Guide to the BJ Community February-August 2009 Shevat-Av 5769

Guide to the BJ Community February–August 2009 • Shevat–Av 5769

Guide to the BJ Community February–August 2009 • Shevat –Av 5769

PHOTOS, COVER AND BELOW: TOM ZUBACK

BJ is a living tapestry reflective of tradition, innovation, contemporary life, and Jewish values. We are progressive, inclusive, and socially conscious, continually striving to create a sacred community in an ever-evolving world.

Table of Contents

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OUR HOME The B’nai Jeshurun Mission Statement Our Rabbis, Hazzan, MTM Rabbinic Fellows, Rabbinic Intern and Cantorial Intern Life Cycle & Related Member Assistance Music at BJ Our Commitment to Israel

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RABBI’S MESSAGE That Which is Hidden: Discovering the Truth Behind the Mask

9 TEFILLAH (Prayer) 10 Shabbat & Holy Day Services 12 Services for Families, Children & Teens 13 14 18

LIMUD (Learning) Adult Classes & Events Youth & Family Education

22 GEMILUT HASADIM (Acts of Loving-Kindness) 23 Volunteer Committees & Programs 29 Tzedakah—Giving to BJ 31 Membership Information 32 Board of Trustees Inside Back Cover Staff Directory Guide Index

Our Home The B’nai Jeshurun Mission Statement: TO INSPIRE • The quest for a measure of sanctity congruent with the charge at Sinai: “You shall be holy for I, Adonai your God, am holy” • The spiritual search that addresses authentically the most relevant issues of life • The lifting of the soul and the challenging of the mind • Reverence • Through a passionate, creative and aesthetic Jewish experience • Through unity and diversity

AND TO REQUIRE • Study that is probing and relevant • Prayer with kavannah (true intention, focus) • Acts of gemilut hasadim (loving-kindness) • Action towards tikkun olam (repair of the world) that is effective • The exploration of the vital tension between tradition and change • Experimentation and probing of boundaries • An openness to transformation • Participation and volunteerism • A meaningful and serious relationship to Israel • Genuine dialogue and cooperation with klal Israel (the Jewish people) • Genuine dialogue and cooperation with other faith traditions • The sharing of our mission in order to invigorate the Jewish experience worldwide

Our Rabbis Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon received his B.S. in chemistry from the Université de Montréal. He went on to pursue his rabbinical studies at the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, founded by his mentor, Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer. During the course of his studies, he spent a year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 1986.

Since then, he has been a rabbi at B’nai Jeshurun. Rabbi Matalon serves on several boards including American Friends of Parents Circle, Rabbis for Human Rights—North America, Union Theological Seminary, and the Doha Center for Interfaith Dialogue (Qatar). He is the recipient of awards from the New York Board of Rabbis, the Jewish Peace Fellowship, and the New Israel Fund.

Rabbi Matalon plays the 'ud (Arabic lute) and is a member of the New York Arabic Orchestra.

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PHOTOS: CYNDI SHATTUCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein received a B.A. in 1976 and an M.A. in 1978 in clinical psychology from Belgrano University in Buenos Aires. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Hebrew Letters in 1987 from the University of Judaism, and his Masters of Hebrew Letters and Rabbinical Ordination from the Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1989.

Before coming to BJ, Rabbi Bronstein held a variety of positions in the Jewish and secular worlds, including the Youth Director position at Comunidad Bet El in Buenos Aires, where he worked closely with his teacher and mentor, Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer for ten years. In 1989, Rabbi Bronstein became rabbi of Estadio Israelita in Santiago, Chile, and then became founding rabbi at Congregacion Or Shalom, also in Santiago. In 1995, he joined Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon as a BJ rabbi.

Rabbi Bronstein serves on several boards, including the advisory

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY–AUGUST 2009 • OUR HOME

committees of Human Rights Watch Americas, the advisory boards of the Chaplaincy Program at Roosevelt St. Lukes Hospital, New York, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Soaring Words, and South Wing to Zion (Ethiopian Jews).

Rabbi Felicia L. Sol Rabbi Sol was raised in Connecticut and received a B.A. in Developmental Psychology and Education from Tufts University. In 1996, she received a Masters in Jewish Education from the Rhea Hirsch School of Education of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. During the course of her studies she spent a year at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem. She received her Masters of Hebrew Letters in 1997 and rabbinic ordination in 1999 from HUC-JIR in New York City.

While engaged in studies in New York, Rabbi Sol joined the staff of BJ as the Family and Youth Director, a position in which she served for three years. Following ordination, she became a Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow. In 2001, Rabbi Sol joined her teachers, Rabbis Bronstein and Matalon, in their rabbinic partnership.

Rabbi Sol serves on the Board of Jewish Funds for Justice and New Israel Fund New Generations Steering Committee.

Our Hazzan Hazzan & Music Director Ari Priven Ari Priven was born in 1962 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was trained as a Hazzan by the late Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer and studied at the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano, founded by Rabbi Meyer. He received a Masters degree from the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Shortly after Rabbi Meyer arrived in New York to revitalize B’nai Jeshurun, he called on Hazzan Priven to become cantor and music director, a position he has held since 1989. The music of BJ is admired and has influenced many congregations around the country and around the globe.

Hazzan Priven has produced and performed in several recordings of BJ music, including With Every Breath (The Music of Shabbat), HaLailah Hazeh: The Music of Pesah at BJ and TekiYah: Echoes of the High Holy Days at BJ, and is the composer of a number of liturgical pieces. He was a professional advisor and teacher at Synagogue 2000, and he is a member of the Synagogue 3000 Leadership Network.

Our Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellows Rabbi Esther Lederman Esther is our full-time Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow this year.

She graduated from Hebrew Union College and was ordained in May 2008. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from McGill University in 1996. Before HUC, she held positions with the Israel Policy Forum in Washington, DC and directed a project on Middle East peace for the Union for Reform Judaism. In her years at HUC, Esther was closely involved with Jewish Funds for Justice and their work of community organizing in synagogues. She also served for two years as the student rabbi for the Jewish community of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Ezra Weinberg We welcome Ezra as our incoming Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow. Ezra is completing his final year at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He was privileged to spend two and a half years studying in Jerusalem at over seven different learning institutions. Upon his return from Israel last year, Ezra joined Bnai Keshet in Montclair, New Jersey as their Rabbinic Intern. He is also active in creating musical Shabbatot experiences at Congregation Kol Tzedek in Philadelphia. Many of his emerging leadership skills and Zionist inspiration developed as a result of growing up within the Habonim Dror Youth Movement.

Our Rabbinic Intern, Department of Youth and Family Leora Frankel Leora grew up in East Brunswick, NJ where she was very involved as a child in both her synagogue and in Young Judaea (YJ), the Zionist youth movement. During her senior year of high school, Leora served as YJ’s national president, and participated in the movement’s Year Course in Israel program. Leora completed the undergraduate Dual Degree Program at Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, majoring in Psychology and Bible, as well as a Master’s degree in Jewish Education at JTS. Leora has been to Israel over a dozen times, including two year-long academic programs, and has worked in Jewish camping, leadership training, and synagogue education, most recently for national YJ. She is currently enrolled in her second year of rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.

Our Cantorial Intern Yosef Goldman Yosef is a singer, percussionist and educator of Yemenite, Syrian and Ashkenazi descent, born and raised on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Trained in multidenominational Jewish education, Yosef has taught and lead services in congregations and schools of every affiliation. He received a B.A. in psychology from Yeshiva University, educational training from the HaSha'ar Fellowship in Jewish Education, and training in Jewish Spiritual Direction from the Lev Shomea Institute at Elat Chayyim. He is currently a cantorial student at JTS.

For extended bios, please visit www.bj.org.

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GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY–AUGUST 2009 • OUR HOME

Life Cycle & Related Member Assistance RABBINIC & PASTORAL INFORMATION Pastoral & Spiritual Counseling Pastoral & Spiritual Counseling is available by appointment, which can be scheduled by contacting the rabbis’ assistants.

For Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, contact Sarah Guthartz, sguthartz@bj.org, x234.

For Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein, contact Naomi Goodhart, ngoodhart@bj.org, x240.

For Rabbi Felicia L. Sol, contact Elizabeth Stone, estone@bj.org, x233.

Conversion Inquiries Please contact Rabbi Esther Lederman, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow, elederman@bj.org, x264..

Celebrate S’mahot To make arrangements for weddings, Aliyot Hatan veKallah (aufrufs), and baby namings, contact Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, at ygarber@bj.org, x256. Please call Yaffa when you have a baby and we will send you Shabbat dinner and a BJ onesie!

To sponsor a Kiddush, contact Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, at gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255.

To rent the sanctuary and/or Frankel Hall for any S’mahot, contact Arlene Brandon, Room Rental and B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator, at abrandon@bj.org, x223.

In Case of Illness BJ can offer support through the Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick) Committee. Contact Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, at ygarber@bj.org, x256. The committee co-chairs are Jeannie Blaustein and Barbara Goldman.

In Case of Death Please contact BJ immediately. We are here to assist with arrangements and answer your questions about death and dying rituals in Judaism. During office hours contact Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, at x256. After office hours call the main office number, 212-787-7600, and listen for the appropriate prompt to obtain the rabbi’s contact number.

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel 212-769-4400 • www.plazajewishcommunitychapel.org For funeral services, BJ recommends Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, which is the only non-profit and communally-owned chapel serving the Jewish community in New York.

BJ’s Hevra Kadisha (Comforting Mourners) Committee can perform tahara (preparation of the body for burial), and can provide siddurim and leaders for shiva minyanim. The cochairs are Penny Dannenberg, Bob Gruenspecht, Daniel Kestin, and Elissa Meth. Contact Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, at ygarber@bj.org, x256 for referral to this committee.

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BJ owns cemetery plots in the King Solomon Memorial Park section of the West Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton, NJ. For information on making burial arrangements contact Ron Seitenbach, Director of Finance and Administration, at rseitenbach@bj.org, x 226.

Additional Assistance for Members For short-term counseling, information and referral to community resources, contact Susan Kalev, LCSW at skalev@bj.org, x377.

Staff and committees are available to further your connection to the community. Please contact Belinda Lasky, Director of Membership, blasky@bj.org, x224 or Sarah Verity, Membership Associate, sverity@bj.org, x250 for guidance to the appropriate resources.

BJ GUIDELINES For Shabbat and Holy Day Services All are welcome at BJ services. There are a few expectations that apply to all members and guests at our services in any of our locations. Kippot are always worn by men. Photography, recording, smoking, and cell phone use are not allowed.

For use of the Sanctuary or 88th Street Frankel Hall Kashrut governs the serving of food at 88th Street, which is a kosher facility. Only approved food or food prepared by approved kosher caterers may be brought into the synagogue. Food may not be cooked on Shabbat. The discipline of Kashrut teaches us to be mindful about what and how we consume. In this spirit, and with our commitment to righteousness, justice, and care for the environment, we ask you to consider the following: Bal Tashhit: We encourage those planning private celebrations or public events at which food will be served to be guided by the principle of bal tashhit (moderation and avoidance of waste), and to round down, rather than up when estimating how much food will be needed.

Donation of Leftover Food: We encourage you to make advance arrangements to donate leftover food to the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter, the Judith Bernstein Lunch Program, x259, or to a food bank like City Harvest, 917-351-8700.

MAZON: As part of our concern for the needy we urge you to contribute to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, 1990 South Bundy Drive, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90025-5232, 310-442-0020.

Commercial deliveries are not accepted on Shabbat and festivals.

Photography and recording are not permitted in the sanctuary during services.

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY–AUGUST 2009 • OUR HOME

Music at BJ BJ MUSICIANS David Buchbut, percussion David studied Middle Eastern percussion with master percussionist Zohar Fresco and the legendary Lebanese percussionist Michel Merhej. He has performed different styles of Jewish and Arabic music with Rachid Halihal, Yair Dalal, and Alberto Mizrahi and formed the recently founded Andalusian band, Layali El Andalus.

