Mayanotes April 2015

APRIL
2015
MAYANOTES
Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies
Pesach 5775
Pesach Sameach
Dear Friends,
One of the central mitzvot of the Passover Seder
is relating the story of the exodus, by reciting the
Hagaddah. Interestingly enough, there are at least
4,500 different versions of the Hagaddah in print
today, representing distinct and unique voices of
interpretation of the classic text. At Mayanot,
we make it a point to ensure our students realize
how unique and special each of them are and how
much they can add and give back to their home
communities. It is important to us, like the thousands
of interpretations of the Hagaddah, that our students
develop a connection to G-d in their own way, finding
their own voice and unique pathway to Judaism.
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With your unwavering support for Mayanot, you are
helping transform the way our students relate to their
own Jewish identities and to the world, as a whole.
Thank you for your support and partnership as we
endeavor to play a critical role in Jewish continuity.
Why Mayanot?
“I wasn’t determined to go to Israel until after plenty of
my friends had already gone. When I searched for the
right Taglit Birthright group for me, after viewing multiple
options, Mayanot was the obvious choice.
Every day of the trip, we learnt something new, whether
it was a Hebrew word, some new detail about the culture,
or the land we were journeying on that day, it was truly
incredible. The days were long but no one wanted to miss a
minute of this amazing gift.
Being placed with strangers in a strange country can be
scary, but we all had this common bond that grew and
strengthened throughout the 12 day journey.
What I received, while I was on Taglit- Birthright Israel:
MAYANOT, was a feeling of certainty and of belonging.
I only hope everyone gets to go on this trip and find what
they are looking for too, a country full of life, love and the
power to keep the Jew’s and their spirit alive.”
Samantha Bowen,
Taglit - Birthright Israel: MAYANOT Alumnus
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7th Annual Mayanot
Women’s Gala
Community Unites to
bring Torah to Mayanot
7 years of Mayanot women gathered for a special evening
Mayanot was honored and privileged to receive a new Torah
of song, celebration and awards. Several students, teachers
Scroll, generously donated by the Fischbaum Family of
and alumni spoke about their life changing experiences at
London, dedicated to Asher Zelig and Esther Fischbaum,
the school and how their learning has inspired them, as
and members of the Mayanot shul.
they forge a path into the future.
Hundreds of families and friends joined together for this
“We are all just so grateful to be a part of such an amazing
historic and joyous celebration. Mayanot was honored to
school. I attended Mayanot 6 years ago and it is still such a
have thirty community members take part in the mitzvah of
huge part of my life. We are building a wonderful and vibrant
writing one of the letters in the Torah Scroll.
community here, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
A special thank you to Yossi Fraenkel, for spearheading
said Sara Kramer, Mayanot Alum, and recent Oleh to Israel.
this incredible effort, and to Gershon & Rivka Fraenkel,
for opening their home and hosting this event in the most
Abe Erdynast, dancing with the new Torah
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beautiful way!
Mayanot
Spreading Light
Live painting displays, art and music were featured at a Chanukah event
for Mayanot Jerusalem’s alumni and friends. Over 250 community
members, gathered at the Mayanot synagogue to celebrate the second
night of Chanukah. The event featured two live painting displays from
artists, Nathaneal Harkham and Mayanot Alum, David Brooks.
It’s Never Too
Late to Learn
Students of all ages join the Mayanot roster.
Shlomo Lichtenberg, an 85-year-old retired chemist, is one
such student, spending 10 amazing days deeply immersed
in Torah learning.
Zalmy Goldberg, a rabbinical intern, recalls, “We all enjoyed
having him here with us, showing us that it’s really never
too late to come to Mayanot and study Torah.”
Nathaneal Harkham, adding the last touches to ‘David and Goliath’
Shlomo, with a friend and fellow Torah
student, Eliyahu Friedman
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David Brooks, creating a Masterpiece from start to finish for the Mayanot Community
Journey to the
Center of the Earth
Most people baptized in the Catholic Church don’t come
to Hebron seeking “Grandma and Grandpa,” but then, most
people are not Jeremy Hoover.
Jeremy was born to a Christian father and a Jewish mother
and growing up in Boulder, Colorado considered himself
When he met the soldiers who accompanied his birthright
half-Jewish at most. He attended Catholic schools until
trip, his perspective began to change. “It was cool to see
college, where he studied journalism.
that Israel was part of their identity,” says Jeremy, and he
decided to get to know the country more.
