Chabad at Beekman-Sutton Newsletter

BI-ANNUAL REPORT

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SPRING 2018

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‫בס״ד‬

ISSUE 1

CHABAD AT BEEKMAN-SUTTON

Newsletter JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

Spring 2018 Report “Sutton Place, cozy enclave east of the River...” wrote the New York Times in 2015. To this small town neighborhood, a cozy spot within a big city, Chabad brings exciting opportunities for personal and communal growth. Our location on East 53rd Street serves as base, hosting Shabbat services, Manhattan Jewish Montessori preschool and programs for children, and Jewish Learning for Adults in the evening. If local and organic appeals to you, Chabad is both: locally developed, locally supported and organically growing, year by year.

Chabad Serves Babies

Children

Adult Ed

Shabbat

Holidays

The Soul

This year saw our largest ever High Holiday services, with over 250 people celebrating at Four Cuts, a restaurant that handily converts to a synagogue, conveniently located on First Avenue and East 58th Street. An elevating experience, Chabad’s High Holidays are traditional, current and user-friendly with no tickets required, providing an important open door for all who wish to connect.

Sukkot is another open door—or rather Sukkah.

Our autumn-decorated Sukkah right on 53rd Street welcomed in over 200 guests in total to make the blessing on the Lulav and Etrog and celebrate the holiday. Celebrations continued with a joyous Simchat Torah (complete with a visit from Poppy the Troll, to the shrieking delight of the little ones), our much anticipated annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting at Sutton Place Park (this year with a musical carousel), a packed house on Purim evening, a magnificent community Passover Seder at Four Cuts... and so much more.

Did you get our calendar? A glossy calendar and program guide mailed to over 3,000 homes in our area this September provides a glimpse

into the many programs currently offered. Most notably, Chabad’s adult education department has grown. Now a branch of the international Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, we proudly offer three accredited courses annually, each six weeks long, where a cross-section of intelligent local men and women delve into topics of Jewish thought, such as the afterlife (September 2017), the teachings of The Rebbe (Winter 2018) and more. Wednesday mornings, the Rabbi is at Starbucks on First Avenue, teaching Tanya, Jewish mysticism; weekends are devoted to the study of the Torah portion of the week (Shabbat mornings), and Sundays are reserved for Bagels, Lox and Tefillin. A unique study group for women meets once a month, and a new Jewish book club launches this May.

Perhaps most defining about the Chabad experience is the warm and welcoming community.

Shabbat mornings are a time for connection— to G-d, faith and to each other. Here in our cozy corner of the big city, a community has formed.

It’s intelligent and thoughtful; it’s also traditional, warm and friendly, with a personal touch.

There’s something for everyone. Our website is updated weekly with multiple events and services; sign up for our email newsletters and stay informed.

Our center is locally funded; over 400 individuals and foundations participated in supporting our activities in the past two years alone. To them, we offer tremendous thanks and blessing: may we grow together and may you see the fulfillment of all your heart’s desires for health, happiness and peace.

We look forward to greeting you at Chabad for many happy and enriching occasions. Lechayim!

First Bar & Bat Mitzvah of School Alumni Baby Loves Shabbat: Parents Speak

Babies

Children

Milestones matter! With great emotion, we mark the very first Bar & Bat Mitzvahs of Chabad Preschool alumni: Brent Ryecroft and Ashley Behm. Mazel tov to the Ryecroft-Rothman & Behm families!

Brent and Ashley were among the very first 11 students who walked through The Chabad Preschool doors back in September 2008.

The Talmud says, “Show me the ripe pumpkin, I'll show you the quality of the seed.” With our preschool program rebranded as Manhattan Jewish Montessori, this principle has been a guiding light. We've refined the careful nurturing of our students and enhanced the classroom experience. It is a joy to watch our saplings grow and mature into their unique selves, grounded in their heritage and confident in their ability to impact their surroundings.

Paradigm Shift

Adult Ed

by Sarah Pluscarr Esq

“My daughter, Dylan, loves Baby Shabbat class! Every week she becomes more familiar with the songs and other activities. She even ‘mixes her chicken soup’ at home and asks for ‘challah.’ The homemade challah Dylan gets to make every week is our favorite part!”

Alyssa Perlman

“Baby Loves Shabbat has been a wonderful addition to our weekly activities. In this nurturing environment, my twins have developed a love for Judaic culture and holidays. My children look forward to going to this class to make fresh challah, sing songs, create art projects, and to see their welcoming teachers.”

