PASSoVer ShAVuot KehilAth JeShurun b ulletin · as visiting scholars and guest speakers. Among our noteworthy alumni, we have heard from Rabbi Dr. David flatto, the Honorable Michael

Throughout 5772, our communityhas celebrated the 75th anniversaryof Ramaz School by hosting alumni

as visiting scholars and guest speakers.Among our noteworthy alumni, we haveheard from Rabbi Dr. David flatto, theHonorable Michael Mukasey, ProfessorJonathan Sarna, and we are lookingforward to hearing from KennethJacobson at our Annual SynagogueShabbaton just before Passover. Inaddition, we are also exploring thepossibility of bringing alumni sensationMichael Widlanski to address thecongregation.

In short, it has been a star-studdedRamaz alumni cast that has enriched ourcongregational life this year.

In the same vein, we will highlight atthe Annual Synagogue Meeting some of

the women of our congregational familywhose lives have been positivelyimpacted by Ramaz School. ArielGroveman Weiner will make a briefpresentation, followed by video remarksfrom Suzanne Doft, Wendy Greenbaum,Lillian Jacobs and Sandy Magid, whowill collectively attest to the influencethat Ramaz has had on the lives of ourcongregant families. It should be anunforgettable evening!

Please join us. feel the powerfulsense of KJ tradition as we induct newmembers, celebrate the milestoneanniversaries of longstanding members,and memorialize those who helped buildour venerable congregation. The night’sprogram is followed by a complimentarysupper of hot dogs, sauerkraut and icecold beer courtesy of foremost Caterers.

yoM hAShoAh -holoCAuSt

reMeMbrAnCe DAy -Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.

Volume lXXXi, number 3 March 26, 2012 3 nisan 5772

PASSoVer ShAVuot

KehilAth JeShurunbulletin

(Schedule on Page 5) (Schedule on Page 14)

140th AnnuAl SynAgogue MeetingWednesday, March 28, 2012

7:30 P.M.COMMEMORATION Of 75 YEARS Of KJ/RAMAz PARTNERSHIP TO bE A fOCUS

We are proud to present TheRipple Project, in keepingwith KJ’s communal tradition

of meaningful Yom Hashoahprogramming. This year’s will takeplace in the Kaufman Auditorium of theMorris and Ida Newman Ramaz UpperSchool, 60 East 78th Street, onWednesday evening, April 18th at 7:00.The Ripple Project envisions the Shoahas a stone that fractured the water’ssmooth surface, and this project followsthe ripples through the generations,capturing meaningful stories for all toshare before they fade away.

We will also hear moving choralselections performed by the children ofRamaz School, under the direction ofDaniel Henkin and Randi Wartelsky.

Our program will begin, as it doesevery year, with a poignantcandlelighting ceremony. If you wish toparticipate in this observance, pleasecontact Yaira Singer at 212-600-0119 orElisa Gage at [email protected].

We ask candlelighters to assemble at6:45 p.m., fifteen minutes prior to thestart of the program.

May these lights throughout the KJcommunity illuminate our hearts and thehearts of the entire world to ensure thatthe memory of the Jewish men, womenand children who perished will never beforgotten.

“And These are the Laws…”Rabbi Alexander Kaye

Halakha is one of Judaism’s most distinctive features. Jewish life is set apart bythe way in which its every aspect may be approached through a halakhic lens.Just as the halakha is one of the features that most clearly identify Judaism, it

is also one of the features most commonly used to attack it. Anti-Semites have longassociated Jews with a legalism that is ridiculous rather than sublime and havecharacterized the Jewish outlook as a bizarre obsession with externalities, formalismand a focus on matters of the body rather than the spirit.

In truth, aspects of this critique can sometimes even resonate with us. We dooccasionally find ourselves wondering how this or that detail of halakhic practiceenhances our spiritual lives or connects us more closely to our faith and our God. It isespecially important to address the issue when reading a parsha like Mishpatim(Exodus chapters 21-24).

Just one parsha ago, in Yitro, we read about the unparalleled spectacle of therevelation on Sinai. We heard of the thunder and lightning, the thick cloud on themountain and the loud voice of the shofar. The Lord descended in fire. And then - amoment of mass prophecy. Men women and children heard the voice from on themountain - ‘I am the Lord your God.’ Everyone was struck by the personal experienceof God. All the people trembled and even the mountain itself quaked.

After this transcendent experience of the revelation of God to the entire nation,what comes next? continued on page 8

Spring '12 Bulletin_kj-1204.qxd 3/13/12 9:37 AM Page 1

Elisa Gage at [email protected].

The Officers and Executive Committee of the Congregation are pleased to announce that the Tenth Annual Judith Kaufman Hurwich KeterTorah Award will be presented to Monita Buchwald and Caroline Massel on the second day of Shavuot. The practice of conferring such an awardis to appropriately recognize women in our congregation on the holiday when we celebrate the lives of two great Jewish heroines, Naomi and Ruth.It offers us an opportunity, as part of a religious ceremony, to express our appreciation for the services rendered to our community by women.

The award is named in memory of Judith Kaufman Hurwich, the daughter of Rita and Benjamin Kaufman, of blessed memory, the mother ofour member - yibadeil l’chaim - Adam Hurwich, and the grandmother of two of our finest Ramaz Alumnae. Her family continues her tradition ofassociation with KJ and Ramaz in fostering opportunities for women to study Torah.

MonitA buChWAlD AnD CAroline MASSel to reCeiVe tenth AnnuAl

Aformer public relations executive, Monita buchwaldmade the leap from the boardroom to the kitchen and iscurrently the recipe tester for Martha

Stewart Living magazine, a position she has heldsince 2003. Prior to her culinary career, Monita wasVice Chairman at the public relations agencyManning Selvage & Lee.

Monita is married to Charles Edelsburg, aformer Wall Street trader and retired Judaic Studiesteacher. Monita and Charles are the proud parentsof two Ramaz graduates Sarah (‘02), a public spaceactivator for the Downtown baltimore Partnershipwith an MA in Community Arts; and Natan (‘06),Vice President at Sawhorse Media and producer ofthe Shorty Awards, the Oscars of social media.

This year the family celebrates their 25thanniversary as members of KJ; a membership Monita cherishesnot only because she values being a part of a Modern Orthodoxcommunity that is so embracing, but also because she shares itwith her father, KJ Officer Elias buchwald, and her sister andnieces, Gena, Carly and Talia Stern.

Giving back to the community has always been an integralpart of Monita’s life. While her children were students at Ramazshe served as editor of the Ramkol; was an Upper School Liaisonmember and Vice President of the Parent’s Council; andvolunteered for the Parent’s Council annual auction. When shebecame an alumni parent, she sought out the KJ Sisterhood as away to get more involved in helping the communities they served.

Her involvement in the Sisterhood - from running a Mitzvah Dayto co-managing the Sisterhood boutique - eventually led to her

becoming Vice President of the Sisterhood, servingfor two years with Susan blinken, Abby Doft,Vivian Mark and Karen Hershkowitz. Herconnection to Ramaz remains strong, and she is avolunteer leader for the Ramaz Chesed Day thisMarch 25th.

After graduating from culinary school a decadeago, Monita wanted to combine her passion forfood with her commitment to giving back. Throughfellow KJ member Stacy Scheinberg, Monitalearned about Met Council’s mission to help NewYorkers in need. Since becoming involved threeyears ago as a Met Council volunteer and donor,Monita has taught cooking classes to low-income

seniors, led nutritional classes for housing clients, andparticipated in job training workshops to improve the networkingskills of clients seeking employment. Monita serves on the MetCouncil food for Life Committee and is also the supervising chefat Met Council’s Thanksgiving dinner for 60 seniors, where sheleads the preparation of a full course dinner and supervisesvolunteers in the cooking of that dinner.

Charles, Sarah and Natan are also community oriented.Charles delivers food for the KJ food Pantry; Sarah is involved inthe baltimore community in which she lives; and Natan is activewith Ramaz Alumni as well as teaching social media classes forMet Council.

Bnei Akiva Pre-Purim Programming:

Page 2 KEHILATH JESHURUN bULLETIN


The Officers and Executive Committee of the Congregation are pleased to announce that the Tenth Annual Judith Kaufman Hurwich KeterTorah Award will be presented to Monita Buchwald and Caroline Massel on the second day of Shavuot. The practice of conferring such an awardis to appropriately recognize women in our congregation on the holiday when we celebrate the lives of two great Jewish heroines, Naomi and Ruth.It offers us an opportunity, as part of a religious ceremony, to express our appreciation for the services rendered to our community by women.

The award is named in memory of Judith Kaufman Hurwich, the daughter of Rita and Benjamin Kaufman, of blessed memory, the mother ofour member - yibadeil l’chaim - Adam Hurwich, and the grandmother of two of our finest Ramaz Alumnae. Her family continues her tradition ofassociation with KJ and Ramaz in fostering opportunities for women to study Torah.

MONITA BUCHWALD AND CAROLINE MASSEL TO RECEIVE TENTH ANNUAL

Aformer public relations executive, Monita Buchwaldmade the leap from the boardroom to the kitchen and iscurrently the recipe tester for Martha

Stewart Living magazine, a position she has heldsince 2003. Prior to her culinary career, Monita wasVice Chairman at the public relations agencyManning Selvage & Lee.

Monita is married to Charles Edelsburg, aformer Wall Street trader and retired Judaic Studiesteacher. Monita and Charles are the proud parentsof two Ramaz graduates Sarah (‘02), a public spaceactivator for the Downtown Baltimore Partnershipwith an MA in Community Arts; and Natan (‘06),Vice President at Sawhorse Media and producer ofthe Shorty Awards, the Oscars of social media.

This year the family celebrates their 25thanniversary as members of KJ; a membership Monita cherishesnot only because she values being a part of a Modern Orthodoxcommunity that is so embracing, but also because she shares itwith her father, KJ Officer Elias Buchwald, and her sister andnieces, Gena, Carly and Talia Stern.

Giving back to the community has always been an integralpart of Monita’s life. While her children were students at Ramazshe served as editor of the Ramkol; was an Upper School Liaisonmember and Vice President of the Parent’s Council; andvolunteered for the Parent’s Council annual auction. When shebecame an alumni parent, she sought out the KJ Sisterhood as away to get more involved in helping the communities they served.

Her involvement in the Sisterhood - from running a Mitzvah Dayto co-managing the Sisterhood boutique - eventually led to her

becoming Vice President of the Sisterhood, servingfor two years with Susan Blinken, Abby Doft,Vivian Mark and Karen Hershkowitz. Herconnection to Ramaz remains strong, and she is avolunteer leader for the Ramaz Chesed Day thisMarch 25th.

