Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Bayit BULLETIN October 18th - 25th, 2019 19 - 26 Tishrei 5780 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY 10463 718-796-4730 www.thebayit.org This : Chol Hamoed Mazal Tov to: Chatan Torah: Dov Linzer, Chatan Bereishit: Josh Lannik  Candle Lighting: 5:53pm and Kallat Torah: Bonnie Geller-Geld.  Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 6:03pm THIS SHABBAT @ THE BAYIT  Shalom Bayit: 7:00am Derasha w/Rabbanit Bracha: “The Journey of the Arava”  Main Tefillah: 8:30am  Sof Zman Kriat Shema: 9:55am After , Torah to Go w/Raphy Rosen: “To Sit or Not to Sit: Sukkah on ”  Teen Tefillah: 9:15am  Learning Service: 9:45am Sukkah Hop for Children ages 3 - 5th Grade: Meet at 4:30pm at the Bayit. Pickup at  Listening Room: 4:25pm 6:00pm at the Riverdale Temple parking lot (4545 Independence Ave). Co-sponsored by The Bayit, The Riverdale Minyan, Riverdale Jewish Center, The Kehila and Riverdale Atria.  Parasha Shiur: 4:40pm  Mincha (Main/Sephardic): 5:35pm Between Mincha and : Rabbi Jeffrey Fox: “The Magic of the Prayer for Rain”  Shabbat ends: 6:55pm HOSHANAH RABBA LIVE Sunday, October 20th, 8:30am - 11:30am Kiddush Our festive Hoshanah Rabba Tefillah will begin with musical Hallel in the Main Sanctuary Sponsored by the Bayit. around 8:50am. Instruments will be provided for all children. Arava beating will be around 10:45am. Light breakfast will be available. To sponsor a future Kiddush please email Seth Aronson at [email protected] Tefillah without music in the Lower Level Beit Midrash. Weekday Times: - WOMEN’S Shacharit: Calling all post-bat-mitzvah girls and women Torah readers! If you would like to read from  Sun: 8:30am (with and w/o music) Ve'Zot Ha’Bracha on Simchat Torah morning please email: [email protected].  Wed & Fri: 6:45am, 7:50am

 Thu: 6:40am, 7:50am ISRAELI SIMCHAT TORAH

Mincha/Maariv: Wed, Thu: 5:50pm Israelis observing one day of chag are invited to the Bayit for Simchat Torah Hakafot on Sunday night, October 20th and Monday, October 21st in the Lower Level Beit Midrash. Shemini Atzeret Sunday evening hakafot after maariv in the Main Sanctuary and Monday morning we will join Sunday Night the Bayit tefillah for Shacharit and Hallel before hakafot downstairs.  Candle Lighting: 5:50pm Come for Hakafot - stay for lunch! For questions or to make a lunch reservation, please  Mincha/Maariv: 6:00pm reach out to Yonatan Meyer: [email protected]. Monday  Shacharit: 7:00am, 8:30am SIMCHAT TORAH CANDY INITIATIVE  Mincha: 4:10pm, 5:25pm There will be a specific schedule for candy distribution and we are requesting that people  Maariv/Hakafot: 6:10pm who would like to share candy with our children to sign up at www.thebayit.org/candy.  Candlelighting: after 6:49pm If you do not sign up ahead of time, we ask that you refrain from bringing candy to shul. Tuesday See the Youth Page for more details!  Shacharit: 7:00am, 8:30am SIMCHAT TORAH YOUTH EXTRAVAGANZA - MONDAY AFTERNOON  Mincha: 5:55pm Early Mincha: 4:10pm | Event Begins: 4:30pm  Maariv/Havdalah: 6:50pm Shabbat Bereishit TEEN SIMCHAT TORAH BASH - 9:00pm - 12:00am - Mevarchim See page 3 for details!  Candle Lighting: 5:43pm  Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:53pm NEXT SHABBAT @ THE BAYIT  Shacharit: 7:00am, 8:30am RABBI JERRY WOHLBERG LECTURE and KIDDUSH: In celebration of the 60th  Mincha (Main/Sephardic): 5:25pm anniversary of his semikhah, Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg will be addressing the Bayit after Mussaf  Maariv/Shabbat Ends: 7:05pm (in lieu of a drasha) on the topic, “Reviewing 60 years of Changes in the Modern Orthodox- American Jewish Community”. Following the lecture, the Bayit is invited to a kiddush spon- sored by Miriam & Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg.

