the bulletinno - Congregation Shearith Israel

Congregation Shearith Israel
The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue
Nonprofit Org
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
8 West 70th Street
New York, NY 10023
Norwich, CT
Permit No. 51
Edgar J. Nathan, 3rd
212-724-6165 Fax
Honorary Parnas
office@shearithisrael.org
Dr. Dennis B. Freilich
www.shearithisrael.org
For funeral arrangements contact
Zachariah Edinger, 917-584-3787,
212-873-0300 (x 216)
Honorary Parnas
Alvin Deutsch
Honorary Parnas
Alana Shultz
Program Director
ashultz@shearithisrael.org, (x209)
Philip L. Sherman
Associate Hazan
cantorsherman@gmail.com
Mrs. Lisa Rohde
Dr. Edgar Altchek
Coordinator of Women’s Services
lirohde-csi@yahoo.com, (212-787-3161)
Paul J. Beispel
Rafi Blumenthal
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Henri Bengualid
David J. Nathan
Arthur A. Goldberg
Junior Congregational Leader
rblumenthal@shearithisrael.org
Parnas
Eva G. Haberman
Michael Katz
Saul Laniado
Adam Hyman
Stuart Marks
Associate Choirmaster
Jonathan de Sola Mendes
Arnie T. Goldfarb
Segan
Louis M. Solomon
Segan
Honorary Parnas
Jack Rudin
Harriet Ainetchi
Ronald P. Stanton
Dr. Victoria R. Bengualid
Roy J. Zuckerberg
Norman S. Benzaquen
Esmé E. Berg
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Karen Daar
Rabbi Hayyim J. Angel
Choirmaster
Honorary Sexton
Arthur Tenenholtz
Honorary Shamash
OFFICE STAFF
Maria Caputo
Office Manager
mcaputo@shearithisrael.org, (x230)
Seth Haberman
(on sabbatical)
hangel@shearithisrael.org
Maia Kane
Michael P. Lustig
Rabbi Marc D. Angel
mkane@shearithisrael.org, (x225)
Avery E. Neumark
Rabbi Emeritus
L. Gilles Sion
Oliver Stanton
Ralph J. Sutton
Elliot Freilich
Communications Associate
Diana Landau
rabbi.mdangel@shearithisrael.org, (x205)
Communications Associate
Barbara Reiss
dlandau@shearithisrael.org, (x221)
Executive Director
breiss@shearithisrael.org, (x215)
John Quinones
Rabbi Shalom Morris
jquinones@shearithisrael.org, (x223)
Facilities Manager
Clerk
Educational Director
smorris@shearithisrael.org, (x208)
Ruth Yasky
Joshua de Sola Mendes
Rabbi Ira L. Rohde
ryasky@shearithisrael.org, (x221)
Treasurer
Financial Associate
Hazan
irohde@shearithisrael.org, (x217)
THE BULLETIN
Zachary Edinger
First published in 1922 by
The Shearith Israel League.
Shamash
zedinger@shearithisrael.org, (x216)
Design: Aaron Design, Inc.
NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2012
MARHESHVAN–TEBET 5773
Peter Neustadter
Edward Misrahi
Leon Hyman
CONGREGATION SHEARITH ISRAEL
HONORARY TRUSTEES
212-873-0300 Tel
THE BULLETIN
GENERAL INQUIRIES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
AN OUTSTANDING LINEUP OF
Guest Lectures
Throughout the year, leading scholars will spend Shabbat with
our congregation and guests to discuss topics of interest to the
Jewish community. Our robust schedule for 2012 – 2013 includes
the following speakers, as well as a featured series, Judaism and
the Origins of America, presented by Rabbi Meir Soloveichik.
RABBI MEIR SOLOVEICHIK
(As listed to the right)
RABBI SAUL BERMAN
Shabbat, October 20
ROSH KEHILAH DINA NAJMAN
Shabbat, December 1
RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN
Shabbat, December 7– 8
RABBI JONATHAN ROSENBLATT
Shabbat, January 5
RABBI HAIM OVADIA
Shabbat, January 12
ARYEH GREEN
Shabbat, February 2
RABBANIT CHANA HENKIN
Shabbat, March 2
DR. MARC SHAPIRO
Shabbat, March 9
DR. AVIVAH ZORNBERG
Shabbat, May 11
Sunday, October 28
Series Launch and Symposium on George Washington’s famous
letter to the Jews, in conversation with Professor Jonathan Sarna
and Dr. Louise Mirrer, presented in partnership with the New-York
Historical Society.