Eugene Carr, cello Eugene Carr has been a resident cellist at BJ since 2001. He originally trained at The Juilliard School and then the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In his other life, Gene is the founder/president of Patron Technology, which provides web-based email marketing software to arts and non-profit institutions. He chairs BJ’s Communication Committee.

Amsterdam Recorder trio, is a member of the band Pharaoh’s Daughter, travels throughout Europe performing classical music, and leads musical programs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Amanda Monaco, guitar Amanda received her B.M. degree from William Paterson University in 1996, and her M.A. from The City College of New York in May, 2008. Amanda has served on the faculties of Berklee College of Music, New School University, and the National Guitar Workshop. Intention, the newest album from her quartet, Amanda Monaco 4, has been called “chock full of thoughtful, provocative compositions rendered with strong conviction and fueled by a sense of group discovery” (JazzTimes).

Led by Hazzan and Music Director Ari Priven, BJ is fortunate to have some of New York's finest musicians on its staff.

Saskia Lane, double bass A graduate of The Juilliard School, Saskia currently tours with Dan Zanes & Friends as well as her critically-acclaimed quartet, The Lascivious Biddies. She is active in education and outreach, performing in the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series, and can be heard on a new recording slated for release this winter with Dan Zanes & Friends that will feature music from Latin America.

Daphna Mor, recorder Daphna graduated as valedictorian and received her B.M. degree in 2000 from the Boston Conservatory. A classical and world music recorder player, she helped found the all-women New

Jessie Reagen, cello Jessie received her B.M. and P.S.D. from Mannes College of Music, where she was a scholarship student of Timothy Eddy and Carter Brey. She is currently on faculty at the United Nations International School in Manhattan, and is resident cellist in DBR & THE MISSION (Opus 3 Artists) and the quartet SN4.

Basya Schecter, percussion, vocals Basya Schechter is the founder of the Neo-Hasidic, internationally touring world music band Pharaoh's Daughter. Over the past two years, Basya was the recipient of numerous compositional and project grants from NYSCA (New York State Council of the Arts), American Composers Forum, and the American Music Center.

She is now working on a collection of songs written to the Yiddish poetry of Abraham Joshua Heschel.

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GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY–AUGUST 2009 • OUR HOME

Music at BJ

(continued)

Uri Sharlin, accordion, piano Since arriving in New York in 1999, Uri has become an established world musician, composer, accordionist, and pianist. His band, The Cardamon Quartet, released their first album in 2005, which was warmly received by the critics. Uri is also a member of the band Dogcat. He recently spent an extended period in Brazil learning Choro and Forro, among other musical styles on accordion and percussion.

We also wish to offer thanks to the many volunteers who create beautiful music for the BJ community including Zach Fredman, Arielle Korman, Jerry Korman, Renee Kraiem, Daniel Lerner, Pamela Mishkin, Mira Rivera, Rachel Rosenthal, Andy Sherman, Miriam Palmer-Sherman, Davey Rosen, Renee Rachel Sobelsohn and Kerrith Solomon.

Matt Turk, guitar, mandolin, vocals Matt graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. from New York University.

He is a veteran performer who has engaged audiences around the world as a hard-rocking bandleader and acoustic folk troubadour.

For several years, Matt coordinated and hosted the "Circle of Song" tent at Pete Seeger’s Great Clearwater Music and Arts Festival, held each June on the banks of the Hudson River. Most recently, Matt joined forces with Fred Gillen Jr. as Gillen & Turk.

Our CD and songbook for the High Holy Days, TekiYah: Echoes of the High Holy Days at BJ, are available for $18 each. You can also take home the music of our Shabbat services by purchasing our CD With Every Breath for $18, or our Pesah CD or songbook, HaLailah Hazeh: The Music of Pesah at BJ, for $18 each. Buy online at www.bj.org or drop by the BJ office between 9:00AM and 4:30PM, Monday–Thursday, and until 2:30PM on Friday.

BJ MUSIC RECORDINGS

Our Commitment to Israel Based on our belief that we must continue to challenge ourselves and find relevant paths to modern Jewish practice, we charge every BJ member to visit Israel. We can teach and talk about Israel all we want, but unless we go there, Israel is just another item in the Jewish lexicon.

Travel to Israel is not only irreplaceable in affirming the central Jewish value of love of Eretz Yisrael; it is essential in providing the necessary tools to take stances on: the future of Zionism, peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and social change within Israel.

Furthermore, such journeys enable every BJ member to be part of an extraordinary mission. Just as BJ has contributed to the revitalization of liberal Judaism in America, it plays a similar role in Israel.

Our fate as a congregation is linked to our engagement with the State of Israel.

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PHOTO: CHANNA CAMINS

BJ trips feature discussion and celebration with our Israeli spiritual partners—groups dedicated to forging new paths into Judaism, particularly for Israelis who have been alienated by the Orthodox religious and political hegemony in the country. Our fate as a congregation is linked to our engagement with the State of Israel.

Join us in unique opportunities for intimate travel groups as we shape a congregation-wide encounter with Israel—based on love, personal experience, and probing with the spiritual and moral values we treasure.

We are hopeful about planning our next trip to Israel in 2010.

Stay tuned.

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 • OUR HOME

Rabbi’s Message Headline For This Section Throughout the years, we have written many articles and messages on a variety of topics. We are pleased to share the following article, relevant to this time of year, from our archives.

—Rabbis J. Rolando Matalon, Marcelo R. Bronstein and Felicia L. Sol

That Which is Hidden: Discovering the Truth Behind the Mask Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon Reprinted from the Spring, 2001 Pardes iddenness and revelation are at the very foundation of the Book of Esther and the celebration of Purim. Indeed, Esther’s name itself is from the Hebrew root s-t-r meaning hidden. Furthermore, Esther is not called a “Book” but is more precisely referred to as “The Scroll of Esther” or Megillat Esther. Hidden in the word megillah is the root g-l-h that means “to reveal” and also “to exile.” Megillat Esther could then be translated as “The Revealing of the Hidden” or, alternatively, “The Exiling of the Hidden.” Thus the title of the story presages one of its central themes.

H

From the very beginning of the story things are veiled: Vashti refuses to reveal her beauty “to the peoples and the officials.” (1:11–12) The reason for her refusal is withheld. The King doesn’t know “What shall be done, according to the law, to Vashti for failing to obey the command of the King?” (1:15)

The King realizes that Esther is troubled and pledges to grant any request, but she postpones revealing to him her secret. (5:3-4) The King had forgotten to properly honor and reward Mordekhai for having saved his life earlier. (6:1-3) Haman thinks that the King is about to honor him. Not even in his wildest nightmares does he suspect that the honor is meant for Mordekhai. (6:6)

At this point in the plot, the tide is reversed and that which had been hidden slowly becomes unveiled: Mordekhai, the exiled Jew, is paraded in royal garb through the city square. (6:11) Haman’s ...Megillat Esther wife Zeresh, who had contributed the idea of could then be impaling Mordekhai, now reveals that “If translated as Mordekhai, before whom you have begun to “The Revealing of fall, is of Jewish stock, you will not overcome him; you will fall before him to your ruin,” the Hidden” or, (6:13) presaging that Haman’s plot against alternatively, the entire Jewish people in Persia will not “The Exiling of the prevail.

Four times in verse 2:6 the root g-l-h—exile— is repeated as Mordekhai’s identity is made known to us: he is a descendant of a certain Hidden.”

Benjaminite exiled by King Nebukhadnetzar at the time of the destruction of the First Temple.

As was said earlier, g-l-h is also the root for “to reveal.” Is this perhaps a hint that Mordekhai, the exiled Jew, will be revealing something? Also hidden in the confrontation between Mordekhai and Haman is the old enmity between Saul, also a Benjaminite, and Haman’s ancestor, Agag the Amalekite. Further back, the enmity is between Amalek and Israel; even further back, between Ya’akov and his twin Esav, Amalek’s grandfather.

Of course, we all know that a key element of the plot is that “Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, for Mordekhai had told her not to reveal it.” (2:10) The King does not know that Haman is “the foe of the Jews” and that is why he is plotting their destruction. (3:10) Esther does not know the reason why Mordekhai tears his clothes and changes into sackcloth, and why PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

“there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting weeping and wailing and everybody lay in sackcloth and ashes.” (4:1-4) Is there a hidden reason for Esther attaining a royal position? Was it so that she may save her fellow Jews? (4:14)

Esther reveals her Jewish identity to the King and Haman (7:4) and that it is Haman who has plotted the massacre. (7:6). It is Haman who now pleads with Esther for his life, to no avail. He is impaled at the stake he had made for Mordekhai. (7:7-10) Esther reveals to the King her kinship with Mordekhai. (8:1) A royal document is displayed to all the peoples allowing the Jews to defend themselves and take revenge on their aggressors. (8:13) Sackcloth and ashes, and the darkness of mourning turn into “light and darkness, happiness and honor.” (8:16) Fasting (4:3; 4:16) turns into feasting, holiday and merrymaking. (8:17; 9:17-19; 9:22) Indeed, on the very day in which the enemies of the Jews had expected to get them in their power, the opposite happened—

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RABBIS’ MESSAGES • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

That Which is Hidden, continued venahafokh. (9:1) Tragically, the opposite literally occurred and our Persian ancestors are responsible for the massacre of 75,000 of their foes. (9:16) But not everything hidden is reversed and revealed: Remarkably and surprisingly hidden throughout the entire Megillat Esther, is God. Not once is God’s name mentioned in the telling of this story.

The late Dr. H. L. Ginsberg, professor of Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary, writes in his introduction to Esther in JPS’s The Five Megilloth and Jonah: “When Mordekhai learns of the decree that the Jews are to be annihilated, he puts on sackcloth and ashes and utters a great bitter cry; what other biblical author would have omitted to add ‘to the LORD’? When the rest of the Jewish population of the Persian Empire learn of the decree, everybody weeps and laments and lies in sackcloth and ashes; why is there not a word about their praying, about their confessing their sins and throwing themselves on God’s mercy? When Esther tells Mordekhai about the risk involved in her appearing before the king unbidden, he argues with her that perhaps she has—but he doesn’t say ‘by God’s doing’—attained her high station so that she may utilize it to save her people from their present peril, and that if she fails to act the Jews will be rescued—why doesn’t he say ‘by God’?—in some other way, while just she and her family will perish. So Esther asks Mordekhai to instruct all the Jews to fast—why does she avoid the word ‘pray’?—for her for three days […]

Not that an average biblical writer would necessarily have mentioned the Deity in every one of these instances, but could he have narrated all that is narrated in Esther 4 without specifically mentioning God or prayer even once? And look at the way our book tells what happened when the deliverance came (8:16-17; 9:18-19) and the directions it gives for its celebration (9:20ff). The news that the Jews were permitted to defend themselves was received with rejoicing and celebration—but thanksgiving is not mentioned. And after they had successfully utilized this privilege, they instituted two days of rejoicing and merrymaking and exchanging of gifts—but nothing is said about thanking and praising God. Mordekhai, later confirmed by Esther, directed that these holidays should be so observed punctually on their proper days by all Jews throughout the ages. And still this biblical author manages to say nothing about the God of our fathers [sic] having heard our cry and having, in His mercy, delivered us with His mighty and His glorious right arm.”

Numerous reasons are given for the hiding of God’s face in Megillat Esther: It would be inappropriate for God’s name to appear in the midst of levity and mockery such as in this story.

The deliverance of the Jews of Persia at the end of the story of Esther does not end their exile. In other words, God’s face still remains hidden. God’s intervention is not always displayed publicly but is sometimes done in hiding, anonymously so-tospeak—b’seter.

