Letter from the Chairman of the Board

Dear Friends,

This is the final reminder for, what I am certain, will be a most interesting and informative talk by Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy, The Hon. Dan Meridor, this Saturday evening at 8:15 PM.  His topic is "Are We On Course?  A View From the Inside."   In addition to his Ministerial positions, he is also a member of the Inner Cabinet and is thus involved in all major decisions made by the Israeli government.  The program is in English and admission is free.  Doors will open at 7:15 PM. This is a program you won't want to miss.

Our concluding program in this year's Motzaei Shabbat Mevorchim Social Evening and Lecture series will be on Saturday evening, March 13th at 8:30 PM  (Please note the later starting time.) Our speaker will be the very popular Ambassador Yehuda Avner.  His topic is: "Israel's Prime Ministers - Past and Present."  As an advisor to five Prime Minister and as a former Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Ireland and Great Britain, Ambassador Avner has vast experience in diplomacy as well as close relationships with the leaders of the Israeli governments up to the present time.  His latest book,  "The Prime Ministers An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership" published by Toby Press with an introduction by Rt. Hon. Sir Martin Gilbert, will be available later this year. In honor of Ambassador Avner's lecture, the publisher is issuing a special pre-publication signed edition at a discounted price of 100 NIS (the retail price is 129 NIS).  You may pre-order your copy (which will be available on the evening of the lecture), by calling Koren Publishers at (02)633-0517, by e-mailing them at ayelet@kornpub.com  or by faxing them at 02-633-0534.
 
This Friday evening we will once again host the Lone Soldiers Shabbat Dinner following our Leil Shabbat services. These Dinners are sponsored by The Jerusalem Great Synagogue and The Leo V. Berger Fund – Harvey Schwartz, President and Sigmund Kassap, Vice President, our Benefactors. We 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 also thank those who support these efforts by their donations, helping to show our appreciation to these young men and women who have become Olim and volunteered to serve in the IDF.  Our cost per soldier is $30.  We welcome your contributions to assist us in covering the expenses for this very special project. If you are a Lone Soldier and would like to attend the Dinner, please contact Daniel Charter at the Center for Lone Soldiers by Thursday at 054-206-3321. (Please read the article that was featured in this past Friday's In Jerusalem magazine of The Jerusalem Post about this project. It is reprinted, with permission, after the  Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.)

We will soon be starting the registration process for the approximately 400 families in Jerusalem who receive our help for Pesach.  Many of them are in very difficult financial situations and rely on what we and other funds provide them to sustain their families during this period.  We ask for your assistance in helping them have a   happier Pesach.  Please send your contributions to: The Jerusalem Great Synagogue, POB 7924, Jerusalem 91078, Israel.  At the bottom of the check or on a separate paper, please write "Maot Chittim Fund."  If you wish to give a United States tax-deductible contribution (if the amount is $100 or more), the check may be written to The American Friends of The Jerusalem Great Synagogue and sent to the above address.
                 
Please reserve two special upcoming Shabbatot at The Jerusalem Great Synagogue:  (1) On Shabbat March 5-6 (Parashat Ki Tissa and Shabbat Parashat Para), at the invitation of Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler and our Board, guest Chazzan Colin Shachat will officiate accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe on Friday evening and Shabbat morning, featuring liturgical compositions by Louis Lewandowski (1821-1894).  Lewandowski remains to this day one of the most famous Ashkenazic Synagogue liturgical composers. In the coming weeks, we will list the special compositions that will be sung on that Shabbat.  (2) On Shabbat March 19-20 (Parashat Vayikra), at the invitation of Maestro Elli Jaffe and our Board, guest Choir "Zimrat Yah" conducted by Uri Aharon will accompany Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler both on Friday evening and on Shabbat morning.

Condolences to our Chazzan Emeritus Naftali Herstik on the passing of his mother, Mrs. Chaya Herstik, z"l.  Shiva is being observed at the Herstik home, 8 Bartenura Street in Jerusalem, until Sunday morning.  May the Herstik Family be comforted among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and experience no further sorrow for many years to come.

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 bat Chaya Devorah (Anna Schlesinger), Bracha Miriam bat Rachel (Miriam Sheinberg), Chaim Ariel ben Vera Devora (Ariel Sharon), Shoshana bat Miriam (Susan Shapiro),  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), Yissachar Dov ben Peshe (Bud Silver), Moshe Avigdor ben Rivkah (Martin Herzog), Penina Rivka Yoela bat Mirel (Penny Bowman), Avichai Avraham ben Sarah Miriam, Gitel Rivka bat Chaya Risa and Chaya Aviva Sarah bat Adel Nechama (Alexandra Morgan Talbot). May they all be blessed with a speedy and complete recovery and enjoy good health for many more years.

