The Jewish Center SHABBAT BULLETIN

FEBRUARY 18, 2017 • P ARSHAT YITRO • 22 S HEVAT 5777

EREV SHABBAT SAVE THE DATE 5:14PM Candle lighting 5:20PM Minchah March 3, 2017 Pre-Purim Dinner SHABBAT Details and registration to follow. 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Midrash) 8:30AM Rabbi Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine (will WEDNESDAY , FEBRUARY 22 ND AT 8:00 PM resume February 25) DID YOU EVER WONDER WHO IS GOING TO WRITE YOUR OBITUARY ? 9:00AM Shacharit (3 rd floor) 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur with Rabbi Noach Goldstein: The Mitzva to Establish We know the answer: Courts and the Israeli Court System Meet Daniel Slotnick, obituary writer for the 10:00AM Youth Groups: Under age 3 (drop off optional, babies must be able New York Times in conversation with to independently sit upright), 3-6-year-olds: Geller Youth Center, 2nd-6th Rabbi Daniel Cohen, author of What will they graders: 7th floor say about when your're gone? Hot Kiddush (5th floor) Book signing to follow Register at www.jewishcenter.org WITH THANKS TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSOR: *First 25 registrants will receive a free copy of Hashkama Kiddush, Golda & Avinoam Erdfarb in commemoration of the Rabbi Cohen's book Yahrzeit of Golda's grandmother Gusta Stromer, Gittel Sasha bas Yaakov Zvi HaCohen YOUTH SHABBAT Hashkama Kiddush, The Wagman Family in loving memory of Anne and Har- FEBRUARY 25 TH ry Gordon Youth Shabbat is an annual event that enables our children to Community Kiddush, Anne Friedman, Saul Finklelstein and Ethan Finkelstein lead davening and layning and deliver divrei Torah in the main in honor of the Aufruf and forthcoming marriage of their son Aaron to Rebec- sanctuary of The Jewish Center. Its objective is twofold: Primarily, ca Davison we hope to enhance our children's spiritual lives by giving them a Community Kiddush, Alex Klein & Miriam Gutwein Klein in commemoration special role in tefilah, kriat ha-Torah and teaching Divrei Torah to of the Yahrtzeit of Miriam's mother, Janice Gutwein, Yachad bat Pinchas the community. Second, it benefits the entire community by foster- HaLevi ing a sense of pride in the Jewish development of our children. Community Kiddush, Miriam & Irving Wietschner in honor of the engagement We sincerely hope that you will encourage your child to partici- of their granddaughter Danielle, daughter of Elisa & Chaim Weitschner, to pate in this important Shabbat. Email Jenn and Gaby to get in- Meir Zeidman and the Yahrzeit of Miriam's father Herbert (Chaim) Rappaport volved at [email protected]

12:40PM Early Minchah (3rd floor) THE JEWISH CENTER AND YESHIVA UNIVERSITY : 3:30PM Bikkur Cholim/Bikkur in the Home (meet at 730 Columbus Ave.) CELEBRATING A CENTURY -LONG RELATIONSHIP 5:05PM Minchah SHABBAT MARCH 18, 2017 5:00PM Afternoon Groups (5th floor) FEATURING SCHOLAR -IN-RESIDENCE RABBI ASSAF BEDNARSH Daf Yomi For 100 years, The Jewish Center WITH THANKS TO OUR SEUDAH SHLISHIT SPONSOR: and Yeshiva University have enjoyed a very special Laszlo & Maureen Marcus in memory of Stephenie Schlesinger relationship. Our rabbis and members have been Seudah Shlishit Youth Speaker: Orly Epstein and continue to be instrumental in the development and success of YU. Seudah Shlishit Speaker: Rabbi Noach Goldstein: Ahavat Ha-Ger and Ahavat Yisrael Today, our membership is proud to count among our Hilchot Shabbat with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind with resume next week ranks prominent faculty, board members and alumni, including Rabbi Benjamin Blech and Rabbi Robert 6:16PM Shabbat concludes Hirt. Both Rabbi Levine and Rabbi Zirkind are grad- Parent Child Learning (will resume next week) uates of RIETS. Like Rabbi Lamm, Rabbi Levine is pursuing his doctorate at YU’s Bernard Revel Gradu- ate School. And at this year's Chag HaSemikha celebration, Rabbis Ari Lamm and Noach Goldstein will celebrate their DAILY SERVICES ordination.

