Shalom KJ - Purim 2023

Purim & Pacifism, God & Goodness

By Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz

At the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg in 1946, Julius Streicher was sentenced to death for Crimes against Humanity. The editor of the Nazi newspaper, Der Sturmer, Streicher’s constant incitement against the Jews helped whip Germany into a genocidal frenzy. A Nazi until his last breath, Streicher entered the death chamber in a fury, loudly shouting “Heil Hitler.” According to the Associated Press report, in his final moments “Streicher was swung around to face the witnesses. With burning hatred in his eyes, he looked down at them and shouted: “Purimfest 1946.”

It might seem odd that a Nazi war criminal would mention Purim in his last words, but this was not an isolated outburst. The Nazis were obsessed with Purim. In a speech right after Kristallnacht, Streicher spoke to the crowd about how “in one night, the Jews butchered 75,000 Persians,” and that if the Jews “defeat” Germany, they “will institute a new Purim festival.” On other occasions, Streicher claimed that the Damascus Blood Libel was a “Purimmorde,” in which Jews murdered non-Jews to use their blood on Purim. Hitler, in a 1944 speech, said that if Germany loses the war, the Jews of Europe would make a “second triumphant Purim” to “celebrate the destruction of Europe.” Jewish power looms large in the paranoid mindset of antiSemitism, and the Purim story of the Jews killing their enemies alarms the enemies of the Jews.

One would expect anti-Semites to hate Purim. The Book of Esther tells how the Jews defended themselves, and refused to oblige anti-Semites by disappearing. But there are idealists who are deeply uncomfortable with Purim as well, and see it as a holiday that romanticizes the killing of 75,000 people. Elliott Horowitz, in his book Reckless Rites, cites multiple scholars and authors in the 19th and early 20th century that found fault with the violence displayed in Megillat Esther. The influential Bible scholar Samuel Rolles Driver wrote that “much fault has been found with the temper displayed in the Book of Esther... (which can be) said to breathe a spirit of vengeance and hatred without any redeeming feature.” The noted rabbinic scholar Claude Goldsmid Montefiore wrote that Purim “lacks an inward and essential religious justification… (and it) is surely a doubtful propriety to

give public thanks to God for a triumph... that is yet not lifted up out of the religion of crude vengeance...” The well-known American literary figure Mary Ellen Chase expressed her distaste for “the atmosphere of hatred and lust for blood which runs throughout” the Book of Esther. These authors would prefer a different holiday with different heroes, focused on love instead of war, inspiration instead of intrigue. Even the Talmud says that some of the Sanhedrin criticized Mordechai for his political aspirations. These critics see the realpolitik of the Book of Esther as too vulgar for religious tastes; violence has no place in the house of the Lord.

Pacifism makes good religious sense. Isaiah tells us that the ultimate dream is of a time when all people “shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation; they shall never again know war.” To the pacifist, holiness and war are polar opposites, never to reconcile. And there were significant rabbinic figures who argued for pacifism. Aharon Shemu’el Tamares, a wellknown early 20th century Polish rabbi, wrote a sermon for Passover about the importance of non-violence. Tamares explains that “a person who focuses solely on protecting himself, and is constantly preparing to protect himself from the attacks of others, undermines his righteousness, and (actually) awakens in himself the attributes of wickedness; because he imagines only frightening thoughts, that other people want to swallow him up, and therefore he can depend only on his own power... and this means that he denies the sovereignty of truth and justice, and instead elevates to the throne the power of his own fist.” Tamares further expounds that for this reason the Jews were told to remain indoors during the plague of the firstborn; God may be punishing the Egyptians, but the Jews had to stay away from any act of revenge and war. To Tamares, pacifism is obvious, an answer that comes innocently from the heart, without the twisted logic of politics and politicians. The proper path in life is for one to avoid bloodshed at all costs.

Pacifism is morally seductive, but it is wrong; human goodness is not identical with angelic innocence. The Torah doesn’t expect us to transcend life; instead, it demands that we grapple directly with evil. Rav Chaim

of

Pacifism is morally seductive, but it is wrong; human goodness is not identical with angelic innocence. The Torah doesn’t expect us to transcend life; instead, it demands that we grapple directly with evil.

Volozhin explains that the central commandment of Judaism, Torah study, is not about an otherworldly experience of the divine; it is rather an attempt to bring God into the mundane world to help refine human life. Rav Chaim offers as an example the Talmudic passages about how a judge can assess the credibility of a litigant; he focuses on what a liar might claim, and how one might perpetuate a fraud. Clearly, meditating on the mindset of mendaciousness is not a spiritually transcendent experience. But by teaching judges how to lie, the Talmud also teaches them how to do justice; studying these passages brings goodness into this world. The same is true with war. To avoid violence simply allows the forces of evil to triumph. Pacifism is impractical idealism at its worst; it insures that the evil shall inherit the earth.

Perhaps this is why God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther: to emphasize how one can do God’s work in the ugliest, most ungodly of situations. The lesson of the Book of Esther is that the conniving maneuvers in the palace and the horrific bloodshed in battle served the cause of goodness; without them, a genocide would have occurred, and the Jewish people would have vanished. In the human realm, what is spiritually repulsive can sometimes be morally necessary. In the Book of Esther, in a setting that is truly profane, deceit and killing are necessary to prevent a true moral outrage; God may not be visible, but goodness is.

Discussions of Jewish self-defense were theoretical for much of the last two millennia. But since 1948, they are practical questions. Even when discussing self-defense, it is critical never to lose sight of idealism. For a student of the Torah, that goes without saying. Yet at the same time, it is important to recognize that protecting the Jewish people is an act of idealism, as well. Those who live on earth should not imagine that they inhabit the heavens.

Daniel Gordis shared an anecdote about an army presentation he attended. It was for parents of army age daughters in the religious Zionist community. Until recently, young women in this community did not serve in the army; many still don’t. The feeling is that the army requires religious compromise, and that it is best that the young women pursue national service instead. He explained that as the evening started, some of the parents were downright hostile, clearly opposed to the prospect of their daughters joining the IDF. At one point, an obviously angry father stood up, turned to the base commander and asked (or more accurately hissed), “Do you make the girls work on Shabbat?” The room was perfectly silent, for everyone knew the answer. No one moved. Even the base rabbi said nothing. He stood at the podium, leaned into the mic and, lost in thought, played with his beard. Suddenly, one of the three soldiers who’d been brought to address the parents, a young woman with her uniform shirt buttoned up to her chin, her sleeves extending to her wrists and her army-issued skirt down to her ankles, looked the father right in the eye, and without being called on, said to him, “Of course we work on Shabbat.” And then, after a second’s pause, she added, “Gam ha’oyev oved beshabbat” – the enemy also works on Shabbat. It was a game changer. “What?” she essentially asked. “You think we do this for fun? There are people out there trying to destroy us. Either we’re as serious about this conflict as they are, or they’re going to win.”

