A Traditional, Egalitarian, and Participatory Conservative Synagogue

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

IYAR I/SIVAN/TAMMUZ 5774 NEWSLETTER/VOLUME 26:5 MAY/JUNE 2014 Shavuot Panel Discussion “Let Your Imagination Run Wild: How Imagination, Creativity, OZ HIGHLIGHTS and Breaking Boundaries Keep Us Going Forward” May–June 2014 TIKKUN LEYL SHAVUOT, TUESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 3 Torah Learning Coalition Ma’ariv begins at 8:20 p.m., followed by panel and dairy feast The Pirke Avot Dialogues THURSDAYS, VARIOUS LOCATIONS May 8, and May 22, 7:30 p.m. ome hear fellow Congregants share how creativity and imagination shape May 1, May 15, and May 29, 1:00 p.m. discuss the impact of imagina- their thinking and work in their respective See page 5 for details. tion and creativity on Judaism, realms. As the boundaries between disci- art, and technology. Speakers plines blur and change, how do scholars, Adult Education Course will be Rabbi Paulette Posner, artists, and technologists think about with Marc Ashley C THOUGH HE MAYTARRY: director of Jewish Education at the 92nd where and how to break with tradition and Street Y; Dan Labovitz, a securities indus- where to build bridges between disciplines? MESSIANISM IN JEWISH THOUGHT try consultant and intaglio artist, whose How can openness to new ideas and Sundays, May 4, 18, 25, and June 1, 10:00 a.m. work has been shown in , San rethinking old orthodoxies move us forward, See page 3 for details. Francisco, and Prague; Suzanne Spector, Jewishly and generally? But also, how far is technology editor at The New York Times too far? When should we tame our imagina- OZ Stroller Shabbat and a lawyer; and Rabbi Melinda Zalma, a tions, and when should we let them run for Families with Young Children chaplain in the Reserve Component of the wild? Join us for an insightful exploration LUNCH, SCHMOOZE, AND PLAY U.S. Navy with a master’s in Midrash. into the world of creativity! Saturday, May 17, around noon In keeping with the revelatory nature of Dairy treats, traditional on Shavuot, See page 10 for details. the holiday, we will ask our panelists to will follow the panel discussion. Lag B’Omer HRI SPIELHOLZ CHARLIE with Rabbi Bolton LEARNING AND L’CHAIM Saturday, May 17, 9:00 p.m. See page 4 for details. OZ Israel Trip Group Travel with Rabbi Bolton INFORMATIONAL MEETING See page 13 for details. Hevruta: Talmud Seminar with Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schwartz INFORMATIONAL MEETING Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m. See page 7 for details.

MARCH WITH US IN THE CELEBRATE ISRAEL PARADE, SUNDAY, JUNE 1. The theme, “50 Silver Lights Gala Ways to Celebrate Israel,” will highlight Israel’s achievements. For OZ marchers, assembly Celebrating 25 Years location and step-off time will be announced by email. To sign up and reserve your parade MUSIC BY THE ANDY STATMAN BAND The Pierre, Wednesday, November 12 T-shirt, contact Ilana Burgess at 212-452-2310, extension 15, or [email protected]. See page 5 for details. For observers, the parade will be held along Fifth Avenue, from 57th to 74th Street, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Additional Celebrate Israel programs are listed on page 5.

1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2014 President’s Message by Diane Okrent

