Shabbat Yitro, January 21 – 22 Candle lighting 4:40 PM; Shabbat ends 5:43 PM Friday, Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 PM; Saturday Sanctuary Service, 9:30 AM; Singing Service, 9:30 AM Family Service, 11:15 AM Sunday Morning Services, 9:00 AM

Shabbat Mishpatim, January 28 – 29 Candle lighting, 4:49 PM Friday, Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 PM; Saturday Sanctuary Service, 9:30 AM Saturday Family Service, 11:15 AM Sunday Morning Services, 9:00 AM

From Kane Street to Israel, a Bar Mitzvah To Cherish

Kane Street members traveled to Israel in late December to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Akiva Skop, whose family called Kane Street home for 20 years before they made aliyah. Inside are two stories of the magical week.

Jewish History Class Promises To Be Epic: Free Intro Jan. 26 Find out about Context, an exciting new Jewish learning program, at a free presentation and mini-class at Congregation Beth Elohim (274 Garfield Place) on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 7:15 p.m. Context is a two-year, four-semester program that explores the span of Jewish civilization. Leading Judaic scholars lead the way, as Kane Street Synagogue joins other Brooklyn temples to present a sophisticated take on what made us who we are. RSVP to April Mellas at [email protected] or 718-768-3814.

An Israeli Soldier’s Story: Reflections from the Front Line Lecture Feb. 4 How do Israeli soldiers fiercely defend their homeland while at the same time pray for peace? Sgt. Benjamin Anthony, a heavy machine gunner in recent Israeli military campaigns, tells all Feb. 4 (8 p.m.) at the Park Slope Jewish Center (Eighth Avenue and 14th Street). Sgt. Anthony established Our Soldiers Speak, which has no government or political affiliation, and aims to tell the true story of Israel's soldiers to English-speaking audiences. Q&A to follow. Potluck dinner served at 7:45. If joining us for dinner, please bring a dairy/parve/vegetarian side dish; fish course provided. RSVPs appreciated at (718) 768-1453 or [email protected]

Soles4Souls Shoe Collection Drive in January/February Drop off your new and gently worn shoes for those in need in the Goldman Center Lobby bin (with $1 in the toe to help defray the cost of shipping). Soles4Souls http://www.soles4souls.org/ asks that donations be "shoes that you would still wear. They should have solid soles with no holes, laces if applicable, clean (no mud)."

Brooklyn Israel Film Fest: Get Your Tix for the Reel Deal Get your tickets now for the 7th Annual Kane Street Brooklyn Israel Film Festival. Our shul has built a reputation as one the best venues in the country for great Israeli movies. Tickets are $12 per film or $30 for the series and can be purchased at www.kanestreet.org/iff or at the door. Srugim: Thursday, January 27, 8:00 pm. Three episodes from Season 2 of the popular Israeli TV series about five young singles living in the hip Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem who navigate the frequently contradictory worlds of contemporary Israeli romance and traditional observance. Followed by a social program with refreshments and wine. The Matchmaker: Saturday, January 29, 8:00 pm In 1968 Haifa, a teenage boy learns about love when he gets a summer job as a scout for a mysterious Holocaust survivor who sets up liaisons for the town’s lonely hearts. Nominated for 7 Israeli Oscars, including best picture. Blood Relation: Sunday, January 30, 7:00 pm An Israeli filmmaker discovers that a relative who disappeared long ago became Muslim and was cut off from the family. This film documents her attempts to reunite her Palestinian relatives with the rest of her family -- including her uncle, the former military governor of Ramallah. Winner of 5 Best Documentary awards.

Cobble Hill Health Center Shabbat Visit January 22 Join the Social Justice Committee http://kanestreet.org/community/social-justice/ from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Cobble Hill Health Center (380 Henry St.) for an hour of schmoozing and singing with the residents. All ages welcome!

Old Friends, New Life, and Our Son’s Coming of Age By Beth Steinberg

The Kane Street Synagogue was our home for 20 years. We arrived as newlyweds, ages 24 and 25. We made friends -- all ages, all religious inclinations, all political leanings -- and shared our lives together over Shabbat meals and weekly kiddushes. We ate, drank, laughed, cried and argued politics, religion, shul stuff and life in general.

Four years into our Aliyah to Israel, we are no longer as shell-shocked that we actually left our home in Brooklyn. We’ve been settling in quite nicely, but we wondered what it be like to celebrate Akiva’s Bar Mitzvah in Israel, away from all the people who were there when he was born, at his Brit Milah, when he sat up, when he walked, and when we first found out that he had Down syndrome.

Two weeks after the big moment, I can tell you that luckily, we didn’t have to find out. On the morning of Akiva’s big day, Monday, December 27th, we arrived at Kehillat Moreshet Avraham, a lovely conservative synagogue (not our regular shul) in East Talpiyot and gathered, along with a nice number of Brooklynites, to share Akiva’s coming of age. Ira and I looked around the sanctuary and saw dear, smiling faces, perhaps slightly fatigued by jet lag, but all glad to be part of the moment. We missed those who couldn’t come -- we know it’s far, we know it’s expensive and we know it just wasn’t possible for everyone to come. But for those who could, you brought a little bit of those four walls of the KSS with you, and that was truly the icing on the cake. Thank you.

