Mazal Tov!

Tzivya & Moshe Gelbtuch and big brother Josh, on the birth of a baby boy. Special mazal tov to grandparents Dasha & Benny Gelbtuch and Nancy & Charles Block and the entire Gelbtuch and Block families. The community is invited to a Shalom Zachar this Friday night at 7:30 PM in the social hall. Emily & Adam Hanau on the birth of a baby boy. The community is invited to a Shalom Zachar this Friday night at 8:00 PM in the board room. Jennifer Peters on her recent engagement to Jonathan Taub. Mazal tov to parents Susan & Dr. Robert Taub, sister and brother-in-law Aimee & jonathan Brandler, nephew Jacob and nieces Molly & Julie and the entire family. Racheli & Meir Zelkowitz on the bar mitzvah of their son Yoni. Mazal Tov to siblings, Tali, Eitan, Gavi, and Mikey as well as grandparents Esther Luftglass and Richard & Leah Zelkowitz as well as great aunt and uncle Esther & Ted Treitel. The Zelkowits’s invite the entire shul to a Kiddush

following davening. Kiddush Korner: Want t o Sponsor a Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit? For rates & other details, contact the office or visit: www.rjconline.org/sponsor_kiddush

Seudah Shishit Seudah Shlishit this week is sponsored by Mina & Howard Millendorf in memory of Mina’s beloved sister, Sharon Horowitz, z”l, on her 43rd yahrzeit, and by Maxine Thau in commemoration of the 30th yahrzeit of her husband, Dr. Edwin C. Thau, z”l. Both Mina and Brian will be sharing words about their respective loved ones. Seudah Shlishit will take place in the board room.

Mikvah Hours: Keilim Mikvah is open during daylight hours. *Fri night: 40 min after candle lighting. No appointment needed, but please be on time. *Saturday-Thursday: 8:00-10:00pm Reminder: We currently have only two shower preparation rooms available. Please prepare at home as much as possible. There is limited parking in the back. For further updates, call 718-549-8336. Infertility & Pregnancy Loss Support Groups Support groups for women addressing infertility and pregnancy loss continue to meet on the 2nd Monday (Infertility Group, at 7 PM) and 3rd Monday (Pregnancy Loss Group, at 8 PM) of each month. For further details, please see bulletin.

Kol Nidrei Appeal Our Kol Nidrei Appeal continues to be a huge success. Thank you to all who have participated. The appeal has raised nearly $367,000 so far. If you would like to make a contribution please contact the office. Yoetzet Committee Evening for Women Jan 14th - Motzei Shabbat in RJC Social Hall 8 PM The Yoetzet committee presents an evening for women, “A Window Into Marriage: Perspectives on Intimacy” featuring Rachel Hercman, LCSW and Julia Baruch, RJC Yoetzet Halacha. Register at www.rjconline.org/intimacy. Sponsorships available. Ask the Exec! Members of the Executive Committee look forward to addressing your questions and concerns. Please stop by the main sanctuary for 10 minutes following the 8:45 AM minyan and one of our Executive Committee members will be happy to speak with you. Thank you To all who participated in the FFN Wine IQ event this past Saturday night. Please see page 6 for a list of sponsors. Youth Groups for Shabbat Only Tot Shabbat, Pre-K & K-1 groups will meet this Shabbat. Thank you to our CSS Security Team! To inquire about volunteering, contact rjc@thecss.org.

Adult Ed Opportunities and Programming *NEW Weekly Shiur with Rabbi Eliezer Sher* -

Sunday mornings in the Board Room at 7:30 AM. Breakfast will be served.

Dirshu Daily Mishna Brurah Shiur (1 page/day). Sun-Thurs, 9 - 9:30 PM, in the RJC Beit Midrash. Next exam will be January 15th at 8:30 PM. Can’t attend in person? Access it live by dialing in! For details and info on English apps & pod-casts, visit:

www.rjconline.org/dirshu Please see page 4 for information for our annual

siyum mishnayot Next Movie Night - Jan 7th at 7:30 PM-Mekonen;

The Journey of an African Jew Daily Learning: Daf Yomi - will meet in the Beit

Medrash this week- page 4 for details Weekly Halacha & Aggadah Shiur with Rabbi

Ruben Gober Thursday at *8 PM Looking for a study partner, chavrusa or cha-

bura? For more information, suggestions or to get involved, please email the committee at RJCa-dulted@gmail.com.

