RABBI S MESSAGE The Three Weeks

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1 RABBI S MESSAGE The story is told of the Sochochover Rebbe in Poland who once had a guest for Shabbos. The guest turned out to be a big grouch who complained about everything. The Rebbe asked the guest to please leave his home. The guest responded that the Rebbe should know better than that. After all, hachnosos orchim requires that we should accept warmly even those of whom we are not particularly fond. You are right, replied the Rebbe, but Shabbos is different. The Rebbe went on to show that Shabbos is the greatest host. When it comes to all of the Yomim Tovim-- even Yom Kippur-- Shabbos yields and allows the Yom Tov tefillah and Torah reading to take over. We even fast on Shabbos Yom Kippur. The one exception is Tisha B Av which gets postponed until Sunday. And that is because, as the Rebbe explained, Shabbos welcomes all except the melancholy or the gripe. This year, the ninth of Av, Tisha B Av, does indeed fall on Shabbos. For sure, there is a lot that we as Jews complain about: the situation in the Mid East that changes on a moment s notice; former friends such as Turkey and Egypt who have now become enemies; the situation in Syria that leaves us wondering we should root for-- the insurgents who come with a big question mark or the tyrant who represents stability; Iran; whether we can count on the President of our country. Here in the United States we have our own set of problems: tuition fees are rising and putting an almost unbearable burden on many families; too many so-called Torah Jews are in the headlines for the wrong reasons; too often we hear of swastikas sprayed across Jewish neighborhoods. As it takes place on Shabbos, let us use this year s Tisha B Av as a time to reflect and not look at the bad. We are blessed to live in a great country where Jewish rights are preserved along with those of all other ethnic groups. Despite internal and external strife and despite existential threats from its neighbors, in Israel we have great Shomer Yisrael who seem to orchestrate things in our favor at the end. So let us pray that Shabbos he melezock v yeshuah karov levoh (Shabbos is a time of hope toward salvation) May Hashem grant us a time of peace and hope as we observe a Shabbos of happiness this ninth of Av. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld The Three Weeks The Three Weeks between the fast of the 17 th of Tammuz (this year observed on Sunday July 8 th ) and Tisha B Av (this year observed on Sunday July 29) have historically been days of misfortune for the Jewish people. These weeks are referred to as Bein Hametzarim (within the straits) in reference to the

2 verse in Lamentations (1:3): all her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits. The Haftorahs for the Shabbosim during this period are taken from the chapters of Isaiah and Jeremiah which speak of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdosh and the exile of the Jewish people. During this time, various aspects of mourning are observed by the entire Jewish people. Some of the prohibitions we observe during this period are visiting cinemas, concert halls or any other place where there is public entertainment; purchasing new clothes (with the exception of socks and undergarments); and getting haircuts until the day after Tisha B Av, Sunday evening July 29 th.. We minimize joy and celebration. Since the attribute of Divine Judgment is felt at this time, we avoid potentially dangerous or risky endeavors. The Nine Days The intensity of the three week mourning period increases with the onset of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av (this year Friday July 20). In addition to the prohibitions mentioned above, between Rosh Chodesh and Tisha B Av, we are prohibited from eating meat and drinking wine except on Shabbos; giving clothing in to the cleaners or retrieving it from the cleaners; doing laundry (Note: children s clothing and clothing worn against the skin that requires frequent cleaning may be laundered during this period); weaving, knitting and needlecraft with the exception of repairing torn clothing; swimming and bathing for pleasure (note: taking a shower or bath for hygienic purposes is permitted and children in camp may go swimming during the instructional swim period; visiting a mikveh when necessary is permitted).home decoration should not be done the week before Tisha B Av. Tisha B Av (Sunday July 29, 2012) Five tragic events happened on Tisha B Av: the sin of the spies caused Hashem to decree that the Bnei Yisrael who left Egypt would not be permitted to enter the land of Israel; the first Beis Hamikdosh was destroyed in 586 BCE; the second Beis Hamikdosh was destroyed in 70CE; Beitar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt fell in 135 CE and thousands of Jews were killed; one year after the fall of Beitar, the area where the Beis Hamikdosh had stood was plowed. Among the other