Though I cannot locate the source, I once read that God’s face hides in Esther. When she is able to conquer her fears about her identity and reveals who she truly is, it is God’s face that is revealed and the salvation takes place.

The Hebrew word for face—panim—is intimately connected to the word p’nim—inside. The Talmud uses the words lifnei velifnim to describe the innermost part of the Temple, where the High Priest has an intimate dialogue with God on Yom Kippur.

(Berakhot 7B) When we reach deeply When we reach deeply inside ourselves, or inside ourselves, or when when we establish a we establish a relationship of intimacy with another, relationship of intimacy that is when we reveal our with another, that is p’nim and our panim and when we reveal our we allow ourselves to be p’nim and our panim our truest selves. God’s face is revealed through and we allow ourselves our face and blessing to be our truest selves. flows into the world. That is when we act Megillat Esther, when we become actors in our own play called “The Revealing of the Hidden.”

Why then the Purim masks and costumes? Under the mask and the costume we feel safer to reach for and experiment with the deeply hidden aspects of our selves. We test our own feelings as well as other people’s reactions as they encounter us. At the end of the day, the mask comes off and a new, truer face shines… or, if no transformation occurred, another Purim has passed and the old mask goes up again. ■

While God’s name is absent from the telling of this story, I do not believe that God is absent but rather that God remains in hiding.

The Babylonian Talmud Hulin 139B asks, “Where is Esther indicated in the Torah?—[In the verse,] And I will surely hide My face—Ve-anokhi haster astir panay (Deut. 31:18).” The Talmud thus makes the connection between Esther and the hiding of God’s face, an important motif that appears in the Torah and continues throughout biblical and post-biblical Jewish theology. The hiding of God’s face is the withholding of God’s presence and blessing, it is a metaphor for the terrifying silence of God: “When You hid Your face, I was terrified” (Psalms 30:8).

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PHOTO: CYNDI SHATTUCK

Tefillah

“BJ creates an environment that encourages you to pray with kavannah… with true intention.”

—BJ Member

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

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TEFILLAH (PRAYER) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Shabbat & Holy Day Services BJ conducts services at two locations: 88th Street denotes the B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue (BJ) at 257 West 88th Street, between West End Avenue and Broadway. 86th Street denotes The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (SPSA) on West End Avenue at 86th Street.

Dates, times and locations should be confirmed by checking the weekly Kol Jeshurun (available at Shabbat services and at www.bj.org) or by calling the BJ office at 212-787-7600. Assistive Listening Devices are available during services at both 86th and 88th Street locations from the ushers. Sign language interpreters are present at services by special arrangement. For more information, contact Sarah Guthartz, Assistant to Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, sguthartz@bj.org, x234.

DAILY MINYAN Monday – Friday 7:30AM, 88th Street Sanctuary Sundays & National Holidays 9:30AM, 88th Street Sanctuary

KABBALAT SHABBAT Early Service 6:00PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Late Service 7:30PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Summer Services (June 19 – Labor Day Weekend, 2009) 7:00PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Family Shabbatot First Friday of each month through June 6:00PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Wandering Minyan First Friday of each month through June 6:00PM, 86th Street Social Hall

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SHABBAT MORNING Services (Through June 13, 2009) 9:30AM, 86th Street Children’s Services 10:45AM, 86th Street Chapel Junior Congregation First and Third Saturday of every month to June 6, 2009 10:30AM, 86th Street Social Hall Summer Services (June 20 – Labor Day Weekend, 2009) 9:30AM, 88th Street Summer Children’s Services 10:45AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall

HAVUROT Many members have formed havurot (small fellowship groups) that gather monthly in members’ homes to pray and share Shabbat together. Times for meetings vary depending upon the group. For more information, see page 25.

HOLY DAYS & FESTIVALS throuigh Summer 2009

PURIM Purim Carnival and Play March 8, 12:30PM, 88th Street Family Megillah Reading/Evening Service March 9, 5:45PM, 88th Street Adult Evening Service with Megillah Reading March 9, 7:00PM, 88th Street Morning Minyan with partial Megillah Reading March 10, 7:30AM, 88th Street

SHABBAT SUITCASES

PESAH

Have you always wanted to host a large group for Shabbat but didn’t have enough supplies? Inviting people into your home to celebrate the Sabbath is not only a mitzvah—it will help to create the sense of community we are all looking for at BJ. Through a generous donation from one of our members, BJ has been able to create “Shabbat Suitcases”. Each suitcase has all the physical tools necessary to host a Shabbat gathering: 12 Zimrat Yah (books with songs and blessings), 12 kippot, candle sticks, a kiddush cup and a havdalah set.

Members may borrow a suitcase for the weekend and are asked to return it the following Monday. For more information, please contact Liz Stone, Assistant to Rabbi Felicia L. Sol, at estone@bj.org, x 233.

First Day Services April 9, 9:30AM, 88th Street Children’s Services, 10:45AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall Second Day Services April 10, 9:30AM, 88th Street Children’s Services, 10:45AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall Shabbat Hol Hamo’ed Pesah Evening Service April 10, 6:00 and 7:30PM, 88th Street

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • TEFILLAH (PRAYER)

Shabbat & Holy Day Services, continued Shabbat Hol Hamo’ed Pesah Day Services April 11, 9:30AM, 86th Street

TISHA BE-AV Evening Service July 29, 8:45PM, 88th Street

Children’s Services, 10:45AM Morning Services July 30, 7:30AM, 88th Street

Seventh Evening Service April 14, 7:15PM, 88th Street

Minhah Service July 30, 6:00PM, 88th Street

Seventh Day Services April 15, 9:30AM, 88th Street Children’s Services, 10:45AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall Eighth Evening Service April 15, 8:15PM, 88th Street Eighth Day Services (Yizkor) April 16, 9:30AM, 88th Street Children’s Services, 10:45AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall

YOM HASHOAH Reading of Names and Program April 20, 6:45PM, 88th Street

YOM HAZIKARON/YOM HA’ATZMAUT Picnic and Celebration April 28, 6:00PM, Riverside Park

SHAVUOT First Evening Service and Tikkun Leil Shavuot May 28, 8:30PM, 88th Street Sunrise Services May 29, 5:30AM, 88th Street First Day Services May 29, 10AM, 88th Street Children’s Services, 11:15AM, 88th Street Frankel Hall Shabbat and Second Evening Service May 29, 6:00 and 7:30PM, 88th Street Shabbat and Second Day Services (Yizkor) May 30, 9:30AM, 86th Street Children’s Services, 10:45AM, 86th St. Chapel and Board Room

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

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TEFILLAH (PRAYER) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Services for Families, Children & Teens PLEASE NOTE: Dates, times and locations should be confirmed by checking the weekly Kol Jeshurun (available at Shabbat services and at www.bj.org) or by calling the BJ office at 212-787-7600.

SHABBAT SERVICES Our services for families and children address their particular developmental and spiritual needs. We build on the traditional liturgy with song, dance, games, storytelling and study to bring to life the prayers, Torah and a love of Israel for our community’s younger members.

WEEKLY Join us every Saturday morning at 10:45AM in the Chapel at 86th Street. This service creates the kavannah (intention) for Shabbat in a warm, interactive setting that includes singing, dancing and storytelling within the framework of the Shabbat morning service.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate, and are required to accompany children under the age of 7.

Following the Torah reading, the children form three separate minyamim by age as follows: Minyan Alef: For children ages 3 and under.

Children explore the meaning of Shabbat through song, movement and storytelling.

MONTHLY Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service Held on the first Friday of each month at 6:00PM through June.

This interactive service in the Sanctuary at 88th Street is especially for families and includes singing and storytelling appropriate for children under 13. It is led by all of our rabbis, who rotate coverage each month.

HOLY DAY SERVICES Children’s Services begin at 10:45AM on days when adult services are held. To enrich families’ experience of the Jewish year, we are dedicated to providing educational and social programs to deepen both understanding and joy. Please see the Kol Jeshurun for more information on upcoming family services.

HOLIDAY EVENTS Purim Carnival and Play Sunday, March 8, 12:30PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Play games, win great prizes, and get into the Purim spirit.

Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration Thursday, April 30, 3:30–6:30PM, 88th Street Frankel Hall

TEEN SHABBAT Minyan Bet: For children in pre-k, kindergarten and first grade.

Children deepen their understanding of Shabbat and the Jewish year through storytelling, games, discussion and Shabbatappropriate art projects.

Minyan Gimel: For children in second grade and above.

On the first and third Saturday of each month, children and their families are invited to attend Junior Congregation. On remaining Saturday mornings children engage in meaningful discussion and activities about Shabbat, the weekly Torah portion, prayer, Israel, and Jewish values.

Junior Congregation Held on the first and third Saturday of every month at 10:30AM in the 86th Street Social Hall, this service is student-led and especially for families with children in the 2nd–7th grades. A light kiddush follows services.

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Saturday, February 7, 9:30AM, 86th Street Our teens have begun to carve a role for themselves in the larger BJ community. You can find them in so many different places as they participate in social action projects, work and volunteer in the Hebrew school, participate in services and engage in the community in their own particular way. But for one Shabbat, and one Shabbat only, you can find them all in the same place—at Shabbat morning services, as they take on all the responsibilities of the service from davening to Torah reading and divrei Torah as well. We look forward to all of our teenagers participating in this incredible opportunity to shape our community’s Shabbat experience. For more details, or to sign up to participate, contact Kerrith Solomon, Director of Teen Programming, ksolomon@bj.org, x253.

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

Limud

“BJ makes prayer and Torah study possible by creating a link between the intellect and the emotion.”

—BJ Member

PHOTO: NIGUN HALEV

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LIMUD (LEARNING) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Adult Classes & Events Spring/Summer (February–August 2009) The Kabbalah (the teachings of the Jewish mystics) tells us that

CANCELLATION POLICY

the Torah turns a special face to every Jew, meant for and

We reserve the right to cancel any class that does not have sufficient registration. Should BJ cancel a class, full tuition will be refunded. If you would like to withdraw from a class, please send a written refund request to the BJ office before the second class session. A $15 administrative charge will be deducted from all refunds. We encourage you to directs that refunds be credited to your account for future activities or contributions in lieu of a refund check. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps B’nai Jeshurun better serve the community.

accessible by only that individual. It is therefore incumbent upon each one of us to study, so that we can discover the face of Torah that is ours alone and incorporate it into the tradition. Only then will we have fulfilled our true purpose.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration and prepayment of fees (if any) are required for all courses. Payment will not be accepted at the door. Late registrants will be accepted if there is room in the class, but we cannot prorate fees. Note: Although there is no charge for certain classes, registration is required. The first price listed for class tuition is for BJ members, the second for non-members.

BOOKS Texts mentioned in the course descriptions are available at West Side Judaica (Broadway between 88th and 89th Streets). If you mention that you are affiliated with BJ, 10% of the proceeds of your purchase will be donated to the synagogue.

Registration and payment services are available online at www.bj.org or by calling Elizabeth Stone, Assistant to Rabbi Felicia L. Sol, at x233. Please register at least two weeks before the class begins so that we can notify you of any changes. If you need tuition assistance, please contact Director of Membership Belinda Lasky, blasky@bj.org, x224.

CLASSES TAUGHT BY OUR RABBIS AND FELLOWS ROSH HODESH WOMEN’S GROUP Facilitated by Rabbi Felicia L. Sol and Rabbi Esther Lederman, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow Each new month on the Hebrew calendar, we will have an opportunity to study, discuss, celebrate, and pray together on this holiday traditionally associated with women. Registration is not required. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian kosher snack to share with the group as part of the celebration of Rosh Hodesh.