“I was always very spiritual and believed in a higher being”,
says Jeremy, who first came to Israel on a Birthright
It was a different sort of connection to a heritage he had
trip, mostly because it was a free vacation from his
barely known. Standing at the tombs of the patriarchs and
communications job in local government. “At first I thought,
matriarchs in Hebron, Jeremy felt a powerful pull to learn
no way they’re going to accept me; I’m baptized, and
more. “That’s what we’re fighting for. That’s why people
Catholic.” However, due to his Jewish parentage, Jeremy
come out here, to build a relationship to something greater
and his sister soon found themselves touring the holy land.
then themselves.” He is proud to be delving into the deeper
meaning of Judaism and eager to see what comes next.
Now twenty-seven and studying at Mayanot, a lot has
changed, since he first began this journey.
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Alumni Letters of Appreciation
My experience of Judaism up
until I came to Mayanot was
that it was a religion filled
with obligations and the need
to conform. I finally realized
as Rabbi Levinger, Director of
the Women’s Mayanot Learning Program, says, “Judaism is
not a religion. It is a relationship.” My journey since coming
to Israel has been to reveal who
I am and the type of relationship I want with Hashem, with
other people, and with myself.
This is what Mayanot has given me, love acceptance, and the
freedom to discover Judaism
and my personal relationship
with G-d.
Penina Romanek,
Chicago, Illinois
What I have enjoyed so much
about being at Mayanot is
the genuine connection and
warmth towards Judaism
which, I feel, is very special and
unique. I am very happy that
the Judaism that I have grown
to love is very different from the
Judaism that I thought existed
before I started learning at
Mayanot. I felt for a long time
that attending Mayanot was
something I wanted to do and
I am so glad I did.
Godrume Kriel,
Johannesburg, South Africa
I can’t believe that it has been
over two years since I attended
the Mayanot Women’s Learning
Program. It came at a crucial
point in my life when I was
feeling a bit unsure following
college. The warm atmosphere,
thought-provoking
classes,
and encouraged exploration of
our values and what Judaism
meant to us, were invaluable
to me. Overall, the experience
allowed me to gain a sense of
independence and allowed
me to set the foundation
for the values that I hope
to incorporate into my life
going forward. Thank you so
much for creating the warm,
supportive,
and
thoughtprovoking atmosphere that is
so special at Mayanot.
Lianna Trubowitz,
New York, New York
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MAZEL TOVS
Weddings
Rivkie (Shuchat) & Yossi Chesney
Chaya Mushka (Gniwisch) & Meyer Avner Kirschenbaum
Rebecca (Balarsky) & Aaron Chaim Zlatopolsky
Births
Mushka (Kantor) & Gabi Kaltmann
Tania (Zolotar) & Amit Friedlander
Zeesha (Grossman) & Sruly Brownstein
Daniel & Leigh Kohn
Eliezer & Luba Kornhauser
Shmuel & Chaya Margalit Hoffman
Shmulie & Chuldie Hersh
Yosef & Sorale Eichenblatt
Brad & Amanda Gecelter
Harry & Rebecca Ritter
Tyler & Johanna Kremberg
Eliyahu & Dara Dinur
Pascal & Ori Bortz
Akiva & Chava Goodman
Aaron & Dvorah Chana Ashkenazi
David & Marilia Gross
Ari & Chana Herzog
Ron & Minna Hershcopf
Shaindel & Elie Brender
Yossi & Hindel Swerdlov
Dvora & Shimon Radovsky
Berel & Eliana Solomon
Shana & Andy Balkin
Barry & Dahlia Friedman
Esther & Gabby Kushner
Yossi & Rivka Wolf
Zev & Ariela Johnson – With a special Mazal Tov to
Eliezer & Rachel Bushman
Grandparents and Board Chair, Yaakov & Karen Cohen
Shifra (Swerdlow) & Ariel Rice
Ruth (Parker) & Jacob Sufrin
Tammy (Goodman) & Ian Lewin
Efrati Baby
Rivka Bracha (Krasnjansky) & Ari Raskin
Sharon (Cohen) & Ayden Jacob
Eichenblatt Baby
Naomi (Miriam) & Uri Laio
Mushki (Deitsch) & Levi Chitrik
Hallie (Lapides) & Ben Cohen
Hadassha (Strauss) & Brendon Ellis
Raizel (Bernstein) & Daniel Huebner
Berry Baby
Eliana (Aidenbaum) & Elya Silfen
Setareh (Bral) & Ryan Aronin
Stephanie (Leiber) & Benjamin Zainetz
Kovi & Esther Kessler
Zalman & Tali Ainsworth
Etan & Mandi Efrati
Joshua & Jenny Weisberg
Yair & Sari Givati
Yitzy & Devorah Rothman
Ritter Baby
Aran & Rochel Leah Bulko
Barkai Baby
David & Hela Nathan
Mordechai & Shana Balkan
Efrati Family
Darren & Candy Katz
Eli & Jessie Zimble
Sharon & Ayden Jacob
Mordechai & Esti Kaminsky
Katz Family
Yudi & Rickel Green
Kohn Baby
Jonny & Monique Katz
Kremberg Family
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Melnicoff Family
Naomi and Uri Laio
Engagements
Congrats
Danielle Bernard & Baruch Conboy
Mazal Tov to Dr. Daniel & Chaya Wuensch (grandparents)
Yaakova Messing & Yossi Gershovitz
and Yossi & Tzivia Wuensch who celebrated their son,
Caylee Hymann & Shua Werdiger
Mendel’s, Bar Mitzvah!