ALCOHOL ON Between Mincha & Maariv: Daniel Langer: “Days Three and Four: a Scientific Commentary, SIMCHAT TORAH (including a brief demonstration of Einstein and time dilation.)” Please be aware that HIR is an alcohol-free synagogue. Thank you HIR KNITTING CLUB for helping to maintain the sanctity Knitting Club returns after the holidays! Next meeting: Monday, October of this holiday by adhering to this 28th at 7:00pm. As winter approaches the need for scarves, hats and blankets is policy throughout the building - on growing. Questions? Please call Joan Salomon at 845-653-1290. Thank you to Simchat Torah and year-round! our partners at The Guttenstein Family Foundation for supplying materials and Warm Up America for assisting with distribution. THE BAYIT BULLETIN THIS WEEK’S CLASSES @ THE BAYIT: ABRAHAM & SARAH'S TENT: DEDICATED IN JOE HOCH Z"L MEMORIAL DAF YOMI SHIUR MEMORY OF HENRY & GOLDIE GUTTMAN z"l with Dov Weinstock (M-Fr) and Eli Oberstein (Sat/Sun) & SPONSORED BY JOE GUTTMAN z”l (CO-SPONSORS WELCOME): Room 3.4 Join us every Shabbat for our open communal dinner. To see Sunday - Friday 7:30am Shabbat - After Mincha which Shabbatot are available for sponsorship, please visit Open to all. You are invited to join at any time. www.thebayit.org/tent or email James Lapin at [email protected].

SHABBAT CLASSES LEARNING SERVICE WITH YESHIVAT MAHARAT 8:05am: Midrash Hashavua w/Rav Steven STUDENT, LIVYA TINESTIT: Following Mussaf: Torah To Go w/Raphy Rosen: “To Sit or Finding one's way around a prayer book is a learned skill. Using Not to Sit: Sukkah on Shemini Atzeret” a transliterated Siddur, we will gradually build a repertoire of 4:25pm: Listening Room w/Myra Estelle prayers starting with the better-known melodies and liturgies. 4:40pm: Parasha Shiur w/Livya Tinestit The learning service begins at 9:45am in the 2nd-floor office HEBREW CLASSES WITH SARA KINBERG* past the kitchen and ends at 11:00am. You may arrive as late Wednesday - 7:30pm: Intermediate Hebrew and leave as early as your schedule allows. Thursday - 7:30pm - Biblical Hebrew and Siddur study

*Sara Kinberg is an experienced Hebrew teacher. For info and SOCIAL WORKER @ THE BAYIT: guidance on placement, please call Sara at 718-548-2461. Payment Arona Berow, LMSW, is a licensed social worker who is made directly to the teacher. available to the HIR community through the Partners in Caring (PIC) program facilitated by Jewish Board and WEEKDAY LEARNING @ THE BAYIT ‐ Classes begin the week of October 27th funded by UJA Federation of New York. Arona will be Mondays working in Riverdale at the Beatman Center on 9:30am: Talmudic Tales with a Twist w/Rabbanit Bracha (in Mondays & Wednesdays and can be reached by email at Hebrew) [email protected] or by phone at 212-632-4735. 10:30am: Talmud Avodah Zarah w/Rav Ezra 11:30am: Halacha Chavurah w/Burt Nusbacher Do you know someone who needs any of the 7:30pm: Shiur w/Rav Avi (at his home) following? Would you like to volunteer for any of Tuesdays these committees? 10:00am - Topics in Genesis w/Rav Avi Meals For Ill Members: Jackie Binstock: 718-543-9135, 11:00am - Midrash on the Parasha w/Rav Ezra [email protected] Wednesdays 10:00am: Talmudic Tales with a Twist w/Rabbanit Bracha (in Shiva: Beth Braunstein: [email protected] English) Bikur Cholim: Ruth Licht: 718-796-349, [email protected] Thursdays 10:00am: Book of Isaiah w/Rav Steven Meals for New Parents or After Pregnancy Loss: 11:15am: Intro to Talmud w/Gloria Nusbacher Shira Billet: [email protected] All classes in the Main Lobby unless otherwise noted. Hospitality and Welcome: [email protected] FOUNDATIONS OF : The Bayit’s year-long Bayit Band: [email protected] Foundations of Judaism class will resume October 28th. The Green Committee: Ann Rauch, [email protected] class serves as an introduction to Judaism or a refresher Child Protection Committee: Rahel Bayar, course. It meets for 30 weeks, with sessions taught by [email protected] members of the rabbinic team. For more info. please Shelter: James Lapin, [email protected] contact Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe at [email protected]. Social Action: Michael Goldblum, RIVERDALE MIKVAH HOURS [email protected]

