Parshat Ki Tavo August 28, 2010 18 Elul, 5770

Torah
Artscroll, 1068 Rabbi Frand on the Parsha
Hertz, 859
Don't Invite An Audit me.'"[Devarim 26:13-14] [Judgment] with the intent
Haftorah This is a rather strange of meeting out
Artscroll, 1201
Hertz, 874
The beginning of this statement to be called a punishment." However,
week's Parsha contains "confession." Normally we this pasuk (Devorim
Aufruf
David Beyda
"Vidui Ma'aser" [the think of Vidui [confession] as 26:15) is the exception to
Main Sanctuary confession of the tithes], an enumeration of things that a the rule. Here the word
which is said at the person has done wrong: "For Hashkeefa invokes the
Aufruf conclusion of bringing the this sin...; For that sin..." Attribute of Mercy. "Great
Daniel Epstein
Beit Midrash
tithes. The Torah However, this paragraph is are gifts to the poor",
describes the process of called a "Confession of tithes," comments Rashi, "for their
Times
"Vidui Ma'aser": "Then despite the fact that the person fulfillment enables the
you shall say before testifies that he has done Attribute of Judgment to
Candle Lighting 7:18 pm Hashem, your G-d: 'I everything properly. be transformed to the
have removed the holy Attribute of Mercy."
Friday Mincha 7:00 pm
things from the house, The climax of this recital is the
Hashkama 8:00 am and I have also given it to following pasuk [verse]: "Gaze Rav Schwab asks a simple
the Levite, to the convert, down (Hashkeefa) from Your question: Why, in fact, is
Youth 8:30 am to the orphan, and to the holy abode, from the heavens, the word 'Hashkeefa' used
Main Minyan 9:00 am widow, according to and bless Your people Israel, in Vidui Ma'aser? If in fact
whatever commandment and the ground that You gave the word 'Hashkeefa' has
Beit Midrash 9:15 am You commanded me; I us, as You swore to our connotations of
Gemorah Shiur 6:10 pm
have not transgressed any forefathers, a Land flowing punishment and
of your commandments, with milk and destruction, why not
Mincha 7:10 pm and I have not forgotten. I honey." [Devorim 26:15] formulate the prayer at the
have not eaten of it in my end of the Tithe
Shabbat Ends 8:24 pm intense mourning, I did In connection with the Confession using a
Sunday 7:30/8:30 am not consume it in a state destruction of Sdom [Bereshis different verb?
of contamination, and I 18:16], Rashi comments on the
Mon, Thurs. 6:35/7:45 am did not give of it for the singular nature of the word The answer is that Vidui
needs of the dead; I have Hashkeefa, coming from the Ma'aser inevitably and
hearkened to the voice of verb VaYashkef [and he gazed invariably invites looking
Tues, Wed, Fri. 6:45/7:45 am Hashem, my G-d; I have down]: "Every place where the
down from Heaven with
Mincha Sun-Thur 7:10 pm acted according to Torah uses the word the Attribute of Judgment.
everything You Hashkeefa, it connotes evil -– a Whenever a Jew says to
Latest times for commanded looking down from Heaven the Almighty, "I've done it
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei utilizing the Attribute of Din
August 28 9:36/10:43 am Kiddush is
Sponsored by
September 4 9:39/10:43 am
Bernadette & Allan Beyda
Next Shabbat – Nitzavim-Vayelech In honor of
the upcoming marriage of their son
Candle lighting 7:08 pm
David to Jessica Niakan
Mincha 7:00 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Parshat Ki Tavo 5770

all" there is bound to be Judgment. No Jew should ever

make that claim! Man can never be found totally
innocent before Him in Judgment. As good as we may
think we are, we dare not brag about it to G-d. It is like
asking for an audit! One may be the most honest person
in the world, but it is never wise to ask for an audit.

Once the "vidui" has claimed such meticulous

observance and fulfillment of duties, inevitably the
"hashkeefa" will be "for evil" -– if not for the fact that
the merit of "Gifts to the poor" transforms the Attribute
of Judgment to the Attribute of Mercy.