his is my lively and upbeat. Adults, teens, and chil- A CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE 18th and dren are engaged, involved, and learning. FOUNDED 1989 concluding Rabbi Bolton has inspired new educational newsletter opportunities for all. He initiated, and has 127 East 82nd Street column as helped expand, the East Side Torah New York, NY 10028 T president of Congrega- Learning Coalition. Now comprising 11 phone: 212-452-2310 fax: 212-452-2103 tion Or Zarua. It has congregations—two Orthodox, five www.orzarua.org been an honor and a Conservative, and four Reform—the East SCOTT N. BOLTON, Rabbi privilege to lead this wonderful community Side TLC is, once again, offering Pirke Avot DR. HARLAN J. WECHSLER, Rabbi Emeritus for the past three years. As I said at last classes between Pesah and Shavuot. DIANE OKRENT, President year’s Annual Meeting, I want to thank the These will continue on Thursdays through HENRY GLANTERNIK, Treasurer founders of Or Zarua for their foresight in May 29. Check the calendar for times HELENE SANTO, Executive Director setting term limits so that no individual and locations. ILANA BURGESS, Youth Education Director can hold an office for more than three CHARLES SPIELHOLZ, Newsletter Editor years in succession. It has proven healthy abbi Bolton often engaged for the individuals and for the organization. members of the community as We have seen many changes at the he has reached out in times of OZ Committee Chairs synagogue since 2011. I was elected joy and sadness. Many mem- soon after Rabbi Wechsler announced his Rbers have shared with me how ADMINISTRATION Sara Stone retirement. Then, less than a month later, he has brought them comfort and conso- ADULT EDUCATION Laura Resnikoff we learned that we could not use the lation at a time of illness or loss. And AESTHETICS Aaron Shelden Ramaz Upper School for our High Holy Day many have shared how happy they have services in 2011 as we had for the previ- been sharing their simchas with him. ART GALLERY Bobbi Coller ous 19 years. Three weeks after that, Many have remarked at how quickly he BOOK DISCUSSION Reed Schneider while the Board was meeting to vote on became “our rabbi.” BUILDING Alan Ilberman the decision to hold services at the New Transition continued this past year CEMETERY Aliza Kaplan York Academy of Medicine, we learned as we hired our new executive director, Mort Schwartz that Kehilath Jeshurun was on fire. So Helene Santo. Helene has brought DEVELOPMENT Andrew Plevin my presidency started with something of renewed energy and organization to our EDUCATION David Bergman a bang! staff. She has tackled many of the chal- AND YOUTH Dara Shapiro The focus of my first year was the lenges of the community and our maturing HESED Richard Stadin rabbinic search and the activities sur- building with grace and resourcefulness. Susan Lorin rounding the search. Two years ago, I As I leave office, I thank you, the HEVRA KADISHA Roberta Hufnagel presided at the Annual Meeting during members, for your encouragement and Gerry Solomon which we voted to hire Rabbi Bolton. support. I appreciate the time, creativity, ISRAEL Aliza Kaplan During my second year as president and resources so many of you bring to OZ. we concentrated on the rabbinic transition I want to give special thanks to the com- LIBRARY Barry Feldman —helping Rabbi Bolton adjust to Or Zarua mittee chairs and their members, the MARKETING AND Dara Shapiro and helping Or Zarua adjust to Rabbi Executive Committee, and the Board of COMMUNICATIONS Aaron Shelden Bolton. From my perspective, the transi- Trustees for all their hard work to make MINYAN Sheldon Adler tion has been a tremendous success. this a vibrant, thriving organization. I am ORAL HISTORY Mimi Alperin Rabbi Bolton has brought new energy to particularly grateful to have had the oppor- PUBLIC RELATIONS Aaron Shelden all aspects of Or Zarua. He has created a tunity to work with both Rabbi Wechsler READERS Marc Ashley wonderful vibe in the shul—and buzz out- and Rabbi Bolton to enhance what Or AND LEADERS J ay Palmer side the Congregation. His enthusiasm is Zarua offers its members and the larger WEBMASTER Jay Palmer contagious. His warm embrace and ability Jewish community. If you are interested in serving on a synagogue to engage members of all ages are recog- With all good wishes, committee, please contact the office for the nized and much appreciated. Services are Diane committee chair’s email address. 2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2014 Or Zarua Book Discussions MY PROMISED LAND: THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY OF ISRAEL, BY ARI SHAVIT led by Aliza Kaplan, Sunday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.

lease join us for saw that the future Israel’s nuclear program in the 1960s, in our next Or Zarua of his people was the only interview he ever gave; the reli- book discussion there; the idealistic gious Zionists who started the settler on Sunday, May 4, young farmer who movement in the 1970s; the dot-com Pat 7:30 p.m. in bought land from entrepreneurs and young men and women Or Zarua’s library, when Aliza his Arab neighbor, behind Tel Aviv’s booming club scene; and Kaplan will lead a discus- in the 1920s, to today’s architects of Israel’s foreign policy sion of My Promised Land: grow the Jaffa to counter Iran’s nuclear threat. The Triumph and Tragedy of oranges that would As it examines the complexities and Israel, by Ari Shavit, aw Ne support a thriving contradictions of the Israeli condition, My York Times bestseller and economy; the Promised Land asks difficult but important winner of the National Book visionary youth questions: Why did Israel come to be? Award. group leader who, How did it come to be? Can Israel sur- The book is an authori- in the 1940s, vive? Culminating with an analysis of the tative and deeply personal transformed issues and threats that Israel is currently narrative history of the State Masada from the facing, My Promised Land uses the defin- of Israel by one of the most neglected ruins of ing events of the past to shed new light influential journalists writing an extremist sect on the present. about the Middle East today. into a powerful “Israel is not a proposition, it is a Ari Shavit draws on interviews, historical symbol for Zionism; a young man who was country. Its facticity is one of the great documents, private diaries, and letters, as expelled with his Arab family from their accomplishments of the Jews’ history….It well as his own family’s story, to illuminate home in Lydda in 1948; the immigrant is one of the achievements of Ari Shavit’s the pivotal moments of Israel’s develop- orphans of Europe’s Holocaust, who took important and powerful book to recover ment and tell a riveting narrative. on menial work and focused on raising [that] feeling,” wrote Leon Wieseltier in We meet Shavit’s great-grandfather, their children to become the leaders of The New York Times Book Review. a British Zionist who, in 1897, visited the the new state; the pragmatic engineer All are welcome to attend; we look Holy Land on a Thomas Cook tour and who was instrumental in developing forward to seeing you there. Though He May Tarry: Messianism in Jewish Thought AN ADULT EDUCATION COURSE BETWEEN PESAH AND SHAVUOT by Marc Ashley