Shabbat, November 2 – 3
Shabbat Dinner and Lecture: The Founding Fathers at the Huppah:
A Reflection on America’s Beginnings | Morning Lecture: Adams,
Jefferson and the Jews
Shabbat, Hanukkah, December 15
Morning Lecture: Light and Truth: Hebrew in Early America
Shabbat, April 19 – 20
Shabbat Dinner and Lecture: Mordecai Manuel Noah: The First
Truly American Jew | Morning Lecture: Lincoln’s Yahrzeit: Pesah
and the Death of a President
Shabbat, May 18 (previously scheduled for February 9)
Morning Lecture: From the Talmud to Thomas Paine: The Rabbinic
Influence on American Independence
PLEASE NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. Youth programming and child care are provided.
Register online for community Shabbat meals.
TO JOIN OUR GROWING LIST OF SPONSORS: Please visit www.shearithisrael.org/sponsorascholar
or contact Executive Director, Barbara Reiss at 212-873-0300 x215.
Central Park West at 70th Street, New York City • www.shearithisrael.org
2
Dear John, Franklin, Juan, Miguel, Olivio & Ryan
The November-December Bulletin is, in a way, our Thanksgiving edition and this one
is dedicated to you.
Congregation Shearith Israel has so much to be thankful for—we have a beautiful
synagogue, a distinctive tradition and ritual and a warm and vibrant community. Many
of us experienced this at its most intense over the recent High Holiday season. Freshest in my mind, was our celebration of Simhat Torah, the joyous culmination of the
marathon holiday season. I have experienced Simhat Torah at many different synagogues and having experienced my very first Shearith Israel Simhat Torah, I can report
that the way we celebrate the holiday is truly extraordinary and reflects exactly who we
are at our very best. The tefillah sounded like the voice of an angel emanating from the
mouth of Hazan Rohde who prayed with such devotion and sincerity. Watching Avery
Neumark and Alex Levi, our Hatanim, escorted in by our Parnas and Seganim, evoked
the earnestness and purity of heart of an actual young groom walking to the huppah on
his wedding day. The spirituality permeating the Small Synagogue during the Women’s
Hakkafot was exhilarating. The beauty, the dignity and most of all, the loving respect
shown to each Torah throughout the service was breathtaking in a way that more commonplace Simhat Torah revelries cannot match. All of this followed by our nearly chaotic (by CSI standards) community dinner and ice cream party was a beautiful display
of the warmth and joyfulness of our community.
What I am leading up to is that we are all indebted to you for making all of this possible. You are, in many ways, the guardians of our tradition. How, you may ask is a
maintenance staff, made up predominantly of Latino America men, the guardians of
our Western Sephardic tradition? Aside from the fact that you actually speak Spanish,
you are the ones that make our rimonim gleam, dress our hekhal and Torah scrolls
into and out of their High Holiday whites, convert the Levy Auditorium into a Synagogue for Parallel Services, then into a dining hall, then a lecture hall, then a Tai Chi
space and so on and so forth. You keep us safe all the time and comfortable most of
the time. And not least of all, you greet us every day with a smile and sometimes with a
boker tov.
Truth be told, I could fill this entire bulletin with examples of how you take care of our
beautiful building, our sacred objects and most of all, our people. But then our readers
would not learn what time to show up for daily minyan or our many exciting programs
and other events. So I will sign off with two simple words, “Thank you.”
May you and your families enjoy this Thanksgiving and find many reasons to be thankful and many opportunities to give thanks.
Your Colleague,
Barbara Reiss
the bulletin November – December 2012
3
A HANUKKAH TEXTUAL DISCOURSE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
By our neighbor, Beit Rabban Day School
SHAMMAI AND HILLEL:
A QUESTION OF
CHARACTER
Rabbi Alan Zelenetz
P
erhaps because of the fact that
Hanukkah was the last of our
Jewish holidays to be established,
post-dating the closing of the canon of
sifrei Tanach, even its most basic and
defining ritual, the kindling of lights,
remains a matter of dispute in the
primary source material. In masechta
Shabbat 21b, Beit Shammai argues that on
the first night of Hanukkah we light eight
lights and subsequently decrease by one
each night, until we are left with only one.
