Congregation

ONEWSLETTER / VOLUMER 17:3Z TEVET / SHEVATARUA / ADAR I 5765 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005 OR ZARUA CELEBRATES ITS SWEET 16 AND 350 YEARS OF JEWS IN AMERICA

ongregation Or Zarua is celebrating its Sweet 16 and From Recife to the Revolution.” Cthe 350th anniversary of the first Jewish settlers’ arrival Or Zarua’s Sweet 16 on February 2 with David Ellenson in America. Our January and February 2005 programs include: speaking on “After Emancipation: Jewish Religious Responses The “Our Precious Legacies” exhibition in the social hall to Modernity” for the annual Lucy Dawidowicz Lecture. displaying treasured objects from our own families’ histories. A Shabbat Dinner on February 11 with Dr. Hasia Diner A Shabbat Lunch on January 15 with Congregant speaking on “A History of Their Own: Jewish Women in Barry Feldman speaking on “Jews in Colonial New York: America.”

Lucy Dawidowicz Lecture by Rabbi David Ellenson

n February 2 His topic will be “After Emancipation: holds a doctorate from Columbia Univer- Oat 8:00 p.m., Jewish Religious Responses to Modernity.” sity and master’s degrees from Columbia, Rabbi David Ellenson, An HUC-JIR faculty member since HUC-JIR, and the . President of Hebrew 1979, Rabbi Ellenson currently holds the He is a fellow at the Sholom Hartman Union College-Jewish Gus Waterman Herrman Presidential Chair Institute of and a fellow and Institute of Religion and is the I.H. and Anna Grancell Professor lecturer at the Institute for Advanced (HUC-JIR), will of Jewish Religious Thought at HUC-JIR, Studies at Hebrew University. He has deliver the Lucy Los Angeles. He is a member of the Central been a visiting professor of history at the Dawidowicz Lecture on the occasion of Conference of American . Jewish Theological Seminary and is a Congregation Or Zarua’s 16th birthday. Ordained in 1977, Rabbi Ellenson continued on page 3

Shabbat Lunch, January 15 Shabbat Dinner, February 11 Barry Feldman Hasia Diner

he history of early New York Jewry will be the topic of ur guest speaker at the Or Zarua Shabbat Dinner on Tdiscussion at our Shabbat Lunch on January 15 following OFriday, February 11 will be Hasia Diner, the Paul and services. OZ member and native New Yorker Barry Feldman Sylvia Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History and will speak on “Jews in Colonial New York: From Recife to Director of the Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish the Revolution.” History at . The topic of Dr. Diner’s talk Barry Feldman is currently a museum educator at the will be “A History of Their Own: Jewish Women in America.” New York Historical Society, a volunteer docent at the Eldridge Dinner will follow services, which will begin at 5:11 p.m. Street Project and a licensed New York City tour guide and Professor Diner, a Wisconsin native and New York resident, lecturer specializing in Family Heritage Tours. His presentations received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin examine how early New York Jews adapted to the general culture and her doctorate from the Univeristy of Illinois in Chicago. continued on page 3 continued on page 6 1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005

YOUTH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONGREGATION By Ilana Burgess

n the last few months, the Hebrew School OR Iand Youth Education Department offered wonderful activities in addition to the daily ZARUA classes. During the Hebrew School Shabbat ACONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE Service, students had a FOUNDED 1989 chance to listen to an adult Torah reader and 127 EAST 82ND STREET study the history of a

NEW YORK, NY 10028 Torah that was saved phone:212-452-2310 fax:212-452-2103 from the Holocaust. Adults are invited to www.orzarua.org come and study with us at the Hebrew School DR.HARLAN J.WECHSLER, Rabbi services. We learn DANIEL J. BELLER, President about the structure of the siddur

BARBARA J. BOLSHON, Executive Director and the meaning of the prayers and weekly portion. You do not ILANA BURGESS, Youth Education Director need to be a parent to join us. PAULETTE SCHNEIDER, Newsletter Editor Our fourth graders labeled books to be sent to . Students there will use Clockwise from top right: Eve Engel the books for research and for advancing (left), Emily Margolin and Rae Album; Editor’s Note their knowledge of English. Jonah Hecht (left), Sam Album and Middle and high school students Hannah Weintraub; Sam Rosenfield helped to make the collages for Or Zarua’s he Congregation Or Zarua Newsletter (left) and Sam Beller; Jonah Adler (left), “Our Precious Legacies” exhibition. Morah Yael and Zachary Gold. Twelcomes articles submitted by Congregants. Please email your text and/or images to the office at [email protected]. We may edit your article for length and Hebrew School Events clarity. If possible, digital images should be high-resolution files at 300 dpi. JANUARY 2005 Kindly submit articles for the Monday, January 3 Classes resume after Winter Vacation March/April 2005 issue by Monday, Saturday, January 8 Hebrew School Shabbat Class, 10:00 a.m. January 24. Saturday, January 8 Movie: “Operation Thunderbolt,” 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 17 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes) Keep us up to date. Please make sure that Monday, January 24 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7:00 p.m. we have your current mailing address and phone numbers, as well as your email FEBRUARY 2005 address so we can send you our weekly Friday, February 4 Fourth and Fifth Grade Shabbat Dinner, email alerts. Call Lidiya at 212-452-2310 (following Kabbalat Shabbat) (ext. 10) to update your contact informa- Saturday, February 12 Hebrew School Shabbat Class, 10:00 a.m. tion, share your family’s good news (such Monday, February 21 Presidents’ Week (no classes) as births and marriages) or to notify us of Monday, February 28 Classes resume after Presidents’ Week an illness in your family.

