Kehilath Jeshurun Bulletin - Spring Issue

SPRING ISSUE

KE H I LAT H JESH UR UN VOLUME LXXXVIII, NUMBER 3

BULLETIN

APRIL 3, 2019

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27 ADAR II 5779

What Happened to Dov? YO M K I P P U R S E R M O N 2 0 1 8 | BY RA B B I C H A I M S T E I N M E T Z

“

THE ONE THING I WAS CERTAIN OF WAS THAT THE WORLD WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME.” TWENTY-ONE YEAR OLD HAIM SABATO GOES TO THE BATTLEFRONT IN THE

YOM KIPPUR WAR, BRIMMING WITH CONFIDENCE. ISRAEL HAD DEFEATED THE SYRIAN ARMY IN JUST SIX DAYS A FEW YEARS EARLIER, HE HAD GOTTEN A BLESSING THE PREVIOUS NIGHT FROM AN ELDERLY CHASSIDIC REBBE, AND HE WAS TRAVELING TOGETHER WITH HIS CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND AND STUDY PARTNER, DOV INDIG.

IN THI S I SSU E FROM OUR SYNAGOGUE OFFICIALS: RABBI STEINMETZ__________________ 1 RABBI WEINSTOCK_________________ 4 RABBI LANIADO___________________ 6 RABBI DANIEL KRAUS______________ 8 RACHEL KRAUS____________________ 9 RABBI DR. JEREMY WIEDER________ 11 OUR KETER TORAH AWARDEES_____ 14 IN THE COMMUNITY________________ 1 6 UPCOMING EVENTS________________ 25 THINGS TO KNOW__________________ 26 CLASSES__________________________ 27 BNEI MITZVAH_____________________ 29 WITHIN OUR FAMILY_______________ 31 HOLIDAYS_________________________ 35 SPRING SHABBAT CALENDAR______ 40

Haim expects everything will follow according to plan; the good guys will win, the righteous will be protected, and he and Dov will continue to study Talmud and Bible together. In Adjusting Sights, published in 1999, Sabato relates what happens next.

As Dov and Haim arrive in the Golan, panic and disorder meet them at the door of their bus. Even though they had always been in the same tank, desperate commanders were grabbing soldiers right off the buses adding them to makeshift crews. Haim goes with one crew, Dov with another, and both enter into one of the most violent tank battles in the history of warfare.

Haim’s crew is saved from certain death at the last moment; but Dov never returns from battle.

The rest of the book is filled with Haim’s singular quest to find out “what happened to Dov?” Haim has lost his best friend, and in his grief, searches for a way to reconcile his own optimistic faith with an ugly, ungodly world that can instantly claim the life of a righteous man like Dov.

I read Adjusting Sights during a painful period in my own rabbinate. In the course of 18 months, I had officiated at 6 tragic funerals: A 9-year-old who died of an aneurysm, a 27- year-old newlywed who died after routine surgery, and four young people in their thirties with cancer. The pain that these families endured was indescribable. As a Rabbi and a friend, I felt like I had nothing at all to offer the mourners. Answers?

There is no such thing. Optimism? It is deeply insensitive to offer positive thinking to the victims of tragedy. As a Rabbi I felt like a fraud; as a human being, I felt insecure.

I was lost.

As I sought to regain my bearings, I was pulled in two directions: towards life and towards death. Yes, they are opposite directions; but in many ways, they actually complement each other.

The Jewish instinct, honed through generations of persecution, is to immediately grab hold of life. Even the first shiva meal is a reminder to look for life. The tradition is that this meal is

2 continued, WHAT HAPPENED TO DOV?

brought to the mourner by their neighbors.

A 16th century Rabbi, Yehoshua Falk, writes1 that the reason we bring the mourners this first meal is because “the mourner is in grief and torment over their deceased, and doesn’t think about eating.....therefore we command him to eat the meal brought to him by others.”

One of the most painful things a mourner has to reconcile with is that life in the future is now a life without. Swallowed up in grief, eating seems pointless, a way station to futility. Then neighbors arrive with plates of food, a gentle reminder that even in grief you cannot escape friendship. The community does its best to support the heartbroken until they are ready to turn to, and return to, life.

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik sees this idea as central to the theology of Judaism.

In 1944, Rav Soloveitchik, who was then 41, published Halakhic Man, where he emphasizes the Jewish focus on life.

He writes “Judaism abhors death...it bids one to choose life and sanctify it. Authentic Judaism...sees death as a terrifying contradiction to the whole of religious life.”2 Rabbi Soloveitchik adds that his father,

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journalists who wrote about their years in Israel between 2000-2007 explain that: “We were consistently amazed at how quickly Israelis returned to places that had been bombed. The police, the rescue teams and the cleanup crews restored a bomb site to an outward semblance of normality within hours of an attack. Debris was swept out. Hoses washed away blood from the sidewalk.

Shattered windows were replaced. The yellow police tape came down.…. For Israelis, combating terror is not just a security question. It’s a social, cultural and psychological issue and the whole country is required to play its role. It’s often measured in small deeds, like going back to a favorite cafe after an attack.”3 This communal resilience has allowed Israel to survive through an unending barrage of attacks. Professor Dov Waxman has said that: “Despite experiencing numerous traumatic events during the second Intifada, which should logically cause progressively more psychological damage, the rate of PTSD symptoms among the Israeli population remained at a fairly low level…..The concept of social resilience, therefore, helps explains why

Fifteen years after writing Halakhic Man, Rav Soloveitchik faced colon cancer. (He was diagnosed just a few weeks before his daughter’s wedding). In a later essay5, he describes his emotions:

The night preceding my operation I prayed to God and beseeched Him to

THE JEWISH INSTINCT, HONED THROUGH GENERATIONS OF PERSECUTION, IS TO IMMEDIATELY GRAB HOLD OF LIFE.

grandfather and great grandfather, all prominent Rabbis, never visited cemeteries because it would have distracted them from their mission to pursue life.

Israeli society was not demoralized by repeated terrorist attacks, despite the serious effects these attacks had on Israelis....”4

During the dark years of exile, while struggling against the forces of hatred, Jewish communities always turned to life; when struggling for survival, a community doesn’t have the luxury of self-pity. Israel’s response to the intifada is a powerful example of this.

Greg Myre and Jennifer Griffin, two

Jews throughout history have coped by turning to life. But there is one problem; it simply doesn’t work when staring into the face of the Angel of Death.

1 Prisha, Yoreh Deah 378 2 Halakhic Man, pages 30-39

3 Boston, Bombs And Lessons From Israel: NPR,April 21, 2013 4 Living with Terror, not Living in Terror: The Impact of Chronic Terrorism on Israeli Society,

by Dov Waxman, Perspectives on Terror 5:5, 2011

spare me, I did not ask for too much. All I wanted was that He should make it possible for me to attend my daughter’s wedding, which was postponed on account of my illness—a very modest wish in comparison with my insane claims to life prior my sickness. The fantastic flights of human foolishness and egocentrism was distant from me that night.....

This frightening diagnosis changed everything for Rav Soloveitchik.

Desperately bargaining for a chance 5 Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Out of the Whirlwind, page 131ff

3 continued, WHAT HAPPENED TO DOV?

to go to his daughter’s wedding, he learns that the most profound lessons about life are learnt in death’s shadow.

He writes that: “When one’s perspective is shifted from the illusion of eternity to the reality of temporality, one finds peace of mind and relief from other worries, from his petty fears and from absurd stresses and nonsensical nightmares.... At the root of our restlessness lies a distorted conception of ourselves as immortal beings.... Man sees himself in the mirror of immortality.

Hence his desires, dreams, ambitions and visions assume absolute significance, and any frustrating experience may break man. When one frees himself from this obsession, his perspective becomes coherent and his suffering bearable.”

While battling cancer, Rav Soloveitchik is not given the option of “abhorring death;” instead he finds a way to live in the valley of the shadow of death, and finds renewed inspiration to live from death itself.

Yom Kippur is when Jews visit with the Angel of Death. As we look forward to the coming year, we are uncertain what our fate will be; to emphasize this, we read the words of the “unetaneh tokeph” prayer: “who will live and who will die... who by water and who by fire, who by sword and who by beast, who by famine and who by thirst…” And at that very moment, we turn to death. Franz Rosenzweig6 notes the kittel, the white coat worn on Yom Kippur, is intended to be an imitation burial shroud, because the purpose of Yom Kippur is to have everyone role play their death7. There are times when you must turn to death before turning back to life.

6 The Star of Redemption, Franz Rosenzweig, University of Wisconsin, 345ff. A similar argument, to justify eulogies during Kol Nidrei, is made R. Yitzchak Weiss in Responsa Siach Yitzchak 305.

7 Fasting and the other abstentions could also be seen as part of this theme as well.

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When the Book of Death is open, one immediately understands what a privilege it is to be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Even so, to pursue life after reading from the Book of Death takes courage.

There were Holocaust survivors who refused to have children in a world that could be filled with bitterness. (I knew one such person). Rashi says that the Biblical matriarch Sarah died from heartbreak after her son Isaac was nearly sacrificed at the Akeidah.

Abraham, Isaac’s father, is determined to take a different approach. Death prods him to find greater fulfilment in life. He says to himself: “If my son had actually been slain, he would have died without children! I must marry him off....”8. And this is the lesson of the death theme of Yom Kippur: remember the inevitability of death, and grab hold of what you have left to do in life.9 I must make it clear that this is very different than having a “bucket list,” where you write up a list of 101 things to do before you die, and try to experience them all. Most of these lists include activities like bungee jumping, visiting the Galapagos, and drinking a rare vintage wine; these are what you must do “before you die.” Like many pop culture ideas, a serious existential insight is transformed into an instagrammable vacation.

An authentic confrontation with death is different. When people learn that they are going to die, they think of the people they love, and try to find ways to protect them and embrace them. I remember a man of 60 who received a negative prognosis telling me: “I don’t worry about my death for myself; I worry how it will affect my children.”

People with a grim prognosis don’t run away on vacation, they go home to 8 Rashi, Genesis 22:20 9 Much like the Rashi about Abraham, Yom Kippur was traditionally a day of matchmaking. Facing death is a reminder to embrace life more firmly.

embrace their loved ones. Turning to death changes your priorities.

The story of 21-year-old Haim Sabato is very much a Yom Kippur story. After the war, he continues to hold on to his faith, and becomes one of Israel’s leading Rabbis and authors. Adjusting Sights has brought enormous comfort to many other soldiers who left beloved friends behind on the battlefield. And that is the point of Yom Kippur; it teaches all of us that we must muster up Abraham’s courage and push on when facing our mortality. It teaches the broken hearted to have the courage to marry, to have babies, and build communities, even after they have read too many chapters in the Book of Death. Yes, we must find a way to savor life, to turn to life, to love life, and then to love it even more because we know how short it is.

May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life, and may we all love it even more this year. <

THREE MODERN MIKVeHS ARE LOCATED IN OUR COMMUNITY AT:

419 EAST 77TH STREET (between First and York Avenues) Telephone: 212-359-2020 5 EAST 62ND STREET (just off Fifth Avenue) Telephone: 212-753-6058 234 WEST 74TH STREET (between Broadway & West End Ave) Telephone: 212-579-2011

For information on Manhattan Kosher Establishments visit

CKJ.org/Kosher_Restaurant_List

4 CHAG HASHEM LANU

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Chag Hashem Lanu S HAB BAT B O 5 7 7 9

| BY RA B B I E L I E WE I N S TO C K

W

HAT IS JEWISH TIME?

SOME MIGHT ASSOCIATE JEWISH TIME WITH BEING LATE – MAYBE A LITTLE AND MAYBE A LOT. THAT’S ACTUALLY THE DEFINITION OF “JEWISH TIME” THAT YOU’LL FIND IN THE ONLINE URBAN DICTIONARY. ACTUALLY, JEWISH TIME IS DIFFERENT. IN HALAKHAH, WE ENCOUNTER THE CONCEPT OF SHA’OT ZEMANIYOT. THESE JEWISH HOURS ARE CALCULATED BY

dividing the minutes of daylight by 12.

This means that in the winter, hours are less than 60 minutes, and in the spring, Jewish hours are more than an hour long.

In Parshat Bo, we encounter the original concept of Jewish time: “Ha-chodesh ha-zeh lachem rosh chodashim – This month will mark for you the beginning of the months.” (Shemot 12:1) Before any instruction regarding korban pesach (the Pascal sacrifice) – placing blood on the doorposts, slaughtering the lamb, eating it with matzah and marror, etc., Bnei Yisrael are instructed in the idea of Jewish time.

They need to appreciate that, as free individuals, their use of time is now up to them. Slaves don’t have the ability to use their time the way they please.

Free individuals do. Appreciating the value of time is a necessary precept to internalize before going free.

calendar is implemented and followed.

We are careful about sunrise and sunset, when the stars come out, as well as Rosh Chodesh and when to say Kiddush Levanah (the blessing of the new month’s moon).

annual cycle of holidays, seasons and touchstones that together make up a year. The inescapable message here is that the Jewish calendar requires an ability to see the new within the repetitive.

Ha-chodesh ha-zeh lachem – free people have control over their own time, and time is a critical component of Jewish freedom.

Ha-Chodesh ha-zeh lachem is the first principle – the foundation – for the mitzvot which follow. It demands that we always meet the challenge of the times. We must always strive to infuse every new day with a sense of freshness and a touch of innovation – b’chol yom yihyu b’einecha k’chadashim – each day should be viewed as new and not merely as the next day forward.

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter, known as the Chiddushei HaRim, suggests that the concept of Ha-chodesh ha-zeh lachem can also be interpreted as Hashem giving the Jews the ability to infuse newness and freshness - hitchadshut – into Jewish life. There is a mitzvah to be creative. In every generation, new ideas present themselves in interpreting the Torah and in living Jewishly in accordance with the needs of that generation. We need to be a part of that process.

In Hebrew, a month is called a chodesh while a year is a shanah. The Jewish

This is especially true in how our communities engage people today. A lot is being written and discussed about the changes in the Jewish community.

What is the role of a shul? How can the community successfully engage the next generation?

IN EVERY GENERATION, NEW IDEAS PRESENT THEMSELVES IN INTERPRETING THE TORAH AND IN LIVING JEWISHLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEEDS OF THAT GENERATION. WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS. Bnei Yisrael must also realize that their time – their entire calendar – is lachem – unique to them. Jews have a lunar calendar. We have holidays and observances which depend on how the

calendar is comprised of months for which the shoresh (root) of each chodesh is chiddush – newness and vitality. The root for shanah, on the other hand, can also mean repetition, as in the repeating

The answer is clear: Ha-chodesh ha-zeh lachem.

Respond to the times. Be willing to try new things. For a synagogue, that

5 continued, CHAG

HASHEM LANU

can mean offering different types of services. It may mean there is a need to shorten the service. Rabbis can try other ways to teach Torah besides the traditional sermon.

At the same time, there must be something for everyone. That is the only way to be successful.

Before the plague of the locusts, Pharaoh is ready to capitulate and let Bnei Yisrael go – up to a point. He asks Moshe, “Mi va’mi ha-holchim?- Who will go out with you?” ַֹ ‫וַּיאמֶ ר מֹ ׁשֶ ה ּבִ נְ ע ֵָרינּו ּובִ זְקֵ נֵינּו ֵנלְֵך ּבְ בָ נֵינּו ּובִ בְ נֹותֵ נּו‬ ‫ּבְ צ ֹאנֵנּו ּובִ בְ קָ ֵרנּו ֵנלְֵך ּכִ י חַ ג ה’ לָנּו׃‬ Moses replied, “We will all go, young and old: we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds; for we must observe the Lord’s festival.”

