East Meadow Jewish Center

Passover sites

2010-03-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.koshercooking.com/recipes/passover/ Also contains some links to silly passover songs

http://holidays.kaboose.com/passover/ Contains Passover recipes as well as Passover crafts for the kids and many Passover perintables to enhance your seder

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/374918/jewish/Aluminum-Foil.htm A cute story

http://kosher4passover.com/kids.htm Activities to make Passover fun for kids

What do you do to make your seder interesting for the kids?

What is your recipe for the perfect brisket or matzoh ball?

What is your favorite Passover memory?
Post a comment below to any or all of the above so other can benefit

2 sites to give you a chuckle

2010-03-08T05:46:00.000-08:00

An amusing take on the song Old Man river
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0DAerBho8

I saw this site in the Hadassah magazine. All I can say is that it made me laugh. most of the joketellers are non-professional but the jokes/stories are funny. The jokes are updated weekly so you might want to bookmark it. There is also a 10 Best from last year.

http://www.oldjewstellingjokes.com/

Neverr again Holocaust rap Video by Woo Tang clan

2010-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

This wasn't my type of music and it may not be yours but it sends a message the younger genration should hear. Viewer warning Rap Music and graphic Holocaust scenes
Click here: YouTube - Never Again by Wu Tang Clan

Mens club Purim play Video

2010-03-04T07:58:00.001-08:00

Mens in dresses and barrelfuls of corny jokes tell the Purim story
Mens Club Purim Play video Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

This may save your life

2010-03-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

This is a revision to the CPR that we were taught in the past Its very simple and may save someones life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5huVSebZpM

360 Degree View of the Wall in Jerusalem

2010-02-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

This a very unique view of Ha Kotel in Jerusalem
http://www.360tr.net/kudus/aglamaduvar_tr/index.html

Malaveh malkeh Video

2010-02-18T05:13:00.000-08:00

5 ways Your Synagogue is Like Google

2010-02-12T05:55:00.000-08:00

Click the link below
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-mother-my-father-my-money/200912/5-ways-your-synagogue-or-church-is-google

Sesame Street Chanukah Video

2009-12-11T12:32:00.001-08:00

EMJC Outdoor Menorah Lighting times

2009-12-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

Fri. Dec 11 4:05PM Sat. Dec 12 5:25 PM Sun. Dec. 13 4:40 PM

Mon. Dec. 14 6:15 PM Tues. Dec 15 6:15 PM Wed. Dec. 16 6:15 PM

Thurs. Dec. 17 6:15 PM Fri. Dec 18 4:10 PM

New Chanukah Song Link

2009-12-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

http://smoothe.tv/smooth-e-gets-flash-mobbed/

Post your latke recipes here!!

Rabbi's Israel trip Post 12

2009-11-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

We are at Ben Gurion Airport awaiting our flight home (actually most of the ladies are doing duty free shopping).

Our final day in Israel was bittersweet: we enjoyed another great day, but are sad to be leaving Israel. We began our day with a tour of Acco, including the British prison where Palmach, Irgun, and Stern Gang memebrs were incarerated, the prison which also witnessed a darin escape organized by the underground, and where those captured were hanged by the British. We also visited part of the massive Crusader complex of building underneath the prison.

Next we passed through Haifa and hada glorious panoramic view of the entire city from above the Bahai Gardens. Then it was on to one of the most uplifting places in Israel, the Yemin Orde Youth Village, which is a "must see" place for me to take our memebrs because of the wonderful work that is done at Yemin Orde. Five hundred children, mostly teenagers, most of whom are either new immigrants to Israel (many without parents) or "at risk" children are raised, educated, and molded to become leaders. We learned about Yemin Orde's program for educating and raising these teens -- the work that is done at Yemin Orde is light years ahead of anything we have in the US. We ate lunch there, and had a tour of the village given to us by a young Ethipian woman. As I said, an uplifting and awesome experience.

Next we visited the Atlit prison complex where the British warehoused captured illegl immigrants during the 1940s when the hated British White Paper that restricted Jewish immigration to Palestine precisely when it was needed most. This is where the illegal immigrants were kept until the British could ship them to Cyprus.

Then it was on to Tel Aviv for our final banquet at whch we shared our thoughts and spoke about how the visit to Israel has changed our lives and impacted us. We said good-bye and expressed our appreciation to our outstanding guide, Itzik, and our excellent driver, Moti. And here we are at the airport, 1 1/4 hours before our departure.

