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Did you know that there is a Church at the Airport? (In Terminal 4 -- JFKIAT) That's right! God in His infinite wisdom saw fit to place His word, His Love and His Service right here at JFK International Airport. Yet, too many are not aware of this fact even though the Chapel has been here for almost forty years. Christ for the World Chapel is a beautiful place of worship where one can find peace and solace in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. The Airport employees that must work on Sundays find this Chapel a welcomed convenience since they are unable to attend their own home Church. Also, many travelers appreciate an opportunity here to meditate and pray before boarding and those awaiting loved ones to either arrive in or leave New York have expressed their gratitude for the Chapel. Some have accepted Jesus as their Savior here at the Gateway to the USA. Employees and travelers attend four Bible Studies and Sunday Worship service weekly. The Chapel is here for everyone and especial& so with all the heavy hearts since September 11' and our American Airlines flight 587. I continue to pray for, console, counsel, encourage the fearful and befriend lend many who were directly affected by these horrific tragedies. This House of God is a vital part of the Airport, a very active Mission strategically placed where people from all over the world pass through. Even though there are a few members who attend weekly services, we are indeed a mission stationed at the Airport totally responsible for our own financial obligation and maintenance. We are to need of prayers and financial support from other believers in Christ. For the above reasons and in addition, we also offer just about every service that other Churches may offer including marriage, baptisms, and memorials, we request your participation in helping us to carry out literally the "Great Commission, go ye into all the World. " Please prayerfully consider sending a one-time donation, or becoming a partner with this mission as we take the Gospel to the World. Thanking you in advance far your help and prayers. In Jesus' Love and Service, Rev. Patricia
A. Evans Chapel: 718-656-5693 / Fax: 718-656-7901
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OUR LADY OF THE SKIES CHAPEL
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INTERNATIONAL SYNAGOGUE in JFK Airport
The International Synagogue was organized and established in 1958 to meet the needs of the traveling community. The International Synagogue, built in 1962, has been representing Judaism to the flying public at the air gateway to the U.S. for more than 40 years. The Synagogue serves airport employees, merchants at JFK Airport, and Jewish travelers. Serving American Jewry in this unique way, the International Synagogue receives groups of persons of all ages from all over the United States prior to their departures to Israel or other places on the globe. Since travelers must now arrive early for their flights because of heightened security concerns, the chapel provides a quiet place for individual and groups to pray and meditate. The chapel is open daily for mincha/maariv services. Orientation for departing groups can be given in the chapel. Our new chapel is located on the fourth floor of the International Arrivals Terminal (Terminal 4 - Blue), very close, a two-minute walk, to the EL AL security counters. Passengers can rest, pray, daven, meditate before or between connecting flights. Special activities conducted at the International Synagogue include a weekly Lunch and Learn program (12:00pm to 1:00pm). Appropriate celebrations are observed for the holidays of Chanukah, Purim, and Yom HaAtzmaut - Israel Independence Day. The Lulav / ethrog are available for use during Succoth. Special conferences and meetings have been held on the premises due to its convenient location to Brooklyn and Long Island with free parking available. The Jewish chaplain is also available for counseling families who may be sending children to study in Israel or parents leaving to Israel for retirement; as well as for crisis counseling in the event emergencies with Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. The International Synagogue is testimony to the strength of the Jewish community when it unites on behalf of a meritorious cause or project. The broad-based assistance for the Synagogue's programs, coming from practically every segment of the Jewish community, was initially made possible by the New York Board of Rabbis. Presently, the Synagogue is supported solely through donations of its members, travelers, and the public. The original International Synagogue served as a place of worship for travelers and as resource for the entire community. At times, it hosted stranded travelers by providing food and lodging during severe weather conditions. The Synagogue now provides a place of refuge within the hustle and bustle of the large JFK Airport. For more information, please contact: Rabbi Bennett M. Rackman — 718-656-5044 News from... International
