Kol Hadash May/June 2011 by B'nai Jeshurun

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • NISAN/IYAR/SIVAN 5771

Remembering Memorial Day

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We as Americans and as Jews must stay connected to carrying the burden of our nation and the memory of those who have fallen.”

Teen Trip to New Orleans

RABBI FELICIA L. SOL

Situated in between two essential Jewish holidays, Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Shavuot (the reliving of the giving of Torah at Sinai) this year, is Monday, May 30, Memorial Day. When I was a child, this was the long weekend we used to go camping, the first hope for a taste of summer fun, often showered with rain. But had the trajectory of my life and those who came before me been different, this last Monday in May might have felt distinct in other ways. Both my Grandpa and my Zadie were drafted to serve in World War II. My parents were infants at the time, so they lack the memories of fathers serving their country overseas, and for me their identity as servicemen was never central. They rarely spoke about it—it was an earlier stage in their lives, one that they survived on many levels. The greatest insight into my Grandpa’s time away was his almost daily letters to my Grandma, letters that she gave to my brother and me when she was in her late eighties. My Baubie speaks only sparingly about my Zadie’s experience as a photographer in “the service.” The one thing she did say was that he never forgot the smell at a concentration camp that he was assigned to photograph. My father, though he was the age of those drafted for Vietnam, had a 2S, a student deferment, and then a 2A deferment for occupational reasons and therefore was spared the ravages of the Vietnam War. I am the granddaughter of two Jewish servicemen in World War II who survived. I am the daughter of a father who wasn’t drafted due to his pursuit of education and his critical skills, and I am a grown adult who knows no active soldiers in the military. Memorial Day could stay a three-day weekend because I have had the privilege to live this story. I imagine many in our community have similar stories. However, after over eight years at war in Iraq, almost 10 years at war in Afghanistan, and 5,885 American servicemen killed in duty, this day, set aside for us to remember those who served our country and died for it, deserves more than a window into summer fun.

PHOTO: JASON FRUITHANDLER

See pages 10-11 for more about recent teen trips to New Orleans and the Dominican Republic.

The wars we are fighting are thousands of miles away, and despite the great financial cost of these wars (over 1.12 trillion dollars), we have not been asked to sacrifice as citizens of this country the way previous generations did during wartime. I would venture to say there are many Jews, like myself, who know more soldiers serving in the Israeli Defense Force than in the American military. An article in the Forward on February 9, 2011, notes that 1,500 Jewish soldiers are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, 1% of the total of those deployed there, and 37 Jewish soldiers have died in these wars. The article “Profiles of our Fallen” shares the stories and pictures of the 37 Jews who have died in service of our country. It is profoundly moving to get a (continued on page 4)

Social Action/Social Justice . . . . . .2-3 Executive Director’s Desk . . . . . . . . .4 High Holy Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . .6, 13 Shavuot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Youth & Family Education . . . . . .10-11 The BJ Musicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

inside: Becoming Attuned to Agricultural Rhythms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Honoring Roly’s 25 Years of Spiritual Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Membership Renewal and High Holy Day Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 At Sinai ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Loving Israel, Debating Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Building the San Luis Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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SOCIAL ACTION/SOCIAL JUSTICE

Becoming Attuned to Agricultural Rhythms By Tajlei Levis ast spring, BJ members created Hazorim, a Community Supported Agriculture program that creates a partnership between our urban community and an organic farm (Free Bird Farm, run by Ken Fruehstorfer and Maryellen Driscoll). From June to October last year, over 100 CSA members shared in the fresh weekly produce, demonstrated their commitment to organic growing methods, and gained an awareness of the challenge and pleasures of seasonal eating.

I was inspired to be involved with BJ’s CSA project after several summers working on Earth Sky Time, my brother’s organic farm in Vermont. Spending time on a farm, you become attuned to the agricultural rhythms of the Jewish holidays. The prayers for rain are not abstract, and Shabbat is a welldeserved rest from a long week of physical labor. The gratitude for the miracle of a successful harvest is similarly real. The holiday of Shavuot was historically a spring agricultural festival, a day for bringing an offering of Bikkurim or “first

fruits” from the harvest of barley and wheat to the temple in Jerusalem. A friend, Rabbi Everett Gendler (who began farming organically long before it became trendy), has a tradition of growing his own barley and cutting one stalk for each day of the Omer. At Shavuot, he has a sheaf of 49 stalks of barley of varying lengths, an elegant and tangible symbol of the counted days. In Israel, some kibbutzim and moshavim have revived the agricultural focus of the holiday with parades and celebrations of their products from the land.

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The prayers for rain are not abstract, and Shabbat is a welldeserved rest from a long week of physical labor. The gratitude for the miracle of a successful harvest is similarly real.”

Meanwhile, the soil has been tilled and conditioned with compost and organic additives. Once the plants are in the field, they are covered with fabric for a few weeks, to protect them from insects and extreme temperatures. When the row covers come off, the plants grow on their own. There is always more work to do: weeding and pruning, more planting, and finally harvesting.

Writing now in February, with snow thick on the fields, it is hard to imagine harvesting the greens, vegetables, and fruits in just a few months. The preparations have already begun at Earth Sky Time farm, with heirloom seeds planted into rich soil blocks on raised trays in solar-heated greenhouses. As their roots grow, the seedlings are transferred to increasingly larger soil blocks until the danger of frost has passed.

In the greenhouse at Earth Sky Time farm.

This growth is part of our seasonal miracle. Members of BJ’s Hazorim CSA support the land and independent organic farmers and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) without all the labor. As we celebrate our second year of Hazorim, with gratitude for a new season of growing and sharing, we are expanding our offering to include a fruit share and organic kosher cheese, in addition to herbs and vegetables. We are looking forward to more community events, including cooking demonstrations, opportunities to meet the farmers, and a visit to the farm. For details, visit our website, www.bj.org/csa. Happy Shavuot! n Tajlei Levis is a writer and lyricist. Her musical “Glimpses of the Moon” was just published by Samuel French. She and her husband, Jonathan Canter (and children Theo and Noam), have been BJ members since 2008. Tajlei was a founding leader in the Hazorim CSA.

The Hazorim CSA Core Group.

PHOTOS: TAJLEI LEVIS

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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Praying With Our Feet: BJ AIDS Walk Team By Michelle Edelson

Take out your calendars. 2. Look for Sunday, May 15. 3. Get a pen and write in big block letters AIDS WALK.

