Mazel Tov to Leora Hecht on Educator's Award

Mazel Tov to Leora Hecht on her being honored with the Educator's Award at the upcoming YESS Melaveh Malkah on Saturday, February 12, 2005 at the Utopia Jewish Center. If you would like to participate in a group ad, please call Leon Stern at 575-0801.

Mazel Tov to Gary & Adina Estersohn on the Engagement of Shmuel

Mazel Tov to Gary & Adina Estersohn on the Engagement of Shmuel to Sori Lessor of Flatbush.

Mazel Tov to Mordechai and Esta Adelman on the Chasana of Sholom Boruch

Mazel Tov to Mordechai and Esta Adelman on the recent Chasana of Sholom Boruch to Yocheved Wasserman.

Rebbetzin Heller on Tu B'Shvat

Aish has a good article by Rebbetzin Heller named L'Chaim to the Trees. Here's an excerpt

It is for this reason that the Sages of the Talmud tell us that on this day, we should pray for a good Esrog -- one of the four species that are taken and blessed on Sukkot. Yet Sukkot has already faded into the past. Why are we thinking of an Esrog?

The simple reason is that at this season the sap is rising, and the tree is beginning the process of eventually giving fruit. This is true of all trees. So why is Tu B'Shvat special to the Esrog?

Because of its shape, the Esrog represents the symbol of the heart. This is the day we can pray for purity of the heart.

We are fragile and fail. But the power of prayer can move us it its source -- to infinity, to God. It can give us access to the Tree of Life.

Don't forget that Rebbetzin Heller is speaking in the Shul at 8:00 on Wednesday for women only. This is one shiur you will not want to miss.

While I was blogging this I got an email from Aish with a link to this 90 Second Tu B'Shvat Flash Movie.

Rabbi Welcher's Shiur on Tuesday 1/25 - Tu B'Shevat and Kedushas Haaretz - Part II

Rabbi Welcher will be continuing his discussion of "Tu B'Shevat and Kedushas Haaretz" on Tuesday, January 25 at 8:30.

Kashrus Alerts

New Kashrus alerts on Kashrus.Com include info on Grapple, Nesquik and Nestea.

Little League Registration

Little league registration will take place at the home of Gittel Nierman on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 from 8:00-9:00 PM

Purchase solar house numbers through the Women's League

The AY Women's League is now offering the solar-powered house numbers that are highly recommended by Hatzolah at a cost of $15 per number. Click here for picture of EZlight.

To order numbers for your home, please call Batya Fishman at 718-263-3406 or send an email to hb13enrd6 at aol.com.

Mazel Tov to Leora & Elliot Hecht on the Birth of a Girl

Mazel Tov to Leora & Elliot Hecht on the birth of a baby girl on Tuesday.

Rabbi Yehoshua Rubin in KGH - Parshas B’Shalach - 1/21/05

Rabbi Yehoshua Rubin, author of “Spiritual Awakenings” and “Dad’s Guide to Inspirational Parenting” will be in Kew Gardens Hills for Parshas B'Schalach on 1/21. Rabbi Rubin's schedule is as follows:

Shiur for Women – 3:15pm
“Spirituality: Why are women more spiritual?”
Home of Michael and Barbara Salzbank

Motzei Shabbos Melave Malka - 8:30pm
“Inspirational parenting-theory and practice”
Home of Steven and Shari Weiss

Mazel Tov to Marty & Yaffa Katz on the Engagement of Avi

Mazel Tov to Marty & Yaffa Katz on the engagement of their son Avi to
Esti Besser, daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Naftoli Besser of Brooklyn, NY.

Rabbi Welcher's Shiur on Tuesday 1/18 - Tu B'Shevat and Kedushas Haaretz

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on Tuesday, January 18 at 8:30 on " Tu B'Shevat and Kedushas Haaretz".

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller - Wed Jan 26, 2005 at 8:00PM

We are extremely fortunate to once again be hosting a shiur for women by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller on Wednesday Jan 26, 2005 at 8:00PM in the Shul. The topic is "To Worry or Not to Worry: Timeless Insights from Orchos Tzadikim."

Please avail yourself of the one of the most insightful and inspiring speakers of our generation.

