The Jewish Center BULLETIN

DECEMBER 19, 2015 • PARSHAT VAYIGASH • 7 T EVET 5776

EREV SHABBAT WELCOME YACHAD 4:12PM Candle lighting WHO ARE JOINING US THIS SHABBAT 4:20PM Minchah (3 rd floor) Yachad The Jewish Center would like to extend a warm wel- come to all of our guests visiting for the Yachad SHABBAT Shabbat this weekend: Yachad members, counselors, 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Midrash) Manhattan Day School faculty, 8th grade students 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Ari Lamm 9:00AM Shacharit (3 rd floor) and families. The entire community is invited to an 9:15AM Hashkama with Rabbi Yosie Levine: Cold Case: Jacob, oneg at 8:00PM on the 5th floor. We look forward Joseph and the Unsolved Wagon Mystery (5 th floor) to spending Shabbat with all of you. 9:30AM Young Leadership Minyan (The Max Stern Auditorium) Thank you to our sponsors 9:34AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema for helping make this weekend possible: 10:00AM Youth Groups, Under age 3, 3-4-year-olds and 5-6-year- Serena Wieder & Jonathan Blank olds: Geller Youth Center; 2 nd -3rd graders, 4 th -6th graders: 7 th floor Vivian & Daniel Chill Community (5th floor) Debbie & Elliot Gibber Rona & Ira Kellman WITH THANKS TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSORS : Amanda Nussbaum & Daniel Laifer Hashkama Kiddush: Joyce & Aaron Weitz Golda Reena & Henry Rothman Community Kiddush: Meira & Tobi Tugendhaft in honor of their Debrah DeWinter & Phillip Sussman new granddaughter

12:25PM Early Minchah (The Max and Marion Grill Beit SIXTH ANNUAL TEEN VS . C LERGY Midrash) `B ASKETBALL GAME 2:45PM Bikkur Cholim/Bikkur in the Home (meet at 730 SATURDAY NIGHT , D ECEMBER 19 AT 7:00PM Columbus Avenue) 4:00PM Minchah (3 rd floor), Shabbat afternoon groups (5 th floor) Please join our growing list of sponsors: Israel Friedman Sharon & Clifford Brandeis 39 Melachot with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Lori Zeltser& Len Berman Speaker: Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal Rachel Wolf & Andrew Borodach Topic: Understanding the Challenges of Ba’alei Teshuva and their fami- Susan & Arthur Degen lies . Bosi & Yaron Kinar Youth Dvar : Daniel Wagman Leslie & Jeffrey Lang 5:12PM Shabbat concludes R. Yosie & Rachel Levine Parent Child Learning 1st-6th grade (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Sarah & Stuart Milstein Midrash) Abby & Marc Posner 7:00PM Sixth Annual Teen vs. Clergy Basketball Game Barbara & Guy Reiss

