In these tragic and scary times we stand with all those victimized by senseless hatred and fanaticism, at home - especially the LGBTQ still community reeling from last week's horror in Orlando - in Israel, and abroad. We pray for safety, healing, and peace.
We are incredibly proud of - and grateful for - our very own Tali Zilberman who this week was sent to Orlando by the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU so that she might stand in solidarity as well provide assistance and support.
We wish a continued Mazal Tov to Julia & Shlomi Salant upon the birth of their daughter. We look forward to their naming her this Shabbat.
We wish a Mazal Tov to Dr. Michelle & Rabbi Yehuda Sarna upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Maayan.
This Shabbat we welcome Rav Judah Mischel, beloved teacher in Israel and Executive Director of Camp HASC - the award winning summer program of the Hebrew Academy for Special Children in the Catskill Mountains. Rav Judah & his wife, Ora, live in Ramat Beit Shemesh with their seven children. Rav Judah will speak on Friday Night at our Kiddush (Where the Sidewalk Ends: A Shabbat Walk in the Sinai Desert), on Shabbat morning (All in the Family: A Jewish Perspective on Individuals with Special Needs), at 7:00 PM (Henry David Thoreau at Mount Sinai), and at Seudah Shelishit. Be sure to join us.
This Sunday is the first Yahretzeit of Rochelle Shoretz, founder of Sharsheret. To read more about Rochelle's story, click here. Please consider donating to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund so that a sizeable donation from our community can me made this week. (Be sure to specify Sharsheret in the note).
We are overjoyed by the great response our Annual Dinner has elicited. If you have not yet made your reservation you are running out of time. If you cannot attend, please consider joining this very important fundraising initiative.
Shavuot was a great success. We are grateful to Mendel Kaplan for his beautiful laining, Ananda Watman and Cori Robinson for organizing the Women's Wine, Cheese, & Torah, the many sponsors of our Shavuot Tisch, Ellen R. Cherrick for the beautiful flowers, the Gasman family for providing the delicious ice cream, and Rabbi Bellino whose organizing, cooking, and teaching made this a Shavuot to remember. Finally, we thank everyone who attended. If you have not sent in your Yizkor pledges, please do so ASAP.
We are on Summer Schedule. Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat will be at 7:00 PM until September 16th. Join us for services and you shall be rewarded with food, drink, song, and words of Torah.
Starting next Shabbat afternoon, Rabbi Bellino will continue teaching Avot d'Rabbi Natan. This text is a commentary and elaboration on Pirkei Avot that was compiled during the Geonic Period. This late Midrash provides explanations of most of the aphorisms of Avot, as well as hagiographic details on the lives of many of the sages quoted. Class meets on Shabbat, one hour before Mincha. All source sheets (including Rabbi Bellino's notes) may be downloaded here.
We picked up a bunch of new members this week! (We're looking at you Sara Liss, Phillip Daman, Drs. Jane & Drore Eisen, and Shira Schindel & Ron Gejman). To join them in sustaining us, please click here (scroll down for membership options). For more information, please speak to Elie Yudewitz or Rabbi Bellino.
Our plentiful and delicious Kiddushes on Sixth Street greatly enhance our synagogue
and community. To sponsor or co-sponsor a Friday night Kiddush, a Shabbat Kiddush,
a Shabbocktail, our Shabbeer supply, or a Seudah Shelishit, contact Rabbi Bellino.
The next available kiddush for sponsorship is July 16th.
Chessed on Sixth Street - Several of us have begun to utilize the Synagogue kitchen to prepare meals for the Trinity Place Shelter. The shelter's mission is to help homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ*) youth and young adults in New York City to safely transition out of the shelter system and grow into independent, positive, and productive adults. To financially support our efforts, please consider donating to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund.(Be sure to specify Shelter Meals in the note). If you are interested in cooking or schlepping please contact Rabbi Bellino or Tali Zilberman.
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 on June 29.
THOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: A weekly class focusing on the thought of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman. Rabbi Bellino will teach the more essential commentaries on that week’s parsha and will contextualize the Ramban’s remarks within the greater contexts of parshanut and philosophy. Wednesdays 8:00-9:15 PM. Will resume on June 29.
AVOT D'RABBI NATAN: Rabbi Bellino will teach Avot d'Rabbi Natan for the duration of the summer. Shabbat afternoons, 1 hour before Mincha. Will resume on June 25.
BLESSINGS: Miriam Kaplan has begun a class on Berachot, the extraordinary practice of sourcing pleasures and experience in the Divine. Shabbat, following Kiddush.
JEWISH POETIC LITURGY: Rabbi Bellino will present ancient, medieval, and early-modern religious poetry. Special attention will be paid the Biblibal, Talmudic, Midrashic, and often Kabbalist references contained therein. Shabbat, Seudah Shelishit.
Events
Our Annual Dinner will be held THIS WEDNESDAY, June 22nd, at the Brotherhood Synagogue. This essential fundraiser is always delicious and a great time. For more information click here.
Downtown Community
We are thrilled that there are new Kosher options in our neighborhood.
Mocha Burger at 496 Laguardia Place.
The Promenade Sports Bar, 344 Third Avenue, is now completely Kosher. (Not just sushi). Please check them out ASAP.
The Falafel Shop at 127 Rivington Street (between Norfolk & Essex).
We are proud to be a member synagogue of The Downtown Va'ad, an Orthodox rabbinic network, founded by Rabbis Sarna & Bellino, 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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