Rocking Horse Ranch - Winter Yeshiva Break 2005

The Winter Yeshiva break is fast approaching. So why not treat your family to a few days at the Rocking Horse Ranch.

There will be two sessions this year:
1/23-1/27 (Sun-Thurs)
1/30-2/3 (Sun-Thurs)

Skiing, Horseback Riding, Gourmet Meals, Daf Yomi, Minyanim, Shiurim, Playgroups and much more. Come join us.

New Simcha Dancing Session Begins 1/17/05

Having a Simcha before Shavuot?

It's not too late to join us!!
Ahavas Yisroel Women's League invites you to a class in:

SIMCHA DANCING

with Tzirel Goldschmiedt
Monday nights in our shul 147-02 73rd Avenue

January -17
February -7, 28
March - 7, 14, 21, (28 makeup date if needed)
April - (11 makeup date if needed) 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm

Cost: $60 for the series
Newcomers welcome! You'll be treated like old friends!!

For additional information call: Tzirel @ (718) 263-6456

Kew Gardens Hills - Safety Alert

A member of the Shul had her bag stolen on Main Street and 72nd Drive on Monday at about 7:00 PM. Please be careful as you walk in the neighborhood - especially at night.

Mazel Tov to the Goldschmiedts and Wimpfheimers

Mazel Tov to Tzirel and Danny Goldschmiedt on the birth of a granddaughter to their children Dena and Jeremy Wimpfheimer. Mazel Tov to the entire Hill, Goldschmiedt and Wimpfheimer mishpochos.

Mazel Tov to the Schwerds and Walfishs

Mazel Tov to Gila and Moishe Schwerd on the birth of a granddaughter to their children Brocha and Moshe Walfish. Mazel Tov to Aunt Karen and Uncle Steve Reisbaum and the entire Reisbaum, Schwerd and Walfish mishpochos.

Passing of Rabbi Moshe Orbach

We regret to inform you of the passing of Rabbi Moshe Orbach, father of Yossi Orbach.

The funeral will take place in Israel on Monday afternoon.
The entire shiva will be observed in Israel until Sunday morning.

Yossi can be reached as follows:
011-972-2581-1739
011-972-52-569-4610 (cell)
011-972-54-4811-739 (cell)

May the family be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim

Kavanna in the First Brocha

In his shiur on Tuesday, Rav Welcher stressed the importance of the Kavanna in the first Brocha of Shomoneh Esrai. According to modern poskim like the Steipler and Rav Moshe, even without proper Kavanna one fulfills their davening obligation, but l'chatchila we should try to achieve proper Kavanna.

Rav Welcher pointed out that according to the Ramchal, the first brocha represents the three primary middos of a Hashem and the Avos who personified them. We begin we Chesed personified by Avraham and the word ha-gadol. Rav Welcher pointed out that for Chesed to be received in a usable for it has to be limited through Din. Yitzchak represents Din and the word ha-gibbur is used. The third leg is Tiferes, exemplified by Yaakov representing Torah and the word ve-ha-norah. Tiferes is the perfect synthesis of Chessed and Din and it is through Torah that this wonderous balance is achieved.

Of course it is impossible to give over the full flavor of the many beautiful ideas Rav Welcher conveyed while standing on one blog post. But on Tuesday at 8:30 we will hear a shiur on Modim and it is another good opportunity to increase our understanding and committment to meaninful davening.

Z'manim Plus for Vaeira - Jan 8, 2005

Special Events
L'Chaim Thursday January 6, 2005 at 8:00 PM at the home of the Welchers on the engagement of Chaim Eli.
Kiddush for Doni Kops' Bar Mitzvah after Davening

Mazel Tovs
Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Welcher on the engagement of Chaim Eli to Tammy Sklar of Los Angeles, daughter of Matis and Marla Sklar.
Mazel Tov to Uri and Esther Kops on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Doni.
Mazel Tov to Chevra Daf Yomi on Kodashim Siyum

Upcoming Shiurim
Rabbi Reisman Live Video at Nachlas Yitzchak on Sat Jan 8 at 8:00 PM
Rabbi Label Lam at Nachlas Yitzchak on Sat Jan 8 at 9:00 PM
Rabbi Haber on Tzaddik V'Ra Lo on Sun Jan 9 at 8:45 AM in the Shul
Rabbi Y Rosenberg - Chavrusa Program starts on Sun Jan 9 at 9:30 AM in the Shul
Rabbi Welcher on The Brocha of Modim on Tue Jan 11 at 8:00 PM in the Shul