Sun. Feb. 19 Mon, Feb. 20 Tues. Feb. 21– Friday, Feb. 24 Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh received his semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Daf Yomi 7:45AM Presidents Day Thur. Feb. 23 Shacharit 7/8AM Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University. He holds a B.A. Shacharit 8:30AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM from Princeton University and an M.A. in Jewish History from Yeshiva Minchah 5:25PM Shacharit 8:30AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Candle Lighting University. Prior to his in 2004, he served as a Maggid Shiur and Minchah 5:25PM Minchah 5:25PM 5:23PM Assistant Director of Yeshiva University's Graduate Program for Women in Minchah 5:30PM Advanced Talmudic Studies, and as a Rebbe in TMSTA - Yeshiva Universi- ty High School. He currently holds the Ruth Buchbinder Mitzner Chair in Talmud and Jewish Law at Yeshiva University’s RIETS Kollel in Jerusalem, WOMEN ’S TEHILLIM GROUP and teaches at Yeshivat Har Etzion

Monday, February 27 Please join us for a leadership luncheon on Shabbat afternoon open to at 7:15PM Contact Joyce Weitz for more info. current students, alumni, faculty and friends of Yeshiva. Details and Regis- at 212-877-1176 tration to follow shortly.

The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning 131 W. 86th Street, New York, NY 10024 • www.jewishcenter.org • 212-724-2700 JOIN THE JC AIPAC DELEGATION AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE 2017 SUNDAY MARCH 26 - 28, 2017 IN WASHINGTON , DC

Dahlia Bellows Rabbi Avi Feder Jonah Kupietzky Beth Schwartz Moshe Bellows Lauren Geller Fran Kupietzky Joshua Schwartz George Blank Martin Geller Charlie Laifer Shimon Shkury Harriet Blank Talia Gerber Daniel Laifer Yossi Siegel Jonathan Blank Hanna Gerber Jill Lavitsky Lionel Slama Steven Bram Estee Gerber Eric Lavitsky Philip Wagman Lisa Buksbaum Sander Gerber Rabbi Yosie Levine Daniel Wagman Jonathan Buksbaum Tracy Gerber Susan Lobel Rabbi Mark Wildes Joshua Buksbaum Andrew Haberman Daniel Mael Jacob Buksbaum Rebecca Hanus Linda Moed Registration for the conference costs Susan Canter Avi Heller David Pfeffermann $599 Michelle Chrein Steven Hirsch Daniel Posner Please visit www.policyconference.org to Hillel Cohen Janice Honig Leyla Posner register. Arthur Degen Ira Kellman Rachel Ringler Susan Degen Rona Kellman Pinny Rosenthal Daniel Faizakoff Eitan Kimelman Andrew Schonzeit