Synagogue Updated: September 2005 MECHITZAH COMPLETED AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYNAGOGUE In our continuing efforts to upgrade this publication, we have printed color pictures of the Synagogue and the mechitzah. We encourage everyone to visit JFK to see our beautiful chapel and improvements. The S. Daniel Abraham Foundation graciously donated the necessary funds for this project. Rabbi Joshua Lookstein was instrumental in our obtaining these funds. We are most appreciative! Some people are aware that the IAT provided the three houses of worship with display cases in the lobby area near the chapels. The large display cases have an illuminated glass back allowing for the showing of colorful transparencies. Recently, we installed twelve colorful reproductions of the Marc Chagall windows from Hadassah Hospital synagogue in Ein Kerem in our-showcase. With this as a backdrop, we will showcase some of our "museum" artifacts in the display case from time to time. We have already set up displays for Yom HaAtzmaut, Yom Yerushal-ayim, and Rosh Hashanah. Come see for yourself! ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON JUNE 17th, 2005 PLEASE RESERVE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 2005,
VISITORS TO THE SYNAGOGUE In June, the Synagogue hosted a contingent of 120 Early Childhood educators on their way to Jerusalem for a conference. The mission was sponsored by the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York. Rabbi Martin Schloss and Ms. Cheryl Meskin had requested use of the chapel for prayer, orientation, and refreshments. As many have read in the Jewish media, Nefesh B'Nefessh arranged for several special EL AL flights during the Summer. About three thousand North American Jews made aliyah from JFK on six different dates. Services were conducted in the Synagogue. Among those who left for lsrael were' to Dr. David Alter and family (Fairlawn, N. J.J and Ceil Sacharow (Long Beach, N.Y.). On three days in July, the Synagogue hosted in the chapel and served refreshments to three separate groups of Bnei Akiva teenagers (400 in all) on their way to lsrael for Mach Hach. On July 10, we hosted a contingent of twenty Yachad young adults on their way to Israel. On July 11, we davened in the chapel with members of the NCSYNU Summer kollel on their way to Israel. And on July 12, we hosted Camp Sdei Chemed in the chapel for maariv and refreshments. The campers were accompanied by Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Siff . On July 13, we hosted the campers leaving for lsrael on the Sulam program of Camp Morasha. We have also greeted and hosted the USY, Birthright, and Bnai Briih Summer campers. On July 21, a group of fifteen youngsters led by Rabbi Aron Milstein on their way to a Summer camp in the Mesivta of Yerushalayim. The teenager boys hailed from Monsey, Canada, and New Jersey. A group of about twenty young ladies left on a mission (called GIVE) to lsrael to work with children under the sponsorship of the O-U. On July 26, when Rabbi Rackman entered the Terminal, he saw ten teenagers with black jackets and hats sitting near the entrance. Upon approaching them and engaging them in conversation, he learned that they had come to the Airport to await the arrival of a classmate and friend who was scheduled to land at JFK on his return from Israel. The friend had gone to Jerusalem to bury his father who had died. The young men had come to JFK to greet their friend, menachem aveilim, and see him off to Cleveland where he would be sitting shivah. The group of youngsters came up to the chapel where they were able to perform the mitzvah with dignity and privacy. After one of the prayer services on September 8, a young man who was about to board the EL AL plane, came forward and identified himself as the young man who was now returning to lsrael from Cleveland to resume his rabbinic studies. He expressed gratitude. Other groups have left from our Terminal and utilized the chapel before their departure. One notable group left on Wednesday, July 27. Shlomo and Rivkah Saffer, residents of Neve Dekalim were the chaperones together with several counselors. A group of forty Israeli teenagers ranging in age from ten to fourteen had spent the month of July in Camp Yesharim (a Summer camp in the Catskills). Each camper comes from a home in which a family member had been killed by terrorists. Funding is provided to allow these children an opportunity to relax in a secure and peaceful environment. When they came to the chapel they davened mincha. To participate in a prayer service with these special, special youngsters was indeed an uplifting experience. On August I, Rabbi and Mrs. Steven A. Moss (B'nai lsrael Reform Temple, Oakdale) brought the members of his congregation on their annual mission to lsrael to the chapel for final orientation and recitation of Tephillat Haderech (Traveler's Prayer). On August 3, Rabbi Rackman met a contingent of about thirty college students on their way to lsrael to spend a semester or a year of study at Ben Gurion University. They planned to spend the Summer taking an ulpan course to prepare them for the future studies ahead. One of the leaders of the contingent, Jodi Bleier, Director of the Center for International Student Programs, Office of Student Services, hails from Belle Harbor. Rabbi Paysach Krohn, author of many Judaica volumes, davened in the chapel together with Rabbi Parnes, Rosh Yeshiva at Bernard Lander College, on,August 16. The Bobover rebbe also davened mincha with us that day. Rabbi Avraham Yechiel Deutsch of Jerusalem and son of a friend of Rabbi Rackman in Belle Harbor and Jerusalem came to learn and daven mincha. Rabbi Michael Miller, Executive Vice President of the JCRC of New York, was greeted in the Terminal as he accompaniedlled a group of congressmen and state senators on a mission to Israel. It was a busy day. Rabbi Adam Mintz, President of the New York Board of Rabbis, visited the chapel on August 17. On August 31, the Synagogue hosted a group of thirty peace officers, led By Rabbi Alvin Kass, on their way to Israel. This group of "Shomrim" used the chapel for prayer and orientation prior to their