Friday Night: 40 minutes after candle lighting. Please be on time. Action: Bonnie Geller-Geld, Saturday Night: 8:00pm - 10:00pm [email protected] Yom Tov Hours: Sunday/Monday: 6:40pm - 7:00pm Tuesday night: 8:00pm - 10:00pm To reach Bayit president Daniel Feit please email Wednesday & Thursday night: 7:30pm - 10:00pm [email protected]. Contact Us: Phone: 718-796-4730 Email: [email protected]

Steven Exler, Senior Rabbi: [email protected]/ x108 Richard Langer, Executive Director: Phyllis Newsome, Bookkeeper: Ezra Seligsohn, Associate Rabbi: [email protected]/ x104 [email protected]/ x103 [email protected]/ x219 Emily Hausman, Co-Youth Director: Yael Oshinsky, Program Associate: Bracha Jaffe, Associate Rabba: [email protected]/ x120 [email protected]/ x116 [email protected]/ x106 Bryan Cordova, Facilities Manager: Shuli Boxer Rieser, Assistant to R’ Weiss: Sara Hurwitz, Rabba: [email protected]/ x121 [email protected]/ x102 [email protected]/ x107 Avi Weiss, Rabbi in Residence: [email protected]/ x102

$36 - Tot Shabbat SHABBAT MORNING GROUPS SNACKS : Snacks Sponsorship:

$100 – sponsor all snacks $36 - Nursery-K To sponsor snacks for youth groups go to www.thebayit.org/youthsponsor. $150 – sponsor all snacks + $36 - Grades 1-6 REMINDER: Groups conclude at 11:40am. Please make every effort to pick up your children birthday party on time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Room 3-6: Kindergarten RH SH: Tot Shabbat Groups Schedule: Room 3-1: Grades 3-6 Boys Room 3-4: Nursery Groups: 9:40am - 11:40am Room 3-2: Grades 3-6 Girls Room 3-5: Pre-K Tot Shabbat: 10:30am. Room 3-3: Grades 1-2

Teen Tefillah Facilitated by Rabbi Joseph Robinson, all 7th-12th graders are welcome. Contact R. Joseph at [email protected] for info.

PLAYGROUND GROUPS SCHEDULE! Groups will be outside at the following times. If you arrive at shul Calling all Riverdale kids! The Bayit is the

with your children, please check to see if their group is outside at place to be! For assistance, please contact Co-Youth that time as per the schedule below. Thanks! Director: Emily Hausman —  10:00 - 10:30: Nursery and pre-K [email protected] x120  10:30 - 11:00: Kindergarten, Grades 1 - 2  11:00 - 11:30: Grades 3 - 6 In the spirit of bringing simcha back to the sanctuary we are piloting a new Simchat Torah Candy Initiative.

GROUPS ON SHEMINI ATZERET There will be a specific schedule for candy distribution and we & SIMCHAT TORAH are requesting that people who would like to share candy with Groups will not meet on Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. We our children sign up at www.thebayit.org/candy.

hope to see all your children with you in shul for those days. If you do not sign up ahead of time, we ask that you refrain from bringing candy to shul. Many children in our community have serious allergies and we are taking this step to help keep them SIMCHAT TORAH safe. We realize this is a new approach to our beloved holiday, YOUTH EXTRAVAGANZA but this partnership will help us focus on what Simchat Torah is Monday, October 21st about - celebrating the greatest gift we received from Hashem, Early Mincha: 4:10pm | Event Begins: 4:30pm our Torah, and being together as a community in a way that  4:30pm - Magic Show with Rogue the Magician (ages 4 & under) makes everyone feel safe and welcome!  4:30pm - Minute to Win It Parsha Challenge (ages 5-11)  5:15pm - Dinner  5:45pm - Magic Show with Rogue the Magician (ages 5+)  5:45pm - Tot Simchat - songs and food craft (ages 1- 4)  6:30pm - Hakafot  6:45pm - Youth/2nd Hakafa

Sponsors needed! Please visit www.thebayit.org/ste to help support this program.

