Live From LA

We're here in LA. The flight went smooth. The Welcher's are doing well and they're taking some pictures in the lobby. I'm going to try and upload some pictures.

Sharing Shabbos Meals

We are in the process of finalizing the intial groups for the Sharing Shabbos Meals programs and you should be contacted in the upcoming week. Thanks to the 44 families who are already participating. Although it is way past the deadline, if you grovel and beg a little bit we'll probably let you in - or you can wait for the next round.

Pirkei Avos Resumes

Our weekly Pirkei Avos shiur resumes this week with R' Haber giving the kickoff shiur on Shabbos at 8:15 PM.

Bagels and Berachos this Sunday Morning

Our normal Sunday schedule will resume this week with the addition of a Siyum for Mesechta Berachos. Here is the schedule.

Daf Yomi - R' Schwerd - 7:00
Shacharis - 8:00
Siyum for Berachos - 8:45
Hadran/Mezuman - 8:55
Shiur on a Sugya in Mesechta Berachos - R'Haber - 9:00
Chavrusa/Shiur in the Seventh Perek of Berachos - R' Rosenberg - 9:30

Group Ads for Shul Honorees

Shari and Steve Weiss are being honored by Mesivta Ateres Yaakov. The deadline for ads is May 10. To participate in the group ad e-mail or call The Reisbaums. Home phone number 718-544-6281 and e-mail address is rofeigav -at- aol.com

Meira and Mark Kutner are being honored by Mesivta Chafetz Chaim (Rabbinical Seminary HS). The dinner is scheduled for June 2. To participate in the group ad call or e-mail Ellen and Chaim Cohen. Home phone # is 718-969-2291 . E-mail address for Chaim is chocgal-at- aol.com

Adina Estersohn will be honored by YTM. The deadline for ads is May 8th. The dinner is scheduled for May 22. To participate in a group ad call or e-mail The Sterns. E-mail address is lsternfamily -at- earthlink.com and phone number is 718-575-0801

New Plag HaMincha Davening Times

Since we just finished learning Berachos, we wanted to accomodate both the opinions of the Rabbis and R'Yehudah regarding the proper time to daven Mincha - so we have added a Plag HaMincha minyan through Shavous. (Note: That is not exactly the real reason)

Erev Shabbos Mincha Davening Times

Date	Plag Minyan	Sh'kia Minyan
5/6	6:05	7:45
5/13	6:10	7:50
5/20	6:15	8:00
5/27	6:20	8:05
6/3	6:25	8:10
6/10	6:30	8:15

Last Call for Sharing Shabbos Meals Initiative

As was mentioned previously, the response to the Shabbos Meals Initiative has been fantastic. We will be grouping the participants this week, so please get your forms in by Tuesday.

The link for the letter and for is here.

Last Call For Travel Arrangements for Chaim Eli's Wedding

If you are going to Chaim Eli's wedding and are coming in to LAX on AA Flight 3 or leaving LAX on AA Flight 30 and need transaportation to or from the airport, please contact Mark Frankel by Tuesday evening.

Seder's Over, But These Articles Are Terrific

I'm hope everyone had great Sedarim. I highly recommend the following two must read articles by Rabbi Noson Weisz: The Spark of Freedom and Festivals of Spring.

FRIDAY PRE-PESACH TRASH PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

There will be a special Pesach trash pick-up in Kew Gardens Hills
tomorrow morning, Friday, April 22, between midnight and 10:30 AM.
Trash should be placed at the curb on Thursday evening after 6 PM.
Separate your trash for recycling, which will also be picked up.

Special pick-up bins for chametz/trash will be available on Friday
from 6 AM to 11 AM at: Main Street/Vleigh Place/72 Road (at the KGH Library).

Please DO NOT PARK near these pick-up points -- trucks will need the space!

Malbim Haggadah On The Web

For those of us who process Torah better visually, a translation of the Malbim Haggadah is available online. Putting aside the question if the Malbim really wrote it, the author does an incredible job of showing that the entire structure of Maggid is derived from the one verse "And you shall relate to your child on that day, saying: "It is because of this that Hashem acted for me when I came forth out of Egypt."

Rabbi Yakov Haber mp3 - Miracles and Revelation: Complement and Contrast

Click on the link to Rabbi Yakov Haber's recent shiur on Miracles and Revelation: Complement and Contrast.

Note: If you want to save any shiur to your PC, use the right button on your mouse (right-click) and choose Save Target As (Save Link As in Firefox) from the menu. Then save it to somewhere on your hard drive. You can then play it at your leisure, even if you are not connected to the Internet. You can also burn it to a CD using Windows Media Player (newer versions only) or download it to your Mp3 player (assuming you have one).

Rabbi Label Lam Mp3 on Pesach

To hear a shiur on Pesach from Rabbi Label Lam, just click here.

Two Minyanim for Mincha-Maariv This Week 4/22/05

Congregation Ahavas Yisroel

Friday - April 22, 2005

Two Minyanim for Mincha-Maariv

Early Plag HaMincha - 6:00 PM

Sh’kia - 7:30 PM

Z'manim for Pesach

Here are the z'manim for Pesach, page 1 and page 2. It prints better than it looks in your browser.

Rabbi Tatz Mp3s on Pesach and a Multitude of Other Subjects

Rabbi Akiva Tatz has a number (138) of files available for free download. The files have recently been converted from Real Media Format to Mp3 making them more accessible and portable.

For Pesach, I highly recommend TZ 28 Pesach: Maintaining Inspiration.

Do You Need an Aliya or Other Kibud on First Days of Yom Tov

R' Yechezkel Rosenberg will be serving as Gabbai for the 1st days of Yom Tov and he would like you to contact him at HRosenberg@shufsd.org if you want need an Aliya or Kibud on the First Days of Yom Tov.

Erev Pesach That Occurs on Shabbos - By Rabbi Herschel Welcher

Erev Pesach That Occurs on Shabbos
by Rabbi Herschel Welcher

When Erev Pesach occurs on Shabbos, it is necessary to observe a number of the Mitzvos in an unconventional manner. I am issuing this letter as a guide to practical observance.

1. B’dikas Chametz should be conducted on Thursday evening, April 21.

2. The first Bitul Chametz should be done immediately after the B’dikah.

3. Biur Chametz should be done on Friday morning, April 22, before 11:45 AM. If the Biur was not done before this time, it may be done at any time before Shabbos. The second Bitul Chametz is not done on Friday.

4. Preferably, we should finish eating Chametz before 10:13 AM on Shabbos morning, April 23. We must finish eating Chametz before 10:37 AM.

5. The second Bitul Chametz must be done on Shabbos after we have finished eating Chametz. Preferably, it should be done before 11:33 AM. It must be done before 11:45 AM.

