Rabbi Meyer Twerski on the 800th Yahrzeit of the Rambam

In honor of the 800th Yahrzeit of the Rambam, Rabbi Meyer Twerski will be speaking at Cong Etz Chaim. Here is the schedule:
- Leil Shabbos at 8pm: Extremism and Moderation in the Teachings of the Rambam
- Shabbos 4:20pm: "Shiviti Hashem..." in the Teachings of the Rambam
- Motzaei Shabbos 8pm: The Thirteen Fundamendal Principles of Faith

Talking Points

Barry Simanowitz sent me this excellent article, by Rabbi Moshe Weinberger analyzing talking during davening from Halachic, Talmudic and Kabbalistic sources. I happened to daven at Rabbi Weinberger's shul in Woodmere two weeks ago, and it was a tremendous lift and Kiddush Hashem to see a shul packed with Baal Habatim being respectful and quiet during all of the davening. A diginified davening is one of the foundations of our shul and hopefully we will find the strength to continue to improve our davening.

Harav Shteinman on the Asian Tragedy - Part 3

Here is part 3 of the remarks made by Harav Aharon Shteinman on the Asian tragedy:

And there is a connection between these things because the world is judged on the "majority"; with one mitzva he can tip the scales toward merit for himself and for the world, and chalila the opposite [also holds true]: with one aveira...

Therefore, what we chalila transgress here has effects also in faraway places, even on the gentiles, and especially that many Jews are there, and many of them are tinokos sheh'nishbu.

I think the main takeaway from Harav Shteinman is that every Jew's thought, speech and actions count and have far reaching ramifications - so we must take advantage of all opportunies to improve.

Rabbi Schachter & Rebbetzin Rosensweig, tonight 12/30 at 8:00

On December 30 at 8:00, the Vaad L'Chizuk HaTorah will be sponsoring a series of shiurim in the Shul. Rabbi Welcher will be giving Introductory Remarks. Rabbi Hershel Schachter will be giving a Shiur for Men, while Rebbetzin Smadar Rosensweig gives a Shiur for women. Following a short break for refreshments, Rabbi Hershel Schachter will be giving a Hashkafa Shiur for Men & Women.

Harav Shteinman on the Asian Tragedy - Part 2

Hamodia published a free translation of remarks made by Harav Aharon Shteinman, one of our generations leading gedolim, on the Asian tragedy. The remarks were made on Tueday, 17 Teves. Here is part 2:

This week we begin Shov'vim, and it's brought in the Gra's name that the main thing is not sigufim but the ikar is shmirah ha'peh and with this a person can atone for every sin. Especially in these days when we must be extra careful with out speech, the yetzer puts all his kochos into entrapping people in this sin, and pulls us all into such a "mud" that it's almost impossible [to find] someone who hasn't fallen into this blutta (mud).

Earthquake: How to Help

This link (received from the Republican Jewish Coalition) will take you to links for specifically Jewish organizations - including Chabad of Thailand, who are raising money to supply aid: Jewish organizations providing aid to tsunami victims.

For an overall listing of agencies and organizations providing aid, go to The Command Post - Global Recon - Earthquake: How to Help [Updated Extensively].

Harav Aharon Shteinman on the Asian Tragedy - Part 1

Hamodia published a free translation of remarks made by Harav Aharon Shteinman, one of our generations leading gedolim, on the asian tragedy. The remarks were made on Tueday, 17 Teves at we will post them in three parts over the next three days. Here is part 1:

In these days a tragedy occured in Southeast Asia. As of now they are reporting 24,000 dead - terrible. Twenty-four thousand, it's not one person. And there are hundreds of families who have no communication with their relatives who are there.

Whoever thinks into it [realizes that] there is no coincident in this world, it's all Yad Hashem. Ah Yad Hashem. And everyone sits in his own home and feels good, "By me everthing is okay, just over there people are dying"

But Hakodesh Baruch Hu does this so that we should introspect and learn the ways of Hashem, and unfortunately over there many gentiles drowned, we have to learn [from this] the extent of what sin causes and it is up to us to analyze and learn from this [so we'll] do t'shuva.

Mazel Tov to the Banes

Mazel Tov to Moishe and Joanne Bane on the upcoming wedding in January of their daughter Batsheva to Eli Kerzner from Toronto. Batsheva and Eli got engaged in the days before the Shul's website, so we'll take the opportunity now to wish them and their families a Mazel Tov.

