26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.6100 1

GNS Program Brochure

2018 - 2019

Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Rd. | 516.487.61002 3

Youth Shabbat, September 15th, 2018Our youth department takes over the Shabbat minyanim,

as we celebrate our young men and women.

Ohel Shabbaton, October 13th, 2018

Our close relationship continues with our annual Shabbaton as OHEL clients and Great Neck Synagogue families enjoy Friday night dinner and Oneg together in

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.

Shabbat Speakers and Events Shabbat Speakers and Events

Yonah Jeremy Bob, November 17th, 2018Yonah Jeremy Bob lectures on foreign affairs and is the Jerusalem Post 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 MinutesWant 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.

Rabbi Hanoch Teller, October 20th, 2018Internationally-acclaimed as one of the most original and inspiring motivational-speakers

of our time, storyteller-extraordinaire, Rabbi Hanoch Teller, has been dubbed a “globe-trotting modern-day maggid.” He has enthralled audiences on five continents, in over 40 American states and 24 other countries, delivering a precious message imbued 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.”

Shabbat Drasha: Honorable Mentschen

Seudah Shlishit: To Dream the Impossible Scheme: The Founding of Israel’s Most Improbable Community

This Shabbos will also be our annual New Members Luncheon as we welcome all new members of the community to Great Neck Synagogue.

Sivan Rahav Meir, September 15, 2018Sivan is an Israeli journalist, primetime news reporter, publicist, and TV and radio anchor. She recently began giving weekly talks on the Torah portion in the Heichal Shlomo Synagogue in Jerusalem. We will be hosting her in partnership with the newly created OU Women's Initiative.

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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 Yeshiva University, 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"

Shabbat Speakers and Events Shabbat Speakers and Events

AIPAC Shabbaton and Shabbat Lunch, February 9-10th, 2019 Please note that the AIPAC Policy Conference is March 24th-26th 2019. Speaker and Program TBA

Rabbi Fischel Schachter, March 9th, 2019

Rabbi Fischel Schachter is a highly acclaimed and much loved scholar, international lecturer, storyteller, and author. His witty, charming, warm, and down-to-earth style continues to grab the attention of and delight his multitudes of students. Among his many illustrious projects, Rabbi Schachter is a Rebbe in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn, NY.

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 villages. He is a regular commentator in the international press, both broadcast and print, and is frequently called upon to participate in public debates and panels at 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”. Revivi received his Bachelor Degree in Law at from East London Law School and Master's Degree in Social Sciences and Public Policy from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is a graduate of the San Francisco based Gvanim fellowship, that fosters the advancement of religious pluralism in Israel. He completed an Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School with a focus on leadership and management as a Maoz fellow.In addition to being Chief Foreign Envoy of the YESHA Council and Mayor of Efrat, Revivi serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Local Government Services Insurance Agency of the Center for Local Government and as a board member for the National Lottery.

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High Holidays Chazzanim

Chazzan Srulik Hershtik Main Sanctuary Rosh Hashana & Yom KippurChazzan Yisroel “Srulik” Hershtik was born in South Africa and raised in Israel. He is a well-known chazzan, singer, choir director and conductor. He has led Rosh

Hashana and Yom Kippur services in the Young Israel of Woodmere for the last ten years.

Srulik is part of the Hershtik family musical dynasty, son of world famous chazzan Chaim Eliezer Hershtik and cousin of Netanel Hershtik of the Hampton Synagogue.

Shloime Dachs & Evan TwerskyMain Sanctuary, Mender Auditorium & Beit Midrash Rosh Hashana

& Yom KippurWe welcome back our veteran ba’alei tefillah who have inspired us with their

beautiful tefillot throughout the years.

Chazzan Yitzy SpinnerOur new Chazzan makes his debut at Great Neck Synagogue!!

Shabbat Speakers and Events Celebrate the Holidays

Judge Ruchie Freier, June 15th, 2019Rachel "Ruchie" Freier is a New York City Criminal Court judge. In 2016, she campaigned and was elected as a Civil Court judge for the Kings County 5th judicial district in New York State, thereby becoming the first Hasidic Jewish woman to be elected as a civil court judge in New York State, and the first Hasidic woman to hold public office in United States history. Although she ran for the Civil Court, after her election she was assigned to serve on the Criminal Court in the Kings County 5th judicial district.

She previously worked as a real estate attorney and community activist, and served as a volunteer court lawyer in the New York City Family Court.

In December 2017 Megyn Kelly welcomed Freier on The Today Show as the woman The New York Times has called “the Hasidic superwoman of night court” she was featured in the series “She’s Got Faith” marking her one year anniversary on the bench.

Slichot Night, Saturday Night September 1st, 2018

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff at 10:00 pm

followed by Slichot with Evan Twersky at 10:45 pm

Originally from London, England, Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff graduated with honors in political science from Manchester University. After working for MTV in news production, and winning the national competition ‘Jewish Stand-Up Comedian’ of the Year, Rabbi Hajioff traveled to study in Israel and then Monsey to receive his

rabbinical smicha ordination from Yeshiva Ohr Somayach.

Rabbi Hajioff is the educational director of Birthright Israel Alumni in Manhattan, New York. He has been instrumental in implementing programs for Birthright Israel in Manhattan such as the very successful adult bar and bat mitzvah program which some four hundred people have completed so far. He also leads trips to Israel and Poland three times a year for hundreds of young professionals.

