Fire Island Minyan Newsletter, Volume 8, Issue 15 *************************************************************************** *********** Welcome to the fifteenth issue of the Fire Island Minyan newsletter for the 2009 Summer Season! (To subscribe, go to:  http://groups.google.com/group/fire-island-minyan On the right side click Join this group & follow the instructions from there) *************************************************************************** ************ #################################################################### Yay!!  A *solid* weekend!!  Our exhortations/prayers were answered, and the weather was spectacular. It was noted that this past Shabbat was on the warmer side (as befits a sunny August day).  It was also noted that a number of folks were wearing suits (with ties, no less). It may be therefore noted that a person wearing a suit-and-tie to the FIM gets what they deserve.  'nuff said. The Schonzeit kiddush was wonderful as usual, with abundant amounts of bagels/lox/whitefish/capers(a must!)/etc. and falafel, and salads galore.  This marked the 20th commemoration of Jack Schonzeit's yahrtzeit, and Andy made a very moving speech to mark the occasion (in addition to deftly handling the haftorah earlier).  Andy also noted that it was the 40th anniversary (to the day) of Woodstock, so break-out your tie-dye and listen to some Hendrix & Who (or at least the acclaimed group, Retro-69 http://www.retro69.net/). The 1970s were in many ways, an evolution/reaction to the 60s, and therefore an outgrowth of the Woodstock era.  A part of the cultural fabric of the time was the cult-film, Rocky Horror Picture Show which played at the OB Community Playhouse Theater this past Saturday night.  The film hasn't necessarily aged well (after-all, it's no longer the 70s!), but the screening was emblematic of many of the issues which have arisen with the current management of the theater. The new proprietors evidently want to inject culture into FI society, and they seem to be oblivious as to the patrons' wishes.  The film was billed as starting at 11:30PM, yet the start time was stretched close to midnight (RHPS is often a midnight showing film, but it would be nice to adhere to the stated schedule).   Prop bags were for-sale, but there seemed to be quite a few leftovers (a good idea, but overestimated [once again, emblematic]).  The film was shown using a digital projector off-of a DVD, but they did little to disguise the fact that they were not paying the proper royalties (including showing the FBI warning that precedes each DVD & explicitly prohibits the commercial showing of the movie!), and then subjected the audience to the trailers that are appended before the DVD menu pops-up.  The concept was good, the execution left something to be desired. Unfortunately, cinema lovers will find less satisfaction in the coming weeks as other non-movie events are on the Saturday night docket (though we're OK this weekend [albeit with a crappy movie]). Ben Houben's talents extend beyond layning, as he reports on the kiddush:  Allow me to offer my amateur opinion that the Schonzeit family kiddush exceeded all expectations especially in the alcohol department: they definitely had the best bar of the summer (so far), which for FIers must be high praise. [ Editor's note: Are these fighting words ? ] Ben also scanned the attached cartoon which he feels  that everyone will appreciate & find that it fits the island's sentiment... J Books.com commissioned four authors to tackle the theme of Jews on the Beach in ~500 words.  Here are their results: Elinor Lipman: http://www.jbooks.com/fiction/index/FI_Lipman.htm Dara Horn: http://www.jbooks.com/fiction/index/FI_Horn_Sea.htm Neal Pollack: http://www.jbooks.com/fiction/index/FI_Pollack.htm Danit Brown: http://www.jbooks.com/fiction/index/FI_Brown.htm We're still a bit short on kiddush sponsors (after this week). If you're interested in hosting, please contact Nicole Gleitman at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it so that your weekend may be reserved & conflicts avoided.  [cc:ing me is probably a good idea, as well - so that the Newsletter properly notifies everyone] A new plan has been implemented wherein people sponsor the synagogue's expenses for the pot-luck kiddushes (plasticware, drinks, scotch & cleanup).  If we don't have a kiddush host, this sponsorship becomes very relevant (and does some needed fundraising at the same time!).  