9th ANNUAL TEEN SIMCHAT TORAH BLACK TIE BASH Monday, October 21st, 9:00pm - Midnight All teens in grades 7 - 12 welcome! SIMCHAT TORAH LOUNGE NIGHT AT THE HIR!!! Pool, Ping Pong, Foosball, Board Games, Dairy Snacks & Desserts and More! BREATH, BODY, MIND WORKSHOP: Mondays THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR from 1:00pm-2:00pm. HIGH HOLIDAYS SPECIAL

Contact Shira Gordon at [email protected] for more info. Apologies to those who were not listed last week: Classes resume on October 28th. Phil Eilenberg, Chaim Kranzler, Michael Kress, Stephen Lief, JJ Schmuckler and Elliot Schwartz.

CSS (COMMUNITY SECURITY SERVICE): Thank you for leading services and reading the Torah over Thank you to all our CSS volunteers who are working over the High Holidays! the Tishrei holidays. The extra shifts you work when there are so many holidays are especially appreciated. Jewish New Parents Support Group The best thank you is to become a volunteer. The Wednesdays, October 30th- December 18th, 10:30 - 11:30am more volunteers we have, the fewer times each year Mazal Tov on your new baby! Becoming a new parent is any one person has to serve. quite a change. We invite you to join our community of new

Ready to sign up for the next training course? Questions? parents to learn, grow, share common experiences and Please contact Tzvi Bar-Shai at [email protected]. resources, ask questions, combat isolation, and feel support- ed on this exciting and challenging journey. The group will meet at the Bayit and is open to all first-time parents with a SAVE THE DATE - MOTZAEI SHABBAT new baby, ages 2-6 months. Babies are also welcome.

NOVEMBER 16th | 7:00 - 8:30pm Cost: $288, payable to JBFCS. Please contact Bayit Social Beyond Eshet Chayil: The Musical Legacy of Rav Ben Zion Shenker Worker Arona Berow, LMSW, for required intake and for Dr. Ira Epstein will give a lecture to commemorate the 3rd any questions, at 212-632-4735 or [email protected] yahrtzeit of Rav Ben Zion Shenker. Dr. Epstein will highlight a variety of his songs that express the joy of Chasidic fervor and present the composer’s recorded comments discussing CLIMATE CORNER the background to his works. Be prepared to sing! A WIN FOR THE BAYIT AND THE ENVIRONMENT!

Mazel tov & many thanks to all of you who have schlepped BUSINESS ADVERTISING IN THE BAYIT BULLETIN your plastic bags & plastic film to our collection site! We Promote your business to Bayit bulletin readers in the first completed our 6 month goal of collecting 500 pounds - in just bulletin of every month. Contact the office at 718-796-4730 5 months! or [email protected] for more information. In cooperation with Trex (www.Trex.com) we kept all that HIR's posting of any advertisement is not an endorsement of the plastic out of the landfill and earned a FREE bench for the advertiser, or of the product or service offered. Bayit’s playground made from recycled plastic. Looking ALIYOT AT THE BAYIT forward, if we collectively spend the same energy and Have a guest or special occasion coming up? Contact Bayit attention it took us to collect all that material on working to Gabbai, Hillel Jaffe to arrange for Aliyot and other Kibbudim. reduce the amount of plastic we use, we will make a more [email protected]. powerful difference. When we convince others to do the same we all benefit. Action steps include switching to BAYIT SEFARIM FUND reusable bags, eliminating or replacing plastic straws, drinking Donations to the Sefarim fund will be used to bottles and containers and using compostable tableware purchase the books we need as determined by when regular dishes and tablecloths are not an option. Use the Rabbinic team and Gabbaim. Donors will be your buying power to let businesses know you care about recognized with a thank you in the 2nd bulletin of their impact on the environment: Buy items with every month and a dedication label in the book when it is environmentally friendly packaging and let retailers and purchased. www.thebayit.org/sefarim. websites know why you selected (or rejected) their products. Learn more at www.thebayit.org/green or email HIR GIFT CARDS [email protected] to join the Bayit Green Team! Support our Bayit by purchasing gift cards - Buy it for the Bayit! For more information on volunteering or to place an AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM order, email [email protected] or call Shira Gordon at Go to smile.amazon.com, pick your own charitable 718-549-5280. organization and put in “Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.” NOTE: Purchases do not cost you anything extra.

