Rosen.
WEEKDAY DAVENING
We ask that men who are able make an effort to
daven with our 7:30am weekday Shachris
minyan, and our weekday Mincha/Maariv
minyan. Your presence is needed.
A REQUEST FROM YIFH
Many seforim are missing from the shelves in
the Bais Medrash. No books may be borrowed
from the shul without permission
of the Rabbi, the gabbaim or the shul office staff. If you use a
sefer, please return it to the spot from which you took it.
JONATHAN POLLARD
Our evening of Tefillah for and Information on
Jonathan Pollard attracted people from the 5
boroughs and beyond. We thank everyone who
was involved in putting together this program.
Your help is still needed.
In the words of Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive
Vice President, National Council of Young Israel:
“Although, President Bush did not grant Jonathan clemency,
our efforts must continue. Please:
-Daven for the health and freedom of Yehonoson Ben Malka. .
-Write letters (no enclosures) - of support, of chizuk, divrei
Torah to Jonathan Pollard, # 09185-016, FCI Butner, PO Box
1000, Clemson Butner, North Carolina 27509-1000
-If you wish to contribute funds to assist Jonathan while he is
in prison - to buy kosher food & other items & pay for phone
calls, please send your contributions to: Young Israel Charities
Attn: The Pollard Fund, c/o National Council Of Young Israel,
111 John Street, Suite 450, New York, NY 10038”
HELP WANTED!!
We would like to expand an existing group of
drivers and deliverers (non-drivers, teenagers
welcome) who deliver food packages for
TOMCHEI SHABBOS.
This important mitzva involves only 1-1½ hours on
Wednesday evenings every 6-8 weeks.
Please call Cheryl Blumenthal (997-6939) to volunteer.
Young Israel of Forest Hills
7100 Yellowstone Boulevard
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Flushing, NY
Permit #636
__________________________________________________________________________________________
718-445-3445
“The Best Foot Care in Your Home”
Susan E. Lewin, D.P.M.
Podiatrist
”The Home Care Specialist”
Many of Rabbi Oppenheimer’s shiurim, including the Tuesday
morning Parsha Shiur, are available at TorahAnytime.com
Shiurim given by Rabbi Oppenheimer are available to
download online at www.ouradio.org/
index.php/ouradio/channel/C1323
SELL YOUR LIFE INSURANCE
IF YOU HAVE A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY THAT YOU DO
NOT NEED OR WANT ANY LONGER, DON’T LET IT LAPSE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD SELL IT AND RECEIVE
MUCH MORE THAN ITS CASH VALUE? IT IS PERFECTLY
LEGAL, AND WILL COST YOU NOTHING AT ALL.
SOL RIFKIN
718-897-0992
A LICENSED LIFE INSURANCE BROKER WHO
SPECIALIZES IN HELPING ELIGIBLE PEOPLE ELIMINATE
THEIR DIFFICULT PREMIUM PAYMENTS, AND OBTAIN
SUITABLE COMPENSATION.
* * * * * * * *
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SHABBOS ACROSS AMERICA
INFORMATION
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