The teen leadership committee is excited to invite you to join the BJ Team for the AIDS Walk in New York City! As Jewish people, we are commanded to participate in the repair of the world, tikkun olam, which is why at BJ so much of what we do is helping others. We are committed to human rights and standing up for people no matter their ethnicity, sexuality, or beliefs. As teens, we participate in local community service projects as well as domestic and international service learning trips. We believe raising awareness and developing support is crucial in order to fight AIDS, an epidemic that impacts our city every day. This year, help the teen leadership to reach their goal of gathering a group of at least 50 community members in addition to at least 25 teens for the AIDS walk! We are lucky to be such a large community, and we think these numbers are attainable. The AIDS Walk is a powerful experience. When such a large group of people is gathered together in one space with a common goal, the energy and excitement exuded are exhilarating and give me hope that there is potential to save lives. I can promise that Sunday, May 15 will be a day full of fun, laughter, endless amounts of delicious snacks and drinks (especially smoothies, so be on the look-out for those), walking, and community bonding. After all, what could be better than spending a sunny day this spring in the heart of Central Park? Nothing. Come and join the BJ AIDS Walk Team and contribute to the fight against AIDS. For information on how to join or donate, visit www.bj.org/aidswalk. n

PHOTOS: ARIEL SCHNEIDER

2010 BJ AIDS Walk Team.

Michelle Edelson is a senior at Hunter College High School. Her parents have been members of BJ since 1989. In 1993, Michelle was officially welcomed into the BJ community at her Baby Naming by Marshall Meyer and Roly Matalon. She went to BJ Hebrew School for eight years and has been a member of the BJ teen program for the last five years. She was

one of the founding members of the Teen Leadership Committee, and has been in the Ozrim program since eighth grade. Additionally, she has participated on three of the service learning trips (Louisiana, Costa Rica, and the trip to the Dominican Republic this past February).

Celebrating Rabbi Matalon’s 25 Years at BJ The extraordinary vision, wisdom, leadership, and commitment that Roly has brought to BJ for the last 25 years has transformed BJ as a community, and inspired each one of us as individuals. We will be honoring Roly’s 25 years of spiritual leadership by purchasing the new Mahzor Lev Shalem for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, published by the Rabbinical Assembly. To honor Roly, you are invited to donate one or more copies of the 4,000 mahzorim we will need in order to use them during the next Yamim Nora’im. A bookplate with the name of the donor will be placed in each mahzor. At the same time, we will be collecting your messages to Roly for inclusion in a special book that will be presented to him later in 2011 by the BJ community. Donations can be made at www.bj.org/mahzor. n MAHZOR PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESK

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Our congregation came together to raise the funds to make the dream of returning to our historic home a reality.”

Kvelling About Our Community By Harold Goldman

contract has been signed by BJ to purchase the Abraham Joshua Heschel School on 89th Street, and the closing will occur in May. This is an incredible accomplishment! Our congregation came together to raise the funds to make the dream of returning to our historic home a reality. This happened because congregants from all walks of life stepped up and gave generously to the capital campaign. Every gift made a difference. One contributor recently lost his job, but he and his wife made a gift anyway because of the important role the synagogue played in their lives. He told me that he felt confident that he would find a new job and that once he did they would increase their gift. An older woman living on a fixed income made a generous gift to the campaign and then increased her gift in response to BJ’s request to stretch when we learned that the purchase price would be higher than we had thought. Although it was a difficult period for her financially because she was earning very little on her investments, she wanted to do more because acquiring the 89th Street

building was so important to the future of BJ. I could go on and on sharing the many stories I heard during the course of the campaign, but they all PHOTO: MAX ORENSTEIN share a common theme—namely, a deep love for BJ. This successful outcome could not have happened without the leadership of the Rabbis, Ari, the board of trustees, staff, and the work of so many volunteers who pitched in to help. I want to give special recognition to Jonathan Adelsberg, Board President, for his overall leadership, to Judy Stern Peck and Michael Sonnenfeld for their leadership of the major gift portion of the campaign, to Christina Gantcher and Debbie Lerner for chairing the community campaign, to Howard Spivak who volunteered his firm’s architectural services to develop the preliminary plans for how the building could be utilized by BJ, which proved so helpful in raising the funds to buy the building, and to the hosts of the parlor meetings: Sarah Sternklar and Marvin Davis, Meredith

Remembering Memorial Day glimpse into the lives of Jews who gave their lives in service and their motivations for joining the military. I am sure for their families, Memorial Day is not a preview of summer vacation. Memorial Day began as spontaneous gatherings of people in their home towns to honor those who had died in the Civil War. Based on the dedication to the hymn, “Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping” by Nella Sweet, which states, “To the Ladies of the South Decorating the Graves of the Confederate dead” it was believed women’s groups were the ones who started the custom of honoring the Civil War dead. Memorial Day was first proclaimed in May 1868 by General John Logan and observed by laying flowers on the graves of those fallen at Arlington Cemetery.

Berkman and Daniel Mintz, Bernie Plum, Debra Fine and Marty Schneider, Beth and Jonathan Kern, and Jeannie Blaustein and Peter Bokor. An enormous amount of work lies ahead before we move in to 89th Street sometime between July 2012 and August 2013. Jeannie Blaustein is chairing a Strategic Planning Committee to revisit BJ’s vision and mission and to lay the groundwork for dreaming about how the building will be used. A Building Committee co-chaired by Robert Buxbaum and Irv Rosenthal is charged with selecting an architectural firm to lead the engineering and design work, and with eliciting BJ’s members’ dreams and aspirations for the building. The funds to renovate the building also have to be raised, and planning for that campaign has already begun. I am so excited about what the future holds for BJ. No longer will we be spacechallenged. All of us will be able to worship on Shabbat in our own home. Jewish education for all age groups will thrive and grow. Seniors, parents, teens, and other groups will have expanded programming and space to socialize. Then we will have even more to kvell about! n

RABBI FELICIA L. SOL continued from page 1

I was lucky. My grandfathers came home from World War II, and my father never went to Vietnam, and the distance in miles and in relationships to the wars that we are fighting now, regardless of our politics, is not an invitation to detach ourselves from the reality that we are at war, and men and women are putting their lives on the line daily. Thousands have died. We as Jews believe profoundly in the power of memory— to honor those who came before us, to never forget the pain and suffering that our people have endured, to inculcate the past in our souls so as to learn from it for the sake of the future. Yom Ha’atzmaut is preceded by Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, marked as a solemn day of visiting graves, prayers said at military cemeteries, and the closure of all modes of public entertainment. Most profound, of course, is

the 2-minute siren that is sounded at the day’s onset and the following morning at 11:00AM. Everything comes to a halt. Traffic stops. People stand in silence and in memory and carry the burden together of a nation that has buried too many in battle. We as Americans and as Jews must stay connected to carrying the burden of our nation and the memory of those who have fallen. We have begun to read the names of those who have died in service of our country at Friday night services as a weekly reminder of that burden. I invite you to join me on Memorial Day at 5:00PM in the 88th St. Sanctuary for Minha, with special prayers of memory, so that in our own way may we kneel in honor of those who loved our country and are forever sleeping. n

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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Membership Renewal and High Holy Day Information A Note from the Membership Department embership renewal season is here! We have heard your feedback and understand that renewing members do not want to complete a full membership application year after year. Therefore, you'll notice a new version of the application in which you only need to complete your name, membership dues amount, and High Holy Day location preference. We hope this makes the process easier for you.