Minyan Maps

Here are two minyan related links. The first link is the Agudath Mincha Map, graciously hosted on the OU website. The second is Go Daven which has a list of over 2,450 Minyanim and some great articles about davening.

Vote "NO" in the Online Poll Linked Below

The Christian Science Monitor is conducting an on-line poll about whether or not churches should boycott companies that do business with Israel. While governments and corporations do not base their activities solely on such polls, public perception is a very important aspect of our struggle against the boycott of Israeli businesses.

Please go to http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1206/p11s02-lire.html and vote "NO" in the on-line poll.

Please forward this message to others who are also supportive of Israel.
(Hat tip to Danny Goldschmiedt)

Rabbi Schachter & Rebbetzin Rosensweig at AY Thursday

This Thursday night, December 30 at 8:00, the Vaad L'Chizuk HaTorah will be sponsoring a series of shiurim in the Shul. The schedule is as follows:

Rabbi Herschel Welcher - Introductory Remarks
Rabbi Hershel Schachter - Shiur for Men
Rebbetzin Smadar Rosensweig - Shiur for Women
Refreshment Break
Rabbi Hershel Schachter - Hashkafa Shiur for Men & Women

Please join us.

Women's League Membership Supperette

One of the problems of a blog is that its reverse chronological nature causes items to be pushed to the bottom and off of the list of 10 recent posts. So sometimes we need to repost important Shul events like the Women's League Membership Supperette, on Wednesday December 29th, 2004 at 7:30 at the home of Terri & Richie Kalker. One of the Shul's strongest assets is the many wonderful people who are members. So take the time out of your schedule to hear a shiur about Challah, exchange some great recipes, and spend some great time with great friends.

Women's Shiur on 12/28

R’ Yitzchak Tzvi Enker will be give a shiur for women on Tuesday, December 28 at 8:15 PM, titled "Dan L'Chav Zchus" at the home of Dr. Debbie Rimler, 144-49 70th Ave (entrance on 147th Ave).

Mazel Tov to the Nathans and Krups

Mazel Tov to Eudice and Irwin Nathan on the birth of a grandson to their children Rivkie and Michael Krup. The Shalom Zachor will be held at the home of Abe and Ansie Krup at 147-21 68th Avenue at 8:00 PM.

Z'manim Plus for Vayechi - Dec 25, 2004

Special Events
Women's League Supperette at the home of Terri Kalker, on 12/29 at 7:30 PM.

Mazel Tovs
Mazel Tov to Moshe & Bashe Heller on their son's bris.
Mazel Tov to Bernardo & Risa Grajower on their son's birth, Shalom Zachor 12/24 at 8:00 PM at Rabbi Steinberg's house.
Mazel Tov to Ruchie & Izzy Sherman on their son's aufruf and upcoming chasana.

Upcoming Shiurim
Rabbi Oelbaum at Nachlas Yitzchak, Dec 24 at 10:00 AM
Rabbi Reisman Live Video at Nachlas Yitzchak, Dec 25 at 7:30 PM
Rabbi Krohn at Nachlas Yitzchak, Dec 25 at 9:00 PM
Rabbi Haber on Tefillah on 12/26 at 8:45 AM in the Shul
Rabbi Welcher will not be giving a shiur on Tuesday, due to the Sherman Simcha

Z'manim
Candle Lighting: 4:14 PM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 4:20 PM
Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
Shacharis: 8:30 AM
Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:37 AM
Rav's Shiur: 3:15 PM
Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:05 PM
Motza'ei Shabbos Maariv: 5:24 PM

Mazel Tov to the Shermans

Mazel Tov to Izzy & Ruchi Sherman on the Aufruf of their son Meir this Shabbos and his upcoming chasana to Lisa Zimmerman on Tuesday.

Mazel Tov to the Hellers

Mazel Tov to Avraham Moshe & Bashe Heller on the bris of their son Yeshayahu this morning.

Grajower Shalom Zachor

The Shalom Zachor for baby Grajower will be held Friday December 24 at 8:00 PM at the home of Rabbi & Rebbetzin Peretz Steinberg, who live next door to the Grajowers.

Rabbi Pasaych Krohn - Motza’ei Shabbos 12/25

Rabbi Pasaych Krohn will be giving a shiur titled "How to Stay Connected when the Rope is so Thin" this Motza’ei Shabbos December 25 at 9:00 PM. The shiur will take place at Congregation Nachlas Yitzchak at 141-39 73rd Ave.