(Shemot 10:9) Moshe responds that EVERYONE goes.

Ibn Ezra explains that the “chag” (celebration) is for everyone, so there can be no exceptions.

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Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin (the Netziv) asks why do the children and animals need to leave? Don’t they just make noise? He answers that we don’t feel complete joy without everybody and everything participating.

When is chag Hashem lanu? When do we fully experience a genuine religious, celebration the way God intends it? ‫ב‬ ‫ּבְ בָ נֵינּו ּובִ בְ נֹותֵ נּו ּבְ צ ֹאנֵנּו ּובִ בְ קָ ֵרנּו‬...‫ּבִ נְ ע ֵָרינּו ּובִ זְקֵ נֵינּו‬ It is a true celebration when young and old, children, grandchildren, everyone, and everything are part of Jewish life.

Rabbi Yisrael Zev Gustman and his wife survived the Holocaust having lost a son. They would attend an annual parade held in Jerusalem before Pesach where they would join their fellow spectators and excitedly watch the children marching through the streets. When asked by a colleague why he participated in this annual event, he replied, “We who saw a generation of children die, take extra pleasure in watching a new generation of children who sing and dance in the streets of Jerusalem.”

Sponsorships Are Welcome To support synagogue programs, we invite prospective Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit sponsors to contact Riva Alper in the synagogue office at 212-774-5670 or RIVA@CKJ.ORG. The base cost of a cake-and-wine Kiddush is $500, to which

That’s why KJ schedules a Shabbat on which the Kesher Minyan joins the Main Service: It brings our future together with our past and present. It means more children – even if they make noise – seeing the traditions of the Main Sanctuary.

It demonstrates to all the incredible reality that KJ is getting younger.

At the same time, we are one community.

We continue to find ways to engage each segment of the community. Each Shabbat, we have Kesher Minyan, Sephardic Minyan, Main Service, Beginners Services, Teen Minyan, and programs for our youth.

We have a Tot Shabbat, Family Friday Nights, a successful Community Together Dinner with 500 participants, a Shabbat Across America for 1,000 people, Living Room Learning, and Torah classes taught by each of the rabbis responding to the needs of our shul members.

We are one community of Ashkenazi and Sephardi; Beginner, Intermediate, or expert; young and old. We see that many different types of people and demographics can forge a community.

Chag Hashem lanu! This is truly something to celebrate! <

eruv hotline FOR INFORMATION regarding the weekly status of the Manhattan Eruv call the ERUV HOTLINE 212-874-6100, ext. 3 (Recorded Message)

is added the cost of any extra catered food ordered through Foremost Caterers.

Multiple Kiddush sponsors may, at their discretion and initiative, agree to share the expense of extra catered food, but every co-sponsor must pay, separately and individually, the $500 base fee. For families celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, we also offer a $250 sponsorship option.

Sponsoring Seudah Shlishit costs every co-sponsor $250.

TO JOIN THE KJ ONLINE COMMUNITY, VISIT KJ’S WEBSITE WWW.CKJ.ORG AND CLICK ON THE WORDS JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!

6 HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE FREEDOM

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HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE FREEDOM

BY RAB B I M E YE R L A N I A D O

AUNG SAN SUU KYI, STATE COUNSELLOR OF MYANMAR AND NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE, FOUGHT FOR DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY AGAINST HER COUNTRY’S OPPRESSIVE MILITARY REGIME AND WON. ONCE SHE CAME TO POWER, SHE FOLLOWED THE SAME TACTICS OF REPRESSION AND SUBJUGATION, SLAUGHTERING TENS OF THOUSANDS WITHOUT TRIAL AND SUPPRESSING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND DEMOCRACY. AS BILL RICHARDSON, A US DIPLOMAT, SAID: “HER GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN AS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT JAILING JOURNALISTS AND GOVERNMENT critics as the military government that preceded hers.” This cycle has been repeated time and time again the world over in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Once freed, the oppressed become the new oppressors.

That is the natural course, as Paulo Freire stated in his book Pedagogy of the Oppressed: “But almost always…the oppressed…tend themselves to become oppressors…” Since “the very structure of their thought has been conditioned…” and “their ideal is to be men; but for them, to be men is to be oppressors.

This is their model of humanity.” That is why he concludes that “it is a rare peasant who, once ‘promoted’ to overseer, does not become more of a tyrant towards his former comrades than the owner himself.” They do not know a more profitable management style.

Elias Canetti, on the other hand, explains the transformation from oppressed to oppressor as a way to free oneself of ‘the sting.’ The sting is the pain one feels, whether consciously or subconsciously, from the subjugation, threat, or violence from another. One of the ways of ridding oneself of the sting is to pass it on to another. As he explains: “He retains it in its original form until opportunity arises to get rid of it by passing it on to someone else (Crowds and Power 330).”

The cycle of oppression continues and, regardless of the freedoms that were

fought for, the newly freed will find themselves subjugating others using the same tactics that were used against them.

Our Torah is aware of this cycle of oppression and it offers mankind an antidote to break the cycle of the oppressed becoming the oppressor.

It is a revolutionary model, and one of the most powerful messages contained in our Passover holiday. We are told to remember the bitterness of our own enslavement and instead of becoming the new oppressors, we are to become agents of emancipation. It is the Jewish mission to restructure society from a hierarchy of the powerful dominating the weak to a society that uplifts those on the bottom rung. The memory of our pain, the sting, should cause us to turn the poison that is slavery into a medicine for others. The Torah reminds us of this message thirty-six times (Bavli Bava Mesia 59b). One of the examples is Exodus 23:9, “And you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, since you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” And so, the experience of Egyptian slavery serves the role of creating empathy in us towards the stranger, the weak, and those in need. In that way, we create a horizontal society with freedom for all, simultaneously liberating ourselves and our once masters. Without this model, the freed become enslaved to their oppressor’s ideology. Their oppressor

will always live inside of them. The Torah teaches us how to dislodge and purge the painful experience of slavery by transforming it into empathy.

It is what Rabbi Akiva was referring to when he said his famous phrase: “Love your fellow as yourself, that is the major principle in the Torah (Sifra

DETAIL OF SIR JOHN EDWARD POYNTER’S ISRAEL IN SLAVERY

Kedoshim 2:4).” His statement continues in Midrash Rabba (Beresheit 24) and says: “Don’t say that since I was embarrassed I will embarrass another.” In other words: ‘Do not pass the sting.’ Transform your experience into empathy. Rabbi Akiva’s predecessor, Hillel, explained to a prospective convert that the main

7 continued, HOW

TO ACHIEVE TRUE FREEDOM

message of the entire Torah is: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to another (Bavli Shabbat 31a).” When mistreated, we learn about what not to do, empowering us to treat others better. It is a reversal of the cycle of the oppressed becoming the next oppressor.

In turn, our Egyptian slavery becomes the basis of our care for the foreigner, the downtrodden, and the weak. As the Torah references our experience: “…because you know the spirit of the foreigner (Exodus 23:9).” While we are sovereign in the land of Israel, enjoying the fruits of our labor, we bring of our first fruits to the Temple. There we recite what is now the base of our Haggadah, arami oved avi, the section about which we are told that the more we elaborate, the more praiseworthy it is, hare ze meshubah.

There we remind ourselves that we were once the wanderers, the strangers, and the oppressed. So, now that we are ‘the haves’ we should treat the ‘have nots’ with empathy. That is the culmination of the arami oved avi paragraph: “Then, you shall rejoice with all the good that the Lord, your God, has granted you and your household you, the Levite, and the stranger who is among you. When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce

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in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give [them] to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, so that they can eat to satiety in your cities (Deuteronomy 26:11-13).”

It is this type of learning from our difficulties that empowers us to improve ourselves and, ultimately, the world. As Rabbi Steinmetz recently expressed in his letter to the community:

the world. It is how we break the cycle of the oppressed becoming the next oppressor, because it is easy to forget when everything is rosy.

The Torah reminds us of this over thirty-six times: “Do not oppress the stranger.” Why? “Because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt (Exodus 23:9).” We need to remember that we were once in his shoes. We need to feel

WE ARE TOLD TO REMEMBER THE BITTERNESS OF OUR OWN ENSLAVEMENT, AND INSTEAD OF BECOMING THE NEW OPPRESSORS, WE ARE TO BECOME AGENTS OF EMANCIPATION. “During my first few days in the hospital, what shocked me is how ignorant I had been all my life. I had visited hospitals hundreds of times and listened to people describe their pain. But I never understood what they were going through, until I myself experienced the extreme agony of being absorbed in my own pain to the exclusion of everything else.”

Rabbi Steinmetz internalized the feeling of vulnerability and created meaning from his struggle. This is what the arami oved avi paragraph is all about: never to forget our vulnerability and our helplessness, especially when we are celebrating. That is how we improve ourselves and serve as role models for

LEARN TO DAVEN LIKE A BA’AL TEFILLAH Rabbi Haskel Lookstein’s 10 Nusach recordings, designed to help people learn how to be a shaliach tzibbur at daily services, Shabbatot, holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and selichot around the year, are available free of charge on the Ramaz website at RAMAZ.ORG/NUSACH THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO AVAIL YOURSELF OF THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY!

the empathy. We need to help break the cycle of the oppressed becoming the oppressor. We need to reach out to the person who is where we once were, trying to find a job, working through a tough relationship, ill, or struggling with a loss. We need to raise them up to be the person we wish we had been during our time of difficulty since “you know the spirit of the stranger.” You know what it was like so do not ‘pass the sting,’ but transform it into the cure, veAhavtem et haGer, “and love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19).” In this way, we will serve as a “light unto the nations (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 60:3),” offering a new model of real freedom and liberty for all. Chag Kasher v’Sameach.<

DEDICATE Members of the Congregation and others are invited to honor a friend or relative, celebrate a milestone event, or memorialize a loved one by dedicating Chumashim ($75 each) or Siddurim ($50 each) CALL RIVA ALPER AT 212-774-5670 FOR MORE INFORMATION

8 CHOLENT: A GLOBAL JEWISH CONNECTION

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CHOLENT: A GLOBAL JEWISH CONNECTION DELIVERED AT SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER ON MARCH 1, 2019

BY RAB B I DA N I E L K RAU S | KJ had over 1,000 people participating in three programs that night.

C

HOLENT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

NEXT TO BAGELS AND LOX, IT IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL JEWISH FOOD. WE HAVE EVOLVED AS A PEOPLE AND EVEN OUR CHOLENT RECIPES HAVE EVOLVED – BBQ SAUCE, ‘FACON’ & SAUSAGES, BEER…WACKY INGREDIENTS FOR ALL TO ENJOY. THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS TO CHOLENT – ASHKENAZ,

Sephard, and everything in between – but the general spirit of cholent is equal for all - God instructs us to delight in pleasure on Shabbat, and eating a hot meal is a perfect method to achieve this.

No matter how you flavor it - Cholent is synonymous with Judaism.

Cholent became the magical ingredient which connected Jews with their Tradition, their families, or to anything somewhat Jewish. In fact, even the Jewish-German poet Heinrich Heine (19th century), who at age twenty-eight converted to Lutheranism, wrote a poem titled ‘Princess Sabbath’ in which he rhapsodized about cholent. But it goes even deeper than cholent’s seductive culinary powers and tantalizing effects. So much so that in the 12th

century, the prominent Rabbi Zerachia Halevi of Girona, Spain, wrote:

together before and they might not ever come together again.

“Whoever doesn’t eat cholent on Shabbat acts as a renegade and follows the ways of heresy.”

‘Kehillah’ is something very different.

It is a group of like-minded individuals who bond together out of a deep sense of commitment. They enjoy each other’s company and they have a shared vision for life.

Why? Cholent is the secret ingredient to Shabbat and I believe the answer is depicted in this week’s Torah portion, which underscores the importance of Shabbat and its relevance to community.

This week’s parsha, Parashat Vayakhel, commences with an extraordinary statement Vayakhel Moshe et kol adat b’nei Yisrael – Moshe congregated the entire assembly of the children of Israel.

Throughout the Torah, two different terms are used for a group of people: kehillah which is a congregation, and eidah which is an assembly, and here both terms are used in the same verse.

We are told Vayakhel Moshe et kol adat – Moshe congregated the entire assembly. But why did he congregate the assembly and not assemble the congregation? What is the difference between these two terms?

‘Eidah’ is a group of people who happen to be together in one place, at one time, for one purpose. It comes from the root ‘eid’ – a witness – indicating that they are there for a particular purpose; that they might never have come

When the Israelites left Egypt they were merely an eidah, a loosely connected confederation of families who happened to have been enslaved together. But once the Torah was given to us, the greatness of Moshe was Vayakhel Moshe et kol adat – he congregated the assembly! Out of an eidah, he created a wonderful Kehillah. Thanks to Torah and Mitzvot, we now existed as a bonded and connected nation.

Immediately following Moshe’s gathering of this Kehillah, the next verse gives us the mitzvah of Shabbat! Sheishet yamim ta’aseh melacha – On six days you shall perform creative activity, and on the seventh you shall rest.

WHY IS THE MITZVAH OF SHABBAT MENTIONED AGAIN? Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, suggests that this juxtaposition is the Torah’s way of clarifying that Shabbat is crucial to

9 continued, CHOLENT:

A GLOBAL JEWISH CONNECTION

the life and success of the Kehillah. It is primarily through Shabbat that we can bond together and appreciate the shared vision we have for life.

Remarkably, the power of Shabbat goes beyond the physical kehillah of a particular geographic area. The Torah wants us to know that there is a global congregation who eats cholent. If I am alone in some remote area on Shabbat, and I am keeping Shabbat, I know that I am in touch. I feel a connection with my entire people and it is not only with those people around the world keeping Shabbat at that moment; it engenders a feeling of connection to Jews who kept the Shabbat in lives that preceded my own life, and it inculcates a feeling of connection with Jews who will keep Shabbat in the future, long after I am gone. This is why Shabbat is so crucial and so central to every Jewish community.

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Tonight, 1,000 strong, we are part of Shabbat Across America. Throughout the country, thousands of people will be engaging with Shabbat, enjoying Shabbat, and discovering how the power of Shabbat gives us meaning,

IT IS PRIMARILY THROUGH SHABBAT THAT WE CAN BOND TOGETHER AND APPRECIATE THE SHARED VISION WE HAVE FOR LIFE.

ourselves, individually and communally.

The Shabbat that we keep today and that we kept throughout the generations is the secret that has kept the Jewish people alive as a great, everlasting nation until this very day. Wherever we may be, we are privileged to be part of the global Jewish Kehillah.<

Download the KJ App: CKJ.org/getapp

happiness and fulfillment. Many across the country, and some of you here tonight, are experiencing Shabbat for the first time. Shabbat is our island of time to connect, rejuvenate and revitalize

Access Everything KJ Right at your Fingertips.

PURPOSE, PROCESS AND PLACE D E L IVE R E D BY RAC H E L K RAU S O N S H A B BAT PA RS H AT S H E M OT

A

FEW YEARS AGO, DANIEL AND I SPENT SHABBAT IN ITALY AT THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE IN FLORENCE. WE WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE BEAUTY,

MAJESTY AND GRANDEUR OF THE SHUL. ON FRIDAY EVENING, WE ENTERED THE SHUL FOR SERVICES AND NINE MEN TOOK THEIR SEATS AND PATIENTLY WAITED FOR A TENTH MAN. DANIEL SAT DOWN IN THE ROW CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE SHUL WHERE HE COULD ADMIRE THE EXTRAORDINARY DETAILED ARTWORK ON THE CEILING AND THE BEAUTY OF THE SYNAGOGUE. AS THE TIME CONTINUED TO PASS, THE ‘MINYAN MAN’ FINALLY ARRIVED!