Shabbat is meant to be a taste of the world to come, a divine realm detached from the crass concerns of day-to-day life. And yet there are times when one must work on Shabbat, one must fight on Shabbat; without it the enemy might win, and without it goodness might disappear.

That is the lesson of the Book of Esther

Laniado

Is Chazzanut

Good for KJ?

By Rabbi roy feldman

adapted from a sermon delivered at KJ on Shabbat Vaera, January 21, 2023

The beginning of Parashat Va’era describes a critical conversation that took place between God and Moshe. God told Moshe that a new chapter was about to unfold for the Jewish People, as God will now be known by a new name.

“I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but I did not make Myself known to them by My name Hashem.”

The problem with this statement is that it’s not true. The name, Hashem, was in fact so familiar to Abraham that he even called God by that name early in their relationship, asking “Oh Hashem, what can You give me?” God introduced Himself to Jacob by that name too: “I am Hashem, the God of your father Abraham.” So what then is the meaning of God’s words to Moshe that “I did not make Myself known to them by My name Hashem?”

Seforno (16th century Italy) suggested that God did not mean that He never used the name Hashem when interacting with the forefathers, but rather that the attributes and abilities that the name Hashem connotes were not shown to them. “God is saying,” Sforno writes, “that He did not become familiar to the patriarchs by the name Hashem when appearing to them…because He never had the need to change the laws of nature on their behalf. Seeing that the patriarchs could not have passed on knowledge about Me which I had not revealed to them, they, in turn, had not been able to pass on such knowledge to their children. I have to do this now in order to ensure that I can preserve Bnei Yisrael as My people.” According to Seforno the name Hashem refers to God’s ability to manipulate the laws of nature. Hitherto, God never needed to display this capability, he never broke the normal laws of nature. Instead He presented Himself to the forefathers as El-Shaddai, an all powerful ruler but one who exercises His will through nature.

Simcha Bunim of Peshica (19th century Hasidic rebbe) wrote that the meaning of the name El Shaddai comes from the word, Dai, enough. According to him, El Shaddai is God when He reveals himself “just enough.” This name describes a God who only reveals a trace of Himself in the world, while the name Hashem

connotes a fuller revelation. Other commentaries suggested other meanings for the names: According to Rashi, El Shaddai refers to God as One who makes promises, while Hashem refers to God as One who keeps those promises; according to the Midrash, Elohim refers to God’s attribute of justice and Hashem to God’s attribute of mercy. But everyone agrees that, in this Torah reading, when God said that hitherto He had not been known as Hashem, He did not mean the proper name Hashem, but rather, that God referred to distinct qualities or attributes.

So what is God? Is He an all powerful ruler, Who works only within the laws of nature and reveals Himself just enough to be uncovered by those who are looking; or is He One who makes His presence known by overturning the laws of nature. Is He just or is He merciful? The answer of course is both.

Yet, as the Sforno suggests, if you had lived at the time of the Patriarchs you would not have known that. You would assume that God can only act within the laws of nature because that is the only way in which you had seen Him act. You might even pass that idea onto your children. But then you would be guilty of a grave error, simply because you didn’t know any better. It’s only natural to see something, experience something, and assume that’s what it is, that’s the sum total of the thing that we see.

Photo by Evie Shaffer; Illustration by Talia Laniado

When God told Moshe at the beginning of Vaera, “I will call Myself by a new name,” He was really saying that He was about to reveal an aspect of Himself that was always present within Him but never shared before. God needs many names because He is endlessly complex and multifaceted. The side of God we see or feel at any given time never captures His totality. It’s our responsibility to avoid the fallacy of thinking one part is everything, and to do our best in seeking all of God’s aspects.

Having been created in the image of God, we human beings are the same way. We are microcosmic reflections of the divine. And so humankind is complex and contradictory. We have so many aspects to ourselves and to our being, and because of worldly limitations, we can only perceive some of them some of the time. Certainly, we would not wish to be judged based on just one aspect of ourselves, one way some people experience who we are. Different aspects of who we are come to the fore in the various situations in which we find ourselves. Sometimes we lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings

- that doesn’t mean we are “liars.” A lawyer may not want her family to judge her temperament for who she is in the courtroom; a doctor may not want his patients to judge his opinions about health based on what he eats when he goes out to a big dinner; a mathematics professor may not want her intellect judged based on her demeanor when she plays with her grandchildren - and she wouldn’t want her grandchildren to judge her based on her classroom demeanor either. Like God, we are multifaceted and complex, and an aspect of ourselves that is revealed in one situation or another does not represent the totality of who we are. We hope that those who know us and love us experience us completely, at every level, every aspect of our being.

Judaism is the same way - multifaceted and complex. There are just so many aspects to Judaism: intellectual, emotional, philosophical, legal, historical, literary, artistic, musical, and the list can go on. Rav Kook devoted the 13th chapter of his Orot HaTorah to a vision for Jewish engagement in the contemporary era. It is a pan-disciplinary

engagement with Judaism. Nowadays, argued Rav Kook, we should be generalists with our Judaism and not specialists; that this will allow us to have a fuller experience of Torah, of our tradition, and of God. We can learn from the Babylonian Talmud and the Talmud Yerushalmi, halacha and aggadah, philosophy, history, the prophets, midrash, everything. We can learn from hasidut, from the litvaks, from Western European Judaism, from Sepharadim, North Africans, Yemenite - everything and everyone - we should not limit ourselves to just one aspect of Judaism.

The Yeshiva where I studied was built on this model - our texts were taught from every perspective - halachic, analytical, conceptual, academic historical, philosophical - and there were opportunities to study anything and everything connected to Judaism - and tefilah was varied just as well. Sometimes neo-hasidic, sometimes Sephardic, sometimes German, and we are all enriched for it. The beauty of having a community synagogue experience is that together, we can all develop an appreciation

for and a relationship with everything Judaism has to offer - with various styles of speeches and lectures, visiting speakers from different disciplines, and deliberately varied encounters with prayer. We never know which aspect will catch us; those of us blessed with children to whom we hope to pass on our beautiful tradition and a commitment to it, we never know which aspect will resonate with them. The best thing is to put ourselves in the position to try and experience and learn as much as we can in as many different ways.

