Why Do We Celebrate Chanukah Anyway? Douglas Aronin

Transcription

1 Queens Jewish Center & Talmud Torah The Bulletin The Latest and Beyond... My Friends My Family My Community My QJC VOLUME 64, ISSUE 2 CHANUKAH 5774 NOVEMBER JANUARY th Street, Forest Hills, NY Ph: office@myqjc.org Fax: RABBI JOSEPH GRUNBLATT Rabbi Emeritus ARYEH RENDEL...Cantor JACK R. NUSSBAUM...President FRANKLYN SNITOW...Chairman, Board of Trustees chanukah Message Why Do We Celebrate Chanukah Anyway? Douglas Aronin Every fan of Sherlock Holmes (the books, not the movies) is familiar with the exchange between Holmes & Inspector Gregory in the short story "Silver Blaze." When Holmes refers to "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time," the inspector objects: "The dog did nothing in the night-time." To which Holmes replies: "That was the curious incident." The dog that didn't bark reminds us that what is missing can be as significant as what is present. With that in mind, here's a simple question. Why is it that the Mishna, compiled by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi (commonly called Rebbe) around the year 200 CE, the foundation text on which Jewish law stands, tells us almost nothing about Chanukah? It can't be that Rebbe did not know of this holiday; the events that it celebrates took place more than three centuries earlier. The Gemara's discussion of Chanukah, a digression during a discussion of Shabbat candles (Shabbat 21a-b), includes statements by his contemporaries. The Mishna, moreover, does contain a few incidental references to Chanukah, but doesn't explain why we celebrate it. Clearly, Rebbe made a conscious decision to omit any such explanation. But why? Before Rebbe's time, the Torah she'baal peh (Oral Torah) was transmitted through study and discussion in the academies, each of which had its own set of oral traditions. Rebbe compiled an authoritative collection of the Oral Torah up to his time but the transmission process in the individual academies did not cease. By omitting the holiday's rationale from the Mishna, Rebbe left it to be determined by the oral traditions of the individual academies. Why do we celebrate Chanukah, anyway? The Gemara recounts the story that every schoolchild learns -- that when the faithful Jews recaptured the Beit HaMikdash from the Syrian Greeks, they could find only one cruse of pure oil with which to light its Menorah. Although that cruse of oil was only sufficient to burn for one day, a miracle occurred, enabling that oil to burn for eight days, until more pure oil could be produced. To commemorate that miracle, we celebrate Chanukah for eight days, lighting an eight-branch Menorah as an act of pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle). Yet the Al hanisim that we insert into the Amidah and Grace after Meals during Chanukah, does not mention the oil. The miracle for which we express gratitude in that passage is the victory, against all odds, of the Hasmoneans, led by Judah Maccabee, over the Syrian Greeks: "You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous." That victory enabled the Hasmoneans to recapture the Beit HaMikdash without which they would not have needed the miraculous oil in the first place. The two apocryphal books of Maccabees, the closest we have to a contemporaneous source, likewise does not mention the miracle of the oil. According to I Maccabees, the holiday was a celebration of the rededication of the altar in the Beit HaMikdash. II Maccabees adds that the original eight-day celebration was a delayed celebration of Sukkot (which, if you include Shemini Atzeret, lasts eight days), since they had not been in control of the Beit HaMikdash when that holiday should have been celebrated. It seems then that there was no consensus in ancient times as to what Chanukah is supposed to celebrate. Is it the Hasmonean victory against the Syrian Greeks, the restoration of Judean autonomy, the defeat of the Hellenizing Jews, the preservation of freedom of worship or the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash? Though it celebrates historical events -- the most adamant skeptic can't deny that the Jewish forces led by the Hasmoneans defeated the Syrian Greeks -- opinions as to what we can learn from those events have changed over time. The restoration of religious autonomy led to the revival of national sovereignty, which proved to be short lived. Several generations later, a dispute between two Hasmonean brothers over