Condolences: Esther Bacharach on the loss of her mother, Edith Lustig, z’l. Trina Cleeman on the loss of her husband, Paul Cleeman, z”l. Robbie Marcus on the loss of his mother, Phyllis Marcus, z”l.

A special Thank you from the coordinator of the blood drive: Many thanks to all the donors who came out to donate blood on Sunday, Dec 11. Your service was invaluable. As always, many thanks to the entire office and maintenance staff. We greatly appreciate the RJC for hosting this event.

Membership Renewal Applications for 2017 membership are now available. We are excited to an-nounce new AMUD commitment levels for 2017. Please see page 3 and check the lucite boxes for the application. As we rapidly approach the end of the year, we kindly ask all of our mitpal-lelim to settle their accounts and redeem pledges made during this year. If your company or employer has a charitable donation matching program, remember to use it when making donations to the RJC (RJC is tax-exempt under section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code). Thank you for your continued support as our Shul works diligently to meet its fiscal de-mands.

וישב 

Havdala

December 23 - 30, 2016 -- א׳ בטבת  - כ״ד בכסלו  5777 December 24, 2016

24 Kislev - 1 Tevet 5:14 PM

PARSHAT

Candle LightingRJC BULLETIN

4:14 PM

December 23, 2016

Friday - Mincha 4:24 PM

Shacharit 7:00 / 8:00 / 8:45 / 9:00 AM

Latest Shema 9:36 AM

Daf Yomi (Baba Metzia 89): 3:05 PM

Shiur Masechet Berachot 3:20 PM

Mincha 12:18 / 4:05 PM

Seudah Shlishit 4:25 PM

Ma'ariv 5:09 PM

Sunday (Chanukah: 2 Candles ) 6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30 / 9:00 AM

Monday (Chanukah: 3 Candles ) 6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30 / 9:00 AM

