The Holiday We Need Right Now
By rabbi chaim steinmetz
A third explanation is that it was the day when the generation of the desert, which was decreed to die before entering the land, stopped dying.
A fourth explanation relates to the sentries that Jeroboam, the King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had placed to prevent his subjects from visiting the Temple in Jerusalem; on the 15th of Av, his successor Hosea removed those sentries.
A fifth explanation relates to the Bar Kochva rebellion; after defeating the Jewish army, the Romans refused to allow the burial of the fallen soldiers. On the 15th of Av, they finally did.
This is a very curious list of explanations; they are merely instances when a bad situation becomes less bad. That seems like a poor reason for a holiday. Celebrations are meant for joyous events, not just for mediocre moments of “less bad.” What does the Talmud intend to convey with this list?
The key to understanding Tu B’Av lies in its proximity to Tisha B’Av. If a Shiva, the seven days of mourning, were to begin on Tisha B’Av, it would end on Tu B’Av. This informs the Talmud’ s approach. Much like the end of a Shiva, these minor events mark the moment when one can move beyond the mourning and start anew. And that is exactly what Tu B’Av is about. It is the counter-Tisha B’Av, a national day of consolation.
It is in the celebration of marriage that Tu B’Av offers its most important lesson of consolation. On a practical level, marriage allows the community to rebuild, with more families and more children. The Talmud remarks that every Jewish wedding is the equivalent of restoring one of the ruins of Jerusalem, because each Jewish marriage is another step on the road to redemption.
But the lesson of Tu B’Av goes beyond that.
True consolation is intertwined with resilience, the ability to bounce back from the present and build a better future. Marriage enables one to do that. Two are always better than one at any task; and if the two love each other, they can achieve remarkable things. The key to resilience is to love others and to be loved by others.
A few months ago a wedding took place in Israel. Ben Binyamin and Gali Segal walked down the aisle on their own, and that in and of itself was a miracle. They had gone to the Nova Festival as an engaged couple; and while fleeing from the festival, a grenade thrown into their vehicle blew off both of their right legs.
The rehabilitation was incredibly difficult, and both fell into depression. Ben was a professional soccer player, who lost, as he put it “the essence of who he was. ” Gali worried that she might never have children.
But they stuck together, and that made them stronger. Gali explained that “despite all the difficulties, we are a strong couple. The fact that we are going through this together is incredible.” Ben spoke about how "There' s a huge advantage in going through this together…It' s immensely comforting for me on an emotional level. Having the woman I love most by my side all the time, I feel she understands me best. Just as I understand her pains, her struggles, and her frustrations.”
Throughout the rehabilitation, they encouraged each other and cared for each other. They kept pushing themselves, and were determined to walk down the aisle for their wedding.
And they did.
Love makes us stronger; and that is equally true of couples and countries. Just a few short days after Tisha B’Av, the rabbis instituted a new-old holiday that prods us to heal the disagreements of the past. Perhaps once there were separations between tribes and divisions between kingdoms; but on Tu B’Av, those ended.
The distance between destruction and redemption is measured in love; and without unity, there is no future.
Tu B’ av is the holiday we need right now. After twenty-one months of grief, there are many questions: Where does one find resilience, where does one find hope?
Tu B’Av offers a simple answer. If we can heal the divisions tearing our community apart, if we can find a way to love each other, then we will find the way.
It’s not all in heaven: a new look at megillat rut
By rabbi Haskel lookstein
Below is a sermon which I delivered in the Green Road Synagogue in Cleveland on the second day of Shavuot. I thought it would be meaningful for our KJ family because of its message for all of us.
On the surface, the Book of Ruth seems to be a story of determinism, a validation of the words of Rabbi Chanina in the Talmud, Berachot 33B: Hakol bidai shamayim… “Everything is in the hands of heaven...”
Here is a synopsis of the story: A wealthy family lives in Beit Lechem. A famine occurs in the land. The leader of the family, Elimelech, takes his wife Naomi and his two sons, Machlon and Kilyon, and they go to the land of Moav, presumably to avoid having to take care of all of the starving Jews who came to their door for assistance in the midst of the famine. In Moav, Machlon and Kilyon marry Moabite princesses, something of a slap in the face to God and Israel, because Moav was the arch enemy of the Jewish people. When the Children of Israel traversed the wilderness on the way from Egypt, they had asked Moav to provide them with bread and water to sustain them. Although they were willing to pay for this sustenance, the Moabites refused. From that time on, the Torah says, no Jew is allowed to marry someone from the nation of Moav.
God, it seems, punishes the family severely. Elimelech dies and Naomi is left a widow. Then Machlon and Kilyon die and Ruth and Orpah, the Moabite princesses, are left as widows too.
A massive tragedy, seemingly coming as a punishment from God. Hakol Bidai Shamayim. “Everything is in the hands of heaven” .
The story continues. Naomi urges her two erstwhile daughters-in-law to retum to their Moabite homes. Orpah accepts her advice and leaves; but Ruth clings to Naomi and promises never to leave her. Naomi and Ruth return to Israel when they hear that the famine has ended. They are very poor. Naomi sends Ruth to glean with the poor in the fields.
Vayiker mikre’ha! Ruth, by chance, happens to choose the field belonging to Boaz who, by chance, is a relative of Elimelech and is in a position to redeem Elimelech’ s fields and marry Ruth and continue the name of the family by so doing. However, there is another man who is a closer relative and who has the first responsibility to redeem the field and marry Ruth. That man, nameless in the Megillah (He’ s called ploni almoni, John Doe or “What’ s his name?”) refuses to take the Moabite woman. Boaz redeems the field, marries Ruth and she bears him a son. That son, Oved, is the grandfather of King David, born three generations later.
Hakol bidai shamayim —“ All is in the hands of heaven!”
Not so, says Professor Yoni Grossman, of the Bible Department at Bar llan University. The beginnings of the story are in the hands of God. The scene is set by God. But the actors in the scene determine the outcome by their own initiative.
Let us take a closer look at the conversation between Naomi and her two erstwhile daughters-in-law who are now widows. And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law: Go back, each of you, to your maternal homes and may God help you find there, peace and marriage. And she kissed them and the young women wept and they said to her: No, we will go with you to your people. Naomi continues to press them: Go back my daughters. Why would you want to go with me? I am old;| cannot provide you with husbands. There is no hope for you with me. My life is bitter because God’ s hand has come against me. And the women wept and only then did Orpah kiss her mother-in-law goodbye and leave, while Ruth clung to Naomi and promised loyalty to her in the most memorable words: “Please do not ask me to leave you; for wherever you will go, I will go, where you will lie down | will lie down, your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you will die, I will die and I will be buried there. Only death shall separate me from you. ” Naomi saw, that, Ruth mitametzet, she was absolutely determined to go with her, and so Naomi stopped trying to convince her otherwise.
What happened here? Orpah and Ruth initially insisted on staying with Naomi. Only after Naomi persisted in advising them to leave did Orpah turn her back on her motherin-law and return to Moav. Ruth, on the other hand, gave the extra effort and persisted in her desire to take care of Naomi and to be loyal to her. The difference between Orpah and Ruth was not the difference between bad and good; it was the difference between the normal and ordinary reaction on the part of Orpah and the extra effort and extraordinary determination on the part of Ruth. Orpah was normal; but Ruth, as Cynthia Ozick pointed out, in an article on the Book of Ruth, was singular!
The tragedy was created by God, but the reaction to the tragedy, which led eventually to a blessed outcome, was the result of human initiative and heroism.
This same pattern continues throughout the Megillah. Ruth happens upon a field that belonged to Boaz, but she stands out from among all the other gleaners. Boaz notices her, inquires about her and finds out that she has attached herself to her aged mother-in-law in an act of extraordinary loyalty and chesed. Boaz then demonstrates exceptional chesed himself. Unlike the other relative who refuses to take on the responsibility of Ruth, a Moabite princess whose origins might tarnish his family’ s reputation i.e. his yichus, Boaz sees something special in Ruth and agrees to take her in marriage and maintain the family name. The result of that extra effort and initiative by Boaz is the birth, three generations down the line, of King David.
Hakol bidai shamayim? Is everything really in the hands heaven? No! God sets the stage. He creates the opportunities for two people to meet, but it is up to those two people to exercise human initiative and exert the extra effort which makes the blessed result possible. The beginning is in the hands of God, but the end is a result of the singular efforts of human beings.
