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 are grateful to David Neuhaus for taking advantage of the Whole Foods beer sale, and to everyone who contributed: Alan Feder, Michael Gluckstadt, Mike Miles, Micah Timen, and Elie Yudewitz.
We are grateful to Eli Szus who will read his Bar Mitzva Parsha this Shabbat.
The Woman's Tefilla & Torah Reading this past Shabbat was a meaningful and inclusive experience and we are thankful to Tali Zilberman for her efforts, and to everyone who attended and participated.
Tot Shabbat This Shabbat: Children and their parents are invited to Tot Shabbat this week, 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!
End-of-the-Year Giving: As 2017 rapidly comes to a close, you may be planning your end-of-the-year charitable contributions. Please consider including the Sixth Street Synagogue in your year-end giving. To make a contribution, please go the synagogue’s donate page.
This is also a great time to honor your open commitments to the synagogue and to pay any outstanding balances. To see if you have an outstanding balance, please check your account on the synagogue website or contact the synagogue office.
Next Week! Drisha Winter Week of Learning - December 23-25: 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.
As part of the Drisha Winter Week of Learning, there will be a Mincha minyan at 1:15 PM on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
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 Neil Kitainik who will read this week. The next available Mincha leining is on December 29th (the afternoon reading is Vaera). 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
January 9 - Lecture: Robert Moses, Jane Jacobs and the Struggle for Lower Manhattan
Jane Jacobs called it a ballet. Neighborhoods had density. Buildings had character. Streets had eyes. But by the 1960’s, led by Robert Moses, the ballet of the city came to a grinding halt, replaced by the superblock, the highrise, and the highway. The wrecking ball sealed the fate of neighborhoods. What were its implications on NY Jewish life in the 20th century and how did decisions made then still impact us today? Join us on January 9th at 7:00 PM for a conversation lead by professor, author and real estate expert, Jason Haber.
February 2nd - CholentFest VI: Challenge last year's winner of the SSCS CholentFest Eydel Ladle to claim the ladle and the respect of your peers. Come taste all the deliciouscholents at Kiddush on February 2nd.
SAVE THE DATES
December 23-25 - Drisha Winter Week of Learning
January 3 - Leil Shishi with Rav Judah
January 9 - Lecture: Robert Moses, Jane Jacobs and the Struggle for Lower Manhattan
January 20 - Hazon Tu B'Shvat Yom Iyun/Seder
January 28 - Yoetzet Event with Shifra Friedman
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.
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM.
SHACHARIT: Miriam Kaplan on Shacharit, the daily morning prayer. Shabbat, following Kiddush (will not meet this week).
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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