Our Congregation has grown in so many ways and I would like to share with you why we are very unique and special! There is a very famous & special saying: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Yes…we here at HHBJC believe in taking care and helping our fellow congregants, neighbors and friends!
Our “CHESED COMMITTEE”, headed by Laura Brodsky, is responsive to the many needs of our congregation who experience a death in the family. Yes…they reach out and arrange meals for the week of Shiva. Our “DAILY MINYAN” is also very helpful. They come over to the Shiva house if there happens to be a shortage of a Minyan. They come through for our community. We have a BEREAVEMENT GROUP, which, by the way, I believe is the only one in the entire borough of Queens, started by Rabbi Joseph Simckes during his tenure as our Rabbi, and is continuously being run by Marty Kevelson. It has helped so many who have had a loss of a loved one. By sharing, listening & comforting, they try to ease the pain one may have.
A very unique health based program at our shul is the “CONGREGATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM”. It offers information and compassion to our members who are sick and/or in need of helpful tips and advice. We, at the HHBJC, are the pioneers of this program introduced to us by Linda Liederman who is our congregational nurse. So, if you are in need and have any questions, give the office a call & they will have Linda get in touch with you.
By the way; there is Unique happening being brought to our Temple by the Chesed Committee…The “HEALTH FAIR”. It will be held on SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM. There will be many booths of different Health Providers that will share healthful & helpful tips and information of wellness programs. Don’t miss it! You will learn so much!
ANOTHER DATE…MARK YOUR CALENDARS…Our “SIMCHA DINNER DANCE” will be held on SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2017. This year we are honoring and paying tribute to our ”Couple of The Year” – BERND & HARRIET BILDSTEIN. They are a beautiful team and have always been part of our Congregational Life. Harriet was part of my Choir for many years and Bernd has always been an active member of our Board of Directors. They both attend our services every Shabbat morning & we are lucky to have them as part of our congregation and our HHBJC family.
We are also honoring the “BAYSIDE JEWISH CENTER”. We honor them for their steadfast devotion, their legacy and the beautiful memories and friendships they created. We honor their unbelievable Transition Committee that made the merger happen. They are; Co-Presidents, NATALIE WINTER, JOSH SUSSMAN and DON BIEBER, ERNIE DICKER, JOEL SIMON, JERRY TIGER. We are honored that they now are officially part of our community and family. We are now the HOLLIS HILLS BAYSIDE JEWISH CENTER!
I must say…after 50 plus years, our Temple continues to amaze me. We are “Unique” and a Very Special Congregation filled with love, Jewish Culture, Tradition, Prayer, Warmth, Spirituality and Compassion. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is something we, as a congregation, believe in!
See you in shul.
Cantorially always,
Cantor Sol Zim