Renewal applications for 2011-2012 are currently available on our website, www.bj.org, on June 1. Out of appreciation for your generous contributions that have enabled us to purchase the 89th Street building, dues have not been increased this year. We assure you that no one will be turned away based on finances and are happy to speak with you about financial concerns. HIGH HOLY DAY INFORMATION At BJ, we will do everything possible to make your High Holy Days comfortable and safe. We trust you will do your part by carefully reading the High Holy Day information on this page and on our website at www.bj.org/yamimnoraim. Special Needs and Ushering forms can be found there as well. LOCATIONS Locations for High Holy Day services are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. ■

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The earlier you return your membership forms, the more likely it is you will be placed at your preferred location. Space at some locations fills up within a few weeks, so please consider sending your location request via membership application as soon as possible. If your family and friends wish to be at the same location, you must all renew at the same time.

Adult and Children’s Services will be held at: ■ 86th Street—Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, 86th Street and West End Avenue ■ Jazz at Lincoln Center—60th Street and Broadway ■ Symphony Space—95th Street and Broadway Family Services will be held at the 88th Street Sanctuary. ENTRANCE CARDS • Entrance cards will be mailed between August 3 and September 9. Keep your cards in a safe place; requests for replacement cards will be subject to a reprinting fee. • In order for us to provide entrance cards for Rosh Hashanah, membership applications must be in our office and date-stamped by Friday, September 9. • In order for us to provide entrance cards for Yom Kippur, membership applications must be in our office and date-stamped by Friday, September 16. • Beginning Monday, September 12 entrance cards will ONLY be available for pick up in the B’nai Jeshurun office. SEATING AND SAFETY AT SERVICES • Admission: Entrance cards are required for admission to all services, including Family Services. All three types of entrance cards will be accepted at the

Family Service. Children aged 6 and older must have entrance cards. • Seating: Seating at services is first-come, first-served. Please arrive on time to assure seating; we cannot guarantee seats will be available for latecomers. Two “Reserved” signs per family and one per individual will be available and can be used until 11:00AM. Additional reserved seating will be available in the balcony of each location. • Members only: High Holy Day services this year will be open only to members with valid entrance cards. Members may also purchase entrance cards for guests. Due to space constraints, we unfortunately will not be able to accommodate a nonmember line as we have been able to do in the past. • Children: Children will not be permitted to be in any of the service locations unsupervised. Please make arrangements for your child when children’s services are not in session. Unsupervised children will be sent back into the main service to sit with their parents. CONTACT US To receive a hard copy version of any forms or to discuss membership dues, please contact Jon Wood, Membership Associate, at x250 or jwood@bj.org. Membership and High Holy Day questions should be directed to Belinda Lasky, Assistant Executive Director, at x224 or blasky@bj.org.

IMPORTANT HIGH HOLY DAY DATES AND DEADLINES September 2011 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

5 LABOR DAY

9 Deadline to request entrance cards for Rosh Hashanah

16 Deadline to request entrance cards for Yom Kippur

28 Erev Rosh Hashanah

29 Rosh Hashanah Day 1

30 Rosh Hashanah Day 2

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Keeping BJ Members on the Same Page By Jon Wood n a community where the vast majority of our volunteers are women, two men, Joe Antenson and Jeremy Hamburgh, stand out, but not only because of their gender. Together, they co-chair one of our newest membership teams, the “Education and Communications Team,” and they’re making an indelible mark on our community culture. Motivated by personal and communal experience, Joe and Jeremy lead a group of people charged with keeping B’nai Jeshurun, a community of 4,000, on the same page.

A primary goal of this team is to ensure that pertinent information is effectively received by the community at large. To understand how to achieve this goal, Joe and Jeremy went into their laboratory, the BJ synagogue, to actively seek out any type of break in communication. What they found surprised them. Joe and Jeremy heard many members uttering non-English phrases with quizzical embarrassment. They also realized that many BJ leaders were unaware of each others’ involvement. They identified a need within the community, to connect members who are “in the know” both with each other as well as with members who are craving more information. This need gave rise to two projects: the creation of a glossary, and a forum in which to highlight rising leaders. BJ serves as a spiritual home permeated by Jewish ritual and practice where we are urged to “daven” with “kavannah,” attend numerous events for “Tze’irim,” “Bekef,” and “Mekusharim,” engage in a new volunteering system called “Nadiv,” and focus on Jewish ideals such as “kehillah” and “gemilut hasadim.” This may sound wonderful and straightforward to some, but not to everyone. Native Hebrew speakers and those who have a fair amount of Jewish education under their belt can easily identify terms like kehillah and gemilut hasadim: “community” and “acts of lovingkindness,” respectively. But at any given Friday night

service, or “Kabbalat Shabbat,” the sanctuary is filled with Hebrew and Yiddish phrases that can make a BJ newcomer “meshuganah.”

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People cannot completely connect with BJ when they do not understand the meaning of the words being used around them. That is as true for newcomers as it is for longstanding members.”

