Letter From the Chairman of the Board

Dear Friends,

This past Sunday evening, a most meaningful memorial gathering was held in The Jerusalem Great Synagogue for the beloved and revered Rabbi Zalman Druck z"l.  Each speaker, in his own way and from his personal experiences, spoke about Rav Druck's love of Torah, photographic memory, ability to explain complicated ideas in a way that even non-scholars could appreciate, punctuality, angelic look and demeanor and selfless dedication to individuals and to the community at large.  We were honored by the participation of Israel's Chief Rabbi – the Rishon L'Zion Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yaffo Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the Chief Rabbi of Haifa Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Rav Druck's brother Rabbi Avraham Druck and our Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler.  Rav Druck's son Rabbi Yisrael Chaim Druck made a siyum on Mishnayot Seder Zeraim.  We thank the many area Synagogues and organizations that joined together with us in sponsoring the program. May Rav Druck's memory always bring blessing to his family, our community and all Am Yisrael and may we successfully continue his noble work l'hagdil Torah u'lehaadira.

Professor Daniel Gordis, who spoke at our Motzaei Shabbat Mevorchim Social Evening and Lecture Program this past Saturday evening, opined that Zionism is fundamentally important, not only for the Jewish people but for the entire world.  At a time when differences between cultures and nations are becoming blurred (e.g. the European Union), the significance of maintaining each group's uniqueness and traditions in the preservation of human freedom cannot be minimized.  This is a truth found in the episode of the Tower of Babel in Parashat Noach and which has continued throughout human history.  We should be proud to be Zionists and to live in our own Land.

The next program in this series will take place on Saturday evening February 13th at 8:15 PM  (Please note the change in time.) Our speaker will be the Hon. Dan Meridor, who currently serves as member of the Inner Cabinet in Israel and is our Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy.  His topic is: "Are We On Course? A View From the Inside."  The program is in English and admission is free.  It will certainly be an enlightening evening and, if you are in Jerusalem, we hope you join us. This series is sponsored by The Jerusalem Great Synagogue in cooperation with The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI), The Orthodox Union-Israel (OU), Nefesh B'Nefesh, American Israeli Action Committee (AIAC), Young Israel of Rehavia (Hanassi), Yeshurun Central Synagogue, Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel and the Rabbinical Council of America – Israel.

At our Lone Soldiers Leil Shabbat Dinner following Friday evening services this past Shabbat, we had the pleasure of hosting 180 young men and women serving in the IDF.  As I noted in last week's letter, we also celebrated Sheva Brachot following the marriage during the week of Josh and Meira Flaster.  Josh served in the IDF and currently volunteers at the Center for Lone Soldiers.  It was an evening to remember with good food, inspiring ruach and great camaraderie. A special note of thanks goes to our Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler.  Not only did he officiate on Friday evening and Shabbat morning, but he led in Kiddush, zemirot and other songs at the Dinner. When he concluded the last of the Sheva Brachot, everyone present began spontaneously applauding. We thank him and his wife Shoshana for participating in these very special Shabbat experiences and developing such warm friendships with the young people who are our guests.  We also thank our partners in these Shabbat programs: The Center for Lone Soldiers, Nefesh B'Nefesh, the Yeshurun Central Synagogue and the American Jewish War Veterans Post 180-Jerusalem.  We are deeply grateful to The Leo V Berger Fund, benefactors of our Lone Soldier Program and all others who financially support this effort. Our cost per soldier is $30.  We welcome your assistance.  Our next Lone Soldier Leil Shabbat Dinner will be on February 12th.  If you are a Lone Soldier and would like to attend, please contact Daniel Charter at the Center for Lone Soldiers at 054-206-3321.

Our next program in Hebrew for religiously observant Singles (ages 20-40) will take place on Wednesday evening, January 27th, at 7:00 PM in The Jerusalem Great Synagogue. Information regarding the evening's program will be included in next week's letter.  If you are acquainted with unmarried men or women in Israel for whom this event would be appropriate, please help spread the word. For further information, call Yoav at 050-850-5372 (during evening hours).

Mazal Tov to our congregants and friends Martin and Lizabeth Herzog on the engagement of their daughter Chana to Jacob Hauser, the son of David and Sheila Hauser of Jerusalem.  May Jacob and Chana go to the chupah b'shaa tova u'mutzlachat and share a long, healthy and happy life together as they build their bayit ne'eman b'Yisrael.  We pray for refua sheleima bim'hayra for Martin Herzog (Moshe Avigdor ben Rivkah).

