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Shabbat Kiddush
Join us for Kiddush on Shabbat. This is the perfect opportunity for us to experience community and get to know each other better.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Alvin Cohen
Alfred Strauss
Allen Kampel
Irene Eisenstein
Douglas Krakauer
Kim Wasserman
Mordechai Warshavsky
Jordan Weisner
Marcus Seeger
Terry & Eran Gensler
Laurie & Richard Levy
Sue Ann & Wayne Koby
Audrey & Scott Greenberg
Lia & David Pitchkhadze
Gladys & Robert Gordon
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Saturday 5/26
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Morning Service 9:30 am
Minha, Meal, Maariv & Havdalah 7:45 pm
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Sunday 5/27
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No Hebrew School
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Monday 5/28
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Office Closed Memorial Day
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Thursday 5/31
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Rabbi's Class 10:30 am
Visiting Scholar Eric Goldman 1:00 pm
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Torah Reading 796 Haftarah 813
NASO
Our portion begins with additional information about the role of the Levitical families in the transport of the Sanctuary, under the supervision of Aaron's son, Itamar.
The Torah then cites three instances where matters of a private nature come under the supervision of the priest. One who retains a neighbor's property must return it, add 20% to its value, and bring a guilt offering in atonement. A wife suspected of adultery was to be brought before the priest and asked to swear an oath. The wording of this oath was written down and its ink was mixed in water, which the wife was then compelled to drink. If she suffered no ill effects from this potion, she was innocent of the charge; if she became ill, she was deemed guilty. A Nazirite was one who took a special oath of dedication to God. Upon the expiration of this vow, his/her head was shaven and the hair burnt under the sacrifice that marked the conclusion of this consecrated period.
The priests were commanded to bless the people with a specific threefold formula consisting of verses of three, five and seven words, concluding with
shalom
(peace, wholeness).
The sidra concludes with the prince of each tribe presenting an identical dedicatory gift of silver, gold, sacrificial animals and meal offerings to the Sanctuary.
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IT'S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WHICH IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR OUR MINYANIM; PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND OUR SERVICES WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.
Important Announcement
In lieu of a sermon tomorrow, I asked our Congregation's President, Mark Altschul, to update us on our newly-acquired building (we closed late on Thursday afternoon) and answer any questions that you may have. As I told Mark, "Strike while the iron is hot; don't delay in addressing the Congregation; they have been waiting and worrying for a long time-and they are very interested in our future."
Of course we realize that this is short notice and that it is also Memorial Day Weekend. Please be assured that there will be other occasions and opportunities for updates, discussion and questions, like at the Congregation's Annual Meeting on Monday, June 18.
Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.
Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Ma'ariv & Havdalah
During Seudah Shlishit will be reading and analyzing an op Ed that appeared in the New York Times: "Why March in Gaza"
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We had another terrific Erev Shavuot program, sharing information about the books that some of us had read in the past year.
To this year's participants: Please remember to send me the name and the author of the book that you reviewed!
Talmud & Tangents
We have (temporarily) abandoned the Talmud and are heavily into tangents! We are supposed to be exploring Jewish biblical texts that point to Jesus. Yesterday, however, our tangents produced tangents, and we spent the entire one-hour session reading perplexing passages in our Bible that deal with circumcision. And that led to a variety of real-life circumstances in which, for one reason or another, circumcision was not performed in infancy, the difficulties that can lead to, and remedies.
It is my hope that we will get back on track next week, when we read some of the Suffering Servant passages found in the prophet Isaiah.