So is Chazzanut good for KJ? Of course it is. It is yet one more perspective, one more facet of our glorious tradition. Personally, the Shabbat Chazzanut at KJ was my first time praying with a professional Western European style synagogue choir. It was an enriching experience for me and I am grateful to Chazzan Berson for leading the effort. We are all fortunate to be part of a community that embraces a holistic approach to Judaism in our prayer and educational programming; such an approach enriches our understanding of our tradition, of each other, and of God.

Every One of Them Still Needs Every One of Us

BY RABBI DANIEL KRAUS

Several months ago, Natan Sharansky, the refusnik who became the face of oppressed Soviet Jews, and who is a modern-day Jewish hero, spoke to 800 guests on a wintery Sunday night at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York City. He was joined by his dear friend, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, KJ’s esteemed Rabbi Emeritus and a recognized leader of Modern American Orthodoxy.

The sanctuary buzzed with excitement as these pillars of modern Judaism discussed the most socially significant issues of our time: rising antisemitism, the power of Jewish identity and the threat to America’s democratic institutions. It was a conversation I will remember for my lifetime.

Sharansky spent almost ten years in a Soviet gulag. He was freed on February 11, 1986. How can we imagine the mental and physical anguish that he experienced? The brutality of his captivity? The interminable days and nights of deprivation that were designed to punish a man of conscience?

For the members of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and the Ramaz School, Sharansky’s story was not only familiar but also personal: during the 1970s and 1980s, countless members of the KJ community marched and protested on behalf of Soviet Jewry.Sharansky is currently chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy. He also served as a minister in two Israeli governments and spent 10 years as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel. He told us that he might have been freed sooner had he capitulated with his captors. But he refused. The movement was greater than his personal sacrifice, he said. What a lesson this is:

Don’t stand for your principles. Live for them.

He sat with Rabbi Lookstein on the bima in front of the Ark from where we draw our moral and spiritual inspiration. Two vintage posters from the ’70s hung over them.

Over the faces of imprisoned Soviet Jews, including Sharansky's, one of the posters said: “Every one of them needs every one of us.”

Rabbi Lookstein pointed to a space near the Ark where a solitary chair was left empty during the High Holidays as a visual reminder that Soviet Jews were forbidden to practice their religion.

But Sharansky never doubted his trust in God. This was also evident as he discussed the strength of his marriage to his wife, Avital. During her husband’s captivity, Avital had become an observant Jew who took on Torah and mitzvot. At the time, the Israeli press speculated whether their relationship would survive. Would Sharansky become dati? Would he reject some of her religious observances? Would they separate?

“You have to start with one mitzvah.” Sharansky said. “I took on one mitzvah, shalom bayit — and we took it from there.”

God has now blessed their remarkable union for 48 years.

When the pioneering Soviet Jewry activist Malcolm Hoenlein joined the men on the bima, the conversation took on a new urgency.

“Let’s call antisemitism what it is,” said Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations who also served as the first director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry in the early 1970s.“It is Jew hatred.”

Now is the time, Hoenlein said, “to start a mass movement to combat Jew hatred wherever we find it, anywhere in the world. We must call it out for what it is. We must stand tall as Jews everywhere we go.”

My wife and I watched our four young children process the exchange between the greatest living symbol of the struggle for Soviet Jewry and an American Rabbinical treasure. These men were carrying a profound message to a new generation: that courageous souls are fighting for our religious freedom every day.

The call to action was clear. The battle for our religious freedom is real. And we go to war whenever it is challenged.

The struggle continues.

Noam Kraus, Natan Sharansky, Kira Kraus, Eitan Kraus & Amiel Kraus

Illustration by Talia Laniado

Sat, March 4 Crazy Hat Shabbat

Sun, March 5 JNF Purim Party

Mon, March 6 Pre-Megillah Mini Carnival

Mon, March 6 Family Dance Party

Tues, March 7 Morning Magic Show

kjyd on a roll

Dear Parents,

It's been a phenomenal first half of the year, and we want to thank you and your children for contributing so enthusiastically to all of our programming. From High Holiday camp, to tashlich on a boat and chesed in Central Park, to sukkah decorating, to a candy-themed Simchat Torah carnival, your children have elevated the past few months beyond what we could have hoped for. In line with our 5783 theme of achdut (unity), one of the most meaningful moments was watching our youth stand under a tallit that they helped decorate for the blessing of kol hane'arim on Simchat Torah.

Most recently, our 3rd and 4th graders explored the Egyptian wing of the Met Museum in a Mitzrayim-themed scavenger hunt that coincided with Parashat Beshalach; our 1st and 2nd graders had a special Shabbaton that included DIY candy sushi; and our entire youth department got cozy at a Pajama Seudah Shlishit and Havdalah.

In the coming months, look out for more grade-specific Shabbatons, special Friday night dinners, and a superhero Purim extravaganza! We look forward to welcoming your wonderful children to all these, and more!

Chevy & Roni

Tues, March 7 Carnival - “Purim Superheroes Unite!”

Sun, March 12 AIPAC Drop-off Event

Tues, March 21 KJYD Surprise Event

Sat, March 25 Pre-Pesach Parent Child Learning

Sun, March 26 Urban Air Grades 5-7

Community Building & Torah Engagement

This past year marks yet another year of record engagement for KJ Sephardic, with over 110 families participating in the High Holiday campaigns. The year began with a pre-High Holiday Women’s class focusing on the Unique Prayers of Rosh Hashanah. We were delighted to hold our High Holiday services back in our home in the Rohr Chapel. The room was at capacity, and the energy of joint singing created reverberations that were incredibly moving. Then, the community entered Simhat Torah with great joy, having just completed the reading of Sefer Debarim on the night of Hoshanah Rabbah with a round-robin of about twenty people. With all the energy of the holidays, KJ Sephardic hiked Storm King Mountain, a challenging hike that created stronger bonds among members.

With many young families joining the KJ Sephardic community over the past two years, we organized a weekend where some longtime members hosted these newer families. Thirty community members connected through a culinary evening where we learned how to make ‘Syrian String Cheese’ organized in partnership with The KJ Sisterhood. Then, for the Thanksgiving holiday, in collaboration with the Ramaz Parent Council, we got together to show gratitude

to our Fire and Police officers by bringing them warm meals and hand drawn cards with words of appreciation from our children.