he most famous of Maimonides’s sianic yearning spring from a sense of led by Congregant Marc Ashley, between thirteen principles of faith posits deep despair or of vibrant hope? Will the Pesah and Shavuot. In “Though He May that a Jew must await the eventual glorious messianic era be preceded by a Tarry: Messianism in Jewish Thought,” we arrival of the Messiah—“though period of suffering and misery, and, if so, will examine Jewish sources and perspec- The may tarry”—whenever that why must history work that way? And, per- tives on the messiah and messianism. day might come. Observant Jews pray for haps most important as a logistical mat- We will meet in the library at 10:00 the messiah three times a day. Our holy ter, how will we recognize the Messiah a.m. on four Sunday mornings: May 4, 18, sources are filled with persistent pleas to when we see him? Such age-old questions and 25, and June 1. No prior knowledge is God to bring about the messianic redemp- continue to animate contemporary Jewish required. Please participate in an enduring tion. Yet messianism in Jewish thought is life and touch the core of many Jewish conversation about whether, when, and anything but uniform and transparent. hearts and hopes. why the Messiah might arrive, issues Indeed, crucial questions persist about Join our discussion of these impor- about which Jews have studied, prayed, this pivotal Jewish idea. Does Jewish mes- tant issues in an adult education course, and dreamed through the centuries.

3 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2014 Ceremony, Community, and Individual Clarifications by Rabbi Scott N. Bolton

articipating an aesthetic experience that bespeaks about Israel and to experience the reality in rituals sacred pursuits. We must take the opportu- on the ground? goes beyond nity in these spaces and during these times This time period on the Jewish calen- robotic to clarify values, develop our own thinking dar is called Sefirah, or the Omer. We Prehearsals and ask serious questions of ourselves. understand that God wanted us to enu- of ancient rites. In our The Holocaust and Israel are on our merate each day in order to prepare us for communal engage- minds at this season, or we are at least a life-changing experience at Mount Sinai. ments, we declare our thrust into grappling with their place in our Historically, Shavuot is the time when the faith and intention to remember loved lives. Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Jewish people received the Torah. What is ones, sacred teachings, or important Yom Ha’atzmaut—Holocaust Heroism and our relationship to the Jewish calendar? aspects of and connections in our lives. Remembrance Day, Israeli Memorial Day To Torah’s messages? To the law and the On an individual basis, each of us can use and Independence Day—all follow cultural constructs of Judaism and the the group setting to find even deeper pri- Passover. These holy days prompt us to Jewish people? vacy and space to think. It is ironic, but it ask: Where does a historic moment fit Coming to participate in ceremonies, works just this way. into our lives? How do these permanent community programs, and times of togeth- With rituals and ceremonies, we listen parts of history impact us? As we remem- erness is not only about what’s on the and acquiesce, yet we question and ulti- ber the millions who perished, we may menu. It is also a time to nourish one’s mately clarify. By coming together for ask, among other questions: How was it mind and soul. Amazingly, the collective prayer, a ceremony concerning the holy and heroic to resist, either physically experiences help each of us find our Holocaust, an Israel program, a memorial or mentally? truest selves. The more we are here with service, or a class with fellow Congregants, With Israel we are spurred to explore and for one another, the greater the bless- we are committing to time for mindfulness our connections. What investment are we ings and more profound the discoveries. as much as we are setting ourselves into making to encounter and develop ideas B’vrakha. E LEBOVITS DEE LAG B’OMER Learning and L’Chaim Saturday, May 17, 9:00 p.m.

he 33rd Day of the Omer is a traditional time to get together Tfor singing, study, and enjoying a bonfire—we’ll light a havdallah candle! Rabbi Bolton will lead a study entitled “Teachers Who Tell Secrets: Do You Have to Be 40 Years Old to Listen?” Enjoy a nosh, a drink, and link in with Jewish communities throughout the world commemorating this day when Rabbi Akiva’s students learned a les- son in respect. Lag B’Omer is also traditionally considered the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the epony- mous author of The Zohar, and a time to enjoy an evening of song and community. Children playing games during Or Zarua’s Purim carnival.

4 WWW.ORWWW.ORZARUA.ORG ZARUA.ORG NOVEMBER/DECEMBERMAY/JUNE 20142010 The Pirke Avot Dialogues SIX CHAPTERS WITH 12 RABBIS AT SIX SYNAGOGUES OVER SIX WEEKS presented by The East Side Torah Learning Coalition

