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 offer Blessings of Consolation to Elie Yudewitz on the passing of his grandfather, Bernard Danis, דב בערל בן טוביה.
We offer Blessings of Consolation to our friend, Mindy Turk, on the passing of her brother, Lenny Kanarek.
This past week we had the honor of hosting Drisha's Winter Week of Learning, which focused on the thought of Nachmanides. We are grateful to: Dr. Aaron Koller, Neesa Berezin-Bahr, and Yehudis Isenberg of Drisha for all their work in planning and organizing the week; to all the presenters: Dr. Aaron Koller, Rabbi David Silber, Jennifer Seligman, Dr. Yonatan Brafman, Dr. Michelle Levine, and Dr. Joel Hecker; and to everyone who joined us and participated. We are grateful to Drisha for sharing thoughtful Torah and a lovely community.
End-of-the-Year Giving: As 2018 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. If you do have a balance, it might be better to resolve this before the end of 2018. And it is certainly helpful for the synagogue at this time of the year, when cash flow is a bit restricted. To see if you have an outstanding balance, please check your account on the synagogue website or contact the synagogue office.
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 January 12th (the afternoon reading is Beshalach). 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 Bo, January 12th.
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.
January 28 - Top 10 Myths and Misconceptions about Toharat HaMishpacha
Join downtown Yoetzet Halacha Shiffy Friedman on Monday, January 28th, at 7:30 PM for a discussion of the Top 10 Myths and Misconceptions about keeping the Jewish Purity Family Laws. Join us for a discussion of common misconceptions, some “hacks” to getting to the mikvah sooner, as well as some issues regarding mental health and anxiety that can arise from issues related to Jewish Family laws. Please come with any questions you might have, and feel free to submit anonymous questions at nycyoetzet@gmail.com ahead of the discussion. This event is open to married and unmarried women. Please RSVP on the event page.
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 delicious cholents at Kiddush on February 2nd.
SAVE THE DATES
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.
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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