PARASHAT

TAZRIA-METZORA

Candle lighting: Friday, 7:34 pm

Shabbat ends: Saturday, 8:35 pm

Table of Contents

1) -Weekly Service Schedule 

2) - Rabbi's message

3) - Rabbi's class

4) -Activities & Donations

5) - Birthdays & Anniversaries

6) - Refuah shlema

1) - Weekly Service Schedule 

Hybrid Service: Zoom (online) and in-building

For our Zoom services, moderators may elect to mute individuals with disruptive noises in the background. Please make sure to keep your microphone muted.

All regularly scheduled Zoom services can now be reached through the same link:

Special services will have a separate link.

Men on Zoom, please have your heads covered for all services and wear a tallit for Saturday services and tefillin for weekday services.

________________________________________________________________

Please click this

link for all services.

Click this link

Zoom Meeting ID: 897 8879 2248

passcode: 5785

To all of our service attendees.

 In order to keep our building secure for your safety our side door entrance will be set to EXIT ONLY after 10:15 AM. The door will be monitored, and you will be let in as quickly as possible

Thank you.

Friday - 5/2 - 5:30pm

Candle lighting 7:34 pm

On-line & in-building

Shabbat- 5/3- 9:30 am

Shabbat ends: 8:35 pm

On-line & in-building

Sunday- 5/4 - 8:00 pm

On-line only



Monday - 5/5 -7:00 pm

Weekly Torah study with Rabbi Yechiel

Valley Stream Link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8040631892?pwd=R2FXakx3bnVlR1d6WndidkxVek9Rdz09

Meeting ID: 804 063 1892

Passcode: 5785

Monday- 5/5 - 8:00 am

On-line only

Thursday - 5/8 - 8:00 am

On-line only



Please scroll down to see upcoming events.

Siddur Sim Shalom

FOR SHABBAT AND FESTIVALS

chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://images.shulcloud.com/14178/uploads/ShabbatMorning.pdf

Please visit our website at: shaarayshalom.org

Please check out our events, high holiday schedule, convenient payment options and more.

2) - Rabbi's Message

Last Shabbat, we read Parashat Shemini, in which is included the laws of permitted and forbidden living creatures that we may eat or not. It is not obvious what these regulations have to with holiness, which the overlying theme of Leviticus. I believe that for Jews, and for humans generally, holiness is about nourishing and nurturing the Divine spark within us. I suggested that moderating eating habits was one form of pursuing holiness for our ancestors. Worth considering for our lives today. 

--Rabbi Art Vernon

3) - Class with the Rabbi

Rabbi's Class: Exploring Jewish Insight and Practice

Next class: Thursday, May 8th @ 3:30 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89677352353?pwd=NVBxWVJZM252a0oxVDJlK3NOSGtDQT09

Meeting ID: 896 7735 2353

Passcode: 68421

4) - Activities & Donations 

Please click the buttons below for

upcoming events.

Please click the image below to enlarge.

Time is running out! This is your final reminder to cast your vote for MERCAZ USA, Slate 17, in the World Zionist Congress elections.

As we mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, we are reminded that Israel’s existence and strength are built on both sacrifice and vision. Yom HaZikaron calls on us to honor those who gave their lives to secure a Jewish homeland, while Yom HaAtzmaut celebrates the fulfillment of a dream — one that we must continue shaping for future generations.

● Protect Against Extremism: Without your voice, extremist voices and ultra-Orthodox factions could dominate decisions that impact all Jews worldwide.

● Affirm an Inclusive Vision: We believe in a pluralistic Zionism where every Jew — including those in the Conservative/Masorti movement — belongs.

● Shape the Future of Global Jewry: Your vote influences how over a billion dollars in resources will be allocated to programs serving the Jewish community worldwide.

Visit votemercazusa.org, scroll to Slate 17, and select MERCAZ USA.

Please, share this with your network and remind them to vote before May 4.

Note: MERCAZ USA does not operate the voting portal. If you encounter issues when voting online, please contact the Election Help Desk at 888-492-4763 or azm@votem.com.

If you prefer to vote via a paper ballot, you can download the ballot by clicking here.

Please direct any other questions to campaignmanager@mercazusa.org or the MERCAZ USA captain, Lesley Harris, at your congregation or organization. 

LAST CHANCE: Vote for MERCAZ USA - Slate 17 in the World Zionist Congress elections before May 4!

As we mark Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day – we celebrate the realization of a dream once thought impossible. We honor the vision of Theodor Herzl, who reminded us: "Im tirtzu, ein zo agadah – If you will it, it is no dream.” And we recommit to shaping that dream – not only as it was imagined, but as it must continue to grow.