etween Pesah and Shavuot, it is Chapter 2 Chapter 5 traditional to study Pirke Avot. Thursday, May 1, 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 7:30 p.m. The East Side Torah Learning Park Avenue Synagogue Or Zarua Coalition (TLC) will facilitate 50 East 87th Street 127 East 82nd Street Byour study with “The Pirke Avot WHY DO WE LEARN? DISAGREEING AMONG FAMILY: Dialogues.” The TLC is a multidenomina- FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK… GOD LOVES IT! tional coalition of synagogues. Classes with Rabbi Eve Rudin of Park Avenue with Rabbi Scott Bolton of Or Zarua and are taught by rabbis from member syna- Synagogue and Rabbi Rena Rifkin of Congregational Scholar Gilah Kletenik of gogues and are held in different shuls. Emanu-El Kehilath Jeshurun The goal is to unite our community with Torah learning. All classes are open to Chapter 3 Chapter 6 members of partner shuls and the public. Thursday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. On each of six Thursdays, a chapter of Orach Chaim Sutton Place Synagogue Pirke Avot will be presented. The schedule 1459 225 East of topics, dates and times, presenting REMEMBERING, FORGETTING, “IS YOUR RECEPTION CLEAR?” rabbis, and locations are listed below. CONSCIOUSNESS, AND COUNTING with Rabbi Rachel Ain of Sutton Place Rabbi Ben Skydell of Orach Chaim Synagogue and Rabbi Ephraim Pelcovits of Chapter 1 and Rabbi Scott Bolton of Or Zarua Or Olam, The East Synagogue. Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. Kehilath Jeshurun Chapter 4 TLC partners are Central Synagogue; 114 East 85th Street Thursday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. Congregation Emanu-El; Congregation “DON’T TALK TOO MUCH TO WOMEN”: Temple Israel Kehilath Jeshurun; Congregation Or Zarua; TOWARDS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING 112 East 75th Street Congregation Orach Chaim; Or Olam, The OF CONVERSATIONS WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU? East 55th Street Synagogue; Park Avenue with Rabbi Elie Weinstock of Kehilath with Rabbi Jim Stoloff of Temple Israel Synagogue; Sutton Place Synagogue; Jeshurun and Rabbi Rachel Ain of Sutton and Rabbi Josh Strom of Shaaray Tefila. Shaaray Tefila; Temple Israel; and Town Place Synagogue. and Village Synagogue.

Celebrate Israel Programs SAVE THE DATE from Or Zarua’s Israel Committee

Silver Lights Gala Z’s Israel Committee is pleased to The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Celebrating 25 Years offer the following programs related Ari Shavit (see page 3) Oto the Celebrate Israel Parade: Wednesday, November 12 Monday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. The Pierre Shabbat Emor, May 3 G Yom HaZikaron ceremony followed by Music by the Andy Statman Band G Savor the flavors of Israel with kiddush services for Ma’ariv. After Ma’ariv, there and join in a Zimriyah. will be a sing-along for Yom Ha’atzmaut Or Zarua’s Silver Anniversary Gala, to with coffee, tea, and scrumptious dessert. be held at The Pierre, 2 East 61st Sunday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Street, at Fifth Avenue, on Wednesday, G Book Discussion of My Promised Land: Sunday, June 1 November 12, will feature music by G Come march with us in the Celebrate Andy Statman and his band. Statman EDITOR’S NOTE If you have an idea or Israel Parade. This year’s theme is “50 is a musical legend, whose range of article that is suitable for publication in Ways to Celebrate Israel.” To sign up and talent runs from klezmer to bluegrass the OZ Newsletter, please contact reserve your parade T-shirt, contact Ilana to dance music (www.tinyurl.com/ Charlie Spielholz at [email protected]. Burgess at 212-452-2310, extension 15, OZGalaAndyS). So bring your dancing All copy for the July/August 2014 issue or [email protected] (see page 1). shoes! is due by Monday, June 2. —ALIZA KAPLAN

5 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2014 Additional Meanings: The Art of Summantics Now Showing in the Or Zarua Gallery AB CT BOL SCOTT RABBI O N AHLW RACHEL AND TON OURSELL

he Or Zarua Gallery opening of “Additional Meanings: The Art of Summantics” took place on March 23. Karen Shaw (stand- Ting, above right) discussed her use of visual imagery, allusive words, and numeric systems in her art. The exhibit was installed by commit- tee members (shown at right, from left) Caroline Golden Ilberman, Barbara Nadler, Rachel Woursell, and Bobbi Coller. If you missed the festivities, Karen Shaw’s art is still on display. So please take the opportunity to visit the gallery and view her provocative collages and mixed-media work.

CONGREGATION SIGN UP TO SIDDUR CLASS OR ZARUA READ TORAH History, Meaning, and Commentaries on OFFICE HOURS ON SHABBAT the Jewish Prayer Book

Monday through Thursday f you are able to read Torah or Thursdays, 8:30–9:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. haftarah and would like to do so in the OZ Social Hall Friday Ion a Shabbat, please contact Marc ongregation Or Zarua’s siddur Ashley at mashley @chadbourne.com 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. class, taught by Rabbi Bolton, or Jay Palmer at [email protected]. Cstudies the history of, laws and The Or Zarua office is closed Saturday Or sign up online at www.orzarua.org teachings about, and approaches to and Sunday, as well as on Jewish and by clicking “Reading Torah” under the Jewish prayer. Prior knowledge is not federal holidays. “Pray” heading. required.

6 WWW.ORZARUA.ORGWWW.OR ZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRILMAY/JUNE 2014 Hevruta: Talmud Seminar BRENNER HARVEY Reading Talmud Informational Meeting, Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.