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK—DRY CLEAN GREEN

Scope out your local area for organic dry cleaners. But
SUMMER LEARNING SPONSOR LIST IN FORMATION before you give them your business, make sure they are
Gilbert Aronowitz using the carbon dioxide cleaning process. In this
Carol Buckmann in memory of Mayer Siegel method, CO2 is put under high pressure to convert it
Rita Gordonson in memory of her husband Lew Gordonson into a liquid. As a liquid, it acts as a carrier of biode-
Debbie & Hal Chadow gradable soaps in much the same way as water does in a
Debbie Wang Etzion & Gloria Wang Miller for Fay Saltzman
Lorraine & Harold Domnitch washing machine. Once the cycle is done, it turns back
Marc Epstein into a gas and is mostly reused.
Tina & Philip Machnikoff in memory of Rabbi Michol Scholar
Alisa & Michael Hoenig
Barbara & Gedale Horowitz Some dry cleaners advertise themselves as organic when
Joan & Henry Katz they actually use a hydro-carbon solvent made by Exxon
Ruth & Milt Mitzner Mobil called DF-2000. While it's not as toxic as PERC,
Carol & Jeff Kaufman
which the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) lists
Gloria & Harvey Kaylie in memory of Lorraine White
Sam Levitt in memory of his brother Milton Levitt as a neurotoxin and a skin and eye irritant to workers
Cindy & Glenn Ludwig who are exposed to it, it is petroleum-based and thus
Sydelle & Robert Knepper contributes to global warming. (Meanwhile, don't forget
Sonia & Sam Movsas
to recycle those hangers back to the shop.)
Jolanta & Frank Rosenstein in memory of and honor of our parents
Karen & Robert Spitalnick in memory of Jonas Steigman
Gisela Steigman in memory of Jonas Steigman
Melissa & Sam Toledano in memory of his father
Hadassah & Jacob Wachstock
Ellie & David Werber in memory of her parents Rosa & Michael Preis

Great Neck Synagogue

Shabbat Activities Program

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi

Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
Michael Bleicher, Rabbinic Intern
Zeev Kron, Cantor
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Joseph Hecht, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
 Let’s Bring the Sweetness of Rosh Hashana to Those Less Fortunate Than Ourselves!

We are kicking off the third annual Great Neck Synagogue “Pass It Forward” program. Designed as part of the
Hunger Initiative, the goal of the program is to provide needy families with food for Yom Tov and, as developed, the
program presents each of us with an opportunity to help. Last year was a resounding success; the community
provided almost 500 meals to those in need.

We have volunteers deliver prepared food, donated by the community, to needy families and food pantries for
distribution to those who would otherwise not have a Rosh Hashana meal. There are several ways that you can make
a difference:

Cook Food
If you have a kosher kitchen (which means separate pots, dishes, and utensils for meat and dairy, and, of course,
use only certified Kosher ingredients), please make double of something that you are preparing for your Yom
Tov meal. You can make anything – fish, chicken, vegetables, meat, and dessert – or everything! However,
please do not use nuts or nut oils! Then, pack your prepared food in containers that will serve 6-8 people
and deliver it to Cindy Hodkin, 18 Birchwood Lane, on Monday, September 6, between the hours of 3 and 6
PM. We cannot accept donations after 6 PM. All food MUST be in containers or well wrapped in foil pans
(please do not bring food in zip lock bags). If you wish to start cooking soup and freezing it to donate to us,
containers for the soup are available in the synagogue office.
When you have an idea of what you are going to prepare and how many people it will serve, please contact Cindy
at ckorman@csklaw.cc, 516-482-7771 (home), before 9 PM please! Or you can leave a message in the
shul office. This is very important in order for us to determine how many recipients we can feed.
Purchase Food
If you do not have a kosher kitchen or are not cooking for Yom Tov, you can purchase food and deliver it to 18
Birchwood Lane on Monday, September 6, between 3 and 6 PM.
You can also purchase a $15 price fixed dinner from Great Neck Glatt or Mazurs which consists of chicken,
soup, and a side dish.

Make a Donation
You can make a donation to the Hunger Initiative Program, which will be utilized to implement this program and
provide food for the hungry. Any amount would be a huge help!

Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer on Monday, September 6, please contact Cindy Hodkin. We need help organizing,
packing, drivers to deliver the food – you name it – between the hours of 2-7 PM. An hour or two would be
much appreciated! We welcome the participation of volunteers of all ages, including high school and middle
school students (community service hours will be earned!).
We have food safety guidelines available in the Great Neck Synagogue office or on the GNS website. Please feel
free to call with any questions. Thank you for your cooperation and hoping that we all participate in this Mitzvah!