THE BAYIT The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale – The Bayit – is an open Orthodox synagogue serving the entire Jewish community by warmly embracing all Jews, regardless of affiliation, commitment, orientation or background. It is affectionately known as the "Bayit," which is a home – a place of love and welcome. We are known nationally for bringing spirituality into the synagogue; activism on behalf of the oppressed; youth and teen engagement; learning programs; and work on behalf of the elderly, the homebound, and those with developmental and physical challenges.

If these words resonate with you, if our Bayit has touched your life, then please join our growing membership. Beyond the bayit - October 18 - 25, 2019 PARSHA COMICS AT THE BAYIT: Please pick up Sam Weingard’s weekly parsha comic from the coatroom table

CARMEL ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE: Join us at Carmel Academy’s Open House on Sunday, October 27th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Learn about our individualized whole-child approach, rigorous and award-winning curriculum and enrichment opportuni- ties. Attend an array of "mini classes" led by our faculty, tour our idyllic 17-acre campus and explore social/emotional learning dur- ing a brief panel discussion. Engaging games & activities provided for accompanying children! Register now at www.carmelacademy.com.

YIVO AND RIVERDALE TEMPLE: Sunday, October 27th at 2:00pm: Nationalism, Religion, Antisemitism: The Nexus of Hate in Eastern Today. Dr. Jonathan Brent, Executive Director and CEO of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, discusses the disturbing recent events in Poland (and America), and the fundamental problems of Jewish-Polish dialogue. Riverdale Temple 4545 Independence Ave. Admission Free. www.yivo.org | www.riverdaletemple.org

CAMP REGESH OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, October 27th at 8:00pm. Come and learn about the special feeling of summer found only at Camp Regesh. At the home of Sara & Laurence Hasson. RSVP: 845-357-9423, [email protected], www.regeshonline.com

NECHAMACOMFORT is an organization that offers support and guidance to families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. We invite you to come to our monthly support group meeting at RJC, 3700 Independence Ave., on October 28, 2019 from 8:00-10:00 pm. The group is open to all women.

BEN PORAT YOSEF OPEN HOUSE: Join Ben Porat Yosef at our annual Open House on October 29th at 7:30 p.m. 243 E. Frisch Court in Paramus. Discover what makes BPY an exceptional and unique place of learning and growth. To register: www.benporatyosef.org/openhouse or call Sharona Grossberg, Director of Admissions 201-845-5007 x16

MOSHAVA BA’IR PARLOR MEETING: Come learn about Camp Moshava Ba’ir at a Parlor Meeting with our camp director, Shlomo Stern! The meeting will take place on Sunday, November 3rd at 8:30 PM at the Bohm family, 9 Delafield Way. All families attending with receive a $25 family discount off summer 2020 tuition! You don’t want to miss out! For more information, visit www.moshavabair.org

THE LEFFELL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: Lower School: November 10th (call 914-948-3111 for info), Middle School: December 8th (call 914-948-8333 for info), High School: November 3rd. (call 914-948-8333 for info).

WESTCHESTER TORAH ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE: Come learn how Westchester Torah Academy offers an excellent Jewish education at an excellent price. Our Open House for parents of children entering a three's program through 8th grade will be on November 5, 2019 from 7-9 pm. At our new temporary location: 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Meet our dedicated teachers and Administration, experience a model lesson in action, and talk to current parents to see why so many families are choosing WTA. Learn more and RSVP: www.westchesterta.org/openhouse

THE IDEA SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AND RIVERDALE PARLOR MEETING: The Idea School is a co-ed Jewish High School focused on Project Based Learning located at the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ. Learn more about the school’s unique educational model and vision for Jewish and general studies education at www.theideaschool.org. Please join us for our Open House at the school on Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30pm, or at a Parlor Meeting in Riverdale on Tuesday, November12th at 7:30pm. Please email [email protected] for more information or to register. Parlor meeting location given upon registration.