The final days of the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections are here. The Congress played a critical role in the creation of the modern Jewish state. The very first Zionist Congress laid the foundation for Israel’s founders to declare independence 77 years ago. Today, our votes help shape the next chapter of that enduring story.

By voting for MERCAZ USA (Slate 17), we affirm a Zionism that is principled, passionate, and proud. A Zionism that embraces our unwavering love for Israel – even when we struggle with its policies – and insists that this love calls us to help Israel live up to its founding ideals.

On the fifth of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948), David Ben-Gurion stood before the world and read aloud Israel’s Declaration of Independence. It promised a nation grounded in freedom, justice, and peace, committed to full equality for all its citizens, and devoted to safeguarding the spiritual and cultural legacy of the Jewish people.

MERCAZ USA stands for that vision – of a Jewish and democratic Israel that welcomes the voices of every stream of Judaism, and every Jew, everywhere. We cannot allow extremist voices to drown out that hope – or deter us from the dream: "Lihyot am chofshi b’artzeinu – To be a free people in our land, the Land of Zion and Jerusalem.” Take inspiration from this day and vote. Any Jewish adult over 18 who lives permanently in the U.S. and did not vote in the most recent Knesset election is eligible to vote in the World Zionist Congress elections.

You can vote today at votemercazusa.org and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. Together, we can ensure Israel remains a safe, secure, Jewish, and democratic home – for every Jew, everywhere. 

Rabbi Vernon Retirement Farewell Celebration



Dear Congregant,

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, our congregation will honor Rabbi Art Vernon as he retires from his role as the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Shaaray Shalom. Rabbi Vernon has provided to us spiritual and educational guidance over the past twenty years, and it was through his leadership during the pandemic that our congregation continued to have weekly Shabbat, as well as Yom Tov services.

On June 8th, we will celebrate with Rabbi Vernon at a brunch and with various congratulatory presentations. We want to give everyone an opportunity to honor Rabbi Vernon, and we will be creating for him a ‘Congratulatory VIRTUAL Scroll,’ where congregants, family, friends and colleagues can write their good wishes. We will also be creating a photo montage to be shown at the brunch, so please forward to Ed Freeberg at edleah@aol.com any pictures that you may have that would be appropriate.

If you would like to include your celebratory wishes on this Scroll, please note the following options:

1) FULL MEMBERS: Family name listing only: $18.00

2) FULL MEMBERS: Family name and message

(25 words max) $36.00

3) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS &; Non-Members: Family name listing only: $25.00

4) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS &; Non-Members: Family name and message (25 words max) $50.00

Please email your scroll greetings to Chanene at chashaaray@gmail.com, or send them in hard copy to her at the synagogue office. Payments must be received in order for your greeting to be listed. GREETINGS WILL BE LISTED IN THE SCROLL IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE RECEIVED.

 If you would like to attend the June 8th brunch, the cost is:

ADULTS: $36.00

Children under 12: $18.00

Family cap: $75.00

Please email Chanene if you plan to attend the brunch, and payment must be received in order to attend. One check can be used for both the greetings as well as the brunch. If you are paying by check, or through our website payment option, please indicate in the MEMO line if you are paying for greetings, brunch or both. The deadline for scroll entries, as well as for brunch reservations is Monday, May 12th.

We look forward to celebrating this simcha with Rabbi Vernon on June 8th.

Best regards,

Leah Freeberg, Ilan Rogoszinski, Sue Glatman, Elaine Pannagl, Ronni Pollack and Ed Freeberg.

Rabbi Vernon’s Farewell Event Celebration Committee

Please click the image below to enlarge.

5) - Birthdays 

Yuval Lipovetsky,



Kelsey Capilupi,

Hannalee Daryl Stern

and

Judy Schwarz

6) - Refuah Shlema

Stewart Walden,

Ines Weinberg,

Ellen Sue Rothfeld,

Judy Schwarz,

Dr. Sol Goldman,

Dorothy Dorman

and

Bob Dorman

If you have the name of a person to mention, please contact Rabbi Vernon: 

shaarayrabbi@gmail.com

or contact the office.



office call (516) 481-7448

711 Dogwood Ave, West Hempstead, NY 11552

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Organizations for contributions

at this time of crisis in Israel:

 Swords of Iron helping the IDF https://swordsofiron.org.il/

 Magen David Adom https://afmda.org/bloomberg-match

 Jewish National Fund https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel

 Friends of the Israel Defense Forces https://www.fidf.org/