Beit Hillel argues, as we today practice,
that on the first day we light one light and
continually increase, until on the eighth
night we have a “menorahful’s” festive
glow. The Gemara goes on to offer two
possible reasons for the machloket – one,
Shammai and Hillel are arguing whether
the number of lights corresponds with
the number of days yet to come or of days
that have passed, or, two, they are arguing
whether the lights parallel the decreasing
number of bull sacrifices brought during
Sukkot or whether the lights exemplify
the principle of celebrating a mitzvah by
increasing in holiness its observance.
It is possible to advance yet another
reason for the difference between Beit
Shammai and Beit Hillel based on a
beraita quoted several pages later in the
same masechta on 30b:
“Tanu Rabbanan…one should always
seek to emulate the humility and gentleness of Hillel’s character, and let one not
be stern and unyielding like Shammai.”
While ruach ha’kodesh and da’at Torah
4
are often (perhaps all too often) invoked
to explain the halakhic decision-making
process of a gadol, here the Tannaim
seem to suggest a means of understanding such a decision by way of the character of the posek, the decisor. How, then,
might the character of the two gedolim
Shammai and Hillel be reflected (pun
intended) in the manner of lighting the
Hanukkah lights that is associated with
each?
Beit Shammai proposes we begin the
holiday with a full menorah then decrease
until we have only light left. To do this we
must be able to disregard, even forget,
the full rich warm glow of the opening
night’s ceremony, so to speak, and strictly
focus in on the remaining lights each
subsequent night. Shammai’s purpose
in having us do so might very well be
to bring us to the single light of the last
night as a symbol of the Unity, the unique
achdut of Hashem, that is the underlying
source of the very miracles of Hannukah
and that represents One against the many
polytheistic deities of the Hellenistic foes
of the Hashmonaim. Shammai’s method,
by this interpretation, would emphasize a
more strictly intellectual approach to the
lights, the mo’ach, human reason, grappling with the concept of God’s Oneness.
Beit Hillel, on the other hand, seems
to recognize the underlying emotional
appeal of the lights. How much more
dramatic and appealing is it to create the
anticipation of a greater glow with each
passing evening of the festival? Hillel,
who sought always to answer the human
needs of those who sought his counsel,
could probably not imagine starting the
holiday with a blaze of glory and then
dwindling down to a mere one light. How
disappointing! How anti-climactic! Hillel’s method, by this definition, would
emphasize the dramatic emotional appeal
of the Hanukkah lights, appealing to the
spiritual and soulful experience which
the mitzvah of the menorah promises.
Of course, this suggests but one possible
subjective interpretation of the famous
halakhic dispute, and it is not meant to
privilege one side over the other. For,
it is a tradition of the Tannaim that the
two schools of Shammai and Hillel, and
their ofttimes opposing views, represent
the legitimate expression of divergent
opinions, a mahloket le’shem Sha’mayim.
In the words of the Talmud Yerusahlmi
Berachot, “Both of them are the words of
the living G-d.”
A COMMENTARY ON THE
COMMENTARY
Rabbi Andrew Davids
I
t is the journey and not the destination. This is the message at the heart of
this presentation of this well-known
Talmudic periscope. Rabbi Zelenetz
has not only transmitted a deep and
contemporary understanding behind
each of these two schools of thought; he
has intentionally chosen not to provide
the traditional resolution and halachic
instruction that informs the agreed
upon praxis regarding the lighting of the
chanukiah. He begins this journey by
locating the development of this ruling
in a specific historical period, providing
both an openness to the possible direction of the tradition and framing it in very
human terms. While choosing a specific
dimension of the machlochet, he also
informs the reader that there are other
possible points for disagreement around
the practices and meanings related to
this observance. Finally, he presents both
positions in an open and fair manner,
reinforcing one of the most important
and unique aspects of Jewish tradition
– the acknowledgement and memoralization of opinions that differ from the
norm. This embrace of the discourse and
the desire to respectfully understand
the other are critical aspects of Torah
study that will engage thoughtful minds,
regardless of the age of the learner, and
will be critical to the building of character
and of the types of characters that will
lead our people forward.
