Great Neck's Rabbis Will Debate and Discuss Jewish Issues Sunday, May 5
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Temple Israel of Great Neck Where tradition meets change Voice a Conservative egalitarian synagogue Great Neck’s Rabbis Will Debate and Discuss Jewish Issues Sunday, May 5 Rabbi Dale Polakoff Rabbi Meir Feldman Rabbi Tara Feldman Rabbi Yaacov Lerner Rabbi Howard Stecker Great Neck Synagogue Temple Beth-El Temple Beth-El Young Israel Temple Israel by Marc Katz, Editor Vaad Harabonim of Queens and a vice-president of the Rabbinical Differences in Jewish practice and belief will come into sharp Council of America. Rabbi Lerner is a graduate of Yeshiva University. focus when the rabbis from Great Neck’s major synagogues come face-to-face at their annual Rabbinic Dialogue, this Rabbi Polakoff is in his 32nd year as the senior rabbi of Great year being held at Great Neck Synagogue on Sunday, May 5. Neck Synagogue. He served as president of the Rabbinical Council of America and has been deeply involved with numerous For the first time, Rabbi Yaacov Lerner of Young Israel of communal causes including the Orthodox Caucus and the Beth Great Neck will join the panel, which includes Rabbi Howard Din of America. Before coming to Great Neck he served as the Stecker of Temple Israel, Rabbi Dale Polakoff of Great Neck assistant rabbi of a congregation on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Synagogue, and Rabbis Tara and Meir Feldman of Temple Beth-El. The clergy meet yearly to discuss Jewish issues and Rabbi Meir Feldman, who came to Temple Beth-El in 2009, answer questions from members of their congregations at what shares the pulpit with his wife, Rabbi Tara Feldman. Meir has become a tradition in the Great Neck Jewish community. Feldman began his career as an associate at a prestigious Wall Street law firm and then as a federal prosecutor in “I’m excited about the discussion,” said Rabbi Stecker. “I think Los Angeles. He attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish it will be a lively exchange and including Rabbi Lerner in the Institute of Religion and, in 2001, started a bi-weekly Park dialogue will add a different dimension to the conversation. Slope Friday Night minyan. From 2002-2004 he served as a The community is invited to ask questions of the rabbis rabbinic fellow at the Upper West Side’s B’nai Jeshurun. following their discussion, which begins with a breakfast at 9:30 A.M., followed by the dialogue at 10:30 A.M. Rabbi Tara Feldman earned a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature from Vassar College, an M.A. in Elementary Education, “We will discuss major issues including both political and and was ordained by Hebrew Union College in 2001. A Jew- religious divisions in the Jewish community as well as anti- by-choice, she held a number of associate positions before Semitism,” Rabbi Stecker said. “Last year’s dialogue became becoming co-senior rabbi with her husband. rather lively and heated, and I am sure the controversial discussion will continue where we left off.” Rabbi Stecker has served as the senior rabbi of Temple Israel since 2003. He has served as president of the Rabbi Lerner has been the rabbi of Young Israel since 1975. Rabbinical Assembly of Nassau and Suffolk, an officer of the He founded Project Identity, a community outreach program in New York Board of Rabbis and as a Board member of the Judaism for adults in 1981 and has served as president of the Solomon Schechter High School of Long Island. Vol. LXI, No. 9 April 2019 Nisan 5779 This is the land where, centuries ago, Calling Out Anti-Semitism Benjamin Franklin looked out his window during his final days and smiled From the Rabbi by Rabbi Howard Stecker as the Christian and Jewish clergy of Philadelphia, including the rabbi of the EDITOR’S NOTE: Rabbi Stecker delivered the following remarks at the recent newly created synagogue that Franklin Great Neck rally opposing anti-Semitism. supported, walked down the street together during a city parade. Just as racism needs to be called out needs to be called out as anti-Semitism. explicitly because there are elements This is the land where Rabbi Abraham that are unique and uniquely pernicious When a congressman tweets dollar Joshua Heschel and the Reverend to people of color, just as homophobia signs instead of S’s in the names of Martin Luther King, Jr. marched and transphobia need to be called out Jewish donors, it needs to be called out together urging that people be judged explicitly because there are elements as anti-Semitism. solely on the content of their character. that are unique and uniquely pernicious