Orit Chavkin

The recent Rohr-Jewish Learning Institute course “Paradigm Shift” was exactly that—a huge shift in my perspective! And very much for the better, of course.

The course covered a wide array of topics, from the individual's role in society and the world in general, the true meaning and significance of the Torah in our lives, and how to process and place the times in our lives when things don't go according to plan. The material is covered both succinctly and with great depth.

The sources are also many and varied, including renowned commentators—secular and religious alike—first-hand documents written by the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson himself, and of course Torah and Talmudic sources, as well. The material was deep, inspiring, fascinating, and very well-rounded.

Personally, I love the care and attention each “student” gets, and that it's an interactive program. There are videos, journaling exercises, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions—which is our job as Jews! I look forward to the class every Tuesday and often review the textbook at home for some inspiration throughout the week. I couldn't recommend the course more highly!

CHABAD HOSTS:

3-4 JLI COURSES PER YEAR Each 4-6 weeks running, on Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM

COMING UP:

BEGINNING MAY 1ST

"How Happiness Thinks," a 6-week course on the Jewish view of joyful living

Manhattan Jewish Montessori The Chabad Preschool

Children

RALPH SIGOURA » Visiting Alumnus, 4th Grader at Ramaz Elementary School

KIDS

“If I could build a time machine and go back in time, my one wish—aside from meeting Stephen Hawking and talking to him when he was in college—would be to come back to Chabad and be in this school again.”

SARAH VODA »

Current Manhattan Jewish Montessori student Sarah, age three, is following in the footsteps of her siblings, Racheli and Yehuda (one of the very first students at Chabad in 2008).

Sarah’s favorite thing to do in school is, "Play with my friends and paint!"

SPEAK

New Local Profiles Lecture Series

Adult Ed

The Soul

The best part of life in NYC? Some might guess the shopping, dining or theater scene, but for those in the know, it’s gotta be the people.

An inordinate amount of talent, drive and achievement is concentrated in our local population.

As a Rabbi here in Sutton Place for over a decade, my sidewalk conversations are a regular highlight of my day as I bump into fascinating individuals from all walks of life and hear their amazing stories.

It is this awareness that led me to introduce the Local Profiles Lecture Series, bringing these stories to the community. We launched this series in June 2017, with three fascinating lectures so far with topics diverse as the Shoah and finance, and another six lectures in the works. I look forward to seeing you there. ~Rabbi Metzger

Shabbat Experience at Chabad Sutton Place

by Dr. Elizabeth Zimmer

Shabbat

Before describing my take on the gift of the seventh day with Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger, I think it only fair to give you a brief description of my background.

I am a baby boomer. All my grandparents were in America by the end of the nineteenth century. None kept kosher or were affiliated with a Shul, let alone kept Shabbos. The last connection to Kashrut was my great-grandfather, Wolf Becker (despite the name he was from Lithuania, a pure “Litvak"). My mother recalled her grandfather having nothing more than a cup of tea in a glass when he visited.

However, my parents and grandparents were proud of the fact that they were Jews, and passed on this intense Jewish pride to my brother and myself.

I grow up and do what many third-generation secular American Jews do: I go to medical school. I follow what’s happening in Israel. I cry when Israelis are murdered. I watch the rise of anti-Semitism and support organizations to fight it—and, I do not go to Shul.

Along the way, I meet medical students and doctors who observe Shabbos. I like them. I admire them. I respect them. My residents at Montefiore Medical Center give me a Siddur and a Chumash for my birthday. A seed is planted. I start going to Beginner Minyans— on occasion.

My husband Jerry and I move to Sutton Place

South. I spot the Chabad Sutton Center on 53rd Street. Great! I can up my game and walk to Shul! We get to know Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger. We are invited for Shabbos dinner.

We get to know the whole family. We are experiencing Shabbos. I’m in another time and place. I’m eating Challah baked by the Metzger girls with a portion having been put aside for the Cohen. We’re blessing the Challah at the table, after blessing the fruit of the vine. This is NOT ordinary bread and wine. Rabbi Metzger is leading the family and guests with Shabbos songs. I enjoy hearing them, although I don’t know them.

“The congregation consists of people of all

ages and backgrounds...I'm part of Shabbos and Shabbos is becoming part of me."

We are with fellow Jews of different backgrounds. No one is being judged. We are here because we are Jews, regardless of background or level of observance. True Jewish unity! I love it. We introduce ourselves. The Rabbi has a different question each Shabbos, and we go around the table with our answers.

What does being a Jew mean to you? Have you had a bad experience that turned out to be for the good? Do you see miracles around you in today’s world? What is your mission in life?

