Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Bayit BULLETIN October 30 - November 6, 2015 17 - 24 Cheshvan 5776 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY 10463 718-796-4730 www.thebayit.org Steven Exler, Senior Rabbi: Mazal Tov To: [email protected]/ x108 Jessica & Coby Pollack on the birth of a daughter, Hannah. Mazal tov to big brothers, Evan and Jamie, Sara Hurwitz, Rabba: to grandparents Carol & David Gottfried and Chaya & Dean Pollack, and to the extended [email protected]/ x107 Gottfried/Pollack families. Ari Hart, Associate Rabbi: [email protected]/ x124 Gemma & Ari White on the birth of a son, Leor Gavriel. Mazal tov to Leor’s big brothers, Anat Sharbat, Assistant Rabba: grandparents, and great-grandmother. [email protected]/ x106 This Shabbat @ The Bayit Avi Weiss, Rabbi in Residence: [email protected]/ x102 5:35PM: BETWEEN MINCHA/MAARIV: K’vod HaBriyot Series: 1st Session (Part 1): MS Homosexuality - Study the relevant sources with Rav Steven and Rabbinic Intern Bracha Jaffe. Richard Langer, Executive Director: [email protected]/ x104 To learn more about the K’vod HaBriot Series, see page 4. Menachem Menchel, Director of Programming & Youth Education: Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday morning, November 1st [email protected]/ x119 Please remember to move your clocks back one hour. Bryan Cordova, Facilities Manager: [email protected]/ x121 KAVVANAH TEFILLAH: This Sunday, November 1st at 9:00am: An hour of slower David Fain, Assistant Youth Director: tefillah with Rav Steven including meditation & song. Light breakfast follows. Halakhic [email protected] Shacharit requirements met. (Room 3-2) Ariel Meiri, Synagogue Administrator: [email protected]/ x101 11/3 - This Tuesday @ The Bayit

Phyllis Newsome, Bookkeeper: K’vod HaBriyot Series: Human Dignity & Halakhah in Our Lives [email protected]/ x103 Yael Oshinsky, Program Associate: 1st Session (Part 2): Homosexuality: Main Sanctuary: 7:30pm [email protected]/ x116 Please join us for a panel discussion on the topic of Orthodox Judaism and homosexuality.

Shuli Boxer Rieser, Assistant to R’ Weiss: Panelists include: [email protected]/ x102 Rabbi Steve Greenberg, Kiddush Dr. Michelle Friedman, Kiddush this week is sponsored by Marvin Rabbi Shmuel Goldin.

Stiglitz in honor of his parents’ yahrtzeits on To learn more about the K’vod HaBriot Series, the 11th and 19th of Cheshvan. visit www.thebayit.org/kh or see page 4. This Shabbat

Parshat Vayera Next Shabbat @ The Bayit  Candle Lighting: 5:36pm 11/6-7: Scholar-in-Residence Shabbaton: UJA-Federation CEO Eric Goldstein  Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 5:40pm The Bayit & UJA-Federation of New York present a Shabbaton not to be missed!

 Shalom Bayit: 7:00am 11/6 - Friday Night Oneg Shabbat and Panel Discussion:

 Shacharit Main Tefillah: 8:30am Panelists include: Rabbi Steven Exler, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg,  Learning Service: 9:30am Eric Goldstein, Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn.  Sof Zman Kriat Shema: 10:02am Moderated by Dr. Giti Bendheim. There will be a Children's Oneg (childcare) during the panel.  Listening Room: 4:05pm 11/7 - Shabbat Morning Lecture and Communal Kiddush  Parsha Shiur: 4:35pm UJA President Eric Goldstein will speak after Tefillah, followed by a Green and Celebration Kiddush.  Mincha (Main/Sephardic): 5:20pm Topic: “Unity Not Uniformity”

 Maariv/Shabbat Ends: 6:38pm Sponsorship needed. Learn more at www.thebayit.org/uja

Weekday Times GREEN KIDDUSH: Please join us on November 7th for our second Seasonal Green Kiddush in honor of our partnership with UJA and in celebration of all the birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, milestone  Shacharit: achievements, and other special occasions in the month of November. Our first Green Kiddush was very well Sun: 8:30, 9:00am (kavvanah) received, and we ask your financial support to purchase the healthy, organic, seasonal foods that made the Mon/Thur: 6:40, 8:00am kiddush such a success. To sponsor visit www.thebayit.org/gk. Tue/Wed/Fri: 6:45, 8:00am

