May, 2010

Shavuot

Shavuot Services held on May 18th, 19th and 20th were well attended. The lectures and discussions were meaningful and provided new insights for us. Thank you Rabbi Segal.

The Kiddush Committee made sure that holiday favorites, blintzes and cheesecakes were served. There was gefilte fish, egg salad and tuna salad as well. Thanks to Alex Ayzenberg, Steve Elworth, Elaine Elworth, Miriam Pyle and David Blum for all the work they did to make it a wonderful gathering. Gezim’s assistance was also greatly appreciated.

Our minds and bodies were well sated.

A good time was had by all that were in attendance.

April, 2010

Yom Ha'atzmaut Event

A wonderful event took place on Sunday, April 18, 2010 in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day). Our scheduled speaker had to cancel at the last second due to an unepectecd emergency. Given our strong commitment to providing you with the highest form of service, I contacted Rabbi David H. Lincoln and he was gracious enough to agree to speak on such short notice. Rabbi David H. Lincoln, who served as the Senior Rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City for 21 years, spoke very eloquently. Rabbi Lincoln spoke about American-Israeli relations from both a historical and current perspective and examined long held assumptions about Israel’s centrality to Diaspora Jewish life. He addressed several important issues and relevant issues pertaining to Israel, the United States and Great Britain, including the status of Jerusalem as a divided City. He also took questions and engaged the audience in a meaningful dialogue.  I would like to thank Rabbi David Lincoln for his inspiring presentation.

After Rabbi Lincoln’s presentation we went down to the Hanid Room and were treated to falafel and other Israeli refreshments. At the end of the event we brought out a delicious birthday cake in honor of our Rebetzen, Adina Segal who celebrated her birthday.  Once more another successful event at The Flatbush and Shaare Torah Jewish Center.

A note of thanks to David Blum, Miriam Pyle and Roberta Feinstein for setting up the food and refreshments. Shirley Kaufman arranged to have the event publicized in the Jewish Week. Approximately sixty members and friends were present. We look forward to many more religious and cultural events that will enhance the well being of our synagogue.

You can check out pictures of this special event click here

Yom Hashoah

On April 11, 2010 a large contingent of Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center members joined Brownstone Brooklyn Coalition in their Yom Hashoah Program at Congregation Mount Sinai. The program was a moving tribute to Holocaust rememberance. A multigenerational family spoke. Pleska Rabinowicz Friedman a survivor related how she escaped.  Her daughter and grandson spoke of how Ms. Friedman’s trials and tribulations influenced them to write and be fighters for remembrance. Both mother and son are activists in pursuing freedom and rights for all. Musical and poetic pieces were included which gave dramatic input to the services.

Rabbis were called up to light candles to honor all those who perished in the Holocaust.  Adina Segal addressed the gathering about how a social agency reaches out to assist survivors and other elderly adults through Partners in Caring. Prayers were then recited to complete the inspiring program.

It was an opportunity to join with other synagogues in a communal service and program.  Rabbi Segal, Adina Segal, Michael Levine, Elaine & Steve Elworth, Gwen Rosen, Norma Fried, Annette Rabkin, Saul & Martha Chodroff, David Blum, Ian Hochstead, Henrietta Steinhauer and I were glad we attended such a moving and memorable evening. Perhaps next year the Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center might be invited to host the event.

March, 2010

Shabbat Across America

On March 5th, I joined 100 of our fellow congregants, their neighbors and friends for a festive Shabbos Service, followed by a delicious meal.  We weren’t alone in enjoying this event.  While we were davening and eating our fellow Jews in thousands of Conservative congregations throughout North America were celebrating with us.  It gives me a warm feeling to know that I’m participating in an event that unites Jews.

An event of this magnitude doesn’t happen by itself.  I’d like to thank Roberta Feinstein for stepping up and coordinating the event.  Roberta was ably assisted by Alex Ayzenberg, Steve Elworth, Norma Fried and Gwen Rosen.  A special thanks to Gezim, his wife Suzan Celepija
and Fredrick Hoxholli for all their help dealing with Shabbat Across America.  

I also like to thank Rabbi Siegal, Adina Segal, Cantor Schwartz and Mr. Keisler for the lovely Shabbos Service.  I can only speak for myself but I thoroughly enjoyed the service and the meal.  I’ve heard only positive comments from the other participants.  

Model Passover Seder

On March 14, 2010, the Flatbush Jewish Center rang in the Passover season with it’s second Model Seder.  Families from around the Kensington area joined together to learn what Pesach is all about.  We wanted to prepare the children for the seders that they will be having at home by introducing them to each part of the service.  Rabbi Segal welcomed the group to the Flatbush Jewish Center and passed the matzah over to Dina Garfinkel who led the seder.

First, the children learned all about bedikat chametz by searching the center for bags of bread.  The winners enjoyed the game as well as their chocolate prizes.  Next, the children learned about all of the parts of the seder.  They learned how to wash their hands and learned some of the songs they will be singing.  They enjoyed eating karpas and charoset and several children were even brave enough to try the maror.  Our youngest member wasn’t able to ask the four questions but Joseph asked a fifth question and Rabbi Segal taught all of the children why some men wear a kittel during the seder.  Good question, Joseph!

Next, Dina led the group in an interactive play.  The Pharaoh (played by Asher Josephson) made all of the Jews build pyramids, which the children enjoyed.  Thankfully Miriam (played by Laila Garfinkel) did such a great job raising baby Moses (played by Joshua Henschke) that when G-d (played by Joseph Etrog) told him to lead his people to freedom, he was ready to lead.  When the Pharaoh refused, all the children plagued him ten times over until he agreed to let Moses’ people go.

After the play, Noah Garfinkel led the children in a round of Passover songs, including “Avadim Haenu,” “ Dayeinu” and “L’shana ha’bah bi’ Yerushalaim.”  The children searched for the Afikoman and ate lots of chocolate covered matzah.  The seder ended with everyone making their own seder plates and Afikoman bags.

Overall, the children and their families had a great time and can’t wait to do it again next year.  I think someone even said, “l‘shana ha-ba’ah bi’ Flatbush Jewish Center!”

Special thanks go to Dina Garfinkel and Rabbi Segal for leading the seder.  Thanks also go to Noah Garfinkel for lending his musical talents and helping everyone stay in key with his guitar playing.  Diana and Raphael Katz sponsored the Model Seder and we appreciate their donation very much.  The Model Seder, couldn’t have been possible without Miriam Pyle and Steven Elworth, who did the shopping and set up the room for the seder.  Thank you to everyone who attended.  It was a great success!

You can check out pictures of this special event click here

Heather & David Henschke