Wed 25 Jan 2012
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Dear Friends,
Our next Motzaei Shabbat program will take place on February 11 at 8:15 PM. It is an event we look forward to each year: "Running the World's Most Complex City Part III" - Jerusalem's Mayor, the Hon. Nir Barkat in conversation with David Horovitz, former Editor in Chief of the Jerusalem Post. We invite our readers to submit issues that you would like discussed that evening. You may do so by replying to this e-mail. The program is in English, there is no admission charge and the entire community is invited to attend.
I call your attention to a very special program that we will be hosting on Motzaei Shabbat, February 25, at 8:30 PM (Please note the starting time). Organized by the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim, it will feature keynote speakers: the Hon. Danny Ayalon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. There will also be a panel discussion by Members of the Knesset, outlining some of the serious concerns regarding the current situation of Har Hazeitim and highlighting the progress achieved since our forum on this subject a year ago. The program is in English, there is no admission charge and the entire community is invited.
This past Motzaei Shabbat, at the thought provoking lecture given by Caroline Glick to over 1,000 people, I appealed for assistance for our monthly Leil Shabbat Dinners for Lone Soldiers. I pointed out that, in the three years that we have been hosting these Shabbat experiences, our expenses far exceeded our income. This, however, is a program that we must and will continue. At this past Leil Shabbat's meal, we had 180 young men and women participating. With them, we also hosted a group of journalists from influential Spanish language newspapers in the Western United States and Mexico. The jounalists were, by their own accounts, very inspired by what they saw and heard. We are all proud and inspired by these extraordinary young people. I thank those of you who have already responded to the request for financial help and I hope that all of our readers will feel it their responsibility to assist us in this project. Checks should be written to "The Jerusalem Great Synagogue" with the words "Lone Soldiers" on the bottom of the check. For US Income Tax purposes, with contributions of $100 or more, the checks may be written to "The American Friends of The Jerusalem Great Synagogue." Please mail your contributions to The Jerusalem Great Synagogue, POB 7924, Jerusalem 91078, Israel.
With deep sorrow, we advise you of the passing of our Founder Member and long time congregant, Mrs. Elaine Blankstein, z"l. Shiva will be observed at 7 Abarbanel Street in Jerusalem thru Sunday morning, January 29. May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and experience no further sorrow for many more years.
We continue to pray for the members of the IDF who are still missing. Please also add prayers for Refua Sheleima for Aryeh ben Sarah Leah (Chazzan Aryeh Goldberg), Amiram ben Reina (Amiram Benshimol), Chaim Ariel ben Vera Devora (Ariel Sharon), Yehonatan ben Malka (Jonathan Pollard), Avraham Mordechai Hakohen ben Berta (Chazzan Avram Hilman), Yehonatan Moshe ben Devora Tova (Yonatan Tannenbaum), Amit Yehuda ben Malka (Dr. Amit Schwartz), Avraham Yeshayahu ben Aviva (Avraham Yeshayahu Feiner), Shai ben Rachel (Shai Peltz), Miriam Rivkah bat Adina Leah (Miriam Strasberg), Yissachar Dov ben Peshe (Bud Silver), Avichai Avraham ben Sarah Miriam, Gitel Rivka bat Chaya Risa, Shoshana bat Miriam, Ephraim ben Sara Tikva, Chaya Aviva Sarah bat Adel Nechama (Alexandra Morgan Talbot) and Refael Michael ben Reitz (Refael Michael Rothschild). May they all be blessed with a speedy and complete recovery and enjoy good health for many more years.
Guest Chazzan Arik Wollheim will officiate this Friday evening (4:55 PM) and Shabbat morning, Parashat Bo (7:55 AM). If you are in our area, I look forward to seeing you.
Shabbat Shalom.
Asher Schapiro
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 27-28 – Shabbat Parashat Bo – Guest Chazzan Arik Wollheim will officiate on Friday Evening (4:55 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM).
February 3-4 – Shabbat Parashat Beshalach – Shabbat Shira – Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (5:05 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by The Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe. Shabbat honoring Asher Schapiro, Chairman of the Board in celebration of his 80th birthday and 8th year as Chairman of The Board of The Jerusalem Great Synagogue.
February 11 - Motzaei Shabbat – 8:15 PM – "Running the World's Most Complex City – Part III" Jerusalem's Mayor, the Hon. Nir Barkat in conversation with David Horovitz. Admission Free.
February 17-18 – Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim – Parashat Shekalim - Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening (5:15 PM) and Shabbat morning (7:55 AM) accompanied by The Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe. Bar Mitzvah: Michael Prince.
February 17 – Leil Shabbat Dinner for Lone Soldiers following Maariv service.
February 25 – Motzaei Shabbat – 8:30 PM – Program at The Jerusalem Great Synagogue sponsored with The International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeitim.
March 13 – Motzaei Shabbat – 8:30 PM – Closing Program of the Motzaei Shabbat Mevorchim Social Evening and Lecture Series 5772. Speaker: Barry Rubin, Director of the Global Research in International Affairs; columnist for The Jerusalem Post and noted author and speaker.
Save the Date – May 4-5 – Shabbat Parashat Emor – Chief Chazzan Chaim Adler will officiate on Friday evening and Shabbat morning, accompanied by the guest Choirs "Kolot Yisrael – Tarbut Toranit Netanya, Kfar Saba and Modiin" (over 50 voices) conducted by Yankele Rottner.