He walked into the Shul, straight up to Daniel, put his hand on Daniel’s back and said, “You’re in my seat.” Daniel glanced around at the 800 vacant seats and quickly stood up to relocate.

The notion of a makom kavua, makom seudah, makom kodesh is that there is sanctity, ritualistic significance, meaning and sacredness infused into space. We take the object of space, a geographical location, and infuse a counterpoint of kedusha. Makom has halachic application, punctuated by deep religious significance.

In Moshe’s encounter with the burning bush, the dramatic Divine Revelation wrapped in enigmatic shrouds, there is an undertone and underlying message reinforcing the power, significance and centrality of makom. After Hakadosh Baruch Hu calls to Moshe

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PROCESS AND PLACE

from the bush, the pasuk states, ‫ל־ּתקְ ַ ֣רב הֲֹל֑ ם ׁשַ ל־נְ ָע ֶ֙ליָך֙ מֵ עַ ֣ל ַרגְ ֶ֔ליָך ִ ּ֣כי‬ ִ ַ‫ַו ּ֖י ֹאמֶ ר א‬ ‫עֹומד ָע ָ֔ליו אַ ְדמַ ת־קֹ֖ דֶ ׁש ֽהּוא׃‬ ֣ ֵ ֙‫ֲׁשר אַ ּתָ ה‬ ֤ ֶ ‫הַ ּמָ ֗קֹום א‬ “And He said, ‘Do not come closer. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.’”

Rashi points out the grammatical use of the words kodesh hu and explains that the words “it is holy” are not modifying the word admat, it is not the ground which is holy, because it would have said kodesh he, the correct grammatical form in feminine voice, because the word adama is feminine. Instead, kodesh hu is modifying the word makom, “Ki haMakom asher ata omed alav admata, kodesh hu the makom is kadosh. It is easy to gloss over these words, and to discount the nuances of the language at the expense of this enigmatic revelation draped in drama, mystery and complexity. The modifying adjective kodesh hu of makom is not only important information in this story, but I believe that the revelation, Divine interaction and source of the eternity of the symbolism of the burning bush lies in the cracks of those words.

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creation that would sprout into a story of nationhood. Every detail and nuance found in Bereishit, was indeed part of the creation, hints of the wisdom we will need to reflect upon and reference once we became a nation. And the Ramban states ‘viacharei she’hishlim hayetzira, and when creation, not just of the world, but when the seeds of

In applying the Ramban’s approach to our pasuk and his connection between Sefer Hayetzira and Sefer Geula, an extraordinary pattern evolves. Immediately following Hashem’s designation of this as a holy site the pasuk states, ‫ֹלה֥י יִצְ ָח֖ק‬-ֱ ֵ ‫ֹלה֧י אַ בְ ָר ָה֛ם א‬-ֱ ֵ ‫ֹלה֣י אָ ִ֔ביָך א‬-ֱ ֵ ‫ַו ּ֗י ֹאמֶ ר אָ נֹ כִ י֙ א‬ ‫ֹלה֣י ַיעֲקֹ֑ ב‬-‫ֵא‬ ֵ ‫ו‬

IN MOSHE’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE BURNING BUSH…THERE IS AN UNDERTONE AND UNDERLYING MESSAGE REINFORCING THE POWER, SIGNIFICANCE AND CENTRALITY OF MAKOM. creation were planted through the stories of these individuals, hitchil sefer scher bi’inyan hamasseh habah, min harimazim hahem, once those seeds of creation were planted, another book can begin, that would deal with the sowing, reaping and harvesting of those creations. Therefore, Sefer Shemot, aptly named Sefer haGeula is the national outcome of Sefer Hayetzira.

Geula extends far beyond redemption from Egypt, sefer geula, as a concept, extends to all the major topics and themes covered in Sefer Shemot.

“He said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’”

In order to unpack the depth of layers of this interaction punctuated by the seemingly simple words hamakom… kodesh hu, I want to review the Ramban’s introduction to Sefer Shemot. I believe the tools to extract the depth of this idea of makom are best understood when applying the Ramban’s interpretation to Sefer Shemot and filtering the text through the lens of the Ramban’s commentary.

The Ramban explains that the establishment of the mishkan, which is detailed extensively in Sefer Shemot, is the ultimate expression of redemption and therefore, sefer geula, culminates with the establishment of the mishkan, the makom that Hakadosh Baruch Hu references to enter our daily lives, interact with us; a makom where were can be mikadesh and bring Hakadosh Baruch Hu into our midst.

Avraham and Yitzchak both interact with makom – in the story of the akeidah: ‫הים‬-ֹ ֽ ִ ‫ל‬-ֱ‫ר־אמַ ר־ל֥ ֹו הָ א‬ ֽ ָ ֶ‫ו ַו ַ ֵּ֔ילְֶך אֶ ל־הַ ּמָ ֖קֹום אֲׁש‬

In his introduction to Sefer Shemot, the Ramban assigns names to each of the five books of Torah, noting first that Bereishit is Sefer Hayetzira, the book of creation. Outside of the obvious connection that the world was created, the Ramban posits that all of Sefer Bereishit, the individual narratives, the personalities, the struggles, the evolution and growth of each separate distinct person, were all seeds of

It isn’t until we have a place that serves as our center of gravity through which all other forces can be activated.

Freedom without a place to express, isn’t freedom, and redemption from exile isn’t redemptive, until we have a place to channel our values and practices. It isn’t until we have makom, the makom of mishkan and ultimately the makom of Eretz Yisrael, that we fully concretize our freedom.

Yakov interacts with this notion of makom, in his epic dream, as the pasuk states: ‫י־ב֣א הַ ּׁשֶ֔ מֶ ׁש וַּיִּקַ ח֙ מֵ אַ בְ נֵ ֣י‬ ָ ִ‫וַּיִפְ ֨ ַּגע ּבַ ּמָ ֜קֹום וַּיָ ֤לֶן ׁשָ ם֙ ּכ‬ ‫ַּיִׁשּכַ ֖ב ּבַ ּמָ ֥קֹום הַ ֽהּוא׃‬ ְ ‫הַ ּמָ ֔קֹום וַּיָ ׂ֖שֶ ם ְמ ַ ֽראֲׁשֹ ָ ֑תיו ו‬

The Torah brings us back to the remazim of Sefer Hayetzira, and the three Patriarchal personalities, each of whom had their own interaction with makom: ‫ל־הּמָ ֔קֹום אֲׁשֶ ר־עָ ֥מַ ד ָ ׁ֖שם אֶ ת־‬ ַ ֨ ֶ‫ו ַ​ַוּי ְַׁשּכֵ ֥ם אַ בְ ָר ָה֖ם ּבַ ּבֹ֑ קֶ ר א‬ ‫ה׃‬-ֽ‫ו‬-‫ה‬-ְ‫י‬ ָ ‫ּפְ נֵ ֥י‬ “Avraham woke up in the morning (and hurried) to the place where he had stood before God”

“He set out for the place for which God had told him” ‫יׁשי וַּיִּׂשָ֨ א אַ בְ ָר ָה֧ם אֶ ת־עֵינָ ֛יו וַּיַ � ְ֥רא אֶ ת־הַ ּמָ ֖קֹום‬ ִ ֗ ִ‫ּבַ ּי֣ ֹום הַ ְּׁשל‬ ‫מֵ ָרחֹֽ ק׃‬ “On the third day, Avraham lifted his eyes and saw the place from afar”

He came upon a place and stopped there for the night, for the sun had set.

Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place.

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PROCESS AND PLACE

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And upon awakening from that dream, ‫ה ּבַ ּמָ ֖קֹום הַ ּזֶ ֑ה‬-‫ ֔ ָו‬-‫ה‬-ְ‫ַּיִיקץ ַיעֲקֹ ב֮ ִמ ְּׁשנָת ֹ֒ו ַו ּ֕י ֹאמֶ ר אָ כֵן֙ יֵ ׁ֣ש י‬ ַ֣ ‫ו‬ “Yakov awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely God is present in this place.”

The midrash teaches that makom is also another name for God. The places in our lives that we infuse with holiness and sanctity are signified by makom, not only that which is under us, but that which is within us.

Unless we harness ourselves with the wisdom, values, laws, practices, rituals and understanding of what freedom and geula are, and infuse our mikamot with kedusha, we have not experienced freedom. We will solidify our values of freedom through our commitment to Torah, and injecting those values into our mikomot, our places of work, places of worship, places of dwelling. Makom Kavua is not just a physical and geographical location, it is the importance we imbue into what we do and who we are in that location. ‫עֹומד ָע ָ֔ליו אַ ְדמַ ת־קֹ֖ דֶ ׁש ֽהּוא׃‬ ֣ ֵ ֙‫ֲׁשר אַ ּתָ ה‬ ֤ ֶ ‫ִ ּ֣כי הַ ּמָ ֗קֹום א‬ Drawing on the experience of our avot in Sefer Hayetzira, the eternal reference point, and the critical transition to sefer geula and concretizing the values of freedom; the shared nexus is makom, where freedom, geula, sanctity and connection converge into a single point, where our places of worship can be more meaningful, our places of work guided by values and our homes infused with kedusha.<

THE TZITZ VS. TEFILLIN: WHY I WANT TO BE “CHAREDI” S HAB BAT VAYA K E L 5 7 7 9 I BY RA B B I D R . J E R E MY WI E D E R

W

E READ IN TODAY’S SEDRAH THAT ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE DONATIONS TO THE TABERNACLE WAS TO MAKE THE CLOTHING THAT

THE PRIESTS WORE DURING THEIR PERFORMANCE OF THE SACRIFICIAL RITE. ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL OF THOSE GARMENTS WAS THE GOLDEN PLATE WORN BY THE HIGH PRIEST ON HIS FOREHEAD, THE TZITZ HA-ZAHAV.

The Torah describes the making of the tzitz in Parashat Pekudei (Ex. 39:30) as follows: They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like the engravings of a seal: “Holy to GOD” According to our Sages, the High Priest, while he wore the tzitz with God’s name inscribed on his forehead, would also don his tefillin. The Talmud in Zevahim (19a) observes that between the tzitz and the hat which the High Priest wore, there was hair visible, on which he would place his tefillin.

This seems to me quite amazing – we have the high priest wearing all eight of the priestly vestments, endowed with the sanctity of hekdesh (consecrated for the Temple), and yet there is still something to be gained in wearing his tefillin? Does not God’s name inscribed for all to see absolve him of the need to wear tefillin, in which the shem ha-meforash, God’s ineffable name, is only found inside, hidden away on the strips of parchment inside the tefillin?

In addition, the tzitz serves as the basis

for a very interesting law which relates to tefillin. The Talmud in Menahot (36b) tells us: Rabbah b. Huna said, “A person must regularly feel his tefillin, a fortiori from the tzitz: If with regard to the tzitz which contains only one Divine name the Torah says, “It shall be on his forehead constantly” – implying that he shall never lose awareness of it, how much more so tefillin which contain numerous Divine names.

Once again, I ask – is it really possible to make a fortiori, a kal va-homer, from

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TZITZ VS. TEFILLIN: WHY I WANT TO BE “CHAREDI”

the tzitz to tefillin? Or perhaps better said, what is it about the tefillin that made our Sages think that they are more sanctified and important than the tzitz, and thus one must take even greater care of them, and be cognizant of their presence even more than of the tzitz? Is it really just a function of the number of times God’s name is written?

I would like to suggest that the tzitz and tefillin represent two very different modes of religiosity, or perhaps better, two different kinds of Jews. I would bet that the title of my sermon raised more than a few eyebrows amongst those in attendance today – some of you might have been wondering whether I would stand up for this sermon wearing a black velvet kippah or maybe even the symbolically laden black fedora.

If you did, however, I would posit that you have made an error in interpreting what I meant by the word “charedi”. If I were to ask many of you what the opposite of a “charedi” Jew is, you would probably suggest either someone who was non-observant, or even more likely in our context, someone Modern Orthodox. I would suggest, however, that the opposite of a “charedi” Jew is not one who is Modern Orthodox, but rather one who is socially Orthodox. In every religious community, including what we term the “charedi world”, there are what we might refer to as “charedim”, who are internally religious, and those who are only socially religious.

Our community, of course, is no exception. And I want to be clear in my definition here – when I say “socially Orthodox”, I don’t refer to a small minority of individuals who have consciously rejected belief but adhere to halakhic norms, more or less (although often less), because they like being part of the community, but rather to the large numbers of observant Jews who, if pressed, would acknowledge being believers, but whose observance and religiosity is primarily a function of being in and a part of the Orthodox community. There is little internal passion

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or piety, nor a sense of a personal relationship with God; their primarily personal identity is that of being a member of the community, not that of being a servant of God who also resides in the midst of a covenantal community.

While in theory this difference between the socially Orthodox Jew and the “charedi” is fundamentally an internal one, it often manifests itself in external ways. When it comes to clear communal norms, there may be no noticeable difference. However, there is one broad external manifestation which is widespread and, in my opinion, lamentable - and that is with respect to positions people adopt publicly in the realm of politics.

Andrew Sullivan, in an article in New York magazine entitled “America’s New Religions”, argues that with the

the Torah. And yet when I talk to many people in our community, I often get the impression that the Torah is either Republican or Democratic.

And this brings me to my central point. As Torah-Jews, we should not see ourselves belonging to any political party – rather, our true affiliation and orientation should be with God and the values of His Torah. This is not about how we vote, but about who we are. When we allow our political affiliation to become personal identity, we end up shaping our own worldview and values in the image of a political party, rather than in the image of Torah and by extension God. Subsequent to that we end up re-fashioning Torah, and by extension God, in the image of whatever political party with which we affiliate. The process is simple: 1) I am a

… OUR TRUE AFFILIATION AND ORIENTATION SHOULD BE WITH GOD AND THE VALUES OF HIS TORAH. attenuation of Americans’ allegiances to formal religion, politics has taken over as the pole of people’s religious identities. Listening to the dialogue within our own community, I believe that he is correct. It is not only people who have abandoned organized religion for whom this is true, but even for many of those who still profess belief, some even fervently. I’m pretty sure of the following premise which might be controversial to some: God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican, and neither party’s positions on the major issues of the day are, in their totality, in consonance with the values of Torah. It is fair to say that if I were a single issue voter, voting along the lines of the Torah view, on some values I would vote Republican, on some Democrat, and on some neither.

How each one of us chooses to vote is a complex matter – we often choose an issue or value dearest to us and make that the basis of our decision, and I see nothing wrong with that. But we should not confuse every value of the party for which we vote, for the values of

Torah-Jew, I vote for party X because of issue Y which is the most important one to me and one that I see as consistent with my values. 2) I would never vote for a party whose values are against Torah. 3) Therefore all of the Torah’s values are the same as those of my party.

A true “charedi” Jew starts the process differently. On every issue, the first step is to evaluate what is the Torah’s position.

Admittedly, this is not always a simple task – especially on non-halakhic matters - since our Sages don’t always speak in one voice. The process, however, may matter as much as the result.

My duty as someone who aspires to be a serious Torah-Jew is to ask that question. And I need to do this on every issue that I encounter. When it comes to voting I make whatever calculus I think makes sense when considering the full constellation of Torah values, the impact on society, the impact on my community as a whole and perhaps the implications for religious liberty as it affects me as a member of a religious

13 continued, THE

TZITZ VS. TEFILLIN: WHY I WANT TO BE “CHAREDI”

minority. Reasonable people can come to different conclusions on how to weigh things. But none of this should have any impact on what we see when we look at ourselves in the mirror. Our only true affiliation should be with the Party of God.1 A “charedi” religious person chooses his or her values by looking inward; a socially religious person determines them looking outward.