2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005

“OPERATION THUNDERBOLT” IN THIS ISSUE Saturday, January 8 • 6:30 p.m. • 4th Floor Library Lucy Dawidowicz Lecture...... 1 Shabbat Lunch with Feldman ....1 or the first time at Or Zarua, the hit Israeli movie, “Operation Thunderbolt,” Shabbat Dinner with Diner...... 1 Fwill be screened in the OZ library on January 8, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. In the summer of 1976, an Air France jet filled with Israeli and Youth Education Department.....2 Jewish passengers was hijacked and diverted to deepest Africa. Hesed Committee...... 4 While the world watched silently from afar, Israel Book Discussions ...... 5 undertook a dramatic rescue operation to save the hostages. If you have forgotten these events from 30 years ago, or if you Shabbat Shirah ...... 5 have mature children (age 11 years or older) who wish to learn Hevra Kadisha...... 6 about that fateful summer, please join us to watch this suspenseful, exciting film (Hebrew with English subtitles). Me’ah Class ...... 6 January/February Calendars..Insert Special Congregational Meals.....7 David Ellenson Barry Feldman Shabbat Learners’ Service ...... 8 continued from page 1 continued from page 1 OZY Services...... 8 faculty member of the Wexner Heritage and how the city responded to its increas- Yom Tov in Central Europe ...... 9 Foundation. Rabbi Ellenson is a native ing Jewish population. of Brookline, Massachusetts. Barry has spent his career in educa- Super Bowl Party...... 9 Author of over 200 articles and tion and research. He earned two Or Zarua Community...... 10 reviews, Rabbi Ellenson has lectured master’s degrees from Yeshiva University, United Synagogue Awards ...... 12 extensively in the United States and one in School Counseling and one in abroad on diverse topics in modern Administration of Guidance Services. Jewish history, ethics and thought. His He also earned a master’s degree from writings include Tradition in Transition: the City University of New York in Orthodoxy, Halakhah and the Boundaries Supervision and Administration. He was KOL NIDRE of a Modern Jewish Identity (1989) and a professor at Mercy College, and within APPEAL UPDATE Between Tradition and Culture: The the New York City school system he Dialectics of Jewish Religion and Identity held various positions including Deputy Our Goal in the Modern World (1994). In 1990, he Superintendent of Schools, Director of was nominated for the National Jewish Pupil Personnel, and Consultant in 100% Participation Book Council’s Award in Jewish History Labor Relations. (at a level comfortable for for his work Rabbi Esriel Hildesheimer As a fellow at the YIVO Institute each Congregant) and the Creation of a Modern Jewish for Higher Jewish Learning, Barry’s area Orthodoxy. He co-edited Bits of Honey: of concentration was Ethnicity and 100% 424 Essays for Samson H. Levey (1993) and Social History of Polish Jews. He has 80% is presently completing, with Daniel also researched the Lamed Vav Tzadikim 60% 255 Gordis, a study tentatively titled For the and other topics in the YIVO archives 40% Sake of Heaven: Conversion, Identity and and at , Jewish 20% the Politics of Modern Jewish Orthodoxy. Theological Seminary and Hebrew 0% We look forward to having Rabbi Union College. Members

David Ellenson celebrate with us on Barry’s talk on the Jews of colonial Total Participating February 2. Please call the synagogue New York promises to be enlightening. (ext. 39) or respond through the website Please call the synagogue (ext. 39) or We’re On The Way! by Friday, January 28 to reserve a seat respond through the website by Tuesday, Thanks to all Congregants at the lecture. The OZ birthday party January 11 to place a reservation for the who have already given. will follow. Shabbat Lunch.