6. There are two basic approaches to fulfilling the mitzvah of S’udas Shabbos. Some make HaMotzi on challah and eat the challah in an area of the house that is not adjacent to the table where the actual meal will be conducted. After each person eats the equivalent of a large slice of challah, the crumbs should be cleaned away, the clothes should be shaken clean, and the tablecloth should be removed. The hands should then be washed and the mouth should be rinsed. Then the actual meal should be eaten; it should consist of Pesach foods, served on Pesach dishes. Some use egg matzos, instead of challah. If egg matzah is used, it may be eaten at the same table where the meal will be conducted. Even though we don't eat egg matzah on Pesach, it isn't considered Chametz. It is permissible to keep egg matzah in our home on Pesach. If egg matzah is used, the HaMotzi is recited on two egg matzos. Preferably, each person should eat two egg matzos at each meal. The minimum amount of egg matzah is one egg matzah per meal.

7. The most significant difficulty with the Shabbos meals concerns the S’udah Sh’lishis. It is appropriate to recite the HaMotzi for this meal. However, on this Shabbos afternoon it is not permissible to use bread or matzah. Preferably, one should divide the morning meal into two parts. One should make the HaMotzi and eat the first course of the meal. Then the Birkas HaMazon should be recited. After the Birkas HaMazon, it is necessary to take a fifteen-minute break, which should be used for learning, strolling, or any other activity. Then, one should wash again and recite the HaMotzi. After finishing the challah (by 10:13 AM or 10:37 AM – See #4 above), the main Shabbos meal should be eaten. If egg matzah is used, it may be eaten until Chatzos (12:54 PM). During the afternoon, it is preferable to eat a piece of meat or fish (or at least a fruit) to fulfill the view that this S’udah cannot take place before Chatzos. Those who wear braces on their teeth should only use egg matzah on this Shabbos (Such a person should not eat solid Chametz or liquid Chametz which is hot or sticky after 10:13 AM on Friday morning.).

Rabbi Moshe Gordon - Mp3s - On Inyanim Seder and Haggadah from Rishonim and Achronim

Rabbi Moshe Gordon from Ohr Yerushaliyim has made available two amazing series on Inyanim of the Seder and the Haggadah with a focus on Rishonim and Achronim that you can download here.

Seder Series
1 Kadesh and Arba Kosos
2 URchatz Karpas Yachatz.mp3
3 Hallel Rachtza Matza Heseiba.mp3
4 Maror Korech Shilchan Orech
5 Afikomen Barech end of Hallel Nirtza after Seder

Haggadah Series
1 Intro to Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim
2 Ha Lachma Anya Akiras HaShulchan Intro to Ma Nishtana
3 Ma Nishtana
4 Avadim Hayeinu Arami Oved Avi
5 Arami Oved Avi 2
6 The 10 Makos End of Magid

Bonus Download
The Difficult Mitzvah of Feeling As If You Personally Left Mitzrayim

Download MP3 From Rabbi Yakov Haber on the Haggadah from 04/04/04

Here is Rabbi Yakov Haber on the Haggadah from a shiur given on 04/04/04 in the Shul.

Sharing Shabbos Meals

The response to the Sharing Shabbos Meals Initiative has been terrific. We will not being calling everyone, so if you want to participate, please get your form in as soon as possible.

Matzah Pickup Motza'ei Shabbos - 10:30PM-11:30PM Sunday 8:30AM-9:00AM

If you ordered matzah from Rabbi Welcher, you must pick it up on either Motza'ei Shabbos from 10:30PM to 11:30PM or on Sunday from 8:30AM to 9:00AM.

What the Internet Was Created For

After you have finished listening to Rabbi Welcher's shiurim on Pesach, why not head over to the Pesach Audios at 613.org for an audio shmorgasbord to help you prepare for Pesach.

Insights into the Haggadah - Download MP3

Rabbi Welcher gave a great shiur on "Insights into the Haggadah", focusing on the section of the Haggadah beginning with "The Aramean [almost] destroyed my father...". Rabbi Welcher relates some great ideas on the connection between suffering and redemption and chesed and redemption as well as a number of other gems.

You can download Insights into the Haggadah here.

Selling Your Chometz Online

Last year we tried to figure out how people might be able to sell their Chometz over the Internet. Maybe you could pick up the mouse to make the kinyan, video yourself appointing the Rav to be your shliach and email the the resulting mpeg file. We're still looking into it.

In the meantime, you can print this Selling Chometz Contract, fill it out and bring it to Rabbi Welcher after Shacharis or Maariv.

Queens Communal Pesach Seder

Queens Communal Pesach Seder

Congregation Etz Chaim
147-19 73 Ave Flushing, NY 11367

Led by the Rav of Etz Chaim, Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg

First Seder Night, Motzai Shabbos After Ma’ariv Saturday April 23, 2005

Suggested Price: $36 Adults, $25 Children

Please Call to Reserve: 718-459-8876

Blessing the Baal Habayis

Who should make Hamotzi and who should lead the benching are among the topics discussed in today's shiur by R' Yechezkel Rosenberg in the Seventh Perek of Berachos, Mem Vav Amud Aleph. Also discussed is why and how we bless the Baal Habayis in the Fourth Beracha of Benching.

You can download the shiur here

Queens Shidduch Committee

Several members of the Central Queens, NY Jewish community have taken upon themselves to offer an incentive for people to make shidduchim of single women from Central Queens. The committee is offering a $2,000 gift to the shadchan of a woman from this area. (This money will be in addition to the customary “shadchanus” gift that may be given by the families.) This program is being modeled after the one operated by the Star-K of Baltimore, with some minor variations.

See the Queens Shidduch Committee for details.

Cleaning for Pesach - Download Mp3

Here is Rabbi Welcher's Cleaning for Pesach mp3. I split it into the drasha and halacha parts because it ran close to 90 minutes and if you want to burn it to an audio CD you can only burn 70 minutes on each CD.

Here is the Cleaning for Pesach drasha.

Here is the Cleaning for Pesach halacha.

Reminder: Rabbi Herschel Welcher - Cleaning for Pesach - 4/5/2005 - 8:00 PM

Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Join us for a Shiur for men and women

Rabbi Herschel Welcher

“Cleaning for Pesach”

Tuesday – April 5, 2005

8:00 PM

Shiur will be available for download

Sharing Shabbos Meals Initiative

An initiative is being brought forward by the congregation to create a greater sense of community within our Shul. By creating a stronger community, our congregation can become a warmer place for our current members and an attractive option for potential new members.

A practical first step for this initiative is inviting guests for Shabbos. Not just our usual friends, but newer families, or families we have never taken the opportunity to get to know. A program has been developed which will allow us to share Shabbos meals with other families without feeling overwhelmed.

Over the Shabbosim between Pesach and Shavuos (May 6 – June 11), participants will share meals with three different families from our Shul. Committee coordinators will facilitate the invite process. By the time Shavous rolls around, we will be one stage closer to creating stronger community connections within our Shul.

Please participate in this worthwhile endeavor by filling out this form and dropping it off, or mailing it to Mark Frankel, 141-17 72nd Crescent, Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367 or
email the info to Caykgh@gmail.com

Thanks in advance for your involvement in making our Shul a better place.

Name and Phone Number___________________________________________

Number of adults __________

Number of children (and ages)____________________________

□ Would like to be on the Committee and serve as a Coordinator
□ Would like to be either a guest or a host
□ Would only like to be a guest
□ Would only like to be a host

Please list between 5 and 10 members with whom you have never shared a Shabbos Meal.