It would be convenient for us to dismiss him as a malcontent – except that I fear that he is more right than wrong, at least with regards to large swaths of our community. I know many people in our community who are deeply pious and see Torah-values as the polestar around which their internal lives rotate.

But it often feels that the public face of the community is somewhere else.

A number of months ago, a Jewish professor at an Ivy League university, who happens to have ordination from RIETS, published a scathing critique of the Modern Orthodox community, as being what I would I would term socially Orthodox, and in his description, one whose primary identity and aspiration is being, in a materialistic sense, part of upper class/upper middle class America.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of Modern Orthodox Yeshiva high school students and to talk about Torah values and how we decide who we are and what our values are. I chose the topic of gun-control – one on which there is a small amount of relevant legal material in the Torah and Talmud, and somewhat more aggadic/ philosophical material – and asked them how they would go about determining their position. I pushed and pushed but

1 Not to be confused with “Hezbollah” which would be translated the same way.

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I could not get a single student to say to me that the first question he or she would or should ask would be, “Does the Torah have anything to say about gun-control?” Both the principal and I were perplexed and disappointed.

Granted, as I mentioned before, that the process of determining Torah values is often complex; it wouldn’t bother me if two people looking, with intellectual honesty, at what the Torah and Talmud have to say reached different conclusions.

But if we query our children about how they arrive at their core values, and they cannot even raise the possibility of inquiring what God and the Torah ask of them, have we not failed in their Torah education? And if we ourselves don’t engage in that process what does that say about the genuineness of our internal commitment to Judaism? It feels to me that “Torah values” is a term that has been adopted by the ultra-Orthodox

continued on page 20

THINGS TO KNOW

Eyal KJ Hebrew teacher Sara Rosen has released a new iPad app based on her popular Hebrew reading program. The app is called Eyal and is suitable for all ages. Eyal is perfect for those with no prior reading experience and those with some experience who are still searching for fluency. All work can be self-checked so no teacher is required.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, search for Eyal in the iPad App Store.

ISRAEL ACTION CHECK OUT ARTZEINU, THE WEEKLY ISRAEL NEWS UPDATE AT ARTZEINU.ORG The Artzeinu Team: Raanan Gonansky, Bennett R. Katz, Karen Lerman, JJ Hornblass. This site, well-organized by topic, provides easy access to numerous news sources and videos.

KJ Food Pantry The KJ Food Pantry provides kosher food weekly to New York’s hungry. Clients are referred to us through the synagogue and local service agencies. Each week clients come to KJ to receive food staples tailored to their diets, as well as a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Ramaz students pack the bags and staff the booth in the lobby of KJ, and Ramaz/KJ members also deliver packages to those who are homebound. For further information or to volunteer, please contact Bernice Kahn at BERNICE.BERMAN@GMAIL.COM.

food pantry

The KJ Food Pantry wishes to thank D’agostino Supermarket for all their help.

14 KETER TORAH AWARDEES

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

ROBERTA STETSON AND YAIRA SINGER TO RECEIVE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL T

HE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CONGREGATION ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL JUDITH KAUFMAN HURWICH KETER TORAH AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO ROBERTA STETSON AND YAIRA SINGER ON THE SECOND DAY OF SHAVUOT, JUNE 18, 2019. THE PRACTICE OF CONFERRING SUCH AN AWARD IS TO APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZE WOMEN IN OUR CONGREGATION ON THE HOLIDAY WHEN WE CELEBRATE THE LIVES OF TWO GREAT JEWISH HEROINES, NAOMI AND RUTH. IT OFFERS US AN OPPORTUNITY, AS PART OF A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY, TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE SERVICES RENDERED TO OUR COMMUNITY BY WOMEN.

ROBERTA STETSON FOR MANY YEARS ROBERTA AND HER HUSBAND CURT WERE LOOKING FOR A RELIGIOUS HOME. ALMOST 15 YEARS AGO SHE FOUND HERSELF TRAVELING WEST ALONG 85TH STREET RATHER THAN USING HER CUSTOMARY 86TH STREET CROSSING. A TAPED SIGN ON A LAMP POLE ANNOUNCED “SHABBAT SERVICES, NO HEBREW NECESSARY… CONGREGATION KEHILATH JESHURUN.” DIRECTED TO THE LOBBY NOTICE DISPLAY BY THE SECURITY DESK, ROBERTA GATHERED THE NECESSARY INFORMATION ABOUT SHABBAT BEGINNERS SERVICES. ARRIVING 9:15 A.M., SHE MET GEORGE ROHR, WHOSE WARMTH AND SUPPORT HELPED guide this “learner” through the service.

At Kiddush, Roberta found herself warmly welcomed by two KJB members, still her friends today. So began a much longedfor religious journey and membership in our beloved congregation, CKJ. Roberta grew up in a community of like-minded Jewish people and values.

Families looked out for each other and shared and celebrated life cycles together. She is grateful to her mother and father for being nurturing role models who filled their home with kindness and the tastes of Jewish tradition. Neighbors of different backgrounds were treated with respect and welcomed. Her life is filled with memories of a commitment to Jewish life and a passion for everything Jewish, as it remains today.

A former educator in the Southeast Bronx and Assistant Principal in

Washington Heights, Roberta had the opportunity to act on her early upbringing of tolerance and respect for all people to educate immigrant populations.

Active in cultural and community affairs, she served on the co-op board of directors of her building, as Vice President of Member Services for the New York City Opera Guild, and numerous professional and community agencies.

Passionate about everything related to Judaism, Roberta and Curt are committed to welcoming new members to our community and supporting beginners new to Judaism by sharing the beauty of Shabbat and holidays in their home. They embrace, support, and augment KJ’s curriculum with one-on-one hands-on experience/learning using their home as a framework “lab” on setting up a kosher home, preparing for Shabbat, washing vegetables, celebrating

holidays, living a Jewish life and so much more. They open up their home to host and celebrate Sheva Brachot, Shabbat Kallah, holiday celebrations, event planning meetings and learning groups. New Jews celebrate their first Shabbat at the Stetsons. Roberta escorts them to the Mikveh...accompanying them from beginning to beginning!

Roberta is a former KJ Trustee, active in the Sisterhood, serving as its co-Vice President and New Members’ Welcome Committee, and Event Chairperson, and active in the Beginners’/Intermediate Minyan.

With affection and a deep sense of gratitude, Roberta and Curt thank the KJ community for its inspiration, learning opportunities and values and for providing a religious and spiritual home.

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JUDITH KAUFMAN HURWICH KETER TORAH AWARD ON SHAVUOT T

HE AWARD IS NAMED IN MEMORY OF JUDITH KAUFMAN HURWICH, DAUGHTER OF RITA AND BENJAMIN KAUFMAN, OF BLESSED MEMORY, MOTHER OF OUR MEMBERS - YIBADLU L’CHAIM TOVIM - MERYL JAFFE AND ADAM HURWICH, AND GRANDMOTHER OF THREE FORMER RAMAZ STUDENTS: TALIA, LEAH, AND ZEV HURWICH. HER FAMILY CONTINUES HER TRADITION OF ASSOCIATION WITH KJ AND RAMAZ IN FOSTERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO STUDY TORAH.

YAIRA SINGER MUCH OF YAIRA’S COMMITMENT TO KJ CAN BE TRACED BACK TO HER UPBRINGING RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. YAIRA’S PARENTS, MIKE AND ADINA SINGER, SET A STRONG EXAMPLE OF YIDDISHKEIT IN THEIR HOME. HER UPBRINGING WAS BOUND TO KJ AND RAMAZ, WHERE SHE PARTICIPATED IN JUNIOR CONGREGATION AS A CHILD, AND HELPED LEAD YOUTH GROUPS AS A TEENAGER. AFTER EIGHT YEARS AWAY FOR COLLEGE AND GRADUATE STUDIES IN ARCHITECTURE, SHE RETURNED TO THE UPPER EAST SIDE WITH HER HUSBAND, MATTHEW BINSTOCK. AS A NEW MOM READJUSTING TO HER OLD STOMPING GROUND, SHE ASKED A FRIEND HOW she might get involved on the Board of Kesher Young Professionals and the friend replied, “You say: Hi, I’d like to be on the Board.” To her surprise, this strategy worked!

Thus her community volunteering began.

After serving as president of Kesher, Yaira joined both the KJ and Ramaz Boards, and continues to participate in a variety of committees, including our search for a new Cantor. Yaira has also lent her architectural style and expertise to various KJ projects which include handrails for the Main Sanctuary, and a system of panels that addresses the tzniut (modesty) issue in the women’s balcony.

Yaira was raised in a Yiddish-speaking home, and both she and her sister, Gealia, are now raising their children in Yiddish as well. She substitutes for Rabbi Moskowitz’s Yiddish Schmoozers group, and is always looking for ways in which to highlight Yiddish, once a

mainstream unifier for Ashkenazi Jews the world over, within our community.

After travelling on one of KJ’s missions to Poland, Yaira helped form a committee with multifaceted goals pertaining to Holocaust education. Among the most meaningful projects Yaira has worked on at KJ is the Holocaust Educational Center in the KJ Library. There she was able to combine her passions for architectural design and Jewish culture – specifically Pre-war Yiddish culture – to help create a monument to the survivors and victims of the Holocaust, and a resource for the community to be able to continue to learn about them. The Library was created as part of an ongoing effort to further Holocaust commemoration and education at KJ and Ramaz, and Yaira continues to participate in this committee, which helps plan programming for Yom Hashoah and Kristallnacht, among others.

Most recently, Yaira has spearheaded an effort for KJ to reduce its “carbon footprint” by eliminating plastic disposables at Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit, and composting its leftover food scraps.

Stemming from a belief that our Shul should be at the forefront of our collective responsibility Le’avda u’Leshamra, to work and protect [our earth], Bereishit 2:7, she continues to find ways for our community to improve in caring for the environment.

Yaira and Matt see the KJ community as their partner in raising their children, Eliza, Eitan, and Talia, to have a strong Jewish identity and be active, proud members of Am Yisrael.

We honor these extraordinary women for their service to our community and to the Jewish People in general. We pray that God reward them with many years of health and happiness and with much nachas from their children. May they continue to serve as stellar examples of Jewish commitment and service to this entire community, which loves them and blesses them.

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Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen Celebrated at KJ on December 7 KJ and the Chabad Houses of Manhattan and the Hamptons sponsored a farbrengen, a traditional Chasidic celebratory gathering, marking the 19th of Kislev anniversary of the liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of the Chabad movement. The December 7 program featured remarks by KJ Rabbis Haskel Lookstein, Chaim Steinmetz, Elie Weinstock, East Side Chabad Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski, and “reformed” Rabbi Burt Siegel, a former Reform Rabbi speaking on How Chassidut Changed My Life.

It was an evening of beautiful insights, stirring songs, and soulful inspiration, culminating in a compelling roundtable discussion on the unique impact of Tanya, the foundational work of Chabad teachings.

Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson We are delighted to welcome our new Cantor, Chaim Dovid Berson, to KJ. Born and raised in Jerusalem, he graduated from the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute and honed his outstanding musical skills under the tutelage of Cantor Naftali Hershtik and composer Raymond Goldstein. Cantor Berson has performed at music festivals throughout North America, Israel, and Europe. and was invited to the United Nations General Assembly, where he recited a memorial prayer for the victims of the Holocaust. He has also performed on Central Park’s Summer Stage in a concert celebrating Israel, as well as at the Krakow Jewish Festival, and was a featured singer with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

Cantor Berson officially begins his duties at KJ this summer, but on a recent visit to KJ that happened to coincide with a Lunch and Learn class, he treated the participants to an impromptu concert where they were able to fully enjoy his lyrical tenor voice.

We look forward to welcoming Cantor Berson, his wife, Batya, and their three-year-old daughter, Anaelle, to the KJ family.

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A More Fulfilling Life

Z

AYIN (THE 7TH DAY) OF ADAR WAS THE DAY ON WHICH MOSHE RABBEINU WAS BORN, AND ALSO THE DAY ON WHICH HE DIED EXACTLY 120 YEARS

LATER. ONLY GOD WAS ENGAGED IN THE BURIAL OF MOSHE RABBEINU, AND IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THAT CHESED, IT HAS BECOME TRADITIONAL TO HONOR MEMBERS OF THE CHEVRA KADISHA, AND BY EXTENSION, ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO ENGAGE IN CHESED FOR THE GREATER COMMUNITY, ON THE SHABBAT CLOSEST TO ZAYIN ADAR. WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT, BELOW, THE FOLLOWING ZAYIN ADAR TALK BY KJ MEMBER, BOARD MEMBER, AND BIKUR CHOLIM VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE, LEAH MODLIN.

LEAH MODLIN

Rabbi Steinmetz, all KJ Volunteers, and members, I am honored to have been asked to speak on this special Shabbat about a subject that is very meaningful and close to my heart. For over 20 years, I have gone to many seminars, lectures and workshops on the subject of Bikur Cholim, and have led and advised volunteer groups. I’d like to share with you some of what I have learned and some of my own personal experiences, and reflections.

Every day in Shacharit we say in Pesukay DeZimrah, the first Mishnah in Masechet Paya: Daf Aleph: Aylu devarim she’ain lahem shiur. These are the precepts that have no prescribed measure, and amongst them is Gemilut Chasadim.

In Masechet Shabbat, Daf Kuf Chaf Zayin, it states, Aylu devarim she’adam ochayl payrotayhem b’olam hazeh ve’hakeren kayemet lo l’olam haba. These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in this world but whose principal remains intact for him in the World to Come, and amongst them are Visiting the Sick and Acts of Kindness.

The Torah teaches us about Bikur Cholim as exemplified by God when Hashem came to visit Avraham after he was circumcised and in pain. Hashem didn’t come to heal or to speak to him.

He came to visit and comfort him by His presence. In Gemara Masechet Sota, Perek 13 Daf Hay, it says Acharay Hashem taylaychu. You (all of us) should emulate Hashem’s Midot.

There are some congregants who are alone, many of whom we don’t even know about. People who have lost their partners, or never had one. People without children or with children living far away, disinterested, or deceased. Imagine sitting in an apartment alone or with a care giver all day long! What a treat to have a visitor! Your visit may become the highlight of someone’s entire week!

Bikur Cholim encompasses a vast array of acts of chesed which everyone can adapt to his or her own comfort level. When a fellow congregant is ill, homebound, lonely, depressed, or having surgery, what would he or she need or appreciate?

Does the congregant have a supportive family or a network of friends who will devote time and effort to be with him or her through their journey? I ask myself, “Will a visit or phone call wishing this person a speedy recovery lift his or her spirits? Sending a card? Dropping off something special to eat? Accompanying a friend or fellow member undergoing treatment to a doctor’s office or hospital?

Offering to do food shopping or errands for someone who might not be able to?

Bikur Cholim is the most challenging and fulfilling work I have ever done in my life. It’s also the most creative. In preparing myself for a visit, I ask myself How can I make the visit meaningful for this particular member I am visiting?

I prepare myself for the visit in three ways: • The first thing I do is, listen carefully to everything I have been told by the family or clergy about this person.

• The second thing I do is to try to clear my mind of everything I am dealing with in my own life. I want to be totally present for and focused on the person I am visiting.

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• The third thing I do, is think about how I can personalize the visit and make it special for this particular individual.