If you haven't as yet become our Supporting Members, please fill out the form on our website  www.jerusalemgreatsynagogue.com or you may call Rabbi Finkelstein at 052-389-5190 for further information.

At the initiative of Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler, tefillot for Yom Kippur Katan are  recited in Beit Midrash Be'er Miriam.  This Thursday (February 11th), you are invited to join us for tefilot Mincha and Yom Kippur Katan at 1:00 PM.  Officiating will be guest Chazzan Chaim Brillant.
 
Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate this Friday evening (5:10 PM) and Shabbat morning Parashat Mishpatim-Shabbat Parashat Shekalim-Shabbat Mevorchim (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.  There will be a Kiddush following Shabbat morning services.  If you are in our area I hope you will join us both on Shabbat and for our program on Saturday evening.

Shabbat shalom and Chodesh tov.

Asher Schapiro

                       UPCOMING EVENTS

February 11 – Thursday 1:00 PM  Yom Kippur Katan – Mincha and Yom Kippur Katan services in Beit Midrash Be'er Miriam.  Guest Chazzan Chaim Brillant will officiate.

February 12-13 – Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim, Shabbat Mevorchim and 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.
 
February 12 – Leil Shabbat Dinner for Lone Soldiers following Friday evening services

February 13 - 8:15 PM - Motzaei Shabbat Social Evening and Lecture Program –Speaker: Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy, The Hon. Dan Meridor.  Topic:  "Are We on Course?  A View From the Inside." 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 Coalition (AIAC), Young Israel of Rehavia (Hanassi), Yeshurun Central Synagogue, International Young Israel Movement – Israel Region (IYIM), Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel and the Rabbinical Council of America-Israel.
 
February 25 – Thursday Taanit Esther – Fast begins 4:41 AM. Shacharit (7:50 AM) and Mincha (1:00 PM) in Beit Midrash Be'er Miriam Fast ends at 5:56 PM

February 28-March 1 – Sunday and Monday – Shushan Purim.  Sunday evening Maariv and Megilla Reading at 6:00 PM. Monday morning Shacharit and Megilla Reading at 8:00 AM  in the Main Synagogue.

March 5-6 – Shabbat Parashat Ki Tissa – Guest Chazzan Colin Shachat will officiate on Friday evening (5:25 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by our Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe.  The Shabbat will feature compositions of Louis Lewandowski.

March 13 – 8:30 PM - Motzaei Shabbat Social Evening and Lecture Program –   Speaker: Ambassador Yehuda Avner  Topic: "Israel's Prime Ministers – Past and Present"

March 19-20 – Shabbat Parashat Vayikra – Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (5:35 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by guest Zimrat Yah Choir conducted by Uri Aharon
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Jerusalem Post – Friday, February 5, 2010
In Jerusalem

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME  by Elan Miller

Once a month, nearly 200 lone soldiers eat Friday night dinner at the Great Synagogue
The giveaway signs are there – you just need to know where to look. When you enter Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue on the first Friday night of each month for a special dinner for close to two hundred people, you might be forgiven for assuming that the people you see are just another youth group here on a visit to the Holy Land. But under the tables laden with Shabbat delicacies lie M-16 assault rifles. And then there’s the telltale standard issue military green fleeces on the backs of a number of chairs. These are no tourists.

It’s no secret that life in the military can be an arduous experience, but while Israeli soldiers can look forward to their “off” weekends when they get to go home, relax and eat warm meals with their families, Chayalim Bodedim, lone soldiers, often do not have the luxury of having a family in Israel who they may return to on their furloughs.

There are currently over 5,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF and although they come from countries around the world, they share much in common as many serve in the IDF voluntarily without the crucial support of their immediate family. Similarly, many speak Hebrew as a second language.

While the army does formally recognize lone soldiers and affords them certain benefits, such as a higher salary and an additional day per month to go home and take care of their responsibilities, it remains hard for soldiers from abroad to cope with the added stress of trying to adapt to life in a new country at the same time as serving in the military.

