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WINTER 2020 2 West 70th Street New York, NY 10023 1. From the Rabbi’s Desk 2. A Message from Our Parnas 4. Announcements FROM THE RABBI’S DESK 10. Reflection: The 5781 Hatanim Celebraton HANUKKAH’S HERO AND 12. Holidays SHEARITH ISRAEL’S LIGHT 14. Special Events Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik 17. Weekly Jewish CONTENTS Education 20. Welcoming a Neighbor: Manhattan Day School One of my favorite ritual objects at Shearith Israel is our and Shearith Israel hanukiya. Brought over by from Amsterdam, kindled by our community since 1730, it contains centuries 22. Hesed of memories and meaning for such a little lamp. It proclaims both literally and symbolically the dedication 23. Culinary Corner of Jews to preserving the light of faith brought from the 24. Services Old World to the New. To ponder our hanukiya is to be reminded of those with the courage to 32. Help Make It All Happen safeguard the luminous soul of Judaism when it was not easy to do so. Rabbi 34. Staff and Board Jack Sable, father of our trustee David Sable, once suggested that the unsung hero of the Hanukkah story is the unnamed individual who had the foresight 36. Closing Words: By now, virtual programming has become and the faith to hide one small flask of oil as the Temple was taken. We tend Renewal — a poem by the “new normal”. While we look forward to focus on Jewish soldiers that captured the Temple, found that last flask, and Joel M. Schreiber to the day when our programs can resume allowed the Menorah to blaze forth once again; but who had the presence in person, no doubt some degree of virtual of mind to prepare for that moment in a time of crisis? We readily celebrate programming – with its comfort-from- when the sacred radiance of Judaism suffuses all one sees; it is an astonishing our-homes convenience and its ability to transcend geographical distance – will expression of hope to maintain one’s faith in more difficult times. endure. Inside you will find a range of In 1730, thousands of miles away from their brethren, our predecessors had upcoming virtual events. Please keep in the courage to proclaim that Judaism lives in the New World. In this trying mind that while we are still in the midst of uncertainty, times, programs and venues year, what a privilege it will be to kindle our sacred lamp and allow the faith of are subject to change. For the most up-to- those who have come before to shine again. date information, follow our emails and visit shearithisrael.org. ON THE COVER: Hanukkah Lamp c. 1730, recently at the White House for use at the official White House Hanukkah Celebration 1 To learn more, or to donate to this important initiative, please visit A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARNAS shearithisrael.org/paved-paradise. Louis M. Solomon FINDING CONGREGATIONAL UNITY IN PAVING PARADISE In our previous Bulletin, I referenced some “whole” amount, as for example a whole challah. relevant to our building and development now, will offer flexible uses beyond the current stories from the end of Tractate Shabbat. I’m Importantly, one opinion states, the respective project. The fallout has more than imperiled crisis, and will pave the way (so to speak) for drawn to one story in the next Talmudic sizes of the donations may vary; each just needs our dreams for 8 West 70th Street. what we will do with the property after that. Tractate that daily learners of the Talmud are to be of whole items. now studying, Tractate Eruvin. Tractate Eruvin Yet, simultaneously with those heavy, To make this project happen requires the discusses how households and communities Most congregants know the hapless story of our sometimes stinging negatives has come a financial support of congregants and friends. I come together by contributing to a common efforts to replace our old and failing community Heaven-sent positive: What our community know I’ve asked you for support before. No collection of food, thereby unifying themselves house on the lot adjacent to our Synagogue. needs now is outdoor space. What the vacant doubt special needs will arise again. My plea and thus enabling activities on Shabbat that For years, we had to fight a small subset of construction site is, is outdoor space– literally to you is that, if you haven’t already given, or if would otherwise be prohibited. The Talmud our neighbors for the right to build another a paved paradise (my debt to Joni Mitchell for you have but are moved by this project, please discusses acts to achieve unity in the small unit, community facility on the site, a fight that that reference was paid in an email I sent you give a whole amount, whatever that means say for a family; acts to achieve unity in a larger started in City administrative agencies and then in October). When a construction site, the for you. I don’t