Vaad L'chizuk HaTorah - Rabbi Oelbaum - Friday 12/24

The Vaad L'chizuk HaTorah will be sponsoring a shiur Friday, December 24 at 10:00 AM. The shiur will given by Rabbi Noach Issac Oelbaum at Congregation Nachlas Yitzchak at 141-39 73rd Ave.

Is New York State Holding Money of Yours?

If you have a few minutes you may want to check whether or not NY State has unclaimed funds that belong to you... It is easy to do. www.osc.state.ny.us/ Just click on unclaimed funds

Links for Aseres B'Teves

Some links for Aseres B'Teves:

Rabbi Berel Wein in The 10th of Tevet discusses why The Tenth of Tevet is viewed as such a severe and important fast day that it is observed even if it falls on a Friday.

Rabbi Yehuda Prero in The Tenth of Teves - The Power of Prayer and the Destruction asks why Yoshiyyahu sent messengers to the Prophetess Chulda instead of to Yirmiyahu. He answers with an insight from Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz shlit"a.

Zmanim for Aseres B'Teves

Here are the Zmanim for Aseres B'Teves:

Daf Yomi: 5:15 AM
Fast Begins: 6:04 AM
Shacharis: 6:10 AM
Fast Ends: 5:15 PM

Reminder - Women's League Supperette is coming up next week!

Please scroll down to the post from Dec. 2nd for further info. We'd love to receive your receipes before the event, so that we can hand them out. Please get in touch with Nedra or myself, or send your receipes by email to jhmeltzer -at- gmail.com.

Looking forward to a great turnout of all the women!!

Mazel Tov to the Grajowers

I just got off the phone with Bernardo and he gave me the wonderful news that Risa has given birth to a baby boy. She gave birth on Shabbos at Mount Sinai. If you would like to help with meals, please call Linda Frankel. Mazel Tov to the Grajowers!

How to Post Comments

A few people told me they had trouble posting comments. Before they knew it they were creating their own blog. Here are step by step instructions to post comments *without* creating a blogger account.

1) Click on the link that says 0 Comments (it might say 1 Comment if a comment has already be left).
2) You will come to a display of the post upon which you want to comment along will all existing comments. Scroll to the bottom of the comments and click on the link that says Post a Comment.
3) You will come to Comment Sign In. Click on the link that say Or Post Anonymously.
4) You will come to Post a Comment On: Name of the Post. It will saying Posting as Anonymous at the bottom. Enter your comment as well as your name at the end, so we know who left the comment.
5) After you have entered your comment, press Preview to see what your comment will look like or press Publish Your Comment to publish your comment to the blog.
6) You will see Your Comment Has Been Saved along with a link to the post on which you have commented. You will usually have to refresh your browser to see your comment.
7) Congratulations, you have successfully posted your first comment.

Posting anonymously means that you don't have to sign in Blogger to post a comment. This is an option we have selected on the blog to make it easier to post comments. We would like people to identify themselves when they post so please add your name to the bottom of your comment.

What is a Blog

Many (some, a few, ...) people want to know what is a blog, what is Blogger and what is Blogspot. Here are the short answers:

A blog (short for weblog) is a website that is organized in reverse chronological order, which means the newest post is posted at the top of the page. The main achievement of blogs, is that it made it much relatively easy for non-technical people to create an frequently updated website.

Blogger, is owned by Google, and provides the browser-based-software to update the blog.

Blogspot, is owned by Google, and is a place to host the blog for free. There are other free and for-pay sites to create and host blogs, but Blogger is the most popular one. There are over 5,000,000 blogs currently in existence, but many of them were created and subsequently abandoned.

We chose to start the Shul website as a blog with Blogger on Blogspot, because it was the fastest way to accomplish our initial officer's objective of getting up a frequently updated website. There are some limitations to a blog and if we see that people are interested in this endeavor we will spend the effort to create a more full featured site, with things like schedules and protected areas just for Shul members. Please keep your comments, suggestions and complements coming in so that we can adapt this project to meet the needs of as many Shul members as possible.

You can contact me at Mark.Frankel -at- Gmail.com if you have any information you think might be of interest or if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. (Note: I wrote the @ sign as -at- so that the Spam Harvesters would not pick up my email address.)

L'Chaim at the Ginsberg's Home

In honor of the engagement of Esti to Moshe Schiff, the Ginsberg's invite the entire shul to a L'Chaim at their home this Sunday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Rabbi Label Lam - Parshas Vayigash

Rabbi Label Lam will be speaking this Motza’ei Shabbos at Nachlas Yitzchak (Rabbi Oelbaum's Shul) at 8:45 PM. Rabbi Lam is always entertaining and inspiring, so do yourself a favor and learn some Torah B'Rabbim before you head over to the Jewish Heritage Center Chinese Auction (or whatever your later plans are).