Z'manim
Candle Lighting: 4:26 PM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 4:35 PM
Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
Shacharis: 8:30 AM
Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:41 AM
Rav's Shiur: 3:25 PM
Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:15 PM
Motza'ei Shabbos Maariv: 5:36 PM

Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Welcher on the Engagement of Chaim Eli

Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Welcher on the engagement of Chaim Eli to Tammy Sklar of Los Angeles, daughter of Matis & Marla Sklar. The L'Chaim will be held tonight, Thursday January 6, 2005 at 8:00 PM at the home of the Welchers.

Rabbi Welcher's Shiur on Tuesday 1/11 - Brocha of Modim

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on Tuesday, January 11 at 8:30 on "The Brocha of Modim".

Kashrus Alerts

Kashrut.Com/alerts has the following new information:
Kashrus alert concerning Delmonte Mandarin Magic Dried Fruit & Nut Mix
Corrected information on Dougie's BBQ
Listeria alert concerning Acme Sliced Smoked Nova Salmon
Kashrus alert concerning Cafe Gavina products
Kashrus alert concerning Breyer’s Yogurt
Kashrus notice concerning candy purchased in Fanny May Stores
Kashrus alert concerning bee pollen
Kashrus alert concerning Freshens Frozen Yogurt and Smoothie Mix
(Thanks to Avrumi Kahn for the link)

Tefillin & Mezuzos Checked - Sunday 1/16

Bring your Tefillin and Mezuzos to Congregation Chasam Sofer (Rabbi Wiesel’s Shul) 141-50 70th Road (Corner Main St.) on Sunday, January 16, 2005, to have them checked on the spot by a sofer. The sofer will be there from 9AM to Noon and he will also have Mezuzos available for purchase.
(Hat Tip to Ronnie Schlanger for the Info)

Siyum on Seder Kodashim

The Chevra Daf Yomi celebrated the completion of Seder Kodashim with a Siyum at Dougies on Monday night. Yasher Koach to Steven Weiss, Moishe Schwerd and Ruby Ginsburg for their hard work in preparing and giving the shiurim week in and week out. And Yasher Koach to all the participants who after years of learning Kodashim, managed to stay away from the Monday Night All-You-Can-Eat special. Yasher Koach to Chaim Ginsburg who made a siyum on Mishnayos Kodashim. Click here to see the pictures.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller on Autonomy and Connection

Last January, in a shiur given in the shul, titled "Reassessing Our Spiritual Portfolio", Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller pointed out that the Parshios from Shemos through Mishpatim, referred to as Shov'vim, provide an excellent opportunity for us to examine our personal growth. Since Hashem freed the Jewish People from Mitzrayim (which means constriction) in this time, so to can we free ourselves from the constrictions that inhibit our growth.

Rebbetzin Heller pointed out that we all have a desire for connection and autonomy, which stem from the two primary middos of Chesed and Gevura. It is interesting to note that the ideal shul would function to strengthen both of these Middos. From an autonomic viewpoint, the shul is a vehicle to strengthen our Davening and Learning. And from a connection perspective the shul is a place of Chesed, Community and Social Activity.

G-d willing, Rebbetzin Heller will be speaking in the shul later this month, details to follow. Until then, you can visit her website to benefit from her deep wisdom.

Rabbi Welcher's Shiur on Tuesday 1/4 - First Brocha Shomoneh Esrai

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on Tuesday, January 4 at 8:30 on "The First Brocha of the Shomeneh Esrai"

Rabbi Welcher on the Asian Tsunami Disaster

In his drasha on Shabbos, Rabbi Welcher pointed out that according to the Rambam, Darchei Shalom obligates us to assist, where help is needed. Therefore we should donate funds to help the Asian Relief Effort. In a follow up question after Shul, he suggested we give through Jewish organizations to increase the Kiddush Hashem. Here is the link for the OU's Asian Relief Fund, where you can donate online via credit card. You can also mail a check to:
Orthodox Union
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Please mark envelope "OU Asian Relief Fund"