Cost: Free; registration not required Adar: Tuesday, February 24, 7:00PM, 88th Street Sanctuary Nisan: Wednesday, March 25, 7:00PM, 88th Street Frankel Hall Sivan: Sunday, May 24, potluck brunch, 11:30AM, 86th Street Chapel Iyar: April 25, Women's Retreat (see p. 16) Tammuz: Monday, June 22, 7:00PM, 88th Street Frankel Hall

PARASHAT HASHAVU'A: STUDY OF THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION Ezra Weinberg, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow A Hassidic story teaches that Moses wanted to reveal more Torah to the people but God refused, wanting to give the people a sense that there is something hidden among the words for them to discover. This story's implicit message is that we have the power to reveal the hidden parts of Torah. By adding our own understanding of the text, we too become a part of its unfolding story. In this class, as we study the weekly Torah portion with the aid of both ancient and modern interpretations, we will reveal its many layers and find ourselves reflected in its stories and teachings.

Time: Thursdays (through May 28) 7:00–8:30PM Location: BJ Office, Conference Room Cost: Members: free/non-members: $150 for the year

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PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • LIMUD (LEARNING)

THE RABBINIC MIND ON SINAI Rabbi Felicia L. Sol

FIVE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein

Beginning with a close reading of the Biblical Story of Revelation, we will then take a step-by-step look at three different midrashic texts on the revelation on Mount Sinai: Pirke deRabbi Eliezer, Mekhilta deRabbi Ishmael and Exodus Rabbah. Come to understand how the rabbis think, and explore different explanations and understandings of the story and the ability to experience Sinai through studying it. No Hebrew reading necessary.

Marcelo, in partnership with HaMakom, the Israel Engagement Network, will present five short documentaries and text that will be the basis of our conversations.

Time: 7 Tuesdays (February 3, 10, 17, March 3, 10, 17, 24) 12:30AM–1:45PM Location: BJ Office, Conference Room Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 931

LUNCH AND LEARN: Perversion and Holiness Stories of the Talmudic Rabbis in Bava Metzi’a Chapter 7 Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon We will study a chain of stories that appears in the seventh chapter of tractate Bava Metzi’a, one of the pearls of Talmudic literary creativity. These stories reflect the concerns and struggles, fears and fantasies, even the dark side of our Talmudic sages. We will attempt to look at ourselves in the mirror of the Talmud in order to understand and confront our own nature. No knowledge of Hebrew is required. Space is limited to 30 people. Please bring your own lunch.

Time: 6 Thursdays (February 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19) 12:30–1:45PM Location: The midtown location and directions will be provided with registration confirmation.

Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 936

PIYYUTIM OF SHABBAT Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon with Hazzan Ari Priven, Yosef Goldman and Basya Schechter Beautiful liturgical poems grace the Shabbat prayers and the Shabbat table. We will examine the texts and learn extraordinary musical renditions for several Shabbat piyyutim.

Time: 5 Wednesdays (February 11, 25, March 4, 11, 18) 6:30–8:00PM Location: 88th Street Frankel Hall Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 937

PHOTO: NIGUN HALEV

Time: 5 Tuesdays (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31) 7:00–8:30PM Location: 86th Street Parlor Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 941

PRAYER AND SYNAGOGUE SKILLS Rabbi Felicia L. Sol For those longing to have a deeper understanding of the Shabbat and weekday prayer service, this class will address questions, such as: What is the structure of the service? What is the choreography of the service? How can we balance personal spontaneous prayer with the fixed text of the siddur? Each class will be comprised of three elements: (1) the study of a text to uncover the essence and meaning of prayer; (2) the chanting/davening of a particular prayer or psalm; and (3) the study of the liturgy and its structure and choreography. No Hebrew reading necessary.

Time: 3 Tuesdays (March 17, 24, 31) 7:00–9:00PM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 938

TOWARDS A JEWISH THEOLOGY OF JUSTICE Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek How can Jews contemplate the justice claims of gentiles? What, if any, is the philosophical basis for concern with those who aren’t part of our ethnic or religious group? We’ll examine classical concepts such as mipnei darchei shalom and tikkun olam, theological perspectives articulated by thinkers such as Levinas and Buber. Most importantly, we’ll explore the theological framework that actually underpins our own conception of Judaism, and explore the implications of our beliefs on our political commitments. Rabbi Spodek is Rabbi-in-Residence/Director of Jewish Communal Relations for the American Jewish World Service and was a 2006-2008 Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow at BJ. Time: 4 Mondays (April 27, May 4, 11, 18) 7:00–9:00PM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 939

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LIMUD (LEARNING) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Adult Classes & Events, continued INTERFAITH FAMILY WORKSHOP Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein The framework for this workshop will be Life Cycles. The first class will focus on relationship-building (i.e. what Jewish/non-Jewish couples need to know). The second will focus on school-age children (handling holidays, etc.). The third will focus on older adults and end-of-life concerns. The fourth class will be about daily/practical issues that arise in interfaith households. There may be roundtable discussions about how to celebrate holidays, raise children, and grandparent interfaith grandchildren.

Time: 4 Tuesdays (May 5, 12, 19, 26) 7:00–8:30PM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 942

BJ BEIT MIDRASH Rabbis J. Rolando Matalon and Felicia L. Sol The essence of Torah learning is built around the relationship of hevrutot (study partnerships). BJ is striving to incorporate this model of learning within the community and encourages all of its members to commit to study in hevruta. In order to help those newer to this model of studying as well as support more seasoned learners, we will have a BJ Beit Midrash. Each session will begin with a 30-minute shiur (teaching) followed by hevruta study.

Rabbis Matalon and Sol will guide the hevrutot with questions to focus their learning as well as give support to individual hevrutot during the beit midrash section of the class. Participants are encouraged to find a hevruta partner in advance of the class, or will be matched up in class.

Time: 4 Wednesdays (May 6, 13, 20, 27) 6:30–8:00PM Location: 88th Street Frankel Hall Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 903

ADDITIONAL CLASSES THIRD ANNUAL STUART POLLY INTERFAITH STUDY: A Parting of the Ways? Christians and Jews in the Early Centuries of the Common Era Dr. Peter C Bouteneff, Saint Vladimir’s Russian Orthodox Theological Seminary and Dr. Seth Schwartz, Jewish Theological Seminary Building on the success of last year’s introduction to the basics of Christianity in the first century, our interfaith study this year shifts to the next five centuries. This year’s series will contrast and compare the history of Judaism and Christianity during that period. The course will assume some knowledge of the faith and traditions of our Christian neighbors. Students will be expected to attend regularly and to participate in reading texts and discussion of the material.

Time: 4 Thursdays (February 5, 12, 19, 26) 7:00–9:00PM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary Cost: Free; registration required CODE: 909

THE BOOK OF EXODUS Rabbi Hillel Friedman Using both traditional and modern commentaries, the class will study the Book of Exodus (in translation). Rabbi Hillel Friedman, a longtime member of our community, has been teaching adult courses at BJ for the past seven years.

Time: Tuesdays (through May 26) 8:30–9:30AM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary Cost: $100 members/$150 non-members CODE: 915

Upcoming BJ Retreats

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WOMEN’S RETREAT

COMMUNITY RETREAT

Rabbis Felicia L. Sol and Esther Lederman, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow Join us for BJ’s eighth Women’s Retreat. Be part of a Shabbat weekend devoted to encountering the tradition and ourselves through kol nashim (the voice of women).

Time: April 24–26 Location: Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center Cost: TBD CODE: 921

The Community Retreat is making a return. Spend a Shabbat studying with the rabbis and enjoying the opportunity to meet and spend time with other members of the BJ communty.

Time: June 5–7 Location: Block and Hexter Vacation Center Cost: TBD CODE: 922

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • LIMUD (LEARNING)

SHABBAT LEARNING COMMUNITY SHABBAT DINNERS Dates: March 20, June 19 Following the early service Cost: $36/$41. Please check the Kol Jeshurun and the BJ website, www.bj.org, for further details.

CODE: 930

SHABBAT ONEGS "And call the Sabbath a delight" —Isaiah 58:13 Extend your Shabbat experience beyond services and gather with old and new friends. The BJ Shabbat Onegs are designed to create a welcoming community for all, taking us on a journey through the powerful beauty of Shabbat with traditional rituals, live music, joyous dancing, singing and food. As the Sanctuary fills with the sounds of passionate Shabbat melodies played by Hazzan Ari Priven, BJ Musicians-in-Residence and special guest artists, an intimate and sacred time and space is created.

Please help BJ provide the necessary elements that go into making the onegs a magical part of Friday evenings. For more information on supporting this program, contact the Development Department at x242.

Time: February 13, March 13, May 8, June 12 Following the late service Please check the Kol Jeshurun and the BJ website, www.bj.org for further details.

TORAH TEACHER’S CIRCLE: PARASHAT HASHAVU’A We invite members of BJ to write and share a D’var Torah with the community. These teachings allow each of us to study the parashah of the week and to learn from one another. The submissions will be posted on the BJ website, sent by email to the community, and published periodically. We hope you will join this growing circle of BJ Torah teachers. For more information contact Sarah Guthartz, Assistant to Rabbi Matalon, sguthartz@bj.org, x234.

COMMUNITY 2ND EVENING PESAH SEDER The B’nai Jeshurun community will again come together to share in a Seder experience on the second night of Passover.

Time: Thursday, April 9 7:30PM Location: 88th Street Frankel Hall Cost: $50; contact Naomi, ngoodhart@bj.org, to register

SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE SPRING PROGRAM Throughout the course of the year, we will have the opportunity to have an intensive Shabbat learning experience with distinguished visiting teachers.

Unless otherwise noted, the scholar will teach at a Shabbat B’Yahad dinner following the Friday night early service at 88th Street, give the D’var Torah during Shabbat morning services, and teach on Shabbat afternoon. To sign up for a Friday night dinner or teaching, please register at www.bj.org or contact Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255. Registration is not required for the teachings on Shabbat afternoons.

RABBI CHAIM SEIDLER-FELLER Dates: March 14-15 Cost: $15/$20 for March 15 brunch (10:30AM) Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller has worked as Director at UCLA Hillel for over 15 years. He is a lecturer in the Sociology Department at UCLA, an instructor in Kabbalah and Talmud at the University of Judaism, a Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, and a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Wilstein Institute ofr Jewish Policy Studies.

He was ordained at Yeshiva University, where he also earned a Masters Degree in Rabbinic Literature.

DR. NILI GOLD Dates: May 1-2 Cost: $36/$41 for May 1 dinner Nili Gold is Associate Professor of Modern Hebrew Literature in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at The University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that, Professor Gold taught at Columbia University. She is a native of Haifa, Israel and studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She has published extensively on Israeli fiction and poetry in American, European and Israeli journals. Her Hebrew book on Yehuda Amichai, Not Like A Cypress, was published by Schocken and was the winner of the 1994 State of Israel Ministry of Science and Culture Award for Best First Book in Hebrew Literature. Professor Gold’s recent book, Yehuda Amichai: The Making of Israel’s National Poet, appeared this past fall, and is the winner of the AmericanIsraeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE) publication grant for 2008.

In December 2008, Ben Gurion University held a symposium discussing the book and its archival findings.

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LIMUD (LEARNING) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Youth & Family Education We believe Judaism is an ongoing search for meaning and that

FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

this search starts in childhood; that Jewish identity begins to develop early and that the family and the synagogue must work together to nourish it; and that the best way to convey the joy and beauty of being Jewish is by providing new and creative ways

Contact: Rebecca Rosenthal, Acting Director of the Religious School and Shabbat & Holidays Coordinator (Youth and Family), rrosenthal@bj.org, x243.

for children to explore Judaism at each stage of their development.