Rabbi Yisroel Reisman "Live"

Did you know that Rabbi Yisroel's Reisman fantastic weekly shiur is transmitted live via satellite every week and is broadcast at Nachlas Yitzchak (Rabbi Oelbaum's Shul). The shiur begins at 7:30 sharp every Motza’ei Shabbos. Come and see why over 1,000 people come to hear Rabbi Reisman every week.

Mazel Tov to the Hirschs

Mazel Tov to Dovid and Henchie Hirsch on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Mordechai this Shabbos, Parshas Vayigash, at Yeshiva Ohr Hachaim.

Mazel Tov to the Ginsbergs

Mazel Tov to Ruby & Mindy Ginsberg on the engagement of their daughter Esti to Moshe Schiff of Monsey. Here is the Only Simchas listing where you can add your congratulations or add them in the comments below.

In the undated photo below, Ruby is shown leining David's aliyah with Danny and Yossi serving as Gabayim.

Rabbi Welcher on the Structure of Shomeneh Esrei

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 8:30 PM titled the Structure of Shomeneh Esrei.

Zmanim for Vayigash - Dec 18th, 2004

Of Interest:
Mazel Tov to the Ginsbergs on the engagement of Esti to Moshe Schiff of Monsey.
Jewish Heritage Center Chinese Auction at Shaare Tova in Kew Gardens Hills on 12/18 at 8:30 PM.
R' Yakov Haber on Tefillah on 12/19 at 8:45 AM.
Rabbi Welcher on the Structure of Shomeneh Esrei on 12/21 at 8:30 PM.
Women's League Supperette at the home of Terri Kalker, 139-12 73rd Terrace on 12/29 at 7:30 PM.

Z'manim:
Candle Lighting: 4:11 PM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 4:20 PM
Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
Shacharis: 8:30 AM
Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:33 AM
Rav's Shiur: 3:15 PM
Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:00 PM
Motza'ei Shabbos Maariv: 5:20 PM

Decorum During Davening

If you have seen a recent copy of some of the frum newspapers, you might have noticed that CAY was one of the 400 Shuls that have signed up with Agudah for the National Tefillah Initiative over the next few weeks. One practical consequence is that our shiurim will be more focused on Tefillah.

Although our Shul definitely falls into the quiet category, it is probably worthwhile to try to eliminate the quiet conversations taking place during Chazoras Hashatz. The OU has a nice collection of essays titled Let's Schmooze About Davening which discuss the decorum during davening issue.

Going, Going, Gan

I ran into Sarah Simanowitz on the way home from Shul this morning and she informed me that the 2 year old Gan group is also filled up and on waiting-list status, with the 3-year old wait list in double digits. Nothing like some good news to warm you up on a cold December morning.

Large Collection of Torah Links

Torah on the Web is exploding and the AishDas Torah Links website has over 950 links categorized in topics like Halachah, Mussar, and Talmud. Why not try some surfing in the web waters of Torah.

Cell Phone Telemarketing Alert

In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls on your cell phone. To add your name to the Do Not Call list for 5 years call 888-382-1222 on your cell phone or register online.
Please pass this information to your friends and family.
(Hat Tip to Marty Katz)

Shabbos Miketz/Chanukah Zmanim

There will be a kiddush this Shabbos .

Bob Garber will be giving a shiur for women at the home of Susan & Bob Garber 147-37 70th Avenue at 3 PM.

Z'manim:
Candle Lighting: 4:09 PM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 4:15 PM
Hashkamah Minyan: 7:15 AM
Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
Shacharis: 8:30 AM - Kiddush following Davening
Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:29 AM
Rav's Shiur: 3:15 PM
Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:00 PM
Motza'ei Shabbos Maariv: 5:18 PM

Sunday 9:15 AM R' Yakov Haber - Topics in Tefilah
Rabbi Welcher will not be giving a shiur this Tuesday

Kashrus Alerts

Kashrus.com has issued the following alerts:
Kashrus alert concerning Foodfest Creamed Herring Fillets
Kashrus alert concerning Trader Joe's "Challah" Braided Egg Bread
Kashrus alert concerning Carmit Dark Chocolate Coins
Kashrus alert concerning Costco oil
For more information, clink on the above links or click here.
(Hat tip to Avrumi Kahn)

Rocking Horse - Winter Yeshiva Vacation 2005

During this year's Yeshiva Winter Vacation why not treat your family to a few days at the Rocking Horse Ranch. This year there are three sessions:
1/17-1/21 (Mon-Fri)
1/23-1/27 (Sun-Thurs)
1/30-2/3 (Sun-Thurs)

What could be better than making your family happy, spending some time with good friends and supporting the Shul?