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.

Jackie Bitton, May 11th, 2019

Mrs. Jackie Bitton, a shining star on the motivational speaker's circuit, hails from New York and has been involved in Jewish women's education and Jewish outreach activities for over a decade. After spending most of that time inspiring individuals and communities 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

at YDE Girls Yeshivah in Brooklyn and teaches a popular weekly Torah class for women in her community. An alumna of SKA HALB High School for girls, she is a frequent lecturer to women of all backgrounds and ages throughout the United States, Canada and Israel, and her passionate and humorous presentations have made her a highly popular speaker on a wide variety of topics.

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Leil Hoshana Rabba, Saturday Night, September 29th

Rabbi Peysach Krohn � 9:30 pm Rabbi Paysach Krohn is a Rav, mohel, author, and lecturer on topics related to ethics and spiritual growth. He is the author of the bestselling “Maggid” series of books for ArtScroll, inspired by the stories of Rabbi Sholom Schwadron, who was known as the “Maggid of Jerusalem”. He also authored a seminal work on

brit milah, also published by ArtScroll.

Chanukah, Wednesday, December 5th

SAVE THE DATE:

CHANUKAH CONCERT!

Purim 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.

Yom Hashoah Commemoration, Wednesday Evening, May 1st

Each year we have the opportunity to fulfill our responsibility to never forget and hear the experiences

from a survivor of the Holocaust. Join for a special evening of commemoration for the entire family to

attend. Program to be published in the Spring.

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

announced shortly.

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.

Celebrate the HolidaysCelebrate the Holidays

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Yom Yerushalayim, Sunday, June 2nd Join us in celebrating Yerushalayim in the Park with festivities.

Shavuot Late Night Learning, Saturday Night – Monday Night, June 8th-10th

Celebrate Matan Torah with a slate of inspiring classes as we probe the depths of Torah well past midnight. This year’s program will be held at Great Neck Synagogue.

Dinner/Oneg Series(Atlas & Jensen home)Friday Night, September 14- College OnegSunday Night, September 30 - Shmini Atzeret High School Oneg- Home of Rabbi & Ellen PolakoffFriday 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 & Supervisory Meetings (Jensen Home)November 10 - Preschool LeadersDecember 15 - Leaders (1st grade & up)February 9 - Kiddush StaffMarch 16 - Leaders (1st grade & up)March 17 - Preschool LeadersMay 4 - Leaders (1st grade & up)

MINI SHABBATON SCHEDULE This is YOUR Shabbat! Ice Cream Kiddush and special Saturday night activity!!October 20 - 5th-7th grade girls

October 27 - 5th-7th grade boys

November 10 - 1st & 2nd grade girls

November 17 - 1st & 2nd grade boys

December 1 - 3rd & 4th grade girls

December 15 - 3rd & 4th grade boys

January 5 - 1st & 2nd grade girls

January 12 - 1st & 2nd grade boys

February 2 - 3rd & 4th grade girls

February 9 - 3rd & 4th grade boys

February 16 - 5th-7th grade boys

February 23 - 5th-7th grade girls

Preschool Activities CalendarRosh Hashana Arts n Craftswith Morah Zehava & Fun Bus Sunday September 9

Erev Sukkot Arts n Craftswith Morah Zehava Sunday September 23

Simchat Torah CelebrationPreschool Hakafot Monday October 1 Chanuka Arts n Crafts with Morah Zehava Sunday December 9

TOT Shabbat Friday March 8 Pesach Arts n Crafts with Morah Zehava Friday April 19

Celebrate the Holidays Youth Activities

Special EventsAugust 30 - Annual GNS Kickoff CarnivalSeptember 1 - Youth Selichot (middle & high school)September 9 - Rosh HaShana Arts n Crafts (pre-school)September 9 - Erev Rosh of Fun program (1st-5th grade)September 15 - Youth ShabbatSeptember 21 - Youth Leadership Training ShabbatonSeptember 23 - Erev Sukkot Arts n CraftsSeptember 23 - Erev Sukkot Youth TripSeptember 25 - Sukkah HopSeptember 27 - Mystery Bus RideSeptember 29 - Sukkah SleepoverSeptember 30 - Erev Shmini Atzeret TripSeptember 30 - High School Oneg at the home of Rabbi and Ellen PolakoffOctober 1 - Preschool HakafotOctober 13 - OHEL ShabbatonNovember 18 - Annual Loaves of Love Challah Baking EventDecember 8 - Annual Chanuka Bash!December 9 - Chanuka Arts n CraftsFebruary 3 - Super Bowl EventFebruary 16 - Basketball Skills CompetitionMarch 8 - Young Family Friday NightApril 13 - Tefillah Madness FinalApril 19 - Pre-Pesach Event (1st-5th grade)April 25 - Pesach Arts n CraftsMay 11 - Women’s Shabbaton and Seudat ShlishitJune 9 - Shavuot Sundaes on Sunday

Special Events

Sisterhood EventsOctober 16th - Cindy Gold talk - "Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time"November 15th - GNS Sisterhood Great Challah BakeDecember 10th - Health TalkMarch 13th - 20th Purim Basket SaleMarch 31st - Pesach/Mother's Day BoutiqueMay 7th - Sisterhood Annual Chai Dinner

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