Laurie & Joe Brofsky - Hewlett E. Rockaway Jewish Center

DAN GERSTMAN
From the President
In one of my favorite books called As a Man Thinketh, author James
Allen says, “A woman’s/man’s mind may be likened to a garden,
which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but
whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.” With
this in mind, here at HERJC, we have our own garden called the
Mitzvah Garden and it will bring forth! But before it does, there is a
lot of cultivation needed and I am most confident that our growing
list of volunteers will insure an abundant crop (especially if the
weather cooperates). As we till our own East Rockaway soil, we do
it to create a community project where children and adults can learn the lesson of creation,
get involved personally and share in the joy of growing and ultimately giving.
The vegetables (spinach, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, etc.) will be donated as
tzedakah to local food banks along with the packaged foods we all give so willingly to
those in need.
As I wrap up my second of three years as HERJC President, I have learned many valuable
lessons. One important one is that while growth of membership numbers is a nice
statistic, what really matters is the growth of our community members which gets
measured in so many other ways. Recently, I attended a Tot Shabbat where we had over
80 people, which included three generations, enjoying each other’s love at our Friday
night service and dinner. Another example was earlier this year when we eclipsed our
Patrons Society goal for the second straight year. It was so meaningful to know that a
growing number of HERJC families are furthering their connection to our synagogue.
When I take a look at our new programs like PJ Library and next year’s Post Bar/Bat
Mitzvah class, I realize the positive effect of our dedicated professionals in combination
with our member volunteers.
And there is a growing sense of anticipation as we head into our Israel Day celebration,
Monday evening May 9th, when, along with UJA, we will honor Philip Engel and
of course our Annual Dinner Dance where we will honor a most deserving couple, Dr.
Joe and Laurie Brofsky. There is so much to look forward to, so just as we will tend to
the Mitzvah Garden, I know together we will tend to the ever growing list of events and
community work that shapes our character and destiny. My prayer is that together we
continue to bloom, allowing HERJC to be the place where we make every person and
every day count!
Congregational Meeting
MONDAY, MAY 23, 8:00 PM, TEMPLE BOARDROOM
Agenda: Election of Board of Director Members
and Approval of 2010–11 Budget
HERJC MISSION
STATEMENT
Hewlett-East Rockaway
Jewish Centre–Congregation
Etz Chaim (HERJC) is a
warm, vibrant, traditionalegalitarian
Conservative congregation.
Our diverse, forward-thinking
community is
one in which learning, prayer
and social action flourish.
Since its founding in
1949, HERJC has been
recognized for creating a
welcoming environment in
which each member—regardless
of age, stage of life or
background—feels a connection
to one another, to
the Jewish people, to the
United States, to the land
and State of Israel, to
Judaism and to God.
We are committed to continuing
to provide innovative,
interesting, and thought-provoking
programs that:
Foster lifelong learning
from pre-school through
adulthood
Celebrate our Jewish
heritage
Deepen the sense of
community among our
Congregational family
Promote religious involvement
of all members,
and enhance their
spiritual experience
Encourage intergenerational
cooperation
Nurture the State of
Israel and our
relationship with it
Serve the needs of
our members, the local
community, the United
States, and K’lal Yisrael,
the Jewish people
throughout the world.
Pirkei Avot says the world
rests on Torah, Avodah, and
G’milut Chasadim. So too
does our Congregation.
HAKOL www.herjc.org MAY/JUNE 2011 page 5