Shabbos morning, Rabbi Metzger gives a class on the week’s Parsha. The service begins. The congregation consists of people of all ages and backgrounds—children from the Chabad

Preschool to retirees in the neighborhood. We read the week’s Parsha. I’m learning. I’m part of Shabbos and Shabbos is becoming part of me.

Am I “shomer Shabbos?” No. Do I feel like a hypocrite? No. I am on a particular level of Shabbos observance at this particular time.

How has the Shabbos experience with Chabad changed my life? I am lighting Friday night candles (fortunately, with the candlesticks my great-grandmother brought with her on the boat from Europe). When my granddaughters

come for Friday night dinner, they are lighting their own candles with me by holding my arm or their mother’s arm. By learning Torah, I am more mindful of how I treat people; specifically, I am more careful with my words. By learning Torah, I am even more proud of my Jewish heritage. I am getting to know our patriarchs and matriarchs. I am getting to know Moses, our laws, our Biblical history, where we come from. By experiencing Shabbos, thanks to Rabbi Shmuel and Raizy Metzger, I am not only more knowledgeable, but I am a happier, calmer, and, I believe, a better person.

History through Herstory: A New Experience for Women

A new series titled Biblical Women: History Through Herstory, launched in October 2017 at Chabad. The series is developed and taught by our co-director, Raizy Metzger, and meets Wednesday evenings on a monthly schedule.

“This is essentially a study course about life, Torah and Jewish thought,” says Raizy, who culled from Talmudic, Midrashic and Chas-

Adult Ed

sidic sources in developing the lessons, “but everything is viewed through the prism of one woman’s story. In each instance, we ask: Why has this story survived, what can we learn from it—as Jewish women?”

Although the course is designed for women of all backgrounds, and no knowledge of Hebrew is required, Raizy is passionate about giving each participant a rigorous and authentic Jewish learning experience, with source texts and further reading included.

“It is every person’s right to experience a close-up encounter with the original text of the Bible,” she says, “Finding inspiration for your own life from the ancient words of the Torah is an empowering experience.”

Since developing this course several years ago, Raizy has shared it with numerous colleagues who have taught it in multiple cities around the world.

UPCOMING DATES & TOPICS: MAY 16

Chana: How a Woman Taught the World to Pray

JUNE 20

Mechitzah, Mikvah & Jewish Womanhood Today

High Holiday Reflections by Amy Schottenstein When I think of my experience with Chabad for the High Holidays, the first word that comes to mind is “welcoming.” I have attended these services for many years along with family and friends of differing levels of religious observance, and the experience has always been good for everyone. Rabbi and Mrs. Metzger have gone above and beyond to make my family (especially my son who is a

Kohain – thank you!) and me feel included in the community.

The High Holiday services have been held for the past two years in a lovely, elegant restaurant on First Avenue. It has a beautiful atmosphere, sets up well as a chapel, and is easily accessible (no stairs, etc.). No matter the location, I always enjoy Rabbi Metzger’s analyses of the Torah portions and holiday customs, his stories, and his jokes! Thank you to Chabad for providing such warm, meaningful and enjoyable holiday services!

Col. Jerome Richard: Leaving a Legacy Brig. General Col. Jerome R. Richard, longtime Sutton Place resident and founder of Chabad at Beekman-Sutton, returned his soul to heaven on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, 2016.

On that auspicious day, as the world hangs in the balance and all of creation is assembled before G-d in judgement, Jerome (Yeruchem son of Chaim David) entered the heavenly realm, at age 99.

Jerome was many things: a veteran and genuine patriot, a combat photographer who witnessed the invasion at Normandy, a proud Jew and supporter of Israel, and a financial manager who worked until his very last days, astonishing his friends with his vigor and youthfulness.

Jerome was passionate about the truth, respectful to all and uncompromising in his principles. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Zelda, and left behind siblings, relatives and countless dear friends.

In 2012, a beautiful Torah arrived from Israel

Holidays

The Soul

for Chabad at Beekman-Sutton, a gift from Jerome Richard for the children of Chabad. This was a surprise dedication from Jerome, who preferred to express his Judaism outside of the synagogue but wished to leave this most important legacy for the children of the next generation.

On the inscription of his Torah, read every Shabbat at Chabad, the words from Deuteronomy are embroidered in gold, “And you who cleave to the Lord your G-d are all alive today!” In addition to the Torah, Brig Gen. Richard’s bequest to Chabad funded the Baby Loves Shabbat and Children’s Programs for 5777 (2016-17)—weekly celebrations of life, love and tradition for the children who are our future. Truly, Jerome R. Richard’s life and legacy are alive today.

