Happy Minyan Newsletter - 
Yom Kippur 5773

September 2012
Greetings!

Yom Kippur is the day that G-d is forgiving us for everything that has distanced us from Him. However, we need to make things right and close the gap between ourselves and others for this Day of Atonement to work. The truth is, it is in your best interest to forgive others, since it will inspire G-d to treat you accordingly and forgive you. And unfortunately, we have enough problems in the world around us that we really can't afford in-fighting - we need each other. Many congregations have the customs of saying out loud before Kol Nidrei that they are "mochel" (they forgive). I highly recommend we all do this, that we all say that we forgive. Let's forgive one another, and ourselves, leave the past behind, and move forward together into the New Year, newly.
On behalf of the entire Happy Minyan,
Shana Tova U'Metuka! Gemar Chatima Tova!
May you, your family, and all of Klal Yisrael be sealed in the Book of Life! 
Rachel
Laws and Customs of Yom Kippur 
 

On Yom Kippur it is forbidden to eat and drink, to wash, to anoint, to wear leather shoes, and to be intimate:

  1. It is forbidden for people above Bar and Bas Mitzva age (who are well enough to fast) to eat or drink even the smallest amount. Someone who might need to eat or drink on Yom Kippur should discuss their situation with a competent Rov who may instruct them to eat normally, or to partake in small measured amounts (Shiurim) at certain time intervals throughout the day. (With all personal health and well-being situations, it is important to consult with a Rav who may instruct you to be more lenient than you think you can be.)
  2. It is forbidden to wash oneself whatsoever. This includes washing any part of one's body - whether in cold or hot water. Since the main prohibition is washing in a way that provides pleasure, exceptions to the rule are made during Yom Kippur in the following situations in which washing is allowed: Netilas Yadayim in the morning - until the knuckles; washing one's hands after touching a body part generally covered / after using the bathroom; any body part became dirty. If one requires soap to wash off the dirt one may use a watered down liquid soap. No one may immerse in a mikvah on Yom Kippur (except of course for the Kohen Gadol in the Beis HaMikdash, may we have that situation soon!).
  3. One cannot anoint oneself on Yom Kippur for the sake of pleasure (no perfumes, deodorants, body lotions and oils, lip gloss, etc.). One can apply ointment to an infection.
  4. One should wear shoes made from materials other than leather - such as slippers or crocs - or may just wear socks.
  5. Marital intimacy is forbidden on Yom Kippur.

Special Parts of the Prayer Services of Yom Kippur:

 

Kol Nidre
Dating back until at least the ninth century, Kol Nidre, at first glance, seems to have nothing at all to do with Yom Kippur. Indeed, it appears to attempt to release one from keeping his oaths and vows. Many commentators address this issue and their main approach seems to be that Kol Nidre, in actuality, emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and reaffirms our belief of honoring our commitments. How appropiate, as we enter a day when we will be saying over and over how we plan to change and do teshuvah.

 

The Shema
During the Shema on Yom Kippur, the second line, Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto LeOlam V'aed, "Blessed is the Name of His Glorious Kingdom for all eternity" is read aloud. Moshe originally heard this line from the angels when he was on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah from G-d. Though normally said quietly, on Yom Kippur it is said out loud. Normally, we dare not utter angelic phrases loudly, but on Yom Kippur, it is as if we are spiritually raised to the level of angels and we say the verse out loud.

 

Avinu Malkinu
The Gemorrah in Taanis tells the story of when there was a very bad drought in Eretz Yisrael. Public fasts were proclaimed and special prayers were said. The great Torah Scholar Rabbi Eliezer was called upon to lead the prayers with the saying of the 24 blessing Amidah, which is said at times of severe drought. Yet, no rain fell. His disciple, Rabbi Akiva came to the front and said a special prayer in which each verse began with the words, Avinu Malkenu, Our Father, Our King. Rain fell. The prayer became a regular part of the prayer services during a time of fasting or tragedy. Today, it is said fast days and during the ten days of repentance. On Yom Kippur, during Neilah, the word ketiva, inscribed, is replaced by chatima, sealed, because in the Neilah prayer G-d seals our fate for the coming year.

 

Viduy
Confession, is an essential part of repentance. Repentance cannot be just a fleeting thought like other thoughts that come and go in a person's mind. By confessing one's sins out loud, it becomes something much more real. A person must come to the complete understanding that the sins he committed are wrong and cannot be rationalized away. The two forms of confession, Al cheit and Ashamnu, alphabetically list all types of sins. The Al cheit, prayer lists many sins or categories of sins that are commonly committed. Sins are expressed in the plural not only to save individuals from embarrassment but so that the congregation as a whole might attain true atonement. One cannot confess only for oneself, rather one has to beg forgiveness for all Jews who sin. The Ari HaKadosh teaches that confession is written in the plural, "We have sinned' because all Israel is considered like one body and every person is a limb of that body. So we confess to all the sins of all the parts of our body.

 

The Temple Service On Yom Kippur

"And the Kohanim and the people standing in the Courtyard - when they would hear the glorious, awesome Name, the Ineffable one, emanating from the Kohen Gadol's mouth, in holiness and purity, they would kneel and prostrate themselves, give thanks and say, 'Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity.'"

In the middle of the Mussaf service, we recite the Kohen Gadol's Seder Avodah, order of service. This recalls in a somewhat detailed fashion, the service as performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Holy Temple during the day of Yom Kippur. The Kohen Gadol's service was both physically and mentally exhausting as it required both physical dexterity (while fasting and having no sleep) and total mental concentration.

When the Kohen Gadol's service was performed properly, Israel's total forgiveness was made manifest for all eyes to see. The Kohen Gadol tied a cord of red painted wool between the horns of the scapegoat. Another such cord had been tied by him around the neck of the goat reserved for the sin-offering, so that it might not be commingled with the other goats held for the remaining offering of the day. The cord used for the scapegoat was later divided in two. One remaining between the scapegoat's horns, and the other half hung upon the opening of the hallway leading to the Sanctuary, so that all might see it.

In years when the avodah was accepted by G-d and atonement was granted Israel, both parts of the cord turned white like snow, in accord with the verse, "If your sins should be like red thread, they will turn like snow. (Isaiah Chapter 1) Thereupon all eyes saw G-d's forgiveness and the hearts of the people rejoiced.

Today, 3 times during the Seder Avodah we prostrate ourselves on the ground as they did in the days of the temple. (By the way, the towels people place on the floor are not to keep your knees from getting dirty, but rather involve a halachic issue of keeping a separation between you and the ground.) We try to relive and experience, as much as possible, the feelings of inspiration and closeness to G-d that existed in Temple.

 

Torah And Haftarah Readings For Yom Kippur

On the morning of Yom Kippur, two Torah Scrolls are removed from the Aron HaKodesh. The Torah Reading is from Vayikrah Chapter 16, verse 1-34. This portion discusses the instructions to Moshe and Aharon concerning the procedure for the priestly service on Yom Kippur, which would enable them to achieve atonement for Israel. The portion then details the laws of Yom Kippur. There are six aliyahs (a number used only on Yom Kippur) and a Maftir. The Maftir is read from a second Torah Scroll and is from BaMidbar (Numbers) Chapter 29, verse 7-11. The maftir relates the Sacrificial Service for Yom Kippur. Following the Maftir, the Haftorah is read. The Haftorah is from Yeshayahu Chapter 57: verse 14 until Chapter 58, verse 14. Isaiah urges the Jewish People to return to Hashem through good deeds, kindness and sincere Teshuvah.

In the afternoon, during Mincha, one Torah Scroll is removed from the Aron HaKodesh. The Torah reading is from Vayikrah Chapter 18, verse 1-30. The portion deals with forbidden sexual relationships. Though the exact reason for reading this section now is not entirely clear, here are some possible reasons. 1) They are read now because everyone is in shul. 2) It is as if to say, "Though right now you are on a lofty spiritual level on Yom Kippur, don't think you cannot drop down in a second to the worst abominations. 3) The cornerstone of morality is self-control over animal sensuality (Hirsch) Following the three aliyahs, the Haftorah is read. The Haftorah is the book of Yona. Though everyone knows that a large fish swallowed Yona, the message of Yona is actually a timeless lesson in the power of Teshuvaand G-d's desire to help man rather than punish him.

 

Neilah
A Jew prays three times a day on weekdays. On Shabbat and Holidays, including Rosh HaShanah a fourth service is added (Mussaf) in memory of the additional sacrifices given on these days in the Temple in Jerusalem. On Yom Kippur, yet a fifth service (the only day of the year with 5) is added. The extra service unique to Yom Kippur is called Neilah. Neilah is said after Mincha as the sun is going down and literally means closing (or locking) and refers to either the closing of the gates of the Holy Temple at the end of the day or it refers to the closing of the gates of prayer as Yom Kippur is ending. Following Neilah, the shofar is sounded with one great and mighty long blast and the services conclude with the exclamations of Shema Yisrael - Hear Oh Israel and Next Year In Jerusalem - LeShana Haba BiYerushalayim!

 

 

Minhagim (Customs) of Yom-Kippur: 

  1. There is a minhag to stay up all night Yom Kippur. If this would make the fast considerably harder, it is not advisable to do so. In fact, the main mitzvah of the day is the fast, so one should not even push themselves to go to shul, let alone stay up all night, if it makes the fast more difficult. There are those who are careful even if they sleep at night, not to go to sleep during the entire day. This is more important than not sleeping at night. Therefore if by not sleeping at night someone will need to take a nap during the day, it is then far better to sleep at night and to stay awake all day.
  2. There is a minhag to stand the whole day. The more prevalent minhag, however, is to stand throughout the entire davening. Now is a good time to remind everyone that it is forbidden to speak during prayer (not just on Yom Kippur, but the whole year). Also, it is a tremendous act of kindness to the chazzan, as well as those who are following the davening, to refrain from talking in shul as it helps keep keep the atmosphere and space sacred and focused. Please step outside if you must talk to someone.

Motzoai Yom-Kippur: 

  1. On Motzoai Yom Kippur we make Havdala on a cup of wine (or grape juice, beer etc.), and we make a bracha of Aish. We do not use Besamim. The fire should be from a flame that existed before Yom Kippur or that was lit from a candle that was lit before Yom Kippur.
  2. Right after Yom Kippur we should do something towards building the Succah. Since the purpose of this is to go straight from Yom Kippur to busying ourselves with Mitzvos, some people busy themselves with Arba Minim.
  3.  Many people make a Seuda on Motzoai Yom Kippur.


 
 

 
Reb Shlomo Speaking on:  Yom Kippur   
What do we do when we make mistakes? You know what happens to us? Each time you make a mistake you begin to hate somebody you love, because you don't want to be angry at yourself.

Adam made a mistake. So what does he say? Adam's angry at Eve, Eve is angry at Adam, they are angry at G-d, and then they are angry at their children.

But I'll tell you something else. When you make a lot of mistakes then you don't know anymore what you really want because I need a big excuse why did I do it in the first place. You can't understand anymore why you did what you did in the first place.

You know what happens to us on Yom Kippur? What is G-d cleaning us of? If G-d wants to just to forgive us he can do it any Wednesday and G-d really does forgive us on Wednesday.

Yom Kippur is not when G-d has the board of directors together and they sign a declaration. 'Ahhh brother, you're being forgiven, show this letter to the teller, you'll get all the money you'll need now. We have cleared you'.

You know what Yom Kippur is? That suddenly G-d cleans me so much that I realize I didn't want to do the aveirah in the first place.

I want you to know something. When we say "Al Chet," all the mistakes made, you know what I am telling G-d? I did it but I really didn't want to. I really didn't want to. You see, each time we say Al Chet it's not asking G-d for forgiveness because G-d can forgive you on a wholesale level. but it's mamesh something else.

Imagine my whole life I am so happy saying bad things about other people. Yom Kippur, with a little holiness shining into my heart, suddenly I really don't want to anymore. I didn't want to walk around from house to house telling bad things, destroying marriages, destroying friendships. I really don't want to. And Yom Kippur gives me the strength to realize this.

The question is, what do you really want?

So Yom Kippur is mamesh when G-d gives me the strength to cleanse myself from everything I don't really want.

In My Father's Footsteps
David Sacks
My father, Dr. Leonard Sacks, Leib ben Tzvi Hirsh HaLevi, olov hashalom.
My father's fateful decision opened up gates in Heaven for his future descendants

 

It's one of those one-in-a-zillion stories. The type my father likes to say would give a computer a nervous breakdown. It begins in 1946. My father had just finished his military service and was living in Los Angeles, an exotic choice for a Newark, New Jersey boy, and was just beginning a stint at UCLA. It was summer time, the new term was about to begin, and my father was looking for a place to stay. He went to the fraternity closest to campus, gave them a deposit and began to unpack.

 

A short while later there was a knock at the door. It was one of the senior members of the fraternity. He quickly assessed the situation, and began hinting that my father "might be more comfortable elsewhere."

 

This seemed strange. My father just landed a spot as close as you could get to the campus -- what could be "more comfortable" than that? My father assured him that he was happy there, but the man persisted, saying that it might be nicer to be around people "more like yourself." By way of example, he mentioned the name of the Jewish fraternity nearby.

 

Naively, my father explained that having just served in the United States Army, he had been exposed to all kinds of people, and enjoyed -- even thrived -- on diversity.

 

The man repeated that my father would feel more comfortable elsewhere, but this time it wasn't a suggestion. They were his parting words. He gave my father back his deposit and left the room.

 

Suddenly, my father understood. No Jews Allowed.

 

My father vividly recalls how as he walked down the stairs, the ping-pong game in the rec room abruptly stopped, and everyone became uncomfortably silent. It stayed that way until he left the building.

 

But the real story begins with what happened next.

 

There were any number of places my father could have gone. While anti-Semitism was still a potent force in American society, the flood gates of assimilation were open, and tens of thousands of Jews were rushing through leaving their Jewishness behind. It would have been a perfect moment for my father to do the same. After all, if this is what comes with being Jewish, then who needs it?

 

But my father made the exact opposite choice. He went to the Jewish frat house on 741 Gayley Avenue and took up residence there.

 

Cut to Yom Kippur, 40 years later. After a very unlikely series of events, I, too, ended up in Los Angeles. In a nutshell, while attending Harvard, I started writing for the Lampoon, and improbably decided on a career in comedy writing. Even more improbably, after graduating with no job prospects, and taking my old job back as an elevator operator in my parent's building on 79th and Broadway, the phone rang. "Not Necessarily the News," a show on HBO, called, offering me a three-week trial period on their writing staff. (That led to a second three-week trial period, which led to a four-week contract. My introduction to job security, Hollywood style.)

 

I didn't grow up observant, but my parents' instilled within me a strong sense of Jewish identity. As a child, I remember my mother saying "Shema" with me before I went to bed. As an eight-year-old, I remember reading Hasidic stories from "Talks and Tales," the Lubavich children magazine an observant neighbor sent my older brother as a bar mitzvah present. As an 11-year-old I began attending Camp Ramah, the conservative sleepover camp, and at 14 I remember dancing with a Torah scroll at Reb Shlomo Carlebach's shul on Simchat Torah, feeling absolutely whole, and knowing that I had connected with the essence of my life.

 

In the years that followed, I always wanted to do more Jewishly, but somehow I had given myself permission to stagnate.

Then came Yom Kippur.

 

Even though I wasn't "religious," I wanted to go to an Orthodox shul that I could walk to. The closest one at that time was the Chabad of Westwood. At the end of a long day of services, Rabbi Baruch Cunin concluded with a declaration that every Jewish male over 13 must put on teffilin every day except Shabbos, and that every Jewish woman must light Shabbos candles before sundown Friday nights. All I could think was -- he's right. I owned teffilin. I had put them on during summer camp, but that was basically it. Nonetheless, they were incredibly precious to me. Wherever I went, even if it was for only a weekend, I would take them with me. "Who knows?" I thought, "Maybe I'll want to put them on, and if they're not there, what will I do?"

 

After that Yom Kippur, I started putting on teffilin and never stopped.

 

That mitzvah transformed my life. Before long, I was keeping Shabbos, marrying a wonderful Jewish woman, and sending my children to yeshiva.

 

And now for the part that continues to amaze me. That fateful encounter at the Chabad House on Yom Kippur, happened at 741 Gayley Avenue, the exact location of the Jewish frat house my father reaffirmed his Jewish ties at 40 years earlier.

 

It is astounding how precisely God governs the world. Beyond the synchronicity though, I think there is an even deeper lesson. When we do something holy, not only do we elevate ourselves and our past, but we open up gates in Heaven for our future, and not just our own -- but our children's and children's children until the end of time.

 

I heard from Rabbi Simcha Weinberg that when we experience moments of transcendence, we should use them to pray for our future descendants.

 

I don't know if consciously or unconsciously, my father had me in mind when he reaffirmed his commitment to being Jewish, but I am living proof that he opened doors for me that I continue to walk through to this day.

Tikkun Rachel -
Removing a Bad Decree
Rachel Elana Landsman

In the moving prayer of "U'netaneh Tokef", we cry out that 3 things have the power to remove a bad decree - teshuva, tefila and tzedaka.

 

Teshuva

The Rambam teaches in the Laws of Teshuva that when one properly does teshuva, he becomes a new person. Just as person "A" is only punished for his own sins, not for those of person "B", and vice versa - a person who does teshuva will not be punished for his sins, because he is a different person! He is not the same person who committed the sins in the first place!

 

Tefila

We're taught that G-d created the world with words. When we pray, we are creating our world, so to speak. G-d, after all, doesn't need our prayers. So why do we pray? It is for us, for our connection to the Divine, both within us and around us. 

On a more practical level, the halacha is that our prayers must be audible to ourselves. All our tefilos are uttered aloud.Tefila changes things because when we pray, we are saying the deepest truths aloud. Just like when we tell people we're going to do x, y, and z - and merely committing to others verbally makes us more responsible, so too with tefila. When we say we're sorry and we want to do better, we become more responsible and our reality thus shifts.

 

Tzedaka 

Tzedaka is wrongly translated as charity. The word actually means correctness. When we give others in need, we are not merely doing something nice or "charitable" - we are doing what is correct. And when we correct the imbalance in the world for someone else, we then alter the world such that a new, more positive decree is made on High. King David says in Tehilim "Tzedaka saves from death." That is the power of doing the right thing for another.

May we merit true teshuva, honest tefila, and generous tzedakah so that we are sealed for a good, sweet year!

 

Reb Yankel - Pidyon Shevuim
A Berdichever story relayed by R' Yiddle Landsman  

Everybody has a particular Mitzvah to which they have a special connection.  For Reb Yankel, that Mitzvah was Pidyon Shevuim (the redeeming of captives).  One year, on the eve of Yom Kippur, Reb Yankel heard about a fellow Jew who had been arrested by his landlord for failing to pay his rent on time.  The thought of a fellow Yid spending the most holy day of the year, Yom Kippur, in captivity was untenable to Reb Yankel.  He began wandering the streets of the city searching for contributors to this righteous cause.

Being Erev Yom Kippur, the streets were empty.  Everyone was busy with their final meals and preparations for the holy day.  "What will be?  How can we allow a Jew to suffer in prison at such a holy time.  There must be some salvation", Reb Yankel pondered to himself.  Suddenly he happened upon three Jews playing cards and merrily drinking vodka.  Reb Yankel was astounded.  "Yidden", he exclaimed, "don't you know what today is?  Tomorrow is the holy day of Yom Kippur, and you sit here playing cards without a single holy thought. Wait though, I have a suggestion for you", Reb Yankel continued, "Hashem always judges favorably one who takes care of his fellow man.  As we speak, one of our brethren languishes in the Poretz's jail.  For a mere 3,000 rubles he can be released from his captivity.  Contribute to this holy cause, and I guarantee that Hashem will grant you a good year".

The three companions laughed and jeered, and the biggest and burliest of them joked "tell you what, here is a goblet of vodka.  Drink it in one gulp, and I will contribute 1,000 rubles to your cause."  Reb Yankel contemplated, "tonight is Kol Nidrei.  How will I have the appropriate concentration for this holy night if my mind is addled by alcohol?  But", he continued, "how can I let a fellow yid suffer in prison?"  Without further thought he gulped down the goblet of vodka.

Enlivened from the effects of the strong alcohol, he began to shout, "but I still need 2,000 rubles.  Yidden, help your fellow, contribute to this holy cause.  You will be rewarded in both this world and the next!"  Another of the three jovial fellows laughed and said "tell you what.  Same deal, drink a goblet of vodka in one gulp and I to will contribute 1,000 rubles".  This time Reb Yankel thought even less, and inspired both by the holiness of the MItzvah, and the alcohol in his blood quickly gulped the goblet of vodka.

You guessed it, the same happened with the third fellow.  Reb Yankel, overjoyed at the success of his mission made one final request.  "Please take me to the Poretz so we can release the captive, and then take me to the synagogue of Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev. 

Reb Yankel lay on a bench in the back of Reb Levi Yitzchok's Beis Midrash in an alcoholic stupor.  You can imagine how he looked, and how he smelled.  Everyone kept their distance looking with disgust at this lowly creature, with no sense of the incredible Mitzvah he had just merited to complete.

The shul filled, and the cantor ascended the podium to recite the holy Kol Nidrei prayer.  The shul was full of light and the holy ark was open.  Reb Yankel stirred from his stupor.  He looked around, seeing the Shul full of congregants, the holy ark open, and all of the lights illuminated.  "It's Simchas Torah!" he exclaimed.  He stood up on the bench and began shouting "Atoh horeisa Lodaas (Now it is being revealed) that Hashem is G-d and the is no other than he."  The other congregants wanted to break him, limb from limb.  How dare he desecrate the most holy night of the year with such disgraceful drunken behavior!

Suddenly everyone quieted as Reb Levi Yitzchok banged on his lecturn.  "Yidden, pay attention.  All of the month of Ellul is a preparation for Rosh Hashana.  Rosh Hashana is just a bridge to the 10 days of teshuva, and the ten days of teshuva are merely a preparation to Yom Kippur.  Yom Kippur itself serves as a preparation for Succos, and all of the above serves to prepare us for the moment of divine revelation when we are able to proclaim Atah Horeisa Lodaas.  Reb Yankel with his self sacrifice to fulfill the Mitzvah of releasing a captive has jumped to that moment.  Leave him be.".

Top 10 List of Why I Love The Happy Minyan
 Lisa Herman Tofler

 

10. Ed Orshan - When I was growing up in NJ, my father used to drop me off for morning minyan before school each day.  There was the older man, like Ed, who was a fixture at the Shul and was always talking to me (Trying to give me some advice or impart some wisdom.) However, being a teenager, I would tune out and never heard a word he said. After that, I noticed that where ever I lived from Tallahassee, New Orleans, Kibbutz, or Gush Katif the Shul I attended had an "Ed".  Yet, our "Ed" is the best "Ed" there is.