CONGRATULATIONS
We wish mazal tob to the following
member and her family:
Rabbi Alan Zelenetz, Dean of Jewish
Studies, and Rabbi Andrew Davids, Head
of School, serve as part of the leadership team of the Beit Rabban Day School.
Together with other members of the
school’s administration, they provide
New York families a unique Jewish
educational experience based on deep
and intellectually open discourse about
classic Jewish texts. Now in its twentysecond year, the Beit Rabban Day School
has operated out of the Congregation
Shearith Israel Community House for
much of this time. Although the school
and the congregation are independent,
separate organizations, we share a
number of families in common and support one another in any way possible to
further our unique missions within the
Jewish community.
Thank You to John Quinones, our Building Manager, and his entire staff for the
beautiful renovations to the ladies’ room,
and for all of their hard work during the
High Holiday season. When our facility
shines, our spirits are elevated.
Sara Goldstein on becoming a bat
mitzvah. Sara is the daughter of our
Trustee, Victoria Bengualid, and Gabriel
Goldstein, and the granddaughter of our
Honorary Trustee, Henri Bengualid.
IN APPRECIATION
Thank You to Alexander Seligson for
contributing toward the cleaning of our
Talitot.
Thank You to the Sisterhood for the Elias
Room Succah decorations and sponsoring
the Succot morning breakfasts as well as
co-sponsoring the Community Dinner in
the Succah.
Thank You to the Shearith Israel League
for co-sponsoring and the Community
Dinner in the Succah.
Thank you to Seth Haberman and Jennifer
Ash and Michael Lustig and Rachel Brody
for sponsoring the decadently delicious
annual Simhat Torah ice cream party.
Thank You to our Shabbat Bereshit
Luncheon sponsors
Angelo & Brigitte Abdela
Isaac & Harriet Ainetchi
Lewis Bateman
Norman S. Benzaquen
Jacob & Karen Daar
Rita Elias
the bulletin November – December 2012
Mr. Michael Goldberg
Seth Haberman & Jennifer Ash
Simon & Eva G. Haberman
Michael I. Katz
Samuel & Vicki Katz
Jeffrey I. Lang & Leslie Cohen
Michael Lustig and Rachel Brody
L. Gilles & Lina Sion
David J. & Rebecca Nathan
Edith Nathan
Neumark Family
Dr. Jonah W. Schein & Carla Salomon
Schein
Constance Shapiro
Louis M. Solomon & Beth Goldman
Ralph J. Sutton
Charlotte Triefus & Lloyd Zuckerberg
Board of Trustees
(We apologize for any omissions or errors)
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following individuals to
the Shearith Israel family:
Marco Maddaloni
Lawrence and Alexandra Mondschein
IN MEMORIAM
We mourn the loss of our members:
Stella Eschenasy, mother of our member
Dan Eschenasy.
Lina Levy
CONDOLENCES
We extend our sincere condolences to:
Mrs. Irma Lopes Cardozo, on the loss of
her sister, Mrs. Dorine Emanuels
5
CLASSES, LECTURES, AND PROGRAMS
SCHOLARS IN
RESIDENCE
PROGRAMS AND
EVENTS
A SPECIAL SERIES:
JUDAISM AND THE ORIGINS OF
AMERICA
This November & December will feature
three of the seven installments of this
year-long series.
WOMEN’S SERVICE
Shabbat Dinner* and Lecture
entitled: The Founding Fathers
at the Huppah: A Reflection on
America’s Beginnings
FRIDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 2
Morning Lecture: Adams, Jefferson
and the Jews
NOVEMBER 3
Shabbat, 9:15 am in the Little Synagogue
By and for women, these services are an
opportunity for women to lead prayer,
read from the Torah and perform the
mitzvot associated with our services. In
addition to Shabbat services, we also have
Women’s hakafot on Simhat Torah and
a Women’s Megillah reading on Purim
morning. For more information about
Women’s Services at Shearith Israel, contact Mrs. Lisa Rohde.