After graduating from culinary school a decadeago, Monita wanted to combine her passion forfood with her commitment to giving back. Throughfellow KJ member Stacy Scheinberg, Monitalearned about Met Council’s mission to help NewYorkers in need. Since becoming involved threeyears ago as a Met Council volunteer and donor,Monita has taught cooking classes to low-income

seniors, led nutritional classes for housing clients, andparticipated in job training workshops to improve the networkingskills of clients seeking employment. Monita serves on the MetCouncil Food for Life Committee and is also the supervising chefat Met Council’s Thanksgiving dinner for 60 seniors, where sheleads the preparation of a full course dinner and supervisesvolunteers in the cooking of that dinner.

Charles, Sarah and Natan are also community oriented.Charles delivers food for the KJ Food Pantry; Sarah is involved inthe Baltimore community in which she lives; and Natan is activewith Ramaz Alumni as well as teaching social media classes forMet Council.

Bnei Akiva Pre-Purim Programming:

Page 2 KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN

We honor these extraordinary women for their service to our community and to the Jewish People in general.We pray that God reward them with many years of health and happiness and with much nachas from their childrenand grandchildren. May they continue to serve as stellar examples of Jewish commitment and service to this entirecommunity, which loves them and blesses them.

KEHILATH JESHURUN bULLETIN Page 3

Caroline Massel is truly a product of the KJ/Ramazcommunity. A lifelong member of KJ, Caroline is aRamaz alumna who went on to graduate from barnard

College and receive an M.b.A. degree from Columbia University.She feels thankful to have grown up in a modern Orthodoxcommunity that emphasizes chesed and communal responsibility.

Since college, Caroline has worked with her parents, ourcherished members, barbara and Harvey Arfa, at Gruner & Co., amen’s outerwear maker, which was founded byCaroline’s maternal grandfather after he survived theHolocaust. Caroline runs the design andmanufacturing departments of the company andserves as President of the Kenneth Cole and HartSchaffner Marx brands.

In 1997, Caroline founded the Young LeadershipAssociates (YLA) of the American Society for YadVashem, which she continues to serve as co-chair. Asthe grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Caroline feltthe need to ensure that her generation embrace andcarry forward the legacy of the Holocaust. Under herleadership, the YLA has grown to more than onethousand active members. Caroline is a regularspeaker for Yad Vashem.

Shortly after founding YLA, Caroline started a ProfessionalDevelopment Conference for the American Society for YadVashem. This annual day of learning teaches public and privateschool teachers how to educate their students about the Holocaust.Now in its fourteenth year, the conference is run by Yad Vashem’sEducation Director. It has reached thousands of American

educators and through them tens of thousands of students. In recognition of Caroline’s service to Yad Vashem, The

Jewish Week included Caroline as one of its inaugural “36 under36,” a profile of young people whose efforts have made adifference in the Jewish Community.

Caroline has been equally active in many parts of theKJ/Ramaz community. She is a member of the KJ Sisterhoodboard and was a member of the Kesher board, Ramaz Alumni

Association, and Ramaz Parent’s Council LiasonCommittee. Caroline is a past chair of the KJDinner and the Sisterhood Luncheon. Carolinehas also co-chaired the KJ Yom Hashoahprogram for many years. This year she alsoserved as co-chair of one of KJ’s most successfulIsrael bond campaigns.

Caroline is married to Morris, an officer andtrustee of KJ, who is a bankruptcy attorney atSimpson Thacher & bartlett, LLP. Caroline andMorris are the devoted parents of threewonderful children who are the greatest joy intheir lives: Rebecca (Ramaz 3rd grade),Alexander (Ramaz 1st grade) and two-year-old

Michael. Caroline feels so grateful that her children are growingup as part of the KJ/Ramaz family because the community givesthem the opportunity to learn from its many inspirational leadersand be a part of its countless communal programs. Caroline is abeloved member of our community who leads a professional,communal, familial and modern Orthodox life true to the highestTorah values.

JuDith KAufMAn hurWiCh Keter torAh AWArD on ShAVuot

B’simcha Ub’teyavon!

Every day is aHoliday with

shlichotbasmat Sorani andRacheli Teshuva!


We honor these extraordinary women for their service to our community and to the Jewish People in general.We pray that God reward them with many years of health and happiness and with much nachas from their childrenand grandchildren. May they continue to serve as stellar examples of Jewish commitment and service to this entirecommunity, which loves them and blesses them.

KEHILATH JESHURUN BULLETIN Page 3

Caroline Massel is truly a product of the KJ/Ramazcommunity. A lifelong member of KJ, Caroline is aRamaz alumna who went on to graduate from Barnard

College and receive an M.B.A. degree from Columbia University.She feels thankful to have grown up in a modern Orthodoxcommunity that emphasizes chesed and communal responsibility.

Since college, Caroline has worked with her parents, ourcherished members, Barbara and Harvey Arfa, at Gruner & Co., amen’s outerwear maker, which was founded byCaroline’s maternal grandfather after he survived theHolocaust. Caroline runs the design andmanufacturing departments of the company andserves as President of the Kenneth Cole and HartSchaffner Marx brands.

In 1997, Caroline founded the Young LeadershipAssociates (YLA) of the American Society for YadVashem, which she continues to serve as co-chair. Asthe grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Caroline feltthe need to ensure that her generation embrace andcarry forward the legacy of the Holocaust. Under herleadership, the YLA has grown to more than onethousand active members. Caroline is a regularspeaker for Yad Vashem.

Shortly after founding YLA, Caroline started a ProfessionalDevelopment Conference for the American Society for YadVashem. This annual day of learning teaches public and privateschool teachers how to educate their students about the Holocaust.Now in its fourteenth year, the conference is run by Yad Vashem’sEducation Director. It has reached thousands of American

educators and through them tens of thousands of students.In recognition of Caroline’s service to Yad Vashem, The

Jewish Week included Caroline as one of its inaugural “36 under36,” a profile of young people whose efforts have made adifference in the Jewish Community.

Caroline has been equally active in many parts of theKJ/Ramaz community. She is a member of the KJ SisterhoodBoard and was a member of the Kesher Board, Ramaz Alumni

Association, and Ramaz Parent’s Council LiasonCommittee. Caroline is a past chair of the KJDinner and the Sisterhood Luncheon. Carolinehas also co-chaired the KJ Yom Hashoahprogram for many years. This year she alsoserved as co-chair of one of KJ’s most successfulIsrael Bond campaigns.

Caroline is married to Morris, an officer andtrustee of KJ, who is a bankruptcy attorney atSimpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP. Caroline andMorris are the devoted parents of threewonderful children who are the greatest joy intheir lives: Rebecca (Ramaz 3rd grade),Alexander (Ramaz 1st grade) and two-year-old

Michael. Caroline feels so grateful that her children are growingup as part of the KJ/Ramaz family because the community givesthem the opportunity to learn from its many inspirational leadersand be a part of its countless communal programs. Caroline is abeloved member of our community who leads a professional,communal, familial and modern Orthodox life true to the highestTorah values.

JUDITH KAUFMAN HURWICH KETER TORAH AWARD ON SHAVUOT

B’simcha Ub’teyavon!

Every day is aHoliday with

shlichotBasmat Sorani andRacheli Teshuva!


SPonSorShiPS Are WelCoMe

To support synagogue programs, weinvite prospective Kiddush and SeudahShlishit sponsors to contact Riva Alperin the synagogue office at 212-774-5670or [email protected] The base cost of acake-and-wine Kiddush sponsorship is$350, to which is added the cost of anyextra catered food ordered throughforemost Caterers. Multiple Kiddushsponsors may, at their discretion andinitiative, agree to share the expense ofextra catered food, but every co-sponsormust pay, separately and individually,the $350 base fee. Similarly, sponsoringSeudah Shlishit costs every co-sponsor$250.

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This important new film documents the experiences of women whose

husbands refuse to grant them a Jewish divorce and features interviews

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Dear friends,

Why is this year’s Passover relief Appeal different from the Appeals in otheryears?

The answer is: because this year, even more so than last year, more people arehurting and suffering than ever before in my memory.

This is true in the larger Jewish community, but it is also painfully true in our KJfamily as well, where some former, generous donors to Passover relief cannotpay their rent, have huge debts, and actually are having trouble putting food onthe table, let alone making Pesach.

Yes, it is as bad as that! Ma’ot Chitim (literally, funds for matzot) is a livingreality on the Upper East Side.

So, of course, the KJ benevolent fund has to give much more generously thanever before to Met Council and to other poverty relief organizations which help Jewsin need in New York, in Israel, and around the world. We must all support worthycauses to which we are committed, whose charitable gifts are down but whose needsare up. but we also have to help our friends and neighbors who are literallysuffering now. you do not know who they are, but i do. if you knew theiridentity-which, of course, you cannot - you would give as never before.

this is not a normal Ma’ot Chitim Appeal and, therefore, our responsecannot be normal either. Audrey and I have, once again, this year alreadycontributed $1,000 which is four times what we used to give to Passover Relief in thepast. I hope you will respond in a similar fashion.

May God respond to our generosity by blessing us all with a very Happy andKosher Passover.

Haskel Lookstein

Please make your check payable to the KJ Benevolent Fund and mail it to myattention at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th Street, New York, NY10028, or you can make your donation on-line using your favorite credit card atwww.ckj.org/pay

A Special Message from rabbi looksteinPASSoVer SCheDule

All Services will be held on 85th Streetthursday, April 5Search for Chametz . . . . . .After 8:00 p.m.

friday, April 6, Passover EveMorning Services andSiyum b’chor (firstborn) . . . . . .7:00 a.m.Chametz may not be eaten after 10:49 a.m. burn chametz no later than . . . . 11:53 a.m.Candlelighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:08 p.m.Evening Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:20 p.m.Start Seder . . . . . . . . . . . . .After 8:02 p.m.

Saturday, April 7, Passover 1Morning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m.Evening Services. . . . . . . . . . . . ..7:05 p.m.Candlelighting & Seder . . .After 8:03 p.m.

Sunday, April 8, Passover IIMorning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m.Evening Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:25 p.m.Conclusion of Yom Tov . . . . . . . 8:04 p.m.

SerViCeS During

the WeeK of Chol hAMoeD

Monday, April 9, Passover IIIMorning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 a.m.Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:45 p.m.tuesday, April 10, Passover IVMorning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 a.m.Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 11, Passover VMorning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 a.m.Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:45 p.m.

ConCluDing DAyS of PASSoVer

thursday, April 12, Passover VIMorning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 a.m.

