Shabbat Mikketz Chanukah December 18-19 Candle Lighting: 4:11 PM / Shabbat Ends: 5:14 : Geneisis 41:1 – 44:17 : Numbers 7:54-8:4 : I Kings 7:40-50

Al Ha’Nissim “For all the Miracles” Happy Chanukah! Chanukah is a wonderful reminder that with faith in G-d and divine justice, the chalashim, the weak can defeat the giborim, the mighty. With trust in G-d and ultimate goodness, we can overcome even oppression which seems immovable.

The final night and day of Chanukah coincide with Shabbat Mikketz, Friday evening to Sunday evening. December 18 and 19. Take care to light the Chanukah candle before the Shabbat candles, so as not to violate the prohibition of lighting fires on Shabbat.

Teaching from Rabbi Weintraub

Mikketz The Family Laundry

In the Portion of Mikketz, Genesis chapters 41:1 - 44:17, we read essentially, “Joseph and his Brothers, Part II.” Joseph has finally risen from prison to become viceroy of Egypt and the brothers are sent from Canaan by their father, Jacob, to find food during a regional famine. The brothers don’t recognize Joseph. Joseph, who recognizes them, puts them through long trials, variously tormenting, imprisoning, framing and threatening with slavery the brothers who earlier sold him off to servitude and exile.

Why does Joseph so torment his brothers? Why does he test them over and over? From their first visit, when Joseph accused them of being spies, they immediately acknowledged their earlier sin: “They then said to one another, ‘indeed we are guilty concerning our brother inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed. That is why this anguish has come upon us “Genesis 42:21). Isn’t that contrition enough? Why drag this agony out with more accusations, more forced trips to Canaan and back, more excoriating trials?

What Joseph needed to resolve, in the deepest recesses of his heart, was not the betrayal by his brothers. He wants something else. What finally breaks his composure, and inspires the reconciliation with his brothers, immediately follows this Portion when Judah will rush forward and plead eloquently for Josephs’ mercy. In that brilliant appeal (Genesis 44:18-34), the word “av” (father) is repeated sixteen times. The image of, and the distance from his father breaks Joseph’s heart.

Reconciliation between men and their fathers, as shown here and to this day, does not involve heavy psychological airing of the dirty laundry of relationships, or superficial attempts to become “buddy-buddy”. It is about understanding in one’s heart that the wounds of the past must be healed if we are going to clear up all sorts of other discord. The common ground between fathers and sons remains, and the mutual respect and admiration can survive even disappointment, anger and estrangement.

The prophet Malachi culminates his prophecy (Malachi 3:24) by imagining the coming of Elijah who will bring peace to the world, solve all conflicts, settle all legal disputes, announce the advent of the Messiah, and turn all people to the one G-d. As a first step, however, what will Elijah do? “He shall turn the heart of the father to the children , and the heart of the children to their fathers”. With our fathers we learned competition and conflict, and with them we will learn forgiveness and return.

Hamakom Y’nachem – Condolences and Shiva Information

We extend sincere condolences to Carol Salem, whose father Lenny Salem, of blessed memory, died this past week. The funeral was on Friday, December 18, in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Shiva will be observed at Carol and Dan's home, 59 Livingston Street, #2B, between Court and Clinton at these times: Saturday night, from 5:30-10:00 P.M. with Ma'ariv service at 6:00 P.M. Sunday, from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with morning services at 9:00 A.M. (we will move our normal Chapel service to the home of Shiva) and Ma'ariv Services at 6:00 P.M... On Monday and Tuesday, the home will be open for visitation from 5:00-9:00 P.M. with a Ma'ariv service at 7:30 P.M.

We pray for the consolation of Carol and her brother Jerry b'toch sh'ar Avei'lei Tzion V'Y'rushalayim, among all those who mourn for Zion and Amen

This Shabbat, December 19, Lunch and Learn with Sophie Ellman Golan, winner of the 2009 Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship: “My summer experience at an orphanage in Ghana”

Every year Kane Street Synagogue selects one worthy teenager to receive the Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship, given to support an activity which enriches the child’s Jewish identity. This past year, the Scholarship was awarded to Sophie Ellman Golan, who spent the summer volunteering at the Missahoe (pronounced mees’ah’way) Children’s Home, an orphanage in Ghana, through the organization Cosmic Volunteers.