One might say that there is such a thing as bashert in the world of marriage. In some way, God brings two individuals together. But the development of a relationship and the success of the marriage depend upon the initiative of the two individuals and their extra effort. God can enable it to happen, but the man and the woman ultimately are the ones who make it happen. They transform the possible into the real.
On a more global level, Medinat Yisrael is a manifestation of this understanding of Hakol bidai shamayim, “Everything is in the hands of Heaven,” brought to realization by the extraordinary singularity and effort of Am Yisrael. The miracles – the Bidei Shamayim are clear and obvious. The November 29, 1947 vote in the United Nations, two and a-halfyears after the Holocaust came to an end, was a vote that needed a two-thirds majority in order to approve the resolution creating a Jewish State in Palestine. The vote was thirtythree to thirteen in favor. Had three votes switched from in favor to against, the resolution to create a Jewish State would have been defeated. That affirmative vote was a miracle because it was made possible by the support of two blocs which almost never voted together in the UN: the US bloc and the Soviet bloc. This time they voted Yes together. Hakol bidai shamayim!
The War of Independence, a victory for Israel against all odds; the Six Day War, which saved Israel from another Holocaust and radically transformed the geography of the Jewish State,
were both miracles. I remember that first Shavuot, one week after the victorious conclusion of the Six Day War, on which tens of thousands of Israelis davened and danced in a newly cleared Kotel Plaza. The words of Hallel rang true: “This is the day the Lord has chosen, let us rejoice and sing on it.” Hakol bidai shamayim!
The Iron Dome of today, which has protected Israel from massive death and destruction, is a miracle. Just this past Pesach, the loudspeaker at the David Citadel Hotel announced that we should all go to the stairwell to shelter ourselves because a Houthi missile had been fired and not yet intercepted. All of us went into our respective stairwells. One of our young members was crying, out of fear. As I heard her crying, I thought to myself how miraculous the safety of the Jewish people in Israel is. A similar attack on the United States would cause horrific damage and destruction. Yet, all of the thousands of missiles fired by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and the Houthis have been intercepted or have fallen with almost no damage or loss of life. Miraculous! And Hezbollah; remember how terrified we all were of Hezbollah? When the Gaza War started there was serious thought given to attacking Hezbollah to the North. That strategy was rejected because Israel was paralyzed by the fear of what 150,000 sophisticated missiles could do when fired on the cities and dwellings of Israel. What actually happened? Miracle of miracles: the pagers carried by Hezbollah fighters mysteriously exploded with catastrophic effect. It was the fighting force of Hezbollah that was now terrified and virtually dissolved. The Hezbollah leadership was decimated. Once the Israel Air Force began its systematic destructive attack on Hezbollah sites the entire Hezbollah force collapsed within days. Hakol bidai shamayim. This was all miraculous.
Yes! A lot of it was miraculous, including and especially the timing. But God’ s hand clearly required the singular efforts of singular people: Am Yisrael and its leaders. They made the possible, real. The Ben Gurions! The Menachem Begins; the Israel Air Force; the architects and the artisans of the Start Up Nation; the Mossad; the heroic soldiers who gave their lives willingly and inspirationally, many of whose bodies are buried on Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem. Without those bodies, the bidai shamayim would not have brought the blessed rewards.
Rav Moshe Taragin of Yeshivat Har Etzion spoke from our pulpit recently and urged us as follows: One should never visit Israel without visiting Har Herzl. Many sites in Israel are important, among them, of course, the Kotel – very important. But Har Herzl may be the most important, because without Har Herzl there might not be a Medinat Yisrael.
The story of Ruth is a paradigm for the history of Israel. Hakol bidai shamayim: God’ s role is to make miracles possible. Our role is to transform God’ s blessings of what can be into a reality of what is. May we all prove worthy of our task.
Keter Torah
awardee presentations
Sharon Garfunkel and Sarah Klar received this year ’ s Annual Judith Kaufman Keter Torah Awards on Shavuot. Here are their inspiring words.
family, friendship, and meaning
Presented by Sharon Garfunkel
I came to KJ in the middle 90s and soon thereafter met a very persuasive older gentlemen, Edward, who saw in me a fellow questing Neshama and insisted that I come to the KJ Beginner’ s Minyan, led by George Rohr.
George was extremely impactful, and I stayed. Soon, after I volunteered to give the upcoming week’ s D’ var Torah, I was approached by a friend’ s mother who said she wanted me to meet someone and then introduced me to long-standing KJ member Asher Levitsky. We clicked and a bit later were married by Rabbi Haskel Lookstein in a beautiful ceremony on the KJ roof, twenty-one great years ago.
I’ ve remained committed to the KJ Beginner' s Minyan all these years (Somewhat of a misnomer as we ’ re not all beginners). We’ ve celebrated smachot and sorrows, welcomed converts, shared Torah study sessions and dissected the Parsha under the warm and inspiring leadership of Rabbi Daniel Kraus.
As I took on more responsibility, I eventually became the Director of Ushers for the wellattended High Holiday Beginner’ s Service in the Lindenbaum Gymnasium at the Ramaz Middle School. We welcome many non-Members and make them feel at home. We can welcome up to 500 men and women at that service, so be sure to recommend us to friends and neighbors who are looking for High Holiday inspiration!
Fundamentally a 'People Person,' I’ ve also assisted the KJ family by serving as a Shabbat Lobby Greeter, welcoming members and directing visitors on busy Shabbat mornings when a friendly face and helpful guidance makes all the difference.
My KJ activism took me to the doorstep of Sisterhood more than a dozen years ago, working on many of their events until I became a Chairperson of the Boutiques. This was a good match which played on an interest of mine stemming from my extensive Retail background
Professionally, I took my Psychology and Economics educational background to the marketplace, with a strong interest in Market Research. I have always been interested in why and what people buy. My work experience runs the gamut from large corporations such as Nabisco and other name brand businesses to having my own store on the Upper East Side where I retailed and wholesaled handcrafted artisan clothing and accessories, primarily from South America.
I’ ve been a manager at Bergdorf’ s, a Gift and Jewelry buyer at The Jewish Museum, an advisor to many entities and individuals, and have always been involved in handcrafted jewelry and accessories which I continue to sell privately. Currently, I’ m in sales at Fox’ s - now in a big new store on 74th Street and Third Avenue. As you can see, I was born to sell.
The Sisterhood Boutiques contribute significantly to Sisterhood’ s fundraising efforts. Money is made from the sale of tables to vendors, with no additional percentage taken from their sales. Vendors are carefully vetted for our audience and a large percentage of vendors are returnees. I’ ve been a vendor, and it’ s great! The friendships I made while volunteering for Sisterhood are precious, no one more so than the late Roberta Stetson with whom I shared the Presidency.
Many have asked about my dear friend, KJ member Bonnie Dietrich. Bonnie came to KJ about 25 years ago and was converted by Rabbi Josh Lookstein. KJ was her Jewish family. She taught piano to many KJ children, organized Musical Salons for the KJ Men' s Club, and volunteered in the KJ Food Pantry. When Bonnie developed dementia at the start of Covid, her circle and I arranged her coming here and I would be with her every Shabbat and Holiday morning. Those times together meant a lot to her and me, and it was through them that I learned to appreciate the gift of Chesed that primarily enriches the one performing it.
Emulating God is inspiring, and KJ's credo stresses that
commitment.
t. At KJ I have found family, friendship and meaning, for which I am grateful. And I hope to continue to contribute to KJ.
the smallest acts of kindness
Presented by Sarah Klar
It is truly an honor and a profound privilege to stand before you today to receive the Keter Torah Award for this year. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be part of such a remarkable and beautiful community—KJ.
About four years ago, my husband and I made the move from downtown to the Upper East Side. From the moment we arrived, we felt an immediate warmth, a sense of belonging that touched us deeply. We were inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm that radiates through this community—an unwavering commitment to building a strong, vibrant Jewish life amongst the hustle and bustle of the greatest city in the world.
Soon after becoming part of this community, I had the honor and pleasure of serving as president of the Kesher community. That experience opened my eyes to the profound power of giving—how it transforms not only those who receive but also those who give.
It became clear to me that true fulfillment lies in sharing our resources, our time, and our love, rather than merely being passive recipients. I deeply want this value of chesed to be rooted in my life, in my children’s lives, and in the future of our community.
In a time when consumerism seems to be at an all-time high—when packages arrive faster than we can blink, and shopping for my children feels almost endless—I often find myself asking: How can I make giving and chesed second nature to my children? How do we instill in them a heart that naturally reaches out to others?