Tuesday (Chanukah: 4 Candles ) 6:00 / 6:40 / 7:45 AM

Wednesday (Chanukah: 5 Candles ) 6:00 / 6:40 / 7:45 AM

Thursday (Chanukah: 6 Candles ) 6:00 / 6:40 / 7:45 AM

Friday (Rosh Chodesh Tevet ) 5:45 / 6:35 / 7:35 AM

Sunday Mincha Gedolah 12:45 PM

Mincha/Ma'ariv S-Th: 4:20 PM

Late Ma'ariv Sun - Thur: 9:30 PM

Candle Lighting 4:19 PM

Friday - Mincha 3:00 / 4:29 PM

Shacharit 7:00 / 8:00 / 8:45 / 9:00 AM

Latest Shema 9:39 AM

Daf Yomi (Baba Metzia 96): 3:10 PM

Shiur 3:25 PM

Mincha 12:22 / 4:10 PMSeudah Shlishit 4:30 PM

Ma'ariv 5:15 PM

Havdala 5:20 PM*subject to change

This Shabbat: Parshat  וישב

Services

December 30 - 31, 2016 -  ב׳ בטבת

December 23 - 24, 2016 -  כ״ד בכסלו

Next Shabbat*: Parshat  מקץ

Weekday Schedule

2016 Annual Review Dear Members, In several days we will be lighting the Chanukah candles, reminding us that Jewish unity is paramount in the face of adversity. Over the years, our community has not lived up to those high standards of unity to which we all should aspire. We acknowledge that our membership has been put through difficult times and that, collectively, we did not always make the best choices. We need to work together to restore the RJC to its appropriate stature in the Jewish community. As we prepare to engage the community in an intensive rabbinic search process led by Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future, we write this letter to address the community about those matters which we have completed and the goals we wish to accomplish. Just before this administration was voted in, the RJC changed its governance by spreading the President’s power among the Executive Committee. We have organized committees to be run by professionals in their fields. Examples of this are the house, finance, and personnel committees. We are currently drafting an employee handbook and setting standards to vet all new hires. We have adopted a policy of financial transparency and we will ensure that our bank accounts are regularly overseen by an accounting firm. Our leadership is entrusted to ensure that every cent of monies donated to the RJC is spent appropriately. This includes minimizing waste by improving our daily operations and investing in our lighting and heating/air conditioning systems in order to reduce our energy usage. Since being elected to serve, we have been striving to create a suitable environment for communal healing. This process is a difficult one and requires all members of RJC, including those preceding 2015, to take an introspective view of themselves. We have initiated open Town Hall meetings so that each individual has an opportunity to express his or her views openly on communal matters. We are deeply saddened and disturbed that in the last 18 months people with differing opinions were humiliated or berated by others. Even where strong disagreements exist, it is inappropriate to insult, berate, or humiliate. This is particularly relevant to the abhorrent online comments which were made about members of our community. Similarly, the rhetoric that is still being employed throughout the community and beyond, must come to an end. Our youth require positive role models and an environment that is healthy and safe, both psychologically and physically. We are working to create appropriate policies within the RJC and have already instituted background checks for anyone employed by the RJC. We hold all employees and those serving in any capacity, as well as our general membership, to the same standards of conduct that reflect the ethical foundations of our synagogue. We are investing considerable time and resources to ensure the continuation of our greater mission of religious observance, spiritual growth and community building. We have expanded our adult education and youth programming so that each individual can further develop his or her Torah knowledge and observance in the hope the community will grow spiritually as a whole. We must continue to support the RJC Fund for the Needy, to ensure that every member of the community has access to essential resources, such as food, housing, and medical care. Likewise, we remain committed to making sure that each child can obtain a Jewish education. Of course, we must continue the RJC’s long tradition of supporting the State of Israel and standing by her in her time of need. Our success in accomplishing our goals will be greater if we work together. An exciting era dawns on us as we look towards our shared future. May we go ֵמַחִיל ֶאל ָחִיל - from strength to strength. The RJC Executive Committee

https://www.rjconline.org/renew-membership.html

Riverdale Jewish Center for Learning

Appreciating the Blessings We Have; Rabbi Gober Shiur

Continues! Featuring: Rabbi Ruben Gober

When: Thursday Nights @ 8:00 PM Where: RJC Beit Midrash

Men & Women of all ages are welcome! Refreshments will be served!

Rabbi Gober’s interactive class meets 8 PM every Thursday, and explores the meaning of the Shema through its laws as presented in the Talmud and Rambam. December 22nd at 8PM: Rabbi Gober will teach a special class for Chanukah December 29th: Rabbi Gober’s class will not meet January 5th: Class will resume with themes from the Shema.

Dirshu One Page of Mishna Brurah a day. Join our 9 PM class Sunday to Thursday, listen to a podcast,or just open the Sefer. Men and women are welcome to join any time. The next test will be 8:30 PM Sunday, January 15th, Mishnah Brurah - Siman 176 to 184:5. Our Sages (Chazal) teach us that one wh studies law (Halachos) daily is assured a portion in the world to come (Olam Haba). Talmud Niddah 73A

Shabbat Hashkamah Shiur - 10:30 AM A big thank you to Rabbi Charles Sheer for teaching his popular Parsha class on Shab-bat after the Hashkama minyan for the past several weeks. This week, Parshat Vayeishiv, 12/24, Dr. Walter Herzberg will be filling in. The topic is “Understanding Prof. Nechama Leibowitz’s Approach to Studying Torah with Traditional Jewish Com-mentaries through an Analysis of the Joseph Story.”

Next Movie Night Thank you to everyone who came to the last movie night. It was a great success. Saturday, January 7th at 7:30 PM Movie Night continues with Mekonen: The Journey of an African Jew.

Annual Siyum Mishnayot Once again the RJC will hold it’s annual Siyum Mishanyot in memory of Moshe Rabeinu to conclude on Zayin Adar, Sunday, March 5th. Click here for the link:

http://www.lzechernishmas.com/signup.php?id=5656 Thank you to Donald Liss for his efforts in spearheading and coordinating this event.