to LGBTQ people, just as misogyny Anti-Semitism needs to be This is the land where, in the past few needs to be called out explicitly because years, Jewish, Christian and Muslim called out when it comes from communities supported each other with there are elements that are unique and the left and when it comes uniquely pernicious to women, anti- good wishes and tangible resources Semitism needs to be called out explicitly from the right. as each community found itself reeling because there are elements that are from hateful attacks. unique and uniquely pernicious to Jews. I implore us not to expend most of our energy arguing with one another Along with other forms of hatred which The renowned Israeli journalist and over whether right-wing or left-wing must be named and called out and thought leader Yossi Klein Halevi recently anti-Semitism is more dangerous. opposed, we must name and call out characterized anti-Semitism as follows: Rather, we need to conserve our energy and oppose anti-Semitism regardless whatever is the worst thing imaginable in to fight those whose hateful statements of where it comes from, regardless of a particular context, you attribute to Jews. and actions come from across the whatever twisted narrative is behind ideological and political spectrum. it, as we work to ensure that the If mucking up some distorted notion of United States of America maximizes its racial purity is the worst thing, you say Finally, let us not forget the legacy and potential as a place of liberty and justice the Jews are doing that. promise of this great land of ours. for all. If heartlessly conquering a native people and imposing your will on them is the Guess What’s Coming! worst thing, you say the Jews are the worst imperialist conquerors ever. From the President by Rob Panzer Spring is here. As I write this column, office to register so we can ensure that Anti-Semitism needs to be called out when birds are chirping outside my window, we have the appropriate amount of it is expressed through word and deed. the sun is shining, and it can only mean food available. On Friday, April 26, the one thing: Pesach is right around the seventh day of Pesach, services in the Anti-Semitism needs to be called out corner. All of the markets in town are Sanctuary will be led by our Waxman when it comes from the left and when it stocked with piles of matzoh and all of Hebrew High School teens. This is comes from the right. the associated foods, many of which Left-leaning anti-Semitism, expressed we never knew we really had to have. What’s on the menu through false intersectionalities and for Pesach criticism of Israel that demonizes or What’s on the menu for Pesach at delegitimizes Israel, needs to be called out. Temple Israel? Last Shabbat we had at Temple Israel? Pesach University and post-kiddush Right-leaning anti-Semitism, expressed discussion led by Rabbis Stecker and always a wonderful service and a proud as an accusation that Jews are Schweber. There was a lively discussion moment for our entire community. leading the charge to undermine about the contents of the haggadah It’s truly a pleasure to be able to list white supremacy—as in “Jews will not and what it meant to each person some of the activities we have for any replace us!”—needs to be called out. present. Coming up will be the Fast of occasion. the First Born shacharit service with a When a congresswoman accuses the Jews last chance bagel breakfast to follow. Best wishes for a sweet Pesach. of hypnotizing the world and American Jews On April 20th we will be having our of having a dual loyalty that somehow calls annual second night seder, sponsored As always, I can be reached at into question their allegiance to America, it by the Men’s Club. Please contact the [email protected] 2 In Memoriam Upcoming Events at Temple Israel Temple Israel extends condolences to the family of: April 14 May 10 NANCY MASRY ALANI Waxman Memorial Program 7:00 P.M. Shabbat Sing-Along in the Park 4:30 P.M. wife of Manny Alani and featuring Israeli Ambassador May 11 esteemed member of Temple Israel Dani Dayan Shabbat Talk: 12:45 P.M. April 15 “From the Ideal to the Real: Is Israel May her memory be for a blessing. Board of Trustees Meeting 8:15 P.M. Truly the Homeland for All Jews” April 19 May 16 Mazal Tov To... Erev Pesah Board of Trustees Meeting 8:15 P.M. April 20 – April 27 May 19 Ronnie and Marc Katz Pesah Temple Israel Film Series 7:00 P.M. on the birth of their granddaughter, April 20 presents “The Invisibles” Mikayla Eve Kardon. Second Night Seder 7:30 P.M. May 22 Ronni and Wally Kopelowitz Sponsored by the Men’s Club Beth HaGan Literary Art Fair 5:30 P.M.