Calendar for the week of Sept. 16, 2011

Sept. 17
Elul Kumsitz
YOUNG ISRAEL OF LAWRENCE-CEDARHURST, located at 8 Spruce Place in Cedarhurst, is holding a special Elul Kumzitz featuring divrei Torah from Rav Moshe Weinberger and the music of Yonatan Razel, composer of V’hi Sheh’amda. The kumzitz will take place on Motzai Shabbos, at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $15. The seating will be separate. For more information, contact 516-569-3324.

Honoring Rabbi Pelcovitz
CONGREGATION KNESETH ISRAEL-THE WHITE SHUL, located at 728 Empire Avenue in Far Rockaway, is honoring Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz for his 60 years of service for the community. Cantors Joel Kaplan and Avi Katz will deliver the Shabbat services. Rabbi Pelcovitz will deliver a special drasha after musaf, followed by a gala kiddush. Rabbi Hershel Schachter will give a shiur at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact 718-327-0500

Scholar in residence
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF THE FIVE TOWNS, located at 508 Peninsula Boulevard in Cedarhurst, is hosting Israeli political columnist Jonathan Rosenblum as its sholar in residence. A resident of Jerusalem, Rosenblum is the founder of Jewish Media Resources. His column appears in Jerusalem Post and Maariv. He is author of seven biographies of major modern Jewish figures. Rosenblum will speak after the Torah reading on Shabbat morning, and at 5:30 p.m. There will be group activities for children whose parents wish to attend the lectures. For more information, contact 516-374-5364.

Strengthen the power of tefillah
GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE, located at 26 Old Mill Road in Great Neck is hosting Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, author of the books Praying with Fire, and Power of Teshuvah. Rabbi Kleinman will be speaking after the musaf services and at a reservation-only lunch on the topic of “strengthening your connection with the Creator.” Rabbi Kleinman will also speak at seudat Shelishit. For reservaitonsn ad details, contact the shul’s office at 516-487-6100.