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 are grateful to Farmer Yosef Gillers, founder of GrowTorah, for his interactive, educational, and fun Tu B'Shevat program this past Monday night.
2017 Tax Letter: You may have received a tax letter from us this week listing all of your 2017 tax-deductible contributions to the synagogue. If you have any questions, or feel that some contributions were not listed, please contact us at 212-473-3665, or email us.
Purim Chaos Volunteers: Purim is in 4 weeks and there's a lot of schlepping, decorating, supervising, beer selecting, and cleaning to be done. Purim Chaos doesn't happen by itself. Please let us know if you can help.
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 March 17th (the afternoon reading is Tzav). 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 March 17th (Vayiqra).
Events
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. 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.
February 10th - Kids' Kiddush Buffet: Please join us for kiddush next Shabbat, Parashat Mishpatim, which will feature a special kids buffet, sponsored by Andy Gelfand & Dr. Ira Orgel, in honor of all the children of the Sixth Street Community Synagogue.
February 10th - Musical Havdala for the Kommunity Kinder. Rabbi Bellino will play guitar and all children and their parents are invited to attend.
February 25th - Kids' Pre-Purim Party. All the cuteness without the hangover. RSVP here.
February 28th - Purim Night.
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
February 3: CholentFest V
February 9-10: Shabbat Scholar Dr. Marc Shapiro
February 10: Kid's Buffet Kiddush
February 10: Kommunity Kinder Musical Havdalah
February 25: Kid's Pre-Purim Party
February 28: Purim Night
March 10th: Choni's Bar Mitzvah
March 23-24: Shabbat (HaGadol) Scholar Dena Weiss
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.
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