succession to the throne resulted in Roman hegemony over Judea. Roman rule was initially fairly benign but became increasingly harsh in later years, causing a revolt that led to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash in 70 CE. Sixty years later, another revolt, under the leadership of Bar Kokhba, met an even harsher response, extinguishing until modern times the last ember of Jewish autonomy in the Land of Israel. Rebbe was but two generations removed from the failed Bar Kokhba revolt and was understandably eager to avoid a repeat of that tragedy. One obvious reason for omitting Chanukah from the Mishna was fear that the Romans would regard it as a call to further rebellion. But I suspect that the reason for the omission goes deeper. Chanukah, like Purim, Continued on back page (12)

2 PAY ONLINE (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover) QJC Information QJC INFORMATION Aryeh Rendel Cantor Jack R. Nussbaum President Miriam Selengut Office Manager Irina Gulyaev Bookkeeper Margy Cohen Office Staff Jonathan Herz Webmaster IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS QJC Office Tel QJC Fax QJC Website... QJC QJC Chevra Kadisha Queens Chevra Kadisha HATZOLAH Forest Hills ERUV MIKVEH of Queens With 2013 coming to an end, Please KEEP THE QJC IN MIND for your YEAR-END TAX PLANNING. The Shul NEEDS you support And many thanks for your contributions to date! THE BULLETIN Bulletin Contributors Miriam Selengut Editor & Writer Margy Cohen Avigail Gordon Toni Gordon Jonathan Herz Stacey Levine Naomi Nussbaum-Antis Jill Rudich Herb Schonhaut Deena Shulman QJC MEMBERSHIP Single - $280 Family - $495 (1 st year - $280) Benefits: Reduced rates for : High Holiday seats & facilities rental, communal meals etc Services of. Chesed Comm., & more Shop & search Google through E-Shop on MyQJC.org website. MyQJC e-shop: raise money for QJC. NO risk or cost to you. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Chanukah Message 1 QJC information 2 Weekday Services 3 Shabbos Services 4 Chanukah Laws / High Holiday Thanks 5 10 Teves Laws / Tu B Shevat / Siyum 6 Sisterhood 7 Bikur Cholim / Sched. of Events /YAD 8 YAD Events 9 Yahrzeits 10 Yahrzeits / Blood Drive 11 Chanukah Message (cont) 12 Kiddush- $75, $ Seudah Shlishis - $150 Memorial Plaque - $360 Tree of Life- $118, $360 e-shop on MyQJC.org YAD Fund - donation SUPPORT OUR SHUL Participate Dedicate Sidurim, Seforim- $28,118 H. Wishik Kiddush Fund - $100 Shiva Fund - donation Scholar in Residence: call Shop Nutri- Supreme Hospitality Cards - donation & Sponsor! This Bulletin is co-sponsored by QJC member, Lea Ellis (Dom Realty) Lea Ellis Real Estate Representative Cell: Tel/Fax: LeaEllis55@yahoo.com Buying or Selling? I will get you the best deal possible. "Realty Made Simple" If you are looking for a dedicated realtor, Call me! - Free Home Market Analysis provided Specializing in: Forest Hills - Rego Park - Kew Gardens - Fresh Meadows - Jamaica Estates QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 2

3 DAILY SERVICES For status of 2nd Minyan, contact Don Makovsky at under urgent circumstances tallis & tefillin can be put on as early as dawn Shacharis SHACHARIS Sunday... 7:15 am & 8:30 am Monday &Thursday... 6:20 am & 7:30 am Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday... 6:30 am & 7:30 am Rosh Chodesh (Dec. 3,4 - Chanukah)... 6:10 am & 7:30 am (Jan. 1 )... 6:30 am & 8:30 am Chanukah: (Thursday Nov. 28: Thanksgiving)... 6:30 am & 8:30 am (Friday Nov. 29 & Monday Dec. 2)... 6:15 am & 7:30 am (Sunday Dec. 1)...7:15 am & 8:30 am Major Legal Holidays (Dec. 25 & Jan. 1)... 6:30 am & 8:30 am Tallis &T'fillin Sh'mah not earlier than not later than November (Chanukah).. 6:00 am...9:17 am December :06 am...9:22 am December :12 am...9:27 am December :16 am...9:31 am December :19 am...9:35 am December 29 - Jan :21 am...9:38 am SUNDAYS & Major Legal Holidays - Held at the QJC. November 24, 28 (Thanksgiving) 4:15 pm / 4:50 pm December :15 pm / 4:50 pm December :15 pm / 4:50 pm December :15 pm / 4:50 pm December 22, 25 (legal holiday).. 4:15 pm / 4:50 pm Dec. 29, Jan. 1 (legal holiday)... 