SHABBAT DAY, NOVEMBER 3
Morning Seminar: Light and Truth:
Hebrew in Early America
SHABBAT HANUKKAH, DECEMBER 15
SHABBAT DINNER* AND
DISCUSSION WITH RABBI
SHLOMO RISKIN
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin
SHABBAT, DECEMBER 7 – DECEMBER 8
Rabbi Riskin is the Dean of the Ohr
Torah Stone Institution and Manhattan
Day School in New York City, as well as
the founding rabbi of Lincoln Square
Synagogue and chief rabbi of the Israeli
community of Efrat.
*Shabbat dinners always include elegant
international cuisine, “kids’ menus” and
childcare. Advance registration required.
Please visit www.shearithisrael.com for most
up-to-date information and to reserve your
spots.
6
SPECIAL TODDLER KIDDUSH
SHABBAT, NOVEMBER 3
During Shabbat morning services and
Kiddush we celebrate our toddlers. Join
for special Shabbat entertainment in the
playroom, followed by a child friendly
Kiddush. We welcome you to invite
friends!
JULIAN VOLOJ PHOTOGRAPHY
EVENT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
7:00 pm
Photographer and writer Julian Voloj
explores aspects of identity and Jewish
heritage in his work. Join us as we
explore the artist’s imagery and hear the
stories behind his work. $5 per person.
RSVP to Alana Shultz.
BIKUR HOLIM CONFERENCE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
UJA-Federation of New York 130 east 59
Street
Learn the important mitzvah of visiting
the sick. Shearith Israel’s Caring Connection will cover the cost for all members
interested in participating. For details
and to register, contact Rabbi Shalom
Morris.
LITERARY LUNCH
NOVEMBER 15, DECEMBER 13
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm
Join our monthly gatherings where we
read and discuss a variety of works (fiction, nonfiction, memoir, personal essay,
poetry) from across the ages and around
the world. Led by Shearith Israel’s own
poet and member, Janet R. Kirchheimer,
each session is an independent class and
is accompanied by a delicious lunch and
stimulating conversation. Meets in the
Elias Room. $10/session. RSVP to Alana
Shultz.
BIANNUAL TEEN SERVICES
SHABBAT, NOVEMBER 17
Our teenage boys lead parts of the Shabbat morning service in the Main Sanctuary. To participate, please contact Zachary
Edinger.
SHEARITH ISRAEL LEAGUES’
ANNUAL EVENT
COOKBOOK AUTHOR,
STELLA COHEN
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18
6PM
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28
7:00 pm
A Culinary Gala, called a “Wonderful
Food & Wine Evening” will highlight a
wide variety of kosher cuisines featuring
the best meat dishes from noted, old and
new New York Kosher restaurants, along
with the best quality of kosher wine. We
will have music and dancing as well as a
Silent Auction of some of the outstanding kosher wines donated to us, along
with other items, plus a Raffle. We look
forward to seeing you all.
Author of “Stella’s Sephardic Table”,
Stella Cohen will present on the traditional food of Rhodes, and discuss
the Sephardic community in her local
Zimbabwe.
For more details or to RSVP, please
e-mail: shearithisraelleague@gmail.com.
THANKSGIVING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Morning services, 7:45 am
Parade Viewing, 9:00 am
Arbit, 6:30 pm
In 1789, Shearith Israel responded to
George Washington’s call for a day of
national thanksgiving with a special
service. Today, we observe Thanksgiving
with the addition of Psalms during Shahrit and the omission of tahanunim.
There is a parade viewing and hot chocolate exclusively for members, guests
attending morning services and students
of Beit Rabban Day School.
Some tasty treats and a book sale and
signing will follow her presentation.
RSVP to Alana Shultz. In collaboration
with American Sephardi Federation.
ASSIGNED JUNIOR
CONGREGATION
SHABBAT,: DECEMBER 1 AND 15
10:30 am in the Little Synagogue
Junior Congregation is a lively, participatory service for children ages 5 – 12. While
prayer is always a part of youth groups,
this more formal youth service takes place
on select weeks. Children learn Shearith
Israel’s melodies and have opportunities
to lead prayers, read Torah and perform
mitzvot. Regular Shabbat groups still
begin at 10:00 am and continue at the conclusion of Junior Congregation. For more
information and to have your child lead a
part of the service contact Rafi Blumenthal.
SEPHARDIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11
7:00 pm
Celebrate Hanukkah with our annual
Sephardic Music Festival. Our majestic
sanctuary is the perfect setting for this
vibrant concert showcasing Spanish
Guitar, Ladino tunes and much more.
With the Lev and Yulzari Duo and friends.
We will offer a taste of wide spectrum of
Sephardic music. In collaboration with
the America-Israel Cultural Foundation
and the American Sephardi Federation.
the bulletin November – December 2012
HANUKKAH YOUTH PARTY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
12:30 pm
Join the Shearith Israel youth for a
Hanukkah Party with fun activities for
children of all ages including: arts and
crafts, candle decorating, card designing,
gift packing, dreidel games, menorah
lighting, a gift grab-bag and more. Teen
and parent volunteers needed. RSVP to
Alana Shultz.
TUESDAY MORNING RUN
Before Morning Services
Join our Hazan, Rabbi Ira Rohde and
other serious runners in the congregation on a weekly run through Central Park
prior to Tuesday morning minyan and
breakfast. Contact irohde@shearithisrael.
org, for details.
TUESDAY MORNING MINYAN
AND BREAKFAST
Minyan, 7:15 am, Breakfast 7:50 am
Our morning minyan crew has been
meeting for a weekly breakfast on
Tuesdays, an idea pioneered through
the generosity of our member Chaim
Katzap, who has subsidized it in the
past, although he and the minyan have
welcomed other sponsors. All morning
minyan attendees are welcomed. Contact Rabbi Ira Rohde if you would like to
sponsor the minyan breakfast in honor of
a special occasion.
7
REMEMBERING KRISTALLNACHT
CLASSES, LECTURES, AND PROGRAMS, continued
WEEKLY CLASSES
SHABBAT
Learners’ Service
9:45 – 10:45 am
Through June 15 (Except for November
3, November 24, December 22)
Join Rabbi Shalom Morris in the Little
Synagogue to experience meaningful
prayer. Prayers are accompanied by
explanations, with an eye towards application to our daily lives. This is an opportunity to learn about prayer and become
familiar with Shearith Israel’s services.
The service concludes in the adjoining
Elias Room with a light Kiddush and
Torah study session. No knowledge of
Hebrew is necessary. For more information please contact Rabbi Shalom Morris.
Shabbat Afternoon Class
Modern Responsa
Class begins one and a quarter hours
before Minhah
Rabbi Marc Angel
Every week, members and friends are
welcome to our Shabbat Afternoon Class.
Beginning an hour and a quarter before
Minhah, these classes are generally led by
Rabbi Marc Angel, who will be conducting a year-long survey on modern rabbinic responsa.
This class will analyze modern responsa
beginning with those of Rabbi Haim
David Halevy (d. 1998), who served for
many years as Sephardic Chief Rabbi of
Tel Aviv. The class will analyze the inner
workings of the halakhic process on
issues of contemporary interest.
8
SUNDAY
Level III
Maimonides
8:40 – 9:40 am
Develop Hebrew vocabulary and reading
comprehension skills.
Through May 12 (Except November 25,
December 23)
MONDAY
Rabbi Marc Angel
Study texts from the Mishneh Torah, the
classic code of Jewish law written by
Rabbi Moses Maimonides, with the goal
of understanding the laws and their ethical underpinnings. Breakfast is served.
The Book of Beliefs and Opinions
THROUGH MAY 12 (EXCEPT
NOVEMBER 25, DECEMBER 23)
9:40 – 10:40 am
Sjimon den Hollander
The Book of Beliefs and Opinions
(Emunot V’Deot), was the first serious
attempt to synthesize the Jewish tradition
with philosophical teachings since Philo
(about 900 years earlier). It was written
by Sa`adiah Ga’on (882 – 942), the head
of the Academy of Sura in Baghdad.
ADULT HEBREW CLASSES
FALL: OCTOBER 21 – DECEMBER 9
(EXCEPT NOVEMBER 25)
WINTER: JANUARY 13 – MARCH 17
10:00 – 11:00 am
Hebrew courses are $70 and include a
light breakfast. To register, contact Rabbi
Shalom Morris.
Level I
Learn the Hebrew Alphabet and the
basics of Hebrew reading.
Level II
Improve reading fluency and begin to
focus on comprehension.