3 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005 HESED COMMITTEE Annual Israeli Night; Third Blood Drive

ANNUAL ISRAELI NIGHT AT RONALD including the preparation of sandwiches for distribution to the MCDONALD HOUSE THURSDAY, JANUARY 27 homeless. The day starts with morning minyan at 8:45 a.m. Or Zarua will host its annual Israeli Night at the Ronald and includes a delicious brunch. McDonald House (405 East 73rd Street), a residence for chil- Who can give? Just about everyone who is at least 17 years dren in treatment for serious illnesses at local hospitals. This old and weighs at least 110 pounds can be a blood donor. (If joyous evening features entertainment by OZ members and the you are over 75, bring a letter from your doctor.) If you have opportunity to interact with young patients and their families spent a significant amount of time overseas in the past few from around the globe. Israeli Night provides these families years, please double check before making an appointment. with a catered dinner and a welcome distraction from illness Even if you don’t wish to donate blood, please join the through song and laughter. The Hesed Committee needs up to Bone Marrow Donor Registry of the National Marrow Donor 15 volunteers to: Program, a national network of medical organizations that iden- Donate kosher desserts—cupcakes, cookies, pastry, etc. tifies potential bone marrow donors around the country and (to be dropped off at the House on January 27 by 5:30 matches donors with patients who might be treated with a bone p.m., although alternative arrangements can be made) marrow transplant. While the odds of matching are low, many Assist with set-up and decorations (from 5:15 p.m.) patients are successfully treated for leukemia and other diseases Serve food (from 6:00 p.m.) with bone marrow transplants. Jews in particular are needed as Clean up (from 7:00 p.m.) potential donors because of the likelihood that they will be a Help lead singing and/or folk dancing (from 7:00 p.m.to close match for other Jews with similar ancestry. Registering 8:00 p.m.) requires a simple blood test and takes just a few minutes. Contact Stephanie Failla at 212-480-3111 (days) and This year we are seeking at least 65 potential donors to 917-941-3199 (evenings) for information or to volunteer. reach our goal of 50 pints collected. Please sign up and bring Note that children under the age of 18 cannot volunteer. Space is your friends and family members to donate as well. limited, so please call as soon as possible. Contact James Rothman at 212-472-1739 or Please also consider a donation to the Or Zarua Hesed [email protected] for more information, to make an Fund to help defray the cost of this and other Hesed appointment to donate, or to volunteer at this important Committee events. event (you don’t have to donate to volunteer!). Please consider making a donation to Or Zarua’s Hesed Fund to THIRD ANNUAL OZ BLOOD DRIVE support this effort—though the collection of blood is free, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 each bone marrow registration costs about $25. It’s now a tradition: in the midst of winter, Or Zarua donors For more information about OZ’s Hesed Committee, roll up their sleeves and give generously by donating blood please contact Lesley Palmer at 212-772-9673 or and/or registering in the national Bone Marrow Donor [email protected]. Your donations to the Hesed Fund sustain Registry. On February 13, the synagogue will be vibrant with these and other activities, such as the Monday night meal volunteers for different Hesed activities. Along with the blood serving for the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter’s residence drive there will be a variety of children’s Hesed projects, on East 81st Street. Please join us!

Clean Out Your Bathroom Cabinets!

ou know those little bottles of shampoo and lotion that you can’t resist taking home from hotels or picking up at the local Ypharmacy “just in case”? Well, clear them off your vanity shelf and put them to use! Please donate toiletries (unused travel- size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bars of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste) for distribution to the homeless. One of the activities for children during the OZ Blood Drive will be the preparation of brown-bag meals along with toiletries for those in need. Drop your donations in the collection boxes in the social hall and on the sixth floor during the month of February.

4 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005 Or Zarua Book Discussions

ongregants and their guests are invited won’t let him worry himself to death about it. Yehoshua, the Cto our discussion of acclaimed Israeli most daring of the major Israeli writers, tells a simple story author A.B. Yehoshua’s new novel, The about a region that complicates all it touches.” Liberated Bride, on Sunday evening, January On Sunday evening, March 6, we will have as guest speaker 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Or Zarua library. Pat Michael Terry, chief librarian of the Dorot Jewish Division of Davidson will lead our look at this explo- the New York Public Library. He will discuss the wonderful ration of relationships at once personal and exhibition of original documents he curated in celebration of political—man and wife, father and son, the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Jews in teacher and pupil, Israeli and Arab. The New America: “Jewes in America: Conquistadors, Yorker wrote: “The three brides at the center of this Knickerbockers, Pilgrims and the Hope of Israel.” gentle novel all refuse to do what Yochanan Rivlin, an The New York Times lauded Terry as having done aging Israeli professor of Near Eastern studies, wishes “what a consummate collector does: gather unusual them to do. Samaher, a depressed Palestinian graduate materials from disparate places and juxtapose them, student who is newly married, won’t finish her seminar revealing hidden resonances, creating connections and, paper; Galya, soon to be a mother, won’t tell him why finally, informing those less learned about what is being she divorced his son; and Rivlin’s wife, Hagit, a district judge, shown, with finely detailed, often playful commentary.”