4:20 pm / 4:55 pm January :25 pm / 5:00 pm January :35 pm / 5:10 pm January :40 pm / 5:15 pm January :50 pm / 5:25 pm February :00 pm / 5:35 pm SHABBOS CLASSES AFTER KABBOLAS SHABBOS Talmud Class... R Shmuel Gold (BH) SHABBOS MORNING 7:30 AM...Mishna Brurah... R Leonard Levy (HA) 10:30 AM..Talmud Class... R Bezalel Ostrow (BH) ONE HOUR BEFORE MINCHA Daf Yomi - Talmud... R Shmuel Gold Basic Chumash... Mr. Mendel Weiss AFTER SEUDAH SHLISHIS Mussar Class... R Shmuel Gold (BH) MINCHA & MAARIV Tallis &T'fillin Sh'mah Shacharis not earlier than not later than January :21 am...9:40 am January :20 am...9:41 am January :18 am...9:40 am January :14 am...9:37 am February :09 am...9:34 am MONDAY - THURSDAY - Held at Machane Chodosh November 25, 26, :15 pm December :15 pm December :15 pm December :15 pm December 23, 24, :15 pm Dec. 30, 31, Jan :15 pm January :30 pm January :30 pm January :45 pm January :45 pm February :00 pm LATE MAARIV: (Monday - Thursday) 7:30 pm (except on Legal Holidays) ~ held AT THE QJC Sunday - Friday WEEKDAY CLASSES Daf Yomi - Rabbi Bezalel Ostrow - Coffee & Cake SUN:...9:30 am MON - FRI:...8:45 am Sunday - Thursday Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Betw. Mincha & Maariv Wednesdays (approx. every other Wed.) Sefer Shmuel - Susan Lieberman... 8:00 pm (November 20, December 4, 18 ) SHABBOS for KIDS - Parent Supervised 9:30 am: Playroom 10:00 am: SHUL SCHOOL Daily Services Schedule of Classes QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 3

4 Schedule of Services VAYESHEV Friday, November 22 Candle Lighting... 4:14 pm Mincha... 4:20 pm Saturday, November 23 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha... 4:00 pm Major Seudah Shlishis - Siyum Nezikin Shabbos Ends... 5:22 pm MIKETZ - Mevorchim Teves Friday, November 29 3rd CHANUKAH CANDLE* *Chanukah candles must be lit prior to Shabbos candles Shabbos Candle Lighting... 4:11 pm Mincha... 4:10 pm to permit Chanukah candles to be lit in Shul after Mincha Saturday, November 30 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha... 4:05 pm Shabbos Ends... 5:19 pm 4th CHANUKAH CANDLE ** **Chanukah candles must be lit after Havdalah VAYIGASH Friday, December 6 Candle Lighting...4:09 pm Mincha...4:15 pm Saturday, December 7 Hashkoma Service...7:45 am Shacharis - Main & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha...4:00 pm Shabbos Ends...5:18 pm VAYECHI - Asara B'Teves Friday, December 13 Fast Begins...5:59 am Shacharis...6:10 am Mincha...4:00 pm Candle Lighting...4:10 pm Fast Ends...5:14 pm Saturday, December 14 Hashkoma Service...7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha...4:00 pm Shabbos Ends...5:19 pm SHEMOS Friday, December 20 Candle Lighting...4:12 pm Mincha...4:15 pm Saturday, December 21 Hashkoma Service...7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha...4:00 pm Shabbos Ends...5:21 pm VA ERAH - Mevorchim Shevat Friday, December 27 Candle Lighting...4:16 pm Mincha... 4:20 pm Saturday, December 28 Hashkoma Service...7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash...8:30 am Mincha...4:05 pm Shabbos Ends...5:26 pm BO Friday, January 3 Candle Lighting... 4:22 pm Mincha... 4:25 pm Saturday, January 4 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash... 8:30 am Mincha... 4:10 pm Shabbos Ends... 5:31 pm BESHALACH Friday, January 10 Candle Lighting... 4:29 pm Mincha... 4:35 pm Saturday, January 11 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash... 8:30 am Mincha... 4:20 pm Shabbos Ends... 5:38 pm YISRO Friday, January 17 Candle Lighting... 4:37 pm Mincha... 4:40 pm Saturday, January 18 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash... 8:30 am Mincha... 4:25 pm Shabbos Ends... 5:46 pm MISHPATIM - Mevorchim Adar I Friday, January 24 Candle lighting... 4:45 pm Mincha... 4:50 pm Saturday, January 25 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash... 8:30 am Mincha... 4:35 pm Shabbos Ends... 5:54 pm TERUMAH - Rosh Chodesh Adar I Friday, January 31 Candle Lighting... 4:53 pm Mincha... 4:55 pm Saturday, February 1 Hashkoma Service... 7:45 am Shacharis - Main Shul & Bais Hamedrash... 8:30 am Mincha... 4:45 pm Shabbos Ends... 6:03 pm QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 4