All of us have been profoundly moved by our trip to Israel. Plan to join me on our next Israel adventure!

The 2009 Israel group hopes to see all of you in shul this coming Shabbos!

Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel trip Post 11

2009-11-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

This may be my last report from Israel (unless I there is free WiFi at Ben Gurion Airport).
Today we had another incredibly exciting day, but more about that later.
Shabbat here in Tsfat was very beautiful. We davened Friday night at the Beirav Synagogue where they use the melodies of R. Shlomo Carlebach. The davening was melodic and spirited, and the dancing, into which we were drawn, was too! Can you believe that Friday night services lasted more than two hours!!! We then returned to our hotel for a delicious Shabbat dinner, followed by our own inspiring group singing in which an Israeli couple sitting near us joined. Shabbos morning, after services (which start early here in Israel) our guide led us through the narrow streets and alleyways of Old Tsfat, telling us stories and legends of the great Kabbalistic rabbis who flourished here. We made Havdalah as a group. It is wonderful that all of us get along so well; it makes moments like Havdalah and other occasions so much more special for all of us.
Saturday night we went to Tiberias to eat at Pagoda,the Chinese restaurant there. (It is true, even in Israel: wherever there are Jews there are (kosher) Chinese restaurants.) The food was delicious.
Our first stop this morning was Kibbutz Misgav Am, which sits right on the Israel-Lebanon border in the northwest corner of the finger-like projection of Israel that is its northermost point. (Note to 2005 &
2007 EMJC Israel Pilgrimage participants: Misgav Am is about 3 kilometers north of Menara, the kibbutz on the border that we
visited.) We were led and lectured by a kibbutz member who made aliyah from Cleveland 48 years ago when he was 21 (see photo). He has fought in four wars for Israel, and had very definite (right-wing) political opinions which he did not hesitate to share with us. We were able to look directly into Lebanon literally just several feet away, and our guide at the kibbutz told us about the kibbutz's experiences during the 2006 war with Lebanon.
After our interesting visit we proceeded down the mountains, across the Hula Valley, and up the Golan Heights to Har Bental. We were now just about 200 yards away from Israel's border with Syria, as we explored Israeli bunkers and shared an amazing view of the entire area.
From there we continued to Gamla to view the ruins of the "Masada of the North" from a distance (No, Mike, we didn't hike it -- not enough time, and no vultures circling overhead.) (see photo).
Next we continued down a different part of the Golan Heights, along a steep serpentine road which our driver maneuvered with dexterity, to Hammat Gader, which sits right on the border with Jordan where many of us enjoyed well-deserved bathing in the glorious natural hot sulphuric springs. Just the thing for our tired bones! Some of us also viewed the ruins of the Roman baths (joined by six radiant peacocks (see photo), and others visited the crocodile ponds. Then it was back to our hotel for wine tasting and dinner.
Today we certainly realized how narrow Israel is: in just a few hours we touched Israel's borders with three of its (mostly hostile) neighbors.
Now we must pack for our return home. Before we leave early Tuesday morning (at 1:00 a.m.), we have a full day of touring tomorrow
(Monday) that will include Acco, Haifa, Yemin Orde, and Atlit. We will have a final banquet in Tel Aviv at which we will share our thoughts about the trip before we continue to the airport.
By the way, our guide,Itzik, has been absolutely outstanding -- the
best I have ever had! He is knowledgeable, sincere, understanding,
personable, with a subtle and dry sense of humor. He has been very
co-operative with me, and a font of excellent advice. He was recommended to me by our son, Ezra, who worked with him when they both worked for USY. I would definitely want to use him again in any future EMJC trip.
See you soon, God willing, back in East Meadow. Why not start planning (and saving) so you can join us on our next EMJC trip to Israel?!?
Love,
Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's israel Post #10