nhance your The class is designed Talmudic literacy! for adult learners. A partici- Whether it is deci- pant’s Hebrew background phering the com- can be deep or just at the Eplex English trans- phonetic readers’ level. Each lations or gaining the vocab- participant will experience ulary and technical expertise learning with partners and to dissect a page of Talmud, being in seminar with an OZ will be offering a class expert instructor who will to develop your own ability to help each individual progress A view of the Or Zarua cemetery section. read Talmud. Students will at pace that is appropriate. spend time in hevruta, a There will be a informa- learning dyad or triad, with tional meeting on Tuesday, fellow learners, and be May 20, at 7:30 p.m. with our OZ Cemetery guided during that time by instructor, Rabbi Dr. Mordecai For members and their families teachers who know how to Schwartz. Rabbi Schwartz has help adult learners develop the vocabu- a Ph.D. in Talmud and Rabbinics from JTS. he Or Zarua section of Beth El lary and conceptual approaches they need Please contact Deborah Wenger in the OZ Cemetery is located in Washington to unlock the Talmud’s language and office at 212-452-2310, extension 12, to TTownship (Bergen County), New structure. register for the informational meeting. Jersey, just 10 miles away from the George Washington Bridge. Beth El Cemetery is well maintained and landscaped with trees and shrubs. The cemetery’s design provides a serene and beautiful final LIFE EVENTS RABBI WECHSLER resting place that reflects the values and at Congregation Or Zarua TEACHES ON aesthetics of Congregation Or Zarua. community such as ours shares Gravesites within the Or Zarua section are good times and bad with its SIRIUS XM RADIO available for sale solely to members of Amembers. When something good our congregation. Burial is limited to per- Sundays at 11:00 a.m. sons of the Jewish faith. For information happens in your family—birth, gradua- and 11:00 p.m. tion, engagement, or marriage—let us concerning gravesite purchases, please share your joy. When challenges arise— SIRIU S contact Executive Director Helene Santo at 212-452-2310, extension 14.

illness, hospitalization, or a death in your XM family—let us share your burden. Sometimes people are reluctant to communicate these issues on their own. With the consent of a member WELCOMING who is coping with illness or loss, GUESTS please contact the OZ office at 212- 452-2310, extension 12, so that Rabbi at Congregation Or Zarua Bolton can be informed. s a community, it is important for us to make guests and new Amembers at our services and abbi Wechsler can be heard on kiddushim feel comfortable and ZIMRIYAH SiriusXM Stars Channel two welcome. If you are seated next to Saturday, May 3 Rtimes each Sunday. Subscribers someone whom you do not know or after kiddush to SiriusXM Satellite Radio can access see a new face at kiddush, please “Rabbi Wechsler Teaches” on Channel reach out and introduce yourself. A Zimriyah singing session is scheduled 106. Nonsubscribers can obtain a free, Making this effort is consistent with after kiddush on Saturday, May 3. All three-day trial at www.siriusxm.com. our culture. are invited.

7 127 East 82nd Street G New York, NY 10028 G 212-452-2310 May 2014 Iyar/Sivan 5774

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 G 1 Iyar 2 G 2 3 G 3 Rosh Hodesh Iyar 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 7:00 am Minyan 6:30 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Emor No Siddur Class Shabbat After kiddush, Zimriyah 1:00 pm TLC: Rabbis Rudin 7:34 pm Candlelighting 8:39 pm Shabbat ends & Rifkin at Park Avenue 7:00 pm Holocaust-Looted Art with Owen Pell

4 G 4 5 G 5 6 G 6 7 G 7 8 G 8 9 G 9 10 G 10 8:45 am Minyan Yom HaZikaron Yom Ha’atzmaut 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 10:00 am Marc Ashley’s 7:15 am Minyan 7:00 am Minyan 7:30 pm Talmud Class 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:30 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Behar Class 5:00 pm Siddur Ceremony Hebrew School in session 7:30 pm TLC: Rabbis Shabbat 8:47 pm Shabbat ends 7:30 pm Book Discussion 7:00 pm Yom HaZikaron/ Skydell & Bolton at 7:42 pm Candlelighting 8:30 pm Bir’nana Rehearsal Yom Ha’atzmaut Program Orach Chaim Hebrew School in session

11 G 11 12 G 12 13 G 13 14 G 14 15 G 15 16 G 16 17 G 17 Mother’s Day 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan Pesah Sheini 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit Behukkotai 8:45 am Minyan Hebrew School in session 7:15 am Minyan 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:30 pm Minhah/Kabbalat noon Stroller Shabbat 7:30 pm Bir’nana Rehearsal 7:30 pm Talmud Class 1:00 pm TLC: Rabbis Shabbat 12:30 pm Lunch & Learn Hebrew School in session Stoloff & Strom at 7:49 pm Candlelighting 4:00 pm Shabbat in Park Temple Israel 8:54 pm Shabbat ends 6:00 pm Teen Beit Midrash 9:00 pm Learning and L’Chaim with Rabbi Bolton 18 G 18 19 G 19 20 G 20 21 G 21 22 G 22 23 G 23 24 G 24 Lag B’Omer 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 8:45 am Minyan Annual Meeting 7:30 pm Hevruta 7:30 pm Talmud Class 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:30 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Bemidar 10:00 am Marc Ashley’s 7:00 pm Supper Informational Meeting Last Day of Hebrew School 7:30 pm TLC: Rabbis Shabbat 9:00 pm Shabbat ends Class 8:15 pm Meeting Bolton & Kletenik at 7:55 pm Candlelighting 7:30 pm Bir’nana Rehearsal Hebrew School in session Or Zarua