Allow me to illustrate how this can be done by sharing this anecdote with you.

I have changed certain details to preserve confidentiality.

For many years, I visited a woman every week who used to own an art gallery and was now living in a facility with the onset of dementia. Knowing her background, whenever I came to spend time with her, I would bring along a different art book from my own collection, and we would look at it together. I would let her turn the pages at her own pace, giving her control, something she didn’t have much of any more. When I saw her being drawn to a particular painting, I would ask her to tell me what was special about it. I treated her with dignity and respect. As with many others, we developed a very close, loving relationship.

The long-term relationships with people that I visited over the course of many years with progressive diseases have been especially precious to me, and learning to meet their changing needs was always challenging. Seeing people’s faces light up when they see you, or hearing touching comments, always warm the soul.

Sometimes your presence is the gift.

Just holding someone’s hand (with permission) without even saying a word at a hospice visit can be the most comforting experience possible at that moment.

Everyone has his or her own special gift of giving and brings something different to the experience. The way you will interact with someone will never be the same way the next person will.

I’d like to share with you an example of how a visit can have a profound effect on both the visitor as well as the recipient.

Growing up in Englewood, New Jersey, my father was the Chazan at Congregation Ahavat Torah. Every year, he would ask some talented members to sing in his choir for the High Holidays. The men practiced in the den of our home where we had a piano. My mother, sisters and I would listen from the kitchen and sing along to ourselves.

Fast forward some fifty years, one of the original members of my father’s choir, unfortunately, suffers a stroke, and can no longer speak. His wife takes meticulous care of him and hires a wonderful Israeli caregiver. Ten years pass. My sister visits from Israel and suggests we visit this old family friend, now in his 90s. We call and make arrangements. His wife is still elegant, gracious and beautiful, just as we remember her. She escorts us to where her husband is sitting, still tall and handsome, dressed and groomed perfectly. He motions with his eyes that he remembers us. He tries to say something, but he cannot speak.

He is living with this frustration for ten years. My sister and I ask, “Do you remember when you used to sing in our father’s choir? Do you still remember the songs? We start singing Haben yakir lee, yakir lee efraim, im yeled, im yeled, shaashuim. He opens his mouth and begins singing with us.

At first softly and then louder. Tears roll down his cheeks. He remembers every single word of every song. He begins to sing louder and louder, pronouncing each word clearly. He closes his eyes and the tears continue rolling down his cheeks.

His wife is crying. The caregiver is crying.

My sister is crying. I am crying. The elderly gentleman’s transformation is astounding.

As we leave, his wife says to us, “Next time our children come to visit, I’ll tell them to sing.”

In Sefer Vayikra, Perek 19 Pasuk 18, we learn ve’Ahavta l’rayacha koMocha, and in Talmud Bavli, Shavuot Daf 39A, we learn Kol yisrael arayvim zeh la’zeh.

Love your neighbor as you love yourself, and all Jews are responsible for one another. These words are a guide for life and beautifully complement each other along with the concept of Bikur Cholim.

We can observe these Mitzvot by thinking of what others need: Looking in on our elderly neighbors when there’s a storm, stopping on the street to help someone who has fallen, opening the door for a young woman with a double stroller, or for an elderly woman with a walker, letting a woman with a screaming baby get ahead of you on the Fairway line, saying hello to a new face in shul, helping find the right page in the Siddur or Chumash for someone who is searching, inviting a newcomer at shul to your home for a Shabbat meal. There are endless situations where everyone can be kind and helpful. Ve’Ahavta l’rayacha kaMocha. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Opportunities often present themselves.

I asked for and got permission to tell you about an experience I had this past summer. I saw a young woman standing alone at the Kiddush after services. As Rabbi Steinmetz always encourages us to do, I approached her and asked her if she was a visitor. She told me she was a college student from abroad and had

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a summer job in the City. She was living on the Upper West Side for the summer.

She had planned to see an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, but wanted to go to Shabbat services first. She Googled the closest Orthodox synagogue to the museum and that’s how she wound up at KJ! I welcomed her, and after hearing her background, introduced her to several people I knew would have things in common with her. The following Shabbat, she returned to KJ and told me that our Shul was the warmest shul she had ever attended in her life!!! She was invited to several homes for Shabbat meals, and was embraced by our community.

She returned every Shabbat all summer long and continues to this day to stay in touch with some of her new friends.

I felt a great sense of pride when my fellow KJ members extended warmth and hospitality to this charming young woman.

One of the things that make this community so special is the pride we all take in caring for each other; whether you’re on a committee or not. We see countless examples of kindness,

concern, and support in happy and not so happy times. These acts of Chesed should not be taken for granted because they enhance communal experience and feelings of inclusiveness. A special thank you to all of the members of all of the committees that give so much to our community. You are the heart and soul of KJ. My wish is to leave you with one resounding thought: Devorim hayotsim min halev, nichnasim el halev. Words that come from the heart, enter the heart. Perhaps, if you were moved by my words, you will consider joining our community’s many wonderful chesed volunteers who are engaged in activities such as Chevra Kadisha, Bikur Cholim, Hatzolah, “UJA at KJ,” the Food Pantry, the Blood Drive, Shabbat Greeters, Shiva Support Team, Sisterhood Chesed, Dorot Shabbat Meal Delivery, Ahava@KJ, Employment Coaching, Mitzvah Toy Fund, Dorot Shabbat Meal Delivery, Widows Connection, etc., – and more! Together we will work to build a more perfect world that emulates God’s kindness.<

SCHEDULING YOUR FAMILY’S BAR OR BAT MITZVAH

If you are making a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at KJ between September 2019 and June 2020, please contact Riva Alper in the synagogue office at 212-774-5670 to reserve specific rooms for your services, celebratory meals/kiddushim, and other functions.

If your child attends Ramaz and you are a member of KJ planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Riva Alper must be notified directly of your plans.

Reserving date with Ramaz does not imply that it is reserved at KJ. Need help with your invitation? Contact Talia Laniado at talialaniado@gmail.com.

For the Kesher Community Kesher hosted Jewish National Fund for its 2nd Annual JNF Young Families Purim Party in the Heyman Auditorium on March 17. Over 150 children and adults arrived in festive costumes and enjoyed live music by Eric and Jonny Stern, face painting, Israel-inspired grogger-making, all while supporting Jewish National Fund’s mission to invest in the land and people of Israel. Thank you to the event chair, Ariel Stern, and committee members, Becky Kuperman and Liora Schulman, for your spirited support!

Mark your calendars for the Kesher Farewell Kiddush on Shabbat, June 1, and the Shavuot Challah Bake on June 6! Check out CKJ.ORG/KESHEREVENTS for more information.

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Dr. Naama and Rabbi Elie Weinstock, KJ Youth Director Aryana Ritholtz, Run the Jerusalem Half-Marathon Dr. Naama and Elie Rabbi Weinstock, and Aryana Ritholtz, joined more than 30,000 participants to run the Jerusalem International Winner Marathon on March 15. First held in 2011, it has become a major event in which hundreds of participants are elite competitors and runners from abroad. The race challenges runners while exposing them to magnificent views, exquisite landscapes and fascinating historical sites that illuminate 3,000 years of the history of Jerusalem.

A challenging, thrilling and unforgettable experience, many runners use the race as an opportunity to raise money for charity. Naama and Rav Elie ran for Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, which is dedicated to providing transformative care and services for thousands of people with disabilities from infancy to adulthood and their families. Aryana ran for Kol Hanearim, an organization that works to change the lives of at-risk Israeli children through summer camps, carnivals, Shabbatons and much more.

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WI N N I N G T H E DAY !

TZITZ VS. TEFILLIN: WHY I WANT TO BE “CHAREDI”

community, and is almost considered a dirty phrase in our community --- and that is a tremendous loss. We might not always agree (although less frequently than I think we realize) with what the ultra-Orthodox community terms “Torah values”, but if we don’t even think in terms of our own “Torah values”, we run the danger of becoming a pale imitation of a what a genuine religious community ought to be.

And so I return to my questions from earlier:

As to why the High Priest might want or need to wear tefillin at the same time as he wears the tzitz, I think the answer is obvious – the High Priest was adorned with the beautiful and expensive garments, and even had God’s ineffable name on display. But that is all a show of religiosity, all on the surface. The tefillin, however, are a reminder that the genuine religious personality is suffused with Godliness

throughout his or her entire being. Torah and its values infuse his or her core and inform how he or she looks at the world, in the same way that the tefillin have one of God’s other names on the outside, but are permeated on the inside with sections of the Torah and multiple occurrences of the ineffable Divine name. The High Priest is never allowed to forget that, and hence he wears tefillin in addition to the tzitz.

It is also easy to understand why our Sages thought that if one was not allowed to be meisiah da`at, to momentarily lose awareness of the tzitz – that is, the vestment which represents the externalities of religious life, the social religion - how much more important is it to never lose awareness of tefillin, which represent the genuine internal spiritual life, the “charedi” religion.

A teacher of mine recently observed to me that the commandment of tefillin is somewhat unusual. We often seek to do what is called a hiddur mitzvah, to pick the most aesthetically pleasing object for a mitzvah. We try to pick a beautiful etrog, a beautiful Torah scroll. But normally, hiddur mitzvah is something that is open for all to see. But with tefillin where we try to choose the most beautiful written parashiyot, no one will ever see them. And that is because tefillin is about who we are internally as servants of God, our core values, not about who we are externally as part of a social group.

Thus, the tzitz is the garment that represents the socially Orthodox Jew; tefillin is the mitzvah that symbolizes the “charedi” Orthodox Jew. Given the choice, while I may often fall short, I aspire to be “charedi”. <

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The Life and Legacy of Menachem Begin

Just a Few of the Ways Rabbi Meyer Laniado Engages the KJ Community

The Heyman Auditorium was filled to capacity in a testament to the life and times of Prime Minister Menachem Begin. At the January 14 event, Rabbi Lookstein reflected on his association with Menachem Begin and then turned the program over to Malcolm Hoenlein, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who discussed the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Begin.

RABBI LOOKSTEIN RECALLS MENACHEM BEGIN

The highlight of the evening was an introduction to the film From Destruction to Redemption: the Menachem Begin Story, a project of the Hidden Light Institute. It is a much-needed documentary about the man who was committed to protecting the honor and physical safety of Jews in response to the anti-Semitism he witnessed. The importance of this filmin-the works cannot be underestimated. Winston Churchill said it best so many years ago in a relevant but different context: “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” Only by examining the extraordinary path taken by Menachen Begin can we begin to understand which path is best taken by today’s Jewish leadership.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHANUKAH PROGRAM: RABBI MEYER AND TALIA LANIADO HOSTED THE KJ COMMUNITY FOR A CHANUKAH CANDLE LIGHTING, DINNER AND CLASS.

MISHMAR: RABBI MEYER LANIADO’S WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL TORAH LEARNING PROGRAM WITH THE RAMAZ 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS.

For more information on this documentary film project, visit HIDDENLIGHTINSTITUTE.ORG

(R TO L: RACHEL GREENBERG, BERNARD HASTEN, MALCOLM HOENLEIN, ROB SCHWARTZ, RABBI ELIE WEINSTOCK)

TU B’SHVAT PROGRAM: RABBI MEYER LANIADO LED A FUN, ENGAGING, AND EDUCATIONAL TU B’SHVAT PROGRAM WITH THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY. EVERYONE ENJOYED LEARNING ABOUT THE SEVEN SPECIES OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL, AND THE ORDER OF THEIR BRACHOT. CHILDREN ALSO LEARNED ABOUT JNF CHESED PROGRAMS WITH A LIFE-SIZED INTERACTIVE MAP OF ISRAEL.

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From the KJ SISTERHOOD IN REVIEW

The ever-popular Sotheby’s guided tour of their Israeli Art & Important Judaica Auction took place on December 17.

Special thanks to Jennifer Roth, Sharon Liberman Mintz, and John Ward for their outstanding guided tour of Hebrew

Kim Kushner, teacher and the author of three best-selling cookbooks, ‘I ♥ Kosher’, ‘The New Kosher’ and ‘The Modern Menu’ presented a Cheese and Dessert Board Workshop on March 4.

Known for her healthy and hearty dishes made from locally grown produce, Kim demonstrated smart and easy ways to present cheese and dessert boards sure to impress and delight family and guests.

Thank you to chairs Gabby Fridman, Gealia Friend and Nicole Sardar.

LOOKING FORWARD:

manuscripts and books, silver, ritual objects and fine arts. Thanks to Dr. Barbara Braffman for coordinating this always-enlightening event.

Once again a sellout crowd gathered for the Marsha Dane Stern Annual Challah & L’Chaim event, chaired by Sharon Dane and Gail Propp on February 28. After being coached by the Challah Girls in the fine art of challah baking, this year’s guest speaker, Dr. Eric Mandel, Director of the Middle East Political Information Network, spoke on the sobering topic BDS: The International Campaign to Destroy Israel.

• MAY 7 Sisterhood Book Club welcomes author Ellen Umansky to discuss her book, The Fortunate Ones, an enthralling and transporting debut novel that moves from World War II Vienna to contemporary Los Angeles in the thrall of a one very special work of art—a Chaim Soutine painting. Chaired by Stacey Kanbar, Laury Paul and Rita Woldenberg. 7:30 p.m.

• JUNE 3 Annual Sisterhood Luncheon honoring Donna Silverman. Chaired by Jane Katz, Adrian Silverman and Pamela Stern.

GET INVOLVED

We would love to have your participation.

Please consider co-chairing an event, or volunteering for a chesed activity, or supporting our community.

CONTACT US at SISTERHOOD@CKJ.ORG if you would like more information on how to get involved, and about upcoming events.

welcome Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun warmly welcomes the following new members who joined the Congregation between the printing of the last Bulletin, November 15, and this Bulletin, which went to press on April 3: • RANDI AND BARRY ALTMARK • REBECCA AND JEREMY BALKIN • MADELINE AND SAMUEL BAVLI • LENORE AND BEN BRACHOT • GABRIELA AND JASON BRECHER • MICHELLE CHANDLER-BRONSTEIN • RAQUEL AND ARI COHEN • MICHAEL DOFT • BRIGITTE EISENKEIT • SHARON BILAR GOLDFARB AND JEFFREY GOLDFARB • KEREN AND ZOHAR GOSHEN • DANIEL GRINBERG • ALEXANDRA AND SOL HEDAYA • MICHELLE MEERSAND AND ALLEN HELLER • LINDA LANG • JERALD LEVINE • JENNY SHLIOZBERG AND HOWARD MENIKOFF • DANIELLE MILLER AND ADAM PICKMAN • KAREN AND GABRIEL SLOTNICK • DAVID SUKENIK

KJ Synagogue Membership Be a Part of the Jewish People CONTACT KJ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEONARD SILVERMAN AT 212-774-5680 OR LSS@CKJ.ORG

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Men’s Club Offers Diverse Speakers on Wide-Ranging Topics at Kiddush Discussions and More Men’s Club President Dr. Mark Meirowitz is known for his tireless efforts in bringing outstanding speakers to KJ for the enjoyment and edification of all who take advantage of his programming. Mark your calendars for what promises to be an enriching spring of Kiddush Discussions: APRIL 6: Noted Supreme Court litigator Nathan Lewin, Esq.: “Why Today’s Supreme Court Is Good for America’s Orthodox Jews” MAY 11: Dr. Barry Libin discusses his new book The Vatican’s Vault.

MAY 18: Cheryl Fishbein and Phil Schatten: “The Fishbein-Schatten Travelogue - The Adventure Continues in Tula, Novosibirsk, Kamchatka and around the World” JUNE 1: Professor Ruth Wisse, Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University: “Jewish Conservatism in Radical Times.”

