BNEI MITZVAH

MATTHEW FISHER

Mazal Tov to Nicole and Jeff Fisher upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Matthew, on Shabbat, June 19, at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, at which time he read Parashat Chukat and delivered a D’var Torah entitled “Perception is Reality.” Matthew is an eighthgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandmother Shirley Boyarsky.

BENJAMIN DYLAN TITLE

Mazal Tov to Drs. Rachel and Craig Title upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Benjamin, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on October 16, at which time he will read Parashat Lech Lecha. Benjamin is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

SAMUEL HALPERN

Mazal Tov to Tami Rock and Joseph Halpern upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Samuel, on Thursday, August 12, at Or Zarua, at which time he will read from Parashat Shoftim. Samuel is an eighth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

JORDAN ELLIOT TITLE

Mazal Tov to Drs. Rachel and Craig Title upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jordan, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on October 16, at which time he will read Parashat Lech Lecha. Jordan is a seventh-grade student at Ramaz.

HANNAH KATZ

Mazal Tov to Stephanie and Bennett Katz upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Hannah, on Thursday, August 19, at a Women’s Tefillah at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, at which time she will read from Parashat Ki Teitzeh. Hannah is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

JAYDEN WEINBERG

Mazal Tov to Leah and Joel Weinberg upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jayden, on Shabbat, October 16, at which time he will read from Parashat Lech Lecha. Jayden is a seventh-grade student at Manhattan’s Children Center.

MITZVAH

ELLIOT LIBIN

Mazal Tov to Sherri and Alex Libin upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Elliot, on Thursday, August 26, at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, at which time he will read Parashat Ki Tavo and deliver a D’var Torah. Elliot is a seventhgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Margery and Barry Libin.

LEAH VOLKOV

Mazal Tov to Cheyna Volkov upon the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter, Leah, on November 22, the 19th of Kislev, at the Safra Center, at which time she will deliver a D’var Torah on Parashat Vayeshev, Chanukah, and the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus. Leah is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

ROMI KOPEL

Mazal Tov to Julie and Reuben Kopel upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Romi, on Sunday, September 26, during Chol Hamoed Sukkot, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. Romi will read from Sefer Bamidbar and deliver a D’var Torah. Romi is an eighth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

EZRA GONEN

Mazal Tov to Sharon and Shachar Gonen upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ezra, on Shabbat, October 2, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, at which time he will read Parashat Bereishit, its corresponding haftarah, and deliver a D’var Torah discussing the parasha. Ezra is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

EMANUEL KUSHNER

Mazal Tov to Kim and Jonathan Kushner upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Emanuel, on November 27, Shabbat Parashat Vayeshev, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. Emanuel is a seventhgrade student in the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents, Lee and Murray Kushner.

ADAM SCHWARTZ

Mazal Tov to Suzy and Robert Schwartz upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Adam, on November 27, at which time he will read Parashat Vayeshev and give a D’var Torah. Adam is a seventh-grade student in the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to proud KJ grandparents Marina and Sam Schwartz.

FATHERS & SONS BAR MITZVAH PROGRAM

KJ is excited to launch its third cohort of Bar Mitzvah Fellows - 6th grade boys with their fathers – who will together prepare for a more meaningful Bar Mitzvah.

Fathers and sons in the KJ/ Ramaz community are invited to participate in experiential programs and unique learning opportunities that explore what it means to come of age in Judaism.

Led by the KJ rabbis, the boys and their fathers will explore Tefillin, Chessed, Shabbat, Torah learning, and Prayer. UPCOMING PROGRAMS • MET Council Chesed Opportunity

• Sofer Tefillin Making Workshop

• Exploring Prayer with Rabbi Haskel Lookstein and Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson

• Hiking and Learning: Leadership Through the Lens of the Torah

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Rabbi Meyer Laniado at rml@ckj.org.

SCHEDULING YOUR FAMILY’S BAR OR BAT MITZVAH

If you are making a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at KJ between September 2022 and June 2023, please contact Riva Alper in the synagogue office at 212-774-5670 to reserve specific rooms for your services, celebratory meals, and other functions. If your child attends Ramaz, and whether or not you are a member of KJ, Riva Alper must be notified directly of your plans.

Reserving a date with Ramaz does not imply that it is reserved at KJ.

EMBRACING THE MITZVAH IN BAT MITZVAH

Charlotte Chalme, daughter of Vanessa and Ray Chalme, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah by teaming up with Ramaz junior Jake Rubin and UJA’s Give a Mitzvah – Do a Mitzvah. Jake created project “Rebound” which provides basic needs to the homeless population in NYC using UJA’s network, including the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty and the Jewish Board of Family Services. Charlotte and her classmates assembled fanny packs containing toiletries, home care, hygiene and medical products which were then distributed to a variety of food warehouses, homeless shelters, and one-stop facilities where people who need them will be able to access these essential supplies. This one act of chesed will go a long way in helping those in need.

MaTaN Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program

BY RACHEL KRAUS

This past Rosh Chodesh Sivan, we concluded the sixteenth year of KJ’s hallmark mother-daughter Bat Mitzvah program. Developed by MaTaN, The Sadie Rennert Women’s Institute for Torah Studies, and taught by Rachel Kraus, the program provides an opportunity for mothers and daughters to meaningfully engage with Jewish learning and experiences in preparation for our B’not Mitzvah.

With over 40 participants, this year’s course, like many other experiences this year, was reimagined. With creativity, drive and incredible participation, the learning came to life on Zoom during our 10 weeks together. Individual boxes with surprise props were delivered to each participant’s home and each week unlocked a different prop related to that week’s theme. We engaged in chavruta study, group activities and guided group discussions, and we were able to immerse in experiential study of women throughout Jewish history.

One of the hallmark ‘silver linings’ of this year, was one of the final classes, that focused on Avital Sharansky. As a woman who stepped out of her personal comfort zone to advocate for and support the efforts of her husband, Natan Sharansky, Avital was the backbone of the movement for Soviet Jewry.

We surprised the mothers and daughters with a special Zoom joined by Avital Sharansky live from Jerusalem, alongside our Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Lookstein, who engaged in dialogue, sharing stories and experiences of the movement to free Natan Sharansky and the fight for Jews of the Former Soviet Union. The side by side visual of two heroes in conversation, was watching history unfold in front of our B’not Mitzvah and their mothers. Many of the mothers recalled memories of the demonstrations, marches and efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry, and it was both emotional and inspiriting to be graced in ‘virtual person’ by Avital Sharansky alongside Rabbi Lookstein.

As the Bat Mitzvah course progressed and COVID-19 health protocols evolved, we were able to gather in person for our final class on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. We made challah together, prayed for those in need of healing, and prayed together for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel who were under attack by rockets from Gaza. We also had a chance to hear each Bat Mitzvah girl address the group and present about a woman who inspired her. We learned about incredible family members, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Golda Meir and countless other amazing Jewish women who each left a powerful legacy and set examples for the next generation.

These young women and their moms learned together each week with each other and from each other, and as we faced our own challenges, their commitment and drive certainly solidified the base for what it means to be a Bat Mitzvah and what it means to be an active Jewish woman.