Thus was the BJspeak Glossary born. “We wanted to create a quick guide to the most common words used at BJ so that everyone who comes to synagogue can understand what he or she is hearing,” Jeremy said. Creating this document was an organic process for the E&C Team, since many of the team members felt passionate about the goal and frequently found themselves asking similar questions. Jeremy noted, “None of us on E&C understands every word we hear at BJ. The glossary was an opportunity for all of us to have our questions answered.” He goes on to explain, “People cannot completely connect with BJ when they do not understand the meaning of the words being used around them. That is as true for newcomers as it is for longstanding members.” The BJspeak Glossary will be available on the BJ website, www.bj.org, as well as in print. Community feedback is encouraged, as this was created as a living document. As the glossary idea was taking shape, Joe was also focused on helping members to put their finger on the BJ pulse. He explains, “It is a failure of communication when people say, ‘I didn’t know about that.’ A major challenge is connecting with members who are not being reached by traditional means of communication.” By highlighting rising leaders in articles available online and in print, Joe hopes that leaders be recognized by the whole community, and that networks among already-established leaders can

PHOTO: JON WOOD

From left, Joe Antenson and Jeremy Hamburgh.

grow and reach out to members seeking involvement. Jeremy explains, “Joe is spearheading this project because he is so passionate about inspiring new leaders and bringing more men into the fold. Our success hinges on improving the way we deliver information, which is what the E&C Team strives to achieve.” As demonstrated by their multifaceted approach, the E&C Team is led by two dynamic men from our community. They have made it clear that this team is goaloriented and that these goals come directly from our own needs. From translating Biblical Hebrew in our new BJspeak Glossary to transcribing HTML (or Internet code) to sharing the stories of active members, Joe and Jeremy are changing the way we listen. n

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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At Sinai By Sian Gibby

few weeks ago I had my friend Dahlia on the phone, subjecting her to my annual bitching about my least-favorite holiday, Passover.

present at Sinai to receive Torah. I’m a born mystic, and I love this. It means that I am no less a Jew than my rabbi, or Barbra Streisand. Like them, I was at Sinai.

“I adore Pesah,” she said.

Another happenstance that dovetails with my mysticism is the fact that many Jewish holidays mandate altered states of consciousness: On Purim drunkenness is required; Yom Kippur’s fast mirrors the classic path to shamanistic otherness. And there’s sleeplessness on Shavuot. It may be that this aspect of Shavuot, the part that is hardest for me, is paradoxically its most-appealing element. I do not do well on less than eight hours of sleep. All through college I got work done during regular hours without having to resort to school’s fabled all-nighters. I dislike travel precisely because of jetlag, which renders me close to psychotic. Yet I look forward to the Tikkun Leil Shavuot all year, even though it’s intensely uncomfortable.

“I know you do,” I replied. “I like Shavuot.” “Shavuot!” she said scornfully. “It’s like the ugly girl at the party that everyone feels obliged to dance with.” Most born Jews, like Dahlia, have the warmest feelings for Pesach, whereas among converts, like me, you’ll find a surprising number who prefer different hagim: Yom Kippur or even, as in my case, the neglected yontif step-child, Shavuot. “I like Pesah because it’s all food and family,” Dahlia said. “You like Shavuot because it’s all Heschel.” True. Jewish food and family can be hard for converts to connect with. And Abraham Joshua Heschel’s mysticism permeates my love for everything about my Jewish life. And Shavuot more than many other holidays confronts us with that mysticism. If you take Shavuot seriously you have to grapple with some tough concepts for rationalists, like the idea that all Jews, ever, were literally

I once took a class where we studied midrashim about the relationship of Jews to the Torah. My favorites were those about the scholar as the Torah’s lover; how he waits in the courtyard for a glimpse of her behind her curtain. She peeks out, showing just enough of her face to arouse his love and desire, then hides herself. These tales imply that the Torah is alive and possesses consciousness, one that might in some sense be more real than our own. “What if,” my rabbi said, “what if all we are is a dream that the Torah is having?” I read in an article on sleeplessness this hypothesis: “Because crucial mechanisms for REM are in the oldest parts of our

Sunrise at Sinai.

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Surely being awake within that time between dusk and dawn touches some of the strangeness, the otherworldliness of God.”

brains in evolutionary terms … [scientists have] postulated that dreaming may actually predate our more evolved form of waking consciousness and cognition, that our ancestors lived in a kind of primitive dream consciousness.” I loathe fatigue, but it’s worth enduring the pins and needles behind my eyelids, the sallow skin and lightheadedness of the tikkun all-nighter, to get a taste of that ancient, Torahlike consciousness. It’s Rumi saying, Don’t sleep: be wakeful and attentive to God. It also reminds me of other activities that deprive us of sleep: midnight sex, vigils at the bedside of death, or the hours of childbirth’s labor. Surely being awake within that time between dusk and dawn touches some of the strangeness, the otherworldliness of God. When I went the first time to the tikkun, I was introduced to the moment in the Jewish holiday cycle that I have come to love most: at about 5:00AM when we go out of the synagogue into the dim Upper West Side streetscape and digest the previous seven hours of Torah while we wait for it to be light enough to daven Shaharit. Then, wordlessly, we re-enter the synagogue and hear the Decalogue chanted. That first year, dazed, I didn’t know what to expect, so I took a bathroom break during the morning davening, and as I came back into the sanctuary I became aware that my heart was pounding as if it would burst. What was happening? My addled brain flailed. Was it cardiac arrest? Was I in love? Then I became aware of the words coming from the bimah, washing over me and the assembled group in which I stood. “Anokhi…” and realized I was at Sinai. Again. n This article originally appeared in Tablet Magazine, www.tabletmag.com

PHOTO: PET-R

SYNAGOGUE: 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org

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ISRAEL

Loving Israel, Debating Israel By Michael Yoeli n January 30, 2011, BJ hosted a debate titled “Loving Israel, Debating Israel: Between Debate, Democracy and Delegitimization.” In some ways, the title was as descriptive of the process involved in deciding whether to hold the debate as it was of the debate itself.

We are all witnesses to the volatility that often accompanies any discussion about the State of Israel in the Jewish community. This phenomenon is not restricted to the infighting among organizations claiming to speak for American Jewry. Even a friendly gathering or dinner party can turn instantly contentious as soon as someone expresses an opinion as to the current state of affairs in Israel. Often, much of the anger that quickly rises to the surface has to do with the mere fact that Israel is being criticized. To some, public criticism meant to better Israel is a moral obligation, to others, in a world filled

with haters of Jews and Israel, criticism merely gives support to our enemies. The problem of how to navigate these turbulent waters is particularly acute in a synagogue like BJ: a large, pluralistic congregation, containing a wide variety of divergent views. On the one hand, we are a community for which the love of Israel is a cornerstone of our mission, and we naturally hesitate to act in a way that can be seen by some as questioning that commitment. On the other hand, we are also a community centered on the prophetic ideals of justice and human rights, and we cannot simply ignore our concerns because they arise in the context of Israel. Thus, when a panel discussion of such issues as whether the American Jewish community should criticize Israel, and whether there are lines, like boycott, divestment, and sanctions, that should not

