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Bayit BULLETIN Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Bayit BULLETIN September 11 - 18, 2020 Elul 22 - 29, 5780 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY 10463 718-796-4730 www.thebayit.org If you would like to join Shabbat Welcome New Member: Diane Aiken Tefillah in person please visit thebayit.org/form/shabbat912 THIS SHABBAT @ THE VIRTUAL BAYIT to complete the health screening 6:00pm - Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat w/Rav Steven: http://zoom.us/j/6136133703. and reserve a space! Motzaei Shabbat Havdalah w/Rav Steven: 8:15pm. zoom.us/j/6136133703. This Shabbat: Torah reading in the Stone Chumash begins on page 1086. The Haftorah begins on page Parshiot Nitzavim-Vayelech 1202. Earliest Candle Lighting: 5:52pm To listen before Shabbat visit www.thebayit.org/nitzavim & www.thebayit.org/vayelech Candle Lighting: 6:52pm A page guide for tefillah and Torah reading for most commonly used siddurim and Mincha/Kabb. Shabbat: 6:20pm* chumashim is available by clicking here. Shacharit: 7:00am, 8:30am, Tot Shabbat: To maintain social distancing we are limiting sign up to 14 families per 10:00am, 10:15am session. Register at www.thebayit.org/event/totshabbat. Sof Zman Kriat Shema: 9:42am Zman Tefillah: 10:45am SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH @ THE BAYIT YOUTH DEPARTMENT KICKOFF EVENT (PAGE 2) Mincha & Maariv: 6:35pm 9/11 COMMEMORATIVE BLOOD DRIVE - FLYER ON PAGE 5 Shabbat Ends: 7:54pm *We will have in person tefillah for Mincha, HIGH HOLIDAYS @ THE BAYIT Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv. This tefillah will High Holiday classes and special programs: Page 4 be simulcast on zoom at zoom.us/ j/6136133700 until after Lecha Dodi. Online Annual Selichot Concert! Flyer on page 5. Signup at www.thebayit.org/selichot Link will be sent out after Shabbat. WEEKDAY TIMES: See page 3 for details on the following: To join us in person for tefillah visit Signup information for Rosh Hashana Mincha/Maariv and all Yom Kippur tefillot. www.thebayit.org/form/tefillah913 Order your Lulav & Etrog. Pickup and delivery options. to complete the health screening and sign up. FIRST NIGHT OF SELICHOT: We will begin Selichot at the Bayit at 10:45pm - about Shacharit: 25 - 30 minutes after the concert ends. Reserve your seat at www.thebayit.org/form/selichot1. To maintain physical distancing as Sun: 8:30am we enter and exit the building the service on the Terrace will begin at 10:45pm and Mon/Thu: 6:20am, 7:50am* the Main Sanctuary will start at 11:00pm. The service in the Sanctuary will be Tue/Wed: 6:15am, 7:50am* simulcast on Zoom at zoom.us/j/6136133700 and will be led in part over Zoom by Fri: 5:40am, 7:50am* Reb Elli - please join from home, if not in person. Mincha/Maariv: Sun - Thu: 6:50pm ROSH HASHANAH SEAT AND ROLE ASSIGNMENT UPDATE: We are delighted to be organizing 550+ attendees at a dozen services each of the mornings of Rosh Daf Yomi Sun: 7:30am, Mon - Fri Hashanah. This is a testament to our Bayit’s commitment to prayer for those who are able 8:30am, Motzaei Shabbat: 9:30pm. to attend in person and the many who have offered their homes and taken roles in leading Email [email protected] for Zoom services. We hope to have those assignments completed and sent out early next week. If information. you have volunteered for a gabbai/t, makria/h or site coordinator role, you should hear *Zoom only from us early next week as well!” NIGGUN CIRCLE SHOFAR BLOWING: The Riverdale Jewish Community Partnership is working diligently to set up outdoor Shofar blowing in our community on Sunday, September 20th. THURSDAY NIGHTS Times and Locations will be announced via email and through our phone system next Please join us the night before Rosh week. Hashanah @ 9:00pm Thursday, Sept 17th. We will sing familiar and THANK YOU FOR GIVING BACK TO THE BAYIT: Thank you to the teen beloved songs and niggunim relating volunteers who came last Friday to the Bayit to prepare Youth Department packets for the to Elul and Rosh Hashana. High Holidays: Sarit Lapin, Beth Levine, Hila Loeser, Yosefa, Nava, Rosa, and Lily zoom.us/j/6136133700 Oberstein. Special thank you to coordinator Cecily Oberstein, Youth Committee. Chair NOTE SPECIAL TIME! To pick up a Youth Department packet with arts and crafts for the Chagim and a copy of the new "3rd Floor Newsletter" stop by the Bayit terrace, this Sunday, 9/13, 12pm-2:30pm. Next Shabbat: Page 2: Staff Directory, Youth Programs, Pages 7 - 8: Programs and Bayit resources, Rosh Hashana Classes, Virtual Tefillah and Sefarim Fund plus Social Action Committee D’var Torah Candle Lighting: 6:40pm Pages 9 - 10: Beyond the Bayit Page 3: High Holiday information and signup Pages 11 - 12: Shabbat @ Home Guide Schedule on page 3. links THE BAYIT BULLETIN Most of our staff is now working remotely. Please use the