mean round numbers. Give setting, say in a cluster of adjacent houses; and spilled into the courts. We won all the many adjacent lot was not usable outdoor space, yet an amount that approximates the whole or acts to achieve unity in the broader community. wars including the court litigations, which took now we can turn it into usable outdoor space. full value of what our Synagogue, its ministers The discussion, both in the Talmud and by years more. The litigations finally ended in 2019. and programs, its friends and companions, As I reported in my weekly update of October its people of all generations, mean to you. If subsequent commentators, cannot help but And then along came COVID-19. In large 2020, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to remind us of the fundamental value our religion you do that we will get there. One unified part due to the brilliance and perseverance remove the existing rubble and construction congregation in our paved paradise. places on achieving and maintaining unity. of our health care providers, we will weather fence and in its place compact the soil and On page 82 of Tractate Eruvin, the Talmud this pandemic infinitely better than we would install footings, a new chain link fence, gravel Remember: Stay safe sane and solvent! Happy discusses the amount that each person or otherwise. Still, there has been sad and tragic topping (a/k/a paving), lighting, heaters, and a winter to all. household needs to contribute to be an integral loss. And this modern plague has had lasting commercial grade tent. Preparations have been part of the unified group. The Talmud states that and dislocating economic and fiscal effects on proceeding apace. The space when finished the person or household needs to contribute a real estate development timing and costs, on real should serve us for 2-5 years. It will enable us estate prices and values, on just about everything to meet our critical needs for outdoor space 2 3 CONGRATULATIONS Barbara and Sassoon Shahmoon, upon the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children, Mazal Tob to: Sarah (Boumendil) and David Shahmoon. Esme and Roger Berg upon their grandson, Ruth and Irwin Shapiro, on the marriage of Samuel, becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Samuel is the their granddaughter, Rachel Shapiro, daughter son of Virginie and Jonathan Berg. of Monica and Sandy Shapiro, to Natan Bienstock, son of Sara and Mark Bienstock. CONDOLENCES Charlie Bieler, upon becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Congratulations to his parents, Ruth and We extend sincere condolences to: Philip Bieler. Reuben, Laury, and Matea Frieber HAZAKIM U’BERUKHIM Alice Amelar, upon the passing of her Laurie and Dr. Eli Bryk, upon the birth of Members with special achievements: husband, Dr Richard Amelar. a granddaughter, Nicole Dove (Davida Esther), Jessica Amelar, upon the passing of her father, born to their children, Caroline and Jordan Bryk. Noah Lang, on completing the United States Dr. Richard Amelar. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, in Reuben Frieber upon becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Quantico, VA. Congratulations to his mother, Laury, and his Emma Gordon Blass, upon the passing of her mother, Loraine Gordon. sister, Matea. The healthcare workers of our community, who have been doing heroic work throughout the James Cohen, upon the passing of his father, Benjamin Herschman, upon becoming a Bar COVID-19 pandemic. Mitzvah. Congratulations as well to his parents, Isaac Cohen. Laura and Robert Herschman, and grandparents, Our daily morning study group, upon Manny Gross, upon the passing of his Dana and Michael Werner. completing Kings I. This small group of brother, Harry Gross. ANNOUNCEMENTS dedicated attendees has been slowly and Ira Kalfus for being honored as this year’s Hatan steadily making its way through the Prophets. Dr. Martin Grumet, upon the passing of his Maftir at the Jewish Center. Keep up the good work and Tizku leMitzvot! father, Ephraim Grumet. Ruth and Larry Kobrin, upon the marriage of Andre Guenoun, upon the passing of his their granddaughter, Yaira, daughter of Michelle mother, Yolande Guenoun. and Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin, to Solomon Weiner, IN MEMORIAM son of Tikvah and Aryeh Weiner of Teaneck. We mourn the loss of our members: Ruthie Israeli, upon the passing of her mother, Phyllis Israeli. Jack Linhart, upon becoming a Bar Mitzvah. Dr. Richard Amelar Congratulations to his parents, Dr. Leora Mogilner Joel Marcus, upon the passing of his mother, and Richard Linhart. Isaac Cohen Esther Marcus. Honorary Trustee, Col. Jonathan de Sola Mendes, Theresia Rodrigues Pereira, upon the passing upon celebrating his 100th birthday. Muchos anos! of her brother, Albert Gomes de Mesquita. Alyse and Joshua Rozenberg on the birth of a son.