9.  The Karate Studio - I am always amazed waking in to the Happy Minyan, Friday night, at the transformation of the Karate Studio from Dojo to truly a "House of Love and Prayer"  At the Happy Minyan, everyone is focused on what is going on at the Bima instead of the Stained glass windows behind it.  We are about more about substance than aesthetics.  We are listening to the praises of Hashem and the beautiful davening and not the latest gossip.  This space shows that it is not where you are, but the people who you are with that creates the energy!

8. Jon Hoenig - Jon is one on the Board of the Happy minyan and also our very own Jewguiver!  Jon works into the middle of the night to make the Space we have look clean and presentable. As a plastic surgeon, Jon wakes at 5 am, is in the OR by 6 am and 7 to 10 hours he has improved his patients' lives that have been inflicted with cancer or a disfiguring accident or just to look good.  Jon helps them have the confidence to face the world.  After surgery, Jon rips off his gloves and gets in his car and races to the Happy Minyan with all his tools paint sand paper etc. He goes from being a plastic surgeon to a Plaster surgeon.  You can see the work Jon has done in the bathroom and in the main room. Jon does not only help give the Shul a face lift but he works tirelessly as a board member for the Minyan in so many ways.

7. The effect the Minyan has on our children - Children learn experiencially and in different ways (Visual, Auditory, and Tactile.)  At the Happy Minyan we help our children learn about Torah and Tefilah through all three modalities. Visually - the kids see the excitement and Joy on our faces as we daven and listen to the Torah. Auditory - they listen to the beautiful Niggunim that we sing throughout the service.  Tactile - The kids experience dancing around the Bimah on the Father's shoulders or holding their mother's hand during the dancing, and clapping their hands.  This is a much different association to Synagogue and Davening for our children that we had as kids.  I know they are internalizing this because parents like Sarah and Natan Dakar and Jonathan and Julie Boyer have told me how their child has spontaneously started singing and dancing to a Niggun at home.

We are going to be bringing that joyful experience to our Simcha Buddies Child Care program:

We have dynamic program that incorporates Jewish learning  (including one hour of circle time, davening with Shlomo Nigunim, Jewish learning, songs, stories and games)and an hour of outdoor play, outside in our yard. There is a safe gate installed. We also plan to put in removable outdoor carpeting and tenting to protect the kids from the elements. We'll also have an instructor from MY GYM encouraging the kids through obstacle courses and leading them in gymnastics.

We are half way to our $25,000 goal to implement the program. This is a great way to continue to see the Happy Minyan grow and thrive.

6. The Kiddush - I love that at the end of services people come up to me to volunteer to help set up the Kiddush each week.  Nothing brings Jews together than food.  The Happy Minyan puts out a great Kiddush each week that includes the 5 essential food groups:

Grape juice, Gefilte fish, Herring, Cake, and Alcohol

There is always a reason to sponsor a Kiddush: A birthday, promotion, your family arrives, your family leaves, a yartzeit.  Just call or email us: (310) 571-8863 or email info@happyminyan.org

Every Shabbes Mevorichim you can sponsor a lunch for the entire community and that means "Every Jew that Moves" (Chai Center motto.) It feels like a family with the 2 rows of long tables with every stripe of Jew sitting and singing Zimirot and sharing a wonderful Shabbat meal together!