3 calamities that took place on Tisha B Av, in 1492 CE, due to a decree of King Ferdinand, it was the day on which all Jews had to be gone from Spanish soil. The prohibitions of Tisha B Av are similar to those of Yom Kippur. In addition to not eating and drinking, we are not permitted to wash, use perfume or cologne, or wear leather shoes. In a prohibition more stringent than that of Yom Kippur, we are only allowed to study certain portions of the Torah and Talmud. On Tisha B Av, we try to avoid sitting on a chair and instead sit on the floor until mincha time. We do not greet friends and acquaintances. However, if greeted, we may answer in a low tone. As the morning of Tisha B Av is the saddest part of the day, men do not put on their talit gadol or tefillin at shacharis and certain prayers are omitted from the davening. At mincha, men put on tefillin and we recite those prayers that were omitted from shacharis. The strictures that were in place during the Nine Days usually apply to the night following Tisha B Av and carry into the next day until noon. This year, due to the fact that this year Tisha B Av falls on Shabbos and the fast is observed on Sunday, most of the restrictions are relaxed immediately on Sunday night. The exceptions are listening to music and drinking wine which remain in effect until Monday July 30 at noon. FAST OF 17 th of TAMMUZ Sunday July 8, 2012 Fast begins 4:20 am Shacharis 6:00, 6:40, 7:50, 9:00 am Mincha 1:40 and 8:05pm Fast ends 9:08 pm TISHA B AV SCHEDULE Saturday July 28, 2012 Shabbat Chazon Regular Shacharis Talmud class 5:00 pm (Topic will be appropriate for Tisha B Av) Mincha 6:00 pm (After mincha, return home for Seudah Shlishis; meat and wine may be consumed) Fast begins 8:14 pm (Seudah Shlishis must end at that time)

4 8:57 pm Recite Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L Chol and Borai Meorai Ha Eish) You may then get into your car and change into or bring along Tisha B Av shoes. Maariv 9:20 pm Eicha 9:25 pm Sunday July 29, 2012 Shacharis 6:00, 7:00, 9:00am Program: Making Tisha B Av Relevant to Us sponsored by the Orthodox Union and the Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future (Details to be announced) Mincha 7:50pm DEDICATION OPPORTUNITIES The following leaves have been added: --Darren and Elisheva Edelstein upon the birth of their son Samuel Oliver --Mrs. Adina Stein upon the marriage of her grandchildren Caroline and David Klatt -- Abraham and Thelma Wadler in honor of the following family simchas: Baruch Dov and Nechama Braun on the birth of their son Ezra Meshulam Aryeh and Adina Lemel on the birth of their son Dov Yitzchak Jonathan and Aliza Ben Loulou on the birth of their daughter Ruchama Chaya Michael and Sharone Kalatsky on the birth of their son Ohaleav Malketzedek Shmuel and Chana Grossman on the birth of their son Yisrael Noach Rabbi Baruch Dov and Nechama Braun on the birth of their daughter Shira Fradel Yaakov and Sara Grossman on the birth of their son Nesanel Tzvi Jonathan and Aliza Ben Loulou on the birth of their daughter Leah Sivan There are many dedication opportunities available for the library both furnishings and books. Please contact Rabbi Stuart Verstandig or the shul office for more information.

5 The Women s League and Education Committee Summer Shabbos Afternoon Lecture Series on Topics of Jewish Interest Schedule of Speakers: July 7: Steve Lipman, Staff Writer, The Jewish Week July 14: Rabbi Danny Rapp, Yeshiva University s Stone Beit Midrash Program and Isaac Breuer College July 21: Orie Shapiro, Esq. August 4: Dr. George Moriber, Brooklyn College August 11: Yisrael Hacohen August 18: Rabbi Shalom Steinig, Rabbi, Young Israel of Bayside August 25: Panel discussion Chinuch Today. Part 2: How to raise your children to love learning Torah : Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University Dr. Simcha Feuerman, Ohel/Bais Ezra Lifetime Care Foundation Hillel Feuerman, Student in the Lander College For Men/Bais Medrash L'Talmud Yoreh Yoreh Smicha Program All lectures will take place at 5:45pm in the Beis Medrash unless otherwise announced. Lecture topics will be announced. The August 25 th panel discussion will take place at 5pm in the Main Shul. SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND SHIURIM Monday - Friday Daf Yomi 5:30am Monday Friday Halacha Yomis 6:00am Monday Friday Retirees Learning Program 9:45am Tuesday Women s Tehillim Group 8:00pm Saturday Igros Moshe Shiur 45 minutes before Mincha Chosson classes with Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld have begun. If interested, please contact the rabbi. Our semi-annual blood drive will take place on Wednesday July 25, 2012 from 4:00-10:00pm. We ask every person aged 17 (16 with parents' written permission) to 75 who is able to donate blood to participate. [Note: People age 76 and older can donate if they meet all donor eligibility requirements and present a doctor's written permission note.] RECENT SHUL EVENTS:

6 On Monday evening April 2 nd, Rabbinic Intern Yehoshua Konig presented a workshop on the Haggadah to men and women. On Tuesday morning April 3 rd, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld was a guest on the Nachum Segal radio program discussing kashrus for Pesach. On Thursday evening April 19 th, the shul held its annual Yom Hashoa commemoration which was sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Weintruab in memory of his parents. Rabbi Steven Weil spoke on The Mesirat Nefesh of Jews During the Most Horrific Times. The film Israel Inside was shown. On Sunday May 13 th, the shul held its 61 st annual dinner honoring Bob and Susan Rosenfeld, Alex Schechter, and Darren and Elisheva Edelstein. On Shabbos afternoon May 19 th, the shul held a Yom Yerushalayim Seudah Shelishis program featuring talks by Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld and Rabbi Azaryeh Berzon. On Shabbos afternoon May 26 th, Dr. Michael Salamon spoke after mincha on the topic of Mamleches Kohanim V Goy Kadosh: The Psychology of those who Violate this Precept. On Saturday night May 26 th, there was a program of all night learning for adults with shiurim by Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Dr. Mordechai Koenigsberg, Yehoshua Konig, and Dr. Zev Maybruch and a learning program for teenagers with shiurim by Rabbi Stuart Verstandig and Gavi Hoffman. On May 28 th, the second day of Shavuot, the shul held its annual forum. Rabbi Mordechai Besser, Michelle Farbman, Yehoshua Konig, and Gavi Hoffman spoke on Chinuch Today: What Message are we Sending? On Sunday, June 10 th, a Torah donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ben Sprung in memory of their family who died in the Holocaust was dedicated with a procession and seudah. On Monday June11th, the shul hosted a Summer Safety Program for parents that was co-sponsored with Magen of New York, the Jewish Board of Family & Children s Services, the National Council of Young Israel, the Queens Jewish Community Council, and the Vaad Harabonim of Queens. On Sunday June 24 th, the Youth Department held an end of year family barbeque and sports outing. PROGRAMS OF INTEREST: Thursday July 12, :00pm

7 Film screening of Nicholas Winton: The Power of Good and reception and tour Museum of Tolerance, 226 East 42 nd Street, NYC Film: A documentary about a young English man, Nicolas Winton who saved the lives of 669 children during the Holocaust organizing eight transports from Prague to Great Britain. Hanna Slone, one of the children will host a question and answer session after the film. Tickets $36 Register online or call extension 102 EXHIBITS OF INTEREST: Filming the Camps: John Ford, Samuel Fuller, George Stevens: From Hollywood to Nuremberg Through October 14, 2012 Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NYC Trail of the Magic Bullet: The Jewish Encounter with Modern Medicine, (through August 12, 2012) The Jews of Tsarist Russia (through August 31, 2012) Our Hometown Vilna (through December 31, 2012) Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16 th Street, NYC The Kindertransport, An Exhibit Opening July 12, 2012 The Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives, Queensborough Community College, th Avenue, Bayside NY MAZEL TOV TO ENGAGEMENT/MARRIAGE: Mr. Bernard Alexander upon his marriage to Alyssa Schnur Mr. and Mrs. Mark Horowitz upon the engagement of their son Zachary to Sima Horowitz and to her grandparents, Rabbi and Mr. Naftali Horowitz Mrs. Rose Huttel upon the marriage of her granddaughter Jennifer Huttel to Reuben Dolny Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Kelman upon the marriage of their granddaughter Ora Rabbi and Mrs. Marshall Korn upon the marriage of their grandson Ari Glatt to Michelle Sigman Mrs. Shulamit Leibler upon the engagement of her granddaughter Zahava Goldofsky to Yaacov Kolb Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Mosenkis upon the engagement of their granddaughter Tova Mosenkis to Amir Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Roth upon the marriage of their granddaughter Dr. Jennifer Schachar to Dr. Eric Berkowitz