Growing up in a household where my parents were true givers I didn't have to look far for inspiration. Every Friday, my mother baked homemade challah without fail. The aroma alone was enough to know that Shabbat was coming. so much so that if I didn’t smell that warm delicious smell, I wondered if it was truly Shabbat. That tradition etched itself into my heart, a symbol of warmth, sanctity, and tradition.
Years later, I realized how deeply that smell had become intertwined with my sense of Shabbat and rest, I decided to recreate that magic for my own children. Now, every Friday, I bake challah with love, even amongst the endless busy-ness of life. And then, an idea took root: what if these challahs could bring comfort and joy to others, what if I can share this mitzvah with others and let them join in the love and blessings they bring to our home?
One Friday night as I packed yet another batch of leftovers into my freezer, I felt compelled to reach out—to see if anyone in our community might benefit from this small but heartfelt act. I received a list of those facing hardships—widowed, battling illness, or living alone—and I realized that this simple act of baking and sharing could be a bridge of kindness. My children, too, became involved—writing cards, decorating bags, and hand delivered the warm challahs.
I insisted on making the challah by hand. A friend once suggested buying bread for convenience, but I knew that the true blessing lay in the kneading —when my hands, my love, and my mood infuse each loaf. Sometimes, I wondered: Is this enough? Challah isn’t a cure for illness, nor does it cover medical expenses. But the responses we received—heartfelt tears, messages of gratitude, and pictures of children battling cancer—reminded me that even the smallest acts of kindness can carry profound meaning.
One moment stands out vividly in my memory. After a minor medical procedure, I returned home one afternoon exhausted, hungry, and overwhelmed. My husband handed me a delivery with a note from his sister —it was a piece of my favorite cake from my favorite bakery, with a message saying: “Thinking of you. I love you. ” In that moment, tears welled up in my eyes. It wasn ’t a grand gesture—no check, no elaborate meal—but just a heartfelt note, a reminder that someone was thinking of me, that I was loved. It touched me more deeply than any gift.
That experience taught me that sometimes, all it takes to uplift someone is a small act of kindness—a smile, a note, a moment of genuine thoughtfulness It reinforced that in the world of chesed, the simplest gestures often have the greatest impact.
So, I leave you with this thought: How can you brighten someone ’ s day today? How can you share love, warmth, and kindness—no matter how small —so they feel seen and cared for? Because, ultimately, chesed doesn't need to be grand or elaborate. A kind word, a gentle smile, a heartfelt note—these are the true treasures that can transform lives.
Thank you once again for this incredible honor. May we all continue to spread kindness, compassion, and chesed in our community.
Chag Sameach.
ANNUAL MEETING RECAP
153rd Annual Meeting, April 2, 2025
A standing-room only audience looked back on a storied year, welcomed new membersandbidfarewelltoothers.Aproposedduesandmembershipassessmentwas on the agenda, and the highlight of the evening was the feature film “American and Orthodox — The KJ Story,” which captured the origin story of the KJ family. The eveningendedonahighnotewiththetraditionalrepastofhotdogs,knishes,andicecoldbeer,courtesyofForemostCaterers.
In lieu of an invocation, Rabbi Feldman offered a prayer for the safety and success of thesoldiersoftheIDFandforthehostagestocomehome.
Anniversary Celebrants Tributes
60 AnniversariansCelebrants th
Brenda&AlbertBernstein
HannahLow
GabyMajor
EvelynRochlin
40 AnniversariansCelebrants th
Sandy&RobertApril
EliasBuchwald
LindaOssad&RobertEllenberg
Cynthia&StuartEllman
Nicole&DavidGruenstein
Michele&RonaldJaspan
ElissaShay&DanielOrdan
Nina&AbramOrwasher
Judy&RobertPodell
GailSchaffer
Stacy&RonaldScheinberg
NathanSilverstein
BarbaraSandberg&StevenSpringer
Adele&RonaldTauber
Merryl&JamesTisch
Phyllis&JonathanWagner
Barbara&JeromeWeiss
Judy&PhilipWilner
50 AnniversariansCelebrants th
Ruth&RaymondBrenner
TovaBulow
Hollace&StevenCohen
Barbara&AbrahamEsses
Wilma&StephenKule
Vivianne&RobertKurzweil
HowardLevine
EstherRoshwalb
AmyRubenstein
SheraAranoff&AlanTuchman
25 AnniversariansCelebrants th
DianaNewman&IsaacCorre
Rachel&JoshuaCrane
Abigail&DavidDoft
Randi&HowardEisenstein
LeonardFeingold
Aijia&ElliotFelig
Lilly&DavidIcikson
KarinCharnoff-Katz&JoelKatz
Melanie&AndrewKule
JaneLebell
Caroline&MorrisMassel
SeymourReich
JeffreySnyder
Abigail&ShaiTambor
Heidi & Jeffrey Abraham
Mati Adler
Rebecca & Jordan Anhalt
David Apfelbaum
Sophia & Brandon Aryeh
Carole & Andrew Aryeh
Jenna & Cyril Berdugo
Leslie & Jeremy Berdugo
Nancy & David Berkowitz
Rachel & Jonathan Berkowitz
Dr. Diana Gruenstein-Bildirici & Rafael Bildirici
Meredith Sondler-Bazar & Salomon Blutreich
Ashley & Jared Brecher
Emma Chu
Maeva & Brad Colman
Daniela & Zachary Cooper
Melissa & Daniel Davis
Casey & Michael Deutsch
Susan Nussbaum Domb & Ronald Domb
Lily Abrahams & Zachary Eckstein
Anna Etra
Bernice Edelstein Fingeret & Donald Fingeret
Linda Bernell & Adam Frank
Erica Baruch & Elisha Friedman
Debbie & Thomas Furst
Michal & Joshua Garren
Samantha Sterling & Jonathan Gol
Alison Epstein & Jeffrey Granowitz
Alon Harnoy
Sara & Jeremy Hoffman
Olivia Gatoff & Elan Hollander
Tamara Jasper
Hannah & Avi Jerushalmy
Sarah & Billy Kachel
Dov Kalton
Jessica & Brett Kaplan
Alisa Kasachkoff
Olga Kaboulova & Maurice Kaufman
Moshe Klein
Debbie & Yair Klyman
Noa & Ariel Koschitzky
Alexandra & Sean Lefkovits
Haley Zylberberg & Jason Liberman
Sara & Rami Levi
Amy & Andrew Levine
Danielle Levite & Brett Levine
Sofia & Aaron Lunzer
Mattia Malchiodi
Rochelle Fang & Barry Marcus
Sandra Polak & Yannick Meijer
Alli & Jason Miller
Madison & Joe Nahmad
Danielle Shapiro & Joseph Newmark
Lisa Slavin & Steven Perelman
Ashley & Matthew Platt
Karen & David Poppers
Pamela & Joshua Zable W E L C O M I N G O U R N E W M E M B E R S
Amanda Kanefsky & Gabe Raab
Stephanie Torkian & Robert Rahmanian
Raquel & Michael Reich
Ophira Platt Rosenzweig & Yechiel Rosenzweig
Stephanie & Robert Rahmanian
Dorin & Daniel Roth
Amy Lewis & David Roumani
Grace Galapo & Elliot Schubin
Eliana & Alexander Shimoff
Hannah & Joshua Silverman
Talia & Alexander Stadtmauer
Alyssa Stauber & Joseph Stern
Nicole Katz Tal & Tomer Tal
Danielle Dennis & Joshua Weinreb
Adiel & Matthew Weinreich
Sonia Weiss & Edward Weiss
Zachary & Phyllis Wohlberg
Gayle & Josh Yashar
President’s
PresentedbyKJBoardPresid
As I note every year, it is an hono experience — to serve as the Pre
This is a special evening for our community. After the meeting concludes, we will watch the premiere of the documentary, titled “American and Orthodox — The KJ Story.“ The film was made in honor of KJ‘ s 150th anniversary. Ok — so we ’ re three years late — it’ s our 153rd anniversary. But Bnei Yisroel Israel were 40 years late in reaching the promised land. We can be a little bit late.
The meeting is special for another reason as well. I am pleased to announce a historic and unprecedented gift to the Congregation. Two anonymous donors have agreed to endow the Rabbi Haskel Lookstein Program for Jewish Exploration and Continuity. The gift is in the amount of $3 million.
The mission of the program is as follows:“Named in honor of Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, whose legacy embodies the values of inclusivity, education and spiritual growth, this new program seeks to build bridges to Judaism for those exploring their heritage or beginning their Jewish journey. The Rabbi Haskel Lookstein program for Jewish exploration and continuity aims to inspire participants by providing accessible entry points into Jewish life and fostering a deeper connection to Jewish identity, tradition and continuity."