For those of you who weren’t there, we invite you to come and visit with us in the future. Israel is a special place - crazy, argumentative, hot, dusty and complicated. But it is also our home, where our children have learned Hebrew, have connected with the idea of a Jewish homeland, and where we have put down some roots despite missing friends, family and ‘dear, dirty Brooklyn.’ Come and experience some of those feelings for yourself.

Far From Home – Yet So Close By Marion Stein

It was like the proverbial Polish wedding: multiple celebrations in a variety of venues. It was a remarkable event that none of us who came to Israel from Kane Street will soon forget. This was Akiva's special time and everything about it was tailored to his unique qualities and wishes.

On Monday, December 27th, we celebrated Akiva's Aliyah la Torah at the Shacharit service at Kehillat Moreshet Avraham, a Conservative shul in East Talpiyot not far from where the Steinberg/Skop's live. We gathered in a beautiful sanctuary, everyone greeting one another. We Kane Streeters mingled with members of the family, most of whom we all knew, making us feel even more like members of the extended family. Penny Owen and Sarah and her husband, Russell, were there along with the Kleinman's, the Olenick's, the Hennoch's (who now live in Jerusalem), Rena Schklowsky, Sam and Arnie Blank and us, Ron and Marion Stein. The service was led mainly by Ira, with Gabe and Natan's participation in addition to the parts of the service that Akiva did himself. It was a thrill to hear him say the Birchot haShachar and to recite the blessings as he was called to the Torah.

After the service Ira and Beth both spoke about what it is like to be part of Akiva's family and the many joys and challenges that they face. They also spoke about the richness that he has brought into their lives. For me the key comment was made by Ira when he said that what they always focus on what Kive can do. He has a remarkable memory for people and music. His Hebrew accent is better than anyone else’s in the family.

At the end of the service, we all shared a delicious seudah with more opportunities to chat with people we had not seen in a long while, as well as those we see each week in Brooklyn. Somehow when you're in Jerusalem, it's different.

On to the 'Simcha' on Wednesday evening, December 29th. Beth and the entire family -- including all her siblings, nieces and nephews and many friends -- were brought into the event either as performers or as caterers or both. It was held in a building in the industrial complex nearby with space for gatherings. It was a real cabaret scene with a stage, tables and chairs and lots of good food and drink. Every number performed was selected because it has some special appeal for the guest of honor. It was thoroughly entertaining and Akiva worked the room and the stage, greeting everyone numerous times and giving his signature head pat and greeting by placing your own hand on your own chest and saying your name loud and clear.

Some Kane Streeters had to leave soon, so we had a smaller contingent at Nitzana, the youth village, which was the site of our Shabbat celebration. Nitzana has an educational program that teaches students from Israeli schools about water conservation and recycling. It also has an experimental solar power installation. Nitzana is right on the border with Sinai, south of Beersheva. Beth's brother-in-law, Michael Goldberg, served as tour guide for some of us. Others went on a bike ride around the area. As one of the people from Nitzana told us, they have good roads and very little traffic so it's an ideal place for biking. After a picnic in the desert, we returned to the village to prepare for Shabbat. We had Kane Street-style services with members of the group leading. Akiva had a second aliyah on Shabbat. One of Beth and Ira's close friends, Rabbi Peretz Rodman, gave a wonderful d'var torah about names. He said that like Hashem, whose different names indicate differing relationships with people, Akiva calling your name indicates his special relationship to you.

We all left after Shabbat was over, having waited to see three stars in the desert sky and having Havdalah outdoors in the courtyard of our buildings. It was beautiful. We will treasure the memory of this event always.

Thank Your For Your Donations Thank you to everyone who has made special donations to our shul. We will update this list regularly. Please let the office know if you believe your name was inadvertently omitted.

Special Contributions to Kane Street Synagogue (from Jan. 1, 2011) Paul and Nancy Fink for the General Fund In honor of Bob and Gloria Blumenthal’s anniversary Evelyn Rubenstein In memory of Milton Mandel Marion and Ron Stein In honor of Paul Fink’s birthday Dr. Stanley Friedman and Shira Scheindlin In honor of Sam Rubenstein’s engagement Dr. Stanley Friedman and Shira Scheindlin In honor of Phillip and Ellen Phillips’ granddaughter Eva Andre and Rena Schklowsky In memory of Rosalind Roses (mother of Judith Greenwald) Dr. Stanley Friedman and Shira Scheindlin In honor of Adam Barbanel-Fried and Liora Corbin’s son Doron Andre and Rena Schklowsky Arnold and Barbara Badner In honor of Benjamin Zalman’s birthday Dr. Stanley Friedman and Shira Scheindlin In memory of Irving Bennett (Riva Bennett’s father) Martin Gringer and Barbara Zahler-Gringer

About Kane Yirbu: Kane Yirbu, the Kane Street Newsletter, comes out on Thursday of every other week. Submissions are due the Thursday prior to publication at 5 pm. Please send submissions to editor Ron Dicker at [email protected].

Next deadline for submissions is Jan. 27.