Eruv Tavshilin must be preparedEvening Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .6:45 p.m.Candlelighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:14 p.mfriday, April 13, Passover VIIMorning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m.Evening Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:30 p.m.Candlelighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:16 p.m.Saturday, April 14, Passover VIII

(Yizkor is recited)Morning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:00 a.m.Evening Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:15 p.m.Conclusion of Shabbat/Yom Tov .8:12 p.m

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SteP #1: removal of Chametz –Cleaning the house

SteP #2: Kashering AppliancesGas ovens, both the stove-top and

inside (racks as well), should be cleanedwith an oven cleaner, and then not used for24 hours. After 24 hours, invert the metalspiders and turn the burners on to thehighest setting for 15 minutes. (If using anelectric oven, turn the burners on thehighest setting for 15 minutes as well.)After this is done, cover the stovetop withaluminum foil for the duration of Pesach.The inside oven should be turned on tobroil for one hour.

If the oven is self-cleaning, go throughone cycle.

Microwave ovens should be cleaned,and not used for 24 hours, after which abowl or cup containing a few ounces ofwater should be put in and ‘cooked’ untilthe water is vaporized into steam.

Stainless steel sinks should be cleanedwith a cleaning solution, and not used for24 hours, after which boiling water shouldbe poured on every area of the sink and itsparts. Porcelain sinks cannot be kashered.They must be cleaned and covered.

Dishwashers may be kashered forPesach after standing unused for 24 hours.They should be put through threecomplete cycles, using soap in the firstone.

Kashering utensilsWhile it is preferable to have as many

utensils as possible specially reserved foruse only on Pesach, many utensils usedthroughout the year may be kashered foruse on Pesach. Items that are ‘kasherable’include: metal utensils used for hot andcold, providing they are not difficult toclean (i.e., a sieve, parts that are gluedtogether), and glass utensils that were usedstrictly for cold food.

Items that may not be kashered are:glassware that is used for cooking,earthenware, pottery, porcelain, pyrex,and chinaware.

The easiest way to kasher utensils is tobring them to the 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noonApril 1st KJ Kasher-In where RabbiAlexander Kaye will supervise theimmersion of metal utensils in a large sinkof rapidly boiling water.

It is also possible to kasher in theprivacy of your own home. The procedurefor kashering is as follows: Metal utensilsshould be thoroughly cleaned with acleaning solution and then not used for 24hours. Small utensils such as silverware orother cutlery should be immersed brieflyin a large pot containing rapidly boilingwater. If the pot is very large, more thanone item may be immersed at a time. Eachitem should then be rinsed with coldwater.

Pots are kashered by bringing water inthem to a boil and then immersing a hotstone or iron such that the water willoverflow onto the sides of the pot. Thenrinse the pot in cold water. Items whichcame into direct contact with chametz,without the medium of water (e.g. abroiler, frying pan) may be kashered byheating them until they are literally ‘redhot’ or by placing them in a self-cleaningoven during the self-clean cycle.

Glass utensils should be cleaned with acleaning solution and then immersed inwater (a bathtub works) for three days,changing the water every 24 hours.

SteP #3: the Search for ChametzOne of the most beautiful and

meaningful ceremonies associated withPassover is b’dikat chametz—the searchfor chametz. The ceremony is composedof five parts.

1. Reciting a special blessing over themitzvah of the removal of chametz.

2. The search of the house by the lightof a candle to find vestiges of chametz.

3. The reciting of the formula ofnullification of chametz.

4. The burning or disposal of anychametz found during the search.

5. The reciting of a final, moreinclusive formula of nullification.

The first three parts of this ceremonywill be observed this year on Thursdayevening, April 5, after nightfall, 8:00 p.m.The disposal should be on fridaymorning, April 6. Children especially willbe impressed by the ceremony. It should,therefore, be performed with enthusiasmand dedication.

The children should be asked to placepieces of chametz in the various rooms —a practice which ensures that the searchwill not be in vain. They can hold thecandle and the feather and they shouldexamine their own possessions, dressersand desks, for long forgotten relics ofchametz.

Passover is a beautiful festival. It is aserious one, too. both these aspects canbe captured in advance of the festival bya careful observance of b’dikat chametz.

Disposal of ChametzNo chametz may be eaten on friday

morning, April 6 after 10:49 a.m.

SteP #4: the Sale of ChametzThe ritual sale of chametz must be

completed by early friday morning, April6. There are those who prefer to performthe ritual in person. for those who cannotattend to the matter in person, there is aform provided on page 7 of this bulletinwhich authorizes Rabbi Weinstock to sellour chametz. THIS MUST bERETURNED TO THE SYNAGOGUE bYfRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 6, NOTLATER THAN 8:30 a.m.

rAbbi Meir SoloVeiChiK to DeliVer

the ShAbbAt hA-gADol DrAShA

SPonSoreD by

Suzy AnD lArry PreSent

“The Passover bunny? A Reflection on the Yaknahaz”

Saturday Afternoon, March 31stfollowing Mincha at 6:30 p.m.

in the gottesman Center114 e. 85th Street

A P A S S O V E R T I M E L I N EA P A S S O V E R T I M E L I N E


SteP #5: the burning of ChametzOn friday morning, April 6, it is

customary to burn chametz. Chametzshould be removed from one’spossession and burned by 11:53 a.m.The synagogue provides a large,contained fire for this purpose. Nobracha should be said, since the one saidbefore the search applies to the burningas well. SteP #6: After Pesach

According to Jewish Law, chametzthat was owned by a Jew during Pesachmay never be eaten by a Jew. Therefore,it is preferable that after Pesach onebuys food from establishments ownedby non-Jews, establishments owned byJews who properly sold their chametzbefore Pesach, or after a month (timethat a store’s stock has been used up)from any establishment.


Deliver a holiday package and visit anolder person. Sunday, March 25th, 10:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Dorot, 171 West 85thStreet (off Amsterdam Ave). Volunteersare asked to pre-register by calling Dorotat 212-769-2850.

Dorot PASSoVer PACKAge

DeliVery ProgrAM

“Kasher-in”and

ShmurahMatzahPick-up(see order form below)

PASSoVer PrePArAtionS At KJ:

SunDAy, APril 1St

9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

^

ShMurAh MAtzAhS Kehilath Jeshurun is again

pleased to offer to its membershipthe opportunity to purchaseShmurah Matzah through thesynagogue. The Matzahs areavailable at $20.00 per pound.

The pick up will be on Sundaymorning, April 1st, in thesynagogue lobby. That is the sameday as the Kasher-In: 9 a.m.-noon.

All orders must be prepaidand ordered by friday, March 30.

Make checks payable to the KJSpecial Projects fund.

Please reserve ______ pounds ofShmurah Matzah at $20 per pound.

Name _______________________

Address ______________________

Phone: (Day)__________________

(Evening) ____________________

If you are able to host guests at yourSeder table, please contact Rabbi ElieWeinstock at 212-774-5636 [email protected]

“Let all who are hungry,come and eat...”

forM for SAle of ChAMetzI, __________________________________________________________, do herebyauthorize rAbbi elie WeinStoCK, of 125 East 85th Street, City, State and Countyof New York, to sell, transfer and assign all Chametz of whatever kind and nature which I possess, or in which I may have an interest, wherever situated, in my residenceat:________________________________________________________ or in my placeof business at:______________________________________ or in any other place,without reservation and limitation. I further authorize him to lease all places in which chametz might be found.

Signature___________________________________Date:___________________

Please return to the Synagogue office by Friday, April 6th, by 8:30 AM.

If you plan to spend Passover in Israel or Europe, please check this box: qIf you plan to spend Passover in another US time zone, please circle below:

Central Rocky Mountain Pacific

KJ beginnerS ProgrAM to hoSt CoMMunAl SeDer

Want to experience a Seder with great food, insightful explanations, and all thetrimmings? Want to be in a warm, friendly environment on Seder night? Don’t want tohassle with preparing a Seder both nights? Well, have we got the answer!

Under the leadership of Rabbi Elie Weinstock, and with the sweet melodies of KJbChazan Shilo Kramer, KJ will once again host a Seder designed and planned as a learningexperience. It is intended for those who wish to understand more about the content andmeaning of the Seder and how to conduct it properly. This special Seder will be held onthe first night of Passover, friday, April 6, at 8:00 p.m.

The cost is $90 per person. (Children under 3 may be seated with parents at no chargewithout their own meal.)

Reservations can be made by forwarding a check to the synagogue office covering allthose planning to attend. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, April 3.

PASSoVer

Wednesday, March 28

ShAVuot

Wednesday, May 23

three WeeKS

Wednesday, June 27

7:00 p.m. for all workshops125 East 85th Street

Holiday Workshops at KJwith Rabbi Yitz Motechin

DeDiCAteMembers of the Congregation and others are invited to honor afriend or relative, celebrate a milestone event or memorialize aloved one by dedicating Chumashim or Siddurim.

ChuMAShiM - $45 eachSiDDuriM - $25 each

Call Riva Alper at 212-774-5670


ohypanv vktuAnd these are the laws:

If an ox falls in a pit, who pays? Ifsomeone steals a sheep, how do they makeamends? What banality! What anti-climax!How, and more importantly why, were theIsraelites expected to move so quicklyfrom the most exalted experience to theseminutiae of civil and criminal law? It is asif the Declaration of Independence hadmoved directly from “We hold these truthsto be self-evident, that all men are createdequal…” to the rules of alternate-side-of-the-street-parking.

What is more, the Torah does not justsay ohypanv vkt - ‘These are the laws’ -but ohypanv vktu - “And these are thelaws.” The midrash reports that this “and”emphasizes the relationship of this part ofthe Torah to what came before. These legaldetails are meant to enhance and completethe moment of Sinaitic revelation. Thisjuxtaposition indicates that the Torahallocates the highest importance to notonly the transcendent Sinai-typeexperience but also to every day halakha,to the laws of the daily grind. How is thisto be explained?

STAbILITYHow do you preserve a moment like

the Revelation on Sinai? At a moment ofecstatic transcendence, of mass prophecy,the idea of law could perhaps seem stiflingand suffocating. As people celebratedaround the mountain, elated in themoment, they may well have thought lessof the specifics of the law. It was the timeof the spiritual not the material; the poet,not of the lawyer.

The spirit, however, dissipates withoutsomething to receive it. Without structure,it cannot be sustained and runs the risk ofbeing misdirected and abused. This is oneunderstanding of the sin of the GoldenCalf. In the desire to preserve and extendthe ecstatic moment of revelation, butwithout the proper framework or focus, thepeople misdirected its spiritual energy andspent it on a profound theological crime.

According to Ramban, the reason thatthe people were commanded to build theMishkan immediately after receiving theTorah was so that it could serve as a kindof receptacle to preserve the Sinaitic

moment. The Ark held the tablets, which inturn was held by the Kodesh Kadahshim,which in turn was held by the rest of theMishkan. There had to be a real structureto preserve and sustain the moment ofrevelation.

The halakha fulfills exactly the samefunction. In all of its detail, its specificity,it actually preserves and sustains theecstasy of revolution and stops the spiritfrom evaporating into thin air.