Rochel Cohen & Yisroel Barber
Sheina Hazdan & Mendel Elberg
Mindy Greenberg & Arye Goodman
Chloe Presti & Danny Abelev
Tova Tuvel & Avremy Herszberg
Sarah Brown & Yosef Perfido
Shira Zagnove & Sroli Gutnick
Chaya Greenbaum & Shuie Gestetner
Bar Benavi & Avi Yosef
Miri Hayman & Nathan Soroka
Mallori Stoler & Chip Hanna
Condolences
We Mourn the passing of:
Our Condolences go out to the families of:
Rabbi Ariel Rav-Noy, assistant director of Chabad Persian
Mr. David Shapell, a holocaust survivor and business
Youth in Los Angeles, who passed away suddenly at the age
man in Los Angeles. David was a great supporter of many
of 36. He is recalled by family, friends and students for his
Jewish organizations. He truly fulfilled the Mishnah “Emor
warm and caring manner, his patience and for having an
m’at v’asei harbei” - Speak little, do a lot. We send our
Kevin & Yitz Bermeister, on the passing of their father
instant love for all he met.
condolences to his entire family, and our dear friends,
Allan Bermeister
Our deepest condolences to his entire family, and our dear
Benjamin & Susie Shapell.
Pepy Schreibmen, on the passing of her sister Sara Schneider
Stuart Podolsky, on the passing of his father Zeneck
friends, Dr. Zeev & Mrs. Varda Ray- Noy.
Podolsky (Zelig ben Reuvan Avraham)
Dovie & Tirtza Lieberman, on the passing of their son,
Benjy (Zisha Bentzion ben Yisroel Dov)
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Excited to
Announce
the Raffle Grand
Prize Winners:
The Grand Prize (Trip to Israel) goes to Saul Shapiro
Second Prize (iPad Air) goes to Hillary Bearman
Third Prize (Stunning Earrings) goes to Aden Robin
Interested in coming to Israel,
Here’s your chance!
Visit
www.MayanotLegacy.com
to find out more
Israel Office
Renovation
Completed
Mazal Tov and a big THANK YOU to everyone
who helped support the Raffle!
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From Left: Danny Sack, Director of Mayanot Birthright and Mr.
Nimrod Ran, Chief Operations Officer of Taglit-Birthright Israel,
cutting the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the newly renovated
Mayanot Israel offices
Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies
Mayanot USA
The Rohr Campus
228 Park Ave South
28 David Yellin Street
Suite 96553
P.O Box 28041
New York, NY 10003
Jerusalem, Israel 9128001
susie@mayanot.edu
mayanot@mayanot.edu
Mayanot Synagogue - New York
Mayanot Women’s Program
388 Kingston Avenue
15 Hizkiyahu Hamelech St.
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Jerusalem, Israel 93147
Mayanot.ch@gmail.com
wp@mayanot.edu
Mayanot Synagogue
and Community Center
28 Narkis St.
Jerusalem, Israel 94545
yossi@mayanot.edu
For more information visit www.mayanot.edu
or contact Susie Muller at susie@mayanot.edu
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Mayanot Women's Program on Facebook!
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11
228 Park Ave South
Suite 96553
New York, NY 10003
28
28041
9182001
Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies
www.mayanot.edu