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 Tali Zipper & Rabbi Andrew Scheer on their recent engagement.
Purim was a HUGE success. Our services and parties were very well attended (approximately 300 people were at Megillah and more than 800 people passed through our doors over the course of the night) and our Matanot L'evyonim campaign raised over $4,000 for those in need. For photo evidence of the evening, please go to our Facebook page.
We are grateful to:
- Our Megillah readers: Rabbi Bellino, Alan Feder, Harris Marks, Eli Szus, Neil Kitainik, and David Waxman
- The sponsors of Purim Chaos: Alan Schwartz, Donnie & Jackie Furst, Yitz Komin, Kenneth Grumer, and Claire and Dr. Paul Wachtel
- Our devoted maintenance team, Franklin and Denys, for all their help at the party and after the party
- Our friends from the University of Purim
- Annie Watman and Alan Feder for arranging the Kids' party (For pictures of the kids' party, click here).
- Everyone who helped set up for the party at night
- Lions Beer Store for their generous help with the beer supply
- El Grupo Diamante Norteño (the amazing Mariachi band that you know from the subway)
- Vincenzo and Romano for the post-cleanup cleanup
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.
Our Children's Shabbat Program (Kommunity Kinderlach) will meet NEXT Shabbat, March 25, Parashat Vayakhel/Pekudei, and will be led by Rachel Kaminetzky. In April, the Shabbat program will meet on April 1st and 29th. The program is geared toward children 2-5 years of age. Children younger than 2 are welcome to join but must be accompanied by a parent. It begins at 10:15 AM and continues until the end of services. For more information, please contact us.
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 - Parashat Vayakhel/Pekudei - 3/25/2017.
Classes (will meet this week)
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.
SUFI JEWS: JUDAISM’S ENCOUNTER WITH ISLAMIC MYSTICISM: Approximately 400 years after the birth of Islam, some Jewish sages recommended Sufic ritual and thought. Rabbi Bellino will present the Medieval sages, Bahye Ibn Paquda and Abraham son of Maimonides, as well as Jewish-Sufic material from 16th Century Safed Pietism and Hassidut. Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM.
SHACHARIT: Miriam Kaplan will begin teaching a class on Shacharit, the daily morning prayer. Shabbat, following Kiddush.
MEKHILTA: A discussion of the Midrashim on the Book of Exodus, with a focus on the Tannaitic analysis of the Biblical verses dealing with the laws of Passover. Shabbat, One Hour before Mincha
THE BERDITCHIVER: Rabbi Bellino will present the Hasidic folklore and writings of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Shabbat, Seudah Shelishit.
Events
March 19 - Downtown Va’ad General Meeting with Rabbi Sacks
Please join us for a morning of highlights, achievement, and appreciation, as well as a look into strategies for our future. The event will feature Downtown Va'ad rabbis, lay leaders, and - most notably - Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Please register at facebook.com/downtownvaad or RSVP to DowntownVaad@gmail.com.
March 28 - Film Screening: 'Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream'
'Matzo and the American Dream' is a story of tradition, of resistance and resilience, and a celebration of the Streits family, whose commitment to their heritage and to their employees is inspiring proof that the family that bakes together, stays together. The director Michael Levine.will be on hand for a post-film discussion.
SAVE THE DATES
March 19 - Downtown Va’ad General Meeting with Lord Rabbi Sacks
March 26 - Passover Preparation Class
March 28 - Documentary Film: 'Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream'
April 8 - Shabbat HaGadol Drasha
April 18 - Neilat HaChag
Downtown Community
We are thrilled to have Ilana Gadish as the Yoetzet Halacha for the downtown community. Yoetzet Ilana 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 the Va'ad's recent letter 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!
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