Rose Lynn Sherr DAILY SERVICES Rachel & Daniel Solomons See the insert for more information. Sun., Dec. 20 Mon., Dec. 21, Tue., Dec. 22 Fri., Dec. 25 Daf Yomi Wed., Dec. 23 Asarah Shacharit 8AM 7:45AM and Thurs., B’ Daf Yomi SHABBAT OF SONG FEATURING SIX 13 Shacharit Dec. 24 Fast Begins 7:45AM SHABBAT , J ANUARY 15-16 8:30AM Shacharit 5:49AM Candle lighting Minchah 7/8AM Shacharit 4:15PM 4:20PM Daf Yomi 6:45/7:45AM Minchah Be a part of this spirited Shabbat which will include 7:45AM Daf Yomi 4:20PM lively services, a community Shabbat dinner, and Minchah 7:45AM musical . 4:20PM Minchah 4:05PM Oneg following dinner Fast Ends 5:02PM Please visit The Jewish Center website for WOMEN'S TEHILLIM GROUP • Monday, December 21 at 7:15PM. Con- more information. tact Joyce Weitz for more information at 212-877-1176. The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning 131 W. 86 th Street, New York, NY 10024 • www.jewishcenter.org • 212-724-2700 WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS NOVEMBER IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH Julie & Andrew Ackerman Tamar Feigenbaum Mikhayla Bibi & Daniel Reidler Allie & Jeremy Alperovich Jodi & Alan Friedman Rena Reiter Elan Ariel Betina Schein & Alan Futerfas Cynthia & Paul Rosenberg Natalie & David Batalion Lauren Glassman Rene Schloss Jeremy Berman Robert Goldfarb Ronnie & Andy Schonzeit Leslie Black Michal Greenspan Ruby Gelman & Shimon Shkury Miriam & Steven Bram Samuel Grossman Allie & Jeremy Simon Zachary Breslaw Laura & Zohar Kastner Marlene & Michael Sperling Lauren Browdy Phyllis & Bernard Katz Kira & Andrew Wigod Oren Charnoff Allen Krulwich Harry & Zoe Chiel Suzanne & Billy Kukielka Join us for our new members Karen & Ivan Ciment Isaac Lobel Kiddush on January 9 Marissa Cinnamon Daniel Mael Rabbi Dovid & Ruchi Cohen Jordana & Avi Moche Ben Davidman Daphne Morduchowitz Sarah Eagle Dorothy & Martin Prager

CHANUKAH OUTING TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY MUSEUM

Last week, Rabbi Levine led a special Chanukah outing to the National Academy Museum. Dozens of Jewish Center members and friends enjoyed the fascinating guided tour of Moshe Safdie's work. His projects in Israel, North America and beyond are nothing short of spectacular. If you have not yet visited the exhibit, be sure to do so before January 10 .

JEWISH CENTER UNIVERSITY WINTER SEMESTER RABBI JUND FUND APPEAL For more information visit our website or contact Rabbi Dovid Zirkind at [email protected]

DAILY (except Shabbat) David, King of Israel SHABBAT Thank you to everyone Israel Friedman Daf Yomi Sadye and Henry Bayer Chu- Rabbi Israel Silverstein who has already respond- with rotating JCU Faculty, mash Class with Rabbi Yosie Mishnayot Class with Rabbi ed so generously to our 7:45AM Levine will resume on Dec. 15 Yosie Levine, 8:30AM recent Rabbi Jung Fund at 8:00PM MONDAY Hashkama Shiur with rotat- appeal. If you have not Timing is Everything: Stud- WEDNESDAY ing JCU Faculty, 9:15AM yet contributed or re- ies in Mesechet Kedushin Women of the Bible with deemed your pledge, you with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, Rabbi Israel Friedman Daf Yomi may do so online or 8:00PM Yosie Levine, 11:00AM with rotating JCU Faculty through our office by mak- TUESDAY Parshah/ Round ing a check out to the Rab- Nosh and Drash with Dr. Table with Rabbi Daniel 39 Melachot with Rabbi bi Dr. Leo Jung Memorial Adena Fridman, 7:15-8:00PM Dovid Zirkind Fund. Berkowitz, 10:15-11:30AM Advanced Chabura Parent-Child Learning with Jewish History: with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, rotating JCU Faculty. Check in a Christian Em- 8:00PM the bulletin for dates and pire with Rabbi Ari Lamm, times 7:15PM (7 th floor) The Next Level with Rabbi Mark Wildes, 8:00PM

To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at [email protected] UPCOMING EVENTS COMMUNITY YACHAD SHABBATON ANNOUNCEMENTS SHABBAT , DECEMBER 18 The JC is proud to partner with Manhattan Day School and the Orthodox Union as they host MAZAL TOV their annual Yachad Shabbaton. Participants will join us for Kabbalat Shabbat followed by a Gladys & Dr. Robert communal Shabbat Dinner. Sponsorship and hospitality opportunities available. For more in- Richter on the birth of formation and to involved, contact [email protected]. a great grandson, PERFORMANCE BY THREE UPPER WEST SIDE CANTORS born to their children THURSDAY , D ECEMBER 24 AT 8:30PM AT THE JEWISH CENTER Atara & Sender Gross Don’t miss this performance by Cantor Zevi Muller of West Side Institutional, Cantor Chaim David Berson of The Jewish Center and Cantor Yanky Lemmer of Lincoln Square Synagogue. Meira & Tobi Light snacks, sushi, wine and drinks will be served. Visit our website to register. Tickets cost Tugendhaft on the $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Visit our website to register and direct questions to birth of their new [email protected]. granddaughter