mission. From August 31 through September 13, the Synagogue hosted hundreds of young men and women (for prayer and refreshments) on their way to spend a year of study at schools in lsrael (e.g., Yeshivat HaKotel, Kerem B'Yavneh, Mir, Shaalvim, Brisk, Neveh Zion, Netiv Aryeh, Reishit Yerushatayim, Chofetz Chaim, Ohr Sameach, Gush, Lev HaTorah, Shaalvim, Mevasseret, Bais Chava, Darchei Binah, Michlalah, Orot, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Nishmat, etc., etc.). Rabbis Chaim Marcus, Hayim Schwartz, Michael Reichel, and Gene Kwalwasser, as well as Bea Roth, Shirley Schuster, Shoshana Schechter, and Devorah Rosewasser were helpful to us in coordinating these receptions. Rabbi Rackman also greeted some friends and colleagues at services: Rabbi Charles H. Sheer (Columbia University), Dr. Avi and Nechama Becker (Monsey), Rabbi Steven Pruzansky (Teaneck), Shmuel Pollack (Belle Harbor), Rabbi Dr. Shimon and Naomi Rabin (Brooklyn), and Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Yeshiva University). THE HIGH PRIEST ON YOM KIPPUR AND THE RED HEIFER — IS THERE A CONNECTION? Simply put, we want the high priest to remain spiritually pure for each of the services he was performing on this day. Certainly at the start of the holy day he would immerse himself in a mikveh; but why did he have to do so repeatedly? An ordinary priest performing the rituals on any other day need not use a mikveh repeatedly, even when he is covered with blood. (Blood from the sacrifices does not contaminate in the Temple.) Before addressing this question, one must remember the nature of the Temple service - avodah. It was unique! When a Jew performs a ritual, he/she may or may not have the proper mental intention - kavanah. But, when the priests brought sacrifices in the Temple, intent was critical. A sacrifice that was placed on the altar for the wrong reason, individual, time, or place, would totally cancel the act. So, too, on Yom Kippur, the high priest's contaminating thoughts could cancel his desire to obtain absolution for us. On this holiest of days we wanted the high priest to be on the highest moral and ethical level possible. The Jewish people wanted him to be pure and holy. We could not chance his sinking to a spiritual level where he would be unworthy of approaching God! There may yet be an even deeper meaning. The high priest encountered holiness, throughout this day. As such, he became acutely aware of his own inadequacy as a human; how can a mere mortal, the finite, approach God - the Infinite? , He is asking God to forgive all the Jewish people. What an awesome responsibility! To move from "defilement" to purity, required that the high priest to become ritually pure - by bathing in the mikveh. This was the chief means of elevating himself to the level of holiness, in a concrete way (to pull himself up by his own bootstraps). Whenever the high priest encountered God he became aware of his own inadequacy. That contaminating thought of inadequacy, "knocking himself out of the box," required that he again purify himself. He had to raise his level of holiness (with the mikveh or the laver), so that he could once more approach the Divine. Purifying himself, elevating himself throughout this holy day, allowed him to continue the special service of the day, to bring the various sacrifices and perform the rituals. It reminded the high priest that, yes, I can plead with the Infinite on behalf of the Jewish people. Perhaps a comparison can be made to the ritual of the red heifer - parah adumah. it is a chok, a law with no explanation. When an individual became defiled by coming into contact with death, God ordained that to become ritually pure again, a priest would sprinkle the individual with water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer. The red heifer is theconcrete way of representing holiness. It is a chok that these ashes purify when mixed with water. According to the simple understanding, it would seem to be very rational. After all, death is the opposite of life; death is the negation of life. It would appear reasonable to assume that death defiles. Any religious ceremony decreed by God to eliminate defilement would be acceptable - be it the sprinkling of the ashes of the red heifer or of a red herring mixed with mustard seed and water. Our rabbis, therefore, explained the chok, the enigma, to be something else. The ashes of the red heifer somehow, miraculously, purify the contaminated and at the same time, these same ashes contaminate the pure - that appears to be the ultimate contradiction! As with the high priest on the Day of Atonement, the priest who prepared the ashes and was involved with holiness, realized his own shortcomings, his own human status of frailty and finiteness. How could he effectuate the purification process of another Jew? He realized how unworthy he was to deal with holiness. He "knocked himself out of the box" with his thoughts of inadequacy! As such, he became "defiled" in the performance of any of the rituals, just like the high priest when he encountered the Infinite, and he had to immerse himself in a mikveh to once again realize the holy role he played and so that he could once again become pure. May God grant us in this year a life of purity and understanding. May God grant us a year of health and happiness, for his people and all nations of the earth, a year of peace and fulfillment, a year in which we focus on the holy and not the mundane, a year in which God shall send blessings to all humanity. SPECIAL THANKS International Synagogue donation form (copy and print)
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