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... It is important that we as Jews be knowledgeable about the positions that exist in the Jewish world as well as the world at large, even when we disagree, even when it is uncomfortable for the sake of being conversant on the various issues and to create dialogue.”

be crossed, was proposed, it naturally gave rise to concerns about the advisability of hosting such an event. These concerns were magnified by the necessity of putting together a panel that, if it were to be representative of the full range of opinion in the Jewish community, would express views that might be offensive to some. The panel as finally selected from the range of knowledgeable persons available was certainly familiar with controversy: Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace, represented an organization associated with the BDS (The Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions Campaign) movement that recently was named on the ADL’s list of top 10 anti-Israel groups; Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, spoke for an organization that has been attacked in Israel by groups claiming that the NGOs it backs were the main source of the damaging information in the Goldstone Report condemning Israel’s actions in the Gaza war; Matthew Ackerman, Middle East analyst for the David Project, advocates for an organization teaching college students to counter anti-Israel sentiment on the college campus, which is seen by some on the left as an apologist for Israeli government policy. The moderator was J.J. Goldberg, senior columnist for the Forward. Ultimately, despite sometimes vociferous objection from members of the community on both the left and the right that BJ should not give a forum to certain ideas, and concerns that in the current climate the debate could not be kept civil, the decision was made to proceed with the event. As Rabbi Felicia Sol explained:

PHOTOS, PAGES 8-9: MAX ORENSTEIN

The 88th Street Sanctuary during “Loving Israel, Debating Israel.”

"We have a vision as Rabbis of BJ that we need to rescue the value of respectful dialogue among disagreeing parties within the community, a value that is quickly being lost within the larger Jewish community. We decided that

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despite our personal objections to BDS, these kind of debates are taking place everywhere—from college campuses, in the younger generation of disaffiliated Jews, to the media—and it is important that we as Jews be knowledgeable about the positions that exist in the Jewish world as well as the world at large, even when we disagree, even when it is uncomfortable for the sake of being conversant on the various issues and to create dialogue." Judging by the turnout of hundreds of people who stayed for the full two-hour event, and the mostly civil manner in which the debate unfolded, many in the community agreed with the Rabbis’ view of the importance of opening such a dialogue.

the occupation. But that response seemed confusing when coupled with a further statement that although not a party to other strategies of the BDS movement, she did not oppose them. She also made it clear that her group’s platform was not limited to ending the occupation, but also included the right of return for Palestinian refugees to any place of their choosing. When challenged by Mr. Goldberg that the right of return would mean the end of the Jewish state, Ms. Vilkomerson spoke of her view of international law and the need to create a state that protected Jews and Palestinians. Though not stated explicitly, she clearly left the impression that in her view the national historical goal of a Jewish state could not be permitted to stand in the way of achieving a democratic political entity.

To try to summarize a wide-ranging debate on a sensitive and polarizing subject in a few sentences without offending someone is probably not the best idea. But with apologies to those who heard it differently or came away with a completely different take, here are some impressions and thoughts.

Matthew Ackerman

Rebecca Vilkomerson

Ms. Vilkomerson spoke about the plight of the Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. She argued that Jews should not check their values at the door, that criticism of Israeli policy is both a responsibility and a “hopeful act,” and that “Jewish survival was bound up with Palestinian freedom.” She acknowledged that some parts of the general BDS movement are anti-Israel but sought to distinguish her group by arguing that its actions were grounded in Jewish values. When asked by the moderator how she drew the line between actions that protest what Israel does and actions that destroy Israel, Ms. Vilkomerson responded that her group’s focus was only on divestment from companies that profit from

In marked contrast, Matthew Ackerman focused squarely on the Jewish nature of the state, and the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and Israel. Such was his focus that I found it sometimes led him to minimize the seriousness of the human rights and democracy issues confronting Israel and, to an extent, to respond to criticism of Israel and methods such as BDS emotionally rather than analytically. Though he argued that we should not avoid discussion of the problems in Israel, he was firm in his belief that a red line should be drawn at any speech or action that questions the “moral legitimacy” of the State of Israel. In his view the BDS movement, as exemplified by Jewish Voice for Peace, did precisely that and should not be countenanced in the Jewish community. When asked to clarify why an organization that urges divestment from companies making profits from the occupation of the West Bank should be viewed as questioning the legitimacy of Israel, Mr. Ackerman made clear that in his view, irrespective of the

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motives of any Jewish organization employing BDS, such an organization was nothing more than a tool for a Palestinian movement whose goal was the destruction of the State of Israel.

Daniel Sokatch

Daniel Sokatch, whose work involves securing funding through the NIF for nonprofit organizations in Israel who work for a progressive civil society, did not address the issues surrounding the BDS movement directly. He spoke instead of a marked change in the relationship of American Jews to Israel, particularly among young people who simply do not want to enter into the conversation. He believes that this trend is accelerating because as people living in a liberal political culture, we cannot relate to an Israel that seems to be moving constantly to the right and displaying antidemocratic tendencies under the influence of the settler movement, the religious block, and Russian-based political parties. Mr. Sokatch urged us to adopt a twofold responsibility: to love Israel and to tell the truth. When asked by the moderator how one can love Israel during these complicated times, he answered: “Fall in love with the Israel that keeps the dream.” I thought that this response struck an evocative, but at the same time unsatisfying, chord. There was a time when the dream seemed easier to define, and it was possible to believe we all shared that dream, but as the debate between the panelists illustrated, we seem to have arrived at a time when one person’s dream of and for Israel is another person’s nightmare. n Michael Yoeli is a member of the BJ Board and co-chairperson of the Israel Steering Committee. Michael, his wife Susan, and their three children have been members of BJ for 18 years.