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
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Yahrzeit List
We hope that our weekly listing of yahrzeit observances will serve 2 purposes:
1) To remind those who have the yahrzeit for a second time, much closer to the date of the actual observance
2) To alert friends and acquaintances that someone they know is observing a yahrzeit. We hope that you will show them your support by joining them at our minyanim, and helping to assure that Kaddish can be recited with a minyan
| Gloria Singer will be observing yahrzeit for her Father David Pickholz beginning on Saturday night, May 26th |
| Susan Merker will be observing yahrzeit for her Mother Jeanne Slater beginning on Saturday night, May 26th |
| Marvin Chertkoff will be observing yahrzeit for his Mother Celia Chertkoff beginning on Sunday night, May 27th |
| Matis Fermaglich will be observing yahrzeit for his Son Donald Fermaglich beginning on Sunday night, May 27th |
| Peter Bloch will be observing yahrzeit for his Sister Francine Fishman beginning on Sunday night, May 27th |
| Alex Jakoby will be observing yahrzeit for his Father Ignatz Jakoby beginning on Monday night, May 28th |
| Alex Jakoby will be observing yahrzeit for his Mother Rachel Jakoby beginning on Monday night, May 28th |
| Leo Rettig will be observing yahrzeit for his Father Charles Rettig beginning on Monday night, May 28th |
| Janet Chertkoff will be observing yahrzeit for her Mother Edith Rosen beginning on Monday night, May 28th |
| Iris Fox will be observing yahrzeit for her Father Solomon Bichler beginning on Tuesday night, May 29th |
| Seymour Green will be observing yahrzeit for his Father Sol Green beginning on Tuesday night, May 29th |
| Norman Schaer will be observing yahrzeit for his Mother Sadie Schaer beginning on Wednesday night, May 30th |
| Marjorie Berger will be observing yahrzeit for her Father Herman Fuchs beginning on Wednesday night, May 30th |
| Jerome Margolin will be observing yahrzeit for his Nephew Scott Adam Margolin beginning on Friday night, May 31st |
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GAZA
I think this is a wonderful and compassionate move on the part of the EU, but they should get some security guarantees from Hamas that the facilities will be protected in the future, and that those whose job it had been to secure the area will not be ordered to withdraw, but to defend it:
EU to Give 30 Million Euros to Reconstruct Gaza Crossing Damaged in Palestinian Rioting
The Times was among the newspapers, which through its coverage, help to encourage the Gazan protesters. Now that the "Great March" appears to have been a bust, except for tarnishing Israel's reputation, the Times' reporters cover the dejection and the disappointment. And I can't believe that the Gazans really believed that they would be able to breach the Israeli border with few, if any casualties, and then just march into Israel! (Of course, this "March" was to be accompanied by a massacre of Israelis). See the second article below...
After Deadly Protests, Gazans Ask: What Was Accomplished?
And I also get the feeling that one or more of the following things happened with respect to the New York Times: they realize that they rushed to wrongful judgment against Israel (as has happened countless times in Gaza, during the Intifadas, and the last Lebanon war), they got a lot of flak for their lopsided, pro-Palestinian coverage, the truth finally emerged in the words of their own reporters (like Hamas leaders blatantly lying to their followers that the border had been reached and thousands of Palestinians were pouring into Israel). That is why there were two very pro-Israel op-ed pieces in last Friday's New York Times:
A professional's assessment of what transpired along the Israel-Gaza border:
Video - Col. Kemp to UN Human Rights Council: Hamas Seeks Destruction of Israel and Murder of Jews Everywhere
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On Israel's Other Borders
As I read this, I couldn't help but thinking that the Secretary-General's comments are a lot like the Pope's pronouncements: they may be very nice, but they carry no weight:
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BDS / Anti-Semitism
Casey Danoff
If you weren't in shul last Shabbat morning, you missed a phenomenal presentation by Casey on what's going on in the GW campus and how it personally affects her. As a committed Democrat/progressive and is one who is very much pro-Israel, she sadly sees the Democratic Party, shifting away from Israel, and she finds herself more isolated, except among like-minded friends, who can only provide her with "an echo chamber."
Casey: thank you for a wonderful, heartfelt, yet objective description and analysis of what you have been experiencing this past year.
With fanatical devotion, Michael Jacobs ended the BDS movement's monopoly on the street-level Israel debate.