 Mincha/Maariv: Sun - Thur: 4:35pm RAV STEVEN'S INSTALLATION November 14th at 7:00pm

Next Shabbat: Mevarchim The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit Parshat Chayei Sarah Joyously invites you to celebrate with us as we install  Candle Lighting: 4:28pm Rabbi Steven Exler as our Senior Rabbi  Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat: 4:30pm Saturday Night, November 14, 2015, at seven o’clock in the evening  Shacharit Main Tefillah: 8:30am Program to begin promptly at half past seven.  Mincha (Main/Sephardic): 4:15pm Dessert reception to follow. RSVP by November 1st at www.thebayit.org/install  Maariv/Shabbat Ends: 5:30pm THE BAYIT BULLETIN This Week’s Classes @ the Bayit CHESED OPPORTUNITIES Joe Hoch z"l Memorial Daf Yomi Shiur with Rabbi Dov Linzer meets RIVERDALE FREE LOAN GEMACH: Please be advised that a Free 7:30am - 8:30am Sun. - Fri. and Shabbat after Mincha in Room 3-7. Loan Gemach has been established to serve residents of the Riverdale Open and accessible to all. You are invited to join at any time! community. The Gemach of Riverdale is a non-profit organization providing

Shabbat interest-free loans to those with cash flow challenges, with dignity and respect. For further info contact Rabbi Moshe Drelich at 917-408-3035 or 8:05am - Midrash Hashavua with Rav Steven [email protected]. 4:05pm - Listening Room with Myra Estelle (LL BM)

4:35pm - Parsha Shiur with Rabbinic Intern Dan Margulies SOCIAL WORKER @ THE BAYIT: Between Mincha/Maariv - K’vod HaBriyot Part 1 - See pg. 1 Questions about an aging loved one, financial pressures,

After Mincha - Mila Ba’Parasha at Beth Aharon: Basic (and love of) concerns about children? Contact HIR social worker Anna .what does her name Kirshblum for guidance, information, referrals and a sympathetic ear ”הָגָר -Hebrew is sufficient. This week: “Hagar mean and was she tortured by Sarah? There is no fee and all conversations are strictly confidential.

Weekday Classes Anna can be reached on Mon. 8:00am - 7:30pm, Tues. 8:00am - 7:30pm Monday and Thurs. 8:00am - 4:00pm at 718-601-9714 or e-mail her at 6:30pm - Free Hebrew Reading Crash Course w/ Sara Kinberg* (Lobby) [email protected]. (In partnership with UJA & JBFCS). 7:30pm - The story of David & Jonathan w/ Rav Avi (at his home) 7:30pm - Advanced Hebrew Ulpan w/ Sara Kinberg* (at the Atria) Jewish Caregivers Support Group: Share experiences, benefit from

Tuesday mutual support and gain practical advice. Group meetings are held once a month on Tuesday at the Beatman Center. 10:00am - The story of Joseph w/ Rav Avi (Lobby) 10:30am - Lishma: YCT Community Learning (LHSH) Health Insurance: The Affordable Care Act – How Can I 7:30pm - Foundations of Judaism w/ Rabbinic Intern Garth Silberstein: Afford This? Thursday, November 5, 10:00-11:-30am at the Jewish Jewish Textual History II & Jewish Philosophy (3-7) Board, 135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor. Find a plan you can afford. A

Wednesday certified application counselor will review the cost structure of the 9:00am - And to Walk Humbly With Thy God w/ Rabba Anat in English various plans and discuss how to select a qualified plan. Open enrollment (Moss Café) is from November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016. There are penalties for 7:30pm - Intermediate Hebrew Ulpan w/ Sara Kinberg* (Lobby) not enrolling in time. Register online at http://bit.lylc2registation or call 212-632-4742. Thursday 9:00am - Masechet Ta’anit for beginners (Heb) w/ Rabba Anat (Lobby) Successful Interviewing: Monday, November 9, 2015, 10:00am- 9:30am - Lishma: YCT Community Learning (2nd Floor Beit Midrash) 11:30am at the Jewish Board, 135 West 50th Street, 6th Floor. 10:00am - Book of Shmuel 2 w/ Rav Steven (Lobby) Register online at http://bit.lylc2registation or call 212-632-4742. 11:00am - Torat Eretz Yisrael - Exploring the State of Israel Through Torah Perspectives w/ Rav Ari (Lobby) Makom Shalom: Support group for Jewish survivors of a loved one’s suicide: Wednesday, November 11, 2015, 7pm-8pm at th th *Sara Kinberg is an experienced Hebrew teacher. For info and guidance on place- the Jewish Board, 135 West 50 Street, 6 floor. Draw strength, solace, ment, please call Sara at 718-548-2461. Payment made directly to the teacher. and support from one another and from spiritual resources. Pre-Registration is required. Call Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Happenings @ the Bayit LCSW at 212-632-4770 or email him at [email protected].