This is reflected very clearly in theopening of the Shulhan Arukh whichbegins with an inspirational exhortation:

,sucgk reucc sungk hrtf rcd,hrjav rrugn tuv tvha wutruc

One should strengthen oneself like alion to arise in the morning to serve theCreator, to wake up the dawn.

but this seems like a tall order, andcertainly difficult to sustain. Ramaimmediately adds a gloss that makes therequirement somewhat more manageable: ihkkp,n rucmva vkp,v inz rjth tk p”fguIn any case, do not pray later than the timethe community prays.

It would be wonderful if we wereforever at the foot of Sinai, with thestrength of a lion. but we know that thiscannot be. At the very least, we shouldpray in the proper time. The halakhaallows us to preserve inspiration andexaltedness even as we take part in oureveryday lives with all of their distractions.

RELIGIOUS CHARACTERIt is said that it’s the thought that

counts. To some extent, this is also theposition of the Jewish tradition. We place agreat emphasis on kavanah, on the properintention behind our mitzvot. And indeed,for Rambam at least, the highest goal thatwe can hope to achieve is to be able to trainourselves sufficiently that we cancontemplate God in a deep way on apermanent basis, to be permanentlyinfatuated with the Divine.

The Jewish tradition, however, alsorecognizes that human beings do notfunction only on the basis of purelyabstract thought. We come to be who weare through our actions. Our personalities,our attitudes, our entire approach to life,are not formed on the basis of intellectualdecision alone, but arise out of thousandsof small acts, interactions andrelationships. Our personality may makeus act in a certain way. but first, our

actions form our personality.This is the meaning of Rabenu bahya

Ibn Pakuda who famously wrote in hisHovot Ha-Levavot:

,ucckv ohfanb ,ukugpv hrjtHearts are drawn after actions

This is why for Rambam, it is better togive one dollar to charity a hundred timesthan to give a hundred dollars just once.This may sound surprising - isn’t the neteffect the same, or even better, if theamount is given as a lump sum? Indeedgiven the structure of philanthropicorganizations today, Rambam’sinstructions may no longer hold. but thelesson behind his halakha is as applicableas it ever was. Repeated giving is more


SPring tiMe leArning At KJ

Crash Course in basic Judaismwith rabbi elie Weinstock

Tuesdays at 7:00 pmJune 18, 25

hebrew ii with Sara rosen

Wednesdays at 6:30 pmStarting March 28

explorations in hebrew readingwith Sara rosen

Wednesdays at 7:30 pmStarting March 28

Master the Mishnahwith Rabbi Yitz Motechin

Wednesdays, 7:00 pm

Jewish law Made easywith Rabbbi Yitz Motechin

Wednesdays, 8:00 pm

timeless lessons:Prophets and Personalities

with rabbi yossi WeiserThursdays at 7:00 pm

Studies in the Weekly Portionwith rabbi yossi Weiser

Thursdays at 8:00 pm

continued from page 1“And These are the Laws…”



q Please duplicate last year’s listing(s)Offering $__________ for _______ people. Please add the following:

fULL NAME IN ENGLISH (PLEASE PRINT)OffERINGName_________________________________ $ ______________Name_________________________________ $ ______________Name_________________________________ $ ______________Name_________________________________ $ ______________

YOUR NAME ____________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________________

PHONE__________________________________________________

q Please check here if you did not have a listing last year.*This offering is a token of reverence and is designed to be within reach of all.We suggest a contribution of $18 or more for each name.

This form should be returned to our office by friday, May 11.

2 0 12 - 2 0 13 Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun book of RemembranceOnce again during the spring, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun will publish a bOOK Of REMEMbRANCE in which the names of departed

dear ones are recorded by their living relatives who recite Yizkor for them four times a year. At the Yizkor service there is a prayer which says thatan offering has been made in memory of those for whom Yizkor was recited. Members of the congregation and the community-at-large mayauthorize us to publish the names of their departed relatives by making a token contribution of $18 or more for each name to be memorialized.Please use the form below if you wish us to record names for you.

The book will go to press on friday, May 11, so that it will be ready in time for Shavuot.Enclosed please find my Yizkor offering* for the entire year in memory of those listed below, who are to be recorded in the KJ bOOK Of

REMEMbRANCE published by the congregation.

worthy because it forms character. Aftergiving a dollar a hundred times, givingbecomes second nature. Action creates aninternal change.

This is true of halakha in general. It isall very well simply telling someone tothink about God, to be a good person. buthow is that goal to be achieved? Thesecret is in constant action.

Rav Kook puts it so beautifully: vnabv lu,hn ov ohrcsn ohagnv

Actions speak from within the soul.There is, in fact, no contradiction

between the practical halakha andthe world of the spirit, betweenMount Sinai and ‘And these arethe laws.’ They go hand in hand.

DUTYfor the past several centuries,

Western civilization has placedenormous emphasis on theimportance of subjective desire.The romantics believed that the right pathof action had to come from within, fromwhat they called an internally generatedauthenticity. The Kantians believed thatmorality had to derive from a free andautonomous moral will. from each ofthese roots emerged the strong idea thatwhat we do has to come from our ownconvictions, not from any external source.

This is an important way to thinkabout the world. And many Jewishthinkers have sympathies with thisattitude. It is, after all, very important thatwe feel ourselves to be in synch with theTorah, and that we bring our own unique

expressions and hopes and dreams to ourpractice of Judaism.

Ultimately, however, absolutelyfundamental to Judaism is the idea ofcuhj, of obligation.

The Talmud teaches in bava Kamma38a:vaugu vuumn ubta hnn vaugu vuumnv kusd

One who is commanded and acts isgreater than one who is not commandedand acts.

This conflicts with our initialintuition. We would perhaps expect that

one who acted voluntarily rather than inorder to fulfill a command was doing thebetter thing. but upon reflection werealize the wisdom of this statementbecause we recognize the importance ofduty. Can a society be sustained based onan attitude only of personal self-fulfillment? What happens on the dayswhen we do not feel enough personalenthusiasm to get us to leave the house tovolunteer in a hospital, to donate ourmoney to the poor, or to come early toshul? Personal desire is important, but itis not enough. The halakhic system isbuilt to inculcate within us the sense of

duty. It is no surprise that “mitzvah”means “command.’”

Hayyim Nahman bialik was one ofthe greatest modern Hebrew writers. Hegrew up in a religious household andstudied at the Volozhin Yeshiva beforeturning in a different direction anddevoting himself to the zionistmovement. He had a very ambivalentrelationship with religious Judaism. Andyet, he still recognized the power ofobligation. He wrote a very famous essaycalled Halakha Ve-Aggadah, in which he

wrote:“A kind

of voluntaryJudaism isb e i n gc r e a t e d .People callout in thename ofnationalism,

rebirth, literature, art, Hebrew education,Hebrew thought, Hebrew labor. All thesethings hang by the hair of some love: loveof the land, love of the language, love ofliterature.”

bialik loved all these things -nationalism, literature etc. He essentiallydedicated his entire life to them. And yet,he maintained, it is not enough. He goeson, with a play on words:

‘There is love [vchj - hiba.]. butwhere is the obligation [vcuj - hova]?Where does it come from? Upon whatdoes it draw?… Internal yearning, good

How do you preservea moment like the

Revelation on Sinai?

Continued on page 10



will… all this is good and useful [only]when it leads to action… Come, give usmitzvot!’

The spirit of the law is central to theJewish tradition. The Jewish tradition isformed around mitzvot not because wedon’t care about the life of the spirit, butbecause we care about it more thananything. The Torah says that God choseAbraham so that he would tell hisdescendents - us - that they should:

ypanu vesm ,uagk w’v lrs urnauGuard the path of the Lord, to do

righteousness and justice. but spirit alone is not enough. If only

we could be at the foot of Sinai on apermanent basis! but alas, we cannot. Sowe seek to preserve that Sinaitic moment,and we do it through halakha. Halakha isthe vessel that holds the outpouring of thespirit. It sustains the revelatory moment. Ithelps us to form a personality that is godlyas second nature. And it inculcates withinus a sense of duty that lies at the basis ofevery moral society.

March 28 Rabbi Elie WeinstockApril 4, 11 Pesach BreakApril 18 Israel MaxApril 25 TbDMay 2 Janie SchwalbeMay 9 Dr. Gilbert N. Kahn

May 16 Dr. Gilbert N. KahnMay 23 Kim SchneidermanMay 30 Israel MaxJune 6 Surie SugarmanJune 13 Rabbi Elie Weinstock

roSe AnD Dr. ChArleS lAngerlunCh & leArn ProgrAM

lunch & learn Schedule

These programs will take place at the Ramaz Lower School125 East 85th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues

The Rose and Dr. Charles Langer Lunch and Learn Program for seniors is hostedby Donna Silverman. The free program for seniors is made possible by an endowmentcreated by the buchwald, Edelsburg and Stern families.

DuS hAiMiSChe Shtiebel: the yiDDiSh SChMoozerS

Wednesdays at 11:30 AM

Wednesdays at 12:00 noon

continued from page 9

reCent Men’S Club ProgrAMMing

Whether it is a film screening, a Kiddush discussion, a Chug Ivri, or an installment of the Jews in Latin America series, the KJ Men’s Club offersprogramming with a very broad appeal. Below are photos from some of the more recent Men’s Club programs: a Musical Salon, featuring an arrayof talented musicians -- and a celebration of the the Jews of Azerbaijan, which gave attendees a first-hand appreciation and understanding ofJewish life in that far-off country.

At the Musical Salon: From left: Men’s Club President Dr. Mark Meirowitz,Musical Coordinator Bonnie Dietrich, Emily Hodges (flutist), Lianne Aharony(soprano), Dr. Robert April (pianist), Betsy DiFelice (pianist).

Children of the Kavkaz JYC Jewish Dance Group

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador

Attentive participants.

“And These are the Laws…”


If there is one message I would like foryou to take away from this briefaddress, it’s that if I can do bikur

Cholim on a regular basis, so can you.In some ways bikur Cholim is the most

difficult thing I do. but in other ways it’sthe easiest. It is always the mostrewarding. I’ve been to Memorial SloanKettering dozens of times over the last tenyears and have visited hundreds ofpatients. There has never been a time whenI haven’t felt some sense of dread walkingup to the hospital entrance on Shabbatmorning - because one sees all kinds ofthings there. Yet there has never been atime when I didn’t feel good about what Ihad done. In fact, there has never been atime when I didn’t feel great about what Ihad done.

In the brief time we have, I would liketo cover three points. first, I will providebackground about the mitzvah of bikurCholim. Second, I will describe the KJprogram. finally, I will describe the impactof our program on patients, on those of uswho participate, and on the community atlarge.