NEW MEMBERS KIDDUSH THANK YOU TO CSS Shabbat, January 9 following services We would like to Our Officers and Rabbis would love to get to know our new members better. All those who once again thank CSS joined in 2015 are invited to join for this Kiddush. and our dedicated

CSS members for JEWISH CENTER BOOK CLUB MEETING : THE BETRAYERS BY DAVID BEZMOZGIS providing the security Sunday, January 10 at 7:30PM at the home of Dinah & Andy Mendes located at 262 Central for our synagogue this Park West The Betrayers , David Bezmozgis’ prize-winning (National Jewish Book award 2015), is a page week. -turning novel about an ex-Soviet Israeli politician who confronts the man who betrayed him THANK YOU TO to the KGB. Esther Nussbaum will lead the discussion for this meeting. The conversation should OUR USHERS generate stimulating and lively back-and-forth, and will be followed by refreshments. We welcome new participants. If you have questions please email [email protected] Thank you to our ush- ers Miriam Gutwein SAVE THE DATE : S HABBAT OF SONG FEATURING SIX 13 and Scott Black. SHABBAT , J ANUARY 15-16 Be a part of this spirited Shabbat which will include lively services, a community Shabbat din- DID YOU KNOW? ner, and musical Havdalah. Part of your member- ship dues help pay for the Manhattan YOUTH DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS & U PDATES and the West For more information contact Jenn & Gaby Minsky at [email protected]. Side Mikvah. To provide additional support to these vital CHILDREN , J OIN US FOR ADON OLAM LASER TAG institutions, visit our Children ages 2-6 are encouraged to come to SATURDAY NIGHT , J ANUARY 9, 6:30PM - Ages 7 website and click on the bimah during the Cantor’s recitation of and up/8:00PM - Teens West Side Resources. Kiddush and then sing Adon Olam together. This sport will keep kids active and engaged while promoting positive game play and CLERGY VS . T EEN BASKETBALL GAME teamwork. For prices, sponsorship information SATURDAY NIGHT , D ECEMBER 19 and to register, visit our website. Come and cheer on your favorite rabbis as they are challenged by our youth players! MOVIE NIGHT : ET Sponsorship opportunities available. Teens SATURDAY , F EBRUARY 20 Worlds largest Jewish interested in playing should contact Gaby. All those ages 7 and up are welcome. Regis- Book Sale completely See the insert for more information. tration will open on January 20. run by Uni- versity students for TEEN MINYAN AND HOT KIDDUSH *The youth department is looking for parent just 4 weeks a year. SHABBAT , J ANUARY 9TH AT 9:30AM volunteers to accompany the children when Will take place from All teens and their friends are welcome to join. making Bikur Cholim visits on Shabbat after- February 7-28. Davening will be led by JC teens with guid- noons. Contact Jenn & Gaby at For more information ance from Rabbi Ari Lamm. Following the ser- [email protected] for more Visit vice, teens will enjoy an amazing hot Kiddush details and to help with this important mitz- www.theseforimsale.com and sushi. For more information or to sponsor vah. the Kiddush, contact Gaby. To advertise or list an announcement in The Jewish Center Bulletin, please contact us at [email protected]

The Moment of Truth Clergy & Staff Parshat Vayigash 5776 Yosie Levine Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, Assistant Rabbi Rabbi

Dovid Zirkind Each of us has a favorite chapter. place…” In confronting his brothers, Yosef an- Assistant Rabbi