Bet Midrash
(House of Study: Study Hall and
Partnered Study)
7:00 – 9:00 pm
FALL: OCTOBER 22 – DECEMBER 10
WINTER: JANUARY 14 – MARCH 11
(EXCEPT FEBRUARY 18)
Explore Talmud, Bible, Jewish Law or
Jewish Thought with a student of advanced
Judaic Studies. Engage in the study of
Jewish texts in small groups and gain a
personal connection to the tradition of
Jewish learning. Light dinner served.
TEFILLAH B’SHANAH
7:00-8:00PM
October 29-May 20
K
ristallnacht, literally the “night
of crystal” in German, was a
pogrom on November 9 and 10,
1938 in Germany, Austria, and parts of
the Sudetenland. Over 250 synagogues
were destroyed, an estimated 7,500 shops
were looted and windows were shattered,
and almost 100 Jews were killed. The
German government blamed the Jews for
the pogrom and imposed a fine on the
community to pay for the damages.
These two poems are from our member
Janet R. Kirchheimer’s book, How to Spot
One of Us, about her family and the Shoah.
Janet leads the monthly “Literary Lunch,”
where participants discuss all things
literary – from flash fiction to memoir to
poetry and everything in between. For
more information, consult the website
or program guide or Alana Shultz at
ashultz@shearithisrael.org.
(Check our website for exact dates)
Explore the historical development of the
siddur, the meaning of Jewish prayers,
differences in Sephardi and Ashkenazi
traditions, ritual guidelines and the
philosophy of prayer.
This course is free, though registration is
required.
THURSDAY
Tai Chi
THURSDAYS
11:00 am
Lewis Paleias
This age-old practice helps balance,
strength, circulation, mindfulness and
more. Tai Chi is a wonderful form of
exercise for all ages, especially seniors.
Our teacher offers individual attention
and adapts the class based on the group.
$10 per class or $50 for 6 classes. Walkins and beginners welcome.
Looking for a meaningful way to
commemorate Kristallnacht in our
community?
Scandinavia in the Aftermath of
World War II: Liberated but
With No Place to Go
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
The JCC Manhattan, 344 Amsterdam
Avenue at 76th St.
JCC members: $7, non-members: $10
Little attention has been focused on the
several years following the end of WWII
when large numbers of survivors were
abandoned in displaced persons camps
with literally nowhere to go. It Was
Morning: Scandinavia in the Aftermath
of World War II explores the lives of
survivors who settled in Sweden after
the war and rebuilt their lives.
TOWN HALL
BREAKING LAWS
“What for?” my father asked. “What
did I do? I’m only sixteen,” and
the gendarme told him if he didn’t
Kristallnacht
broken glass
Nazis arrest him
a boy sixteen years old
like it, if he asked any more questions,
he could go home,
they’d arrest his father instead.
And he saw his father
paying his tax bill in the next room,
and he didn’t call out, afraid they’d
arrest him too, afraid
his father would want to take his
place, and
the gendarme said he had a job to do,
a quota of ten men,
and he didn’t care how he filled it.
And my father
knew the gendarme, went to school
with his daughter.
He was told to empty his pockets, turn
in any money and weapons, and
he turned in
his pocketknife, and told the gendarme
he had to go
to the bathroom, and another
gendarme, Wilhelm,
took him, and he knew Wilhelm too.
He told Wilhelm
not to worry, he wasn’t going to
run away, and
Wilhelm said he knew, but he
was doing his job.
Dachau
November 1938
a striped cotton uniform
it’s almost winter
he shares a bunk
with a man in his fifties
who freezes to death one night
the next morning a kapo tells him
take off the man’s long underwear
do it quickly
before the SS come for the body
you will freeze at night too
if you don’t
it is the custom of some Jews
not to wear clothes from a dead body
and to save one’s life the rabbis teach
one must break custom
he washes the underwear that night
places it over a chair
next to the woodstove to dry
sleeps on it
still damp
to make sure
no one will steal it
As my father and nine men were loaded
on a truck
that said “Trink Coca-Cola” he turned
and saw
Wilhelm crying like a child.