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YOUTH & FAMILY EDUCATION

Building the San Luis Community Center: BJ Teens in the Dominican Republic By David Lieberman, Jack Zurier, and Drew Adler ver the last week of February, 21 of us BJ teens along with our Rabbi, Marcelo, left the snow-blanketed city to travel to the Dominican Republic, a country where the turquoise water laps the coast and palm trees canopy brightly colored concrete homes. For one week we cleared refuse, mixed concrete, sawed rebar, and hauled cinderblocks in the blazing tropical heat. Our work site was San Luis, a batey on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. “Batey” is the name for Haitian communities, or ghettos, developed to house laborers on sugar plantations. Deprived of citizenship rights, public services, health care, potable water, and public education, Haitians in the DR are the most disadvantaged residents of an impoverished developing nation. In San Luis, the destitution was immediately apparent—children in rags, houses made of tin, and streets strewn with garbage. Surrounded by the most abject poverty any of us had ever experienced, we worked alongside the batey's residents building a community center and teaching English at the community's school, which had been

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We came back feeling empowered, with a renewed sense of obligation to fight injustice wherever we find it, and to work to make positive change in the world as we grow.”

constructed with help from other American teens on trips similar to ours. Over the week we grew accustomed to navigating by flashlight at night, bucket flushing, brushing our teeth with bottled water, and squishing four to a seat in our guagua (minibus). Once we overcame our culture shock, it became easy to see how resilient, resourceful, and strong the residents of the batey really are. They are determined to overcome their social and economic disadvantages. In this seemingly resourceless community we met artists, scholars, musicians, and athletes, all making do with the barest of means. One memorable day we watched an energetic game of baseball played with a stick and the decapitated head of a doll. The joy and optimism we encountered there was

inspiring, and when at dinner one night some of the students at the school told us they wanted to be architects and engineers, we had no doubt they would reach their goals. We went to the Dominican Republic to help this community in the small way we could. We went to show them that there are others in the world who are aware of their struggle and who care about their lives. But we also went there to see first-hand how much impact dedicated people like our compatriots at the batey can have on their community. We came back feeling empowered, with a renewed sense of obligation to fight injustice wherever we find it, and to work to make positive change in the world as we grow. n David Lieberman is a longtime BJ member who grew up in the community and is happy to help out as a bar mitzvah tutor and occasional informal Jewish educator. He is currently a documentary film editor. Jack Zurier is a longtime teen leader who serves on the Teen Leadership Committee and helps plan BJ's annual team in the AIDS Walk.

PHOTOS: EMILY WALSH

Drew Adler is a sophomore. Last year he joined our Domestic Service Learning trip, and this year pushed himself even harder to join our International trip.

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Digging (and Planting) in New Orleans By Jason Fruithandler and Kristen Kersey rom January 13-17, I had the pleasure of leading a group of 25 teenagers from BJ to the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. We partnered with Jewish Funds for Justice to plan a weekend that had hard work, an opportunity to meet locals, and a chance to reflect. We were able to bring Ariel Schneider, Emily Walsh, and Roly, who each added his or her own voice to the experience. While down there, the teens were pushed out of their comfort zones to see how other people live. They were able to rise far above the normal maturity level of 8th and 9th graders. It was an amazing opportunity to learn with and from this group of BJ teens. Here is what they as a group wrote about the experience —Jason Fruithandler

In August of 2005, the Lower Ninth Ward was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. So many of us had seen the destruction the hurricane caused on TV or in magazines. We have seen how many lives have been impacted by the hurricane. Five years later, the people of the Lower Ninth Ward are still suffering. Over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend we went to

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As we worked to beautify the city through our garden, we learned that New Orleans is not defined by its buildings or tourist attractions, but by the hearts of its people.”

New Orleans to help rebuild the area. Our group was struck by how much work still needs to be done to restore the area to its pre-2005 state. We were surprised how many homes were still blighted, lots vacant, and just how many people have yet to return. It would’ve been easy for us to become discouraged after that, to feel angry and disappointed about the state of the city. But our service project—digging and planting at a community garden in the Ninth Ward— showed us another side of New Orleans. During our work at the garden, we had the opportunity to work beside people who call the Lower Ninth Ward their home. We were inspired by the devotion of two of our fellow workers, Jenga and Mack, to help make the neighborhood a united community once again. As we worked to beautify the city through our garden, we learned that New Orleans is not defined by its buildings or tourist attractions, but by the hearts of its people.

PHOTOS, JASON FRUITHANDLER (TOP 3), EMILY WALSH

It was hard to imagine seeing that kind of destruction in our own lives; to remain in the area and rebuild what was lost feels impossible. But to see love and determination reflected in the eyes of the citizens of New Orleans showed us that “hard” doesn’t mean impossible, and that maintaining a spirit of hope can carry an entire community through the worst of circumstances. n

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THE BJ MUSICIANS

The BJ Musicians Hit the Road (well, sort of) By Amanda Monaco he inaugural BJ Musicians’ retreat took place January 24-26, 2011. Along with Roly, Marcelo, Felicia, Ari, and Shoshi, the nine of us (Matt, Daphna, Basya, David, Uri, Saskia, Jessie, Gene, and I) drove to the Berkshires for three uninterrupted days of prayer, study, and music together.

As we are all very busy balancing gigs, students, and all of the other tasks that come with freelance musicianry (think: many job interviews, many times a day, every day for your entire life and you get the idea), it was a small miracle that every single one of the BJ Musicians was available to attend. We were long overdue for a large chunk of quality time together—not only to explore new music and revisit old music, but also to connect and catch up with each other. While we were away, we spent a lot of time working through the structure of the prayer

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Being a musician at BJ is truly a blessing; it’s praying through our respective instruments. “

services and then playing both old and new music. We are always searching for ways to bring as much meaningful music to prayer as we can, and this is something we explored in depth during these few days. It was wonderful to have time to try out new melodies (which included the piyutim we’ve been learning at BJ and that have been emailed weekly) and find new ways to introduce them to the congregation. Being a musician at BJ is truly a blessing; it’s praying through our respective instruments. This “musical prayer” has transformed the way I play music, be it secular or religious. This is a kavannah we strive to share with you every week, that we can raise the community ruah to a higher level every Shabbat. n

PHOTOS: RABBI MARCELO BRONSTEIN

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

A Jewish Journey: Lilli Platt By Martha Ginsberg illi Platt, BJ member and active volunteer within the Membership and Bikkur Holim committees, has been coming to BJ every Shabbat since she first walked in one summer Friday evening in 2007. Actually, this is the first time she has gone to synagogue regularly since moving out of her parents’ house in 1969 to get married.

The daughter of Holocaust survivors, Lilli was born in a displaced-persons camp in Germany. Her mother was the youngest of eight children, and at age 17 at the end of the war and having been through four concentration camps, she believed she was the sole survivor of her family. However, following the war, she was happily surprised when one brother found her in a sanitarium in Prague. Needing to return to Germany, the reunited siblings snuck out at night and escaped through the woods; new Communist rule in Czechoslovakia had implemented a ban on leaving the country. Back in Germany, Lilli’s mother met and married another survivor, and Lilli was born shortly thereafter. The following winter they boarded a ship to America, and after an arduous 12-day journey, Lilli and her parents arrived in New York and settled in Brooklyn. They were typical of recent European Jewish immigrants: strictly kosher and observant of traditional Jewish rituals. At home, Lilli’s family spoke only Yiddish. When she started kindergarten, she couldn’t speak a word of English. She still remembers the terror of not being able to even ask to go to the bathroom. She didn’t have the words. As her mother struggled to learn English herself, she read what she could to her child; a neighbor had convinced (and terrified) her that otherwise Lilli would never learn the new language.