Outdoor adventures continued with our Annual KJ Family Ski trip which included sixty people for a day of crisp mountain air, powder snow, and good company. An exciting new addition to our calendar, our new Friday night dinner, was sold out with nearly two-hundred people in attendance. Children were seated by age group, with older kids enjoying checkers and card games followed by open gym; adults were seated with friends and fresh faces to build new relationships; and young children sat at low tables with toys, followed by a magic show.

Our Sephardic youth programming is thriving, with an enrollment of ten to twelve kids in the Sunday Youth Tefillah class with Charles Zami. These kids are preparing to participate in the KJ Sephardic main minyan by reciting pesuke deZimra, Az Yashir, and Shema.

Torah learning continues to be a focus for KJ Sephardic’s Daily Minyan. The minyan is currently in the 176th section of Shulkhan Arukh Orekh Haim. These classes have helped to forge connections and solidify a culture of learning Torah amongst members.

Donate BloodThe Life You Save May Be Your Own

On December 11th, KJ and Ramaz held its annual blood drive to address an ongoing blood shortage emergency in our local hospitals. Working with the New York Blood Center, we collected 99 pints of blood–a record for our community. As each pint saves the lives of three individuals, KJ/Ramaz was proud to have saved 297 lives in just six hours!

Blood drives are essential to saving the lives of diverse patient populations: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. And in a post-Covid world, community blood drives have proven to be even more important than ever. As Jeff Fisher, one of the co-chairs, explained, “Blood drives such as ours fill the gap that’s being left by fewer corporate drives due to more employees working from home. They are also vital in addressing the current rise in elective surgeries, which were previously on hold during the height of the pandemic.”

One of the reasons this year’s campaign was so successful is that KJ/ Ramaz partnered with Chabad Young Professionals (CYP), which allowed us to attract a more diverse (dare we say younger) group to our drive. This initiative was spearheaded by Gershon

Haft, who was determined to bring many of the donors from CYP’s last successful blood drive to our shul. It was wonderful to see new faces performing this incredible act of chesed alongside our community members. We look forward to continued partnership with CYP in the future!

Holding a blood drive involves a lot of logistics and coordination. But with an army of dedicated professionals, it appeared to run like clockwork. The New York Blood Center (NYBC) team continued to impress us, as they do year after year. They arrived at 6:30 in the morning, set everything up and worked tirelessly throughout the day to collect as many donations as possible. Equally impressive was KJ’s

is such a wonderful feeling to know that you are helping another person perform a lifesaving act of chesed.”

Some donors don’t require any coaxing, as they regularly show up each and every year. As soon as they hear the date of the blood drive, they sign up for their time slot and gladly open their veins. One such donor, Raanan Gononsky, looks forward to the drive every year. When asked why he donates he said, “I have had very close family members and friends need emergency transfusions–thank God they are all well now. I realized how easy it was to donate blood and it was the least I could do to pay it forward and ensure that our amazing medical professionals have the resources they need to save lives.”

incredible maintenance staff, who didn’t miss a beat turning the middle school auditorium into a blood donation center. Knowing they could count on both NYBC and KJ to handle most of the logistics, the blood drive co-chairs, Jessica Weiss and Jeff Fisher, mostly focused their efforts on recruiting donors, beginning several weeks before the drive. Jessica admits that sometimes it takes a little nudging to get members of the community to become aware of the event and then actually show up. But as she likes to say, “I’d much rather ask people for their blood than their money. Plus, it

While the majority of the donors at this year’s drive were members of KJ, Ramaz, or Chabad Young Professionals, there were also a number of donors from the wider Upper East Side Community, who heard about our event from either the New York Blood Center or other local events calendars. Many of them appreciated the opportunity to donate blood a little closer to home than the NYBC donation sites, the closest one being in the 60s. Cameron Bar-Lev, a local neighbor, was grateful that she could give blood without walking an extra 20 blocks. Plus, she liked knowing that she is contributing to a community drive, even if she herself is not part of the community.

A recent trend we noticed at this year’s blood drive was husbands and wives showing up together to give blood. Many joked that it was the most romantic activity they could do as a couple–much better than any couples massage. This year’s dynamic duos

A recent trend we noticed at this year’s blood drive was husbands and wives showing up together to give blood. Many joked that it was the most romantic activity they could do as a couple –much better than any couples massage.

Illustration by Ilana Steinmetz, 2023.

included Rebecca and Evan Farber, Stacey and David Kanbar, Annie and Avery Katz, Jessica and Marcus Weiss, Cameron and Josh Bar-Lev, and Andrea Thau and John Lieberman. When asked why she decided to participate in this act of chesed alongside her husband, Stacey Kanbar stated, “It’s such an easy way to help save lives–there isn’t much to think about. We are so grateful to be able to donate and to show our children the importance of participating in this life-saving mitzvah.”

While KJ/Ramaz community members are encouraged to participate in the annual drive, it is not the only time one can donate. In fact, people should feel free to donate any time of the year at one of the NYBC donation sites. And when you do, make sure to use the KJ/Ramaz organization code, 63524. Andrea Thau proudly uses this code whenever she donates regularly with her husband, John, and son, Evan. She knows that entering the code allows us to calculate the total number of donations made by community members throughout the year.

For example, in 2022, we donated more than 111 pints at NYBC sites citywide in addition to the 69 pints collected at our local blood drive, bringing our annualized total to 180 life-saving donations that positively impacted 540 recipients! The organization code also

ensures that our community is properly recognized for the leadership and participation we exemplify as lifesavers. There is no greater Kiddush HaShem!

Clergy and community members were so impressed by this year’s recordbreaking turnout at the KJ/Ramaz blood drive. Through the incredible generosity of our selfless community members, we are proud to have saved just under 300 lives. But we must admit that collecting 99 pints of blood was just a slight disappointment, as our original goal was to collect 100 pints. Being shy of just one pint was a stark reminder that we can always strive to do better.

In fact, when we wish someone “tizku l’mitzvot,” we are saying, “May you have the merit to perform more mitzvot”–which is what we intend to do later this year. Due to the incredible success of the winter blood drive, and for the first time ever, KJ/Ramaz, in partnership with Chabad Young Professionals, has decided to hold an additional blood drive in the spring!

So mark your calendars for the next blood drive: Sunday, March 26th, from 8:30am to 2:30pm at the Ramaz Lower School. Whether you are a first-time or veteran donor, please come by to help us meet our goal of 100+ pints and to perform this unbelievable lifesaving mitzvah. Tizku L’mitzvot!

