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 Mazel Tov to Daniella Krieger & Joseph Bedros on the birth of a boy.
We wish a Mazel Tov to Dr. Ellie & David Hammer on the birth, Brit, and naming of their son, Charles Zachary (כלב זכריה).
We've out-done ourselves. Purim services and parties were very well attended (more than 700 people passed through our doors over the course of the night) and our Matanot L'Evyonim campaign raised over $11,000 for those in need. For photo evidence of the evening, please go to our Facebook page.
We are grateful to:
- Our Megillah reader, Neil Kitainik
- The sponsors of Purim Chaos: Suzanne Dance & Andrew Obin, Jonathan Falik, Kenneth Grumer, Michael Mitzner, Alan Schwartz, and Dixie Yestadt
- Our devoted maintenance supervisor, Vincenzo, and our security guard Guiseppe, for all their help at the party and after the party
- Our friends from the University of Purim
- Alan Feder for arranging the babysitting
- Everyone who helped set up for the party at night
We are most grateful to Rabbi Bellino for his vision, humor, and organization and implementation of what was by all counts a crazy fun, wonderfully-spirited, and abundantly successful Purim.
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 Rabbi Bellino 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
March 3rd - Participate in a Knock Knock Give a Sock Shabbat Dinner that will bring together our downtown Jewish community with people who experiencing homelessness. Through dinner, song, and conversation, enjoy the unique opportunity to meet your neighbor! This dinner will be held in memory of Henry Zilberman ז"ל. Registration includes dinner for you and for a neighbor from a local shelter. RSVP here.
March 23rd - Shabbat (HaGadol) Scholar-in-Residence Dena Weiss. RSVP for dinner here.
April 16th - Annual Shul Dinner - We look forward to our annual fundraising dinner to be held on Monday evening, April 16th. This year we will be honoring Shelly & Elie Yudewitz as well as Suzanne Dance & Andrew Obin. Join us as we celebrate the loyal support of these two power couples and our devoted community.
SAVE THE DATES
March 3: Meet Your Neighbors Dinner
March 10: Choni Bellino's Bar Mitzvah
March 23-24: Shabbat (HaGadol) Scholar Dena Weiss
March 29: Bediqat Hametz
April 16: Shul Dinner
May 2: Lager BaOmer
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 (will resume March 14th).
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
(will resume March 14th).
SHACHARIT: Miriam Kaplan on Shacharit, the daily morning prayer. Shabbat, following Kiddush.
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!