numbers listed below to contact them. If you call the main line, and leave a message it will automatically be sent to the intended recipient. IMPORTANT: We can only respond to your call if you leave a message with your name, phone number and the reason for your call! Your patience is greatly appreciated. Contact Us: Phone: 718-796-4730 Email: [email protected] Steven Exler, Senior Rabbi: [email protected]/ 917-494-3380 Richard Langer, Executive Director: Phyllis Newsome, Bookkeeper: Ezra Seligsohn, Associate Rabbi: [email protected]/ 732-626-5902 [email protected]/ 201-503-4923 [email protected]/ 610-405-5725 Bryan Cordova, Facilities Manager: Yael Oshinsky, Program Associate: Bracha Jaffe, Associate Rabba: [email protected]/ 914-809-0203 [email protected]/ 201-503-5562 [email protected]/ 443-983-5083 Shuli Boxer Rieser, Assistant to R’ Weiss: Sara Hurwitz, Rabba: [email protected]/ 929-269-2892 [email protected]/ 646-337-4047 Avi Weiss, Rabbi in Residence: [email protected]/ 929-269-2892 YOUTH DEPARTMENT PROGRAMMING & RESOURCES WELCOME BACK! WE MISSED YOU! HIR YOUTH DEPARTMENT DROP-OFF OPENING EVENT Where: The HIR Terrace (socially distanced stations) When: Sunday September 13th Register at: Who: Bayit children, ages 6-11 www.thebayit.org/kickoff What time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Cost: Free! Please drop your kids off for songs, stories, art projects and more! Registration available for the first 24 families. All participants must wear masks over the mouth and nose for the duration of the program and wash/sanitize hands upon entering the building. Parents must also wear masks during drop off and pick up. Registration coming soon. Check your email over the next few days! TOT SHABBAT - Signups limited to first 14 families. PLAYGROUND TIME www.thebayit.org/event/totshabbat. Our playground opening for individual household use has been a huge success! 45 minute slots (now adjusted to 2 per house- Please note: There will be NO Tot Shabbat on Rosh Hashana, hold per week to start) beginning on the hour will be available Sukkot or Shemini Atzeret. Sunday-Thursday, 9am - 6pm, & Friday 9am - 4pm. Signups for YOUTH PARASHA PAGE the coming week will open the preceding Thursday around https://images.shulcloud.com/111/uploads/Joseph/Nitzavim- midday - check the Bayit homepage or go directly to Vayeilech.pdf thebayit.org/playtime. Sign up now for next week! DAILY TEFILLAH B'TZIBBUR: Advance registration is required online at www.thebayit.org/form/tefillah913. All weekday tefillot at the Bayit will be available via Zoom at zoom.us/j/6136133700 and the Mon - Fri Shacharit at 7:50am is via Zoom only. Classes zoom.us/j/470341910 except where noted Monday: 11:00am - Halacha Chaburah: “Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuva” - Burt Nusbacher Tuesday: 10:00am - “Psalms Related to Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur” - Rav Avi 11:00am - “Judges: The Samson Story” - Rav Ezra Wednesday: 11:30am - “Insights and Discussion on Megillat Kohelet” - Rabbanit Bracha Thursday: 8:30am (following 7:50am Shacharit) - “Mussar: Personal Transformation Through a Jewish Lens” - Rabbanit Bracha zoom.us/j/6136133700 10:00am - Rabbi Dr. Heschel’s “The Prophets” - Rav Steven SEFARIM FUND Thank you to this month’s donors: Roberta Aranoff in memory of Elliot Goldberg Janet Axelrod in memory of Sonia Marder and in honor of Sam Marder To make a donation, visit www.thebayit.org/sefarim ROSH HASHANA SCHEDULE: Shabbat, Sept. 19th Rosh Hashana 1 Sunday, Sept 20th Rosh Hashana II Friday, Sept.18th Morning Teffilot: Staggered start times Morning Teffilot: Staggered start times Candle Lighting: 6:40 from 7:15am - 1:00pm from 7:15am - 1:00pm Mincha: 6:20 (We will Zoom Mincha Mincha: 6:15pm Mincha: 6:40pm and Abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat) Candle Lighting: 7:39pm Havdallah/Yom Tov Ends: 7:40pm RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT ONE OF OUR TEFILLOT Arba Minim From Bnei Akiva @ The Bayit FOR HIGH HOLIDAYS NOW! Seat requests for Rosh We are pleased to partner with Bnei Akiva to bring quality Hashana are past due. The (very) few remaining seats Lulavim and Etrogim to the Riverdale community. will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To place an order for pickup at the Bayit, go online to Reserve at www.thebayit.org/form/tefillahRH2. https://www.jotform.com/bneiakivaofnynj/hir-lulav-and-etrog YOM KIPPUR deadline is TODAY! September 11th. Visit Orders received by Erev Yom Kippur (Sept 27) will be www.thebayit.org/form/tefillahYK to submit your seat request, ready for pickup Monday night after Yom Kippur. Orders or call Yael (201-503-5562), Shuli (929-269-2892), or Phyllis received by noon on Wed, Sept. 30th will be ready for (201-503-4923) for assistance. pickup by Thu, Oct. 1st. For home delivery ($10 charge) go online to bneiakiva.org/Mifal to place your order.