Special Erev Chanukah SML: Sunday Morning Learning Join us the first morning of Chanukah for parent child learning with PRIZES for everyone! Sensational Sunday Meets SNL—Sunday, Dec 25th at 10AM in the Beit Medrash. At the same time a separate event: Jeff Kronisch will teach a Tanach shiur about the holiday of Chanukah for adults. Men and women of all ages are welcome.

“...Make the words of Your Torah sweet in our mouths and in the mouths of Your people...so that we, our children and grandchil-dren...may know Your name and study your Torah…” - Blessing over the Torah

Classes at the RJC 7 days a week - Daf Yomi after the 6AM

minyan Mon — Fri. Shabbat: 1 hour before mincha. Sunday: After the 6:45 AM minyan.

5 days a week –Mon through Fri 7:30AM to 745AM, Mishna Brachot in the Beit Midrash.

5 days a week Dirshu - 9PM, Sunday through Thursday. One page of Mishna Brurah per day in the Beit Midrash. If you cannot make it, call in number is 712-775-7031, Access code: 575653615#.

Classes that meet once a week Sunday: 7:30 AM - Rabbi Eliezer Sher– In

depth Halacha shiur in the board room. Breakfast will be served.

Tuesday: 12:30 PM—Ladies learning Touch of Class– meets in the board room.

Tuesday: 2:15 PM: Gentlemen’s Kollel in the Beit Midrash

Tuesday: 8:00 PM: Parsha class in the Beit Midrash.

Thursday: 8:00 PM: Rabbi Gober’s shiur Shabbat: Post 7:00 AM chabura in the

board room given by Rabbi Drelich. Shabbat: Post 10:30 AM– Post hashkamah

shiur by Rabbi Sheer in the Hashkamah room.

Shabbat: 45 minutes before mincha– Gemara Brachot in the Board Room

Career advisement? Job Networking?

Please contact Howard Millendorf, 718-796-5850 , Howmill@corp.idt.net. Job opening, AML Operations Manager (payments, compliance, operations). GOOGLE-Call Howard for Info.

Riverdale Jewish Center for Programming

Refuah Shelaima Besha Chaya Bat Rachel, Malka Bat Braina, Shoshana bas Zeesil, Edith bas Zeesil, Pinchas ben Raizel, Golda bat Hinda, Leora Miriam bat Chana Elisheva, Chaya Dena Chaviva bas Shoshana, Yocheved Sarah Bas Fruma Faiga, Malka Bat Chana, Miriam Leah Bat Bracha Sheindel, Hinda bat Rivka, Yaakov Ben Ruth, Shalom Yitzchak ben Pesha, Devora bat Shayna Beyla, Nechama Yehudit Tzviya bat Chaya, Shalom Yechezkel ben Kayla Chana, Peretz Yisroel ben Batya Kayla,Yechezkel Chaim ben Masha Zissel, Avraham Daniel ben Devora Tova, Toba bat Esther Faiga, Tesha Chana bat Chasuna Miriam, Zippa Chana bat Rachel Reya, Shneur Yechezkel ben Chaya Feiga, Yosef ben Genia, Gila bat Francis, Tziporah bat Gila, Miriam Golda bat Ruchel, Yisroel ben Yonah, Beila Ruchel bat Miriam, Elisheva Malka bas Sarah Miriam, Simcha Chaim ben Ben Ariella Tamar, Shifra bat Bayla Perel, Shoshana Malka bat Chaya Zelda, Chaya Zelda bat Masha, Yehoshua Tzvi ben Hinda, Meir Yitzchak ha Cohen ben Pesil, Iliana bat Gitel, Gitel bat Miriam, Haddassah Hinda bas Baila, David Zalman haKohen ben Dina, Ronen Paz ben Rafa'ela Penina, Chaya Malka Esther bat Tzipporah, Shlomo Eliezer ben Yisroel Halevi, Chana Rachel bat Rivka Alya, Moshe ben Nachmo, Miryam Beruriah bat Etta Raizel, Amichai Meir ben Rotem, Etty bat Machlya.