Now I want to read from my communication thanking the anonymous donors:“On behalf of the lay leadership of Kehilath Jeshurun, thank you for this extraordinarily generous and unprecedented gift. The Rabbi Haskel Lookstein Endowment Fund not only appropriately honors our rabbi, leader and friend for 60+ years and who has meant so much to our congregation and to the wider Jewish world. Beyond that, we can think of no worthier a cause at KJ than enhancing and extending our Beginners program, an undertaking that over several decades has brought hundreds, if not thousands, of Jews closer to Judaism. Your gift ensures that this program will continue to have a lasting impact."
The gift serves so many purposes. First, it appropriately honors Rabbi Lookstein, whose contributions to KJ over 60+ years, and whose family’ s contributions to KJ dating back to the Ramaz beginning in 1906, have been priceless. Second, as I also mentioned in the letter, BeginnersissuchacriticalpartofKJ,datingtotheprogram’screationinthe1990’sbyGeorge Rohr,SteveRudolph,andothervolunteers.Third,thedonationwillrelievesomeofthepressure ontheKJbudget,coveringmostofthecostofKJ’senhancedBeginnersprogram.
A word about our anonymous donors. Parshat Vayakhel, which we read last week, states concerning Bnei Yisrael’ s contributions to the building of the Mishkan: vayavou kol ish asher nisao bilibo vichol asher nadvah rucho oto heviu et terumat Hashem. Every person whose heart uplifted him or her came to donate to the Mishkan. Bnai Yisroel as donors were inspired, energized and engaged.
That describes our donors. They have given not for praise, but out of the goodness of their hearts. They have chosen to remain anonymous, not because their gift is small, quite the opposite, but because their hearts are very large. Their contribution is not about honor, but about impact.
To our anonymous donors, your generosity is seen, even if your name is not. You have strengthened our community and our outreach to those unattached and unaffiliated. At the same time, you have given meaning to the pasuk in Pirkei Avot — al shelosha devarim haolam omed — the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah and gemilut chasadim — acts of kindness. May the gratitude in this room for your profound act of kindness reach you even though we are not able to thank you in person. May your giving be blessed by Hashem, and may you and Rabbi Lookstein continue to be an inspiration to us.
Let me turn back to KJ this past year.
If I had to summarize in a sentence or two, I would say that KJ is doing better than ever, but the rest of the world isn't necessarily cooperating. In fact, the rest of the world remains a fraught place.
The events in the wider world, and the wider Jewish world, continue to have had a significant impact on the Synagogue and our community. We have had to provide increased support for Israel through the Benevolent Fund and otherwise. We' ve reoriented much of our programming around Israel related issues. We' ve undertaken individual and community initiatives too numerous to count. And we ' ve had to ratchet up our spending on security. But we are still doing the things that make KJ unique in the modern Orthodox world.
In terms of what' s going on at KJ, it would be hard to imagine more engagement by and with the community, although there is room for improvement. We often convene seven minyanim on Shabbat. And I could go on about each of them, but I want to focus on our building blocks of the future. The Kesher minyan is completely packed. The youth program has been spectacular. Kudos to Ruthie for her creative programming. This creates a virtuous cycle which leads to more families staying in the community, more strengthening of Ramaz, which in turn strengthens KJ. This year is, I believe, our largest ever class of new members.
There is also so much programming at KJ—classes, Rabbi Wieder, Brett Stevens, Arab Voices for Israel, David Harris, formerly head of the American Jewish Committee, Shabbat Chazanut, Torah scholars, Kiddush Discussion Groups run by the Men’ s club. Shabbos Kestenbaum at the Sisterhood last week. The list is endless.
Focusing on the money: as I noted last year at this time, for two years in a row we ran a significant deficit. At the time, I said that was completely unacceptable. I am pleased to report that we have turned things around. This year we are running a surplus. That is largely thanks to two factors. First, we are holding the line on expenses as best we can, notwithstanding inflation and increased security expenses. Second, and thanks to your help, the Annual Synagogue Appeal raised more than ever. For the first time, lay members are making calls for the ASA. That, and the efforts of Rabbis Lookstein, Steinmetz and Feldman, made a big difference. I want to specifically recognize Adam Weinstein, Ken Eckstein, Richard Cohen, and Josh Kaufthal for their work on the ASA.
Because the community has responded so well, we are able to keep our dues low, the lowest of any comparable synagogue on the Upper East and Upper West Side. This year we are raising dues for the over 35 couples cohort by $100; all other synagogue members including the under 35 singles and couples, will not see their dues raised at all. That’ s in keeping with our strategy of making the synagogue accessible to new and younger members. Also consistent with our benevolent financial model, which relies on the ASA for about 35 percent of our income.
We have gotten security under control, with Mamadou as Director of Security and our many security enhancements — both capital projects and an increased security presence. We recently obtained $350,000 in security grants from the federal and state governments. We can use those funds for security projects going forward. The Synagogue has unusual security needs, and we will never rest or skimp on security.
We have many, many challenges: How do we maintain unity with so many micro-minyanim? How do we address issues of decorum? How do we maintain our high standards of observance in an era of increased secularization? How do we continue to live by our motto, Derech Eretz Kadmah leTorah, when there is so much pressure on the left and the right? And the budget remains a challenge every year.
But to provide perspective, I want to repeat to you a few comments made to me over the past year. One new member said, “These are the most beautiful Selichot services I have ever heard." Chazan Berson, a big yasher koach for the way you beautify our service.
And an anonymous controller of KJ, whose comes once a year on Sukkoth, told me, “You people are so lucky that you get to do this every week."
We should never take our shul and our community for granted.
I want to make a comment about life cycle events too. Mark Brecker was a member, a sole member, for 40 plus years. He was not married, and had no children, and no family — no one to sit shiva for him. Yet at his funeral in November, the pews were filled with members of KJ. We were his family.
At the other end, at a Women’ s Tefillah group the following Shabbat we celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Katz, daughter of Annie and Avery Katz, and the granddaughter of our former President Joel Katz, and Karin Katz. She read the entire Parshah and Haftarah and led services. And I vote for Elaine Katz to serve as gabbai when Larry is away.
Thank you to our outstanding clergy, starting with Rabbi Lookstein — I don't know what else there is to say. Thank you to our senior rabbi, Rabbi Steinmetz; as I think the film will highlight, you ' ve already made a lasting and significant impact on KJ. Rabbi Feldman, the Krauses, Cantor Berson, as well as Rabbi Laniado, Benny Zalta and Charles Zami — the leaders of our Sephardic community — I could go on and on about each of you individually in the interests — that' s a lineup that' s even better than the Mets.
I'd like to thank our staff, led by Lenny Silverman — currently sitting shiva for his father — and Riva Alper; our chief financial officer/controller Sy Yanofsky. Welcome to our new superintendent, Edgardo Rosario, already a part of our community. Thank you to our staff Esther Feierman, Dina Farhi, Yael Heller and of course Youth leader Ruthie Hollander. And finally, our Rabbinic Intern, Max Hollander. I see what goes on behind the scenes: the KJ staff and clergy are all working with great dedication for a common goal.
Thank you to my fellow officers: Ken Eckstein, Larry Baruch, Phil Wilner, Nicole Agus, Yaira Singer, Jonny Stern, Richard Cohen, Adam Weinstein, Wendy Greenbaum, Rebecca Feit, Eric Gribetz, and Jen Yashar. And welcome to Tamar Wise and welcome back to Evan Farber.
Wendy — you will be sorely missed. Your sound judgment and sage advice make you a one of a kind. As chair of the Nominating Committee for over ten years, Wendy is largely responsible for the selection of virtually every trustee and officer — except, I believe, me. And she has played a critical role in dealing with KJ’ s real estate needs, essential for our clergy and, in turn, for their service to our community. Wendy, you always put KJ and the community first. Thank you.
Finally, thanks to all of you here, our trustees, our members and volunteers. Without you and your generosity and participation, we would be nowhere — and KJ wouldn’t be what it is today. As we say every day in Az Yashir, Zeh Eili Vi’anvehu. Your work beautifies and honors God and our community.
With that, I conclude the President’ s report.