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  • Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year
    ROSH HASHANAH JEWISH NEW YEAR “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelite people thus: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts. You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall bring an offering by fire to the LORD.” (Lev. 23:23-25) ROSH HASHANAH, the first day of the seventh month (the month of Tishri), is celebrated as “New Year’s Day”. On that day the Jewish people wish one another Shanah Tovah, Happy New Year. ש נ ָׁהָׁטוֹב ָׁה Rosh HaShanah, however, is more than a celebration of a new calendar year; it is a new year for Sabbatical years, a new year for Jubilee years, and a new year for tithing vegetables. Rosh HaShanah is the BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD, the anniversary of creation—a fourfold event… DAY OF SHOFAR BLOWING NEW YEAR’S DAY One of the special features of the Rosh HaShanah prayer [ רֹאשָׁהַש נה] Rosh HaShanah THE DAY OF SHOFAR BLOWING services is the sounding of the shofar (the ram’s horn). The shofar, first heard at Sinai is [זִכְּ רוֹןָׁתְּ רּועה|יוֹםָׁתְּ רּועה] Zikaron Teruah|Yom Teruah THE DAY OF JUDGMENT heard again as a sign of the .coming redemption [יוֹםָׁהַדִ ין] Yom HaDin THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE THE DAY OF JUDGMENT It is believed that on Rosh [יוֹםָׁהַזִכְּ רוֹן] Yom HaZikaron HaShanah that the destiny of 1 all humankind is recorded in ‘the Book of Life’… “…On Rosh HaShanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, how many will leave this world and how many will be born into it, who will live and who will die..
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  • KN Letter 5781
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  • Guide for Sephardim Prepared by Rabbi Yonatan Nacson1
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  • TEMPLE ISREAL HIGH HOLIDAYS Blue V4
    Join Temple Israel's High Holiday Celebrations (2020/5781) Shana Tovah! Though it is true that we cannot physically pray together: with our melodies, prayers and learning, we can transform our physical houses into sacred spaces. At Temple Israel, we pride ourselves on our commitment to tradition and modernity, observing customs, but also being innovative. This year we are excited to offer a variety of virtual experiences that represent these beloved Temple values. The following live events will be available via Zoom, which will be provided at a later date. We suggest you create community by viewing these on a TV or large screen in your family or social bubbles. You will need to pre-register. New to Temple Israel? Please give the office a call so that we can welcome you to our community. Contact the Temple office in advance for any help you need in setting up the technology. Rosh Hashanah Friday, Sept 18th Hineni-I Am Here! 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: The emphasis of our first worship service is centering ourselves and being present in the moment. In these crazy times, there are a lot of distractions. We will ground ourselves with rituals, song and learning as we begin the new year. Bring your candles and kiddush cups so we can commence and conclude with communal blessings as one. Saturday, Sept 19th Melodies of Rosh Hashanah, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Over recent months, we have craved to hear our traditional holiday melodies of Avinu Malkeinu, Unetaneh Tokef and Sim Shalom.