8 Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Rubin upon the engagement of their granddaughter Rebecca Rubin to Shinshon Seligson Mr. and Mrs. Saul Schulman upon the engagement of their granddaughter BIRTHS: Rabbi and Mrs. Fabian Schonfeld upon the birth of their great grandson and their great granddaughter (not twins) Rabbi and Mrs. Yoel Schonfeld upon the birth of their granddaughter and to the great grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Fabian Schonfeld Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Berger upon the birth of their grandson in Israel Mr. and Mrs. David Faska upon the birth of their daughter Mr. and Mrs. Lou Greenberg upon the birth of their great grandson Mr. and Mrs. Heshy Gutterman upon the birth of their grandson in Israel Mrs. Berti Herzka upon the birth of her great grandson in Israel Mr. and Mrs. Mark Horowitz upon the birth of twin grandchildren a boy and a girl Rabbi Naftali & Zisi Horowitz upon the birth of their great grandson Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Kalatsky upon the birth of their granddaughter and to the great grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Abe Wadler Mr. & Mrs. Ben Kramer birth of a girl Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kravitz upon the birth of their granddaughter in Israel Mr.& Mrs. Charles Lindenbaum upon the birth of their great grandson Mr. and Mrs. Yosef Poplak upon the birth of their grandson and to the great grandmother Mrs. Debbie Poplak Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Silver upon the birth of their great grandson Mr. and Mrs. Yoni Zimmerman upon the birth of their twins a boy and a girl BAR MITZVAH/BAT MITZVAH: Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Kelman upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson David Baruch Mr. Avi Reichman upon the Bar Mitzvah of his grandson Shaul Shmerling in Israel Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rosenfeld upon the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Orly Rosenfeld and to the great grandmother, Mrs. Evelyn Rosenfeld Mr. and Mrs. Sam Russo upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson in Israel Mrs. Leila Schreiber upon the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Sasha Schreiber Mr. and Mrs. Leon Strauss upon the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Shoshanna REFUAH SHLEIMAH/WELCOME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL: Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld Mrs. Jean Kelman Mr. Myron Kolatch Dr. Simon Lopata Mrs. Lillian Mazurek Mr. Jack Nayberg

9 Mr. Avi Reichman Mrs. Annette Ruby Mr. Michael Stein Mr. Zev Willon CONDOLENCES TO: Mr. Ronnie Eisenberg upon the loss of his father, Mr. Mordechai Eisenberg Mrs. Phyllis Fisher and Mrs. Blanche Penner upon the loss of their brother Mrs. Sandi Hacohen upon the loss of her mother, Mrs. Devorah Lipshitz Mr. Yossi Klein upon the loss of his father, Mr. Leo Klein Mrs. Riki Koenigsberg upon the loss of her sister, Mrs. Leah Hain Mr. Norman Ringel upon the loss of his father Mrs. Elaine Rosengarten upon the loss of her sister, our member Mrs. Ann Stern Mr. Alex Scheinfeld upon the loss of his brother CONGRATULATIONS TO: Mrs. Linda Baron Katz upon the publication of her book, Surviving Mental Illness Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Roth upon the graduation of their grandson Jeffrey Schachar from SUNY Downstate Medical School Those shul members who have and are not receiving the shul s, should send an to with their name and address. The Torch is published four times a year: Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur; Chanukah; Pesach, and the Three Weeks. Anyone interested in advertising a business or service in The Torch should contact Rebecca Wittert at: wittert@juno.com Advertising rates: Ad Size One Issue Two Issues Three Issues Four Issues 1/8 page $36 $70 $100 $125 ¼ page $50 $90 $136 $175 ½ page $100 $175 $275 $360 Full page $175 $325 $500 $600

10 NOTE: THERE IS A 25% DISCOUNT FOR PAID UP MEMBERS OF THE YIKGH For more information about shul events, visit the website at: yikgh.youngisrael.org Support the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills as you send delicious cookies, cakes and other foods to your friends and family in Israel. If you use the affiliate code: YIKGH when you send a gift through Gili s Goodies ( the shul will receive 10% of the sales price.