Cindy Hodkin Margery Libin, Nechama Liss-Levinson

Chair of Pass It Forward Chairs, GNS Hunger Initiative Program
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
SISTERHOOD FALL CALENDER– SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, October 26th – Annual Sisterhood Dinner at
Chatanooga with guest speaker Slovie Jungreiss Wolff,
daughter of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreiss and author of
“ Raising a Child With Soul.” Thank you to co-chairs Judy
Lillien and Anne Sandler for organizing this event. Saturday
evening, November 20th-Sisterhood Dinner-Go-Round
organized by Susan Mayer. Details to follow. Tuesday,
November 9th, 5:00pm-9:00pm Chaunukah Boutique
organized by Lisa Kagan. Details to follow.
SISTERHOOD MEETING On Tuesday, September 14th
at 8:00pm there will be a Sisterhood meeting in the Braun
Youth Center to discuss and plan events for the upcoming
year. Please join us - we welcome your ideas! Looking
forward to seeing you all there!
BIKUR CHOLIM
Please notify the office if anyone is in the hospital. We will
notify Bikur Cholim for you.
YOM KIPPUR APPEAL
Great Neck Synagogue reaches out to its members every
year to contribute generously to our Kol Nidre Appeal.
Volunteers will be approaching you soon to obtain your
pledge. Please respond to them with the generosity you have
exhibited in the past.This is our most important fundraiser of
the year. Please help us make it successful.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
One of the most important jobs in the synagogue is that of
the USHER. He greets people, directs people to their seats
and helps keep decorum. We are in need of people to step up
and join the ranks. It’s not a full time job. An hour a week or
once a month is all we ask. High Holiday Ushers are vital in
keeping our services dignified. Please call the office to volun-
teer or speak to Richard Lillien on Shabbat.
SAVE THE DATE
The North Shore Mikvah Association Melava Malka in recogni-
tion of Sharon Goldwyn, Mindy Hercman, Trudy Justin, Hindi
Lunzer, and Rama Seltzer will take place Motzei Shabbat,
October 16th 2010 at the Great Neck Synagogue.
More details to follow.
MIKVAH NEWS
The GN Mikvah will be open for men, only on erev RH, Wed.
Sept 8, and erev YK, Fri. Sept. 17, from 5AM-3PM. Men
must bring their own towels to the mikvah.
The cost is $30.00.
Great Neck Synagogue Talmud Torah is now taking     regis‐
tration for the 2010‐2011 school year.  Z
This program is open to members of the Great Neck
Synagogue – please contact Mark Twersky for membership
details at mtwersky@gns.org
The Talmud Torah curriculum has been redesigned by Rabbi
Polakoff. Classes will meet for two-hour sessions twice a week
(Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday
depending on grade.)
Please register now online at
http://www.gnstt.org/registration
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Mazal Tov to Gitty & Gilbert Louzoun on the birth of a grandson born
to their children Meryl Degen & Albert Louzoun and to big brother
Noam Nissim.
Mazal Tov to Hilda Schulman on the birth of a great-grandson born to
her grandchildren Danielle & Ben Jaffe.
Mazal Tov to Bernadette & Allan Beyda on the upcoming marriage of
their son David to Jessica Niakan.
Mazal Tov to Jane & Joseph Tuvia on the upcoming marriage of their
daughter Yael to Daniel Epstein.
Mazal Tov to Erica & Eliot Heisler on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter
Amanda and also Mazal Tov to grandparents Judith & Martin Sokol.
HOUSING NEEDED
We are need of housing for one of our chazzanim for
Rosh Hashana. If you will be away and can let us use your
home, we would greatly appreciate it. Please call the office
and let us know.
HUNGER INITIATIVE Regular food drop offs continue Friday’s,
at 18 Birchwood Lane. Drop off hours are between
10 am and 1 pm. Kindly place your food in the cooler.
YIDDISH VORT MEETING “Reminiscences of Things Past” at
DOS YIDDISH VORT on Wednesday, August 25 at 1.30 pm.
All welcome! For info: call Roz Wagner 487 9795
NEW LOCKERS
All the new full sized lockers have been rented. The small key
lockers with combinations are still available. To get one, which
will house your car keys, wallet or any other personal item,
please call the synagogue office to speak with Mark Twersky.
Saturday, 18 Elul
Sonia Movsas for Alec Serlin
Judith Weinstein for Estelle Sandler
Sunday, 19 Elul
Miriam Bader for Seymour Bader
Jerome Goodman for Sol Goodman
Blossom Kutcher for Miriam Chaney
William Liss-Levinson for Aaron Levinson
Monday, 20 Elul
Y Joyce Dacher for Howard Wolfman
Sidney Halitzer for Phil Hall
A Steven Mayer for Lina Mayer
H Tuesday, 21 Elul
R Ernest Herman for Costance Herman
Henry Katz for Louis Suskin
Gladys Moslin for Ruth Kimmel
E Gisela Steigman for David Ehrlich
I Wednesday, 22 Elul
Harriet Schimel for Harold Sherman
T Darin Shapiro for Charles Shapiro
Howard Silberstein for Max Silberstein
Florence Spira for Birdie Samson
Thursday, 23 Elul
Anthony Berkowitz for Doris Berkowitz
Mark Gersten for Helene Gersten
Erica Heisler for Andrew Steven Zucker
Friday, 24 Elul
Herman Kotler for Louis Kotler
Renee Krieger for Louis Kotler
Morris Nasser for Farha Nasser