MAKE LAUGHTER MIDWINTER JOY IN THE TORAH AND FRIENDS AT By Ron Meyers PURIM SPIEL nce the last Hanukkah candle has display of spontaneous delight and grati- burned down, we are returned to tude. The Song at the Sea is enshrined First Rehearsal O the darkness of the winter. The days are in our daily morning prayers, and the Sunday, January 30, 2-5 p.m. getting minutely longer and the small Shabbat when we read it is elevated on holiday of Tu B’Shevat (on January 25 our calendar as Shabbat Shirah—the Second Rehearsal this year) stirs our first anticipation Shabbat of Song. The haftarah for Thursday, February 3, 7-10 p.m. of the still-distant springtime. But apart Shabbat Shirah contains another song, All rehearsals will be on Sunday from Tu B’Shevat, even our holiday that of the prophetess Deborah, which afternoons and Thursday evenings. calendar is in blackout for two full months she sings after winning a decisive victory until Purim comes along. that inaugurated a long era of peace. Purim Spiel Fortunately, we have a holiday every There is a tradition on Shabbat Shirah Thursday, March 24, 6 p.m. week with Shabbat, and during these of sending children out to feed the birds We need everyone there from quiet months we have a number of so that the birds, too, will be encouraged the beginning, so come to the special Shabbat observances. The first to join us in song. Or Zarua social hall! comes as we read of the climactic exodus The holiday of Simhat Torah may from Egypt in parshat Beshalah (read this be a distant memory at this point in the • actors • singers • narrators year on January 22). As the Israelites year, but our joy in the Torah shines schlepers • directors • producers pass through the parted seas, Moses sings, through from week to week, brightening designers • stage hands • ushers Miriam sings, the people sing, in a rare even the dark days of winter. fun-loving kids & adults Please pass this announcement on to your friends and fellow OZ’ers. Bimah Ramp Congregation Or Zarua’s bimah can be made wheelchair-accessible with RSVP to our producer, our portable ramp. If you know that you will be attending a Shabbat service and will Barbara Sassoon, at [email protected]. need the ramp, please call the office (ext. 10) by early Friday afternoon to let us know.

5 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005

OSTS E AH LASS HEVRA KADISHA OZ H M ’ C ZAYIN ADAR DINNER By Sara Stone

Thursday, March 17, 2005 very Tuesday evening you will find Tanakh and how do they compare to values Etwenty-six OZ Congregants gathered imparted by stories of other cultures in in the library for study. This is OZ’s the Ancient Near East? Who was chosen: he Hevra Kadisha of Or Zarua pioneer Me’ah class. Me’ah is a two-year Cain or Abel? What does it mean to be Twill host its annual Zayin Adar intensive adult Jewish learning program chosen? What lessons can be learned Dinner on the evening of March 17, developed by Boston’s Hebrew College. from all the stories of sibling rivalry? 2005. Zayin Adar, the yahrzeit of This year, with the support of the United Why didn’t Abraham object to killing Moses, is the traditional date for Jewish Appeal, the program has expanded Isaac? What are the plagues really about? Hevra Kadisha members to join with to the New York metropolitan area. Or We could spend two years on this material the rest of the Congregation for Zarua was fortunate to be one of only two alone but we have only ten weeks! New York City sites selected to host Me’ah. After our ten sessions on Tanakh, we fellowship and recognition of the We have begun our studies with the move on to the rabbinic period. Next group’s important work. Hebrew Bible—Tanakh—led by a won- year we will study the medieval and modern When a loss occurs within the derful instructor, Diane Sharon, who periods of Jewish history. Each section of community, the Hevra Kadisha received a doctorate from the Jewish the course will be taught by a different provides shomrim to accompany the Theological Seminary and is currently instructor who is an expert in the subject. deceased and read psalms until the leading the Youth Studies Department at And yes, from time to time Rabbi Wechsler funeral, performs taharas (preparation Young Judaea. Despite our busy days, we will make guest appearances so that we of the deceased for burial), delivers all try to do the assigned reading, which can share with him all we have learned meals of condolence and supplies for is not overwhelming, so that we can ask and hear his responses. How fortunate we the home during shiva, and assists questions. Many of us arrive after a long are to have this experience. with supporting minyanim. day at work or at home, but as soon as the As Diane has told us, shivi’im panim la The Zayin Adar Dinner will be class starts we are quickly engrossed in the Torah, the Torah has seventy faces. With a held at Park East Grill, where a material as Diane leads us with lightening lifetime of study, there is always something beautifully prepared celebratory meal speed through the Bible and beyond. No new to see. Our class has barely scratched looking at your watch in this class! the surface, yet we are already eager for was enjoyed last year. Please call the Yes, we all know the stories of more. That is exactly the point of Me’ah— synagogue (ext. 39) or use the Bereshit (Genesis) and Shemot (Exodus), to increase our knowledge, but also to whet website to make your reservations. but suddenly we are seeing them in a new our desire to learn more. The course has light. What values are imparted by the more than lived up to its advanced billing.