“Raise Your Wine IQ” the FFN fundraiser last Saturday night gave us all a happy buzz. Thank you to all the people who attended as well as the following families who sponsored the event: Tamar & Tzvi Bar-David, Brenda & Yair Ben-Zaken, Emily Blum & Leon Metzger, Gail & Men-achem Danishevsky, Barbara Gochberg & Steven Pretsfeder, Rivka & Elliot Falk,Faith & Hary Feder, Joyce & Nachi Friedman, Shoshana & Rabbi Yitzi Genack, Adina & Tod Haller, Bryna & Josh Landes, Marcella & Robbie Marcus, Mina & Howard Milendorf, Seryl Ritter & Buddie Skydell, Elizabeth Holland & Rabbi Gidon Rothstein, Han-nah & Jonathan Shapiro, Liora & Michael Stein, Betty & Fred Sugarman, Susan & David Tessel, Lilly & David Weisz, Susanne & Michael Wimpfheimer.

Thank you to all those who helped plan, set up and clean up!

If you had not yet had an opportunity to contrib-ute to this important community tzedakah, you can still do so in 2016, and continue to contrib-ute throughout the year.

RJC Connections

RJC Connections is dedicated to bringing people together in our community. Whether it’s making a visit or helping with a trip to the grocery store, our Volunteer Connectors are eager to brighten the day and lighten the load for fellow community members. RJC Con-nections seeks to facilitate opportunities that link those in our com-munity who need an extra pair of hands or a friendly face with those who are looking to provide that assistance. If you are interest-ed in getting involved, or if you are looking for Connector assis-tance, please contact Joyce Friedman at rjcconnections@gmail.com.

Coping with Conception: A Men’s Group for Dealing with Infertility Issues

Monthly Meetings, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM On the first Wednesday of each month, all men in the community are welcome to participate in this support group for deal-ing with infertility issues. The group, co-facilitated by Rabbi Steven Exler and Dr. Josh Altman, Ph.D, LCSW, will meet at the Beatman Center (521 W 239th St). RSVP is requested (or for more information) - Rav Steven (ravsteven@thebayit.org) or Dr. Altman (joshaltmantherapy@gmail.com).

Riverdale Jewish Center for Support

Gemach of Riverdale - Interest Free Loan Program The Gemach of Riverdale provides interest-free loans to families and indi-viduals in our community who find themselves with unexpected shortfalls or short term capital needs. Our simple, discreet application process ensures confidentiality and quick decision timeframes. If you know of anyone in our community who needs help, or if you need help yourself, the Gemach of Riverdale is here. Please contact Rabbi Moshe Drelich for a confidential consultation at 917-408-3035 or gemachofriverdale@gmail.com. Shatnez Checking — Yisroel M. Kenner will be checking shatnez on Tues-day nights from 7-9pm at the Young Israel of Riverdale (Upstairs). Please confirm beforehand (or to find out further details), by contacting Rabbi Kenner at ymkenner@gmail.com. Gan Miriam Early Learning Center 2016-2017 Registration Gan Miriam is a wonderful early education program for ages 2-5. We will begin our observation and registration period on Monday, November 14th. Please call 718-543-2553 or email ganrjc@gmail.com to set up an ap-pointment now! Space is limited! Check out our website at www.ganmiriam.com. Gan Miriam Early Learning Center Please join us for an evening of food, friends, and magical illusion at the RJC, as the Gan presents the 2017 Melaveh Malka on Jan 28 at 7:15 PM. Elliot Zimet, master illusionist, (www.elliotzimet.com) will be performing, direct from Vegas. Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks included for $36 per per-son. Raffle tickets are on sale. Please call or email for more information or to RSVP, 718-543-2553., ganrjc@gmail.com. Gan Miriam Early Learning Center Mommy and Me Gan Miriam is looking forward to Mommy and Me for the spring. 12 ses-sions from Wed, Feb 1 to Wed, May 17 9:15-10:45 AM. Children must be walking. Cost is $360. Please call or email for more information or to regis-ter, 718-543-2553. ganrjc@gmail.com. Riverdale K Grille House Dec 24th Come to the Riverdale K Grille House the 1st night of Hanukah-this Satur-day night, Dec 24th , 8 PM—11 PM for an intimate evening with Pey Dalid! $10 cover charge, advance reservations recommended @ The Riverdale K Grille House, 5693 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, 718-708-7939 or 7940