KJ/Ramaz Blood Drive

Sunday, March 26, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Ramaz Lower School

AIPAC VISITS KJ MARCH 11-12

Seymour Propp Memorial Lecture - Shabbat Ki Tisa

Following 9:00 am Morning Services in the Main Synagogue

Ed Miller, AIPAC’s Director of Political Information and Education speaking on “Champions vs. Detractors: How We Ensure Israel's Security”

AIPAC will also join Hashkamah7:10 am, Sephardic - 9:00 am, and Kesher - 9:30 am services.

ANNUAL SYNAGOGUE SHABBATON

150 YEARS AT KJ MARCH 31 - APRIL 1

Shabbat Hagadol | Parashat Tzav

Friday, March 31

6:45 pm Evening Services

7:45 pm Friday Night Dinner

RSVP required by Mar 29 at 10 am

9:15 pm Post Dinner Lecture

"Confronting Critical Issues of the Jewish World" Main Synagogue. All are welcome to attend the lecture, gratis.

Featuring Malcolm I. Hoenlein, Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the coordinating body for 53 national Jewish organizations. Sponsored by Suzanne and Dr. Norman B. Javitt.

Saturday, April 1

9:00 am Morning Services

11:30 am Gala Kiddush Luncheon

12:15 pm Kiddush Discussion

"Remembering the Future: KJ's Leadership Role"

Malcolm Hoenlein received his B.A. from Temple University and completed his doctoral course work at the, University of Pennsylvania where he taught International Relations and was a Middle East specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He was the Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York and also conceived of, and ran, the impactful Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry. Mr. Hoenlein appears regularly in the media, including three weekly, nationally syndicated radio broadcasts, and has lectured and met leading officials throughout the world.

Pro-Israel Political Bootcamp

Sunday / March 12 / 10:00 - 11:30 am

Take a deep dive into the new election cycle and discuss the strategy to fight against Israel’s detractors. Ed Miller will lay the groundwork for how the KJ Family can host pro-Israel Members of Congress and help defeat anti-Israel candidates. *Drop-off kids program available.

125 East 85th Street

MEN'S CLUB KIDDUSH DISCUSSION

Shabbat / March 4 / Following 11:30 am Kiddush

Guest Speaker Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim of Azerbaijan will be speaking on "Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan: Jewish Community and Israel-Azerbaijan Relations"

SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE RABBI PASSOW

Shabbat HaChodesh / March 18

Rabbi Dani Passow, Senior Director of Public and Alumni Programs at Harvard Hillel, will speak twice over Shabbat:

11:30 am Men's Club Kiddush Discussion

“The Jewish Population at Ivy League Colleges is declining. Why? And Should We Be Concerned?”

Seudah Shlishit following 6:35 pm Evening Services

“Is There a Place for Psychedelics in Judaism?”

RSVP ckj.org/annualshabbaton

Purim Family Fun!

Kesher & JNF Purim Party!

SUN / MAR 5 / 11 AM - 1 PM

Calling all Queen Esthers and King Achashveroshs! Join Jewish National Fund-USA for a day of Purim fun. Grab your graggers and enjoy a light lunch, hamantaschen, fun crafts and the telling of the story of Purim. For children 6 and under.

125 East 85th St, Heyman Auditorium

RSVP jnf.org/nypurimparty

KJYD Pre-Purim Carnival Super Hero Chesed Run

TUES / MAR 7 / 11 AM

Meet KJYD at 85th & Lexington

Unmasking Purim This Year

THURS / MAR 2 / 7:30 PM

Join us to uncover insights into the unique festival of Purim. Together we will explore the essence of the day, delving into the nature of the holiday and its inner message. The class will review the various mitzvot and customs of Purim.

Taught by Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus. 125 East 85th Street

Mini Carnival for Can't Sit Sill Kids

MON / MAR 6 / 5:15 PM

125 East 85th Street, 8th fl Nakash Gym

Purim Family Dance Party

MON MAR 6 7:15 PM

114 East 85th Street, Lindenbaum Gymnasium

Find your inner superhero at the pre-megillah carnival. Light snacks will be served and dinner will follow in the Purim Family Dance Party at the Ramaz Middle School.

ckj.org/purim

KJYD Morning Magic Show

TUES / MAR 7

10:00 - 10:45 AM

125 East 85th Street

KJYD Purim Carnival

TUES / MAR 7

11 AM - 2 PM

114 East 85th Street

Join us after evening services and megillah for a dairy dinner, Dippin Dots and great beats.

ckj.org/purim

Come join the Purim Magic Show. Drop off for Nursery-1st Grade in the Lower School Multi-Purpose Room.

RSVP ckj.org/form/ purimmagicshow.html

Join KJYD for a "Superhero Themed" Purim Carnival with inflatables, carnival and arcade games, entertainers, rides, food court, prizes, and much more. Avoid long entry lines by pre-ordering Pay-One-Price wrist bands.

RSVP ckj.org/purim

PURIM AT KJ

Monday, March 6

Fast of Esther

Fast begins 5:11 am

Shacharit 6:50 am

Mincha 5:25 pm

Fast ends 6:23 pm

Please remember to bring Tzedaka for machazit ha-shekel and other holiday obligations.

Main Reading

Mincha 5:25 pm

Maariv followed by 6:15 pm

Megillah Reading

Children are welcome to sit with their parents for the duration of the Reading in the Main Synagogue

125 East 85th St, Main Sanctuary

Adults Only Reading

Quiet Reading 6:15 pm

KJB Megillah Comedy Night

MON / MAR 6 / 8:30 PM

125 East 85th Street

Interactive reading led by Rabbi Daniel & Rachel Kraus and followed by rounds of laughter provided by Comedian Eli Lebowicz. Savory snacks, desserts and an open bar.

114 East 85th St, Falk Auditorium of the Gottesman Center

Women Only Reading

Maariv and Reading 6:15 pm

125 East 85th St, Riklis Social Hall

Children's Readings

See Purim programming on page 12

Tuesday, March 7

Morning Services & Megillah

Shacharit and Megillah 7:00 am

Shacharit and Megillah 9:30 am

125 East 85th St, Main Sanctuary

Each prayer service and Megillah reading is followed by breakfast

125 East 85th St, Heyman Auditorium

KJ Sephardic

Monday, March 6

Fast of Esther

Fast Begins 5:11 am

Shaharit 7:00 am

Minha 5:25 pm

Fast Ends 6:12 pm

Minha in Rohr followed 6:15 pm by two Megillah options:

Children Welcome Reading with Benny Zalta & Charles Zami

125 East 85th St, Rohr Chapel

No Frills Reading with Joey Shams

114 East 85th St, L1 Chapel

tuesday, MaRch 7

Shaharit & Megillah 6:30 am

Shaharit & Megillah 9:00 am

125 East 85th St, Rohr Chapel

Weekly Classes

ckj.org/weeklyclasses

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Dr. William Major Memorial

Advanced Shiur in Talmud

Continuing our study of Masekhet Brachot with its classical commentaries.