I. background on the MitzvahThere is no specific verse in the Torah

commanding us to visit the sick. Rambamcites the obligation to do bikur Cholim,along with obligations such as HachnasatOrchim and comforting mourners, aslogical outgrowths of the commandment inVayikra (19:18), “Love your neighbor asyourself.”

These directives are held to imply thatwhatever you would like other people todo for you, such as visiting you when you

are sick, you should do for other people.The Rabbis also understood another

verse from Devarim(13:5) - “You shallfollow after the LordYour God” -- asmandating that, to theextent possible, weemulate God’s actionsand attributes. (TalmudSota 14A). Theexample offered inrelation to visiting thesick is God’sappearance to Abrahamshortly after his britmilah -- the first documented instance ofbikur Cholim.

The Talmud goes on to state thatwhoever visits the sick causes the sickperson to live. (Nedarim 40A).

II. The KJ Programfor more than 30 years, KJ has had a

bikur Cholim program at Memorial SloanKettering, the world’s oldest and largestprivate cancer center. When a patient isadmitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering, heor she can check a box identifying his orher religion. On Thursday and friday,volunteers determine which patients wishto be visited on Shabbat. Only those whorequest a visit are actually visited. Twovolunteers visit every Shabbat, either earlyin the morning or in the afternoon. Wereceive a list of patients who haverequested visits, usually between ten andfifteen each week. Each of us goes onceevery five or six weeks; some may gomore often.

III. ImpactLet me describe the impact of the

program on (i) patients, (ii) the personconducting the visit, and (iii) thecommunity.

The Ramban specifies that thosevisiting the sick should strive to do threethings: (i) provide tangible assistance, (ii)pray for the ill person, and (iii) comforthim or her. That is exactly what we do.We first provide tangible assistance. Webring a bottle of grape juice. We offer the

patient food from downstairs in thevolunteer office. We offer to make the

patient’s lifeeasier in atangible way.

Second, wepray for thepatient -- we offerto make aM i s h e b e r a c h .I’ve never had aninstance in whicha patient didn’tappreciate theb l e s s i n g ,regardless of his

or her level of observance. If a patientdoes not know his or her name in Hebrew,I use the English name. There are twopatients to a room at Memorial, and I’vehad instances in which I’ve given aMisheberach to one patient and the otherpatient in the room who, for whateverreason, is not on my list says, “Hey, I wantone too.”

finally, we try to comfort the patient.Unless we comfort the person who is sick,there is no point in making the visit.

I usually try to conduct my visits asunobtrusively as possible, and to be guidedby what the patient wants. One has to becareful entering the patient’s room.Hospital patients constantly have theirprivacy invaded by doctors, by nurses andby others who walk in unannounced. Thedoctors and nurses need to do their work aswell, so we have to stay out of the way. Itis empowering for patients to controlaccess to their hospital rooms. I alwaysask whether I can come in and make ablessing.

Depending on the state of the patient Ithen try to engage him or her inconversation. The key is to keepeverything simple: ask a few simplequestions to try to get a conversation goingif that’s what the patient wants. I oftenstart by asking, “How are you feeling?Where are you from?” Patients are oftenvery eager to tell stories about their lives.There may be pictures of the patient’sfamily on the wall. If so, I ask questions


bikur Cholim at KJThe seventh of Adar is both the birth date

and yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. Traditionally,it is the day set aside to honor the members ofthe Chevrah Kadisha, and by extension allthose who labor on behalf of the community aschesed volunteers.

This year’s speaker, KJ Treasurer JonathanWagner, presented the following impassioned --and by design, implicit -- plea for more peopleto volunteer for this important and and noblecalling.

If this article moves you to become a BikurCholim volunteer, please contact KJAdministrator Riva Alper at [email protected]

Comtinued on page 12


about the family. Often the patient willshow me other family pictures. Some haveno family; they just want someone to talkto.

One subject I almost never talk about isthe patient’s illness. That’s because I don’twant to pry, and also because one shouldtry to make the patient feel as normal aspossible. I also try to make the patientlaugh. If you make a patient laugh, he orshe may feel relief, even for a moment.

Surprisingly, although we are visitingcancer patients, the visits are often quitecheerful. Not always, but more than onemight expect.

We may spend a considerable amountof time getting prepared to go into a room.Some patients cannot be visited unless onewears a gown, a mask and gloves. It maytake a while to put on everything. We maythen spend only a couple of minutes withthe patient because the patient is unable tohave a longer visit. but that’s ok. Even afew moments with a patient is priceless.

When we visit patients at Memorial,

we have an impact not only on the patients,but also on ourselves. As I noted earlier,there is never a time when I haven’t feltgood about my visits. The visits make meappreciate my own health and the health ofothers in my family. The visits also helpput my own life in perspective.

We read in Parshat Terumah,“Vayikchu li terumah” - Take for me aterumah, or a donation. (Shemot 25:2)Why does the pasuk not read, “Vayitnu literumah” - Give me a donation? RavShlomo breuer explained that, wheneverwe give, whenever we do any chesed, weare actually taking - we are doing more foroneself than for the recipient. What onegives is temporary. On the other hand, theperson who gives does somethingbeneficial long-term to his or her identity.So the person who gives is really taking insome sense more than he is giving - in avery positive way.

finally, the bikur Cholim program hasan important impact on the community. KJhas very good relations with the SloanKettering administration. Our name is

respected at the hospital. We are called onto do all kinds of things there.

Another important point in this respect:Cancer does not discriminate between

Reform or Orthodox or agnostic Jews;cancer is an equal opportunity disease.bikur Cholim is one of the best things wecan do to show solidarity with and to helpother Jews. We see Hasidim. We see Jewswho don’t even know their Hebrew name.We see converts. We see Russianimmigrants who can’t speak English. butwe treat them all with the same care andrespect they deserve.

To sum up, a visit brings the patient asense of comfort that cannot be duplicatedin any other way. And seeing the patientswill make you appreciate what you have inlife. finally, bikur Cholim brings uscloser to Jews in dire need. To me, bikurCholim is KJ at its very best.



PJ At KJ CelebrAteS ChAnuKAh!

The PJ Library initiative at KJ currently has over 250 neighborhood familiesenrolled and receiving monthly books with Jewish themes. The project, acollaboration between the Harold Grinspoon foundation of Massachusetts

and our community, strives to promote Jewish literacy by sending out children’sbooks. In addition, “PJ at KJ” works to engage unaffiliated neighborhood familiesthrough “beyond the book” programming like the Chanukah party, Sunday StoryHour, and Pajama Havadalah events.

for more information, contact Rabbi Elie Weinstock at [email protected] or seewww.pjlibrary.org/ny/kj.

CLAsses wiTh CoNGReGATioNAL

sChoLAR GiLAh KLeTeNiK

basic Judaism: living and learningtowards a Meaningful Jewish life

A unique blend of the practical and the abstract,Jewish law and philosophy. Through closeconsideration of text, conversation andreflection, participants will come to appreciatetheir Judaism on a whole new level. Perfect forindividuals seeking an introduction to Judaismand conversion candidates, the course is alsoideal for those wishing to bring deeper meaningto their everyday Judaism.

Chai Mitzvah: A Celebration of faithWas the last time you celebrated being Jewishwhen you were 12 or 13? Turn a milestonebirthday into a uniquely Jewish lifetime event.Through Chai Mitzvah you will have theopportunity to increase your Judaic knowledge,deepen your existing practices, and engage in thesocial action of your choice. Participants attendmonthly classes, and the experience willculminate in a community-wide celebration.

For more information please contact the synagogueoffice at 212-774-5678.


about the family. Often the patient willshow me other family pictures. Some haveno family; they just want someone to talkto.

One subject I almost never talk about isthe patient’s illness. That’s because I don’twant to pry, and also because one shouldtry to make the patient feel as normal aspossible. I also try to make the patientlaugh. If you make a patient laugh, he orshe may feel relief, even for a moment.

Surprisingly, although we are visitingcancer patients, the visits are often quitecheerful. Not always, but more than onemight expect.

We may spend a considerable amountof time getting prepared to go into a room.Some patients cannot be visited unless onewears a gown, a mask and gloves. It maytake a while to put on everything. We maythen spend only a couple of minutes withthe patient because the patient is unable tohave a longer visit. But that’s ok. Even afew moments with a patient is priceless.

When we visit patients at Memorial,

we have an impact not only on the patients,but also on ourselves. As I noted earlier,there is never a time when I haven’t feltgood about my visits. The visits make meappreciate my own health and the health ofothers in my family. The visits also helpput my own life in perspective.

We read in Parshat Terumah,“Vayikchu li terumah” - Take for me aterumah, or a donation. (Shemot 25:2)Why does the pasuk not read, “Vayitnu literumah” - Give me a donation? RavShlomo Breuer explained that, wheneverwe give, whenever we do any chesed, weare actually taking - we are doing more foroneself than for the recipient. What onegives is temporary. On the other hand, theperson who gives does somethingbeneficial long-term to his or her identity.So the person who gives is really taking insome sense more than he is giving - in avery positive way.

Finally, the Bikur Cholim program hasan important impact on the community. KJhas very good relations with the SloanKettering administration. Our name is

respected at the hospital. We are called onto do all kinds of things there.

Another important point in this respect:Cancer does not discriminate between

Reform or Orthodox or agnostic Jews;cancer is an equal opportunity disease.Bikur Cholim is one of the best things wecan do to show solidarity with and to helpother Jews. We see Hasidim. We see Jewswho don’t even know their Hebrew name.We see converts. We see Russianimmigrants who can’t speak English. Butwe treat them all with the same care andrespect they deserve.

To sum up, a visit brings the patient asense of comfort that cannot be duplicatedin any other way. And seeing the patientswill make you appreciate what you have inlife. Finally, Bikur Cholim brings uscloser to Jews in dire need. To me, BikurCholim is KJ at its very best.



PJ AT KJ CELEBRATES CHANUKAH!

The PJ Library initiative at KJ currently has over 250 neighborhood familiesenrolled and receiving monthly books with Jewish themes. The project, acollaboration between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Massachusetts

and our community, strives to promote Jewish literacy by sending out children’sbooks. In addition, “PJ at KJ” works to engage unaffiliated neighborhood familiesthrough “Beyond the Book” programming like the Chanukah party, Sunday StoryHour, and Pajama Havadalah events.

For more information, contact Rabbi Elie Weinstock at [email protected] or seewww.pjlibrary.org/ny/kj.

CLASSES WITH CONGREGATIONAL

SCHOLAR GILAH KLETENIK

Basic Judaism: Living and LearningTowards a Meaningful Jewish Life

A unique blend of the practical and the abstract,Jewish law and philosophy. Through closeconsideration of text, conversation andreflection, participants will come to appreciatetheir Judaism on a whole new level. Perfect forindividuals seeking an introduction to Judaismand conversion candidates, the course is alsoideal for those wishing to bring deeper meaningto their everyday Judaism.