Family Fun Day at The Riverdale Y Dec 25th Come celebrate the first day of Chanukah at our annual Family Fun Day, December 25. Watch Zootopia and Secret Life of Pets in our theater, jump in our bounce-house, do a Chanukah art project, work out in the gym or go for a swim (don’t forget your swim cap). The Y will be open from 8 AM to 4 PM with activities for all ages from 10 AM to 2 PM. Chanukah lunch will be available for purchase. A suggested donation of $20 per family helps provide scholarships for families in need. Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Dec 29th Join the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and Executive Producer Nancy Spiel-berg for a screening of her award winning new film “On The Map.” On December 29, the Bayit invites your family to celebrate Chanukah with ours. Screening will be followed by a Q&A with Nancy Spielberg. Chanu-kah candle lighting will be at 7:30 PM, film will begin at 7:45 PM promptly. Cost: Adult-$10 online/$15 at the door, Child (18 & younger) $5. Register @ www.thebayit.org/film<http://www.thebayit.org/film> Ma’ayanot Day of Big Ideas Jan 2nd The entire community is invited to attend Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School’s Day of Big Ideas on Monday, Jan 2nd, 9:30 am— 12:30 pm, at Ma’ayanot (1650 Palisade Avenue, Teaneck). The program will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Leah Knapp (Clinical Psychologist & Ma’ayanot Teacher) on the topic Lonely Man of Faith: Opportunities and Limitations in the Quest to Connect. The keynote will be followed by additional lectures by Ma’ayanot faculty on advanced topics in the liberal arts and sciences. Men and women are welcome. For more information please contact Chana Stiefel at 201-833-4307, ext. 244 TABC Annual Dinner Jan 12th The TABC Annual Dinner will take place on January 12th. Please join us as we pay tribute to the Guests of Honor, Gail & Terry Novetsky; Communit Service Awardees, Rachelle and Howard Friendman; Faculty Recognition Honoree, Deniera Goldenberg, and Rabbi Benjamin Skydell ’95 who is re-ceiving the Alumni Tribute Award. For more information and to donate, please visit www.tabc.org/dinner.

Welcome to the Community! If you are new to the community, please let the welcoming committee know at RJCWelcome@gmail.com or through the RJC website. To sign up for emails

from the young couples minyan, email emilyhanau@gmail.com. Aviva Cohen & Sheri Rotenberg, Co-Chairs RJC Welcoming Committee.

Daf Yomi (Hashkama Room) After 1st minyan, Sun-Fri. One hour before late Shabbat mincha R’ Sher Shiur (Board Room) Sunday after 6:45 am minyan The Gentlemen’s Kollel (Beit Midrash) Tuesday, 2:15 pm A Touch of Class (Social Hall) Tuesday, 12:30 pm With the Rabbinic Team Parsha Shiur (Beit Midrash) Tuesday 8:00 pm

Shabbat Post Hashkama Shiur - R’ Sheer After 8 AM Minyan in Hashkama Room Shabbat Chaburah with R’ Drelich Post 7 AM until 9:15 in Board Rm Gemara Brachot (BM) & Daf Yomi (Board Rm) One hour before Shabbat Mincha Navigating the Siddur & Chumash Michal (Marilyn) Selber; contact for details: symph7th@gmail.com / 347-275-8801

***Classes are open to all and will meet in the Beit Midrash unless otherwise noted.***

Connect with us! Weekly Classes at the RJC Rabbi Yitzi Genack, Acting Rabbi genack@gmail.com, 718.548.1850 ext.131 Emergencies: 201.220.8865

Julia Baruch, Yoetzet Halacha riverdaleyoetzet@gmail.com, 646.598.9226

Shimon Craimer, Chazzan shimcraimer@gmail.com Phone: 646.326.8256 Adin and Chaya Rayman, Youth Directors rjcyouthdirectors@gmail.com

Hezzy Jesin, Executive Director execdir@rjconline.org, 718.548.1850 x113

Phone: 718.548.1850 info@rjconline.org www.rjconline.org

Riverdale Jewish Center 3700 Independence Avenue,

Bronx, NY 10463