Exploring Jewish Thought

What is the foundation of ethics? How did Orthodox Jews understand the Holocaust? Dive deeply into questions of Jewish philosophy and wrestle with challenging ideas. Appropriate for intellectually curious students of any background. Translated texts provided.

Reading the Prophets:

The Book of Samuel Read Sefer Shmuel closely and explore the literary and philosophical aspects of this book.

Back to BasicsUnderstand Prayer

Take a deep dive into the amida.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Beginners Hebrew

For those who want to start building a foundation in Hebrew to help them read Jewish Prayer.

Hebrew Ulpan

This popular class enables those with no previous background in Hebrew to learn to read Hebrew in just a short time.

Prayerbook Hebrew

Designed for those with some ability to read Hebrew, students practice reading skills using the siddur and other Jewish texts.

Contemporary Halakhic Issues

An in-depth look at some of the most fascinating halakhic response of the 20th century.

King Solomon - For Women Only

Meaningful Jewish Living Schedule

Jewish Literacy March 9

Tzedakah/Chesed March 16

Passover Workshop March 23

Model Seder March 28

Yom Hashoa / Holocaust March 30

Yom Haatzmaut April 20

ckj.org/mjl

Shabbat I April 27

Shabbat II May 4

Shavuot Workshop May 11

Sephardic Customs May 18

Ritual Object June 1

Blessings 1 June 8

A classic, concise work of halacha that covers the complete spectrum of Jewish law. The class is a text based class and open to all.

The Weekly Parsha Class

A textual analysis of the parasha with the help of classical commentaries and modern Biblical exegesis.

An in-depth study of Pharoah's daughter and the Queen of Sheba, the two women directly associated with King Solomon's dismal failure, despite his unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and accomplishments. Email riva@ckj.org for class location.

Meaningful Jewish Living

A comprehensive yearlong course covering major themes in Jewish law, practice and thought. Explore how a 5,000 year old religion is more relevant today than ever before.

Bnei Mitzvah

Mazal Tov to Shlomit and Ambassador Gilad Erdan upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Amit, at Kehilath Jeshurun, on January 28, at which time he layned Parashat Bo and the haftarah, and delivered a D’var Torah on the parasha. Amit is a seventh-grade student in the Heschel School.

Amit Erdan

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to –

Mazal Tov to Meytal and Omer Gamlieli upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Ariel, at a Women’s Tefillah Mincha Service at Kehilath Jeshurun on February 4, where she read Parashat Yitro and delivered a D’var Torah entitled “The Power of Light.” Ariel is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Mazal Tov to Janelle and Dr. Sheldon Pike upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jonah, on Shabbat Parashat Yitro, Feb. 11, at which time he led services, read the parasha and the haftarah, and delivered a D’var Torah about conversations with our Matriarchs and Patriarchs. Jonah is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Jonah Pike

Mazal Tov to Jennifer and Jeremy Yashar upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Maya, on Purim, at which time she will read Megillat Esther. Maya is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

BIRTHS

Julia and Daniel Etra upon the birth of a son, Abraham (Avraham) Wolf Etra. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandfather, Aaron Etra.

Louise and Sid Banon upon the birth of a granddaughter, Mikaela Reese (Mikaela Shira) born to their children, Ally and Ross Banon.

Kimberly Deminni upon the birth of her first child and son, Aaron Reed Greenes (Yitzhak).

Lauren and Marty Geller upon the birth of a granddaughter, Cassidy Quinn (Orli Sagit), born to their children, Daniella & Joshua Geller.

Judy and Dr. Marty Grumet upon the birth of a granddaughter, Michaela Prie, born to their children, Daniella and Duvi Grumet.

Gilda Guttman upon the birth of a grandson, Shevet Israel, born to her children, Jennifer and Ran Ben Shimol.

Carine Hamo and Norm Kaufman on the birth of a daughter, Eliyah Yaffa.

Deeni and Manu Hass upon the birth of a daughter, Elianna Esther.

Suri and David Landerer upon the birth of a son, Menachem.

Danièle Lassner upon the birth of her first great-grandchild, a boy, Lando Julius (Noam Yehuda Aryeh) born to her grandchildren Fiona and Sam Lassner. Congratulations as well to the grandparents, Mara and Jamie Lassner.

Mazal Tov to Elana and Aryeh Bourkoff upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Asher, on March 18, where he will read the double parashah of Vayakhel-Pekudei. He will also deliver a D’var Torah on the topic of the majesty of the Mishkan. Asher is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

Goldie and I. David Gordon upon the birth of a granddaughter, Devora Chana, born to their children Michele, and Aaron Gordon.

Trudy and Robert Gottesman on the birth of their first grandchild, David Oliver (Gottesman) Humm, born to their children Sarah Gottesman Humm and Jesse Humm.

Elena and Jay Lefkowitz upon the birth of twin grandchildren, Nili Sienna and Caleb Joseph, born to their children Talia Lefkowitz and Byron Edwards. Hannah Low, upon the birth on her great-grandson, Oliver Lorie, born to her grandchildren, Paige and Matthew Low. Mazal Tov as a well to the delighted grandparents, Carol and Joey Low.

Chaviva and Jeremy Mehl upon of the birth of their first child and son, Theodore James.

Ariel Gamlieli

Maya Yashar

Asher Bourkoff

Nadia Klionsky-Olidort and Joseph Olidort upon the birth of a grandson, Samuel Marc (Shmuel Menachem Mendel), born to their children, Amanda and Jacob.

Rebecca and Dr. Eric Taub upon the birth of their first child and son, Ari Chaim (Chaim Asher).

Judy and Dr. Philip Wilner upon the birth of a grandson, Henry Yair (Chanoch Yair), born to their children Leeza and Jake Wilner.

May these children grow up in the finest tradition of Torah, chupah, & maasim tovim.

of James Schwalbe and Jill Schwalbe, to AJ Chesir, son of Blimi and Ben Chesir of Woodmere.