Research and a member of the Society of America from Colonial Times to the Present Hasia Diner American Historians. She was nominated (2002) and is a co-editor of Dictionary of for the James Beard Award in the American History. continued from page 1 “Writing About Food” category for her Dr. Diner is a frequent lecturer and Prior to her tenure at work entitled Hungering for American: conference speaker, and she was on the NYU, she was a pro- Italian, Irish and Jewish Foodways in the grant selection committee for the American fessor in the Depart- Age of Migration (2002). Dr. Diner is Memory Project for the Library of Congress. ment of American also one of the twenty living historians She was also involved with the films, Studies at the Univer- included in American Women Historians, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg and sity of Maryland. 1700s-1900s (1998). Her books include The Irish in America. We are very pleased A prolific writer, The Jews of the United States, 1645-2000 to welcome Hasia Diner. Dr. Diner has been (2004) and In the Almost Promised Land: Please call the synagogue (ext. 39) or the recipient of a senior post-doctoral American Jews and Blacks, 1915-1935 respond through the website by Tuesday, fellowship at Princeton. She is a fellow (1995). She also co-authored Her Works February 8 to place a reservation for the of the American Academy of Jewish Praise Her: A History of Jewish Women in Shabbat Dinner. 6 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005

Me’ah Books in Meals with OZ Congregants the OZ Library SHABBAT LUNCH WITH BARRY FELDMAN n Tuesday evenings, twenty-six Saturday, January 15 OMe’ah students are engaged in active learning with our Biblical Studies instruc- Immediately following services and kiddush tor, Diane Sharon. In order to share our learning with the entire Congregation, we SHABBAT DINNER WITH HASIA DINER have dedicated a shelf in the OZ library to books used in the Me’ah class and addi- Erev Shabbat, Friday, February 11 tional books recommended by the instruc- Services begin at 5:06 p.m., Dinner at 6:30 p.m. tor. Come spend some time in the library and read these books. Here are some Reservations for all meals are essential. recent acquisitions: $25 adults; $15 children (ages 5-12); under age 5, no charge Love and Joy: Law, Language and Religion in RSVP: Tel 212-452-2310 (ext. 39) / Fax 212-452-2301 / www.orzarua.org Ancient Israel by Yochanan Muffs

In the Wake of the Goddesses: Women, Culture and the Biblical Transformation of Pagan Myth by Tikva Frymer-Kensky

The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in and Christianity by Jon Levenson

Old Testament Study by John B. Hayes

7 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA SEPTEMBER JANUARY / /FEBRUARY OCTOBER 20052004 SPREAD THE WORD By Debbie Breznay and Pamela Gold

ike most other Congregations, we assemble in our sanctuary Committee, ably led by Meredith Katz. Each and every one of Lat the daily minyan and on Shabbat and Jewish holidays to us who treasures membership in Or Zarua and is eager to sustain pray and study together. At other times we gather as a commu- the strength and spirit of Or Zarua would benefit by nity to serve our synagogue and our greater community. On actively introducing our Congregation to family and friends. Monday night, November 15, we met at the home of Rabbi And that is what we are asking Congregants to do, with the Wechsler and Naomi Friedland-Wechsler to welcome new same enthusiasm we all shared at the New Members Reception. members to Or Zarua. The New Members Reception exemplified In personally spreading the word about Or Zarua, we give the best that Or Zarua has to offer in the way of hospitality. meaning to the Congregation’s Mission Statement, which is There was lively conversation, plentiful and delicious food, and memorialized on our web site: “Out of that infinite yield of light most importantly, a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. freely bestowed upon the world by a profuse and loving Creator, We were delighted to be able to share the pleasures of Or Zarua may we, in turn, seed, nurture and cultivate light, and live to with each other, and we are very grateful to our gracious hosts. scatter joy and light among ourselves and our children and amid The Congregation has a wonderful New Members the house of Israel.” Then, we will truly be living up to our name.

OZ’s First Shabbat Learners’ Service Saturday, January 22, 2005 • Or Zarua Library, 4th Floor

YOU ASKED FOR IT…AND YOU’LL HAVE IT!

Come join our first Shabbat Learners’ Service, modelled on our well-received High Holy Day Learners’ Service. We’ll all learn together. Whatever your background, there is always plenty to learn. We’ll focus on the meaning of prayer, Torah study and “how-to” skills.

