GNS Program Brochure 2018 - 2019

26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 1 Shabbat Speakers and Events Shabbat Speakers and Events

Hanoch Teller, October 20th, 2018  Sivan Rahav Meir, September 15, 2018 Internationally-acclaimed as one of the most original and inspiring motivational-speakers Sivan is an Israeli journalist, primetime news reporter, publicist, and TV and of our time, storyteller-extraordinaire, Rabbi Hanoch Teller, has been dubbed a “globe- radio anchor. She recently began giving weekly talks on the Torah portion trotting modern-day maggid.” He has enthralled audiences on five continents, in over in the Heichal Shlomo in . We will be hosting her in 40 American states and 24 other countries, delivering a precious message imbued partnership with the newly created OU Women's Initiative. with joy and drama, laughter and pathos.

His electrifying presentations on a vast range of topics – sometimes hilarious, always stirring, meaningful and pragmatic – are underwritten by prodigious scholarship and more than three decades as a hands-on, beloved educator. U.S. Senator Arlen Spector, proclaimed him “probably the most sophisticated storyteller of our time.” Youth Shabbat, September 15th, 2018 Our youth department takes over the Shabbat minyanim, Shabbat Drasha: Honorable Mentschen as we celebrate our young men and women. Seudah Shlishit:  Ohel Shabbaton, October 13th, 2018 To Dream the Impossible Scheme: The Founding of ’s Most Improbable Community Our close relationship continues with our annual Shabbaton as OHEL clients and Great Neck Synagogue families enjoy Friday night dinner and Oneg together in This Shabbos will also be our annual New Members Luncheon as we welcome all new members of the community to Great Neck Synagogue. shul in addition to the Shabbat lunches hosted by the GNS families. The Ohel Shabbaton is one of the most memorable Shabbatot of the year.

 Yonah Jeremy Bob, November 17th, 2018 Yonah Jeremy Bob lectures on foreign affairs and is Intelligence, Terrorism and Legal Analyst. Speaking in the US, Canada and Israel since 2000, he covers diplomacy, security, the Mossad, war crimes and BDS, cyber warfare and politics. He was an IDF lawyer and worked for multiple ministries. Yonah has provided analysis to CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, the Washington Post and Sky News.

Shabbat Drasha: Spy wars: revealing new color to mossad, cia, shin bet and other spy agency stories: How have the elite Mossad, CIA and Shin Bet spy agencies changed and where are they going next? This is a chance to hear wild new details and stories, some of which will be revealed for the first time.

Seudah Shlishit: Israel Update: The Hottest And Latest In 20 Minutes Want a wide survey of the latest hot Israel issues? Depending on preference, we often cover: Israel and the Palestinians in the Trump era, Avoiding or fighting the next war with Hezbollah-Syria and Hamas, Spy Wars: Revealing new color to Mossad, CIA and the Shin Bet, Terrorism, BDS and Media Bias, dealing with the Iran nuclear issue and Cyber Warfare: Winning on attack and losing on defense.

2 Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 3 Shabbat Speakers and Events Shabbat Speakers and Events

 Oded Revivi, Mayor of Efrat, December 1st, 2018 Oded Revivi is a statesman, orator, lawyer, mayor and prominent advocate for the Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. He is also a staunch advocate of co- existence and fostering improved relationships with Efrat's neighboring Palestinian  AIPAC Shabbaton and Shabbat Lunch, February 9-10th, 2019 villages. He is a regular commentator in the international press, both broadcast and Please note that the AIPAC Policy Conference is March 24th-26th 2019. print, and is frequently called upon to participate in public debates and panels at Speaker and Program TBA major conferences and universities. As mayor of Efrat, the population has grown by over sixty percent, making him one of the most effective leaders in the history of the YESHA Council. The YESHA Council is the official representative organization for the 406,000 Israelis residing in Judea and Samaria. USA TODAY recently described the YESHA Council as "one of the most powerful and effective lobbying groups in Israel”.  Rabbi Fischel Schachter, March 9th, 2019 Revivi received his Bachelor Degree in Law at from East London Law School and Master's DegreeSocial in Sciences and Public Policy from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is a graduate of theancisco San Frbased Rabbi Fischel Schachter is a highly acclaimed and much loved scholar, international Gvanim fellowship, that fosters the advancement of religious pluralism in Israel. He completed an Executive lecturer, storyteller, and author. His witty, charming, warm, and down-to-earth style Education Program at Harvard Business School with a focus on leadership and management as a Maoz fellow. continues to grab the attention of and delight his multitudes of students. Among In addition to being Chief Foreign Envoy of the YESHA Council and Mayor of Efrat,i serves Reviv as Chairman of his many illustrious projects, Rabbi Schachter is a in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath the Board of Directors of the Local Government Services Insurance Agency of theer Centfor Local Government in , NY. and as a board member for the National Lottery.