Sophie will describe this powerful experience this Shabbat, in a brief presentation at the end of Services, and then more extensively at a “lunch and learn” in the Chapel, following . We thank her parents, Barat Ellman and Jay Golan, for their generous sponsorship of Kiddush that Shabbat. We urge you all to come to hear how teens can contribute, even globally, to Tzedaka, social righteousness.

For information about applying for the 2010 Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship, please see the announcement below.

Services

Friday Night: 6:00 PM Shabbat Morning: 9:30 AM Singing Service: Chapel, 9:30 AM Learner’s Service: 11AM in the Social Hall, led by Bob Marx SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES ARE 9:00 A.M. AT 59 LIVINGSTON STREET, #2B (see above, “Shiva information”)

Learner’s Service

"I like the feeling at Shabbat services, but it's really hard to follow"

If this sounds like you, then join us Shabbat morning from 11:00-12:15 for Kane Street's heralded "Learner's Service", Shabbat mornings December 12 and 19. This informal, stimulating group explores the melodies, meanings and choreography of the prayer service. It's a terrific way to get a better hold of the Shabbat morning service of the Synagogue. There is no charge. Drop in at any time and come as often as you like. No prior Jewish or Hebrew knowledge is required. Learner's Services are led by adult education teachers David Grupper, Bob Marx and Jason Gitlin. Please note schedule change; sessions on November 7 and December 5 are cancelled

The Singing Service

The popular, informal service uses the power of singing to build group spirit and to explore the deeper meaning of our prayers. This service meets in the Chapel and is led by our Musical Enrichment Director, Joey Weisenberg. For questions or comments, please contact Joey at [email protected]

News and Events

Brooklyn Israel Film Festival at Kane Street

Save the dates for the 6th Annual Brooklyn Israel Film Festival at Kane Street: Thursday, Jan. 28th at 8:00PM, Sat. Jan. 30th at 8:00PM and Sun. Jan. 31st at 7:00PM. As in previous years, the film festival will feature thought-provoking and award-winning Israeli films with noted speakers including the filmmakers. We'll be updating you in the coming months as we decide about the movies and speakers. If you would like to help out with the marketing or with the set-up of the festival, please contact [email protected]

TIKKUN OLAM / SOCIAL JUSTICE

THIS SHABBAT Cobble Hill Health Center Visit December 19 Join the Social Justice Committee at the Cobble Hill Health Center, as we spend an hour with Cobble Hill residents of all ages schmoozing, conversing about current events, telling stories, and singing songs. Place: 380 Henry St. (corner of Congress St.), Recreation Room Time: 10:00am-11:00am All ages welcome!

HOPE Time of Year Kane Street Synagogue will be joining once again with Congregation Beth Elohim and Old First Reformed Church to participate in HOPE 2010. The Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) is a survey of all individuals living on city streets, in city parks, and in the subway system. It will be held on Monday, January 25th beginning at 10:30pm. More than 2,500 volunteers are needed to canvass the city to count the number of individuals who are living unsheltered on the streets, in parks and in other public spaces. After a brief training and orientation, volunteer teams will disperse to their assigned areas to count the number of individuals on the street and in public places from midnight until 4AM (though many groups finish by 2AM). Email [email protected] to join our team.

Mitzvah of the Month (MOM) (November-December) Housewares Drive for Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care for Jewish Childcare Association of New York

JCCA-NY collects houseware items for children who are aging out of foster care into their own residences (JCCANY.org). These young adults need dishes, cutlery, bathroom accessories, frames, clocks and other small items in order to start their independent lives off on the right foot. Some items (shower curtain, for instance) are better donated new, while other items are perfectly fine if gently used. Furniture is not acceptable given storage and transport limitations. Please drop your donations in the bin in the lobby of the Goldman Educational Center.

Thank you to all who volunteered during Kane Street's three weeks at the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Homeless Shelter!

Adult Education Monthly Sessions Our Torah study group continues this year, led by Rabbi Josh Gutoff. Sessions will be held on the first Shabbat at 10:45 AM. Each session will take an in-depth look at a particular issue raised in each week’s parsha. We will both engage in close reading and use additional texts to understand the issue in its textual and historical context and/or its development in later Jewish thought.

Limmud Remix your Judaism at Limmud NY 2010. Register now for Limmud NY's 6th annual conference January 15-18, 2010 (MLK Weekend) at the Hudson Valley Resort. http://www.limmudny.org/register Limmud NY is a marketplace of all things Jewish. Come celebrate the rich diversity of Jewish life, culture, ideas and perspectives with of all ages and backgrounds. Choose from 300+ sessions, including text study, art, music, film, yoga, nature walks, kids' camp, a variety of Shabbat services and more. Or just hang out, relax, eat, meet new friends and grow your Jewish world. Payment plans and scholarships are available. To register, go to: http://www.limmudny.org/register or call 212-284-6968

Youth Educational Opportunities Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship Fund For Teen age Jewish programs

The Kane Street Synagogue is now receiving applications for the Ben and Martha Friedman Scholarship, established by Drs. Mordechai and Ellen Friedman in memory of Mordechai’s beloved parents. The Scholarship supports the teenage (13-18) children of members of the Kane Street Synagogue in their attempts to enrich their experiences as Jews. Children who are planning to engage in a new activity, during the coming year that contributes to the teen’s knowledge of his or her Jewish heritage are invited to apply. Financial need and the applicant’s involvement with the Synagogue activities will also be taken into account.

The award for this year is one thousand dollars. Candidates should submit to the Synagogue, c/o Rabbi Weintraub, a 300-500 word proposal describing the activity, and how they believe it will contribute both to an increased knowledge of Judaism, and to their overall Jewish pride and identity. The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2010. Any questions should be directed to Rabbi Weintraub at (718) 875-1550.

Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel now accepting applications

The Bronfman Youth Fellowship in Israel is one of the most extraordinary opportunities for Jewish learning and leadership training available to High School students. The purpose of this Fellowship is to increase understanding and tolerance among the different Jewish denominations. Thus, Fellows range from those who are religiously observant to those only marginally affiliated with Judaism. Through discussion, study and interaction with the land, leaders and people of Israel, the Fellows learn about the whole spectrum of Jewish peoplehood.

This fully endowed program will take place from July 5 to August 11, 2010. Fellows interact with a select group of Israeli teenage Fellows, and meet with Israeli leaders who have included Prime Ministers, Knesset members, and influential journalists and novelists.

The fellowship is open to Jewish students of all backgrounds who are in their Junior Year of High School. No prior Jewish educational background is necessary to apply. The Fellowship covers round trip transportation between New York and Israel, educational programming and room, board and travel while in Israel. Fellows also explore important Israeli historical sites and natural attractions. There is a very active alumni program, including follow up- seminars in North America, continued local and national meetings, social service, on line study, and opportunities for professional growth.

Kane Street is proud to be the Synagogue home of three former Bronfman Fellows: Alice Phillips, Liba Wenig-Rubenstein, and Sam Telzak. If you would like an application (due January 20, 2010), or more information, please go to www.bronfman.org

REGISTRATION FOR HEBREW SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL If you have any questions or would like a registration form for your child, please contact Kane Street Kids Rabbi Valerie Lieber at 718-875-1550 x123 or [email protected] We have a wonderful Preschool/Daycare Center called Kane Street Kids. For more information, call Joyce Heller at 718.875.1550, or email [email protected]

Todah Rabah Our “Siddurim Sim Shalom” have been cleaned up. All the pencil, pen, smudges, “other stuff” and tears have been removed or repaired, just in time for Chanukah; many thanks to our member Devorah Greenspan.

Website To find out all that Kane Street Synagogue has to offer, please visit our new website at www.kanestreet.org. Features include the KSS calendar, listing of weekly services and leaders, upcoming events, contact information, educational programs, application forms for new members and school enrolment, directions to our facilities and cemeteries, donation forms for giving online or by fax, a link to Amazon.com that supports the synagogue, access to our publications and so much more. Add www.kanestreet.org to your Favorite's List today. Visit us often.

Submissions to the Kane Yirbu should be emailed to Kane Yirbu editor Barbara Speregen at [email protected] by the Monday preceding publication.

Kane Street Synagogue Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes Samuel H. Weintraub, Rabbi 236 Kane Street [email protected] Brooklyn, NY 11231 Phone 718.875.1550 Jay Brodsky Fax: 718-797-1152 [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.kanestreet.org