25 G 25 26 G 26 27 G 27 28 G 28 29 G 29 30 G 1 Sivan 31 G 2 8:45 am Minyan Memorial Day 7:15 am Minyan Yom Yerushalayim 7:15 am Minyan Rosh Hodesh Sivan 9:00 am Shaharit 10:00 am Marc Ashley’s 8:45 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 8:30 am Siddur Class 7:00 am Minyan Naso Class Office closed 7:30 pm Talmud Class 1:00 pm TLC: Rabbis 6:30 pm Minhah/Kabbalat 10:30 am Teen-led Ain & Pelcovits at Shabbat Shabbat Sutton Place 8:01 pm Candlelighting 9:06 pm Shabbat ends 127 East 82nd Street G New York, NY 10028 G 212-452-2310 June 2014 Sivan/Tammuz 5774

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 G 3 Sivan 2 G 4 3 G 5 4 G 6 5 G 7 6 G 8 7 G 9 8:45 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan Erev Shavuot Shavuot: First Day Shavuot: Second Day 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 10:00 am Marc Ashley’s 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 8:45 am Shaharit 6:45 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Beha’alotekha Class 8:20 pm Ma’ariv Light candles after 9:09 pm Yizkor Shabbat 9:11 pm Shabbat ends Celebrate Israel Parade 8:04 pm Candlelighting Office closed 9:10 pm Festival Ends 8:06 pm Candlelighting 8:45 pm Tikkun Leyl (time to be announced) Office closed Shavuot 7:30 pm Bir’nana Rehearsal 1:00 pm Office closes

8 G 10 9 G 11 10 G 12 11 G 13 12 G 14 13 G 15 14 G 16 8:45 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 12:00 p.m. Necessities 7:30 pm Talmud Class 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:45 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Selah Lekha Bags Shabbat 9:15 pm Shabbat ends 7:30 pm Bir’nana Rehearsal 8:10 pm Candlelighting

15 G 17 16 G 18 17 G 19 18 G 20 19 G 21 20 G 22 21 G 23 Father’s Day 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 9:00 am Shaharit 8:45 am Minyan 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:45 pm Minhah/Kabbalat Korah Shabbat 4:00 pm Shabbat in 8:12 pm Candlelighting the Park 9:17 pm Shabbat ends

22 G 24 23 G 25 24 G 26 25 G 27 26 G 28 27 G 29 28 G 30 8:45 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan 7:15 am Minyan Rosh Hodesh Tammuz 8:30 am Siddur Class 6:45 pm Minhah/Kabbalat 9:00 am Shaharit Shabbat Hukkat 8:13 pm Candlelighting 9:18 pm Shabbat ends

29 G 1 Tammuz 30 G 2 Rosh Hodesh Tammuz 7:15 am Minyan 8:45 am Minyan WWW.ORZARUA.ORGCONGREGATION OR ZARUA NOVEMBER/DECEMBERMAY/JUNE 20142009

Shabbat Minyan Groups OZ YOUTH EVENTS Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 15 • 6:00 p.m. TEEN BEIT MIDRASH r Zarua offers three minyan 3 through Bar/Bat Mitzvah age and meets with East Side Torah Learning Coalition groups, designated by age, in the OZ library on the fourth floor. Each This multidenominational teen learning for all children every Shabbat. minyan includes age-appropriate prayer experience among East Side Torah Kef Shabbat is for children and singing, Torah learning, and kiddush. Learning Coalition synagogue youth will from ages 0 to 4 years old No registration is necessary; simply join be a night of interactive experiences O exploring “The Power of Words” as seen and meets on the 7th floor. Ruach Shabbat us any Shabbat morning. is for children in kindergarten through For additional information, contact in Pirke Avot. grade 3 and also meets on the 7th floor. Ilana Burgess at 212-452-2310, extension Congregation Or Zarua Mah Zeh Shabbat is for children in grade 15, or [email protected]. Saturday, May 17 • 12:30 p.m. SHABBAT LUNCH AND LEARN Explore Jewish themes in the book

HRI SPIELHOLZ CHARLIE Divergent following Mah Zeh Shabbat! 7th Floor Saturday, May 31 • 10:30 a.m. TEEN-LED SHABBAT AND LUNCH IN THE PARK Our final Teen Shabbat of the year, followed by a picnic lunch in the park! Middle and High School Students 4th Floor Library Tuesday, June 3 • 8:30 p.m. TWEEN TIKKUN LEYL SHAVUOT Middle schoolers are invited to a special evening of learning celebrating the holiday of Shavuot. Delicious dairy delicacies will be served! Congregation Or Zarua OR ZARUA TEENS gathered after the reading of Megilat Esther to make sandwiches Sunday, June 8 • 12:00 p.m. with cheese donated by Park East Kosher to be distributed by New York Common NECESSITIES BAGS Pantry. The teens then feasted on ice cream sundaes in honor of Purim. Mothers and daughters from the com- munity are invited to a ladies’ lunch, followed by an afternoon of hesed assembling Necessities Bags to help women with breast cancer prepare for mastectomies and feel supported throughout the process. Congregation Or Zarua Information on other youth programs will be available by email. If you have a child, grade 4 through teen, who is not receiving OZ Youth emails, please con- tact Sigal, at [email protected], or Elana, at [email protected]. They will add you—and your child—to their email distribution list.

“LIKE” CONGREGATION OR ZARUA ON FACEBOOK to help spread the word about us!