Phyllis and Jonathan Wagner upon the engagement of their daughter, Anna, to Elisha Galler, son of Julie and Dr. Ezra Galler of Sharon, Massachusetts.

Jane and Nicky Yakubovich upon the engagement of their son, Andrew Yakubovich to Julianna Faynleyb, daughter of Irina Faynleyb and Boris Ovrutsky.

May their weddings take place in happiness and blessing.

BNEI MITZVAH

Vera Bernstein upon the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson, Eli Bernstein, son of her children Rachel Stone (Ramaz ’90) and Robert Bernstein (Ramaz’88).

Sharon Garfunkel and Asher Levitsky upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Brandon Levitsky.

MARRIAGES

Caren and Sam Kohl upon the marriage of their son, Ben, to Chloe Rynhold, daughter of Sharon and Prof. Daniel Rynhold of Teaneck.

Grace Galapo and Elliot Schubin upon their marriage.

May the newlywed couples be blessed to build homes faithful to the traditions of the Jewish people.

publication of his Jewish newspaper article reporting on the Turkish Consulate’s Chanukah celebration.

Dr. Isaac Pollak upon the opening on March 2 of an exhibition at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, entitled DRESSED for ETERNITY - A History  of Jewish Shrouds Through the Ages. Isaac, an expert in the subject, assisted the Curator in bringing the exhibition to life, and Isaac will deliver a scholarly presentation at the museum on March 14.

Fran & Dr. Alex Tepper upon the release of their son Josh Tepper’s hit single Walking in Memphis.

Davida Friedman Yehaskel (‘95) upon a successful Yeshivat Har Torah Dinner, which she has chaired for the 9th year in a row.

Welcome!

ENGAGEMENTS

Rose Gerszberg upon the engagement of her grandson, Shep Gerszberg, son of Gila and Ephraim Gerszberg of Highland Park, NJ, to Sarah Lewyn, daughter of Bev Lewyn of Atlanta, GA.

Aviva Preminger (Hiltzik) and Alan Kestenbaum upon their engagement!

Michele and Ronald Jaspan upon the engagement of their son, Benjamin, to Hannah Tucker, daughter of Cathy & Michael z”l Tucker of Houston, Texas.

Sue and Dr. Norman Javitt upon the engagement of their grandson, Matthew Jacob Javitt, son of Marcia and Jonathan Javitt of Zichron Yaakov, Israel, to Emily Shoyer, daughter of Paula and Andrew Shoyer of Chevy Chase, MD.

Janie and Dr. Robert Schwalbe upon the engagement of their granddaughter, Hannah Schwalbe, daughter

MILESTONES

Lynne and Josh Fishman upon the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

COMMUNAL NEWS AND HONORS

Jane & Ishaia Gol upon being Guests of Honor at Shalva’s 33rd Anniversary Gala (“Reach for the Stars”) on March 2. Visit celebrateshalva.com/ register to honor the Gols and support Shalva.

Esther Amini Krawitz, whose story “Iranian Tar-Rof” will be performed live on Thursday, February 23rd, by The BRAID, (formerly known as Jewish Women’s Theatre).

KJ Men’s Club President Dr. Mark Meirowitz upon the

Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun warmly welcomes the following new members who joined the Congregation between the printing of the last Bulletin, December 14, and this Bulletin, which went to press on February 14:

JoBeth and William Abecassis

Liat and David Bengio

Chloe and Isaac Harrouche

Lindy and Josh Dembowitz

Dr. Evan Lieberman

Molly and Zach Mandel

Chaviva and Jeremy Mehl

Dr. Nechama Pielet

Aleeza and Matthew Reichel

Oliver Schwalbe

In Memoriam

Janice Linzer

She passed away in her 97th year in the home of her daughter, Nancy Friedman, an alumna of Ramaz who cared lovingly for her mother in her last years. Janice’s late husband, Saul Linzer, of blessed memory, was a leading member of KJ. Their membership lasted over sixty years.

Janice came to shul very regularly on Shabbat and occupied a seat in the ladies balcony from which she could see her late husband, whom she so adored and revered. She, herself, was a college graduate, an avid reader all her life and a person with very interesting perspectives on life and literature.

Generous donors to KJ and Ramaz throughout their lives, Janice and Saul Linzer participated very generously in our recent building campaign, dedicating the Senior Rabbi’s Study in the Congregation’s Office Suite. It was one of the ways of demonstrating their love for the KJ community.

Irwin Shapiro

Shorty, after celebrating his 90th birthday, Irwin Shapiro finally succumbed to the Parkinson’s disease with which he had been afflicted over the past 38 years. He survived that illness for so long and thrived in a very active and productive life due to the loving care of his dear wife, Ruth and his loving family.

All of Irwin and Ruth’s children are alumni of Ramaz and their grandchildren have all been educated in Yeshiva Day Schools. Irwin was very generous to KJ, to Ramaz, to Yeshiva University, and to a plethora of Jewish charities. He served as an officer at KJ and, for many years, as a very active member of the Board of Yeshiva University.

He was an extraordinarily devoted student of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik – the Rav – zt”l. During Irwin’s lifetime he collected thousands of tapes of the Rav’s shiurim to which he listened studiously and through which he arranged for the publication of many

volumes of the Rav's Torah. The publisher is the Toras Ha’Rav Foundation, which Irwin created and financed. Our community and the entire Jewish world are the beneficiaries of Irwin’s reverence and devotion to the Rav. His was an unending contribution to the world of Jewish scholarship and commitment. Truly, Irwin’s soul is bound up in the bonds of eternal life.

Andrew Gyenes

Andrew was a loyal and generous member of KJ who very much loved our community. He, and his late wife, Maeve, suffered the terrible loss of their son, Sam, following his sophomore year at Ramaz, when he drowned in a swimming accident on an Israel summer trip. That loss brought a neverending sadness into Andy and Maeve’s lives.

Despite the loss, Andy always displayed a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. Through his own generosity and that of friends, he created the Sam Gyenes Memorial Fund which sponsors a basketball tournament each year at Ramaz in memory of Sam, and which has supported for many years two scholarships each year for student athletes at Ramaz.

Evelyn Mandelker

She passed away in her 101st year, just a few days after her family gathered to celebrate her centennial birthday, Evelyn was blessed by the loving care and attention of her children, Ronne and Andrew Braiterman and their daughters, who showered her with love and attention throughout her life, but particularly in her last, difficult years.