BABIES AND TODDLERS PILOT PROGRAM

B’nai Jeshurun works toward ensuring that all persons with

Time: Fridays in March Time TBD Location: 88th Street Frankel Hall

disabilities feel welcome and able to participate fully in all of our community’s activities. Assuring that children with special needs and learning disabilities are in an environment that is sensitive to them and their families, and that they receive appropriate

Join families with kids ages 0-3 for a pilot pre-Shabbat program.

Check the Kol Jeshurun and the BJ website, www.bj.org, for more information.

assistance is an important part of this goal.

Based on these beliefs, we have developed the following programs.

BJ HEBREW SCHOOL

They offer our children the same kind of rich learning experiences that BJ’s adult education programs offer their parents.

GAN (Kindergarten) through ZAYIN (Seventh Grade) Contacts: Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family), ischreiber@bj.org, x225.

Elana Ayalon, Program Administrator, eayalon@bj.org, x260.

During School Hours: 212-873-4548 The Hebrew School strives to create a rich, vibrant learning environment in which we can nourish our children’s growing Jewish identities, create a community of peers that is part of the

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PHOTO: REBECCA ROSENTHAL

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • LIMUD (LEARNING)

Gimmel, Dalet, Hey, and Mem classes and their families next fall.

These annual retreats enable the students, along with their families, to forge profound and lasting connections with each other by experiencing and practicing Shabbat in “real time” in a beautiful natural setting.

larger community at BJ and the global Jewish community, and build the skills children will need to be participatory members of their community. The Hebrew School is a place where our children can learn new skills and ideas, struggle with questions of theology, meaning, and connection at an age appropriate level, and test what they have learned through prayer, discussion, and interaction with BJ’s clergy and staff. Family synagogue participation in services, Hebrew School events, and social action projects will further enrich children’s Jewish education. For current curriculum information, along with the school calendar, please visit www.bj.org. Hebrew School registration will be avaialble online beginning in May.

We are able to offer the retreat and the Reach for Shabbat programs as integrated parts of the curriculum for these grades, thanks in large part to the generosity of the Miriam L. Siroky Fund for Family Education. The program has been funded in the past with a Legacy Heritage Innovation Project Grant.

CLASS LOCATIONS

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS

Gan (Kindergarten) through Zayin (Seventh Grade) meet at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, 270 West 89th Street, between Broadway and West End Avenue on Monday and Thursday afternoons through May.

The Hebrew school is pleased to continue our partnership with MATAN: The Gift of Jewish Learning for Every Child (www.matankids.org). The Hebrew School has worked in partnership with MATAN for the past several years to provide accessible Jewish education for all our learners. This includes consultation to teachers and parents as well as direct service to students, and the creation of a class for students with visual and auditory processing disabilities. B’nai Jeshurun warmly welcomes and celebrates all students who wish to pursue a Jewish education, engage in communal life, and be called to the Torah for the first time. For more information about special needs and learning disabilities in the Hebrew school, please contact Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family), ischreiber@bj.org, x225.

CLASS SHABBAT DINNERS Every class in the Hebrew School will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat together with classmates, parents, and teachers, by attending Friday evening services together and gathering for a festive meal. Please check www.bj.org for each class date.

MISHPAHAH PROGRAM The Mishpahah Family Learning Program will be part of each grade’s curriculum this year. Parents will have the opportunity to learn with and from their children. Please check www.bj.org for each class date.

REIMAGINE AND REACH FOR SHABBAT The Reimagine and Reach for Shabbat programming has been successfully forming close bonds among the Hebrew School students and their families. These connections and the sense of community they bring to the classroom serve to deepen the learning that is possible at Hebrew School. In these programs students and their families experience and practice Shabbat, the focal point of the Hebrew curriculum, together with our educators and rabbis.

This spring we continue our successful Reach for Shabbat program, the conclusion of our series of optional family programming on Shabbat for students in Gimmel, Dalet, Hey, and Mem classes. Families come together for prayer and study with our rabbis and educators. These programs connect to the Hebrew curriculum and enable the students to practice the tefillot they learn in the classroom and demonstrate their mastery of the material.

Reach for Shabbat Junior Congregation and Lunch: Saturday, April 4, following Junior Congregation Services Reach for Shabbat Minha, Dinner and Havdalah, Saturday, May 9, Time TBD After highly successful retreats in 2007 and 2008, we are already planning for the 2009 third annual family weekend retreat for

BAR AND BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM Contact: Davey Rosen, Family Educator, x244, drosen@bj.org When your child received his or her name, the community expressed the hope that he or she would be led to Torah, huppah (the marriage canopy), and ma’asim tovim (great deeds). The journey to and through the bar/bat mitzvah includes the first steps your child will take toward the first hope, Torah. May this be a fulfilling step on your child’s and your family’s Jewish journey and may your ties to the Jewish community and Jewish tradition be strengthened by it. The bar/bat mitzvah stands before the entire community to mark his/her transition to maturity and responsibility under Jewish law and before the community of peers with whom he/she has been studying and preparing for this moment.

Educational Requirement: We require that children receive their Jewish education in a communal setting—either at the BJ Hebrew School or a Jewish day school, such as the Abraham Joshua Heschel School or Solomon Schechter. This education should begin no later than third grade, and will include participation in the communal aspects of bar/bat mitzvah preparation at B’nai Jeshurun. If your child has attended another twice-a-week Hebrew school, attendance at that Hebrew school may meet our educational requirement.

Membership Requirement: Since the bar/bat mitzvah is a sacred

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LIMUD (LEARNING) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Youth & Family Education, continued moment for the entire family, we require that the family be a member of B’nai Jeshurun continuously from the beginning of the bar/bat mitzvah child’s fourth grade year in school. If your family has belonged to another synagogue for the years between the time your child was in fourth grade and the time you joined B’nai Jeshurun, that membership satisfies this requirement.

Children with Special Needs or Learning Disabilities: All children are welcome to become b’nai mitzvah at BJ. If your child has a learning challenge that affects his or her ability to learn in a communal setting, please contact us so that we can discuss educational alternatives. If your child has a special learning need, our rabbis, cantor and teachers are committed to helping you find the best way to prepare for the bar/bat mitzvah. For more information about special needs and learning disabilities, please contact Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family) and Director of the Hebrew School at ischrieber@bj.org, x225.

ARTHUR P. MORGAN FUND The Arthur P. Morgan Fund was generously started to help support students and their families with special learning needs as they prepare for their bar or bat mitzvah. This Fund provides scholarships to students as they work individually with a tutor to prepare to become bar or bat mitzvah at B’nai Jeshurun. BJ works with a cadre of tutors who are qualified to teach children with special needs, or families may choose to find their own tutor, such as a beloved school teacher who might be Jewish, in communication with BJ. For more information about special needs and learning disabilities, please contact Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family) and Director of the Religious School at ischreiber@bj.org, x225.

THE BJ TEEN PROGRAM Contact: Kerrith Solomon, Director of Teen Programming, ksolomon@bj.org, x253.

Please contact Kerrith to be added to the Teen Email List.

As a holy community of intention, B’nai Jeshurun is successful when we enable our members to connect to each other and to the larger synagogue community. We have seen this happen within so many of the populations within B’nai Jeshurun, from families to those in their 20s and 30s to members actively committed to the work of tikkun olam (repair of the world).

We are committed to strengthening our connection to our teenagers at BJ by providing them with a community of intention, a place that addresses their particular needs as teens, but also challenges them as they grow and provides clear pathways for them to transition to meaningful membership in our larger adult community. Teens need to be in an environment in which they feel

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safe, supported and free to question their own Jewish identity and what it means to live a Jewish life. To this end, we are excited to offer the following opportunities for our teen population.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM This program runs from 6:00–8:00PM on the first Sunday of every month. Our passports have been stamped in El Salvador and Mexico and now we will be traveling to Costa Rica on Presidents Weekend, 2009. Our 10th-12th graders have the opportunity to learn about our responsibility to be global citizens of the world and then venture out of the country to learn first hand how much work there is to be done. For more information, contact Kerrith Solomon, ksolomon@bj.org, x253.

OZRIM & OZRIM TEFILLAH BJ Teens are preparing to become emerging leaders in BJ’s community. For many teens the best and most natural point of connection is sharing their love and knowledge with children.

Teens in 8th through 12th grade may apply to be teachers’ aides in the B’nai Jeshurun Hebrew School (Ozrim) and/or service leaders’ aides at weekly Children’s Shabbat morning services and Junior Congregation (Ozrim Tefillah). The Ozrim (literally, helpers) program provides teens with task supervision to develop their teaching and leading skills through multiple meetings with other teens in the program and the teen staff. For more information or to become part of the program, contact Kerrith Solomon, , ksolomon@bj.org, x253.

TEEN LEADERSHIP TRACK This year two teenagers from each grade (8th-12th) will be selected to be part of our leadership team. They will serve as representatives of our teen population and will help to shape and implement the programs throughout the year. To request an application to be considered for one of these positions contact Kerrith Solomon, , ksolomon@bj.org, x253

ACTION COMMITTEE We are committed to having a teen presence at events occurring in the larger BJ community and participating in city wide events.

Events include the Komen for the Cure Walk, the Blood Drive and the AIDS walk, among others. Details are publicized as events occur over the course of the year.

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • LIMUD (LEARNING)

OTHER EXCITING YOUTH AND FAMILY EVENTS MITZVAH FAIR Join us for the Mitzvah Fair, a great event if you are planning a B’nai Mitzvah social action project or interested in learning about opportunities to do mitzvot in our community, in New York City, in Israel and the world. For more information, contact Davey Rosen, Family Educator, drosen@bj.org, x244.

Time: Monday, February 9 6:00–7:30PM Location: 88th Street Sanctuary

“BJ embraces its children, creating a real community for families with many genuine opportunities for involvement.”

K-2 FAMILIES SHABBAT LUNCH Join us for lunch, singing Shabbat songs, fun Shabbat activities for children and time for parents to relax. For more information, contact Davey Rosen, Family Educator, drosen@bj.org, x244.

Time: Saturday, April 25 12:30–1:30PM Location: 86th St Social Hall PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

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BJ is a holy community, committed to the concept of social action and the pursuit of social justice, inspiring members to perform acts of kindness and compassion through our many outreach programs.

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Gemilut Hasadim .

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS)

Volunteer Committees & Programs Being a member of BJ means continuously striving to create a kehillah kedoshah (a sacred community), within our congregation as well as within our global community. Volunteerism at BJ provides members with a great variety of opportunities to help

crisis response. The Steering Committee seeks to integrate our work into a comprehensive whole and to maximize our impact by fostering relationships among our volunteer leadership and deepening the Jewish spiritual foundations of our work together.

make this vision a reality.

PANIM EL PANIM TASK FORCE In communal service, we serve God by our commitment to gemilut hasadim (acts of loving-kindness); tikkun olam (repair of the world); and creating kehillah (community). Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick), Hevra Kadisha (comforting mourners), and opportunities for Hakhnasat Orhim (hospitality), such as opening our homes to guests on Shabbat, provide ways for us to solidify the bonds of friendship and love within our synagogue community.

Throughout the year, we seek additional opportunities to “pray with our feet,” through one-time events, and by responding to national and global crises.

The Panim el Panim Task Force is the leadership and coordination body for the Hevras (working teams). It aims to transform our congregation by facilitating deeper relationships among our members and between the BJ community and our citywide neighbors. Panim el Panim seeks to address the root cases of injustice by changing power structures, laws, policies, relationships and practice—complementing the direct service program that BJ has operated for many years. Our power to make change is developed through a congregational communityorganizing model based on relationship building, community

Volunteering for any of the committees and programs detailed in this section, participating in the events BJ supports, or helping out

conversations, leadership development, and participatory decision making.

at the BJ office are among the ways you can become involved in the BJ community.

In 2008-9 Panim el Panim supports action Hevras leading three campaigns:

We invite each member to carve out your own path of gemilut hasadim at BJ—to serve God and to live the mitzvot of our tradition.