If you'd like to be involved in this innovative program, please contact Nicole Gleitman (email above) . . . #################################################################### The Parasha is Shoftim Fire Island Candle Lighting: 7:25PM (Sh'kia @ 7:43 PM) Shabbat ends at: 8:25PM Friday night Mincha/Ma'ariv: 7:30PM Saturday Shacharit: 10:00AM Kiddush will be at Jill & Dov Schwartzben's home, 215 Cottage Street in Ocean Beach between Midway & the Ocean (on the right side); Welcome home, Sam! The movie is The Ugly Truth , playing at 9:30PM (1 Hour, 36 Minutes, Rated R). A pathetic 28 ( generally unfavorable ) _meta_score (see below).  The ugly truth (actually question) is why the #@$&# was this movie even made?  As to why it's being shown here . . . Movie reviews: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090722/RE...<http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090603/RE... http://www._meta_critic.com/film/_title_s/uglytruth<http://www._meta_critic.com/film/_title_s/hangover http://www.imdb.com/_title_/tt1142988/combined<http://www.imdb.com/_title_/tt1119646/combined Call 631-583-5811 for movie information. FIRE ISLAND WEB _link_S Great overall website: http://fifinder.com Ferry Schedules (make sure that you're looking at the Summer 2009 schedule!): Ocean Beach: http://www.tmdesign.net/fif_pdfs/OBSummer2009.pdf Seaview: http://www.tmdesign.net/fif_pdfs/SeaviewSummer2009.pdf Ocean Bay Park: http://www.tmdesign.net/fif_pdfs/OBPSummer2009.pdf Fair Harbor: http://www.tmdesign.net/fif_pdfs/FairHarborSummer2009.pdf Main Page: http://www.fireislandferries.com/ LIRR: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/lirr/html/ttn/bayshore.htm Weekend Weather on FI: http://tinyurl.com/7rsa8 Minyan Web Page: http://fireislandminyan.org/ (if you would like details on making a tax-deductible donation of cash or appreciated securities to the Fire Island Minyan, please e-mail me back at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you're low on *appreciated* securities [like most of us!], just about any [or cold, hard cash] will do *** New feature: PayPal!  If you'd like to donate using PayPal, transfer $$ to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll cut a check to the Minyan! (but *you* get the tax-deduction [with the proper letter/ documentation]) [we *are* in the 21st century!] ADVERTISEMENTS  { To be populated:  Send-in your [terse] prose! } Now order all your favorite Avon products 24/7 from the comfort of your home! Just visit my new web-site to browse current catalogs & place an order. See the latest products in beauty, wellness, sun care & bug protection.... You can have your order shipped directly to you [free shipping with a $40 purchase] or I will gladly deliver it to you out on the beach. Happy Shopping - www.youravon.com/tehillahharris - Tehillah Mid Week/Weekly rentals available in OBP.  Our house has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 9, eat-in STRICTLY kosher kitchen, breakfast nook, large living room with all amenities - TV,VCR,DVD,Stereo, the house is FULLY Air Conditioned!, 3 decks, grills, 2 outdoor showers, deck furniture, beach chairs, bicycles, etc. Quick walk (2+ minutes) to the beach, 3 houses from hotel pool, market on our street, quick walk to the ferry. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Midweeks available in a classic Fire Island house in Seaview. Steps from the bay and close to Ocean Beach town 5 bedroom, 2 bath plus outdoor shower, screened in porch, deck, kosher Grill, Cable/DVD p_layer_, wagon and bikes. Please contact Elana Tarlowe at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information, pictures and availability. Short Term Jerusalem Katamon Penthouse duplex apartment rental. Fully furnished 2000 Sq. Ft. 5 bedroom 2-1/2 bath + 850 sq. ft. terraces. Easily sleeps 10 in bedrooms+living room sofas+futon. 2 Parking spots, views in all directions, Central Air, oil heat. Eat-in Kosher kitchen w/all dishes/pots, 2 microwaves, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer.  Shabbat clocks on lights, oven and multi-zone A/C. 2 LCD TVs, 200+ channel cable, VCR, DVD, Stereo. High speed internet. Photos, floor plans available. Non-peak rental rate $175 per night. Holidays, Summer rates upon request.  Minimum stay 4 nights. Contact: Penny at 917-885-3178. Israel Bonds are a decent relative value to other Fixed Income investment alternatives.  E-mail me if you're seriously interested, and I'll send you a copy of an analysis that I did describing their merits.  Check out the current rates at: http://www.israelbonds.com/availableInvestment/ A wikipedia article on Israel Bonds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Israel_Bonds [ this space for rent: flexible terms / low prices! ] For commentaries on this week's parasha, go to: http://torah.org/learning/torahportion.php3 Enjoy!