SAVE THE DATE: On May 30, special guests Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Consul General of Israel in New York Dani Dayan will participate in a discussion about the Jews of Sosua, an agricultural settlement located in the Puerto Plata province of the Dominican Republic that was settled by seven hundred and fifty Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany.

All Kiddush Discussions follow a hot Kiddush on Shabbat mornings.

Sunday Morning Post-Bar Mitzvah Class Corey Horowitz’s Sunday post-Bar Mitzvah class focuses on continuing his students’ growth in Judaism for 13-16 year-olds. By pairing Shacharit, breakfast, Parsha class and other Jewish learning with camaraderie and fun, Corey is helping to bring an otherwise vulnerable cohort closer to Judaism.

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A Peek at Purim

6 services and megillah readings. 2 carnivals. A sand art artist. A pizza party. Costumes galore.

Special Chanukah, Tu b’Shvat and Purim Events for Israeli Families at KJ Rabbi Elchanan Poupko and KJ member Omer Gamlieli have combined forces to introduce holiday programming for Israelis in our neighborhood, giving them an opportunity to have mini-celebrations with Ramaz families -- most recently for Chanukah, Tu B’ Shvat and Purim. Many of the participants had never been to KJ before and they loved the experience! Activities included Chanukiot decorating and a dreidl spinning contest for Chanukah, and the eating of lots of sufganiyot. In honor of Tu b’Shvat, Rachel Haber of KnowingNature led a planting program where children prepared soil to plant microgreens (basil, sunflowers, radish or green peas), and also got to exercise their creativity by creating heads/faces with oranges and grapefruits using a variety of dried fruits for eyes, ears, noses, and hair. For Purim, the children had the opportunity to make their own hamantashen. All the programs featured karaoke with holiday songs.

KJ Welcomes Rabbi Mark Wildes & Rabbi Avi Heller of MJE! KJ is now providing an East Side home for MJE classes and dinners. We look forward to many collaborative programs with MJE Founder & Director Rabbi Mark Wildes, (KJ’s very own former Assistant Rabbi), and Rabbi Avi Heller, East Side Director. For more information: WWW.JEWISHEXPERIENCE.ORG

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UPCOMING EVENTS

147th Annual Synagogue Meeting Induction of New Members, Memorial to Departed Members, Tribute to Anniversarians Ramaz School Annual Meeting Musical Interlude with Kol Ram Community Chorus WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 AT 7:30 PM 125 East 85th Street The night’s program is followed by a delicious supper of hot dogs, sauerkraut and ice cold beer, courtesy of Foremost Caterers.

CELEBRATE ISRAEL! Join us at a Tekes Ma’avar Program Paying homage to the thousands of IDF service men and women who fell defending the Jewish homeland, and then usher in Israel’s celebration of Independence Day as Yom HaZikaron transitions into Yom Ha’Atzmaut.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 6:45 PM The Gottesman Center Falk Auditorium 114 East 85th Street

Annual Synagogue Shabbaton S PO N S O R E D BY S U Z A N N E AN D D R . N O R M A N B. JAVI T T F E AT U R I N G M A R K T R E N C H E R

President of Nishma Research, a sociological and market research firm focused on the Jewish world Are We Winning or Losing? Baalei Teshuvah, Off the Derech, and The Leftovers FRIDAY NIGHT, APRIL 12, IN THE MAIN SYNAGOGUE, 9:30 P.M., preceded at 7:45 p.m. with a catered dinner that follows 6:45 p.m. Shabbat services.

There is no charge for attending the Friday night lecture, but advanced reservations are required for the dinner.

For more information or to reserve for the dinner And /or Shabbat lunch on April 13 visit CKJ.ORG/ANNUALSHABBATON

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the Date!

May 4 Seudah Shlishit following 7:30 p.m. evening Services

Yaakov Katz

Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post and its former military reporter and defense analyst speaking about his new book

THINGS TO KNOW

connect with kj

W Connection

Questions regarding matters of Jewish family law and women’s health should be addressed to Julia Baruch, KJ’s Yoetzet Halakhah, who can be contacted at (929) 274-0628 or at JB.Yoetzet@gmail.com

The W Connection provides widows with easily accessible support services – emotional support, information and training to help them navigate the many challenges they face while dealing with their grief and the rebuilding of their lives.

Its primary goal is to help women build healthy and productive lives while they adapt to the new realities created by their loss.

Shadow Strike

SPRING MEETINGS: APRIL 4, MAY 16, JUNE 20, 6:00 PM

which tells the inside story behind Israel’s secret operation to destroy Syria’s nuclear reactor.

125 East 85th Street

To order a $20 autographed copy of the book: ckj.org/bookpurchase

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Gabriella Major: 212-879-4783

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE P R E S E N T E D BY K J B EG I N N E RS

APRIL 5 Featuring Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski MAY 10 Israel’s Birthday Led by Rabbi Elie Weinstock and Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus JUNE 21 Martinis and Matzoh Balls RSVP: CKJ.ORG/FNL

ORDER MAIN SYNAGOGUE MEMORIAL PLAQUES FOR LOVED ONES For more information, please contact KJ Comptroller Sy Yanofsky at 212-774-5620 or sy@CKJ.org

For Shaatnez checking (the biblical prohibition against mixed fabrics which are typically found in the collars of expensive men’s suits): KENT’S FASHION HOUSE 1596 Third Avenue (between 89th & 90th Streets) 212-876-0088, and they will be inspected by a Shaatnez checker in Brooklyn.

MORRIS ORGANIC DRY CLEANERS AND CUSTOM TAILORS 436 East 86th Street (between 1st and York Avenues) 212-828-5681, (specializing in Shaatnez testing and fixing, taliot, tzitzit)

CREATE AN ENDURING LEGACY WHILE RECEIVING AN ATTRACTIVE REVENUE STREAM FOR LIFE Please consider participating in the Congregation’s Endowment and Planned Giving Program, through which you can create an enduring legacy of active participation in KJ through a Charitable Gift Annuity that pays handsomely.

Contact Leonard Silverman at 212-774-5680 or LSS@CKJ.ORG for information.

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CLASSES

SUNDAY DR. WILLIAM MAJOR MEMORIAL ADVANCED SHIUR IN TALMUD Masekhet Avodah Zarah class with its classical commentaries with Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder Sunday mornings following 8:30 AM services and breakfast

POST BAR MITZVAH SUNDAY MINYAN AND BREAKFAST CLASS Boys in grades seven through nine are invited to join Corey Horowitz from 9:15 - 10:45 AM for minyan, a Torah class, and breakfast.

Corey Horowitz

tuesday PARSHA FOUNDATIONS Rabbi Elie Weinstock 8:15 AM

TUESDAY NIGHT TORAH WITH RABBI YOSSI WEISER Explore “Jewish Letters through the Ages” from the Maccabees, Bar Kohba, Rav Sherira Gaon, Maimonides and more followed by Insights into the Weekly Parsha.

Rabbi Yossi Weiser 6:30-8:00 PM

GOD, THE WORLD, AND ME: AN EXPLORATION OF MAIMONIDES’ BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE Rabbi Meyer Laniado 7:00 PM

MONDAY EXPLORING JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz 8:30 AM - (for women only)

RAMBAN AL HA-TORAH: THE COMMENTARY OF NACHMANIDES A class dedicated to the classic explanation of Nachmanides on the Torah.

Martin Kaufman 8:00 PM

JEWISH LEARNING INSTITUTE (JLI) WITH ALL MY HEART

wednesday WOMEN’S PARSHAT HASHAVUA Rabbi Haskel Lookstein 8:30 AM

YIDDISH SHMOOZERS Rabbi Mayer Moskowitz 11:30 AM

LUNCH AND LEARN APRIL 3 – Karen Lerman APRIL 10 – Surie Rudoff APRIL 17 – Rabbi Weinstock MAY 1- TBD MAY 8 – Efrat Cohen MAY 15 – Intergenerational Lunch and Learn MAY 22 – Nina Kellin MAY 29 – Dr. Gilbert Kahn JUNE 5 – Janie Schwalbe JUNE 12 - Rabbi Elie Weinstock 12:30 PM

CRASH COURSE IN HEBREW READING Sara Rosen 6:30 PM

PRAYERBOOK HEBREW Sara Rosen 7:30 PM

Rabbi Elie Weinstock 6 classes beginning MAY 13 - 7:00 PM

CO N N EC T : C K J. O RG/ E N R I C H T H E S O U L

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CLASSES

thursday MEANINGFUL JEWISH LIVING Explore how a 5,000 year old religion is more relevant today than ever before.

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Rabbi Elie Weinstock and Rabbi Daniel and Rachel Kraus 7:00 PM

Soul Cycle - A Monthly Spiritual Workout Rachel Kraus Women of the community are invited to participate in a monthly learning series which provides an opportunity to learn, to share, to engage, and to inspire each Rosh Chodesh.

A variety of topics will be addressed in a different home each month.

Location information provided monthly with RSVP to ROSHCHODESH@CKJ.ORG

FACE TO FACE WITH THE PARSHA 9:30 PM - on the KJ Facebook page

sunday - friday BAGELS & TORAH: DAILY BREAKFAST CLASS Join us for the study of Hovot Ha’Levavot immediately following Sephardic Minyan Shacharit.

SUNDAY 9:00 – 9:15 AM, AND MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:45 - 8:00 AM

shabbat HALAKHAH CLASS Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz 8:30 AM

PRE-MINCHA SHIUR CONSULT PRINTED SHABBAT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR TIMES.

CO N N EC T : C K J. O RG/ E N R I C H T H E S O U L

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B N E I M I T Z VA H S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

L I LY F R E I L I C H

L I LY R I M M

LILA HOFF

Mazal Tov to Helen and Elliot Freilich upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lily on Sunday, March 3, at Bohemian National Hall. Lily read the first Aliyah in Parashat Vayakel in the Spanish and Portuguese tradition, and delivered a D’var Torah about the parashah. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandmother Estelle Freilich.

Mazal Tov to Emily and Harry Rim upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lily, on Thursday, March 14, at a Women’s Tefillah Service at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, when she read Parashat Vayikra. Lily also delivered a D’var Torah at a Sunday celebration.

Lily is a sixth grade student in the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Rachel and Eliot Hoff upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lila, on March 17th. Lila delivered a D’var Torah on the significance of Parshat Zachor. Lila is a seventh grade student at the SAR Academy.

JULIETTE GOODSTEIN

AYL A Z WI L L I N G E R

L I N D SAY C H U BAK

Mazal Tov to Vivian Goodstein upon the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter, Juliette, on Sunday, March 31, when she delivered a D’var Torah on influential women in Tanach and Jewish history.

Juliette is a sixth grade student in the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazel Tov to Rebecca and David Zwillinger upon the Purim Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Ayla, at the KJ Women’s Tefillah where she read Megillat Esther.

Ayla is a sixth grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Jamie and David Chubak upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Lindsay, on Chol Hamoed Pesach in Israel, where she will lead a tour of the Kotel Tunnels as part of a small ceremony. A celebration in New York is also planned, at which time she will deliver a speech on Parashat Kedoshim.

Lindsay is a sixth grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

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B N E I M I T Z VA H S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

YO N I B E R N S T E I N

E VA N B L A K E G L AS B E R G

S T E L L A H I LT Z I K

Mazal Tov to Renee and Michael Bernstein, upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Yoni Aton, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Rosh Chodesh morning, May 5th, at which time he will read the Torah portion for Rosh Chodesh and deliver a D’var Torah.

Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandmother Eleanore Reznik. Yoni is a seventh grade student at the Stephen Gaynor School.

Mazal Tov to Alisa and Dr. Scot Glasberg upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Evan, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshrun on Sunday morning, May 5th, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, at which time he will read from the Torah and lead the davening.

Evan is a seventh grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Drs. Aviva Preminger and David Hiltzik upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Stella, at a Women’s Tefillah at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on May 11. Stella will read Parashat Kedoshim and the haftarah, and will deliver a D’var Torah on the topic of Ve’Ahavta l’Rayacha Kamocha. Stella is a sixth grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

S H I RA G E R B E R

JAC K Y VA N S E BAG

M AG N O L I A ROT H

Mazal Tov to Naamit and Michael Gerber upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Shira, which will take place on May 25th at the KJ Women’s Tefillah. She will read Parsahat Behar. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents, Francine and Morry Gerber. Shira is a sixth grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Ariel and Albert Sebag upon the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jack, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Shabbat morning, May 18, Parashat Emor. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Jean and Armand Lindenbaum. Jack is a seventh grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Drs. Aren Gottlieb and Ram Roth upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Magnolia, on Memorial Day, the 22nd of Iyar. Magnolia will lead Shacharit, read Parashat Bechukotai and deliver a D’var Torah at Camp “Magnolia” in New City, NY. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandmother, Rachel Roth. Magnolia is a sixth grade student at The Hewitt School.

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B N E I M I T Z VA H S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

chupah rental

This beautiful Chupah, designed and embroidered by members of the KJ Sisterhood, can enhance your family wedding. For rental information please contact Riva Alper, 212-774-5670 RIVA@CKJ.ORG

M I L A N KU S H N E R

I SA AC RA F I F I S H MA N

Mazal Tov to Kim and Jonathan Kushner upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Milan, on June 20th, in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, at which time he will read Parashat Behaalotecha. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents, Lee and Murray Kushner. Milan is a seventh grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal tov to Dr. Sarah and Rocky Fishman upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Isaac, in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday, June 22, at which time he will read Parashat Behaalotcha at the Emmy Monash Home for Aged Care. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents, Liz and Rami Nahmias.

W I T H I N O U R FA M I LY

BIRTHS MA Z AL TOV TO :

Ada and Mitchell Benerofe upon the birth of a grandson, Joshua Zachary (Yehoshua Zevulun), born to their children, Stephanie and Jonathan More.

Brenda and Albert Bernstein upon the birth of a great-granddaughter, Elsa Rose (Shoshanna Anaelle), born to their grandchildren Ruthie and Ira Joseph of Phoenix. Mazal Tov to the proud grandparents, Elana and Danny Storch.

Laurie & Dr. Eli Bryk and Joyce & Daniel Straus upon the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children, Diana & Joseph Straus.

Frances and Bobby Cohen upon the

birth of their second child and first daughter, Mindy Joan (Mazal Yaffa).

Jena and Justin Cohen upon birth of their first child and daughter.

Vivian and Bernard Falk upon the birth of a granddaughter, Siena Lee (Sara Tzivia) Hassenfeld, born to their children, Talia Falk and Elie Hassenfeld.

Luwam Samuel and Dr. David Friedman upon the birth of their first child and son, Jonathan Samuel (Mordechai Shmuel Yonatan).

Dr. Natanya and Benjamin Gordon upon the birth of their second child and first son, Jethro Bernard (Yitro Avram).

Mazal Tov as well to the proud KJ grandparents, Goldie & I. David Gordon.

Jill and Jimmy Haber upon the birth of a grandson, James Wyatt Wasser (Moshe), born to their children, Samantha and Mitchell Wasser.

Edith and Salomon Lipiner upon the birth of their 7th great-grandchild, born to Ariana and Adam Reich. The proud parents were classmates in the 2004 graduating class of Ramaz School, where they met.

Evan Lipman, and Matthew & Davida Lipman, upon the birth of their first grandchild, a son born to their children Dalia and Gary Feder.

Aliza and Aaron Menche upon the birth of a granddaughter, Eden Matya, the first child born to their children Aviva and Ariel Menche.