5 Laws and Customs of Chanukah It is preferable to use olive oil because the miracle in the Temple occurred with olive oil, but other pure, clean oils or candles may be used. It is preferable to light the Menorah near a window that faces the street. On the first night, one candle is lit on the extreme right end of the Menorah. Every subsequent night, one candle is added towards the left. The newest candle added that evening, on the left is kindled first, moving to the right! The time for lighting candles is immediately upon nightfall (time when Sabbath would end). One is not permitted to do anything other than recite the Maariv prayer before lighting the Menorah. If one is accidentally prevented from lighting candles at that time, one can still do so as long as the household is awake. Beyond that, one can no longer recite the blessings. On the eve of the Sabbath, Chanukah candles are kindled prior to the Shabbos candles but care should be taken to have sufficient oil or candles large enough to burn a half hour past nightfall. Saturday night at home the candles are lit immediately after Havdalah. Did You Know? In the miracle of Chanukah, even though there was sufficient oil to last for one full day, Chanukah is celebrated for eight days and not just seven days. Here are some of the reasons for celebrating the first day as well, gleaned from the commentaries: 1. The oil found in the cruse was divided into 8 parts. Hence the miracle took place 8 days. 2. Although the oil burned all night, the Menorah was full every morning, including the first. 3. Even after the Kohanim had poured the oil into the cups of the Menorah, the cruse remained full. 4. The first day of Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the military victory of the Hasmoneans over the enemies of Israel. 5. The very discovery of the cruse of pure oil was considered a miracle, for were it not found, there would have been no miracle of Chanukah. Hallel is recited in its entirety each of the eight days of Chanukah, though we do not recite the whole Hallel every day of Pesach. Firstly, the Talmud considers each day of Chanukah a festival in its own right, since the miracle recurred each day; hence each Chanukah day is alike for saying Hallel. Secondly, each day of Chanukah is distinct from the other by virtue of the changing number of sacrifices offered on each day. On the other hand there is no Mussaf on Chanukah. The Mussaf Service was instituted only for occasions which were marked by additional festival offerings in the Bais Hamikdash, later to be replaced by the Mussaf Service in accordance with the words of Hosea (14:3): we will render for bullocks the offering of our lips. Since the Festival of Chanukah was instituted in the post-biblical era, its observance was never marked by sacrifices, and hence does not call for a Mussaf Service. QJC HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES YASHER KOCHACHEM! We wish to thank our Interim Rabbi, Mair Wolofsky; our Chazzan, Aryeh Rendel; our Gabbaim, and all the dedicated people who arranged and conducted our High Holiday services so beautifully this year. IN THE MAIN SYNAGOGUE IN THE BAIS HAMEDRASH Cantor Aryeh Rendel Rabbi Bezalel Ostrow Rabbi Mair Wolofsky Yossi Schwartz OUR BAALEY TEFILLAH Jeffrey Dicker Herbert Schonhaut Dr. Aaron Etra David Sack Ray Kestenbaum Jeffrey Dicker OUR BAALEY KRIAH Richard Etra Rabbi Shmuel Gold Dr. Aaron Etra OUR BAALEY TEKIAH Rabbi Mair Wolofsky Rabbi Shmuel Gold Jeffrey Dicker OUR GABBAIM Herbert Schonhaut Prof. Yehoshua Perl Dr. Aaron Etra David Leibowitz Thanks also to Moshe Welcher for conducting our WEEKDAY SELICHOS SERVICES QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 5 Laws of Chanukah - High Holidays Thanks

6 Friday, December 13, 2013 Siyum Mishnayos - Tu B Shvat - Asarah B Teves THE TENTH OF TEVES - Asarah B Teves THE TENTH OF TEVES The Tenth of Tevet marks the onset of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylonia, and the beginning of the battle that ultimately destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, and sent the Jews into the 70- year Babylonian Exile. The date of the Tenth of Tevet is recorded for us by the prophet Yechezkel, who himself was already in Babylonia as part of the first group of Jews exiled there by Nebuchadnezzar, 11 years earlier than the actual destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem itself. 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 (erev Shabbat), while our other fast days are so arranged by calendar adjustments as to never fall on a Friday, so as not to interfere with Shabbat preparations. GREEK TRANSLATION However, there are other commemorative days that fall immediately before the Tenth of Tevet and their memory has been silently incorporated in the fast day of the Tenth of Tevet as well. On the eighth of Tevet, King Ptolemy of Egypt forced 70 Jewish scholars to gather and translate the Hebrew Bible into Greek. Even though the Talmud relates to us that this project was blessed with a miracle -- the 70 scholars were all placed in separate cubicles and yet they all