UPCOMING EVENTS YOUTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES SISTERHOOD EVENING AT THE THEATER YOUTH SHABBAT , FEBRUARY 25 TH techniques that combine the best elements FEBRUARY 25 TH , 2017 Youth Shabbat is an annual event that of numerous other styles. In addition to The New York Times called the new Broadway musical, Natasha Pierre enables our children to lead davening and learning krav maga, you’ll practice striking and the Great Comet of 1812 “rapturous” and “a witty, inventive en- layning and deliver divrei Torah in the main combinations from , defense chantment.” On February 25 th , decide for yourself if this is the next sanctuary of The Jewish Center. Email Jenn techniques from , from Hamilton. Join the Sisterhood for this season’s must-see musical followed and Gaby to get involved at jennandga- , and from . by dessert. A limited number of tickets at $150 per person are availa- [email protected] ble so reserve early by calling the Jewish Center at 212-724-2700 or ADD A BIRTHDAY SPONSORSHIP TO ONE OF OUR visit our website at FAMILY KRAV MAGA FUN -FILLED YOUTH EVENTS ! SATURDAY , MARCH 4,2017 Party Choices this year Include Arts & www.jewishcenter.org. 7:30 PM - 8:45 PM Crafts, Movie Nights, Zumba, Krav Maga, Join us on March 4th for a fun krav maga Laser Tag, Bubble Soccer. Email Jenn and ART & TEXT : A PREVIEW OF MEGILLAT ESTHER workshop being given by an experienced Gaby for more details and dates at jen- ROSH CHODESH ADAR WEBINAR WITH DR . ERICA BROWN instructor from Camp Zeke. Krav Maga [email protected]. FEBRUARY 27 TH AT 12:30PM-1:00PM relies on instinctive movements and practical Join our visiting scholar live from Washington, DC for a special Rosh Chodesh Adar lunch break full of inspiration. Registration and webinar PURIM PROGRAMS instructions to follow. MISHLOACH MANOT PACKAGING PURIM DAY PRE -PURIM DINNER SUNDAY MARCH 5, 2017 Drop off Childcare and Entertainment dur- MARCH 3 10:00 AM -12:00 PM ing the 10:00 am Megillah Reading for Details to follow. Join us in a simple and meaningful mitz- babies and kids up to age 11. Magic Show, vah! Every Purim, families of the Jewish Animal Show, Painting, Music Games WEST SIDE HATZOLOH 32 ND “LEV ” ANNIVERSARY DINNER EVENT Center deliver mishloach manot to elderly/ and More! MARCH 20 TH , 2017 AT 7:00PM homebound members of our community. We Stay tuned for more details and registra- LIGHTHOUSE AT CHELSEA PIERS invite kids and parents to help us package tion. RSVP at WestSideHatzoloh.org the mishloach manot on and there will be a light breakfast. WOMENS MEGILLAH READING SUNDAY MARCH 12 SHABBAT AFTERNOON , MARCH 25 PURIM NIGHT Co-sponsored by MJE and Kol Ha-Neshama SEUDAH SHLISHIT FEATURING DANIEL LEVIN Join us for a family friendly Megillah Read- For more info contact Adena Berkowitz Daniel Levin is the author of the New York Times best- ing in the gym, more details to follow. ([email protected]) or Beth seller, The Last Ember, and the executive producer Schwartz ([email protected] ) of Lion, which has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture.

PREPARING FOR PURIM MATANOT L’EVYONIM MEGILLAH READING Please remember to send Matanot L'evyonim, gifts to the poor, before We would like to provide everyone with the opportunity to hear the Me- Purim. The amount given should be sufficient to assist at least two different gillah on Purim. If someone you know will not be able to leave home on people with their Purim meal. Checks made out to the Rabbi Leo Jung Purim, or if you would like to volunteer to read Megillah for the home- Memorial Fund earmarked "Matanot L'evyonim" that are received before bound, please contact Rabbi Zirkind at [email protected] or 212 Purim March 7, 2017 will be distributed to the poor on Purim day to fulfill -724-2700. your obligation.

MISHLOACH MANOT TO IDF SOLDIERS ONEG SHABBAT Send baskets filled with Israeli products and bakery goods to IDF soldiers Make the holiday a festive time for the needy or homebound in our com- in Israel. Packages will bear a noting your name with a Purim greet- munity. Help provide mishloach manot packages in ing. Please place your order by Tuesday February 21. The cost is $15 addition to their regular Shabbat meals. Colorful Purim cards are also per package, $450 for a platoon, and $2000 to a company. Make your available. For more information and to donate, visit check payable to The Jewish Center and earmark it "Mishloach Manot to www.onegshabbatny.org. IDF" or donate online at www.jewishcenter.org and write in the notes field "Mishloach Manot to IDF". To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at [email protected] COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZEL TOV Sammy Papilsky on the recent bat mitzvah of his granddaughter, Ella, daughter of Michael and Samara Papilsky

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Penina Blazer and Stephen Rutenberg

THANK YOU TO CSS We would like to once again thank CSS and our dedicated CSS members for providing the security for our synagogue this week.