Please send in the form as soon as possible?

You can download the original letter here.

Saying Amen to Your Own Brocha - Praiseworthy or Despicable?

Is it praiseworthy or despicable to say amen to your own brocha. You give us 22 minutes and R' Yechezkel Rosenberg will masterfully guide you through the sugya.

Click Here to Download.

There Will Be A Special Adar Sheini Kiddush This Shabbos

There will be a special Adar Sheini kiddush this Shabbos.

Guide to Shabbos Erev Pesach

A free download of a guide to Shabbos Erev Pesach is available here.

Halachic Living Will Form

This link will take you to various forms including a living will prepared by the Agudath Yisrael. Jewish Law - Halachic Forms

Bais Yaakov of Queens Presents - Rachel Factor - Wednesday 3/30 at 8PM at YCQ

On Wednesday March 30, 2004 at 8:00 PM at the Yeshiva of Central Queens, 147-37 70th Road, Rachel Factor will present her one women show "JAP".

Mrs. Factor is a Japanese-American from Hawaii who found fulfillment in Judaism. The cost for the show is $25 annd $36 and the performance is recommended for Women over 18.

Is it a Mitzvah to Live in Eretz Yisroel - A Look at Four Opinions

Rabbi Welcher's shiurim will continue next Tuesday with one of his most popular topics, "Cleaning for Pesach".

If you missed Rabbi Welcher's shiur on "Is it a Mitzvah to Live in Eretz Yisroel?", I highly recommend you give it a listen. The Rav discussed the four major opinions on this question.

Download the shiur here.

Download R' Yechezkel Rosenberg's Recent Shiur on Zimun

If you haven't yet made the time to join our Sunday morning chabura, led by R' Yechezkel Rosenberg on the Seventh Perek of Berachos, you might want to give it a try. It is one of the best programs we have ever run and you are sure to be challenged.

R' Yechezkel usually gives a brief summary with the sources at beginning of the session and a short shiur covering what we learned at the end. Here are the mp3 audio files for the beginning and ending shiurim from last week (3/27/2005) on the subject of what happens if one or two people what to leave and make a zimun.

Rabbi Welcher's Cleaning for Pesach Shiur - Tuesday April 5th at 8:00.

Rabbi Welcher's Cleaning for Pesach shiur will be given on Tuesday April 5th at 8:00.

There will be no shiur on Tuesday, March 29th.

Please Pick Up Your Shaloch Manos in Shul Lobby

Member who haven't picked up their Shaloch Manos from the Women's League, can pickup them up in the Shul Lobby during davening hours.

Matzoh Orders

Matzoh Orders are due on Tuesday, March 29th at 2 PM. Please try to get them in as soon as possible.

Here's the Matzoh Order form in Word format.

Here's the Matzoh Order form in Jpg/Graphic format.

Purim at CAYKGH - Can You Find Nemo

Click here for the pictures

Don't Know the Difference Between Save as Draft and Publish Post

According to one opinion, on Purim one has to drink until he doesn't know the difference between Save as Draft and Publish Post. A Freilichen Purim to all!

Guidelines For Your Erev Shabbos Purim Seudah

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR EREV SHABBOS PURIM SEUDAH

1) "L'chaT'chilah" the Purim Seudah should start as early in the day as possible after hearing the Megillah reading.

2) As long as you start your Purim Seudah before Chatzos HaYom (12:02 PM), you do NOT have to take a break to Daven Minchah; you can daven Minchah with the Minyan in Shul at 6:00 PM.

3) If you start your meal AFTER Chatzos (12:02 PM) but BEFORE 12:35 PM, then you need to take a break to daven Minchah at 12:35 PM. You are allowed to leave your Seudah to go to daven Minchah and then return. When you return, you should wash your hands, but without a Brachah, and eat some bread.

4) If you will only start your Seudah AFTER 12:35 PM, it is best to daven Minchah with us first at the 12:35 minyan.

5) If you are starting your meal later in the day, it is best not to overeat so that you may have some appetite left for the S'udas
Shabbos.

6) "B'Dieved" you can wash up until the end of the day (Candle Lighting, 5:54 PM).

7) Remember that Shacharis on Shabbos morning begins at 8:20 AM.

Rebbetzin Heller on the Villainy of Vashti

Rebbetzin Heller on the Villainy of Vashti.

Vashti, whose refusal to obey the king sets the action in motion, is an interesting character in this drama. In fact, in the first analysis she seems like a heroine -- a woman who had too much dignity to be paraded naked before a drunken horde. There is only one problem. Heroism is not determined from the outside in, but rather from the inside out. From that perspective, Vashti, as we shall see, was a villain.

Judaism defines heroism as an act of overcoming an obstacle that stands in the way of a spiritual objective. Such obstacles are placed before all of us by God, but the level of sacrifice demanded to overcome each such obstacle can vary widely. In the case of one person, genuine heroism may go as far as sacrificing one's life for the sake of another. For another person, genuine heroism may mean sacrificing ego or pride.

Therefore, our question when assessing Vashti's heroism or villainy is: what was she reaching towards and what stood in the way of her achieving that goal?

Read the rest here.

Chinese Auction Benefitting Chofetz Chaim's Kollel - Sunday Evening April 3rd at Queens College

Golden Treasures, the Chinese Auction to benefit Chofetz Chaim’s Kollel Ner Dovid will be held on Sunday evening, April 3rd, beginning at 7:00 PM (drawing begins at 10:00 PM), at the Palace Ballroom at Queens College (Student Union Building).

Call 718-268-4700 if you want a prize booklet or to place an order. You can also fax to 718-268-4684. Orders submitted by Purim (Friday afternoon) are entitled to an extra $25 bonus in tickets.

Many shul members learn with Kollel members as part of the Kollel’s free Community Learning Program. Ner Dovid is the oldest Kollel in New York City and one of the largest in America. KGH has benefitted by having the Yeshiva and Kollel in our community, and it deserves our support.

Rabbi Welcher's Insights into Megillas Esther Available for Download

Rabbi Welcher's shiur from tonight, "Insights into Megillas Esther" is available for download here.

*Right-click and "Save Target As..." to save it to you computer. Or just click it to play it in Windows Media Player (or whatever Audio Software you're using).

Maaser Kesafim Shiurim Available for Download

Rabbi Welcher's shiurim regarding Maaser Kesafim are available for download:

Maaser Kesafim Part 1.
Maaser Kesafim Part 2.
Maaser Kesafim Part 3.

*Right-click and "Save Target As..." to save it to you computer. Or click to play it in Windows Media Player (or whatever Audio Software you are using).

Download Rabbi Welcher's Shiur on the Halachos of Seudos Purim

If you want to download Rabbi Welcher's shiur on the Halachos of Seudos Purim, you can download it here.

*Right-click and "Save Target As..." to save it to you computer.

YU Torah

YU Torah is a great site with loads of shiurim in text and audio formats. This page alone has close to 100 shiurim on Gemara Berachos.

