Wow, what a beautiful and very full weekend we had at HHBJC. It all started on Wednesday evening, June 12th at our YIDDISH CLUB gathering. We had a blast! We learned, we laughed & we noshed together. Boy, did we laugh! Our Yiddish Club will resume following the High Holidays. Dates to to be announced. Can’t wait to see you all…remember, I don’t want to hear any kvetching.
The next night, Thursday, June 13th, our dear and beloved member, LINDA LIEDERMAN, was honored by Women’s League for Conservative Judaism as our Sisterhood’s Woman of Achievement 2019, which took place at the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Roslyn. There were so many people who came to support and pay tribute to Linda. She is tremendously dedicated and devoted to our shul, to Yiddishkeit & to our community! As our Congregational Nurse, Linda is truly exceptional & always helps us learn more about health and wellness. She is always there for our shul. She can read from the Torah & do a Haftorah beautifully, which I am so proud of. Linda is a true Eishet Chayil, a Woman of Valor. Congratulations to you Linda, on this beautiful honor that you so greatly deserve. We thank you for being such an integral and loving part of our HHBJC family.
The next day, Friday evening, June 14th, before Shabbat, we had our PRE-SHABBAT FAMILY CELEBRATION. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, kids, grandkids, neighbors & friends, all came. We had a small band, with music, dancing and singing, bonding and community. It started with Rabbi Wise’s welcome, giving us an overview of the Pre-Shabbat Family Celebration. We experienced a preview of Shabbat Candle Lighting. It was my honor to sing and have all the parents & grandparents place their hands on their children’s heads as everyone sang, together, the words and melody that I composed…“A blessing my child, a blessing for you, a blessing we hope will come true…”. Then we sang Y’varechecha with all arms linked, swaying side to side and we concluded that section of the program with Shalom Aleichem. The CBT BAND from the Wantagh Jewish Center, together with their Rabbi, Moshe Weisblum, a dear friend of mine, joined in playing & singing some very well known songs of love & hope…“I’m a Believer” by the Monkees…“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John…“Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain and Tennille…“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. It was fantastic!
Rabbi Wise then shared his reflections and dancing continued to the KAD’SHEINU. We then slowed down the music as everyone linked arms and swayed together, softly singing the MI’SHEBEIRACH. It was an emotional time as we prayed to God to help heal those who are ill. We had a truly beautiful, spiritual and fun Pre-Shabbat Family Celebration. You could see the excitement and joy in everyone’s eyes. It was a beautiful time we shared together! We will be having more Pre-Shabbat Family Celebrations coming up. Dates to be announced.
On Shabbat morning of this same weekend, we had a Special Guest join us in Shul, JACK WASSERMAN, whose father (HERB WASSERMAN) was a Past-President and one of the Founders of our Shul. Herb was known as the one who would always settle any important issue facing the Congregation, with everyone’s best interest at heart and always in a fair and respectful manner. People would say…“Let’s hear what Herb Wasserman thinks we should do”. Jack’s mother, Pearl Wasserman, was a wonderful woman and was very active in Sisterhood and Hadassah. Jack celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his BAR MITZVAH with us at HHBJC and hosted a beautiful Luncheon. Jack has a special place in his heart for our Synagogue, where he grew up, and we have a special place in our heart for him and his family. SAVE THE DATE…S’LICHOT SERVICES will be Saturday night, SEPTEMBER 21st. Another SAVE THE DATE…We will have our GALA CONCERT on SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 24th at the QUEENS COLLEGE LEFRAK CONCERT HALL with a beautiful symphony. It will be a night to remember! Let us keep praying, singing, sharing & celebrating together! For those going away during the summer…enjoy, stay safe, stay cool and remember to keep Jewish Prayer & Music in your hearts!
See you in Shul.
Cantorially always,
Cantor Sol Zim