To inquire about Chabad Tomorrow, our Legacy Gift Program, please contact Rabbi Metzger at 646.761.0277.

Purim Tefillin

The Soul

by Jeff Goldfarb It was Purim of 5777, which fell on a Sunday. My family and I rushed over to Chabad to hear the morning reading of the Megillah. By the time we got there, the chairs were being stacked and the remaining refreshments wrapped up. Mordechai and Esther had defeated Haman without us.

tion. Together we said the holy words of the Shema. On that day, for the first time, when we repeated, “You shall bind them as a sign upon your arm, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes,” I was performing the mitzvah as required. All it took was an eager Chabad Rabbi and a missed Purim party.

Bright Lights Big Menorah

Holidays

by Steve & Sheila Kamerman

Disappointed, we turned to go home, when we heard Rabbi Metzger say, “I am the fastest Megillah reader in town. Have a seat and I will read it for you.” The Rabbi proceeded to chant the entire Megillah faster than you can say Achashverosh (if you can pronounce that name at all). We thanked him for taking the time to help us fulfill the mitzvah and were again ready to head for home—the Rabbi had other plans.

You see, the Rabbi had previously used the occasion of a Shabbat dinner in honor of his birthday to get me to promise (the best present, he called it) that I would put on Tefillin (for the first time). I readily agreed, not expecting that my promise would soon be cashed in—most of the time when I see Rabbi Shmuley, it is Shabbat or a holiday, when Tefillin are not worn, so I was sure that any wrapping would be in the distant future.

On this Purim Sunday, however, the wearing of Tefillin was permitted (in fact, required), so the Rabbi asked me to put them on right then and there. Not being in a position to decline, and rather curious, I stood there while he bedecked me in the manner that our ancestors have followed from generation to genera-

For the past 10+ years, Rabbi Shmuly and Raizy Metzger have had a large Chanukah Menorah for all to enjoy installed in the cul de sac at 57th street off of Sutton place.

In addition they host a party for the lighting of the Menorah. It is a festive party with latkes, jelly donuts, a heated tent for protection from the cold, a choo choo train plus entertainers for the children. It always concludes with music and dancing in the street.

The Metzgers have brought a special tradition to the Sutton Place area which is anticipated with enthusiasm by all. Thank you very much Rabbi Shmuly and Raizy Metzger. We are very fortunate to have you in this community.

Chabad at Beekman-Sutton's Community Work is Enabled Through the Generosity of the Following Individuals & Foundations [2017-2018] PIONEER SUPPORTERS George & Pamela Rohr Moise & Chella Safra Jacob & Shari Safra David & Lara Slager Lewis & Lorraina Baer Ralph & Rose Nakash Rabbi Yehoshua & Brocha Metzger

PILLARS

Charles & Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation Estate of Jerome R. Richard Gary & Yael Fegel Ira & Ingeborg Rennert Paul P. Bernstein Rabbi Alter B.Z. & Yehudis Metzger Rabbi Levi & Leah Neubort Ron & Colleen Hariri Rotem & Zina Rosen Drs. Jerry & Elizabeth Zimmer Elyanne Stertzer

CHABAD CLUB

Amy Schottenstein Jonathan & Monica Stauber Ari Mincowicz Avi & Miri Voda Bentzi & Chaya Shemtov Chayim & Chagieth Neubort David & Jaclyn Sitt David & Leann Einhorn Dovi & Esti Schenier Elchonon & Nechama Deutsch Israel & Sylvia Zipes Lenny & Alexandra Phillips Jeffery & Sharon Goldfarb Michael & Barri Shane Rabbi Levi & Perel Shmotkin Shneur Plotkin

CHABAD GIVING TREE

Abe & Vivian Dushey Abraham & Grace Chehebar Ari & Erynne Rennert Ariel & Vivian Nakash

Avi & Miri Voda Chehbar Family Foundation Joe & Claudette Feldman Kenneth & Miriam Zuckerman Marcus & Jacqueline Kline Marcus & Linda Adjmi Martin & Jennifer Glass Michael & Meredith Rishty Mr. Alex Adjmi Nathan & Beth Cayre Ralph & Rose Nakash Rycroft Family Sam & Lorraine Jemal Victor & Esther Sigoura

