2019-2020
CONGREGATION KEHILATH JESHURUN
A unique institution that is a leader in the Jewish world.
THE KJ DI A spiritually uplifting environment for all who come through our doors. 2
An Ort synag committed Torah Ju relevan modern
A dynamic Jewish Community Center serving the Upper East Side and beyond.
FFERENCE
thodox gogue to making udaism nt in the n world.
A caring congregation that is open to everyone. 3
4
OCT
5
NOV
16
DEC
7
DEC
8
FEB
23
FEB
28
APR
1
APR
4
APR
20
YOM HASHOAH PROGRAM
APR
SAVE T H E DAT E
28
YOM HAZIKARON & YOM HA’ATZMAUT Tekes Ma’avar & Community Celebration
SHABBAT SHUVA DRASHA Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz Sponsored by Suzy & Larry Present in memory of Suzy’s parents, Sarah & Emanuel Goldberger
LEAH MODLIN ANNUAL LECTURE On Caring & Community Service CANTORIAL CONCERT Welcoming Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson KJ ANNUAL DINNER Celebrating Dr. Naama & Rabbi Elie Weinstock SUPER SUNDAY Sisterhood Boutique & Community Blood Drive RAMAZ DINNER
SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
ANNUAL SYNAGOGUE MEETING SHABBAT HAGADOL DRASHA Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz Sponsored by Suzy & Larry Present
  TAB L E O F CO NT E NT S 06 BEGINNERS
26 JEWISH YOUTH CONNECTION
08 KESHER
27 CHESED
10 SEPHARDIC
28 NCSY AT KJ
12 ISRAEL AT KJ
29 MJE AT KJ
14 SHABBAT AND HOLIDAYS
30 WHO'S WHO
17 OUR NEW CANTOR 18 YOUTH 20 ENRICH THE SOUL 24 COMMUNITY
5
B EGI N N E RS Our acclaimed outreach and engagement efforts offer meaningful experiences for Jews of all backgrounds. We host weekly Shabbat services, Torah classes, Friday Night Live Shabbat Dinners, Holiday programming, and much more.
Rabbi Elie Weinstock @RavElie
We proudly host the largest High Holiday Beginners Service with over 600 participants, and our Shabbat Across America program attracted over 1,000 people last year, making it the largest in North America. Don’t miss next year’s event on February 28, 2020!
Connect
beginners@ckj.org ckj.org/kjb
6
Rabbi Daniel Kraus @RabbiDKraus
Rachel Kraus
1050
participants in the largest Shabbat Across America program in the country
We believe that we are all Beginners at different stages of the same journey, and we welcome all to see what KJB has to offer.
7
KES H E R Kesher is where young Jewish singles, couples, and families come to connect with each other. It is the spiritual and social home for KJ’s young professionals. The Kesher Minyan is a weekly service designed to foster a greater sense of community, with a hot Kiddush following services. Throughout the year, Kesher offers social, educational, and Chesed programming highlighted by the Shemini Atzeret Luncheon, Chanukah Concert, Challah Bake and more!
Caroline Bryk Liora Schulman Ariel Stern Kesher Presidium
Connect
kesher@ckj.org fb.com/groups/kjkesher ckj.org/kesher 8
40
new Kesher families joined this year. We are growing younger!
9
  S EP HAR D I C Experience a warm, engaging, and meaningful Sephardic Minyan under the guidance of Rabbi Meyer Laniado, in tandem with the inspiring Hazzan Dr. Benjamin Zalta. Our congregants are attracted to the cutting-edge scholarship, leadership, and dialogue that take place at a world-renowned synagogue like KJ, and believe this unity and collaboration is a model for our children and the future success of the Jewish community.
Rabbi Meyer Laniado KJ Assistant Rabbi
Dr. Benjamin Zalta Hazzan
Connect
sephardicminyan@ckj.org ckj.org/sephardicminyan
10
500
RSVPs for our Sephardic/Ashkenaz CommUNITY Together Dinner
DAILY SERVICES 9:00 AM shabbat 7:00 AM Monday - Friday 8:15 AM sundays & National Holidays 6:50 AM rosh chodesh
11
ISRAE L AT KJ Israel, her soldiers and her citizens are always close to our hearts. We bring the largest synagogue delegation to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington and host multiple Israel-focused events throughout the year. We joyously celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
Connect
ckj.org/Israel
+50%
of our community’s high school graduates spend a gap year in Israel
12
UPCOMING EVENTS JANUARY 6
AIPAC Northeast Gala An Evening at Lincoln Center MARCH 1-3
AIPAC Policy Conference APRIL 29
Yom Ha'Atzmaut MAY 22
Yom Yerushalayim JUNE 7
Celebrate Israel Parade
13
LEARNING
Uplifting services, inspiring sermons, stimulating guest speakers, informative classes, youth groups, a delicious Kiddush, communal meals, and the warmth and spirit of Jewish togetherness are hallmarks of every Shabbat and holiday at KJ.