Dedicated in Memory of Henry and Goldie Guttman z"l Abraham & Sarah's Tent, Sponsored by Joe Guttman: Join us Golden Age Program this Shabbat for our open communal Dinner co-sponsored Join us at our second meeting of the year. anonymously this week. To see which Shabbatot are available for Thursday, November 12th. sponsorship and to choose your week, go to www.thebayit.org/tent, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Learn and Light Lunch. or email James Lapin at [email protected]. 2:00pm - 2:30pm - Golden Age Adult Bat Mitzvah class. For questions or to RSVP, contact Yael Oshinsky, Program Associate Learning Service with Rav Ari: at [email protected] or 718-796-4730 x116. Shabbat, weekly in Room 3-7, 9:30-11:00am An intimate service with explanations and discussions focusing on Kulanu Chaverim Program prayer and the weekly Torah portion. Questions: contact Rav Ari at Thursday, November 12th, 6:30pm 718-796-4730 x124 or email [email protected]. Join your friends for dinner and a fun activity. To RSVP, call Yael at 718-796-4730 x116. Do you know someone who needs any of the following? Would you like to volunteer for any of these committees? Mikvah Construction Update

Meals For Ill Members: The renovation of the Riverdale Mikvah is underway. Please keep in Jackie Binstock - 718-543-9135, [email protected]. mind that construction sites are potentially hazardous and that the

Shiva: Beth Braunstein, [email protected] safety fences around the property are there for our safety and the

Bikur Cholim: safety of our children. The Bayit’s driveway access will be impacted for 2 months. Please use care when visiting the Bayit by car. Most Ruth Licht: 718-796-3491, [email protected] importantly, please ensure that children do not attempt to climb the We have many ways to become meaningfully involved. fences or otherwise attempt to access the construction area. Please pick up a flyer, consider becoming a Bikur Cholim Volunteer.

Meals for New Parents: Riverdale Mikvah Hours Oct 30 - Nov 6, 2015: Becca Linden: 434-962-7899, [email protected] Sunday - Thursday: 7:00 - 9:30pm.

Hospitality and Welcome: [email protected] Friday night: 40 minutes after candle lighting. No appointment is necessary but please be on time. Mikvah attendant will be there for 15 min. Bayit Band: Rav Ari Hart, [email protected] Motzei Shabbos: 30 minutes after Shabbat until 9:30pm.

Green Committee: Alisa Eilenberg and Ann Rauch, [email protected] Keilim Mikvah: Open during daylight hours. THE BAYIT BULLETIN

Calling all Riverdale kids! The Bayit is the place to be! Be a part of it! Please register your child and become a youth member today!

THURSDAY MISHMAR Thursday, Nov 5th Young HIR (YHIR) and Tot Families Friday Night Dinner 4:00pm-6:00pm Friday, November 13th Active free play, Join young friends and families for our first Tot families Friday night dinner.

Enjoy a relaxed social setting with tasty food and great company. hot dog dinner, d'var Torah (4:45PM) Early Bird Rate (ends 11/9): $20/adult; $10/child; $65/family followed by Torah and Cost (after Nov 9): $25/adult; $15/child; $75/family arts & crafts. Ages 5-11; Sponsorship needed and appreciated. $10/child; $18/two children. Register online at www.thebayit.org/tot.

Green Shabbat - November 7th Bayit Youth Theater with Adena Blickstein

In preparation for our next Green Shabbat, Learn advanced acting techniques and gain self-confidence while learning to love Torah and Jewish Values. please bring in your Shabbat-appropriate household items that can be used in our Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle game. Sunday mornings at HIR 10:30-11:30am. For boys and girls ages 7-11. No glass or sharp objects please! Objects must be cleaned.