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W I T H I N O U R FA M I LY Rebecca and Randy Modell upon the birth of their second child and first daughter, Eva Esther (Esther Chava).

BNEI MITZVAH

Oz and Allyson Michaeli upon the birth of their first child and daughter.

Anat and Louis Menaged upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Eli, on Shabbat Parashat Vayetzei, in Israel.

Roni and Dr. Robert Pick upon the birth of a grandson, Joshua Philip (Yehoshua), born to their children Meredith and Joseph Pick.

Sharon and Jeffrey Goldfarb upon the Bat Mitzvah of their eldest daughter, Gianna.

Danielle and Adam Pickman upon the birth of their second daughter, Eleanor Rose (Esther Malka).

Jennifer Bernstein and Geoffrey Platt upon the birth of their second son, Grayson Avery (Mordechai Tzvi). Mazal Tov to proud KJ grandparents, Drs. Vicky Deutsch and Gerald Platt.

Elana and Ilya Podolyako upon the birth of their second son, Isaac Alexander (Yitzchak Baruch). Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Judith and Dr. Mark Tykocinski.

Erica and Leor Sabetfard upon the birth of their third child and second son Asher (Matitiyahu).

Adele and Ron Tauber upon the birth of their fourth grandchild, a son, Judah William (Shmuel Chaim), born to their children Sara and Michael Tauber.

Sara and Jonathan Tsur upon the birth of their second child and first son, Jacob Evan (Yaakov).

Becky and David Zwillinger upon the birth of their fifth child and second son, Jacob Matthew (Yaakov Matityahu).

May these children grow up in the finest tradition of Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim.

MA Z A L TOV TO :

Sarah and Josh Glatt upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Sam. Sandra and Jeffrey Justin upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ethan.

Esther Messeloff and Judy Tanz, the proud grandmothers of Lillian Claire Tanz upon her Bat Mitzvah in Los Angeles.

ENGAGEMENTS MA Z A L TOV TO :

Jewel and Ted Edelman upon the engagement of their daughter, Andrea, to Dr. Jeff Kay, son of Irina and Richard Kay of Toronto.

Monita Buchwald and Charles Edelsburg upon the engagement of their son, Natan, to Caroline Hershey, daughter of Jennifer and the late Alan Hershey of Westport, CT. Mazal Tov as well to KJ members, grandfather Elias Buchwald and Aunt Gena Buchwald.

Pamela and George Rohr upon the engagement of their son, Alex, to Celine Moussazadeh, daughter of Catherine and David Moussazadeh.

Mazal Tov as well to the proud KJ grandmother, Helen Nash.

Beth and Abraham Rosenberg and Rob Silver upon the engagement of their daughter, Zoe Brams Rosenberg (Ramaz â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;09), to Harrison Michael Silver.

KJ Rabbinic Intern Leead Staller, upon his engagement to Shoshana Bachrach.

Jane and Nicky Yakubovich upon the engagement of their son, Jason, to Regina Radusky, daughter of Bonnie Radusky.

May their weddings take place in happiness and blessing.

MARRIAGES M A Z A L TOV TO :

Marilyn and Greg Adler upon the marriage of their daughter, Samantha, to Daniel Schub, son of Deborah and Howard Schub of Scarsdale.

Mindy & Jay Cinnamon and Caren & Sam Kohl upon the marriage of their children Amanda to Aaron. Mazal Tov as well to proud grandparents Audrey and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein.

Pamela and Adam Emmerich upon the engagement of their daughter, Sarah, to Hillie, Sturm, son of Judy and Shimon Sturm of Toronto.

Kenneth Eckstein upon the marriage of his son, Max, to Natasha Romanoff, the daughter of Richard and Debra Romanoff of Purchase, New York.

Sarita and Ben Greszes upon the engagement in Israel of their grandson, Bailey Greszes, to Ashira Katz of South Africa.

Drs. Diana and Robert Friedman upon the marriage of their son, Michael, to Laura Lorenz, the daughter of Beverly and Blake Lorenz of Orlando, FL.

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KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

W I T H I N O U R FA M I LY Nadia and Joseph Olidort upon the marriage of their son, Julian, to Sivan Aloni, daughter of Zivit Furstenberg of Tel Aviv, Israel, and Raviv Aloni of Melbourne, Australia.

Aviva Roumani, daughter of Elia and Anna Roumani of Potomac, Maryland and Ethan Mackin, son of James and Janet Mackin of New York, upon their marriage.

Caroline and Morris Massel, upon being named guests of honor at the 28th Annual Charity Dinner for the West Side Kollel.

Paula and Dr. David Menche upon their children, Livia and Elias Marcovici, receiving the Young Leadership award at the annual Moriah School charity dinner.

Teri and Massimiliano Szulc upon the marriage of their daughter, Avital Leah, to Jonathan Garshofsky, son of Judith and Lawrence Garshofsky of Los Angeles.

Scott Shay upon his new book, In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism, being named as a finalist for the Jewish Book Awards, as well as being named “a best book of 2018” by Mosaic Magazine.

Gail Suchman & Dr. Jerald Zimmerman upon the marriage of their daughter, Amalia Leah (Molly), to Daniel Arenson, son of Iris and Dr. Richard Arenson of New Rochelle.

Dr. Arlene “Lu” Steinberg, upon being named honoree and guest lecturer at Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Distinguished Alumni Event.

May the newlywed couples be blessed to build homes faithful to the traditions of the Jewish people.

Ariel and Jonathan Stern upon Ariel receiving The Heart Matters Award at the annual UJA Women Heart Matters luncheon.

MILESTONES C O N G RAT U L AT I O N S TO :

Congratulations to Florence Chasin, upon celebrating her 101st birthday.

COMMUNAL HONORS C O N G RAT U L AT I O N S TO :

Hon. Robert Abrams, Former New York Attorney General, upon receiving the Pursuit of Justice Award from The American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists.

Cheryl Fishbein and Philip Schatten upon Cheryl being elected President of the Jewish Community Relations Council (“JCRC”).

Dr. Naama and Rabbi Elie Weinstock upon their being honored with receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award at the NCSY Gala.

sefer, Tehillot Yosef, explicating the Hallel prayer, authored by their son, Yosef Friedman (Ramaz ‘04).

Dr. Barry Libin, upon the publication of his newest mystery, The Vatican’s Vault, a novel of conspiracy, intrigue, deceit and murder. Based on religious and historical events, the book traces the search for King Solomon’s Temple Treasure, and the role that the Catholic Church has played in that endeavor.

Available at Amazon and all book sellers.

Sandra E. Rapoport upon her essay “The Brothers’ Ultimate Face-Off,” being published in the Sabbath Week column on Parashat Vayigash in The Jewish Week; her essay on Parashat Zachor, entitled “Amalek, Then and Now,” being published in the March 14, 2019, issue of The Jewish Week; and publishing by The Berkshire Jewish Voice of an exciting excerpt from Sandra’s new book, “The Queen & The Spymaster.”

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS C O N G RAT U L AT I O N S TO :

Susan Shay upon receiving a Ph.D from Cambridge University in Heritage Studies.

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

CONDOLENCES

CO N G RAT U L AT I O N S TO :

Annette Araten upon the passing of her father, Melvin Dulgov.

Esther Amini (Krawitz) upon being selected by Jewish Women’s Theatre as their “Artist-in-Residence.”

Alvin H. Broome, upon his being honored with a bi-weekly column running in The Jewish Press entitled The Law Desk.

Rosie (‘68) and Dr. Mark S. Friedman upon the publication in Jerusalem of a

O U R CO N D O L E N C E S TO :

Geraldine Cohen upon the passing of her mother, Martine Dassault.

Rochelle Davis upon the passing of her mother, Jean Fastag.

Rachel Blumenthal Epstein upon the passing of her husband, Dr. Jerry Epstein.

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KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

W I T H I N O U R FA M I LY - I N M E M O R I A M Shirley Friedman upon the passing of her mother, Edith Hass.

Eric Gribetz upon the passing of his grandmother, Florence Gribetz.

Karen and Meyer Gross upon the passing of their grandson, Harry Gandel.

Jonathan Harooni, upon the passing of his grandmother, Victoria Khakshouri.

Aviva Preminger upon the passing of her grandmother, Carol Preminger.

Ashley Joffe upon the passing of his father, Solly Joffe.

Frieda Kahn upon the passing of her grandfather, Stanley Schwartz.

Erika Kashi, upon the passing of her father, Chaim Goldstein.

Gloria Kobrin upon the passing of her mother, Elaine Bienenstock.

Abe Kohen upon the passing of his mother, Gizella Grun.

Dr. Jody Levine upon the passing of her grandmother, Loretta Isler.

Sandy Magid upon the passing of her father, United States Marine Corps Major William H. Sager.

Jeffrey Marcus upon the passing of his father, Nathan Marcus.

Dr. Fred Miller upon the passing of his mother, Hannah B. Miller.

Melvin D. Newman upon the passing of his brother, William Newman.

Marcia Riklis and Ira Riklis upon the passing of their father, Meshulum Riklis,

grandfather of Ari Ackerman.

Sam Schwartz upon the passing of his mother, Dr. Florence Shai Schwartz.

Dr. William Spielfogel upon the passing of his father, Dr. Morris J. Spielfogel.

May they be comforted among all those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.

I N M E M O R IAM Elliott Eisman

Elliott Eisman was a member of our congregation, together with his wife, Lillian, for over fifty years. He raised his children, Steven (Valerie) Eisman and Dana (Michael) Cohen, in our synagogue and in Ramaz, and to both institutions he and Lillian devoted themselves with solid commitment and exceptional generosity.

He was happy to see his children and grandchildren receive the kind of day school education that he, a graduate of the Yeshiva of Flatbush, was proud to have received.

Elliott and Lillian worked together harmoniously in money management for over fifty-one years of their marriage of almost six decades. He gave unstintingly of himself to her, to the children, and to the grandchildren. He was also very generous to a host of Jewish causes both here and in Israel. His passion was Jewish studies, in which he engaged throughout his life.

It was a privilege to see him seated in the front section of our synagogue, with a warm smile on his face, reflecting an inner feeling of pride and happiness at being a stalwart member of our community.

We will miss that smile even as we are

moved by memories of it to live up to Elliott’s exacting standards of menschlichkeit, charity and commitment to bedrock pillars of the Jewish community such as KJ and Ramaz School.

Marjorie Fortinsky

Before an extended illness which ultimately took her life, Marjorie Fortinsky had a very blessed existence. She and her husband, Al, were married for fifty-eight years. Reflecting on those years, Marjorie said in her inimitably understated manner: “We had a wonderful life.”

She was a consummate professional, as a teacher of biology, first on Long Island and then for a couple of years at Ramaz where we remember her as a terrific educator. Then, at NYU, she taught biology and human sexuality. Her academic degrees were obtained at a time in our country when women were discouraged from striving for professional excellence, but Marjorie’s determination and ambition carried the day.

Her greatest blessings were her children and grandchildren who continue to live traditional Jewish lives. All of her grandchildren had a yeshiva/day school education and were reared in an observant Jewish tradition that reflects the values and mitzvot their grandmother instilled in her children.

Dan Golan

Dan Golan was known to his family and friends as a wonderful human being. He was charismatic and yet humble. He had an exceptional work ethic and was very generous to both people and causes.

The husband of our member, Rina, and the father of two children, and two grandsons, he was very proud – and so are we – that his son, Gil, is an alumnus of the Upper School of Ramaz, class of 1986. Born in

35 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

continued, IN

MEMORIAM

Israel, educated in the celebrated BILU School in Tel Aviv, Dan also served in the IDF. He remained a passionate Zionist for all of his life.

At the funeral, one of his eulogizers quoted the judgment in Ethics of the Fathers when speaking about him: “Who is respected? One who respects all other people.” A fitting epitaph to a good life.

Hannah Ranells

She had one of the longest tenures in the history of KJ. She and Neil, of blessed memory, were part of our community since the mid-1950’s, more than sixty years! She knew and revered Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, Mr. Adler and Mr. Rosenberg, of blessed memory. It is hard to replace such a history, and it is even harder to replace her uniquely upbeat neshama that met every one of life’s challenges with characteristic humor and warmth.

She was the mother of seven children, the largest family in our community.

Each of them received the best possible Jewish education. Five children are alumni of Ramaz and two of them live in Israel. She left a living legacy of twenty-four grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

H O L I D AY H I G H L I G H T S

A PASSOVER TIMELINE Step #1: Removal of Chametz – Cleaning the House Step #2: Kashering Appliances Gas ovens, both the stove-top and inside (racks as well), should be cleaned with an oven cleaner, and then not used for 24 hours. After 24 hours, invert the metal spiders and turn the burners on to the highest setting for 15 minutes. (If using an electric oven, turn the burners on the highest setting for 15 minutes as well.) After this is done, cover the stovetop with aluminum foil for the duration of Pesach. The inside oven should be turned on to broil for one hour.

If the oven is self-cleaning, go through one cycle.

Microwave ovens should be cleaned, and not used for 24 hours, after which a bowl or cup containing a few ounces of water should be put in and ‘cooked’ until the water is vaporized into steam.

Stainless steel sinks should be cleaned with a cleaning solution, and not used for 24 hours, after which boiling water should be poured on every area of the sink and its parts. Porcelain sinks cannot be kashered. They must be cleaned and covered.

Dishwashers may be kashered for Pesach after standing unused for 24 hours. They should be put through three complete cycles, using soap in the first one.

KASHERING UTENSILS

While it is preferable to have as many utensils as possible specially-reserved for use only on Pesach, many utensils used throughout the year may be kashered for use on Pesach. Items that are ‘kasherable’ include: metal utensils used for hot and cold, providing they are not difficult to clean (i.e., a sieve, parts that are glued together), and glass utensils that were used strictly for cold food.

Hannah was a loving person who, in turn, was beloved by many members of this community. She left behind a wonderful tradition of Torah and mitzvot to which her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are committed. <

Items that may not be kashered are: glassware that is used for cooking, earthenware, pottery, porcelain, pyrex, and chinaware.

FOR SEPHARDIC HALAKHAH

It is also possible to kasher in the privacy of your own home. The procedure for kashering is as follows: Metal utensils should be thoroughly cleaned with a cleaning solution and then not used for 24 hours. Small utensils such as silverware or other cutlery should be immersed briefly in a large pot containing rapidly boiling water.

If the pot is very large, more than one item may be immersed at a time. Each item

Please contact RABBI MEYER LANIADO RML@CKJ.ORG

The easiest way to kasher utensils is to bring them to the KJ Kasher-In from 9:00 -12:00 PM on Sunday, April 14 or Monday, April 15 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM., where Rabbis Chaim Steinmetz, Elie Weinstock, Meyer Laniado, and Daniel Kraus will supervise the immersion of metal utensils in a large sink of rapidly boiling water.

36 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

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H O L I D AY H I G H L I G H T S should then be rinsed with cold water.

Pots are kashered by bringing water in them to a boil and then immersing a hot stone or iron such that the water will overflow onto the sides of the pot. Then rinse the pot in cold water. Items which came into direct contact with chametz, without the medium of water (e.g. a broiler, frying pan) may be kashered by heating them until they are literally ‘red hot’ or by placing them in a self-cleaning oven during the self-clean cycle.

Glass utensils should be cleaned with a cleaning solution and then immersed in water (a bathtub works) for three days, changing the water every 24 hours.

Step #3: The Search For Chametz One of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies associated with Passover is b’dikat chametz—the search for chametz.

The ceremony is composed of five parts.