Saturday, August 2
for more information
Tisha B’Av Day MorningServices
Shiur with Rabbi Dr JeremyWieder
Afternoon Class with RabbiChaimSteinmetz EveningServices
FastEnds
Sunday, August 3
8:30AM
125 East 85 Street • ckj.org/tishabav th 9:30AM
10:30AM
6:40PM
7:40PM
8:43PM
If observed correctly, the nine days leading up to Tisha B’Av can greatly enhance one ’ s experience on Tisha B’Av itself. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, z ”l, pointed out that it is not human nature to mourn appropriately for tragedies that occurred 2,000 years ago and, therefore, a system was devised to help us gradually enter a state of mourning. We begin a moderate period of mourning three weeks before TishaB’Av.ThemourningintensifiesonRoshChodeshAv,ninedayspriortoTishaB’Av.Inthismanner when we arrive at Tisha B’ av, we are ready to commemorate the destruction of the Temples with the propermindset.
This year is unique in the sense that Tisha b’Av falls on Shabbat. The observance of Shabbat takes precedence over a fast day, so with the exception of Yom Kippur, any fast day which falls on Shabbat is observedonSunday.Andsoitisthisyear.Therefore,someShabbatcustomsaredifferentandshouldbe noted:
1.Shabbat Mincha on August 2 will take place in the Main Synagogue at 1:30 PM, which will give everyonetimetoenjoyahotbuffetKiddushlunch(withchallahandBirkatHaMazon)andashiurby RachelKrausattheconclusionof9:30AMShabbatmorningservices.
2 Thereisnotraditional Seudah Mafseket Thepre-fastmeal,whichinthiscasewillbe Seudah Shlishit, canconsistofanything,includingmeatandwine.The1:30PMMinchaallowseveryonetimetoeata leisurelySeudahShlishit Pleasefinisheatinganddrinkingby8:10PM,whenthefastbegins
3.BirkatHamazonmayberecitedasamezumaniftheopportunityarises.
4.TheprayerTzidkatchaTzedekisnotsaidduringMincha.
5.Regular Havdalah is not said. The blessing on the fire is said on Saturday night. The blessing on the wineandhaMavdilaresaidonSunday.Noblessingatallismadeonthespices.
6.After 8:51 PM, please recite the words Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol in order to officially end Shabbat.
7 Maarivandthereadingof Megillat Eicha willtakeplaceat9:20PM Worshippersshouldweartheir non-leatherfootweartoservices,andbringtzedakahtodonateduringtheoffertory.
The Jerusalem Talmud affirms that “ one who mourns for Jerusalem will yet see its glorious reconstruction.”MayourobservanceofTishaB’Avthisyearhelptobringaboutthatblessedoutcome.
Summer fun with KJYD
Shabbat Morning Groups
Consolidated Shabbat Groups with KJYD run weekly from 10-11:30 AM throughout the summer in the 8 Floor Lindenbaum Gymnasium and Nakash Movement Room. On the July 12 and August 2 Kesher reunion Shabbats, KJYD will run Regular Groups from the 8 floor classrooms. th th
Ice Cream in Carl Schurz Park
Shabbat from 4:30-5:30 PM / Carl Schurz Park
July 12, July 19, July 26, August 9, August 16, August 23
Find Morah Ruthie on Shabbat afternoons on the boardwalk at Carl Schurz for refreshing ice cream!
Cooking Fun for Tots
Sunday, July 20, from 10-11 AM / Riklis Social Hall
Parents & children ages 0-6 are invited to join us in making delicious summery treats.
Tisha B’Av Program for Kids
Sunday, August 3, from 12-2 PM / Heyman Auditorium
Children ages 5-12 are invited to join us at a dropoff event on Tisha B’Av, including a showing of recent release “The Wild Robot” and a pizza lunch.
Water Fun for Tots
Sunday, August 10, from 10-11:30 AM / KJ Roof
Parents & children ages 0-6 are invited to join us for water fun with sprinklers and other summer activities. Light snacks will be provided.
Musical Fun for Tots
Sunday, August 24, from 10-11 AM / Riklis Social Hall
Following a light dairy breakfast, parents and children ages 0-6 are invited to join us for a joyful musical circle time led by Cantor Berson, Rabbi Feldman, and Morah Ruthie.
Within Our Family
MAZAL TOV TO –BIRTHS
Wilma and Kenneth Aschendorf upon the birth of a granddaughter, Gladys Silvana Kahlun (Tova Leah), born to their children Rachel and Benedetto Kahlun.
Geraldine and Jeremie Cohen upon the birth of a daughter, Mia.
Melissa and Daniel Davis upon the birth of a son, Isaac Omer.
Lily and Zach Eckstein upon the birth of a son, Solomon Jerome (Shlomo Yerucham). Mazal Tov as well to the KJ grandparents, Sheera and Kenny Eckstein and Stacey and Harvey Abrahams.
Natalie and Max Fruchter upon the birth of a daughter, Eloise Mara (Miriam Leah).
Amy and Alex Goldstein upon the birth of a grandson, Roman “Romy” Drew (Yisrael Dovid), born to their children, Jackie and Max Goldstein.
Karen Blatt and Ari Hirt upon the birth of a granddaughter, Raquel Libby, to Jordana and Tzvi Kaplan.
Rachel and Ari Kaissar on the birth of a daughter, Sarah Avital. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Dina and Marshall Huebner.
Jewel and Ted Edelman upon the birth of a granddaughter, Hallie Brooke Kay (Liat Esther), born to their children, Andrea and Jeffrey Kay of Toronto, Ontario. Mazal Tov as well to great-great aunt and long-standing KJ member Anne Addison.
Avital Szulc and Jonathan Garshofsky upon the birth of a son, Massimo Arnom (Menachem Mendel Arnom). Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandmother Teri Szulc.
Sandy and Dr. Norman Magid upon the birth of a granddaughter, Livia Shoshana, born to their children Alyssa Goldschmidt and Eli Magid in Modiin, Israel.
Cara and Cal Major upon the birth of a son, Aiden Henri (Adin Chaim). Mazal to KJ grandparents Rochelle and Eugene Major and KJ grandmother Gabriella Major.
Jacqueline and Jeffrey Marcus upon the birth of a grandson, Jeffrey Mendel (David Mendel), born to their children, Rachel and Itamar Nissim
Pamela and George Rohr upon the birth of a granddaughter, Maya Rose (Maayan Rachel), born to their children Daniella Rohr and Sam Adelsberg. Mazal Tov as well to the KJ great grandmother, Helen Nash.
Lara and Matt Sherman upon the birth of a daughter, Azaria Ann (Azaria Chana). Mazal Tov to KJ grandparents Sharon and Jonathan Sherman.
Alyssa Stauber and Yossi Stern upon the birth of a son, Sydney Lev (Simcha Lev).
Sophia and Ariel Tambor upon the birth of a son, Leo Irving (Yitzchak)
Adiel and Matthew (Ramaz ’12) Weinreich upon the birth of a son, Jonah Howard (Yonah Tzvi). Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Gaby and Howie z ”l Weinreich.
Dr. Liz Wallach and Victor Mintz upon the birth of a grandson, Netanel Robert Chaim, born to their children Orly Mintz and Jeremy Shechter.
Phyllis and Zach Wohlberg upon the birth of a son, Joseph Harvey (Yosef Chaim). Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Michele and Dr. Joseph Shams.
May these children grow up in the finest tradition of Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim
Bnei mitzvah
Alan and Marylene Friedman upon the Bat Mitzvah of their grand-daughter, Racheli, daughter of Rabbi Moshe and Shalvie Friedman in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel.
Lynnette Gruenhut (Jerry z ”l) upon the Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem of her grandson, Asaf, son of Esther and Jonathan (Ramaz ‘95) Gruenhut.
engagements
Brenda and Albert H Bernstein upon the engagement of their grandson, Max Schertz, son of Daniella and Ari Schertz, to Jordana Berger, daughter of Amy and Michael Berger.
Nicole & Jeff Fisher upon the engagement of their son Jack, to Cal Yaacoby, daughter of Liwen and Eli Yaacoby of Jerusalem. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandmother Shirley Boyarsky.
Lynnette & Jerry z ”l Gruenhut, and Batsheva & Dr. Carlos Flombaum, upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Eli, son of Johanna (Jojo) Gruenhut (Ramaz '95)& Jonathan Flombaum (Ramaz '95).
Dr. Susan Hirschfeld and Mr. Elie Hirschfeld upon the engagement of their son, Jonathan Hirschfeld, to Sophia Breslauer, daughter of fellow KJ members Lauren & Keith Breslauer of London and Herzliya Pituach.
