Young Israel of Chomedey

Transcription

1 Young Israel of Chomedey 4880 boul. Notre Dame, Laval, H7W 1V4 Tel: (450) Passover Edition Vol. 21 No /5778 Editor: Norman Fogel Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Avram Banon

2 A Message from the Rabbi B H Dear Members, As we enter into the Month of Nissan, the Chodesh Hageula it is the Month of our redemption from the Egyptian exile. We have to remember the words that we say every single day in the Shema, the commandment You shall relate it to your son. This holiday reminds us and emphasizes the importance of recounting our story to our children, grandchildren, as well as to ourselves. This is actually the main focus of our Passover Seder. We need to gather around the table and tell over the story of our Exodus. This is the foundation and the continuity of our nation. Just as we cannot assume that our children will be able to find their true path in life without having an education, so too we cannot assume that they will learn about our story on their own. We must be proactive in teaching it to them, as well as to continue our own personal education of our past. Pesach is not only a communal liberation. As it says, in every generation a Jew should see himself as though he personally has been liberated from Mitzrayim [Egypt]. Pesach is not only celebrated to rejoice or to remind us about the liberation of our ancestors from their slavery in Egypt, but also to inspire us to strive for a greater measure of self-liberation from all limitations and distractions which prevent us from practicing and strengthening our Yiddishkeit in the everyday life. In such a tumultuous world, where there is so much hate and violence, where children are hurting children, and where everything is now acceptable so that we are politically correct, we need to bring more G-dliness back into the mainstream. We need to go back to the core values of morality, and perhaps this will be able to shed some light into our seemingly dark world. We are under a different form of slavery, a modern slavery. We have our very own Pharaoh enslaving us. We have endless forms of social media and technology that is taking over our lives. We are becoming the most self-centered society, which in turn is subjecting us to a personal exile of great magnitude. We need to get out and we need to be freed! This is the meaning of the description given Zman Cheirusainu the time of OUR liberation, our own personal growth. We are blessed to be living in a country that promotes Religious freedoms. Let us celebrate and utilize what we are fortunate to have, and practice our Yiddishkeit to its fullest. Let us join the Minyan, participate in a Torah class, partake in a Purim party, share in a Shul Simcha, and celebrate our members milestones. When we actively contribute to our own religious growth we are truly celebrating the Exodus from Egypt on a regular basis. Let us all merit that In the next year may we be free, in the next year may we be in Jerusalem! Rochel, Eli, Chana Leah, Esther and Messoda join me in wishing you and yours a Kosher Un Freilichen Pesach. Rabbi Avram Banon