2009-11-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

Just a quick report from the beautiful city of Tsfat (Safed) before the holy Sabbath begins:
We enjoyed another terrific day! We spent the early hours "contributing" to Israel's economy (that's our code word for shopping) as we walked the narrow streets and alleyways of the old section of Tsfat and the artist colony. Next we boarded our bus to go to the Golani Junction (right next to Kibbutz Lavi) to plant trees with our own hands through JNF -- a great experience and mitzvah. (Note to
2007 Israel group: the trees we planted are doing fine!) Then we reboarded the bus to go half-way up Mt. Tabor; we then climbed into taxis for the trip to the summit of the mountain where we could relive the battle of Deborah and Barak against Sisera and the Canaanites -- what a magnificent view as we ascended the mountain!
We are now back at our hotel in Tsfat preparing for what should be a relaxing and spiritually inspiring Shabbat.
The weather has been exceptionally fine, as has been the food. I hope El Al loads our plane with extra fuel to compensate for the extra pounds we have gained here, despite our level of activity!
Shabbat shalom from Israel!!!
Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel Trip #9

2009-11-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Shalom, from the mystical city of Tsfat (Safed)!
Today we again travelled a long geographic distance, this time from Tel Aviv (see photo of the group standing by the Tel Aviv beach of our
hotel) to Tsfat (Safed). Our first stop was in the beautiful town of Zichron Yaakov where, after walking along the pedestrian street viewing craftware, we visited the Nili Museum located in the Aaronson home. Nili was a secret spy agency operated by members of the Aaronson family on behalf of the British during WWI, when Palestine was ruled by the enemy Turks. Several members of the spy ring were captured by the Turks and tortured and hanged; Sara, sister of the group's leader, committed suicide instead of enduring more torture.
We next visited the first moshav, Nahalal, located in the Jezreel Valley. The leader of the moshav first gave us a "tour" of the moshav's cemetery, two kilometers away and overlooking the Valley.
Here Moshe Dayan is buried, as is Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut who was killed when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated while returning to earth. Ilan Ramon was also one of the eight Israeli pilots who bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. Tragically, his son, Asaph, who was following in his father's footsteps in terms of his Air Force career, was killed in a training accident two months ago, and is buried next to his father. Can you imagine Mrs. Ramon's grief after losing both her husband and now her son?
Next we had a short tour of the moshav and a lovely vegetraian lunch prepared by the leader's wife. Over lunch he told us about the history of the moshav and explained the differences between a moshav
(cooperative) and a kibbutz.
From Nahalal we travelled a short distance to Zippori to see the magnificent mosaic floor of the ancient synagogue, and then it was on to the beautiful and mystical city of Tsfat.
Tomorrow moring we will tour Tsfat and its synagogues and artist colony, and then we will leave the city for a few hours to plant trees and ascend Mt. Tabor.
Shabbat shalom, everyone!
Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel trip Post # 8

2009-11-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

Shalom, All!

Today was another emotional roller-coaster, this time in Tel Aviv. Our day began with a visit to the "Ayalon Institute", an underground (literally and figuratively) bullet-making factory that the Hagana ran in Rehovot. Right under the noses of the British Mandatory authorities, the bullet factory produced over 2.25 million desperately needed bullets for the Hagana troops trying to hold back the Arab forces. This was a super-secret operation, and, though it involved 45 workers, remained a secret for years. By the way, we ran into Sandy and Joe Lepelstat again at the "Institute" -- Israel is indeed a small country!!

Our next stop was the former home of Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv's first mayor. Turned into a museum after Dizengoff's death, this was the place where David Ben Gurion declared the existence of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. Our guide played a recording of that event, which included the recitation of "shehechiyanu" and the singing of Hatikva. Even though this is the third time I have heard the recording of that historic event, I welled up with tears and could hardly sing Hatikvah along with the record.

Next we visited the Palmach Museum, about which I have written and about which I have spoken in High Holy Day sermons in years past. To refresh your memory, at the Palmach Museum one follows, through a multi-media presentation, the trials, and tribulations of a Palmach squad from its formation through the aftermath of the War of Independence. Again, extraordinarily moving.

Afterwards we visited "Beit HaLochem", an incredible rehabilitation and recreation center for severely wounded Israeli veterans. The work they perform with the wounded vets, and the extent that they help these men and women, is truly inspirational and is light years ahead of what we do in the US.

Our day ended with a quick visit to Jaffa.

As I said, today was another emotionally charged day!

Tomorrow we are off to the north.

Start planning to participate in our next EMJC Israel trip (date to be determined)!

Love to all from the entire 2009 EMJC Israel group.

Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel Trip Post #7

2009-11-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

The EMJC Israel group covered a LOT of ground today, both geographically and topographically. We left our hotel in Eilat (see
photo) and made our way northward through the Negev. The Negev is the desert that covers roughly 60% of Israel, but don't think Sahara or Lawrence of Arabia desert with sand dunes; the Negev is rocky desert.
In most places the Negev scenery is bleak; at other times it is colorful. Yet, one can see some vegetation, mostly small shrubs and bushes, in the wadis (usually dry river beds); in fact, one can trace the wadis by observing where the vegetation is located.
Our first stop was Machtesh Ramon, a huge crater (appx. 30 x 15 miles) that was formed not by a meteor hit, but by geological phenomena. We drove through the crater and up the northen face to a lookout where we were able to observe the entire crater. Awesome!
Next we had a real treat that was not part of our original itinerary.
Our guide, Itzik, arranged for us to visit the main officer's training base of the Israeli Army; this is where he trained to become an officer. We visited the synagogue (see photo) and saw many of the newly arrived cadets who had passed the rigorous testing process that allowed them to enter the training program. We then entered a classroom so Itzik could talk to us about officers' training and answer questions about the Israeli Army.
Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, was the prophet of the Negev. He realized that the Negev would be important to Israel's future. He not only talked the talk; he walked the walk, moving to kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev. We visited his grave (he chose to be buried in the desert rather than on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem with Israel's other political leaders) as well as the simple kibbutz home in which he lived with his beloved wife, Paula.
As we moved further north toward Tel Aviv the topography changed as the land became browner, greener, and more agricultural. As we approached the suburbs of Tel Aviv we entered the thriving, busy, traffic-filled urban environment Tel Aviv has become.
Tonight Nancy and I took Scott Berkowitz (Randi & Warren's son) to dinner; Scott is here studying in a master's program, and enjoying the experience. We have tried to connect with other EMJC young adults, too, but without success so far.
Tomorrow we explore Tel Aviv.
Regards to all!
Rabbi Androphy

An interesting Haftorah commentary

2009-11-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

The following commentary was written by Rabbi Charles Simon Executive director of Federation of Jewish Mens Clubs
A Translation of the Haftorah is here http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102830911256&s=12231&e=001r2IMelaigYAndDAmR9E0a53OKr_h8HJkwqtq4pMIjt1KRF-00PZfhEqSfxenk0OFc7ingA01-RwpulEpWI4o8p-Vs2_4CdhdSnKg12WWj6QEtymM1uf8Umy8XC_PGwNrwqXp_4ovBbCgyrhrC-6It5_iehBuRbVGZFzlrnh5PCCVQwoifBQdug==
November 16, 2009The Unraveller
Join us in the Unraveller!I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to subscribe to the Unraveller‭, ‬a weekly commentary devoted to explaining the haftarah‭. ‬The material provides a historical and somewhat different approach to help you‭, ‬the reader understand the haftarah‭. If you are interested in subscribing to this weekly publication please visit this page‭ ‬http://www.fjmc-consultants.org/seferhaftorah-sign-up.html‭ ‬to subscribe and please feel comfortable recommending it to your friends‭.‬We will‭ ‬NOT‭ ‬be sending the Unraveller without your request‭, ‬so please subscribe today‭.‬
Hayye Sarah: Ashkenazim: 1 Kings 1, 1-31 By Rabbi Charles Simon
The book of Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses. The book of Joshua ends with the death of Joshua. Saul, the first King of Israel dies at the end of the first book of Samuel but King David dies at the beginning of the first book of Kings. Usually heroes, leaders, die at the end of the book at the end of their story, but the author of the Book of Kings must have desired to make a specific point when he chose to reverse this order.
It is possible that the connecting thread that links the Torah portion and the haftarah reading provides a hint to the author's reason for this reversal. The Torah reading for Hayye Sarah is connected to the haftarah thematically through the common link of aging. In each text the phrase ìold and advanced in years' appears in the Torah. The Torah portion is concerned with the death of Abraham. The haftarah portion addresses the death of David. It is possible that this connection was made to challenge us to consider the consequences of two distinctly different approaches to aging.
The haftarah is composed of four incidents. At first we see David as an old man, weak and frail, and most likely cold and alone at night. Perhaps he was so lonely that he had to summon a young girl to provide him with warmth. The text is very explicit it wasn't for sex. The second incident revolves around the plotting of his son, Adonijah, who desperately wants to succeed his father and become King. The third incident reveals yet another of the conspiracies and plottings that surround David's life as Bathsheva politically maneuvers her way through his administration to insure that her son, Solomon, will succeed his father even though he is the youngest son. Finally the author of our story allows us to learn the father's response to all the plotting and chicanery that was necessary to assure Solomon's succession.
David's legacy was a reflection of the life he had lived. As Michael Fishbane states in his haftarah commentary, ìa manipulator in his lifetime, David was manipulated in his old age.î It took the creativity of the rabbinic tradition to develop a broader vision of David and to paint him as a truly noble figure.
Abraham, on the other hand, enters old age with dignity and integrity. After the death of Sarah he purchases a burial plot for his family and he begins to prepare his family for his demise. He makes his servant Eliezer swear that Isaac will marry within the clan. He bequeaths gifts to the children of his concubines and thus avoids future contentious fighting. All of us know how painful the division of property can be for siblings with issues when their parents' possessions need to be divided.
The haftarah suggests that the manner in which we choose to conduct ourselves in lives often is reflective of how those who follow us choose to live theirs. Our lives serve as models for our children. The haftarah reminds us that how we choose to model ourselves makes a difference both for us and those who follow.