If you are interested in working on any of the

committees, please call the contacts listed.

The Environmental Action Hevra (EAH) educates, motivates, and empowers

Congregation

B'nai

Jeshurun

to

maximize

environmentally sustainable practices by the synagogue and members of the BJ community, and to mitigate instances of

If you need further assistance, please contact Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255 or Bella Zuzel, Director of Social Action/Social Justice bzuzel@bj.org, x259.

environmental injustice in the New York area, in partnership with local community organizations.

Contact: Liz Weiss, Carol Schiffman-Durham, and Robert Daley, BJGreenHevra@yahoo.com The Marriage Equality Hevra (MEH) educates and advocates for

TIKKUN OLAM (REPAIR OF THE WORLD)

equal rights and benefits for same-sex couples.

Contact: Amy Lavine, alavine@gaycenter.org and Marlene

SOCIAL ACTION/SOCIAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Staff: Bella Zuzel, Director of Social Action/Social Justice, bzuzel@bj.org, x259; Channa Camins, Social Action Coordinator, ccamins@bj.org, x261 Social Action/ Social Justice Steering Committee Chair: Rochelle Friedlich

Halpern, jacobhw@msn.com Manhattan Together Hevra (MTH) is the central focal point for BJ congregants working with an interfaith social justice coalition, Manhattan Together. Together, we are working on the development of two campaign areas—affordable housing and immigrants' rights.

Contact: Judith Trachtenberg, jtrachte@aol.com and Robert

The Social Action/Social Justice Department creates a variety of opportunities for congregants to respond effectively to social inequities in our local, national, and global communities, and to develop meaningful relationships with our neighbors.

The Social Action/Social Justice Steering Committee brings together the chairs of every program in the Department, from direct service to community organizing to one-time events, and

PHOTO: ALICE FISHER

Buxbaum, RBuxbaum@tdxconstruction.com Needed: Activist BJ members who are committed to social justice through community organizing and a willingness to work with a dynamic, diverse team of leaders.

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GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Volunteer Committees & Programs, continued THE BJ/SPSA HOMELESS SHELTER

BJ/RALPH BUNCHE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

Contact: Anne Millman, anniemill@aol.com and Jim Melchiorre, jmelchi567@aol.com, x340

Contact: Rory Butler and Ilene Richman, rbspartnership@bj.org, x301

The Homeless Shelter has been in existence since 1985 and reflects B'nai Jeshurun's strong commitment to the mitzvah of caring for the most vulnerable stranger in our midst. Sunday through Thursday, homeless guests are bussed to us from two midtown drop-in centers funded and overseen by the NYC Department of Homeless Services. Over 150 volunteers from three congregations (BJ, The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, and West Park Presbyterian Church) provide a dignified, welcoming atmosphere for our guests, making this endeavor one of our strongest and most sensitive programs.

The partnership is dedicated to helping children attain literacy, to love and value books and reading, and to enhance basic math skills. Volunteers meet one-on-one with children in Grades 1-4 to support classroom instruction in reading and writing, as well as Grades 3-4 to reinforce math lessons. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, one at a time.

Needed: Two to three people per night from 7:00–9:00PM to set up beds, serve a small meal, maintain the storage closets, and interact with the guests. Two additional people each night from 9:00PM–7:00AM to sleep over, supervise, help with a light breakfast, collect linens, and put away beds. Volunteers are also needed to cook or order in dinner for our shelter guests. A minimum commitment of one evening per month is requested.

BJ READS... AT P.S. 166 Contact: Ellen Schecter and Sandy Davidson, sandyd001@rcn.com, x391 BJ Reads offers volunteers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of elementary school children who are not yet reading at grade level. Our volunteers meet with one child at P.S. 166 for one hour a week on Mondays or Wednesdays for the entire school year. With the steady presence and enthusiasm of our volunteers, the children’s reading and comprehension skills flourish over the course of the year.

Needed: Individuals to work with eager elementary students on literacy and math on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you cannot make a regular commitment, please sign up as a substitute

JUDITH BERNSTEIN LUNCH PROGRAM Contact: Ruth Lazarus, Carole Lurie, Robin Tunick, and Susan Samuels, sssamuels@aol.com, x338 Join this wonderful, friendly, intergenerational effort by serving lunch to our West Side guests at 88th Street on Thursdays. We care for both body and soul by providing our guests with a meal in a comfortable atmosphere as well as the services of a social worker from the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services that visits every other week.

Needed: Caring individuals to prepare food, set tables, serve lunch, and clean up on Thursdays from 9:00AM–1:30PM. On Wednesday nights, we need individuals to make soup and salad from 5:00–8:00PM. Help is always needed. Sign up for an hour each week or each month.

BJ RESPONDS Needed: Warm, caring individuals of all ages to work with children. Minimum commitment is a one-hour session, one morning per week (Mondays or Wednesdays, 9:00–11:00AM) from October through May. Reading takes place at P.S. 166, 132 West 89th Street. No experience necessary. Training provided.

Contact: Channa Camins, Social Action Coordinator, ccamins@bj.org, x261 As always, we seek opportunities to "pray with our feet" by participating in public demonstrations and annual one day events, and by responding to ongoing crises such as the AIDS and breast cancer epidemics or sudden emergencies such as the South Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

Needed: People who are passionate about making a difference in our world! For more information, contact the BJ members below or contact Channa Camins at ccamins@bj.org, x261.

Darfur Response Committee: Josie Shapiro and Jerry Siegel, darfur@bj.org AIDSWalk, every May: Ellen Corenswet, ecorenswet@cov.com

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GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS)

Blood Drives, twice a year: Trudi Levine, trudil531@aol.com and Sharon Messitte, shasiem@aol.com Hazon Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, every Labor Day weekend: Mark Lipsy, remark1@gmail.com and Abby Rothschild, abbymythreesons@aol.com Komen for the Cure (Breast Cancer Run/Walkathon), every September: Glenda Frank, glfrank@verizon.net and Andrea Bigelisen, andmugs@aol.com

COMMUNITY KIDDUSHIM Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255 to sponsor a kiddush in honor of a simha.

Kiddush volunteers seek to foster a sense of community by providing a warm and welcoming place to gather after Shabbat Services.

Needed: Hosts to help people who are new to the community meet others; people who enjoy creating a friendly and inviting setting for the community to come together.

CREATING KEHILLAH (COMMUNITY)

BEKEF 35+

HAKHNASAT ORHIM (WELCOMING GUESTS)

Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255

Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255

Bekef is B'nai Jeshurun’s group for active 35+ singles who are interested in social activities, and in celebrating Jewish life together. Some Bekef events are open to couples as well as singles.

Bekef welcomes BJ members and non-members from New York City and beyond.

Hakhnasat Orhim is designed to help the community of BJ extend hospitality and create a welcoming atmosphere to all members of our community, as well as to visitors and guests. This initiative also provides members with ways to get to know each other in smaller, more intimate settings on Shabbat and the holidays.

Needed: Bekef is looking for new programs for the coming year, as well as new leadership to help coordinate, facilitate, and invigorate our events.

Needed: People who are committed to serving God by performing the mitzvah of Hakhnasat Orhim by embracing others in our community through hospitality; people who enjoy opening their homes to guests on Shabbat and hagim (holidays).

BIKKUR HOLIM (VISITING THE ILL) Co-chairs: Jeannie Blaustein and Barbara Goldman Contact: Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, ygarber@bj.org, x256

HAVUROT (SMALL FELLOWSHIP GROUPS)

Bikkur Holim is the mitzvah of providing comfort to those who are ill, whether they suffer the pains of the body or spirit. Visiting, making phone calls, providing food and transportation are but a few examples of how we offer comfort. In addition to this support, we provide outreach to the frail elderly, to people with chronic, long-term illness, and to those with special needs. Information and support is also available for caregivers. Education and training is offered to all participants and special events are planned throughout the year.

Havurah groups provide a critical means for members to create community, intimacy and friendships at B'nai Jeshurun. BJ members have formed over 30 small groups that meet in members' homes to study, celebrate Shabbat and perform gemilut hasadim (acts of loving-kindness). Groups range from 10-20 people and are a wonderful way to overcome the anonymity that often threatens our lives. If you are interested in becoming part of a havurah, or are interested in starting a specific kind of havurah, please contact us.

Needed: People to visit and support those requesting comfort, either in person or by phone. Members with good organizational skills are also needed to help coordinate support teams, outreach and event planning.

HEALING RESOURCES: A BIKKUR HOLIM PROJECT

Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255

Contact: Susan Kaplow, susankaplow@earthlink.net, 518-281-4133 The Bikkur Holim Committee is undertaking a new project: to collect short descriptions from our congregants about what Jewish traditions and practices they found helpful when facing serious physical or emotional illness. Both those who have been ill and those who have been caregivers are invited to contribute.

When facing serious illness, many of us yearn for spiritual support

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GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Volunteer Committees & Programs, continued but feel too overwhelmed or too afraid to seek it out. Our project is designed to fill this gap. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained in collecting the material.

connecting our Hebrew School children with elders in the community; study sessions in the sukkah; and educational events for our elders as well as their adult children. We are proud to pair with other committees to design innovative new programs.

HEVRA KADISHA (COMFORTING MOURNERS)

Needed: Volunteers of all ages to create and organize innovative new programming for our diverse population.

Co-Chairs: Penny Dannenberg, Bob Gruenspecht, Daniel Kestin, and Elissa Meth Contact: Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator, ygarber@bj.org, x256 The death of a loved one brings about feelings of loss, sadness, confusion and loneliness. The Hevra Kadisha of BJ is there to comfort and support the bereaved from the time of death through the periods of shiva and shloshim.

Needed: People to participate in minyanim so that mourners can say kaddish at home (no knowledge of Hebrew is required), to escort mourners into Friday night services, to perform the mitzvah of tahara (the ritual cleansing and dressing of the body) and to sit sh’mira (the guarding of the body and reading of psalms before burial). Members with good organizational skills are also needed to help coordinate support teams, outreach and event planning.

Orientation and training are provided.

MEN’S HAVURAH Contact: Naomi Goodhart, Assistant to Rabbi Bronstein, ngoodhart@bj.org, x240 We want to create a new space for BJ men, whether straight, gay, single, married, or any other self-definition, to gather together to close Shabbat with singing and celebration. Sometimes there’s a speaker, other times a text, but always a thought-provoking discussion relating to Jewish men in the contemporary world. The Men’s Havurah Committee includes Michael Yoeli, Moshe Horn, Chuck Gold, Bob Kanter, Nahum Precel, Jonathan Adelsberg, and Marcelo Bronstein. Please hold the following dates for 2009: February 21, March 21, April 18 and June 20.

SHABBAT B’YAHAD INTERFAITH COMMITTEE

Contact: Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, gfelixbrodt@bj.org, x255

Co-Chairs: Joe Antenson and Linda Kates, x379 The Interfaith Committee is committed to interfaith understanding, collaboration, and action. Working within BJ, the Committee aims to engage members with theological, cultural, and political interfaith issues; reach and serve the needs of BJ’s interfaith families; and encourage an interfaith agenda among other committees. Beyond BJ, the Committee aims to strengthen collaboration with other religious institutions and traditions for the purposes of study, prayer, and social action.

Shabbat B'Yahad volunteers are responsible for making our community Shabbat dinners during Teacher-in-Residence Shabbatot a welcoming environment for all.

Needed: Volunteers to help welcome and sign in guests following the early Shabbat service, and assist in a variety of other ways throughout the night.

TZE’IRIM 20s & 30s Needed: People with a strong interest in interfaith matters and the skills and motivation to take on new and complex projects. In particular, people involved in other BJ committees who will provide a liaison around interfaith issues and activities, and who have the skills and interest to organize interfaith study or build on our relationships with SPSA and other churches and religious traditions.