Rabbi Welcher Will be Giving a Shiur on Insights into Megillas Esther on 3/22 at 8:30 PM

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on insights into Megillas Esther on 3/22 at 8:30 PM in the shul.

Purim 2005 Schedule

Purim 2005 Schedule

Thursday, March 24, 2005
4:39 AM Taanis Begins
5:15 AM Daf Yomi
6:05 AM Shacharis
5:35 PM Minchah
6:54 PM Fast Ends
7:00 PM Maariv / Megillah Reading
7:45 PM Purim Chagigah / Pick up Mishloach Manos packages
9:00 PM Second Megillah Reading

Friday, March 25, 2005
5:10 AM Daf Yomi
6:00 AM First Shacharis
6:30 AM First Megillah Reading
7:30 AM Second Shacharis
8:00 AM Second Megillah Reading
10:00 AM Visit the Rav and Rebbetzin for Candy, Kids' Toys, and a L'Chaim
12:02 PM Chatzos (Best to begin meal before this time)
12:35 PM First Minchah
5:54 PM Candle Lighting
6:00 PM Second Minchah / Kabbalas Shabbos / Maariv

Shabbos, March 26, 2005
7:15 AM Daf Yomi
8:20 AM Shacharis
8:55 AM Sof Z'man K'rias Sh'ma

Looking for Kiddush Co-Sponsors for Shemini/Parah on April 2nd

If you are interested in co-sponsoring a kiddush on April 2, Parsha Shemini/Parah, please contact Aron Kerekes at 718-793-1669.

New Daf Yomi Kollel

There is a new Daf Yomi Kollel at www.dafyomikollel.com. They send out weekly insights similiar to Al HaDaf.

Go to Chaim Eli and Tammy's Wedding And Receive Double AAdvantage Miles

If you are going to Chaim Eli and Tammy's wedding on May 9th you can receive Double AAdvantage® miles.

Here is the important info:

Double AAdvantage® miles. Another great reason to fly American between New York JFK and Los Angeles! Fly between May 1 and May 25, 2005 and, you can earn a one-time bonus of double miles for round-trip travel between these two great cities. Just buy your ticket now!

Here's all you need to do to receive your double miles:

Purchase your ticket between now and March 21, 2005
Travel between May 1 and May 25, 2005
Register before your trip using Promotion Code JFKLA

Hat tip to Yechezkel Rosenberg.

CCHF Video Presentation - Rabbi Rietti on Anger - 3/20 at 8:00 PM

Join Us For a
Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Presentation

“Finding Your Peaceful Heart:
Silence the Sound and Fury of Life”

A Video Presentation on Anger
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti


Sunday March 20, 2005 – 8:00 PM
Suggested Donation $10, Students $8

Yated Siyum Article - Part 3 - Supporting and Imparting Jewish Values

Here is third and final part of the Yated Siyum Article - PROUD TO BE A YID — IMPRESSIONS OF THE ELEVENTH SIYUM HASHAS

As Rav Matisyohu Solomon later affirmed, in his emotional address, “After the war, my father was instrumental in bringing young refugees to England. I recall a 16 year old bochur who was treated to a platter of cookies, which, in those days, was a real treat. My father said the boy had been farhered by the Rosh Yeshiva on 200 blatt gemara, b’aal peh. When did he learn the gemara? With his father, in the concentration camp! His father, who had been a Daf Yomi Magid Shiur in Lodz, learned with him in the squalor of the camps, as long as they were still together.

“I pictured the father huddled with his son, trying not to be caught, a young child, learning daf after daf, until he knew 200 blatt ba’l peh, and suddenly the father grew in my eyes. Tonight, I was thinking, after 200 blatt, they must have finished at least one, perhaps two or three masechtos. And I imagined, ‘What did the siyum look like?’ In the squalor of the camp, after a day of torture, perhaps they shared half a piece of dry bread, as they said, ‘hadran aloch, daytan aloch.’ This is our life! This is what we concentrated on during our darkest hour.”

In a ringing voice, Rav Solomon concluded, “I believe that this gathering is already the beginning of the nekamah, for nations must be amazed and inspired. May this be the beginning of the renewal of Klal Yisroel, and kevod malchus Shomayim.”

The singing and dancing continued, showing no signs of abating. On the contrary, it seemed to gather strength, as fathers carried young boys on their shoulders, Bnei Torah swayed with eyes shut, as if holding the Torah dear to their heart. It was Simchas Torah magnified a thousandfold. It was like watching all the Botei Midroshim and shteeblach of Klal Yisroel gather to celebrate a massive hakafa, the hakafa of the Daf Yomi. Even several of the security guards, moved beyond words, danced along. Most of them had never seen such a powerful scene in their lives.

And then, the voice of Rav Pinchos Friedman, Rosh Kolelei Belz, appeared on the screen, as he uttered the timeless Hadran. “Yehi Rotzon M’lfonechoh… Shetehei Torascho U’mnoseinu B’olam Hazeh… Ut’hay Emonu L’olam Haboh.” May it be Your will, that the Torah should be our trade in this world, and may it remain with us in the World to Come. Ribono Shel Olam, make the words of the Torah sweet in our mouths, in the mouths of Your nation….Boruch Atoh Hashem, Lamdeinu Chukecha.”

The words of the Hadran gave voice to our deepest emotions as Rav Pinchos continued, “Praised are You, Our Creator, who has given us a chelek with the Yoshvei Bais Medrash, and not with those who sit aimlessly in the corners. We awaken and they awaken, yet there is a difference. We awaken to learn the timeless word of the Torah, and they awaken for d’vorim b’tailim, empty pursuits. We toil and they toil; we run and they run. We run to Chayei Olam Haboh, while they run to be’er shachas…”
The powerful hadran, and the hascholas haShas that followed, were the raison de’tre of the evening. Yet they were not the only highlights. One after another, powerful, riveting speakers, Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva and representatives of Torah kehillos across the world addressed the crowd; electrifying, invigorating, inspiring.

It was a memory that shall remain forever etched in the hearts and minds of those who attended. As Rav Yissochor Frand stressed, in his powerful drasha, transmitted live from Chicago, “We must all leave here tonight committed to accomplishing more. Some people will be moved to undertake Daf Yomi and finish Shas, while others will encounter their first daf in gemara.”

And still others, notably the women who attended, will be committed to supporting their husbands and children, giving up the precious evening time, so that their menfolk can shteig in Torah. For these n’shei Chayil, this momentous ma’amad was also a tremendous source of chizuk. As a friend expressed, during the bus ride to the Siyum Hashas, “It was really hard for me to juggle everything and come, but I had to. You see, I attended the last Siyum Hashas, and I’m still inspired. There’s no way I would miss this one..”

Making a Kiddush Hashem The five-hour event flew by quickly. Remarkably, despite the logistics of containing such a huge crowd, everything went more smoothly than anticipated. The scores of police officers stationed at the doors to Madison Square Garden, (the same applies to Continental Arena, ) were professional and highly competent at guiding the crowd. As a member of the (frum) press, I was given a special press necklace, enabling me to report from a special press section on the sixth floor. When I arrived, one of the news networks was doing an interview with a heimishe woman, picked out at random, who was endeavoring to express what the Siyum Hashas was all about.

