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.
Our annual Children’s Chanukah Party this past Sunday was super fun and well-attended. We are very grateful to Annie & Jeremy Watman for all their work in planning the event.
Last week's Scholar-in-Residence Shabbaton with Dr. Malka Simkovich was thought-provoking and entertaining. We are grateful to Dr. Simkovich for sharing her scholarship with us, and to Ellen Cherrick and Alan Schwartz for sponsoring the Friday night Community Dinner.
This Shabbat, we bid farewell to our friend and lamb bacon provider, David Waxman. David is also our Baal Koreh.
Chanukah Dedication Campaign: On Chanukah we celebrate the miraculous dedication of those who fought to ensure that their spiritual home would continue to flourish. In this spirit, we ask for your generous support of our continued renewal and rededication. As always, you may send in a check or click to our Chanukah Dedication campaign online.
Tot Shabbat in Two Weeks: Children and their parents are invited to the next Tot Shabbat on Parshat Vayechi, December 22nd, featuring our newly hired Early Childhood Educator, Leat Klingman. Please join us for open play in the Beit Medrash at 10 AM, followed by the formal Tot Shabbat program promptly at 10:45 AM. Parent participation and feedback helps us create a nurturing and educational environment for our youngest members--so join us on December 22nd!
Henry Shelly Shapiro is at Riverside Premier Rehabilitation and Healing Center on the Upper West Side for an indefinite stay. Any visitor from the Sixth Street Synagogue would brighten his day with a short visit next time you're uptown.The Riverside Center is located at 150 Riverside Drive (at 87th Street).
The Downtown Community's yearly financial Eruv obligation is $36K. These funds are raised by several synagogues and institutions, as well by many individuals and families that make use of the Eruv. How much to give is certainly up to you, and any donation is appreciated. To give you some context: If 200 families/individuals were to give $180, this year's fundraising effort would be over. To make a payment, please do so here, or send in a check to the office. If you send a check, be sure to specify that this donation is for the Eruv.
Sixth Street Parents Committee: Our Sixth Street parents committee is planning a number of events for our youngest members and the larger community, and we want you to know about them! The Sixth Street Parents Google group is where events are publicized, meetings are called, and babysitters' contacts are shared. If you'd like to be added to the group, please email Jeremy.
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 David Waxman who will read this week. The next available Mincha leining is on December 15th (the afternoon reading is Vayechi). 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 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 Shabbat Kiddush for sponsorship is Shabbat Shemot, December 29th.
Events
December 15th - Woman's Tefilla & Torah Reading
All women are invited to join us on December 15th, Parshat Vayigash, for a Women's Tefilla and Torah Reading. If you would like a role such as reading the Torah, or have any questions, please email Tali Zilberman.
December 23-25 - Drisha Winter Week of Learning
Each year, Drisha offers a Winter Week of Learning, providing thoughtful and scholarly alternatives to "winter break." We are honored to host this important opportunity in our synagogue. This year's theme is: "Mysticism and Diplomacy: Ramban as Commentator, Disputant, Kabbalist, and Communal Leader". For more information or to register for all or some of this unique programming, please click here.
SAVE THE DATES
December 15 - Women's Tefillah & Torah Reading
December 23-25 - Drisha Winter Week of Learning
January 9 - Lecture: Robert Moses, Jane Jacobs and the Struggle for Lower Manhattan
January 20 - Hazon Tu B'Shvat Yom Iyun/Seder
February 2 - CholentFest
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.
RABBINIC STORY TELLING: A literary analysis of the stories told by the Rabbis of the Talmud.
This week, Rabbi Bellino will start to teach the Jesus stories found in Talmud legends.
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM.
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
Hummus Vish at 59 East 8th Street
Mocha Burger at 496 Laguardia Place
Sushi Tokyo at 121 West 19th Street
Falafix at 96 Stanton
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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