3 Message from the President Shalom Aleichem! To all Young Israel of Chomedey members and their families. It s hard to believe that six months - long and hard winter months - have so quickly passed since the High Holidays, and we are now at the cusp of what we hope will be a mild spring and a sunny summer. The Passover Holidays always bode well for the future, as we all celebrate this beautiful and family-oriented Holiday. For many of us it will be a time to either welcome and/or visit our children and grandchildren, close to home, or further afield in Ottawa, Toronto or elsewhere. The feedback we had after the High holidays was for the most part positive, and the Executive felt that we were successful in providing the proper haimishe atmosphere for our members. On Sukkot we had weather problems with a large Sukkah that we had purchased, and then with the help of Rabbi Banon, we obtained at the last minute a rental Sukkah that allowed us to to participate in the Mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah. During the past six months, your Executive has tried to finish and consolidate most of the projects started prior to Rosh Hashana. We are still working on the Yiskor board; the Yizkor electronic screen has been down for some time due to a number of problems, but is on it s way to being repaired. Our website is functioning without any problems, and we will be making some small changes, and adding some featuresin the next few months. It will be the central repository for Young Israel of Chomedey information. Our Tree of Life is growing with new leaves being added almost every few weeks. We are hopeful in having the Chevra Mishnayis Tree of Life up very soon, in one form or another. We have a new Kosher protocol for our kitchen thanks to Rabbi Banon, and a gate is up, ensuring the kashrut of our kitchen. We will soon have a new sink for Netilat Yadaim for washing our hands and reciting the appropriate blessing before eating. Many of these are small but important additions that allow us to fully function as a modern Orthodox shul and to observe the appropriate Mitzvot commensurate with our being an Orthodox shul. Our administration is functioning well, and member s statements are all up to date, probably for the first time in a dozen years. We had a successful joint Hanukkah party with Shaar Shalom, and a beautiful Purim Party for which the organizers received rave reviews. In the meantime, together with Shaar Shalom, we continue to have Minyans on a regular basis both mornings and evenings, especially on Rosh Chodesh and minor holidays, as well as for members having to say Kaddish. We may have missed a few days here and there, but with the winter exodus to the sunny South, it hasn t always been easy. Much still remains to be done. We hope to have a new security system in place in short order, and are still looking to find a way to hang our beloved stained glass windows. After Pesach we will have a new Shabbat Kiddish protocol that will feature more Holidays. diverse Kiddish menus on a rotating basis. Given that we have now reverted to Daylight Savings Time and our Shabbat evening prayers include both Mincha and Ma ariv, we will also be having a festive Shalosh Seudos meal every Shabbat evening. We look forward to seeing many of you there. We will also be looking at repairing, cleaning, and adding to our Teleisim rack ; it was correctly pointed out to us that many are in need of repair and/ or cleaning. Most important of all, we are already deep into discussions with respect to replacing all our benches with uniform comfortable seating for both men and women throughout the shul. This is a major item, and we anticipate having them ready for the High Many of these items will be up for discussion at our General Assembly meeting which will take place in April; the date and time still under discussion. When the date is published, please make every effort to attend, and have your say in how your shul is administered. At this time, I would be remiss if I did not thank our executive especially Dave Green and Fred Rudy for filling in where and where needed during my 10 week absence; a 4-week illness, and then a 6-week recovery down South. Although we were in touch every few days, and the newsletters were filed on time, nevertheless it was Dave and Fred who kept things running, and more than ever I am grateful that they accepted to serve on your Executive. Carl Wooden, our treasurer was kept busy preparing financial statements, and Stanley Plant helped out where he could to them I am also grateful. To Rabbi Banon, Chazen Sheni Yossi, and to all our Gabbaim, thanks for making the Young Israel of Chomedey a truly wonderful shul. To Mike Andradi and Shaar Shalom members thank you for working with us, so that we can continue to have Minyans on a daily basis when required. Last but not least, to you our members thank you for your participation, and for helping make the Young Israel of Chomedey the central address for THE ASHKENAZI COMMUNITY OF CHOMEDEY. As we celebrate Passover - Chag Ha Herut the Holiday of Freedom - let us be thankful to Hashem for the freedoms we have here in Canada, especially when we see what is happening around the world. Let us resolve to be more active in our Synagogue, even if it s attending only one Minyan a week. As I said previously, it is YOUR shul, help make it a better and more inclusive place for all of us. On behalf of my wife Zila, and on behalf of our entire Executive, it is my pleasure to wish each and every one of you - Chag Pesach Kasher v Sameach, a Happy and Kosher Pesach. May we all continue to enjoy the freedoms we have, and may Hashem grant us health and happiness, at this time and throughout the year, so that we can all celebrate SHANA HABAH b YERUSHALAYIM NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM. Issie Baum

4 Yasher Koach To George Finkelstein s niece Lindsey, who has been courageously facing a battle with cancer. She has been the subject of stories in the Gazette and was featured in a photo article in the Canadian Jewish News, as part of the CJA 100th Anniversary campaign team. To Dr. Mark Meissner from Detroit, whose family were longtime members of the Young Israel in years past. Dr. Meissner joined us for a Shabbat service, and also honoured us with a beautiful Haftarah. To Eleanor and Harvey Gordon Spence from Belleville, Ontario here to visit friends and her sister. They decided to make a special visit to YIC, her spiritual home from years back. To Yossi, Moshe and Jerry, who filled in so ably while the Rabbi was away on holiday, and while Naphtali was away on sick leave. To Dave Green and Fred Rudy, who literally got down on their hands and knees and by the sweat of their brows did the work to make our Shul look as beautiful as it does. To Norman Fogel for editing, and Ed Braiter, the Graphics Artist, in producing a beautiful Rosh Hashana Bulletin. And to Norman, Susan Erdelyi, and Zila Baum, who helped with getting out the Bulletin in the mail to all members in less than a day. To Lou Gontovnick and his son Howard on that wonderful article that appeared in the Canadian Jewish News, on his chicken plucking days in the old country of Ste. Sophie. YASHIR KOACH and vote of thanks to Rabbis Banon and Steiffel, and the rest of the clergy, who turned in a Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur spiritual experience second to none. To Dave Green and Fred Rudy who both pretty well slept in Shul most of a week to get the Yahrzeit boards up, and prepare for the rest of what goes up before the High Holidays. And to Fred who was in Shul the rest of the time helping Mindy with the seat allocations. To Bella Green, wife of Irving Green Z L. Her family and friends were in Shul after evening services to affix 4 beautiful Mezuzahs to mark the 2nd Anniversary of Irving s passing. A beautiful inscribed Torah covering was also donated. To Rabbi David Banon, our Rabbi s father, who honoured us at our 1st Slichot Services in our new Shul, by giving us a short Dvar Torah on the week s Torah Parasha, A HUGE YASHIR KOACH to Gabbaim Jerry Segal, Moshe Levinger and Dave Apelbaum who did the Aliya and Honours list for the first time. YASHIR KOACH to Nat for having done it so many years. To Dave Apelbaum who performed the Synagogue Crier s job admirably and for Fred Burak, and Sam Duchoeny for helping out as runners/ushers on Rosh Hashana, and to Stanley Plant who did the honours on Yom Kippur. To Fred Rudy. Over and above his regular work of getting the yarzheit cards out for the past 25 years, he tirelessly helped get the Shul ready for the High Holidays. To Rabbi Banon, who proved to be a capable construction engineer, as well as our very capable Rabbi, as he rolled up his sleeves one Sunday AM after services, and supervised a small crew in putting up a newly rented temporary Sukkah. And to Dov Midlash, Marvin Baker, and Fred Rudy who helped the Rabbi with the Sukkah. YASHIR KOACH to the Sha ar Shalom for helping out with our Kiddish one morning in September. To all those who helped with preparations for the High Holidays - from Susan Erdelyi, who in one morning prepared all the Kol Nidre Appeal cards, to Mike Andradi s wife Sara, and Mindy, who helped with our morning Sukkot Kiddishes. To Hillel Salzman, Hazzan at Sha ar Shalom, who treated us with a resonant Haftorah reading on the 2nd day of Sukkot. To Dave Green and his crew, and to Fred Rudy who on Sunday Oct 1, the day after Yom Kippur, spent the better part of the day moving out all the benches, packing up the Mahzorim and Slichot, and restoring the hall to its former self. To our Women of Valour - Lillian Rudy, Jo-Ann Vanderlowen and Zila Baum - they became Shul widows, whose husbands devoted countless hours working to set up our new Shul arrangements. YASHIR KOACH to Dov Midlash who found the HAMISHI. Dave Apelbaum is thrilled he now has a full house. To all who made it the Hanukkah party possible: Helaine Feldhammer from the Shaar Shalom, co-chairman of the party committee; Shirley and Marty Cohen, and Zila Baum, who set all the tables on Friday in a marathon 4-5 hour session; Susan Erdelyi who did a superb job on the decorations; Mindy who helped in different capacities, including selling tickets on behalf of the Young Israel; Helaine who sold tickets on behalf of the Shaar Shalom and Yaffa Puterman who sold tickets to all the Israelis present; and to Sam Rabinovitch who helped in more ways than one despite his bum leg. Our mashgiach Naphtali Shainbach did a marvellous job of mashgiching. Yashir Koach to Gina Fogel, the only one who bothered to send pictures. To our Rabbi & Jerry for keeping the ship afloat one Shabbat morning in February while many Shul leaders were on holiday. To Mindy, who has been instrumental in organizing Minyans at a critical time when so many regular minyannaires are away on holiday. To Dave Green and Fred Rudy, who did an admirable job in the Shabbat announcements as well as doing the grunt work while Issie Baum was away. To Debbie and Naphtali Sheinbach who made a donation to Canadian Magen David Adom in the Shul s name for the Tribute Kiddish we had in honour of Naphtali and his years of service to the Shul. Continued on the next page.