In last week's newsletter we extended Mazal Tov to Marc and Chantal Belzberg on their son Pinchas Shaul Emanuel becoming a Bar Mitzvah at our Synagogue.  We are happy to extend another Mazal Tov this week to Marc and Chantal on their becoming Founder Members of The Jerusalem Great Synagogue.  We also congratulate their parents, long-time Founder members Francis and Samuel Belzberg of Vancouver, Canada and Mr. and Mrs. Soly Spira of New York and Antwerp both on their grandson's Bar Mitzvah and on their children joining our ranks as Founder Members.  Kol Hakavod!  We also take this opportunity to wish Samuel Belzberg a speedy and complete recovery from his recent surgery.

We continue to pray for the good health and immediate release of Gilad ben Aviva Schalit and the other members of the IDF still in captivity.  Please add prayers for refua sheleima for those who were injured in terrorist attacks and in the War in Gaza and for Aryeh ben Sarah Leah (Chazzan Aryeh Goldberg), Amiram ben Reina (Amiram Benshimol), Zahava bat Rachel (Zahava Meczes), Channa bas Chaya Devorah (Anna Schlesinger), Bracha Miriam bat Rachel (Miriam Sheinberg), Chaim Ariel ben Vera Devora (Ariel Sharon), Shoshana Bat Miriam (Susan Shapiro), Chaya bat Chava (Chaya Herstik), Amit Yehuda ben Malka (Dr.Amit Schwartz), Shimon Elimelech ben Sima Rivka (Marc Weinberg), Avraham Yeshayahu ben Aviva (Avraham Yeshayahu Feiner), Shai ben Rachel (Shai Peltz), Miriam Rivkah bat Adina Leah (Miriam Strasberg), Penina Rivka Yoela bat Mirel (Penny Bowman), Yissachar Dov ben Peshe (Bud Silver), Moshe Avigdor ben Rivkah (Martin Herzog), Avichai Avraham ben Sarah Miriam and Gitel Rivka bat Chaya Risa.  May they all be blessed with a speedy and complete recovery and enjoy good health for many more years.

Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate this Friday Evening, Rosh Chodesh Shevat (4:45 PM) and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh morning, Parashat Vaera (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.  If you are in our area, we hope you will join us.

Have you become a supporting Member of The Jerusalem Great Synagogue?  If you haven't, you will find the form on our website www.jerusalemgreatsynagogue.com  or you may call Rabbi Finkelstein at 052-389-5190.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov.

Asher Schapiro

              UPCOMING EVENTS

January 14 – Thursday 1:00 PM – Tefillot Mincha and Yom Kippur Katan in Beit Midrash Be'er Miriam.  Guest Chazzan: Avraham Kirschenbaum.

January 15-16 – Shabbat Parashat Vaera and Shabbat Rosh Chodesh – Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (4:45 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.

January 22-23 – Shabbat Parashat Bo – Guest Chazzan Moshe Goldberg will officiate on Friday Evening (4:50 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM).

January 23 – 8:00 PM –Due to scheduling difficulties, the Lecture Program in Hebrew is being postponed until February.

January 27 – Wednesday 6:30 PM – Program for religiously observant Singles (ages 20-40). Entrance Fee: 35 NIS. For further information, call Yoav at 050-850-5372 (during evening hours).

January 29-30 – Shabbat Parashat Beshalach (Shabbat Shira) - Accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe, Guest Chazzan Arik Wolheim will officiate on Friday evening (5:00 PM) and Guest Chazzanim Avraham Kirschenbaum and Elazar Winograd will officiate on Shabbat morning (7:55 AM).

February 5-6 – Shabbat Parashat Yitro - Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (5:05 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.

February 12-13 – Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim- Shabbat Mevorchim – Shabbat  Shekalim - Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (5:10 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.

Fenruary 13 – 8:15 PM – Motzaei Shabbat Social Evening and Lecture Program – Speaker: The Hon. Dan Meridor.  Topic: "Are We on Course? A View From the Inside."

March 13 – 8:30 PM - Motzaei Shabbat Social Evening and Lecture Program – Speaker: Ambassador Yehuda Avner