LEDOR VADOR Chair: Asya Berger, x334 Our elders are the keepers of our wisdom. Ledor Vador is dedicated to continuing the connections between generations.

We seek to keep our elders integrated in the BJ community, hoping other generations continue to benefit from their wisdom and living histories. Our programs offer opportunities to learn, socialize, and share our stories. These programs include several Ledor Vador Intergenerational Shabbat Luncheons each year; activities

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Co-Chairs: Susan Fishman and Brad Hoffman Contact: Rabbi Esther Lederman, Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow, elederman@bj.org, x264, or Yaffa Garber, ygarber@bj.org, x256 Tze'irim, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun's 20s/30s group, is a

BJ’S NEWEST MEMBERS, FROM LEFT: ZOE MUKAMAL, NATHAN FOX, STELLA AND HATTIE MINKIN GEGAX, BRADY SCHREIBER, HANNAH RAICHELSON

diverse community of Jewish professionals and students, singles and couples, from in and around New York City. We are committed to creating a Jewish life that is meaningful, relevant and dynamic, and to creating a Jewish community that supports and celebrates our efforts. For more information, please visit www.bj.org and click on “Tze’irim 20s and 30s.”

Needed: Tze'irim is in search of new leadership to help us coordinate, facilitate, and energize our most popular events. We are also looking for innovative, new programs for the coming year.

TEFILLAH (PRAYER)

DAILY MINYAN Co-Chairs: Irv Rosenthal and Shira Nadich-Levin Contact: Hazzan Ari Priven, apriven@bj.org, x232 Join with fellow members by making sure there is a quorum of ten adults so those who need to say kaddish daily may do so.

Needed: People who can participate once a week, once a month, or even more often; people to chant Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings.

USHERING Co-Chairs: Glenda Frank, Henry Weinberger, and Jeff Yablonka Contact: Sarah Guthartz, Assistant to Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, sguthartz@bj.org, x234 Our ushers at BJ help create a place of welcome and comfort at services so that everyone can worship in peace. By taking on this mitzvah, you participate in creating a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community, and help to ensure that all who enter our sanctuary will be able to share an extraordinary Shabbat experience.

Needed: People to usher once a month at Shabbat services on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, as well as on hagim (festivals). Responsibilities are primarily to greet and guide congregants and visitors. Additional responsibilities include providing security, safety, and comfort to the community, orienting newcomers to BJ, and assisting latecomers in finding seats. Training and orientation is provided.

TORAH/HAFTARAH READING Contact: Hazzan Ari Priven, apriven@bj.org, x232 While BJ is blessed with many who know how to read Torah and Haftarah, we always welcome new readers. This is a wonderful way to commemorate a bar/bat mitzvah or any other simha.

Needed: Torah and Haftarah readers, especially for the Monday and Thursday daily minyan, and during the summer.

TORAH (EDUCATION & LEARNING)

THE B’NAI JESHURUN HEBREW SCHOOL Contact: Debbie Lerner, edmjlerner@aol.com, x322 Each year, parental involvement adds a remarkable dimension to Hebrew School activities, including the grade-by-grade Mishpahah events, family Shabbat dinners, and cooking for the shelter. In this way, parents can engage in their children's Jewish education, and help create a sense of kehillah (community) within the school. It’s an excellent opportunity to enrich your personal Jewish experience, as well.

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GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Volunteer Committees & Programs, continued FAMILY LIFE ACTIVITIES

MEMBERSHIP

Contact: Davey Rosen, Family Educator, drosen@bj.org, x244

MEMBERSHIP STEERING COMMITTEE Our focus is to build a community for families through involvement in holiday, social action, and parenting programs.

Programs include Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, cooking for the Homeless Shelter, Tot Shabbatot, retreats, and Shabbat Se’udot (meals).

Needed: Volunteers with good organizational skills to help develop programming; people with a variety of talents and abilities to help infuse our activities with ruah (spirit).

TEENS Contact: Kerrith Solomon, Director of Teen Programming, ksolomon@bj.org, x253 Created and run by BJ’s teens, our activities include informal learning, Shabbat dinners, leading Shabbat morning services, and participating in tikkun olam programs. Participants are given opportunities to work in the Hebrew school, as well as serve as staff for programming geared towards younger children.

Needed: Teens interested in planning, organizing and participating in social and tikkun olam projects sponsored by the group, working in the Hebrew school and planning programs for the younger portion of our community.

Co-Chairs: Sofia Hubscher and Samara Minkin Contact: Belinda Lasky, Director of Membership, blasky@bj.org, x224, or Sarah Verity, Membership Associate, sverity@bj.org , x250 The Membership Steering Committee serves as a web of connections that runs through the community, supporting all aspects of community life.The goals of the Membership Steering Committee are to orient and segue new members into the community; attract attending non-members to join the synagogue; and enhance the experiences and deepen the connections of current members. For new members, the committee hosts a series of New Member Orientation Programs and provides service matches to help new members become better integrated into the B’nai Jeshurun community. The committee also has a presence at Onegs and Shabbat services to provide information about membership, as well as being available to speak one-on-one to answer questions of those who consider joining B’nai Jeshurun. The committee serves existing members by connecting them with volunteer opportunities, services and staff to enhance their membership experience, and by continually striving to find new ways to serve and engage the community.

Through these programs, the Membership Steering Committee aims to give each member a broader understanding of the vision of BJ and help them to participate more fully in building kehillah (community).

DEVELOPMENT AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Chair: Eugene Carr Contact: Denise Waxman, Communications Manager, dwaxman@bj.org, x275 The Communications Committee provides guidance to the BJ Board and the BJ administration on the development and implementation of an overall communications strategy designed to inform and expand membership, to generate donations and other funding, and to increase BJ’s visibility as a model and inspiration for others.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITEE Co-Chairs: Harriet Abraham and Richard Kalikow Contact: Aviva Raichelson, Director of Development and External Affairs, x242, araichelson@bj.org BJ has great dreams, but realizing them costs money. The Development Committee helps to solicit gifts within and beyond the community, and strategize how to raise the necessary funds to make our dreams realities.

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GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS)

Tzedakah: Giving to BJ BJ is a synagogue that stands for something—for a Judaism that

TRIBUTE GIVING

is personally meaningful and relevant. But it is more than that. BJ

Make a donation to honor or memorialize a loved one or to commemorate a life cycle event or special occasion. BJ will send notification to the designated individual or family informing them that you have made a gift to BJ.

also stands for the proposition that the synagogue must be relevant and meaningful not just to each of us as individuals but to the larger Jewish world and to the world-at-large.

In order for 2,000 people to pray here each week with deep intention, connection, and joy; to run a homeless shelter and lunch program; to organize members to visit the sick and comfort mourners; and to provide teachers for our children, classes for

DESIGNATED DONATIONS You can designate your donation for a specific program, event, or fund.

ESTATE & PLANNED GIVING

adults, and much, much more, we need a complex infrastructure.

This includes our rabbis, hazzan, musicians, professional staff, and a multi-space campus including several buildings critical to making BJ the special and unique place that it is to you.

How much does it cost to support this infrastructure? This year, $6 million. Membership dues and money raised through the Kol Nidre Annual Partnership Appeal only represent two-thirds of BJ’s budget. The remainder is raised through a variety of opportunities available throughout the year that exist to support the congregation and fund programs that benefit the BJ community.

By naming BJ as a beneficiary, you will leave a legacy and set an example for your children and your community. You will also help ensure that BJ has the resources to meet the future needs of the Jewish community. Make a statement about what you stand for and: • Endow a specific program/project (e.g., endowment, scholarships, programs or capital purposes).

• Establish a permanent fund (e.g. memorial scholarship) • Provide a charitable bequest in your will, naming BJ as the beneficiary of all or part of your estate.

• Include BJ as a contingent beneficiary in your will, ensuring that BJ flourishes well into the future.

We are most grateful for your support.

THE KOL NIDRE ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP APPEAL

WAYS TO GIVE

GIVE BY PHONE Contributions can be made by contacting Aviva Raichelson, Director of Development and External Affairs, at 212-787-7600 x242 or Erzsebet Ragyina, Senior Development Associate, at x228.

The Kol Nidre Annual Partnership Appeal is a critical part of funding for BJ and provides more than 30% of our annual operating budget. This year, to sustain all that we do and to support exciting new programs-from prayer services, festivals and celebrations enhanced by food, music and teaching, to our expanding teen program, and social justice initiatives and service work- we need to raise $1.9 million. Please make BJ a philanthropic priority and contribute to this year's appeal.

GIVE ONLINE You can donate easily and securely online through our website, www.bj.org.

GIVE BY MAIL Contributions can be mailed to the attention of the BJ Development Department, 2109 Broadway, Suite 203, New York, NY 10023.

DONATE GIFTS OF SECURITIES Gifts of appreciated securities provide an excellent way for you to support BJ and to receive tax benefits as well. For specific instructions and details on how to handle a transfer, please contact the Development Department at x242. Please note that it is very important that you notify us ahead of time that securities are being transferred to BJ, as we have no way of knowing who the donor is otherwise.

PHOTOS, FROM TOPO: ROW 1, CHANNA CAMINS, TOM ZUBACK. ROW 2, TOM ZUBACK, CHANNA CAMINS. ROW 3: TOM ZUBACK.

ESTABLISHED FUNDS AND PROGRAM GIVING Arthur P. Morgan Fund —The Arthur P. Morgan Fund was generously started to help support students and their families with special learning needs as they prepare for their bar or bat mitzvah.

This Fund provides scholarships to students as they work individually with a tutor to prepare to become a bar or bat mitzvah at B’nai Jeshurun. BJ works with a cadre of tutors who are qualified to teach children with special needs, or families may choose to find their own tutor, such as a beloved school teacher who might be Jewish, in communication with BJ. For more information about special needs and learning disabilities, please contact Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family), ischreiber@bj.org, x225.

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GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Tzedakah: Giving to BJ, continued Adult Education — Contributions help support our limud (education) activities.

Beba Bronstein Jewish Camp Scholarship Fund — Contributions give a child the opportunity to attend camp.

Bikkur Holim — Contributions help our volunteers provide comfort to those who are ill.

Children’s Services — Contributions help provide support for our weekly Shabbat morning Children’s Services.

Elliot Levinson Memorial Fund — Contributions support programming for our senior members.

Judith Bernstein Lunch Program Fund — Contributions provide lunch to those in need. Every Thursday, our dedicated volunteers serve a hot meal and distribute brown bag lunches, helping hundreds of hungry adults and children each month.

Kiddush Fund—Contributions are needed to help cover the costs of holding our community kiddushim on the weeks when we don’t have sponsorship.

Etz Hayim Fund — Contributions support the upkeep and replacement of our Torah commentary books, Etz Hayim. A donation of $72 or more includes a dedicated bookplate to place in the book.

Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Memorial Fund — Established in memory of Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer, z”l spiritual leader of BJ from 1985 to 1993. Contributions support projects outside the BJ community that honor his lifelong pursuit of tikkun olam.

Floral Fund — Contributions help provide flowers to help enhance the beauty and atmosphere of our sanctuary spaces, including High Holy Day services.

Miriam L. Siroky Fund for Family Education — Contributions support projects such as the Reimagine education initiative, the BJ Family Siddur, and the CD HaLaila Hazeh: The Music of Pesah at BJ.

General Fund — Contributions offset ongoing operational costs and help support vital activities such as services, adult and youth education, and special events programming.

Operating Endowment Fund — Contributions ensure BJ’s future vitality.

Godnick and Gross Scholarship Fund — Contributions provide scholarships to the BJ Hebrew School.

Greening BJ — Contributions are needed to enable BJ to adopt the increased costs of adopting environmentally sustainable practices in our synagogue, helping to reduce our community's carbon footprint.