5 Yasher Koach (Continued from the previous page.) To Mindy, with the help of Susan and others who ensured that our annual Purim party was a big success. And to Generation Foundation s Adrian & Natalie Bercovici, long-time YIC members, who provided loads of toys for the kids. To Dave Green and Fred Rudy, who saved us hundreds of dollars by coming up with a design for putting locks on the kitchen ovens and stoves, as well as for closing off the partition to the kitchen cooking area. To Issie Baum who has reconfigured the weekly Young Israel Newsletter and taken it into the Internet age by installing it on line. He continues to do an outstanding job in creating and distributing its timely, interesting and important content for the readers. Condolences Our heartfelt condolences go out to: Dave & Thelma Smith and the entire Smith Family on the passing of Dave s elder brother Sydney Z L. The family of long time YIC member Morris (Moe) Schachter Z L who passed away suddenly, in September. The family of longtime and beloved YIC member Alex Wolkowicz Z L. The family of Matthew Hersh Beker Z L. The family of the late Donna Hutman, Z L. Dave Green s girlfriend Jo-Ann, on the passing of a very close cousin in Toronto. The family of Barbara Braiter Z L, née Shames, wife of the late Ben Braiter. Sarah and David Beiner on the loss of Sarah s revered and respected long time sportswriter brother, Saul (Red) Fisher Z L. Wife Sonia and the family of Joe Budner, Z L, who passed away after lingering, serious health issues. Bar & Bat Mitzvahs Mazel Tov to: Susan and Eugen Erdelyi on the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs of their grandchildren, twins Jake Allan and Lauren Allison Salofsky. Krysia & Moe Rosenstein on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Eric Weider. Lillian and Fred Rudy on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Ezra.. Liquor Donations Our sincere thanks to: Gerson Byer Reisha & Harry Melnik Bernice and Harry Chyfetz Natalie & Adrian Bercovici Mary & Hami Sadi (Issie s friends) David Green Larissa Gruszka Marvin Baker Rabbi Banon Diane & Aubrey Bresinger Ralph Levine Fred and Lillian Rudy Simon-Schwartzman family Irving Zwirek Simmy and Beryl Grabina Daniel Cohen Pesach Bosis Harry Melnick Moshe Levinger Nancy Bresler Mike Andradi Rose & Gerson Byer Jerry Segal Daniel Cohen Danny Silverman Gaby Zeichmeister Naftali Shainbach Engagements and Weddings Mazel Tov to: Marvin Baker on the wedding of his nephew. Leo Stiglitz and the late Maree Z L, whose great-granddaughter Brenda from Toronto, got engaged. Debbie and Naphtali Shainbach who announced the engagement of their daughter Yardena. Leo Stiglitz and the late Maree Z L whose granddaughter Erin recently got engaged to Dr. Corey Brick, in Toronto. Harry & Bernice Chyfetz whose granddaughter Jessica was engaged to Adam, in Toronto. We regret any errors or omissions. From Newsletters Aug. 22, 2017 to Mar. 4, 2018