Classes begin Sunday Nov 8th. Please contact Menachem to learn more about Minimum participation required. If you are interested in this what items to bring in. program, contact Menachem for details.

SUNDAY TOTS WITH DONNA Chai Lifeline Chanukah Toy Drive Monday, November 16 - Wednesday, December 16 Sunday, November 8 - 10:30am-12:00pm

Parents and children join Donna Rudolph for arts & crafts, edible Bring a smile to a child's face and brighten up their Chanukah! Drop-off brand new unwrapped toys in the Bayit coat room. projects, and more! $10/online; $12/at the door; $40/5 sessions.

Register @ www.thebayit.org/totswithdonna Learn more at www.thebayit.org/toydrive

SHABBAT MORNING GROUPS SNACKS 2015-2016 Snacks Sponsorship

This year, we are aiming for sponsorship every single Shabbat. Please see $100 – sponsor all snacks $36 - Tot Shabbat

sponsorship options on the right. Please help us reach our goal of 100% $150 – sponsor all snacks $36 - Nursery-K participation. To sponsor go to www.thebayit.org/youthsponsor! + birthday party $36 - Grades 1-6

Room 3-1: Grades 3-6 Donuts and Drash: Room 3-7: 9:00am - 9:30am - Ages 6+: Room 3-4: Nursery

Room 3-2: Grades 3-6 Enjoy a donut and learn this week’s parsha with David Fain Room 3-5: Pre-K Room 3-2: Girls Grades 3-5 Room 3-6: Kindergarden Room 3-3: Grades 1-2 Shabbat Morning Groups: 3rd Floor Youth Wing: 9:40-11:40am RHSH: Tot Shabbat

PARSHA & DRAMA with Adena Blickstein Snacks for Tot Shabbat groups 10:40am-11:30am, Ages 6 and up! are sponsored anonymously this week. To sponsor snacks for future Shabbatot please Come experience the Parsha through inclusive contact Menachem or Gillian Steinberg or go to drama, dance & song with new creative arts specialist. www.thebayit.org/youthsponsor.

POTS Teens Chesed Opportunity For assistance, please contact: Attention Riverdale Teens! Volunteers needed at a Director of Programming & Youth Education local community dining room one Sunday a month. Menachem Menchel, Office - 718-796-4730 ext. 119, Cell- 516-233-8285 [email protected] We leave from HIR at 12:00pm and return at approximately 4:00pm. 4 spots left. David Fain, Assistant Youth Director Contact Samantha Verrone: [email protected]. [email protected] Dates: 11/22, 12/20, 1/17, 2/14, 3/20, 4/3, 5/8, 6/5 THE BAYIT BULLETIN Elevator Update K’VOD HA’BRIYOT

The elevator remains out of service. We apologize for the inconvenience. THREE PART SERIES @ THE BAYIT: Come engage in the most challenging issues in our Modern Kristallnacht Commemoration Program Orthodox community today - how to balance our Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 7:00pm - MS commitment to Jewish tradition and law with a sensitivity to the vulnerable and challenged among us. Grapple with the issues Join us for this reflective, educational, and through panel presentations displaying experts from across our emotionally charged evening. Modern Orthodox community.

Guest Speaker Each session will be broken into 2 parts: Professor Jeffrey Shandler* 1) Shabbat afternoon learning with Bayit Rabbinic Staff 2) A Panel Discussion with experts on the topic “Behold the Vanished World: Visions of Prewar East European Jewish Life Session 1: Homosexuality 1) Shabbat, October 31st, 5:35pm (MS) After the Holocaust” 2) Tuesday, November 3rd, 7:30pm (MS) *Jeffrey Shandler is Professor and Chair of Jewish Panelists include: Rabbi Steve Greenberg, Studies at Rutgers University . He received a Dr. Michelle Friedman, and Rabbi Shmuel Goldin.