8:30 am Halakhah Class P o s t- H a s h k a m a S h i u r
P R AY E R S
SHAB BAT AN D HO LI DAYS 7:15 AM
H A S H K A M A M I N YA N
9:00 AM
MAIN SERVICE
9:00 AM
S E P H A R D I C M I N YA N
9:15 AM
K J B M I N YA N
9:30 AM
BEGINNERS SERVICE
9:30 AM
K E S H E R M I N YA N
Pre-Mincha Shiur
10:00 AM T E E N M I N YA N
Seudah Shlishit D va r T o r a h
10:00 AM J U N I O R C O N G R E G A T I O N
& YO U T H M I N YA N
50
special Shabbat guest speakers in the past year
Connect 14
ckj.org/shabbatandholidays
UPCOMING EVENTS NOV 16
Leah Modlin Lecture On Caring & Community Service
David Greenfield
DEC 6-7
Norman & Tova Bulow shabbat
Dr. Elana Stein Hain
JAN 4
Siyum Hashas Shabbat
FEB 1
seymour propp memorial lecture
Anton Gunn
FEB 7-8
Samuel S. Silverstein shabbat Community Together Dinner & Shabbat of Song
Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson
FEB 28
Shabbat Across America
FEB 29
Volunteer Recognition Seudah Shlishit
MAR 20-21
Shabbat Yachad
APR 3-4
Suzannne & Dr. Norman Javitt Annual Synagogue Shabbaton
Rabbi Steven Weil
APR 24-25
RZA Mizrachi Israel 360 Shabbat
Rabbi Moshe Taragin
1515
SHAB BAT AN D HO LI DAYS The holidays at KJ are a sight to behold! 3,000 worshipers on the High Holidays
•
Thousands of Sukkah meals served
•
Simchat Torah outside on 85th Street
•
Chanukah lighting in Carl Schurz Park
•
Purim Extravaganza with carnival, multiple megillah readings, and costumes galore
•
Communal Passover Seder for all ages and backgrounds
•
Shavuot Dinner with Youth Divrei Torah and Keter Torah celebration of our accomplished women
YO U T H P R O G RA M S
•
1 0 TOT SHABBAT DAYTIME AM & SHABBAT YOUTH GROUPS • NURSERY • PRE-K • KINDERGARTEN • JUNIOR CONGREGATION GRADES 1-2 • YOUTH MINYAN GRADES 3-7
16
  OU R N EW CAN TO R We welcome Chazan Chaim Dovid Berson, KJ’s new full-time cantor, along with his wife, Batya, and their three-year-old daughter, Anaelle. In addition to leading services, Cantor Berson will be a regular presence at KJ, serving as a resource for life cycle events and Bnei Mitzvah tutoring, and functioning as a member of the KJ clergy. In the coming year, Chazan Berson will be introducing a series of musical programs for our congregation. We look forward to him inspiring our prayers and enriching our souls.
Chaim Dovid Berson Cantor
Connect
cantor@ckj.org fb.com/chaimdovidberson
17
  YOU T H We believe that youth is the Jewish future, and because of this, we offer a large schedule of educational and fun activities to inspire youth of all ages. We offer Shabbat morning programming, chesed activities, movie and gym nights and so much more. Last year we even had Noah's Ark visit! Youth programming at KJ is always exciting.
Aryana Ritholtz Youth Director
Chevy Rubenstein
Assistant Youth Director
Connect
aryana@ckj.org instagram.com/kjyd613 ckj.org/youth
18
+200
children at our annual Purim carnival
MATAN MOTHERDAUGHTER BAT MITZVAH CL ASSES Taught by Rachel Kraus
FATH E R-SO N BAR M ITZ VAH P RO G RAM Taught by the KJ Rabbis
Where Torah and Fun are One!