“This is about the Jewish people coming together to celebrate the completion of the Talmud,” she explained. “Every seven-and-a-half years, the cycle is complete, and then we start all over again.”

“Do women also learn the Talmud?” came the next, inevitable question. “No, of course not,” the well-spoken woman replied. “Don’t you feel bad that you can’t really be a part of it?” asked the interviewer. “Not at all. Because in essence, we really are a part of it. We are the support system, the ones who stay behind the scenes, guiding and encouraging. Also, we have our own mitzvot—” “Can you translate? Most people don’t know what that word means.” “—Our own commandments to fulfill, like lighting candles, and teaching the next generation. So we really play an important part in this celebration.” “And without the Jewish mothers who raise their children to value this lifestyle, we wouldn’t be having such a gathering today.” Kudos to her. I couldn’t have said it better.

Yated Siyum Article - Part 2 - From "to destroy, kill, and wipe out" to "to thank, laud, and praise"

Here is part 2 of the Yated Siyum Article - PROUD TO BE A YID — IMPRESSIONS OF THE ELEVENTH SIYUM HASHAS:

Rav Chaim then uttered the timeless words, that signaled the end of the eleventh machzor of the Daf Yomi. “Hadran Oloch, Tinokes.” We shall return to you, Tinokes. “V’silka Loh Maseches Niddah.” And Maseches Niddah is concluded.

Rav Noach Eizik Oelbaum recited an emotional kaddish, and the collective Omein echoed for several long moments. Suddenly, the respectful silence that had hovered over the tenfloor stadium at Madison Square Garden, and the vast Continental Airlines Arena, dissipated. Reb Abish Brodt, the beloved menagen, took the mike and began to sing “Siman Tov U’mazel Tov.”

The silent, staid crowd was electrified. In an instant, the mood changed from poignancy and longing to intense d’veikus and joy. One by one, entire rows stood up and began to sing along, swaying in their places, their voices rising in collective euphoria.

Groups of bochurim and yungeleit sitting in the center rows stood up, linking arms, and began to dance. In a chain reaction, row after row, from the fourth floor seats all the way up to the eighth, fathers and sons stood up in unison, dancing in their places, singing with all their might. As far as the eye could see, a sea of black, twenty thousand strong, were clasping hands, clasping souls, united in the harmony and power of the moment. It was an unforgettable scene.

And I thought, “Now I understand. Now I know why thousands upon thousands of men, women, and children had left their usual commitments, flocking to Manhattan or New Jersey at 5:00 p.m., to take part in such a massive gathering. Now I know why I, a regular Yiddishe Mommy, who had never learned a blatt gemara in my life, felt compelled to attend this powerful maamad. What was I celebrating? Was I paying homage to the Torah of my husband, my children, my brothers, my relatives? Or was it something deeper? A massive outpouring of unity, an outpouring of love for the holy Torah, which has kept us going through the millennia?”

Ashreinu, Mah Tov Chelkeinu. I felt so proud to be part of this. It felt so good, so utterly exhilarating, to be a Yid. Ribono Shel Olam, I whispered, “Look down at Your people and see this massive Kiddush Hashem. Instead of gathering to play hockey or watch a baseball game, 120,000 Yidden across the world are gathering to proclaim, ‘Hadran Aloch, V’hadrach Alon.’We shall return to you, Dear Torah, as we have returned to you through the ages.”

Rav Ephraim Wachsman, who delivered the first address, gave voice to these emotions when he compared the powerful “Shema Yisroel” uttered in unison at the Siyum Hashas to the Shema Yisroel uttered by the Six Million Kedoshim, who were gassed and burned al Kiddush Hashem.

“Then, the gezeirah was l’hashmid uleharog u’leabed, to destroy, kill, and wipe out, while today it is ‘l’hodos, lehalel, u’lshabeach; to thank, laud, and praise. What remains constant is the cry of Shema Yisroel. From where does Klal Yisroel derive this strength? From the Torah, our lifeblood. This is what has preserved Am Yisroel through the ages.”

Next Time: Learning 200 blatt ba’l peh in the camps

Yated Article on the Siyum - Part 1 - PROUD TO BE A YID — IMPRESSIONS OF THE ELEVENTH SIYUM HASHAS

The below mentioned Internet Parsha Sheet recently featured an article from the Yated about the Siyum HaShas. Although I was a bit thrown off by the author's description of the upper sectiion (nosebleed) seats in the Garden as the "ninth floor", the article accurately captured the true magnificence of the event. I will except the article over the next few days. Here is part 1:

From: Yated USA [mailto:yatedusa@yated.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 Subject: YATED USA WEEKLY 03-11-05
PROUD TO BE A YID — IMPRESSIONS OF THE ELEVENTH SIYUM HASHAS
BY C.B. WEINFELD 13 March 11, 2005

I stood on the ninth floor, behind the mechitza, frozen in place, watching the scene unfold before my eyes. To my right, a young girl murmured. “This is not normal. This is not normal. I can’t believe this. Pinch me. Is this for real?” I wanted to shush her, to tell her that she was disturbing the poignancy of the moment, but thought better of it. Perhaps she was giving voice to the thought that hovered in our minds as we stood, hearts tingling with a powerful joy, watching the floors below us vibrate and shake with intensity as twenty thousand pairs of feet danced.

What had prompted this dancing, this united expression of soaring joy, a simcha and d’veikus so powerful, it cannot be put in words? As the expression goes, “For those who were there, words are not necessary, for those who weren’t, words will not suffice.”

Rav Chaim Stein, one of the embers plucked from the fire, a talmid from amohl, who had begun learning the Daf Yomi nine cycles ago, when the citadels of Torah learning were in Lita, Hungary, and Poland, had just finished reciting the hadran. In a voice choked with tears and emotion, Rav Chaim spoke in Mama Loshon, as he completed the last sugya in Maseches Niddah. “Kol Hashoneh Halachos B’chol Yom,” one who learns halachos every single day, “Muvtach Lo Shehu ben Olam Haboh.” Is guaranteed to be a ben olam haboh. Why bechol yom? Said the Rosh Yeshiva, “These words have a direct connection to Daf Yomi, to learning every single day, even when it is difficult sometimes…even with great mesiras nefesh. And that applies to all of us, Yeder Eintziger, to every single Yid.”

The Rosh Yeshiva of Telz vividly recalled the second Siyum Hashas in 1938, the completion of the second machzor of Daf Yomi, during which Rav Elchonon Wasserman, who was later murdered by the Nazis in the Ninth Fort, emotionally addressed a crowd of 20,000 Yidden gathered in Lublin. At the same time, a new wing of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin was dedicated. Rav Menachem Ziemba, the kodosh of Warsaw, delivered a powerful drasha, and the Rebbes of Boyan, Tchebin, Sadigur and Sochatchov attended.
“We already felt the faint stirrings of the puraniyus, the evil that was looming above our heads,” said Rav Chaim, “Chazal say the yisurim of Ikvesa D’mshicha will be so great, they davened that they should not have to experience it. So, too, we hope and daven that the suffering of Ikvesa D’mshicha, the chevlei Moshiach, have already passed.”