Rabbi Noson Weisz on Chanukah

A number of us in the Shul find Rabbi Noson Weisz's weekly philosophical D'vrei Torah extremely stimulating and inspiring. Two Chanukah related compositions worth a look are Chanukah and The Importance of Being Jewish and An Issue of Trust.

You also might want to check out Aish's Chanukah subsite.

Have a Freiliche First Night of Chanukah and what better way to celebrate than by learning Torah B'Rabbim at Rabbi Welcher's shiur tonight at 8:30 PM, titled "Halachos of the Holiday Season".

Best Latke Recipe

As we all prepare for Chanukah, a time of great celebration, many of us will spend it with family and firends. No doubt a few latkes will make their way to the table. We are looking for your favorite, no fail recipe. Any ideas on a good no-fry recipe, any variations? Time to share!!!

Best Time To Light

According to Rabbi Welcher, the best time for Chanukah Licht is 4:55 PM.

Dreidel Vs Grogger

In his Sunday morning shiur, R' Haber brought down a B'nei Yissoschar which points out that on Purim there was mass Teshuva, an awakening from below, so we shake the grogger from the bottom. On Chanukah, only a small group did Teshuva but Hashem saved us, it was primarily an awakening from above, so we spin the Dreidel from above. Since time is cyclical, we have the opportunity to take advantage of this awakening from above during this time of year.

Kid's Coloring Pages

Here's a link for coloring pages for Chanukah good for kids ages 3-10

Zmanim for Vayeshev - Dec 4, 2004

Here are the Z'manim for Parshas Vayeshev:
Candle Lighting: 4:10 PM
Erev Shabbos Mincha: 4:15 PM
Daf Yomi: 7:25 AM
Shacharis: 8:30 AM
Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:24 AM
Rav's Shiur: 3:15 PM
Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos: 4:00 PM
Motza'ei Shabbos Maariv: 5:18 PM - Begin saying Tal U'Matar
R' Moshe Schwerd Chanukah Shiur: 7:30 PM

Yasher Koach to Harvey Blitz

Harvey Blitz recently ended his term as president of the OU at their recent Convention in Eretz Yisroel. And while I was Googling for a suitable link, I found this great picture of Michael Salzbank and Harvey together in Eretz Yisroel on a solidarity tour in 1991.

R' Yaakov Haber Prayer Series

R' Yaakov Haber will be starting a new series on Tefillah, Sunday Morning December 5th, 2004 at 8:45 am. This week he will probably weave some Chanukah themes into his always inspiring shiur.

R' Moshe Schwerd Chanukah Shiur

R' Moshe Schwerd will be giving a shiur Motza’ei Shabbos, Parshas Vayeshev, December 4, 2004 at 7:30 PM - Sharp in the Shul, titled "Chanukah: Hidden Connections, Secret Messages"

Daf Yomi Site

www.DafYomi.org is a good resource for those learning Daf Yomi. In addition to calendars and a scan of the current day's Daf, there are free audio files of every Daf to download and listen.

Agudath Leader Urges Increased Activism

The Jerusalem Post has an interesing article which quotes Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, urging the Haredi community to play a more active role in matters beyond its parochial needs. The JPost author points out:

The talk of the need to play a greater role in Jewish communal life is a sign both of the success of the American haredi community in sustaining its numbers and its failure to translate that success into greater influence in the community at large.

New Aish Shabbos Site

Aish HaTorah has a great new subsite dedicated to Shabbos including a self-study guide, a family section, free Shabbos music and more.

Rabbi Welcher - Halachos of the Holiday Season

Rabbi Welcher will be giving a shiur in the Shul on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 8:30 pm titled "Halachos of the Holiday Season".

Welcome

Welcome to the new website for Congregation Ahavas Yisroel. The goal is to provide consistently updated information on Torah, Tefillah, Gemilus Chasadim, Israel and other information relevant and/or useful to the members of the Shul.

We are looking for Committee Heads and other members to post on a regular basis. If you are interested, please email Mark.Frankel -at- gmail.com to join the group.