• Family Friday Night Dinners
• Holiday Programming
• Youth Shabbatonim
• Saturday Night Spectacular
• Shabbat Tefilah Together • Tot Shabbat Across America • Family Seudah Shlishit
• Parent & child Learning • Musical Havdalah &
Ice Cream Parties • Sports & More!
19
  EN R I C H T H E SO UL Spiritually connect through prayer, Torah study, and mitzvot. We offer a wide array of engaging and interesting classes on Bible, Talmud, Halakhah, Jewish Philosophy, Ethics, Jewish History, and Hebrew language. There are many diverse arts and culture programs, including film screenings and book reviews, from which to choose.
meaningful jewish living thursdays at 7:00 pm Rabbinical Staff
A comprehensive year-long course covering major themes in Jewish law, practice, and thought. Explore how a 5,000 year old religion is more relevant today than ever before. This course is open to all who wish to deepen their knowledge and review the fundamentals of Jewish thought and practice, and is ideal for those considering conversion.
Connect
C l a s s O v e r v i e w s ckj.org/enrichthesoul c l a s s S c h e d u l e s ckj.org/calendar 20
SUN |foll0wing 8:30 AM services TUES | 8:15 AM
TUEs | 7:00 PM TUEs | 8:00 PM
wed | 6:30 PM
wed | 7:30 PM
wed | 9:30 PM
Dr. William Major Memorial Advanced Shiur in Talmud Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder
Parsha Foundations Rabbi Elie Weinstock
for the love of god Rabbi Meyer Laniado the book of bamidbar with rashi
Martin Kaufman
Crash Course in Hebrew Reading Fall: sept 11 | Winter: JAN 8
Sara Rosen
12 T H ANNUAL FLORE NCE FIS H E L COH E N
TESHUVA SHIUR Rabbi Jeremy Wieder Thursday, October 3 7:30 PM
Prayerbook Hebrew Fall: sept 11 | Winter: JAN 8 Sara Rosen
contemporary halAkhic issues Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz 21
EN R I C H T H E SO UL jli jewish learning institute Mon | 7:00 pm Rabbi Elie Weinstock NOV 11
JLI is a creative presentation of traditional Judaism in a highly professional, innovative, and academically rigorous yet accessible format.
W o r r i e r t o Wa r r i o r JAN 27
Gifts of the Jews MAY 4
Secrets of the Bible
women's learning MON | 8:30 AM
Exploring Jewish Thought
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz
WED | 8:30 AM
Women’s Parashat Hashavua
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
THURS | 8:30 AM book of kings I: David & Batsheva: The Finale
22
Dr. Shera Aranoff Tuchman
monthly
Soul Cycle: A Monthly Spiritual Workout
Rachel Kraus
living room learning Mon | 7:00 pm KJ is bringing Torah to the home! Join with community members for some casual, informative, and thought-provoking discussion while studying traditional texts and contemporary issues. Each session will be hosted by a community member. All you need to bring is curiosity, questions, and an open mind!
700
hours of Torah learned in the past year
d e ta i l s email ravelie@ckj.org
DAILY SERVICES Shacharit Morning Services 8:30 AM S u n d ay
L e g a l H o l i d ay s
7:15 AM M o n d ay T h u r s d ay 7:30 AM T u e s d ay
W e d n e s d ay F r i d ay 7:00 AM R o s h C h o d e s h
w e e k d ay s
Mincha & Ma’ariv Evening Services 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE SUNSET
S ta n d a r d T i m e 6:45 PM
D ay l i g h t S av i n g s T i m e
Times ckj.org/cal
23
CO M M U N I T Y
Offers cultural and intellectually stimulating events for the entire community, including Kiddush Discussions, film screenings, book discussions, weekly Seudah Shlishit guest speakers, and the Sunday Supper Lecture series.
Dr. Mark Meirowitz President
Connect 24
mensclub@ckj.org
Connect
ckj.org/community
U JA @ K J
M E N’S C L UB
We strive to create a warm and welcoming community for all. The Sisterhood, Men’s Club, UJA @ KJ, and weekly Senior Lunch and Learn are among the ways for members to deepen their connection to the synagogue, the broader community, and each other.
A partnership between KJ members and UJA-Federation of New York that connects members of the community with a variety of causes and agencies in need of support; volunteer opportunities before Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Purim; and the important work of UJA in New York, Israel and around the world. We are excited to welcome our new co-chairs, Danielle Auerbach, Megan Englander, and Marilyn Zarabi.
