Parshat Beha’alotecha June 11, 2011 9 Sivan, 5771

Torah
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Beha'alotecha
Artscroll, 774 The sedra of Beha'alotecha vision, an aspiration, a set of ideals. became a machaneh in Egypt,
Hertz, 605 speaks about the silver trumpets This is the meaning of edah, a forged together in the crucible of
- clarions - Moses was congregation. Edah is related to the slavery and suffering. They were
Haftorah commanded to make: word ed, a witness. Edot (as opposed different. They were not
Artscroll, 1182 to chukkim and mishpatim) are the Egyptians. They were Hebrews -
The Lord spoke to Moses, commands that testify to Jewish a word which probably means
Hertz, 620 saying, "Make two trumpets of belief - as Shabbat testifies to "on the other side, an outsider."
silver; make them of hammered creation, Pesach to the divine Ever since, Jews have known that
work. They shall serve you to involvement in history; and so on. we are thrown together by
BAR MITZVAH
summon the congregation An edah is not a defensive formation circumstance. We share a history
ALEXANDER REIN
[edah], and cause the camps but a creative one. People join to do all too often written in tears.
[machanot] to journey." (10: 1- together what none of them could Rabbi Soloveitchik calls this the
2) achieve alone. A society built covenant of fate (brit goral).
Times around a shared project, a vision of
This apparently simple passage the common good, is not a This is not a purely negative
Candle Lighting 8:08 pm became a springboard for one machaneh but an edah - not a camp phenomenon. It gives rise to a
Friday Mincha 7:00 pm of the most profound but a congregation. powerful sense that we are part of
meditations of the late Rabbi a single story - that what we have
Hashkama 8:00 am Joseph Soloveitchik. It appears These are, says Rabbi Soloveitchik, in common is stronger than the
in the course of his great essay not just two types of group, but in things that separate us:
Youth 8:30 am Kol Dodi Dofek on the Jewish the most profound sense, two
approach to suffering. different ways of existing and Our fate does not distinguish
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am relating to the world. A camp is between aristocrats and common
There are, says Rabbi brought into being by what happens folk, between rich and poor,
Main Minyan 9:00 am Soloveitchik, two ways in to it from the outside. A between a prince garbed in the
Beit Midrash 9:15 am which people become a group - congregation comes into existence royal purple and the pauper
a community, a society or a by internal decision. The former is begging from door to door,
Gemorah Shiur 7:00 pm nation. The first is when they reactive, the latter proactive. The between the pietist and the
face a common enemy. They first is a response to what has assimilationist. Even though we
Mincha 8:00 pm band together for mutual happened to the group in the past. speak a plethora of languages,
protection, knowing that only The second represents what the even though we are inhabitants of
Shabbat Ends 9:16 pm by so doing can they survive. group seeks to achieve in the future. different lands . . . we still share
This phenomenon extends far Whereas camps exist even in the the same fate. If the Jew in the
Sunday
beyond Homo sapiens. Animals animal kingdom, congregations are hovel is beaten, then the security
June 12 7:30/8:30 am too come together in herds or uniquely human. They flow from the of the Jew in the palace is
flocks to defend themselves human ability to think, speak, endangered. "Do not think that
Mon., Thurs. 6:35:7:45 am
against predators. Such a group communicate, envision a society you, of all the Jews, will escape
Tues, Wed, Fri. 6:45/7:45 am is a machaneh - a camp, a different from any that has existed in with your life by being in the
defensive formation. the past, and to collaborate to bring king's palace" (Esther 4: 13).
Mincha 8:10 pm it about. It leads also to a sense of shared
Sun/Thurs. There is a quite different form suffering. When we pray for the
of association. People can come Jews are a people in both these two recovery of a sick person, we do
Latest times for together because they share a quite different ways. Our ancestors so "among all the sick of Israel."
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei

June 11 9:08/10:24 am
Kiddush and Bima Flowers
June 18 9:09/10:25 am
are sponsored by
Next Shabbat Diane and David Rein
Shelach in honor of the Bar Mitzvah
Candle lighting 8:11 pm of their son
Alexander.
Mincha 7:00 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Parshat Beha’alotcha 5771
secular, and the many subdivisions that continue to atomise Jewish
When we comfort a mourner, we do so "among all the other mourners
life into non-communicating sects and subcultures.
of Zion and Jerusalem." We weep together. We celebrate together. This
The words of our sedra still contain a challenge: "Make two trumpets
in turn leads to shared responsibility: "All Israel are sureties for one
of silver; make them of hammered work. They shall serve you to
another." And this leads to collective action in the field of welfare,
summon the congregation [edah], and cause the camps [machanot] to
charity and deeds of loving kindness. As Maimonides puts it:
journey." Our identity as Jews is not just as a camp but also as a
congregation. We need to recover our vision of what it is to be G-d's
All Israelites and those who have attached themselves to them are to
witnesses on earth.
one another like brothers, as it is said, "You are children of the Lord
your G-d" (Deuteronomy 14: 1). If brother shows no compassion to
brother, who then will? To whom shall the poor of Israel raise their
eyes? To the heathens who hate and persecute them? Their eyes are
therefore lifted to their brothers. (Maimonides, Laws of Gifts to the
Poor, 10: 2).
All these are dimensions of the covenant of fate, born in the experience
of slavery in Egypt. But there is an additional element of Jewish
identity. Soloveitchik calls this the covenant of destiny (brit ye'ud) -
entered into at Mount Sinai. This defines the people Israel not as the
object of persecution but the subject of a unique vocation, to become "a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Under this covenant, the Jewish
people is defined not by what others do to it, but by the task it has
undertaken, the role it has chosen to play in history. The Israelites did
not choose to become slaves in Egypt. That was a fate thrust upon them SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR
by someone else. They did, however, choose to become G-d's people at SHAVUOT 2011
Sinai when they said, "We will do and obey" (Ex. 24: 7). Destiny, call,
vocation, purpose, task: these create not a machaneh but an edah, not a
camp but a congregation. Tuesday, June 7, Erev Shavuot
Candlelighting 8:06 pm
No one defined the Jewish destiny more simply or nobly than the Mincha 8:10 pm
prophet Isaiah, who said in the name of G-d:
Shiur before maariv
"You are my witnesses [eday]," declares the Lord, Maariv after 9:04 pm
"and my servant whom I have chosen . . .
I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-
I, and not some foreign god among you. Tikun Lail Shavuot at GNS
You are my witnesses [eday]," declares the Lord, "that I am 11:30 pm learning begins
G-d." (Isaiah 43: 10-12)
The word eday, "my witnesses", is from the same root as edah, "a
congregation". Our task as a people of destiny is to bear witness to the Wednesday, June 8, Shavuot I
presence of G-d - through the way we lead our lives (Torah) and the Vatikin minyan 5:00 am
path we chart as a people across the centuries (history). Hashkama 8:00 am
The events of the past century - persecution, pogroms, the rise of racial No youth minyan
anti-Semitism and the unfolding of the Holocaust, followed by the birth Main 9:00 am
of the State of Israel and the constant fight it has had to undertake to Beit Midrash 9:15 am
survive against war and terror - have immeasurably deepened the brit
goral, the covenant of fate that still continues to unite Jews in the face Mincha 8:10 pm
of the hostility of the outside world. We are, and remain, a machaneh, a
camp. Wednesday evening, June 8, Shavuot II
But we are no longer an edah, a congregation. Instead we have fissured Candlelighting after 9:14 pm
and fractured into different edot: orthodox and reform, religious and
Thursday morning, June 9, Shavuot II
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program
Great Neck Synagogue Hashkama 8:00 am
Shabbat Activities Program Youth minyan 8:30 am
Main 8:45 am
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Beit Midrash 9:00 am
Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus Yizkor and Megilat Rut are recited this
Michael Bleicher, Daniel Schwechter, Rabbinic Interns morning
Zeev Kron, Cantor Mincha 8:10 pm
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Mark Twersky, Executive Director Yom Tov ends after 9:15 pm
Joseph Hecht, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE Great Neck Synagogue Men’s Club 
GRADUATION & GOING FISHING 
CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH Have a fun day,  
SATURDAY, JUNE, 25, 2011 bring the whole family 
 
CELEBRATE ALL OF YOUR SMACHOT WITH US On the CAPT. PETE from Freeport, NY (30 minutes from 
Great Neck) on Sunday, JULY 3, 2011. The boat will be 
BIRTHS
departing at 9:00 am, with the return to dock at                
BAR & BAT MITZVAH
GRADUATIONS 1:30 pm. The cost, which includes a light lunch, is $45 
WEDDINGS per person, $36 for children under 12. Contact Steve 
ANNIVERSARIES Blumner 639‐8941, Mark Friedman 482‐1062 or Hilly 
BIRTHDAYS Milun 448‐4890. 
OR  
COMMEMORATE A LOVED ONES YAHRZEIT The Boat: The Capt. Pete is a luxury 65ft fiberglass, twin 
engine charter boat with amenities such as an  
TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CALL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE oversized cabin, large dinette area, custom bathrooms 
OR SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO MTWERSKY@GNS.ORG and two levels to help you enjoy your day out on the 
water.  On the Capt. Pete, all bait, tackle and ice are 
COST IS $100 PER FAMILY always included. 
 
I WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KIDDUSH
The Skipper: Captain Pete has      provided some of the 
best fishing, family get‐togethers and business outings 
YOUR NAME__________________________________
for well over thirty years.  He has an array of experi‐
IN HONOR OF____________________________________ ences from  fishing to day and night cruises and prom‐
ises you a great time, whether you want to fish or just 
OCCASION______________________________________ relax and hang out at sea with your family and friends. 
 
IN MEMORY OF___________________________________ I am going fishing!
Children under 17 MUST be
CHECK ENCLOSED_____________________________________ accompanied by an adult
Name ______________________________
Please help us alleviate the   Keeping Our Children Safe:   Phone # ___________________
current blood  shortage.   Summer Vacation and Beyond 
We need your help.  Minimizing the risks of child abuse  Number of adults and teenagers _#________ at $45 per
 
  person $ _______________
 
Speaker: Barry S. Horowitz, LCSW‐R 
LONG ISLAND BLOOD SERVICES IS  
Coordinator of OHEL’s Long Island   Number of children 11 and under _#________ at $36
URGING  RESIDENTS TO  
Adolescent Leadership Program  each $ _______________
DONATE BLOOD NOW TO  ENSURE 
Opening remarks from  
CONTINUED  
Rabbi Dale Polakoff.   Total (Check attached)
CAPABILITY TO SERVE AREA  
  $ _______________
HOSPITALS.. 
When: Monday, June 13th, 2011 
 
Time: 8:00 pm • Where: GNS 
 
26 Old Mill Rd.,  GN, NY11023 
Please come to the Great Neck         
A must for all parents of children and 
Synagogue, on Sunday, June 12,    
adolescents. Learn about the potentially 
between the hours of  
devastating personal and community 
8:15‐1:15pm. Please eat and drink 
consequences of child sexual abuse. 
plenty of fluids on the day  
Leave empowered, able to identify  
that you donate.   
possible symptoms, institute proven  
 
