BNEI MITZVAH

ELIANA BEN-ARI

Mazal Tov to Sara Rubenstein and Yariv Ben-Ari upon the summer Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Eliana, in Jerusalem. Eliana read Parashat Va’etchanan, and delivered a D’var Torah on the Parashah. She participated in the “TwinningProgram” through Yad Vashem, and honored her “twin,” who was murdered in the Holocaust. Eliana’s Saba, Pini Ben-Ari, served as Chazan during the ceremony. Eliana is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

OLIVIA RECHTSCHAFFEN

Mazal Tov to Monique and Andrew Rechtschaffen upon the October Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Olivia, whose D’var Torah on Parashat Vayelech drew attention to the timing of her Bat Mitzvah, falling out during the Aseret Y’mei Teshuvah, a time to reflect and identify areas for improvement. Olivia is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

LEO DAVID SCHUBIN

Mazal Tov to Dr. Ilana Brownstein Schubin and William A. Schubin upon the October Bar Mitzvah of their son, Leo David, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on Shabbat Parashat Noach, where he read the parashah, haftarah, and delivered D’var Torah. Leo is a seventhgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

SARAH RECHTSCHAFFEN

Mazal Tov to Miera and Alan Rechtschaffen upon the October Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Sarah, who delivered a D’var Torah on Parashat Noach, stressing the lesson of being a righteous person in any generation despite the behavior of those around you and to strive to stick to our principles as Noach did. Sarah is a seventh-grade student at Manhattan Day School, Yeshiva Ohr Torah.

HARRIET HATTIE FEIT

Mazal Tov to Rebecca Feit and Rami Sasson upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Harriet Hattie, whose D’var Torah was delivered at a Chanukah Women’s Tefillah service which she led. She is traveling with her family to Ethiopia over winter break to continue the celebration with the Jewish community in Ethiopia that is eagerly hoping and waiting to make Aliyah. Hattie is a sixthgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

DANIEL SULTAN

Mazal Tov to Randi and David Sultan upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Daniel, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, on December 17, where he will read Parashat Vayeshev, and present a D’var Torah. Daniel is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

FRANCESCA SILVERA Mazal Tov to Bonnie and David Silvera upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Francesca, which will take place in January at a private Women’s Tefillah mincha service at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, where she will read the parashah and deliver a D’var Torah. Francesca is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

GAVIN SRULOWITZ Mazal Tov to Stephanie and Mark Srulowitz upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gavin, on January 7, where he will layn Parashat Vayechi and deliver a D’var Torah. Gavin is a seventhgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School. Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents, Rory and Sandy Srulowitz.

BENJAMIN ALAN CHUBAK Mazal Tov to Jamie and David Chubak upon the February Bar Mitzvah of their son, Benjamin, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, at which time he will read Parashat Mishpatim and deliver a D’var Torah on the parashah. Benjamin is a seventhgrade student at the Ramaz Middle School.

DEDICATION OPPORTUNITY

The congregation is replacing hundreds of damaged, discolored and worn tallitot (prayer shawls), and is soliciting dedications of new tallitot in minimum increments of 25, for donations of $2,500. Every tallit features the donor’s customized dedication language. Perfect for celebrating a simcha, commemorating a loved one, or honoring any occasion. To sponsor, please email Leonard Silverman at lss@ckj.org for more information.

MEET JYC’S NEW PRINCIPAL AND DIRECTOR, RUTHIE HOLLANDER AND MAX HOLLANDER

Ruthie Hollander was born in Germany and grew up in Michigan. Max is a graduate of NYU with a double major in Communications and Judaic studies. They now live in New Jersey with their daughter, Mila, and their dog Momo.

Ruthie has worked in Jewish school settings for the last five years and is passionate about educational accessibility and asking “the big questions” with her students. After taking a yearlong pause from teaching at JYC, Ruthie is overjoyed to return as its Principal. Ruthie is partnering with the mayor of her city to build a sustainabilityfocused community garden in her neighborhood and is the founder of Achayot, a community network that enables Jewish women to find support, friendship, free events, and Shabbat meals.

Max is a student at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and Bernard Revel Graduate School of Judaic Studies. He is also a former teacher at JYC. Max is driven by a love of storytelling, Torah, and an intense desire to share powerful ideas with others. He has had the opportunity of doing so through podcasts, videos, educational resources, and articles, and is thrilled to bring that passion for ideas to JYC as its Director. A MODERN HAKHEL During Chol HaMoed Sukkot, our entire Middle School came together to re-enact the Hakhel ceremony - a mitzvah that took place every seven years during the time of the Beit HaMikdash, where all of the Jews assembled near the Temple to hear the Torah reading by the King of Israel. Our students and parents were treated to a reenactment by Jonathan Cannon, Rabbi Chaim Hagler, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, after a beautiful Hallel davening and breakfast.