SUPPORTERS

Adam & Julia Sundel Adam Hochstead Alan & Miriam Herman Alan & Ruth Gaffin Alan Weintraub Alexa Klorman Alexandra & Nechemia Kramer Aliza Gancz Anna Giabourani Andrew & Nicole Golteka Ann & Scott Goldman Anne Klaus Ari Raskin Arie Fischman Ariel Amber Arthur Miller Avi Fishoff Barbara Fix Barbara Gerad Barry Campfield Bassie Aronow Belinda Nurick Ben Sands Bernard Hechtman Bert I Dweck Bob Kleinman Boruch Gottesman Brad Prutkin Brian Magden Bruce & Bobbi Langer Bruce Bernstein

A WELCOMING JEWISH COMMUNITY IN NYC

, 336 East 53rd Street

New York, NY 10022

c 212.758.3770

Bryan & Elyssa Gaffin Chaim Drizin Chana Dabah Chana Perman Chanchi & Chony Milecki Charles Green Daniel & Geraldine Geller Daniel & Sepi Koren Daniel & Florencia Chodos Daniella Singer David & Alexandra Salanic David & Stave Elgrabli David Benharouch David Hager David Mehl Debra Burell Denise Biderman Diane Fisher Dr. Thomas & Stacy Behm Dr. Albert & Linda Levy Dr. Norton Mezvinsky Dr. Rob & Sarah Berg Dr. Tomer & Elian Avraham Elchonon Tenenbaum Eli Gordon Eli M. Abramowitz Elizabeth Levi- Sengaglia Ephraim Yarmak Eric & Debra Rosen Esther & Claudio Szajman Eti & Michael Moskowitz Eve Pasternak Ezra Dabah Frank Solmaggi Ginette & Isaac Gammal Grace Rais Henchy Balsam Howard Hechtman Ira E Menkes Irv & Eileen Bizar Irwin Mensch Israel & Sara Chudaitov Izzy & Michael Rixon Jack Hersh Jacob Guttman Jacob Lang Jennifer Kashanian Jennifer Mashaal

Jenny & Brian Rosenzweig Jeremy Kirschner Jeremy & Vanessa Landau Jerry Lerman Jessica Grossman Jill Weintraub Joanna & Jordan Lipstadt Joe & Idit Silverman Joel & Marsha Handel Jonathan More Jonathan Newman Jonathan Seplowitz Joseph Dushey Josh & Aliza Katz Judith Kassin Julie Weintraub Laine Rosenbluth Leah Ankari Leah Wernick Leonard Phillips Levi Chitrik Dr. Lewis Lipsey Liat & Steven Kassin Lillian Kebudi Linda Gingold-Greenberg Linda Katz Linda Rosenberg Linda Rubin Lindsay Weiss Lisa Gaon Lital Bernstein Lucille Ferbel Marcia Huttner Mark Tannen Mathew & Maya Mosca Melvyn Trepper Menachem Weisz Michael Robbins Michal & Guy Altberg Michele & Larry Levine Michele Newhouse Moe & Linda Simon Moshe & Monica Sasson Moshe & Nechama Rubenstein Mr. & Mrs. Irving J Kaminetsky Mr. Albert Gad Mr. Asher Zamir

Mr. Harry Hartheimer Mr. Jesse Sutton Mr. & Mrs. Morad Zamir Mrs. Norma Hack – Ginsberg Mrs. Shirley Kaplan Nancy & Phillip Namanworth Naomi & Mark Litowitz Nathan & Allyson Mamiye Nathan Feldman Nettie Hochman Neil Simon Ori Degani Paul & Jill Goldenberg Paul & Leah Fix Paul Einbinder Paul & Ilona Oltuski Peter Schulman Phyllis Chesler Rachel Templeton Rabbi Yehuda & Faya Lipsker Rabbi Yossi & Tzivi Kivman Ralph Shammah & Family Rebecca & Eran Schweiger Richard & Liza Tarzy Richard Levy Rivka Galatz Rivkah Rothschild Robby & Lindsey Tennenbaum Robert Goldberg Rosalie Friedberg Ruth Haddad Salvatore Sicuro Sandra Kupferman Sarah Ann Goldstein Sarah Pluscarr Sasson & Elyssa Beroukhim Shachar & Shulamit Barbash Shai & Pavlina Gruber Shannon & Ariel Chesler Sharon Davis Solli Shaalo Steve & Sheila Kammerman Steve Lipton Susan Izatt Tucker Shane Yossi & Rozanne Mofaz

*If we have inadvertently neglected to list your contribution, please accept our sincere thanks

Thank you for your partnership Chabad at Beekman Sutton is one of 4500+ Chabad centers in 103 countries worldwide and a branch of Chabad of Midtown, a network of dynamic Chabad centers celebrating Jewish life in midtown Manhattan.