PhD in Yiddish Studies from Columbia University and has held Session 2: Agunah post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania and 1) Shabbat, November 21st, 4:25pm (MS) New York University . 2) Tuesday, November 24th, 7:00pm (MS) Opening Performance by Panelists include: Rabbi Simcha Krauss, Blu Greenberg, and Rabbi Jeremy Stern. SAR Singing Group

Session 3: Conversion Honorary Event Chairpeople: 1) Shabbat, December 12th, 4:10pm (MS) Senator Joseph & Mrs. Hadassah Lieberman 2) Tuesday, December 15th, 7:30pm (MS) Sponsored by Sue and Milton Sussman Panelists include: Rabbi Adam Starr and Bethany Mandel.

in memory of Helga and John Sussman z"l Sponsorship opportunities available. Register and/or sponsor Pre-register online to save time at the door. online at www.thebayit.org/kh. www.thebayit.org/kristallnacht

Free Thanksgiving Dinner Children's Clothing Swap Saturday Night, November 7th Thursday, November 26th, 2015: Now that the weather is changing and your child has probably Don’t spend your holiday alone, spend it with your HIR family! outgrown last year's wears, why not SWAP them for something 1:00pm - Open Thanksgiving Prayer Service that fits? Come to the first community children's clothing 2:00pm - Free Thanksgiving Dinner. swap Saturday evening, November 7th from 7-9pm. 3:00pm - HIR Community Choir Performance. For details visit www.thebayit.org/swap This year’s concert theme: Chanukah and Equality for all Humankind

To register, call the office at 718-796-4730 x101. MiBayit Lachutz Visit to VA Nursing Home If you are interested in volunteering to help set up, serve or clean up please contact our Volunteer Coordinators, Ellie & Hal Weinstein, at Sunday, November 8, 2015, 11:00am

917-859-6373 or e-mail [email protected]. Join us as we visit the

We are collecting new, unused, sealed groceries and cleaning supplies/ James J. Peters VA Medical Center toiletries to give out to those in need on Thanksgiving Day through located at 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468.

the BJCC Food pantry. Donations can be dropped off until Families Welcome! Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 in the boxes located in the coat room. For questions please email Rabbi Steven Exler at [email protected]. For a list of requested items please visit www.thebayit.org/tg. To volunteer, sign up at www.thebayit.org/visitva

HIR GIFT CARDS - Support our Bayit by purchasing Gift Cards - Buy it for the Bayit! For more information on volunteering or to place an order, email [email protected] or call Shira Gordon at 718-549-5280. NOTE: Purchases do not cost you anything extra. New: Moss Cafe is now participating in the HIR Scrip program and is offering the Bayit a 10% rebate on the gift cards. 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 30 - November 6, 2015 CHABAD OF RIVERDALE: Please join us for a free relationship workshop, "Wedding Lasts an Evening: Marriage Lasts a Lifetime!" Saturday evening, 10/31/2015, 8:30pm, with presenter, Rivki Rosenwald at Chabad of Riverdale, 535 West 46th Street. Men and women are welcome! Please register online at www.ChabadRiverdale.org.

YITZHAK RABIN: TWENTY YEARS AFTER: Join the Center for Israel Studies at a conference commemorating the life and death of Yitzhak Rabin. Sunday, 11/1/2015, 10:00am-5:00pm, Weissberg Commons, Yeshiva University, 500 West 185th St, New York. Speakers will include: Rabbi Yosef Blau (YU), Dr. Selma Botman (YU), Rabbi Shalom Carmy (YU), Dr. Robert O. Freedman (Johns Hopkins), Dr. Akiva Covitz (YU), Dr. Steven Fine (YU), Rabbi Ozer Glickman (YU), Prof. Margaret Olin (Yale), Greetings by President Richard Joel (YU); Consul Ido Aharoni, Consul General of the State of Israel, New York, Dalia Rabin, Chair, Yitzhak Rabin Center, Tel Aviv. For additional information, please visit www.yu.edu/cis.

SAR: Join SAR and friends on 11/1/2015 at MetLife Stadium, 8:30am - 2:00pm to support our incredible school and the capital improvements to our unique and magnificent buildings, all while having a fantastic family day. There will be activities for all ages on the field like bounce houses, face painting, stadium tours and a BIG Raffle! Students can sign up to do the 100-yard dash! Adults can join the touch football tournament. Tickets are $180 per family. https://www.crowdrise.com/SARFamilyFunDay.

TORAH ACADEMY OF BERGEN COUNTY (TABC) cordially invites all prospective parents and students to our Open House on Sunday, 11/1/2015. Registration and breakfast begin at 9:15am; Program and Academic Fair 10am - 1pm. The Open House will take place at TABC, 1600 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. Pre-register at http://www.tabc.org/admissions/open-house- 2015. For further information, contact [email protected] or call 201-837-7696. Applications are now being accepted and can be filled out online at www.tabc.org.