There was nary a dry eye in the crowd as Rav Chaim continued, his voice choked with emotion, “By the Asara Harugei Malchus, when they burned (Rav Chanina Ben Teradyon with a Sefer Torah wrapped around him,) the parchment burned, while the Osiyos flew up to Shomayim. During the Churban Europe, when they destroyed all the yeshivos, only the physical buildings were destroyed—the spiritual koach remains with us until today.”

“The essence of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin lives on, with the koach of the Daf Yomi, and this has contributed to the tremendous revival of Torah among Klal Yisroel today. While the Kedoshim went to their deaths, Shema Yisroel on their lips, their mesiras nefesh remains with us. We, the survivors, have an achrayus to rebuild, to be mechanech, to impart Torah to the next generation.”

Next: The Dancing

Internet Parsha Sheet is Consistently Excellent

If you are looking for a selection of consistently excellent Divrei Torah from the Net, than I highly recommend the Internet Parsha Sheet compiled by Reb Chaim Shulman. Ephraim Weiss' translations of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky's divrei Torah have been featured recently. Reb Chaim often includes our very own R' Yakok Haber as well as Rabbi Frand, Rabbi Schacter, Rav Soloveitchik, Rabbi Scheinbaum (Peninim) and many other wonderful selections. Highly recommended!

Here is the subscription information:
To receive this parsha sheet, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parsha/join or send a blank e-mail to parsha-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please also copy me at crshulman@aol.com A complete archive of previous issues is now available at http://www.teaneckshuls.org/parsha (hosted by onlysimchas.com). It is also fully searchable. See also torah links at www.teaneckshuls.org/parsh

R' Yakov Haber on Taamei HaMitzvos - Sundays at 8:45 AM

R' Yakov Haber has begun a new series on Taamei HaMitzvos on Sunday mornings from 8:45 AM to 9:25.

Advanced Cake Decorating for Women and Young Adults - 3/20 at 7:00 PM in the Shul

Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Is Proud To Present:

Advanced Cake Decorating
Learn skills from a professional cake decorating instructor

Sunday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m.
For girls grades 8-12 and women

$5 admission for NON CAY MEMBERS
For more info, e-mail: tsherman111@hotmail.com

R' Moshe Schwerd - Motza'ei Shabbos - 9:00 Sharp - Amalek the Source of Evil

R' Moshe Schwerd will be giving a shiur on Motza'ei Shabbos 3/12 at 9:00 Sharp titled "Amalek the Source of Evil".

Shiur for Women - Shabbos 4:00 PM - Judging Others Favorably

R' Yitzchok Tzvi Enker will be giving a Shiur for Women on Shabbos 3/12 at 4:00 PM in the Shul titled "Judging Others Favorably"

Group Ad for Terri Kalker for Bais Yaacov Dinner Journal

Anybody interested in participating in the Shul's group ad for Terri Kalker in the Bais Yaacov Dinner Journal should contact Karen Daitchman at 718 263-1688.

Flights to Chaim Eli and Tammy's Wedding

If you are interested in going to Chaim Eli and Tammy's wedding on May 9, a number of us are leaving on American Airlines Flight 3 from leaving JFK at 12:00 Noon and arriving at LAX at 2:53 PM. The return flight is Flight 30 leaving LAX at 11:30 PM and arriving at JFK at 7:47 AM. The round trip fare has recently been quoted at $216.90.

I was also told that Delta has one way fares at $99 each way.

FYI - It takes about 45 minutes to get from LAX to the Wedding Hall.

Wanted: Decent Auto Body Shop

Does anybody know of a decent Auto Body Shop for some minor repairs. If you do, please contact Avrumi Kahn at 718 544-3429 or email him at kahnsherry -at- yahoo.com.

KGH Community Meeting on Transportation Issues

There will be a Community meeting on Thursday, March 10th at 7:30 at the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills on 71-25 Main Street. Joseph Raskin the Community Outreach Director of New York City Transit and Iris Weinshall the Transportation Commissioner will be present. Some topics to be discussed:
- Rebuilding Continental Avenue and Union Turnpike Stations
- MTA takeover of the Q-65A and Q-25/34
- Express Bus Service
- Rebuilding Grand Central Parkway bridges
- traffic hazards, traffic lights at dangerous intersections, traffic humps and truck traffic

Preparing for Purim/Pesach - Daled Parshios

The Siyum HaShas is behind us and now we have Purim (and Pesach) for which to prepare. Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on the "Daled Parshios" this Tuesday at 8:30 in the Shul.

Here's a link to Rabbi Noson Weisz for some deeper insights about Purim.

Pre-Purim Party - Magic Show and more...

Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Is Proud to Present:

Pre-Purim Party
Magic Show
and more...

Sunday, March 13
1:30-3:30 pm
for children ages 5-9

CAY members $4
Non-members $7

For more info e-mail: tsherman111@hotmail.com

Technology in Service of Torah

It was very cool having my MP3 recorder pick up David Graubard's voice from Baltimore on Irwin Nathan's cell phone as he participated in R' Yechezkel Rosenberg's shiur on the seventh Perek of Gemorra Berachos. Today we delved into whether you can be yotzi Benching or Mezumin if somebody else is saying it in Hebrew and you don't understand Hebrew.

Let me take this opportunity to urge everyone to participate in this fantastic chavrusa learning/chabura/shiur. In fact, why not take advantage of our entire Sunday Morning line up:

7:00 R' Moshe Schwerd - Daf Yomi
8:00 Davening
8:45 R' Yakov Haber - Topics in Hashkafa
9:30 R' Yechezkel Rosenberg - Chavrusa Learning/Chabura/Shiur

Good Siyum HaShas Article from JPost

The Internet Parsha Sheet had a good article from the JPost about the Siyum HaShas. Here is an excerpt:

In New York alone, tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews turned out on Tuesday night to celebrate at Madison Square Garden.

Like so many others there, Dovid Chait was choked up as he looked around at the arena that is home to the NBA’s Knicks, which had been taken over for the night by a sea of dark suits and black hats.

In place of the Knicks’ Jerome Williams’s name in lights up on the JumboTron, there was Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe, his words booming around the arena. Instead of thousands of raucous, beer-drinking fans cheering on 2.10-meter basketball players, there were furrowed brows on sober men who stroked their beards as they listened to words of Torah from aged sages. And in place of cheers for the athletic prowess of basketball players, the masses at the Garden were celebrating Jewish scholarship.

“This is what this arena was built for,” said Chait, a native of Queens who now lives in Jerusalem. “They think it’s for the basketball, but it’s really for this.”
After the last page of the Talmud was read, followed by special prayers for the occasion, thousands of men in dark suits and black hats took to the aisles, dancing fervently as hassidic music blasted from the arena’s speakers. In the upper tiers, the women mostly watched.

“This is the eternity of the Jewish people,” Chait said. “In what other society do people celebrate knowledge as much as ours?” The 11th Siyum Hashas was believed to have been the biggest in history. An estimated 120,000 people attended siyum venues in North America, including sold-out crowds at the Garden and at Continental Airlines Arena, home to the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. A roughly equal number attended events in Israel and around the world.