Dutch State TV's Spoof of Israeli Eurovision Song was Anti-Semitic, Critics Charge
Louisiana Governor Issues Executive Order Prohibiting Business with Companies that Boycott Israel
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Aleihem haShalom - May They Have Peace
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You might think it is too late to come to Jerusalem this summer to connect with Israel, improve your Hebrew, and/or wrestle with traditional Jewish texts, but I assure you that if you act fast, it's not. The special Early-Bird Prices for the Conservative Yeshiva Summer Program are in effect throughMay 22. Inexpensive flights can still be found. And new options for accommodations are being posted all the time.
Some basic information about our program:
There are two 3-week sessions, from June 17-July 5 and from July 8-26. They are not repetitive, so you can do either or both, for a full day or half. In the mornings, you can choose between meaningful volunteer work or one of 5 levels of Hebrew ulpan. In the afternoons, you can put together your own schedule of eye-opening walking tours and inspiring classes in Talmud, Bible, Jewish Thought, and Jewish Law.
All summer students are able to participate in special yeshiva programming, including morning prayers at the Egalitarian Kotel, community meals, and guest speakers.
The program takes place at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, which is ideally located close to downtown, the Machane Yehuda Market, the Old City, and more. You find your own short-term housing in the area (with our assistance, if needed), and get to experience all that Jerusalem has to offer - during the week and on Shabbat.
Summer in Jerusalem has a very special atmosphere, and a beautiful community develops each year among the student, who really do range in age from 18 to 80.
If you have specific questions, please reply to this email and I'll be happy to answer them.
We hope to see you in Jerusalem!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Andy Shapiro Katz
Director of North American Engagement
The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem
Israeli Culture in North America
Your Weekly Cultural Highlights
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EVENTS
Film
Fauda Screening and Conversation
Wednesday, May 30 | 7:30 PM
92nd Street Y
Join co-creators Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff in conversation with THR Senior Film Writer Tatiana Siegel to hear more about what does it take to translate real-life danger and intrigue to the screen!
Dance
GDC Curated: Shamel Pitts BLACK BOX: Little Black Book Of RED
May 31 - June 2
The Theater at Gibney
Performed in a confined space in nearly pitch-black darkness, the work BLACK BOX: Little Black Book Of RED features recordings of Pitts' ruminations jotted down during his travels with Batsheva.
Film
Uptown Jewish Film
Sunday, June 3
Campbell Sports Center
Raise the Roof by Yari and Cary Wolinsky's, 10 year project against the backdrop of the 1000 year history of Jews in Poland. The Wedding Plan by Rama Burshtein, an Orthodox Jew insists that God will supply her a husband as the clock ticks down. Above and Beyond by Roberta Grossman, a group of Jewish American pilots that flew for Israel in its War of Independence.
Music
Tosca Opdam, Violin
Victor Stanislavsky, Piano
Monday, June 4 | 8:00 PM
Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall
Israeli Pianist Victor Stanislavsky in a concert with Dutch violinist Tosca Opdam in Carnegie Hall. Stanislavsky enjoys an international career which has taken him to numerous countries in Europe, the Far East, and to North and South America.
Film
Israel Film Center Festival at the Marlene Meyerson JCC
June 5 - 12
The 6th Annual Israel Film Center Festival at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is celebrating 70 years of Israeli cinema with a week of the best Israeli films of the year. Join JCC's Israel Film Center Festival for a week of screenings, red carpets, and special events.
Dance
10 Hairy Legs: World Premiere Composition by Ofer Pelz
June 7 - 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center
10 Hairy Legs is an all-male repertory dance company performing existing and newly commissioned works. Ofer Pelz composes music for diverse combinations of instruments and electroacoustic media, he is also an active improviser.
Film
NIGGUN in Brooklyn Film Festival
June 8, 10
Windmill Studios
NIGGUN a short animated film directed by Yoni Salmon is telling the story of the last two believers, Ananda, the space archaeologist and Yamaka, the outcaste rabbi. After a long journey through space they are about to reach their destination.
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