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  • The Powerful Prayer of the Shofar
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  • What Does It Mean to Hear the Shofar? by Akiko Yonekawa
    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HEAR THE SHOFAR? Akiko Yonekawa What are we supposed to feel when the shofar is blasted? The shofar is sounded every day but Shabbat and the 29th day of the month leading up to Rosh Hashana. Then there are as many as 100 shofar blasts on Rosh Hashana. In the Torah, Rosh Hashana isn’t even called Rosh Hashana - it’s referred to as a day of blasting1 or a day of rest and remembrance commemorated with blasting2. Although we have many rich traditions associated with Rosh Hashana, the most central one seems to be that it is a day for blowing the shofar, but the mitzvah itself is to hear the shofar sounded. What does it mean to hear the shofar? The rabbis of the Talmud wonder what it means to have a mitzvah to hear something. Does it count if you are passing by and you happen to hear the shofar? Does it count if you hear the echo of the shofar? Does it count if you hear it sounded by someone who didn’t intend for it to be heard by another person?3 The rabbis, ever concerned with fastidiously performing mitzvot, are stumped by a mitzvah that seems so passive. Can you just happen to perform a mitzvah by walking past an open window? The rabbis seem to want there to be a measure of attention or intention required to fulfill the mitzvah. What is the shofar saying? The sound of the shofar has a complex character: It is the alarm that wakes you from your slumber and urges you to repent4 It is the cry of Sarah when she found that her husband took her son to sacrifice him to God5 It is the cry of the mother of Sisera, the general of a Canaanite army, as she waited for him to come home from battle not knowing that he had already been slain6 It is a reminder to us that God provided a ram in place of Isaac, preventing Abraham from sacrificing his only son7 It is a calling out to God to remember us on this day It is a joyful sound It is a shout It is a prayer Not all Jews are obligated to hear the shofar.
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  • The Shofar and Its Symbolism
    83 The Shofar and its Symbolism Malcolm Miller Part I: The shofar's symbolism in biblical and historical sources There is a sense of expectation in the silence before the shofar sound, followed by unease evoked by the various blasts. Part of its mystery lies in the interplay of the silence, the piercing sound, and the hum of the people praying. On its most basic level, the shofar can be seen to express what we cannot find the right words to say. The blasts are the wordless cries of the People of Israel. The shofar is the instrument that sends those cries of pain and sorrow and longing hurtling across the vast distance towards the Other. (Michael Strassfeld)1 This very poetic description of the shofar in its ritual performance highlights both the particularly Jewish and the universal elements of the instrument. The emotional associations and the use of the instrument as a symbol of memory and identity may find resonances with many religious faiths. Its specifically Jewish connotations are especially poignant at the start of the twenty-first century, yet the symbolism of the shofar extends far beyond the "cries of pain and sorrow," reaching across history to its biblical origins, to evoke a plethora of associations. As I hope to illustrate in the present article, the shofar has generated a rich nexus of metaphorical tropes, those of supernatural power, joy, freedom, victory, deliverance, national identity, moral virtue, repentance, social justice, and many other topics, some of which have remained constant while others have changed. At the heart of the matter is the appreciation of the shofar as not merely a functional instrument, as often believed, but a "musical" one, whose propensity to evoke a profound aesthetic response has led to multiple interpretations of its symbolism.
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  • Erev Rosh Hashana-Tzom Gedaliah
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  • A SHOFAR in SIBERIA (A True Story by a Young Woman Named Chaya Halberstam) Told by Rabbi Susan Nanus on the Second Day of Rosh Hashana
    1 A SHOFAR IN SIBERIA (A True Story by a young woman named Chaya Halberstam) Told by Rabbi Susan Nanus on the Second Day of Rosh Hashana It was the end of the brief Siberian summer, sometime in the early 1940’s. My grandfather, Rabbi Meir Halberstam, was just a young boy of 13 and imprisoned in a work camp together with his grandfather, the Rebbe of Zmigrad, Rabbi Sinai Halberstam. Before the war, in 1936, young Meir had moved to the holy city of Jerusalem with his family. In honor of his upcoming bar mitzvah, his father sent him back to Poland to celebrate the auspicious day in the Chassidic court of his holy grandfather. He arrived in Poland just as the rumble of imminent war was making itself heard. Disciples, family, and community members where all scrambling to save their lives. Young Meir, unable to return to Jerusalem, escaped with his grandfather and immediate family to Russia. At last they were safe, or so they thought. The Russian government seized the opportunity to put the many Polish refugees that now flooded the country to work. Meir, his grandfather, and their entire entourage were charged as enemies of the state and sentenced to heavy labor on the unforgiving Siberian tundra. Rosh Hashanah approached as the fleeting summer abruptly ended, replaced with howling, bone-chilling winds. Young Meir noticed that with each passing 2 day his grandfather grew more and more depressed. “How will we blow the shofar?” cried the Rebbe. Although he had with him the holy shofar that had been passed down from his ancestors, the thought of being caught by the evil Russian guards filled him with dread.
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