5. Friends - When I refered to Family above I meant it.  Whether I have known you for 14 years or I just met you at my Shabbat table because someone gave you my name, you become part of the Happy Minyan Family. Like family we are a little dysfunctional and sometimes disappointing, but ultimately we love and care for each other, like at the Bris of a new Baby boy (Reichman) or when we made sure Jonathan Boyer had a minyan for to say Kaddish his Father during Shiva.  We are here for you!! We can't read minds so if you need to connect please email or call: (310) 571-8863 or email info@happyminyan.org

4. Community Events - The Happy Minyan puts on so many events during the year.  Whether we put them on ourselves like the Torah Slam, and Simchat Torah or the ones we do with other organizations like the Hoshanah Rabbah musical Shacahrit with Bnai David or Second night Seder with Jewlicious or Shabbat Shuva Concert with Aish, and JConnectLA.  The Happy Minyan is dedicated to help every Jew become closer to Hashem and have a greater connection and positive experience with Judaism.

3. David Sachs - Every Shabbat David gives an insightful, sometimes esoteric and humorous D'var Torah.  David inspires me to improve my relationship with Hashem and also with my relationship with others.  I may not remember what he spoke about at the lunch table that afternoon, but his words come perculating up at opportune times during the week.  I always think that I will get up to attend his 8:30 am class on Shabbat morning and then I never do.  We are truly blessed to have him with us.

2. The Happy Minyan Board - when I was so thrilled to be asked to be on the board of the Happy Minyan the some of the most energetic and motivated individuals in the community.  They are: Jon Hoenig, Jonathan Boyer, Jeff Rohatiner, Ronnie Serr, Debra Fletcher, David Sachs and then me.  Though we each lead very busy lives, we are constantly in contact with eachother throughout the week working on ways to make the Happy Minyan better.  We are not trying to be a different Shul, but be the best Happy Minyan possible.  We have read the surveys and the suggestions from the focus groups from the Spring and are busy putting your ideas to work.

Please approach us with any concern or suggestion.

1. The Davening - The Happy Minyan is the place to go if you want an uplifting and joyful experience.  Yehuda Solomon and Jeff Rohatiner have set the Bar as high as the pole vault record.  Our guest chazanim have to bring their "A" game when they come to the Happy Minyan, because we do davening right. Together, we lift our prayers straight up to heaven.  The Joy of the Tefillah is evident by the energy we feel when we come together as a community.

The Happy Minyan has set a goal to raise $260,000 for the maintenance of the Minyan at the Karate Studio, and continue to the programming we provide to the community each Shabbat and Yom Tov, and the other great events throughout the year.

You can donate online at www.happyminyan.org or send a check to:

P.O. Box 16002
Beverly Hills, CA 90209



Orthodox Union And Rabbinical Council Of America Call Upon Their Congregations To Pray During Yom Kippur Services For End To Iranian Threat: "The Threat Is Dire And Demands Our Attention On Our Holiest Day"

 
            The Orthodox Union (OU) and the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) today called upon all congregations to dedicate a specific moment during their services on the upcoming holy day of Yom Kippur to pray for an end to the threat of a nuclear armed Iran.  The OU and RCA leadership issued the following statement:

            "On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Jews worldwide spend the day in fasting, prayer and repentance.  Yom Kippur is not a day for politics.

            But Yom Kippur 5773 is different.

            On this Yom Kippur - the world faces an evil regime whose leaders have publicly committed themselves to destroying the State of Israel and to harming Jews worldwide; in addition, the Iranians are a threat to the global community.

            On this Yom Kippur - the leader of that evil regime will address the United Nations General Assembly and again preach his hatred;

            On this Yom Kippur - the words found in the High Holiday prayer book, "God determines which nations shall face war and which shall enjoy peace," prompt us to contemplate with anxiety the fate of the State of Israel and her people, of Jews throughout the world and, indeed, of civilization as a whole.

            The threat is dire and demands our attention on our holiest day. Therefore, we call upon all congregations to dedicate a specific moment during their services on the upcoming holy day of Yom Kippur to pray for an end to the threat of a nuclear armed Iran.

             On Yom Kippur, may Israel and its people be sealed in the Book of Life for a year of life and peace."