came up with the same translation -- the general view of the rabbis of the time towards this project was decidedly negative. The Talmud records that when this translation became public "darkness descended on the world." This translation -- the Septuagint -- eventually became the basis for the Old Testament section of the Christian bible a few centuries later. The Greek translation of the Bible also further aided the advance of the agenda of the Hellenist Jews to bring Greek culture into Jewish life, and to attempt to reform Judaism in the image of Greek values and lifestyle. The "koshering" of the Greek language by its use in translating the Hebrew Bible had wide ramifications in Jewish society and undermined some of the efforts of the rabbis in combating the allure of Greece in Israel of then. DEATH OF EZRA THE SCRIBE The ninth day of Tevet is held to be the day of the death of Ezra the Scribe. This great Jew is comparable even to Moses in the eyes of the Talmud. "If the Torah had not been granted through Moses, it could have been granted to Israel through Ezra." Ezra led the return of the Jews to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile. It was under his direction and inspiration, together with the help of the court Jew, Nechemiah, that the Second Temple was built, albeit originally in a much more modest scale and style than the grandeur of Solomon's Temple. Ezra also renewed the covenant of Moses between Israel and God, staunched the flow of intermarriage that afflicted the Jews returning to Jerusalem, strengthened public and private Sabbath observance, and created the necessary schools and intellectual tools for the furtherance of the knowledge and development of the Oral Law of Sinai within the Jewish people. A man of incorruptible character, great compassion, deep vision and erudition and inspirational charisma, Ezra the Scribe is responsible for the survival of Judaism and the Jews till this very day. It is no wonder therefore that Jews marked the day of his death as a sad day on the Jewish calendar. Since fasting on the eighth, ninth and 10th days of Tevet consecutively would be unreasonable, the events of the eighth and ninth were subsumed into the fast day of the Tenth of Tevet. The 15th day of the month of Shevat marks the beginning of the "new year" for trees. Tu B'Shvat is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. The Torah states that fruit from trees which were grown in the land of Israel may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year's fruit is for G-d, and after that, the fruit can be eaten. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B'Shvat, no matter when in the year it was planted. It is customary to plant trees and partake of the fruits of the land of Israel to mark the occasion. QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 6 January The QJC MISHNAYOS HOME STUDY PROGRAM invites everyone to a Nezikin - Shabbos, NOVEMBER 23 (Vayeshev) Siyum on Seder Nezikin at a Special Seudah Shlishis (in the Bais Hamedrash) - Following 4:00 pm Mincha Baal Hadran: Rabbi Manny Behar Mesayem U'Maschil: Chaim Laufer Chairman: Rabbi Shmuel Gold The Seudah Shlishis is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hamada in loving memory of ע ה Schonberg, their daughter Felice Hamada

7 Honey Berger, President Eva Sack, Chairman of the Board Toni Gordon, Membership Vice President Daisy Stark, Treasurer We had a good turnout for our Annual Sisterhood MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST EVENT on Sunday, October 20. It was nice to spend time with friends, nosh and shop for lovely, practical and educational gifts at our Chanukah Boutique. Dr. Alan Slomowitz, Psychologist, greatly enhanced the program with an interesting and thought provoking presentation. We had a wonderful attendance at our next event, a BOOK REVIEW, at 10:00 am on November 10. Shani Frank reviewed the book The Only Woman in the Room: A Memoir, by Beate Sirota Gordon, an impressive Jewish woman who left her mark on Japanese Society. We invite all women to attend Susan Lieberman s exciting class on the Book of Samuel The course continues on alternate Wednesdays at 8:00 pm in the Bais Hamedrash.. Current Semester: November 20, December 4, & 18. Following a break, the Class will continue with its Spring Semester as follows: February 5, 19, March 5, 19 & April 2 Tu B Shevat, the "new year" for trees, falls on Thursday, January 16, The Sisterhood will sponsor a Special Kiddush