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They were typical of recent European Jewish immigrants: strictly kosher and observant of traditional Jewish rituals. At home, Lilli’s family spoke only Yiddish. When she started kindergarten, she couldn’t speak a word of English.”

For 18 years, Lilli strived to fit in. At a young age, she was alienated by her classmates. They even called her “Nazi” upon knowing her place of birth. The differences between her family and her “American” neighbors were obvious. She didn’t have grandparents to spend holidays with like the other kids. She didn’t go out for Chinese food on Sundays. She didn’t go out to eat at all. Everything in her life revolved around being Jewish at home, but it didn’t feel American. It wasn’t. Hamburgers and pizza were forbidden. She wanted to go to college, but her father shrugged it off: “A girl doesn’t need to go to college. Just get married.” So, she compromised; she got married, and she put herself through college part-time. She moved to Long Island. In her predominantly Jewish suburban community, Lilli could comfortably blend “being Jewish” in with her new American lifestyle. Like everyone else, she got dressed up twice a year to go to shul. She brought up three American Jewish children who went to a combination of Hebrew School and Day School and became B’nai Mitzvah. In the meantime she finished college, got her Master’s degree, and became an adjunct English professor. Then during one rare visit from her mother, who by this time had moved to Florida, Lilli looked for “something Jewish” to do with her. Someone recommended B’nai Jeshurun’s Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service. She’d never heard of it, but off they went. That was Friday, August 10, 2007. Lilli and her mother both sat transfixed. Between the “full house” attendance, the joyous music, and strong spiritual feeling, they were in awe.

PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN

Lilli’s mother had hoped to return, but the following week she suffered a stroke and died shortly thereafter. Lilli has been back every Shabbat since. She now lives on the Upper West Side, is fully engaged in this community she calls home, and recently became Director of the American Jewish Committee, Long Island region. Through BJ, Lilli not only enjoys Shabbat services, but has become an active leader, constantly forging new connections between members and programs, while never forgetting the beginning of her path to her new community—except maybe her Yiddish. Lilli is currently enrolled in a Yiddish class at The Workman’s Circle; she can no longer remember the only language she spoke as a child. n Martha Ginsberg has been a BJ member for four years and serves on the Education and Communications Team of the Membership Steering Committee.

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NETWORKING

Lots of Support—No Scolding: BJ’s Mastermind Group for Entrepreneurs By Les Judd hat can BJ entrepreneurs do to connect and help one another? Nearly a year ago, my wife Pamela and I started a Mastermind Group for smallbusiness owners to share successes, challenges, and advice with each other. Earlier last year, both of us helped organize a networking event for BJ business owners through BJ’s Job Advantage Task Force, and many attendees expressed the need for more opportunities to meet others in the same situation. A Mastermind Group for BJ members who own a business seemed like the perfect solution to address the isolation that many entrepreneurs face.

With the invaluable support of Guy Felixbrodt, we posted an announcement in the Kol Jeshurun, and over a dozen people responded. Soon, we had a core group of 810 people who were coming regularly to our monthly meetings. Pamela, an experienced group leader and trainer, facilitates the meetings. At each two-hour meeting, every member has approximately 10 minutes to talk about his/her business, a recent success, and a challenge he/she is facing. Other members ask clarifying questions and offer advice. Sometimes a referral is given with the name and contact information of someone who can help address the specific needs being sought. Other times, the advice is more general, including the names of organizations that may have information or services that could be helpful. For example, when Pamela asked for advice on dealing with too many commitments, another

member suggested that she hire a virtual assistant to do the tasks that she didn't want to do. As it turns out, Pamela knows someone who is a virtual assistant but had hesitated to call her until that point. Once she was reminded about this, she was motivated to take action. There have been numerous examples like this one. Discussion topics include time management, how to go from free to fee, the best places to network, finding your niche, etc. After each meeting, Pamela and I prepare and distribute notes with a list of resources to the group. Regularly attending members include Betsy Imershein, Ellen Carni, Rae-Carole Fischer, Arthur Belkin, George Kaplan, Joyce Gottlieb, Naomi Goodhart, Marcy Einhorn, Gail Ressler, Suzanne Jacoby, Pamela, and myself. Our group has been meeting since May of 2010 and is going strong. It meets a need for people who own or want to start a business to share their concerns with peers, and offers feedback in an informal and low-

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It meets a need for people who own a business or who want to start a business to share their concerns with peers, and offers feedback in an informal and low-stress setting.”

stress setting. We don’t make value judgments. We don’t scold people for not listening to our advice. We don’t charge any fees. We offer the best advice we have to each other in a supportive group environment. Most members of our group have individual accounts on Linkedin, the online social media forum for business networking, and are members of “BJ Entrepreneurs” a subgroup of the “B’nai Jeshurun—New York City,” which is a private group for all BJ members. The Mastermind Group format is easy to learn and can be used for support around any kind of shared interest, from fitness to getting into college to learning Hebrew. Anyone interested in starting a new Mastermind Group can call me at 718-5305074 or email les@greencitychallenge.org. n Les Judd has been a member of BJ since 1989. Les and Pamela's first date in November 2004 was a Friday night service at BJ. Les and Pamela live in Riverdale.

KOL HADASH new voIce May/June 2011 The Kol Hadash is published every other month. We would love to print your stories and articles about BJ! For submission guidelines, contact communications@bj.org. All material is the property of B’nai Jeshurun and cannot be reprinted without permission. The Kol Hadash is printed using soy-based inks on 50% recycled paper by an online, eco-friendly printer at a substantial cost saving compared to traditional printing methods. Designer: Harriet R. Goren

PHOTO: RAE-CAROLE FISCHER

BJ Mastermind Group members, clockwise from left: Les Judd, Betsy Imershein, Naomi Goodhart, Ellen Carni, Rae-Carole Fischer, Pamela Judd, and George Kaplan.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Condolences (through April 1)

Mazal Tov To the following members and their families on their b’nai mitzvah (March and April): Jonah Klausner

Joshua Gilligan

Eve Gertzman

Benjamin Perelson Gross

Jenni Pietromonaco

Livia Bokor

Gabriella Ruskay-Kidd

Cassandra Kopans-Johnson

To the following members and their families (through April 1):

Sofia Hubscher and Adam Wallach on the birth of their daughters, Rina Susanna and Margalit Carly. Robin Tunick on the marriage of her daughter, Rebecca Tunick, to Daniel Gotlieb.

