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 Natali BenEzra Dobbs & Elan Dobbs on the birth of a girl.
We wish a Mazel Tov to Dr. Ellie & David Hammer on the birth of a boy.
We wish a Mazel Tov to Mariana & Peder Feldt.
We wish a Mazel Tov to Dr. Elana & Jonathan Sichel on the birth of a girl.
We are saddened by the passing of Victor Greco (אלטר אברהם בן דורה), friend of our congregation.
Immediately following Musical Havdala, Rabbi Bellino will play guitar for the Kommunity Kinder. Children and their parents are invited to attend.
We are grateful to Rav David Bigman and Rav Meir Rubinstein of Yeshivat Maaleh Gilboa for their thought provoking Thursday night class on the place of Megillat Esther in our canon.
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 Yosef Baruh 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).
Purim
February 25th - Kids' Pre-Purim Party: Join the Kommunity Kinderlach from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM for pre-Purim meshunanigans (meshunanigans will include hamantashen baking, grager making, Purim song singing, costume wearing, snack eating, and much more!!!). RSVP here.
Taanit Esther, February 28 - The fast begins at 5:11 AM and generally concludes at 6:16 PM. Of course, the force of law is (barely) Rabbinic, so the fast may be broken at Sunset (5:46 PM) should you experience discomfort. We will daven Mincha together at 5:20 PM.
February 28th - Megillah/Purim Party: Maariv will begin at 6:30 PM, with Megilla shortly thereafter. Immediately following our services, the entire congregation is invited to join us for our Purim Celebration. We look forward to our friends from the University of Purim joining us at approximately 9:00 PM. The party will end at some point before morning services. We will return on Thursday morning for Shacharit at 7:30 AM, with Megilla at 8:00 AM.
Purim Chaos Volunteers: Purim is NEXT week and there's a lot of schlepping, decorating, supervising, drink mixing, and cleaning to be done. We are also in need of bar, beer, and snack sponsors (To be a sponsor of the Purim chaos, please go to the donate page and select the charge type 'Purim Chaos').
Matanot LaEvyonim: Gifts to the poor is arguably the most important Mitzvah of Purim. In addition to his usual gifting, Rabbi Bellino will partner with Rabbi Zvi Romm of the Bialystoker Synagogue, Rabbi Joe Wolfson of JLIC-NYU and the NYU community, and the Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, in providing gifts to those in the region who truly need our assistance. Please consider generously donating to Rabbi Bellino's Discretionary Fund on the website. Be sure to specify that this donation is for Purim Charity.
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
February 25: Kid's Pre-Purim Party
February 28: Purim Night
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
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.
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