6 Laryssa Grushka Lou Gontovnick George Finkelstein s mother Beryl Grabina George Finkelstein Stan Plant s wife Marilyn Nathan White Lillian Rudy Thelma Smith Rose Finkelstein Refuah Shelema Miscellaneous Mazal Tov to Sha ar Shalom member Bernie Bloom, the father of Paul Bloom, a Yale psychologist who was the recipient of a $1 million 2017 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize for his investigations into how children develop a sense of morality. Mazal Tov to Leo & Maree s Stiglitz s Z L grandaughter Megan Higman who recently graduated McGill with a degree in Speech Therapy. Young Israel member Adrian Bercovici was named as an OUTSTANDING CANADIAN. As Global s Paola Samuel reports, he was nominated for the work he does to support children and youth in the Montreal community. Adrian and wife Natalie Bercovici gave away thousands of toys at their Generations Foundation annual toy drive. MAZAL TOV to the Erdelyis as their son Steven Erdelyi was once again elected as a Cote St. Luc city councillor. KOL HAKAVOD to Nehemiah s Black grandson Shlomo Zvi who departed on a holy mission to join the Israel Defence Forces as a HAYAL BODED - LONE SOLDIER. Kiddish Sponsors Our sincere thanks to: Dave Smith (Breakfast) Lillian and Fred Rudy, and Miriam Levy Duchoeny Family Krysia and Moe Rosenstein Paul Kulik Pesach Bosis Rabbi Avram Banon and Rebbetzin Rochel Susan & Eugen Erdelyi Ralph Levine (Breakfast) Rosalie Simon-Schwartzman and her mother Florence Simon Ralph Levine Reesa & Dov Midlash Gloria Shames None Sholash Seudot Sponsors Graphics & Layout for the Bulletin: Edward Braiter Births Mazel Tov to: Lillian and VP Fred Rudy on the birth of a great-grandson. Dave Green whose niece in Ottawa gave birth to a 6 lb baby girl. Diane and Aubrey Bresinger on the birth of a great-grandson. Debbie and Naphtali Shainbach, and the entire Shainbach delegation from Israel on the birth of a second grandson. Lucette and Nehemia Black and to their extended families, on the birth of a daughter to their daughter in New York. Sephie and Jerry Segal on the birth of their 13th grandchild. Rabbi and Rebetzin Banon on the birth of a baby boy to his sister Devora Leah and Moshe Holtzberg.

7 The Passover Calendar 5778 Thursday, March 29th / Nissan 13 Formal Search for Chometz after 7:49 pm Friday, March 30th / Nissan 14 Fast of the Firstborn Shachris followed by a Siyum & Breakfast Stop eating Chometz Sell burn burn leftover Chometz Light Shabbos and Yom Tov Candles begins at 5:08 am at 7:00 am before 10:24 am before 11:40 am before 7:01 pm at 6:45 pm Saturday, March 31st / Nissan 15-1st day of Passover Shachris Light Yom Tov candles (from an existing flame) at 6:45 pm after 8:06 pm Sunday, April 1st / Nissan 16-2nd day of Passover Shachris Yom Tov Ends at 8:08 pm Thursday, April 5th / Nissan 20 - Second Yom Tov Light Candles (or later from existing flame) before 7:09 pm Friday, April 6th / Nissan 21-7th day of Passover Shachris Light candles (from an existing flame) before 7:10 pm Saturday, April 7th / Nissan 22-8th and final day of Passover Shachris Yizkor Memorial Prayer Mincha followed by Seudas Moshiach Maariv Pesach ends Begin consuming Chometz approx 10:30 am at 8:00 pm at 8:08 pm at 9:15 pm Please wait one hour before eating Chometz to allow time for the Rabbi to buy it on your behalf.

8 The Passover Calendar 5778 Candle Lighting Blessings 1) BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LOHE- NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL YOM TOV. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctifi ed us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Yom Tov light. 2) BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LOHE- NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM SHEHECHE- YA-NU VE-KI-YE-MA-NU VE-HIGI-A-NU LIZ-MAN HA-ZEH. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. The Shavuot Calendar 5778 Saturday, May 19th / Sivan 5 Light candles (from an existing flame) at 8:15 pm after 9:17 pm Sunday, May 20th / Sivan 6-1st day of Shavuot Shachris (including reading of the Ten Commandments) Light Yom Tov candles (from a pre existing flame) after 9:18 pm Monday, May 21st / Sivan 7-2nd day of Shavuot Shachris Yizkor Yom Tov ends approx 10:30 am at 8:20 pm at 9:20 pm

9 Have you visited the web site recently? The Rabbi s and President s Message Pictures Visit all our Newsletters for the past 6 months Weekly Services schedule Obtain Shabbat candle-lighting times anywhere you travel worldwide Join the mailing list and more! 4880 boul. Notre-Dame Chomedey, Laval, Quebec H7W 1V4 (450)

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