Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills

08/22/2017

Some insight from Rabbi Birnbaum: Interesting perspective not heard or seen too much on the air or cyberspace. Fighting the pathetic, discredited far right is fighting the last war. A war against the Jews that we horrifically last. Today's biggest threats are reactionary Islamofascism and its strange bedfellow, the far left. Apparently there is a point where all extremes meet. Or as Tom Lehrer sung in my youth: "The white folks hate the black folks and the black folks hate the white folks, etc. ... and everyone hates the Jews."

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Column-One-Trump-and-the-Jews-502759

The fact is that the rhetoric of white supremacists on Israel and Jews is largely indistinguishable from the language of the far Left.

03/14/2017

Purim was celebrated all around the world - Even in Tokyo as the Israeli baseball team is working on being the underdog story of the year! Be sure to check them out!

03/10/2017

Shabbat this week is as follows:
Candle Lighting Time: 5:39PM
Shabbat Ends on Saturday: 6:39PM - followed by Purim!

Torah portion of the week: Tetzaveh

03/10/2017

So, how do you celebrate Purim? Purim is celebrated by listening to the Megillah - the story of Esther. Note: this is not a Biblical story, rather Esther made her own impact on Jewish history. We celebrate by dressing in costumes and eating triangle shaped cookies called Hamentashen - it is rumored that Haman wore a triangle shaped hat. Instead of the bitter, we fill them with sweet fillings to celebrate. We also give Shalach Manot baskets - presents and tzedakah. And finally, we make lots of noise every time Haman is mentioned in the Purim story - actually, there is one more tradition: Drink up! Enjoy the celebration of life :-)

This year, Purim starts After Shabbat on Saturday at Sunset and concludes on Sunday an hour after Sunset - be sure to hear the Megillah and BOOOOO at Haman's name.

03/02/2017

Do you know a young professional (ages 25-40) who wants a once in a lifetime experience in Germany? Applications are now open for the 2017 Third Generation Initiative, a unique program of AJC ACCESS and Allianz SE, in conjunction with Germany Close Up.

Young American Jewish participants will experience Germany with their German peers - exploring German-Jewish history, meeting with top level government representatives, and participating in important discussions about the political and personal legacy of the Holocaust in the Jewish community and in Germany.

Trip Dates: June 16-25, 2017.
Cost: $600 (includes travel, hotel, and most meals)

For more information and to apply,http://www.ajcaccess.org/atf/cf/%7Be16f8979-5161-44c0-816f-684df604ff17%7D/ALLIANZ-AJC%202017.PDF

Applications close Friday, March 17, 2017.

http://www.ajcaccess.org/site/c.brKNI3MEIgI4E/b.8995149/k.BF3D/Home.htm

02/23/2017

Somehow time has flown and winter has passed, with that we are getting to earlier times for Shabbat. Here is the Shabbat schedule for this weekend:
Friday - Light Candles at 5:24 PM
Saturday - Shabbat ends at 6:24PM

The Torah reading this week is Mishpatim

09/05/2016

First day of Elul at Sunday morning minyan and Susan Scharf's very first aliyah. Yasher koyekh to Susan and all the attendees. What a great way to start off the sacred season of reflection, introspection and reconciliation. The daily shofar blasts at the end of weekday services leading up to the New Year remind us to heighten our efforts in prayer, repentance and tsedakah. May we continue to perform many more mitzvot and may they be as joyous as Susan's was yesterday.

08/14/2016

06/28/2016

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, both in person and in thought! The 75th anniversary gala was truly something special! This event will surely be talked about for years to come. Here's to 100 years! 🍷🍾

06/27/2016

Some great comedy tonight!!!