WWW.ORZARUA.ORG OZY SERVICES ur new website is a great Oresource both for existing and ach Shabbat, we have three Each month during the school year, prospective members. Edifferent grade-level services: we have a special Hebrew School Shabbat service, which all Hebrew Use www.orzarua.org to: Infant through Kindergarten School students in the third through View our calendar and check 11:00 a.m. to noon sixth grades are encouraged to service times Alef Bet Corner attend. Students from other schools Sign up for events First through Third Grades are welcome as well. Make donations on-line 10:00 a.m. to noon The next Hebrew School Shabbat Learn about educational programs Junior Congregation Classes will take place on for adults and for children Fourth through Sixth Grades Saturday, January 8 and Saturday, Keep informed about our 10:00 a.m. to noon February 12. Congregation

8 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005 YOM TOV IN CENTRAL EUROPE By Michael Schwartz

y wife and I recently visited Budapest, brilliant day of Indian summer. whole service, but many Americans (or MKrakow and Prague—in that order. Services were well-attended, perhaps so they appeared) came in for a portion Krakow was on the list because of its by as many as 250 people. But I am told of the hakafot—whose time had been proximity to Auschwitz/Birkenau, where by our guide that the center of Jewish life posted on the synagogue door—and took of course we intended to visit and say in Budapest these days has moved to a their turns in the chorus line and at the kaddish. But by happenstance, our itiner- different quarter: nearer to the Danube, bimah. An imperishable memory to ary put us in Budapest on Sukkot and in and interestingly, near the apartment dance and sing Jewishly in a city where, Prague on Simchat Torah. I wish I could complex where Raoul Wallenberg lived even after the Shoah, Jews were singled say we’d been smart enough to plan and did his blessed work of saving out for show trials and persecution. things this way—to “book-end” our trip Hungarian Jews from the Germans. There And to add to the small miracle of to Auschwitz/Birkenau with celebrations are two other older synagogues in the these two hagim, I learned that the thir- of Yom Tov—but we weren’t. Instead, the Jewish quarter—an Orthodox shul of teenth-century rabbi and halakhist Isaac dates fell that way by coincidence, one of astonishing beauty and a Conservative ben Moses, although known to history as those coincidences that put a little of the synagogue (Rumbach Sebestyen) that is in Isaac of Vienna, had reputedly been born miraculous into everyday Jewish life. disrepair and is boarded up. We were told in Prague, my Simhat Torah home away In Budapest, Sukkot services at the that a Japanese (!) philanthropist began from Or Zarua this year. Rabbi Isaac’s Dohany Street Synagogue, the Great its renovation, but ran out of funds. immediate significance to me? He is the Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagoga) of the city, Our other book-end was Prague. author of a great ritual and halakhik work located in the old Jewish quarter. The The Staranova Synagoga, also called the whose title is—the other small miracle— building is huge; it is the largest Jewish Altneushul (Old-New Synagogue), was Sefer Or Zarua. On my return from our house of worship in the world except for the site for Simhat Torah services. These wonderful trip, I was fortunate enough to New York’s Temple Emanuel. It is remi- fell two days after we had walked through find a copy of this seminal work—Rabbi niscent of Temple Emanuel in its lay- Auschwitz and Birkenau on another Wechsler tells me it includes the first out—a long, high, almost cathedral-like brilliant day of Indian summer, with the compendium of Ashkenazi religious prac- interior, with the bimah in the very front slim silver birches for which Birkenau is tices—for Or Zarua’s library. of the congregation—but unlike Temple named rising into a perfect sky. Much as I love our holidays at home, Emanuel, the interior is extensively The hakafot in Prague were exhila- I wouldn’t have missed for the world decorated and the exterior has a decidedly rating. The synagogue has its bimah in observing them this year in Budapest and Moorish feel. After services, kiddush in the center, and the dancing and singing Prague. It is by far the largest of the many the sukkah. And then a walk in the around it went on literally for an hour. miracles this trip included that we can courtyard behind the synagogue, where a The congregants were young, younger still celebrate our holidays there, in the weeping willow made of metal memorial- than those in Budapest, and full of energy. aftermath of what we saw in Poland in izes the victims of the Shoah. It is a Everyone got an aliyah. I davened the between the two celebrations.

Or Zarua Super Bowl Party, February 6

ome and watch the Super Bowl in the sanctuary. The game should begin Cwith your friends at our third annual about 6:00 p.m. and will be shown on a Or Zarua Super Bowl Party to be held in big-screen TV in the social hall. All are the synagogue on February 6. Enjoy a welcome. Voluntary contributions may family atmosphere and great kosher food be made to the Congregation’s Hesed from Dougie’s, including ribs, chili, giant Fund or Minyan Fund. “sub” sandwiches, buffalo wings, dessert, Please contact Sheldon Adler and much more. (212-735-2136 or [email protected]) Minhah/Ma’ariv starts at 5:00 p.m. to let us know that you plan to attend. 9 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA SEPTEMBER JANUARY / /FEBRUARY OCTOBER 20052004 THE OR ZARUA COMMUNITY