Hebrew School — Contributions help provide a vibrant and compelling Jewish educational experience and enable our classrooms and initiatives to grow.

Helen Radin Memorial Zayin Adar Teaching — Contributions support the annual Zayin Adar Teaching. Helen Radin, beloved BJ member and former BJ staff member, provided a loving and supportive foundation for so many in our community in her role as Director of the Rabbinic Office, staff member of Hevra Kadisha for over 11 years, and as a committed volunteer. Helen died unexpectedly on December 13, 2007. Her foundation will be everlasting. To honor Helen and the incredible mitzvot she performed throughout her life we have named the Zayin Adar Annual Teaching in her memory.

Hevra Kadisha — Contributions help provide comfort to those who are in mourning.

Holiday Programming — Contributions are needed to help support the cost of special programming for our holiday celebrations and commemorations throughout the year.

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relevant paths to modern Jewish practice, we charge every BJ member to visit Israel. Contributions assist those in need who could not otherwise afford to travel with us to Israel.

Rabbis’ and Hazzan’s Discretionary Funds — Contributions allow the rabbis and hazzan to make donations as they see fit.

Renee Kaufman Memorial Fund — Contributions support an annual program of particular interest to the Jewish family.

Richard M. Kaplan Memorial Fund — Contributions support projects like the BJ CD, aimed at sharing BJ’s music with the wider Jewish community.

Sarah Segal Memorial Fund — Contributions provide a yearly scholarship to a BJ Hebrew School family who could not otherwise give their child a Jewish education.

Shabbat B’Yahad — Contributions support our Shabbat Community dinners and program.

Shabbat Oneg — Contributions support the BJ Oneg program, helping to enrich individual Shabbat experiences and create transformative moments and greater meaning for the entire community.

Shira Palmer-Sherman Memorial Fund — Contributions bring prominent scholars to BJ to speak about egalitarianism and pluralism in the Jewish world.

Social Action Fund — Contributions support programs reflecting BJ’s commitment to social change.

Homeless Shelter Fund — Contributions support the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter and make it possible to continue to provide hot meals, overnight accommodations, and a light breakfast five days a week.

Teen Programming and Scholarships — Contributions support our growing teen program designed to empower teens through education, advocacy, direct service and immersion experiences, giving them the necessary tools to engage in the larger world.

Contributions also assist those in need who could not otherwise afford to participate in programming and teen trips.

Israel Trip Scholarships — Travel to Israel is irreplaceable in affirming the central Jewish value of love of Eretz Yisrael. Based on our belief that we must continue to challenge ourselves and find

Yizkor Fund — It is a Jewish custom to make a donation on the anniversary of the death of our loved ones. Contributions support the Synagogue's general operating fund.

GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009 • GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS)

Membership Information 2009/5769 Thank you for your support of and interest in Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. We look forward to your active involvement in our vibrant community. Please contact Belinda Lasky, Director of Membership, blasky@bj.org or 212-787-7600 x224, with any questions. To apply for membership online, visit our website at www.bj.org and click on the “Membership” link.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

Please note that the dues listed are pro-rated January through June 2009. Membership renewal and High Holy Day information for 2009-2010 will be available on June 1, 2009.

Please make sure to visit the BJ website, www.bj.org, at that time and renew early to ensure seating for the High Holy Days.

2009 PRO-RATED MEMBERSHIP DUES Annual Income

Individual

$0 - 30,000

$230

Family $288

$31,000 - 40,000

$330

$380

$41,000 - 50,000

$408

$490

$51,000 - 60,000

$490

$593

$61,000 - 70,000

$573

$695

Membership is open to any person of the Jewish faith and his/her spouse/partner. Membership is for a one-year period, beginning July 1 and ending on June 30. Members can choose from one of the following membership categories: :

$71,000 - 85,000

$695

$825

$86,000 - 100,000

$800

$980

$101,000 - 125,000

$1,005

$1,210

Individual: Single member without children.

$126,000 - 150,000

$1,210

$1,455

$151,000 - 200,000

$1,550

$1,800

$201,000 +

$1,770

$2,100

Full-time student

$75

$4,200

BJ Friend

$350

$4,200

Family: Married couple or two individuals living together in a partnered relationship, with or without children; single parents with children who wish to be informed of or included in children or family events.

Full-Time Student: You must provide a photocopy of your current student ID or registration.

BJ Friend: For those living outside of the tri-state area and beyond commuting distance from the synagogue.

Special introductory rate for first-time BJ members ages 20-29 with an annual income of less than $75,000. If you are in a comfortable financial position, we recommend that you pay the Fair Share Dues.

Individual 20-29

Family 20-29

Year 1

$90

$180

Year 2

$90

$180

Year 3

begin paying Fair Share Dues

begin paying Fair Share Dues

Tze’irim Introduction: For first-time members ages 20-29.

FAIR SHARE DUES PLAN As part of our obligation to create a kehillah kedoshah—a holy community—we each must assume the responsibility of meeting the financial requirements of our synagogue. The BJ Fair Share Dues System allows members to pay their dues based on their household income. You are not asked to disclose your income, but only to accept those dues which are justly applicable to you. No financial documents are required. Rather, we ask that each member pledge as honestly and as accurately as possible. All financial information is treated confidentially. No adjustments will be made due to membership in other synagogues.

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

No one will be turned away based on financial considerations. If you are unable to meet your designated level of dues based on financial hardship, please contact Belinda Lasky, Director of Membership, blasky@bj.org, x224, or Sarah Verity, Membership Associate, sverity@bj.org, x250.

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GEMILUT HASADIM (ACTS OF LOVING-KINDNESS) • GUIDE TO THE BJ COMMUNITY • FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2009

Jonathan Adelsberg, President of the Board

Board of Trustees

Honorary Trustees

Jonathan has been a member of BJ since 1993. He has begun his first year as President of the Board of Trustees after serving for many years as counsel. He has been active on the Real Estate Committee, Israel Committee and has been a solicitor for the Kol Nidre Annual Partnership Appeal. He is currently a partner in the Real Estate Department of Herrick Feinstein, LLP. He has been active in both the New Israel Fund and the Abraham Fund.

Jonathan is married to Anita Sibony.

Robert Buxbaum Susan Etra Jeff Feig Rochelle Friedlich Christina Gantcher Barbara Glassman Barbara Goldman Sofia Hubscher David Karnovsky Joel Kazis Beth Kern Debbie Lerner Andrew Litt Russell Makowsky Henry Meer Andrea Newman Benjamin Ross Mim Warden

Virginia Bayer* Ted Becker* Frederic Goldstein Marcy Grau* David Hirsch* Richard Janvey* Robert Kanter Joan Kaplan Sara Moore Litt* Naomi Meyer Judith Stern Peck*

Executive Committee of the Board Jonathan Adelsberg President Susan Kippur* Chair Harriet Abraham Vice-President Robin Fleischner Vice-President Stephen Stulman Vice-President Debra Fine Treasurer Jeannie Blaustein Secretary Richard Kalikow General Counsel

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PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

*Past President

Staff Directory Office The Ansonia 2109 Broadway, Suite 203 New York, NY 10023 Cross streets: W. 73rd St. and Broadway Main Telephone: 212-787-7600 Fax: 212-496-7600 Website: www.bj.org Rabbinic Office Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein Rabbi Felicia L. Sol

Naomi Goodhart, Assistant to Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein and Hazzan Ari Priven ngoodhart@bj.org, 240 Elizabeth Stone, Assistant to Rabbi Felicia L. Sol and Executive Director Harold Goldman estone@bj.org, 233 Executive Director’s Office Harold Goldman, Executive Director hgoldman@bj.org, 248

rabbis@bj.org Hazzan & Music Director Ari Priven apriven@bj.org, 232

Administration and Finance Ron Seitenbach, Director of Finance & Administration rseitenbach@bj.org, 226

Development and External Affairs Aviva Raichelson, Director of Development and External Affairs araichelson@bj.org, 242 Denise Waxman, Communications Manager dwaxman@bj.org, 275 Erzsebet Ragyina, Senior Development Associate eragyina@bj.org, 228 Judith Scheer, Administrative Assistant jscheer@bj.org, 229 Harriet R. Goren, Art Director

Marilyn Perez, Accounting Analyst mperez@bj.org, 227

Membership Belinda Lasky, Director of Membership blasky@bj.org, 224

Ebenezer Aryee, Accounts Receivable Analyst earyee@bj.org, 237

Sarah Verity, Membership Associate sverity@bj.org, 250

Shakeara Hatchett, Receptionist shatchett@bj.org, 221

Yaffa Garber, Life Cycle Coordinator ygarber@bj.org, 256

Leora Frankel, Rabbinic Intern, Youth and Family lfrankel@bj.org, 271

Arlene Brandon, Room Rental and B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator abrandon@bj.org, 223

Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator gfelixbrodt@bj.org, 255

Sarah Guthartz, Assistant to Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon sguthartz@bj.org, 234

Susan Kalev, JBFCS/ Social Work Consultant skalev@bj.org, 377

Youth & Family Education Ivy Schreiber, Director of Education (Youth and Family) ischreiber@bj.org, 225

Hakhnasat Orhim (Welcoming Guests). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Havurot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 25, 26 Hazzan (Cantor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Hebrew School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hevra Kadisha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Homeless Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Interfaith Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kashrut Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Kiddush Scheduling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Kol Nidre Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Ledor Vador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Life Cycle Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Limud (Adult Classes) . . . . . . . . . . . 14-17 Lunch Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Membership Information . . . . . . . . 28, 31 Music at BJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Pastoral Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Rabbis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 7 Retreats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Room Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Scholars in Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Shabbat Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shabbat B’Yahad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Social Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Special Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20 Tefillah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12 Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 28 Torah/Haftarah Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Tze’irim 20s & 30s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Tzedakah/Giving to BJ. . . . . . . . . . . 29-30

Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellows Rabbi Esther Lederman elederman@bj.org, 264 Ezra Weinberg eweinberg@bj.org, 251 Yosef Goldman, Cantorial Intern ygoldman@bj.org, 274

Guide Index Bar/Bat Mitzvah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Bekef 35+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bikkur Holim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 BJ/Ralph Bunche School Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 BJ Reads (P.S. 166 Tutoring Program) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Children’s Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Daily Minyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 27 Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Festival Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12

Davey Rosen, Family Educator drosen@bj.org, 244 Kerrith Solomon, Director of Teen Programming ksolomon@bj.org, 253 Rebecca Rosenthal, Acting Director of the Religious School and Shabbat & Holidays Coordinator (Youth and Family) rrosenthal@bj.org, 243 Elana Ayalon, Program Administrator (Youth and Family) eayalon@bj.org, 260 Programming Bella Zuzel, Director of Social Action/ Social Justice bzuzel@bj.org, 259 Channa Camins, Social Action Coordinator ccamins@bj.org, 261 Facilities Management Roma Serdtse, Director of Facilities rserdtse@bj.org, 258 Raman Khakhlou Mikhail Kremerov Damian Mazuchowski Mariusz Mazuchowski Lyubomir Mulyava Boris Serheyev Leonid Tayts Vladimir Tayts Solomon Tsveitel Dmitry Ziskin

Ushering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Volunteering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-28 Youth and Family Education. . . . . . . 18-21

For questions about the weekly BJ Kol Jeshurun newsletter or bimonthly Kol Hadash magazine, contact Denise Waxman, Communcations Manager, communications@bj.org, x275.

Design: Harriet R. Goren Proofreading: Joyce Gottlieb Printing: Wall Street Group Printed on Recycled Paper

“B’nai Jeshurun changes your perception of what Judaism can be. It revitalizes and reenergizes it, like a living, breathing thing. It’s not antiquated and in the books—it’s about how does this thing relate to my life today?”

—BJ Member

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN 2109 BROADWAY, SUITE 203 NEW YORK, NY 10023

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