on Shabbos Parshas Yisro, January 18, in observance of Tu B Shevat. The Kiddush will include special Tu B Shevat refreshments. The QJC sisterhood would like to thank the following people for their generous donations: MEMORIAL FUND - In Memory of Rivkah Behar, of Rabbi Manny Behar Herb Schonhaut For Simcha, Condolences, Get Well cards, or Pushka, please contact Margy Cohen: In Our QJC Family Naomi Nussbaum Antis The QJC Sisterhood wishes a Joyful Chanukah to the entire QJC Family. Mazal Tov upon the Birth of A grandson to Froma & Dr. Gerald Posner A grandson to Chaya & Rabbi Bezalel Ostrow A grandson to Phyllis & Baruch Sendic A grandson to Chai Soreh & Rabbi Shmuel Gold SUNSHINE FUND - Get Well Wishes Henry Hanski Fay Brandwein Herbert Schonhaut Herbert Schonhaut Pearl Greenberg Rabbi Joseph Grunblatt Herbert Schonhaut Honey & David Berger Margy Cohen Mrs. Irene Weiss Herbert Schonhaut Honey & David Berger A Warm QJC Welcome Beruchim Haba im To Our New QJC Members ~~~~~~~ Leah & Robert Kaufman I would like to thank everyone for your caring visits and phone calls during my recovery. Your thoughtfulness brightened my days. Margy Cohen Sisterhood - In Our Family The QJC Family would like to thank the following people who SPONSORED or CO-SPONSORED a KIDDUSH or SEUDAH SHLISHIS, in the Main Shul, since Rosh Hashana 5774: Honey & David Berger Sophie & Joseph Samuels Josif Lebovich Esther Weinstock If you wish to sponsor, please contact the QJC office You can enjoy income tax benefits and sizable income payments when you establish A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY through the Jewish Community Foundation, & BENEFIT THE QJC as the charity of your choice. REMEMBER THE QJC IN YOUR WILL & CHARITABLE GIVING QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 7

8 YAD - Schedule of Events - Bikur Cholim NEW QJC PROJECT: BIKUR CHOLIM On Shabbat Parashat Vayeira, October 19, the Queens Jewish Center family embarked on a BIKUR CHOLIM PROJECT. The objective was to keep in touch with members who have not been able to get out to shul. Through flyers, s, letters, announcements and phone calls, the names of people who might appreciate a visitor or a phone call were collected. Once the list was compiled, the volunteers who comprised the committee made sure that all of the people on the list were called or visited. The project has been well received and was not only satisfying to those who were contacted but also to those who did the calling and visiting. In fact, we hope to continue this effort on an ongoing basis. In order for the project to remain successful, it is necessary to inform the shul office when there is someone in need of bikur cholim. The more people who volunteer to serve on the committee, the easier Toni Gordon it is for us to fulfill this mitzvah. SCHEDULE OF QJC EVENTS EVENT TIME Siyum Mishnayos - Special Seuda Shlishis Shabbos, Nov. 23, following 4:00 pm Mincha P. 6 YAD Children s Chanukah Party MONDAY, Dec. 2, 5:00 pm P. 8,9 Blood Drive at QJC Sunday, December 8, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm P. 11 YAD Tu' B'Shevat Gardening Party Sunday, January 12, 2014 P. 9 Sisterhood Tu B Shvat Kiddush Shabbos Parshas Yisro - January 18, 2014 P. 7 QJC -YAD Invites the ENTIRE QJC FAMILY & FRIENDS to a CHILDREN S CHANUKAH PARTY MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 5:00-6:30 pm QJC Auditorium, th Street, Forest Hills Candle Lighting, Chanukah Crafts, Dreidel Wars, Party Games, PIZZA. ADMISSION (food & fun) cipating) $ child (parti $ children $15...Family DEADLINE for reservations with payment Wednesday, NOVEMBER 27 Payment: Payment by CHECK. by CREDIT CARD on website: / via office@myqjc.org / phone: End of Summer Barbeque at the QJC Sunday, August 25, Fun & Yum!! YAD QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 8