KINNERET DAY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE (Every Friday from 8-9am, October through January) and Parlor Meetings on Nov. 10 and Dec 8th. For over 70 years, Kinneret has been providing students from across the spectrum of Jewish practice with a cutting-edge N-8 education in a warm, nurturing environment right here in Riverdale. Our loving early childhood program encourages students’ transitions to greater independence and emphasizes school readiness through play with half-day and extended day options available. -- High acceptance rate into NYC specialized high schools and Jewish Day Schools -- Ivrit b’Ivrit classroom and culture --Affordable tuition To learn more about Kinneret Day School or to attend a Parlor Meeting, please email [email protected] or call 718-548-0900.

YESHIVAT FRISCH OPEN HOUSE: Yeshivat Frisch, The Frisch School, located in Paramus, NJ, invites all 8th graders and their parents to our Open House on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Come and experience the innovative formal and informal educational opportunities provided to our students that foster their individualized intellectual and religious growth. (Kindly register at Frisch.org/openhouse.)

Beyond the bayit - October 18 - 25, 2019 JEWISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE (JBL): Season Begins Sunday November 17th. To Register On-Line Or For More Info, Please visit: www.Jblhoops.org. For boys and girls Kindergarten – 4th Grade.

AIPAC CONFERENCE 2020 is Sunday March 1 - Tuesday, March 3. Take advantage of a High Holiday discount through Oct. 23, 2019, so that registration now costs $399 per person. Use the discount code holidays5780 at checkout. Your fee is fully refundable before January 10, 2020. Go to AIPAC.com or policyconference.org

CHAI LIFELINE’S I-SHINE: The I-Shine program, an after-school program for kids, provides a warm and caring environment for elementary school children affected by the illness or death of a close family member. I-Shine meets at Westchester Day School on Wednesdays from 4:00pm - 6:45pm. We are looking for volunteers to help with driving from the Riverdale area starting after the chagim. Please contact Daphne Rawson or Linda Zucker by phone or email if you'd like to be an I-Shine driver or need other information. Daphne Rawson - 914-262-0734 or [email protected]. Linda Zucker - 914-837- 9019 or [email protected].

KINGSBRIDGE CENTER OF ISRAEL (KCI) OPENS THE FIRST KOSHER FOOD PANTRY IN THE BRONX: The KCI Kosher pantry will be opening its doors for the first time this coming Rosh Hashana & High Holiday season at 3115 Corlear Ave. We will provide to those in need basic non-perishable and limited perishable food items.The food has been made available to the Pantry at no-cost by NYS & NYC with the help of Met Council and is available for anyone and everyone who thinks that a little extra help will benefit you and/or your family. Pantry hours: Wednesdays Open Drop-in hours from 10am-1pm and Thursdays- 6-9pm by private appointment only. Questions? Please contact [email protected] or 646-647-1380.

2019 CONFERENCE ON JEWS AND CONSERVATISM. Sunday, November 10, 2019. The Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC) aims to develop a new political and cultural vision for American Jewry, and to bring together Jews who believe that conservative ideas can help strengthen the Jewish people, the Jewish nation, and the American civic future. For event schedule, program speakers and to register click here: https://www.jewishleadershipconference.org/. Grand Hyatt Hotel, 109 East 42nd Street, NYC.

Upcoming at the Riverdale Y:

The Riverdale Y Annual Broadway Gala On November 3, join us for a star-studded evening as Broadway actors and musicians perform Ragtime at the Riverdale Perform- ing Arts Center. This year, we are honoring January Akselrad and Jennifer Young for the work they have done to combat bullying through their Be a Friend Project, which is an outgrowth of their signature production, It's Easy! The Friend Strong Musical. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.RiverdaleY.org/gala.

Story Slam Videos Our Story Slam on September 15 was a tremendous success. We'd like to thank Ann, Albert, Yali, Bernard, Sheila, Aviva, and Heidi for their amazing stories. To view the Story Slam videos, please visit www.facebook.com/RiverdaleYMYWHA/videos

Sarah Lily Adoption Fund Please share this with anyone who's adopting: The Sarah Lily Fund provides two $5,000 grants annually to help defray some of the many costs of forming Jewish families in this vital way. Applications are due November 30. For additional information, as well as the application form, please visit www.RiverdaleY.org/sarahlily