In New York, the celebrations began the evening before the siyum at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City’s mayor. Wearing a black velvet yarmulke and tossing around Yiddish phrases liberally, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish, talked to his mostly Orthodox guests about the significance of the worldwide synchronized study of the Talmud – and promised to clean the city’s streets of the snow that was falling in time for the next day’s siyum.

Then he and the city’s police commissioner posed with rabbis and their wives eager for photographs as guests mingled and snacked on a kosher sushi spread. A few took a tour of the house to the tunes of the hassidic music piped through the mansion’s speaker system.

The celebration at the Garden the next day was a bit more parochial, with lengthy speeches in Yiddish sending the event into overtime. It ended with the symbolic restarting of the Talmud from the first tractate, reflecting the Simhat Torah tradition of restarting the Torah from Genesis immediately after its conclusion.
“Our work is never finished,” one of the rabbis said at the event. “This is the work of the people of Israel.”

Correction regarding Torah Safety Commission mailing

This week a letter was sent out to the Shul from the above organization, endorsing the necessity of solar powered house numbers for our homes. Please note that the correct phone number to purchase numbers is 718-263-3406 (Batya Fishman).

Siyum HaShas Pictures

Pictures were taken with a disposable Kodak, developed at a 1 hour photo place and then scanned and uploaded. It really wasn't as dark at the Garden as it appears in the photos.

Click here for the pictures

Important for those attending Siyum HaShas on Tuesday!

When you're at the Siyum HaShas tonight, and it comes time time to say Kaddish, when you answer, AMEN, Y'HAY SHMAY RABBA. . . PLEASE have in mind that Akiva Shammai ben Ahava Rivka should have a refua shlaima.
He is the young married man who is at Park Terrace, and this could be a tremendous zechus for him..
Tizku l"mitzvos.

Rabbi Welcher on the First Tosfos of Berachos - Wed 3/2/2005

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on the first Tosfos of Berachos - Wednesday March 2 at 8:30. This is a very foundational Tosfos with some importance concepts on Shema and Tefilla. Join us.

Wine and Grape Juice for Purim & Pesach

Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe's annual Purim/Pesach wine sale is now underway. To obtain a copy of this year's flier, please send an email to pawinesale@yahoo.com, or call either Jennifer Meltzer or Chana Wasserman.

We are aiming for a March 13th pickup date at the Yeshiva Kew Gardens building. Thank you, on behalf of the Wine Committee, for your continued support of the Yeshiva!

Kosher Restaurant Guide

This is ahandy little reference to Kosher restaurants in the Tri-state area with lots of information. http://www.nachas.org/BethYehuda/kosher.html

Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe's Supperette

It was an honor last night to be able to pay tribute to our own Chana Wasserman, for all her tireless efforts on behalf of Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe.

Extra Ticket Available for Siyum HaShas at Continental Arena

Yechezkel Rosenberg has an extra ticket for the the Siyum HaShas at Continental Arena. If you are interested, please call him at (718) 263-1021 or email him at drhrosenberg -at- earthlink -dot- net.

Celebrate the Siyum HaShas with a Shabbos Lunch

The shul is having a Shabbos Lunch on March 5th to celebrate those who have participated in the Siyum HaShas of Daf Yomi. Everybody is welcome and encouraged to join the celebration.

The cost for the lunch is $15 per adult, $10 per child 15 and under, $5 per child 6 and under.

Please RSVP by 2/28/2005 to me at Mark.Frankel -at- gmail.com. (Or you can call me or use my other email address).

Reminder - Melave Malka for Girls this Motzei Shabbos, February 19 at 7:30 PM

Melave Malke for Girls

Learn how to do Cake Decorating
Have fun! Enjoy food & friends!

Motzei Shabbos, February 19 at 7:30 PM
For girls 5th-8th grade - Free admission for CAY members

For more info e-mail: tsherman111@hotmail.com

Thanks to the Sponsors of the Upcoming Parsha Tetzaveh Kiddush

We would like to thank the following sponsors of the upcoming Kiddush on Shabbos honoring those who are completing Shas in the current Daf Yomi cycle.

Mark & Linda Frankel
David & Rochelle Graubard
Mrs Shirley Karasik
Uri & Esther Kops
David & Cyndi Levin
Ronnie & Miriam Schlanger
Moshe & Gila Schwerd
Izzy & Ruchi Sherman
Barry & Sarah Simanowitz

Remember that the new cycle starts with Berachos on March 2, 2005.

Kashrus Alerts

Kashrut.com has information concerning the the following products or companies:

Kashrus alert concerning Frito Lay Original Trail Mix
Kashrus alert concerning Pirate’s Booty Gourmet Coffee Chocolate Cookie Soy bar
Kashrus alert concerning All Kosher Spot meat
Kashrus alert concerning Bodek Fresh Salads
Kashrus notice concerning H-O Maple and Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal `
Kashrus alert concerning misleading advertising about the kosher certification of the Hyatt Regency, Acapulco, Mexico
Kashrus alert concerning Shoprite Cook ‘N’ Bake Butter Flavor Pan Spray
Kashrus alert concerning PIZZA WORLD, Brooklyn, New York
Kashrus alert concerning Chick Pea Restaurant, NY, NY.

Here is some information concerning Luden's cough drops.
(Thanks Avrumi)

Vort for David Kozlin & Francine Friedman

David Kozlin & Francine Friedman invites the Congregation to a vort in honor of their engagement on Sunday, February 20th from 3:30 to 7:30 at 84-54 118th Street in Kew Gardens.

Kiddush in Honor of those Completing Shas - Shabbos Feb 19th

There will be a kiddush in the Shul this Shabbos in honor of those participating/completing the current cycle of Daf Yomi. Here's the approximate menu: Cholent, Potato Kugel, Gefilte Fish, Herring, Israeli Salad, Pasta Salad, Other Salads, Cake, Bakery Cookies, Crackers, Grape Juice, Soda and Schnapps.

Rabbi Welcher on Maaser Kesafim Part 2 - Tues 2/15/2005 at 8:30

A big crowd turned out for Maaser Kesafim - Part 1 last week, where Rabbi Welcher gave an overview of the topic. Join us on Tuesday, February 15, when Rabbi Welcher will be giving the second part of the series at 8:30 PM in the Shul. Rabbi Welcher will be going into the Halacha L'Ma'aseh in this part.

Zmanin Plus for Parshas T'rumah

Zmanin for Parshas T'rumah - 2/12/2005

HOT KIDDUSH next Shabbos in honor of the upcoming completion of Shas by the Daf Yomi participants.