9 QJC Young Adults Department Who are we? QJC-YAD (Young Adults Department) has been formed to facilitate the needs of the young adults of the Queens Jewish Center. Our main goal is to have a welcoming place for young people of all backgrounds,. When new in the neighborhood, one often finds it hard to "break in" to the community. There is a kiddush almost every week to help people get to know each other; and special lunches and events to build friendships and develop ties within the QJC Family and the Jewish community in general. The QJC offers minyanim and shiurim at various times on various subjects. Everyone is welcome, so come and give us a try! Please take the time to send an to QJC-YAD@MyQJC.org with your name and address, so we can keep you in the loop. Come and join us at our events. We look forward to meeting you at the QJC. The QJC is also up on Facebook with event updates and alerts. Events recent End of Summer BBQ Bash While the summer flew by in the blink of an eye, YAD helped welcome the "new year" with it's annual END OF SUMMER BASH BBQ. The entire QJC and Forest Hills community enjoyed great summer weather, bounce house and water fun, face painting and delicious foods throughout the afternoon. We wished the summer farewell and began planning more events for the new year, SUKKOS ~ QJC's kids came together to make beautiful decorations for the shul sukkah. When they finished cutting, coloring and painting, they got to decorate delicious cupcakes, before enjoying playtime in the shul yard. ~~ Thank you to Daisy Stark, Robin Burger, The Liebermans and The Feders for welcoming the QJC Family Sukkah Hop to their Sukkahs. The children (and adults) had a great time going from Sukkah to Sukkah and seeing the hanging fruit and decorations, hearing a great story, and learning something new at each Sukkah, not to mention the great snacks. We can't wait until next year to do it all again! ~ YAD had a great "bring your own lunch to the sukkah" meal. Several families came together during the first days to enjoy their lunch as well as the dessert which was provided by YAD. We hope to have such great weather next year, so we can renew this enjoyable get together! YAD SHABBOS LUNCH (Nov. 2) YAD kicked off the new year with it's first QJC/Community Luncheon on Nov 2nd. With over 70 people, the auditorium was filled with both familiar and new faces. The luncheon, catered by Aron's Kissena Farms, was organized by Stacey Levine and Yael Laufer and MC'd by David Goldstein. We had the privilege to hear Divrei Torah from Rabbi Gold and Chaim Laufer. Everyone enjoyed a savory meal with heimish highlights. We are looking forward to more luncheons in the months to come! SHUL SCHOOL With the start of the new year, YAD parents have undertaken the running of the Shabbos morning groups for young children. With a curriculum in hand and the best of motivations to make the experience both educational and fun, the project has gotten to a great start, as parents are taking turns leading Shul School. and upcoming YAD CHANUKAH PARTY The YAD Chanukah Party will take place Monday, December 2nd, 5:00-6:30 pm, in the QJC Auditorium. Pizza, dreidel wars, party games, and candle lighting are just part of the planned fun! Admission is $7 per participating child, $12 for two, $15 for a family. Join us for food, friends, and fun! YAD TU B'SHEVAT GARDENING PARTY Stay tuned for details about the YAD Gardening Party on January 12th, 2014, where we'll make centerpieces for the Tu B'Shvat Kiddush on January 18th. by: Avigail Gordon, Deena Shulman, Stacey Levine, Jill Rudich, Jonathan Herz YAD Events - Matching Donations Employers who match employee s charitable donations Double your donation! As a registered non-profit organization, the Queens Jewish Center is eligible for many employers Corporate Matching Gifts Programs. QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 9

10 Yahrzeits KISLEV NOVEMBER Mr. Mark Levine Mr. Rudy Hertz... loved one* Mrs. Thelma Wolofsky... husband* Mrs. Chaya Ostrow Mrs. Helene Rubenstein Mrs. Gloria Grossman... husband Mrs. Gisella Herman... brother Mr. Herbert Schonhaut... grand Mrs. Roslyn Goldofsky... * Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hamada... daughter* Mrs. Salomea Hanski... Mrs. Bella Sztul... * Mr. George Faber... Rabbi Mark Jablon Mr. Henry Hanski... loved one DECEMBER 28 1 Rabbi Joseph Grunblatt... sister Mr. Ray Kestenbaum... Mrs. Rose Reizbaum... husband 29 2 Mrs. Livia Turkel... husband Mrs. Molly Naider... brother 30 3 Mrs. Helene Rubenstein... TEVES 2 5 Dr. Herbert Blustein Mrs. Irene Weissenstein...husband Mr. Herbert Schonhaut...uncle 4 7 Mr. Jack R. Nussbaum * Mrs. Naomi Nussbaum-Antis * 5 8 Mrs. Susan Lieberman 6 9 Rabbi Hyam I. Reichel * 8 11 Mrs. Susan Shalhon * Mrs. Helen Saltz * 9 12 Mr. Walter Kahn brother Mr. Thomas Berger Mr. & Mrs. Israel Goldman son* Mr. Emanuel Shaps Mr. Ray Kestenbaum brother * Lights will be kindled in the Main Shul TEVES DECEMBER Mr. Ray Kestenbaum cousin Mr. Thomas Berger Mrs. Diane Cohn husband Ms. Annette Browdy Mrs. Barbara Etra * Mrs. Froma Posner * Mr. Herbert Schonhaut Mr. Rudy Hertz