Evelyn and her late husband, Benjamin Mandelker, who was a Vice President of our congregation, were deeply involved in the KJ community for more than six decades. She, herself, was a regular worshipper who loved to come to shul on Shabbat where she had a host of friends. She was bright, witty and garrulous. In fact, once Evelyn got started talking, it could be difficult to get a word in edgewise. But she was always worth listening to.

She will be remembered by us as a model of a strong, loving and committed Jewish woman.

CONDOLENCES

Abe Esses upon the passing of his mother, Julia Esses.

Jill Haber upon the passing of her mother, Sheila Steinberg.

Adam Jacobi upon the passing of his father, Herbert Jacobi.

Elise Kassel upon the passing of her grandmother, Joan Field.

Sam Kohl upon the passing of his mother, Sara Kohl.

Leah Modlin upon the passing of her mother, Elly Braun.

Aryana Ritholtz upon the passing of her grandmother, Adele Bibi.

Sheldon (Shim) Rubin upon the passing of his father, Max Rubin.

Andrea Schwartz upon the passing of her father, Larry William Schwartz.

Adam Jacobi upon the passing of his father, Herbert Jacobi.

Yoni Slonim upon the passing of his mother, Dr. Zahava Slonim.

Mark Todes upon the passing of his mother, Norma Jacqueline Todes.

Ronnit Vasserman upon the passing of her father, Rabbi Leon Aronsky.

May they be comforted among all those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.

Yoetzet Halakhah

Julia Baruch serves as the KJ Yoetzet Halakhah. This position of great responsibility falls to a woman with recognized expertise in the field of Taharat Hamishpacha and women's health issues who can advise women on topics such as niddah, fertility problems, and sex education for teens. Julia is reachable by phone at 929-274-0628 or email at JB.Yoetzet@gmail.com.

Community Mikvahs

The Jacques and Hanna Schwalbe Mikvah at 419 East 77th Street (1st and York Avenues); 212-359-2020

The Rennert Mikvah at 5th Ave Synagogue at 5 East 62nd Street (Fifth Avenue) 212-753-6058

The West Side Mikvah at 234 West 74th Street (Broadway and West End Avenue) 212-579-2011

Judaica Shop

Judaica Classics by Doina is at 1248 Lexington Avenue, between 84th and 85th Streets. The store has a great selection of Judaica for all gift and holiday needs, including exquisite silver, embroidery, ceramics and all manner of artistic expression.

Business hours are: Sunday 10 am–5 pm, Monday-Thursday 10 am–6 pm, Friday 10 am–2 pm, and by appointment. Call Doina Bryskin at 212-722-4271 or email doina@judaicaclassics.com.

JYC - The Hebrew School with HEART

The Jewish Youth Connection (JYC) is the Sunday morning Hebrew school founded by KJ members Susan and Scott Shay with the goal of providing a meaningful Jewish education to unaffiliated families.

A total reinvention of the Hebrew School experience, its focus is to help foster a quality connection to Judaism for students and families alike.

No synagogue membership is required to attend JYC or participate in any of the school programming, and JYC families are invited to take advantage of congregational offerings.

Manhattan Eruv

The Manhattan Eruv includes an expanding number of neighborhoods in the city. Please call the hotline to check on the weekly status of the Eruv at 212-874-6100 x 452. View the Manhattan Eruv Map.

KJ Caring Initiative

At KJ you are not alone. Homebound? Isolated? Ailing? Our helpful volunteers are available to visit, call, and give emotional support. All interactions are strictly confidential. If you know someone who might benefit from our attention, or if you would like to be called, please contact Leah Modlin at 212-7226575 or leahm23@gmail.com

Hatzolah

The Upper East Side Division volunteers volunteer EMTs and provides immediate response and the highest quality emergency medical and life-saving services to our community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 212410-9796 for information. For emergencies, dial 212-230-1000.

Bikur Cholim

For over 35 years, a dedicated group of KJ members have been visiting patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Karen Lerman at lerman.karenj@gmail.com.

Shabbat Hospitality

Let’s build a warm and welcoming KJ community! Are you new to the community? Do you still feel like you’re new to the community or not sufficiently connected? If you’re interested in meeting new people, hosting members, or being hosted, please contact yael@ckj.org.

Dorot

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Dorot has distinguished itself as a bastion of support for the frail elderly. We encourage our community to participate in their many volunteer initiatives - both holiday related and yearround - that forge bonds between the generations. See dorotusa. org for volunteer opportunities.

Mitzvah

Toy Campaign

This heartfelt program encourages children from Nursery School through Grade 8 to donate one or more of their birthday presents to children in need. For information contact Joanna Kleinhaus at JoannaKleinhaus@gmail.com.

W Connection

A grassroots organization created to meet the needs of widows. To learn more about the KJ/Ramaz chapter, contact 212-879-4783 or Gabriella Major at gabriellamaj@gmail.com.

Career Network

The KJ/Ramaz Career Network endeavors to help members find jobs, or fill a vacancy with a qualified shul member. Contact Larry Kassman at KasTrade@aol.com.

UJA @ KJ

UJA @ KJ is a partnership between KJ members and UJA-Federation of New York that facilitates KJ Members

receiving unique opportunities to utilize the resources of UJAFederation. With an assortment of causes and agencies in need of our support, UJA @ KJ enables KJ Members to become involved in and exposed to the important work of UJA-Federation in New York, Israel and around the world. For more information or to register, contact Atara Burian at 212-836-1267.

KJ Food Pantry

One of the few kosher food pantries in Manhattan, it provides weekly (every Monday) staples as well as fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need in our community. For more information or to volunteer, contact Bernice Kahn at bernice.berman@gmail.com.

Chevra Kadisha

Join a dedicated group of men and women performing the sacred mitzvah of preparing the recently deceased for proper, dignigied burial in accordance with Jewish Tradition and law. Contact Riva Alper for the women’s Chevra Kadisha at riva@ckj.org and contact Isaac Pollak for the men’s Chevra Kadisha at isaac@lgpltd.com.

Synagogue Memorial Plaques

To order plaques for deceased loved ones (or to reserve for yourself after 120 years of health and blessing), see ckj.org/plaques.

Cemetery Plots on Paramus, NJ KJ Grounds

To purchase burial plots at Beth El cemetery in NJ, visit ckj.org/ burialplots. If you would like to speak with someone about this opportunity, please contact Sy Yanofsky in the synagogue office at 212-774-5620 or sy@ckj.org.