MELAVE MALKAH for girls (grades 5-8): Cake Decorating, Fun, Food, and Friends – Feb. 19, 7:30 PM

UPCOMING SHIURIM
* Rabbi Reisman Live Video at Nachlas Yitzchak on Sat., Feb. 12, at 8:30 PM
* Rabbi Label Lam at Nachlas Yitzchak on Sat., Feb. 12, at 9:30 PM
* Rabbi Haber's new series on "Kaddish" on Sun., Feb. 13, 8:45-9:25 AM in the Shul
* Rabbi Y. Rosenberg - Chavrusa Program on Sun., Feb. 13, 9:30-10:50 AM in the Shul
* Rabbi Welcher on "Maaser K'safim – Part 2" – on Tues., Feb. 15, 8:30 PM in the Shul

Z'MANIM
* Candle Lighting: 5:07 PM
* Erev Shabbos Minchah: 5:15 PM
* Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
* Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
* Shacharis: 8:30 AM
* Sof Z'man K'rias Sh'ma: 9:31 AM
* Rav's Shiur: 4:05 PM
* Minchah followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:55 PM
* Motza'ei Shabbos & Maariv: 6:17 PM

Tidbits from the Times Article about the Artscroll Shas

The NY Times had an article titled An English Talmud for Daily Readers and Debaters about the completion of the Artscroll Schottenstein English Translation of Shas. Here are some interesting tidbits from the article:
- Rabbi Nosson Scherman says the English translation is not intended for yeshiva students, "They'll never study on their own if they use a crutch..."
- ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications invested $21-million in the project.
- The article estimates that 100,000 people learn Daf Yomi World Wide.
- For 14 years, there has been a daily class on the 7:51 a.m. train from Far Rockaway to Penn Station, with 15 to 20 commuters.
- A ceremony to present a virtually complete Talmud set to the Library of Congress was scheduled for Wednesday evening.
- Pesach Lerner the LIRR Maggid Shiur says "There's no question in my mind that the expansion of the Daf Yomi today is a great deal due to the Schottenstein".
- Some of the 72 volumes published so far have already sold 90,000 copies with a list price of $50.
- The last complete English translation was published between 1935 and 1952 by Soncino Press.
- Israeli scholar Adin Steinsaltz is perhaps five years away from completing a 47-volume Hebrew edition aimed largely at secular Israelis. Random House has translated a portion of that in 21 English volumes, but has no plans to publish more.
- The last volume, Yevamot is in galley form and should be ready for the celebration of the conclusion of the Daf Yomi cycle.
- The publishing process costs about $250,000 a volume which is why Art Scroll enlisted donors. - There is a picture in the article of Rabbi Nosson Scherman with a copy of the Steinsaltz Engligh gemorra on his desk.

Rabbi Haber on Kaddish - Sunday Mornings at 8:45

Rabbi Haber has begun a new series on Kaddish. If you are interested in an inspiring and in depth treatment of the subject, please join us on Sundays from 8:45 AM to 9:25 AM.

Bus to Siyum Ha Shas from Queens

There will be buses from Queens to the Siyum HaShas at the Garden and at the Meadowlands. The bus to the Garden is departing from Main Street and 71st Avenue and the bus to the Meadowlands is departing from Main Street and Jewel. Both buses are leaving at 3:30 PM sharp.

The cost is $15 round trip per seat and the reservation deadline is February 22nd. Reservation forms are in Hamodia and the Yated.

Mishna Yomis Audio Site

For those following the Mishna Yomis learning schedule, you may want to check out the Mishna Yomis site on the Shema Yisroel network. Every day there is an mp3 audio file, which you can play on your computer, for the 2 Mishnayos for that day. The lecturer is using Kehati's commentary and speaks fast enough so that he covers the 2 Mishnayos in about 5 to 7 minutes. There is also a huge archive of 50 of the 60 Mesechtas in Shas, so you can use for any other Mishnayos learning you may be doing.

Queens Siyum HaTorah - Feb 19 at 8:30 PM

The Vaad L'Chizuk HaTorah in conjunction with Zichron Yerachmiel Boruch invites everybody in the community to the

Fourth Annual Queens Siyum HaTorah

Moetzoei Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh
February 19th 2005 at 8:30 PM
Rabbinical Seminary of America
76-01 147th Street.

The siyum is sponsored in memory of the six million kedoshim and the kedoshei Eretz Yisroel and Zecher Nishmas Joan Maybruch by her friends and family.

We will be priviledge to by addressed by HaRav Uren Reich Shlita,

Rosh Hayeshiva Yeshiva of Woodlake Village of Lakewood, New Jersey.

The minimum contribution is $25 per person and RSVPs can be directed to 718 670-1544 or emailed to SiyumQueens@kehillah.com.

Melave Malke for Girls - Grades 5 to 8

Congregation Ahavas Yisroel Is Proud To Present:

Melave Malke for Girls

Learn how to do Cake Decorating
Have fun! Enjoy food & friends!

Motzei Shabbos, February 19 at 7:30 PM
For girls 5th-8th grade
Free admission for CAY members

For more info e-mail: tsherman111@hotmail.com

Rabbi Welcher on Maaser Kesafim - Tues 2/8/2005 at 8:30

Rabbi Welcher will be giving the first part of a series of shiurim on Maaser Kesafim on Tuesday February 8, 2005 at 8:30 PM in the Shul.

Z'manim Plus for Parshas Mishpatim - Feb 5, 2005

Parshas Mishpatim - Feb 5, 2005

UPCOMING SHIURIM

* Rabbi Reisman Live Video at Nachlas Yitzchak on Sat., Feb. 5, at 8:00 PM
* Rabbi Haber on "Tzaddik V'Ra Lo" on Sun., Feb. 6, at 8:45 AM in the Shul
* Rabbi Y. Rosenberg - Chavrusa Program on Sun., Feb. 6, at 9:30 AM in the Shul
* Rabbi Welcher on "Maaser Kesafim - Part 1" on Tue., Feb. 8 at 8:30 PM in the Shul


Z'MANIM
* Candle Lighting: 4:58 PM
* Erev Shabbos Minchah: 5:05 PM
* Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
* Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
* Shacharis: 8:30 AM; Birkas HaChodesh
* Sof Z'man K'rias Sh'ma: 9:35 AM
* Rav's Shiur: 4:00 PM
* Minchah followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:50 PM
* Motza'ei Shabbos & Maariv: 6:09 PM

Kashrus Alerts

Some Kashrus Alerts of interest:
Kashrus alert concerning Yogurt Flavored Granola Bars
Kashrus alert concerning Emperor's Garden, Little Neck, NY
Kashrus notice concerning Viva Natural Pizzeria, NY, NY
Clarification of Empire recall

Vort for Avi Katz and Esti Besser

Marty and Yaffa Katz would like to invite the Congregation to the Vort of Avi Katz and Esti Besser this Thursday evening 2/3/05 from 8 pm and on. The Location is Ocean Avenue and Avenue I at Mesores Bais Yaakov of Brooklyn.

OnlySimchas.com - Chaim Eli Welcher's engagement

Chaim Eli's engagement on Onlysimchas.com. Stop by and wish them a Mazel Tov!

The Future of Judaism - article by Daniel Pipes

Many of us attended Harvey Blitz's presentation of the 2000 National Jewish Population Study, which indicated some growth in numbers within our own community. This is an interesting article by Daniel Pipes elaborating on that theme.
The Future of Judaism - article by Daniel Pipes