Israel Post #6

2009-11-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

Another great day for the 2009 Israel group! Today we slept a little later than usual. When we left our hotel our bus took us high into the mountains of Eilat, right along the Israeli-Egyptian border. We stopped briefly at the checkpoint at the Israel-Egypt border (the Israeli soldiers did not want us to alight from the bus), and then retraced our steps a little to Mt. Yeoash. Seven of us climbed to the top with our guide and had a phenomenal view into Egypt, across the gulf into Jordan, and, in the distance, Saudi Arabia. After our climb we joined the others at the bus (where two Israeli soldiers who had stopped for a coffee break (they had their own water boiler) allowed us to take pictures with them). We then spent the first part of the afternoon at the Eilat Aquarium which is both above ground and below the water. The fish and the corals we saw were incredibly colorful! It was mid-afternoon when we returned to our hotel for some scheduled relaxation time which most of us spent at the pool or the magnificent beach. You would not believe how clear the water is, yet how blue it appears as well! Once the sun set (around 4:30), I went jogging along the promenade. When I left, the mountains were aglow with the colors of sunset; on my return the lights of Eilat and of Aqaba, Jordan (right across the bay) were aglitter. What a sight!

Tomorrow it's into the Negev as w make our way to Tel Aviv.

Wish you were with us!

Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel Trip Post #5

2009-11-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Shalom from Eilat!
After saying good-bye to our fellow guests at the King David Hotel (Pres. Clinton, Sen. Lieberman, Gov. Schwartzenegger, et.al.) ;) , the EMJC Israel group left Jerusalem, but not before promising ourselves that we would return one day in the not too distant future. We had shared an incredible five days in Yerushalayim, and now we travelled east then south to the Dead Sea. Our first stop was at Qumran,the place where the so-called Dead Sea sect lived and where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We toured the ruins and saw the caves, and then the women shopped for Ahava and other products not available to the people who lived here two thousand years ago.
We then visited the oasis at Ein Gedi, climbing the path to the beautiful first waterfall. We saw a whole family of ibex on our return.
Our next stop was Masada, which is probably familiar to most of you.
Three of us (Irv Kuber, Irwin Kahn, and I) hiked to the top in about
45 minutes (not too shabby for a bunch of ...), while the rest of the group rode the cable car to the summit. On Masada we visited the storage facilities, Herodian northern palace, the Roman-style baths, the synagogue, and other points as well. Our guide shared with us the famous story of the zealots who committed suicide here rather than falling into the hands of the Romans. The weather on Masada, and indeed the entire day, was perfect: sunny, quite warm, but not too hot, with a delightful breeze.
Our final stop before heading to Eilat was a beach by the Dead Sea where many of us took the required dip in the bouyant waters. It was great fun!
When then bid farewell to Karen and Michael Lefkowitz who are returning home tonight (don't worry: they had planned an early return), and proceeded to Eilat, a 2 1/2 hour drive. After a rather strenuous day, most of the group "chapped a dreml" after the sun set and the desert became dark as we journeyed south to Eilat.
Tomrrow we are due to go mountain climbing and then visit the underground aquarium and observatory. We will have some free time tomorrow afternoon to visit the beach at Eilat, go swimming, etc.
I hope everyone in East Meadow is well.
Love to all!
Rabbi Androphy

Rabbi's Israel trip Post #4

2009-11-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

Shavua Tov from Yerushalayim!