Drs Jody & Elie Levine celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Caitlin, to Max Orbach, son of Dara & David Orbach of Livingston, NJ
Lisa and Nathan Low upon the engagement of their son, Sam, to Leora Rothschild, daughter of Elliot and Lisa Rothschild of Teaneck, NJ.
Wendy and Adam Modlin upon the engagement of their daughter, Julia, to Max Jankelovits (both Ramaz ’21), son of Barbara and Jeffrey Jankelovits of New York City. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Leah & Barrie Modlin and Marlene Kreinen
Robin Muss upon the engagement of her son, Mathew Abada, to Danielle Benjamin, daughter of Lisa & Jeff Benjamin from Great Neck, NY. Mazal Tov as well to the proud KJ grandparents, Harriet & Joshua Muss
Judith and Daniel Ottensoser upon the engagement of their son, Jack, to Alex Doppelt, daughter of Debbie and Michael Doppelt. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Marion & William Weiss and Hannah (Eddie z ”) Low.
Lisa and our beloved Senior Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz upon the occasion of the engagement of their son, Hillel to Emily Knopf, daughter of Dr Lisa Shulman and Jay Knopf of Teaneck.
May their weddings take place in happiness and blessing.
marriages
Lillie & Danny Bensusan and Susan & Dr. Richard Eliot Slutsky upon the upcoming marriage of their children, Amie to Matthew.
Suzy & the late Sandy (z ”l) Eisenstat upon the marriage of their granddaughter, Anna Eisenstat, daughter of Dr. Jennifer Bursky Eisenstat (Ramaz ’89)& Jackie Eisenstat (Ramaz ’89) of Efrat, Israel, to Hayyim Rimerman, the son of Claudia Kraut and Howard Rimerman of Ridgefield, CT.
Jill & James Haber upon the marriage of their son, Justin, to Victoria “Tori” Klevan, daughter of Sandra & Fred Klevan of Philadelphia.
Andrea Fastenberg & Professor Marcel Kahan upon the marriage of their daughter, Ariella Kahan to Shelly Tsirulik, son of Leah Shulman (Registrar, Ramaz Upper School) and Misha Tsirulik, of West Orange, New Jersey.
Vivian and Josh Kestenbaum upon the upon the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth, to Richard Selsky, son of Rita and Gary Selsky of Trumbull, Connecticut
Leora Mogilner & Richard Linhart upon the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Ariella, to Sam Weinberg, son of Roniel & Aliza Weinberg of Bergenfield, NJ.
Dr. Elizabeth Wallach Mintz & Victor Mintz upon the marriage of their daughter, Kyla, to Eitan Karsch, son of Liat Sharabi Karsch of Stamford, CT, and Benjy Karsch of Brooklyn, NY.
Alan and Carol Schechter upon the marriage of their granddaughter Ita Schechter to Aharon Teigman
Drs. Lu Steinberg & Michael Schulder upon the marriage of their daughter, Talia (Ramaz ‘13) to Jonah Eidman, son of Daphne & Michael Eidman of Englewood, NJ.
Sharon & Elan (z ”l) Steinberg upon the marriage of their daughter, Lena, to Mendel Joshua Osdoba, son of Sandra & Matty (z ”l) Osdoba.
Robyn Price Stonehill (Ramaz ’89) & David Stonehill (Ramaz ’86) upon the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Brooke Shayna Stonehill (Ramaz ’19), to Dov Salomon Baron, son of Karine & Sammy Baron of Teaneck, NJ.
May the newlywed couples be blessed to build homes faithful to the traditions of the Jewish people
Miri Englander
Mazal Tov to Megan and Michael Englander upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Miri, on April 6 in New York, where she spoke about her namesake, Miriam ha-Nviah She is also doing a chesed project with the National Library of Israel, will study the Rothschild Haggadah, and led a tour over Pesach Miri is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Caryl Englander and Israel Englander
liver Phoenix Srulowitz
azal Tov to Stephanie and Mark Srulowitz, upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Oliver, which ok place at the Delta Hotel Woodbridge on Shabbat, June 13-14, at which time Oliver read rashat Beha’alotecha and delivered a D’ var Torah. Oliver is a seventh-grade student at the amaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Rori and Sandy Srulowitz.
ecca Kartin Levin, upon the Bar Mitzvah of Judah, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on June 21st, at which time he will read Parashat Shelach and deliver a D’ var Torah. Judah is entering 8 grade as a student at the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Gladys and Martin Kartin.
communalnews&Honors
Rosie and Dr. Mark Friedman upon their 52nd WeddingAnniversary.
KJ Member Stephanie Knepper Basman upon being invited to join the Board of Trustees of Benjamin N. CardozoSchoolofLawatYeshivaUniversity
CantorChaimDavidBersonuponhisperformancewith theJerusalemSymphonyOrchestraonApril1,atthis year ’ s Emunah Jerusalem’ s Annual "Jerusalem in Harmony"Concert.
KJMemberLouiseChazenBanonuponbeinghonored byTheJewishEducationProjectattheirSpringEvent “A Global Call to Action: Championing Jewish Education,”after22yearsontheBoardofDirectors, and for her groundbreaking contributions to advance theagency’sworkandimpact.
RabbiDanielKrausuponbeingselectedtoparticipatein the third cohort of Sacks Scholars organized by the RabbiSacksLegacy.Thisinitiativeaimstoexplorethe enduring wisdom of Rabbi Sacks while empowering individuals who share his values and vision within communitiesaroundtheglobe.
Esther Amini Krawitz addressed the 5th grade Ramaz History classes about her memoir, “Concealed,” and theCrypto-JewsofMashhad.InadvanceofPurim,this was a timely talk as she shared the history of Persian JewsandshowedslidesofQueenEsther’stombinthe IraniancityofHamadan.Thestudentswerefascinated andenthusiasticallyengagedindiscussion.
Dr.BarbaraLeibowitz&Dr.DavidLeibowitzupon their dedicating an ambulance to Israel' s Magen DavidAdom,onMarch28,atKJ RabbiEmeritusHaskelLooksteinandRabbiJoshua Lookstein were honored at the Annual Gala of ORA (the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot)onTuesday,May13,inNYC.Tocelebrate our distinguished father-son duo while supporting ORA’svitalwork,pleaseclickhere.
Former KJ Israel Bonds Representative Robert Lunzer upon his son, Eli, being featured in the current “L’Chaim” newsletter for his steadfast Shabbat observance in the intensely demanding professionalcareerofmanagingcelebrities.
Debbie Rochlin, upon receiving the “Educator of theYear”AwardattheParkEastDaySchoolgala event.
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz will be honored at the Jewish Community Relations Council of NY' s 2025 Gala on Monday, June 23rd at Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, where he will receive the JCRC-NY "Areivut Award" alongside his colleaguesandfriendsRabbiAngelaW.Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue, and Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, Senior Rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue, recognizing their deep dedication to Jewishidentityandcommunalunity.Tohonorour Rabbi Steinmetz and support JCRC, please visit www.jcrcnygala.org.
academicachievements
May They Go Higher and Higher!
We extend a warm Mazal Tov to the following young members of the Congregation who participated in Advancement Day Exercises as they completed the Ramaz Middle School and other Day Schools.