MAZAL TOV CONTRIBUTIONS Judith and David Lewittes, in memory of the yahrzeit of Israel Lewittes All contributions listed were received between Birgit and Franck Benayoun, on the birth Karen and Robert Meister, in honor of of their son, Joshua October 1, 2004 and November 30, 2004. Capital Campaign contributions are not listed. the marriage of Caroline and Scott Anna and Ben Charkow, on the birth of Lerner their son, Micah Beryl KIDDUSH FUND Jacob Oberman, in memory of Hinda Marcia Kalin and Stephen Rayport, on Marcel and Sheldon Adler, in honor of Levy, and in memory of Muriel and Ilana’s Bat Mitzvah William Tannenbaum Eleanor Merczinski and David Hait, on their 25th anniversary Susan and Stanley Alt, in honor of the Joyce and Arnold Roth, in memory of the birth of their daughter, Rachel Jennie Simon Chaia anniversary of Stanley’s Bar Mitzvah Pamela and Eric Fuchs, in honor of Robert Schallop, in memory of his Chaya Moskowitz and Edward Manning, father’s yahrzeit in honor of their marriage Ariella’s Bat Mitzvah Linda and Alfred Greisman, in honor of Sharon Seiler and Charles Spielholz, in Jane and Warren Rosen, on Raechel’s honor of Sam Kupferberg’s Bar Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah the wedding of Jared Greisman and Beth Goldstein Lorraine and Herbert Shapiro, in memory Randi Schatz and Joseph Allerhand, on of Cele Shapiro on her yahrzeit, and in Bruce’s Bar Mitzvah Francine and Samuel Klagsbrun, in honor of Hannah Leah’s wedding honor of Rabbi Wechsler’s inspirational NEW MEMBERS Chaya Moskowitz and Edward Manning, leadership in honor of their aufruf Marilyn Shapiro, in memory of Victor Welcome to: Nerfin’s yahrzeit, for the first yahrzeit Anne and Philip Becker Helene Ruddy, in honor of the aufruf of her son, Jeffrey, and Karen Davidson of her father, Eli Shapiro, and on the Linda and Neal Stoll occasion of the yahrzeit of her mother, Meredith Stoll GENERAL FUND Sarah Shapiro CONDOLENCES Willi and Arthur Aeder, in memory of Our deepest sympathy to: Arthur Ackerman Miriam Frankel, on the death of her Adam Eidelberg daughter, Hinda Levy Linda Eidelberg, in memory of Benjamin Carol Goldberg, on the death of her Basch, Rose Basch and Albert brother, Jerry Kaufman Eidelberg Rachel Maidenbaum and Ora Ramat, on Laurel and Ran Eisenbruch, in memory the death of their mother, Esther of Bill Tannenbaum Maidenbaum Schreiber Karen and Eyal Farage, in memory of Lorraine Shapiro, on the death of her Sylvia Wachsberger brother, Arthur Ackerman Barry Feldman, in honor of Hannah Linda Shulsky, on the death of her Leah’s marriage brother, Mark Rosenfeld Lynne Galler, in memory of her mother, Joshua Tannenbaum, on the death of his Beatrice Galler father, William Tannenbaum Diana and Harrison Goldin Sharon Teitelbaum, on the death of her Miriam Frankel mother, Beatrice Goldstein Isadora and Jesse Hecht, in memory of Jack and Hannah Silverman May they and their loved ones be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Patti and Jerry Josepher, in honor of getting Hagbah on Simhat Torah Susan and Edward Kopelowitz, U.S. Marirnes perform the “Crossing the in memory of J. Goldberg and Swords Ceremony” for the wedding of Betty Kopelowitz Chaya Moskowitz and Captain Edward Manning in the Or Zarua social hall on November 14, 2004. 10 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG SEPTEMBER JANUARY / /FEBRUARY OCTOBER 20042005 THE OR ZARUA COMMUNITY

