In these tragic and scary times we stand with all those victimized by senseless hatred and fanaticism, at home, in Israel, and abroad. We pray for safety, healing, and peace.
We wish a Mazal Tov to our friends, Dr. Shoshana & William Yagoda, upon the birth, Brit, and naming of their son, Amichai Yehuda. Mazal Tov to big siblings Ezra and Leora, as well as to uncle Brian.
Immediately following Musical Havdala, Rabbi Bellino will play guitar for the Kommunity Kinder. Children and their parents are invited to attend.
Torah Readers: We are looking for men who can prepare to read at Shabbat Mincha (and possibly at Shacharit during the week as well) throughout the year. A schedule of readers is being maintained. If you can commit to any dates, please contact Rabbi Bellino. We are grateful to Elie Yudewitz who will read this week. The next available Mincha leining is on February 3rd (the afternoon reading is MIshpatim). We are looking for women to prepare aliyot for a Women’s Torah Reading in the near future. Rabbi Bellino is happy to help anyone learn how to read Torah to prepare a reading.
Please continue to assist our weekday morning Minyan. Consider increasing your commitment to community and synagogue by attending.
Our plentiful and delicious Kiddushes on Sixth Street greatly enhance our synagogue and community. To sponsor or to co-sponsor a Friday night Kiddush, a Shabbat Kiddush, a Shabbocktail, our Shabbat Shabeer supply, or a Seudah Shelishit, contact Rabbi Bellino. The next available Kiddush for sponsorship is February 17th (Shabbat Teruma).
Events
January 29th - GrowTorah: Pre-Tu b'Shevat with Farmer Yosef Gillers: Join us for an interactive presentation by Farmer Yosef Gillers, founder of Grow Torah, who will help us explore the connections between Tu b'Shevat and the Garden of Eden. Pizza, beer, and a variety of fruits and vegetables will be served. Please RSVP here.
February 3rd - CholentFest V: CholentFest - our annual Cholent competition - is back for a fifth year! Join us for Shabbat Kiddush on February 3rd, and taste a wide variety of cholents. Or, perhaps you want to challenge last year's winner of the CholentFest Eydel Ladle to claim the ladle and the respect of your peers. To register as a chef and to learn about preparation info, please email Eli Szus by January 19th. This is NOT a cholent eating contest. Prizes will be given to Best Cholent (Judged), Best Cholent (People's Choice), Best Decorations (Judged), Best Nontraditional Cholent (Judged).
February 9th-10th - Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence: On Shabbat Mishpatim, we will welcome as our Shabbat Scholar, Dr. Marc Shapiro, a very well respected professor of Judaic Studies, as well as the author of several books and articles on Jewish history, philosophy, theology, and rabbinic literature. Please join us on Friday night for a delicious and social Community Shabbat Dinner, and join us as well over Shabbat for a thought-provoking series of talks and discussions on Orthodox intellectual values, Rav Kook, and the future of Modern Orthodoxy. Reservations for the Friday night dinner can be made on the event page.
Classes
FOUNDATIONS OF JUDAISM: A sensitive and sophisticated introduction to Judaism, intended for beginners, and focusing on many of the ritual, legal, linguistic, and philosophical basics of our faith. Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 PM.
PIRQEI D'RABBI ELIEZER: Rabbi Bellino presents the often strange, occasionally esoteric, and rather entertaining, late (most likely) Palestinian Midrash. Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM.
SHACHARIT: Miriam Kaplan on Shacharit, the daily morning prayer. Shabbat, following Kiddush.
Save The Dates
January 29: Pre-Tu-b'Shevat with Farmer Yosef
February 3: CholentFest V
February 9-10: Shabbat Scholar Dr. Marc Shapiro
February 10: Kid's Buffet Kiddush
February 28: Purim Night
March 10th: Choni's Bar Mitzvah
March 24th: Shabbat HaGadol Derasha
Downtown Community
We are thrilled to have Shifra Friedman as the Yoetzet Halacha for the downtown community. Yoetzet Shifra is available to answer questions related to Toharat HaMishpacha and may be reached by phone at (646) 598-1080 and by email. Click here to read our recent e-mail about her appointment.
There are several Kosher options in our neighborhood including:
Bagel Boss at 263 First Avenue
Murray's Falafel at 261 First Avenue
Mocha Burger at 496 Laguardia Place
The Promenade Sports Bar, 344 Third Avenue
We are proud to be a member synagogue of The Downtown Va'ad, an Orthodox rabbinic network intended to advance the welfare and flourishing of the Downtown community. Check out the Va'ad on Facebook for more information.
Feedback
We encourage your participation and insight. Feedback to Elie Yudewitz, Rabbi Bellino or the Shul Office would be most appreciated. Please contact us with any suggestions and/or concerns, or most importantly, to volunteer. You can also make suggestions here.
We like to have fun and be creative on social media. Like us on Facebook to see more updates!