Connect
zimiloverR@ujafedny.org
S IS T ERH OOD
The Sisterhood is a home within a home for the women of KJ. In addition to offering engaging social events and learning opportunities, setting up local shiva homes, and hosting the Chanukah Boutique and Annual Spring Luncheon, the Sisterhood raises funds to support KJ, Ramaz, and numerous worthy Jewish causes.
Sharon Garfunkel Roberta Stetson Presidents
KJ Sisterhood generously underwrites the Congregational Shabbat Kiddush and Sukkah Meals.
Connect
sisterhood@ckj.org ckj.org/sisterhood
60
community events that brought the KJ family closer together
25
  J EWI S H YOU T H CO NN ECT I O N THE HEBREW SCHOOL WITH A H.E.A.R.T. IN THE HEART OF THE CITY JYC offers a hands-on, energetic, attentive, relevant, and tech-savvy environment for our students, who each walk away with a stronger connection to Judaism. JYC provides meaningful Jewish learning and religious experiences for students in Kindergarten through 7th grade who don’t attend Day School, and for those who need more individualized attention. We also offer a specialized program of preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We are welcoming to ALL children from every educational background and with unique learning or physical needs. No synagogue membership is required to attend JYC or participate in any of the school programming, and JYC families are invited to take advantage of congregational offerings.
Connect
26
deeni@ckj.org jyc.info fb.com/jewishyouthconnection
25
families celebrating at the Annual JYC Shabbaton
C H E S E D Our members are active volunteers in Bikur Cholim, Hatzolah, and the Chevra Kadisha. Other ways to help others include Shabbat Hospitality, the Food Pantry, Mitzvah Toy Campaign and Dorot.
•
Support Group for the Bereaved
•
Lecture Series on Mental Health
•
Monthly Fertility Support Group
•
KJ Caring Committee
• Ahavah@KJ
412
challahs baked in support of worthy causes
Connect
ckj.org/chesed
27
N CSY AT KJ NCSY creates platforms for social and educational opportunities to build a teen community rooted in core Jewish values where social life and exploring your Jewish identity go hand‑in‑hand. KJ is pleased to partner with NCSY to inspire and engage our community’s teens.
Rabbi Manu Hass NCSY Manhattan City Director
Connect manu@ncsy.org newyork.ncsy.org
PROGRAMS Teen Minyan Shabbat Meals Chesed Missions Grade-wide Shabbatons Friday Night Lights Holiday Events & Programming
28
100
KJ/Ramaz teens participated in NCSY onegs this past year
MJE AT KJ KJ is pleased to announce a partnership with the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) to offer programming for the Young Jewish Professional population of the Upper East Side. Founded by Rabbi Mark Wildes in 1998, MJE is a warm and open community, where young Jewish professionals in their 20s and 30s can explore Jewish life and meet new people. Each year, thousands of NYC YJPs attend Friday night dinners; out‑of‑town retreats; trips to Israel; classes; and social networking and community‑service events. MJE has 3 locations: West Side, Downtown, and East Side now based at KJ.
800
MJE@KJ participants in first year of collaboration
Rabbi Avi Heller Director, MJE East
Connect
jewishexperience.org ravavimje@gmail.com rachelb@jewishexperience.org
29
WHO’S
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz
Rabbi Elie Weinstock
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Rabbi Meyer Laniado
Dr. Benjamin Zalta
Dr. Shilo Kramer
Dr. Steven Ritholtz
Aryana Ritholtz
Riva Alper
Sy Yanofsky
Senior Rabbi
Sephardic Hazzan
Leonard Silverman Executive Director
30
Rabbi
Beginners Chazan
Administrator
Rabbi Emeritus
Teen Director
Comptroller
Assistant Rabbi
Youth Director
Dina Farhi
Executive Assistant
WHO
Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder Scholar-in-Residence
Chevy Rubenstein
Assistant Youth Director
Esther Feierman
Director of Communications and Programming
Rabbi Daniel Kraus
Director of Community Education
Rabbi Manu Hass
Rachel Kraus
Director of Community Education
Deeni Hass
Manhattan NCSY Director
JYC Director
Menucha Parry
Freddie Rodriguez
Director of Member Affairs
Superintendent
Chaim Dovid Berson Cantor
Julia Baruch
Yoetzet Halakha
Mamadou Deme
Director of Security
31
212.774.5600 CKJ.ORG | OFFICE@CKJ.ORG FB.COM/CONGREGATIONKEHILATHJESHURUN 125 EAST 85TH STREET, NEW YORK NY 10028