10 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2014 LN MENDELOWITZ ELANA SIDDUR CEREMONY Monday, May 5, 5:00 p.m. he Hebrew School will hold its MAKE YOUR OWN Siddur Ceremony on Monday, SUSHI AND LEARN TMay 5, at 5:00 p.m. Contact ABOUT KITNIYOT, Youth Education Director Ilana Burgess, a youth event with at 212-452-2310, extension 15, Elana Mendelowitz or [email protected], for more and Sigal Hirsch, information. Note that the final day was held on April 6. of school is Wednesday, May 21. LN BURGESS ILANA SHABBAT IN THE PARK Saturdays, May 17 and June 21, 4:00 p.m. North End of the Great Lawn habbat in the Park is for all ages! Bring your blanket, pareve Snosh to share, sports equipment or games, or just yourself. Rabbi Bolton and his family will be there. LN BURGESS ILANA TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING

Monday, May 19 7:00 p.m. Supper/8:15 p.m. Meeting The agenda will include G The election of trustees and officers G Treasurer’s Report G Remarks from the President and Rabbi According to the By-Laws, we need a quorum of approximately 200 members PESAH LESSONS AND A MODEL SEDER. In a series of lessons that culminated with a to conduct synagogue business at our model seder, OZ Hebrew School students learned about Passover. They began with Annual Meeting. Please plan to attend b'dikat hametz (search for hametz) and then studied different traditions of celebrating this meeting. and conducting the seder. For example, did you know that in some places in Hungary Please make reservations for supper guests remove their jewelry during the seder and place it in a basket on the table and the meeting at http://tinyurl.com/ until the start of the festive meal? It is a tradition that symbolizes the slavery at the 2014-OZ-Meeting or by calling the beginning of the seder and freedom at the end of the seder. Post–bar/bat mitzvah synagogue office at 212-452-2310, students prepared and conducted a “chocolate seder” with a festive meal of matzah extension 39, by Monday, May 12. brei covered in chocolate syrup.

11 CONGREGATIONWWW.OR ZARUA.ORG OR ZARUA NOVEMBER/DECEMBERMAY/JUNE 20142010

A Solution to Hunger TALMUD CLASS Support OZ’s partnership with the New York Common Pantry Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

AB CT BOLTON SCOTT RABBI almud class meets on most r Zarua has made a commit- Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. with ment to send volunteers for TRabbi Bolton. This year, we one shift per month at the are studying Chapter 16 of Masekhet New York Common Pantry Shabbat (Artscroll Shabbat Vol. 4 or (NYCP), the city's largest O Koren Steinsaltz Shabbat Vol. 2). community-based food pantry. Volunteers The final session will be on June 11. are asked to work from 9:00 a.m. to Anyone may join the class at any 12:00 p.m. in the pantry’s distribution time; it is not necessary to have par- center, located off Fifth Avenue at 8 East ticipated in Talmud class previously to 109th Street. Pictured, from left, are join the class now. recent volunteers Barry Feldman, Richard No prior knowledge of Talmud, Stadin, and Audrey Feldman. Contact Hebrew, or Aramaic is required. Lesley Palmer at [email protected] to sign up for May 7 or June 11. You also can help feed the hungry chicken; and shelf-stable milk (nonfat or in our community by donating food for 1%, such as 32-oz. Parmalat). OZ’s year-round food drive for NYCP,or Lists of food items are also available EXPLORE donate a FreshDirect gift card by going to from the office and in the rear of the WWW.ORZARUA.ORG www.freshdirect.com/ycp. OZ sanctuary. Collection bins have been Needed grocery items include whole placed in the social hall for donations, ome of the many resources wheat pasta; tomato sauce; tea and cof- which will be distributed through NYCP. on the Congregation Or Zarua fee; 100% real fruit juice; packaged dry If you would like to sign up directly Swebsite include upcoming beans; canned soup or stew (low-sodium); with NYCP to volunteer, please visit events, service schedules, current whole-grain items; brown rice; oatmeal; http://www.nycommonpantry.org/ art gallery shows, minyan sign-up, peanut butter; canned tuna, salmon, and volunteer.html and contact Jen Winter. guest speaker presentations, and much more. So take a few moments to learn, pray, participate, and connect OZ MINYAN Contact Sheldon Adler at [email protected] or choose “Daily Minyan” on www.orzarua.org! under the “Pray” menu on www.orzarua.org to sign up for a day or two each month.

Or Zarua Hesed Events and Programs “The world exists for the sake of kindness.”—Rashi

Salvation Deliverance Church Monday Night Pasta and Salad at NCS McDonald House and have no local G “Pre-owned” adult and children’s clothing, G Or Zarua Congregants serve hot food support system of friends or relatives. toys, dolls, games, and related items can and good cheer to men and women with The chaplain at Ronald McDonald House be put to good use by the many transitional a range of mental health and addiction alerts us when OZ may be of service homeless residents in the South Bronx, issues at the Neighborhood Coalition to Jewish families who may require kosher including single, jobless mothers and their Shelter’s East 81st Street Residence on meals, synagogue services, and other children, as well as unemployed men. OZ the last two Mondays of each month from assistance. partners with Salvation Deliverance Church, 6:00 to 6:45 p.m., when the residents’ Winter Caps and Scarfs whose members are housekeepers caring government checks are depleted. G Or Zarua Congregants create attractive for their own local needy. Ronald McDonald House knitted caps and scarfs for children in need. Home Visit Volunteers G Children from across the U.S. and from To participate in any of these Hesed G Volunteer to visit and cheer ill or home- around the world come to programs, please contact Richard Stadin bound Or Zarua Congregants. hospitals for cancer treatment. Many at [email protected] or 212-879-0448. reside with their families at Ronald