REFA’ENU's peer-led mood disorder support groups will meet Tuesday, 11/3/2015, in Paramus. Groups meet regularly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month. Groups meet at 7:30pm in the Ben Porat Yosef Building at E. 243 Frisch Ct. in Paramus, NJ. Doors open at 7:10pm. Groups are divided between a group for those with a disorder (depression, bipolar) as well as a group for their loved ones. Please check website to confirm meetings: http://www.refaenu.org. No reservations are required. For more information contact: [email protected].

SAR INFORMATION SESSIONS: Interested in learning more about SAR Academy? Please join us for one of our upcoming information sessions on 11/4/2015, 12/1/2015, or 1/12/2015 from 9:00-10:15am at SAR Academy, 655 W. 254th St, Riverdale, NY. To RSVP, please visit www.saracademy.org/informationsession. Please contact Etty at 718-548-1717 x1206 with any questions.

LION OF JUDAH FALL LUNCHEON: Riverdale resident and HIR member Judy Kaufthal will be honored at the UJA Federation of NY Womens' Campaign Lion of Judah Fall Luncheon on Thursday 11/5/15 at the Pierre, 11:30am reception, luncheon to follow. Couvert is $275.00. Attendance is not restricted to Lion of Judah-level donors but a responsible gift to the UJA Federation’s 2016 campaign is anticipated. Reservations or contributions in Judy's honor may be made by contacting Adrienne Rubin-Prince at 212-836-1674 or [email protected].

INTIMATE VOICES: Season 7 of world-class chamber music in Riverdale Saturday night 11/7/2015, 8 pm at CSAIR 475 West 250th St at Henry Hudson Parkway East. String quartets of Haydn and Dvorak, Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola by Roberto Sierra. Craft beer donated by the Bronx Brewery. Doors open 7:30 pm for beer-tasting, wine, tea and coffee. Refreshments included in ticket price. Go to www.intimatevoices.org for tickets and more information.

24-HOUR SWIM RELAY: The Riverdale Y's swimming pool is where hundreds of community members learn to swim each year; teenagers train to become lifeguards; kids with special needs receive adapted instruction; and senior citizens exercise to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. Help the Riverdale Y raise funds for much needed repairs and upgrades by registering for a 30- minute time slot or by sponsoring a swimmer in our 24 Hour Swim Relay. The date of the Swim Relay is: 11/7/2015 at 7:00pm - 11/8/2015 at 7:00pm. Learn more at: http://wizathon.com/riverdale-y-swim-relay/.

YESHIVAT FRISCH OPEN HOUSE: The Frisch School, located in Paramus, NJ, invites all 8th graders and their parents to our Open House on Sunday, 11/8/2015 at 9:00am. 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 www.Frisch.org/openhouse.

28TH ANNUAL BIKUR CHOLIM CONFERENCE: Sunday, 11/8/2015 from 9:30am - 3:30pm. Keynote Presentation: “Living with Meaning and Purpose: The Positive Power of Bikur Cholim” by Norman Blumenthal, PhD and Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub. 8 practical WORKSHOPS to choose from. Continental breakfast and Lunch included (OU supervision). For more information email [email protected] or call 212-632-4742. Register online at www.jbfcs.org/bcregister.

SEND GIFT BASKETS TO THE IDF SOLDIERS DEFENDING JERUSALEM: We will hand deliver baskets containing coffee, tea and snacks to show our appreciation for their hard work as well as to help keep them awake while they are on the job. Baskets are $54. www.toratreva.org. Beyond the bayit - October 30 - November 6, 2015 JASA VAN CORTLANDT SENIOR CENTER will host a concert on Sunday, 11/8/2015, by musicians Zhanna Rubinshteyn (Piano) and Yael Acher-Modiano (Flute) at 4:00pm. The program will feature Broadway favorites, Jewish melodies and swing tunes as well as classical pieces by Debussy, Fauré, Vivaldi, and Ernest Bloch. At 2:30pm, a kosher meal of mushroom barley soup and chicken chow mein or tilapia will be served. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 and $2.00 for the event. Non-seniors are welcome. Call Senior Center office 718-549-4700 by Wed. Nov. 4th.

ART FOR AID at The Riverdale Y Farmers Market, which is located at the RKA- Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141) Independence Ave. & W 237th, will be making tzedakah/charity boxes on Sunday, 11/8/2015 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. There will be face painting, and treats for all participants. You'll meet representatives from local charities and learn how you can help to make our community stronger by helping others. Questions? Contact Rick Feldman, [email protected], 646-431-7734.