The EMJC Pilgrimage group spent a wonderful Friday and a amazing Shabbat here in Jerusalem. Our guide arranged for us to see a deeply moving film (which Nancy and I had seen at a USY international convention when it first came out) on Friday morning prior to our visit to the cemetery on Mt. Herzl. The movie was about a very special young man named Michael Levin. Michael grew up in Philadelphia, participated in USY and Nativ (the Conservative Movement's program in Israel between high school and college) and lived his lifelong dream of making aliyah to Israel. Through his own perseverance and moxie he enlisted in, and was accepted by, the Israeli Army. At the time of the Lebanon War in 2006, Michael was visiting his family in Philly, but immediately returned to Israel, persuaded his commanders to send him into Lebanon, and, tragically, was killed in action. His funeral (on Mt. Herzl) was attended by the thousands of people whose life Michael touched. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

The film, "A Hero in Heaven" served as the perfect introduction to our visit to Mt. Herzl, which functions as Israel's equivalent of our Arlington National Cemetery. Not only are Theodore Herzl and leaders of Israel such as Yitzchak Rabin, Teddy Kolleck, and others buried here; thousands of Israeli soldiers are interred here, too. Our guide connected us personally to these heroes by telling us stories about many of the men and women buried and memorialized here. We felt the sacrifice Israelis have made to create and ensure the survival of the Jewish State, as well as a deeper connection to Israel. We concluded our visit by singing "Hatikva"; I know that many of our group, including me, had tears in our eyes as we sang the Jewish and Israeli national anthem.

Next we walked through Meah Shearim, the ultra religious section of Jerusalem, and saw the hustle and bustle as people rushed to prepare for Shabbat. We then visited Machane Yehudah, the outdoor market, where thousands of people were doing their Shabbat shopping. Next it was back to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat.

By the way, the King David is magnificent. The food has been outstanding -- the Shabbos meals were delectable. Over Shabbos we saw Sen. Joe Lieberman, Cong. Henry Waxman (CA), and Cong. Nita Lowey (Westchester). They are all staying at the King David for a conference. Former Pres. Bill Clinton arrived here tonight. Nancy and I have a view of the walls of the Old City from our room.

Most of the group went to the Western Wall Friday night for services. For those who do not know, there is not one single service at the Wall; there are many going on simultaneously. We davened Mincha as a group, and then were embraced by a large number of Israeli soldiers who encouraged us to daven, sing, and dance with them! (The women in our group were embraced by the female soldiers on the women's section.) The spirit, enthusiasm, and excitement were great! We walked back through the Old City to the King David and enjoyed a lovely Friday night dinner as a group, complete with "Shalom Aleichem, Kiddish, Motzi, and Birkat Hamazon."

This morning (Shabbos) several members attended services at the Conservative Synagogue, while most of us went to the Great Synagogue because, since today was Rosh Chodesh bentschen, the cantor and choir would be davening; we were not disappointed. Both groups met up with Sandy and Joe Lepelstat who are here in J'lem, too!

We enjoyed Shabbat lunch buffet as a group. Afterward, some rested, some walked, but we joined together for Havdalah to end Shabbat. Tonight most of us contributed to the Israeli economy by gift and jewelry shopping.

Tomorrow morning we leave for the Dead Sea area (Qumran, Ein Gedi, Massada, a swim in the Dead Sea) and, God willing, we will be spending the next two nights in Eilat.

Our group is marvelously "together" and everyone is having a most enjoyable and spiritually rewarding experience.

Start planning to join me on our next EMJC Israel Pilgrimage!

Shavua Tov, once again!