 Rabbi Ari Lamm, December 8th 2018, Shabbat Chanukah

Rabbi Ari Lamm is the Resident Scholar at the Jewish Center of Manhattan, and a Ph.D. candidate studying ancient Judaism and Christianity at Princeton University. He earned his B.A. at , and received a U.S.- U.K. Fulbright Scholarship to pursue his M.A. in Jewish Studies and Eastern Christianity at University College London. He completed his Semicha at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and is currently the recipient of a Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Rabbi Lamm is a founding editor of, and contributing author at Lehrhaus – an online forum for exploring Jewish ideas (www.thelehrhaus.com) – as well as an Executive Committee Member of the Sri Lanka-based organization, Global Unites, which promotes grassroots, youth-based peacemaking in conflict-torn areas.

Shabbat Morning: "Vigilante Justice and the Story of Chanukah" Kiddush Class: "The Maccabean Revolt - From Judaism to Christianity and Back Again" Seudah Shlishit: "The Wizard vs. The Prophet"

4 Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 5 Shabbat Speakers and Events Celebrate the Holidays  Slichot Night, Saturday Night September 1st, 2018 Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff at 10:00 pm followed by Slichot with Evan Twersky at 10:45 pm May 11th, 2019  Jackie Bitton, Originally from London, England, Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff graduated with honors in political science from Manchester University. After working for MTV in news Mrs. Jackie Bitton, a shining star on the motivational speaker's circuit, hails from and production, and winning the national competition ‘Jewish Stand-Up Comedian’ of has been involved in Jewish women's education and Jewish outreach activities for over the Year, Rabbi Hajioff traveled to study in Israel and then Monsey to receive his a decade. After spending most of that time inspiring individuals and communities rabbinical smicha ordination from Yeshiva Ohr Somayach. in San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington, she moved back to the New York area where she and her family now live. Jackie is currently Dean of Students Rabbi Hajioff is the educational director of Birthright Israel Alumni in Manhattan, New York. He has at YDE Girls Yeshivah in Brooklyn and teaches a popular weekly Torah class for been instrumental in implementing programs for Birthright Israel in Manhattan such as the very successful women in her community. An alumna of SKA HALB High School for girls, she is a adult bar and bat mitzvah program which some four hundred people have completed so far. He also leads trips frequent lecturer to women of all backgrounds and ages throughout the United to Israel and Poland three times a year for hundreds of young professionals. States, Canada and Israel, and her passionate and humorous presentations have made her a highly popular speaker on a wide variety of topics. Rabbi Hajioff is on the full time faculty of Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. His very popular credited courses include courses on Jewish Philosophy, Mysticism, Jewish holidays, Shabbat and many others.  High Holidays Chazzanim

 Judge Ruchie Freier, June 15th, 2019 Chazzan Srulik Hershtik Main Sanctuary Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur Rachel "Ruchie" Freier is a New York City Criminal Court judge. In 2016, she campaigned Chazzan Yisroel “Srulik” Hershtik was born in South and was elected as a Civil Court judge for the Kings County 5th judicial district in Africa and raised in Israel. He is a well-known chazzan, New York State, thereby becoming the first Hasidic Jewish woman to be elected as a singer, choir director and conductor. He has led Rosh civil court judge in New York State, and the first Hasidic woman to hold public office Hashana and Yom Kippur services in the Young Israel of in United States history. Although she ran for the Civil Court, after her election she Woodmere for the last ten years. was assigned to serve on the Criminal Court in the Kings County 5th judicial district. Srulik is part of the Hershtik family musical dynasty, son of world She previously worked as a real estate attorney and community activist, and served as a famous chazzan Chaim Eliezer Hershtik and cousin of Netanel volunteer court lawyer in the New York City Family Court. Hershtik of the Hampton Synagogue.

In December 2017 Megyn Kelly welcomed Freier on The Today Show as the woman The New York Times has Shloime Dachs & Evan Twersky called “the Hasidic superwoman of night court” she was featured in the series “She’s Got Faith” marking her one Main Sanctuary, Mender Auditorium & Beit Midrash Rosh Hashana year anniversary on the bench. & Yom Kippur We welcome back our veteran ba’alei tefillah who have inspired us with their beautiful tefillot throughout the years. Chazzan Yitzy Spinner Our new Chazzan makes his debut at Great Neck Synagogue!!

6 Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 7 Celebrate the Holidays Celebrate the Holidays

 Yom Hashoah Commemoration, Wednesday Evening, May 1st Leil Hoshana Rabba, Saturday Night, September 29th  Rabbi Peysach Krohn 9:30 pm Each year we have the opportunity to fulfill our � responsibility to never forget and hear the experiences Rabbi Paysach Krohn is a Rav, mohel, author, and lecturer on topics related to from a survivor of the Holocaust. Join for a special ethics and spiritual growth. He is the author of the bestselling “Maggid” series evening of commemoration for the entire family to of books for , inspired by the stories of Rabbi , who attend. Program to be published in the Spring. was known as the “Maggid of Jerusalem”. He also authored a seminal work on , also published by ArtScroll.

 Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha’atzamut, Wednesday Evening, May 8th

Join us for an evening of celebrating the State of Israel with a great speaker to be  Chanukah, Wednesday, December 5th announced shortly. SAVE THE DATE: CHANUKAH CONCERT!

 Lag Ba’omer Family Bonfire, Thursday Evening, May 23rd Join us in the backyard for a BBQ as we share songs and Divrei Torah on the magical holiday of Lag Ba’omer.

Extravaganza, Wednesday Night, March 20th - Thursday March 21st Celebrate Purim with the mitzvot of the day including Seudah, Mishloach Manot and Matanot L’evyonim and join us for Megillah Reading, Children’s Program, Purim Tisch and our famous Purim Shpiel performed by the Great Neck Synagogue Rabbinic Team.

8 Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 9 Dinner/Oneg Series (Atlas & Jensen home) Friday Night, September 14- College Oneg Celebrate the Holidays Sunday Night, September 30 - Shmini Atzeret High School Oneg- Youth Activities Home of Rabbi & Ellen Polakoff Friday Night, October 12- 8th grade Friday Night, December 14 -11th & 12th grade Oneg Friday Night, January 11 - 9th & 10th grade Oneg Friday Night, February 22 - 7th & 8th grade Oneg Kiddush Luncheon &  Yom Yerushalayim, Sunday, June 2nd Supervisory Meetings (Jensen Home) Join us in celebrating Yerushalayim in the Park with festivities. November 10 - Preschool Leaders December 15 - Leaders (1st grade & up) February 9 - Kiddush Staff March 16 - Leaders (1st grade & up) March 17 - Preschool Leaders May 4 - Leaders (1st grade & up) MINI SHABBATON SCHEDULE This is YOUR Shabbat! Ice Cream Kiddush Preschool Activities and special Saturday night activity!! Calendar  Shavuot Late Night Learning, October 20 - 5th-7th grade girls Saturday Night – Monday Night, June 8th-10th October 27 - 5th-7th grade boys Rosh Hashana Arts n Crafts with Morah Zehava & Fun Bus Celebrate Matan Torah with a slate of inspiring classes as we probe st nd November 10 - 1 & 2 grade girls Sunday September 9 the depths of Torah well past midnight. This year’s program will be st nd held at Great Neck Synagogue. November 17 - 1 & 2 grade boys rd th Erev Sukkot Arts n Crafts December 1 - 3 & 4 grade girls with Morah Zehava December 15 - 3rd & 4th grade boys Sunday September 23 st nd January 5 - 1 & 2 grade girls Simchat Torah Celebration January 12 - 1st & 2nd grade boys Preschool Hakafot rd th Monday October 1 February 2 - 3 & 4 grade girls February 9 - 3rd & 4th grade boys Chanuka Arts n Crafts with Morah Zehava February 16 - 5th-7th grade boys Sunday December 9 February 23 - 5th-7th grade girls TOT Shabbat Friday March 8

Pesach Arts n Crafts with Morah Zehava Friday April 19

10 Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 11 Special Events

August 30 - Annual GNS Kickoff Carnival September 1 - Youth Selichot (middle & high school) September 9 - Rosh HaShana Arts n Crafts (pre-school) Special Events September 9 - Erev Rosh of Fun program (1st-5th grade) September 15 - Youth Shabbat September 21 - Youth Leadership Training Shabbaton September 23 - Erev Sukkot Arts n Crafts September 23 - Erev Sukkot Youth Trip September 25 - Sukkah Hop September 27 - Mystery Bus Ride September 29 - Sukkah Sleepover September 30 - Erev Shmini Atzeret Trip September 30 - High School Oneg at the home of Rabbi and Ellen Polakoff October 1 - Preschool Hakafot October 13 - OHEL Shabbaton November 18 - Annual Loaves of Love Challah Baking Event December 8 - Annual Chanuka Bash! December 9 - Chanuka Arts n Crafts February 3 - Super Bowl Event Sisterhood Events October 16th - Cindy Gold talk - February 16 - Basketball Skills Competition "Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time" March 8 - Young Family Friday Night November 15th - GNS Sisterhood Great Challah Bake April 13 - Tefillah Madness Final December 10th - Health Talk April 19 - Pre-Pesach Event (1st-5th grade) March 13th - 20th Purim Basket Sale April 25 - Pesach Arts n Crafts March 31st - Pesach/Mother's Day Boutique May 11 - Women’s Shabbaton and Seudat Shlishit May 7th - Sisterhood Annual Chai Dinner June 9 - Shavuot Sundaes on Sunday

Great Neck Synagogue NON-PROFIT ORG. 26 Old MIll Road U.S POSTAGE Great Neck, NY 11023 PAID 516-487-6100 FLUSHING, NY PERMIT NO. 1606 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED