Brotherhood Synagogue h’’bZ 28 Gramercy Park South New York, NY 10003 Phone (212) 674-5750 Fax (212) 505-6707 www.brotherhoodsynagogue.org

Volume XXXIX Number II Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019

Black Jews and Brotherhood Services by Rabbi Daniel Alder FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 6:30 pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 9:30 am Bar of Ethan Ben-Zion

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 6:30 pm Veterans’ Shabbat SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 9:30 am

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 6:30 pm Yahrzeit for Tree of Life Victims in Pittsburgh SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 9:30 am Aufruf of Rachel Fell and Max Turowsky

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 6:30 pm Guest Speaker: Dr. David Godin n August I was honored to be a speaker at the Back in 1964, Rabbi Block spoke at SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 9:30 am Icentennial gala celebrating the 100th anni- a plenary session of the Commission on Bat Mitzvah of Dara Benyacar versary of “a community founded by Chief Synagogue Relations of the Federation Rabbi Wentworth Arthur Matthew, and elders of Jewish Philanthropies of New York in FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 6:30 pm of blessed memory.” Held at the Alhambra which he spoke of black Jews “who are a SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 9:30 am Ballroom in , the event celebrated the part of us, spiritually tied to us, and yet life of Rabbi Matthew who was the founder of they are estranged from us. Worse yet, we Harlem’s Commandment Keepers Ethiopian are estranged from them…. But this is not Hebrew Congregation. I went representing our only a call for assistance. The fact is that Rabbi Irving J. Block founding rabbi, Irving J. Blockz”l, and the we, the white-skinned Jewish community, relationship between Brotherhood Synagogue desperately need to close ranks with the Memorial Lecture and the black Jewish community. black-skinned Jewish community. In the Wednesday, November 6, 2019 In his memoir, A Rabbi and his Dream, great moral crises which confront our 7:00 pm Rabbi Block says that he “saw in Rabbi nation, a community of Negro Israelites, The History of the Black Matthew a self-confident man who possessed steeped in the traditions of our forefathers, great inner strength, with a powerful voice immersed in the laws and ethics of our Jewish Community in the that revealed the persuasiveness of a born religious civilization — this group has the United States and Africa leader. His piercing, penetrating eyes captured opportunity to make a worthwhile and Rabbi Capers C. Funnye Jr. everyone’s attention, and with a large white lasting contribution to the entire Negro tallis wrapped around his broad frame, he cut a people of America. Who better than the Capers C. Funnye, Jr. is rabbi and spiritual leader striking figure. I would often characterize him Jew knows the sense of collective justice of Beth Shalom B’nai as a lion of Judah. We developed a friendship and community responsibility? Who better Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew and I visited his congregation often…”. than the Negro Jew can reach his brother Congregation in Chicago. In the years that I worked with Rabbi of like skin at a time of tension, mistrust, Rabbi Funnye also serves as the chief Block, I was fortunate enough to meet hostility and growing anti-Semitism among rabbi of the International Israelite Board some of Rabbi Matthew’s disciples. Here the Negro people of America?” of Rabbis, Inc., serving congregations in at Brotherhood Synagogue, Rabbi Hailu This year the Rabbi Irving J. Block the United States, the Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Paris would occasionally speak and Cantor Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, November Uganda. In this capacity, Rabbi Funnye Eliezer Brooks would lead services. We were 6, 2019 at 7 pm will feature Rabbi Capers works to bring diverse communities into privileged to have black Jews as members, C. Funnye, Jr. speaking on “The History of the Jewish fold, through the Halakah, the including Vertella “Val” Gadsden who served the Black Jewish Community in the United Jewish code of law. as our president. States and Africa.”l SAVE THE DATES!! Social Action

Shabbaton @ Brotherhood Friday, November 8, 6:30 pm at services Thanksgiving. We will meet at Rodeph Shalom Friday, December 6 Celebrate Veterans’ Shabbat (7 West 83rd Street) at 10:00 am for a brief ori- entation. After the orientation, we will pick up Following our Shabbaton congre- Please join us at services and help a Thanksgiving meal, deliver the meal to a se- gational dinner join us for a conver- us to honor American and Israeli nior, and spend about an hour visiting with the sation with Jonathan Weisman, veterans. senior. For those of you who have participated a veteran Washington journalist, All veterans urged to attend to be our before, the visit tends to be the most important deputy Washington editor honored guests. Special Oneg to follow services. part of the day. We will be done before 1:00 at The Times and author pm. DOROT asked for participants 18 years Friday, November 22, 6:30 pm of the novel No. 4 Imperial old and older, and space is limited! Please con- Lane and the nonfiction Speakers at Services: tact Roberta at [email protected] book (((Semitism))): Being David Godin, MD FACS and if you wish to volunteer. Jewish in America in the Allison Godlewicz, Au.D. Sunday, December 8, 10:00 am Age of Trump. Brotherhood member, Dr. David Go- din, will discuss hearing loss and hear- VOLUNTEER at a Family Community Saturday, December 7 ing health along with his colleague, Service Event at Hebrew Home in Talk, Spiritual Yoga, Allison Godlewicz, who will discuss hearing aids. Riverdale Terrific Toddler Time Join us for a day of family community service as Sunday, November 24, 10 am –1 pm we visit with residents, sing songs, and tour the DOROT Thanksgiving Food facilities at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale. Delivery We will meet at the Hebrew Home at 10:00 he Brotherhood Committee am and the event ends at 11:30 am. BCRIC on the Refugee and Generations Helping Generations… Immigration Crisis Join members of our Social Action Committee There are only a limited number of volunteer Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 pm for our annual DOROT Thanksgiving Food spots available so please e-mail Helaine Teperman ([email protected]) The Brotherhood Committee on the Im- Delivery and Visit on Sunday, November 24. asap if you’d like to join the group! Ages 8 and migration and Refugee Crisis (BCIRC) held DOROT is a wonderful organization focused up are welcome. its first meeting last month. We invite all on helping the elderly maintain independent Drivers are needed, so when you RSVP, who are interested to join us at our next lives in their own homes. The Thanksgiving please indicate if you will be able to drive and meeting at the Synagogue on Tuesday, Food Delivery and Visit is a meaningful way provide rides for others. November 12 at 6 pm. Our cornerstone for generations to help generations celebrate project is a partnership with nearby Sea- farers International House. There will be various opportunities to interact with Life Goes On and support refugees and asylees who are living at Seafarers, including din- Life Goes On is a group for those of us who please make your reservation ASAP. Thank ners on November 4 and 18. For more have lost a spouse or life partner and want to you to Sheryl for arranging it all — we look information, contact Barbara Stern at experience the beauty, joy, and opportunity that forward to this lovely experience. [email protected]. BCRIC will also be New York life offers surrounded by supportive Discussing “Mrs. Bridge” at our October coordinating Brotherhood volunteers friends who understand and share in the loss. book club enlivened this curious book for us all. who want to accompany immigrants to Thank you very much, Sheila Zaslower, for Please save Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 legal hearings or assist at a legal clinic. the interesting, informative, and fun October pm as usual for our November book club meet- We look forward to working with you! tour of some Chelsea art galleries including the ing. Professor Margaret Boe Birns will guide our — In partnership, amazing new Pace Gallery. Dinner at the Span- discussion as usual, and Brotherhood will gra- ish Diner in the Mercado in Hudson Yards was ciously provide our usual libations and dessert. Barbara Stern and Ellie Wertheim delicious — and checking out that vivacious area The new book has not been selected yet — the after dinner was a special bonus. title will be emailed to all our book club mem- On Tuesday, November 12, our group bers by Ellen Kenigsberg; thank you to Ellen for Hadassah Meeting will enjoy an exclusive art tour of the exhibi- taking such good care of us! Please make sure tion “John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Char- you notify Ellen — [email protected] — if Tuesday, November 12, 1:00 pm coal” at the Morgan Library starting at 3:30 you plan to join us for the meeting. pm. Prior to the tour, we have reservations Seeking suggestions for fall-winter activities Phil Rothman will take us on a tour of the at 2:00 pm at the Morgan Cafe for coffee/ and members who wish to run them! If you synagogue and discuss the building’s tea and sweets for those who want to enhance have an idea for an outing and are willing to architectural and historical significance. their experience and converse with friends. lead it, please call or email Agnes or Roberta! Landmarked in 1965 and originally The cost will be $27 per person for the tour If you or someone you know would like to designed as a Quaker Meeting House, it including the entrance fee. The coffee break be a part of Life Goes On, please come to our served as a stop on the Underground will probably cost around $20 per person, meetings — we would be happy to see you! If you Railroad during the Abolitionist Movement. with further details to follow. Please contact have any questions, please call Agnes Marton at The tunnel underneath our building that Sheryl Lerner who is heading this event at 917.519.4427 or e-mail her at 1agnesmarton@ was used as an escape route for runaway [email protected] with any questions or to gmail.com or call Roberta in the Synagogue of- slaves is still visible and accessible today. reserve your space by November 1. Please fice at 212.674.5750, email rkahn@brotherhood know that the group is limited to 15, so synagogue.org. l

2 Brotherhood Synagogue Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 Edith Halpert and the Born to a Jewish family in , Edith Halpert (1900–1970) was the first significant female gallerist in the US, propelling American art to the fore at a time when the European avant-garde Rise of American Art still enthralled the world. In 1926, Halpert opened the Downtown Gallery in NYC, the first com- A docent-led tour at the mercial art space in . She promoted a diverse group of living American artists, fundamentally shifting the public’s opinion of whose voices mattered in the art world. Though an Jewish Museum outsider in many respects — as a woman, an immigrant, and a Jew — Halpert was, for over 40 years, Thursday , November 7, 5:00 pm the country’s defining authority of the American art landscape. For further information about the exhibit, please visit https://thejewishmuseum.org. Brotherhood’s Special Events Committee has arranged for a docent led tour of this fascinating exhibit at the Jewish Museum (Fifth Avenue & 92 St). The group will gather at 4:45 pm in the museum lobby The tour will be 45 minutes and group size is limited to 20. Cost is $20 and payment must be made in advance and is non-refundable. To register, please call the office (212.674.5750) or email [email protected] or register online on the website or the weekly mail. We have a few spots left!

An Evening with Matti Friedman Tuesday, November 12, 7:00 pm The Israel Committee is pleased to spon- Friedman’s articles have appeared in sor award-winning Canadian-Israeli author many publications including The Wall and journalist Matti Friedman for a truly Street Journal, The New York Times, The original perspective on Jewish history and Washington Post and The Atlantic. current events. His books, Pumpkinflowers, The Aleppo His recent Op-Eds in the NYT, “There Is Codex and most recently Spies of No Coun- No Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” and “The One try have garnered numerous literary awards. Thing No Israeli Wants to Discuss” have trig- Mark your calendars! This is an evening gered intense discussion and have been widely not to missed! shared in the Jewish community.

Memorial for the Tree of Life 2019 Season of Twinning Shooting in Pittsburgh Volunteer to Feed the Hungry Friday, November 15 Sunday, November 17, 10:30 am -12:30 pm The one year yahrzeit (by the Jewish calendar) for the Sponsored by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Muslims Against Tree of Life Shooting in Pittsburgh will take place on Shabbat, Friday Hunger, Brotherhood Synagogue,and the Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee November 15. At services we will honor the memory of those killed as We are seeking volunteers to help prepare meals for the hun- well as affirm our commitment to fighting anti-Semitism. gry as our communities join together to work to fight against hunger and homelessness. At a perilous moment of extremism and polarization, join Shabbat Club us to stand against Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism and af- firm our common moral imperative to help those most in Saturday, November 23, 1:00 pm need. Jews in the News, or in Your Life Please email Roberta ([email protected]) ASAP if you wish to volunteer! Have you met or read about someone Jewish, in the US, Israel, or elsewhere — who is admirable or unusual, or whose life is worth sharing for some reason? Come to our November meeting prepared to talk for a few minutes about such an intriguing person. bring a photo or article, or other reference material. As always, the Perhaps you recently learned about her or him, or you’ve known meeting is inclusive — all are welcome to attend, and this time all are the person’s story for a long time. It would be helpful if the person also welcome to be presenters. Alternatively, you can just sit back and is alive (or recently alive), active, or was active in a Jewish way, or at listen! We meet as usual in the second floor reception room, at 1pm. least identifies as Jewish. The name could be well-known, or could There will be light snacks and beverages. be a personal friend or relative. However, it’s your connection — what makes the person special to you, possibly inspires you — that matters, Upcoming Shabbat Club meeting: and will make this sharing worthwhile to everyone else. You can December 28: Dennis Consumano on Privacy

Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 Brotherhood Synagogue 3 Happenings in Our Kehilah President’s Post by Tracie Basch B’nai Mitzvah, Mazal Tov to: hat a month October was! Rosh Hashana, Yom Guy and Daniela Ben-Zion on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Ethan Kippur and Sukkot all fell (or mostly fell) within Ben-Zion. Ethan, a student at Village Community School, will W the month, making it one of the busiest months of the celebrate his simcha with his older brother, Noah. year for Brotherhood. Michelle Benyacar Dara on the Bat Mitzvah of her daughter, We also had our first Shabbaton of the season Benyacar . Dara, a student at Wagner Middle School, will celebrate where Alex Rosner, who is not only a survivor, but was Harris her simcha with her older brother, . saved by Oskar Schindler, spoke after the Friday night dinner. In my Weddings, Mazal Tov to: Kol Nidre message to you, I focused on the concept of Lilmod u L’lamed from the Ahava Rabbah prayer — to learn and to teach — and how by David Larkin on his marriage to Molly Barnett; and to David’s each of us learning and teaching we can do our part to reduce anti-Semi- parents, Debbie and Ralph Larkin. tism. (If you missed my speech, you can see it on our website under Live Births, Mazal Tov to: Stream and then search for the Yom Kippur services). Debra Baron and Jason Snaider on the birth of their son, Mason By now, if you have learned one thing about me, it is that I do as I Phoenix Snaider; and to older sister, Sadie. say. So, for this Shabbaton, I invited an educator to join us as my guest. I Dana Seshens and Robert Kresberg on the birth of their son, have known this woman for years, but last year, I was fortunate that she Maxwell Davis Kresberg; and to older sister, Riley. was one of Zach’s fifth grade teachers. This woman, who is not Jewish, has made it her mission to teach every child that enters her classroom Kimberly and Raphael Osnoss on the birth of their son, Benjamin about the Holocaust. Last year, I shared my grandparents’ story with the Reid Osnoss; and to older brother, Samuel. entire fifth grade — they appreciated hearing a story that had a happy Condolences to: ending — and I promised her that I would do so every year, even if my The family and friends of our member, Charlotte Berglas, on her passing. child is not in her class. So, when I first learned about Alex Rosner’s visit to Brotherhood, I immediately thought of her and how meaningful Gail May on the passing of her mother, Sylvia Arbesfeld. this experience would be for her and extended an invitation. I am so Joseph Cogan on the passing of his brother, Seth Cogan. glad that I did, and so glad that she accepted. Now, she has a first-hand Amy Berk on the passing of her mother, Carol Upham. experience that she can add to her teachings which will impact hundreds Marcia Ellias on the passing of her mother, Karyl Ellias. of children. Susan Keohane on the passing of her husband, Thomas Keohane. Teaching and learning is important. Thinking of someone else and Michelle Abraham on the passing of her husband, Larry Abraham. doing something meaningful for them may even be more important. —Tracie The Chesed* Committee WANTS YOU TO KNOW… The Chesed Committee is always looking for ideas of how we can better support the Brother- The 30th Annual Bikur Cholim hood community, and for volunteers to help us Conference on Visiting the Sick do it. If you have program or project ideas and/ or want to be part of our efforts, please reach out Sunday, November 10, 9:15 am - 3:30 pm to the committee through the synagogue office. at UJA-Federation of New York, 130 East 59 Street We welcome your input. *The Chesed Committee provides help and compassion to Brotherhood members in times of need. We can be reached If you would like to attend this year’s Bikur Cholim conference on Sunday, at [email protected] or through the syna- November 10, please email Roberta ([email protected]) or gogue office. call her in the office. The Chesed Committee has graciously offered to cover registration costs. Brotherhood Book Club Morning Workshops: Building a Caring Community — Organizing | Essential Visiting Skills: The How To’s | Expressive Writing as Healing | Filling in the Thursday, November 21, 7 pm Gaps — Visiting those with Dementia and Memory Impairment | Self-Care and Susan Franklin will lead a Living with Vitality | Visiting with Someone at End of Life | Bikur Cholim in the discussion of Man in the 21st Century! Inventive and Practical ideas White Sharkskin Suit by Lucette Lagnado. Afternoon Workshops: Inside the Texts | The Shiva Visit and Nichum Aveilim — If you are interested in Being Present at a Time of Loss and Bereavement | When a Child is Ill | Creative joining the Book Club, Connections with Music and the Arts | Elderlaw and Financial Planning | please contact Margie Addiction and Bikur Cholim Katz at margie.katz@ me.com. All are welcome! More information: https://jewishboard.org/event/bikur-cholim-2019/

4 Brotherhood Synagogue Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 YAHRZEITS ^Garden of Remembrance *Book of Remembrance

November 2-8 Harry Mayers, Jerome Menell, Naomi Mittman, Herbst, *Naomi Holcomb, Florence Jacobs, Dr. ^Esther Abeles, Bennet Abramson, Florence ^*Emanuel Morgenstern, ^Alice Novom, Sol Herman Jacobs, ^Rose Kaminsky, Ida Kaplan, Blumenthal, Richard Bogen, ^Harry Burrell, Pearlstein, ^Samuel Perlman, ^Fred Phillips, ^Hannah Kaplan, Aaron Kars, Fannie Karten, *Louis A. Capaldo, *Lizzie Cassell, Joseph Chetrit, Ann Plutzer, ^Myer Press, ^Betty Ress, Kate Andrea Katz-Andrade, Jack Kleinman, ^Ruth Lewis Cohen, *Abraham Cohen, *William B. Richkin, Jessie Rosen-Axell, ^Lee S. Topolski, Rose Klonsky, David Kreloff, ^Barnet Kurland, Cooper, ^Lillian Denny, Paula Fields, *Abraham Pauline Schnapp, Herbert Seidel, Robert Silver, Bernard Levy, ^George Levy, Rose Lewis, Elias Franklin, ^Sylvia Friedberg, Rose Friedman, ^Shiphrah Silver, *Jeannette D. Solomon, ^Dr. Lieberman, ^Gussie Low, *Anna Meyer, *Harry Jerome Gillman, ^Lisa Goldstein, ^Louis Green, Julian Stern, ^Lee Strauss Topolski, Eric Wagman Meyer, *Louis T. Meyer, Robert N. Strauss, ^Harry Gross, Dr. David D. Hain, ^Dr. Morton November 16-22 Caroline Nachman, Michael Nappi, ^Morton J. Hellman, Esther Henzel, ^Herman Jacobs, Raskin, Joseph Rogoff, Dr. Meyer Rosenblum, ^Freida Abraham, Sarah Brown, Julius C. *Samuel Rossman, ^Louis Schneier, ^Kate Esther Kapelus, ^Samuel Kaplow, Anna Kitover, Edelstein, ^Lily Ente, Rose Entus, *Samuel Betty Kristle, ^Isabel Lahana, Judi Leff, Stanley Schonhaut, ^Pearl Sekular, ^Anne Silberling, Fassler, *Matilda Fedelman, *Fred H. Feldman, Mollie Silverstein, David Sondler, ^Jean Gordon Lefkowitch, Betty Levy, Fred Lipman, Harold ^Belle Feuerstein, Samuel A. Fineman, ^Jack Lipman, Max Lippman, Peter Loy, ^Bernard Sperling, Sarah Spiegel, *Jonas Spiegel, ^*Rev. Fink, ^Malcolm H. Flash, ^Samuel Friedman, Jesse W. Stitt, Ned Sussman, Semyon Vaidman, Mantel, Harold Margolis, Abraham Miller, Jacob Goldberg, Sadie Goldberg, ^*Betty *Harry Padva, *Jules H. Press, ^Sylvia L. Press, ^Max Joseph Wasserman, *Flora Weinstein, Goldin, Edith Goldman, Ethel Block Gordon, ^Edward Weisman, ^Dr. Maurice Yarkow Eva Rabinovich, ^Adele Raskin, ^*Anna Reisner, ^Robert Victor Hoffman, *Henry L. Hudes, ^Robert M. Richman, Gerald Rockower, Fay Harry Jacobs, ^Minnie Jedwick, ^Minnie Katz, November 30-December 6 Rubenstein, ^Gerald Sager, ^Regina Schindel, ^*Harry Katzman, ^Geza Kestenbaum, ^Sylvia Myer Agin, Matthew Arnoff, Jay Barnett, Nellie *Lea Schlager, ^Gertrude Schwartz, Yisaschar Krentzman, Benjamin Levine, *Samuel Levine, Beck, Ann Bledstein, Samuel Bolotin, Murray Hirsch Meier Shelley, ^Diane Silberling, ^Henry *Helene Lind, *Issay Lourie, Anna Marie Borden, Edward Bratter, Allan Campbell, ^Susan A. Silver, Rose Singer, *Mary Spiegel, Daniel Ross Maikish, Jacob Morris, Louis Newman, Capaldo, Ann Chain, ^Minnie Cohn, Annaliese Stein, Rose Stern, George Vassil, *Sophie Versh, ^*Freida Novom Posner, Theodore Rauch, Leon Daniel, ^Orene Moskow Fisher, *A. Herman *Paul Warshauer, *Selma Wechsler, David Wilf, Rosenberg, Walter Rosenthal, Rose Rottenbach, Friedman, *Sylvia Gewirtz, Ephraim Glasser, Miriam Wosk, ^*Abraham Zacks, ^Herman Philip Salant, Samuel Schechter, ^Abraham ^Pauline Gordon, ^Rose Gottlieb, Sheila Heller, Zeitlin Schonhaut, Berta Shiller, ^Joseph Simon, *Solomon Hudes, Henry Iskowitz, Max Karten, November 9-15 ^Herman Steinberg, *Emma Stertzer, Kay R. *David Katz, Dorothy Klein, ^Kate Knopf, ^Edith Clara Aaron, ^Jack Bardack , Libbie Bezief, Strauss, Milton Warren, Ellen Wechsler Kowal, George Landon, Ann Rechtschaeffer ^George Birnbach , Lillian Borkow, Louis (Lipa) November 23-29 Levy, ^Stephen Lewin, Harry Liebowitz, Daniel Lipner, *Louis Lipshie, *Harris Mahler, ^Isabelle Brill , Leon Brumberg, Saul Cantor , Irving Maurice Abraham, *Goldie Appel, ^Harry Cohen, Sylvia Dolitsky , ^Herman Douglass, Mersky, *Sarah Meyer, Pearl Miller, ^Maurice Blumenthal, Jerry Burger, Annette Cantor Musiker, *Richard Naftalis, ^Abraham Novom, Abraham Ellenzweig , Prof. Taamrat Emmanuel, Wexler, ^*Ida Cohen, *Martin S. Drucker, Lillian Epstein , Ruth Kempner Fuss, ^Harry Phillip Padva, ^Sidney Palew, Rodney Pollick, *Julius Duberstein, Henry Entus, *Barnett Louis Richkin, *Herman L. Rosenberg, ^Joseph Gold, *Bertha Goldstesin, Louis Green , ^Harry Finebaum, Gary Fisher, ^Penny Forman, Greenfield, ^*Dora Grossman , Abraham Henzel, Rothenberg, *Reuben Rothman, Rabbi Jeshaia ^Doris C. Freedman, Shirley Friedes, ^Gerald Schnitzer, *Molly Seidman, *Matthew Solomon, *Philip Heyman , ^Abraham M. Hoffman, J. Friedman, Arthur Frommer, Lina Frommer, Irving Korman , ^Caleb Lahana, ^Arnold Lesser, Louis Sussman, ^Lillian Teitelbaum, ^Herbert Abraham Glazer, Yankel Glickstein, *Rabbi Vogel, Esther Wertzer, Ida Wigdor ^Brenda Alice Levy, ^Jack Low, ^Louis Magram, William Goldberg, Arthur Greenbaum, Sadie *Abraham Mald, John Malino, Sylvia Margolis, Grobow, ^Hilda Harris, Emma Hayeem, *Morris The Brotherhood Synagogue 28 Gramercy Park South New York, N.Y. 10003 Phone: (212) 674-5750 Fax: (212) 505-6707 www.brotherhoodsynagogue.org RABBI DANIEL ALDER CANTOR ISAAC YAGER RABBI IRVING J. BLOCKZ’’L D.D.: Founding Rabbi HERMAN DIAMOND: Cantor Emeritus TRACIE BASCH: President PHILLIP ROTHMAN: Executive and Education Director Congregation founded in 1954 All our thanks to member Millie Fell for teaching another great round Historic Landmark Building erected in 1859 challah class for our members and friends just before Rosh Hashanah!

Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 Brotherhood Synagogue 5 The Brotherhood Synagogue Hebrew School Musical Interview with Producer Judy Shapiro

n recent years, the Hebrew Can anyone in the Brotherhood ISchool has produced many Synagogue Community partici- wonderful adaptations of pate — or is it only for Hebrew popular Broadway musicals, school children? with the children singing many Participation is not limited to of the songs in both Hebrew and Brotherhood Hebrew School English. Among them: My Fair children, but participants must Lady (2007); Peter Pan (2008); be members of the Brotherhood The Wizard of Oz (2009); Oliver Synagogue. (2010); Fiddler on the Roof (2011); The Pajama Game What have you learned from (2012); Guys & Dolls (2013); producing the Hebrew School Annie (2014); The Wizard of Oz musical? (2015); Grease (2016); Fiddler on I have learned that producing the the Roof (2017); Bye Bye Birdie musical is a labor of love. There Cast of Grease Cast of The Sound of Music (2018); and The Sound of Music are so many elements that go (2019). This year’s Hebrew School musical will The children make new friends by working on into producing the musical. It takes a great deal be decided by the Hebrew School Musical a project together. of time and energy, so passion for this work is Creative Team later this month. The “behind What is the process for selecting the Hebrew important. Producing our musical builds com- the scenes magician” of the Hebrew School School musical? munity. It’s not only the children that are par- musical is the amazing Judy Shapiro. ticipating, but it’s also the parents. Everyone is Usually, Barbara, Daniel Meron, myself and welcome to help out and everyone is recognized How and when did you find the Brotherhood the director/choreographer meet and discuss for their participation and who does not like Synagogue? possibilities. This year, we are asking Hebrew being recognized? I found the Brotherhood when my Mother School families for their input. died in 2000. I needed a place to say . How is the casting done? This year auditions for our Hebrew School mu- sical will take place on Monday evening De- How did you get involved with the Brother- After auditions, Barbara, Daniel, myself and cember 2nd from 6:10 pm – 7:00 pm in our hood Synagogue Hebrew School? the Director/choreographer discuss the casting Community Room. We hope that you will en- Actually, when I first started coming to Broth- assignments. courage your children to participate! l erhood for Friday night services, I didn’t know there was a Hebrew School. For some reason, I found myself going downstairs and found all these sign-up sheets for auditions for Bye Bye Teen Groups Birdie (2005). This was one of the first plays I saw on Broadway and I thought I would like to 6th & 7th Grade BBYO FOR 8TH - 12TH GRADERS!! work on it. That’s how I found out about the Hebrew School. Weekly Youth Group!! November How did your working on the Hebrew School Eat dinner with your friends — and make Downtown musicals lead you into producing our Hebrew new friends, too! Plan activities, including BBYO Meetings at School musicals — and producing off-Broad- field trips to museums, exhibitions, plays, Brotherhood! way shows, in general? and concerts! Participate in Social Action I first started volunteering for the Hebrew programs… and so much more! And, have Thursday, November 7, 6:30 - 8:00 pm* School musical while I was still working, but fun and learn about and being Thursday, November 21, 6:30 - 8:00 pm I loved doing it. After retiring, I became more Jewish, of course! BBYO, the world’s leading pluralistic youth and more active in working on the musicals. I The 7th Grade Group meets on Tuesdays movement for Jewish teens in grades 8-12, love working with the kids, seeing them devel- from 6:00- 7:00 pm. has a co-ed chapter that meets every other op skills they didn’t know they had. It helps the Thursday evening from 6:30-8:00 pm right children build their self-confidence and exposes The 6th Grade Group meets on Wednesdays, from 6:00-7:00 pm. here at Brotherhood! Join in the fun!! BBYO them to “team work.” Since my childhood, I offers lots of activities — social, community have always loved theater! My minor in college No need to enroll. Just come when you can. service, and leadership development — all was Dramatic Arts. For the past few years, I We look forward to seeing you! (The Youth with Jewish teens in charge — and is interna- have started to pursue producing in Off Broad- Group does not meet when Hebrew School tional movement of more than 80,000 teens! way theater in vehicles that mean something to is on vacation). Now is a great time to get involved! Brother- me. If you have any questions about the Teen hood will cover half the cost which covers What do you see as the goal of our Hebrew Groups, please contact Michael Mantell at the entire period from 8th-12th grade! [email protected]. School musical? To learn more about BBYO contact Jon Zeftel, BBYO Manhattan regional director, at To give each child that would like to participate [email protected]. a chance to be on or off stage and build the * Knowledge for College evening at BBYO musical. Each child is important to the show.

6 Brotherhood Synagogue Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 Nursery School Thoughts Please join us on the following by Ariana Ost Martz Friday evenings to welcome Shabbat together with stories and song! n Judaism we are taught to begin each day with The energy and intentions with which we Ithe most ancient gratitude practice of all. Upon start our day sets the tone for the hours that waking, we recite the ‘’ prayer with fer- follow. Power and opportunity are only present vor. The ‘modeh ani’ is a gift to us parents as it can in the moment. We can only act now, think now, help us teach our children to approach the world be now and do now. Making the choice to start through a thankful lens. your day with a positive perspective and feeling “Modeh anee lefanecha melech chai vekayam, of gratitude means that you will see your time she-he-chezarta bee nishmatee b’chemla, raba through that lens, no matter what the world may emunatecha.” throw at you. November 15 Experiencing gratitude makes our children 5:30 pm - Children up to 3 years old “I give thanks before you, King living and more sensitive, compassionate and kind. We must with Daphna Mor or Saskia Lane eternal, for You have returned within me teach them to acknowledge that there is magic all my soul with compassion; abundant is Your around, especially in the quiet moments. How 5:30 pm - Children ages 3-6 years faithfulness!” do we enable our children to understand these old with Katie Shea Isn’t it amazing to see modern day buzzwords concepts? How can they come to understand November 22 like compassion, abundance and faithfulness in this how grateful they should be? Rituals and songs 5:30 pm - Children up to 3 years old ancient prayer? This prayer removes our sense of are fun tools that help add a playful dimension to control over our lives by stressing that getting our soul tradition and mindfulness. with Daphna Mor or Saskia Lane back each morning is not to be taken for granted. Every morning and evening, we ask our 5:30 pm - Children ages 3-6 years Yes, gratitude is an easy word to throw around. daughter what she is happy about, thankful for old with Katie Shea But how do you come to truly mean it? and excited for. More often than not, the answer 6:30 pm - Grades 2-7 with Upon implementing a morning gratitude is related to school! We are so grateful that Phil Rothman practice, our mind might start racing with to- Brotherhood is an integral part of our lives. We do lists, complaints, fears, and the stories we tell feel blessed that we walk by the lush, green, serene ourselves. If we interrupt the automatic mental and vibrant Gramercy Park every day. loop, however, and focus instead on all of the wows When you change what you see, you change in our lives, then we will attract more of them. how you see. l A Note from Development: ♪ Cantor’s Notes ♪ As many of you who attended our recent by Cantor Isaac Yager “Security Shabbat” in September know, The Brotherhood Synagogue, along with many — if recently came across the texts and study ma- my my mother to warn my teachers that my not most — houses of worship, is taking additional Iterials I used for my own Bar Mitzvah which punim needed to return scratch free before the measures to insure the security of everyone who took place more than twenty years ago. The day I became a Jewish man. On this particular enters our premises. Given the state of today’s papers were nestled in one of the many boxes trip, I remember that we had gone spelunking world, including the recent rise in anti-Semitism I inherited from my parents during their down- (cave exploring) somewhere in rural Connecti- and anti-Semitic attacks, we have been proactively sizing move several months ago. Squished in cut. From the depths of this cavern, I chant- addressing security issues on many fronts. After between beaded necklaces and Austin Powers ed the Ki Tavo as best I could from an in-depth and competitive application process, action figures were the fruits of my thirteen memory (it was pitch black) for an audience of we are proud to announce that The Brotherhood year old labor. I can’t remember the last time underwhelmed and unenthusiastic adolescents. Synagogue is the recipient of a $100,000 grant I had seen these papers. Whenever it was, it Nevertheless, I can assure you I sounded fab- from the Federal Government for specific was during a time when becoming a cantor was ulous. I vaguely remember at the completion security enhancements to our building. The not in my purview, and most certainly when of my Bar Mitzvah, right after the candy had Development Department has also applied for Hebrew and trope were not a part of my daily been thrown, my rabbi giving me a look of sol- a grant from the New York State Department routine. I was surprised to see the notes that I id approval. Folklore says that he might even of Homeland Security’s Program for Securing had written to myself in the margins of the He- have said, “You should think about becoming Communities Against Hate Crimes and we will brew text, things like “r’via and et nachta both a cantor one day.” I didn’t think much of the keep you informed of the status of that grant go down” and “t’vir sounds like this” next to idea at the time. I also didn’t think much of the as soon as the announcements are made. There a swooping downward arrow that I had drawn idea during my freshman year of college when are many additional security measures that the in to illustrate the way I had heard the sound. my first voice teacher (who worked as a canto- Synagogue has put into practice as well, which Truthfully, I don’t remember much about my rial soloist) resurrected the idea. Yet, looking at have been addressed in other forums, so please be own Bar Mitzvah preparation. I remember lis- the marginalia I left behind in my Bar Mitzvah tening to the audio cassette recording of my papers from my new perspective of someone assured that your safety and security here are our Haftarah over and over again trying to replicate who teaches this craft for a living, it’s clear that number one priority. the sound of my hazzan. I also remember prac- I did not relate to this process superficially. And Look for more in the next issue on the ticing my Haftarah on a school trip that took for all the hemming and hawing that led up 2019/20 Annual Fund and other Development place a few weeks before my big day. I went to a to my decision to become a cantor, recogniz- “developments.” In the meantime, we wish Montessori school from second grade to eighth ing the genuine respect my young self had for each and every one of you a happy and healthy grade where we took some pretty adventurous this craft brings me wholehearted satisfaction Thanksgiving Holiday! trips, or at least adventurous enough to force today. l —Marilyn Strozak, Director of Development l

Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 November 2019 Brotherhood Synagogue 7 Brotherhood Cheshvan / Kislev 5780 Synagogue November 2019

✡ Saturday Mornings: Shabbat Corner 9:45 am / Junior Congregation 10:30 am / Alef-Bet Club 11 am

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 3:30 pm: Tikvah 2 ✡ 9:30 am: Services 5:34 pm: Candles Bar Mitzvah of 5:15 pm: Nursery School Ethan Ben-Zion Dinner 6:30 pm: Services

NOACH

3 9 am: Tikvah 4 4 pm: Hebrew School 5 9:30 am: Toddler Class 6 10 am: Pre-Toddler Class 7 9:30 am: Toddler Class 8 4:26 pm: Candles 9 ✡ 9:30 am: Services 5 pm: Torah Study 5:40 pm: Minyan 11 am: Baby Class 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 6:30 pm: Services 7 pm: Jewish Current 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! Noon: Interfaith Study Noon: Lunch and Learn Veterans’ Shabbat Events 7:30 pm: Tales (Cavalry) 3 pm: Thursday Corner 8 pm: Learn to Read 4 pm: Hebrew School 4:15 pm: Thursday Corner II Hebrew NO HEBREW SCHOOL 6:30 pm: Fundamentals 5 pm: Edith Halper of Trope and the Rise of American 7 pm: The Sabbath Art at the Jewish Museum Through History 6:30 pm: BBYO 7 pm: Rabbi Irving J. Block Memorial Lecture Speaker: Rabbi Capers C. Funnye Jr.

LECH LECHA

10 9:15 am: 30th Annual 11 12 9:30 am: Toddler Class 13 10 am: Pre-Toddler Class 14 9:30 am: Toddler Class 15 3:30 pm: Tikvah 16 ✡ 9:30 am: Services Bikur Cholim Conference 3:30 pm: Life Goes On 11 am: Baby Class 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 4:20 pm: Candles on Visiting the Sick (off-site) 4 pm: Hebrew School Noon: Interfaith Study Noon: Lunch and Learn Family Shabbat (Brotherhood) VETERANS DAY 5:40 pm: Minyan 3 pm: Thursday Corner 5:30 pm: (up to age 3) 6 pm: BCRIC Meeting 4 pm: Hebrew School 4:15 pm: Thursday Corner II 5:30 pm: (Ages 3 to 6) OFFICE CLOSED 7 pm: An Evening with 6:30 pm: Fundamentals 6:30 pm: Services Matti Friedman of Trope Pittsburgh Memorial 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! 7 pm: The Sabbath Through History 7:30 pm: Talmud Tales

VAYERA

23 17 9 am: Tikvah 18 4 pm: Hebrew School 19 9:30 am: Toddler Class 20 10 am: Pre-Toddler Class 21 9:30 am: Toddler Class 22 22 3:30 pm: Tikvah 23 ✡ 9:30 am: Services 10:30 am: Twinning 5 pm: Torah Study 1 pm: Hadassah Meeting 11 am: Baby Class 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 5:43 pm: Candles Bat Mitzvah of Event Dara Benyacar 7 pm: Jewish Current 4 pm: Hebrew School Noon: Interfaith Study Noon: Lunch and Learn Family Shabbat Events 5:40 pm: Minyan (Cavalry) 3 pm: Thursday Corner 5:30 pm: (up to age 3) 1 pm: Shabbat Club 8 pm: Learn to Read 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! 4 pm: Hebrew School 4:15 pm: Thursday Corner II 5:30 pm: (Ages 3 to 6) Hebrew 6:30 pm: (Grades 2-7) 7 pm: Life Goes On 6:30 pm: Fundamentals 6:30 pm: BBYO Meeting of Trope Book Club 7 pm: Brotherhood 6:30 pm: Services 7:30 pm: Talmud Tales 7 pm: The Sabbath Book Club Speaker: Dr. David Godin Through History

CHAYE SARAH

24 9 am: Tikvah 25 4 pm: Hebrew School 26 9:30 am: Toddler Class 27 28 29 5:34 pm: Candles 30 ✡ 9:30 am: Services 10 am: DOROT 5 pm: Torah Study 4 pm: Hebrew School 6:30 pm: Services Thanksgiving Deliveries 7 pm: Jewish Current 5:40 pm: Minyan Events 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! THANKSGIVING 8 pm: Learn to Read 7:30 pm: Talmud Tales OFFICE CLOSED Hebrew

ROSH CHODESH ROSH CHODESH NOACH