Rabbi Androphy

Thank You from Seymour Kaplan

2009-11-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

Words cannot express the wonderful feeling that overcame me upon opening the door to our apartment last night and seeing so many members of my EMJC temple giving of their time to make a minyan so I could say kaddish for my brother. It was so good to see so many familiar faces. The minyan was very important to me, and I thank each and every one of you for coming. It is so nice to be part of such a warm and caring community.
Seymour Kaplan

Rabbi's Israel Trip Post # 3

2009-11-13T06:52:00.001-08:00

Shalom, again, from Yerushalayim!
Today was probably the most emotional day we will have on our tour -- both in terms of the depths of the emotions we experienced, and their variety. At various points in the day we felt elated, thrilled, proud, exhilarated, moved, sad, and deeply grief-struck. Allow me to
explain:
Our day began at what I consider to be another one of the "must do"
experiences in Jerusalem: a visit to Yad LaKashish, the Lifeline for the Old. As those who have been to Israel with me in the past can attest, and those who remember some of my post-Israel sermons may recall, Yad LaKashish was started in the 1960s by an amazing woman named Miriam Mendelow, a kindergarten teacher who was deeply upset by the many poor, aimless, elderly people she saw on the Jerusalem streets and by her students' negative reaction to them. Miriam initiated a series of workshops at which she trained these senior citizens in various crafts and paid them for the productive work they performed. Today Yad LaKashish includes over 20 workshops, many of which we visited, in which over 100 elderly make beautiful objects, are paid for their work, receive a hot lunch everyday, in addition to receiving medical care. We marveled at the magnificant items produced by these mostly fairly recent immigrants to Israel from the Former Soviet Union, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, and other countries. I told the group to make the gift shop at Yad LaKashish their first stop for gift buying because purchasing items here is a real mitzvah. We found many beautiful objects to purchase -- tallitot, jewelry, chalah and matzah covers, hamsas, scarves, and more -- all made by the seniors at Yad LaKashish.
Next we went to the Conservative Movement's center in Jerusalem where, after a tour of the facilities, we were taught by my dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Mitchell (Mordecai) Silverstein, who taught a very interesting session in which we studied two "radical" midrashim about Abraham's discovery of God. We discussed what our role is, as
Abraham's descendents, in bringing God into the world. It was a
fascinating conversation.
Afterwards, we went to the Menachem Begin Center. I had never been here before, but all of us were glad this was a point on our itinerary. Basically, the Center traces the life of Menachem Begin and his contributions to the Jewish people and Israel. Through vintage film footage, Begin's own words, readings from his autobiography, and much more, we explored Menachem Begin through four periods in his
life: his youth through his release from a Soviet gulag, his career as the leader of the Irgun (for which he was most proud), his years as leader of the opposition party in the Knesset, and his years as Israel's prime minister. Whether one agrees with Begin's actions and his politics or not, all of us came away from the experience with a deeper appreciation for his love of the Jewish people, his determination to defend and protect the State of Israel, and the many difficult decisions he made (including the bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirik, for which the world condemned him at the time, but for which we are all thankful today; and the first Lebanon War).
Our next stop was another Jerusalem "must see": Ammunition Hill,the site of a major and very costly battle at the beginning of the Six Day War. Ammunition Hill was one of the first sites the Israeli Army had to overcome before it could liberate the Old City; it was heavily fortified by the Jordanians. But with incredible and selfless courage, the Israeli paratroopers broke through, "unlocking" the way to the Old City. Incidenatlly, our guide, Itzik, is a member of that same paratroop unit that fought at Ammunition Hill.
I must digress for a moment to mention how impressed I am at how Israel keeps on updating and upgrading the presentations at places of historical interest. I have been to Ammunition Hill many times. The presentation the 2007 EMJC group saw there was different from that of 1986, 1991-92, and 2005. The new presentation we saw today was different from that of 2007. Today's really allowed us to understand the battle to capture East Jerusalem during the Six Day War. It combined footage from the battles with a scale model of Jerusalem in 1967, parts of which were lit as we followed the three days of fighting that culminated in the famous scene of Israel's capture of the Old City and Israeli soldiers and leaders standing in awe at the Western Wall. Very powerful! I must also mention that we have seen several groups of Israeli soldiers at the same places we have visited:
education is an important part of an Israeli soldier's training.
Our final stop of the day (actually evening) was Yad Vashem, the most
important Holocaust memorial and museum in the world. We spent close
to three hours traversing the history of the Holocaust through pictures, artifacts, reports, and most interestingly in my opinion, first-hand accounts and testimony by those who experienced the hell of the Holocaust. Need I say that the visit to Yad Vashem left us emotionally drained after an incredibly emotional day?
Tomorrow we have a shortened, but full, day (Shabbos begins here around the same time it does in East Meadow), that will include davening at the Wall on Friday night.
Shabbat shalom to everyone!
I hope you will join us on our next EMJC pilgrimage to Israel.
Rabbi Androphy