We’ve been studying the Chumash since we ticipates two opposing reactions. To those who Chaim David Berson were children, listening to the Parsha each week might feel a sense of regret or shame he com- Cantor and some chapters jump out at us more than forts by saying, ‘do not be sad’; coming to Daniel Fridman Resident Scholar others. Maybe it’s Yaakov fighting with the an- terms with the reality that Hashem made this gel of Esav, the sounds of song at the splitting happen for a reason. But to those who still Ari Lamm Resident Scholar of the sea, or Moshe hitting the rock. The most wished he was gone, to the jealous brothers powerful narratives have a way crystalizing in even more consumed with anger than before, Erica Brown Community Scholar our mind’s eye and staying with us from year to Yosef demands they come to terms with his re- year. silience. Noach Goldstein The records how each time If this Yiddish expression is correct, William Fischman Rabbinic Intern Rabbi Elazar would study Parshat Vayigash, when man plans God laughs. But what happens Aaron Strum particularly the moment when Yosef reveals his when God plans? How do we react? Reading Executive Director true identity to eleven speechless brothers, the this story every cycle, knowing the conclusion Eliane Dreyfuss great sage would cry. And each time Rabbi and the pre-ordained trajectory of Yosef, it’s Glassman Elazar would declare, “If the rebuke of our fel- easy to think of the story as unfolding perfectly. Director of low man has the power to leave us speechless, Hindsight is 20/20. But if we were Yosef’s Programming and Communications how much more so the rebuke of Hashem him- brothers, would our reaction have been faithful self” (Chagiga 4b). Indeed, in the language of or fearful? Chazal are convinced that the broth- Jenn & Gaby Minsky Youth Directors the Midrash, it was this indescribable moment ers could no longer deny Yosef’s destiny, but that changed Yaakov’s sons forever. Everything after Yaakov dies they are still convinced that OFFICERS they thought about Yosef, every decision they Yosef would harm them, banish them or worse. Avi Schwartz made and every action they took was upended While Chazal envision the story closing with an President in the very moment they saw their brother’s as- epiphany, regret and shame, the Netziv prefers Andrew Borodach First Vice President cension to greatness. According to Talmudic an ending that is more complicated, but also tradition, from the moment Yosef’s brothers saw more human. Andrew Kaplan Vice President him as viceroy, they knew deep down how ter- We may not control our circumstances Mark Segall ribly mistaken they had been all along. completely but we do control our reactions. As Vice President The Netziv points out however, that a Victor Frankl famously wrote: “Between stimulus Rose Lynn Sherr close reading of the text indicates how Yosef and response there is a space. In that space is Vice President was uncertain of how his brothers would react our power to choose our response. In our re- Michael Jacobs when seeing him upon the thrown. “… He said, sponse lies our growth and our freedom.” Much Assistant ‘I am Yosef your brother, who you sold to like Yosef’s brothers we are presented with de- Vice President

Egypt. Now do not be sad, and do not have fining moments throughout our lives, how we Yaron Kinar anger in your eyes for selling me to this choose to interpret them is solely up to us. Treasurer

Len Berman Assistant Treasurer JC D ELEGATION AT THE AIPAC P OLICY CONFERENCE Miri Lipsky Secretary The AIPAC Policy Conference is the pro-Israel community's preeminent annual gathering. The event attracts more than 16,000 community Phone Numbers and student activists from all 50 states, and Ilana Gadish more than half of the Senate, a third of the Yoetzet Halacha House of Representatives and countless Israeli 646-598-1080 [email protected] and American policymakers and thought lead- ers. Over three jam-packed days, Policy Con- Jewish Center ference participants choose from hundreds of 212-724-2700 x555 informative sessions and participate in the pro- UWS Mikvah Israel community's largest and most important 212-579-2011 advocacy conference. Tickets with The JC dis- count cost $399 per person. Register before 212-230-1000

December 31 to lock in this deal. Please visit Eruv Status our website to purchase your tickets. Only 212-724-2700 x4 18 tickets left.