12 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2014 Upcoming Or Zarua Events Preliminary planning for 2014–2015 OZ ISRAEL TRIP Informational Meeting he Adult Education Committee Congregant Barry Feldman, in four sessions, Date to be announced by email has made preliminary plans for November 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2014. trip to Israel is being planned for the following programs in G “Cubism and the Leonard A. Lauder OZ members. Watch your email 2014–2015. Watch the OZ Collection” with OZ Congregant Dr. Emily for the date of an informational Newsletter and eblasts for addi- Braun, Distinguished Professor of Art and A T meeting to be held with the tour opera- tional details and events. Art History, Hunter College, December 7, tor. The itinerary should be of interest 2014. G Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, chancellor of The to a broad range of Congregants and Jewish Theological Seminary, will deliver G Shabbat Shirah with a visiting chazzan, will include some flexibility to address the annual High Holy Day Teshuvah talk, January 3, 2015. individual interests. Rabbi Bolton will Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 7:30 p.m. G The Annual Lucy S. Dawidowicz Lecture, be traveling with the group. G “From Assyria to Iberia: Crossing “Dubnow's Other Daughter: Lucy S. Contact Deborah Wenger in the Continents at the Dawn of the Classical Dawidowicz and the Beginnings of synagogue office at 212-452-2310, Age” with a curator from the Metropolitan Holocaust Research in the United States” extension 12, or [email protected], Museum of Art, October 14, 2014. with Dr. Nancy Sinkoff, Professor of Jewish for more information. G “Emigration to Immigration: From Journey Studies and History, Rutgers University, to Settlement in New York City” with January 22, 2015. Or Zarua Purim Festivities Hamantaschen Hoedown and Carnival, Sunday, March 16 HRI SPIELHOLZ CHARLIE

THE RABBIS BOLTON. Seeing double on Purim.

13 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA 127 East 82nd Street New York, NY 10028-0807

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2014 May/June Checklist

G The East Side Torah Learning Coalition will host presentations on G Annual Meeting, Monday, May 19, supper at 7:00 p.m., meeting at Chapters 2 through 6 of Pirke Avot on Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 8:15 p.m. (page 11). and 29. See page 5 for topics, times, and locations. G He vruta: Talmud Seminar, a new class to begin in fall 2014, is G Flavors of Israel Kiddush on Shabbat Emor, Saturday, May 3 (page 5). being planned for members of OZ. An informational meeting will be G Zimriyah singing session, Saturday, May 3, after services. All are held on Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m. (page 7). invited (page 7). G Teen-Led Shabbat and Lunch in the Park, Saturday, May 31, 10:30 G Marc Ashley’s annual class between Pesah and Shavuot will meet on a.m. (page 10). Sundays, May 4, 18, 25, and June 1, at 10:00 a.m. This years’ topic is G Celebrate Israel Parade, Sunday, June 1. (page 1). “Though He May Tarry: Messianism in Jewish Thought” (page 3). G Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Panel, “Let Your Imagination Run Wild: G Book discussion of My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy How Imagination, Creativity, and Breaking Boundaries Keep Us Going of Israel by Ari Shavit, led by Aliza Kaplan, Sunday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Forward,” Tuesday night, June 3, after Ma’ariv, followed by dairy (page 3). desserts (page 1). G Siddur Ceremony for the OZ Hebrew School, Monday, May 5, G Tween Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, Tuesday, June 3, 8:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. (page 11). G Mothers and daughters are invited to pack Necessities Bags for G Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut services and programs, women preparing for mastectomies, Sunday, June 8, 12:00 p.m. Monday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. (page 5). (page 10). G Volunteer with fellow Congregants at the New York Common Pantry G Shabbat in the Park, Saturday, June 21, 4:00 p.m. (page 11). on Wednesdays, May 7 or June 11, 9:00 a.m. to noon (page 12). G OZ is planning a trip to Israel in late December. Watch your email G Teen Beit Midrash, Thursday, May 15, 6:00 p.m. (page 10). for the date (page 13). G Stroller Shabbat for families with young children, Saturday, May 17, G OZ will celebrate its 25th year with a Silver Lights Gala on after services, in the social hall (page 10). Wednesday, November 25, at The Pierre, with music by the Andy G Shabbat Lunch and Learn for OZ Youth, Saturday, May 17, 12:30 Statman Band (page 5). p.m., 7th Floor (page 10). G “Additional Meanings: The Art of Summantics,” OZ’s current art G Shabbat in the Park, Saturday, May 17, 4:00 p.m. (page 11). show, can be seen in the OZ Gallery (page 6). G Learn and L’Chaim with Rabbi Bolton on Lag B’Omer, Saturday, G A preliminary list of events and programs to begin this fall appears May 17, 9:00 p.m. (page 4). on page 13. 16