The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved member Alan Slifka and extends sincere condolences to his wife, Riva, to his son David and his daughter-in-law Michele, to his entire family and to all his loved ones. The community of B’nai Jeshurun extends sincere condolences to the following members and their families: Gene and Ilene Nadel on the death of Gene’s beloved sister, Harriet Weinberg. Daniel Anker, Donna Santman, Adi and Eliza Anker on the death of Daniel's beloved father, Jerry Anker. Rose Alpert on the death of her beloved sister, Marion Gass.

Rabbi Joel and Sandy Soffin on the marriage of their son, Jeremy Soffin, to Lauren Berrol.

Fretta Reitzes on the death of her beloved father, Samuel Fields.

Jordana Kremnitzer, Juan Sanchez and Jordon, Elijah and Yael on the birth of their son and brother, Amit Luke.

Debra, Jeremy, Riley and Daisy Roberts on the death of Debra’s beloved mother, Barbara Miller.

Marlene Rachelle and Laurel Wider on the birth of their son, Eli Zeev Rachelle.

Ellyn Rabinowitz and Richard Sussman on the death of Ellyn's beloved mother, Loretta Rabinowitz.

Sharri Posen and Danielle and Alex Mindlin on the birth of their granddaughter and daughter, Ruth Lussia. Kathleen Peratis on being honored by J Street at their national convention on February 28. Bill and Vicki Abrams on their grandson, Scott Leff, becoming a Bar Mitzvah at Central Synagogue. Ivy, David and Brady Schreiber on the birth of their son and brother, Micah Henry. Bernice Todres on the engagement of her son, Jonathan Todres to Alison Laing. Lenore Rubin on the wedding of her daughter, Danielle Spiegel to Jonathan Feld.

Jonathan Lewis, Gabrielle Silver, Yaniv, Maya and Ella on the death of Jonathan's beloved father, Richard Lewis. Cynthia and Burton Budick on the death of Cynthia's beloved mother, Julia Cherner. Eve Glasberg, Amyas, Saskia and Tamzen Naegele on the death of Eve's beloved father, Bud Glasberg. Bess, Greg, Brenna and Brett Goldstein on the death of Bess' beloved mother, Selma Brodsky. Ellen Landsberger on the death of her beloved stepmother, Merna Landsberger.

Marcy Grau for being honored by the IGHL (Independent Group Home Living) Foundation on March 10. Andrea Bigelisen-Riskin and Drew Kopf on their recent engagement. Sheila and Norman Bleckner on the marriage of their son, Andrew to Guin Lee.

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Jane and Robert Baum on the birth of their grandson, Simon Ronne Buster Baum Terry Rosenbaum on the birth of her grandson, Anderson Jacob Rosenbaum. Brent, Alison and Noa Spodek on the birth of their son and brother, Abraham Isaiah. Ben Ross and Liz Bennett on their wedding.

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KOL HADASH new voIce • . SYNAGOGUE: 257 West 88th Street OFFICES: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), #203 Main Telephone Number 212-787-7600 Fax Number (2109 Broadway) 212-496-7600 Website www.bj.org

Rabbis: J. Rolando Matalon Marcelo R. Bronstein Felicia L. Sol Hazzan and Music Director: Ari Priven Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow: Rabbi Michelle Dardashti Rabbinic Fellow: Jason Fruithandler Cantorial Intern: Shoshi Rosenbaum Executive Director: Harold Goldman, x248 Assistant Executive Director: Belinda Lasky, x224 Director of Education for Youth and Family: Ivy Schreiber, x225 Director of Social Action/ Social Justice: Channa Camins, x259

MAY/JUNE 2011

Committees & Services: Accounts Payable.......................227 Accounts Receivable ..................237 Adult Education Information .....233 Bar/Bat Mitzvah .........................223 Bekef ..........................................255 Bikkur Holim..............................233 BJ Reads ....................................391 Communications........................275 Community Programs ...............255 Conversion .................................264 Daily Minyan...............................232 Development & Donation Information ........228

Program Director: Guy Felixbrodt, x255 Associate Director of Development: Erzsébet Arora, x228 Communications Manager: Denise Waxman, x275 Director of Administration & Finance: Ron Seitenbach, x226 Director of Facilities: Roma Serdtse, x258 Assistant to Rabbi Matalon and Communications Associate: Sarah Guthartz, x234 Assistant to Rabbi Bronstein and Hazzan Priven: Naomi Goodhart, x240 Assistant to Rabbi Sol: Elizabeth Rosenbaum, x233 Assistant to Executive Director Harold Goldman: Jacob Shemkovitz, x256

88th Street Rental......................223 Family Activities: Hotline ...........318 Hakhnasat Orhim.......................255 Havurot.......................................255 Hevra Kadisha ...........................233 Homeless Shelter .....212-339-4250 Interfaith Committee ............... 379 Kiddush Scheduling ...................255 Kol Jeshurun...............................275 Kol Hadash .................................275 Life Cycles..................................233 Lunch Program ..........................338

Membership Information...........224 Ralph Bunche School Partnership ...........................301 Social Action ..............................259 Teen Programming ....................253 Torah/Haftarah Reading ............232 Tze’irim ......................................264 Ushering ....................................305 Visiting Groups...........................234 Volunteer Information................255 Youth & Family Education ..........225

Board of Trustees: Jonathan Adelsbergº President

Sofia Hubscher Beth Kern Debbie Lerner Henry Meer Samara Minkin Andrea Newman Bernie Plum Benjamin Ross Emily Weiss Michael Yoeli

Susan Kippurº* Chair Jeannie Blausteinº Vice President Joel Kazisº Vice President Stephen Stulmanº Vice President Debra Fineº Treasurer Andrew Littº Secretary Robert Buxbaum Gene Carr Anne Ebersman Rochelle Friedlich Christina Gantcher Barbara Glassman Sally Gottesman

Honorary Trustees Virginia Bayer* Ted Becker* Frederic Goldstein Marcy Grau* David Hirsch* Richard Janvey* Robert Kanter Joan Kaplan Sara Moore Litt* Naomi Meyer Judith Stern Peck* General Counsel Richard Kalikow º Executive Committee Member * Past President