Instead of taking the well-earned opportunity to “crash” in a proper bed for the first time in two or three weeks as their Israeli counterparts do, lone soldiers have to deal with the mundane chores that they have been unable to attend to while serving their country. Whereas an Israeli soldier’s family are able to take care of their child’s finances and laundry in his absence, soldiers coming from abroad find that large chunks of their weekend are taken over by these basic drudgerous responsibilities.

Enter the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. “Four months ago a group of about 100 soldiers from K’fir were listening to a lecture by  a Rabbi in our shul,” explains Asher Shapiro, the synagogue’s chairman. “I walked in at the end to hear one hundred soldiers responding to “barchu” [a part of the Jewish liturgy recited at morning and evening prayers] together.
The powerful experience triggered something within Schapiro. “It occurred to me that these soldiers experience personal problems while serving the country and ended up doing a little research on it. I found out that these very devoted young women and men often need a little help, and so I spoke with Rabbi George Finklestein and the board of directors about reaching out and offering our hand in friendship to them. They were all very enthusiastic and the membership were very supportive, too, and readily came forward to help fund the project” he explains.

“We contacted the Michael Levin Memorial Center for Lone Soldiers run by Tziki Aud and consulted with Nefesh b’Nefesh and decided to host a group Shabbat meal here in our own hall. We expected maybe fifty soldiers to show up for our first event, but 150 soldiers made reservations. The following month we hit closer to 190 soldiers,” Schapiro adds.

The Lone Soldier Center, founded by Tziki Aud, Josh Flaster and Jared White, aims to provide critical support to lone soldiers. Flaster, Director of Programming and Outreach, describes his experience as a lone soldier and his reasons for the creating the Center. “I was a lone soldier.  I lived through the ups and downs of life as a lone soldier.  During my service the greatest help I received was from other lone soldiers who knew of places to live and helped me receive my rights in the army.  Based on our shared experiences, a group of us came together to create a Center where lone soldiers would be able to receive advice, get help finding an apartment and receive invitations to Shabbat meals.”

The result is that once a month, the synagogue’s main hall hosts close to two hundred past and present lone soldiers, along with those considering joining the IDF. Visiting family members and spouses are welcome too. “They are all invited. The soldiers can bring wives or parents, whoever – we want them to feel at home here,” remarks Schapiro.

Schapiro is at pains to point out that “although we are a traditional synagogue run in accordance with halacha, we ask no questions of the soldiers. They come and we provide. There is no coercion, no attempt to impress any particular approach – we absolutely respect our guests.”

The event is met with universal approval by the soldiers. After all, who can say no to a free lunch?  “The food is delicious, and it’s such a rejuvenating experience after three weeks in the Army without a break,” says Yoni Steinberg, formerly of Pittsburg , who has just started his basic training to become a combat soldier. “ It’s wonderful to be reminded that people care about us and appreciate our service,”

Another soldier, Koby Stern, a Brooklyn native now serving as an officer with the Armored Corps. is grateful for the opportunity to meet friends old and new. He tells how even when he has time off from the army, “It’s not as if you know many people you can go hang out, grab a beer with – your social group is very small as you come from abroad.”

Stern says that he “heard about this event from Nefesh b'Nefesh – I have someone there who calls me on a regular basis to check up on me, and she mentioned that there was this event in the middle of Jerusalem, the city I live in,  for lone soldiers to come and enjoy a traditional Friday night meal together. The atmosphere here is perfect, the army is a huge part of all our lives - you can’t avoid talking about it, and sharing with people who are going through the same experience as you is nice.

“As soldiers we all have a common experience and the conversation turns naturally to our lives in the army. We don’t need to explain things to one another – we all understand and it makes for a great evening together. We are all so grateful to Tziki – he’s a father figure to so many of the soldiers here. ”

Although current and past lone soldiers are invited, people who are considering joining the IDF are invited, too. “I found it very useful – I had a lot of questions to ask but didn’t have a lot information,” explains Naomi Greenbaum, of Southfield, Michigan. “I’m seriously considering joining the IDF in the near future, and it is very encouraging to  look around at all these other people. I’ve asked current soldiers on my table and learned a lot.”

Motti Schnitzer, who presently serves in the IDF Spokesperson’s unit, confirms this.  “I’ve been able to give  advice to a lot of guys – it just comes out in conversation. They were sitting on the same table as me, and I know that I imparted genuinely valuable information,”

Schnitzer, originally from Antwerp, Belgium, adds that “we all go through difficult periods in the army and so events like these make us feel appreciated and help us remember that it's not for nothing, that the job we’re doing is extremely important.”