1. Reciting a special blessing over the mitzvah of the removal of chametz.

2. The search of the house by the light of a candle to find vestiges of chametz.

3. The reciting of the formula of nullification of chametz.

4. The burning or disposal of any chametz found during the search.

should, therefore, be performed with enthusiasm and dedication.

The children should be asked to place pieces of chametz in the various rooms — a practice which ensures that the search will not be in vain. They can hold the candle and the feather and they should examine their own possessions, dressers and desks, for long forgotten relics of chametz.

Passover is a beautiful festival. It is a serious one, too. Both these aspects can be captured in advance of the festival by a careful observance of b’dikat chametz.

bracha should be said, since the one said before the search applies to the burning as well.

Step #6: After Pesach According to Jewish Law, chametz that was owned by a Jew during Pesach may never be eaten by a Jew. Therefore, it is preferable that after Pesach one buys food from establishments owned by non-Jews, establishments owned by Jews who properly sold their chametz before Pesach, or after a month (time that a store’s stock has been used up) from any establishment. <

DISPOSAL OF CHAMETZ

No chametz may be eaten on Friday morning, April 19 after 10:40 AM.

Step #4: The Sale of Chametz The ritual sale of chametz must be completed by early Friday morning, April 19. There are those who prefer to perform the ritual in person. For those who cannot attend to the matter in person, there is a form provided on page 38 of this Bulletin which authorizes Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz to sell your chametz.

THIS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SYNAGOGUE BY FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 19, NOT LATER THAN 8:30 AM. See CKJ.ORG/FORM/CHAMETZ

5. The reciting of a final, more inclusive formula of nullification.

Step #5: The Burning of Chametz

The first three parts of this ceremony will be observed this year on Thursday evening, April 18, after nightfall, 8:13 PM. The disposal should be on Friday morning, April 19. Children especially will be impressed by the ceremony. It

On Friday morning, April 19, it is customary to burn chametz. Chametz should be removed from one’s possession and burned by 11:48 AM. The synagogue provides a large, contained fire for this purpose. No

“LET ALL

WHO ARE HUNGRY, COME AND

EAT ... ” IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HOST GUESTS AT YOUR SEDER TABLE, PLEASE CONTACT RABBI ELIE WEINSTOCK AT

212-774-5636 OR

RAVELIE@CKJ.ORG

37 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

H O L I D AY H I G H L I G H T S

Model Seder PAS S OVE R WO R KS H O P AT K J WI T H RAB B I DA N I E L A N D RAC H E L K RAU S

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 125 EAST 85TH STREET AT 7:00 PM

Passover Preparations at KJ:“Kasher-In” SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM MONDAY, APRIL 15TH, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM and SHMURAH MATZAH PICK-UP SUNDAY, APRIL 14, FROM 10:00 - 11:00 AM (see order form below)

KJ Beginners Program to Host Communal Seder Want to experience a Seder with great food, insightful explanations, and all the trimmings? Want to be in a warm, friendly environment on Seder night? Don’t want to hassle with preparing a Seder both nights? Well, have we got the answer!

Gain new insight into Passover as we review the ins and outs of the upcoming holiday. Experience the 4 cups, bitter herbs, and everything else you need to know for a memorable Seder and holiday For the novice and experienced Seder participant. Great refresher class!

There is no charge to attend this wonderful Seder.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Elie Weinstock, Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus, and with the sweet melodies of KJB Chazan Shilo Kramer, KJ will once again host a Seder designed and planned as a learning experience. It is intended for those who wish to understand more about the content and meaning of the Seder and how to conduct it properly. This special Seder (co-sponsored by KJ Beginners and NJOP), will be held on the first night of Passover, FRIDAY, APRIL 19, AT 8:00 PM. The cost is $110 per adult and $75 for children ages 2-11. (Children under 2 may be seated with parents at no charge without their own meal.)

Reservations can be made with RSVP: CKJ.ORG/PAA. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, April 17.

SHMURAH MATZAHS

Kehilath Jeshurun is again pleased to offer to its membership the opportunity to purchase Shmurah Matzah through the synagogue. The Matzahs are available at $27.00 per pound.

The pick up will be on Sunday morning, April 14th, in the synagogue lobby between 10:00 - 11:00 AM. All orders must be prepaid and ordered by Friday, April 12.

Please make checks payable to Congregation KJ or pay online at CKJ.ORG/Matzah.

Please reserve ______ pounds of regular Shmurah Matzah at $27 per pound.

Please reserve ______ pounds of whole wheat Shmurah Matzah at $27 per pound.

Name__________________________________

Address ____________________________________________

Phone: (Day)____________________________

(Evening)____________________________________________

38 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

H O L I D AY H I G H L I G H T S

It’s Not Too Late to Contribute to Passover Relief

Shabbat Ha-Gadol Drasha

T H I S I S ACT UA L LY O U R MA J O R C H E S E D AP P E AL FO R T H E YE A R .

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz to deliver the Shabbat Ha-Gadol Drasha sponsored by Suzy and Larry Present

Dear KJ Family, The Rambam writes (Hilchot Yom Tov, 6:18) “When a person eats and drinks (in fulfillment of simchat yom tov) he is obligated to feed the stranger, the orphan, the widow and all others who are in need and downtrodden…”

This may well be the source for the first statement of the Rama in the Shulchan Arukh’s section on the Laws of Pesach. Before preparing for our celebration of Passover we should help those who may have difficulty celebrating this Yom Tov - or any festival.

“RUSHING, ANXIETY, AND FREEDOM FOSTERING VIRTUES” Shabbat afternoon, April 13, following 6:45 Mincha services in the Main Sanctuary, 125 East 85th Street

Please, therefore, give generously – now - to the KJ Benevolent Fund’s Passover Appeal. We are trying to raise $200,000 to help individuals in our community, and well beyond it, to be able to celebrate Pesach, as we do, and to function happily in their lives.

Thank you in advance for your generosity to this critical cause.

Chag Kasher v’Sameach.

Haskel Lookstein Chaim Steinmetz

Elie Weinstock

P.S. Please make your check payable to the KJ Benevolent Fund, earmarked “Passover Relief”, or you can make your donation on-line at www.CKJ.org/pay using the pull-down Benevolent Fund - Passover Relief.

FORM FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ

I, __________________________________________________________, do hereby authorize RABBI CHAIM STEINMETZ, of 125 East 85th Street, City, State and County of New York, to sell, transfer and assign all chametz of whatever kind and nature which I possess, or in which I may have an interest, wherever situated, in my residence at: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ or in my place of business at:_____________________________________________________________ or in any other place, without reservation and limitation. I further authorize him to lease all places in which chametz might be found.

If you plan to spend Passover in Israel or Europe, please check this box: □ If you plan to spend Passover in another US time zone, please mark a circle: Central Signature___________________________________Date:___________________ Please return to the Synagogue office by Friday, April 19, no later than 8:30 AM.

○

Rocky Mountain

○

CKJ.ORG/FORM/CHAMETZ

Pacific

○

39 HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

H O L I D AY H I G H L I G H T S

passover schedule THURSDAY, APRIL 18

Search for Chametz...................... After 8:13 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, PASSOVER EVE

Morning Services and Siyum B’chor (Firstborn)....................... 7:00 a.m.

Chametz may not be eaten.... after 10:40 a.m.

Burn chametz no later than................ 11:48 a.m.

Candlelighting ............................................ 7:21 p.m.

Evening Services........................................ 7:35 p.m.

Start Seder........................................ After 8:18 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, PASSOVER 1

Morning Services..................................... 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services...................................... 7:20 p.m.

Candlelighting & Seder............... After 8:19 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, PASSOVER II

Morning Services...................................... 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services...................................... 7:35 p.m.

Conclusion of Yom Tov........................... 8:20 p.m.

SERVICES DURING THE WEEK OF CHOL HAMOED

MONDAY, APRIL 22, PASSOVER III

Morning ........................................................ 7:00 a.m.

Evening ........................................................ 6:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, PASSOVER IV

Morning ........................................................ 7:00 a.m.

Evening ........................................................ 6:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, PASSOVER V

Morning ........................................................ 7:00 a.m.

Evening ........................................................ 6:45 p.m.

CONCLUDING DAYS OF PASSOVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 25, PASSOVER VI

Morning Services ..................................... 7:00 a.m.

Eruv Tavshilin must be prepared Evening Services...................................... 6:45 p.m.

Candlelighting............................................ 7:28 p.m

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, PASSOVER VII

Morning Services...................................... 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services...................................... 6:45 p.m.

Candlelighting............................................ 7:29 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, PASSOVER VIII (YIZKOR IS RECITED)

Morning Services...................................... 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services...................................... 7:25 p.m.

Conclusion of Shabbat/Yom Tov....... 8:27 p.m.

SHAVUOT AND TIKUN LEYL SATURDAY NIGHT, JUNE 8 Evening services................................. 8:00 p.m.

Candlelighting........................... after 9:08 p.m.

Shavuot Dinner...................................... 9:15 p.m.

Opening Class...................................... 11:30 p.m. followed by All-night Learning and Sunrise Minyan at 5:00 a.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Morning Services................................ 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services................................. 6:45 p.m.

Early Yom Tov Sheini: Preparations, Candlelighting, and Kiddush after 6:52 p.m. but before 8:25 p.m.

Regular Candlelighting......... after 9:09 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 10 Morning Services at 9:00 a.m. with Keter Torah Awards Ceremony and Yizkor followed by a hot, dairy congregational Kiddush lunch Evening Services................................. 8:20 p.m.

Yom Tov ends......................................... 9:10 p.m.

2019 - 2020 Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Book of Remembrance

Once again during the spring, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun will publish a BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE in which the names of departed dear ones are recorded by their living relatives who recite Yizkor for them four times a year. At the Yizkor service there is a prayer which says that an offering has been made in memory of those for whom Yizkor was recited. Members of the congregation and the community-at-large may authorize us to publish the names of their departed relatives by making a token contribution of $25 or more for each name to be memorialized. Please use the form below if you wish us to record names for you.

The Book will go to press on Thursday, May 23, so that it will be ready in time for Shavuot.

Enclosed please find my Yizkor offering* for the entire year in memory of those listed below, who are to be recorded in the KJ BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE published by the congregation.

□ Please duplicate last year’s listing(s)

Offering $__________________for ______________people.

Please add the following: FULL NAME IN ENGLISH (PLEASE PRINT) OFFERING Name ______________________________$______________ Name ______________________________$______________ Name ______________________________$______________ Name ______________________________$______________

YOUR NAME____________________________________________ ADDRESS______________________________________________ PHONE________________________________________________ □ □ Please check here if you did not have a listing last year. *This offering is a token of reverence and is designed to be within reach of all. We suggest a contribution of $25 or more for each name.

THIS FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO OUR OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 22.

40 SCHEDULE

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun 125 East 85th Street, New York, NY 10028 212-774-5600

|

CKJ.ORG

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 2200

CONGREGATION KEHILATH JESHURUN 125 EAST 85TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10028-0928

SYNAGOGUE OFFICIALS

Haskel Lookstein.......... Rabbi Emeritus Chaim Steinmetz.............. Senior Rabbi Elimelech Weinstock................... Rabbi Meyer Laniado............. Assistant Rabbi Rabbi Daniel Kraus & Rachel Kraus..... ........ Directors of Community Education Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder...................... ............................ Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Benjamin Zalta.................... Cantor Leonard Silverman.... Executive Director

OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION

David Lobel........................... President Elias Buchwald.... Senior Vice President Jonathan Wagner.......... Vice President Surie Sugarman...... 2nd Vice President Dr. Nicole Agus........ 3rd Vice President Sidney Ingber........... 4th Vice President Dr. Larry Baruch................... Secretary Robert Schwartz................... Treasurer David Sultan........... Assistant Treasurer Morris Massel........ Executive Secretary Evan Farber............ Financial Secretary JJ Hornblass........ Recording Secretary Eric Gribetz....Administrative Secretary

LIVING PAST PRESIDENTS Fred Distenfeld Eric Feldstein Joel Katz

Chaim Edelstein Stanley Gurewitsch

AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS

Carla Tanz........... President, Sisterhood Dr. Mark Meirowitz. President, Men’s Club Brittany Cogan.......... President, Kesher Elisa Septimus.......... President, Kesher Ariel Stern................ President, Kesher

OFFICE STAFF

Riva Alper....................... Administrator Dina Farhi.............. Executive Assistant Menucha Parry.................... Director of

Member Affairs Aryana Bibi Ritholtz....... Youth Director Freddie Rodriguez....... Superintendent Sy Yanofsky....................... Comptroller Esther Feierman.................. Director of Communications and Programming

Are you receiving your KJ Bulletin late in the mail? Are you receiving double copies of the Bulletin?

WE NEED TO KNOW! Please e-mail RIVA@CKJ.ORG or call 212.774.5670.

In preparing the Bulletin, we welcome all KJ members’ announcements of communal, academic and professional acheivements. Please e-mail RIVA@CKJ.ORG or mail it to the synagogue, marked “ATTN: KJ Bulletin”

SHABBAT SCHEDULE

april 5-6 12-13 may 3-4 10-11 17-18 24-25 june 31-1 7-8 14-15 21-22 28-29 july 5-6 12-13

Lighting of Candles

Friday Evening Services

Saturday Afternoon Services

Sabbath Ends

Tazria/haChodesh Metzora/haGadol

7:07 PM 7:14 PM

6:45 PM 6:05 PM

7:00 PM 6:45 PM

8:02 PM 8:10 PM

Aharei Mot Kedoshim Emor Behar

7:36 PM 7:42 PM 7:49 PM 7:56 PM

6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM

7:30 PM 7:35 PM 7:45 PM 7:50 PM

8:34 PM 8:42 PM 8:49 PM 8:57 PM

Behukotai Bamidbar Naso Behaalotekha Shelah

8:01 PM 8:06 PM 8:10 PM 8:12 PM 8:13 PM

6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM 6:45 PM

7:55 PM 8:00 PM 8:05 PM 8:10 PM 8:10 PM

9:03 PM Shavuot 9:12 PM 9:15 PM 9:15 PM

Korah Hukkat

8:13 PM 8:10 PM

6:45 PM 6:45 PM

8:10 PM 8:05 PM

9:14 PM 9:11 PM

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES 7:30 AM

8:30 AM

7:15 AM

7:00 AM

9:00 AM

Weekday mornings

Sunday mornings

Mondays & Thursdays

Rosh Chodesh Weekdays

Sabbath mornings

EVENING SERVICES APRIL 7-JUNE 20.................6:45 PM

JUNE 23-JULY 11 .................6:50 PM

JULY 14-AUGUST 29.................6:45 PM

DATES TO REMEMBER Friday-Saturday, April 19-27 Passover (See schedule on page x) Sunday, May 5 Rosh Chodesh Iyar Morning Services at 8:30 AM Monday, May 6 Rosh Chodesh Iyar Morning Services at 7:00 AM Wednesday, May 8 Yom Hazikaron Thursday, May 9 Yom Ha’Atzmaut Morning Services at 7:00 AM Thursday, May 23 Lag B’Omer

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day Morning Services at 8:30 AM Sunday, June 2 Yom Yerushalayim Morning Services at 8:30 AM Tuesday, June 4 Rosh Chodesh Sivan Morning Services at 7:00 AM Sunday-Monday, June 9-10 Shavuot (see schedule on page 37) Wednesday- July 3 Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Morning Services at 7:00 AM

Thursday. July 4 (Independence Day) Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Morning Services at 8:30 AM Sunday, July 21 Fast of 17th of Tammuz Fast begins 4:31 AM Morning services at 8:30 AM Afternoon services at 7:55 PM Fast ends 9:01 PM Friday, August 2 Rosh Chodesh Av Morning Services at 7:00 AM