Arlene and Sheldon Simon, in memory KOL NIDRE APPEAL Irene and Sidney Silverman of Mark Rosenfeld, Linda Shulsky’s Norma Small brother Vivian and Daniel Bernstein Cherise Solomon-Feld and Randy Feld Dale and Rafael Zaklad Shelley Binder Vicky Stein Robin Blumenthal Susan and Elliott Sussman HESED FUND Marilyn and Perry Braunstein Miriam Wallerstein Robin and Julia Blumenthal, in honor of Cynthia D. Brodsky Ethel and Barry Weintraub Bonnie Maslin’s new book Dina Bromberg and Barrett Sinowitz Nora and Barry Yood Pamela and Mark Gold, in honor of the Sally Brooks Nancy and Jay Zises Roizen family Linda Dershowitz Ellen and Stanley Deutsch Mina Greenstein RABBI’ S Isadora and Jesse Hecht, for books for Betsy and Ira Dizengoff DISCRETIONARY FUND Israel Ellen Donath Karen and Eyal Farage Martha and Fred Mendelsohn, in honor Laurel and Ran Eisenbruch Frances Freedman of the birth of Liora Yunatanov Barry Feldman Chaya Moskowitz and Edward Manning Pearl and Owen Pell, for books for Israel Miriam Frankel Ellen and Alain Roizen, in memory of Ruth and Samuel Perelson Judith Friedlander Edith Roizen Suzan and Daniel Rosen Karen and Henry Glanternik Vicky Stein, in honor of Pat and Alan Judith and Barry Schneider Elizabeth Goldberg Davidson’s 50th anniversary and in Jill Shapiro, in honor of her parents, Richard Goldberg honor of Hannah Leah’s marriage Lorraine and Herbert Shapiro Bilha Goodman PURIM SPIEL FUND Sharon, Charlie and Talia Spielholz, Trudy and Robert Gottesman in celebration of Simhat Torah Ellen and Said Hawa Carol and Arthur Kay, in honor of Lynda Wertheim, for books for Israel Dore Hollander Evelyn Kenvin and Arthur Laurie, Alan and Aliza Yaillen, in honor Ruth Horowitz Rosenbloom of Mariel Schneider’s Bat Mitzvah, Caroline and Alan Ilberman Evelyn Kenvin and Arthur Rosenbloom Shira Engel’s Bat Mitzvah, Pat and Julie Karp LIBRARY FUND Alan Davidson’s 50th anniversary, Clarita and Abraham Kaufman and the marriage of Hannah Leah Joy and Louis Kimmelman Willi and Arthur Aeder, for Me’ah books and Bezalel Barbara Kleinberg Frances Freedman Judith Lewis HEVRA KADISHA FUND Judith and David Lewittes MINYAN FUND Lynne Galler, in memory of her mother, Margret and Steven Magid Frances Freedman Beatrice Galler Benjamin Marcus Pamela and Mark Gold, in honor of the Patti and Jerry Josepher, in memory of Allen Mayer Stadin family Benjamin Josepher’s yahrzeit Lynn Michalson Deborah and Steven Katz, in memory Linda Shulsky, in honor of Rabbi Dara Murray of the yahrzeit of Steven’s grandfather, Wechsler Debra and Warren Nachlis Moshe Schmuel Vera and Robert Silver, for Yom Kippur Yaffa and Alan Nadel Regina Stein and Shemini Atzeret Yizkor; in memory Barbara and Ira Nadler HEBREW SCHOOL FUND of Mo Kraushar’s father, Abraham; in Lesley and Jay Palmer memory of Linda Shulsky’s brother, Marion and Seth Rogovin Ilana Burgess, in memory of Miriam Mark Rosenfeld; and in memory of Anne and Reed Schneider Alman Lorraine Shapiro’s brother, Arthur Elyse and Edward Siegel Abby, Philip and Lev Thomas, in honor Ackerman Rana and David Silver of Ariella Fuchs’s Bat Mitzvah Abby, Philip and Lev Thomas, in memory Vera and Robert Silver of Robert Silver’s grandmother

11 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2005 Or Zarua Wins United Synagogue Awards

ew and innovative programming ing the large number of congregants who dedication in developing and maintain- Nis key to creating a vibrant congre- participate in this important area of syna- ing this resource. gation. The United Synagogue of gogue life. Richard Stadin’s persistent The awards were presented at the Conservative Judaism, during its efforts and dedication to the morning Biennial Convention on Sunday, Biennial Convention of the New York minyan since its inception are much November 21, 2004 at Temple Beth Metropolitan Region, acknowledged appreciated. Sholom in Roslyn Heights. Sheldon through a Synagogue Awards Program We were also recognized for our out- Adler and Aaron Shelden attended on congregations who have shown ingenuity standing achievement in the area of behalf of our Congregation. Kol and creativity in developing new Computer Web Page for our recent HaKavod to all OZ Congregants who programs. Or Zarua won two awards! redesign of www.orzarua.org. Our web helped us gain this recognition. Or Zarua was recognized in the area page was recognized as a great resource of Religious Affairs for our innovative for existing members as well as prospec- SHABBAT ACROSS and effective method of maintaining a tive members. In addition to notifying OR ZARUA morning minyan. Many congregations users about our calendar, service times much larger than Or Zarua find this a and events for adults and children, the BE A GUEST OR BE A HOST problematic area. We were awarded for page also enables users to sign up for Shabbat Dinner our innovative approach in using dedi- events and to make donations online. Friday, March 4, 2005 cated lay leaders to serve as minyan cap- Participants in the Me’ah class can even tains, in employing the modern technol- listen to the class online! Special thanks Watch your email and regular mail ogy of email reminders, and in motivat- to our webmaster, Jay Palmer, for his for further details.

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA Non-Profit Org 127 East 82nd Street U.S. Postage New York, NY 10028 PAID New York, NY Permit No. 7998