Chai Mitzvah: A Celebration of FaithWas the last time you celebrated being Jewishwhen you were 12 or 13? Turn a milestonebirthday into a uniquely Jewish lifetime event.Through Chai Mitzvah you will have theopportunity to increase your Judaic knowledge,deepen your existing practices, and engage in thesocial action of your choice. Participants attendmonthly classes, and the experience willculminate in a community-wide celebration.

For more information please contact the synagogueoffice at 212-774-5678.


The following question recentlyappeared on my YU pastoralpsychology exam.

A married man with a wife sufferingfrom severe MS comes to you for help. Hewas in a troubled marriage for 25 yearsbefore his wife’s diagnosis. She now facesthe prospect of a deteriorating illness thatwill require a considerable amount ofsupport from her husband. Three monthsago, he met a woman while attending asupport group for those who are caring fora chronically ill spouse. He is now havingan affair with this woman and is thinkingof leaving his wife. How do you advisehim?

It was a trick question. A rabbishouldn’t advise him one way or the other.It’s not his place. He should listen, andempathize, and guide him. but heshouldn’t tell him what to do.

The point of the question was to drivethe point home that we shouldn’t bepresumptuous enough to think that asrabbis, we have all the answers, especiallywhen there is no right answer.

With Passover drawing nigh, let usexamine God’s hardening of Pharaoh’sheart.

What kind of God is so eager to crusha nation, devour their land, plague theiranimals, and slay their firstborn that evenwhen Pharaoh relents and gives in toMoshe’s demand, God hardens Pharaoh’sheart and refuses to allow his submissionto shine through?

How do we cope with such a God whocauses needless devastation and suffering?

Initially, I was going to present theanswers given by the classiccommentators.

for instance, the Midrash Rabbahpoints out that Pharaoh actually hardenedhis own heart and only after five plagues isit said that God actively hardened his heart.The Ramban and Sforno suggest thathardening Pharaoh’s heart is actuallyGod’s effort to restore Pharaoh’s free will.Had God only sent the plagues, Pharaoh’ssubmission would have been deemedcoercive. God was balancing the scales of

free will, so to speak.but then I realized something. I

realized that I’d fallen into the trap of mypastoral psych exam. The question at handwas more than just a textual question ofHebrew predicates and tenses and it wasmore than just a theological question oftheodicy and free will.

The question cries out as a pastoralquestion so deep and fundamental that itdefines our human condition: how do weexperience suffering? How do we come togrips with the fact that the suffering in theworld-whether its ours or our enemies-seems so senseless and unjust?

The only answer… is that there is noanswer. We can’t rely on the Rabbis toexplain why the past happened as it did,just as we can’t rely on them to make onour behalf the hard decisions we currentlyface.

framed this way, it seems to me in mylimited understanding of the midrash andRamban, that their explanations wereapologetic rationalizations that simplyweren’t enough to satisfy the soul.

but if there’s no answer to why Goddid what He did, where does that leave us?

A colleague of mine, D’ror Gould,pointed me to the prophet Habkuk.

My colleague commented that nearlyevery prophet in the Hebrew bible sticksto a consistent chorus of blaming the Jewsfor their suffering, chastising them torepent, and, all the while, praising God forbeing just and fair. but not Habkuk.Habkuk takes it to God: “How long, OLord, shall I cry out and You not listen?Shall I shout to You “violence!” and Younot see? … The villain hedges in the justman- therefore judgment emergesdeformed!” (Hab 1:2-4). Habkuk knowsthat God is supposed to be just and fair andbenevolent, but all he sees is violencearound him. Habkuk doesn’t blame theJewish people. Habkuk doesn’t apologizefor God or explain away His deeds. As mycolleague put it, the prophet Habkuk holdsa mirror to God and asks of God to dobetter. He names injustice, he namessuffering, and he says to God, this is not

your best work. The Yiddish poet Aaron zeitlin speaks

to the God of Habkuk in his post-Holocaust poem “Praise Me”

Praise me, says God, and I will knowthat you love Me.

Condemn me, says God, and I willknow that you love Me.

Praise or condemn Me, and I will knowthat you love Me….

But if you sit fenced off in your apathy,says God,

If you sit entrenched in, “I don’t give ahang,” says God,

If you look at the stars and yawn,If you see suffering and don’t cry out,If you don’t praise and you don’t

condemn,Then I created you in vain, says God.by not answering for God, both

Habkuk and zeitlin give us a space wherewe can be angry at God, disappointed atGod, upset, hurt, and confused. And in thiscathartic space, I believe we also serveGod.

I’m drawn to the God of Habkuk, whoinvites voices of righteous indignation andmoral anger. A God who, yes hardenedPharaoh’s heart, but doesn’t need excuses,a God who instead welcomes our inquiriesinto the universe, be it the infinitesimallysmall quantum quarks of physics or theinfinitely incomprehensible Divinequalities. God wants us to be inquisitiveand challenging and thoughtful, and even abit disappointed. for it is the thoughtfuland respectful inquiries that separate usfrom the rest of God’s creation, and it is thefrustrated inability to grasp God’s plan thatmakes us more humble, and human.

unDerStAnDing goD -- With the helP of hAbKuK

by Avi Moshe Miller, Rabbinic Intern

Avi Miller, our Rabbinic Intern, is a third yearsemicha student at Yeshiva University. A WexnerGraduate Fellow, he is also pursuing an M.A. inPhilosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center and anM.A. in Talmud at the Bernard Revel GraduateSchool.



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JEWISH LEARNING INSTITUTE AT KJ

SHAVUOTAND

TIKUN LEYL

SATUrDAY NIgHT, MAY 26Evening services at 7:55 p.m.

Candlelighting after 8:58 p.m.

Shavuot Dinner at 9:15 p.m.

Opening Class at 11:30 p.m.

followed by All-night Learning

and Sunrise Minyan at 5:00 a.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 27Morning Services at 9:00 a.m.

Evening Services at 6:40 p.m.

Early Yom Tov Sheini:

Preparations, Candlelighting,

and Kiddush after 6:43 p.m.

but before 8:16 p.m.

regular Candlelighting

after 8:59 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 28Morning Services at 9:00 a.m.

with Keter Awards Ceremony

Evening Services at 8:10 p.m.

Yom Tov ends at 9:00 p.m.

KJ bEGINNERS PRESENTS

friDAy night liVegueSt SPeAKer: rAbbi ben tzion KrASniAnSKi

ChAbAD of the uPPer eASt SiDe“From Moses Until Moses, There was None Like Moses:

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Do not forget them.

Join us at Bnei Akiva’s Yom HaZikaron ProgramPaying homage to the thousands of IDF servicemen and

women who fell defending the Jewish homeland April 24th, 7:15 pmHeyman Auditorium125 East 85th Street

rufz


uPCoMing youth

DePArtMent ACtiVitieS

May 5 - Youth ShabbatonMay 6 - Youth Softball League

(“KJSL”) Opening DayMay 13 - KJSLMay 20 - KJSLMay 26 - Shavuot LearningJune 3 - KJSLJune 10 - KJSLJune 17 - KJSL “World Series”June 23 - final Shabbat Groups

ShAbbAt At KJ

young PeoPle’S MinyAn

Heyman AuditoriumApril 21, May 12, June 9

9:15 a.m

hAShKAMA MinyAn

Gottesman Center beit MidrashApril 21, May 5 & 9,

June 2 & 16, July 7 & 21,August 4 & 18

7:15 a.m.

WoMen’S tefilAh grouP

June 29:15 a.m.

leArnerS SerViCe

Every Shabbat9:30 a.m.

interMeDiAte SerViCe


SePhArDiC MinyAn


three MoDern MiKVAhS

are located in our community at:

the Jacques & hannahSchwalbe Mikvah419 East 77th Street

(between 1st and York Avenues)Telephone: 212-359-2020

the rennert Mikvahat the 5th Avenue Synagogue

5 East 62nd Street (just off 5th Avenue)

Telephone: 212 753 6058

and

the West Side Mikvah234 West 74th Street

(between broadway andWest End Avenue)

Telephone: 212-579-2011

iSrAel ACtion

Check out “ Artzeinu”The Weekly Israel News Update

http://artzeinu.org

edited by fellowKJ members Joshua Glatt,

Jonathan Hornblass, Dan Ottensoser and

Erica Schwartz.

This site provides easy accessto numerous news sources andvideos, and is well organized

by general topic.


uJA at KJ Packs it up for Purim

On Sunday morning, february26th, the Gottesman Center’sfalk Auditorim was buzzing

with children and parents as our “UJAat KJ” community came together tocreate food packagesand make fleeceblankets. Over 70people from the KJcommunity cametogether to participate ina community-wide effortto provide foodpackages for the neediest NewYorkers.

These healthy food items weredelivered by the Metropolitan Councilon Jewish Poverty to needy NewYorkers, and some of the packageswere distributed by the KJ food pantry.Met Council, a UJA-federation of NYbeneficiary agency, is one of NewYork’s largest human service agencies,providing 100,000 New Yorkers withcritical services in their fight againstpoverty each year. Services rangefrom domestic violence counseling tokosher food pantries to career training,

and Met Council helps individuals findimmediate relief and lasting solutions.Together, parents and children packedeach bag of food, which included rice,pasta and cereal, cans of vegetables,

beans, fruit,and tuna, fruitjuice, granolabars andpeanut butter,

a l o n gw i t hrecipec a r d sw i t hhealthy and innovative ideas for usingthese products, and a hand-made cardfrom one of the KJ kids.

In addition to packing 72 bags offood, we made 30 fleece blankets forchildren being helped by the Jewishboard of family and Children’sServices. Many of the children whoreceived our blankets do not have apermanent home and have very few

personal possessions, so we have giventhem a gift of a special blanket thatthey can call their own and take withthem wherever they go. The blanketswere beautiful and will be enjoyed for

many years to come!This wonderful

event was madepossible thanks to theevent chairs, SarahAbitbol, Rebecca feit,Abby Kaufthal, NicoleMeyer and Alissa

Shams. for those who would like toparticipate in our next opportunity,please contact the “UJA at KJ” chairs:

Erica Schwartz can be contacted [email protected] and SaraShemia can be contacted [email protected] programming suggestions withour UJA-federation liaison SarahRaphaely at [email protected].

We hope to see you at the “UJA atKJ” Annual Reception taking place onMay 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the home ofMonique and Andrew Rechtschaffen.