SHABBAT OF SONG Last Shabbat we celebrated the 6th annual Shabbat of Song at The Jewish Center. This year, Cantor Berson was joined in song by Lipa Schmeltzer and the Zameru Choir. The festivities began at Kabbalat Shabbat with a Beatles medley for Lecha Dodi. The fun continued with a musically-themed community dinner attended by 200 people, and a performance by Lipa and the choir where he danced with the kids to his popular hit "Mizrach". The evening ended with a spirited tisch and a sing-a-long oneg where Lipa re- galed us with funny stories of his life experiences (including one about his time working in a fish market) and a message about positivity and inclusiveness. The program continued with davening on Shabbat morning, including a powerful and moving rendition of the Prayer for the State of Israel and for the Soldiers of the Israeli army. The fun weekend was topped off with a special Musical Havda- lah. Once again, Shabbat of Song proved to be a popular and soulful Jewish Center tradition. Thank you to Cantor Berson, Lipa and the choir, the sponsors and the planning committee for arranging a "Shabbos in Munhatten" not to be forgotten.

CENTENNIAL PLANNING UPDATE Dear Members, As you know, planning for our Centennial February 5-26 Year is well underway. As we begin to Don’t miss the world’s largest Jewish book sale fill in the calendar, we're looking to find completely run by Yeshiva University students. For exciting and dynamic speakers/ more information visit theseforimsale.com. When personalities who will be especially shopping at the Seforim sale, please use the fitting for this monumental year. If you coupon code TJC and a portion of your purchase or someone you know has access to any will be donated to our shul. This is a wonderful time to consider making a gift to enhance The such people, please be in touch with us Jewish Center’s Al and Sylvia Baris Library or with Rabbi Zirkind. Thank you. housed in our Beit Midrash. Donate online Andy Kaplan, at www.jewishcenter.org or contact Rabbi Dovid Andrew Steinerman and Rachel Wolf Zirkind for more information. Centennial Year Co-Chairs

COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES For more information visit our website or contact Rabbi Dovid Zirkind at [email protected]

DAILY (except Shabbat) NEW! SHABBAT Israel Friedman Daf Yomi with rotating JCU Exodus: The Origins of Leadership, Commu- Rabbi Israel Silverstein Faculty, 7:45AM nity and Redemption Mishnayot Class (will resume next week) Sadye and Henry Bayer Chumash Class with with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 8:30AM TUESDAY Rabbi Yosie Levine, 8:00PM Advanced Gemara Chaburah Hashkama Shiur with Rabbi Noach Goldstein WEDNESDAY with rotating JCU Faculty, 9:15AM 7:45-8:30AM Women of the Bible with Rabbi Yosie Levine, at 11:00AM Israel Friedman Daf Yomi Nosh and Drash with rotating JCU Faculty, 1 hour before Min- with Dr. Adena Berkowitz, chah 10:15-11:30AM 39 Melachot Jewish History: Judaism in a Christian Em- With Rabbi Dovid Zirkind pire with Rabbi Ari Lamm, 7:00PM