safeguards, and effectively communicate 
 
with our children – to help prevent the 
Please  remember that to make a 
incidence of molestation. 
blood donation you need to be in 
A service to the community presented by 
good health, have I.D., know your  
Ohel and Great Neck Synagogue; Young 
Social Security number, and weigh at 
Israel of Great Neck, the Cherry Lane 
least 110 lbs. 
Minyan, North Shore Hebrew Academy, 
Yeshiva Har Torah 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEN’S CLUB DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE
The GNS Men’s Club in conjunction with AARP is sponsoring a
defensive driving course to be held in our synagogue on June 28 and
29, 2011. The course will be held on two consecutive evenings from
7:00pm until 10:00 pm. By taking the course one gets a discount on
the auto policy and also as many as four points are deducted from
your license for any past traffic violations. The course is open to any
member of the synagogue and the fee is $12.00 for AARP members and
$14.00 for non members. Space is limited, so reservations are
recommended. Reservations can be made by mailing your check,
payable to AARP, to Al Leiderman at Great Neck Synagogue, 26 Old
Mill Rd. Great Neck, NY 11023. Attendance is required for all sessions.granddaughter born to their children Audrey & Andrew Kent.
For further information, please call Al leiderman at 516-482-0628
FISHING TRIP
Have a fun day, bring the whole family On the CAPT. PETE from
Freeport, NY (30 minutes from Great Neck) on Sunday, JULY 3, 2011.
The boat will be departing at 9:00 am, with the return to dock at
1:30 pm. The cost, which includes a light lunch, is $45 per person $36 Mazal Tov to Dr. Leon Schwechter on his upcoming honor at
for children under 12. Contact Steve Blumner 639-8941, Mark Friedman the Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim Spring Luncheon.
482-1062 or Hilly Milun 448-4890
BUS TRIP TO THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
Sunday July 17: The Mens Club is going on a bus trip to NYC to view
the exhibition, Fire in my Heart, the story of HANNAH SENESH, at
the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. You will also have an
opportunity to browse the permanent exhibits. The bus will leave at
10:00 am and return approximately 4:00 pm. The cost is $55 per
person, which includes the bus trip, entrance fees and lunch. Please
call the shul office to make reservations.
BLOOD DRIVE
The GNS Men’s Club is sponsoring its semi annual blood drive on
Sunday, June 12, from 8:15 am until 1:15 pm in the gym. Everyone
16 -75 years and weighs 110 pounds or more can donate blood. If
you cannot donate, you can still help by volunteering to make phone
calls and help out the day of the drive. Our goal is 80 pints. Please
contact Al Leiderman at 516 482 0628.
ISRAEL BONDS
Tricia Moslin on behalf of the GNS Men’s Club would like to thank every- If you are interested in participating in this mitzvah please contact the
one who attended and purchased Bonds on behalf of the State of Israel. GNS office.
We are just under $2 million dollars.
WOMEN’S TEFILA MEETEING
Women's Tefila Planning Meeting will be held Monday June 13th, 8:30
pm at the home of Celia Lemonik, 59 Berkshire Road. Please join us
and share your ideas.
CHOLENT COMPETITION
The cooking mitts are off as our First Annual Cholent Competition heats
up. Scheduled for Shabbat, June 25th, as part of our graduation
kiddush, the Cholent Competition offers opportunities for the culinary
gifted members of our shul to strut their stuff. The six slots have
already been filled. We have the cholent of Michael Leventhal, honed
to perfection through many hours of late night tisches; Sharon
Goldwyn, bringing years of GNS tradition to her mix, Sharon Mazur,
a meat maven beyond compare, Tami Kramer and her marathon mix,
Sari Braunstein, bringing the best of Ashkenaz and Sepharad
together, and Eli Cohen, whose cholent could even find its way
through Great Neck Estates. Keep watching this space for competition
updates For Graduation Kiddush flyer see page 3.
KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE
Barry Horowitz, Coordinator of OHEL’s LI Adolescent Leadership Prog.,
will be here at GNS, on Monday, June 13, 8pm to speak about
“Summer Vacation and Beyond: Minimizing the risks of child abuse.”
Co-sponsored by GNS, YIGN, NSHA, Cherry Lane Minyan and YHT.
GRADUATION KIDDUSH
Volunteer needed to solicit sponsors for the Kiddush on June 25. An
eighth grade parent or parent of a HS senior would be very helpful.
Please call Mark at the shul office, 487-6100
Within Our Family
Mazal Tov to Adina & Mark Abraham on the birth of a
granddaughter Naomi Suri, born to their children
Mazal & Isaac Abraham.
Mazal Tov to Shideh & Shmuel Ahdoot on the Bat Mitzvah
of their daughter Rachel.
Mazal Tov to Sharon & Mordechai Ahdut on the Bat
Mitzvah of their daughter Sarah.
Mazal Tov to Elliot & Bonnie Diamond on the birth of a
Mazal Tov to Diane and David Rein on the Bar Mitzvah of
their son, Alexander. Mazal Tov also to brother and sister
Oliver and Sophia Rein, as well as grandparents David Fink
of Houston, Texas and Corinne & Howard Rein of
Bournemouth, England.
GNS HUNGER INITIATIVE SAYS "THANK YOU"
We offer gratitude to the Great Neck Synagogue community for its
ongoing participation in our year round efforts to feed the hungry.
We appreciate the generous donation of food following your sim-
chas, your monetary donations in response to our appeals, and the
donation of food by our local establishments: Ever Fresh, Great Neck
Glatt, Mazur's and Shop Delight. We would like to acknowledge special
appreciation to our tireless volunteers who make deliveries to those in
need, literally through rain, sleet and snow all year long. Yashar Koach.
Leslie Bronheim, Gabriel Jansenson,*Stuart Kaufman, Mervin Klein,
Renee Krieger,*Janet Lenchner,**Barry Libin, Howard Lorber,
Neal Mandelbaum, Milt Mitzner, Felicia Morris, Brenda Parver,
Sharyn Pearlman, Gabby Nissam, *Jackie Nissan, Rafi Nissan,
Jonathan Talit, Steven Zuckerman, Karen Zalta.
*Delivery Team Captains **Coordinator
Cindy Hodkin, Margery Libin and Nechama Liss-LevinsonCo-Chairs.
Saturday, 9 Sivan
Serge Fischler for Hanny Fischler
Carol Karbowitz for Jacob Katzwer
Y Elizabeth Katzwer for Jacob Katzwer
Lynn Rabinowitz for Jacob Katzwer
A Sunday, 10 Sivan
Mitchell Benerofe for Sidney Benerofe
H Idida Kaplan for Ahuva Abramovsky
R Tuesday, 12 Sivan
Tom Furst for Harry Furst
Z Gitty Louzoun for Anna Malek
E Howard Silberstein for Libie Silberstein
Judith Weinstein for Beatrice Eichenhon
I Wednesday, 13 Sivan
T Zachary Dicker for Samuel Dicker
Gloria Faizakoff for Philip Cohen
Celia Lemonik for Albert Dorner
Sonia Movsas for Leah Serlin
Friday, 15 Sivan
Mark Lubin for Robert Lubin
Daniel Williams for Charlotte T. Williams
Saturday,16 Sivan
Philip Hanfling for Feivul Hanfling
Philip Hanfling for Esther Hanfling
Gloria Wang Miller for Arlene Miltz
Michael Raitzin for Reuven Raitzin