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One of the highlights of this year's KJ Purim Carnival was a televisedhamantaschen eating contest with professionals vying against the community fora chance to win free, round-trip tickets to Israel, courtesy of El-Al airline.Featured in the center photo, left to right: Will "The Champ" Millender,professional eater and winner of the EL AL Israel Airlines National HamantaschenEating Championship, with second-place amateur winner, Rabbi Elie Weinstock.


BNEI MITZVAHKEHILATH JESHURUN bULLETIN Page 17

SAM freiliChMazal Tov to Drs. Stephanie and Jonathanfreilich upon the bar Mitzvah of their son, Sam, on Shabbat Parashat Emor, May 12, atCongregation Shearith Israel. Sam will readParashat Emor and the Haftarah. Sam willperform his Hanachat Tefillin at the Kotel onApril 5 and will deliver a D’var Torah onEzekiel’s vision of the dry bones on April 10,Chol Hamoed Pesach, at a celebration inJerusalem. Sam is a seventh grade student atthe Ramaz Middle School.

nAoMi freiliChMazal Tov to Drs. Stephanie and Jonathanfreilich upon the bat Mitzvah of theirdaughter, Naomi, on Shabbat Parashat Emor,May 12, at Congregation Shearith Israel.Naomi will deliver a D’var Torah on what itmeans for her to be a bat Levi. At acelebration in Jerusalem on April 10, Naomiwill read a Haftarah from the book of Ezekiel.Naomi is a sixth grade student in the RamazMiddle School.

MArley StorChMazal Tov to Jody and Ari Storch upon thebat Mitzvah of their daughter, Marley, onShabbat, May 5, at the Ramaz Upper School.She will lead a Mincha service and read fromthe Torah at a Women’s Tefillah, and presenta D’var Torah on the theme of Kedusha(holiness). Marley is in the sixth grade at theRamaz Middle School.

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JonAthAn bettingerMazal Tov to Nava and Dan bettinger uponthe bar Mitzvah of their son, Jonathan, onJune 9 at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, atwhich time he will read Parashat behalotchaand the related Haftarah. On August 23Jonathan will read the Torah at the Kotel anddeliver a D’var Torah. Jonathan is a seventhgrade student in the Ramaz Middle School.

JoShuA AAron gruenSteinMazal Tov to Nicole and David Gruensteinupon the bar Mitzvah of their son, Joshua, onMay 19 at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun(at the Ramaz Upper School). Joshua willread Parashat behar-bechukotai and deliver aD’var Torah on “The Individual andCommunal Responsibility.” Joshua is in theseventh grade at the Horace Mann School.

the rAMAz SChool: honoring trADition, eMPoWering the future.

To purchase this glorious and groundbreaking book, issued tocommemorate the school’s 75th anniversary, and telling thestory of Ramaz from its very beginning in 1937, pleasecontact [email protected] or call 212-774-8055. full color,120 pages, with a foreword by Elie Wiesel.

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W I T H I N O U R fA M I LYbirthSMazal Tov to:

Norma Nussbaum bruckner and Dr.Howard bruckner upon the birth of theirninth grandchild, a daughter born to theirchildren Amanda and David Laifer.

Caryl and Israel Englander upon the birth ofa grandson, Julian Pesach Levin, born to theirchildren, Dr. Laura and Daniel Levin.

Linda and Charles fisch upon the birth of agrandson, Azriel zevulin, born to theirchildren zipporah and Michael Neuman ofbaltimore. Azriel is their fourth grandchild.

Dr. Sarah and Rocky fishman upon thebirth of their fourth child and seconddaughter, Elizabeth (Ellie) Sienna.

Martine and Leo fox upon the birth of agrandson, Scott Adam, born to their children,Talia and Abraham Shulman.

Rosie and Mark friedman upon the birth ofa grandson, Asher, born to their children,Ariela and Rabbi Jeremy fine of Woodmere.

Gabriella and David fridman upon the birthof their first child and son, Morrie Abraham.Mazal Tov as well to both sets of proud KJgrandparents, Anne & Natalio fridman andGwendolyn francis.

Virginie and Andre Ghighi upon the birth oftheir second child and first son, Max Aaron.

Sarah and Josh Glatt upon the birth of theirthird child and second son, benjaminAlexander.

Aviva Preminger and David Hiltzik uponthe birth of their third child and seconddaughter, Phoebe Lilah.

Terry and Michael Jaspan upon the birth ofa granddaughter, Naava Aliza, born to theirchildren Steven and Hila Jaspan.

Evelyn and Gregory Katz, upon the birth ofa granddaughter, Ella Sofia, the first childborn to their children, Jamie and Philip Katz.Mazal Tov, as well, to proud KJ great-grandfather, Joseph Katz.

Irene and Martin Kofman upon the birth ofa granddaughter, Tanya Micole, born to theirchildren Jordana and Kalman Schoor ofModi’in, Israel.

Kim and Jonathan Kushner upon the birthof their third child and first daughter, RafaelaSally. Mazal tov as well to the proud KJgrandparents, Lee and Murray Kushner.

Tzivia and Shilo Kramer upon the birth oftheir fourth child, and son. Mazal tov as wellto the proud KJ grandparents, ziva and RabbiAvraham Kramer.

Jackie Leifert upon the birth of agranddaughter, Aderet Chaya, born to herchildren Michal and Rabbi Aryeh Leifert, inIsrael.

Jessica and Andrew Levinson upon thebirth of twin girls, Charlotte and Sabrina,their first children. Mazal tov as well to theproud KJ grandparents, Lynne and Joshuafishman.

Sandy and Dr. Norman Magid upon thebirth of their second sabra grandson, Ezrabinyamin, born to their children Alyssa andEli Magid in Tel Aviv.

Janet and Jared Mann upon the birth of theirsecond child and first daughter, Alexa Grace.Mazal tov as well to the proud KJgrandparents, Audrey and Jesse Rubin.

Perla and Dr. Julio Messer upon the birth ofa granddaughter, Alessandra Ita, born to theirchildren, Caroline and Marcelo Messer.

Carey and Jonathan Miller upon the birth oftheir third child and second daughter, Shirafrancesca.

Samantha and Lee Podolsky upon the birthof their third child and second son, Simon.Mazal tov as well to the proud KJgrandparents Sharon and Jay Podolsky.

Lauren and Sam Rascoff upon the birth oftheir second child and first daughter, RoselleJasper.

Meredith and Michael Rishty upon the birthof their first child, Joel Michael. Mazal Tov toproud KJ grandparents Perri and Akiba Stern.

Marci and Joshua Schopf upon the birth oftheir first child, a daughter, Shana Anne.

Julie and Jonathan Schwartz upon the birthof their third child and second daughter,Stella Rae. Mazal Tov as well to the proud KJgrandparents, Esther and Jonathan Messeloff.

Dr. Phyllis and Mark Speiser upon the birthof their third grandchild, Gavriel Reuven,born to their children, Eva and David Speiserof Jerusalem.

Dr. Carrie and Ilan Stern upon the birth oftheir first child and son, Emanuel Solomon.Mazal Tov to proud KJ grandparents Perriand Akiba Stern.

Tali and Adam Tantleff upon the birth oftheir second child and first son, Ariel Jacob.

Ilana and Aaron Wallenstein upon the birthof their third child and second son, NateSamuel.

Maeira and Michel Werthenschlag upon thebirth of their third child and first daughter,Genevieve Hannah. Mazal Tov as well to theproud KJ grandparents, Cheryl and fredHalpern.

May these children grow up in the finesttradition of Torah, chupah, and maasimtovim.

engAgeMentSMazal Tov to:

Jerry balsam upon his engagement toHenchy Enden.

Ruth and Ray brenner upon theengagement of their son, KJ Member Adambrenner, to Arielle Anhalt, daughter ofMatilda and Marvin Anhalt of Englewood.

Hollace and Steven Cohen on theengagement of their daughter, Lauren Cecily,to Noah Adam Doyle, son of Dr. Alan andSaralyn Doyle of Commack, NY.

Ann and Jonathan Dachs upon theengagement of their daughter, Nina, to Joshberger, son of Nini and Steve berger, ofTeaneck.

Judy and Dr. Marty Grumet, upon theengagement of their son, Avi to LeahGreenstein, daughter of Sylvia and Dr. StuartGreenstein of Teaneck.

Judy & David Lobel and Laurie & Dr. Elibryk, upon the engagement of their children,Caroline Lobel and Jordan bryk. Mazal Tovas well to the proud KJ grandmother of thebride, Esther Lobel.

Pamela and George Rohr upon theengagement of their daughter, Rebecca, to Dr.Harry Ritter, son of Roberta Ritter andMinton Ritter of Malibu, California. MazalTov as well to the proud KJ grandmother ofthe bride, Helen Nash.

bonnie and Isaac Pollak, upon theengagement of their daughter, Elianna, toChaim Mitnick, son of Myrna and Ron

Mitnick of baltimore.Nechi Shudofsky on the engagement of her

grandson, Ariel Chesner, to Efrat Knissbacherin Israel.

Dr. Phyllis and Mark Speiser upon theengagement of their son, Jonathan, to TaliRasooly, daughter of Drs. Rebekah andAvraham Rasooly of Silver Spring, MD, andgranddaughter of KJ members Dr. fred andLeila zuckerman.

May their weddings take place inhappiness and blessing.

MArriAgeSMazal tov to:

Marylene and Alan friedman upon themarriage in beit Shemesh of their son Marc(Moshe), to Shalvie Gordon, daughter ofHadine and Andrew Gordon of Ramat beitShemesh, recent olim from Johannesburg.

Terry and Michael Jaspan upon themarriage of their daughter, Nicole, to MarkoSardar, son of Adina and Raymond Sardar ofbrooklyn.

Ruth and Gerald Kestenbaum, upon themarriage of their daughter, Jesse Rose, toJoseph Scherban, son of Mazi Scherban andthe late Ronald Scherban of Woodbridge,Connecticut.

Sandy and Dr. Norman Magid, upon themarriage in Jerusalem of their son, Raffi, toShoshana Winter, daughter of Ann andNaftali Winter of Toronto.

Ralou and Ronald Stern, upon theupcoming marriage of their son, DavidSamuel, to Haley Rothman, daughter of Annand Gary Rothman of Atlantic beach.

Dorothy and Andrew Tananbaum upon themarriage of their daughter, zoe, to Jonbernstein, son of Dorothy Rotholz andGerald bernstein of Montreal.

May the newlywed couples be blessed tobuild homes faithful to the traditions of theJewish people.

CoMMunAl honorSCongratulations to:Judith and Harry ballan, who were guests

of honor at SAR’s Annual Dinner. Audrey and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, upon

being honored at the Columbia/barnard HillelSeixas Award Dinner.