Mrs. Miriam Blustein grand Mrs. Pearl Greenberg Mr. Julius Wishik Mrs. Helen Saltz brother Mrs. Esther Weinstock Mr. Douglas Aronin wife Mr. Martin Wagner Mrs. Tania Materman * Mr. Jack Ecker Mr. Rudy Hertz loved one Mr. William Wealcatch Mrs. Margy Cohen Mrs. Anna Gyenes husband* Mrs. Edith Gottesman sister Mr. Sidney Rabinovich brother JANUARY 29 1 Mrs. Gladys Baruch * Mrs. Anna Gyenes Mr. Jack Shalhon Mr. Joseph Orbach SHEVAT 2 3 Mrs. Beverly Brandler Mrs. Susan Lieberman Mrs. Rosalyn Goldofsky sister Mrs. Brunia Sztul sister Rebbetzin Bella Grunblatt brother 3 4 Mrs. Malka Liker * Mrs. Sarah Honig brother 4 5 Dr. Herbert Blustein loved one QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 10

11 SHEVAT JANUARY 5 6 Mr. Gustave Jacobs 6 7 Mrs. Honey Berger brothers* Mrs. Aviva Hoch 7 8 Mr. Julius Wishik Mr. Jules Halpern 8 9 Mrs. Ann Frenkel grand* Rabbi Shmuel Gold Mrs. Toni Gordon Mrs. Jean Feinberg Mr. Rudy Hertz wife* Rabbi Hyam Reichel * Mrs. Shirley Freudenberger Ms. Carol Fuhrer Mr. Herbert Schonhaut uncle Mr. Carl A. Hamada brother Mrs. Lea Ellis Rabbi Hyman Reichel brother Mr. Nathan Braun grand Mrs. Jean Feinberg SHEVAT JANUARY Mrs. Sally Hanski Mrs. Ida Okun sister Mrs. Mina Salvit husband* Mrs. Esther Katz husband Dr. Gerald Posner * Mrs. Livia Turkel * Mrs. Pearl Wadler husband Mr. Fred Frenkel sister Mr. Jay Morrow ADAR I FEBRUARY 1 1 Mrs. Kerry Newman grand 2 2 Mrs. Judith Fagin 3 3 Mrs. Sophie Samuels sister* 5 5 Mrs. Margy Cohen Mrs. Malka Liker * 7 7 Mr. Nodari Palagi Mr. Herb Schonhaut aunt THE SHIVA FUND ~ You can HONOR YOUR DEPARTED LOVED ONES or send CONDOLENCES by contributing to the QJC Shiva Fund, that provides for aveilim. You can request that a card be sent in your name.. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 ~ BLOOD DRIVE at the QJC ~ In Memory of Ludmila Herz 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. For more info or to schedule an appointment, please contact Jonathan Herz at QJCBloodDrive@MyQJC.org Every person who presents to donate blood, as part of the campaign, will be eligible for the sweepstakes: Two tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII. Blood donors also will receive a Super Community Blood Drive wristband Yahrzeits - Blood Drive This Bulletin is co-sponsored by QJC member, Ray Kestenbaum - Exit Realty Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Garden Hills, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates - these are the areas I cover. Whether you re selling or buying, renting or seeking to rent, you ll find satisfaction and a high degree of success in my services as real estate agent. For the rest, please visit my website: QJC~ Chanukah Bulletin ~ Page 11

12 The Bulletin is published 8 times a year by The Queens Jewish Center for the benefit of its members, and is sent out at no additional charge to members of good standing. For non-members, the fee is $70 per year. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Queens Jewish Center & Talmud Torah th Street Forest Hills, NY Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Flushing, N.Y. Permit No. 116 LANA SHIMUNOVA Lana@TaxAce.com JONATHAN NIYAZOV Jonathan@TaxAce.com Why Do We Celebrate Chanukah Anyway? - Continued from p.1 celebrates events that occurred after the giving of the Torah and is thus a rabbinic rather than a Scriptural holiday. But while the Purim story, recorded in the Book of Esther, is fairly straightforward, the story of Chanukah is more complex. By omitting any explanation of the holiday from the Mishna, leaving parallel oral traditions, Rebbe enabled later generations to shift the emphasis as needed. The purely oral transmission of the Chanukah story ended long ago, of course, but the flexibility of its rationale is still with us. Many Diaspora Jews today emphasize the religious freedom aspect of the story while others focus on the miracle of the oil or the need to purify the Beit HaMikdash from pagan influence. Many Israelis, not surprisingly, relate to it more as a celebration of victory in a war of national liberation. We cannot know for certain why Rebbe omitted the Chanukah story from the Mishna. But whether by near-prophetic wisdom or fortunate coincidence, the varied traditions resulting from that omission enable Jews across the broad spectrum of our ever fractious people to join together to celebrate an ancient battle against a forgotten empire. That too is a miracle Happy Chanukah worthy of celebration PAID ADVERTISEMENT