MAX ABRAHAM
son of Heidi and Jeffrey Abraham
CAROLINE ASH
daughter of Deborah and Isaac Ash
JACOB (COBY) BLATT
son of Karen Blatt and Ari Hirt
NADAV BRACHOT
son of Lenore and Ben Brachot
LILY BRODY
daughter of Lauren Brody
ELLIOT COHEN
son of Lisa and Richard Cohen
JAMES CRANE
son of Rachel and Joshua Crane
SAWYER EDELL
son of Deborah and Eric Edell
grandson of Mira Levinson
ABRAHAM ENGLANDER
son of Megan and Michael Englander
grandson of Caryl Englander and Israel Englander
BENJAMIN FEIT
son of Dr Lauren and Michael Feit
OLIVER FRIEDMAN
son of Dr. Danielle and Jason Friedman
ARIEL GAMLIELI
daughter of Meytal and Omer Gamlieli
JAMES GOMBERG
son of Sophia and David Gomberg
grandson of Gail Propp
ZACHARY GOMBERG
son of Yonina and Eric Gomberg grandson of Gail Propp
SIENA GORLYN
daughter of Andrea and Adam Gorlyn
SLOANE GORLYN
daughter of Andrea and Adam Gorlyn
YAIR GOSHEN
son of Keren and Zohar Goshen
PHOEBE HILTZIK
daughter of Dr. Aviva Preminger and Dr. David Hiltzik
JACOB HIRSCHFELD
son of Dr. Sarah and Elie Hirschfeld
JAKE HOFF
son of Rachel and Elliot Hoff SAR Academy
ABRAHAM HONIG
son of Elizabeth and Dr. Shaun Honig
FLORA JAKOBISHVILI
daughter of Isabelle and Nugi Jacobishvili
ISAAC JEMAL
son of Henriette and Joseph Jemal
JULIETTE KAMALI
daughter of Michele and Steven Kamali
JOLIE KAPLAN
daughter of Leslie Spitalnick and Joshua Kaplan Park East Day School
LEO KASELL
son of Elise and Daniel Kasell
KATE KESTENBAUM
daughter of Rina and Zachary Kestenbaum
granddaughter of Ruth Kestenbaum and Jerry Kestenbaum
MEIR KLEINHAUS
son of Joanna and Emil Kleinhaus
grandson of Rosalie and Harry Kleinhaus
MURRAY KOPEL
son of Julie and Reuben Kopel
AVA MANN
daughter of Talia and Eric Mann
EVAN MASHAAL
son of Jennifer and David Mashaal grandson of Lillie and Danny Bensusan
MARCUS MOSS
son of Naomi and Dr Noah Moss
ELIJAH PAUL
son of Dr. Laury and Jason Paul
LIAT RABBANI
daughter of Alexandra and Haskel Rabbani
ALEXANDER RESNICK
son of Dr Elana and Jed Resnick
HARRIET SASSON
daughter of Rebecca Feit and Rami Sasson
HENRY SCHUBIN
son of Dr Elana Brownstein and William Schubin
EINAN SHAOUL
son of Dr. Nirit Weiss and Dr. Michael Shaoul
FRANCESCA SILVERA
son of Bonnie and David Silvera
ISAAC SPODEK
son of Evelyn and Avi Spodek
SIMON WEINBERG
son of Leah and Joel Weinberg
MAYA YASHAR
daughter of Jennifer and Jeremy Yashar
granddaughter of Gayle and Josh Yashar
Congratulations to our young KJ members upon their graduation from the Ramaz Upper School and other high schools!
Jacob Archibald, son of Dr. Carmit and Georges Archibald, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of a Band and Instrumental Award for participating with distinction in the band, percussion, or guitar ensemble. Following a gap year at Kivunim, he will attend Vanderbilt University.
Evan Bourkoff, son of Elana and Aryeh Bourkoff, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the David Kagan Memorial Award, given to the student athletes who best exemplify the values of sportsmanship and menschlichkeit both on and off the playing field. Following a gap year at Torah Tech, he will attend Emory University.
Ari Cepelowicz, son of Alexandra Zohn and Vitor Cepelowicz, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as the recipient of a Spanish Award. He will attend University of Michigan in the fall.
Nicole (Nicky) Chalme, daughter of Vanessa and Raymand Chalme, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Morris Arfa Keter Shem Tov awarded to the students who best exemplify the qualities and character advocated in Pirkei Avot. Following a gap year at Midreshet Torat Chesed, she will attend NYU.
Lindsay Chubak, daughter of Jamie and David Chubak, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of a Rampage Award. Following a gap year at Kivunim, she will attend Washington University.
Mona Dweck, daughter of Sandy and Eli Dweck, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School, as a recipient of a Band and Instrumental Award for participating with distinction in the band, percussion, or guitar ensemble. After a gap year at Reichman University in Herzliya, she will attend NYU.
Lindsey Feit, daughter of Dr. Lauren and Michael Feit, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Rochelle Miller Sherut Award, presented to the graduating seniors who, through leadership and dedication, has generated school spirit, contributed to the community and enhanced the quality of student life. Following a gap year at Kivunim, she will attend Harvard College.
Olivia Fertig, daughter of Dr. Nechama and Jason Fertig, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Avram Hellerman Bikur Cholim Award presented to the graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim and care for others in need. She will attend University of Michigan in the fall.
Lily Freilich, daughter of Helen Freilich and Jimmy Haber, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School, as a recipient of the Gertrude Lookstein Eishet Chayil Award given to the senior women who best integrate modern ideals of womanhood with traditional Jewish life. She will attend University of Pennsylvania in the fall. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandmother Estelle Freilich.
Gianna Goldfarb, daughter of Sharon BilarGoldfarb and Jeffrey Goldfarb, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School, as a recipient of the Photography Award and a Rampage Award, as well as the Rifka Rosenwein Journalism Award which is granted to the senior who reflects a commitment to a year of study in Israel and excellence in journalism and writing. Following a gap year at Midreshet Amudim, she will attend University of Chicago.
Aryeh Goldstein, son of Audrey and Mark Goldstein upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. Following a gap year at Netiv Aryeh, he will attend University of Pennsylvania upon his return from Israel.
Charles Gribetz, son of Dr. Carin and Eric Gribetz, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Julius L. Lassner Semper Fi ward for Good Citizenship and Service to God & Country. He will attend University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
Stella Hiltzik, daughter of Dr. Aviva Preminger and Dr. David Hiltzik, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Ramaz Prize, awarded to the student who best exemplifies the ideals and goals of a Ramaz education: commitment to Torah and mitzvot; Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael; excellence in academics; and a responsibility to serve society, as well as the Beatrice and Murray Kirschblatt Holocaust Award, given to the students who have demonstrated a commitment to Holocaust awareness and care for Holocaust survivors through their participation in Witness Theater. Following a gap year at MTVA, she will attend Harvard College.
Joseph Katz, son of Jane and Robert Katz, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. Following a gap year at Netiv Aryeh, he will attend Yeshiva University upon his return from Israel.
Thea Katz, daughter of Stephanie and Bennett Katz, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School, as a recipient of a Drama Award for excellence in performing arts. She will attend Tufts University in the fall.
Zachary Kochin, son of Anna and Israel Kochin, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Walter Koppel Jewish Political Action Award, given to the student who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to political action for the benefit of the Jewish people. He will attend Columbia University in the fall. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Drs. Jenny Shliozberg and Howard Menikoff.
Grace Kollander, daughter of Lani and Jason Kollander, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the David Kagan Memorial Award, given to the student athletes who best exemplify the values of sportsmanship and menschlichkeit both on and off the playing field, a History Award, and a Yearbook Award. She will attend Duke University in the fall. Mazal Tov to proud KJ grandparents, Laurie and Dr. Eli Bryk.
David Mahfar, son of Emma and Samy Mahfar, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. He will attend Babson College in the fall.
Gabriel Mittler, son of Geraldine and Jeffrey Mittler, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. Following a gap year at Torah Tech, he will attend Emory University. Mazal Tov to proud KJ grandparents Janet and Mark Mittler.
Sophie Obstfeld, daughter of Adina and Josh Obstfeld, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Sidney Scheinberg Award for Politics and Law, as well as a Drama Award for excellence in performing arts. Following a gap year at Migdal Oz, she will attend Columbia University.
Richard (Ricky) Pike, son of Janelle and Dr. Sheldon Pike, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein Award for Personal Growth. He will spend a gap year at Torah Tech.
Orli Rabbani, daughter of Alexandra and Haskel Rabbani, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Jesse Deutsch Tefillah Award, presented to the seniors who have shown a demonstrable commitment to Tefillah throughout high school, as well as a Chorus Award Following a gap year at MTVA, she will attend Maryland University.
Ashley Rechtschaffen, daughter of Monique and Andrew Rechtschaffen, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School, as a recipient of a Chorus Award. Following a gap year at MTVA, she will attend University of Pennsylvania.
Jesse Rubenstein, son of Samantha and Jonathan Rubenstein, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. Following a gap year at TVA, he will attend Emory University.
Leila Sakhai, daughter of Marcy and Cyrus Sakhai, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the David Kagan Memorial Award, given to the student athletes who best exemplify the values of sportsmanship and menschlichkeit both on and off the playing field. She will attend Boston University in the fall.
Elle Salame, daughter of Ann and James Salame, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Norman Kreinen Fortitude Award honoring students who, since their start at Ramaz, have exhibited unwavering perseverance, through hard work and determination, in pursuit of their academic and personal goals, as well as the Fannye Popkin Memorial Award for excellence in fine arts She will attend NYU in the fall
Bianca Silvera, daughter of Bonnie and David Silvera, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Lisolette Samuel Gorlin Award for Excellence in Mathematics. She will attend Brown University in the fall.