ProfeSSionAl AChieVeMentSCongratulations to:Jacki bryk, daughter of Laurie and Dr. Elibryk, for her achievements in the world ofbroadcast journalism. for more information,http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/spring12/around_the_quads5

Daniel C. Javitt, M. D., Ph. D., son of Sueand Dr. Norman Javitt, upon receiving theStanley Dean Award for Research inSchizophrenia at the annual meeting of theAmerican College of Psychiatrists.

Emil Kleinhaus, upon becoming a partner atthe law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen &Katz.

Samuel Nunberg, upon his appointment asdirector of the Legal Project, the Middle Eastforum’s initiative to defend the free speechrights of authors and activists discussingIslam and related topics. The Middle Eastforum is headed by Daniel Pipes.

Sandra Rapoport, whose book, Biblical



neAl boyArSKyHe was the sweetest guy. Everyone whoknew him loved him. Immaculate in hisappearance, he was the best personalrepresentative of the quality of fabricwhich he sold to an admiring public.

He was very proud of his threechildren: Nicole, Jonathan and Joshua andtheir education in Ramaz. He wasespecially proud of his grandchildren whoare in our school. He saw his children andgrandchildren as representatives of thecontinuity of a tradition from which hecame and which he passed on to twogenerations.

A loving husband to Shirley, and avery generous man to his friends and to KJand Ramaz, he was the essence of agentleman in appearance, in conduct andin menschlichkeit. He both lovedeveryone and was beloved by everyone.

elizAbeth MullerElizabeth Muller was a member of thecongregation for many years, togetherwith her late husband, Dr. AlexanderMuller. They were regular worshipers inour Main Synagogue.

The Mullers came to us fromWashington Heights from which they senttheir two children, Peter and bernard, toRamaz from the beginning of elementaryschool right through high school. Mrs.Muller was very proud of the educationher sons received in our school.

A highly cultured and well-informedwoman, she loved art and music and shewas an ardent zionist, proud of her role asa Jew and a lover of Israel.

neil rAnellSNeil marched to the beat of his own drum.He sold his wares out of a used hearse and

a used ambulance. He was a belovedpersonality in our community.

He was extraordinarily proud of thefact that four of his six children received aRamaz education from kindergartenthrough twelfth grade and that two of themare living in Israel. He was proud ofanother daughter who was educated atManhattan Day School, and one daughterwho also received the best Jewisheducation she could possibly receive.

Neil was a regular worshiper in ourshul, sitting in the last row in modesty andhumility while loving every minute of hispresence in our Main Sanctuary. He wasalways ready to help in any communalneed, including, on one occasion, comingto the cemetery with shovel in hand tomake sure that a member of ourcongregation would have a proper burialon a federal holiday. We send ourcondolences to his dear wife, Hannah, andto the rest of the family.

SuSAn SASlAWSusan came to KJ because she loved itsservices and classes, and she merited totruly experience friendship in the homesof its members. She returned their warmthwith her own extraordinarily genuine andheartfelt friendship. One beautifulexample: she spent months knitting onbehalf of a couple expecting a baby, givingthem a gift that said so much about herown loving dedication. When she became ill, KJ’s rabbis heardfrom her coworkers of the love with whichshe described KJ, its leaders and herfriends. That love was returned by herfriends at KJ, who devotedly visited andhelped care for her. She tragically passedaway much too soon, but will be warmlyremembered and missed by all thoseprivileged to know her.

In Memoriamfor information about the

weekly status

of the Manhattan Eruv

Call the eruV hotline

212-874-6100, ext. 452

(Recorded Message)

212-769-4400

PlAzA JeWiSh CoMMunity ChAPel

Andrew Fier, Director

Amsterdam Avenue and 91st Street

SERVICES AVAILAbLE IN fLORIDA

1-800-227-3974

KJ SYNAGOGUEMEMBERSHIP:

BE A PART Of THE JEWISH PEOPLE

Contact synagogueexecutive DirectorLeonard silvermanat 212-774-5680 or

[email protected]

Seductions: Six Stories Retold Based onTalmud and Midrash, was a Jewish bookCouncil 2011 National Jewish bookAwards finalist.

ConDolenCeSOur condolences to:

Ellen baumgarten, upon the passing ofher father, Samuel Anikstein.

barry best, upon the passing of hisfather, Michael best.

fred Distenfeld, upon the passing of hisfather, Joseph Distenfeld.

beth Goldman, upon the passing of herfather, Jacob Goldman.

Morry Gerber, upon the passing of hismother, Anne Gerber.

Dr. Ronald Klein, upon the passing of hismother, Margaret Klein.

Edward Lukashok, upon the passing ofhis mother, Muriel Lukashok.

David Mark, upon the passing of hisfather, Norman Mark.

Evelyn Rochlin, upon the passing of herbrother, Sheldon Rudoff.

Leonard Solinsky, upon the passing ofhis brother, Joseph Solinsky.

Dorothy Trencher, upon the passing ofher sister, Mildred Goldstein.

Kathy Edersheim Tuckman, upon thepassing of her father, Hans SamuelEdersheim.

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



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ShAbbAt SCheDule

friday SaturdayLighting Evening Afternoon Sabbathof Candles Services Services Ends

March23-24 Vayikra - haHodesh 6:53 PM 6:45 PM 6:50 PM 7:48 PM30-31 Tzav/HaGadol 7:01 PM 6:45 PM 6:30 PM 7:55 PM

April20-21 Shemini 7:23 PM 6:45 PM 7:15 PM 8:20 PM27-28 Tazria-Metzora 7:30 PM 6:45 PM 7:25 PM 8:28 PM

May4-5 Aharei Mot-Kedoshim 7:37 PM 6:45 PM 7:30 PM 8:35 PM11-12 Emor 7:44 PM 6:45 PM 7:40 PM 8:43 PM18-19 behar/behukotai 7:50 PM 6:45 PM 7:45 PM 8:51 PM25-26 bamidbar 7:57 PM 6:45 PM 7:55 PM Shavuot

June1-2 Naso 8:02 PM 6:45 PM 7:55 PM 9:04 PM8-9 behaalotekha 8:07 PM 6:45 PM 8:00 PM 9:09 PM15-16 Shelah 8:10 PM 6:45 PM 8:05 PM 9:13 PM22-23 Korah 8:12 PM 6:45 PM 8:05 PM 9:15 PM29-30 Hukkat 8:13 PM 6:45 PM 8:05 PM 9:15 PM

July6-7 balak 8:12 PM 6:45 PM 8:05 PM 9:13 PM13-14 Pinhas 8:09 PM 6:45 PM 8:00 PM 9:10 PM20-21 Mattot-Masei 8:05 PM 6:45 PM 8:00 PM 9:04 PM27-28 Devarim 7:59 PM 6:45 PM 2:30 PM 8:57 PM

SCheDule of SerViCeSWeekday mornings…………..7:30 AM Sunday mornings……………..8:30 AMMondays and Thursdays……..7:15 AM Rosh Chodesh Weekdays…….7:00 AM

Sabbath mornings…………….9:00 AMeVening SerViCeS

DAteS to reMeMber

friday-Saturday, April 6-14Passover (See schedule on page 5)Sunday, April 22Rosh Chodesh IyarMorning Services at 8:30 AMMonday, April 23Rosh Chodesh IyarMorning Services at 7:00 AMWednesday, April 25Yom Hazikaronthursday, April 26 Yom Ha’AtzmautMorning Services at 6:50 AM

thursday, May 10Lag b’OmerSunday, May 20Yom YerushalayimMorning Services at 8:30 AMtuesday, May 22Rosh Chodesh SivanMorning Services at 7:00 AMSunday-Monday, May 27-28Shavuot (see schedule on page 14)Wednesday-thursday, June 20-21Rosh Chodesh TammuzMorning Services at 7:00 AM

Wednesday, July 4Morning Services at 8:30 AMSunday, July 8fast of 17th of Tammuzfast begins 4:21 AMMorning services at 8:30 AMAfternoon services at 8:00 PMfast ends 9:10 PMSaturday-Sunday, July 28-29fast of Tisha b’Av begins 8:16 PMMorning services at 8:30 AMAfternoon services at 7:45 PMfast ends 8:53 PM

March 25-June 14..............6:45 PM June 17-July12 ..................6:50 PM July 15-August 30 .............6:45 PM

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KEHILATH JESHURUN bULLETINCongregation Kehilath Jeshurun

125 East 85th Street, New York, NY 10028212-774-5600

Synagogue officialsDr. Haskel Lookstein . . . . . . . . . . . .RabbiMeir Soloveichik . . . . . . .Associate RabbiElimelech Weinstock . . . .Associate RabbiAlexander Kaye . . . . . . . .Assistant Rabbi Gilah Kletenik . . .Congregational ScholarAvi Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rabbinic InternMayer Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CantorLeonard Silverman . . .Executive Director

officers of the CongregationEric feldstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PresidentSurie Sugarman . . . . . . . . . .Vice PresidentRobert Kurzweil . . . . .2nd Vice PresidentElias buchwald . . . . . . .3rd Vice PresidentDavid Lobel . . . . . . . . .4th Vice PresidentMorris Massel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SecretaryJonathan Wagner . . . . . . . . . . . .TreasurerJoel Katz . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant TreasurerDeena Shiff . . . . . . . .Financial Secretary

Past Presidentsbenjamin brown fred Distenfeld

Chaim EdelsteinSamuel Eisenstat Stanley Gurewitsch

Affiliate PresidentsRina Kestenbaum . . . . . .Pres. Sisterhoodbonnie Silvera . . . . . . . . .Pres. SisterhoodElisa Septee Lunzer . . . . .Pres. SisterhoodDr. Mark Meirowitz . . . .Pres. Men’s ClubGabriella fridman . . . . . . . . .Pres. KesherShirley Serure . . . . . . . . . . . .Pres. KesherYaira Singer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pres. Kesher

office StaffRiva Alper . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AdministratorRudy Arjune . . . . . . . . . . . .SuperintendentEffy braun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Youth DirectorDina farhi . . . . . . . . . . .Executive AssistantHattie Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . .ComptrollerRivka Gansburg . ..Outreach AdministratorArona Schneider . . . . . . . . .Office ManagerKim Schneiderman . . . . . . . .Social Worker

Non-Profitu.S. PoStAge PAiD

NEW YORK, N.Y.PERMIT NO. 2200

KehilAth JeShurun bulletinCongregation Kehilath Jeshurun

125 East 85th StreetNew York, NY 10028-0928

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In preparing the Bulletin, we welcome all KJ members’ announcements of communal, academicand professional achievements. Please e-mail [email protected] or mail news to the synagogue,

marked “ATTN: KJ bulletin”



Documents

PASSoVer ShAVuot KehilAth JeShurun b ulletin · as visiting scholars and guest speakers. Among our noteworthy alumni, we have heard from Rabbi Dr. David flatto, the Honorable Michael