CALVARY HOSPITAL is home to Memorial Torah Scroll No. 515 (circa 1880), which is from the town of Taus-Domazlice in Czechoslovakia. Calvary is planning to restore this beautiful sacred Torah – technically a Holocaust survivor – so that it will once again be kosher enough to use in services. We invite you to join us at the kick-off event for this project on Veteran’s Day, 11/11/2015, at 5:30 pm at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. All are welcome. Jewish War Veterans who served in WWII are especially welcome! For more details, contact Barbara Nitzberg at [email protected] or 718-518-2246.

CAMP YAVNEH OPEN HOUSE: Registration for 2016 has already begun! Come to our Open House to find out if your child ready for sleep away camp and if Yavneh is the right fit for your family? Thursday, 11/12/2015 at 7:30pm at the home of Rabbi Dov and Nancy Lerea in Riverdale. Please RSVP on our website (campers very welcome): www.campyavneh.org.

UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK invites you to an important Israel Forum on “Building Bridges Across Religious Divides in Israel” with Rabbi David Stav on Monday, 11/15/2015 at 7:30 pm at Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle. Rabbi Stav serves as chief rabbi of Shoham and co-chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone (with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin) and was a leading candidate for the position of Chief Rabbi of Israel in the most recent election. Dessert reception to follow. For more information and to RSVP ($18 couvert), contact: Susan Scharf Glick, [email protected] or 914 761-5100 x120.

RIVERDALE Y SUNDAY MARKET: Rain or shine the Riverdale Y Sunday Market, your local source of fresh, high quality food grown or produced locally within 100 miles, welcomes you every Sunday 9am to 2pm through 11/22/2015 at PS 141. Independence Ave. & W 237th St.

ZOA DINNER: We are looking to fill a second table from Riverdale to the ZOA dinner, 11/22/2015 @ 5:00 PM at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. Please contact Ethel Scher @ 718-884-9778 or [email protected] if interested.

PROJECT HOPE HANUKAH PACKAGE DELIVERY: Sunday, 11/22/2015 at 9am-11:30am. Share the joy of the holidays by bringing along friends and family to deliver 3-5 Hanukah packages to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly! Ampark (Near Riverdale): New location 95 Gale Place (Community Room #9), Bronx, NY 10463. For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular senior contact Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers at [email protected] or Cell: (917) 693-3084.

DEATH OF SALESMAN IN YIDDISH AT CASTILLO THEATRE: Castillo Theater and the New Yiddish Rep invite you to their production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman in honor of the 100th anniversary of Arthur Miller’s birth. This production is performed in Yiddish with English supertitles. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:00pm until 11/22/2015. $50/ticket. Group pricing available. For more information, contact Liz Garcia at 212-356-8476 or [email protected]. For a full performance schedule, visit www.castillo.org/salesman-2015/.

HAZON FOOD CONFERENCE: Don't miss the event of the year! At this year's Hazon Food Conference, we'll connect the dots between our dinner plates and the changing climate. Learn, eat, cook, and create with leaders in food and sustainability, including HIR's own Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein. The conference always sells out early, so be sure to register today. Use the discount code HAZONFC50 for $50 off per adult. But don't delay – this early bird offer ends November 8. 12/29/2015 - 1/1/2015 at Isabella Freedman Retreat Center. www.hazon.org/foodconference.

SUPPORT YACHAD ISRAEL, THANK OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS: Sadly, with the unsettling news out of Israel each day, our protecting soldiers are taxed more than ever. Now is a most appropriate time to support and thank them in any way we can. Yachad Israel will be making and delivering pizzas to our IDF soldiers. $36 = one pie. Donate a pie today at yachad.org/pizza4soldiers. Before delivery, you will be notified that the pizza is on its way and to where it is going.

ISRAEL BONDS: This Chanukah, give the gift of Israel to your children, grandchildren and relatives! For one night of Chanukah, celebrate Israel and buy an Israel Bond. With bonds starting now at $36, and easily purchased online, this is a perfect gift for the holidays. The more ties we can forge between our children and the State of Israel, the greater likelihood they will understand and appreciate their Jewish heritage, and the stronger Israel will be in the future. For more information or to make an investment, contact Cynthia Blustein, Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds, at 914-713-9003 or make a purchase online at www.israelbonds.com.