Alexander Sultan, son of Randi and David Sultan, upon his graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Lillian Jacobs Award for excellence in character and dedication to the spirit of Jewish ethics, as well as the Debby Sacks Award for excellence in performing arts, and the Band and Instrumental Award for participating with distinction in the band, percussion, or guitar ensemble Following a gap year at Yeshivat Orayta, he will attend Harvard College.
Keren Teichner, daughter of Orit and Warren Teichner, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School as a recipient of the Julius L. Lassner Semper Fi award for Good Citizenship and Service to God & Country. She will attend University of Chicago in the fall.
Ayla Zwillinger, daughter of Rebecca and David Zwillinger, upon her graduation from the Ramaz Upper School. Following a gap year at Kivunim, she will attend Vanderbilt University
academic achievements, cont.
Dina and Jacques Farhi upon the graduation of their grandson, Jacob Sadres, from SAR High School. He will be going to Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Israel and then to Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business upon his return from Israel.
Dr. Carolyn & Orrin Feingold, upon the graduation of their daughter, Talia Feingold Taragin (Yehuda), upon her graduation with a medical degree and academic honors from MSIH of Ben Gurion University in Beersheba. Mazal Tov as well to delighted KJ grandfather, Dr. Leonard Feingold.
Dr Carolyn & Orrin Feingold, upon the graduation of their daughter, Talia Raikin Feingold (Jared), from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Mazal Tov as well to delighted KJ grandfather, Dr. Leonard Feingold.
Rosie and Dr. Mark Friedman upon the 8th grade graduations of their grandchildren: Charlotte G. Yehaskel from Yeshivat Har Torah, Queens; Shalom D. Farkas, Yeshiva of the South Shore, Hewlett; and Yitzchak E. Fine, Yeshivah Ketana of Long Island; and the 12th grade graduation of Moshe S. Farkas from Mesivta Ateres Yaakov in Lawrence.
Amy Goldstein upon the graduation of her daughter, Molly, with a BA from Cornell University summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a double major of Government and Near East Studies, and a minor in Dance She is also the recipient of the Harrop and Ruth Freeman Prize in Peace Studies and the Kasdan-Montessori Prize for Peace Work. Molly was also a semi-finalist for the Class of 1964 John F. Kennedy Memorial Award. After graduation, she will be interning with Gigawatt Global, an international solar energy company bringing Israeli technology to Africa.
Anthony Halliburton (House Guard at KJ and Ramaz Lower School) upon his daughter, Brittany, graduating university with a Masters in Sociology, his FOURTH daughter (of 6 in total) to achieve a master' s degree
Anthony Halliburton (House Guard at KJ and Ramaz Lower School) upon his youngest daughter, Toni, graduating from the Emergency Medical Services Academy Toni now rides an EMS ambulance, saving the lives of her fellow New Yorkers every day she “ goes to the office.”
Michele and Ronald Jaspan upon the graduation of their daughter, Caroline, from Touro Physician Assistant program.
Judy and Dr Hirshel Kahn upon the graduation of their daughter, Nathalie (Jordyn Schonfeld) Kahn with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Fordham University School of Law where she graduated with academic and public service honors. She will be joining Weill, Gotshal and Manges LLP in the fall.
Judy and Dr Hirshel Kahn upon the graduation of their daughter, Beth, from Barnard College, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. She will be involved in research, working as a medical scribe and planning a career in medicine
Esther Messeloff upon the graduations of her grandchildren: Alex Messeloff, son of Wendy and Daniel Messeloff, from Fuchs Mizrachi in Cleveland, Ohio He will go to Binghamton after a gap year in Israel at Netiv Aryeh; Lilly Tanz, the daughter of Sara (nee Messeloff) and Larry Tanz and a granddaughter of Judy Tanz from the International School of Amsterdam, Holland. After a gap year in Israel with Young Judea, she will attend Vanderbilt University; and Mia Schwartz, the daughter of Julie (nee Messeloff) and Jonathan Schwartz of Livingston, NJ, from the Golda Och Academy in South Orange, NJ.
Ruth and Dr David Musher upon the graduation of their grandson, Jonah Musher, from Boston University with a BA, and their granddaughter, Tali Brenner who graduated The Charles E. Smith-Jewish Day School High School in Maryland
Wilman Zumbana, 30-year veteran member of the KJ Maintenance Team, upon the graduation of his daughter, Nicole, from New York University School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
condolences to
Former associate KJ rabbi Rabbi Mark Angel upon the passing of his mother, Gilda Angel.
Beth Bengualid upon the passing of her mother, Barbara Schwartz
Dale Goldberg upon the passing of his father, Arnold "Arnie" Lawsky.
Robert Kapito upon the passing of his brother, Hy Kapito.
Dr. Janice Korff-Korn upon the passing of her brother, Jeffrey Korff.
Samy Mahfar upon the passing of his sister, Sima Homapour (aunt to Robert Rahmanian).
Dr. David Menche and Aaron Menche upon the passing of their mother, Ann
Eliza de Sola Mendes upon the passing of her father, Col. Jonathan de Sola Mendes.
Jason Moche upon the passing of his father, Allen Moche.
Jaci Paradis upon the passing of her father, Gershon "Tony" Booso.
Harry Poloner upon the passing of his father, Myron Poloner.
Dr. Miera Rechtshaffen upon the passing of her father, Dr Michael Harris
Rina Shalhov upon the passing of her father, Norman Nissel
Leah Fang Sheff upon the passing of her father, Seymour Fang.
Simon Shemia upon the passing of his father, Victor Shemia.
Kim Gantz Wexler upon the passing of her mother, Patricia Gantz.
in memoriam
EugeneRoshwalb
When Eugene and his wife, Esther, moved to the Upper East Side from the Lower East Side, we felt so privileged to be joined by a deeply religious Jewish couple who were committed to Torahandmitzvotandwhosetwochildrenwere studentsatRamazandultimatelyalumniofour school. An accountant by profession, Eugene was meticulous in every area of his life, includinghisloveofTorahandGod.
He was one of the first to arrive in shul every Shabbat,andheoccupiedhisseatneartherear ofthesynagogueinhumilityanddedication.He always had a smile on his face, and he was beloved by those who sat in his section. Quiet by nature, he was nevertheless warm and welcoming to all who sat near him. He was the epitomeofafineJewishgentleman.
WarrenGraham
WarrenGrahamwasthegabbaiofourshulfora period of some twenty years. He was an alumnus of Ramaz and he and his wife Shoshana, a day school teacher herself, were proudtosendtheirtwodaughterstoourschool. He was the head of an observant Jewish home and devoted to the synagogue in his way, as his cantorfatherwasinhis
Warren loved KJ and everybody who came to our synagogue. He always looked for people who would appreciate a Torah honor or an ark opening. He would plead the case of adding aliyot in order to make worshippers feel comfortable. He devoted himself to his voluntary service and came to shul even though illness weakened him because he felt the obligation and wanted to discharge his commitments.
He was in every sense, a Shul Yid who, in addition to his devoted service as gabbai, loved to daven before the Amud, especially on the High Holy Days He was absolutely beloved by the worshippers in our synagogue to whom he wasexceptionallydevoted.
ed our congregation decades ago, coming from a small that was passionately Jewish and Zionist, but not at all heydecidedtoplacetheireldestson–andsubsequently and they made a commitment to change their lives in ection of the school to which they were sending their
n our community: a Trustee and an Executive Board rustee and ultimately an extraordinary Chairman of the votedleaderinAIPACandIsraelBondsandapassionate His reward was to see his grandchildren all as alumni of OrthodoxJewsandaneldersonwhoisdevotinghislife DirectorandayoungersonwhohasservedasPresident tyinLosAngeles
a Jew who grew religiously from “ rags to riches.” He edhim.
the operating table in critical medical condition, Vicki fmanandthelovingmotherofDavidandAliezaandthe All of them are bereft of a central personality in their
presence in our synagogue. She had a brilliant smile on d our community and, in turn, was beloved by the ectedtoherpeersatKJandRamazandjustawonderful ussoprematurelyandsosuddenly.Weallmissherso.
theMegillahdescribesMordechai:aproudJewishman. ofMosheHocherman:borninPalestineandbroughtto oday.Rearedinpre-statePalestine,hehadallthepride etic material of the early Zionists. He was learned in reandfluentinHebrewwhichhelovedtospeak.
e, he was kind and thoughtful on the inside He was a e and to worthy causes He knew that giving was an
with a smile and with happiness because he was blessed onforjoy:hisgrandmotherwhoraisedhimandbrought owashislovingandcaringwifeforsixty-sevenyears;his randdaughter, Tess, who was always present and who thhimattheend.Hewastrulyblessed.