To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at [email protected] Yosie Levine Yitro: The Sound of Revelation Rabbi Dr. Erica Brown, Community Scholar Dovid Zirkind Associate Rabbi The giving of the Aseret Ha-dibrot is depicted in this As the text proceeds, Moses delineated the distance be- week’s Torah reading, Yitro, in two ways: through sub- tween God and the people as he prepared for God’s Chaim David Berson and atmosphere. When reading Shemot 19, peo- speech. And God spoke. One imagines the scene as all Cantor ple tend to concentrate on one aspect or another. We the religious chaos calmed to a soundless lull, and God’s Ari Lamm either neutralize the drama of the story by focusing on the voice shook the quiet heavens. The noise receded into the Resident Scholar legal responsibilities or get so caught up in the bad law. The extreme change was bound to both disturb and weather that the commandments seem to get lost in the engage. Resounding noise and the landscape of silence Erica Brown Community Scholar thunder and lightening. Clearly the inclusion of both as- must have been equally successful in communicating the pects - the visual/aural and the legal - is meant to be moment’s significance. Noach Goldstein fused into a powerful, coherent experience of revelation. Resident Scholar Mount Sinai was aflame in color and sound: There is one line that hovers between these two extremes. Avi Feder An expression in Exodus 19:23 seems to render the tense William Fischman ...As morning dawned, there was thunder and lightening and dialectic established in the chapter: “Set bounds about the Rabbinic Intern a dense cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of mountain and sanctify it.” The people were warned to Aaron Strum the horn; and all the people in the camp trembled...Now keep a distance from the mount. The setting of boundaries Executive Director Mount Sinai was all in smoke, for the Lord had come down is both a concrete demand and also a symbolic gesture upon it in fire; the smoke rose like the smoke of a kiln and that affirms what the giving of law is. Setting boundaries Jenn & Gaby Minsky Youth Directors the whole mountain trembled violently. The blare of the horn allows you to sanctify situations. Understanding limitations grew louder and louder. As Moses spoke, God answered creates holiness. OFFICERS him in thunder. Avi Schwartz It is at this point that the visual stage becomes an auditory President

There is sound and fury here that signify everything. If we one. No longer are the people mesmerized by what they Andrew Borodach read carefully we notice that what is inanimate takes on see. Vision has its limitations, as Susan Sontag once wrote: First Vice President the behavior of what is animate and vice-versa. The peo- “Sight is a promiscuous sense. The avid gaze always wants Michael Jacobs ple trembled, and then the Mount trembled. There was more.” This time the children of Israel were told not to look Vice President thunder, and then God spoke as thunder. There appears – “not to break through to the Lord to gaze” - but to lis- Deena Blanchard to be both a blend and a confusion of imagery, prevent- ten. With this new challenge to the senses, God began to Vice President ing the onlooker from being able to distinguish the atmos- speak. One Bible commentator notes: “What they had to Mark Segall phere from the participants. Everyone and everything was do was to hear, not to see, and indeed to hear with full Assistant Vice President viscerally involved in the holy terror and awesome won- clear consciousness, that the Word was objective, that it Yaron Kinar der of the moment. came to them from without, not from within themselves...” Treasurer

Len Berman Assistant Treasurer

Andrew Kaplan JEWISH BOOKS FOR THE BLIND Assistant Treasurer AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED Miri Lipsky Recapture the Joy of Reading through The JBI Secretary Library for visually impaired, blind and read- ing disabled individuals. JBI is the world’s PHONE NUMBERS largest library of Jewish interest for people of Yoetzet Halacha all ages and backgrounds who cannot read Ilana Gadish standard print, offering fiction, history, biog- [email protected] raphies, periodicals, a concert and lecture se- 646-598-1080 ries and much more, in Audio, Large Print and Braille, all provided free of charge and deliv- Jewish Center ered to your doorstep. JBI Talking Books are Chevra Kadisha available in English, Russian, Yiddish and 212-724-2700 x555 other languages . Liturgical materials are available in all formats. UWS Mikvah Call 1-800-433-1531. A librarian will be 212-579-2011 happy to help. Or visit JBI’s website at www.jbilibrary.org. JBI, since 1931, connect- Hatzoloh 212-230-1000 ing the blind and visually impaired to the Jew- ish world. Eruv Status 212-724-2700 x4