the bulletin November – December 2012
9
SERVICES
WEEKDAY SERVICES
SHABBAT SERVICES
MORNINGS (SHAHRIT):
NOVEMBER 2-3
Sunday, 8:00 am
Candle Lighting, 5:33 pm
Monday – Friday, 7:15 am
Friday Evening, 5:30 pm
EVENINGS (MINHAH & ARBIT):
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
October 21-November 1
Minhah & Arbit, 5:45 pm
November 4 and After
Arbit only, 6:30 pm
Zemirot, Adam Jackson
NOVEMBER 23-24
DECEMBER 14-15
Candle Lighting, 4:14 pm
Shabbat Hanukkah
Friday Evening, 4:15 pm
Candle Lighting, 4:11 pm
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Friday Evening, 4:00 pm
Zemirot, Herman Salomon
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Torah Reading, Vayetse
Zemirot, Rev. Philip L. Sherman
Haftarah, Bernard Turiel
Torah Reading, Mikkets-Hanukkah
Class, 3:15 pm
Haftarah, Joseph A. Solomon
Minhah &Arbit, 4:15 pm
Class, 3:15 pm
Habdalah, 4:59 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 4:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 5:30 pm
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1
Habdalah & Hanukkah Candles, 4:56 pm
Habdalah, 6:19 pm
Candle Lighting, 4:12 pm
DECEMBER 21-22
Friday Evening, 4:15 pm
Candle Lighting, 4:16 pm
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Friday Evening, 4:15 pm
Zemirot, Adam Jackson
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Torah Reading, Vayishlah
Zemirot, Avery E. Neumark
Haftarah, Yitzhak B. Goldstein
Torah Reading, Vayiggash
Bat Mitzvah, Sara Bengualid Goldstein
Haftarah, Samuel E. Neumark
Class, 3:15 pm
Class, 3:15 pm
Minhah &Arbit, 4:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 4:15 pm
Habdalah, 4:56 pm
Habdalah, 4:59 pm
Torah Reading, Vayera
Haftarah, Raif S. Melhado
Class, 4:15 pm
NOVEMBER 9-10
Candle Lighting, 4:25 pm
Friday Evening, 4:30 pm
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Zemirot, Zachary Edinger
Torah Reading, Haye Sarah
Haftarah, Jake Isaac Nussbaum
Bar Mitzvah, Jake Isaac Nussbaum
Class, 3:15 pm
HOLIDAYS &
OBSERVANCES
ROSH HODESH KISLEV
Thursday, November 15
THANKSGIVING DAY
Thursday, November 22
Morning Service, 7:45 am
KINDLING OF FIRST
HANUKKAH CANDLE,
EVE OF HANUKKAH
Saturday Evening, December 8
Habdalah and Candle Lighting, 4:55 pm
HANUKKAH HOLIDAY
Sunday, December 9- Sunday,
December 16
ROSH HODESH TEBET
Friday, December 14
FAST OF TEBET
Sunday, December 23
Dawn (Fast Begins), 6:06 am
Minhah & Arbit, 4:30 pm
DECEMBER 7-8
DECEMBER 28-29
Sunrise, 7:18 am
Habdalah, 5:11 pm
Candle Lighting, 4:11 pm
Candle Lighting, 4:19 pm
Morning Service, 8:00 am
Friday Evening, 4:15 pm
Friday Evening, 4:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 3:45 pm
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Sunset, 4:33 pm
Zemirot, Jack Daar
Zemirot, Zachary Edinger
End of Fast, 4:53 pm
Torah Reading, Vayesheb
Torah Reading, Vayhi
Haftarah, Roberto Salama
Haftarah,
Class, 3:15 pm
Class, 3:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 4:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 4:15 pm
Habdalah & Hanukkah Candles, 4:55 pm
Habdalah, 5:04 pm
NOVEMBER 16-17
Candle Lighting, 4:19 pm
Friday Evening, 4:30 pm
Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am
Zemirot, Jacob Daar
Torah Reading, Toledot
Haftarah, Aaron Nathan
Class, 3:15 pm
Minhah & Arbit, 4:15 pm
LEGAL HOLIDAY
Tuesday, December 25
Morning Services, 8:00 am
LEGAL HOLIDAY
Tuesday, January 1
Morning Services, 8:00 am
Habdalah, 5:04 pm
10
the bulletin November – December 2012
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